278 FOEGILrENESS OF SIN. Fits as to our state ; of which I have spoken largely elsewhere. This, then, is our first .general rule and direction. Self-determinations concerning our spiritual condition are seldom right ; and mistakes in such determinations are exceedingly prejudicial to a soul seeking a sense of forgiveness. Let Christ, then, be the judge in this case by his word and Spirit. RULE H. Selfcondemnation and abhorrence for sin are consistent with gospeljustification and peace. Some men, strange as it may seem, have no peace, because they have that without which' it is impossible they should have peace., Because they cannot but con- demn themselves, they cannot entertain a sense that God acquits them. But this is the mystery of the Gos- pel to which unbelief is a stranger. Nothing but faith can give a real subsistence to these things in the same soul at the same time. It is easy to learn the notion of it, but it is not easy to experience the power of it. For a man to have a sight of that within him which would condemn him, and for which he is troubled ; and at the same time to have a discovery of that without him which will justify him, and to rejoice therein, is what he is not led unto but by faith in the mystery of the Gospel. We are under a law for justification which excludes all boasting. Rom. 3 : 27. So that, though we have joy enough in Another, yet we may have, we always have, sufficient cause of humiliation in ourselves. The Gospel will teach a man to feel sin and believe righteousness at the same time. Faith will carry hea- ven in one hand and hell in the other; showing the
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