282 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. Yea, tliese graces have the most eminent promises annex- ed to them; as Isa. 57: 15; 66 : 2; Matt. 5 : 4; Zech. 12: 10; so that they are assuredly consistent with any other grace or privilege that we may be made partakers of, or which are promised to us, Some feeling the weight and burden of their sin, and, being called to mourning and humiliation on account of it, are so taken up with it as to lose the sense of forgiveness which, rightly im- proved, would increase their sorrow for sin, as their sorrow seems directly to sweeten their sense of for- giveness. Sorrow, absolutely exclusive of the faith of forgiveness, is legal, and tends to death; assurance, ab- solutely exclusive of godly sorrow, is presumption, and . not a persuasion from Him that,calleth us. But gospel sorrow and gospel assurance may well dwell in the same breast at the same time. Indeed, as in worldly joys there is a secret wound, so in all godly sorrow and mourning, considered in itself, there is a secret joy and refreshment; hence it Both not wither and dry up, but rather enlarge, open, and refresh the heart. I am persuaded that generally they mourn most who have most assurance. And all true gospel, mourners will be found to have the root of assurance so grafted in them that in its proper season it will undoubtedly flourish. 3. A deep sense of the indwelling power of sin is consistent with gospel-assurance. Sense of indwelling sin will cause manifold perplexities in the soul. Trou- ble, disquiet, sorrow and anguish of heart, expressing themselves in sighs, mourning, groaning for deliverance, always attend it. To what purpose do you speak to a soul highly sensible of the power of indwelling sin, con- cerning assurance 2 " Alas," saith he, "I am ready to
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