RULES l'OR OBTAINING FORGIVENESS. 309 f. meditate, resist temptation to sin ; press to the throne of grace by prayer, earnest and importunate supplica- tion: this is the way to take the kingdom of heaven. These things are not peace, they are not assurance ; but they are part of the means that God has appointed for the attainment of them. What, then, is the peculiar instruction proper for souls in this condition I Plainly this of the apostle, "Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure." 2 Pet. 1 : 10. " Alas !" says the sou], " I am afflicted and tossed, and not comforted ; my heart will come to no stability ; I have no assurance, I know not whether I am chosen or called; yea, fear that my latter end will be darkness and sorrow : there is, I confess, forgiveness with God, but I justly fear that I shall never be made 'partaker of it." What is the uswJ course taken by those applied to for instruction, in such circumstances'? Mostly they have a good opinion of those who come with these complaints : they judge them to be godly, though much in the dark ; if they knew them not before, yet upon hearing these com- plaints they begin to be well persuaded of them. Here- upon they are moved with pity and compassion, and troubled to see their perplexities, and set themselves to tender relief: they remind them of the gracious promises of the Gospel ; it may be, fix upon some par- ticular promise, which they explain : thence they re- mind them of the abundant grace and tender love of the Father, of the merciful care of our High Priest, his readi- ness and ability to save, and his communication of such favors to them as they perceive not. By such ways they seek to give them relief. But what is the issue
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=