REGENERATION. 34,5 such thing. What is this but to mock God, and in a presumptuous manner take his naine in vain"! But, if we Would praise God as we ought for his grace, as we are guided and directed in the Scripture, as the nature of the service requires, with such a frame of heart as may influence our whole obedience, surely it-cannot but be our duty to know the grace that we have received. 3. Again, our spiritual watch and diligence consists chiefly in cherishing, improving, and increasing the grace that we have received, the new creature that is wrought in us. Herein consists principally the life of faith and. the exercise of that spiritual wisdom with which 'faith furnishes the soul. And how can any man apply himself to this whilst he is altogether uncertain whether he has received any principle of living, saving grace l Whereas, therefore, God requires our utmost diligence, watchfulness and care that we may grow in grace, it is certain that he requires also of us, and grants to us, that which is the foundation of all these duties, an acquaintance with the state whereto we belong. In brief, there is nothing we have to do in reference to eternity, but, one way or other, has respect to our light and convictions as to cur state. And those who are negligent in the trial and examination thereof, do leave all things between God and their souls at absolute un- certainties and dubious hazards, which is not to lead the life of faith. We now return to the objection under consideration Say some, " We know not whether we are regenerate or not, and therefore are altogether uncertain whether we have an interest in forgiveness with God; nor dare 15*
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