346 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. we receive the consolation tendered." I proceed then to Show THE GROUNDS OF RESOLVING THIS PERPLEXING DOUBT in the ensuing directions. DIRECTION I. See that the assurance which you look after and desire is gospel-assurance, and not such as is suited merely to your own imagining. Our second and third general rules about the nature of all spiritual as- surance, and what is consistent therewith, are here to be taken into consideration. If you look to have such an absolute conviction of this matter as shall admit of no doubts and causes of new self - examination, you will be greatly deceived. Regeneration induces a new prin- ciple into the soul, but does not utterly expel the old : some would have security, not assurance. The principle of sin and unbelief will still abide and work in us. Their abiding and acting must needs put the soul upon a se- vere inquiry whether they are not prevalent in it be- yond what the condition of regeneration will admit. The constant conflicts we must have with sin will not suffer us to have always so clear an evidence of our con- dition as we could desire. Such a persuasion as is pre- valent against strong objections to the contrary, and keeps the heart in a due performance of those duties in faith which belong to the state of regeneration, is the substance of what you are to look after. DIRECTION II. If you are doubtful concerning your state, do not expect an extraordinary determination of it by an immediate testimony of the Spirit of God. I grant that God sometimes gives his own Spirit immediately to bear witness with ours that we are the children of God, both in respect to regeneration and adoption. But he does so, as far as we can observe, in a way of sove-
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