REGENER A TION. 347 rcignty, when and to whom he pleaseth. Besides, that men may content and satisfy themselves with his or- dinary teachings, consolations and communications of grace, he has left the nature of that peculiar testimony of the Spirit very dark and difficult to be found out, few agreeing wherein it consists or what is its nature. No one man's experience is a rule to others ; and an undue apprehension of it is a matter of great danger. Yet it is certain that humble souls, in extraordinary cases, may have recourse to it with benefit and relief. This then you may desire, you may pray for it, but not with such a frame of spirit as to refuse the other satisfaction which in the ways of truth and peace you may find. This is the putting of the hand, like Thomas, into the side of Christ ; but blessed are they who believe, and yet have not seen. DIRECTION III. If you have, at any time formerly, re- ceived any special testimony of God given to your souls as to their sincerity, and consequently their regenera- tion, labor to recover it, and to revive a sense of it now in your darkness and trouble. I am persuaded that there are few believers to whom God does not at one time or other, in one duty or other, entering into or coming out of one temptation or another, give some singular testimony to their own souls of their sincerity and his acceptance. Sometimes he does this in a duty in which he enables the soul to make so near an approach to him that it is warmed, enlivened, satisfied with the presence, the gracious presence of God. Sometimes, when a man is entering on a great trial, a difficult or dangerous duty, so that death itself is feared in it, God comes in by one means or other with a secret intimation of his love.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=