REGENERATION. 353 you are born of God ; that you have no prevailing, re- freshing evidence of itshould this hinder you l Should this discourage you from believing forgiveness, from closing with the promises, and thereby obtaining in yourselves an interest in forgiveness with God Not at all ; nay, this ought exceedingly to excite .and stir you up to your duty herein. For, Suppose that indeed you are yet in the state of sin, and are only brought under the power of light and con- viction ; this is the way for a translation into a state of spiritual life and grace. If you delay the acting of faith in forgiveness until you are regenerate, you may, and probably you will, come short both of forgiveness and regeneration. Here lay your foundation, and then your building will go on. This will open the door to you, and give you an entrance into the kingdom of God. Christ is the door ; do not think to climb over the wall: enter by him; or you will be kept out. And suppose that you are born again, but yet know it not, as is the condition of many : this is the way where- by you may receive an evidence thereof. It is good to look after all signs and pledges of our spiritual condi- tion, and rightly to improve them ; but the best course is to follow the genuine natural actings of faith, which leads us into the most settled apprehensions concerning our relation to God and acceptance with him. Believe first the forgiveness of sin as the effect of mere grace and mercy in Christ. Let the faith of this be nourished and strengthened in your sou]. This will insensibly in- fluence your hearts to a comforting gospel persuasion of your state towards God, which will be accompanied with assured rest and peace.
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