354 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. To conclude our remarks on this point, remember that what has been said with reference to the state of regeneration in general, may be applied to every parti- cular objection or cause of fear or discouragement that may be reduced to that head. Such are all objections that arise from particular sins, from aggravations of sin by their greatness or circumstances, or relapses .into them. The sway that the consideration of these things prevails upon the mind to fear is by begetting an appre- hension in men that they are not regenerate; for if they were, they suppose they could not be so overtaken or entangled. The rules, therefore, laid down are suited to the straits of the souls of sinners in all such particu- lar cases. There remains another point in the general objection urged, which, though not of any great importance in it- self, it is well to remove out of the way, that it may not leave entanglements upon the minds of any : namely; that some know not nor can give an account of the time of their conversion to God, and therefore cannot be satis- fied that the saving work of his grace hath passed upon them. It has been shown that, in reference.to our state, there are many things on which we may safely found a judg- ment concerning ourselves; and it is great folly to wave them all, and put the issue of the matter upon one circumstance. If a man have a trial at law in which he has many evidences for him and only one circumstance is questionable, be will not cast the weight of his cause on that disputed circumstance, but will plead the evi- dences that are more clear and testify more fully in his behalf. I will not deny that the time of conversion is
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