80 9104ARD {t'ITfiESS TO CñRIBTIAVIT9C. tified, and the guilty justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God : 1 Cor. vi. 0, 10, 11. It is the blessed Spirit the Comforter, that speaks peace to the conscience of believers, through the atoning blood of Christ; it is he sheds abroad the love of God in their hearts, by believing the gospel; Rom. v. 5. and it ishe that fills them with love to God and to their neighbour ; for this love is the fruit of the Spirit ; Gal. v. 22. and when the Spiritof God shinesupon his own work in the soul of man, and makes this glorious change appear to the self-exam- iningchristian, it is a noble testimony that it gives to the truth anddivinity of the gospel of Christ. IV. This witness to the truth of christianity is certain and infallible, in the nature and reason of things ; and where this divine life arises to a considerable height, it gives a full assurance to the christian, that his religion is true. Eternal life begun in the soul, according to the description of it, cannot rise from a falsedoctrine; it must proceed from the God of truth, who him- self is eternal 4/e; 1 John v. 20. and the original and springof it to all his happy creatures. If it were possible that any other doctrine or religion could work such an inward witness in the hearts of sinners; if it were possible that any mere human gospel could give such a life and happiness as I have described, God would never have appointed his own divine gospel such a doubtful witness. But I may say, God will never suffer so divine a testi mony to belong to any religion, but that which himself (lath revealed,; and in our day it can belong to none but the gospel of our Lord JesusChrist. If false religions couldhave this witness, could work this eternal life insinners, we could hardly ever have sufficient rules to judge of the true religionby. Rejoice then ye that have found this witness in your souls, that have eternal life begun in you ; seek after noother way to heaven. Be not drawn aside from the truth, but be stedfast: Yecannot find such another doctrine among men ; ye cannot find another religion that can offer such testimonies as this. It is then a convincing, an infal liblewitness; such a new and heavenly life wrought in the heart, is a sure proof that the doctrine comes from God. V. It is a strong and powerful witness, and ever ready at hand to baffle the most learned sophisms, and the boldesttempta- tions. It lies so near, and is always at hand, that it is a present shield against every flying arrow from the camp of infidelity. It is-an argument drawn from sense and vital experience, and it effect- ually answers all the subtle cavils of false reasoning. Suppose a crafty philosopher should pretend to prove, thatbread is notwhole- some, that water is useless to allay thirst,, or wine is mere poison ; I may boldly maintain the wholesomeness, and the happy use of bread, water, and wine ; for I am daily nourishedby thisbread;
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