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Christ. Some speak more of acts of affiance, in a sweet and assured
conviction of the truth and faithfulness of God in His promises; others,
more of their choosing and resting in God as their whole and everlasting
portion; and of their ardent and longing desire after God, to have
communion with Him; and others, more of their abhorrence to themselves
for their past sins, and earnest longings to live to God's glory for the
time to come. But it seems evidently to be the same work, the same
habitual change wrought in the heart; it all tends the same way, and to
the same end; and it is plainly the same spirit that breathes and acts
in various persons. There is an endless variety in the particular manner
and circumstances in which persons are wrought on; and an opportunity of
seeing so much will show that God is further from confining Himself to a
particular method in His work on souls than some imagine. I believe it
has occasioned some good people amongst us, who were before too ready to
make their own experience a rule to others, to be less censorious and
more extended in their charity; and this is an excellent advantage
indeed. The work of God has been glorious in its variety; it has the
more displayed the manifold and unsearchable wisdom of God, and wrought
more charity among His people.
There is a great difference among those who are converted, as to the
degree of hope and satisfaction they have concerning their own state.
Some have a high degree of satisfaction in this matter almost
constantly; and yet it is rare that any enjoy so full an assurance of
their interest in Christ that self-examination should seem needless to
them; unless it be at particular seasons, while in the actual enjoyment
of some great discovery God gives of His glory and rich grace in Christ,
to the drawing forth of extraordinary acts of grace. But the greater
part, as they sometimes fall into dead frames of spirit, are frequently
exercised with scruples and fears concerning their condition.
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