Only then was one sufficiently prepared to reach the third step-if God graciously granted it-of receiving God's regenerating "light," or a "new spirit created in them," so that they truly repented and sin would no longer reign in them, but rather they would be guided by the Holy Spirit "dwelling in them" and they would receive the gift of faith in Christ alone as their hope of salvation and would experience a "glorious change" to a life dedicated to serving God. Following stricter Puritan practice, Timothy Edwards required prospective communicant church members to give a public profession of
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