with Limsclf the glory and purity of that Majesty wliich sin hath offended, — the pre- ciousness of that soul which sin hath pol- luted,— tlie loss of that happiness wliich sin liath endangered, — the greatness of that torment which sin liath deserved, — to lay all this together, sure must make sin bur- densome. And should not we labour to liave this burden removed by pardoning mercy? — 2. Sin is a debt, Mat. vi. 12., *' Forgive us our debts ;" and (jvery debt we owe, God hath written down in his book, Isa. Ixv. 6., " Behold it is written be- fore me," and one day God's debt-book will be opened, Rev. xx. 12., "The books were opened." And, is not this that which may make us look after forgiveness ? Sin being such a debt as we must eternally lie in the prison of hell for, if it be not discharged, shall not we be earnest with God to cross the debt-book with the blood of his Son ? There is no way to look God in the face with comfort, but by having our debts ei- ther paid, or pardoned.
3. There is nothing but forgiveness can give ease to a troubled conscience. There is a great difference between the having tlie fancy pleased, and having the conscience eased. Worldly things may please the fan- cy, but not ease the conscience ; nothing but pardon can relieve a troubled soul. It is strange what shifts men will make for ease when conscience is pained, and how many false medicines they will use, before they will take the right way for a cure. When conscience is troubled, they will try, what merry company can do ; they may perhaps drink away trouble of conscience ; perhaps they may play it away at cards ; perhaps a Lent-whipping will do the deed ; perhaps multitude of business will so take up their time, that they shall have no leisure to hear the clamours and accusations of conscience ; but how vain are all these at- tempts ! still their wound bleeds inwardly, their heart trembles, their conscience roars, and they can have no peace. Wlience is it ? Here is the reason, they go not to the mercy of God, and the blood of Christ, for the pardon of thtir sins : and hence it is they can have no ease. Suppose a m;in liath a thorn in his foot which puts him to j)ain ; let him anoint it, or wrap it up, and keep
it warm ; yet, till the thorn be plucked out, it aches and swells, and he hath no ease : so when the thorn of sin is gotten into a man's conscience, there's no ease till the thorn be pulled out ; when God removes ini- quity, now the thorn is plucked out. How was David's heart finely quieted, when Na- than the prophet told him, " the Lord also hath put away thy sin," 2 Sam. xii. 13. How should we therefore labour for forgiveness ! Till then we can have no ease in our mind ; notl'.ing but a pardon, sealed with the blood of the Redeemer, can ease a wounded spirit.
4. Forgiveness of sin is feasible ; it may be obtained. Impossibility destroys endea- vour ; but, as Ezra x. 2., " There is hope in Israel concerning this." Tlie devils are past hope ; a sentence of death is past upon them, which is irrevocable; but there is hope for us of obtaining a pardon, Ps. cxxx. 4., " There is forgiveness with thee." If pardon of sin were not possible, then it were not t.o be prayed for ; but it hath been prayed for, 2 Sam. xxiv. 10., " I beseech thee, O Lord, take away mine iniquity ;" and Christ bids us pray for it, " Forgive us our trespasses." That is possible which God hath promised, but God hath promised pardon upon repentance, Isa. Iv. 7., " Let the wicked forsake his way and return to the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he will ahundant- ly pardon." (Heb.) He will multiply to pardon. That is possible which others have obtained : but others have arrived at forgiveness, therefore it is haveable, Ps. xxxii. 5., Isaiah xxxviii. 17., "Thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back." Tiiis may make us endeavour after ])ardon, be- cause it is feasible it may be had.
5. Consideration, to persuade to it, is, forgiveness of sin is a choice eminent bless- ing ; to have the book cancelled, and God appeased, is worth obtaining ; which may whet our endeavour after it. That it is a rare transcendent blessing, appears by three demonstrations,
1a/, If we consider how this blessing is purchased, namely, by tlie Lord Jesus, There are three things in reference to Christ, Avhich set forth the choiceness and preciousness of forgivencvss.
1. No mere created power in heaven or
OF THE FIFTH PETITION IN THE LORD'S PRAYER.
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