Well, then, the point is this: —
Doct. 1. They that are and shall be blessed are such as make it their business to avoid all sin.
I may illustrate it by these reasons : — •
1. Surely they shall be blessed, for they take care to remove the makebate, the wall of partition between God and them. It is sin which separates : Isa. lix, 2, ' But your iniquities have separated between you and your God.' This was that which cast angels out of heaven ; when they had sinned, God could endure their company no longer. This cast Adam out of paradise. This is that which hinders men from communion with God.
2. These are men fitting and preparing themselves for the enjoy- ment of their great hopes: Col. i. 12, 'Who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the s-.ints in light ; ' 1 John iii, 3, ' He that hath this hope purifieth himself, even as he is pure.' Esther, when she was chosen to be bride and spouse to that great king, had her months of purification. The time we spend in the world are the months of our purification ; it is a sign they mind their business, they are fitting for eternal happiness. They remember they are shortly to appear before the great God, therefore they would not be uncomely. Joseph washed his garments when he was to go before Pharaoh. They have these hopes that they shall see God as he is, that they shall be like him, and he will appear for their comfort ; there- fore they are fitting themselves more and more.
3. In them true happiness is begun. There are degrees in blessed-
32 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. IV.
ness ; the angels they never sinned ; the glorified saints they have sinned, but sin no more ; the saints upon earth, in them sin reigns not ; therefore here is their happiness begun. As sin is taken awa}'', so our happiness increaseth ; first God begins with us in a way of justilication, ne damnet ; he takes away the damning power that is in sin ; and in sanctification the work goes on, ne regnet, that sin may not reign ; afterward ne sit, that sin may not be ; therefore these have begun their happiness, they are hastening towards it apace.
Use 1. For trial and examination, whether we may be reckoned among the blessed men, yea or nay. There are some think, because the children of God are liable to so many failings, and there being so many wiles and circuits in the heart of man, that there can be no judgment made upon the case between the sins of the regenerate and unregenerate. But surely there is a difference between the sinning of the one, and the sinning of the other, and such a difference as may be discerned : 1 John iii. y, ' Whosoever is born of God doth not com- mit sin.' Now mark, ver. 10, ' In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil.' This is that which distinguisheth the children of God from the children of the devil. Well, then, how shall we manage this discovery, that we may be able to judge of our own estates ?
First, Let us consider how far sin may be in a blessed man, in a child of God.
1. They have a corrupt nature, they have sin in them as well as others ; it is their misery to the last : Eom. vii. 24, ' 0 wretched man that I am,' saith the holy apostle. Sin, though it be dejectum, cast down in regard of regency, yet it is not ejectmn, cast out in regard of inherency ; their corrupt nature sticks by them to the last. One com- pares it to a wild fig-tree, or to ivy in a wall ; cut off the body, the boughs, sprigs, branches, yet still there will be something that will be sprouting up again until the wall be digged down. Such an in- dwelling sin is in us, though we pray, strive, and cut off the ex- crescences, the buddings out of it here and there, yet till it be plucked asunder by death, it continueth with us.
2. They have their daily failings and infirmities: Eccles. vii. 20, * There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.' Those that for their general state are just and righteous men, yet certain sins they cannot get rid of, and are unavoidable ; as sins of ignorance, incogitancy, sudden surreption, indeliberate incursions, which we shall never be freed from as long as we are in tliis imperfect state. So also imperfections of duty, for we cannot serve God with that high degree of reverence, delight, and perfection which he requireth. There are unavoidable infirmities which are pardoned of course.
3. They may be guilty of some sins which by watchfulness might be prevented, as vain thoughts, idle, passionate speeches, and many carnal actions. It is possible that these may be prevented by the ordi- nary assistances of grace, and if we will keep a strict guard over our own hearts. But in this case God's children may be overtaken and overborne ; overtaken by the suddenness, or overborne by the violence of temptation : overtaken, Gal. vi. 1, ' If a man be overtaken in a fault, restore such an one,' &c. ; and overborne, James i. 14, ' Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.^