[1.] There must be serious acknowledgment of sin with shame and sorrow. This is God's established way for fallen saints : 1 John i. 9, ' If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' This is the saint's prac- tice : Ps. li. 3, ' I acknowledge my transgression, and my sin is ever before me ; ' and this is the most rational course. It is impossible it should be otherwise, either on God's part or ours. We are under a sequestration till we make suit to God : Num. xii. 14, ' If her father had spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days ? ' Tender hearts will melt and mourn.
[2.] They must run to the old fountain opened for their unclcanness. There is no reconciling ourselves to God, but by Christ : Mat. iii. 17, ' This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' We must come with Christ in our arms : 1 John ii. 1, ' If any man sin, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous.' Duties are not our atonement, but Christ's intercession, which is the renewed application of his merit.
[3.] They must earnestly sue out their former estate, and the wonted effects of his favour : Ps. xxv. 6, ' Kemember, 0 Lord, thy tender mercies, and thy loving-kindnesses, for they have been ever of old ; ' Ps. li. 12, ' Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.' Christ doth not only intercede, but the believer must also, the earnest motions of the Spirit being the copy of his intercession.
2. It concerneth those that never got assurance. To those, I answer in several propositions : —
[1.] Assurance is very necessary and comfortable in our approaches
28 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. XX.
to God ; such addresses do most become his grace. Christ hath taught us to begin our prayers with ' Our Father ; ' Heb. x. 21, 22, ' Having an high priest over the house of God ; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our heart sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.' Having such free offers, such an abundant merit, such sweet experiences, God looketh that we should draw nigh in the assurance of faith : 1 Tim. ii.
8, ' I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting.'
[2.] Every suppliant cannot sail with such full sails into the haven of grace, nor all persons at all times ; there is a weak faith as well as the faith of Abraham, and yet a weak faith is faith. David and Heman, two choice spirits, sometimes wanted comforts, and it is God's usual course still with many of his dear children ; they have less peace, that they may have more grace ; and God withholdeth comfort out of wise dispensation to engage them in the more duty : every one hath not an abimdant entrance into heaven, 2 Peter i. 11.
[3.] When we cannot reflect upon our actual interest, the direct and dutiful acts of faith must be more solemnly exerted and put forth.
(1.) You must disclaim earnestly your own personal righteousness. This complieth with God's end ; for therefore do his respects begin with the person, that the work may not be the ground of acceptance : Dan. ix. 18, ' We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.' Every one cannot go to the highway of comfort ; there is safety in going the low way of humiliation, and in the sense of your own unworthiness for all acceptance with God in Christ.
(2.) You must adhere to God in Christ the more closely; faitli giveth safety, though assurance giveth comfort. There may be a dependence and renewing of confidence, and a waiting with hope, in every duty ; and a christian, though he be without comfort, jet he is not without encouragement ; there are invitations to wait upon God, and they cast themselves upon God in this hope : Ps. xxii. 8, ' He trusted on the Lord, that he would deliver him.' It is good when you can refer yourselves to God's acceptance upon the hopes of the gospel.
(3.) There must be consecration when you cannot make application. It is sweet when we can say, mutually ' I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine,' Cant. ii. 16 ; but it is safe to say, 'I am my beloved's,' and he is mine by choice, though I cannot say he is mine by gift. A christian resigneth up himself to God : Ps. cxix. 94, ' I am thine, save me.' David pleadeth his choice ; he taketh Christ as a Lord, though he cannot apply him as a saviour.
(4.) These direct acts may be pleaded to God in prayer : Phil. iii.
9, 'And be found in him, not having my own righteousness,' &c,, and so casting ourselves upon God : Ps. cxix. 49, ' Eemember thy word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.'
Secondly, ' By it he, being dead, yet speaketh.*