II. That this is a choice privilege. So it will appear to be if we consider — (1.) The holy nature of God ; (2.) The strictness and purity of his law, both as to the precept and sanction ; (3.) Our incapacity of appearing in the judgment ; (4.) The sense which conscience hath of sin. All these must be considered, because usually men heal their wounds slightly, and afterwards they^fester into a more dangerous sore. And again, we are not affected with God's pardoning mercy, because we do not see with what difficulty it is brought about.
1. The holy nature and justice of God. His nature inclineth him to hate sin, and his justice to punish it : Josh. xxiv. 19, ' Ye cannot serve the Lord, for he is an holy God, he is a jealous God ; he will not forgive your transgressions, nor your sins. This he speaketh not to discourage them, but that they might not have slight thoughts of God and his service, as if he would be put off with anything, and would lightly and easily pardon their errors : Hab. i. 13, ' Thou art of purer eyes than
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to beliold evil, and canst not look on iniquity ; ' that is, without taking vengeance of it. The least sin is an offence to God so pure and holy : 1 Sam. vi. 20, ' Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God ? ' that is, this God who is so jealous of his institutions. All this is mentioned to show that God doth not make little reckoning of sin, and that which lesseneth the benefit of pardon in our thoughts is usually some abasing of the nature of God. It is not from magnifying his mercy, as it is discovered in Christ and the new covenant, but from some wrong conceit of God, as if he were not so just and holy as he is represented to be : Ps. 1. 21, ' These things hast thou done, and I kept silence ; thou thoughtest I was altogether such an one as thyself.' Because he doth not always inflict punishment, they think sin is no such great matter, and not so hateful to God as indeed it is. Oh no ! God, that is so willing to spare his people notwithstanding their infirmities, doth not cease to be holy, nor his law leave off to be righteous ; therefore this is the means to heighten this privilege.
2. The purity and strictness of his law, both as to the precept and sanction.
[1.] The precept, which reacheth to the soul and the operations of every faculty, thoughts, purposes, and desires, as well as words and actions. Therefore when David had admired the purity of the law, he adds, Ps. xix. 12, 'Who can understand his errors ? Cleanse thou me from secret faults.' Oh ! the multitude of our errors that we know, and the multitude of them we know not ! But God knoweth them. How imperfect is our obedience ! How many times have we transgressed this holy law of God ! Many failings we do not observe, and those which we do observe we are not able to enumerate. If we were to be judged by this law, the holiest and the humblest, the most penitent and believing soul, and the soul that most loveth God, cannot abide the trial ; and were it not for this promise and its fellows, what could we look for but eternal ruin ?
[2.] As to the sanction, the law saith, ' The soul that sinneth shall die,' Ezek. xviii. 4. Now this being the sentence of God delivered in a righteous law, how shall we escape it ? Surely it cannot fall to the ground ; unless some provision be made, it will eternally take place. This should the more affect us, because it is often verified in the course of God's providence: Kom. i. 18, 'For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness ; ' Heb. ii. 2, ' For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.' Now, when others are punished and we are spared, surely we ought to be affected with his severity towards them, but towards us goodness.
3. Our incapacity of appearing before God by reason of the multi- tude of our sins. There are none of God's children but have a great and vast debt upon them ; and if God should call them to an account, and should not spare, not one of them could stand or appear in court :
. Ps. cxxx. 3, 4, ' If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquity, 0 Lord, who shall stand ? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.' There is not a man to be found who hath not some fault and failing which would render him incapable of God's favour. If he should
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proceed in just severity against us, who could stand ? Not, Who among the wicked ? but, Who among the regenerate, or the people of God ? so many are the frailties and slips of their lives ; and Ps. cxliii. 2, 'Enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.' It is impossible for such a frail, sinful, imperfect creature as man is to appear before God's exact tribunal with any comfort and hope. But he will not charge them on us with severity, but spare us with mercy.