3. The majesty of God, and the state which he kept during the old testament dispensation. In the whole frame of that worship, God would show them how unworthy sinners were to approach and draw nigh to him and his holy things. When they were married to him in the covenant on Mount Sinai, there was a rail between him and the people, and they were not to go up into the holy mount, or touch the border of it, under penalty of being put to death, Exod. xix. 12, 18. In their passage to Canaan, the common Israelite was not to come near the ark lest he died, Num. i. .53, but the Levites were to inter- pose between God and them. The Levites also were not to be too bold ; some of them were chosen out to touch the staves of the altar, and perform other ministries, but not to see the holy things when covered, lest they died. Num. xix. 20. Sinful man must not come too near the great God. The priests were to minister at the altar of burnt-offerings, but not without solemn washings, Exod. xxx. 20. The high priest (Lev. xvi. 2, ' And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy-seat, which is upon the ark, that he die not ') was not to be too familiar with God; and if any of these orders were broken, judgments were executed, and they were struck dead in the place. The people were sensible of these restraints : Num. xvii. 17, 18, ' And the children of Israel said unto Moses, Behold, we die, we perish, we
VeR. 21.] SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN III. 1S7
all perish. Whosoever cometh anything near unto the tabernacle of the Lord shall die : shall we be consumed with dying ? ' Some weio killed with the sword, the earth swallowed up others, some died with pestilence, and all for making too bold with God in his holy things.
4. The many failings which the best are conscious of. When we consider the exact inspection of God, and the many infirmities of the best christians, it is a wonder they can have any confidence towards God, when our own conscience condemneth us of many things ; but the Lord layeth not them to our charge where the heart is sincere for the main ; and he could observe many more things against us than our consciences do, yet such is his mercy and fatherly love, that he will pardon and reverse all these failings, and will delight in our converse with him : Prov. xv, 8, ' The prayer of the upright is his delight.' God looketh more to their good than their ill ; though he knoweth more by them than all the world, or they themselves do, yet if our hearts do not reprove us of partial dealings, we may plead, 2 Kings XX. 3, ' I beseech thee, 0 Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.'
5. The thing itself is very valuable. This confidence towards God, what is there in it ?
[1.] A readiness to converse with God and come into his presence ; whereas otherwise the heart is shy of him, and hangeth off from him ; as Israel, when they had sinned in the matter of the calf, they durst not come near the sanctuary, but worshipped every man afar off at his tent-door, Exod. xxxiii. 8, as looking what success Moses' mediation would have with the Lord about reconciling him to his people, when he was angry and ready to depart. Now when we can cheerfully come into God's presence, and converse with him, we have boldness to enter into the holiest, Heb. x. 9 ; we have leave to come, and a heart to come : to have both is a very great privilege. Liberty of access, with assurance of welcome and audience, surely is a great favour and privi- lege ; the soul cannot keep away from God.
[2.] A free familiarity. When we come, we unbosom ourselves to him as a man would unto his friend, and tell God all our mind, acquaint liim with all our griefs, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, temptations, con- flicts ; tell him plainly how it is with our souls. This is that free spirit David begs for, and had lost some degree of it by his sin, Ps. li. 12, and is set forth by Ps. cxix. 26, ' I declared my ways, and thou heardest me.' We keep back nothing from him : Ps. Ixii. 8, ' Trust in hira at all times, pour out your hearts before him.' We lay down our burden at his feet; we deal openly and plainly with him.
[3.] A childlike trust, that he will pity and hel'})us, that our persons and duties are accepted with him ; for much of the disposition of children lieth in owning him as a Father. The spirit of adoption was given us to this end and purpose : Rom. viii. 15, ' 13ut we have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father ; ' and Gal. iv. 16, 'He hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our iiearts, whereby we cry, Abba, Father,' Oh, what a mercy is this, to come to him, not as our judge, but as our Father, not with a spirit of fear, but love ! It is not a tribunal of justice we stand before, but a throne of grace.