Secondly, Let us consider the nature of the sin. It is a malicious- contempt and wilful rejection of the truth of the gospel, when it is pro- pounded to us by the Holy Ghost with sufficient evidence ; or else ife is a total and final defection and apostasy from it, after we have received' it, and have been convinced of the truth of it by the Spirit. Where —
1. Observe, the object of this sin is the gospel ; it is not a sin against the law, but against the gospel; not against some one point of truth, but against the whole gospel covenant, contrary to the main substance- of Christianity, and contraiy to Christ as the Eedeemer, that upon re-
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON PSALM XIX. 13. 399'
pentance in his name, we may obtain remission of sins, and by his Spirit be sanctified and fitted for eternal life. These three blasphemies show the nature of it. The first of these blasphemies relateth to the person and office of Christ as the Redeemer of the world ; the other two to his benefits, justification and sanctification. The one is founded upon ihe merit of his blood, the other depends upon the efficacy of his Spirit. Tiie whole showeth that it is a total defection and apostasy from the christian faith.
Now, why is it called ' blasphemy a<2:ainst the Holy Ghost ? ' It is called ' blasphemy against the Holy Ghost,' or ' the sin against the Holy Ghost,' because it is committed against the peculiar operation of the Holy Ghost, rather than against the Father and the Son. I say, it is against his personal operation, or that relation which he sustaineth in the mystery of redemption. The sins committed against the law may be said to be committed against the Father as the governor and judge of the world. Now there may be pardon for such sins, because God hath provided a remedy in Christ. The sins that are committed against the gospel, such as impenitency and unbelief, they may be said to be committed against the Son, for these are sins contra remedium, against the remedy, as the other contra officmm, against the office of Christ. And the gospel is the new remedying law of the Lord-Redeemer ; these are sins against the Son. The Father gave the Redeemer to men, but he is not the Redeemer to them till the Spirit doth open the eyes of our minds, that we may acknowledge and embrace our Redeemer. But the Holy Ghost was not made sin for us, nor did he endure the wrath of God for our sakes ; therefore he is not called our redeemer. That honour is put upon Christ, who is exalted to be prince and saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins, that we may own him and re- ceive him, which if we do not, we sin grievously, and incur a just con- demnation. But all are not condemned who for a while reject Christ. Paul did it with some persecution, yet afterward was converted. There is a third sort of sins that we must seek to find out, and that is the sin against the Holy Ghost, and that is when we do despite to the Spirit of grace, who is to convince and convert, and bring men to Christ, which when we refuse and blaspheme, and slight his evidence, be it never so full and clear, and sufficient to force belief, and will not see it, nor hearken to it, but obstinately speak evil of it, tliis- is to sin against the Holy Ghost. The Spirit is the great witness of the gospel, and he witnesseth thereunto two ways, objectively and effi- ciently, as by and by more fully shall be shown. Now if we wilfully sinit our eyes against this, and continue blaspheming, this is the siu' against the Holy Ghost, and then there is no hope for us ; for after the three persons have done their part, every one their proper work, there- is no remedy. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost have divided the work of salvation among themselves ; God the Father as the lawgiver, the Son as redeemer, and the Spirit as the applier. He that sinneth against the law sinneth against the Father ; he that sinneth against the gospel sinneth against the Son, but he that wilfully, maliciously, and blasphe- mously withstandeth conviction, and the power of the Holy Ghost in bringing souls to Christ, his convincing, persuading, and converting work, he einneth against the Spirit. According to these three dispen-
400 SERMONS UPON PSALM XIX. 13. [SeR. VI.