Quest. But may some say. How shall I know whether or no my sins ba forgiven ?
1, By something that goes before.
2. By something which follows after.
Ans. There is somewhat which goes before, viz.: —
First, an humble and hearty confession, as, ' If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un- righteousness,' 1 John i. 9. Therefore, whether I feel it or not, if I have heartily, fully, and freely confessed, my sins are forgiven. God in wisdom and mercy may suspend the feeling thereof, for our humiliation, and for being over-bold with Satan's baits ; yet I ought to believe it. For I make God a liar else, if I confess heartily, and acknowledge my debt, to think that he hath not cancelled the bond.
Secondly, sin is certainly pardoned, when a man finds strenyth ayainst it ; for where God forgives, he gives strength withal : as to the man whom he healed of the palsy, ' Thy sins are forgiven thee ; take up thy bed and walk,' Mat. ix. 2, 6. When a man hath strength to return to God, to run the way of his commandments, and to go on in a Christian course, his sins are forgiven, because he hath a spirit of faith to go on and lead him forward still. Those who find no strength of gi'ace, may question forgiveness of sins. For God, where he takes away sin, and pardons it, as we see here in this text, after prayer made to take away iniquity, he ' doth good to us.'
The third evidence is, some peace of conscience ; though not much, perhaps, yet so much as supports us from despair, as, ' Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,' Kom. v. 1 ; * Creed, Article X.— G.
264 THE KETUENING BACKSLIDER. [SeRMON II.
that is, being acquitted from our sins by faith, we have peace -with God ; so much peace, as makes us go boldly to him. So that one may know his bonds are cancelled, and his sins forgiven, when with some boldness he dare look God in the face in Jesus Christ. A Judas, an Ahithophel, a Saul, because they are in the guilt of their sins, cannot confess comfortably, and go to God, which, when with some boldness we can do, it is a sign that peace is made for us.
Fourth. Again, where sin is pardoned, our hearts mil be much enlarged with lore to God ; as Christ said to the woman, ' Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, because she loved much,' Luke %ai. 47. Therefore, when we find our hearts inflamed with love to God, we may know that God hath shined upon our souls in the pardon of sin ; and proportionably to our measure of love is our assurance of pardon. Therefore we should labour for a greater measure thei'eof, that our hearts may be the more inflamed in the love of God. It is impossible that the soul should at all love God angry, offended, and unappeased ; nay, such a soul wisheth that there were no God at all, for the very thoughts thereof terrify him.
Fifthly. Again, where sin is forgiven, it frames the soul suitabli/, to be gentle, merciful, and to pardon others. For, usually, those who have peaceable consciences themselves are peaceable unto others ; and those who have forgiveness of sins, can also forgive others. Those who have found mercy have merciful hearts, shewing that they have found mercy with God. And, on the contrary, he that is a cruel, merciless man, it is a sign that his heart was never warmed nor melted with the sense of God's mercy in Christ. Therefore, ' as the elect of God,' saith the apostle, ' put on bowels of compassion,' 1 Peter iii. 8, as you will make it good that you are the elect of God, members of Christ, and God's children.
Therefore, let us labour for the forgiveness of om' sins, that God would remove and subdue the power of them, take them away, and the judgments due to them, or else we are but miserable men, though we enjoyed all the pleasures of the world, which to a worldly man are but like the libei'ty of the tower* to a condemned traitor, who though he have all wants supphed with all possible attendance, yet when he thinks of his estate, it makes his heart cold, damps his courage, and makes him think the poorest car-man or tankard- bearer, at liberty, happier than he, who would not change estates with him. So it is with a man that hath not sued out his pardon, nor is at peace with God. He hath no comfort, so long as he knows his sins are on the file,f that God in heaven is not at peace with him, who can arm all the creatm-es against him to be revenged of him. In which case, who shall be umpire betwixt God and us, if we take not up the controversy betwixt him and om: souls ? Therefore, it being so miserable a case to want assurance of the forgiveness of sins, it should make us be never an hour quiet till we have gotten it, seeing the uncertainty of this Hfe, wherein there is but a step betwixt hell, damnation, and us. Therefore sue unto God, ply him with broken and humble hearts, that he would pardon all the sins of our youth and after-age, known and unknown, that he would pardon all whatsoever. ' Take away all iniquity.'