Obj. If it be thus, we need not care how we sin : it is but every day to Bue out a new pardon.
Ans. Oh beware; ere our pardon be sealed, there must be confession, sorrow for sin, resolution with full purpose to do so no more ; there must be arraigning, condemning, and judging of ourselves for it, because what-
THE LIFE OF FAITH. 3G5
soever we would not have God to do, we must do it ourselves. Our time in getting this quietus est sealed, is for the most part according to our sin. He that hath such a resolution to sin every day, because sin is every day pardoned, he may go long enough without pardon, at least comfort of his pardon. For though pardon of sins be pronounced, j'et God hath the keeping of joy in his own hand. As David Iiad his sin pardoned, — by the judgment of faith he knew thus much—yet Ps. li. 8, how doth he pray for joy, and that God would heal the bones which he had broken ! He roared all the day, and still felt a pain like the breaking of bones. The joy of the Spirit had left him. This he cries to have restored. Thus though sin may be pardoned, yet the more we sin, the more hardly we shall repent, the longer we shall want joy ; or, it may be, go all our lifetime mourning without comfort in such a case. Now let us see lioiv it may he Jcnuwu that ive live the life of faith in justification.
Trial 1. First, Bij trying how it comes in the soul; as Eom. vii. 4, saith the apostle, ' Wherefore, my brethren, we also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.* After a man is dead by the law, and apprehends himself slain, then he comes to live this life of faith. Christ quickens none but the dead. Why do not the papists attain to this grace of justification ? They never see themselves wholly dead, but join some life to the natural estate of man. Therefore Christ quickens them not. Such only are quickened by him who find themselves dead in the law. Then they come to have a holy despair, and to see that life and comfort is out of themselves in another. Justifica- tion springs from a holy despair, and receiving life, after we have seen our- selves dead.
Trial 2. Secondly, Where this life of faith is, there is a u-ondcrful high valuitKj and prizing of Christ, his righteousness, merits, obedience, and wis- dom of God in that way of forgiveness of our sins by this God-man, the wonderful mediator ; as Philip, iii. 8. Paul accounts all things ' but loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord,' being contented to suffer the loss of all things to win Christ. It is the pre- cious pearl to sell all for. Paul accounts all our own righteousness as nothing in regard of this. There must be a high estimation of the riches of Christ's obedience and sufferings : for where there is not this high estimation of it, they are rotten in the point of justification. But j^ou see how Paul sets at nought and vilifies all things in regard thereof ; so Rom. iv. 16. Abraham is brought in to be justified by grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed. And Ps. xxxii. 2, he is pronounced to be the blessed man, * unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and whose sin is covered.'
Trial 3. Thirdly, When tve have a zeal against all contrary doctrine, as Bt Paul shews to the Galatians, who would have joined works to faith : * Christ is become of none effect unto you ; whosoever of you are justified by the law, you are fallen from grace,' Gal. v. 4. And in the third chap- ter he says, ' 0 foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified among you ?' * This only would I learn of you, received je the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith ?' Gal. iii. 1, 2. A man sound in the point of justification hath a hatred to popery, and all such doctrine which impairs the riches of the gra:e of Chxist. Death is in the Eomish religion. Why are some of them then
3GG TilK LIKK OF FAITH.
saved? Not because thoy die in that rcli^'ion, but because they reverse their juJi^nucnt in this point of justification.* Bo yon see there is a hatred, a zeal in sucli, as St P.iul had a^'ainst contrary doctrines.
Trial 4. Fourthly, Tliere la peace and joi/ grilled in the heart: as Rom. V. 1, 2, ' Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God thron!:,'h our Lord Jesus Christ : by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.'
Quest. To add one thing more ere I leave this point, In the case of relapse, what shall we do then ? Are we not cut off? Must we not have a new incision ?