2. As unto the persons in whom this is required, and in whom faith will evidence itself by it, they are of various sorts: —
(1.) Such as have been, by the power of their corruptions and temp- tations, surprised into great sins. That some true believers may be so, we have precedents both in the Old Testament and in the New ; — such, I mean, as uncleanness, drunkenness, gluttony, theft, premedi- tated lying, oppression in dealing, and failing in profession in the time of persecution; this latter in the primitive church was never thought recoverable but by faith acting itself in a state of repentance. Such sins will have great sorrows ; as we see in Peter, and the incestu- ous Corinthian, who was in danger to be "swallowed up with overmuch sorrow," 2 Cor. ii. 7. Where it hath been thus with any, true faith will immediately work for a recovery, by a thorough humiliation and repentance, as it did in Peter; and in case that any of them shall lie longer under the power of sin, through want of effectual convictions, it will cost them dear in the issue, as it did David. But in this case, for the most part, faith will not rest in the mere jointing again the bone that was broken, or with such a recovery as gives them peace with God and their own consciences; but by a just and due remem- brance of the nature of their sin, its circumstances and aggravations, the shameful unkindness towards God that was in it, the grief of the Holy Spirit, and dishonour of Christ by it, it will incline and dispose the soul to a humble, contrite frame, to a mournful walking, and the universal exercise of repentance all its days.
And, indeed, where it doth not so, men's recovery from great sins is justly to be questioned as unto their sincerity. For want hereof it is that we have so many palliated cures of gi'eat sins, followed with fearful and dangerous relapses. If a man subject to great corrup- tions and temptations, hath by them been surprised into great actual sins, and been seemingly recovered through humiliation and repent- ance, if he again break the yoke of this stated repentance whereof we
444 EVIDENCES OF THE
speak, he will quickly again be overcome, and perhaps irrecoveiabl}'. Herein, he alone that walketh softly, walketh safely.
(2.) It is necessary for such as have given scandal and offence by their miscarriages; this will stick very close unto any who hath the least spark of saving faith. It is that which God is in a peculiar manner provoked with in the sins of his people ; as in the case of David, 2 Sam. xii. 14, So also Ezek. xxxvi. 20; Eom. ii. 24. This keeps alive the remembrance of sin, and sets it before men continu- ally, and is a spring, in a gracious soul, of all acts and duties of re- pentance. It was so in David all his days ; and probably in Mary Magdalene also. Where it hath been thus with any, faith will keep the soul in an humble and contrite frame, watchful against pride, elation of mind, carelessness, and sloth: it will recover godly sorrow aiid shame, with revenge, or self-reflection, in great abasement of mind; all which things belong to the state of repentance intended. They that can easily shake off a sense of scandal given by them, have very little of Christian ingenuity in their minds.
(3.) It is so unto such as have perplexing lusts and corruptions, which they cannot so subdue but that they will be perplexing and defiling of them; for where there are such, they will, in conjunction with temptations, frequently disquiet, wound, and defile the soul. This brings upon it weariness and outcries for deliverance, Rom. vii. 24. In this state faith will put the soul on prayer, watchfulness, diligence, in opposition unto the deceit and violence of sin. But this is not all; it wUl not rest here, but it will give the mind such a sense of its distressed, dangerous condition, as shall fill it constantly Avith godly sorrow, self-abasement, and all duties of repentance. No man can hold out in such a conflict, nor maintain his peace on right grounds, who doth not live in the constant exercise of repentance, — indeed, who doth not endeavour in some measure to come up unto that state of it which we shall afterward describe. For men Avho have untameable corruptions working continually in their minds, by imaginations, thoughts, and affections, to think to carry it in a gene- ral way of duties and profession, they will be mistaken if they look either for victory or peace; this sort of men are, of all others, most peculiarly called unto this state and duty.
(4.) Such as would be found mourners for the sins of the age, place, and time wherein they live, with the consequents of them, in the dishonour of God, and the judgments which will ensue thereon. There are times wherein this is an especial and eminent duty, which God doth highly approve of. Such are they wherein the visible church is greatly corrupted, and open abominations are found amongst men of all sorts; even as it is at this day. Then doth the Lord declare how much he values the performance of this duty, — as he