(1.) Faith is called, and is, a cleaving unto the Lord: Deut. iv. 4, "Ye that did cleave," or adhere, "unto the Lord;" that is, who did believe. Josh, xxiii. 8, " Cleave," or adhere, " unto the Lord your God." The same word is used also in the New Testament : Acts xi. 23, " He exhorted them all, that with purjDose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord," or continue steadfast in believing. It is also often expressed by trusting in the Lord, rolling our burden, or casting our care upon him, by committing ourselves or our ways unto hhn. Now, all this goes no farther than the sours resignation of itself unto God, to be dealt withal by him according to the tenor of the covenant of grace, ratified in the blood of Christ. This a soul cannot do, without a discovery of forgiveness in God; but this a soul onay do, without a special assurance of his own interest therein. This faith, that thus adheres to God, that cleaves to him, will carry men to conclude that it is their duty and their wisdom to give up the disposal of their souls unto God, and to cleave and adhere unto him as revealed in Christ, waiting the pleasure of his will. It enables them to make Christ their choice ; and will carry men to heaven safely, though it may be at some seasons not very comfortably.
(2.) The revelation and discovery of forgiveness that is made in the gospel evidenceth the same truth. The first proposal of it or con-
416 AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM cxxx. [Ver.4.
cerning it is not to any man that his sins are forgiven. No ; hut it is only that there is redemption and forgiveness of sins in Christ. So the apostle lays it down, Acts xiii. 38, 39, " Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are jus- tified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."" All this may be believed without a man's assm'ance of his own personal interest in the things mentioned. Now, where tliey are believed with the faith the gospel requires, that faith is sav- ing, and the root of gospel, acceptable obedience. The ransom, I say, the atonement by Christ, the fulness of the redemption that is in him, and so forgiveness in his blood for believers, from the good will, grace, and love of the Father, is the first gospel discovery that a sin- ner in a saving manner closeth withal. Particular assurance ariseth or may arise afterward ; and this also is supposed in the assertion.
Secondly, That which is affir-med in it is, that a discovery of forgiveness in God, luithont any jxirticidar assurance of j^^rsonal interest therein, is a great supportment to a sin-entangled soul. And let no man despise the day of this small thing ; small in the eyes of some, and those good men also, as if it did not deserve the name of faith. Now, as hath been made to appear, this discovery of for- giveness is the soul's persuasion, on gospel grounds, that however it be with him, and whatever his state and condition be, or is like to be, yet that God in his o^vn nature is infinitely gracious, and that he hath determined, in a sovereign act of his will from eternity, to be gracious to sinners, and that he hath made way for the administra- tion of forgiveness by the blood of his Son, according as he hath abundantly manifested and declared in the promises of the gospel. " However it be with me, yet thus it is with God; there is forgiveness Avith him." This is the first thing that a soul in its depths riseth up unto; and it is a supportment for it, enabling it unto all present duties until consolation come from above.
Thus hath it been to and with the saints of old : Hos. xiv. 3, " As- shur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy." A solemn renunciaiion we have of all other helps, reliefs, or assistances, civil or religious, that are not God's; thereon a solemn resolution, in their great distress, of cleaving unto God alone; — both which are gi'eat and blessed effects of faith. What is the bottom and foundation of this blessed resolution? — namely, that proposition, " In thee the fatherless findeth mercy;" that is, " There is forgiveness with thee for helpless sinners." This lifted up their hearts in their depths, and supported them in waiting mito the receiving of the blessed promises of mercy, pardon, grace,
Ver.4.] EFFECTS OF THE DISCOVERY, ETC. 417
and holiness, which ensue in the next verses. Until they came home unto them in their efficacy and effects, they made a life on this, " In thee the fatherless findeth mercy."
The state and condition of things seem to lie yet lower in that proposal we have, Joel ii. 13, 14, " Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God : for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing?" That which is proposed to the faith of those here spoken unto is, that the Lord is gracious and merciful, — that there is for- giveness in him. The duty they are provoked unto hereupon is gos- pel repentance. The assent unto the proposition demanded, as to their own interest, amounts but unto this, " Who knows but that the Lord may return, and leave a blessing?" or, "deal with us. according to the manifestation he hath made of himself, that he is mercifid and gracious." This is far enough from any comfortable persuasion of a particular interest in that grace, mercy, or pardon. But yet, saith the prophet, " Come but thus far, and here is a firm foundation of dealing with God about farther discoveries of himself in a way of grace and mercy." When a soul sees but so much in God as to con- clude, " Well, who knoweth but that he may return, and have mercy upon me also?" it will support him, and give him an entrance into farther light.