2. That the discovery of forgiveness in God, being a matter of so great difficulty, is a thing precious and excellent, as being the foundation of all our communion with God here, and of all unde- ceiving expectation of our enjoyment of him hereafter. It is a pure gospel truth, that hath neither shadow, footstep, nor intimation else- where. The whole creation hath not the least obscure impression of it left thereon. So that, —
8. It is undoubtedly greatly incumhent on us to inquire diligently, as the prophets did of old, into this salvation; to consider ivhat sure evidences faith hath of it, such as will not, as cannot fail us. To be slight and common in this matter, to take it up at random, is an argument of an unsound, rotten heart. He that is not serious in his inquiry into the revelation of this matter, is serious in nothing
432 AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM cxxx. [Ver.4.
wherein God or his soul is concerned. The Holy Ghost knows what our frame of heart is, and how slow we are to receive this blessed truth in a gracious, saving manner. Therefore doth he confirm it unto us with such weighty considerations as, Heb. vi. 17, 18, " God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the im- mutability of his counsel, confirmed it ])y an oath : that by two im- mutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation." It is of forgiveness of sin that the apostle treats; as hath been made evident by the description of it before given. Now, to give evidence hereunto, and to beget a belief of it in us, he first engages a property of God's nature in that business. He with whom we deal is a-^sud^g- as Tit. i. 2, the God that cannot lie, that cannot deceive or be deceived: it is impossible it should be so with him. Now, as this extends itself in general to all the words and works of God, so there is jjeculiarly in this, whereof he treats, TO d/xsrahrov TTJg /3ot;X^c,— an especial " immutability of his counsel." [Heb. vi. 1 7.] Men may think that although there be words spoken about forgiveness, yet it is possible it may be othei'wise. " No," saith the apostle; " it is spoken by God, and it is impossible he should lie." Yea, but upon the manifold provocations of sinners, he may change his mind and thoughts therein. " No," saith the apostle; "there is a peculiar immutability in his counsel concerning the execution of this thing: there can be no change in it." But how doth this ap- pear, that indeed this is the counsel of his will? " Why," saith he, " he hath declared it by his word, and that given in a way of pro- mise : which, as in its own nature it is suited to raise an expectation in him or them to whom it is made or given, so it requires exact faithfulness in the discharge and performance of it which God on his part will assuredly answer. But neither is this all ; but that no place might be left for any cavilling objection in this matter, sf/^ielriuaiv opxu), ' he interposed himself by an oath.' " Thus we have this truth de- duced from the veracity of God's nature, one of his essential excel- lencies; established in the imnnitable jmrpose of his will; brought forth by a word of 23romise; and confirmed by God's interposing himself against all occasions of exception (so to put an end unto all strife about it) by an oath, swearing by himself that so it sliould be. I have mentioned this only to show what weight the Holy Ghost lays upon the delivery of this great truth, and thence how deeply it concerns us to inquire diligently into it and after the grounds and evidences which maybe tendered of it; which, among others, are these that follow : —
Vor.-l,] EVIDENCE OF FORGIVENESS WITH GOD. 433
Discovery of forgiveness in the first promise — Tiie evidence of the truth that lies therein — And by the institution of sacrifices — Their use and end — Also by the prescription of repentance unto sinners.
I. The first discovery of forgiveness in God (and wliicli I place as the first evidence of it) was made in his dealing with our first parents after their shameful sin and fall. Now, to make it appear that this is an evidence that carries along with it a great conviction, and is such as faith may sectu'ely rest upon and close withal, the ensuing observations are to be considered : —
1. The first sin in the tvoi'ld was, on many accounts, the greatest sin that ever tvas in the tuorld. It was the sin, as it were, of human nature, wherein there was a conspiracy of all individuals : " Omnes eramus unus ille homo;" — " In that one man, or that one sin, ' we all sinned,'" Rom. v. 12. It left not God one subject, as to moral obedience, on the earth, nor the least ground for any such to be unto eternity. When the angels sinned, the whole race or kind did not prevaricate. "Thousand thousands" of them, and "ten thousand times ten thousand," continvied in their obedience, Dan. vii. 10. But here " all and every individual of mankind (He only excepted which was not then in Adam) Avere embarked in the same crime and guilt. Besides, it disturbed the government of God in and over the whole creation. God had made all things, in number, weight, and measure, in order and beauty ; pronouncing himself concerning his vv'hole work that it was "^^'^ ^i^, " exceeding beautiful and good," Gen. i. 31. Much of this beauty lay in the subordination of one thing to another, and of all to himself by the mediation and interposition of man, through whose praises and obedience the rest of the creation, being made subject unto him, was to return their tribute of honour and glory imto God. But all this order was destroyed by this sin, and the very " creation made subject to vanity," Rom. viii. 20; on which and the like accounts, it might be easily made to appear that it was the greatest sin that ever was in the world.