Yer.4.] evidence OF forgiveness with GOD. 41'1
are just and equal, Ezek. xviii. 25. And should there be any failure in it, they could not be so. Every soul, then, that is under a call to repentance, whether out of his natural condition or fi'om any back- sliding into folly after conversion, hath a sufficient foundation to rest on as to the pardon he inquires after. God is ready to deal with him on terms of mercy. If, out of love to sin or the power of unbe- lief, he refuse to close with him on these terms, his condemnation is just. And it will be well that this consideration be well imprinted on the minds of men. I say, notwithstanding the general presumptions that men seem to have of this matter, yet these principles of it ought to be inculcated ; for, —
[1.] Such is the atheism that lies lurking in the hearts of men by nature, that, notwithstanding their pretences and professions, we have need to be pressing upon them evidences of the very being and essential properties of God. In so doing, we have the assistance of inbred notions in their own minds, which they cannot eject, to help to carry on the work. How much more is this necessary in reference unto the free acts of the will of God, which are to be known only by mere revelation ! Our word had need to be " line upon line ; " and yet, when we have done, we have cause enough to cry out, as was said, " Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
[2.] What was spoken before of the obstacles that lie in the way, hindering souls from a saving reception of this truth, ought to be remembered. Those who have no experience of them between God and their souls seem to be ignorant of the true nature of conscience, law, gospel, grace, sin, and forgiveness.
[3.] Many who are come to a saving persuasion of it, yet having not received it upon clear and unquestionable grounds, and so not knowing how to resolve their faith of it into its jivoper p)rinciples, are not able to answer the objections that lie against it in their own consciences, and so do miserably fluctuate about it all their days. These had need to have these principles inculcated on them. Were they pondered aright, some might have cause to say, with the Sama- ritans, who first gave credit to the report of the woman, John iv. they had but a report before, but now they find all things to be according unto it, yea, to exceed it. A little experience of a man's own unbelief, with the observation that may easily be made of the uncertain progresses and fluctuations of the spirits of others, will be a sufficient conviction of the necessity of the work we are en- gaged in.
But it will yet be said, that it is needless to multiply arguments and evidences in this case, the truth insisted on being granted as one of the fundamental principles of religion. As it is not, then^ by
442 AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM cxxx. [Vcr.4.
any called in question, so it doth not appear tliat so much time and pains is needful for the confirmation of it; for what is granted and plain needs little confinnation. But several things may be returned in answer hereunto; all which may at once be here pleaded for the multiplication of our arguments in this matter: —
1. That it is cjenerally granted hy all is no argument that it is effectually believed by many. Sundry things are taken for granted in point of opinion that are not so believed as to be improved iu practice. We have in part showed before, and shall afterward un- deniably evince, that there are very few that believe this truth witli that faith that will interest them in it and give them the benefit of it. And what will it avail any of us that there is forgiveness of sin with God, if our sins be not forgiven? No more than that such or such a king is rich, whilst we are poor and starving. My aim is not to prove it as an opinion or a mere speculative truth, but so to evidence it in the principles of its being and revelation as that it may be believed ; whereon all our blessedness depends.
2. It needs never the less confirmation because it is a plain fun- damental truth, but rather the more; and that because both of the worth and weight of it. " This is a faithful saying," saith the apostle, '■ worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." So I say of this, which, for the substance of it, is the same with that. It is worthy of all acceptation, namely, that there is forgiveness with God ; and therefore ought it to be fully confirmed, especially whilst we make use of no other demonstrations of it but those only which God hath furnished us withal to that pui-pose : and this he would not have done, but that he knew' them needful for us. And for the plainness of this truth, it is well if it be so unto u.s. This I know, nothing but the Spirit of God can make it so. Men may please themselves and others sometimes with curious notions, and make them seem to be things of great search and attainment, which, when they are well examined, it may be they are not true ; or if they are, are yet of a very little consequence or importance. It is these fundamental truths that have the mysteries of the Avisdom and grace of God in wrapped in them; which whoso can unfold aright, Avill show himself " a workman that needs not be ashamed." These still waters are deep; and the farther we dive into them, the greater dis- covery shall we make of their depths. And many other sacred ti'uths there are whose mention is common, but whose depths are little- searched and whose efficacy is little known.