Let us, therefore, also mind this evidence in the application of our- selves to God for pardon. It is certain that God might have taken us from the womb, and have cast us into utter darkness; and in the course of our lives we have been guilty of such provocations as God might justly have taken the advantage of to glorify his justice and severity in our ruin ; but yet we have lived thus long, in the patience and forbearance of God. And to what end hath he thus spared us, and let pass those advantages for our desti'uction that we have put into his hand? Is it not that he might by his patience give us leave and space to get an interest in that forgiveness which he thus testifies to be in himself? Let us, then, be encouraged by it to use it unto the end and purpose for which it is exercised towards us. You that are yet in doubt of your condition, consider that the patience of God Avas extended unto you this day, this very day, that you might use it for the obtaining of the remission of your sins. Lose not this day, nor one day more, as you love your souls; for wofiil will be their condition who shall perish for despising or abusing the pa- tience of God.
VI. The faith and experience of the saints in this world give in testimony imto this truth ; and we know that their record in this matter is true. Let us, then, ask of them what they believe, what they have found, what they have experience of, as to the forgiveness of sin. This God himself directs and leads us unto by appealing unto our own experience, whence he shows us that we ma}' take re- lief and supportraent in our distresses: Isa xl. 28, " Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard?" — "Hast not thou thyself, who now criest out that thou art lost and undone because God hath forsaken thee, found and known by experience the contrary, from his former dealings with thee?" And if our own experiences may confinn us against the workings of our unbelief, so may those of others also. And this is that which Eliphaz directs Job unto, chap. v. 1, " Call now, if there be any that will answer thee ; and to which of the saints wilt thou look?" It is not a supplication to them for help that is intended, but an inquiry after their experience in the case in hand, wherein he wrongfully thought they could not justify Job. ''P'-'NI njsn D^chpo^ "To which of the saints, on the right hand or left, Avilt thou have regard in this matter?" Some would foolishly hence seek to confirm the invocation of the saints departed; when, indeed, if
Ver.4.] EVIDENCE OF FOEGIVENESS WITH GOD. 453
they were intended, it is rather forbidden and discountenanced than directed unto. But the DV'^i? here are the n^5 T^ ^i^C^ilp, Ps. xvi. 2, " The saints that are in the earth/' whose experiences Job is directed to inquire into and after. David makes it a great encouragement unto waiting upon God, as a God hearing prayer, that others had done so and found success: Ps. xxxiv. 6, " This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." If he did so, and had that lilessed issue, why should not we do so also? The experiences of one are often proposed for the confirma- tion and establishment of others. So the same David : " Come/' saith he, " and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul." tie contents not himself to mind them of the word, promises, and providence of God, which he doth most fre- quently; but he will give them the encouragement and supportment also of his own experience. So Paul tells us that he " was comforted of God in all his tribulation, that he might be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith he himself was comforted of God," 2 Cor. i. 4; that is, that he might be able to communicate unto them his own experience of God's dealing with him, and the satisfaction and assurance that he found therein. So also he proposeth the example of God's dealing with him in the par- don of his sins as a great motive unto others to believe, 1 Tim. i. 13-16. And this mutual communication of satisfying experiences in the things of God, or of our spiritual sense and evidence of the power, efficacy, and reality of gospel truths, being rightly managed, is of singular use to all sorts of believers. So the same great apostle ac- quaints us in his own example, Rom. i. 11, 12, "I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you, by the mutual faith both of you and me." He longed not only to be instructing of them, in the pursuit of the work of the ministry committed unto him, but to confer also with them about their mutual faith, and what experiences of the peace of God in believing they had attained.