1. Men in this case are very apt to deceive themselves. Self-love, vain hopes, liking of lust, common false principles, sloth, unwilling- ness unto self-examination, reputation with the world, and it may be in the church, all vigorously concur unto men's self-deceivings in this matter. It is no easy thing for a soul to break through all these, and all self-reasonings that rise from them, to come unto a clear judgment of its own acting in dealing with God about forgive- ness. Men also find a common presumption of this truth, and its being an easy relief against gripings of conscience and disturbing thoughts about sin, which they daily meet withal. Aiming, therefore, only at the removal of trouble, and finding their present imagination
506 AN EXPOSITION UPON PSiPLM cxxx. [Ver. 4.
of it sufficient thereunto, they never bring their persuasion to the trial.
2. As men are apt to do thus, so they actually do so; they do de- ceive themselves, and know not that they do so. The last day will make this evident, if men will no sooner be convinced of their folly. When our Saviour told his disciples that one of them twelve should betray him, though it were but one of twelve that was in danger, yet every one of the twelve made a particular inquiry about him- self I will not say that one in each twelve is here mistaken ; but I am sure the Truth tells us that " many are called, but few are chosen." They are but few who do really believe forgiveness. Is it not, then, incumbent on every one to be inquiring in what number he is likely to be found at the last day? Whilst men put this in- quiry off from themselves, and think or say, " It may be the con- cernment of others, it is not mine," they perish, and that without remedy. Remember what poor Jacob said when he had lost one child, and was afraid of the loss of another : Gen. xliii. 1 4, " If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." As if he should have said, " If I lose my children, I have no more to lose ; they are my all. Nothing worse can befall me in this world. Comfort, joy, yea, life and all, go with them." How much more may men say in this case, " If we are deceived here, we are deceived ; all is lost. Hope, and life, and soul, all must perish, and that for ever!" There is no help or relief for them who deceive themselves in this matter. They have found out a way to go quietly down into the pit.
Now, these things are premised only that they may be incen- tives unto self-examination in this matter, and so render the en- suing considerations useful. Let us, then, address ourselves unto them : —
1. In general. This is a gospel truth; yea, the great funda- mental and most important truth of the gospel. It is the turning- point of the two covenants, as God himself declares, Heb. viii. 7—13. Now, a very easy consideration of the ways and walkings of men will satisfy us as to this inquiry, whether they do indeed believe the gospel, the covenant of grace, and the fundamental principles of it. Certainly their ignorance, darkness, blindness, their corrupt affec- tions, and worldly conversations, their earthly-mindedness, and open disavowing of the spirit, ways, and yoke of Christ, speak no such language. Shall we think that proud, heady, worldly self-seekers, haters of the people of God and his ways, despisers of the Spirit of grace and his work, sacrificers to their own lusts, and such like, do believe the covenant of grace or remission of sins? God forbid we should entertain any one thought of so great dishonour to the gos- pel ! Wherever that is received or believed it produceth other effects.
Ver.4.] FORGIVENESS BELIEVED BY FEW. 507
Tit. ii. 11, 12; Isa. xi. 6-9. It " teaclieth men to deny all ungodli- ness and worldly lusts." It changeth their hearts, natures, and ways. It is not such a barren, impotent, and fruitless thing as such an apprehension would represent it.
2. They that really believe forgiveness in God do thereby obtain forgiveness. Believing gives an interest in it; it brings it home to the soul concerned. This is the inviolable law of the gospel. Be- lieving and forgiveness are inseparably conjoined. Among the evi- dences that we may have of any one being interested in forgiveness, I shall only name one, — they prize and value it above all the luorld. Let us inquire what esteem and valuation many of those have of forgiveness, who put it out of all question that they do believe it. Do they look ujDon it as their treasure, then jewel, their pearl of price? Are they solicitous about it? Do they often look and exa- mine whether it continues safe in their possession or no ? Suppose a man have a precious jewel laid up in some place in his house; suppose it be unto him as the poor widow's two mites, all her sub- stance or living; — will he not carefully ponder on it? will he not frequently satisfy himself that it is safe ? We may know that such a liouse, such fields or lands, do not belong imto a man, when he passeth by them daily and taketh little or no notice of them. Now, how do most men look upon forgiveness? what is then- common deportment in reference unto it ? Are their hearts continually filled with thoughts about it? Are they solicitous concerning their interest in it? Do they reckon that whilst that is safe all is safe with them? When it is, as it were, laid out of the way by sin and unbelief, do they give themselves no rest until it be afresh discovered unto them ? Is this the frame of the most of men ? The Lord knows it is not. They talk of forgiveness, but esteem it not, prize it not, make no particular inquiries after it. They put it to an ungrounded venture whether ever they be partakers of it or no. For a relief against some pangs of conscience it is called upon, or else scarce thought of at all.