Let us, then, on this ground also, continue our inquiry upon the ordinary boasters of their skill in this mystery. You believe there is forgiveness with God? Yes. But have you been convinced of sin? Yes. You knotu that you are sinners luell enough. Answer, then, but once more as to the nature of this conviction of sin which you have. Is it not made up of these two ingredients; — L A general notion that you are sinners, as all men also are; 2. Particular troublesome reflections upon yourselves, when on a.ny eruption of sin conscience accuses, rebukes, condemns? You will say, "Yes; what would you require more?" This is not the conviction Ave are
512 AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM cxxx. [Ver.4
inquiring after: that is a work of the Spirit by the word; this you speak of, a mere natural work, which you can no more be without than you can cease to be men. This will give no assistance unto the receiving of forgiveness. But, it may be, you will say you have pro- ceeded farther than so, and these things have had an improvement in you. Let us, then, a little try whether your process has been according to the mind of God, and so whether this invincible bar in your way be removed or no ; for although every convinced person do not believe forgiveness, yet no one who is not convinced doth so. Have you, then, been made sensible of your condition by nature, what it is to be alienated from the life of God, and to be obnoxious to his wrath? Have you been convinced of the universal enmity that is in your hearts to the mind of God, and what it is to be at enmity against God? Hath the unspeakable multitude of the sins of your lives been set in order by the law before you? And have you con- sidered what it is for sinners as vou are to have to deal with a righte- ous and a holy God? Hath the Holy Ghost wrought a serious re- cognition in your hearts of all these things, and caused them to abide with you and upon you? If you will answer tnily, you must say, many of you, that indeed you have not been so exercised. You have heard of these things many times, but to say that you have gone through with this work, and have had exjjerience of them, that you cannot do. Then, I say, you are strangers to forgiveness, because you are strangers unto sin. But and if you shall say that you have had thoughts to this purpose, and are persuaded that you have been thoroughly convinced of sin, I shall yet ask you one question more: What effects hath your conviction produced in 3^our hearts and lives ? Have you been filled with perplexities and consternation of spuit thereupon ? have you had fears, dreads, or terrors, to Avrestle withal ? It may be you will say, " No ;" nor will I insist upon that inquiry. But this I deal with you in : Hath it filled you with self-loathing and abhorrency, with self-condemnation and abasement ? If it will do any thing, this it will do. If you come short here, it is justly to be feared that all your other pretences are of no value. Now, where there is no ivorh of conviction there is no faith of forgiveness, what- ever is pretended. And how many vain boasters this sword will cut off is evident.
7. We have yet a greater evidence than all these. Men live in sin, and therefore they do not believe forgiveness of sin. Faith in general " iDiu-ifies the heart," Acts xv, 9 ; our " souls are purified in obeying the truth," 1 Pet. i. 22. And the life is made fruitful by it: James, ii. 22, " Faith Avorketh by works," and makes itself per- fect by them. And the doctrine concerning forgiveness hath a special influence into all holiness: Tit ii. 11, 12, "The grace of God
Yer.4.] forgiveness believed BY few. 513
that bringetli salvation, teacheth us that denying nngodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." And that is the grace whereof we speak. No man can, then, believe forgiveness of sin without a detestation and relin- quishment of it. The ground of this might be farther manifested, and the way of the efficacy of faith of forgiveness unto a forsaking of sin, if need were ; but all that own the gospel must acknowledge this principle. The real belief of the pardon of sin is prevalent with men not to live longer in sin.
But now, what are the greatest number of those who pretend to receive this truth? Are their hearts purified by it? Are their con- sciences purged? Are their lives changed? Do they " deny mi- godliness and worldly lusts?" Doth forgiveness teach them so to do? Have they found it effectual to these purposes? Whence is it, then, that there is such a bleating and bellowing to the contrary amongst them ?
Some of you are drunkards, some of you swearers, some of j'ou unclean persons, some of you liars, some of you worldly, some of you haters of all the ways of Christ, and all his concernments upon the earth; proud, covetous, boasters, self-seekers, envious, wrathful, back- biters, malicious, praters, slanderers, and the like. And shall we think that such as these believe forgiveness of sin ? God forbid. Again ; some of you are dark, ignorant, blind, utterly unacquainted with the mystery of the gospel, nor do at all make it your business to inquire into it. Either you hear it not at all, or negligently, sloth- fully, customarily, to no purpose. Let not such persons deceive their OAMi souls; to live in sin and yet to believe the forgiveness of sin is utterly impossible. Christ will not be a minister of sin, nor give his gospel to be a doctrine of licentiousness for your sakes; nor shall you be forgiven that you may be delivered to do more abominations. God forbid.