(2.) Com2mratively, in reference unto the vengeance due to the breach of the law, 2 Cor. ii. 1 6. We are in the preaching of forgive- ness by Christ, unto them that perish, " a savour of death unto death," a deep death, a sore condemnation. So Heb. x. 29, " Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy?" sorer than ever was threatened by the law, or inflicted for the breach of it, — not as to the kind of punishment but as to the degrees of it; hence ariseth the addition of " Many stripes."
(3.) By tJie ivay of admiration at the inexpressihleness and un- avoidableness of the punishment due imto such sinners: Heb. ii. 3, " How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation ! " — " Surely there is no way for men to escape, they shall unavoidably perish, who neglect so great salvation." So the Holy Ghost says, 1 Pet. iv. 17, " What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel?" — " What understanding can reach to an apprehension of their miserable and
Ver.4.] EXHORTATIONS UNTO BELIEVING FORGIVENESS. 537
Avoful condition?" " None can," saitli the Holy Ghost, " nor can it be spoken to their capacity." Ah! what shall their end be? There re- mains nothing but " a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries," Heb. x. 27, — a certain fearful expectation of astonishable things, that cannot be comprehended.
And these are the enforcements of the exhortation in hand which I shall insist upon. On these foundations, on the consideration of these principles, let us now a little confer together, with the words of truth and sobriety. I speak to such poor souls as, having deceived themselves, or neglected utterly their eternal condition, are not as yet really and in truth made partakers of this forgiveness. Your present state is sad and deplorable. There is nothing but the woful uncertainty of a dying life between you and eternal niin. That per- suasion you have of forgiveness is good for nothing but to harden you and destroy you. It is not the forgiveness that is with God, nor have you taken it up on gospel grounds or evidences. You have stolen painted beads, and take yourselves to be lawful possessors of pearls and jewels. As you are, then, any Avay concerned in your own eternal condition, which you are entering into (and how soon you shall be engaged in it you know not), prevail with yourselves to at- tend a little unto the exhortation that lies before you ; it is your own business that you are entreated to have regard unto.
1. Consider seriously Avhat it is you bottom your hopes and expec- tation upon as to eternity. Great men, and in other things wise, are here very apt to deceive themselves. They suppose they think and believe much otherwise than indeed they think and believe, as their cry at the last day will manifest. Put your souls a little unto it. Do you at all seriously think of these things? or are you so under the power of your lusts, ignorance, and darkness, that you neglect and despise them? or do you rise up and lie down, and perform some duties, or neglect them, with a great coldness, remissness, and indif- ferency of spirit, like Gallio, not much caring for these things? or do you relieve yourselves with hopes of future amendment, purposing that if you live you will be other persons than you are, when such and such things are brought about and accomplished? or do you not hope well in general upon the account of what you have done and will do? If any of these express your condition, it is unspeakably miser- able. You lie down and rise up under the wrath of the great God, who will prevail at last upon you, and there shall be none to deliver.
2. If you shall say, " Nay, this is not our state ; we rely on mercy and forgiveness," then let me, in the fear of the great God, entreat a few things yet farther of you : —
538 AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM cxxx. [Ver.4.
That you Avould seriously consider whether the forgiveness you rest on and hope in be that gospel forgiveness which we have belore described ; or is it only a general apprehension of impunity, though you are sinners, — that God is merciful, and you hope in him that you shall escape the vengeance of hell-fire? If it be thus with you, for- giveness itself will not relieve you. This is that of the presumptuous man, Deut. xxix. 19. Gospel pardon is a thing of another nature; it hath its spring in the gracious heart of the Father, is made out by a sovereign act of his will, rendered consistent with the glory of his justice and holiness by the blood of Christ, by which it is purchased in a covenant of grace ; as hath been showed. If you shall say, " Yea, this is the forgiveness we rely upon, it is that which you have de- scribed," then I desire farther that you would, —
(1.) Examine your own hearts, hoiv you came to have an interest in tltis forgiveness, to close with it, and to have a right unto it. A man may deceive himself as effectually by supposing that true riches are his, when they are not, as by supposing his false and coun- terfeit ware to be good and current. How, then, came you to be in- terested in this gospel forgiveness? If it hath befallen you you know not how, — if a lifeless, barren, inoperative persuasion of it hath crept upon your minds, — be not mistaken, God will come and require his forgiveness at yoxvc hands, and it shall appear that you have had no part nor portion in it. If you shall say, " Nay, but we were con- vinced of sin, and rendered exceeding unquiet in our consciences, and on that account looked out after forgiveness, which hath given us rest," then I desire, —