Why this sin in particular is excepted from the general offers of ardon, it is also of great importance to understand —
[It is plainly declared to be unpardonable. But is not the mercy of God sufficiently extensive to cover this ? Yes, doubtless ; for it is infinite, as all his perfections are. Is there not then a sufficiency in the blood of Christ to atone for this ? Yes ; his death is a sufficient propitiation for the sins of the vi^hole world. Must we then refer it to the sovereign decree of heaven; and say, that God, in righteous judgment, has excepted this from the general proclamation of forgiveness? Perhaps this may be one reason : for St. John mentions " a sin unto death," for the forgiveness of which it is in vain to intercede*^. But the more substantial reason is, that the sin itself, in the very nature of things, excludes a person from all hope of mercy. God has provided salvation for us through the blood of his Son, and the influences of his Spirit; and has told us that there neither is, nor ever will be, any other way of salvation for sinful man. Now if we despise this salvation, and account it only a devilish delusion, what can be done 1 We must die, because we reject the only means of life. As a man who has taken a poisonous draught, may live, provided he apply a proper remedy, so a man who has committed the most deadly sins may nevertheless be saved at last, if he truly embrace the Gospel of Christ : but if he will not use the remedy pi'ovided for him, he must abide the consequences, and perish for ever. We must not however imagine, that every rejection of the Gospel is unpardonable ; for that, which is occasioned by an ignorance of its true nature, may be forgiven^; but it then becomes unpardonable, when it is wilful and deliberate, against the convictions of our conscience, and the dictates of an en- lightened judgment. It then argues a mind given up to its own delusions, and sealed up under final impenitence ; and therefore it cannot be forgiven, because it will never be repented of.]
There being no other limit to God's mercy, it is easy to see, II. To what it will extend —
This only excepted, every species and degree of sin may be forgiven. This blessed truth may be abundantly proved,
1. From Scripture examples — [If we look at sins committed before conversion, we shall
nor shall any thing further be done to call you to repentance.' See Whitby's Dissertation on the subject.
d 1 John V. !(). '^ 1 Tim. i. 13.