Doct. There is a sin that not only in it self is deadly, but that irre•••rably procures everlasting death, Mat. 12.31, 32. Mark 3.22.

Doct. There is a sin that not onely in it selfe is deadly, but that irre•••rably procures everlasting death, Mat. 12.31, 32. Mark 3.22.

What is this sin unto death?

Two thing, concur to the composition of it: 1. Illumination in the mind. 2. Malice in the heart.

Two thing, concur to the composition of it: 1. Illumination in the minde. 2. Malice in the heart.

The Apostle joins them together, Heb. 10.26. If they sin wilfully, maliciously, after they have received the knowledge of the truth, (which is called enlightening, Heb. 6.4.) then there remains no more sacrifice for sin.

The Apostle joyns them together, Heb. 10.26. If they sin wilfully, maliciously, after they have received the knowledge of the truth, (which is called inlightning, Heb. 6.4.) then there remains no more sacrifice for sin.

First, Such a knowledge of the truth is required, as comes from the illumination of the holy Ghost, when he is clearly let to see the truth of Gods Word, and the goodness of his grace, if after this they sin wilfully, there is no more hope of mercy.

First, Such a knowledge of the truth is required, as comes from the illumination of the holy Ghost, when he is clearly let to see the truth of Gods Word, and the goodnesse of his grace, if after this they sin wilfully, there is no more hope of mercy.

Secondly, There is malice in this sin, that is included when its called the sin against the holy Ghost, Mat. 12.31, 32. which partly expresseth the object against which they sin, which is the Spirit of grace, and the manner, it is done with spite and malice against the know truth. That malice concurs to it, its evident, Heb. 10.29. they are said to despite the Spirit of God; now this is not only contempt and despising but its joined likewise with malice and scorn. That it is unpardonable, our Saviour testifies, Mat. 12.32. Mark 3.22. Heb. 6.4, 5, 6.

Secondly, There is malice in this sin, that is included when its called the sin against the holy Ghost, Mat. 12.31, 32. which partly expresseth the object against which they sin, which is the Spirit of grace, and the manner, it is done with spight and malice against the know truth. That malice concurs to it, its evident, Heb. 10.29. they are said to despight the Spirit of God; now this is not onely contempt and despising but its joyned likewise with malice and scorn. That it is unpardonable, our Saviour testifies, Mat. 12.32. Mark 3.22. Heb. 6.4, 5, 6.

Why is this sin so unpardonable?

1. From the mighty strong power of Satan in such a man, because its ever committed when seven worse then himself, worse then the former, have entered in, after the knowledge of the truth, and reformation of many things, Luke 11.24, to 27. When a man hath been so enlightened and convinced, that he hath cast out many sinful lusts; if he shall make way for Satan again, by voluntary and wilful commission of sins, then Satan enters with seven other spirit worse then before.

1. From the mighty strong power of Satan in such a man, because its ever committed when seven worse then himselfe, worse then the former, have entred in, after the knowledge of the truth, and reformation of many things, Luke 11.24, to 27. When a man hath been so inlightened and convinced, that he hath cast out many sinfull lusts; if he shall make way for Satan again, by voluntary and wilfull commission of sins, then Satan enters with seven other spirit worse then before.

2. Some yield a reason from the order of the Persons in the Trinity. If we sin against the Father, the Son may intercede for us; if we sin against the Son, the holy Ghost may intercede for us; but if we sin against the holy Ghost, there is no other Person to intercede for us; but I rest not in that, for it is certain this sin trespasseth against all the three Persons.

2. Some yeeld a reason from the order of the Persons in the Trinity. If we sin against the Father, the Son may intercede for us; if we sin against the Son, the holy Ghost may intercede for us; but if we sin against the holy Ghost, there is no other Person to intercede for us; but I rest not in that, for it is certain this sin trespasseth against all the three Persons.

3. From the nature of this sin: Its not a sin of ignorance, for want of knowledge, not a sin of infirmity, nor is it only a sin of presumption, for that may proceed from boldness, rather then malice; but a sin of malice far worse than any of those. He that despised Moses Law dyed without mercy under two or three witnesses; that is, that sinned presumptuously, and out of boldness; for sins of ignorance and infirmity, there were sacrifices ordained in the Law; but if a man sinned wilfully, he dyed without mercy, though his sin were never so small, as gathering of sticks; now therefore, if there was no pardon for such a sin of presumption, How much sorer punishment is he worthy of, that tramples under foot the blood of the covenant, and doth despite to Spirit of grace?

3. From the nature of this sin: Its not a sin of ignorance, for want of knowledge, not a sin of infirmity, nor is it onely a sin of presumption, for that may proceed from boldnesse, rather then malice; but a sin of malice far worse than any of those. He that despised Moses Law dyed without mercy under two or three witnesses; that is, that sinned presumptuously, and out of boldnesse; for sins of ignorance and infirmity, there were sacrifices ordained in the Law; but if a man sinned wilfully, he dyed without mercy, though his sin were never so small, as gathering of sticks; now therefore, if there was no pardon for such a sin of presumption, How much sorer punishment is he worthy of, that tramples under foot the blood of the covenant, and doth despight to Spirit of grace?

4 From the glory of Gods grace. It's the glory of grace that it extends to the pardoning and healing of all sins besides; no sin of ignorance or infirmity, but grace can heal, the most presumptuous it can humble, but if a man man maliciously despise the Spirit of grace, God that is most jealous of the glory of his grace, will never have it abused by them.

4 From the glory of Gods grace. It's the glory of grace that it extends to the pardoning and healing of all sins besides; no sin of ihnorance or infirmity, but grace can heal, the most presumptuous it can humble, but if a man man maliciously despise the Spirit of grace, God that is most jealous of the glory of his grace, will never have it abused by them.

Use 1. Of refutation of some ancient tenets about this sin. The Schoolmen say it is one of those six sins, as Aquinas reckons them up, either despair, or presumption, or opposing the known truth, or envying the graces of others, or obstinate purpose in sin, or final impenitency; but many of those may be found in those whom God afterwards receives to mercy. There hath been found despair even in Gods own servants, Psal. 31, 22. And as for presumption, Nathan chargeth David that had despised the commandment of the ⟨p. 427⟩Lord. And that was a sin of presumption, Num: 16.30, 31. for oppugning the known truth. Herod put John in prison, and to death; Darius cast Daniel into the Lyons den, both against their conscience, and yet neither of them sinned against the holy Ghost, because they were both sorry for it. Asa put the Prophet in prison. For envying the graces of others, it was found in Joshua, Num. 11.28.29. For obstinate purpose in sin, its found in every one that sins presumptuously, 2 Sam. 24.1, to 4. For final impenitency, that it is not the sin against the holy Ghost, because St. John then would not have given order not to pray for them, for final impenitency cannot be discerned till death, and so St. Johns direction had been but frivolous.

Ʋse 1. Of refutation of some ancient tenets about this sin. The Schoolmen say it is one of those siv sins, as Aquinas reckons them up, either despair, or presumption, or opposing the known truth, or envying the graces of others, or obstinate purpose in sin, or finall impenitency; but many of those may be found in those whom God afterwards receives to mercy. There hath been found despair even in Gods owne servants, Psal. 31, 22. And as for presumption, Nathan chargeth David that had despised the commandement of the ⟨p. 427⟩Lord. And that was a sin of presumption, Num: 16.30, 31. for oppugning the known truth. Herod put John in prison, and to death; Darius cast Daniel into the Lyons den, both against their conscience, and yet neither of them sinned against the holy Ghost, because they were both sorry for it. Afa put the Prophet in prison. For envying the graces of others, it was found in Joshua,

St. Austin taught this sin to be envy, and final impenitency. Origen, any sin after Baptism: The Novatians took up the same tenet; but that it was an error, is evident, for Peter sinned after Baptism, and so are all the sins of Gods children; if these were sins against the holy Ghost, who should be saved?

St. Austin taught this sin to be envy, and finall impenitency. Origen, any sin after Baptisme: The Novatians took up the same tenent; but that it was an error, is evident, for Peter sinned after Baptisme, and so are all the sins of Gods children; if these were sins against the holy Ghost, who should be saved?