A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first…

Ans. It is with Sin in this respect as with Samsons Hair, it may be cut, but it will grow again; Sin may be mortified in some kind, and yet renewed again, because Sin in this Life is mortified but in part; Pride, Wantonness, Covetousness in part are mortified, but in part alive, and if we neglect the practise of mortification, that sin we had got some mastery of, we shall fall into again: if Sin break out again it is because we neglect those means we should mortify Sin by; he doth not say, the blood of Christ hath cleansed us, but cleanseth; Doth cleanse, implying that cleansing is a continued Act, the blood of Christ is a notable Medicine to heal Sin, and purge from filthiness, but if a man neglect to apply this Plaster to his Soul, it may not be so effectual as it would.

Ans. It is with Sin in this respect as with Sampsons Hair, it may be cut, but it will grow again; Sin may be mortified in some kinde, and yet renewed again, because Sin in this Life is mortified but in part; Pride, Wantonnesse, Coveteousnesse in part are mortified, but in part alive, and if we neglect the practise of mortification, that sin we had got some mastery of, we shall fall into again: if Sin break out again it is because we neglect those means we should mortifie Sin by; he doth not say, the bloud of Christ hath cleansed us, but cleanseth; Doth cleanse, implying that cleansing is a continued Act, the bloud of Christ is a notable Medicine to heal Sin, and purge from filthinesse, but if a man neglect to apply this Plaister to his Soul, it may not be so effectuall as it would.

Use 1. For trial, whether our Sins be pardoned or no, would you know whether your Sin be pardoned? why then it is also cleansed, if your Sin be not cleansed in some measure, it is not pardoned at all; therefore look at your Sins if they be healed, then they are certainly pardoned, for it is the same blood of Christ that both heals and pardons Sin, Hos. 14.4. God doth not only love freely, and pardon graciously, but he heals them also; therefore consider, do you find your Sins healed, that is, that they have not that power they had before, do they seem loathsome to you, whereas before you delighted in them, now in heart you hate them, and in practise avoid them, then those Sins are pardoned, and if he pardons one Sin he pardons all, his pardons are universal; but if a man live in Sin still, and love it as well, and is no more ashamed than formerly he had been, but goes on in the same Sin, truly it is not healed, and then not pardoned.