1. Hereby is discovered the vileness of sin, and the wretchedness wherein we lye1 by reason thereof. So long as sin lieth on us, no grace and favour can be expected from God: neither can there be any comfortable communion betwixt God and u•. God in himself is to sinners, as sinners, a consuming fire: Heb. 12. 28. and […] are as stubble. Take notice hereof, that sorrow for sin, hatred of sin, desire of pardon, and faith therein may be wrought in your hearts.
2. This doth much amplify the benefit of the pardon of sin. It is a great benefit2 in it self: but much greater in that it is a means of the forementioned blessed privileges: namely, that God is moved to write his Laws in our heart: to be our God: and to cause us to know him. On this ground might Christ well say to a poor distressed man, Son be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee, Matth. 9. 2. Assurance of the pardon of sin is the most sovereign ground of comfort that can be.
3. This may put us on to do the uttermost that possibly we can, to attain assurance3 of the pardon of sin: and to give no rest to our souls till we have attained some evidence thereof. In this case the advice which the wise man giveth to a debtor (Prov. 6. 3, 4, 5.) is to be observed. The very horror of sin in it self, and the woeful plight whereinto it bringeth sinners is motive enough to enforce this point. But behold a stronger motive: a positive motive. The privileges that it bringeth with it. Upon pardon of sin followeth every good gift: even whatsoever the sanctified heart of man can desire: for what can it more desire, then what is comprised […] the privileges of the new covenant. Were this well weighed, it would make us cry for pardon of sin: and plead the grounds thereof as David did, Psal. 51. 1. Had a man but one request, in his own behalf to make unto God, surely this which the Publican made, God be merciful to me a sinner (Luk. 18. 13.) would be the best.
1. Hereby is discovered the vilenesse of sin, and the wretchednesse wherein we lye1 by reason thereof. So long as sin lyeth on us, no grace and favour can be expected from God: neither can there be any comfortable communion betwixt God and u•. God in himself is to sinners, as sinners, a consuming fire: Heb. 12. 28. and 〈…〉 are as stubble. Take notice hereof, that sorrow for sin, hatred of sin, desire of pardon, and faith therein may be wrought in your hearts.
2. This doth much amplifie the benefit of the pardon of sin. It is a great benefit2 in it self: but much greater in that it is a means of the forementioned blessed priviledges: namely, that God is moved to write his Lawes in our heart: to be our God: and to cause us to know him. On this ground might Christ well say to a poor distressed man, Son be of good chear, thy sins be forgiven thee, Matth. 9. 2. Assurance of the pardon of sin is the most soveraign ground of comfort that can be.
3. This may put us on to do the uttermost that possibly we can, to attain assurance3 of the pardon of sin: and to give no rest to our souls till we have attained some evidence thereof. In this case the advice which the wiseman giveth to a debter (Prov. 6. 3, 4, 5.) is to be observed. The very horror of sin in it self, and the wofull plight whereinto it bringeth sinners is motive enough to enforce this poynt. But behold a stronger motive: a positive motive. The priviledges that it bringeth with it. Upon pardon of sin followeth every good gift: even whatsoever the sanctified heart of man can desire: for what can it more desire, then what is comprised 〈…〉 the priviledges of the new covenant. Were this well weighed, it would make us cry for pardon of sin: and plead the grounds thereof as David did, Psal. 51. 1. Had a man but one request, in his own behalf to make unto God, surely this which the Publican made, God be mercifull to me a sinner (Luk. 18. 13.) would be the best.
- 1Vileness of sin.Vilenesse of sin.
- 2Pardon of sin • great ben• fit.
- 3Seek pardon […] sin.Seek pardon 〈…〉 sin.
