One Hundred and Ninety Sermons on Psalm 119

3. In them true happiness is begun: There are degrees in Blessedness; the Angels they never sinned, the glorified Saints they have sinned, but sin no more; the Saints upon earth in them sin reigns not; therefore here's their happiness begun; as sin is taken away, so our happiness increaseth; first God begins with us in a way of Justification, ne damnet, he takes away the damning power that is in sin; and in Sanctification the work goes on, ne regnet, that sin may not reign; afterward ne sit, that sin may not be; therefore these have begun their happiness, they are hastening towards it apace.

3. In them true happiness is begun: There are degrees in Blessedness; the Angels they never sinned, the glorified Saints they have sinned, but sin no more; the Saints upon earth in them sin reigns not; therefore here's their happiness begun; as sin is taken away, so our happiness increaseth; first God begins with us in a vvay of Justification, ne damnet, he takes avvay the damning povver that is in sin; and in Sanctification the vvork goes on, ne regnet, that sin may not reign; aftervvard ne sit, that sin may not be; therefore these have begun their happiness, they are hastning tovvards it apace.

Use 1. For trial and examination, Whether we may be reckoned among the blessed men yea or no? There are some think that because the children of God are liable to so many failings, and there being so many wiles and circuits in the heart of man, that there can be no judgment made upon the case between the sins of the regenerate and unregenerate. But surely there is a difference between the sinning of the one, and the sinning of the other, and such a difference as may be discerned. 1 Joh. 3. 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin. Now mark, v. 10. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the Devil. This is that which distinguisheth the children of God from the children of the Devil. Well then, how shall we manage this discovery that we may be able to judg of our own estates?

Use 1. For trial and examination, Whether vve may be reckoned among the blessed men yea or no? There are some think that because the children of God are lyable to so many failings, and there being so many vviles and circuits in the heart of man, that there can be no judgment made upon the case betvveen the sins of the regenerate and unregenerate. But surely there is a difference betvveen the sinning of the one, and the sinning of the other, and such a difference as may be discerned.