Fourthly, It is to me very momentous, that though sins of infirmity and enormity differ in proportion as much as Gnats and Camels, yet the least of them deserves condemnation as well as the greatest, and the greatest of them may have pardon in the very same way as the least. There are not in the Gospel two distinct ways appointed for pardon; one way for the pardon of infirmities, and another way for the pardon of gross sins: but there is one undivided way of faith and repentance appointed for both. Which being so, it follows, that if the believers gross sins be not forgiven till after actual faith and repentance, then neither are his infirmities ⟨p. 226⟩forgiven till then; and by consequence the believer cannot continue justified no not for a minute; the multitudes of infirmities, which are ever swarming in him, would put him into a state of death every moment. Nay, as worthy Mr. Wall hath well observed, in ictu mortis, 1in the very last stroke of death he may perish, unless the last operation of his spirit be actual faith and repentance. These things persuade me, that the gross sins of believers are at least in some sense pardoned before their fresh acts of faith, and repentance; touching which Divines speak variously. Mr. Baxter saith, That Believers as soon as they sin have an imperfect pardon, though not plenary. 2Mr. Hildersham saith, They have a pardon upon record in heaven; but not the comfort of it, till by faith and repentance they sue it out, and be able to show and plead it in the Court of their own Conscience. Mr. Burroughs saith, When any Soul is taken into Christ, 3it hath not only all the sins it hath committed pardoned, but there is a pardon laid in for all sins to come: there is no instant of time wherein it can be said, that the Believer is under condemnation. What is the aptest expression, I shall not contend, but I conceive such sins in believers are in some sort pardoned before their fresh acts of faith and repentance. Neither doth this open a gap to licentiousness, for it concerns only Believers, whom the stings of Conscience, celipses of Gods face, languors ⟨p. 227⟩of inward graces, and foul blots upon their Evidences to heaven, will under the influences of the Spirit press to fresh acts of saith and repentance, as to duties very necessary and incumbent upon them.
Fourthly, It is to me very momentous, that though sins of infirmity and enormity differ in proportion as much as Gnats and Camels, yet the least of them deserves condemnation as well as the greatest, and the greatest of them may have pardon in the very same way as the least. There are not in the Gospel two distinct waies appointed for pardon; one way for the pardon of infirmities, and another way for the pardon of gross sins: but there is one undivided way of faith and repentance appointed for both. Which being so, it follows, that if the believers gross sins be not forgiven till after actual faith and repentance, then neither are his infirmities ⟨p. 226⟩forgiven till then; and by consequence the believer cannot continue justified no not for a minute; the multitudes of infirmities, which are ever swarming in him, would put him into a state of death every moment. Nay, as worthy Mr. Wall hath well observed, in ictu mortis, 1in the very last stroak of death he may perish, unless the last operation of his spirit be actual faith and repentance. These things perswade me, that the gross sins of believers are at least in some sense pardoned before their fresh acts of faith, and repentance; touching which Divines speak variously. Mr. Baxter saith, That Believers as soon as they sin have an imperfect pardon, though not plenary. 2Mr. Hildersham saith, They have a pardon upon record in heaven; but not the comfort of it, till by faith and repentance they sue it out, and be able to shew and plead it in the Court of their own Conscience. Mr. Burroughs saith, When any Soul is taken into Christ, 3it hath not only all the sins it hath committed pardoned, but there is a pardon laid in for all sins to come: there is no instant of time wherein it can be said, that the Believer is under condemnation. What is the aptest expression, I shall not contend, but I conceive such sins in believers are in some sort pardoned before their fresh acts of faith and repentance. Neither doth this open a gap to licentiousness, for it concerns only Believers, whom the stings of Conscience, celipses of Gods face, languors ⟨p. 227⟩of inward graces, and foul blots upon their Evidences to heaven, will under the influences of the Spirit press to fresh acts of saith and repentance, as to duties very necessary and incumbent upon them.
- 1None but Christ, pag. 322.
- 2Lect. 113. on the 51. Psalm.
- 3Expos en Hos. p. 611.
