The truly blessed man

3. Such a sin, of its own nature, darkens the mans evidence to his good estate, or state of pardon. One main evidence, we observed, is our being without Guile; it is by the […] the Spirit of the exercise of his graces that we are to prove our selves; and the more life and activity there is of them, the clearer evidence do they give; that therefore which obstructs their activity must needs darken them: what then must that do which binds them all up, as such a sin doth? when a man looks upon himself in this pickle, he looketh to himself like a wicked man. Conscience tells him, thou hast despised me, and put the fear of God from before thee? and how shall he now discover that in him, that may witness him to be a pardoned man?

3. Such a sin, of its own nature, darkens the mans evidence to his good estate, or state of pardon. One main evidence, we observed, is our being without Guile; it is by the 〈…〉 the Spirit of the exercise of his graces that we are to prove our selves; and the more life and activity there is of them, the clearer evidence do they give; that therefore which obstructs their activity must needs darken them: what then must that do which binds them all up, as such a sin doth? when a man looks upon himself in this pickle, he looketh to himself like a wicked man. Conscience tells him, thou hast despised me, and put the fear of God from before thee? and how shall he now discover that in him, that may witness him to be a pardoned man?

4. God now righteously withdraws the light of his Countenance from him. He withholds his Testimony; he doth not speak peace in the man as sometimes formerly; but is at least silent, and lets him alone to the bitter remorses and reflections of his own Conscience. David was sensible of this, and that drew those petitions from him, Psal. 51.11, 12. And this is a very righteous judgment of God: the carriage of his Children calls for i•: it is time for their Father to show his displeasure,