The Truly Blessed Man, Part 2 – Part 3

The Truly Blessed Man · Part 2 – Part 3

p. 129VERSE 3, 4.

3. When I kept ſilence, my bones waxed old, through my roaring all the day long.

4. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of Summer. Selah.

The Words Opened.

VVE have been conſidering the Deſcription of a Bleſſed man, in reſpect of his Sin being pardoned, and of the evidence of … in the concomitancy of inherent Sanctification: We proceed now to the Exemplification of …is in himſelf, given by the Pſalmiſt in theſe two …erſes and that which follows; wherein two things …e to be obſerved,

1. The diſtreſs he was in by reaſon of his Sin. Verſ. … 4.

2. The courſe he took to get relief againſt it, toge…er with the good Succeſs of it. Verſe 5.

1. We have before us the diſtreſs he was in by reaſon … his Sin; in which alſo are two things.

1. The diſtreſs it ſelf.

p. 1302. What it was that gave occaſion of it; or whence it did proceed, which are mixed in the words, but may be handled in their order.

1. The distreſs it ſelf: Set forth in pathetical Expreſſions, and Similitudes, borrowed to ſhadow the extremity of it: and there are two things in which he diſcovers the dolefulneſs of his condition.

1. By the inward efficacy of his trouble; it waſted, it conſumed him, it made his bones old, and dryed up his radical moiſture; for ſo the word uſed, properly ſignifyeth. The meaning is, it wore out his Life, Strength, Vigour, and made a Skeliton of him.

2. By the outward expreſſion of it, ariſing from his inward trouble; his Roaring, and that without intermiſſion; the word is properly uſed of the fearful noiſe that Lions make in their Roaring, and on what account was this, but of his Sins which lay on his Conſcience, through the apprehenſion of the Guilt of them? It may be here enquired, whether David is ſpeaking of his Condition before or after Converſion? Whether he repreſents a Godly or an Ungodly man here? And it may be replied. That it is generally ſuppoſed, and not without reaſon, that this was after he was a pardoned man… but had by ſome Sins wounded himſelf: and it … generally reckoned that it refers to the ſame wit… Pſal. 51. There are two Obſervations that m… be gathered from this.

p. 131The diſtreſs of a Conſcience burdened with Sin.

DOCTRINE. I.

IT is a diſmal diſtreſs to have a Conſcience burdened with the lively ſenſe of the Guilt of Sin. It is indeed, of all burdens the moſt heavy and oppreſſing, none comparable to it, Prov. 18. 14. It is enough to dry up the moisture, and conſume the bones, and put the man into inceſſant roaring. In clearing and confirming this Doctrine, we may enquire,

1. What it is that brings a man into great diſtreſs?

2. What evidence may be given to the truth of the DOCTRINE.

1. What it is that brings a man into great Diſtreſs?

A. We may take a ſhort account of this in three particulars.

1. Diſtreſs is properly a ſinking or over bearing perplexity on the mind. There is indeed a diſtreſs that meer Animals may be in, ariſing from an impreſſion made in their ſenſitive Spirits: but we are ſpeaking of man… who is a rational being, and acts according to the principles of reaſon. It is true, that which gives occaſion for it, may be outward and bodily, but the diſtreſs it ſelf hath its great influence on the mind or ſoul: and it is by p. 132reaſon of perplexity that is in it. For, let a man meet with what he may, yet ſo long as the mind is quiet, he is not diſtreſt; and it muſt be ſomething that over bears, or is too hard for him, for whiles he can ſtand ſteadily under it, and ſinks not nor is ſtaggered by it; it doth not amount to a diſtreſs: Hence this condition is ſet forth by ſuch expreſſions, Pſal. 31 9, 10. 38. 8, 10. 142. 3. When a man is in trouble, and his Spirits give in and fail him, then he is diſtreſſed.

2. That which giveth being to this diſtreſs, is ſome evil either felt or feared The cauſe of it is always ſomething that is really evil, or apprehended to be ſo. It either ſhuts up the Spirits, that they cannot get out, or it breaks them in pieces, that they ca… not be gathered up: and that muſt needs be ſome evil; that which is good, and ſo apprehended, dilates them, and makes the man ready chearfully to entertain it. Man hath in him a natural a verſeneſs to evil, which makes him afraid of it, when he ſees it coming, and burdened with it when it is upon him: hence he would willingly fly from it, and if he cannot, it troubleth him; he counts it to be hurtful to him, and from the apprehenſion of this ariſeth his diſtreſs: hence evil and bitter are put together, Jer. 2. 19.

3. That this diſtreſs is greater or leſs from the conſiderations of the evil that gives being to it. And this hath a reſpect either to the evil it ſelf, or the apprehenſion that the man hath of it in his mind.

1. In reſpect of the evil it ſelf. And here are three things.

p. 1331. The Nature of the Evil. Though all are evil, and ſo have a tendency to become diſtreſſing, yet there are two ſorts of them, ſome are bodily, ſome are ſpiritual; & although men that are immerged in ſenſe, are apt to be more ſurprized & perplexed with the former; yet the latter are in themſelves moſt terrible, and when aright conceived of, moſt diſtreſſing, Prov. 18. 14. And in this reſpect Sin is, in its own nature of all the moſt diſtreſſing, becauſe it is the worſt and moſt pernicious: and ſo Spiritual Plagues are the moſt terrible of all.

2. The degree of it. There are different meaſures in thoſe Evils that men are liable to, ſome are lighter, others are heavier. Some are ſo eaſy to be born, that though there be ſome inconvenience in them, yet the Spirit is not over-born by them, and ſo they are not diſtreſſing; others are heavier, and harder to bear, and out bid the man: God therefore ſo expreſſeth the Judgment that he was about to bring on them, Ezek. 7. 5.

3. The proſpect the man hath of the iſsue of the Evil. The only inward ſupport which a man in diſtreſs hath, is in his Hope. If he hath a proſpect of an end of his trouble, it gives him ſomething to feed upon, that is of the nature of a Cordial; and though it ſhould be long firſt, yet it helps to bear more patiently: but when he feels the weight, and ſees no end of it, it then makes it inſupportable. Deſpair under trouble is the height of diſtreſs; it is a deadly diſcouragement, when it cometh to ſay as they, Ezek. 37. 11. Our hope is loſt.

p. 1342. In reſpect of the apprehenſion the man hath of the Evil on his mind. Every thing is to the mind of man, as he reſents it. If the man be ignorant of the Evil, he is not troubled about it; if he underſtandeth not the evil in the thing, he maketh a light matter of it, and that is the reaſon why Fools make a mock of ſin, Prov. 14. 9. Which they would never do, if they knew the world of miſchie… there is in it. On the other hand, when men do over value the evil in the thing, it makes lighter troubles the more diſtreſſing; which is the reaſon why worldly croſſes more perplex men, then Spiritual Plagues, and the loſs of a creature comfort more oppreſſeth them than the loſs of a Soul.

2. It now follows to ſhew the truth of the Doctrine, or evidence that a Conſcience thus burdened, is a diſmal diſtreſs. For which let the… three Conſiderations be laid together.

1. From the nature of Guilt. The right conſideration of what is in it, will make it appear a diſtreſſing thing. We have before conſidered what it is, and there are three things in it which afford matter of diſtreſs to the man.

1. The conſideration of the penalty it ſelf, which by is bound to undergo, i. e. All the miſeries that are contained in the Threatning. Guilt binds upon the man all the Curſes that are written in the Book of God; and what a terrible burden is this? there are all the ſorrows that men are expoſed to in this life, which are uncountable and aſtoniſhing: and there are all the puniſhments in another World, to be ſuffered in the place prepared o… p. 135purpoſe for the ſetting forth the triumph of Revenging Juſtice, over thoſe whom God hateth, and will himſelf be to them a Conſuming Fire,; and the Emphaſis of it is in the extremity of it, a Fire unquenchable, a Worm that dieth not; and therefore called, Everlaſting Burnings, Iſa. 33. 14.

2. The Conſideration of the ſtrength of the Obligation. Guilt is a priſon that holds the man faſt: the …ars of it are too ſtrong for the whole Creation to be able to break: the powerful hand of Omnipotency, keeps them in, and the watchful eye of Omniſciency guards them, ſo that there is no poſſibility of making an eſcape: the Sentence declaring them Guilty is poſitive, Gen. 2. 17. The God who hath declared it is of One Mind, and cannot repent: He hath ſaid the Sinner ſhall Dy, and he will accompliſh it, either in him or his Surety. The Holineſs and Juſtice of God ſtands preſt to proſecute the Sinner to the utmoſt, and will not fail of doing it. By Guilt the Sinner Falls into Gods Hands, and that is a fearful thing. Heb. 10. 31.

3. The Conſideration of the danger which by reaſon of Guilt, the man is every moment expoſed unto: It lays the Sinner open to preſent Execution. There is no time prefixed in the Law, how long it ſhall be before the Sentence ſhall take place, and fall on the ſinner in its whole weight. He is no ſooner a Sinner, but Guilty, and no ſooner Guilty but expoſed, and God may, if he pleaſe, in that inſtant Arreign, Judge, Condemn, and Damn him; all the Patience extended to him, is of meer Sovereignty. God may call a Court when he will, and proceed p. 136upon him, and he is to expect it continually: the threatning is to the very Day, Gen. 2. 17. There is no ſafety, and conſequently no Peace, Iſa. 57. ult.

2. From the nature of Conſcience. I ſhall here only conſider it from its Office to bind this Guilt upon the man, and diſtreſs him with it, and when God ſets it to its work, it will do it to purpoſe; here,

1. Conſcience is a Statute Book. In it are engraven the Laws of God, by which men are to be Judged, and there they are to be read. Theſe records are much blurred in natural men, however, meer Heathen have enough to convince, and conſequently to condemn them: they are ſaid to be… Law to themſelves, Rom. 2. 14. Conſcience not only tells them this is a Sin, and that a Duty, but alſo that there is ſuch a recompence due to ſin in Juſtice, it teſtifyeth both to the Law, and the equity of it, Rom. 1. ult. 2. 1. And when Conſcience hath been enlightned by the Word, it is yet more fitted to diſcharge this Office.

2. Conſcience is a Regiſter. It is a Book of records in which all matters of fact are fairly written and reſerved. Man may for the preſent have forgotten a great many things, but they are faithfully entred in the rolls of Conſcience, and he ſhall there read them ſooner or later: they are there graven indelebly, As with a Pen of Iron, and point of a diamond, in the Rock: and not one ſin that he was ever Guilty of, but is there upon the file, to be produced againſt him, for which reaſon it is called a Book, Rev. 20. 12.

3. Conſcience is a Witneſs to matters of fact. p. 137And this it is in all the Circumſtances; and as good … ten thouſand, being privy to all, ſtanding by, …oking on, and writing down the moſt Secret Sins, …m. 2. 15. And it will not, dares not withold its …eſtimony, when God commands it to declare: …he lay the matter before it; it will not be ſilent, …. 8. 9. Nor will the man dare to deny, when …onſcience ſtares him in the face and terrifyeth …m.

4. Conſcience is an Accuſer. This is one office … bears under God, Rom. 2. 15. And though, for …e preſent, men bribe and baffle their Conſciences, …d make them to hold their peace, yet they will …ertainly betray them; and when there is neither …an, Angel, nor Devil appears, to lay any thing … their charge, this will haunt them with its re…ections, and give them no reſt. Yea, how often …oth it blab all, and force a confeſſion from them …efore men.

5. Conſcience is a Judge. It hath and keeps a Court in the man, in which it arreigns, tries, and …ndemns him; and when God gives it a Commiſ…n of Oyer and Terminer, it will do it to purpoſe, … Joh. 3. 20. It calls the man to its bar, lays open …is caſe, indicts him, maketh him to hold up his …and, convinceth him effectually, and then paſſeth …he Sentence of the Law formally upon him, and …o he ſtands Condemned. We have this inſtanced …n David, 1 Sam. 24. 10. In Joſephs brethren, Gen. …2. 21, 22. In Judas, Math. 27. begin.

6. Conſcience is alſo an Executioner. When it …ath done the Office of a Judge, it then, falls upon p. 138the man, and rends and tears him. This is the Worm that dies not, Mark 9. 43. It begins to feed upon him here in this world, it fills him with horrour, and many times precipitates him into miſchief. Now all this proceſs of Conſcience in the Sinner, is built upon the Guilt that lyeth on him… and ſo tells us how much there is in it to diſtre… the man, becauſe it provides this work for Conſcience, but for which it would be his Friend, and ſpeak peace to him.

3. From the impreſſion which this lively ſence make… upon the Conſcience. The matter of this diſtreſs … in the Guilt it ſelf; and the Conſcience is a ſubject fit to afflict the man with it; but the application of it ariſeth from this ſenſe: ſo that though the man were quiet before, though his condition were the ſame, yet now he cannot be ſo. It is impoſſible but the man ſhould be horribly diſtre…

For,

1. It fills him with aſtoniſhing Fear; and that is … perplexing thing. Fear, when it only awakens ma… to duty, and makes him cautiouſly ſeek to ſecur… himſelf from danger, is good and profitable: b… when it over-bears, and puts the man beyond th… uſe of means, it is terrible, and yet ſuch a fear is … natural iſſue of this ſenſe, Iſa. 33. 14. Heb. 10. 27.

2. It puts him into Horrour of Conſcience. It fil… him with amazing Agonies in his mind. Th… made Cain cry out, Gen. 4. 14. My puniſhment … greater than I can bear. It fills him with conſternation, as Saul, 1 Sam. 28. 5. Conſcience having read him his doom, he now looks upon God arme… p. 139with Vengeance coming againſt him, finds himſelf at the brink of the pit; he looks over, and there ſees the amazing miſeries, which he is juſt ready to fall over into, which fills him with inexpreſſible terrours, that ly heavy on him, like mountains of lead.

3. This eats out the Comfort of every thing, and maketh all bitter to him. He is now a Magor Maſſa…, like Paſhur, Jer. 20. 3, 4. And is ready with them, Rev. 6. 16. To tire mountains with cryes to fall upon him. He looks on every thing to be armed in Gods quarrel, and ready to ſieze him for the terrible appearance of his Judge: and he knows not whether to go but is Reſtleſs as the Raging Sea, Iſa. 57. 20. And who but he that is under it, can tell what … diſtreſs it is?

USE. I. This might be improved for the removing a cavil that is apt to be made, viz. If it be ſo, why do flagicious Sinners lead the merrieſt Lives, are they not ſo deſcribed? Job 21. 13. Pſal. …3. 4, 5. And how many are cheated by this de…uſion. But let it be here obſerved.

1. They are all this while under Guilt. Their ſtate …s not better for their pleaſancy: they are priſoners of Juſtice, under a Sentence of Death, and in danger of being turned into Hell the next moment. It …s therefore a Spiritual frenzy that is on them, that makes them regardleſs of their danger.

2. They have a Conſcience in them, though they ſtiffle …. A natural Conſcience is inſeparable from a Reaſonable Creature; and though it be aſleep for p. 140the preſent, it may be rouſed, and when it is, it will do its work to purpoſe, and the more terribly, by how much more it hath been impoſed upon: nor is it ſo aſleep but that it keeps true records. When Guilt and Conſcience meet together, there will be fearful work: and, unleſs men could. extinguiſh… Conſcience, which they never can, they will not always keep them from ſo meeting.

3. Hence there will a time come, when Conſcience ſhall reflect on this Guilt, and then they will be … diſtreſs. We are told there is ſuch a time coming Prov. 1. 27. God did not put a Conſcience in… man for nothing, and he will make it do its Offi… to purpoſe before he hath done with it. Though men do not, yet God doth See their day is comi… and laughs at their preſent ſport, Pſal. 37. 13. And there is no eſcaping it.

4. This Reprobate ſenſe is a fearful Judgment of G… on profligate Sinners. Suppoſe they are brawn… and have out grown the ſenſe of reflexions; th… is no priviledge, but indeed one of the awfule… witneſſes of Gods fearful anger, Rom. 1. 18. E… 4. 19. Nor is there any thing that carryeth in it greater ſymptom of Reprobation.

USE II. See here one reaſon why Converſ… is called a Strait Gate. It is ſo, Mat. 7. 14. Th… word implieth that which diſtreſſeth a man, b… ſtraitning and putting him to pain, and hence th… Verb of it ſignifieth, To Groan. The work … Conviction is the firſt work of the Spirit, Joh. 16. Now the Conſcience is the Subject of this Conviction, p. 141and the matter of it is the Guilt ariſing from ſin, or Sin and Guilt which are inſeparable, according to the tenour of the Firſt Covenant; and though the way of the Spirit of God with Infants be to us a ſecret, yet in grown perſons, who are Converted by the Word and Ordinances, God leaves this Conviction upon them, in order to his drawing of them to Chriſt, and they are diſtreſſed by it; the next Invitation therefore is to ſuch as are weary and heavy laden, Mat. 11. 28. The Spirit of God acts arbitrarily …n meaſuring the degrees of this, and uſually when men have been moſt notorious for ſin, the diſtreſs is the greateſt; but there are ſuch impreſſions of it on all who are thus drawn, ſo as to bring them into a loſt ſtate, and make them apprehenſively periſhing: and by this means God embitters Sin to them, ſo that he may hereby make his grace the more welcome and acceptable to them; that being oppreſſed, they may cry out for help.

USE III. Let this help to bring ſecure Sinners into Diſtreſs. And Sinner! Beware of flying from it. How afraid are men of trouble of mind? how do they ſhun it? And how fearful are many of bringing them into it? how many prepoſterous courſes are uſed to comfort them againſt it? Well, you that live in ſin, and are quiet, that ſleep and care not to be awakened; let me tell you, my hearts deſire and prayer to God for you, is that he would bring you into this diſtreſs. Oh that you would think and conſider of the Guilt that is p. 142lying upon you; that you did but feel the Curſe that is upon you for ſin, and had the Sentence of Death and Damnation upon you. And be not angry at me for ſuch wiſhes and requeſts as theſe are; for Conſider,

1. You are certainly under all this Guilt, whether you will believe it or no. You brought it with you into the World, and if Chriſt hath not removed it by his Grace, it abides on you; yea, and you have encreaſed it by every ſin you have committed ſince you were born: the leaſt vain thought hath laid in more for your Condemnation; and if you are Guilty, you may well think what is like to become of you, if you ſo abide; that is one of Gods Attributes, as well as thoſe that vain men feed their preſumption with, Exod. 34. 7. That will by no means clear the Guilty.

2. Hence you will unavoidably be brought into Diſtreſs ſooner or later. Guilt will not always ly ſtill, nor ſuffer the Conſcience ever to be quiet; but there will be a time when you ſhall be rouſed by it to purpoſe; the Damnation of Guilty Impenitent Sinners doth not ſlumber; the Sentence paſt will be Executed, the Wrath that is out againſt them will fall upon them; and then they will be in diſtreſs. When the Sinner ſhall have his eyes opened, and ſee himſelf juſt dropping into endleſs Woes, it will put him into agonies.

3. If now you were in diſtreſs, there would be hope you might do well for all. Chriſt is now exhibited in the Goſpel, inviting all ſuch to come to him. Shortly your diſtreſs will come too late for an eſcape, p. 143but now it may be a ſtep to it. Next to the Joy over a Sinner that is Converted to God, is that of a Sinner in anguiſh of Soul, crying out, How ſhall I be Saved? And of all the ſights in the World, there is none more dreadful, than to ſee a Sinner manacled with the Chains of Guilt, and unconcerned as if nothing ailed him.

USE IV. Let this ſerve to direct diſtreſſed Sinners what to do. This will follow to be particularly ſpoken of afterwards; here only in general. Are there any that can on experience feal the Truth of the Doctrine, and ſay, I am the perſon that you ſpeak of, I find all to be true that you tell me; nay, there is none that can tell the load, the burden that my afflicted Soul is ſinking under, and is there ever a word of relief to be ſpoken, that may under-prop me? To ſuch let me ſay.

1. There is hope in Iſrael concerning this thing. As he, Ezra. 10. 2. God hath in rich mercy provided one to give ſuccour to ſuch, and this is the good news which the Goſpel declares; he was Anointed to it, read how his Commiſſion runs, Iſa. 61. begin. And he is Mighty to Save, Chap. 63. 1.

2. Hearken then after the counſel that he ſhall give you, and reſolve by his help to follow it. There is a way for the obtaining of this, and though his grace only is ſufficient to lead us into it, yet he calls upon you to hearken to, and wait upon him; and if you find your hearts enclined p. 144to this, you may be encouraged to hope for an… eſcape. What is incumbent on you in this affair will fall to be diſcourſed, at Verſe 5.

Guilt apprehended, Diſtreſſing to Gods Children.

DOCTRINE II.

THat Gods Children themſelves are ſometimes almoſt overwhelmed, with the apprehenſion of Guilt. David is here ſpeaking; and we obſerved that it refers to ſome trouble that he met with after his Converſion, and yet he tells us how ſadly he was oppreſſed with it.

That the ſenſe of Guilt is terrible to him that hath the impreſſions of it on his Spirit, we have already obſerved. That therefore which is here only to be enquired, is,

How a true Convert who is a Juſtified, & conſequently a pardoned perſon, comes to be diſtreſt with Guilt which is removed by Forgiveneſs? And this is a Caſe worthy our looking into. For the right ſtain… and explaining whereof I may offer theſe Concluſions.

1 It is certain, that in the forgiveneſs of Sin, the whole Guilt of it is removed. A Pardon hath … proper reſpect unto Guilt: it makes not the … not to have been, nor takes away the merit of it, p. 145but it removes the obligation of it that bound the Sinner to Dy; a pardon doth not take away a part, and leave a part, but it diſchargeth all; it doth not remit the fault, and retain the puniſhment; nor doth it abate the Eternal Puniſhment, and reſerve the Temporal; but it altogether dears the man from the Law ſentence againſt him; for this reaſon it is ſaid to be blotted out, &c. God indeed forgives as a Judge, and corrects as a Father, but this reſpects not the Law, but the Goſpel, and the Correction is to heal the perſon; it is not an act of Revenging Juſtice, but Parental Diſcipline, Jer. 10. 24.

2. That Juſtification, in which Sin is pardoned, is not an eternal and immanent, but a temporary and tranſient act. They that talk of an Eternal Juſtification, miſtake the Scripture notion of it. True, in the Eternal Compact between God the Father, and Son, there were thoſe given to the Son, whom he was in due time to Redeem and Juſtify, Iſa. 53. 11. And ſo this was ſecured for them, and when Chriſt Roſe from the Dead, he was, as our Sure…y, Juſtified, 1 Tim. 3. 16. And ſo there was a …uſtification taken out for us, Rom. 4. 25. But the …ctual application of it to us is upon our believing, Rom. 5. 1. There is an act of God, which paſſeth upon the Sinner, whereby his Guilt is taken off …rom him, and this is part of that which the Scrip…ure calls Juſtification. And therefore before that we are counted Children of Wrath, Eph. 2. 3. The …hing was made ſure before, but we muſt be p. 146in Chriſt before we paſs from Condemnation, Rom. 8. 1.

3. There is a double conſideration to be had … the forgiveneſs which is applied to the Sinne… viz.

1. In reſpect to his Perſon and State. The natura… ſtate of every Child of Adam, is a ſtate of Condemnation, as he ſtands Guilty of the Imputatio… of the Firſt Tranſgreſſion, and as he is Born unde… the power of In dwelling Original Sin, by ver… whereof his State is a State of Guilt. Now … ſtate is removed in Juſtification, in which the… are two things done for the perſon, viz. He is … free from Guilt, and Condemnation, and adjudged to Eternal Life; called a paſſing from death … life, 1 Joh. 3. 14. The man is removed from under the Law, and put under Grace, Rom. 6. … And by this the mans ſtate is ſecured for Eternity he is for ever out of the reach of the Law threa… ning.

2. In reſpect to his actions. A pardoned juſtifi… man is not preſently got rid of the Body of Death but is ſometimes carried Captive by the Law … his Members: and hence he may, and ſometim… doth do the things that are diſpleaſing to God, Sam. 11. ult. And this muſt be by ſin, for nothin… elſe can properly diſpleaſe him; and there is farther conſideration to be had on account … theſe, which we may obſerve in that which follo…

4. That there is a ſort of Guilt that cleaves to … ſinful actions of the Children of God. If we look Guilt in a ſtrict legal ſenſe, as that which bin… p. 147…he perſon over to ſuffer the vengeance of the Law, ſo there is none can befal a juſtified Believ…. Rom. 8 1. The perſon is, by the juſtifying act but beyond this danger: God hath ſaid, Deliver him from going to the pit, I have found a ranſom; he hath imputed Chriſt's Righteouſneſs to him, and it ſtands for him, and cannot ceaſe ſo … do. But yet there is ſomething that may be…al a Juſtified perſon, that the Scripture puts ſuch name upon. David was ſuch an one before he …urdered Uriah, and yet prays to be cleared from …uilt, Pſal. 51. 14. What this is, we muſt further …nquire, only in general obſerve, that it cannot …eſpect the mans ſtate, but his actions, and the …onſequents thereon in the Providence of God.

5. That actual ſins are not actually forgiven the …an before they are committed. Every Juſtified Be…ever is under the moral Law as a Rule, though …ot as a Covenant; and ſo every neglect of, or …oing any thing againſt the Law, is truly Sin, …nd ſtands in need of forgiveneſs: and for this …eaſon they are enjoyned to pray every day for …. Mat. 6. 12. This ſaith they want it, elſe there …ould be no occaſion to pray for it; and in…eed all the ſins we commit after believing, … go to Chriſt's ſcore, elſe the Law would all foul on us. This forgiveneſs muſt be taken … after the ſin is committed; for if it were …ctually applied before, we need not go for it …ery day. God doth not, as the Pope, who …etends to be Christ's Vicar, give men Indulgen… for ſins to be committed ſo many years p. 148hence: all the Indulgence he affords us is, if we ſ…n we have an Advocate, by whom we may obtain forgiveneſs, 1 Joh. 2. 1. Beſides, the way in which the Children of God come to obtain actual forgiveneſs, of the ſins they fall into, is in the way of renewed Repentance, and Faith, and Godly Sorrow. David repented, and God forgave him; and a particular repentance cannot be, till there be the particular ſin to be repented of.

6. Hence Juſtification in this reſpect is a continue… Act. Divines rightly put that difference between Juſtification and Sanctification, that the latter is a work, but the former an act. Now the Juſtifying act, as it reſpects the perſon is at once, and in a… inſtant: at what time God imputeth the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt to a Sinner, and reckons it to him for his, by this Imputation, he is in the Law account, a perfectly righteous perſon, whence … abſtractively declared of him, 2 Cor. 5. 21. And in this reſpect he is as Righteous in Gods account the firſt hour of his believing, as he ſhall be in th… Day of Judgment. But the actual forgiveneſs … his particular ſins, is an effect or reſultancy fo… lowing from this Juſtification; and it comes … after the ſins are committed, and upon his Repe… rance and renewal of his Faith in Chriſt; an… that muſt needs be ſuccedaneous: for it is con… dered, not in reſpect of God, in whoſe Eterni… there is no ſucceſſion, but of the Creature, … which there is a ſucceſſion of acts, and accordingly receives mercy from God ſuccedaneouſ… Forgiveneſs is ſaid to be of Sins that are paſt, Ro… p. 149… 25. Though it be ſecured in the Juſtifying act, …et it derives in this way, and with ſuch a con…exion.

7. That a ſin may be forgiven in the Court of Heaven, and not in the Court of Conſcience. Divines do rightly and neceſſarily diſtinguiſh between theſe two Courts. Every man is to be cited to anſwer for himſelf at both of theſe Tribunals; and an act may paſs in one of theſe, when it hath not paſt in the other. Conſcience indeed is Gods Tribunal, but yet many a man, through the decei…fulneſs of his heart, and falſe opinion of himſelf, paſ…eth a wrong judgment on himſelf, and ſometimes brings in a Verdict of acquittance, when he is indeed condemned before God: And on the other hand, God ſometimes paſſeth the act of pardon on the Sinner, as he ever doth on his believing on Chriſt, and yet doth not immediately pub… it in the Conſcience; and ſo he may ſtand condemned within for the preſent, though he be …ally forgiven; i. e. in his own apprehenſion; …or it is certain, that a man may, in a ſenſe, be … not to have that which he doth not know that he hath; i. e. He hath not the comfort of it, … is to him as if he had it not: and ſo it may be with a pardoned one. The King may have Sign…l and Sealed a pardon for a Malefactor, and ſo … is really a pardoned man, yet he is going to Execution, and concludes that he muſt dy till it be …roduced and read to him. There may be a di…ect act of Faith by caſting one ſelf on Chriſt, and yet the reflex act in a great meaſure be ſtopped, … 50. 10.

p. 1508. Hence it follows, that not only the perſon, … the ſin too may be pardoned, and yet the Conſcience … dened with it. It is impoſſible but that awakene… Conſcience, that hath a right apprehenſion of th… nature of Guilt, and looks upon himſelf to … under it, muſt of neceſſity be in great anguiſh and none more ſenſible of it than they who ha… grace in them, having been ſavingly enlightened and thereby having a more lively ſenſe raiſed … them. A particular forgiveneſs is applied upon particular Repentance, and Believing; and fou… ſay, Can a man exert a particular act of faith … repentance and not know it? and if he do… know it, he muſt know that he is forgiven, becauſe of the cloſe connexion between theſe two but it may readily be anſwered; that the … may exert a gracious act, and yet be at a … whether it be gracious or no; he may doubt wh… ther his heart were right in it, and ſo be afr… whether God hath accepted it; yea, be ready draw a concluſion againſt himſelf in this reſpect and the ſin it ſelf mean while ſtares him in … face, and terrifieth him; and indeed, if the Spi… do not afford his concurring Teſtimony, and … his ſeal to the truth of this, the man will n… know what to make of himſelf, knowing the d… ceitfulneſs and hypocriſy of his own heart: a… whiles it is ſo, needs muſt the terrours of … Lord make him afraid: the Sin cannot but … very heavy and oppreſſing on his Conſcience.

9. Conſcience waſting Sins do of their own natu… and by the righteous Judgment of God, darken … p. 151mans evidence of a pardoned ſtate, and expoſe him to the apprehenſion of Guilt.

Here obſerve,

1. That a true Convert may fall into ſome Conſcience waſting Sin. He is not out of danger, yea ſometimes is ſo overtaken. All the Sins of Gods Children are in a ſenſe, ſins of Infirmity, becauſe there is a party in them that conſents not, but yet there are ſome that have more of boldneſs in them, and do more nearly ſtriek the Conſcience, which are preſumptuous ſins, which he prays hard againſt, Pſal. 19. 13. When prevailing Concupiſcence hurries them to do things againſt the light of Conſcience, either to ſhut their eyes, againſt it, or to be born down by the force of a luſt, to commit it, though Conſcience ſaith it ought not to be, this is a Conſcience wasting ſin: and though it looks unlike the Spot of Gods Children, yet ſometimes when left to themſelves, they are thus entangled. Davids Adultery and Murder were ſuch, and ſuch was Solomons Building Idolatrous Houſes.

2. That God doth not ordinarily ſuffer his own to … long under the inſenſibleneſs of ſuch ſins. How …ng he may, is not for us to tell, yet he is wont … due time to awaken their Conſciences, and …ve them the feeling of them. He ſends ſome …eſſenger or other to rouſe them; ſome Prophet, … he did to David. Either he meets them in an Ordinance, and cauſeth ſome word to faſten on them, or in a Providence, as Joſephs Brethren; and thus God doth in faithfulneſs, becauſe whiles p. 152Conſcience is thus waſted and ſtunned, it can do its Office aright in nothing, and ſo the mans graces are not exerciſed in vigour, but miſs their end, which he will not ſuffer ever to be in ſuch whom he hath planted his fear in.

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 fruits of the Spirit, or 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 … Countenance from him. He witholds his Teſtimony; he doth not ſpeak peace in the man as ſome times formerly; but is at leaſt ſilent, and lets hi… alone to the bitter remorces and reflections … his own Conſcience. David was ſenſible of th… and that drew thoſe petitions from him, Pſal. … 11, 12. And this is a very righteous judgment … God: the carriage of his Children calls for it: is time for their Father to ſhew his diſpleaſure p. 153… he ſhould ſeem not only to love their perſons, …t approve their Sins

5. This muſt needs be attended with a fearful ap…henſion of Guilt. He hath been arreigned and …ed at the Bar of his own Conſcience, and there … ſtands Convicted of Sin; his former evidences … comforts ſhrink away, and look to him … deluſions; his Conſcience thundereth …orrible menaces againſt him; he looks upon God …tting himſelf as an enemy; and is ready to con…ude that he hath lied to him, and Gods Wrath will certainly fall upon him, and whiles it is thus, …e ſighs, and groans, and roars, by reaſon of his …erts diſtreſs; and can enjoy no reſt, no quiet in …is mind, but goeth up & down hurried and ama…ed, like one diſtracted, Pſal. 31. 9, 10. 38. begin. …8. 15.

USE I. Learn hence their folly who promiſe themſelves, when once pardoned, never to be troubled … Guilt more. There are ſuch as entertain themſelves with ſuch a fond opinion as this; if …ce they can get the evidence of their forgive…ſs, Guilt of Sin will never again diſtreſs them, … the fears of hell terrify them: but this is …th a groundleſs and a dangerous miſtake; they …tend, if a man be forgiven, he is Juſtified, and … ſtate is ſecured, if therefore he knows that he …pardoned, he thereby is aſſured how it ſhall be …th him for ever. Again, peace with God fol…ows upon pardon of ſin, Rom. 5. 1. And the fruit of that is peace in Conſcience, and becauſe the peace p. 154with God is ſettled, what ſhould diſturb the mans peace within, who knows this? but all this will not do, for though the Covenant of peace be firm, yet,

1. There may be peace with God, and yet not ſo reſented as to quiet the Conſcience. A man may have this peace in title, and yet doubt whether he hath it or no; and ſo far as he doubts of it, he will be diſquieted about it; and it is no infrequent thin… for Godly men to have awful fears in this reſpect, we read of ſome, Heb. 2. 15. That go in … of death all their life.

2. They may have had the reſentment of this, … yet loſe it again in great meaſures. Gods Childre… have their frequent turns on this account; no… they walk in the Light, and anon they are beclonded by the hiding of Gods face away from them it was ſo with David, Pſal. 30. 6, 7.

3. Nay there may be breaches between God … them, and ſo the comfort of their peaceable state intercepted. They may fall into ſome griev… ſin, and God be provoked at them for it, a… look upon them like an Enemy; and it may be long time before he will witneſs in them their fo… giveneſs in reſpect of that ſin: and this will fo… ly tempt them to queſtion the peaceableneſs their ſtate, or whether ever there were any ſu… thing in truth, and ſo put them on it to begin … work anew, as he, Pſal. 51. 10. And as this co… fidence is groundleſs, ſo it is dangerous. Not o… doth it give the Fleſh and Satan advantage draw us into careleſneſs, and ſo expoſe us p. 155temptation, whereby we may be precipitated into ſuch Sins as will bring us into this uncomfortable condition; but when it is ſo, it will put us to a miſerable loſs in our own ſpirits, and make the apprehenſion of our Guilt ſo much the more formidable. It will put a weapon into the adverſaries hand, to enforce the more vehemently the concluſion; that becauſe we thought it could not be thus with one that is pardoned, therefore this condition muſt needs be an evidence that we never were pardoned, and ſo are under the whole Guilt of ſin, and how heavy will this be?

USE II. Learn hence alſo how injurious it is to the Children of God, to confound Faith and Aſſurance. There are that Define Juſtifying Faith to be nothing elſe but a firm and confident perſwaſion in a man, that his ſins are pardoned, that Chriſt died for him, and that he ſhall aſſuredly be ſaved; and that he who hath not this confidence is not a true believer. It is indeed the duty of every one to labour after the getting this perwaſion, 2 Pet. 1. 10. But yet this is not the proper act of Juſtifying Faith, as Juſtifying, but ſome…ing that reſults from it afterwards. It doth not …operly belong to Effectual Vocation, but is one … the benefits flowing from it, and appertains to … inchoate Glorification of Gods Children in … life. Our comfort indeed flows from this, … hath its meaſure according to the ſtrength of our hope on this account; and therefore no gracious ſoul can have reſt without it. But yet p. 156there is a Faith going before it, and is the foundation on which it is built: and that is the true Juſtifying Faith, which is accompanied with Gods forgiveneſs. I muſt firſt know that I have that Faith, before I can know that I am forgiven. The confounding then of theſe two muſt greatly damnify us in an hour of deſertion. What ſhall a Child of God do, when ſome ſin hath wounded him, Guilt ſtares him in the face, and his confidence is turned into doubts and fears! how forcibly muſt it ſink him into the mire, now to think, if faith were ſuch a confidence, I never had any, for if I had, it would not be loſt. Whereas the only ſupport of a Soul, at ſuch a time, is to feel that there are the breathings and goings out of the heart after Chriſt, and if that be not the acting of Faith, he ha… none.

USE III. To Exhort the Children of God to take heed how they expoſe themſelves to ſuch a Condition; for which end, Conſider.

1. If you do not look to your ſelves you may fall … to it. There is not the beſt man on Earth ſecure againſt it. This was the Caſe of David, a m… after Gods own heart, Text, as long as we dwell a Sinful World, and labour under a body of dea… we are not out of danger, and for that reaſon ſhou… not be ſecure in our minds. We may be the He… of Salvation, and yet want the joy of Salvation, Pſ… 55. 12.

2. Satan will do all he can to bring you into … p. 157… he cannot deſtroy you, he will do you all the …amage he can, and his great buſineſs is to make …reaches between you and your God; and that by …riving you into ſomething that is provoking, and when he hath ſo done, and God is angry, to accuſe …ou to your own Conſciences, and lay on load till …e breaks your backs if poſſible; firſt to make you …old to ſin, and then make you to deſpair by reaſon of it, and this calls you to be Watchful, 1 Pet. …5. 8.

3. If you do fall into ſuch a Condition, it will be …errible. No man knows the diſmalneſs of it, but …e that hath felt it: It will Soak out your moiſture, and Dry up your marrow, and terribly ſcorch you. …ead thoſe ſorrowful ditties, Pſal. 38. & 88. And … your own hearts, whether it be not a matter of greateſt concern to avoid the precipitating your ſelves into it. And for advice here,

1. See to a particular forgiveneſs for old ſins. Sins committed a great while ago, it may be before you were Converted, you may think it is enough that you had a general pardon: but if there have been any more particular ſins; and you have not made a particular buſineſs of them, they may thus trouble you afterwards. David puts up ſuch a pe…ion, Pſal. 25. 7. Remember not the Sins of my youth. And Job makes ſuch a complaint, Chap. 13. 26. Thou makeſt me to poſſeſs the iniquities of my youth. Lay in then ſome particular evidence of ſuch a pardon given you.

2. Take heed of carnal confidence in your pardoned State. There is no little hazard of this: Bleſs p. 158God for it, wonder at the riches of his Grace in it, and ſtudy how to expreſs a Suitable holy thankfulneſs for it: but do not grow ſecure, bold, fearleſs on the account. God will not take it well if you ſo do, and it may provoke him to with draw, as he did, for this reaſon from David, Pſal. 30. 6, 7.

3. Beware of allowing your ſelves in any ſin. Think not of any that, it is a Little One; count it not enough to ſtand off from groſs ſcandalous Sins; nor make a little matter of ſins of Omiſſion, the neglect of this or the duty of worſhip to God, or of your relations: this heedleſsneſs hath a double danger, it will hazard Gods with drawing from you, and expoſe you to grow bold with ſuch as are greater. And truly the more ſcandalous ſins of Gods Children uſually begin with ſuch. David gave way to a wandring heart and eye on the houſe top, and that laid the Scene for all the Tragedy that followed.

4. Take heed of lying in a ſin, when overtaken There are none of Gods Children but do too frequently fall into Sin for their humbling, but a juſt man ſhould riſe preſently; it is only for the Worlds Swine to wallow in the mire. David doubtleſs added to the bitterneſs of his trouble, in that he lay ſecure ſo long, as one aſleep. Be every day making ſearch for ſin in your ſelves and be very inquiſitive, and as faſt as you find any, drag it to the Croſs of Christ, drive one more nail into it to faſten it there: is there a breach made by it between God and you, make it up preſently; and this is the way to prevent p. 159theſe bitter things, which elſe are to be expected afterwards.

5. To this End maintain a tender Conſcience. Let the world flout at it as much as they will, it matters not. Be not hard to reſent a Sin; if it may be, …et it touch you in the Temptation; but be not ſo Senſeleſs as not to feel it when it hath made a Wound in your Conſcience. Keep up an heart that is afraid of any thing that looks like a Sin, and be Jealous of your ſelves, leſt you be impoſed …on, and Suſpicious leſt you have ſo been? And in the exerciſe of ſuch a frame, you will be in the beſt way to maintain the inward Peace of your Souls.

2. We have Conſidered the Pſalmiſts diſtreſs, it follows, that we proceed to take notice of that from whence it came, or which gave occaſion for it: which is expreſt in two things.

1. The moral procuring cauſe of it; while I kept ſilence.

2. The Authour or Efficient of it, thy hand, &c. Of theſe ſeverally.

1. The moral procuring cauſe of it; while I kept ſilence. The word is Emphatical, it firſtly ſignifyeth to dig, or plow, in order to the covering of ſomething under ground. And hence it is uſed figuratively for deviſing, & for holding ones peace, and ſtopping ones ears: it is in our Text oppoſed to a free, full, and voluntary Confeſſion, compare Verſe 5. And deſigns all the carnal tricks and devi…es which men make uſe of to hide their ſins, p. 160many whereof the corrupt part in us is ready to ſuggeſt, upon the commiſſion of Sin.

Hence,

The danger and miſchief o… Sinful ſilence and evaſions.

DOCTRINE.

THe Sinful ſilence, and cunning tricks that … uſe to cover their Sins withal, do but lay … for the more awful distreſs of Conſcience afterwar…

There are two Propoſitions contained in this Doctrine.

1. That men are apt upon the Commiſſion of Sin to keep ſilence ſinfully, and to uſe devices to hide …

2. That in their ſo doing, they lay in for the ma… awful diſtreſs of Conſcience afterwards.

1. That men are apt, upon the Commiſſion of … to keep Silence ſinfully, and uſe Devices to hide … Probably David hath reſpect to the contrivance he had practiſed to abſcond the Adultery he ha… committed with Bathſheba. Two things may hen… be conſidered,

1. That it is ſo.

2. Whence it cometh to paſs?

1. That it is ſo is evident by the common practice … Unregenerate men, and the too frequent incidence of … to the Regenerate. And this will be more manifeſt p. 161by conſidering the wrong courſes frequently uſed in this caſe; viz.

1. They uſe ſecreſie in the committing of ſin. All do not ſhew their Sins as Sodom: though they are willing to Sin, yet they care not for having it diſcovered; and therefore when they are reſolved to do it, they contrive how to do it p…ivately, and chuſe times and places accordingly; and the reaſon is, becauſe if they can keep it private, they think themſelves ſafe, ſee Pſal. 64 5. Ezek. 8. 12. Eph. 5. 12. 2 Sam. 12. 12.

2. When they have committed Sin, they ſtudy ways to hide it from mens cognizance. Their buſineſs is not to get it pardoned, but to keep it from taking air, and coming out againſt them; they ſeek not to have Chriſt to cover it under the Robe of his Righteouſneſs, but get covers of their own to throw over it; and this muſt needs proceed from a root of Atheiſm, preſuming there is no danger if men cannot prove it; and this they endeavour.

1. By ſeeking to ſhift it off to others, and make a cover of them for it. When David had committed Adultery, he ſends for Uriah, and he muſt father the illegitimate Child, 2 Sam. 11. 6. And thus Adam would put off the blame of the Firſt Tranſgreſſion to Eve, Gen 3 12, 13.

2. By adding other grievous ſins to prevent that … coming to light. And it is ſad to ſee how far his temptation will lead men, what horrid things did David do to hide his Adultery? firſt he makes Uriah drunk, hoping ſo to ſend him home, and when that would not do, he contrives his death, p. 162ſo as it ſhould ſeem to be fortuitous, and when he had compaſſed it, puts it off with a pretended Religious obſervation of Gods Providence.

3. By flat and peremptory denials. If men know themſelves ſuſpected, and preſume it cannot be proved againſt them, they have a ly at hand to cover it withal; hoping by their impudence to gain credit: and if they may be believed, all is well. Thus Gehezi thought to cover his fact, … 2 Kings 5. 25.

4. They ſeek to baffle their own Conſciences about it Conſcience ſometimes will have its reflections, and men are hard put to it to treat with them, but yet they have their ways to ſilence them too, and that,

1. By putting it out of their minds. They endeavour to forget it, or not to think of it, and therefore divert their thoughts to ſome other thing, and fill their hearts and hands with buſineſs that ſhall occupy them. So Cain ſeeks to Build a City, inſtead of hearkening to his Conſcience, Gen. 4. 16 men hope if they can forget it, God will too.

2. By extenuating it. By making a light matter of their ſin, they would quiet their minds, an… hence find our many excuſes to content themſelve… withal; it was no great matter, and it was great Temptation▪ &c.

3. By preſumption that God doth not ſee or mind … And indeed this lies at the bottom of all the tricks and devices; for if men were through… convinced that God both ſeeth and diſcovere… all; it would convince them of their ſtupe…ido… p. 163folly in all their ſubterfuges; but thus men quiet their Conſciences, if God ſees not nor regards, why then ſhould they be troubled? Pſal. 94. 4.

4. They keep ſilence to God: i. e. They do not come before him and make an ingenious confeſſion of their ſin, but rather fly from him, abſcond, and when their Conſciences ſmite them, they hide from him, as our Firſt Parents did: and either through impenitence or unbelief, they either harden themſelves in their ſin, or elſe diſcourage themſelves by entertaining thoughts of deſpair.

2. Whence this cometh to paſs?

A. In ſumme, it proceeds from the natural corruption that is in fallen man, and remains in the beſt while here: and it hath theſe things in it.

1. Carnal Concupiſcence takes pleaſure in ſin. Sin is Con-natural to the corrupt part that is in us; all the principles and powers of it are engaged that way: the Depraved Judgment approves of it, the perverſe will makes choiſe of it, the perverted affections are ſet upon it; wicked men are in their Element when they are ſinning, Job 15. 16. And ſo much of fleſh as remains in Gods Children, ſo much of this inclination there is, Rom. 7. ult.

2. A natural Conſcience checks men for ſin. It is …ts Office, according to its light, to call on men to to their duty, and reflect on and reprove them when they fail in it, and there is more or leſs of his activity in all that are not ſeared, Rom. 2. 15. …nd here Conſcience doth two things, it tells them p. 164that they have done amiſs, and puts them in fear by threatning them for that they have ſo done.

3. Hence there is a natural ſhame in men, that pu… them upon hiding their ſin This ſhame is a prope… reſult from the act of Conſcience, telling them they have done things which ought not to have been done, and ſo have acted unbecomingly. It is natural for men to be aſhamed of what they think to be unworthy of them, and to carry matter of reproach in it; ſo our firſt Parents, Gen. … 7, 9. And the operation of ſhame is to put me… upon abſconding. Impudence therefore is an… high degree of wickedneſs, and therefore greatly aggravateth the ſin, Jer. 6. 15.

4. A natural pride makes men loth to take ſham… to themſelves, by a free confeſſion. Pride is one … the leading luſts in Original Sin, and ſuch is the influence of it, that though men know they have done amiſs, and are inwardly aſhamed, yet they cannot tell how to ſtoop and abaſe themſelves lo… becauſe of it: ſo that all the cunning tricks evaſions, hidings which men uſe, are nothing elſ… but the breaking out of pride in them, makin… them count it a diſgrace to fall under Convictions, Jer. 13 15.

5. And carnal preſumption encourageth them … keeping ſilence. And it hath its various acting in the man: he preſumes of ſecrecy, he preſumes of mercy; he promiſeth himſelf to … cape well enough; he thinks if he can but kee… his own counſel there is no danger: and th… p. 165…ain deluſion prompts him to ſuch courſes where…y he grows ſecure and careleſs.

2. That in thus doing, men do but lay in for the …ore awful diſtreſs of Conſcience afterwards. The …uth of this will be made manifeſt by the fol…wing Concluſions.

1. That all ſins, and peculiarly more bold Tranſ…reſſions, are diſpleaſing to God. Sin is of its own …ature contrary to his ſpotleſs Holineſs, for which …eaſon he cannot endure it, Hab. 1. 13. Jer. 44. 4. And therefore he cannot but abhor it wherefoe…er he ſees it; it is the very thing for which he …aths wicked men; he hates them not as his Creatures, but the filthineſs they have contract…d by Sin, procureth his anger againſt them, Jer. 2. 17. And as for his own Children, though he hath loved their perſons in Chriſt, and is recon…iled to them in the New Covenant, yet he approves not their Sins, but taketh them ill, 2 Sam. 11. ult. And although he pitieth their infirmities, which unavoidably attend their beſt endeavours to Serve him, yet if at any time they fall into more groſly defiling Sins, he will be angry at them. If Hezekiah grows proud and ingrateful after a ſignal deliverance, there will be Wrath come out for it, 2 Chron. 32. 25. And there is ſomething peculiarly aggravating in ſuch Sins, 1 Kings 11. 9.

2. That God ſeeth, obſerveth, and keepeth a record of all the ſins that men thus commit. When it is ſaid that God cannot behold iniquity, it is to be underſtood of his approbation; but yet, as the Sin p. 166of the Creature, hath a reſpect to the ſpecial Government of God, ſo he hath an eye conſtantly upon it, and maketh his remarks on it, Jer. 17. 1. For, as the Law is the Rule of this Government ſo the carriages of men with reſpect to it, are the things according to which the Judgment is to paſ… upon men, 2 Cor. 5. 10. We are therefore told that God will bring every work into judgment, Eccleſ… 12. 14. And in order to this he keeps an exact record of them all, Deut. 32. 34. So that not only do they come within the comprehenſion of hi… Omniſcience, but are the matter of his ſtrict obſervation, Pſal. 11. 4. He looketh into the darkeſt corners, and taketh notice of what men do in the moſt ſecret Chambers of Imagery, and puts all o… the file.

3. That all theſe ſins are alſo written down in the records of Conſcience. We obſerved this to be one of its Offices, to be a Book of Records, in which there is an exact regiſter of all the man ever did where, though the man hath loſt many things, and hath no reſentment of them, they are in a readineſs to be produced on any occaſion: and whenſoever God ſhall lay open theſe records before the man, he ſhall have a perfect remembrance of them. Now the Conſcience doth this, not by reaſon of any fidelity in it, for in Sinners it is defiled, and would willingly loſe all thoſe records if it could, but God hath put this nature into it, that it cannot do otherwiſe: we may therefore be ſure that there is ſome deſign in it, elſe it would be ſuperfluous, Rom. 2. 15.

p. 1674. God will ſooner or later bear witneſs to the diſ…eaſure that he taketh at Sin. If God be angry, …e will make the Creature know it; if we pro…oke him by Sin, we muſt expect to hear of him … a way that will not be grateful to us. Anger … God is not a paſſion, as it is in us, for ſuch cannot belong to him by reaſon of the Infinite perfection of his nature; but it is the acting and manifeſtation of his will, in which he ſhews his diſpleaſure at ſin; and is therefore to be ſeen in the effects of it: the moving cauſe of it is ſin, but the anger it ſelf is to be read in the Efficiency of God; and that is the Teſtimony he beareth, in which he makes men to know that he will not bear ſin at their hands, but they ſhall ſmart for it: ſo that though he may keep ſilence a while, and men grow ſecure upon it, and preſume on …mpunity, yet he will not ſo let it paſs, but find an opportunity to let men ſee that Sin is not pleaſing but provoking to him, Pſal. 50. 21, 22. For this God himſelf keeps a book of records, and maketh Conſcience to keep the accounts, that in due ſeaſon he may reckon with men, and animadvert upon them.

5. If God intend the man good, he will bring him to Repentance of ſuch ſins. There is but one way to forgiveneſs, and Repentance belongs to it, Acts 5. 3. And this not only concerns ſuch as are not Juſtified in order to the Juſtification of their perſons, but the Children of God in order to the forgiveneſs of ſuch ſins as they fall into after Juſtification: for though God will forgive them, yet he p. 168will not do it in any other way but this; and indeed the Glory of God is concerned in his applying a pardon to them in this way; it is in this Repentance that he makes their ſin bitter to them and ſo they are made to ſee the rich mercy that appears to them in their forgiveneſs. In this Repentance they are made to juſtifie God in his righteous Judgments, and ſo to aſcribe their pardon to his rich Grace. In this Repentance they are made to loath themſelves and their ſins, and are ſo broken off from them, and turned from ſin to God, and ſo fitted to live to his glory: all which tends to his honour.

6. In order to this Repentance, God will awake… Conſcience, and make it to charge the ſin home upon the man. For God deals with him as a reaſonable Creature: Now the very reaſon of Repentance is a diſcovery that we make of our great folly in what we have done, and the miſchief ariſing from it, which maketh us aſhamed of it, ſorry for it loath our ſelves by reaſon of it, confeſs and bewa… it to God, ask his pardon, and draw up a purpoſ… to relinquiſh it, and never again to have any thing to do with it: there muſt therefore be ſuch a diſcovery made to us, and in us, in order hereunto for we naturally approve of ſin, and call goo… evil, which approbation is that which draws … to the commiſſion of it, which we muſt be mad… to ſee the folly of: and for this Conſcience is … ſed, both to put us in mind of the ſins, to charg… them upon us, to ſhew us the Law, and our danger by it, and all the aggravations attending ou… p. 169…. Thus God ſets mens ſins in order before them, …. 50. 22.

7. And now all theſe cunning tricks and covers will … to the ſtings of Conſcience. Doubtleſs, they are …eat aggravations of the ſin, both in that they …iſcover abundance of the malignity of the heart, …nd becauſe there are ſo many more ſins added … the firſt, by ſeeking to hide it; and the wound …lſo muſt needs feſter, and grow more hard to …, by all the hardneſs of heart that is hereby …ontracted. So that it muſt needs be a bitter re…ection, to remember, I not only fell into ſuch a …in, but lived in it, I hid it, I was loth to let it go, I neglected the means of recovery, I hardened mine heart, I thought to abſcond from an all ſee…ing eye, I uſed Guile, &c. All of which giveth Conſcience advantage to reflect the more furiouſly.

USE. Let this then be a ſolemn word of warning to all that uſe this courſe, and pleaſe themſelves in …. And let me addreſs this word both to the Regenerate and the Unregenerate. Are there any that have been drawn, through Temptation, into ſins, which your own Conſciences ſay ought not to be done? and hath this been the courſe that you have taken to eaſe your ſelves of the trouble of them, by hiding, diſſembling, excuſing, denying, or putting them from your thoughts? and have you preſent quietneſs upon your ſo doing? and it may be it hath been ſome years ſince, and you ſtill find no moleſtation; and now you hope all p. 170is well, and you ſhall hear no more of them Let me offer theſe few things to your ſolemn conſideration.

1. All this doth not remove the Guilt contracted by ſuch ſins. There is a certain Guilt cleaves to every Sin, as it is a tranſgreſſion of the Law of God, and expoſeth us to ſuffer the evil threatned, which it highly concerns every one to get removed; and the man is in a woful caſe ſo long a… that abideth on him, and all endeavours that wil… not help to take it off are unprofitable. Well this courſe you take is not the way to remove it, but will encreaſe it, it is but to add ſin to ſin, and a new Guilt to an old one: This hiding is of it ſelf a Sin, and the means uſed for it, are ſo many Sins. How deeply then do you run on the ſcore in this way? whiles you hide your ſins, you will never fly to the Blood of Chriſt to have them waſhed away, and ſo long the imputation remains, and they are your Sins.

2. When you have done all you cannot hide them from God. What though you keep them from the ſight and knowledge of men? They believe your denials, or are ſatisfyed with your excuſes, and hereby you prevent cenſures or reproach for the preſent? How poor a thing is this? Man is not to be your Judge, but God, who knows all; your ſecrecy is to him as the Sun light; midnight and noon day are alike to his all knowledge; when no eye ſeeth, he looketh on, and maketh an entry your denyals ſignify nothing to him, who know and cannot be miſtaken; your fig-leaf excuſes cannot p. 171cover your nakedneſs, but he ſeeth through …: to what purpoſe then will this be, when he …hall tell you, I know and am a witneſs? Believe …e truth of, Pſal. 90. 8. Thou haſt ſet our ſecret …ins in the light of thy Countenance.

3. All theſe tricks are a provocation to him, and he … them fooliſhneſs. You may think your ſelves … and politick, when you thus wind and dou…le, but he Laughs at your egregious folly in it, …ſal. 2. begin. And needs muſt he be angry at theſe …ourſes; for what are they but an eſſay to put a heat upon him, than which what higher affront …an be offered? And if they be ſinful, they muſt …eeds diſpleaſe him; but there is ſomething pecu…iar in this: there is a root of Atheiſm at the bot…th of it, for, what difference between ſaying here is no God, and thinking he may be impoſed …pon, and we can hide our ſelves from his know…edge and judgment? Hence that challenge, Jer. …3. 24 Can any hide, &c.

4. Hence as long as you thus ly, your Sin is not for…iven. Not only doth not this remove the Guilt, …ut is an evidence that it is not taken away. If …ou were Unregenerate before, this proves that you are ſo ſtill; till ſuch Sins are repented of, …here is no evidence of a through Converſion; …or when God pardons a ſinner, he forgiveth all his paſt ſins, and that is in the way of Repentance. And if you are Regenerate, yet the ſin is not forgiven before committed, nor then neither but in …he Goſpel way, viz. in Confeſſing and Forſaking, … ſeeking Mercy through Chriſt, which you p. 172cannot do whiles in ſuch a frame. And how fearful a thing is it to have Sins lying out againſt us, for which we have no Sealed pardon?

5. If therefore God lets you alone in this way, it is a fearful Judgment. It may be you pleaſe your ſelves in this, that you are not moleſted in your minds; but alas! there is nothing more tremendous. As there is not a greater mercy than to make ſin too hot for us, and ſo to drive us to the refuge that is ſet before us; ſo there is not a greater witneſs of Gods wrath, than to let men alone in their ſinful courſes, to pleaſe themſelves in them, and hope to do well enough for all, Hoſ. 4. 17. It is one of the laſt ſteps God proceeds to, before he brings them to ruine.

6. There is a time coming when God will bring you to a reckoning for theſe things, and then Conſcience will roar. The Holineſs and Righteouſneſs of God oblige him to ſee to his own Glory, and the honour of his Law: delays then are no diſcharges, nor is there any eſcaping of his righteous Judgments, but by timely betaking to his mercy, till we do ſo we… ly open, and there will be no avoiding it. God hath not forgotten, though you have, and you ſhall know it too in due time: He will fall upon you, and then your drouſy Conſciences ſhall be full awake: God will ſet it upon you, and yo… need not have a worſe Fiend to Torment you.

7. And this may poſſibly be when it is too late. … may be not before your Soul ſtealeth into another World, and drops into the hands of Devil… There are ſome ſuch Wretches, who dy like Lamb p. 173but in a moment this rending Lyon falls upon them. It may be on a death bed, when you have ſpent a life in ſin, and lived ſecure, and now time and opportunity is paſt, and God will not give you Repentance; but open your eyes to ſee what you have been doing, and then let you ſee whether you are going, and the pit into which you are entring, and what a terrour will this be?

8. And if God doth give you Repentance at length, this will wofully embitter it. If you are his Children, you ſhall repent and be forgiven, becauſe your ſtate of Juſtification is ſecured: but you ſhall be brought to it by Repentance; and what deep wounds will theſe reflexions give to your Souls? Be then warned and perſwaded to beware of indulging your ſelves in this courſe; and if you have done ſo already, Do ſo no more, but bitterly bewail it before God, and make haſt to get the Sin of it forgiven: and be ſure to put it into your ſelf judging, when you aggravate your ſins in your humble acknowledgments.

2. We now proceed to conſider the Author or Efficient cauſe of this diſtreſs, and that is God himſelf, on his Hand that was upon him, and brought him into this terrible condition: and it was not an ordinary diſpenſation, he therefore ſets it forth:

1. By the preſſure of it; it lay heavy on him.

2. By the conſtancy of it, it lay ſo Day & Night; long, and without intermiſſion. The hand of God is a Metaphorical expreſſion, for he is a Spirit, p. 174hath no Body, and ſo no members; it is therefore frequently uſed for his executive power by which he doth things, whether in a way of Mercy o… of Judgment: and ſo the anger and wrath of God is frequently in Scripture expreſſed by his hand and alſo it is Metonymically put for the effects themſelves in which this anger appeareth, viz. The Judgments or Afflictions that men are under; and ſo it is to be underſtood in our Text; So 1 Sam 5. 11. The word [Heavy] is a Metaphor from … great weight laid upon one, which he is not able to ſtand under without ſinking. Hence,

The diſtreſs of Conſcience from Gods heavy hand.

DOCTRINE.

THe ſore diſtreſs of Conſcience that men are brough… into for Sin, is becauſe of Gods hand, lying heavily and continually upon them. That both Godly and wicked are ſometimes in ſuch diſtreſs, hath already been obſerved, and how heavily it lyet… on them: that which now is before us, is to enquire, How or whence it cometh that they are i… ſuch anxiety? It is certain that man himſelf doth not willingly, or upon choiſe bring himſelf into this trouble, though he doth morally procure … for himſelf; for he doth all he can to keep … lence, to hide, to maintain quiet and ſecurity i… p. 175his mind, and to benum his Conſcience into de…olency: yea Conſcience it ſelf is through the de…lement that is in it, prone enough to be rocked aſleep, and ly ſtill; and too often doth ſo in good men, as David. Satan alſo uſeth it as one of his great ſtratagems to hinder Unregenerate Men from Converſion, by keeping all quiet within; and is afraid of the leaſt trouble of mind in …one of his own, leſt it ſhould iſſue in the dethro…ning of him, and ſubverſion of his Kingdom in the Soul; for which end he ſpares none of his cunning, by himſelf and his inſtruments, to prevent or put a ſtop to all awakenings of Conſcience in them; and though he hath a peculiar ſpite at the peace and tranquility of Gods Children, and for that reaſon, when Gods hand is heavy upon them, he endeavours to lay on load …ill he breaks them; yet when he hath by his policy drawn them into any ſin, he would keep them ſenſeleſs as long as he can, hoping ſo to have greater advantage on them afterwards. Now …ur Doctrine fully reſolves this Enquiry.

Three things may here be ſearched into.

1. That God is the author of this trouble by layingof his angry hand heavy on the man?

2. How or after what manner he doth this?

3. Why or for what end he doth it?

1. That God is the author of this, by laying his …ngry hand heavy on the man? There are two …hings in this Concluſion.

1. That God is the author of it. It is in it ſelf a …ore evil, though by the over ruling Providence of p. 176God, it is made to iſſue in good to ſome. No… there are two ſorts of evil that the Scripture tell us of, viz. of Sin, and of Affliction. As to tha… of Sin, however the permiſſive Providence … God is converſant about it, and is not idle; ye… we are utterly to diſclaim his being the Author … it: but as to that of Affliction, God challengeth … to himſelf univerſally, Amos 3. 6. And looks o… himſelf as diſhonoured, if we do not ſee and acknowledge his hand. in it, Iſa. 26. 11. And this e… tends not only to outward and temporary troubles, but to all the inward anxieties and terrou… of Conſcience that overtake them, Lam. 3. 65. God indeed many times uſeth the inſtrumentality of ſecond cauſes in the production of it, but ſti… he manageth them, and brings about the iſſue according to his pleaſure: he terrifieth and amazeth them, hence that deprecation, Jer. 17. 17 Be not a terrour to me, &c.

2. That he doth it by laying his angry hand on th… man. Here take notice of three things.

1. That God is uſually provoked to anger when … doth thus. How far he may do it in Soveraign… ty to try his people, I ſhall not here diſpute. … is ſuch an inſtance, who complaineth of Gods Terours, and his writing bitter things againſt hi… However this is one of the Judgments of Go… that come for Sin, and there hath been a prov… cation offered in order to it, for the moſt part and this the Pſalmist plainly intimates in o… Text; for it was while he kept ſilence.

2. This therefore is an effect or diſplay of his ang… p. 177God hath no affections properly; but there are … reſultances of his will in the way of his Diſpenſation to his Creatures, which carry in them reſemblance of ſuch a thing in us, which is thus …preſſed according to our manner of conception: …fflictive Providences are therefore uſually aſſign…d to his anger; holy men were wont ſo to ex…reſs their reſentments of them, Pſal 102. 9.

3. This ſort of affliction is a very heavy hand of … upon a man. One way to judge of the anger, by the diſtreſs which the effect of it puts us to; … God lay the weight on a man, till it ſinks and …verwhelms him, that hand lieth heavy: and ſo … when Conſcience is let looſe upon him, and …argeth him with Guilt, and threatens him with …eſtruction, this is for the kind, the moſt inſup…ortable burden that a man can fall under in this …, Prov. 18. 14. And when this laſteth long, and … no intermiſſion, that addeth to the intollera…eneſs of it: when the Arrow ſticks faſt, and …annot be plucked out.

2. How or after what manner God doth this?

A. This may be conſidered either in reſpect of … thing it ſelf, or of the way in which God …ings it about.

1. If we look upon it in regard to the thing it …. There are two things in it.

2. He awakens the mans Conſcience, and ſets his ſin …fore him, in the aggravations of it. Gods hand is … on the Conſcience; it was before aſleep, and …ough theſe ſins ſtood upon record in it, the man p. 178took no notice of them, and ſo they gave him no moleſtation; but now when it is rouſed, and forced to do its Office, he is made to read theſe records, compare them with the Rule, and ſo make a judgment of them, Pſal. 50. 21. I will ſet them in order before thee. And now Conſcience looks on them in ſuch circumſtances as make them have the moſt formidable and frightful aſpect: Did not Cain look on his through ſuch a glaſs? Gen. 4. 14. And Judas too?

2. He, together with this ſets home the awful terrours of his Word. There are amazing Threatning… that there ſtand upon record; there is a Flying Roll of Curſes of a great length and breadth: Now theſe God not only ſetteth before the man, but he throws them upon his Conſcience, and they fall upon him furiouſly; he is made to take them all to himſelf, and ſay, I am the man, this is … portion at the hands of God, &c. And when God hath by Conſcience thus applied them, the man … in his own ſeeling, as if he were under the impreſſions of all this Wrath; he is in an hell upon earth, and feels the miſeries of the damned upon him in great meaſure; this made Judas chu…e … go to hell, to know the worſt of it.

2 If we conſider it in reſpect of the way … which God brings it about, there are theſe thin… to be remarked.

1. Sometimes he brings ſome diſtreſſing outw… Providence on them, and with it troubleth their C… ſciences. A time of affliction, is often a time calling ſin to remembrance, a time of adverſity is p. 179conſidering time, and God often ſets in with it, and maketh Conſcience charge home the ſin upon them which they have been Guilty of; thus Joſephs Brethren, when they met with hard uſage, Gen. 42. 42. And it is a thing to be obſerved, that frequently ſome frown in Providence, gives occaſion to fearful troubles of mind, which enſue thereupon; becauſe God by theſe frowns, brings them to conſider of their ſins, and giveth Conſcience a rouſing jog upon it.

2. Sometimes God cometh to them in a word, and knocks them down with it at once. One end of the Scriptures and Preaching of it, is for Conviction, 2. Tim. 3. 16. And when the Spirit of God, whoſe inſtrument it is, pleaſeth to ſet in with it, it ſhall ſo do to purpoſe. The man before ſat regardleſs under it, and though it as much concerned him, it touched him not, he ſlept under, wandred from it, or inwardly ſcoffed at it; but now it en…ers not his ear only, but ranſacketh his heart, divides between joynts and marrow, ſearcheth him to the bottom: Conſcience is ſtartled, and wounds his very Soul, the man quaketh as Faelix, Acts 24. 25. And cries out as Peters Hearers, Chap. 2. 37.

3. God now lets Satan looſe upon them. He indeed is ready enough for this work on his own accord: for though he will keep men ſecure as long as he can, yet if God diſquiet them, and he cannot wheedle them into reſt, He now ſeeks to hurry them over the precipice of deſpair: but God governs this affair too. He muſt have leave, eſpecially in regard of Gods own, Luk. 22. 31. And p. 180when he hath, he ſhoots in his fiery darts; and though theſe Temptations are wicked, as they come from him, yet they are righteous judgments, as managed by Gods permiſſive Providence. Now, they meditate terrours, entertain black thoughts, are full of horrours, and are ready to precipitate into deſperation it ſelf.

4. And now God witholds from them his Conſola… ons, ſo that they cannot receive comfort or ſupport by them There are ſuch Cordials in the Word, a… are fitted for ſuch Souls; and poſſibly are offered them in the Miniſtry, or privately ſet before them, but they put them away as not belonging to them, they relieve them not, but rather aggravate their trouble, Pſal. 77. 2. And God witholds his Teſtimony from his Children, & they can take hold of nothing to relieve them, can apprehend no faith… in them, no love of God, no hatred of ſin, which they dare call ſo: And for others, they are as the troubled ſea, that can find no reſt: and they go… a long time in this condition, God all the whil… appearing to them as an enemy.

3. Why or for what end he doth it?

A. As God is holy in all his ways, and juſt in all his doings, ſo are all his works done in wiſdom, the… is therefore a worthy deſign in it; and here … may obſerve,

1. That the uſual provoking cauſe of this, is the… ſinful Guile. The deceitfulneſs there is in Sin an… Sinners, is highly diſpleaſing to God; and though God can bear with a great many infirmities in hi… Children, whiles they are plain and honeſt, Pſa… p. 181…3. 13, 14. Yet when once they begin to pract… deceit, to hide and cover, this is extreamly …ſingenuous, and he can bear no longer.

2. God hereby lets men ſee that there is no im…ſing on him. And it is high time for him ſo to …o, when they grow up to ſo much of Atheiſm …nd impudence; men would elſe begin to argue …hat he either did not know, or not regard, poſſibly that he approved of their follies, Pſal. 50. 21. but when he takes them in their devices, and makes their Conſciences fall on them, and ter…ify them, he giveth them an awful proof of his Omniſcience: now he makes their Sins to find them out, and they are put upon confeſſing that he is not mocked.

3. Herein he diſcovers his juſt diſpleaſure at ſin. He hath indeed reſerved the full diſcovery of this to be made in another World; yet he will make ſome diſplays of it here. He hath declared in his Word, that he is holy and juſt, that he cannot endure, but will puniſh Sin; but men ſcarce believe it, becauſe vile Sinners go on and proſper: but when he maketh them feel the wounds in their Souls, and they are ſnared in their own handy work; here is terrible anger in this, and to be read in the faces of ſuch; and …ereby God giveth a further clear Teſtimony how hateful a thing ſin is to his Holineſs.

4. He often doth this to give ſolemn warning to others. His Judgments are to learn men Righteouſneſs, Iſa. 26. 9. He ſometimes ſetteth up in ſight ſome Monuments of his Severity, that Iſrael p. 182may hear and fear, and be cautioned. When ſuch things befal wicked men, they ſhould fright others of their Companions from their lewd courſes, and God expects it, Dan. 5. 22. And they ſhould caution Godly men to be the more wary: and when ſuch things befall Gods Children, how loudly doth it ſpeak to the Ungodly to conſider it, if it be thus done in the green tree, what ſhall be in the dry? And either men will take warning, or their Guilt will be encreaſed by it.

5. He ſometimes thus prepareth Sinners for Converſion. The Spirit of God begins this work with Conviction of Sin, Joh. 16. 8. In which he gives them a ſight of their Sins, and an apprehenſion of their woful miſery by reaſon of them; in which he uſeth their own Conſciences to amaze and terrify them; he holds the Sinner over Hell, and ſcorcheth him with the flames of it, and maketh him find himſelf ready to fall into the midſt of them, thus to prepare him to give welcome to the offers of Chriſt, 1 Tim. 1. 15. And the moſt guilful Sinners uſually have deepeſt impreſſions of it.

6. He doth it to humble his Children for, and cure them of their Guile. Theſe are terrible temptations, but they are to humble them, and do them good, Deut. 8 16. There uſually is not a little of anger in this Diſpenſation, however there is love in the bottom of it. He ſeeth that in his Children that he liketh not, but his ſpirit is grieved at, and becauſe he loveth them, he will heal them of it; and this is the courſe he taketh; by this they are p. 183taught what it will coſt them to indulge any ſin, and keep ſilence at it, which embitters it to them, and ſo brings them to Repentance: they humble themſelves before him, and the breach thus cometh to be made up and they reſtored; and ſo alſo it is a happy mean to prevent the like afterward, by giving them a remembrance that abideth by them, and maketh them more watchful as long as they live.

USE 1. For INFORMATION, in two Particulars.

1. Learn hence the great folly of thoſe who make no great matter of ſinning againſt God. The generality of mankind have low and ſlighty thoughts of ſin, and therein diſcover themſelves to be egregious fools: nor are the Children of God free from the remainder of this folly; but we have a clear evidence of the madneſs of it, in that hereby they lay themſelves open to the anger of God, and provoke him to lay his hand heavy upon them, and this is the very conſequent upon ſuch an eſteem of Sin; it is a weighty queſtion the Pſalmiſt propounds, Pſal. 90. 11. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? Surely there are very few that believe it, they would elſe alter their principles and practices; The burnt Child will dread the fire, but Sinners have not felt the ſcaldings of Gods anger, the weight of his hand; and ſo they deſpiſe, otherwiſe they would think it a more dangerous thing to ſin than they do. Sinners! did you but know what ſome have felt, you would p. 184feal to the truth of that, Pſal. 76. 7. Who can ſtand when once thou art angry? Well look to it, if you do not know, you ſhall know, and you are in the ready way to bring it upon your ſelv…s. When once you come to feel how heavy h… hand is, you will wiſh you had believed it, and …ought to avoid it.

2. Learn henoe how vain it is for any to live quiet and ſecure under the Guilt of any ſin. Thi… is it that procures the heavy diſpleaſure of God, and as long as the Gult remains, the reaſon of it abideth in us. Unleſs we can eſcape the hand of God, there is no ground for this ſecurity: as long as you have to do with God, you have no ſafety; if there ly on you Guilt unpardoned, be ſure it will bring his hand on you unavoidably, Pſal. 21. 8. Thine hand ſhall find out all thine enemies; and though you are never ſo jocund and full of eaſe for the preſent, and feel no hand upon you, yet if God lay it on, your mirth is gone in that moment: he needs do no more but give a touch on your Conſciences, and that will make them to roar upon you like ſo many ravening evening Wolves, and to rend you in pieces like Lions; this is the warning God giveth to all ſecure ones, Pſal. 52. 22. Though you have health, and eaſe, and outward peace, and proſperity, and enjoy of the World more than heart can wiſh, yet a Finger of God laid on you will do this, and bring you into unconceivable diſtreſs. Beware then how you live a day under the Guilt of one ſin, leſt in a moment this Wrath fall upon you and conſume you.

p. 185USE II. For Warning and advice to all, and …hat,

1. To take heed of being drawn into ſin by any vain …retences. We are all too eaſy to hearken to Sa…ans inſinuations, and the ſolicitations of our own …uſts, and a little matter will allure us to do amiſs: we therefore need ſomething to caution us, and …ortify us againſt this: and what can be more …ſeful on this account, than the truth before us, if …hroughly believed, and ſeaſonably thought on, with due ſolemnity, when the temptation offers and is urgent? now to reflect, if I comply, I ſhall unavoidably provoke Gods diſpleaſure, and pull his hand upon me, and then to think how heavy …t will be, how ſorely it will preſs us; if it were only to fall into the hands of the Creature, it were little; but to fall into Gods hands, how fearful? Heb. 10. 31. How would this repel the temptation?

2. Are you under this diſtreſs already? And do you feel it inſupportable?

Be adviſed.

1. To ſee the hand of God in it. It may be you …nd diſquietment on your minds, your ſpirits make you like a… troubled and tempeſtuous Sea; and you cannot tell what to make of it; you think it is ſome Melancholly that needs Phyſick, or ſome moleſtation of the Devil that gives you trouble; but theſe are but ſubordinate cauſes; look farther, acknowledge God, believe it to be his hand, Pſal. 17. 14. For you will never carry rightly p. 186under it, or ſeek the proper remedy till you come to this.

2. Now ſearch for the ſin that hath procured it. It is a time to make inquiſition; all your afflictions are to turn your eyes upon ſin, and put you on the ſearch: you may hope it is not for ſin, but trial; but you may ſo be deluded. And I believe, if now you do not ſearch for Sin, it is a ſign that there is one that you would hide; and it was becauſe you kept ſilence, that he thus touched you: it is then time to look about you.

3. Take heed of hiding your ſin. Seek not to cover or extenuate, or ſuppreſs the Conviction of it in your Conſciences. Ungodly men always thus practice; and the ſame luſt that tempts a Child of God to ſin, doth alſo put him upon ſo doing; this is the very thing that brought the trouble upon you, in Gods righteous Judgment, and it will continue it, if you nouriſh it; if when Conſcience ſtriveth, you ſuppreſs Convictions, and cover your Sins, you will but encreaſe your trouble: ask David how long his diſtreſs continued on him, and he will tell you, it was as long as he kept ſilence.

4. Beware what means you uſe to get rid of it. If you be not careful, you may involve you… ſelves the more, and make the hand heavier o… you. If you fly to your hiding places of decei… they will diſappoint you; if you think to cure … by diverting from it, and putting it out of your mind by other things, it will deceive you; or … you hope to do it by complaining to your accomplices p. 187and companions in ſin, as Judas did, they will give you no help: if you hope to heal it by …gal repentances, and reformations, they will diſ…ppoint you: if you feel ſome preſent eaſe by it, your diſtreſs will revert.

5. Enquire after the right way to get remedy, and practice it.

And for help, Conſider;

1 As long as Gods hand abides heavy on you, your …rouble will continue. It is vain to ſeek eaſe any other way: the hand that wounded you muſt heal you, if ever you be healed: nothing can afford you true comfort while his anger abides, Job 34. …. There is no flying from his hand, it will fol…ow you where-ever you go, Pſal. 139. 7.

2. There is no hope to have his hand removed ſo … as you continue under your Guilt. This is the …oot of it; it is only by a pardon that you …an have eaſe: and the hope of a pardon is …he proper relief of a burdened Conſcience: an …pardoned ſin will be heavy when God lay…h it on; and this is one way in which God … wont to eaſe mens Conſciences, to ſet for…iveneſs before them: till then, if you ask, is … peace? it will readily be anſwered, What peace, … long as ſin lies unforgiven?

3. There is no hope of pardon ſo long as you keep …ce. It is a ſolemn word, Prov. 28. 13. He …at covereth his ſins ſhall not proſper. If you ſhould …er commit that ſin more, yet if you hide it, will eat out your comfort, and ly in againſt …, though you never ſo carefully abſtain from p. 188the like. It is a duty to ſay, I will do ſo no more, but it is not all your duty.

4. There is a way to get it removed. God hath provided a remedy for afflicted Conſciences; though we have ſinned, and diſſembled, and provoked him, and his hand be upon us, and we are in terrours by reaſon of it, yet, whether we be in the gall of bitterneſs, being Unregenerate, or whether we are Believers, by our own folly under our fathers anger, and Chastized with ſcorpions; there is in Chriſt an hope ſet before us, do not then deſpair, nor give way to diſcouragements, but enquire and hearken, and be willing to comply, ſo may you find reſt to your diſtreſſed minds, Mat. 11. 28. And what this courſe is now follows to be enquired.

VERSE 5.

5. I acknowledged my ſin unto thee, and mine iniquity I have not hid: I ſaid I will confeſs my tranſgreſſions unto the Lord; and thou forgaveſt the iniquity of my Sin. Selah.

IT now follows, that we conſider of the courſe the Pſalmiſt took to get relief againſt his diſtreſs, together with the ſucceſs of it, laid down in this Verſe. Here,

1. They way or courſe which he uſed for his help, was by Confeſſing of his Sin, which he here enlargeth upon in divers expreſſions. Where obſerve,

p. 1891. The ſubject matter of his confeſſion, his ſin: …nd this is ſet down in all the three words before …ſed, in verſe 1, 2.

2. The confeſſion it ſelf, amplified.

1. By the fulneſs of it.

1. Poſitively, I acknowledged, and I will confeſs, both which words are the ſame root in the Original, in divers tenſes.

2. Negatively, I have not hid.

2. By the deliberate purpoſe that he took up about it, I ſaid, I will.

3. By the ſins themſelves that he confeſſed, as he was related to them, My Tranſgreſſions.

4. By the object of this Confeſſion, to the Lord.

What is needful for clearing the words, will fall in afterwards: We may take the ſubſtance in this,