A Discourse of the Sin Against the Holy Ghost, Part 1
OF THE SIN AGAINST THE Holy-Ghoſt. MATH. CAP. 12. VER. 22, 23.
THough there be no one thing wherein God hath decreed to glorifie himſelfe more than in his …rcy, in forgiving mans ſinnes; …d though the greater the ſinnes … the more his mercy ſhall ſhine …he pardoning and remitting of …m; yet is there one kinde of ſinne …ainous and horrible, ſo vile and …minable, that being once com…ted, it ſhall never be pardoned, it being of that nature that it wo… ſtaine the mercy of God in … pardoning and remitting of it: … this is the ſinne that is called … Blaſphemy againſt the H… Ghoſt.
The nature and quality of … Sinne is ſet forth in this part of … word; as alſo Marke 3.28. 1. Io… 16. Hebr. 6.4, 5, 6. & 10.26, 27 Of the Doctrine whereof a … may ſay, as the Philoſopher … ſometime of the Edition of … Phyſicks: The Nature of this S… is ſet downe in the word of … and it is not ſet downe in the … of God. For it is ſo darkl… downe, that thoſe that are not … ciſed in the word, cannot at … to the underſtanding of it; an… it is ſo ſet downe and laid fo… the ſame word, that thoſe that … the Scripture worthy their ſt… may (if they will beſtow … paines) come to the underſtan… of it.
In this Hiſtory, the Evange… enjoyned and directed by the … …hoſt (whoſe publique Notary and …cribe he was) to regiſter unto the …hurch one Example of the ſame; … which one may receive much …ght concerning the Qualiry and …ature of that Sinne.
In handling whereof, I will …mit all other points, but thoſe that …ay tend to the illuſtration of this …nne; which I truſt will not bee … profitable unto any in this place: …ough I muſt confeſſe, in ſetting on the ſame, I more reſpected my …e than any of you, in that the …nt of the diſtinct knowledge …reof hath driven mee to beſtow …ne meditations upon it. So much …t therefore of it, as this portion Scripture hath given unto mee, …n content to impart unto you: …ugh, if you will have an exact …full knowledge of it, you muſt …row further light from thoſe …er places of Scripture, that pur…ly alſo intreat of the ſame.
The Drift and Scope then of …everſes is to ſhew us in a parti…r Example, what is the Nature and Quality of that unpardon… Sinne.
The parts whereof wee will … ſider, not as they are in themſel… but as they have reference to … Sinne, that ſo by that means may the better cut off all ma… that ſhall not tend to the illuſtra… of it, though in themſelves ne… good and profitable.
There are therefore ſix thing… preſſed in this Hiſtory, conce… that particular Sinne that is ſpecified, which may give … light to all other of the ſame k…
1. The Conception of this S…
2. The Birth of it.
3. The Name of it.
4. The Nature of it.
5. The Conviction of it.
6. The Condition of it.
The firſt part. Of the Co… tion of this Sinne.
The Conception of it … means of a wonderfull miracle our Saviour Chriſt wrought … one that was poſſeſſed bodily an uncleane ſpirit. That d… beame of light that ſtreamed from this miracle, ſhining upon their Conſciences, did animate and quicken this helliſh Monſter in the Scribes and Phariſees, as it appeares afterward. For it is with the light of Gods Spirit, as it is with the rayes of the Sunne, ſhining upon divers Objects, it produceth divers Effects; it bringeth forth through the variety of the ſoile; not the Roſe onelyonly, but the Nettle; not the Fig-tree onelyonly, but the Thiſtle; not the Vine onelyonly, but the Brier: it animateth and quickneth not cleane alone; but uncleane Creatures alſo, as Toads, Adders, Hornets, and ſuch like. So the divine Truth of Ieſus ſhining upon divers perſons, it brings forth divers effects, and thoſe cleane contrary; in ſome by the bleſſing of God it produceth many excellent Graces; in other ſome, many foul and hideous Sinnes through the Corruption of the ſoile.
Hence may we draw theſe Concluſions concerning this Sinne.
The first Concluſion.
The Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt is quickned as it were by the light and heate of ſome ſpeciall divine Truth: for ſo is this particular Sin in this place. That light of the divine Truth ſhining about them, was i… that firſt ſtirred and tempered their Corruption, and wrought and framed that monſtrous Sinne, that had never been begotten, if it had neve… ſhined on them.
So that the very cauſe why thi… Sinne is committed, is by reaſo… that ſuch or ſuch a divine Truth doth preſent it ſelfe to the Eye o… their Conſcience, which if it di… not, they would not commit ſuch a Sinne. For Example: Theſe wicked Scribes and Phariſees, if neither this nor any ſuch like mean… had been uſed, whereby they migh… have perceived this Truth, they had never committed this Sinne; but as it is apparent, they committed it becauſe of that Truth.
The Vſe whereof may be,
1 For information of ou… Iudgment concerning this Sin. We ſee many commit many ſtrange and deſperate Sinnes againſt the light of Gods Word, of Conſcience, yea of Nature it ſelfe; and that alſo moſt wilfully, and ſtubbornly, & obſtinately; yea, with this height of deſperate reſolution, that though they were ſure they ſhould goe to hell for it, yet they would doe it. Though ſuch Sinnes be a fighting againſt the Truth, yet are they not this unpardonable Sinne, except the firſt and principall motion of it doe ariſe from that divine Truth, in ſuch a manner, that he would not commit that Sinne, but for that divine Truths ſake. For this is a Sin, the very firſt motions whereof, are conceived by the ſight of a divine Truth; ſo that it is a Sinne not only committed in the light, and againſt the light; but by means of it, and even for the Truths ſake.
2 Sith by reaſon of the Corruption of Mans minde, the divine Truth of God, the principall Organ or Inſtrument of all grace and goodneſſe in the Soul of Man, eſpecially the Doctrine of the Goſpell, may work and breed ſuch monſters in the Soule; it behooves us to doe our uttermoſt endeavour to purge and ſweep our Soule, as much as we can, eſpecially when we are in ſuch places, where theſe divine Truths ſhine and appeare moſt. For elſe, a thouſand to one, but ſome Monſter will ariſe in the Soule. Neither is there any divine Truth that preſent… it ſelfe to the eye of the Conſcience, but doth breed ſome Monſter or other in a corrupt Soule; though not ſo huge a one as this, yet that which may be a ſpawne, a fry, and ſeed to this. As therefore in the mud of Aegypt caſt up by the overflowing of Nilus, are ingendred many vile and filthy creatures by the beames of the Sunne: ſo by the overflowing of Sinne, there being as ſtrange mud caſt over the Soule, ſtrange Monſters will ariſe out of the ſame, by occaſion of the divine light of Truth ſhining thereupon.
3 Hence obſerve the perſons that are moſt capable of this Sinne; they are ſuch as are moſt capable of divine Illumination, and moſt apprehenſive of all Truth. A dullard, a blinde perſon that hath no eyes to looke above that which is humane, cannot commit this Sinne, but thoſe that are able to ſee and behold the divine Truth. So that in this reſpect, Ignorance is an advantage to a man: For a narrow braine will not ſuffice to conceive this Sinne. The Scribes and Phariſees, Iulian the Apoſtata, and thoſe that come neereſt to this Sinne, the grand & Archperſecutors of any divine Truth, they are men admirable for gifts. There are indeed many inſolent Dunſes and Sots that are malirious; but they receive this malice from the ſpirits of great wits; themſelves are but axes and beetles in their hands. So that it is not a Mouſe that can bring forth this Elephant; nor a Wren that can lay and hatch this Eagle.
4 Learn hence how to prevent this Sinne. Many there bee indeed that take a moſt vile courſe to prevent it; they will not know the divine Truth, becauſe they will not wilfully reſiſt it, and ſo deſperately periſh through their wilfull want of it. But let our courſe be for the preventing of it, to adore every divine Truth that we receive, and not to admit of the leaſt thought againſt the ſame. Of all Sinnes this ſhould be killed in the wombe. For other Sinnes may be caſt out of poſſeſſion and Kingdome; this never.
The ſecond Concluſion.
The Sinne againſt the Holy Ghoſt is not conceived by means o… every divine Truth, but of a ſupernaturall divine Truth; that is to ſay, an Evangelicall Truth. So that a… every light is not a means to produce and quick…n things, but the light of the Sunne onelyonly: ſo every Truth is not a means to breed and animate this Sinne, but ſome Evangelicall Truth onelyonly. The Truth hereof appeareth in this Example That divine Truth that here ſtirred up this Sinne was this, that Chriſt Ieſus the Sonne of Mary was the true Meſſias. This it was that ſtirred up their minds to this Sinne. So that a naturall Truth cannot ſtirre up ſuch a Sinne as this unpardonable one; but as it is plaine, Hebr. 6.5. it muſt be a Truth concerning the Life to come.
Vſe 1 Hence wee may obſerve the Climate of this Sinne, in what Region it is begotten and hatched for the moſt part, if not altogether; even in the Church of God: it is a Church-Sinne. As therefore the greateſt Sinner that ordinarily is in the World, even that man of Sinne ſitteth in the Temple of God: ſo the the greateſt Sinne that can bee committed by man, is committed in the Church, where onelyonly or ſpecially thoſe beames doe ſhine, that ſtirre up this Sinne in the Soule of Man. For as the deadlieſt Serpents abound in the hotteſt countries: ſo the deadlieſt and deſperateſt Sinnes in thoſe places, where the Goſpell of God ſhineth forth in its greateſt ſtrength.
2 In Temptation the Childe of God may make uſe of this Concluſion. For let the Sinne, that he is troubled in Conſcience for, be never ſo hainous and deſperate againſt Conſcience; yet, if by the light of the Goſpell they have not been ſtirred up unto it, it is not this unpardonable Sinne.
The third Concluſion.
This Sinne is not engendred and ſtirred up by every Evangelicall Doctrine and Truth, but by the maine and fundamentall Doctrines of the Goſpell. For this was it that begat this Sinne in them, that this Chriſt whom they ſo horribly revile, is that Meſſias and Saviour of the World. This was it that made them ſpit out this blaſphemy; becauſe they ſaw he was ſo. Though therefore there is no Legall, nor Evangelicall Truth, but it hath this property through the Corruption of mans nature, to ſtirre up the minde to Sinne; yet no Truth, but a maine and Fundamentall Truth, the excellenteſt Truth, and that which being preſented to the Soule of an elect Childe of God, doth ſtirre up in him the moſt principall Graces of God, and beget in him an unſpeakable Love of God: the ſame Truth it is that begets in the reprobate (if God leave them ſo far unto themſelves) the higheſt and moſt horrible Sinne. For that which is an Inſtrument of holineſſe to the good, is an Inſtrument of impiety to the wicked: and ſo by degrees, that Illumination which is the means of the greateſt Grace in Gods Children, is the means of the greateſt Sinnes in the Reprobrate. The Doctrine of the Law begetteth many Graces in the heart of Gods Childe; the Doctrine of the Goſpell more. Every Evangelicall Truth is a means of much Grace; the Fundamentall and high points thereof much more: So on the contrary. It is therefore an high Evangelicall Truth, that is, the ſtirrer up of this high Diabolicall Sinne.
Ʋſe. 1 This ſhould admoniſh us, if wee deſire to keep our ſelves out of …his bottomleſſe gulph, to take heed how we abuſe the Goſpell of Ieſus Chriſt unto ſinne againſt God, eſpecially the higheſt Myſteries of it. Its a Corruption that we are too much ſubject unto. It is a fearefull thing, that our nature ſhould be ſtirred up to ſinne the more by the Law, as it is; that Sinne ſhould take occaſion by the Commandement,Rom. 7.8, 11. verſ. 9. to work all kind of Concupiſcence in us, that it ſhould revive Sinne it us. But much more fearefull is it when by the Goſpell we ſhall there unto be ſtirred up, yea by the principall parts of it.
2 This may be a reliefe to a diſtreſſed Conſcience that ſhall be tempted and perſuaded by Sata… that he hath committed this Sinne Satan ſetteth before thine eyes, t… the end that thou mightſt deſpai… of mercy, and ſo grow profane, an… an enemy to God, ſome feareful… Sinne that thou haſt committed, ar… he telleth thee its the Sinne again… the Holy Ghoſt. This ſhould mak… thee to try and examine what mov… and ſtirred thee principally to tha… Sinne. And if it ſhall appeare to the Eye of thy Conſcience, that the light of the Goſpell, and the chiefe Ordinances thereof, did not irritate or provoke thee thereunto; that Sin of thine cannot be this Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt. For he that commits this, muſt be an enemy to the Goſpell of Ieſus Chriſt. And as the preſence of thoſe whom a man doth hate, uſeth to ſtir up in a man blaſphemous and outragious ſpeeches of him, by making his ſtomack and choler to riſe againſt him: ſo the like effects doth the preſence of Chriſt in the ordinances of the Goſpell, produce in thoſe that be enemies and haters of him.
3 Hence wee may have ſome ſight, why this Sinne is unpardonable, becauſe it is a Sinne ſtirred up, and provoked directly by the pardon. For what is the maine matter and principall Doctrine of the Goſpell, but an offer of pardon of Sinne …o all thoſe that will receive Ieſus Chriſt. And why ſhould they bee vouchſafed pardon, that doe not onelyonly contemne the ſame, but ſo hate it, that they are by the offer thereof worſe than before. The Kingdome of God was come to theſe helliſh Imps. God brought Ieſus the Meſſias unto them. Their owne Conſciences acknowledge… it: the light of Gods Spirit ſeale… and confirmed it. What was all thi… but an offer of pardon? which the… deſpiſe ſo farre forth, that they as for the very offer of it the worſe.
The fourth Concluſion.
It is not the light of the Goſpe… in generall, and in a confuſed manner ſhining, or ſet forth in types, an… ſhadowes, and figures that did beg… this blaſphemy; but ſome ſpecia… and particular beam of Light bei… palpably and evidently preſented … the Eye of their Conſcience: Its a experimentall knowledge that b… gat in them this Sinne. The D… ctrine of the Meſſias they knew w… enough, and approved it: as a… they affected with great devoti… thoſe Myſticall Rites and Cerem… nies of the Iewiſh Goſpell, that ſ… dowed out the ſame: this only was it which they could not endurre, the direct light and truth of it in particular, preſenting it ſelfe to the Eye of their Conſcience. For example: In Tapeſtry and Imagery wee can with delight behold the portraicture of Serpents, Toads, Foxes, Wolves, and other filthy Beaſts, that we cannnot, when themſelves in themſelves ſhall be preſented unto us, but fly from them, or purſue them to death. Even ſo is it with many profeſſors of Chriſt; that though they ſeeme much affected to Chriſt in generall, and much devoted to every ſhadow and ſemblance of him; yet doe they notwithſtanding indeed hate and malice him, and would, were he preſent in perſon with them, purſue him even unto death.
Ʋſe. 1 1 Not to meaſure Religion by a generall profeſſion, and an outward conformity unto the Rites and Ceremonies thereof. For even the moſt malitious and ſpightfull enemies that Chriſt hath, are ſuch as profeſſe Chriſt, yea, and perſecute Chriſt in the name of Chriſt.
2 If in the houre of Temptation thou canſt in thy Conſcience aſſure thy ſelfe that thou waſt never thus affected, when the Goſpell and Chriſt Ieſus was preſented unto thee, that thy minde did never riſe nor lift up it ſelfe againſt it, but ever liked and loved it; yea if thy Conſcience tell thee that thou art ſo farre from this affection, that the more knowledge thou haſt had of Chriſt, the more thou loveſt him; thou mayſt aſſure thy ſelfe that this Sinne is not ſo much as breeding in thee.