A Discourse of the Sin Against the Holy Ghost, Part 6
The ſixth part. Of the Condition of this Sin.
FRom the Conviction of this Sinne paſſe wee to the Condition of it. And here …riefly to recapitulate the ſumme of …ll that is paſt. The more that our …aviour Chriſt by the workes of the …pirit did manifeſt himſelfe to bee …e Meſſias & Saviour of the world, …e more did the Iewiſh Rulers and …overnours malice and deſpight …im, and that Holy Spirit of God …y which he wrought them.
And here, whereas our Saviour …nd miraculouſly healed a man poſſſed with a Devill that was both …ind and dumbe, which ſo deepely …ffected the people, that they be…n thereupon to bee perſwaded …at hee was indeed that Meſſias …hich was to come: This effect of Chriſts Miracles ſo inraged th… Scribes and Phariſees, and mad… their malice and ſpite ſo to boil an… ſeeth over, that, though in their conſciences they were convicted eve… by the ſame works that hee was th… Meſſias; yet the more they were convicted the more they were inraged breathing out of their helliſh throa… direfull and damned blaſphemi… againſt Chriſt, and againſt that Spirit by which he wrought; affirmin… in the extreameſt bitterneſſe, tha… Chriſt in caſting out of Devil… wrought by the Devill; and that th… devill wherby he wrought, was Bee… zebub himſelfe the prince of Devils
Our Saviour thereupon having firſt evidently proved that they wer… in their owne Conſciences convicted, that that which they ſaid was moſt falſe ſlander, proceedeth afte… to ſhew further the fearfulneſſe o… this Sinne above all other kindes o… Sinne whatſoever: that, whereas a… other Sinnes may bee forgiven an… pardoned, and are all forgiven an… pardoned to ſome perſon or other; this kinde of Sinne alone ſhall never be forgiven to any, either in this life, or in the life to come, but that thoſe who ſhall bee ſo graceleſſe to breake out into the ſame, ſhall as certainly goe to Hell as there is an Hell.
So that our Saviour here makes a diſtinction of Sinnes, that ſome Sinnes are pardonable; that other ſome are unpardonable.
For the firſt he ſaith, that all Sins, one onelyonly excepted, may be pardoned, yea though a man ſhould revile and blaſpheme even the Son of God himſelfe.
For the ſecond, hee affirmes that one Sinne onelyonly is utterly impardonable, and that Sinne is the blaſphemy againſt the Holy Ghoſt.
In the former part, when our Saviour ſaith, that every Sin and Blaſphemy ſhall be forgiven unto men; His meaning is not that they ſhall certainly and abſolutely be forgiven to all men, ſo that no man for any Sin whatſoever ſhall goe to Hell, if he can keep himſelf from that one ſin that commeth after.
For then there ſhould goe but a few, to ſpeake of, to Hell: whereas it is cleere by Gods Word, that the number of thoſe that ſhall be ſaved is but a ſmall number in compariſon of thoſe that ſhall be damned.
Furthermore, the Scripture is as cleere that men are and ſhall be damned for other Sinnes beſides this. The rich glutton in the Goſpell was not damned for this Sinne,Luke 16. but for his unmercifulneſſe to Lazarus, that miſerable ſpectacle at his dore. And our Saviours Sentence of condemnation that hee ſhall pronounce at the latter day againſt thoſe on his left hand,M…t. 25.41, 42, 43. ſhewes the contrary.
Yea this Doctrine ſo taken, ſhould be a Doctrine of the greateſt liberty that ever was taught, and a very diſſolving of the Law. For then might men murther, and whore, and ſteale, and lye, and ſweare, and forſweare, and doe any thing without danger of Hell, ſo that they kept themſelves from this Sinne.
But his meaning is, that this one Sinne excepted, there is no other particular Sinne, how high or hainous ſoever, but it is pardoned in ſome or other, may be pardoned in any, and ſhall bee pardonable in all, if the fault bee not in themſelves.
1 That they have been pardoned in ſome, the Scripture doth amply teſtifie. That Mother Sinne of all in eating the forbidden Fruit was forgiven in Adam and Eve, and in all the Elect, though eternally puniſhed in the Reprobate. So the Sin of Drunkenneſſe in Noah: the Sinne of lying and conſening in Rebeckah and Iac…b; the Sinne of Inceſt in Lot; the Sinne of Murder and Adultery in David; the Sinne of Apoſtaſie and Idolatry in Solomon; the Sinne of Oppreſſion in Zachee; the Sinne of robbing and ſtealing in the Thiefe on the Croſſe; the Sin of bloudy and ſpightfull perſecuting of the Saints of God (which commeth neereſt the Sin impardonable) in the Apoſtle Paul.
2 That they may be forgiven, and are pardonable in any, appeares by this, that they have been pardoned in ſome. For if a Sinner can ſay that ſuch or ſuch a Sinne, which hee is guilty of, hath been pardoned in ſuch or ſuch a perſon; why ſhould he deſpaire, as if God would not or could not pardon it in him? That which God hath done in any, hee can doe in thee.
3 That all other Sinnes are pardoned in all, except the fault bee in themſelves, is evident alſo. For as God forceth none to ſinne; ſo hee forceth none to continue in Sinne: And it is not for Sinne ſo much that he damneth any, as for the continuance therein without Repentance. And there are none that live in the Church, and have the uſe of their underſtanding, but hee vouchſafeth them ſufficient means to bring them to Repentance, if they would uſe them, and ſeeke after them. Hee vouchſafeth indeed to ſome greater and more effectuall means than to other ſome, and doth worke more powerfully in the means. But there can none complaine and ſay, that they wanted means, and that the fault was not in themſelves that they repented not.
Ʋſe. 1 This point ſerves to comfort thoſe that are afflicted, and mourne, and groane under the burthen of their Sinnes, and through the ſight of their Sinnes are brought as it were to the Gates of Hell, and to the pits brinke of deſpaire. How ſhould the conſideration of this ſupport them againſt all ſuch Temptations, that our Saviour himſelfe ſhould with his owne mouth profeſſe that all Sinnes but one are forgiven to men? So that be their Sins never ſo many, never ſo great, yet if it be not that Sinne, there is hope of mercy, if due means be uſed, and they doe not deſperately exclude themſelves there-from.
2 This ſerves not to encourage and hearten any to goe on in their wonted courſe of ſinning; but rather the contrary. It is the unſpeakable goodneſſe of God to be ready to pardon all manner of Sins. But it's groſſe folly and impiety in Sinners to thinke and conceit that hee will pardon any but ſuch as uſe means for the getting of a pardon. The Prince is a gratious Prince in pardoning Traitors or Murtherers. But this conſideration, that the King may doe it, or hath done it, is no motive to make thoſe that are Traitors or Murtherers ſecure, much leſſe to goe in their Treaſons and Murthers: But they muſt be content to ſue out, yea to pay deare oft for their pardons, or elſe their hope will lye in the duſt. So is it with God. It's true, he is mercifull, and ready to pardon any Sinne; yet he hath and will condemne the greateſt part of the World: and he will pardon none but ſuch as uſe the means to ſue out and purchaſe their pardon, by forſaking their Sinnes by true Repentance, and humbling themſelves b… fore the Throne of Gods mercy for them, with a full reſolution never to returne againe to them.
3 The conſideration of this may ſerve for a ſpeciall ſtay to them, who by the ſubtill Temptations of Satan are made to beleeve that they have committed the impardonable Sinne here ſpoken of. And commonly Satan, abuſing their Ignorance, puts theſe conceits into the minds of thoſe which are the fartheſt from that Sinne, to wit, humbled and afflicted Sinners. Whereas thoſe are leaſt troubled with the feare thereof, that either have committed it, or are neereſt to the committing of it. This therefore may help them ſomewhat, who know not ſo well what the Nature of that Sinne is, to conſider what particular Sinnes God is reported in the Word to have forgiven to his Servants, and to conſider whether their owne Sinne bee not one of the ſame kinde; which if it be, they may thence then infallibly conclude that it is not that impardonable Sinne.
All other Sinnes then are at the leaſt pardonable; yea they have been pardoned in ſome or other, and may be pardoned in any: But in whomſoever this Sinne is found, which we principally intreat of, to wit, of Blaſphemy againſt the Holy Ghoſt; he is certainly without all redemption a fire-brand of Hell. We cannot of any other Sinner pronounce an abſolute and definitive Sentence of damnation; no, though he ſhould breathe out his laſt gaſpe in filthineſſe and blaſphemies: of this wee may. Hee that hath committed this Sin, is branded for Hell, and is more than bored or burnt in the Eare for Satan.
Queſt. But why will not God pardon this Sinne?
Anſw. We can give no reaſon why, but his Will. It ſhall not be pardoned, becauſe he will not pardon it. Hee hath from Eternity decreed the contrary; and the maine ground of his Decree is his Free-will. So that a man can anſwer no otherwiſe to this queſtion, than this, why the Lord ſhould puniſh Iudas his betraying, and not Peters forſwearing.
Ob. But doth not this leſſen the Lords Mercy? For what? may ſome ſay: Can man then in ſinning goe beyond the Lord in mercy? Can a man by any Sin drowne the mercifulneſſe of God towards him?
Anſw. Though the greatneſſe of Sinnes forgiven argue the greatneſſe of Gods mercy; and though it argue greater mercy to forgive all Sinnes than ſome onelyonly, and all men than ſome; yet you ſee this, that God hath decreed not to ſhew mercy upon all men. And as wee muſt not tye his Love and Mercy, which is moſt free, to the perſons of all men; ſo wee muſt not tye it to all Sinnes any further than himſelfe hath tied it. It ſhould ſuffice us, that God is ſo infinite in mercy as to forgive ſome men; and to forgive in ſome men all Sinnes ſaving one. If he had ſaved but one Man, and pardoned but one Sinne in that one Man (if it were poſſible for any one Man to commit but one Sinne) his Mercy had been infinite. Hee might as freely have excepted any, yea many other Sinnes, as whoredome, pride, perjury, Apoſtaſie, &c. But this we muſt know, that God, as he is infinite in mercy, ſo he is infinite in his juſtice: And in his holy wiſedome and providence he ſo mingleth and conjoyneth theſe twain, that the one limiteth the other. So that God is ſo farre forth mercifull as will ſtand with his infinite juſtice; and ſo farre forth juſt, as will ſtand with his infinite Mercy. His Mercy doth not drowne his Iuſtice, nor his Iuſtice his Mercy.
2 Goh ſheweth Mercy to Sinners, that hee might glorifie himſelfe in his mercy. But in ſhewing mercy to ſuch a Sinne, hee might rather ſeeme both to ſtaine his Mercy, and to diſgrace his Iuſtice.
3 There is no Sinne whatſoever that makes God mercileſſe, but in reſpect onelyonly of the perſon. In this regard therefore is this Sin unpardonable, becauſe the Lord hath decreed that none ſhall commit it but Reprobrates, in whom every Sin is unpardonable.
4 This very Sinne potentially is forgiven in all the Elect. For it is not of themſelves that they doe not commit it, but of God, who bridles their wils. For even they alſo have the ſeeds of all Sinnes in themſelves; as the Cubs of Woolves and Foxes, of all miſchiefe and ravening, though they either cannot yet do, or dye ere they do hurt ought.
Ʋſe. 1 In comparing the Condition of this Sinne with the perſons that here commit it; We may note that no outward ſtate and condition of men whatſoever are freed by their places and callings from being Reprobrates and Caſtawaies. Who are …n this World neerer in place to God then the Miniſters and Tea…hers of the people, who are as it were Saviours unto others? yet …heſe, and onelyonly theſe in all the Word of God are mentioned to …ommit that unpardonable Sinne. Which ſhould make us to take heed, …ow wee condemne the true Religion for the wickedneſſe of their perſons that teach it. And againe not to content our ſelves with this, that we have a place in Gods Church. For we may have the higheſt rooms, and yet ſtand guilty of grievous Sinnes▪ yea, the higher roomes wee are in many times, the higher Sinnes are committed of us. Who in higher place then Iudas? and who committed a greater Sinne?
2 Here is matter of Conſolation for the Godly, who deſir… above all things to bee freed fro… Sinne, and to whom nothing i… more comberſome then the burthe… of Sinne; that though they canno… be wholly rid of it while they liv… here; yet the Lord hath preſcribe… bounds unto their Sinnes; ſo tha… they cannot go ſo far in Sin again… God as a Reprobate may. Fo… no godly man can commit thi… Sinne.
3 For as much as it is bootleſ… for them that have committed th… Sinne to crave mercy of God, ort… hope for grace with God; and tha… Satan therefore hath no more forc… ble Engine to worke deſpaire, tha… by perſwading humbled Souls, that they have fallen into it. It behooveth all ſuch, before they open the Gates of their Soule to deſpaire, to try whether they have committed it or no.
1 If thou doſt or haſt felt any marke of the Childe of God in thee, yea or no. For hee that hath any inward marke of Gods Childe, is ſtill Gods Childe, and cannot commit it.
2 Feare of committing it, is a ſigne of not committing it. For it's a deſperate Sinne. And ſuch perſons as commit it, uſe not to be ſo much troubled that they have committed it, as that they have not opportunity to commit it againe and againe. Experience it ſelfe teacheth this in your grand malitious perſecutors of Religion: they uſe not ſo much to be troubled for that evill and miſchiefe that they have done, as that they cannot doe more. And thus it was with theſe Scribes and Phariſees.
3 An unfained diſlike and hatred of all the malitious enemies of Religion, and a ſpeciall affection (caeteris paribus) to all the lovers of the Goſpell.
4 An abhorring and loathing of our ſelves for it, and an acknowledgment of it, with a deſire of pardon, when we ſuſpect our ſelves to have committed it, are undoubted arguments of a ſoul that never committed this ſin.
4 The more fearefull and deſperate the ſtate and condition is, of thoſe that commit this ſin, the more it ſtands all men in hand to take heed of it, to keepe as far as may be from it, and to uſe all preſervatives that may be againſt it. And to this end,
1 To know it, and conceive aright of it, that they may the more deteſt and abhorre it.
2 To take notice of thoſe means by which men have fallen into it, that they may more carefully ſhun and avoid all ſuch courſes.
3 To take eſpeciall heed of thoſe ſinnes that border neereſt upon it, and have moſt affinity with it.
4 To be throughly perſwaded of the curſe of God due to ſin; and of the bleſſings of God promiſed to all obedience.
5 To be fully aſſured, that even the leaſt ſin that is deſerveth everlaſting damnation.
6 To beware of all preſumptuous ſins, leſt elſe by little and little they come to make the greateſt ſin no ſin.
7 To ſet the mercy of God in the pardon of ſin, at a high price.
8 To bee oft meditating of the joyes of heaven, and the torments of hell; the former whereof, this ſinne once committed, doth irrecoverably deprive men of, and in bonds indiſſoluble oblige the committer of it to the later.
FINIS.
End of the text · William Bradshaw, A Discourse of the Sin Against the Holy Ghost (1649)