A Vindication of Godliness, Sermon 2 · Part 2
II. Head concerning Sin.
Direct. 1. EXerciſe your thoughts on the evil nature of ſin, and conſider what the Scriptures ſpeak, concerning,
1. The Malignity that is in Sin.
2. The Guilt of Sin.
1. Concerning the malignity which is in ſin, calling it by the name of plague, leproſie, gangrene, poiſon, death, hell, enmity, treachery, rebellion, filthineſs, rottenneſs, vomit, &c. All which are Scripture expreſſions, which alſo tell us, that it hath made us in Gods account, fouls, beaſts, dogs, ſwine, ſerpents, vipers. devils, &c. What a Monſter is ſin, that muſt have ſo many, and ſuch names, to expreſs the malignitie that is in it?
2. Concerning the guilt of ſin, Rom. 3. 19. All the World is become guilty before God, Mat. 5. 22. Guilt hath two things in it.
Firſt, A merit of everlaſting wrath. Every ſinner is worthy to die, worthy to be damned.
Secondly, An Obligation, or binding over to wrath, Act. 8. 23. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterneſſe, and the bond of iniquity. Sinners are bound under a curſe, bound over to eternal vengeance.
Direct. 2 Conſider your own particular ſinnes, both, the ſpecial prevailing ſins of your Hearts; as ignorance, unbelief, ſtubbornneſs, obſtinacy, pride, paſſion, covetouſneſs, malice, &c. And the evils of your practice, lying, ſwearing, drunkenneſſe, oppreſſion. Reckon up as near as you can, and write down in a Roll or Catalogue, all the ſeveral wickedneſſes you have been guilty of, and can remember, together with your ſins of Omiſſion, neglects of Prayer, Hearing, &c. your neglect of Chriſt, and the Goſpel, &c.
Direct. 3. Ask thy heart theſe Queſtions.
Queſt. 1. Am I not a ſinner?
Queſt. 2. Is all this which the Scriptures ſpeak of ſin, and ſinners in general, true of me.
Am I by my very nature, ſuch a ſerpent, ſuch a viper, ſuch a dog, ſuch a beaſt in the ſight of God? Is there all this enmity, and treachery, and rebellion, rooted in my nature? Am I this guilty creature, worthy to die? Am I in this gall of bitterneſs, and bond of iniquity? If this be my caſe, oh, how can I lift up my face in the preſence of God, without ſhame, and bluſhing, and ſelf-loathing, and ſelf abhorrence?
Queſt. 3. Is my filth and guilt done away?
This was once my condition, is it not ſtill? Is the Enmity ſlain, is my corruption ſubdued; is my conſcience purged, my ſoul waſhed? are my ſins pardoned, is my guilt removed? If not, then,
Queſt. 4. What if this corruption ſhould never be purged, this guilt never be removed?
What if I ſhould die in this caſe? If all this ſin and this guilt, ſhould ſtand and ſtare me in the face, when I come to look death in the face? What if I ſhould appear in this woful plight before the Judgment Seat? May I not fear it may be ſo? My ſin hath been ſo long growing, and rooting in my heart; I have ſtood it out ſo long againſt the Goſpel, I have had ſo many warnings, ſo many convictions, and yet mine iniquitie remains unpurged, that I have reaſon to fear that it may never be purged. And, Oh, what if it ſhould not?
Queſt. 5. What muſt I do to be ſaved from my ſins.
I ſee I am in an evil and woful caſe, bu… is there no Balm in Gilead, is there no Phyſitian there, that can heal ſuch a deſperate diſeaſe? Is there no ranſome to be fonnd, that may redeem ſuch a captive? Is there no blood ſhed, that may cleanſe me, even me from all my unrighteouſneſſe? Is not Chriſt exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, to this very purpoſe, that he might give Repentance and Forgiveneſſe of Sinnes? Wherefore is the Goſpel preached to me? Doth not Chriſt therein call to me, and bid me come to him and be ſaved? Is ſuch an opportunitie to be ſlighted? Is Redemption from ſuch a ſtate, worth the making after? May I obtain Redemption by Chriſt, whether I ſeek it or not? whether I repent or not? Muſt I not believe or be damned, repent or periſh? Is it a time for me to delay, or linger in a matter of ſuch importance? Awaken, O my Soul, put away thy ſloth, lay aſide thy excuſes, and be think thy ſelf what thou wilt do. The Lord calls thee this day, calls thee to return and repent, that thine iniquities may be blotted out; bethink thy ſelf what anſwer thou wilt return. Wilt thou hearken, or not?