A Plain Discourse on Vain Thoughts, Doctrine 1 · Part 7

A Plain Discourse on Vain Thoughts · Doctrine 1 · Part 7

p. 34THUS for the ſecond Vain Thought conc… ning Sin.

3 'TIS a Vain Thought, That there are ſufficien… Excuſes for Sin. Sinners have their ſpecious p… tences which they think will excuſe, if … juſtify, their Commiſſion of Sin. Such a Thou… as this, is Deſtructive to Men's Souls: For it ma… them think they do nothing amiſs in ſinning and ſo prevents their judging and condemna… themſelves for it, as they ought to do, in ord… to the obtaining the Forgiveneſs of it. If th… can excuſe their Sin, they ſee no cauſe to R… pent of it. But 'tis a vain imagination, that … ſufficient Excuſe can be made for Sin, as may … ſhown under the various Excuſes which Sinn… are apt to make.

p. 351. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That a good Intention will Excuſe the Commiſſion of Sin. Sometimes Men pretend to have an eye to the Glory of GOD in the Commiſſion of Sin. Such there ſeems to have been in the Apoſtles times, who imagined that continuance in Sin would give occaſion to GOD to magnify His Grace, in pardoning of it, Rom. 6.1. What ſhall we ſay then? Shall are continue in Sin, that Grace may abound? Their plauſible pretence for continuance in Sin, was, That the Grace of GOD might appear more Glorious in the Forgiveneſs of Sin. Sometimes again, Men pretend the doing Service to others by the Commiſſion of Sin, as in the Caſe of an Officious Lie, as it is called. Thus Men will tell … Lye to promote another's Advantage, or to prevent his receiving Damage. And becauſe their telling ſuch a Lye is done out of kindneſs to another, they think this will excuſe them. But none of theſe intentions, whether of Glory …o GOD, or benefit to our ſelves, will excuſe our Commiſſion of Sin. To think that they will, is a Vain Thought.

For,

1. GOD has plainly declared that the beſt Intention will not Excuſe Sin. As for that pretence of ſinning, that GOD's Grace may be more Glorified, it is expreſly condemned and declared to be moſt abominable, Rom. 6.1, 2. Shall we continue …n Sin that Grace may abound? God forbid. This …s an Expreſſion denoting the deteſtableneſs of …uch an Imagination; and that Men ought by …o means to entertain ſuch a Thought in their Hearts. Again, As for the pretence of doing p. 36good to others of our ſelves by committing Si… this is alſo very clearly condemned, Rom. 3.1. Some affirm, that we ſay, Let us do … that good my come; whoſe Damnat…on is juſt. Here the Apoſt… does evidently condemn that Principle of doin… Evil that Good may come; and denounces th… worthy of Damnation, who maintain o… practic… it. Let the Good we intend be never ſo great be it the ſaving our own Lives, o… the Lives o… others, yet we may not do Evil for the ſec… …ing them.

2. SIN Committed with never ſo good an Inte… …n, is exceeding provoking to GOD. Sinners ac…pt to think that GOD is not offended at Si… when they have a good deſign in Committing it …t this is a great Miſtake, the Scriptures fully ſatisfy us to the contrary. GOD Commande… Saul to Smite Amai…k, and utterly to de…troy al… th… they had, and ſpare them not, but to ſlay both ma… and woman, infant and ſuck…ing, ox and ſheep, ca… and …, 1 Sam. 15.3. However Saul ſpared th… beſt of the Sheep, and of the Oxen, and of th… fatlings and the Lambs. His deſign herein b… declares to be the Offering them in Sacrifice un… the Lord GOD, …. 15. That this was h… real deſign, is not denied by Samuel the Prophe… But taking it for granted; he gives him to unde… ſtand, That altho' he had ſuch a Religious Intention. GOD however was greatly diſpleaſed with him for his diſobedience, Ver. 22, 23. A… Samuel ſaid, hath the Lord as great delight in burn… …fferings and ſacrifices▪ as in obeying the voice of i… …ord? Be…d … …etter than ſacrifice, … … …an …am. &c Be…u…e … p. 37hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath alſo rejected thee from being King. Again, we have another inſtance in Uzzah, when he ſaw the Ark in danger of falling, He put forth his hand and took hold of it. And God ſmote him there for his Error, and there he died by the Ark of God, 2 Sam. 6.6, 7. Undoubtedly Uzzah had an innocent and good Intention in what he did, yet GOD was provoked at him becauſe therein he tranſgreſſed the Commandment of GOD, who allowed none but the Prieſts to touch the Ark, Numb 4 15. It then GOD be ſo greatly offended at Men, for Tranſgreſſing His Commandment, though they have therein a good end and deſign; we may then be aſſured that a good Intention will not Excuſe an evil Action.

3. THE Servants of GOD have bewailed thei… Sins committed with a good Intention and Adored the Mercy of GOD in pardoning them. Take only the Apoſtle Paul as a famous Inſtance in this Caſe. He tells us that he Shut up many of the Saints in Priſon; that he gave his voice against them when they were put to Death; that he puniſhed them oft in every, Synagogue, and compelled them to blaſphem… and perſecuted them even to ſtrange Cities. All t…s he did, becauſe he verily thought with himſelf tha… he ought to do it, Acts 26.9, 10, 11. He acted conſcientiouſly herein and with a great Zeal … the Glory of GOD, Phil. 3.6. Concerning Zeal, perſecuting the Church. He was Zealous for the Law and Honour of GOD in Perſecuting the Church of Chriſt. So that his Intention was really good. Yet when he came to be ſenſible of his Sin, he was alſo ſenſible that hi… good p. 38Intention would not excuſe it. And therefore he does humbly acknowledge his Sin, and admire the Grace and Mercy of GOD in forgiving it. 1 Tim. 1.13. I was a blasphemer, and a perſecutor, and injurious; but I obtained Mercy. From theſe things then we ſee that a good Intention is no ſufficient excuſe for Sin.

2. IT is a Vain Thought, That the natural Inclination to Sin, will excuſe the Commiſſion of Sin There is in the heart of every Man, a ſtrange propenſity to Sin. Fallen nature is powerfully b…ſſed and bent to the doing Evil. Now this natural proneneſs to Sin, Men are ape to ſuppoſ… a ſort of Apology for Sin. They are ready … ſay, 'Tis natural to all Men to Sin. This is the i… …ate and univerſal Inclination of Mankind; and Nature will have its way. Such reaſonings there are ſometimes in the hearts of Sinners. But alas! the naturalneſs of Sin, is no Excuſe for Sin.

For,

1. THIS natural Inclination to Sin is a juſt ground of ſelf-condemnation, and ſo cannot be a ground of ſo… juſtification for Sin. Our Inclination to Sin is a part of the Corruption of our Nature, and a branch of that Curſed enmity againſt GOD that is in our hearts. It is ſaid of the carnal Mind, that it is Enmity againſt God, Rom 8 …. Now our great Inclination to Sin againſt GOD and oppoſe GOD, is a Principle part of thi… horrid enmity. We have therefore cauſe … judge and condemn and abhor our ſelves in that there is in us ſuch a principle of contrariety and oppoſition to GOD. The Apoſtle Paul does exceedingly bewail the remainders of this Inclination to evil in himſelf, R…m. 7.15, 19. p. 39He prea…ed under it as a burden which he earneſtly long'd to be delivered from, Ier. 24. That then which calls for ſelf-judging and ſelf-abhorence cannot juſtly be made an Apology for our Sin. How can that excuſe us for which we are bound to condemn our ſelves?

2. THIS Natural Inclination to Sin is an aggrevation of Sin, rather than an extenuation of it. It is ſo far from excuſing or leſſening the Sin, that it makes it the greater. The vicious inclination, makes the Sin proceeding from it, more vile and hateful. When David was penitently confeſſing his great Tranſgreſſions to GOD, he makes mention of the various aggravations of them, as they had been againſt GOD, and committed in the Sight of GOD, Yet he does not ſtop here, but follows his Sins up to their Fountain, even the Corruption of his Nature, Pſal. 51.5. Behold I was ſhapen in Iniquity, and in Sin did my Mother conceive me. He mentions the Sin and pravity of Nature, not for his own Vindication; but for his greater Confuſion and Abaſement he produces it, not to juſtify himſelf, but to Juſtify GOD in Judging him; for that he had not only done ſuch evil things, but had alſo ſuch an evil heart in him, from whence they proceeded. Indwelling Sin then, is no Plea for Sinners, but againſt them. If a Murderer ſhould Plead his Bloody Diſpoſition, and Murderous Inclination, would that excuſe him and exempt him from Puniſhment? Would it not rather make his ſpeedy Execution more juſt and neceſſary? We ſee then, that Original Sin is no Excuſe for Act… al Sins.

p. 403. IT is a Vain Thought. That Temptation to Sin will Excuſe the Commiſſion of Sin. In this World Men do meet with very many, and very gr… Temptations to Sin, from the Devil and from Men. By theſe Temptations Men are oftentim… carried away to the Commiſſion of Sin. No… Men are apt to make theſe Temptations a… Excuſe for their Sins. Thus did our Firſt Pare… when they had Sinned: Eve ſaid. The Serpent … guiled me, and I did eat. She excuſes the Si… from the Subtlety of the Tempter. So A… ſaid, The Woman … gave me of the Tree and did eat. He excuſes his Sin from the ſollicitatio… and enticement of his Wife. Thus their ſinf… Poſterity go about to excuſe their Sin, becau… they were ſtrongly Tempted and Urged to Sin but this is no ſufficient Excuſe for Sin.

For,

1. TEMPTATION forces no Man to Si… Tempters can do no more than intreat us, … Arguments with us, propound Motives to us and when they have done all, they cannot conſtrain us to Sin. They have not power o… our Wills to compel them to Evil: The wi… of Man cannot ſuffer compulſion. If therefor… we Sin upon Temptation, we Sin willingly, a… conſequently are inexcuſable. If we yield … Temptations the fault is our own. Indeed, … Men or Devils could offer violence to … Wills and irreſiſtably determine them to … we were excuſable. But this they cannot poſ… bly do: they muſt gain our conſent, or the… cannot lead as into Sin. If we do not freely …ply, they cannot force us to comply.

p. 412. GOD has Commanded to reſiſt Temptation, and offers us his Aſſiſtance. If the Devil Tempt us, GOD has charged us to reſiſt him; Jam. 4.7. Reſiſt the Devil, and he will ſee from you. If Ill Men Tempt us to Sin, GOD has charged us not to give way to their Temptations, Prov. 1.10. My ſon, if ſinners entire thee, conſent thou not. It won't then excuſe us that we have been Tempted, becauſe it was our Duty to reſiſt Temptation, for GOD required us ſo to do; but then further GOD not only Commands us to withſtand Temptation; but alſo tenders us His gracious Aſſiſtance. Therefore Chriſt has directed us to ſeek unto GOD by Prayer, for his help againſt Temptations; Mat. 6.13. Lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from evil. This ſhows that Divine Aſſiſtance is tendred and may be obtained in the way of Prayer. If then we give place to Temptation, we are inexcuſable, becauſe we might have had a ſufficiency of Grace to enable us to reſiſt Temptation. Had we no Proſpect of Aids from Heaven, we might have ſome ſhew of an Excuſe for our being overcome by Temptation, we might Plead our own inſufficiency as a kind of Apology. But there is no room left for this pretence, becauſe GOD was ready to help and ſtrengthen us, if we had humbly and earneſtly requeſted of Him ſo to do.

3. GOD ſets before us much greater Motives to … Temptation, than any Tempter does to comply with Temptation. The Great GOD does Infinitely forbid Satan and his Inſtruments, in the offers which they make unto us. The moſt that Tempters p. 42to Sin can promiſe to us, is only ſenſual Pleaſure, Worldly Profits or Advancements. Pro. 1 11, 13. Come with us, we ſhall for preci…s and …. The Devil bid to the higheſt, when he offered Chriſt the Kingdoms of this World and the Glory of them. This is the utmoſt that …e can promiſe, to win us to a compliance with his Temptations: But what, is all this World to the things which GOD promiſes to us, in caſe we reſiſt Temptation? He has aſſured us that if we overcome, he will give us a Crown of Life, and Glory that fadeth not away, he will make us to ſit upon Thrones, he will beſtow upon us the Heavenly Inheritance, and make as to drink of thoſe Rivers of Pleaſure, that are at his Right Hand for evermore. Theſe things are incomparable greater inducements to reſiſt Temptation, than the other are to comply with Temptation. So thought Moſes. Heb. 11.20. Eſteeming the reproach of Chriſt greater riches than the treaſures in Aegypt: for he had reſpect unto the recompenſe of reward. If a Man therefore ſhall diſregard GOD…s Offers, and take up with th… offers of Satan, is he not inexcuſable? Had Men or Devils made better offers to them than GOD they might have ſome excuſe for hearkening to Temptation. But ſince GOD does offer … them Infinitely better things, than any other do or can do, they are therefore without … excuſe for complying with Temptation to Sin.

FROM theſe things then it appears, that though Men's Temptations be never ſo many and ſo great, yet that will not be …n ſufficient excuſe for their Commiſſion of Sin.

p. 434 IT is a Vain Thought, That the Commonneſs of Sin w…ll excuſe the Commiſſion of Sin. Sometimes there are Sins which do become a common practiſe; the generality of Men do addict themſelves thereunto. Now this is what Men will alledge as an excuſe for their Committing ſuch Sins Becauſe it is a common thing to Cheat, Defraud, over-reach, they think this will excuſe them in doing ſo too. What they do is no more than what the moſt do; and therefore they ſuppoſe themſelves excuſable. But this is no Excuſe.

For,

1. GOD has ſtrictly charg'd us not to Commit a Sin, tho' it be never ſo common▪ GOD knows the pernicious influence of Evil Example, and how apt we are to think that warrantable, at leaſt excuſable, which is univerſally practiſed. For this reaſon He has expreſly forbidden us to do evil, though never ſo many accuſtom themſelves thereunto, Exod. 23 2. Thou …halt was follow a multitude to do evil. Let the Multitude be what they will, high or low, rich or poor, wiſe or wo…, we may not follow them in any evil thing. So again in Rom. 12.2. Be not conformed to this World. Though there be a World of Perſons that perpetrate Iniquity, yet we muſt avoid conformity to them. Since then GOD has ſo plainly prohibited the following a Multitude to do Evil, the Multitude won't excuſe us if we do Evil. Either GOD is to blame in forbidding us to imitate them, or we are to blame in following their Example.

2. THE Commonneſs of a Sin is rather a reaſon why we ſhould abstain from it, than practice it. The p. 44more there are that Sin againſt GOD, the greater call there is to us to forbear it. Is it no… enough that there are ſo many already engage… againſt GOD; but muſt we fall in with them to increaſe the number? When we ſee GOD… Name ſo much diſhonoured, we ſhould be mo… concerned to Glorify it. Again, If we follow a Multitude to do Evil, we contract the Guilt of all their Sins. Our Conformity to them i… a practical Approbation and Juſtification of thei… Evil Deeds. And this makes as partakers o… their Sins; 2 Joh. 11. For he that biddeth …i… God ſpeed, is partaker of his evil deeds. He t… favours or coun…ances Sinners in their … Deeds, is a partaker of their Evil Deeds. Now we do countenance them in their Sins, when … join with them in their Sins. And if this be … what a World of Guilt do we bring upon … ſelves by following a Multitude to do Evil▪ We make all their Sins our own. The Comm… neſs of Sin then won't excuſe or extenuate Sin… but makes it much greater than otherwiſe … would be.

5. IT is a Vain Thought that the Falls … …ery the Men into Sin, will excuſe our com… ting the ſame Sins. GOD in His Word … informed us of very Scandalous Sins comm… ted by moſt Eminent Saints. Now Sinners … wont to plead theſe example as excuſes for th… committing the like ſins. If they are Dr… ſo was Noah: if they lie, ſo did Abraham. … they commit Adultery▪ ſo did David. The … Men have done as they do, and this makes the… think themſelves excuſable▪ But this is a … Thought. For,

p. 451. THEIR Sins, thought very Holy Men, were exceeding offenſive to GOD. The Great GOD who has made known to us what their Sins were, has as clearly made known to us His Holy Diſpleaſure at them, 2 Sam. 11.27. The thing that David had done diſpleaſed the Lord. And to how high a degree He was diſpleaſed is awfully repreſented in the following Chap. 9th, 10th, 11th Verſes, Wherefore haſt thou deſpiſed the Commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his fight? Thou haſt killed Cri…h the Hittite with the ſword; and haſt taken his wife to be thy wife; and haſt ſlain him with the ſword of the Children of Ammon. Now therefore the ſword ſhall never depart from thine houſe, &c. GOD then did not hold His Servants Guiltleſs in what they did, nor lightly paſs over their Iniquities. If they then provoked GOD, will that best us out in doing ſo too? Or if they were not excu…able in Committing Sin, do we think to be excuſed in imitating them? How abſurd is ſuch … Imagination!

2. THEIR falls are recorded for our Admonition, not for imitation. The deſign of GOD in …anding down to us the Knowledge of their Sin, is that by them we might take warning, 1 Cor. 10.11. They are written for our Admonition, upon whom the ends of the World are come. They ſhould be Cautions to us againſt Sin, and not Encouragements to Sin We ought to improve them to greater watchfulneſs againſt Sin, and …ot to a more preſumptuous boldneſs in Sinning. …f ſuch Great and Good Men were overtaken …n Great Tranſgreſſions, the more need have we …o take heed to our ſelves, leſt we fall. This p. 46is the proper uſe we ſhould make of ſuch ſad Inſtances of humane frailty. And 'tis a perverſe abuſe of them, to excuſe our ſelves in Sin thereby.

6. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That danger of Suffering will Excuſe the Commiſſion of Sin. The Caſe is many times ſo circumſtanced, that Men muſt either do evil, or ſuffer evil. When this come to be their Caſe, they frequently commit Sin, that they may eſcape Sufferings. Thus in time… of Perſecution, many do Apoſtatize from the Profeſſion of Religion for fear of Sufferings: And they are ready to think, that they may be excuſed for their Sin, when only a fear of Suffering was the inducement to it. But this is a Vai… Thought, as appears from theſe things.

1. THE least Sin is a far worſe Evil, th… the greateſt Sufferings. No Affliction whatſoever is comparably ſo great an Evil as Sin. S… wrongs GOD; but Suffering only hurts th… Creature. Sin wrongs the Soul, but Affliction hurts only the Body. Sin makes us hateful … GOD, Afflictions do not. Sin tends to no Goo… but Afflictions may be greatly to our Profit So that Sin is much worſe than any Affliction Nay, it is far worſe than Death it ſelf; 1 Cor. 1… 56. The Sting of Death is ſin. 'Tis Sin that ma… Death hurtful: Take away Sin, and the Death is unſtung, and becomes an innocen… harmleſs thing; yea a thing moſt ſweet an… deſirable We ought then to chooſe Suffering and Death, rather than Sin. Thus did Moſes Heb. 11.25. Chooſing rather to ſuffer affliction wi… the People of God, than to enjoy the pleaſure of … p. 47for a ſeaſon. Thus did the Three Worthies chooſe rather to be caſt into a Burning Fiery Furnance, than to Sin againſt GOD, Dan. 3.18.

2 BY Sinning we expoſe our Selves to much ſorer Puniſhment than Men are capable of inſ…. Sin expoſes us to the Wrath of GOD, which is Infinitely more dreadful than the Wrath of Man. It is a fearful thing to fall unto the hands of the living God, Heb. 10.31. He can deſtroy both Soul and Body in Hell forever, whereas Men can only Kill the Body, and that but for a time. The worſt that Men are capable of doing to us, is but as nothing to what GOD can do. We have much more cauſe then to ſtand in Awe of GOD and not Sin, than thro' fear of Man to venture upon Sin. Fear ſhould rather deter us from Sin, than drive us to Sin, ſeeing there is far greater danger in Committing Sin, than Abſtaining from it.

7. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That Sin is excuſable, becauſe 'tis but little. 'Tis ſometimes the Thought of Sinners, that there is no great matter in committing leſſer ſort of Sins. Hence they are ſeldom, if ever, troubled for their ſuppoſed little Sins. They don't count them of ſuch Moment …s to call for Mourning and Humiliation before GOD, ſuch peccadilloes, as they are termed; petty Oaths, little Thefts and Frauds and Surfeits, need not be laid to heart, and that GOD overlooks …hem. But this is a Vain Thought,

For,

1. No Sin is in it ſelf little. 'Tis true, that ſome Sins are far leſs than others, all Sins are not equal; p. 48there are ſome Sins which are as Camels, and others which are as Gnats compared among themſelves. Nevertheleſs, thoſe Sins which are Comparatively little, are in themſelves exceeding Great. The leaſt Sin is againſt the Great and Glorious GOD; 'tis a Tranſgreſſion of His Law, a Contempt of His Authority, a Reflection upon His Divine Majeſty; and can that be really little, which is contrary to the moſt High GOD? In Truth, as Sin is againſt the Infinite GOD, ſo it is an Infinite Evil. The leaſt Sin is objectively Infinite.

2. GOD has upon Pain of Death, forbidden little Sins as well as great. 'Tis true, That GOD …s not threatned every Sin with a like meaſure o… Puniſhment. There will be different Degrees o… Puniſhment inflicted, according to the different Degrees of Sin. As every Sin is not alike h… nous, ſo every Sin ſhall not be alike Puniſhed Nevertheleſs, Death, Eternal Death, is threatne… for the leaſt Sin, as that which 'tis worthy o… The ſmalleſt Tranſgreſſion of the Law of GOD lays Men open to the Curſe of the Law, Gal. … 10. Curſed is every one that continueth not in … things that are written in the book of the Law to them. If the Law be not kept in an things, it be broken in any the leaſt Degree, it bring Men under the Curſe. The firſt Sin of Ma… that was to the matter of it ſmall, what a Cur… has it brought on the World!

THUS we have ſeen how Vain all the Excuſes for Sin are. Let us not then harbour i… our Hearts, any ſuch Vain Thought, as if Si… p. 49were an Excuſable thing. But on the other hand, Let us think, that if we Sin againſt GOD, we are left without all Excuſe, we can have no Cloke for our Sin, but our Mouths will be ſtopped for ever. If the Heathen are without Excuſe for their Sin, as they are, Rom. 1.20. How much more ſhall we Chriſtians be inexcuſable, whoſe Light and Advantages are Infinitely Superiour to theirs?

THUS much may ſuffice for the fourth ſort of Vain Thoughts, viz. thoſe concerning Sin.

5. THERE are Vain Thoughts in the hearts of Sinners concerning Repentance, which are great hindrances of their being Saved. Theſe Vain Thoughts reſpect either the ſeaſon of Repentance, or the Nature and Truth of Repentance, or the Duty it ſelf; and in all theſe Reſpects, their Thoughts are exceeding prejudicial to the Salvation of their Souls. e. g.

1. 'TIS a Vain Thought, That hereafter will be as proper a ſeaſon for Repentance, as the preſent Time. That Sinners have ſuch a Thought in them is evident from their Delays of Repentance. All Sinners that are not groſly ignorant or deſperatly blinded, do know and acknowledge, that Repantance is a Duty of ſuch Neceſſity, as that there can be no Salvation without it. And accordingly it is their purpoſe to Repent, but not as yet: Hereafter they will ſet upon this Duty, when they come to lie on a Sick Bed, or when they are arrived to Old Age, or when they are more at Leiſure, and leſs involved in Worldly Affairs, &c. Now, how p. 50can they ſatisfy themſelves in thus doing, i… they do not imagine that hereafter may be a… good a ſeaſon, if not a better or more convenient ſeaſon to Repent in than Now? Procraſtination carries this imagination along with it But this is a Vain Thought.

For,

1. IT is reckoning upon a Time which 'tis … uncertain whether they ſhall ever enjoy. Loytering Sinners do promiſe themſelves an hereafter to Repent in; but they have no ſure ground to buil… ſuch a promiſe upon: So far are they from being certain of the expected future Seaſon, as th… 'tis altogether moſt uncertain. Nothing is ordinarily more uncertain to Men than the Peri… of their Lives. They do not know how ſom… and ſuddenly they may Die; when they lea… think of it, when there is no outward Proſpe… of it, they are overtaken by Death; when i… perfect Health & Strength, they are in a Moment by one unforeſeen Accident or other, brought to their end. How frequent are ſuch Inſtance… in the Courſe of Divine Providence? We kn… not but that our Souls may be required of … this Night: We cannot tell whether we ſhal… ſee the Light of another Day. How Vain th… is it to Boaſt of a to Morrow, much more of … long Time to come?

2. IF the Time alotted upon ſhould Arrive, the… is leſs probability of their Repenting then than n…. They themſelves indeed may ſuppoſe it more probable that they ſhall then Repent; yet i… reality, it is far more improbable that they ſhould ſo do. There is far leſs likelihood of p. 51their future, than preſent Repentance. Whatever they think, they will be farther off from Repentance than ever. There are three things which give ground for ſuch a Perſwaſion.

1. THEY will certainly be more hardened in Sin. Hardneſs of Heart, is a natural Conſequent of delaying Repentance, Heb. 3.15. While its ſaid, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. If Men refuſe to hearken to the Voice of GOD calling upon them to Day to Repent, they will contract greater hardneſs of heart. The longer Men live in Sin, the more Sin is ſtrengthned and confirmed in them. Continuance in a cuſtomary practice of Sin, makes turning from it▪ exceedingly more difficult; Jer. 13.23. Can the Ethiopian change his ſkin or the Leopard his ſpots? them may ye alſo do good, that are accuſtomed to do evil. Suppoſing then that Men ſhould live till that hereafter which they dream of, they will be ſo hardened in Sin, as to have leſs of an heart to Repent. Oftentimes they are ſtupid ſenſeleſs and ſecure, which is an Evidence of prodigious hardneſs of heart contracted. They have nothing of that ſenſe of the evil and danger of Sin which they formerly had. Their Conſciences are aſleep, and they go away with as much quietneſs, as if they had not the leaſt Guilt lying upon them.

2 THEY may be more uncapable of that ſcri… Conſideration, which is neceſſary to ſaving Repentance. There can be no ſound Repentance where Men do not conſider of their evil doings: Now hereafter Men may not he in a Capacity for … p. 52Meditation and Reflection upon their Sins, … may affect their hearts with due Grief and S… row for them. If they come to lie upon … Death-Bed, whereon they purpoſed to Rep… it may be, they are by their Bodily Diſtemp… utterly incapacitated for ſerious thinking … their condition. They are deprived of the … uſe and exerciſe of their Reaſon, and go out … the World Delirious. Is not this oftentimes … manner in which ſuch Sinners Die? and … can ſay that it ſhall not be ſo with them?

3. THEY will have leſs reaſon to expect … A…tance of the Holy Spirit, without which 'tis … poſſible for them ſincerely to Repent. If they ſupp… 'tis in their own power to Repent when … w…ll, they do fatally deceive themſelves: … 'tis GOD only that can work in us a ſoft … penitent frame of heart. Ezek. 11.19. I will … the ſtony heart out of their fleſh, and will give … an heart of fleſh. GOD by His Spirit ſoftens … breaks the hard hearts of Sinners. But … little ground have Sinners, who delay their … pentance, to expect that GOD will here… ſend His Holy Spirit to bring them to Rep… tance? Have they not quenched the Mo… of the Holy Spirit formerly? when He co… ced them of the need of Repenting ſpeedi… did they not ſtifle His Convictions under p… tence of Repenting hereafter? Did they … purpoſe notwithſtanding to continue and go… longer in their Sinful ways, and not turn … them, till a great while hence? And … Reaſon have ſuch to think that the Spirit … GOD will at the laſt, work in them that … pentance p. 53which will be unto Salvation? Have they not much more juſt ground to think that He will utterly withdraw from them, and leave them to Die and Periſh in their Sins? Surely this is what in an ordinary way, may be expected. That offered Grace, that has been ſo long deſpiſed by delaying Sinners, may moſt juſtly be denied to them at the laſt, and moſt probably will be ſo.

WE ſee then, that 'tis a Vain Thought, That we … as well Repent hereafter as now. Let us … …hen entertain ſuch a Vain Thought: But on the contrary, let us think, that Now is the accepted Time, Now is the Day of Salvation; that the preſent Time, is the beſt Time to ſet about the Work of Repenting and turning to GOD; and accordingly let us make haſte and Delay no longer. Let us agree quickly with GOD who is our Adverſary, and get into good Terms with Him as ſoon as poſſible. Whatſoever our hands do find to do, in the matter of our Repentance, let us do it with all our might, before it be too late. Our early and ſpeedy Repentance is what we ſhall never Repent us of. It will be an abundant Conſolation, that we have not the Work of Repentance to do at Death. We may then be ſatisfied that having heretofore ſown in Tears, we are now going to Reap in Joy, and that Jeſus Chriſt ſays to us as to the Penitent Thief, This Day ſhalt th… be with me in Paradiſe.

THUS for the firſt Vain Thought concerning Repentance.

p. 542. IT is a Vain Thought, That if a groſs Sin be Confeſſed and Bewailed, it is truly Repented of, though it be not forſaken. Such a Thought as this there is ſometimes in the hearts of Sinners. They are Guilty it may be, of the Sin of Drunkenneſs, Uncleanneſs, &c. Hereupon they make Confeſſion of it to GOD, Mourn for it, and earneſtly beg the Pardon of it. Having thus done, they think themſelves truly Penitent, tho' upon the next Opportunity and Temptation, they commit the ſame Sin again; and when they have thus repeated their Sin, they renew alſo their Confeſſions and Lamentations: And thu… they go on Sinning and Confeſſing, and becauſe as often as they Sin, ſo often they bemoan it they ſuppoſe that they do really Repent of it▪ But this is a Deſtructive and Vain Thought.

For,

1 GOD has deſtroyed Sinners for continuing to Commit groſs Sins, though they have Confeſſed and Bewailed them … remarkable Inſtance of thi… kind we … in Pharaoh King of Aegypt: H… refuſed at the Command of GOD to let Iſra… go; hereupon GOD Puniſhed him with on… ſort of Plague; under the Calamity of this Judgment he Confeſſes his Sin, and begs Praye… for the removal of the Judgment, and promiſe… to let Iſrael go. No ſooner is the Plague removed, but he renews his diſobedience to th… Command of GOD. Hereupon GOD ſmites him with another Plague, then again he Confeſſe… his Sin, juſtifys GOD, condemns himſelf and his People, and Prays for the removal of tha… Plague; no ſooner is this Plague removed, but he returns to his Sin. And that … he renew h…s p. 55Confeſſions and Rebellions, till at length GOD Deſtroyed him in a moſt aſtoniſhing manner. This Example plainly ſhows, that tho' Sinners do never ſo often confeſs and bewail their Sins, yet if they perſiſt in them, they do not truly Repent of them. If this were ſaving Repentance the Wrath of GOD would not come upon them as it did upon Pharaoh. In Truth, ſuch Repentance is but a mock-Repentance, which does rather pull down the Wrath of GOD, than turn it away.

2. TURNING fr…m all groſs Sin, as to the Customary practice of it, is eſſential to true Repentance. There are Sins of Infirmity, which are unavoidable and cannot be wholly abſtained from in this Life; but we ſhall daily be more or leſs overtaken with them. Of this nature are, ſome Diſtractions and wanderings of Mind in the Duties of Prayer, Reading and Hearing the Word of GOD; ſome ſudden involuntary Motions of ſinful Fear, Shame, Anger, Grief, Joy; ſome vain, fooliſh, idle Thoughts: The beſt of Men cannot poſſibly keep themſelves free from ſuch Sins as theſe. Therefore 'tis not to be ſuppoſed that none are truly Penitent who do not ſo Repent of them, as to keep clear of them. Such Sins as theſe are turned from, only as to Allowance, Approbation and Indulgence: A true Penitent Mourns for theſe Sins, diſapproves of them and deteſts them, and would gladly be freed from them; yet he cannot keep himſelf free from them. But then as for groſs and heinous Acts of Sin, every true Penitent turns from them, as to the frequent p. 56and ordinary practice of them. Indeed, he may fall into ſuch great Sins; but yet this is … and not common. He does not after Repenta… Multiply ſuch Acts of Sin, and go on in a … peated way of Committing them; No, he … forms and leaves off ſuch a Courſe of Sinni… in this kind: Such Reformation is an Eſſen… part of ſound Repentance; Ezek. 18.30, 3… Repent and turn from all your Tranſgreſſions — Caſt away from you all your Tranſgreſſions whereby y… have Tranſgreſſed. All avoidable Sins, ſuch a Groſs Sins, are turned from and caſt away where there is ſincere Repentance. Such th… as hold on in the ordinary Commiſſion of g… Iniquities, do not heartily Repent of them … they be never ſo full of their Confeſſions … them, and ſeeming Lamentations for them … is then a Vain Thought that we Repent, wh… we don't Reform in this Caſe. Let not th… ſuch a Vain Thought lodge within us; but let … on the other hand think, that if we duely Co… our Sins, we ſhall forſake them. With peni… Ephraim we ſhall ſay, What have we any more … with Idols? And with Holy David we ſhall … able to ſay, We have refrained our feet from … evil way.

THUS for the ſecond Vain Thought c… cerning Repentance.

3. IT is a Vain Thought, That Sins of … righteouſneſs are Repented of, though there be no d… nor deſign to make Reſtitution, Such a Though… as this, there oftentimes is in the Hearts of … righteous Men. They are ſenſible that … p. 57have ſinned in Stealing from their Neighbour, or defrauding him. Hereupon they may Confeſs their Sin to GOD, and beg the Pardon of it; yet all this while never purpoſe or take any Care to Reſtore what is thus unrighteouſly gotten: Without doing this, they ſuppoſe their Repentance is ſincere and acceptable to God: But this is a Vain Thought.

For,

1. HE that refuſes to make Reſtitution, does not ſeriouſly Confeſs his unrighteouſneſs to GOD. There ought to be explicite and ſolemn Confeſſion of known groſs Sins to GOD. He that does not thus Confeſs them to GOD, does not really Repent of them. Now ſuch ſerious and ſolemn Confeſſion of the Sin of unrighteouſneſs, is not made by one that refuſes to Reſtore diſhoneſt Gain: For if he ſpeaks out all that is in heart, his Confeſſion muſt run in ſuch Terms as theſe. Lord, I acknowledge mine Iniquity, in Treſpaſſing againſt my Neighbour. I have ſinned in that I have wronged him in his Wordly Intereſts. However, I purpoſe not to do him Right; but to Live and die in the Poſſeſſion of what I have unjustly gotten from him. Can ſuch a Confeſſion as this be called Serious? Is it not rather a mocking of, and trifling with the moſt High GOD?

2. HE that refuſes to make Reſtitution, does not really hate and grieve for the Sin of unrighteouſneſs, which he has been guilty of. Nothing is more clear than that Repentance includes in it, an hatred of and ſorrow for Sins Committed. But how can a Man ſay that he does hate his unrighteous Action, and is heartily grieved for it, when he has no p. 58will to Reſtore what he has unrighteouſly Gained? Theſe things are utterly inconſiſtent. Did a Man indeed abhor the injuſtice he has perpetrated and were he afflicted in ſpirit for it, he would labour to repair the damage he has thereby done to his Neighbour. Men do but falſely pretend that they hate and are grieved for an unjuſt Acquiſition, while they contentedly abide in a poſſeſſion equally unjuſt: How could they quietly keep what they have deceitfully gotten, if they had the leaſt ſpark of Godly ſorrow for their deceitful Dealing? While Men willingly neglect to make Reſtitution, they do but delude themſelves in thinking they have th… Godly ſorrow for their Sin, which worketh Repentance unto Salvation. Were it ſound Repentance it would bring forth the fruits of Righteouſneſs and Honeſty is Evidences thereof.

3. HE that refuſeth to make Reſtitution lives in the Omiſſion of a plain Duty. 'Tis evident, that he does not really Repent of his unrighteouſneſs, who neglects to do what GOD requires of him in that Caſe: For by neglecting to do what GOD Commands him, he adds Sin to Sin; and conſequently is ſo far from Repenting of what h… has done, that he becomes more Guilty in the ſight of GOD. Now by refuſing to reſtor… unjuſt Gain, Men are diſobedient to GOD, they don't do, what they ſtand bound to do by th… Law of GOD. There is a twofold Law which in this Caſe they do Tranſgreſs; they Tranſgreſs the Law of Christian Charity. The Command of GOD is that in Matth. 19.19. Thou ſhalt lo… thy Neighbour as thy ſelf. We muſt Love our p. 59Neighbour with the ſame Truth of Love, as we do our ſelves, though not with the ſame Degree of Love. But how can Men ſay that they as truely Love their Neighbour as they do themſelves, when they have wronged him, and won't do him Right? Of true Love it is ſaid, That it worketh no ill to his Neighbour, Rom. 13.10. It won't hurt him in his Eſtate; but will rather help him, and promote his outward welfare.

Again,

THEY Tranſgreſs the Law of Equity. The Command of GOD is that in Mic. 6.8. Do Juſtly; and that in Prov 3.27. Withold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Tho' it be in the power of our hand to withold it from him, yet we ought not to do it; but ſhould reſtore it to him. Is it not a juſt thing to give every Man that which is his own? Is there any Man living that does not know this to be juſt and equal? Is not this the Foundation of all Laws and Courts of Judicature for the ſecuring every Man's Property? Nay, Do not the Early Dictates of natural Light, teach even little Children to ſay, That's mine, give me it? Men then cannot but know that 'tis a Point of Juſtice to return to every Man that which is his. And when it reſpects themſelves. they can inſtantly ſee the Equity in it, and reckon thoſe Unjuſt, who keep that from them, which of Right belongs to them. Such then as refuſe to Reſtore what they have unjuſtly gotten from their Neighbour, are tranſgreſſors of the Law of Charity and Equity; and while they are willingly and reſolvedly ſo, how can it be tho't that they Repent of their unrighteouſneſs? They p. 60do indeed approve of it, perſiſt in it; and hold faſt Deceit, refuſing to let it go.

LET not then ſuch a Vain Thought lodge wi… us. But on the other hand, let us think, th… We ougth to do ſo to others, as we would they ſh… do to us. We ſhould ſuppoſe our ſelves to be i… th…ir Caſe, and they in ours, and then do by th… as we would in reaſon have them do by … This is the Golden Rule by which we ſhoul… regulate our Carriage towards Man. Let us a… tend this Rule in giving to every one their D… as we would have them do to us. Let us … ſolve to do that which is Lawful and Righ… reſtoring the Pledge, and giving again, that wh… we have ſinfully taken away. Rather than … back from any Man that which is his, le… be ready to ſay with Zacheus, If I have wro…g… any Man, behold I restore him four fold. This is … way to Live and not Die: This is to put a… the accurſed thing, which if detained, … bring the Curſe of GOD upon our Perf… and all that we have. For how many ga… Eſtates have been blaſted on the account of … unrighteous Methods in which they have be gained? As ever then we would expect al… Bleſſing of GOD, Let us, if we have wrong … any, make Reſtitution as far as we are able. … add as far as we are able, becauſe in caſe of r… inability to make Reſtitution, GOD will accept of a willing Mind, joined with a fixed purpoſe of making Reſtitution, if ever we be p… …nto a Capacity for ſo doing. In this Caſe th… holds true, 2 Cor 8 12. If there be …uſt a willing … that a Man hath, and … p. 61according to that he hath not A ſincere readineſs to Reſtore according to our Ability ſhall find acceptance with GOD; and He will be Merciful to our unrighteouſneſs when it is Repented of, with ſuch an honeſt and ready Diſpoſition of Heart.