A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 59 (Question 18)
SERMON LIX.
QUESTION XVIII.
WHerein conſiſts the ſinfulneſs of that Eſtate whereinto man fell?
ANSWER.
The ſinfulneſs of that eſtate whereinto man fell, conſiſts in the guilt of Adam's firſt ſin, the want of original righteouſneſs, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original ſin; together with all actual tranſgreſſions which proceed from it.
WE are conſidering of the puniſhment of the firſt Tranſgreſſion; which conſiſts in a ſinful and miſerable ſtate unto which it hath reduced mankind.
1. THE f…rmer of theſe is now to be ſpoken of. That Sin is conſiderable as a puniſhment, we have already obſerved; and are now to take particular notice of the influe…ce, which Adam's fall hath upon mankind, to make them ſinners.
THE Anſwer before us is rather a diſtribution, than a definition; pointing us to the ſeveral ways wherein man's ſtate is now become ſinful. And theſe are reduced to three heads.
1. Adam's firſt Sin is ours by imputation.
2. Original Sin is ours by derivation.
3. Actual Sin is ours by converſation: that is,
1. The guilt of the firſt Sin adbering to us.
2. Original Sin dwelling in us.
3. Actual Sin proceeding from us.
Touching the propagation of Sin to his Poſterity by Adam, we have conſidered it under a former Queſtion, and it needs not to be here repeated; only we are here led to a more diſtinct enquiry into the things thus derived; and to acquaint our ſelves with the nature of them: and thereby we ſhall have a more full proſpect of our own unhappineſs through the apoſtacy.
1. THEN the firſt thing here is, That man's ſtate is become ſinful, by vertue of the guilt of Adam's firſt Sin. That we have communion with our firſt father in his ſin, by a righteous imputation of it to us, and conſequently are fallen under the guilt of it, hath been ſufficiently proved. That there is this woful infelicity fallen upon men, to be born into the world under guilt, is now to be diſcovered; it being a puniſhment following of him: and this will laſt be ſeen by taking a brief view of the nature of this guilt. Some there be who reckon this guilt to be one part of original Sin. Others bring it under a diſtinct head; and it may be reckoned to original ſin, as it derives originally from Adam to us; though the different manner of its influence, is ſuch as makes it more proper to look upon it diſtinctly by it ſelf.
GUILT … pro… … ob…igation lying upon a p…p…n …ich …ds him over to ſuffer the deſerved p…n…ſ… went of his Sin. This is applicable to man both with reſpect to Adam's ſin, and alſo to original and actual ſin: the nature of it being the ſame in one and the other. And I ſhall here treat of it once for all in the general notion. Guilt is a Court phraſe, and well underſtood by thoſe who are skilled in Law affairs; and therefore we may borrow light for the illuſtration of it from the common ſentiments of mankind about it in humane tranſactions. And for a more full and clear opening of this matter, let me offer theſe concluſions.
1. THAT Guilt always ſuppoſeth theſe Three Things.
(1.) THAT there is a late under which the perſon …, and to which be owes obedience. Where there is no law, there can be no tranſgreſſion, and conſequently no forfeiture. None can be a guilty perſon but a ſubject, or one that is ſome way obliged by a law: for he who is under no bond of reſtraint, but may do what he liſt, cannot do amiſs. Hence that, Rom. 3.19. Now we know that what things ſo ever the law ſaith, it ſaith to them that are under the law: that every mouth may be ſtopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Now it is certain that mankind were placed under the rule of ſpecial government by the will & command of God, and the covenant under which they were at firſt put; and they owed obedience to it, as God who gave it, was their ſupteam creator and governour.
(2.) THAT there is a ſanction put unto the late in a way of threatning. And indeed, the very nature of a law ſuppoſeth ſuch a thing; and this is the difference between a bare command and a law: the former reſpects only a precept, the latter contains the precept with its ſanction. A law is properly an inſtrument of government, and therefore cannot attain its end, without it be ratified with rewards and puniſhments hypothetically annexed unto it. Now the latter of theſe is that which gives occaſion for guilt in caſe: ſo that if there were no threatning in the law, there could be no guilt derived to the ſubject: for, becauſe that ſaith the Sinner ſhall die, therefore he becomes guilty of death, which otherwiſe he would not.
(3.) THAT he is ſome way or other fallen under that ſanction. For herein indeed, as will appear anon, is the very nature of guilt contained. It is not becauſe there is ſuch a clauſe put into the law, that men muſt thereupon be neceſſarily found guilty. The threatning, of it's own nature, is a guard againſt guilt, if rightly improved … it only accidentally becomes the occaſion of it: there are therefore none guilty but ſuch as are brought under the ſentence of the law ſome way or other. Hence that, 1 Tim. 1.9. The law is not made for a righte…us man, but for the diſobedient, &c.
2. HENCE it follows, That Guilt is routed in Sin, and inſeperable from it, ſo long as the man is under the law. Sin and guilt do bear the moral reſpect one to another of cauſe and effect; and though theſe do always go together in time, ſo that in ſinning the man becomes guilty, and falls under it, yet in order of nature ſin is the firſt, becauſe it is the r…ot from which the other ſprings, and out of which it grows. Hence that, Gen. 4.7. If thou doſt not well ſin lieth at the door. Sin, i. e. Guilt. And hence it follows, that as long as the law hath hold of the man, and he is included in the ſanction of it, it is impoſſible that he ſhould ſin without being guilty. Believers indeed, though they do ſin, yet are not ſtrictly guilty, for they are juſtified, but it is becauſe they …re freed from the law as a covenant. Rom. 6.14. Sin hath reigned unto death. And one way in which ſin hath dominion is by guilt. So we read, Rom. 5.21. That as ſin hath reigned unto death: even ſo might grace reign through righteouſneſs unto eternal life, by Jeſus Chriſt our Lord.
3. GUILT may be conſidered negatively, or what it is not: and ſo,
(1.) IT is not the Sin it ſelf which is committed. Though they go together inſeperably, yet they are to be conſidered diſtinctly: and ſo they are two quite different things. Sin is an antecedent, Guilt is a conſequent: Sin is a moral cauſe, Guilt is an effect ariſing from it. And though both of them have a reſpect to the law, yet it is divers; Sin hath its reſpect to the preceptive part of the law, as it is a tranſgreſſion of it; whereas Guilt refers to the minatory part of it, or the ſanction, as it brings the man under it. There may therefore be an abſtract conſideration of ſin entertained in the mind, without any reference to the guilt which attends upon it. And ſo we ſhall conſider of it afterwards.
(2.) IT is not the ſuſpicion or accuſation or indictment of the perſ…n for Sin. Lawyers indeed do call the perſons ſuſpected, accuſed, indicted, or arraigned at the bar for a ſuppoſed crime, the guilty perſon; but it is by a catacreſis or over-ſtrained metonymie. For all this may be at man's bar, and yet the perſon purely innocent of the crime charged; and he may be proſecuted either upon miſtake, or malice, and by the information of falſe witneſſes. Now he cannot properly be both innocent and guilty at the ſame time. And though there be no ſuch miſtake at God's bar, ſince He knows all; and will indict none but the guilty: yet ſuch a proceſs preſumes an antecedent guilt upon which it is legally engaged in. So that the man is not guilty becauſe he is ſo proceeded againſt, but he is ſo proſecuted becauſe he is ſuppoſed to have been. Before guilty.
(3.) It is not the verdict brought in againſt Ha… upon trial. This indeed declares the man to be guilty, which before was under queſtion, and ſo it legally puts him into a readineſs for a ſentence of condemnation to paſs upon him; but it doth not make him ſo. For there are ſome that juſtify the wicked, and condemn the righteous. And if the verdict given be right, it ſuppoſeth the man to have been really guilty, before it paſt; for they do but find the caſe as it is, and determine it. So that if he had not firſt been guilty in himſelf, he is injured and abuſed by ſuch a declaration. There was ſuch a verdict brought in againſt Jeſus Chriſt Himſelf, Mat. 26.66. They anſwered and ſaid, H… is guilty of death.
(4.) MUCH leſs is it the ſentence which is paſt by the Judge after the trial. For, in a righteous and fair proceſs, the man is firſt fou…d and pronounced guilty, before ſuch a ſentence paſſeth upon him; and it is the ground or foundation upon which it proceeds. Condemnation preſumes guilt as the reaſon of it, and therefore cannot be the thing it-ſelf.
4. GUILT may be conſidered poſitively. And ſo it may be cleared up in theſe Aſſertions.
(1.) GUILT is a relation which the perſon bears to the law. It belongs to the head of relation; we therefore obſerved, that it always ſuppoſeth a law, and a duty of obedience lying upon the man unto the law. Now all mankind are related to the law, either … keepers or breakers of it: and this late of reſpect is that from whence guilt doth p… ceed. So that as ſoon as ever the man h… done ought that is againſt the law, he is immediately guilty, whether any proceſs be made againſt him or no; becauſe he hath this armed the law againſt himſelf. Hence that, Mat. 5.22. But I ſay unto you, that whoſoever is angry with his brother without a cauſe ſhall … in danger of the judgment. The ſame word with that, Mat. 26.66. rendred Guilty.
(2.) GUILT is always perſonal. We m… here diſtinguiſh of it as to it's derivation, and it's determination. It may derive from … common ſource and original, and from t… firſt ſin of Adam have all mankind contract… guilt, (as hath before been evidenced:) … it determines in individuals. Ezek. 18.20. The ſoul that ſinneth, it ſhall die: the ſon ſhall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither ſhall the father bear the iniquity of the ſon. Proſ. 9.12. If thou be wiſe, thou ſhalt be wiſe for … ſelf: but if thou ſcorneſt, thou alone ſhalt bear it. Every one muſt give an account of himſelf to God: every one muſt paſs a perſonal trial before God's tribunal, and ſtand or fall according as he is found.
(3.) GUILT hath a proper reſpect unto p… niſhment. As it looks back to ſin in which i… was contracted, ſo it looks forward to the penalty which is by it deſerved: it is ſomething that intervenes between the fault and the recompence; and becauſe there is a cloſe connexion between that and puniſhment, it is reckoned to it. And there are two things wherein this reſpect is to be obſerved,
1. BY it the perſon is made obnoxious to puniſhment. And hence the word is tranſlated, in danger, Mat. 5.22. i… …uts him in the way of it, and lays him open unto it. For, (1.) THERE is an imputation of ſin which may be made unto him. He may be charged as a ſinner; he is legally ſuch an one; and this imputability is eſſential to guilt, whether the perſon have himſelf really committed it, or in way of exchange taken upon him the perſon of the ſinner, with reſpect to the law; as Chriſt hath done for his redeemed, and is accordingly ſaid to be made ſin. 2 Cor. 5.21. and ſo they have their ſins laid up…n him, Iſai. 53.6. All we like ſheep have gone eſtray: we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities …f us all. Or derives it from another by vertue of a legal in-being, as we all do from our firſt Parents. (2.) HE is hereby fallen under the threatning, and way expect the execution of it. He is come within the reach of it; the threatning indeed is hypothetical, but the ſuppoſition is now in regard of him become a poſition, ſo that he is certainly comprehended under it; he hath therefore reaſon to be afraid of the wrath of God; he may read his name among thoſe whom the law of God hath doomed to death, and that he is worthy to dye: he is in the way of it. Rom. 3.16. Deſtruction and miſery are in their ways.
2. THERE is alſo an obligation lying upon hi… to ſuffer puniſhment, and be cannot eſcape it. The danger before mentioned atiſeth from hence; but among men a criminal though expoſed, may hope to avoid it, but it is not ſo here. For, (1.) THE law hath already paſt the ſentence upon him. Guilt is by ſome defined, to be a ſentence put upon a ſinner to dye. But then we muſt remember, that there is a ſentence paſt in the law generally, antecedent to that which is paſt by the Judge upon trial; and it muſt refer to this. And indeed it is nothing elſe but the particular application of this ſentence unto him, by his falling under it. The law ſaith, the ſinner ſhall dye, he is now become a ſinner, and therefore the law reacheth to him, and ſaith that he ſhall dye: and this is truly and really a ſtate of guilt which he is in. (2.) THE law is poſitive. The threatning is without any reſerve. Eve miſſed it when ſhe minced it, and made it no more than an hazard. Gen. 3.3. God, who is the lawgiver, had declared it with greateſt aſſeveration, Gen. 2.17. Yea, it was ſtrengthned or ratified in that it came in the way of a covenant; ſo that there is no room left for the man to feed himſelf up with an hope, that he may avoid, and the ſentence not be executed. And, (3.) GOD Himſelf ſtands engaged to his own l…. It is His, and He will ſee that it have its efficacy, and this is manifeſt from the fore-hinted conſideration, that He put it into a covenant, wherein He no leſs bound Himſelf, than He did the creature: ſo that together with His holineſs, and juſtice, which are deeply concerned in the ſanctions of the law, there is His truth and unchangeableneſs alſo intereſted in it, and He cannot go beck with honour: and therefore we have that aſſurance given us, Mat. 5.18. For verily I ſ…y unto you, till heaven & earth paſs, one jot or one title ſhall in no wiſe paſs from the law, till all be fulfilled. (4.) HENCE, Guilt is the ſinners priſ…n which holds him faſt. The word Met. 5.22. in danger, ſignifies one that is held in. Guilt is a ſtrong chain that the ſinner is bound withal to hold him faſt unto judgment, it is that which ſhuts him up to judgment. Gal. 3.22, 23. But the Scripture hath concluded all under ſin, that the promiſe by ſaith of Jeſus Chriſt might be given to t…m that believe. But before ſaith come, we were kept under the law, ſhut up unto the ſaith, which ſhould afterwards be revealed. And as long as he is under it, there is no poſſibility for him to eſcape Mat. 23.33. Ye ſerpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye eſcape the damnation of hell?
3. GUILT … tr…ſawes that the puniſhment is deſerve … may be under … obligation to … …ot truly guilty, but … not j…ſtly ſo, but injuri… …. A…d here three things are to be ſup…d for this, (1.) THAT the law according to which he becomes guilty, is a right…ous law. Humane laws are not always ſo. It was alledged by the Jews againſt Chriſt Himſelf, Joh. 19.7. We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, becauſe he made himſelf the Son of God. But that did not render Him guilty, though by ſuch a law he was ſo reputed. There have been laws in all ages made againſt the faithful ſervants of Chriſt, and they have, been proceeded againſt under the pretext of them laws, and accordingly been brought in guilty and condemned: but this is a perſecution, and they for all this were innocent perſons. Paul therefore juſtifies the law, in order to the yielding himſelf guilty, Rom. 7.12. (2.) THAT the man hath really tranſgreſſed this law. It is true, this alone is not ſufficient to make a man ſtand guilty before man's Tribunal, becauſe they are to proceed ſecundum allegata et probata, and if there is no ſufficient evidence to faſten the crime upon the perſon, he muſt be acquitted; but yet if he hath indeed done it, he is really guilty; yea though his own conſcience ſhould not for the preſent accuſe him, becauſe he hath done the things for which he is ſentenced by the law. (3.) THAT the ſentence of the law be no more than the merit of the cauſe. Indeed this might be referred to the firſt, for the ſanction is a part of the law, and if that be unjuſt, the law is not righteous: but however, the preceptive part of the law may be right, where the penalty may exceed, and ſo the puniſhment in the degree of it not merited: all humane laws ought not to be written in blood: but as to the divine law, its puniſhments are right, and no more than the demerit of ſin, Rom. 6.23, the ſinner therefore deſerves to dye, Rom. 1.32.
4. HENCE, Guilt hath always theſe, three co…mitants attending upon it; V…Z.
(1.) SHAME. As praiſe attends upon innocency, to blame is inſeperable from guilt. The guilty ſinner deſerves to be found fault withal, for it is by doi…g the things wh…ch ought not to be done that he brings himſelf under guilt; and therefore ought to be reproved for it. So the Prophet to him, 2 Chron. 16.9. Herein thou haſt done fooliſhly. And God expects that ſinners ſhould charge themſelves upon this account, as Job 33.23. He l…oketh upon men, and if any ſay, I have ſinned, and perverted that which was right, and it p…ſited me ….
(2.) SHAME. This naturally follows upon the conviction of guilt which is faſtned upon men. Shame is an everlaſting companion of ſin a diſgrace is caſt up…n him by it; and his guilt expoſeth him to thoſe things that are ſhameful; it makes them naked. Gen. 3.7. Sin and …av…nts to caſt a bl…miſh upon the name of God, but he returns it upon the ſinner himſelf. For a man to ſtand expoſed to all penalties for his faults, is his diſgrace. Prov. 13.5. A wicked man is …athſome, and cometh to ſhame.
(3) HORROR. Senſe of guilt makes men terribly afraid. Gen. 2.8, 9, 10. and this is the very reaſon of all the remorſes of conſcience which wicked men are corroded withal, which makes them afraid where no fear appears, and makes them to be within like a raging ſea, though they outwardly proſper, and there is no man can tell what ails them: but it is guilt apprehended that torments them, and makes them to feel an hell in their own breaſts; they ſtart and fly at the ſhaking of a leaf, and would run away from themſelves, if poſſibly they could. They are ſelf judged, ſelf-condemned, they know that they have committed ſuch things as are worthy of death, and they live in a fearful expectation of it every moment.
USE. I. HERE we may in part ſee what a fearful thing it is to Sin. Vain creatures are ready to make a light matter of it, they take little notice of it, but paſs it over with diſregard. Well, but remember, that you cannot commit the leaſt ſin, but you thereby bring your ſelves inevitably under guilt; and do you know what you do on that account? Let me tell you they are ſtrong cords that bind the ſinner, it is a faſt priſon that you are laid up in by it. Sin may be ſweet in the act, the commiſſion may pleaſe you, but know it, as ſoon as ever it is done, it will ſting like a ſerpent. The law ſtands againſt you, its ſentence takes hold of you; and commits you to the Judgment of the great day. Let young ones think of this when they are in their career. Eccl. 11.9. Rejoyce, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the ſight of thine eyes: but know thou that for all theſe things God will bri… thee into judgment.
USE II. LET this ſerve to convince every unregenerate ſinner of his preſent miſerable eſtate. And Oh that you would be …erious, whether younger or older. What you ſhall be hereafter God known, but I aſſure you, yo… are guilty, and in ſo being, you are in a moſt dreadful condition. There is an hand writing of terror againſt you, and it may make your joynts to tremble, ma… your m…rch, & make you put on inch cloth and walk ſofily. The ſentence of death is upon you, and you are obnoxious to it every moment; in guilt all the curies of the book of God are fallen upon you, and have you in chaſe. Deut. 2….15. But it …ad come to paſs, if thou wilt not heathen unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to obſerve to do all his commandments and his ſtatutes which I command thee this day; that all theſe c…ſes ſhall come upon thee, and overtake thee. You are c…ndemned already, Joh. 2.18. The law hath done it, it hath been long ſince recorded in the book of God concerning all ſuch as you, that you are children of wrath, & all the … me its of hell are your portion from the hands of the Almighty. God the great & righteous Judge, is under an oath to ſee you damned, if you repent not. Deut. 32.40, 41, 42. F…l life up my hand to heaven, and ſay, I live … ever. If I whet my glittering ſword, and … hand take hold on judgment; I will render … geance to mine enemies, and will reward them … hate me. I will make mine arrows drunk with … (and my ſword ſhalt devour fleſh) and that … the blood of the ſlain, and of the captives … the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. … hath ſwore and he will not repent. And you Children, remember, that you brought this guilt. with you into the world, and it … upon you, and if you had never committed one actual ſin, yet this ſaith, you muſt dye and be damned for ever, if you get not this … removed. Hear what God himſelf ſaith, E… 34.7. He will by means clear the guilty. And … you live one moment longer in quiet, … this ſentence? Can you eat and drink, and ſleep, and play under the load of guilt? and bear the infinite weight of it, without being burdened, and crying out with the horror of it; who do not know but that before, … next hour is over, it will ſink you down into the pit, from whence there is no recovery? Oh let, this make Chriſt precious.
[APRIL 18. 1693.]