324 The Foundation of S ER M. infirmities, and therefore are ready to fay, XIII. in the words of the Pfalmift, If thou fhouldß "*"."?'' mark iniquity, O Lord, who (hall Jland ? Enter not into judgment with thy fèrvant, for in thy fight (hall no man living be jufli- fed. We muff therefore diftinguifh, and the fcripture hath taught us to do fo, be- tween finning, and committing fin or work- ing iniquity ; that is, between unallowed failings, and wilful deliberate difobedience to the laws of God againft the conviftion of our own minds ; a confcioufnefs of the lat- ter deftroyeth our confidence towards God, and filleth our hearts with foreboding fears of his wrath ; but notwitftanding the for- mer, we affure our hearts before him. Nor is this the peculiar doctrine of chri- ftianity, tho' more fully and folemnly afcer- tained by it. No man who hath worthy fen - timents of the fupreme Being, as the juft, and wife, and merciful ruler of his reafon- able creatures, can doubt that he maketh a difference between the obftinately wicked, who do not like to retain him in their know- ledge, and who, with an high hand, pre- fumptuoufly violate his laws which they know ; between them, I fay, and upright perlons who are fincerely difpofed to do his will as far as they can underftand it; who are
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=