252 THE DEFILEMENT OP SIN, and which God expresseth his holiness to be contrary unto. Hence he is said to be ofpurer eyes than to be- hold iniquity, or to look on evil, Hab. i. 13. It is a thing vile and loathsome under the eyes of his holiness, Psal. v. 4, .5, 6. So speaking concerning it, lie useth that pathetical dehortation, O do not that abominable thingwhich my soul hateth, Jer. xliv. 4. and, with re- spect unto his own holiness it is, that he sets it forth by the names of all things which are vile, filthy, loathsome, offensive, every thing that is abominable. It is so to him, as he is infinitelypure and holy in his ownnature. And that consideration which ingenerates shame and self-abhorrency on the account of the defilement of sing is taken peculiarly from the holiness of God. Hence it is, that persons are so often said to blush, tobe asham- ed, to be filled with confusion of face, to be vile, to be abased in their own sight, under a sense and ap- prehension of this filth of sin. (2.) The holiness of God is the infinite absolute per- fection and rectitude ofhis nature, as the eternal origi- nal cause and pattern of truth, uprightness, and recti- tude in all. And this holiness doth exert as in all he doth naturally and necessarily, so particularly in his law, which is therefore good, holy, and perfect, be- cause it represents the holiness of God which is impres- sed on it. God might not have made any creature, nor given a law, which arefree acts of his will. But, on supposition he would do so, it was absolutely necessary, from his own nature, that this lawof his should be holy. And therefore, whatever is contrary unto, or different from the law of God, isso unto, and from the holiness of God himself. Hence it follows, (3.) That this defilement and pollution of sin, is that pravity, disorder, and shameful crookedness, that is in it, with respect unto the holiness of God, as expressed in the law. Sin is either original or actual. Original sin is the habitual inconformity of our natures unto the holiness ofGod, expressed in the law ofcreation. Actual sin is our inconformity to God and his holiness, expressed in he particular commands of the law: The nature of all sin therefore consists in its enmity, its inconformity to the rule. Now, this rule, which is the law, may be considered two ways, which give a twofold respect or inseparable consequent or adjunct to every sin. (1.) As it expresseth the authority of God in its pre- 1111111111111/1111111111111 WHEREIN IT CONSISTS, cepts and sanction. Hence guilt inseparably follows e- very sin, which is the respect it induceth on the sinner unto the law, upon the account of the authority of the Lawgiver. The act ofsin passeth away, but this guilt abideth on the person, and must do so, until the law be satisfied, and the sinner thereon absolved. Thisna- turally produceth fear, which is the first expression of a sense of guilt. So Adam expressed it upon his sin: Iheard thy voice, and was afraid, Gen. iii. 10. (2.) The lawmay be considered, as it expresseth the holiness of God, and his truth, which it was necessary, from the nature of God, that it should do. Hence, there is in sin a peculiar inconformity to the holiness of God, which is the macula, the spot, stain, and filth of it, which are inseparable from it, whilst God is holy, unless it be purged and done away, as we shall shew. And this is inseparably attended with shame, which is the expressionofa sense of this filthof sin. So Adam, upon his sin, had his eyes open to see his nakedness, and was filled with shame. This is the order of these things. God, who is the object of our obedience and sin, is considered as the supreme Lawgiver. On his law he bath impressedhis authority and his holiness. Sin, with respect unto his authority, is attended with guilt; and this in the conscienceof the sinnerproduceth fear. As it respects the holiness ofGod, it is attended with filth or uncleanness, and this produceth shame. And the ultimate effects of it, are, on the first account, Pena Senses, on the other, Piena Damni: This there- fore is the spot, the stain, the pollution of sin, which is purged in our sanctification. The perverse disorder and shameful crookedness that is in sin, with respect unto the holiness of God. And herein there is a real filthiness, but spiritual; which is compared with, and opposed unto, things ma- terially and carnally so. Not that which goeth into aman, meats of any sort, dole him, saith our Saviour, but that which cornea out of the heart, that is spiritually, with respect unto God, his law, and holiness. And as men are taught the guilt of sin by their own fear, which is the inseparable adjunct of it, so are they taught the, filth of sin by their, own shame, which unavoidably attends it. To instruct us herein, is oneend of the law and the gospel. For, in the renovation of the law, which was added to the promise, because of transgres- sions, Gal. iii. 19. and in the institutions annexed unta
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