116 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. follow after him. So when many, upon a strong temp- tation, went back from Christ, and walked no more with him, and "Jesus said to his disciples, Will ye also go away ?" Peter replied in the name of the rest, "Lord, to whom shall we go ? thou hast the words of eternal life." John, 6 : 66-68. It is thus and thus with me, saith the soul; I am tossed and afflicted, and not comforted; little life, little strength, real guilt, many sins, and much distress. What then saith God by his word, " Wilt thou go away also 1" No, saith the soul, there is "for- giveness with thee, thou hast the words of eternal life," and therefore I will abide with thee. This abiding with God also argues the rejection of any other choice. Whilst the soul is in this condition, having not attained evidences of its own special interest in forgiveness, many temptations will assail it. Both self-righteousness and sin will be very importunate in this matter; the former tenders itself as exceedingly useful, to give the soul some assistance and support in its condition. Sometimes it presents itself in the as- pect of a duty ; but its end is to get somewhat of the faith and trust of the soul to be fixed upon it. But when the soul has indeed a discovery of forgiveness, it will give no ear to these solicitations. No, saith the soul, I see such a beauty, such an excellency, such a desirableness and suitableness to my wants and con- dition, in the forgiveness which is with God, that I am resolved to abide in the gospel-desire and expectation of it all the days of my life ; here my choice is fixed, and I will not alter. And this resolution gives glory to the grace of God. When the soul, without an evidence of an interest in it, yet prefers it above that which, with many reasonings and pretences, offers a present relief to it, hereby is God glorified, and Christ exalted, and the spiritual life of the soul secured. 2 This discovery of forgiveness in God, with the
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=