EVIDENCES OF FORGIVENESS. 139 inquires after. God is ready to deal with him on terms of mercy. If out of love to sin, or the power of unbe- lief, he refuse to close with God on these terms, his condemnation is just. Do any object that it is needless here to multiply arguments, since the truth that there is forgiveness with God is GRANTED, as one of the fundamental principles of religion ; and as none call it in question, it requires no confirmation? We answer: 1. That it is generally granted, is no argument that it is effectually believed. What will it avail any of us that there is forgiveness of sin with God, if our own sins be not forgiven'? No more than that such or such a king is rich, whilst we are poor and starving. My aim is not to prove it as an opinion, or a mere specula- tive truth; but so to present it in the principles of its being and revelation, that it may be believed ; on which all our blessedness depends. 2. It needs not the less confirmation because it is a plain fundamental truth ; but rather the more, and that because of the worth and weight of it. " This is a faithful saying," saith the apostle, " worthy of all ac- ceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." So I say of this, which, for the substance of it, is the same with that; it is worthy of all acceptation, that there is forgiveness with God ; and therefore it ought to be fully confirmed ; especially whilst we make use of no other demonstrations of it but those which God has furnished ; and this he would not have done, but that he knew them to be needful for us. As for the plainness of this truth, it is well if it be so to us. This I know, nothing but the Spirit of God can make it so. Men may please themselves, and others sometimes, with curious speculations, and make them seem to be things of great import;. which, when they are well ex-
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