144 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. lasciviousness, or been made a cloak for their lusts. Bat yet, for the ends for which they are recorded by the Holy Ghost, we may mention them. That they may warn us of our duty; that we take heed lest we also fall; that they may yield us a relief under our sur- prisals, are they written. So then, where the mention of them tends to the advancement of sovereign grace and mercy, which is the case in hand, we may insist on them. I think, then, that without mention of parti- culars, I may safely say that there is no sin, no de- gree of sin, no aggravating circumstance of sin, no kind of continuance in sin, (one sin only excepted,) but that there are those in heaven who have been guilty of them. It may be, some will say, that they have considered the sins of Lot, David, Peter, Paul, and the thief him- self on the cross, and yet they find not their own con- dition exemplified, so as to conclude that they shall have the same forgiveness with them. answer 1. I am not showing that this or that man shall be pardoned, but only demonstrating that there is forgiveness with God, and that for all sorts of sins and sinners, which these instances do assuredly confirm. And, moreover, they manifest that if other men are not pardoned, it is merely because they make not that ap- plication for forgiveness which they did. 2. Yet, by the way, to meet this objection, consider also what the apostle says in particular concerning the several classes of sinners that obtained mercy. "Be not deceived : neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adul- terers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you : but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified." 1 Cor. 6: 9, 10, 11. Hell can scarce, in more words, yield us a
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=