220 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. pel, do wofully deceive their own souls in this matter. They do not believe what theyprofess themselves to be- lieve, and what they think they believe. Men talk of fundamental errors : this is to me the most fundamen- tal error that any can fall into, and the most pernicious. It is made up of these two parts : 1. They do not indeed believe forgiveness; 2. They suppose they do believe it, which keeps them from seeking after their only reme- dy. Both these mistakes lie at the foundation, and ruin the souls of those that live and die in them. I shall then, by a brief inquiry, put this matter to a trial. By some plain rules and principles may this important question, Whether we do indeed believe forgiveness, or not l be answered and decided. But to the :resolution intended, I shall premise two observations. Men, in this case, are veryapt to deceive. themselves. Self-love, vain hopes, love of pleasure, common false principles, sloth, unwillingness to self - condemnation, reputation with the world, and-it may be in the church, all vigorously concur to men's self-deceivings in this matter. It is no easy thing for a soul to break through all these, and all self - reasonings that rise from them, to come to a clear judgment of its own acting in coming to God for forgiveness. Men also daily meet with acom- mon presumption of this truth, and its being an easy re- lief against stings of conscience and disturbing thoughts about sin. Aiming, therefore, only at the removal of trouble, and finding that their present imagination of its removal gives present quiet, they never bring thefr-per- suasion to the trial. Again, as men are prone to do thus, so they actually do; they deceive themselves, and know not that they do so.. The last day will make this evident, if menwill no sooner be convinced of their folly. The truth tells us " That many are called, and but fewarechosen ;" they are but few who do really believe forgiveness. When
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