MEN DISBELIEVE GOD'S FORGIVENESS. 221 our Savior told his disciples that one of the twelve should betray him, though it were but one of twelve that was in danger, yet every one of the twelve made a particular inquiry about himself; and is it not incumbent on every one to be inquiring in what number he is like- ly to be found at the last day l Whilst men put this in- quiry off from themselves, and think or say, " It may be the concern of others, it is not mine," they perish, and that without remedy. Remember what poor Jacob said when he had lost one child and was afraid of the loss of another, " If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." Gen. 43 : 14. As if he had said, If I lose my children I have no more to lose, they are my all: nothing worse could befall me in this world. Comfort, joy, yea, life and all, go with them. How much more may men say in this case, If we are deceived here, we are deceived; all is lost; hope, and life, and soul, all must perish, and that for ever. There is no help or re- lief for them who deceive themselves in this matter: they have found out a way to go quietly down into the pit. Now these things are premised only that they may be incentives to self - examination in this matter, and so render the ensuing considerations useful: let us then address ourselves to them. I. In general, this is Gospeltruth; yea, the great, fundamental, and most important truth of the Gospel. It is the turning point of the two covenants, as God himself declares. Heb. 8 : 7-13. Now, a very cursory consideration of the ways of men will satisfy us as to this inquiry, whether they do indeed believe the Gos- pel, the covenant of grace, and the fundamental princi- ples of it. Certainly their ignorance, darkness, blind- ness, their corrupt affections and worldly conversation, their earthly-mindedness and open disavowing of the Spirit, ways, and yoke of Christ, speak no such Ian-
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