FORGIVENESS OF SIN. guage: Shall we think that proud, worldly, self-seekers, haters of the people of God and his ways, despisers of the Spirit ofgrace and his work, believe the covenant of grace or .remission of sins 1 God forbid we should entertain any thought of so great dishonor to the Gos- pel. Wherever that is received or believed, it pro- duces other effects. Titus, 2.: 11, 12; Isaiah, 11 :6-9. ,It: teaches men to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts. It changes their hearts and ways. It is not such a bar- ren, impotent, and fruitless thing as such an apprehen- sion would represent it. II. They that really believe forgiveness in God do thereby obtain forgiveness. Believing gives an interest in it ; it brings it home to the soul. This is the inviola- ble law of the Gospel._ Believing and forgiveness are inseparably conjoined. Among the evidences we may have of any one being interested in forgiveness, I shall only name one, they prize and value it above, all' the world. Let us inquire what esteem those have of for- giveness who -do -not SO much as raise the question whether they believe it. ' Do they look upon it as their treasure, their pearl of price l Are they solicitous about it .1 Do they often look and examine whether it con- tinues safe in their_ possession or not 1 Suppose a man have a precious jewel laid up in some place in his house ; suppose it to be tohim as thepoor widow's two mites, all his substance or living; will he not often think of it 1 will he not frequently satisfy himself that it is safe 1 We may know that such a house, such fields or lands do not belong to a man, when he passesby them daily and takes no notice of them. Now; how do most men regard forgiveness 1 Are their minds continually filled with thoughts about it 1 Are they solicitous con- cerning their interest in it 1 Do theyreckon, that whilst that is safe, all is safe with them? When it is, as it were, laid out of the way by sin and unbelief, do they
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