230 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. but this I ask you : Has it filled you with self-loathing and abhorrence, with self-condemnation and abasement'? If it will do any thing, it will do this. If you come short here, it is justly to be feared that all your other pretences are of no value. Now, where there is no work of conviction, there is no faith of forgiveness, whatever is pretended. And how many vain boasters this sword will cut off, is evident. VII. We have yet, a greater evidence than all these : men live in sin, and therefore they do not believe for- giveness of sin. Faith purifies the heart. Acts, 15 : 9. Our souls are purified in obeying the truth, I Pet. 1 : 22; and the life is made fruitful by it Faith produces good works, and makes itself perfect by them. James, 2: And the doctrine of forgiveness has a special influence unto all holiness : " The grace of God, which bringeth salvation, teacheth us to deny all unrighteousness and worldly lasts, and to live soberly, righteously and god- ly in this present world," Titus, 2 : 11, 12, this is the grace whereof we speak. No man then can believe for- giveness of sin, without a detestation and relinquish- ment of it The ground of this might be farther mani- fested; but all that own the Gospel must acknowledge this principle. True faith in the, pardon of in prevails with men not to live longer in sin. But how is it with the greatest number of those who pretend to receive this truth l Are their hearts purified by it 1 Are their consciences purged'? Are their lives changedi Do they deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts l Have they: found forgiveness effectual to these purposes1 Whence is it, then, that there is such a bleat- ing and'bellowing to the contrary amongst them 1 Some are drunkards, some are swearers, some are unclean persons, some are liars, some are worldly, some are haters of all the ways of Christ, and all his interests upon the earth ; proud, covetous, boasters, self-seekers,
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