292 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. them abide with him, so that he possessed them ; they were always present with him : he made the sins of his youth the sufferings of his age. And it is a sad thing, as one speaks, when young sins and old bones meet to- gether; as Zophar, "His bones are full of the sin of his. youth." Job, 20 : 11. The joyous frame of some men's youth makes way for sad work in their age. Take heed, ye who are young : you are doing that which will abide with you to age, if not to eternity. This pos- session of the sins of youth Job calls the writing of bitter things against him ; as indeed it is impossible but that sin should be bitter one time or other. God calls it a " root that beareth gall and wormwood." De ut. 29: 18. "A root of bitterness, springing up unto de- filement." Heb. 12 : 15. This, then, is to be searched out to the bottom. Israel will not have success nor peace whilst there is an Achan in the camp ; neither success in temptation nor consolation in believing is to be expected whilst any sin unrepented lies in the conscience. Let them who would seriously accomplish a diligent search in this matter, which is of such importance to them, take these two directions. 1. Let them go over the consideration of those sins, and others of the like nature, which may be reduced to the general heads which we have laid down as the sins which generally cast men into depths and entanglements. And if they find they have contracted the guilt of any of them, let them not think it strange that they are yet bewildered in their condition, and come short of a refreshing sense of peace with God, or an interest in forgiveness; rather let them admire the riches of his grace and forbearance
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