RULES FOR OBTAINING FORGIVENESS. 317 Not at all. He speaks nothing to deter sinners, espe- cially distressed sinners, from trusting in him. But his design is, that we should lay hold upon the least ap- pearance of grace which this kind of expressions gives us. When men are in a storm at sea, which they fear will at last prevail against them; if they make so far a discovery of land as that they can say, It may be there is land, it may be it is such a place, where there is a safe harbor, none can positively say it is not, there lies no demonstration against it : in this condition, especial- ly if there be no other way of escape or safety, this is enough to make them pursue that discovery, and with all diligence steer their course that way, until they have made a trial of it to the utmost. The soul of which we speak is afflicted and tossed, and not comforted. There is in the intimation of grace and pardon intended a re- mote discovery of some relief. " This may be Christ, it may be forgiveness." This is enough to incline it to direct its course constantly that way; to press forward to that harbor which will give it rest. How little had David to compose his soul in his great distress : " If," said he, " I shall find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again and show me the ark and the place of his habitation; but if he thus say, I have no delight in thee, behold, here am I, let him do unto me as seem- eth good to him." 2 Sam. 15 : 25, 26. He bath nothing but sovereign grace to rest upon, and to that he gives himself up. Faith is indeed the soul's venture for eternity. Some- thing it must venture on, as to its eternal condition. It must either adhere to itself, and vain hopes of a righ- teousness of its own; or it must give over all expecta-
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