326 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. tempt the compassing of his ends upon persons exer- cised under the hand of God. In the time of suffering it was that he fell upon the Head of the church, turn- ing it into the very hour of the power of darkness. And he will not omit any opportunity of advantage against his members. And he principally in such sea- sons attacks them with this : that God regards them not, that they are fallen under his judgment and severity, as those who have no share in mercy or forgiveness. From these and similar reasons, I say it is, that whereas afflictions in general are so testified to as pledges and tokens of God's love and care, as designed to blessed ends, conformity to Christ, and a participa- tion of the holiness of God ; yet, by reason of these circumstances, they often prove the means of casting the soul into depths, and of hindering it from a refresh- ing interest in forgiveness with God. That this may prove no real or abiding ground of in- ward spiritual trouble to the soul, the following DIREC- TIONS may be observed. 1. Not only afflictions in general, but great and ma- nifold afflictions, and those attended with all sorts of aggravating circumstances, are always consistent with The pardon of sin, after signal tokens and pledges of it and of the love of God therein : " What is man that thou shòuldst magnify him, and that thou shouldst set thine heart upon him ; and that thou shouldst visit him every morning, and try him every moment !" Job, 7 : 17, 18. There are scarcely words of a more dismal import in the whole book of God ; yet when Job recollected himself from his overwhelming distress, he acknow-
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