34 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. sions of opportunities for service are ready to sink in- to the grave. 6. Sins, after especial warning. In all that variety of special warnings which God is pleased to use to- wards sinning saints, I shall single out one only. When a soul is wrestling with some lust or temptation, God, by his providence, causeth some special word, in the preaching of the Gospel or the administrationof some ordinance peculiarly suited to the state of the soul, in the way of rebuke or persuasion, to come nigh and en- ter the inmost heart. The soul cannot but take notice that God is nigh to him, that he is dealing with him, and calling on him to look to him for assistance. And he seldom gives such warnings to his saints, but that he is nigh them in an eminent manner to give them relief and help, if, in answer to his call, they apply themselves to him; but if his care and kindness be neglected, his reproofs are usually more severe. 7. Sins that bring scandal seldom suffer the soul to escape depths. Even in great sins, God, in chastening, takes more notice often of the scandal than the sin; as 2 Sam. 12:14. Many professors take little notice of their worldliness, their pride, their passion, their lavish tongues; but the world do, and the Gospel is disho- nored by it ; and no wonder if they find, from the hand of the Lord, the bitter fruits. Many other aggravations of sins there are, not perhaps in their own nature so appalling as some others, but which plunge the soul into depths. Those which have been named may suffice as illustrations; which is all we have aimed at. The consideration of some aggravations of the guilt of these sins, which usually bring the soul into the con- dition described, shall close these remarks. 1. The soul is furnished with a principle of grace, ow---pularimisommousimilill
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