74 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. There is not THE LEAST ENCOURAGEMENT for a sinner's approaching God without this discovery. All else is cov- ered with a deluge of wrath; this is the only ark where the soul may repair and find rest ; all without it is dark- ness, curse and terror. We have an instance of it in Adam. When he knew himself to be a sinner, and it was impossible for him to discover forgiveness with God, he laid aside all thoughts of treating with him; the best of his foolish contrivance was for an escape, " I heard thy voice in the garden, and was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." Gen. 3: 10. Nothing but, Thou shalt die the death, sounded in his ears. In the morning of that day he had converse and communion with God, with boldness and peace; why then does nothing but fear, flying, hiding, now possess him l Adam had sinned ; the promise was not yet given; no revelation was made of forgiveness in God; and what other course, than that vain and foolish one, to fix upon, he knewnot. No more can any of his posterity, without this revelation. Whatever has been the resort of any one, it has been no less foolish than his hiding; and in most, more pernicious. When Cain had received his sentence from God, it is said, " He went out from the presence of the Lord." Gen. 4 16.. From his providential presence he could never with- draw himself ; so the Psalmist informs us at large. Psalm 139:7-9.' The very heathen knew, by the light of nature, that guilt could never drive men out of the reach of God. They knew that the vengeance of God would not spare sinners, nor could it be avoided. Acts, 28 : 4. From God's gracious presence, which Cain never enjoyed, he could not depart. It was, then, God's presence as to his worship, and all outward acts of communion, that he- forsook and departed from. He had no discovery by faith of forgiveness, and therefore resolved to have no
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