82 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. From these and similar considerations, I say, there seems a great deal of reason why the soul should con- clude that it will be according to the testimony of the law, and that he shall not find forgiveness. Law and conscience close together, and insinuate themselves in- to the mind and judgment of a sinner. They strengthen the testimony of one another, and greatly prevail. If any are otherwise minded, I leave them to the trial: if ever God awakened their consciences to a thorough performance of their duty, if ever he opened their souls and let in the light and power of the law upon them, they will find it no small work to grapple with them. I am sure that generally they prevail so far, that, in the preaching of the Gospel, we have great cause to say, " Lord, who hath believed our report i" We come with our report of forgiveness, but whobelieves it l by whom is it received l Neither do the light, or conscience, or conversation of most men allow us to suppose it is em- braced. The prevalent impressions of men, concerning the na- ture and justice of God, also lie against this discovery. There are in all men bynature, indelible impressions of the holiness and purity of God, of his justice and hatred of sin, of his invariable righteousness in the govern- ment of the world. Their inward thought is, that God is an avenger of sin ; that it belongs to his government of the world, his holiness and righteousness, to take care that every sin be punished. All men know, as al- ready observed, Rom. I : 32, that it is a righteous thing with God to render tribulation to sinners. From thence is that fear which surprises men at an apprehension of the presence of God ; or of any thing that may seem to come on his errand. This notion, of God's avenging all sin, exerts itself secretly, but effectually. So Adam trembled, and hid himself : and it was the saying of old, " I have seen God, and shall die." When men are under
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