88 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. will appear at the last day, how unspeakably this glori- ous grace has been perverted in the world. It would be well for many if they had never heard the name of for- giveness. It is otherwise where this revelation is re- ceived indeed in the soul by believing. Rom. 6 : J4. Our being under grace, under the power of the belief of forgiveness, is our great preservative from being un- der the power of sin. Faith of forgiveness is the prin- ciple of gospel obedience. Titus, 2 : 11, 12. 5. This vague notion of forgiveness brings with it no sweetness, no rest to the soul. Flashes ofjoy it may, abid- ing rest it doth not. The truth of the doctrine fluctuates to and fro in the minds of those that have it, but their wills and affections have no solid delight nor rest by it. Hence, notwithstanding all the professions made in the world, of forgiveness, most men ultimately seek for peace and comfort from themselves. Every one, in his several ways, pleases himself with what he does in an- swer to his own convictions, and is disquieted as to his state according as he seems to himself to come short of the mark he had fixed. One duty yields him. more repose than many thoughts of forgiveness. But faith finds sweetness and rest in forgiveness with God : it is the only harbor of the soul: it leads a man to God, to Christ as his rest. Fading vanishing joys do oft-times attend the one; but solid delight, and constant obedi- ence, are the fruits of the other only. 6. Those who have the former only, taire up their persuasion on false grounds, and cannot but use it to false ends and purposes. Self-righteousness is their de- pendene, and when that is too short or too narrow to cover them, they piece it out by forgiveness. Where conscience accuses, this must supply the defect. Faith, on the contrary, lays it on its proper foundation, and uses it to its proper end, as the sole and only ground of our acceptance with God. That is the proper use
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