AFFLICTION THE PROPER SEASON TOCONFESS SIN. 5î5 dernnable in him, it is implied in the request. And though he could appeal to God, " Thou knowest that I am not wicked," yet afterwrds he acknowledges to God that he was a sinner ; " I have sinned, what shall I do unto thee ? The saints in scripture are not called wicked that is a word which belongsonly to those ,who. are afar off from God. Though he had not this character, yet he says, " I have sinned, what. shall I do, &c." Job, I must con- fess, was a rare instance in respect of his carriage to his fellow-creatures ; for he was a man on whom God bestows the best character that ever he did on man; " There is none like him." And therefore, although Job might say, " Thou knowest that h am not wicked,' and could say, " I am innocent from the accusations of vil- lainy and hypocrisy;" yet, who of us can speak as. Job did, and vindicate all our actions that fall under the cog- nizance. of mane? Yet this man, as holy as he was, acknowledges his sins were many to God, and gives God an acknowledgment of his right and power tó,con -. demn, and intreats he would not exercise it. Doc. 4. The time of affliction is the most proper sea-. son to review sin and confess .guilt.--" in the time of prosperity rejoice, but in the time of adversity consider:" Consider wherein thou hast walked astray and done amiss ; then indeed it is most natural we should reflect upon sin too : for sin and affliction follow each other as cause and effect, and the first cause of all afflictions was sin. It is most proper to be humble when God's hand is lifted over us and fallen upon us, whatever thoughts we may have had of sin before. What slight thoughts of dishonoring God in a time of health ! yet when sick- ness and the hand of God is upon us, we cannot then help thinking sin a dreadful thing, if we have any sense.ofit. Then, as the Psalmist says, " Deep calleth unto deep ;" and depths of sorrow bid me remember the depths of sin. I might give many reasons why a season of affliction is. a proper season to review sin in, but I go on to. Doc. 5. Pardon in the sight of God is thefirst and greatest mercy that a suffering saint can desire.--7" I will say unto God, Do nòt condemn me." The children of God are. more afraid of sin than of, sorrow ; this is but the effect, that the cause: therefore, they-desire to have sin first removed. Sin must first be
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