sily avenge himself; and it were abominable
perverseness, and wickedness, to sin against so good and gracious a God,
who, though he may avenge himself, yet offers pardon and peace, and
beseecheth us to accept it. Is he just? Then sin not, for "he will not
acquit the wicked nor hold them guiltless,"--them who do acquit themselves,
and yet hold by their sins. And is he merciful? Then, O then, sin not,
because he hath acquitted thee, because he is ready to blot out thy guilt!
Wilt thou sin against mercy that must save thee? Again, is it written,
that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin? That is written,
that ye sin not. It is true, it is written, because ye have sinned
already, that ye may know how it may be pardoned. But, moreover, it is
written, "that ye sin no more," that so more sin may be prevented, at
least, deliberate continued walking in sin. So that this blood hath a
twofold virtue and use, to be the greatest encouragement to a soul
troubled for sin, and the chiefest argument and inducement for a soul not
to sin. This medicine, or this plaster, hath two notable virtues,
restorative and preservative, to restore the bones that already are
broken, through falling in sin and to preserve our feet from further
falling in sin. It hath a healing virtue for those bruises that are in the
soul, and, besides, it is an anti-hate and sovereign preservative against
the poison and infection of sin and the world. What motive is like this?
The Son of God shed his blood for our sins, they cost a dear price. O how
precious was the ransom! More precious than gold, and silver, and precious
stones, because the redemption of the soul is so precious, that it would
have ceased forever without it. Now, what soul can deliberately think of
this, and receive it with any affection into the heart, but shall find the
most vehement persuasion against sin? He cannot but behold the heinousness
and infinite evil that is in it, which required such an infinite
recompense. And can a soul on that view run to the puddle and defile
again, when he sees how dearly the fountain for cleansing was purchased?
Can a believing heart have such treacherous thoughts harboured within it,
to crucify afresh the Lord of glory, and, as it were, to trample under
feet his blood? No, certainly, he that believes in this blood cannot use
it so dishonourably and basely, as it is written, that he sin not, so he
reads it, and believes it, that he may not sin, as well a