, even Jesus Christ, not by
water only, but by water and blood." Not by water only, but by blood also,
and I say, not by blood only, but by water also. The very purpose of
forgiveness is not to lay a foundation for more sin, but that men may sin
no more, but break off their sins. It is indeed impossible for a man to
amend his ways, till he be pardoned, for his sin stands betwixt him and
God. God is a consuming fire--the guilt of it hinders all meeting of the
soul with God, at least all influence from him. But when an open door is
made in Christ, that men may come and treat with God, notwithstanding of
rebellions, and have the curse relaxed, O how may he go about his duty
comfortably! Am I escaped from hell, why should I any more walk in the way
to it? And now he hath the Spirit given for the asking. There are some
cessations from sin, that are not real forsakings of it, and ceasings from
it. You know men will abstain from eating for a season, that they may be
made ripe for it at another time. Some do not cease from sin, but delay it
only, they put it not away, but put it off only for another time, till a
fitter occasion and opportunity. And this is so far from ceasing from it,
that it is rather a deliberate choice of it, and election of conveniency
for it. There may be some pure and simple ceasings from sin, mere
abstinence, or rather mere absence of sin for a season, that is not
ceasing from doing evil. The Christian's ceasing hath much action in it.
It is such a ceasing from doing evil, that it is a putting away of evil,
it hath a soul and spirit joined in that cessation. Sin requires violence
to put it out where it hath haunted,--it is an intruding guest, and a
usurping guest. It comes in first as a supplicant and beggar, prays for a
little lodging for a night, and promises to be gone. The temptation speaks
but for a little time, even the present time, for a little one,--it seeks
but little at first, lest it be denied, but if once it be received into
the soul, it presently becomes master, and can command its own time, and
its abode. Then ye will not so easily put it out as ye could hold it out,
for it is now joined with that wicked, desperate party within you, the
heart, and these united forces are too strong for you. According as a lust
is one with a man's heart, or hath nearer connection with his heart and
soul, it is the worse to put away: for, will ye drive a man from himself?
It is the cutting off a right hand, or