counteth an unholy thing, or that which has no more virtue in it to save a soul from sin, than has the blood of a dog. Heb. x. 29. For when the apostle says, he counts it an unholy thing, he means, that he makes it of less value than that of a sheep or cow, which were clean according to the law; and therefore must mean, that his blood was of no more worth to him in his account than was the blood of a dog, an ass, or a swine, which always was, as to sacrifices, rejected by the God of heaven as unholy and unclean. Now, he who has no better esteem of Jesus Christ, and of his death and blood, will not be persuaded to come to him for life, or to trust in him for salvation. 3. But further, all this must be done openly; against manifest evidence to prove the contrary: or after the shining of gospel-light upon the soul, and some considerable profession of him as the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. (1.) It must be done against manifest evidence to prove the contrary. And thus the reprobate Jews committed it, when they saw the works of God which put forth themselves in him, and called them the works of the devil and Beelzebub. (2.) It must be done against some shining light of the gospel upon them. And thus it was with Judas, and with those who, after they were enlightened, and had tasted the good word of God, and felt something of the powers of the world to come, fell away from the faith of him, and put him to open shame and disgrace. Heb. vi. 5, 6. (3.) It must also be done after, and in opposition to one's own open profession of him. "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. 111 have known it, to turn from the holy commandment (which is the word of faith) delivered unto them." (4.) All this must be done openly, by word and act, before witnesses, in the face, sight, and view of the world. This is the sin that is unpardonable. And he that hath thus done, "it is impossible ever should be renewed again to repentance," and that for a double reason; for such a one doth say, he will not; and of him God says, he shall not, have the benefit of salvation by him. Object. But if this be the sin unpardonable, why is it called the sin against the Holy Ghost, and not rather the sin against the Son of God? Answ. It is called "the sin against the Holy Ghost," because such count the works he did, which were done by the Spirit of God, the works of the spirit of the devil. Also because all such as so reject Christ Jesus the Lord, do it in despite of that testimony which the Holy Ghost has given of him in the holy scriptures. For the scriptures are the breathings of the Holy Ghost; as in all other things, so especially in that testimony which they bear of the person, of the works, sufferings, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Sinner this is the sin against the Holy Ghost. What sayest thou? Hast thou committed it? Nay, I know thou hast not, if thou wouldst be saved by Christ; yea, it is impossible thou shouldst have done it, if indeed thou wouldst be saved by him. No man can desire to be saved by him, whom he yet judgeth to be a magician, a witch, an impostor. No man can hope for redemption by that blood which he yet counteth an unholy thing. Nor will God suffer such a one to repent, who has, after light, and profession of him, has thus horribly, and devil-like, contemned and trampled upon him. True; words, and wars, and blasphemies against this Son of man are pardonable; but then they must be done igno rantly and in unbelief. Also, all blasphemous thoughts are likewise such as may be passed by, if the soul afflicted with them is, indeed, sorry for them. 1 Tim. i. 12, 14, 15; Mark iii. 28. And note, 'All sins but this one may be forgiven.' All but this, sinner, all but this! If God had said, he will forgive one sin, it had been undeserved grace; but when he says, he will pardon all but one, this is grace to the height. Nor is that one unpardonable otherwise but because the Saviour that should save them is rejected and put away. We read of Jacob's ladder. Now Christ is Jacob's ladder that reacheth up to heaven, and he that refuseth to go by this ladder thither, will scarce by other means get up so high. "There is none other name given under heaven among men, whereby we must be saved." There is none other sacrifice for sin than this. He also, and he only, is the Mediator that reconcileth men to God. And, sinner, if thou wouldst be saved by him, his benefits are thine; yea, though thou art a great Jerusalem transgressor! |