3. Thirdly, Hence springs a vigorous life. A life of cheerfulness, when
he found comfort: 'I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said I will confess my transgressions unto thee; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.' So it may be in this case. We come not off with God freely, we do not ransack our sins, we search not all the corners. Sin is a marvellous subtle thing. Again, thereby many times God will humble us for a former sin, and keep off comfort, until we be more humbled, and stand in awe of sin.
3. Thirdly, Hence springs a vigorous life. A life of cheerfulness, when a man hath his pardon sued out, then comes life and joy, strength of holy actions well rooted and grounded. Who should joy, if a triumphant righteous person should not? Who have cause to rejoice more than kings? By justification we are made kings and priests, are lifted above all sins and lusts, world and devil; have a right and title to heaven. Shall a carnal man joy in his titles and privileges, and shall not we much more, being sons of God by adoption, and heirs of all things? So Rom. 5:1: 'Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, and joy in tribulation.' Being once justified, the sting of all troubles is taken away. God is ours. We joy in God. This is all in all.
The blood of Abel, that cries for vengeance; but the Spirit of God in this estate tells me, that the blood of Christ speaks better things, mercy, mercy; in his blood is always comfort, though we be weak and unskilful to apply it. The washing in this blood should make a Christian walk on cheerfully in the comforts of the Holy Ghost. But I hasten to the next, which is, 4. Fourthly, The life of faith in sanctification. This springs from these grounds:
(1.) First, Faith lays hold on Christ, as God offers him. How is this?
See 1 Cor. 1:30: 'But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and