Page:Unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost, or, The sin unto death (2).pdf/8

 before they could bring it into practice; therefore it must be a sin of the thought.

Now the sin was this: their habitation being in the highest heavens, and under God himself, they had exceeding great light and knowledge: they had more knowledge than all the men in the world ever had, and were happy above all other creatures: but, when not being contented with this estate, they thought to be as high as God himself, therefore they maliciously sought to make war against the Son of God, and put him out of his throne; for which cause they were immediately thrust out of heaven, never more to see the face of mercy; and thus from the beginning they have been counted malicious and revengeful, as raging beasts, and as roaring lions: thus their sin being of the same nature with the sin against the Holy Ghost, they were excluded all hopes of pardon.

But that the sin of our first parents was not the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost, is clear; for though they sinned against great light, yet they obeyed, and complied with the will of God, even when the tempter came, until at last they were enticed and overcome; but they did not fall maliciously, and so were not excluded all possibility of mercy.

2. This sin may be committed in word too; that is, when a man speaketh blasphemously and maliciously of Christ and his holy ways. This was the sin of the Scribes and Pharisees, Mark iii. 22. There were certain Scribes came and said this fellow hath Beelzebub, and casteth out devils by the prince of devils. Therefore faith Christ unto them, ver. 28, 29. Verily I say unto you, all sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith they shall blaspheme; but whosoever shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.

Now the reason of this speech of our blessed Saviour, is shewn in ver. 30. because they said, he hath