Page:Unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost (2).pdf/12

 they crucify to themselves afresh the Son of God and put him to open shame.

Now the sin against the Holy Ghost is briefly this, it is a wilful and malicious opposing the known truth joined with final apostacy.

I shall a little explain these words and then proceed.

1. This sin unto death is an opposing sin. Now to oppose a thing is to contradict it or gainsay it; as when a man says a thing is so and so, he denies it and says it is not so; so when a man says a thing must be done, he says again It must not or it shall not be done; such an opposition is in the heart of him that commits this unpardonable sin; But a man may be an opposing man and yet may not committ this sin. Therefore,

2. It is the truth he must oppose; that is he must utterly oppose and reject Christ, who said 'I am the truth,' John xiv. 9. He opposeth all his threatnings: and will not believe his promises, and courts the blood of the covenant to be an unholy thing: Nay he also opposeth the Spirit of Christ, who is the Spirit of Truth, so that he will not obey his motions, and will not be led nor guided by him. But a man may oppose the truth and do it ignorantly; Therefore,

3. It must be the known truth that he opposeth. He must be one enlightened; but you must know it is not only a rational knowledge, and human learning, for he may know much of God and of his will, in the letter of