[ 18 ]
The work of the Father is to create; the work of the Son is to redeem lost sinners; and the work of the Holy Ghost is to enlighten, convince, sanctify and convert them. Now, a man committing this unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost, rejects all this work of the spirit. Now for a man to be thoroughly enlightened by the Holy Ghost, tha the comes to know the evil of sin, and his lost and undone condition without Christ, and that nothing but the meritn of Christ can save him: and, notwithstanding,s wilfully and maliciously oppose him, and the work of the spirit, and refuse to be beholden to him for salvation; how for such a one, I say, to be forgiven is utterly impossible.
Object, But why is it smpossible? Nothing is impossible with God?
Object, Nothing is impossible, with God, that does not imply a contradiction: but that God will forgive the sin commited against the Holy Ghost, implies a contradiction: For, how can he have a pardon given him, that utterly rejects it! As, for instance.
A man, through ignorance, may deny Christ, (nay, maliciously fall from the profession of the truth info all kind of wickedness, as did St. Paul, and the Jews that crucified Christ) yet not falling against light and knowledge, there is room for the Holy Ghost to work upon him, to enlighten him, and to convince him of his folly, and so make way for conversion. But for a man.
