A Poor Sinner, But A Holy Believer
”I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me.”—Romans 7:21
The heathens in their sacrifices were wont to cry out, ‘Keep at a distance, oh ye profane.’ But they withheld not their offerings, lest the unhallowed should be the more polluted, or their sacrifices be defiled by them. For the godly consolation, edification and establishment of sanctified souls, it seemed meet for the Spirit of wisdom, that the apostle Paul should leave his experience in this epistle to the Romans. Here he confesses himself a poor sinner, yet a holy and happy believer in Jesus. Hereby to many precious souls, Jesus hath been made infinitely precious, while sin has been viewed as more exceeding sinful, and themselves made to sink lower in humility at the feet of sovereign grace. Let those who dare advert to this blessed testimony for contrary purposes, remember the Judge is at the door. Shortly they must give an account, if they turn the food of God’s word to the poison of their own souls.
Fools make a mock of sin, while godly souls groan under its burden. The former’s conduct is an awful proof of their state; the sorrows of the latter is a certain evidence of the spiritual life and sanctification of their souls, being born again of the Spirit Being living members of Jesus by faith, they love conformity to their head; being sons of God by adoption, it is their joy to love, obey, and please their heavenly Father in all things. Perfection in holiness they aspire after, entire freedom from sin they comfortably hope for. But the God of truth will not suffer his own elect to be deceived, and to think themselves what they are not, nor ever will be in the flesh, perfectly freed from sin; for the old man, with his affections and lusts, is ever near, ever present with them. ‘In their flesh dwells no good thing,’ nor ever will; they are not to expect any good from it, it lusts only to evil continually, their best thoughts are often interrupted and diverted, their most holy desires are often damped and discouraged, their best actions are seldom if ever free from the bold intrusion of unwelcome guests from the world, the flesh, and the devil. I would be wholly devoted to the Lord, saith the gracious soul; all my powers and faculties, time and talents, all that I possess and enjoy, would l wholly freely and willingly dedicate in love to Jesus. Scarce the pleasing thought is conceived, but the evil of pride injects, What a rare name will this acquire me! How shall I be admired, and shine as somebody in the Christian world? Oh this sinks the Christian with shame, and causes him to hide his head with holy blushing. But let not this discourage thee. Paul abated nothing of his zeal for God’s glory because of this. Follow his steps: ‘Trust in the Lord and do good.’
William Mason (1719-1791) was a High-Calvinist author. For many years he served as a Justice of the Peace, and in 1783 was appointed a Magistrate. He served as editor of the Gospel Magazine before and after the editorship of Augustus Toplady. He is best known for a morning and evening devotional entitled, “A Spiritual Treasury For The Children Of God.”
