The Burden Of Sin
“Mine iniquities are gone over my head; as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.”—Psalm 38:4
Those who think lightly of sin, and account iniquity a trifling thing, evidently show that the god of this world hath blinded their eyes to the infinite atonement of Jesus, and hardened their hearts through the deceitfulness of sin; therefore they are insensible of grief, and without feeling of godly sorrow for sin. When Jesus is known in the heart, sin is truly abhorred, forsaken, and overcome. But it is most distressing to the regenerate soul when the load of guilt and the burden of sin are suffered to lie, day after day, upon the conscience. Oh the insupportable agony of such a state, none know but those who have experienced it! One would ask, is not this contradictory to that comforting assertion, ‘There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.’ Inconsistent with that triumphant challenge, ‘Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?’ No; for though charge and condemnation may be brought by Satan, the accuser of the brethren; the law may condemn, and our own spirits must confess we are sinners; yet our covenant God hath no condemnation against us. For he hath laid all our iniquities upon Jesus; and this is the free and full charter of his covenant concerning his children: ‘Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.’
Jesus is the only balm in Gilead, the only physician for sin- distressed, sore burdened, heavy laden souls. We may seek rest, but all in vain, from any other object. Nothing can quiet and relieve the distressed soul but this one truth, Jesus hath actually borne, hath fully suffered, hath perfectly atoned for all the sins of his people; so that the Lord has discharged all their sins, and will remember no sin, no not one sin against them. Oh when one beholds this general release, every debt crossed by Jesu’s blood, and God acquitting from every accusation from law and conscience, then our souls return to their rest. This is the faith of God’s elect. So the Spirit bears witness to Jesus. So he is glorified and delighted in, as ‘the chiefest among ten thousand, and altogether lovely.’ And while our hearts are kept simple, loving, faithful to him, we live upon his grace, and feast upon his love; and holy longings inspire our hearts, that we may fully enjoy him in glory. Oh then,
Sin, my worst enemy before
Shall vex my eyes and ears no more
My inward foes shall all be slain,
Nor Satan break my peace again.
Then shall I see, and hear, and know
All I desired and wished below:
And every power find sweet employ
In that eternal world of joy.
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.”
