Sermons upon Psalm CXXX, ver. 4 but there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayst be feared / by William Bates.
         Bates, William, 1625-1699.
      
       
         
           1696
        
      
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             Sermons upon Psalm CXXX, ver. 4 but there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayst be feared / by William Bates.
             Bates, William, 1625-1699.
          
           123 p.
           
             Printed by J.D. for Brabazon Aylmer,
             London :
             1696.
          
           
             Caption title: Sermons of the forgiveness of sin.
             Reproduction of original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms CXXX -- Sermons.
           Forgiveness of sin -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           SERMONS
           UPON
           Psalm
           CXXX
           .
           Ver.
           4.
           
           But
           there
           is
           Forgiveness
           with
           thee
           ;
           that
           thou
           mayst
           be
           feared
           .
        
         
           BY
           WILLIAM
           BATES
           ,
           
             D.
             D.
          
           
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             J.
             D.
          
           for
           
             Brabazon
             Aylmer
          
           at
           the
           three
           Pigeons
           ,
           over
           against
           the
           Royal
           Exchange
           in
           Cornhill
           .
           1696.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           SERMONS
           OF
           THE
           Forgiveness
           of
           Sins
           .
        
         
           
             
               PSAL.
               CXXX
               .
               4.
               
            
             
               But
               there
               is
               Forgiveness
               with
               thee
               ,
               that
               thou
               mayst
               be
               feared
               .
            
          
        
         
           THE
           Psalmist
           ,
           in
           the
           first
           and
           second
           Verses
           ,
           addresses
           to
           God
           with
           earnest
           Desires
           for
           his
           saving
           Mercies
           :
           
             Out
             of
             the
             Depths
             have
             I
             cried
             to
             thee
             ,
             O
             Lord
             :
             Lord
             ,
             hear
             my
             Voice
             :
             let
             thine
             Ear
             be
             attentive
             to
             my
             Supplication
             .
          
           He
           humbly
           deprecates
           the
           severe
           Inquiry
           of
           Divine
           Justice
           ;
           ver
           .
           3.
           
           
           
             If
             thou
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             shouldst
             mark
             Iniquities
             :
             O
             Lord
             ,
             who
             shall
             stand
             ?
          
           If
           God
           should
           with
           an
           exact
           Eye
           observe
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           call
           us
           to
           an
           account
           ,
           who
           can
           stand
           in
           Judgment
           ?
           who
           can
           
           endure
           that
           firy
           Trial
           ?
           The
           best
           Saints
           ,
           tho
           never
           so
           innocent
           and
           unblameable
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           Men
           ,
           tho
           never
           so
           vigilant
           and
           watchful
           over
           their
           Hearts
           and
           Ways
           ,
           are
           not
           exempted
           from
           the
           Spots
           of
           humane
           Frailty
           ,
           which
           according
           to
           the
           Rigour
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           would
           expose
           them
           to
           a
           condemning
           Sentence
           .
           He
           relieves
           and
           supports
           himself
           under
           this
           fearful
           Apprehension
           with
           the
           Hopes
           of
           Mercy
           :
           
             But
             there
             is
             Forgiveness
             with
             thee
             ,
             that
             thou
             mayst
             be
             feared
             .
          
           'T
           is
           in
           thy
           Power
           and
           thy
           Will
           ,
           to
           pardon
           repenting
           and
           returning
           Sinners
           ,
           
             that
             thou
             mayst
             be
             feared
          
           .
           The
           Fear
           of
           God
           in
           Scripture
           signifies
           the
           humble
           holy
           Reverence
           of
           him
           ,
           as
           our
           heavenly
           Father
           and
           Soveraign
           ,
           that
           makes
           us
           cautious
           lest
           we
           should
           offend
           him
           ,
           and
           careful
           to
           please
           him
           .
           For
           this
           Reason
           the
           Fear
           of
           God
           is
           comprehensive
           of
           all
           Religion
           ,
           of
           
             the
             whole
             Duty
             of
             Man
          
           ,
           to
           which
           it
           is
           introductive
           ,
           and
           is
           a
           principal
           Ingredient
           in
           it
           .
           The
           Clemency
           and
           compassionate
           Mercy
           of
           God
           is
           the
           Cause
           of
           an
           ingenuous
           filial
           Fear
           ,
           mix'd
           with
           Love
           and
           Affiance
           in
           the
           Breasts
           of
           Men.
           Other
           Attributes
           ,
           his
           Holiness
           that
           fram'd
           the
           Law
           ,
           Justice
           that
           ordain'd
           the
           Punishment
           of
           Sin
           ,
           Power
           that
           inflicts
           it
           ,
           
           render
           his
           Majesty
           terrible
           ,
           and
           cause
           a
           Flight
           from
           him
           as
           an
           Enemy
           .
           If
           all
           must
           perish
           for
           their
           Sins
           ,
           no
           Prayers
           or
           Praises
           will
           ascend
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           all
           Religious
           Worship
           will
           cease
           for
           ever
           :
           But
           his
           tender
           Mercy
           ready
           to
           receive
           humble
           Suppliants
           ,
           and
           restore
           them
           to
           his
           Favour
           ,
           renders
           him
           amiable
           and
           admired
           ,
           and
           draws
           us
           near
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           two
           Propositions
           to
           be
           considered
           in
           the
           Verse
           :
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           Forgiveness
           belongs
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           the
           forgiving
           Mercy
           of
           God
           is
           a
           powerful
           Motive
           of
           Adoration
           and
           Obedience
           .
           I
           propound
           to
           discourse
           of
           the
           first
           ,
           and
           to
           touch
           upon
           the
           second
           in
           the
           Application
           .
        
         
           In
           managing
           the
           Point
           with
           Light
           and
           Order
           ,
           't
           is
           requisite
           to
           consider
           ;
           1
           st
           .
           What
           is
           contain'd
           in
           Forgiveness
           .
           2
           dly
           .
           The
           Arguments
           that
           demonstrate
           that
           Forgiveness
           belongs
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           What
           is
           contained
           in
           Forgiveness
           .
           This
           necessarily
           supposes
           Sin
           ,
           and
           Sin
           a
           Law
           that
           is
           violated
           by
           it
           :
           The
           Law
           implies
           a
           Sovereign
           Law-giver
           ,
           to
           whose
           declared
           Will
           Subjection
           is
           due
           ,
           and
           who
           will
           exact
           an
           Account
           in
           Judgment
           
           of
           Mens
           Obedience
           or
           Disobedience
           to
           his
           Law
           ,
           and
           dispense
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           accordingly
           .
           God
           by
           the
           clearest
           Titles
           
             is
             our
             King
             ,
             our
             Law-giver
             and
             Judg
             :
          
           for
           he
           is
           our
           Maker
           and
           Preserver
           ,
           and
           consequently
           has
           a
           full
           Propriety
           in
           us
           ,
           and
           absolute
           Authority
           over
           us
           :
           and
           by
           his
           sovereign
           and
           singular
           Perfections
           is
           qualified
           to
           govern
           us
           .
           A
           derived
           Being
           is
           necessarily
           in
           a
           State
           of
           Dependance
           and
           Subjection
           .
           All
           the
           Ranks
           of
           Creatures
           in
           the
           World
           are
           order'd
           by
           their
           Maker
           :
           his
           
             Kingdom
             rules
             over
             all
          
           .
           Those
           in
           the
           lowest
           degree
           of
           Being
           are
           order'd
           by
           Power
           .
           Sensitive
           Creatures
           are
           determin'd
           by
           the
           Impulses
           of
           Nature
           to
           their
           Actions
           ;
           for
           having
           no
           Light
           to
           distinguish
           between
           moral
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           they
           have
           no
           Choice
           ,
           and
           are
           incapable
           of
           receiving
           a
           Law.
           Intelligent
           Creatures
           ,
           endowed
           with
           judicious
           and
           free
           Faculties
           ,
           an
           Understanding
           to
           discern
           between
           moral
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           and
           a
           Will
           to
           choose
           or
           reject
           what
           is
           propounded
           to
           them
           ,
           are
           capable
           of
           a
           Law
           to
           direct
           and
           regulate
           their
           Liberty
           .
        
         
           To
           Man
           a
           Law
           was
           given
           by
           the
           Creator
           ,
           (
           the
           Copy
           of
           his
           Wisdom
           and
           Will
           )
           that
           has
           all
           the
           Perfections
           of
           a
           
           Rule
           :
           'T
           is
           clear
           and
           compleat
           ,
           injoining
           what
           is
           essentially
           good
           ,
           and
           forbidding
           what
           is
           essentially
           evil
           .
           God
           governs
           Man
           conveniently
           to
           his
           Nature
           :
           and
           no
           Service
           is
           pleasing
           to
           him
           but
           the
           Result
           of
           our
           Reason
           and
           Choice
           ,
           the
           Obedience
           of
           our
           supreme
           leading
           Powers
           .
           Since
           the
           Fall
           ,
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Understanding
           compared
           with
           the
           bright
           Discovery
           it
           afforded
           of
           our
           whole
           Duty
           in
           our
           Original
           State
           ,
           is
           either
           like
           the
           Twilight
           of
           the
           Evening
           ,
           the
           faint
           and
           dim
           Remains
           of
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Day
           ,
           when
           Night
           draws
           a
           dark
           Vail
           over
           the
           World
           ,
           or
           like
           the
           dawning
           of
           the
           Morning
           ,
           when
           the
           rising
           Sun
           begins
           to
           scatter
           the
           Darkness
           of
           the
           Night
           .
           The
           latter
           Comparison
           I
           think
           is
           more
           just
           and
           regular
           ;
           for
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           
             enlightens
             every
             Man
             that
             comes
             into
             the
             World.
          
           The
           innate
           Light
           discovers
           there
           is
           a
           streight
           Line
           of
           Truth
           to
           regulate
           our
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           a
           streight
           Line
           of
           Vertue
           to
           regulate
           our
           Actions
           .
           Natural
           Conscience
           is
           a
           Principle
           of
           Authority
           ,
           directing
           us
           to
           choose
           and
           practise
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           to
           avoid
           Vice
           ;
           and
           according
           to
           our
           Neglect
           or
           Compliance
           with
           its
           Dictates
           reflects
           upon
           us
           .
           'T
           is
           hardly
           presumable
           that
           any
           are
           so
           prodigiously
           
           wicked
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           convinc'd
           of
           the
           natural
           Rectitude
           in
           things
           :
           they
           can
           distinguish
           between
           what
           is
           fair
           and
           what
           is
           fraudulent
           in
           Dealings
           ,
           and
           acknowledg
           in
           the
           general
           ,
           and
           in
           judging
           of
           others
           ,
           the
           Equity
           of
           things
           ,
           tho
           they
           elude
           the
           Force
           of
           the
           Conviction
           in
           the
           Application
           to
           themselves
           .
           Now
           since
           common
           Reason
           discovers
           there
           is
           a
           common
           Rule
           ,
           there
           must
           be
           a
           common
           Judg
           to
           whom
           Men
           are
           accountable
           for
           the
           Obliquity
           or
           Conformity
           of
           their
           Actions
           to
           that
           Rule
           .
           The
           Law
           of
           God
           is
           revealed
           in
           its
           Purity
           and
           Perfection
           in
           the
           Scripture
           .
        
         
           The
           Law
           binds
           first
           to
           Obedience
           ,
           and
           in
           neglect
           of
           it
           to
           Punishment
           .
           Sin
           is
           defin'd
           by
           St.
           John
           to
           be
           
             the
             Transgression
             of
             the
             Law.
          
           The
           Omission
           of
           what
           is
           commanded
           ,
           or
           doing
           what
           is
           forbidden
           ,
           is
           a
           Sin.
           Not
           only
           the
           Lusts
           that
           break
           forth
           into
           Action
           and
           Evidence
           ,
           but
           inward
           Inclinations
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           Law
           ,
           are
           Sin.
           From
           hence
           results
           a
           Guilt
           upon
           every
           Sinner
           ,
           which
           includes
           the
           Imputation
           of
           the
           Fault
           ,
           and
           Obligation
           to
           Punishment
           .
           There
           is
           a
           natural
           Connexion
           between
           the
           Evil
           of
           Doing
           ,
           and
           the
           Evil
           of
           Suffering
           :
           the
           Violation
           of
           the
           Law
           is
           justly
           revenged
           by
           the
           
           Violation
           of
           the
           Person
           that
           breaks
           it
           .
           It
           is
           an
           impossible
           Imagination
           ,
           that
           God
           should
           give
           a
           Law
           not
           enforc'd
           with
           a
           Sanction
           .
           This
           would
           cast
           a
           Blemish
           upon
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           for
           the
           Law
           would
           cancel
           it self
           ,
           and
           defeat
           his
           Ends
           in
           giving
           it
           :
           it
           would
           reflect
           a
           high
           Dishonour
           upon
           his
           Holy
           Majesty
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           were
           indifferent
           with
           respect
           to
           Vertue
           or
           Vice
           ,
           and
           disregarded
           our
           Reverence
           or
           Rebellion
           against
           his
           Authority
           .
           The
           Apostle
           declares
           ,
           that
           
             all
             the
             World
             are
             become
             guilty
             before
             God
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           justly
           chargeable
           with
           their
           Crimes
           ,
           and
           liable
           to
           his
           Judgment
           .
           The
           Act
           of
           Sin
           is
           transient
           ,
           and
           the
           Pleasure
           vanishes
           ;
           but
           the
           Guilt
           ,
           if
           not
           pardoned
           and
           purged
           away
           ,
           remains
           for
           ever
           in
           the
           Records
           of
           Conscience
           .
           
             The
             Sin
             of
          
           Judah
           
             is
             written
             with
             a
             Pen
             of
             Iron
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             Point
             of
             a
             Diamond
             ;
             it
             is
             graven
             on
             the
             Tables
             of
             the
             Heart
             .
          
           When
           the
           Books
           of
           eternal
           Life
           and
           Death
           shall
           be
           opened
           at
           the
           Last
           Day
           ,
           all
           the
           unpardoned
           Sins
           of
           Men
           ,
           with
           their
           killing
           Aggravations
           ,
           will
           be
           found
           written
           in
           indelible
           Characters
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           set
           in
           order
           before
           their
           Eyes
           ,
           to
           their
           Confusion
           :
           
             The
             righteous
             Judg
             has
             sworn
             he
             will
             forget
             none
             of
             their
             Works
             .
          
           
           According
           to
           the
           Number
           and
           Heinousness
           of
           their
           Sins
           ,
           a
           Sentence
           shall
           pass
           upon
           them
           :
           No
           Excuses
           shall
           suspend
           the
           Judgment
           ,
           nor
           mitigate
           the
           immediate
           Execution
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           Forgiveness
           of
           Sins
           contains
           the
           Abolition
           of
           their
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           Freedom
           from
           the
           deserved
           Destruction
           consequent
           to
           it
           .
           This
           is
           express'd
           by
           various
           Terms
           in
           Scripture
           .
           Pardon
           relates
           to
           some
           Damage
           and
           Offence
           which
           the
           offended
           Party
           may
           severely
           vindicate
           .
           Now
           altho
           the
           blessed
           God
           in
           strictness
           of
           speaking
           can
           receive
           no
           Damage
           by
           rebellious
           Creatures
           ,
           being
           infinitely
           above
           the
           Impression
           of
           Evil
           :
           yet
           as
           our
           Saviour
           speaks
           of
           one
           that
           looks
           upon
           a
           Woman
           with
           an
           impure
           Desire
           ,
           that
           he
           has
           committed
           Adultery
           with
           her
           in
           his
           Heart
           ,
           tho
           the
           Innocence
           of
           the
           Woman
           be
           unstained
           ;
           so
           the
           Sins
           of
           Men
           ,
           being
           Acts
           of
           foul
           Ingratitude
           against
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           notorious
           Unrighteousness
           against
           his
           Authority
           ,
           are
           in
           a
           Sense
           injurious
           to
           him
           ,
           which
           he
           might
           justly
           revenge
           upon
           them
           ,
           but
           his
           Clemency
           spares
           them
           .
           The
           
             not
             imputing
             Sin
          
           is
           borrowed
           from
           the
           Accounts
           of
           Servants
           with
           their
           Masters
           ;
           and
           implies
           the
           Account
           we
           are
           obliged
           to
           render
           
           the
           supreme
           Lord
           for
           all
           his
           Benefits
           which
           we
           have
           so
           wretchedly
           misimproved
           :
           he
           might
           righteously
           exact
           of
           us
           ten
           thousand
           Talents
           that
           are
           due
           to
           him
           ,
           but
           he
           is
           graciously
           pleased
           to
           cross
           the
           Book
           ,
           and
           freely
           to
           discharge
           us
           .
           The
           
             purging
             from
             Sin
          
           ,
           implies
           't
           is
           very
           odious
           and
           offensive
           in
           God's
           Eyes
           ,
           and
           has
           a
           special
           respect
           to
           the
           expiatory
           Sacrifices
           ,
           of
           which
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           
             without
             Blood
             there
             was
             no
             Remission
             .
          
           This
           was
           typical
           of
           the
           precious
           Blood
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           that
           purges
           the
           Conscience
           
             from
             dead
             Works
          
           ;
           from
           the
           deadly
           Guilt
           of
           Sin
           that
           cleaves
           to
           the
           Conscience
           of
           the
           Sinner
           .
           By
           the
           application
           of
           his
           Blood
           the
           crimson
           Guilt
           is
           wash'd
           away
           ,
           and
           the
           pardoned
           Sinner
           is
           accepted
           as
           one
           pure
           and
           innocent
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           shall
           next
           demonstrate
           ,
           that
           Forgiveness
           belongs
           to
           God.
           This
           will
           be
           evident
           by
           the
           following
           Considerations
           .
        
         
           1
           st
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           high
           and
           peculiar
           Prerogative
           of
           God
           to
           pardon
           Sin.
           His
           Authority
           made
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           gives
           Life
           and
           Vigour
           to
           it
           ,
           therefore
           he
           can
           remit
           the
           Punishment
           of
           the
           Offender
           .
           This
           is
           evident
           from
           the
           Proportion
           of
           humane
           Laws
           :
           For
           tho
           subordinate
           Judges
           
           have
           only
           a
           limited
           Power
           ,
           and
           must
           acquit
           or
           condemn
           according
           to
           the
           Law
           ,
           yet
           the
           Soveraign
           may
           dispense
           with
           it
           .
           This
           is
           declared
           in
           Scripture
           by
           God
           himself
           :
           
             I
             ,
             even
             I
             am
             he
             ,
             that
             blots
             out
             thy
             Transgressions
             for
             my
             Name
             sake
             :
          
           
           He
           repeats
           it
           with
           an
           Emphasis
           .
           He
           is
           proclaimed
           with
           this
           Royal
           Title
           ;
           
             The
             Lord
             ,
             gracious
             and
             merciful
             ,
             pardoning
             Iniquity
             ,
             Transgression
             and
             Sin.
          
           'T
           is
           a
           Dispensation
           of
           Divine
           Soveraignty
           to
           pardon
           the
           Guilty
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           God
           pardons
           as
           a
           Father
           ,
           according
           to
           that
           most
           gracious
           Promise
           ,
           
           
             I
             will
             spare
             them
             ,
             as
             a
             Father
             spares
             his
             Son
             that
             serves
             him
          
           ;
           but
           as
           invested
           with
           the
           Dignity
           of
           a
           Soveraign
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           directs
           us
           ,
           in
           the
           perfect
           Form
           of
           Prayer
           dictated
           to
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           to
           pray
           to
           God
           for
           the
           Forgiveness
           of
           our
           Sins
           ,
           as
           
             our
             Father
             sitting
             in
             Heaven
          
           upon
           a
           high
           Throne
           ,
           from
           whence
           he
           pronounces
           our
           Pardon
           .
           His
           Majesty
           is
           equally
           glorious
           with
           his
           Mercy
           in
           that
           blessed
           Dispensation
           .
           His
           Royal
           Supremacy
           is
           more
           conspicuous
           in
           the
           Exercise
           of
           Mercy
           towards
           repenting
           Sinners
           ,
           than
           in
           the
           Acts
           of
           Justice
           upon
           obstinate
           Offenders
           .
           As
           a
           King
           is
           more
           a
           King
           by
           the
           pardoning
           humble
           Suppliants
           
           by
           the
           Operation
           of
           his
           Scepter
           ,
           than
           in
           subduing
           Rebels
           by
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           Sword
           :
           For
           in
           Acts
           of
           Grace
           he
           is
           above
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           over-rules
           its
           Rigour
           ,
           in
           Acts
           of
           Vengeance
           he
           is
           only
           superiour
           to
           his
           Enemies
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           the
           peculiar
           Prerogative
           of
           God
           to
           pardon
           Sin.
           The
           Prophet
           challenges
           all
           the
           reputed
           Deities
           of
           the
           Heathens
           as
           defective
           in
           this
           Royal
           Power
           :
           
           
             Who
             is
             a
             God
             like
             unto
             thee
             ,
             pardoning
             Iniquity
             ,
             Transgression
             and
             Sin
             ?
          
           The
           Pharisees
           said
           true
           ,
           
             Who
             can
             forgive
             Sins
             but
             God
             only
             ?
          
           for
           't
           is
           an
           Act
           of
           Empire
           .
           The
           judicial
           Power
           to
           pardon
           is
           a
           Flower
           inseparable
           from
           the
           Crown
           :
           for
           't
           is
           founded
           in
           a
           Superiority
           to
           the
           Law
           ,
           therefore
           inconsistent
           with
           a
           depending
           Authority
           .
           A
           Creature
           is
           as
           incapable
           of
           the
           Supremacy
           of
           God
           in
           pardoning
           Sin
           ,
           as
           of
           his
           Omnipotence
           to
           create
           a
           World
           :
           for
           they
           are
           both
           truly
           infinite
           .
           Besides
           ,
           the
           Power
           of
           pardoning
           Sins
           ,
           necessarily
           implies
           an
           universal
           Knowledg
           of
           the
           Minds
           and
           Hearts
           of
           Men
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           Fountains
           of
           their
           ●ctions
           :
           and
           according
           to
           their
           Ingred●●ncy
           the
           moral
           Good
           or
           Evil
           of
           them
           rises
           .
           The
           more
           deliberately
           and
           wilfully
           a
           Sin
           is
           committed
           ,
           the
           Sinner
           incurs
           a
           
           greater
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           is
           obnoxious
           to
           a
           more
           heavy
           Punishment
           .
           Now
           no
           Creature
           can
           dive
           into
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men
           :
           
             They
             are
             naked
             and
             open
             to
             the
             piercing
             Eye
             of
             God
             alone
             .
          
           Add
           farther
           ,
           the
           authoritative
           Power
           to
           pardon
           ,
           has
           necessarily
           annex'd
           to
           it
           the
           active
           Power
           of
           dispensing
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           .
           Now
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           alone
           
             has
             the
             Keys
             of
             Life
             and
             Death
             in
             his
             Hands
             .
          
        
         
           It
           may
           be
           objected
           ,
           That
           our
           Saviour
           declares
           ,
           that
           
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             has
             Power
             to
             forgive
             Sins
             .
          
           The
           Answer
           to
           this
           will
           be
           clear
           by
           considering
           ,
           there
           are
           two
           Natures
           in
           Christ
           ;
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           that
           originally
           belongs
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           is
           proper
           to
           his
           Person
           ;
           and
           the
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           which
           is
           as
           it
           were
           adoptive
           ,
           and
           was
           voluntarily
           assumed
           .
           Now
           the
           Divine
           Person
           is
           the
           sole
           Principle
           and
           Subject
           of
           this
           Royal
           Dignity
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           exercised
           in
           its
           Conjunction
           with
           the
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           and
           attributed
           to
           the
           Son
           of
           Man
           :
           As
           in
           the
           Humiliation
           of
           Christ
           ,
           the
           Principles
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           ▪
           and
           the
           actual
           Sufferings
           ,
           are
           solely
           in
           the
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           but
           upon
           the
           Account
           of
           the
           personal
           Union
           ,
           they
           are
           attributed
           to
           the
           Divine
           Person
           .
           'T
           is
           said
           ,
           
             The
             Lord
             of
             Glory
             was
             crucified
             ,
          
           
           and
           
             the
             Blood
             of
             God
          
           redeemed
           his
           Church
           .
        
         
           The
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           with
           high
           Presumption
           ,
           arrogates
           to
           their
           Priests
           a
           judicial
           Power
           of
           forgiving
           Sins
           :
           and
           by
           the
           easy
           Folly
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           crafty
           Deceit
           of
           their
           Instructors
           ,
           exercise
           a
           Jurisdiction
           over
           Conscience
           .
           To
           avoid
           the
           Imputation
           of
           Blasphemy
           ,
           they
           pretend
           there
           is
           a
           double
           Power
           of
           Forgiving
           ,
           supreme
           and
           subordinate
           ;
           the
           first
           belongs
           to
           God
           ,
           the
           other
           is
           delegated
           by
           Commission
           to
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           But
           this
           is
           an
           irreconcileable
           Contradiction
           :
           for
           the
           Power
           to
           pardon
           is
           an
           Efflux
           of
           Supremacy
           ,
           and
           incommunicable
           to
           the
           Subject
           .
           A
           Prince
           that
           invests
           another
           with
           an
           absolute
           Power
           to
           pardon
           ,
           must
           either
           relinquish
           his
           Soveraignty
           ,
           or
           take
           an
           Associate
           to
           share
           in
           it
           .
           This
           Pretence
           of
           the
           Papists
           is
           such
           a
           lame
           Evasion
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           they
           are
           forced
           to
           make
           use
           of
           to
           clear
           themselves
           from
           the
           Charge
           of
           Idolatry
           in
           their
           Worship
           of
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           :
           their
           Excuse
           is
           ,
           that
           their
           Worship
           of
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           is
           inferiour
           in
           degree
           ,
           and
           imperfectly
           divine
           ;
           as
           if
           there
           could
           be
           different
           Degrees
           in
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           which
           is
           absolutely
           and
           necessarily
           supreme
           .
           
           The
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           have
           only
           a
           declarative
           Power
           ,
           as
           Heralds
           or
           Embassadors
           ,
           to
           propose
           the
           Terms
           of
           the
           Gospel
           for
           the
           obtaining
           Pardon
           ,
           and
           to
           apply
           the
           Promise
           of
           Pardon
           to
           those
           who
           appear
           qualified
           for
           it
           .
           But
           to
           pronounce
           and
           dispense
           Pardon
           ,
           they
           have
           no
           judicial
           Authority
           :
           for
           't
           is
           not
           presumeable
           that
           the
           wise
           God
           should
           invest
           Men
           with
           that
           Authority
           which
           they
           are
           utterly
           incapable
           to
           exercise
           .
        
         
           2
           dly
           .
           God
           is
           ready
           to
           forgive
           .
           The
           Power
           to
           pardon
           without
           an
           Inclination
           to
           it
           ,
           affords
           no
           Relief
           in
           the
           Agonies
           of
           an
           accusing
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           the
           Terrors
           of
           eternal
           Judgment
           .
           The
           merciful
           Will
           of
           God
           declared
           in
           his
           Word
           ,
           is
           the
           Foundation
           of
           our
           blessed
           Hope
           ,
           and
           encourages
           us
           in
           our
           Requests
           before
           his
           Throne
           :
           
           
             For
             thou
             Lord
             art
             good
             ,
             and
             ready
             to
             forgive
             ,
             and
             plenteous
             in
             Mercy
             unto
             all
             that
             call
             upon
             thee
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Attribute
           of
           which
           Pardon
           is
           an
           Emanation
           ,
           is
           usually
           exprest
           by
           Grace
           and
           Mercy
           .
           'T
           is
           said
           ,
           the
           
             Grace
             of
             God
             that
             brings
             Salvation
             has
             appeared
             unto
             all
             Men
             :
             We
             are
             saved
             by
             Grace
             .
          
           Grace
           implies
           free
           Favour
           .
           There
           is
           in
           this
           respect
           a
           Difference
           between
           Love
           
           and
           Grace
           .
           Love
           may
           be
           set
           upon
           an
           Object
           worthy
           of
           it
           .
           The
           primary
           Object
           of
           God's
           Love
           is
           himself
           ,
           whose
           excellent
           and
           amiable
           Perfections
           are
           worthy
           of
           infinite
           Love.
           The
           Love
           of
           Parents
           to
           Children
           is
           a
           Duty
           most
           clearly
           natural
           ,
           and
           Duty
           lessens
           the
           Desert
           of
           performing
           it
           ;
           but
           Grace
           is
           exclusive
           of
           all
           Merit
           and
           Dignity
           in
           the
           Subject
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           Obligation
           in
           the
           Person
           that
           shews
           it
           .
           God's
           most
           free
           preventing
           Grace
           is
           exercised
           without
           any
           Motive
           in
           us
           that
           deserves
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           Grace
           of
           God
           may
           be
           consider'd
           as
           exercised
           in
           our
           Creation
           and
           our
           Redemption
           .
           In
           the
           Creation
           it
           was
           absolutely
           free
           :
           for
           Angels
           and
           Men
           were
           in
           the
           State
           of
           nothing
           ,
           there
           was
           only
           a
           Possibility
           of
           their
           Being
           .
           Now
           there
           could
           be
           no
           attractive
           Merit
           before
           their
           Existence
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           Goodness
           is
           glorified
           and
           crown'd
           by
           communicating
           :
           The
           World
           is
           a
           bright
           Efflux
           of
           the
           Divine
           Glory
           ;
           but
           this
           does
           not
           lessen
           the
           free
           Goodness
           of
           the
           Maker
           .
           There
           was
           no
           Constraint
           upon
           God
           to
           make
           the
           World
           for
           his
           declarative
           Glory
           :
           for
           his
           essential
           Glory
           is
           truly
           infinite
           ,
           and
           wants
           no
           external
           Appearance
           to
           make
           it
           compleat
           .
           The
           Universal
           Church
           
           pays
           humble
           Homage
           to
           the
           Great
           Creator
           ;
           
             acknowledging
             ,
             that
             for
             his
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             all
             things
             were
             created
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Divine
           Goodness
           to
           Angels
           and
           Man
           in
           their
           Original
           Purity
           ,
           was
           Grace
           :
           for
           altho
           the
           Image
           of
           God
           shining
           in
           them
           was
           attractive
           of
           his
           Approbation
           and
           Acceptance
           ,
           yet
           they
           deserved
           no
           Benefits
           from
           him
           :
           there
           is
           such
           an
           infinite
           Distance
           and
           Disproportion
           between
           God
           and
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           by
           a
           common
           Right
           claim
           any
           thing
           as
           due
           from
           his
           Majesty
           .
           Besides
           ,
           he
           is
           the
           productive
           and
           conservative
           Cause
           of
           all
           their
           active
           Powers
           ,
           and
           the
           Efficacy
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           The
           creating
           Goodness
           of
           God
           is
           eclips'd
           in
           the
           Comparison
           with
           his
           saving
           Grace
           .
           The
           first
           supposes
           us
           without
           any
           Deserts
           of
           his
           Favour
           ,
           but
           this
           supposes
           our
           exceedingly
           bad
           Deserts
           :
           The
           first
           was
           free
           ,
           but
           this
           is
           merciful
           and
           healing
           Grace
           .
           Mercy
           revives
           and
           restores
           us
           when
           deservedly
           miserable
           .
           This
           Grace
           and
           Mercy
           is
           of
           so
           pure
           a
           Nature
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           tender
           humane
           Inclinations
           to
           relieve
           the
           Afflicted
           ,
           are
           mix'd
           with
           Self-interest
           ,
           compared
           with
           the
           Mercy
           of
           God
           towards
           us
           .
           Our
           Bowels
           relent
           ,
           and
           Affections
           are
           melting
           
           at
           the
           sight
           of
           Persons
           in
           deep
           Misery
           .
           But
           there
           is
           an
           inward
           and
           unvoluntary
           Constraint
           of
           Nature
           that
           excites
           such
           feeling
           Resentments
           :
           and
           our
           Compassion
           is
           moved
           by
           Reflection
           upon
           our selves
           ,
           considering
           that
           in
           this
           open
           State
           we
           are
           liable
           to
           many
           Disasters
           and
           wounding
           Sorrows
           :
           but
           God
           is
           infinitely
           free
           from
           all
           disturbing
           Passions
           ,
           and
           exempted
           from
           all
           possible
           Evils
           .
           To
           represent
           the
           immense
           Love
           and
           Mercy
           of
           God
           in
           its
           endearing
           Circumstances
           ,
           and
           to
           demonstrate
           his
           Readiness
           to
           forgive
           ,
           we
           must
           consider
           what
           he
           has
           done
           in
           order
           to
           his
           pardoning
           Sinners
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           If
           we
           consider
           God
           as
           the
           supreme
           Lawgiver
           and
           Judg
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           the
           Protector
           of
           Righteousness
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           the
           Revenger
           of
           all
           Disorders
           in
           his
           moral
           Government
           ,
           it
           became
           him
           not
           to
           pardon
           Sinners
           without
           the
           punishing
           Sin
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           as
           might
           satisfy
           his
           injur'd
           Justice
           ,
           and
           vindicate
           the
           Honour
           of
           his
           despised
           Law
           ,
           and
           declare
           most
           convincingly
           his
           Hatred
           against
           Sin.
           Now
           for
           these
           great
           Ends
           he
           decreed
           to
           send
           his
           Son
           from
           his
           Bosom
           ,
           to
           assume
           our
           Nature
           ,
           and
           to
           suffer
           the
           contumelious
           Calamity
           of
           the
           
           Death
           on
           the
           Cross
           ,
           to
           make
           a
           Propitiation
           for
           our
           Sins
           .
           This
           was
           the
           Contrivance
           of
           his
           high
           Wisdom
           ,
           which
           the
           most
           enlightned
           Angels
           had
           no
           presaging
           Notions
           of
           .
           Now
           can
           there
           be
           a
           more
           clear
           Evidence
           and
           convincing
           Reality
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           ready
           to
           forgive
           Sins
           ,
           than
           the
           giving
           his
           only
           begotten
           Son
           ,
           a
           Person
           so
           great
           and
           so
           dear
           ,
           the
           Heir
           of
           his
           Love
           and
           Glory
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           Sacrifice
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           spare
           us
           ?
           In
           this
           Dispensation
           Love
           was
           the
           regent
           leading
           Attribute
           ,
           to
           which
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           Justice
           and
           Power
           were
           subordinate
           :
           they
           were
           in
           exercise
           for
           the
           more
           glorious
           Illustration
           of
           his
           Mercy
           .
           We
           have
           the
           strongest
           Argument
           of
           God's
           Love
           in
           the
           Death
           of
           his
           Son
           ,
           for
           our
           Pardon
           was
           the
           end
           of
           it
           .
           From
           hence
           't
           is
           evident
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           more
           willing
           to
           dispense
           his
           pardoning
           Mercy
           ,
           than
           Sinners
           are
           to
           receive
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           God's
           Readiness
           to
           forgive
           appears
           in
           the
           gracious
           and
           easy
           Terms
           prescribed
           in
           the
           Gospel
           for
           the
           obtaining
           Pardon
           .
           There
           are
           two
           ways
           of
           Justification
           before
           God
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           like
           two
           Ways
           to
           a
           City
           :
           One
           is
           direct
           and
           short
           ,
           but
           deep
           and
           unpassable
           ;
           the
           other
           lies
           in
           a
           Circuit
           ,
           but
           will
           bring
           a
           
           Person
           safe
           to
           the
           Place
           .
           Thus
           there
           is
           a
           Justification
           of
           an
           innocent
           Person
           by
           Works
           ,
           that
           secures
           him
           from
           the
           Charge
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           and
           a
           Justification
           of
           a
           Sinner
           by
           Faith
           in
           our
           all-sufficient
           Saviour
           .
           The
           first
           was
           a
           short
           way
           to
           Man
           in
           the
           State
           of
           Integrity
           :
           the
           second
           ,
           such
           is
           the
           Distance
           of
           the
           Terms
           ,
           takes
           a
           Compass
           .
           There
           is
           a
           shorter
           Passage
           from
           Life
           to
           Action
           ,
           than
           from
           Death
           to
           Life
           .
           There
           is
           no
           Hope
           or
           Possibility
           of
           our
           legal
           Justification
           .
           The
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           
           
             That
             which
             the
             Law
             could
             not
             do
             in
             that
             it
             was
             weak
             through
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             God
             sending
             his
             own
             Son
             in
             the
             Likeness
             of
             sinful
             Flesh
             ,
             and
             for
             Sin
             condemned
             Sin
             in
             the
             Flesh.
          
           The
           Expiation
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           renewing
           us
           into
           the
           Image
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           obtained
           by
           the
           Gospel
           .
           The
           Law
           is
           called
           ,
           
             the
             Law
             of
             Sin
             and
             Death
             :
          
           which
           must
           be
           understood
           not
           as
           consider'd
           in
           it self
           ,
           but
           relatively
           to
           our
           depraved
           Nature
           .
           The
           Law
           supposes
           Men
           in
           a
           State
           of
           uncorrupted
           Nature
           ,
           and
           was
           given
           to
           be
           a
           Preservative
           of
           our
           Holiness
           and
           Felicity
           ,
           not
           a
           Remedy
           to
           recover
           us
           from
           Sin
           and
           Misery
           .
           It
           was
           directive
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           but
           since
           our
           Rebellion
           the
           Rod
           is
           turn'd
           into
           a
           Serpent
           .
           The
           Law
           is
           hard
           and
           
           imperious
           ,
           severe
           and
           inexorable
           ,
           the
           Tenor
           of
           it
           is
           ,
           
             Do
             ,
             or
             die
             for
             ever
             .
          
           It
           requires
           a
           Righteousness
           entire
           and
           unblemish'd
           ,
           which
           one
           born
           in
           Sin
           cannot
           produce
           in
           the
           Court
           of
           Judgment
           .
           Man
           is
           utterly
           unable
           by
           his
           lapsed
           Powers
           to
           recover
           the
           Favour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           fulfil
           his
           Obligation
           by
           the
           Law
           to
           Obedience
           .
           But
           the
           Gospel
           discovers
           an
           open
           easy
           way
           to
           Life
           ,
           to
           all
           that
           will
           accept
           of
           Salvation
           by
           the
           Redeemer
           .
           The
           Apostle
           expresses
           the
           Difference
           between
           the
           Condition
           of
           the
           Law
           and
           the
           Gospel
           in
           a
           very
           significant
           manner
           .
           
           Moses
           
             describes
             the
             Righteousness
             which
             is
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             that
             the
             Man
             that
             does
             those
             things
             shall
             live
             in
             them
             :
             but
             the
             Righteousness
             which
             is
             of
             Faith
             speaks
             on
             this
             wise
             ,
             Say
             not
             in
             thine
             Heart
             ,
             Who
             shall
             ascend
             into
             Heaven
             ,
             that
             is
             to
             bring
             down
             Christ
             from
             above
             ;
             Who
             shall
             descend
             into
             the
             Deep
             ,
             that
             is
             to
             bring
             Jesus
             Christ
             again
             from
             the
             dead
             ?
             but
             what
             saith
             it
             ?
             The
             Word
             is
             nigh
             thee
             ,
             that
             if
             thou
             shalt
             confess
             with
             thy
             Mouth
             ,
             and
             shalt
             believe
             in
             thy
             Heart
             ,
             that
             God
             hath
             raised
             him
             from
             the
             Dead
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             be
             saved
             .
          
           The
           meaning
           of
           the
           Apostle
           is
           ,
           that
           things
           in
           Heaven
           above
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           Depths
           beneath
           ,
           are
           of
           impossible
           Discovery
           
           and
           Attainment
           ,
           so
           't
           is
           equally
           impossible
           to
           be
           justified
           by
           the
           Works
           of
           the
           Law.
           The
           anxious
           Sinner
           seeks
           in
           vain
           for
           Righteousness
           in
           the
           Law
           ,
           which
           can
           only
           be
           found
           in
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           It
           may
           be
           objected
           ,
           that
           the
           Condition
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           the
           Condition
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           compar'd
           relatively
           to
           our
           deprav'd
           Faculties
           ,
           are
           equally
           impossible
           .
           The
           carnal
           Mind
           and
           Affections
           are
           as
           averse
           from
           Repentance
           and
           receiving
           Christ
           as
           our
           Lord
           and
           Saviour
           ,
           as
           from
           obeying
           the
           Law.
           Our
           Saviour
           tells
           the
           Jews
           ,
           
             Ye
             will
             not
             come
             to
             me
             that
             ye
             may
             have
             Life
             :
             and
             no
             Man
             can
             come
             to
             me
             unless
             the
             Father
             draw
             him
             .
          
           Which
           Words
           are
           highly
           expressive
           of
           our
           utter
           Impotence
           to
           believe
           savingly
           in
           Christ.
           But
           there
           is
           a
           clear
           Answer
           to
           this
           Objection
           :
           the
           Difference
           between
           the
           two
           Dispensations
           consists
           principally
           in
           this
           :
           The
           Law
           requires
           compleat
           and
           constant
           Obedience
           as
           the
           Condition
           of
           Life
           ,
           without
           affording
           the
           least
           supernatural
           Power
           to
           perform
           it
           .
           But
           the
           Gospel
           has
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Grace
           a
           Concomitant
           with
           it
           ,
           by
           whose
           Omnipotent
           Efficacy
           Sinners
           are
           revived
           ,
           and
           enabled
           to
           comply
           with
           the
           Terms
           of
           Salvation
           .
           The
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Law
           is
           
           stiled
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Bondage
           from
           its
           rigorous
           Effects
           :
           it
           discover'd
           Sin
           ,
           and
           terrified
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           without
           implanting
           a
           Principle
           of
           Life
           that
           might
           restore
           the
           Sinner
           to
           a
           State
           of
           Holy
           Liberty
           .
           As
           the
           Flame
           in
           the
           Bush
           made
           the
           Thorns
           in
           it
           visible
           ,
           without
           consuming
           them
           ;
           so
           the
           firy
           Law
           discovers
           Mens
           Sins
           ,
           but
           does
           not
           abolish
           them
           :
           But
           
             the
             Law
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Life
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             has
             freed
             us
             from
             the
             Law
             of
             Sin
             and
             Death
             .
          
           I
           will
           more
           particularly
           consider
           the
           gracious
           Terms
           prescribed
           in
           the
           Gospel
           for
           the
           obtaining
           Pardon
           ;
           
             Repentance
             towards
             God
             ,
             and
             Faith
             in
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ.
          
           The
           requiring
           of
           them
           is
           not
           an
           arbitrary
           Constitution
           ,
           but
           founded
           in
           the
           unchangeable
           Nature
           and
           Congruity
           of
           things
           .
           Repentance
           signifies
           a
           sincere
           Change
           of
           the
           Mind
           and
           Heart
           from
           the
           Love
           and
           Practice
           of
           Sin
           ,
           to
           the
           Love
           and
           Practice
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           upon
           Evangelical
           and
           Divine
           Motives
           .
           The
           principal
           Ingredients
           in
           it
           are
           ,
           Reflections
           with
           Grief
           and
           Shame
           upon
           our
           past
           Sins
           ,
           with
           stedfast
           Resolutions
           of
           future
           Obedience
           .
           'T
           is
           a
           vital
           Principle
           productive
           of
           Fruits
           sutable
           to
           it
           :
           'T
           is
           call'd
           
             Repentance
             from
             dead
             Works
             ,
             
             Repentance
             unto
             Life
             .
          
           'T
           is
           the
           Seed
           of
           new
           Obedience
           .
           Repentance
           in
           order
           of
           Nature
           is
           before
           Pardon
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           inseparably
           join'd
           in
           the
           same
           Point
           of
           Time.
           David
           is
           a
           blessed
           Instance
           of
           this
           :
           
           
             I
             said
             I
             will
             confess
             my
             Transgressions
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             thou
             forgavest
             the
             Iniquity
             of
             my
             Sin.
          
           The
           Sum
           and
           Tenour
           of
           the
           Apostles
           Commission
           recorded
           by
           St.
           Luke
           is
           ,
           
           
             That
             Repentance
             and
             Remission
             of
             Sins
             should
             be
             preached
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             Christ
             to
             all
             Nations
             .
          
           That
           a
           repentant
           Sinner
           only
           is
           qualified
           for
           Pardon
           ,
           will
           be
           evident
           in
           considering
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           an
           impenitent
           Sinner
           is
           the
           Object
           of
           revenging
           Justice
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           utterly
           inconsistent
           that
           pardoning
           Mercy
           and
           revenging
           Justice
           should
           be
           terminated
           upon
           the
           same
           Person
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           in
           the
           same
           respect
           .
           'T
           is
           said
           ,
           
             The
             Lord
             hateth
             all
             the
             Workers
             of
             Iniquity
             ;
             and
             his
             Soul
             hates
             the
             Wicked
             .
          
           The
           Expression
           implies
           the
           intense
           Degrees
           of
           Hatred
           .
           In
           the
           glorious
           Appearance
           of
           God
           to
           Moses
           ,
           when
           proclaim'd
           with
           the
           highest
           Titles
           of
           Honour
           ,
           
             The
             Lord
             God
             ,
             gracious
             and
             merciful
             ,
             pardoning
             Iniquity
             ,
             Transgression
             and
             Sin
             ,
          
           't
           is
           added
           ,
           
             he
             will
             by
             no
             means
             spare
             the
             Guilty
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           impenitent
           Sinners
           .
           We
           
           must
           suppose
           God
           to
           be
           of
           a
           changeable
           flexible
           Nature
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           a
           blasphemous
           Imagination
           ,
           and
           makes
           him
           like
           to
           sinful
           Man
           )
           if
           an
           impenitent
           Sinner
           may
           be
           received
           to
           Favour
           without
           a
           Change
           in
           his
           Disposition
           .
           God
           cannot
           repent
           of
           giving
           a
           holy
           Law
           ,
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           therefore
           Man
           must
           repent
           of
           his
           breaking
           the
           Law
           before
           he
           can
           be
           reconciled
           to
           him
           .
           The
           Truth
           is
           ,
           Man
           consider'd
           merely
           as
           a
           Sinner
           ,
           is
           not
           the
           Object
           of
           God's
           first
           Mercy
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           of
           Pity
           and
           Compassion
           :
           for
           as
           such
           he
           is
           the
           Object
           of
           God's
           Wrath
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           a
           formal
           Contradiction
           to
           assert
           that
           he
           is
           the
           Object
           of
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           same
           respect
           .
           But
           Man
           ,
           consider'd
           as
           God's
           Creature
           ,
           involv'd
           in
           Misery
           by
           the
           Fraud
           of
           the
           Tempter
           ,
           and
           his
           own
           Folly
           ,
           was
           the
           Object
           of
           God's
           Compassion
           ;
           and
           the
           Recovery
           of
           him
           from
           his
           forlorn
           wretched
           State
           ,
           was
           the
           Effect
           of
           that
           Compassion
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Tho
           Mercy
           consider'd
           as
           a
           separate
           Attribute
           might
           pardon
           an
           impenitent
           Sinner
           ,
           yet
           not
           in
           Conjunction
           and
           Concord
           with
           God's
           essential
           Perfections
           .
           Many
           things
           are
           possible
           to
           Power
           absolutely
           consider'd
           ,
           which
           God
           cannot
           
           do
           :
           for
           his
           Power
           is
           always
           directed
           in
           its
           Exercise
           by
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           limited
           by
           his
           Will.
           It
           would
           disparage
           God's
           Wisdom
           ,
           stain
           his
           Holiness
           ,
           violate
           his
           Justice
           ,
           to
           pardon
           an
           impenitent
           Sinner
           .
           The
           Gospel
           by
           the
           Promise
           of
           Pardon
           to
           such
           ,
           would
           foil
           it self
           ,
           and
           frustrate
           its
           principal
           End
           ,
           which
           
             is
             to
             purify
             us
             from
             all
             Iniquity
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             us
             a
             People
             zealous
             of
             good
             Works
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           If
           an
           impenitent
           Sinner
           may
           be
           pardoned
           as
           such
           ,
           he
           may
           be
           glorified
           :
           for
           that
           which
           qualifies
           a
           Man
           for
           Pardon
           ,
           qualifies
           him
           for
           Salvation
           :
           and
           the
           Divine
           Decree
           establishes
           an
           inseparable
           Connexion
           between
           them
           ;
           
           
             Whom
             God
             justifies
             he
             glorifies
          
           .
           If
           a
           Sinner
           dies
           immediately
           after
           his
           Pardon
           is
           past
           ,
           nothing
           can
           intercept
           his
           being
           received
           into
           Heaven
           .
           Now
           this
           is
           utterly
           impossible
           ;
           the
           exclusion
           of
           such
           is
           peremptory
           and
           universal
           ,
           
             for
             without
             Holiness
             no
             Man
             shall
             see
             God.
          
           The
           Admission
           of
           an
           impenitent
           Sinner
           into
           Heaven
           ,
           would
           pollute
           that
           holy
           Place
           ,
           and
           unconsecrate
           the
           Temple
           of
           God
           wherein
           his
           Holiness
           shines
           in
           its
           Glory
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           objected
           by
           some
           ,
           that
           the
           requiring
           Repentance
           to
           qualify
           the
           Sinner
           for
           
           Pardon
           eclipses
           the
           Grace
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           I
           willingly
           acknowledg
           ,
           that
           a
           religious
           Jealousy
           ,
           lest
           the
           Freeness
           and
           Honour
           of
           Divine
           Grace
           in
           our
           Pardon
           should
           be
           lessen'd
           ,
           is
           very
           becoming
           a
           Christian
           ;
           but
           't
           is
           ill-grounded
           and
           ill-guided
           in
           this
           Matter
           .
           This
           will
           be
           evident
           by
           considering
           ;
        
         
           1
           st
           .
           Repentance
           is
           an
           Evangelical
           Grace
           ,
           the
           Gift
           of
           the
           Redeemer
           :
           
             Him
             has
             God
             raised
             to
             be
             a
             Prince
             and
             a
             Saviour
             ,
          
           
           
             to
             give
             Repentance
             and
             Forgiveness
             of
             Sin.
          
           The
           Law
           did
           not
           allow
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           nor
           promise
           Pardon
           .
           The
           Design
           of
           it
           was
           to
           keep
           us
           in
           the
           Favour
           and
           Communion
           with
           God
           ,
           but
           afforded
           no
           Means
           of
           Reconciliation
           after
           our
           offending
           him
           .
           Repentance
           was
           no
           Degree
           of
           Perfection
           before
           Man's
           Fall
           ,
           but
           is
           a
           Relief
           of
           his
           Imperfection
           after
           it
           .
           The
           Law
           call'd
           the
           Righteous
           to
           Obedience
           ,
           the
           Gospel
           calls
           Sinners
           to
           Repentance
           .
        
         
           2
           dly
           .
           There
           is
           no
           Causality
           or
           Merit
           in
           Repentance
           to
           procure
           our
           Pardon
           .
           The
           Mercy
           of
           God
           for
           the
           most
           precious
           Merits
           and
           Mediation
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           is
           the
           only
           Cause
           of
           Pardon
           .
           A
           Flood
           of
           repenting
           Tears
           ,
           an
           Effusion
           of
           our
           Blood
           ,
           are
           of
           too
           low
           a
           Price
           to
           make
           
           any
           Satisfaction
           to
           God
           ,
           to
           deserve
           a
           Return
           of
           his
           Favour
           .
           The
           most
           sincere
           Love
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           stedfast
           Resolution
           to
           forsake
           Sin
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           principal
           part
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           can
           be
           no
           Satisfaction
           for
           our
           past
           Offences
           ,
           for
           't
           is
           the
           natural
           Duty
           of
           Man
           before
           the
           commission
           of
           Sin
           :
           Repentance
           is
           only
           a
           vital
           Qualification
           in
           the
           Subject
           that
           receives
           the
           Pardon
           .
        
         
           3
           dly
           .
           The
           Grace
           of
           God
           is
           very
           conspicuous
           in
           dispensing
           Pardon
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Order
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           repenting
           Sinners
           .
           For
           first
           ,
           Repentance
           renders
           the
           Divine
           Mercy
           most
           honourable
           in
           the
           Esteem
           of
           those
           who
           partake
           of
           it
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             The
             whole
             need
             not
             a
             Physician
             ,
             but
             those
             who
             are
             sick
             .
          
           He
           that
           feels
           his
           Disease
           ,
           and
           is
           strongly
           apprehensive
           of
           its
           Danger
           ,
           values
           the
           Counsel
           and
           Assistance
           of
           a
           Physician
           above
           all
           Treasures
           .
           The
           repenting
           Sinner
           who
           is
           under
           the
           strong
           Conviction
           of
           his
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           his
           being
           always
           obnoxious
           to
           the
           Judgment
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           eternal
           Misery
           the
           Consequent
           of
           it
           ,
           he
           values
           the
           Favour
           of
           God
           as
           the
           most
           sovereign
           Good
           ,
           and
           accounts
           his
           Displeasure
           as
           the
           supreme
           Evil.
           Repentance
           inspires
           flaming
           Affections
           
           in
           our
           Prayers
           and
           Praises
           for
           Pardon
           .
           The
           repenting
           Sinner
           prays
           for
           Pardon
           with
           as
           much
           Fervency
           as
           Daniel
           pray'd
           in
           the
           Den
           ,
           to
           be
           preserved
           from
           the
           devouring
           Lions
           ;
           or
           as
           Jonah
           pray'd
           out
           of
           the
           Belly
           of
           Hell
           for
           Deliverance
           .
           
           He
           addresses
           not
           with
           faint
           but
           fainting
           Desires
           for
           Mercy
           ;
           
             Give
             me
             Pardon
             ,
             or
             I
             die
             .
          
           The
           insensible
           Sinner
           that
           is
           secure
           in
           the
           Shadow
           of
           Death
           ,
           may
           offer
           some
           verbal
           Requests
           for
           Pardon
           ,
           but
           his
           Prayer
           is
           defective
           in
           the
           Principle
           :
           for
           he
           never
           feels
           the
           Want
           of
           a
           Pardon
           ;
           he
           prays
           so
           coldly
           as
           if
           unconcern'd
           whether
           he
           be
           accepted
           or
           no.
           And
           with
           what
           a
           Rapture
           of
           Admiration
           ,
           and
           Joy
           ,
           and
           thankful
           Affections
           ,
           doth
           the
           pardon'd
           Penitent
           magnify
           the
           Divine
           Mercy
           ?
           The
           Christian
           Niobe
           that
           was
           melted
           into
           repenting
           Tears
           
             loved
             much
             ,
             because
             much
             was
             forgiven
             her
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           Establishment
           that
           Repentance
           qualifies
           a
           Sinner
           for
           Pardon
           ,
           is
           most
           beneficial
           to
           Man
           ,
           and
           consequently
           most
           illustrates
           pardoning
           Mercy
           .
           We
           must
           observe
           ,
           that
           Sin
           does
           not
           only
           affect
           us
           with
           Guilt
           ,
           but
           leaves
           an
           inherent
           Corruption
           that
           defiles
           and
           debases
           the
           Sinner
           ,
           and
           strongly
           inclines
           
           him
           to
           relapse
           into
           Rebellion
           .
           Now
           Repentance
           gives
           the
           true
           Representation
           of
           Sin
           in
           its
           penal
           Consequences
           ,
           the
           Anger
           of
           the
           Almighty
           ,
           the
           Terrors
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           makes
           it
           evident
           and
           odious
           to
           the
           Soul.
           David
           had
           a
           piercing
           Conviction
           what
           a
           foul
           Sin
           Adultery
           was
           ,
           when
           his
           
             Bones
             were
             broken
          
           .
           Repenting
           Sorrow
           strikes
           at
           the
           Root
           of
           Sin
           ,
           the
           Love
           of
           Pleasure
           .
           This
           makes
           us
           fearful
           to
           offend
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           fly
           all
           the
           alluring
           Temptations
           that
           will
           betray
           us
           to
           Sin.
           This
           makes
           us
           obedient
           .
           The
           melted
           Metal
           is
           receptive
           of
           any
           Form.
           Contrition
           is
           join'd
           with
           Resignation
           :
           
             Lord
             ,
             what
             wilt
             thou
             have
             me
             to
             do
             ?
          
           was
           the
           Voice
           of
           repenting
           Saul
           .
        
         
           It
           may
           be
           objected
           ,
           that
           we
           read
           ,
           
             God
             justifies
             the
             Vngodly
          
           ,
           but
           the
           Answer
           is
           clear
           .
           The
           Apostle
           does
           not
           intend
           by
           the
           Ungodly
           ,
           an
           impenitent
           Sinner
           ,
           but
           makes
           the
           Opposition
           between
           the
           Ungodly
           and
           one
           that
           perfectly
           obeys
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           is
           consequently
           justified
           by
           Works
           :
           and
           in
           this
           Sense
           the
           most
           excellent
           Saints
           here
           are
           ungodly
           .
           Besides
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           does
           not
           assert
           that
           God
           absolutely
           pardons
           the
           Ungodly
           ,
           but
           qualifies
           the
           Persons
           :
           
             To
             him
             that
             worketh
             not
             ,
             but
             believeth
             on
             him
             
             that
             justifies
             the
             Vngodly
             ,
             his
             Faith
             is
             counted
             for
             Righteousness
             .
          
           Now
           justifying
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           are
           like
           
           Tamar's
           Twins
           :
           Repentance
           is
           first
           felt
           ,
           and
           then
           Faith
           exerts
           it self
           in
           applying
           the
           Merits
           of
           Christ's
           Death
           for
           our
           Pardon
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           replied
           by
           some
           ,
           that
           all
           Grace
           is
           communicated
           from
           Christ
           ,
           as
           our
           Head
           ,
           and
           supposes
           our
           Union
           with
           him
           ,
           of
           which
           Faith
           is
           the
           vital
           Band
           ,
           and
           consequently
           the
           first
           Grace
           ,
           by
           which
           all
           other
           Graces
           are
           derived
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           there
           are
           two
           Means
           of
           our
           Union
           with
           Christ
           :
           The
           principal
           is
           the
           quickning
           Spirit
           descending
           from
           Christ
           as
           the
           Fountain
           of
           the
           supernatural
           Life
           ,
           and
           a
           lively
           Faith
           wrought
           in
           us
           by
           his
           pure
           and
           powerful
           Operation
           ,
           that
           ascends
           from
           us
           and
           closes
           with
           him
           .
           'T
           is
           said
           ,
           the
           second
           Adam
           was
           made
           
             a
             quickning
             Spirit
          
           :
           and
           he
           that
           is
           join'd
           
             to
             the
             Lord
             is
             one
             Spirit
             .
          
           As
           the
           Parts
           of
           the
           natural
           Body
           are
           united
           by
           the
           vital
           Influence
           of
           the
           same
           Soul
           that
           is
           present
           in
           the
           whole
           ;
           so
           we
           are
           united
           to
           Christ
           by
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           that
           was
           given
           to
           him
           without
           measure
           ,
           and
           from
           his
           Fulness
           is
           derived
           to
           us
           .
           'T
           is
           clear
           therefore
           beyond
           all
           Contradiction
           ,
           
           that
           Faith
           is
           not
           antecedently
           requisite
           ,
           as
           the
           means
           of
           conveying
           all
           Graces
           to
           us
           from
           Christ.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           There
           are
           two
           Acts
           of
           Faith
           :
           the
           first
           respects
           the
           General
           Offer
           of
           Pardon
           in
           the
           Gospel
           to
           all
           repenting
           believing
           Sinners
           :
           The
           second
           is
           the
           Application
           of
           the
           Promise
           of
           Pardon
           to
           the
           Soul.
           The
           first
           is
           antecedent
           to
           evangelical
           Repentance
           :
           The
           second
           is
           clearly
           consequent
           in
           the
           Order
           of
           Nature
           ,
           for
           the
           Promise
           assures
           Pardon
           only
           to
           
             the
             weary
             and
             heavy
             laden
             that
             come
             to
             Christ
             for
             Rest.
             
          
        
         
           In
           short
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           perfect
           Agreement
           and
           Sympathy
           between
           Reason
           and
           Divine
           Revelation
           in
           this
           Doctrine
           ,
           that
           God
           pardons
           only
           the
           repenting
           Sinner
           .
           The
           contrary
           Assertion
           is
           an
           Impeachment
           of
           the
           Rectitude
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           directly
           contrary
           to
           the
           Design
           and
           Tenour
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           If
           a
           Man
           be
           justified
           as
           ungodly
           ,
           the
           Evangelical
           Command
           of
           Repentance
           for
           the
           Remission
           of
           Sins
           is
           useless
           and
           unprofitable
           .
           What
           a
           pernicious
           Influence
           upon
           Practice
           this
           Doctrine
           may
           have
           ,
           is
           obvious
           to
           any
           that
           consider
           it
           .
           I
           shall
           only
           add
           ,
           if
           God
           pardons
           Men
           as
           ungodly
           ,
           
             how
             shall
             he
             judg
             the
             World
             ?
          
           
           
           
           
           
           'T
           was
           prophesied
           by
           
             Enoch
             ,
             Behold
             the
             Lord
             comes
             with
             ten
             thousand
             Saints
             to
             judg
             all
             that
             are
             ungodly
             for
             their
             ungodly
             Deeds
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             ungodlily
             committed
             .
          
           Now
           as
           St.
           James
           argues
           against
           the
           Perverseness
           of
           Men
           ,
           
           
             when
             from
             the
             same
             Mouth
             proceeds
             Blessing
             and
             Cursing
             ;
             Doth
             a
             Fountain
             send
             forth
             sweet
             Water
             and
             bitter
             ?
          
           This
           Instance
           is
           incomparably
           more
           strong
           with
           respect
           to
           God
           than
           to
           Men.
           'T
           is
           more
           consistent
           and
           conceiveable
           that
           a
           Fountain
           should
           send
           forth
           fresh
           Water
           and
           Salt
           ,
           than
           that
           the
           holy
           and
           righteous
           God
           ,
           in
           whose
           Nature
           there
           is
           not
           the
           least
           Discord
           ,
           should
           justify
           some
           as
           ungodly
           ,
           and
           condemn
           others
           as
           ungodly
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Faith
           in
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           is
           the
           Evangelical
           Condition
           of
           our
           obtaining
           Pardon
           .
           This
           will
           appear
           by
           considering
           the
           Nature
           of
           Faith.
           Saving
           Faith
           is
           an
           unfeigned
           Perswasion
           of
           the
           Power
           ,
           and
           Desire
           of
           Christ
           to
           save
           Sinners
           ,
           that
           induces
           the
           Soul
           to
           receive
           him
           ,
           and
           rely
           on
           him
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           offer'd
           in
           the
           Gospel
           .
           We
           are
           assur'd
           of
           his
           All-sufficiency
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           compassionate
           Willingness
           to
           save
           us
           ;
           
             He
             is
             able
             to
             save
             to
             the
             utmost
             all
             that
             come
             to
             God
             
             by
             him
             .
          
           Our
           Saviour
           declares
           ,
           
             whoever
             comes
             to
             him
             ,
             he
             will
             in
             no
             wise
             cast
             out
             .
          
           Faith
           is
           seated
           in
           the
           whole
           Soul
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           the
           Truth
           and
           transcendent
           Goodness
           of
           the
           Object
           ,
           produces
           the
           most
           precious
           and
           sacred
           Esteem
           of
           it
           in
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           joyful
           Consent
           and
           Choice
           of
           it
           in
           the
           Will.
           Accordingly
           a
           sincere
           Believer
           imbraces
           entire
           Christ
           as
           
             a
             Prince
             and
             a
             Saviour
          
           ,
           and
           is
           as
           willing
           to
           be
           govern'd
           by
           his
           Scepter
           ,
           as
           to
           depend
           upon
           his
           Sacrifice
           .
           Acceptance
           and
           Reliance
           are
           the
           essential
           Ingredients
           of
           justifying
           Faith.
           This
           is
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Everlasting
           Gospel
           .
           The
           Angel
           declared
           this
           to
           the
           Shepherds
           :
           Behold
           ,
           
           
             I
             bring
             you
             Tidings
             of
             great
             Joy
             ,
             which
             shall
             be
             to
             all
             People
             ;
             for
             to
             you
             is
             born
             this
             Day
             ,
             in
             the
             City
             of
          
           David
           ,
           
             a
             Saviour
             ,
             which
             is
             Christ
             the
             Lord.
             This
             is
             a
             faithful
             Saying
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             worthy
             of
             all
             Acceptation
             ,
             that
             Jesus
             Christ
             is
             come
             into
             the
             World
             to
             save
             Sinners
             ,
             of
             whom
             I
             am
             chief
             .
          
           Faith
           is
           indispensably
           necessary
           to
           our
           obtaining
           Forgiveness
           .
           Faith
           is
           the
           Channel
           wherein
           the
           precious
           Issues
           of
           his
           Blood
           and
           Sufferings
           are
           conveyed
           to
           us
           .
           To
           make
           more
           evident
           how
           necessary
           and
           gracious
           a
           Condition
           Faith
           in
           the
           Redeemer
           is
           ,
           for
           our
           
           Pardon
           ,
           I
           will
           briefly
           consider
           the
           Foundation
           of
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Life
           in
           the
           Gospel
           .
           After
           Man
           had
           plunged
           himself
           into
           Damnation
           ,
           God
           having
           decreed
           ,
           that
           without
           Satisfaction
           there
           should
           be
           no
           Remission
           of
           his
           Sin
           ;
           and
           the
           Sinner
           being
           utterly
           incapable
           of
           enduring
           such
           a
           Punishment
           in
           degrees
           ,
           as
           might
           be
           truly
           satisfactory
           ,
           it
           necessarily
           followed
           ,
           he
           must
           suffer
           a
           Punishment
           equivalent
           in
           Duration
           .
           To
           prevent
           this
           ,
           there
           was
           no
           possible
           way
           but
           by
           admitting
           a
           Surety
           ,
           who
           should
           represent
           the
           Sinner
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           stead
           suffer
           the
           Punishment
           due
           for
           Sin.
           A
           threefold
           Consent
           was
           requisite
           in
           this
           Transaction
           .
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           The
           Consent
           of
           the
           Soveraign
           ,
           whose
           Law
           was
           violated
           ,
           and
           Majesty
           despised
           :
           For
           as
           there
           is
           a
           natural
           Distinction
           between
           Persons
           ,
           and
           between
           the
           Actions
           of
           Persons
           ,
           so
           there
           must
           be
           between
           the
           Recompences
           of
           those
           Actions
           :
           Consequently
           the
           Sinner
           is
           obliged
           to
           suffer
           the
           Punishment
           in
           his
           own
           Person
           .
           From
           hence
           't
           is
           clear
           ,
           that
           the
           Punishment
           cannot
           be
           transferr'd
           to
           another
           without
           the
           Allowance
           of
           the
           Soveraign
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           Patron
           of
           the
           Rights
           of
           Justice
           .
        
         
         
           (
           2.
           )
           The
           Consent
           of
           the
           Surety
           is
           requisite
           :
           for
           Punishment
           being
           an
           Emanation
           of
           Justice
           cannot
           be
           inflicted
           on
           an
           innocent
           Person
           ,
           without
           his
           voluntary
           interposing
           to
           save
           the
           Guilty
           .
           A
           Surety
           is
           legally
           one
           Person
           with
           the
           Debtor
           :
           otherwise
           the
           Creditor
           cannot
           exact
           ,
           by
           the
           Rule
           of
           Right
           ,
           the
           Paiment
           from
           him
           ,
           which
           is
           fixt
           by
           the
           Law
           upon
           the
           Person
           of
           the
           Debtor
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           'T
           is
           as
           clear
           ,
           that
           the
           Consent
           of
           the
           Guilty
           is
           requisite
           ,
           who
           obtains
           Impunity
           by
           the
           vicarious
           Sufferings
           of
           another
           .
           For
           if
           he
           resolves
           to
           bear
           his
           own
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           wilfully
           refuses
           to
           be
           freed
           by
           the
           interposing
           of
           another
           between
           him
           and
           the
           Punishment
           ,
           neither
           the
           Judg
           nor
           the
           Surety
           can
           constrain
           him
           to
           it
           .
           Now
           all
           these
           concur
           in
           this
           great
           Transaction
           .
           As
           the
           Creation
           of
           Man
           was
           a
           Work
           of
           solemn
           Counsel
           ,
           
             Let
             us
             make
             Man
          
           ,
           so
           his
           Redemption
           was
           the
           Product
           of
           the
           Divine
           Counsel
           .
           I
           may
           allude
           to
           what
           is
           represented
           to
           us
           in
           the
           Vision
           of
           the
           Divine
           Glory
           to
           the
           Prophet
           Isaiah
           :
           
           
             I
             heard
             the
             Lord
             saying
             ,
             Who
             shall
             I
             send
             ,
             and
             who
             will
             go
             for
             us
             ?
             Then
             said
             I
             ,
             Here
             I
             am
             ,
             send
             me
             .
          
           Thus
           the
           Rise
           of
           our
           Salvation
           was
           from
           the
           Father
           .
           He
           makes
           the
           Inquiry
           ,
           who
           
           shall
           go
           for
           us
           ,
           to
           recover
           fallen
           Man
           ?
           The
           Son
           interposes
           ,
           
             Here
             I
             am
             ,
             send
             me
             .
          
           The
           Father
           from
           his
           Sovereignty
           and
           Mercy
           appointed
           and
           accepted
           the
           Mediator
           and
           Surety
           for
           us
           .
           It
           was
           no
           part
           of
           the
           Law
           given
           in
           Paradise
           ,
           that
           if
           Man
           sinned
           ,
           he
           should
           die
           ,
           or
           his
           Surety
           ;
           but
           it
           was
           an
           Act
           of
           God's
           free
           Power
           as
           superiour
           to
           the
           Law
           ,
           to
           appoint
           his
           Son
           to
           be
           our
           Surety
           ,
           and
           to
           die
           in
           our
           stead
           .
           And
           the
           Aspect
           of
           the
           Law
           upon
           a
           Sinner
           being
           without
           Passion
           ,
           it
           admits
           of
           Satisfaction
           by
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           another
           .
           'T
           is
           said
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
             God
             so
             loved
             the
             World
             ,
             so
          
           above
           all
           Comparison
           and
           Comprehension
           ,
           
             that
             he
             gave
             and
             sent
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             the
             World
             through
             him
             might
             be
             saved
             .
          
           The
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           with
           the
           freest
           Choice
           ,
           did
           interpose
           between
           the
           righteous
           God
           and
           guilty
           Man
           for
           that
           end
           .
           He
           willingly
           left
           his
           Sovereign
           Seat
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           eclips'd
           his
           Glory
           under
           a
           dark
           Cloud
           of
           Flesh
           ,
           degraded
           himself
           into
           the
           Form
           of
           a
           Servant
           ,
           and
           submitted
           to
           an
           ignominious
           and
           cruel
           Death
           for
           our
           Redemption
           .
           When
           he
           came
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           he
           declared
           his
           full
           Content
           ,
           with
           a
           Note
           of
           Eminency
           :
           
             Sacrifice
             and
             Offering
             thou
             
             wouldst
             not
             ,
             but
             a
             Body
             hast
             thou
             prepared
             me
             :
             Then
             said
             I
             ,
             Lo
             I
             come
             to
             do
             thy
             Will
             ,
             O
             God.
          
           Upon
           this
           Consent
           of
           the
           Father
           and
           the
           Son
           ,
           the
           whole
           Fabrick
           of
           our
           Redemption
           is
           built
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           Resultance
           from
           it
           ,
           that
           the
           Execution
           of
           Justice
           on
           Christ
           is
           the
           Expiation
           of
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           Sufferings
           the
           full
           Price
           is
           paid
           for
           our
           Redemption
           .
           There
           is
           a
           judicial
           Exchange
           of
           Persons
           between
           Christ
           and
           Believers
           ,
           their
           Guilt
           is
           transferr'd
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           his
           Righteousness
           is
           imputed
           to
           them
           .
           
             He
             made
             him
             to
             be
             Sin
             for
             us
             ,
             who
             knew
             no
             Sin
             ,
          
           
           
             that
             we
             might
             be
             made
             the
             Righteousness
             of
             God
             in
             him
             .
          
           His
           active
           and
           passive
           Obedience
           ,
           his
           Doing
           and
           Dying
           are
           as
           truly
           accounted
           to
           Believers
           for
           their
           Acceptance
           and
           Pardon
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           meritoriously
           wrought
           out
           their
           own
           Salvation
           .
        
         
           The
           Sinner
           must
           give
           his
           Consent
           to
           be
           saved
           by
           the
           Death
           of
           Christ
           upon
           the
           Terms
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           This
           Constitution
           is
           grounded
           upon
           the
           eternal
           Articles
           between
           the
           Father
           and
           the
           Son
           in
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Redemption
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           declares
           ,
           that
           
             God
             gave
             his
             Son
             ,
             that
             whosoever
             believes
             in
             him
             ,
             should
             not
             perish
             ,
             but
             have
             eternal
             Life
             .
          
           Notwithstanding
           
           the
           full
           Satisfaction
           made
           for
           our
           Sins
           ,
           yet
           without
           our
           Consent
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           an
           applicative
           Faith
           ,
           no
           Benefit
           could
           accrue
           to
           us
           .
           
             He
             dwells
             in
             our
             Hearts
             by
             Faith
             :
          
           and
           by
           that
           vital
           Band
           of
           our
           Union
           we
           have
           Communion
           with
           him
           in
           his
           Death
           ,
           and
           as
           entire
           an
           Interest
           in
           all
           the
           blessed
           Benefits
           purchased
           by
           it
           ,
           as
           if
           whatsoever
           he
           did
           and
           suffered
           had
           been
           for
           us
           alone
           .
           
             He
             is
             a
             Propitiation
             by
             Faith
             in
             his
             Blood.
          
           Of
           this
           full
           Consent
           of
           the
           Sinner
           ,
           there
           is
           an
           excellent
           Example
           in
           the
           Apostle
           :
           He
           expresses
           it
           with
           the
           greatest
           Ardency
           of
           Affection
           ;
           
             I
             count
             all
             things
             but
             Dung
             that
             I
             may
             win
             Christ
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             be
             found
             in
             him
             ,
             not
             having
             mine
             own
             Righteousness
             ,
             which
             is
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             but
             that
             which
             is
             through
             the
             Faith
             of
             Christ.
          
           Like
           as
           a
           poor
           insolvent
           Debtor
           ,
           ready
           to
           be
           cast
           into
           a
           perpetual
           Prison
           ,
           longs
           for
           a
           Surety
           rich
           and
           liberal
           ,
           to
           make
           Paiment
           for
           him
           :
           Thus
           St.
           Paul
           desir'd
           to
           be
           found
           in
           Christ
           ,
           as
           an
           all-sufficient
           Surety
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           obtain
           a
           Freedom
           from
           the
           Charge
           of
           the
           Law.
           
        
         
           The
           Establishment
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           Faith
           be
           the
           Condition
           of
           our
           Pardon
           ,
           so
           that
           none
           can
           be
           justified
           without
           it
           ,
           is
           from
           pure
           Grace
           .
           The
           Apostle
           
           assigns
           this
           Reason
           why
           all
           Works
           are
           excluded
           ,
           those
           performed
           in
           the
           State
           of
           Nature
           ,
           or
           by
           a
           Principle
           of
           Grace
           ,
           from
           being
           the
           procuring
           Cause
           of
           our
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           to
           prevent
           Vain-glory
           in
           Men
           that
           would
           result
           from
           it
           .
           
             You
             are
             saved
             by
             Grace
             ,
             through
             Faith
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             that
             not
             of
             your selves
             :
             it
             is
             the
             Gift
             of
             God.
          
           The
           Pardon
           of
           Sin
           is
           a
           principal
           Part
           of
           our
           Salvation
           .
           He
           positively
           declares
           ,
           that
           Justification
           
             is
             therefore
             of
             Faith
          
           ,
           
           
             that
             it
             might
             be
             by
             Grace
             .
          
           If
           Justification
           were
           to
           be
           obtain'd
           by
           a
           Condition
           of
           impossible
           Performance
           ,
           it
           were
           no
           Favour
           to
           offer
           that
           blessed
           Benefit
           to
           us
           :
           but
           it
           being
           assur'd
           to
           a
           Believer
           that
           humbly
           and
           thankfully
           accepts
           of
           it
           ,
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           is
           exceedingly
           glorified
           .
           To
           make
           this
           more
           clear
           ,
           Faith
           may
           be
           considered
           as
           a
           productive
           Grace
           ,
           or
           a
           receptive
           :
           As
           a
           productive
           ,
           it
           purifies
           the
           Heart
           ,
           works
           by
           Love
           ;
           and
           in
           this
           Consideration
           we
           are
           not
           justified
           by
           it
           .
           Faith
           hath
           no
           Efficiency
           in
           our
           Justification
           ,
           't
           is
           the
           sole
           Act
           of
           God
           :
           But
           Faith
           as
           a
           receptive
           Grace
           ,
           that
           embraces
           Christ
           with
           his
           precious
           Merits
           offer'd
           to
           us
           in
           the
           Promise
           ,
           entitles
           us
           to
           Pardon
           .
           And
           in
           this
           way
           Divine
           Grace
           is
           exalted
           :
           
           for
           he
           that
           entirely
           relies
           upon
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           Christ
           ,
           absolutely
           renounces
           his
           own
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           ascribes
           
             in
             solidum
          
           the
           obtaining
           of
           his
           Pardon
           to
           the
           Clemency
           and
           Favour
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           Mediator
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           God
           is
           ready
           to
           forgive
           ,
           is
           fully
           proved
           by
           many
           gracious
           Declarations
           in
           his
           Word
           ,
           the
           infallible
           Expression
           of
           his
           Will.
           
             We
             are
             commanded
             to
             seek
             his
             Face
             for
             ever
             ,
          
           his
           Favour
           and
           Love
           :
           for
           the
           Countenance
           is
           the
           Christal
           wherein
           the
           Affections
           appear
           .
           Now
           all
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           assure
           us
           of
           his
           approving
           and
           Acceptance
           of
           our
           Obedience
           to
           them
           :
           it
           follows
           therefore
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           very
           pleasing
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           we
           pray
           for
           the
           Pardon
           of
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           will
           dispense
           it
           ,
           if
           we
           pray
           in
           a
           due
           manner
           .
           When
           he
           forbad
           the
           Prophet
           to
           pray
           for
           Israel
           ,
           it
           was
           an
           Argument
           of
           decreed
           Ruine
           against
           them
           :
           
             Pray
             not
             for
             this
             People
          
           ,
           
           
             for
             I
             will
             not
             hear
             thee
             .
          
           To
           encourage
           our
           Hope
           ,
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           direct
           us
           how
           to
           address
           our
           Requests
           for
           his
           Mercy
           :
           He
           directs
           
             Israel
             ,
             that
             had
             fallen
             by
             Iniquity
             ,
             to
             take
             Words
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             turn
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             say
             unto
             him
             ,
             Take
             away
             all
             Iniquity
             ,
             and
             receive
             us
             graciously
             ;
             so
             will
             we
             render
             the
             
             Praise
             of
             our
             Lips.
          
           To
           this
           is
           added
           a
           solemn
           renouncing
           of
           those
           Sins
           that
           provoked
           him
           to
           Anger
           .
           His
           gracious
           Answer
           follows
           ,
           
             I
             will
             heal
             their
             Backslidings
             ,
             I
             will
             love
             them
             freely
             .
          
           If
           a
           Prince
           draws
           a
           Petition
           for
           an
           humble
           Suppliant
           to
           himself
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           strong
           Indication
           that
           he
           will
           grant
           it
           .
           God
           joins
           Intreaties
           to
           his
           Commands
           ,
           to
           induce
           Men
           to
           accept
           this
           Mercy
           .
           The
           Apostle
           declares
           ,
           
           
             Now
             then
             we
             are
             Embassadors
             for
             Christ
             :
             as
             tho
             God
             did
             beseech
             you
             by
             us
             ,
             we
             pray
             you
             in
             Christ's
             stead
             be
             reconciled
             to
             God.
          
           Astonishing
           Goodness
           !
           how
           condescending
           ,
           how
           compassionate
           !
           The
           Provocation
           began
           on
           Man's
           part
           ,
           the
           Reconciliation
           is
           first
           on
           God's
           .
           That
           the
           King
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           whose
           Indignation
           was
           incens'd
           by
           our
           Rebellions
           ,
           and
           might
           justly
           send
           Executioners
           to
           destroy
           us
           ,
           should
           send
           Embassadors
           to
           offer
           Peace
           ,
           and
           beseech
           us
           to
           be
           reconciled
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           his
           Interest
           and
           not
           ours
           ,
           is
           a
           Mercy
           above
           what
           we
           could
           ask
           or
           think
           .
           With
           Commands
           and
           Intreaties
           he
           mixes
           Promises
           of
           Pardon
           to
           encourage
           us
           to
           come
           to
           the
           Throne
           of
           Grace
           :
           
             Whoever
             confesses
             and
             forsakes
             his
             Sins
             ,
             shall
             find
             Mercy
             .
          
           This
           Promise
           is
           ratified
           by
           the
           
           strongest
           Assurance
           :
           
             If
             we
             confess
             our
             Sins
          
           ,
           
           
             he
             is
             faithful
             and
             just
             to
             forgive
             us
             our
             Sins
             ,
             and
             to
             cleanse
             us
             from
             all
             Vnrighteousness
             .
          
           The
           Pardon
           of
           a
           repenting
           Sinner
           is
           the
           Effect
           of
           most
           free
           Mercy
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           dispensed
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           God's
           Faithfulness
           and
           Justice
           ,
           who
           is
           pleased
           to
           engage
           himself
           by
           his
           Promise
           to
           do
           it
           .
           And
           tho
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           be
           as
           sacred
           and
           certain
           as
           his
           Oath
           ,
           for
           't
           is
           impossible
           for
           him
           to
           change
           his
           Will
           ,
           or
           to
           deceive
           us
           in
           the
           one
           as
           well
           as
           the
           other
           :
           yet
           to
           overcome
           the
           Fears
           ,
           to
           allay
           the
           Sorrows
           ,
           and
           satisfy
           the
           Desires
           of
           repenting
           Sinners
           ,
           he
           was
           pleased
           to
           annex
           his
           Oath
           to
           the
           Promise
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           most
           infallible
           Character
           and
           Note
           ,
           
           that
           the
           Blessing
           promised
           is
           unchangeable
           .
        
         
           He
           adds
           Threatnings
           to
           his
           Invitations
           ,
           that
           Fear
           which
           is
           an
           active
           and
           strong
           Passion
           ,
           may
           constrain
           us
           to
           seek
           for
           his
           Mercy
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           said
           to
           the
           Jews
           who
           did
           blind
           and
           harden
           themselves
           in
           their
           Infidelity
           ,
           
             If
             ye
             believe
             not
             that
             I
             am
             he
             ,
          
           
           the
           promised
           Messiah
           ,
           
             and
             come
             to
             me
             to
             obtain
             Life
             ,
             ye
             shall
             die
             in
             your
             Sins
             .
          
           The
           Threatning
           implies
           a
           State
           final
           and
           fearful
           ,
           beyond
           all
           Expression
           ;
           for
           they
           who
           die
           in
           their
           Sins
           ,
           
           shall
           die
           for
           them
           to
           Eternity
           .
           Hell
           is
           the
           sad
           Mansion
           of
           lost
           Souls
           ,
           fill'd
           with
           extreme
           Wrath
           and
           extreme
           Despair
           :
           and
           where
           Despair
           is
           without
           Remedy
           ,
           Sorrow
           is
           without
           Mitigation
           for
           ever
           .
           From
           hence
           we
           may
           be
           convinc'd
           ,
           how
           willing
           God
           is
           to
           pardon
           and
           save
           us
           ,
           in
           that
           knowing
           how
           we
           are
           intangled
           with
           pleasant
           Sins
           ,
           he
           reveals
           to
           us
           what
           will
           be
           the
           eternal
           Consequence
           of
           Sins
           unrepented
           and
           unforgiven
           ,
           a
           Punishment
           above
           all
           the
           Evils
           that
           are
           felt
           or
           fear'd
           here
           ,
           and
           above
           all
           the
           Patience
           and
           Strength
           of
           Sinners
           to
           endure
           .
        
         
           If
           Men
           yield
           themselves
           to
           the
           Call
           of
           his
           Word
           without
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           Spirit
           within
           ,
           and
           humbly
           accept
           of
           the
           Terms
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           't
           is
           very
           pleasing
           to
           him
           .
           We
           are
           assur'd
           by
           Jesus
           Christ
           who
           is
           Truth
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           
             Joy
             in
             Heaven
             over
             one
             Sinner
             that
             repents
             ,
             more
             than
             over
             ninety
             nine
             Persons
             that
             need
             no
             Repentance
             .
          
           God
           himself
           declares
           with
           a
           solemn
           Oath
           ,
           
             that
             he
             delights
             not
             in
             the
             Death
             of
             a
             Sinner
             ,
             but
             rather
             that
             he
             should
             turn
             and
             live
             .
          
           The
           Holiness
           and
           Mercy
           of
           God
           are
           two
           of
           his
           most
           Divine
           Perfections
           ,
           his
           peculiar
           Glory
           and
           Delight
           .
           Now
           what
           can
           be
           more
           pleasing
           to
           that
           most
           pure
           and
           compassionate
           
           Being
           ,
           than
           to
           see
           a
           sinful
           Creature
           conform'd
           to
           his
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           saved
           by
           his
           Mercy
           ?
           If
           the
           internal
           Joy
           of
           God
           ,
           wherein
           he
           is
           infinitely
           blessed
           ,
           were
           capable
           of
           new
           Degrees
           ,
           it
           would
           rise
           higher
           in
           the
           Exercise
           of
           his
           forgiving
           Mercy
           .
           There
           is
           a
           clear
           Representation
           of
           this
           in
           the
           Parable
           of
           the
           Prodigal
           :
           At
           his
           Return
           his
           Father
           received
           him
           ,
           with
           a
           Robe
           and
           a
           Ring
           ,
           with
           Musick
           and
           a
           Feast
           ,
           the
           signs
           of
           Joy
           in
           its
           Exaltation
           .
           But
           if
           Sinners
           are
           hardned
           in
           Obstinacy
           ,
           and
           notwithstanding
           God
           is
           so
           willing
           to
           pardon
           them
           ,
           are
           wilful
           to
           be
           damn'd
           ,
           with
           what
           Variety
           of
           Passions
           does
           he
           express
           his
           Resentment
           ?
           He
           incarnates
           himself
           in
           the
           Language
           of
           Men
           ,
           to
           make
           them
           understand
           his
           Affection
           to
           them
           .
           Sometimes
           he
           expostulates
           with
           a
           tender
           Sympathy
           ,
           
             Why
             will
             ye
             die
          
           ?
           as
           if
           they
           were
           immediately
           falling
           into
           the
           bottomless
           Pit.
           He
           expresses
           Pity
           ,
           mix'd
           with
           Indignation
           ,
           at
           their
           chosen
           Folly
           and
           Ruine
           ;
           
             How
             long
             ye
             simple
             ones
             ,
             will
             ye
             love
             Simplicity
             ,
             and
             Fools
             hate
             Knowledg
             ?
          
           What
           Reluctancy
           and
           Regret
           does
           he
           express
           against
           proceeding
           to
           exterminating
           Judgments
           ?
           
           
             How
             shall
             I
             give
             thee
             up
             ,
          
           Ephraim
           ?
           
             How
             shall
             I
             deliver
             
             thee
             ,
          
           Israel
           ?
           
             How
             shall
             I
             make
             thee
             as
          
           Admah
           ?
           
             How
             shall
             I
             set
             thee
             as
          
           Zeboim
           ?
           
             Mine
             Heart
             is
             turned
             within
             me
             ,
             my
             Repentings
             are
             kindled
             together
             .
          
           With
           what
           a
           melting
           Passion
           does
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           foretel
           the
           decreed
           Destruction
           of
           Jerusalem
           ,
           for
           rejecting
           their
           Saviour
           and
           Salvation
           !
           
             When
             he
             came
             near
             he
             beheld
             the
             City
             and
             wept
             over
             it
             ,
             saying
             ,
             If
             thou
             hadst
             known
             ,
             at
             least
             in
             this
             thy
             day
             ,
             the
             things
             that
             belong
             to
             thy
             Peace
             !
             but
             now
             they
             are
             hid
             from
             thine
             Eyes
             .
          
           Like
           a
           mild
           Judg
           that
           pities
           the
           Man
           ,
           when
           he
           condemns
           the
           Malefactor
           .
        
         
           Those
           who
           interpret
           some
           Expressions
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           
           that
           
             God
             laughs
             at
             the
             Calamity
             of
             the
             Wicked
             ,
             and
             mocks
             when
             their
             Fear
             comes
             ,
          
           and
           is
           inexorable
           to
           their
           Prayers
           ,
           in
           such
           a
           Sense
           as
           evacuates
           most
           gracious
           Declarations
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           induce
           Sinners
           to
           repent
           and
           believe
           for
           their
           Salvation
           ,
           they
           draw
           Darkness
           out
           of
           Light
           :
           for
           those
           Threatnings
           are
           directed
           against
           obstinate
           Rebels
           that
           frustrate
           the
           most
           powerful
           Methods
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           reject
           the
           Call
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           Day
           of
           his
           Grace
           ;
           and
           by
           way
           of
           Retaliation
           ,
           their
           Prayers
           are
           ineffectual
           ,
           and
           rejected
           in
           the
           Day
           of
           his
           Wrath.
           And
           that
           he
           is
           so
           highly
           and
           
           irreconcileably
           provoked
           for
           their
           despising
           his
           Mercy
           ,
           is
           a
           certain
           Indication
           how
           highly
           he
           would
           have
           been
           pleased
           with
           their
           humble
           accepting
           it
           .
           Let
           none
           then
           by
           a
           vile
           and
           wretched
           Suspicion
           ,
           that
           God's
           repeated
           Calls
           to
           Sinners
           to
           return
           and
           live
           ,
           do
           not
           signify
           his
           serious
           Will
           ,
           detract
           from
           the
           Glory
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           blaspheme
           his
           unspotted
           Holiness
           .
           His
           excellent
           Greatness
           secures
           us
           of
           his
           Sincerity
           .
           Why
           should
           the
           glorious
           Majesty
           of
           Heaven
           court
           despicable
           Creatures
           to
           be
           reconciled
           ?
           We
           are
           infinite
           Descents
           below
           him
           ,
           and
           no
           Advantage
           can
           accrue
           to
           him
           from
           us
           .
           Temporal
           Princes
           may
           be
           swayed
           by
           Interest
           to
           send
           false
           Declarations
           to
           Rebels
           in
           Arms
           ,
           to
           reduce
           them
           to
           Obedience
           :
           but
           what
           can
           the
           most
           High
           gain
           by
           our
           Submission
           ,
           or
           lose
           by
           our
           Obstinacy
           ?
           Counterfeit
           Kindness
           proceeds
           either
           from
           the
           Hope
           of
           some
           Good
           ,
           or
           the
           Fear
           of
           some
           Evil
           :
           and
           of
           both
           God
           is
           absolutely
           uncapable
           .
           We
           are
           all
           obnoxious
           to
           his
           severe
           Justice
           :
           There
           is
           no
           occasion
           that
           he
           should
           intend
           by
           the
           gracious
           Offer
           of
           Pardon
           ,
           to
           aggravate
           the
           Sin
           and
           Sentence
           of
           those
           who
           refuse
           it
           .
           Whosoever
           with
           Heart-breaking
           Sorrow
           ,
           and
           
           unfeigned
           Hatred
           of
           his
           Sins
           ,
           seeks
           for
           Pardon
           by
           the
           Mediator
           ,
           he
           shall
           find
           his
           Experience
           of
           sparing
           Mercy
           equal
           to
           the
           highest
           Expressions
           of
           it
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           exceeding
           all
           his
           Thoughts
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           It
           appears
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           ready
           to
           pardon
           ,
           in
           that
           he
           is
           so
           slow
           to
           punish
           .
           Tho
           all
           the
           Divine
           Attributes
           are
           equal
           in
           God
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           an
           intire
           Agreement
           between
           them
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           a
           Difference
           in
           their
           external
           Operations
           .
           St.
           John
           declares
           ,
           
             God
             is
             Love
          
           ;
           that
           signifies
           his
           communicative
           Goodness
           ,
           the
           Exercise
           whereof
           is
           more
           free
           and
           pleasing
           to
           him
           than
           the
           Acts
           of
           revenging
           Justice
           .
           
           
             He
             does
             not
             afflict
             willingly
             the
             Children
             of
             Men.
          
           His
           Mercy
           in
           giving
           and
           forgiving
           flows
           as
           Water
           from
           a
           Fountain
           :
           Acts
           of
           Justice
           are
           forc'd
           from
           him
           (
           like
           Wine
           from
           the
           Grapes
           )
           by
           the
           pressing
           Weight
           of
           our
           Sins
           .
           In
           the
           first
           Day
           of
           Judgment
           a
           Saviour
           was
           promised
           before
           the
           Curse
           was
           threatned
           .
           Notwithstanding
           sinful
           Men
           break
           his
           Laws
           ,
           and
           trample
           on
           them
           before
           his
           Face
           ;
           they
           
             resist
             ,
             and
             grieve
             ,
             and
             quench
             his
             Spirit
             :
          
           yet
           he
           delays
           the
           Execution
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           that
           his
           
             Long-suffering
             may
             lead
             them
             to
             Repentance
             .
          
           This
           will
           appear
           by
           considering
           that
           God's
           forbearing
           Sinners
           is
           not
           ,
           1.
           
           For
           want
           of
           Discovery
           of
           their
           Sins
           .
           Humane
           Justice
           may
           suffer
           a
           guilty
           Person
           to
           escape
           Punishment
           for
           want
           of
           clear
           Evidence
           ,
           but
           this
           Case
           is
           not
           incident
           to
           the
           Justice
           of
           Heaven
           .
           
             God
             is
             Light
          
           with
           respect
           to
           his
           Purity
           and
           Omniscience
           .
           His
           firy
           Eye
           pierces
           through
           the
           thickest
           Darkness
           wherein
           Sins
           are
           committed
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Arts
           of
           Concealment
           used
           to
           cover
           them
           .
           He
           sees
           
           all
           the
           Sins
           of
           Men
           with
           the
           Eye
           of
           a
           Judg
           ;
           
             All
             things
             are
             naked
             and
             open
             before
             his
             Eyes
             with
             whom
             we
             have
             to
             do
             .
          
           Therefore
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           
             God
             will
             require
             what
             is
             past
             ,
          
           and
           will
           observe
           what
           is
           to
           come
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           Judgment
           .
           2.
           
           'T
           is
           not
           from
           a
           Defect
           of
           Power
           that
           the
           Wicked
           are
           spared
           .
           Great
           Princes
           are
           sometimes
           hindred
           from
           the
           Exercise
           of
           Justice
           ,
           when
           the
           guilty
           Person
           is
           supported
           by
           a
           prevalent
           Party
           against
           them
           :
           for
           the
           Power
           of
           a
           Prince
           is
           not
           in
           himself
           ,
           but
           in
           those
           who
           are
           his
           Subjects
           .
           Thus
           David
           was
           constrained
           to
           spare
           Joab
           ,
           after
           the
           Murder
           of
           Abner
           ,
           because
           of
           his
           Interest
           in
           the
           Army
           ;
           
             the
             Sons
             of
          
           Zerviah
           
             were
             too
             hard
             for
             him
          
           ,
           he
           fear'd
           their
           rebellious
           Resistance
           .
           But
           the
           Power
           of
           God
           is
           inherent
           in
           himself
           ,
           and
           depends
           upon
           no
           Creatures
           :
           
             O
             Lord
             ,
             be
             exalted
             in
             thine
             own
             Power
             .
          
           He
           fears
           none
           ,
           and
           is
           to
           be
           fear'd
           by
           all
           .
           With
           one
           Stroke
           of
           Omnipotency
           he
           can
           destroy
           all
           his
           Enemies
           for
           ever
           .
           He
           can
           with
           more
           Ease
           subdue
           the
           most
           stubborn
           Rebels
           ,
           than
           we
           can
           breathe
           .
           His
           Strength
           is
           equal
           to
           his
           Authority
           ,
           both
           are
           truly
           infinite
           .
           3.
           
           The
           Guilty
           are
           spared
           sometimes
           from
           the
           vicious
           Partiality
           of
           Princes
           to
           their
           Favourites
           ,
           or
           a
           wretched
           Neglect
           of
           Justice
           :
           But
           the
           high
           and
           holy
           King
           is
           without
           respect
           of
           Persons
           :
           He
           hates
           Sin
           with
           a
           perfect
           Hatred
           ,
           and
           is
           angry
           with
           the
           Wicked
           every
           day
           .
           The
           Scripture
           gives
           an
           Account
           why
           Execution
           is
           respited
           :
           
             The
             Lord
             is
             not
             slack
          
           ,
           (
           as
           some
           Men
           count
           Slackness
           )
           
             but
             is
             long-suffering
             to
             us
             ward
             ,
             not
             willing
             that
             any
             should
             perish
             ,
             but
             that
             all
             should
             come
             to
             Repentance
             .
             He
             waits
             to
             be
             gracious
          
           and
           spares
           Men
           in
           order
           to
           their
           Salvation
           .
        
         
         
           5.
           
           It
           appears
           that
           God
           is
           ready
           to
           forgive
           ,
           in
           that
           upon
           the
           first
           Suit
           of
           humble
           and
           penitent
           Believers
           he
           presently
           pardons
           them
           .
           If
           we
           consider
           how
           long
           Men
           continue
           in
           a
           Course
           of
           voluptuous
           or
           profitable
           Sins
           ,
           how
           many
           Repulses
           to
           the
           Offers
           of
           Mercy
           they
           are
           guilty
           of
           ,
           it
           might
           justly
           be
           expected
           ,
           that
           God
           should
           with
           Disdain
           reject
           their
           Petitions
           ,
           or
           not
           be
           intreated
           without
           a
           long
           Exercise
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           continued
           ,
           submissive
           ,
           and
           earnest
           Solicitations
           for
           his
           Mercy
           .
           But
           the
           King
           of
           Heaven
           keeps
           no
           State
           ,
           the
           
             Throne
             of
             Grace
          
           is
           always
           open
           and
           accessible
           to
           humble
           Penitents
           :
           When
           their
           Hearts
           are
           prepar'd
           ,
           his
           Ear
           is
           inclin'd
           to
           hear
           them
           .
           David
           ,
           after
           his
           commission
           of
           very
           foul
           Sins
           ,
           and
           long
           continuing
           in
           a
           State
           of
           Impenitency
           ,
           yet
           upon
           his
           melting
           in
           the
           Sense
           of
           his
           Wickedness
           and
           Resolution
           ,
           to
           humble
           himself
           by
           a
           mournful
           Acknowledgment
           of
           it
           ,
           he
           was
           restor'd
           to
           the
           Divine
           Favour
           .
           
             I
             said
             I
             would
             confess
             my
             Sins
             ,
             and
             thou
             forgavest
             the
             Iniquity
             of
             my
             Sin.
          
           Repenting
           Ephraim
           is
           an
           admirable
           Instance
           of
           God's
           relenting
           Bowels
           to
           Sinners
           :
           
             I
             have
             surely
             heard
          
           Ephraim
           
             bemoaning
             himself
             ,
             Thou
             hast
             
             chastised
             me
             ,
             and
             I
             was
             chastised
             as
             a
             Bullock
             unaccustom'd
             to
             the
             Yoke
             :
             Turn
             thou
             me
             ,
             and
             I
             shall
             be
             turned
             ;
             for
             thou
             art
             the
             Lord
             my
             God.
             Surely
             after
             I
             was
             turned
             ,
             I
             repented
             ;
             and
             after
             that
             I
             was
             instructed
             ,
             I
             smote
             upon
             my
             Thigh
             ;
             I
             was
             ashamed
             ,
             yea
             even
             confounded
             ,
             because
             I
             did
             bear
             the
             Reproach
             of
             my
             Youth
             :
             Is
          
           Ephraim
           
             my
             dear
             Son
             ?
             is
             he
             a
             pleasant
             Child
             ?
             for
             since
             I
             spake
             against
             him
             ,
             I
             earnestly
             remember
             him
             still
             :
             therefore
             my
             Bowels
             are
             troubled
             for
             him
             ;
             I
             will
             surely
             have
             Mercy
             on
             him
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord.
          
           The
           Prodigal
           upon
           his
           Resolution
           to
           return
           to
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           debase
           himself
           as
           utterly
           unworthy
           of
           being
           received
           as
           a
           Son
           ,
           
             while
             he
             was
             in
             the
             way
             ,
             his
             Father
             saw
             him
             at
             a
             distance
             ,
             and
             ran
             to
             him
             ,
             fell
             on
             his
             Neck
             and
             kiss'd
             him
             ,
          
           and
           entirely
           forgave
           his
           past
           Rebellion
           .
           The
           Soul-wounded
           Publican
           said
           ,
           
             Lord
             be
             merciful
             to
             me
             a
             Sinner
             ,
          
           and
           was
           justified
           rather
           than
           the
           proud
           Pharisee
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           'T
           is
           a
           convincing
           Argument
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           ready
           to
           forgive
           Sin
           ,
           in
           that
           he
           affords
           Grace
           to
           Men
           to
           prepare
           them
           for
           his
           pardoning
           Mercy
           .
           Repentance
           and
           Faith
           are
           sacred
           Plants
           that
           do
           not
           spring
           from
           our
           Earth
           ,
           but
           have
           their
           Roots
           in
           Heaven
           .
           
           
             God
             gives
             Repentance
             
             unto
             Life
             .
             Faith
             is
             not
             of
             our selves
             ,
          
           
           
             't
             is
             the
             Gift
             of
             God.
          
           In
           our
           corrupt
           State
           Sin
           is
           natural
           to
           Man
           ,
           and
           hath
           entirely
           possess'd
           all
           his
           leading
           Faculties
           .
           
           
             The
             carnal
             Mind
             is
             Enmity
             against
             God
             ,
          
           and
           judges
           according
           to
           the
           carnal
           Affections
           which
           deprave
           it
           .
           The
           Will
           is
           rebellious
           ,
           and
           strongly
           inclin'd
           to
           charming
           Lusts
           :
           Temptations
           are
           so
           numerous
           and
           delightful
           ,
           that
           Sinners
           will
           venture
           to
           be
           miserable
           for
           ever
           ,
           to
           enjoy
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           Sin
           that
           die
           in
           the
           tasting
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           such
           are
           the
           inviolable
           Inclinations
           of
           the
           humane
           Nature
           to
           Happiness
           ,
           that
           no
           Man
           can
           love
           undisguised
           Death
           ,
           nor
           choose
           Damnation
           for
           it self
           :
           yet
           the
           Affection
           to
           Sin
           is
           so
           over-ruling
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           not
           forsake
           it
           tho
           complicated
           with
           Death
           .
           The
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             Those
             that
             hate
             me
             ,
             love
             Death
             ,
          
           
           
             i.
             e.
          
           constructively
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           compassionately
           reproves
           the
           Jews
           ,
           
             Ye
             will
             not
             come
             to
             me
             that
             ye
             may
             have
             Life
             .
          
           
           This
           is
           the
           Cause
           of
           their
           remaining
           in
           a
           State
           of
           Guilt
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           Now
           such
           is
           the
           Mercy
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           he
           gives
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           to
           assist
           Men
           by
           his
           illuminating
           ,
           preventing
           ,
           restraining
           and
           exciting
           Grace
           ,
           to
           forsake
           their
           Sins
           ,
           
           that
           they
           may
           be
           saved
           :
           and
           if
           they
           did
           faithfully
           improve
           the
           lower
           degrees
           of
           Grace
           ,
           (
           tho
           they
           can
           claim
           nothing
           by
           right
           )
           he
           would
           from
           his
           good
           Pleasure
           afford
           them
           more
           Grace
           :
           but
           they
           are
           so
           averse
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           strongly
           bent
           to
           the
           present
           World
           ,
           that
           they
           so
           long
           resist
           the
           pure
           Motions
           of
           Grace
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           till
           the
           Gales
           of
           the
           Spirit
           expire
           ,
           and
           revive
           no
           more
           ;
           according
           to
           that
           terrible
           Threatning
           ,
           
           
             My
             Spirit
             shall
             no
             longer
             strive
             with
             Man
             ,
             for
             he
             is
             Flesh.
             
          
        
         
           Besides
           the
           common
           Grace
           afforded
           to
           natural
           Men
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           Super-effluence
           of
           Grace
           bestowed
           upon
           some
           to
           convert
           them
           ,
           which
           infallibly
           obtains
           its
           end
           .
           Those
           who
           are
           the
           Patrons
           of
           Free
           Will
           ,
           methinks
           should
           allow
           that
           God
           is
           Master
           of
           his
           own
           Will
           ,
           and
           the
           free
           Dispenser
           of
           his
           own
           Grace
           .
           This
           special
           Grace
           works
           powerfully
           ,
           yet
           conveniently
           ,
           to
           the
           reasonable
           Nature
           .
           There
           is
           no
           Charm
           so
           sweet
           ,
           no
           Constraint
           so
           strong
           ,
           as
           the
           Operation
           of
           it
           :
           For
           the
           Understanding
           is
           convinc'd
           by
           so
           clear
           and
           strong
           a
           Light
           of
           our
           being
           undone
           for
           ever
           without
           God's
           pardoning
           Mercy
           ,
           
             that
             his
             Loving-kindness
             is
             better
             than
             Life
          
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           represented
           to
           the
           Will
           with
           that
           powerful
           Application
           ,
           
           that
           the
           Will
           certainly
           chooses
           it
           .
           When
           there
           is
           a
           Wavering
           and
           Indifferency
           of
           the
           Will
           to
           a
           propounded
           Object
           ,
           't
           is
           either
           from
           some
           Defects
           in
           the
           Object
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           Apprehension
           of
           it
           :
           but
           when
           the
           supreme
           Good
           is
           so
           represented
           ,
           that
           it
           fills
           all
           the
           Capacities
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           the
           Will
           as
           certainly
           embraces
           it
           ,
           as
           one
           that
           is
           burnt
           up
           with
           Thirst
           ,
           and
           near
           a
           cool
           Stream
           stoops
           and
           drinks
           to
           quench
           it
           .
           The
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           who
           knows
           the
           manner
           of
           his
           own
           Operations
           ,
           expresses
           the
           Efficacy
           of
           them
           in
           the
           Resemblances
           of
           the
           Creation
           and
           Resurrection
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Divine
           Power
           cannot
           be
           frustrate
           ;
           yet
           't
           is
           so
           congruous
           to
           the
           Frame
           of
           Man's
           Nature
           ,
           that
           the
           Freedom
           of
           the
           Will
           is
           then
           in
           its
           most
           noble
           Exercise
           :
           
             Men
             are
             drawn
             to
             Christ
             by
             the
             Teachings
             of
             God
          
           ;
           not
           by
           over-ruling
           Violence
           upon
           their
           Faculties
           ,
           but
           by
           Instruction
           and
           Perswasion
           sutable
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           Now
           from
           hence
           't
           is
           evident
           that
           all
           the
           Persons
           in
           the
           Godhead
           concur
           in
           bestowing
           this
           admirable
           Blessing
           ,
           the
           Pardon
           of
           our
           Sins
           :
           they
           all
           willingly
           join
           in
           this
           undivided
           Work
           ,
           tho
           with
           different
           Operations
           .
           The
           Father
           pronounces
           our
           Pardon
           from
           the
           Throne
           :
           
           his
           Majesty
           shines
           without
           Diminution
           or
           Condescension
           of
           his
           Person
           in
           forgiving
           us
           .
           The
           Son
           purchased
           our
           Pardon
           by
           the
           sacred
           Treasure
           of
           his
           Blood.
           The
           Holy
           Spirit
           qualifies
           us
           ,
           and
           applies
           the
           Pardon
           of
           our
           Sins
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           I
           now
           come
           to
           the
           third
           general
           Head
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           abundant
           in
           Forgiveness
           .
           This
           God
           has
           declar'd
           in
           Words
           so
           full
           and
           expressive
           ,
           as
           may
           exceedingly
           satisfy
           the
           most
           tender
           and
           fearful
           Spirits
           :
           
             Let
             the
             Wicked
             forsake
             his
             Way
             ,
             and
             the
             unrighteous
             Man
             his
             Thoughts
             ,
             and
             let
             him
             return
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             he
             will
             have
             Mercy
             upon
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             our
             God
             ,
             for
             he
             will
             abundantly
             pardon
             .
             For
             my
             Thoughts
             are
             not
             your
             Thoughts
             ,
             neither
             are
             your
             Ways
             my
             Ways
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord.
             For
             as
             the
             Heavens
             are
             higher
             than
             the
             Earth
             ,
             so
             are
             my
             Ways
             than
             your
             Ways
             ,
             and
             my
             Thoughts
             than
             your
             Thoughts
             .
          
           The
           Distance
           is
           so
           great
           between
           the
           Heavens
           and
           the
           Earth
           ,
           that
           the
           Sun
           ,
           so
           vast
           a
           Globe
           of
           Light
           ,
           seems
           to
           be
           of
           a
           small
           Circumference
           ;
           and
           the
           Stars
           of
           the
           first
           Magnitude
           ,
           tho
           many
           times
           bigger
           than
           the
           Earth
           ,
           appear
           like
           glittering
           Points
           of
           Light.
           This
           Comparison
           is
           so
           convincing
           ,
           as
           may
           assist
           us
           in
           our
           Contemplation
           of
           his
           Mercy
           .
           The
           Apostle
           
           saith
           ,
           
             God
             is
             rich
             in
             Mercy
          
           .
           
           'T
           is
           not
           said
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           rich
           in
           Substance
           ,
           tho
           the
           Earth
           be
           the
           Lord's
           ,
           and
           the
           Fulness
           thereof
           .
           He
           is
           rich
           in
           his
           own
           Perfections
           ,
           not
           in
           external
           things
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           said
           ,
           God
           is
           rich
           in
           Power
           ,
           tho
           he
           is
           Almighty
           ;
           nor
           in
           Justice
           ,
           but
           in
           Mercy
           :
           This
           signifies
           ,
           that
           of
           all
           the
           Divine
           Perfections
           ,
           none
           do
           shine
           so
           radiantly
           as
           his
           Mercy
           .
           This
           reflects
           a
           Lustre
           upon
           his
           other
           Attributes
           .
           His
           Goodness
           is
           the
           Foundation
           of
           his
           Glory
           .
           He
           pardon'd
           ten
           thousand
           Talents
           to
           the
           Servant
           that
           was
           insolvent
           ,
           and
           his
           Treasure
           is
           unwasted
           .
        
         
           I
           will
           consider
           the
           Extent
           of
           his
           pardoning
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           the
           Entireness
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Extent
           of
           it
           ,
           with
           Respect
           to
           the
           Number
           and
           Quality
           of
           the
           Sins
           that
           are
           pardoned
           .
        
         
           1
           st
           .
           The
           Number
           of
           them
           .
           David
           ,
           after
           an
           attentive
           Consideration
           of
           the
           Purity
           and
           Perfection
           of
           God's
           Law
           ,
           breaks
           forth
           in
           a
           very
           great
           Anxiety
           ,
           
             Who
             can
             understand
             his
             Errors
          
           ?
           Who
           can
           enumerate
           the
           many
           Defections
           from
           that
           strait
           Rule
           of
           our
           Duty
           ?
           
             In
             many
             things
             we
             offend
             all
             .
          
           We
           are
           obliged
           perpetually
           to
           obey
           and
           glorify
           God
           :
           yet
           in
           every
           Action
           ,
           even
           in
           our
           
           religious
           Duties
           ,
           there
           are
           many
           Defects
           and
           Defilements
           that
           want
           Pardon
           .
           How
           many
           Swarms
           of
           vain
           and
           unprofitable
           Thoughts
           ,
           of
           carnal
           ,
           covetous
           ,
           proud
           ,
           envious
           ,
           and
           revengeful
           Thoughts
           and
           Desires
           lodg
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men
           ?
           What
           a
           Torrent
           of
           idle
           ,
           sensual
           ,
           vain-glorious
           and
           passionate
           Words
           flow
           from
           their
           Lips
           ?
           How
           many
           thousand
           sinful
           Actions
           proceed
           from
           them
           ?
           When
           the
           inlightned
           Conscience
           seriously
           reflects
           upon
           our
           Sins
           of
           Omission
           and
           Commission
           ,
           how
           astonishing
           is
           their
           vast
           Number
           ?
           What
           a
           mountainous
           Heap
           appears
           ?
           They
           reach
           as
           low
           as
           Hell
           ,
           and
           rise
           as
           high
           as
           Heaven
           .
           It
           would
           tire
           the
           Hand
           of
           an
           Angel
           to
           write
           down
           the
           Pardons
           that
           God
           bestows
           upon
           one
           penitent
           Believer
           .
        
         
           2
           dly
           .
           Divine
           Forgiveness
           extends
           to
           Sins
           of
           all
           kinds
           and
           degrees
           ,
           habitual
           and
           actual
           .
           Tho
           no
           Sins
           are
           absolutely
           small
           ,
           being
           committed
           against
           the
           Majesty
           of
           God
           ,
           yet
           comparatively
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           their
           Quality
           and
           Circumstances
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           manifest
           Difference
           between
           them
           .
           Some
           are
           of
           a
           weaker
           Tincture
           ,
           some
           are
           of
           a
           deeper
           Die
           :
           Some
           slightly
           wound
           the
           Conscience
           ;
           some
           waste
           it
           ,
           and
           let
           out
           its
           vital
           Blood
           :
           
           Some
           do
           as
           it
           were
           whisper
           against
           the
           Sinner
           ,
           some
           cry
           for
           Vengeance
           .
           Sins
           of
           Ignorance
           and
           Infirmity
           ,
           Sins
           of
           sudden
           Surreption
           ,
           that
           steal
           upon
           us
           without
           observing
           ,
           Sins
           by
           surprise
           of
           the
           Passions
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           no
           time
           to
           deliberate
           ,
           have
           extenuating
           Circumstances
           :
           but
           Sins
           against
           Light
           ,
           wherein
           there
           is
           more
           of
           the
           Nature
           of
           Sin
           ;
           Sins
           against
           Mercies
           ,
           which
           in
           the
           Language
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           are
           a
           
             despising
             of
             God's
             Goodness
          
           ;
           Sins
           against
           solemn
           Vows
           ,
           wherein
           Men
           break
           double
           Bands
           ,
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           and
           their
           sacred
           Ingagements
           ;
           Sins
           committed
           habitually
           and
           presumptuously
           ,
           as
           if
           God
           were
           ignorant
           ,
           or
           indifferent
           and
           unconcern'd
           ,
           or
           impotent
           and
           without
           Power
           to
           punish
           Offenders
           :
           These
           Sins
           derive
           a
           greater
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           expose
           to
           a
           more
           terrible
           Punishment
           .
           Now
           a
           gracious
           Pardon
           is
           offer'd
           in
           the
           Gospel
           to
           all
           Sinners
           ,
           whatever
           the
           Quality
           and
           Circumstances
           of
           their
           Sins
           be
           ,
           if
           they
           apply
           and
           address
           themselves
           to
           the
           Father
           of
           Mercy
           through
           the
           compassionate
           Mediator
           ,
           and
           forsake
           their
           Sins
           .
           Of
           this
           we
           are
           assured
           from
           the
           most
           solemn
           Declaration
           of
           God
           to
           
             Moses
             ,
             The
             Lord
             is
             merciful
             and
             gracious
             ,
             long-suffering
             ,
             and
             abundant
             in
             
             Goodness
             and
             Truth
             ,
             keeping
             Mercy
             for
             thousands
             ,
             forgiving
             Iniquity
             ,
             and
             Transgression
             ,
             and
             Sin.
          
           The
           Promise
           is
           comprehensive
           of
           all
           sorts
           of
           Sins
           ,
           how
           manifold
           and
           mighty
           soever
           .
           Besides
           ,
           to
           encourage
           us
           to
           repent
           and
           believe
           ,
           God
           promises
           Pardon
           for
           Sins
           of
           the
           fiercest
           Provocation
           .
           Judah
           had
           violated
           the
           Marriage-Covenant
           with
           God
           by
           their
           impure
           Idolatries
           ,
           yet
           he
           offers
           to
           receive
           them
           .
           
             Thou
             hast
             played
             the
             Harlot
             with
             many
             Lovers
             ,
             yet
             return
             again
             to
             me
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord.
          
           Relapses
           into
           rebellious
           Sins
           argue
           a
           strong
           Propensity
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           exceedingly
           aggravate
           their
           Guilt
           ;
           yet
           God
           promises
           Pardon
           for
           them
           :
           
             Return
             ye
             backsliding
             Children
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             heal
             your
             Backslidings
             .
          
           There
           are
           eminent
           Instances
           of
           God's
           pardoning
           Mercy
           recorded
           in
           the
           Scripture
           .
           The
           Apostle
           having
           enumerated
           many
           sorts
           of
           Sinners
           guilty
           of
           enormous
           Crimes
           ,
           Idolaters
           ,
           Adulterers
           ,
           Abusers
           of
           themselves
           with
           Mankind
           ,
           tells
           the
           Corinthians
           ,
           
             And
             such
             were
             some
             of
             you
             ,
             but
             ye
             are
             washed
             ,
             but
             ye
             are
             sanctified
             ,
             but
             ye
             are
             justified
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             our
             God.
          
           There
           is
           one
           sort
           of
           Sinners
           excepted
           from
           the
           general
           Promise
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           
           those
           who
           sin
           against
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           .
           The
           Reason
           of
           the
           Exception
           is
           not
           ,
           that
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           is
           superiour
           in
           Dignity
           to
           the
           Father
           and
           the
           Son
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           all
           coeternal
           and
           coequal
           ,
           but
           from
           his
           Operations
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           the
           revealing
           the
           Truth
           and
           Grace
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Gospel
           .
           Now
           the
           obstinate
           malicious
           contradicting
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           shining
           in
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           the
           perverse
           despising
           the
           Grace
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           is
           unpardonable
           to
           infinite
           Mercy
           .
           Those
           who
           are
           guilty
           of
           that
           Sin
           ,
           have
           transform'd
           themselves
           into
           the
           Image
           of
           the
           Devil
           ,
           and
           Salvation
           cannot
           save
           them
           .
           But
           no
           others
           are
           excluded
           from
           Repentance
           and
           Pardon
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           As
           the
           Extent
           ,
           so
           the
           Intireness
           of
           Pardon
           offer'd
           to
           Sinners
           declares
           God's
           abundant
           Mercy
           .
        
         
           1
           st
           .
           The
           Pardon
           is
           as
           full
           as
           free
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           excellent
           Goodness
           :
           The
           Imputation
           of
           the
           Fault
           ceases
           ,
           and
           the
           Obligation
           to
           Punishment
           is
           abolish'd
           .
           We
           have
           clear
           Evidence
           of
           this
           from
           the
           Scripture
           .
           God
           assures
           those
           who
           repent
           and
           reform
           ,
           
             Tho
             your
             Sins
             be
             as
             Scarlet
             ,
             they
             shall
             be
             as
             white
             as
             Snow
             :
             tho
             they
             be
             red
             like
             Crimson
             ,
             they
             shall
             be
             as
             Wool.
          
           Pardon
           is
           more
           than
           a
           Reprieve
           
           or
           Suspension
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           perfect
           Freedom
           from
           it
           :
           A
           repenting
           Believer
           is
           as
           clear
           from
           the
           Charge
           of
           the
           Law
           as
           an
           innocent
           Angel.
           
             There
             is
             no
             Condemnation
             to
             those
             that
             are
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
          
           
           
             who
             walk
             not
             after
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             but
             after
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           Our
           cleansing
           from
           the
           Defilements
           of
           Sin
           is
           imperfect
           ,
           therefore
           we
           must
           be
           always
           purifying
           our selves
           ,
           till
           we
           attain
           to
           absolute
           Purity
           :
           but
           our
           Pardon
           is
           perfect
           .
           'T
           is
           irrevocable
           ;
           we
           are
           assured
           ,
           that
           as
           far
           as
           the
           East
           is
           from
           the
           West
           ,
           
           God
           removes
           our
           Transgressions
           from
           us
           .
           As
           soon
           those
           distant
           Points
           may
           be
           united
           ,
           as
           Guilt
           may
           be
           fastned
           upon
           those
           whom
           God
           has
           pardoned
           .
           The
           Prophet
           declares
           ,
           that
           
             God
             will
             subdue
             our
             Iniquities
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             cast
             them
             into
             the
             Bottom
             of
             the
             Sea
             :
          
           From
           whence
           they
           can
           never
           rise
           .
           God
           promises
           ,
           
             I
             will
             forgive
             their
             Iniquities
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             remember
             them
             no
             more
          
           .
           Pardon
           is
           compleat
           and
           final
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           Misery
           of
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           
             they
             are
             condemned
             already
          
           ;
           they
           live
           by
           a
           Reprieve
           and
           Suspension
           of
           Judgment
           :
           't
           is
           the
           blessed
           Security
           of
           Believers
           ,
           they
           
             shall
             not
             fall
             under
             Condemnation
          
           .
           There
           is
           such
           an
           Inconstancy
           in
           the
           Nature
           of
           Men
           ,
           that
           they
           often
           repent
           and
           revoke
           the
           Favours
           
           and
           Privileges
           they
           have
           bestowed
           ;
           they
           like
           to
           day
           ,
           and
           loath
           to
           morrow
           the
           same
           Persons
           :
           but
           the
           blessed
           God
           is
           not
           subject
           to
           Change
           or
           Contingency
           .
           His
           Love
           ,
           his
           Purpose
           ,
           his
           Promise
           to
           his
           People
           ,
           are
           unalterable
           .
        
         
           From
           the
           Sense
           of
           God's
           pardoning
           Mercy
           ,
           Conscience
           is
           freed
           from
           those
           just
           Terrors
           that
           are
           the
           Consequents
           of
           Guilt
           .
           
           
             The
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             purges
             our
             Conscience
             from
             dead
             Works
             :
          
           from
           the
           deadly
           Guilt
           of
           Sin
           that
           cleaves
           to
           the
           Conscience
           .
           A
           temporal
           Prince
           may
           pardon
           a
           Murderer
           ;
           and
           Conscience
           with
           a
           Countenance
           of
           Despair
           may
           summon
           him
           to
           appear
           and
           be
           accountable
           for
           his
           bloody
           Crime
           before
           the
           High
           and
           Everlasting
           Judg
           :
           but
           those
           who
           are
           
             justified
             by
             Faith
             ,
             have
             Peace
             with
             God.
          
           When
           the
           Original
           Bond
           is
           cancell'd
           ,
           the
           Counter-part
           has
           no
           Force
           ;
           Conscience
           is
           subordinate
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           when
           he
           justifies
           ,
           has
           no
           Authority
           to
           condemn
           .
           When
           God
           
             blots
             out
             the
             Iniquities
             of
             his
             People
             as
             a
             thick
             Cloud
             ,
          
           there
           is
           a
           clear
           Sky
           ,
           a
           divine
           Calm
           and
           Serenity
           in
           Conscience
           .
           It
           may
           be
           enquired
           how
           the
           compleat
           Pardon
           of
           Sin
           is
           consistent
           with
           the
           temporal
           Evils
           inflicted
           upon
           the
           Children
           of
           God
           for
           
           their
           Sins
           .
           The
           Answer
           is
           obvious
           and
           easy
           .
           Temporal
           Evils
           inflicted
           on
           the
           Children
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           declarative
           of
           his
           holy
           Displeasure
           against
           Sin
           ,
           but
           are
           not
           for
           Satisfaction
           to
           vindictive
           Justice
           :
           This
           would
           be
           derogatory
           to
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           meritorious
           Sufferings
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           who
           did
           not
           compound
           with
           God
           ,
           but
           made
           full
           and
           absolute
           Satisfaction
           for
           our
           Sins
           .
           In
           the
           12
           th
           Chapter
           to
           the
           Hebrews
           ,
           where
           the
           Apostle
           so
           divinely
           and
           accurately
           treats
           of
           this
           Argument
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           clear
           Account
           of
           the
           Cause
           ,
           the
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           Product
           of
           the
           temporal
           Sufferings
           of
           God's
           Children
           .
           The
           Cause
           of
           them
           is
           the
           Love
           of
           their
           heavenly
           Father
           displeased
           for
           their
           Sins
           :
           
             Whom
             the
             Lord
             loves
             he
             chastens
             ,
             and
             scourges
             every
             Son
             whom
             he
             receives
             .
          
           Earthly
           Parents
           in
           their
           various
           Fits
           of
           Folly
           ,
           sometimes
           
             chasten
             their
             Children
             only
             for
             their
             Pleasure
             ,
          
           and
           sometimes
           spare
           the
           Rod
           to
           their
           Ruine
           :
           but
           our
           heavenly
           Father
           is
           equally
           wise
           and
           compassionate
           ,
           and
           uses
           such
           Discipline
           as
           is
           requisite
           for
           their
           Profit
           ,
           to
           prevent
           their
           Continuance
           in
           Sin
           ,
           that
           would
           be
           destructive
           to
           them
           .
           Believers
           
             are
             chasten'd
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           ,
           
           
             that
             they
             may
             not
             be
             condemned
             with
             
             the
             World.
          
           And
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Love
           of
           our
           Father
           and
           Physician
           mixes
           such
           bitter
           Ingredients
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           Proportion
           ,
           as
           are
           requisite
           for
           the
           Quality
           of
           the
           Disease
           ,
           and
           the
           Strength
           of
           the
           Patient
           .
           
             He
             corrects
             them
             in
             measure
          
           ;
           he
           will
           not
           suffer
           them
           
             to
             be
             tempted
             above
             what
             they
             are
             able
             .
          
           Their
           Afflictions
           are
           deliberate
           Dispensations
           .
           The
           Nature
           of
           them
           is
           signified
           in
           the
           word
           Chastisement
           :
           The
           Correction
           of
           a
           Child
           is
           in
           order
           to
           his
           Amendment
           :
           They
           are
           medicinal
           ,
           and
           have
           a
           main
           Relation
           and
           Prospect
           to
           the
           future
           ,
           to
           make
           us
           more
           fearful
           to
           offend
           God
           ,
           and
           careful
           to
           please
           him
           .
           They
           are
           more
           lively
           and
           sensible
           Lessons
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           than
           the
           Instructions
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           are
           of
           the
           same
           Order
           .
        
         
           The
           Product
           of
           the
           Chastisements
           of
           God's
           Children
           ,
           
           
             is
             the
             pleasant
             Fruit
             of
             Righteousness
             to
             them
             who
             are
             exercised
             thereby
             :
          
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           sanctifying
           Graces
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           Repentance
           ,
           Faith
           ,
           Hope
           ,
           Patience
           ,
           Self-denial
           ,
           Contempt
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           Resignation
           to
           the
           Divine
           Will
           ,
           are
           exercised
           ,
           illustrated
           ,
           and
           increas'd
           in
           those
           Christians
           who
           with
           unfainting
           Perseverance
           endure
           Affliction
           .
        
         
         
           In
           short
           ,
           Death
           that
           was
           the
           penal
           Effect
           of
           Sin
           ,
           (
           for
           the
           first
           Man
           while
           innocent
           was
           immortal
           )
           tho
           continued
           ,
           yet
           the
           Sting
           is
           taken
           away
           ,
           the
           Quality
           of
           it
           is
           changed
           :
           The
           Issues
           of
           it
           are
           vastly
           different
           to
           the
           Saints
           and
           the
           Wicked
           :
           To
           the
           Saints
           't
           is
           the
           Period
           of
           their
           Fears
           and
           Sorrows
           ,
           the
           final
           Remedy
           of
           all
           their
           Miseries
           ;
           to
           the
           Wicked
           't
           is
           the
           Beginning
           of
           their
           Woe
           .
           The
           Saints
           pass
           through
           the
           Darkness
           and
           Corruption
           of
           the
           Grave
           into
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Glory
           :
           the
           Wicked
           pass
           to
           the
           Blackness
           of
           Darkness
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           2
           dly
           .
           The
           Intireness
           of
           this
           great
           Benefit
           is
           evident
           in
           that
           God
           restores
           his
           Love
           and
           forfeited
           Favour
           to
           all
           that
           are
           pardon'd
           .
           Princes
           sometimes
           pardon
           Offenders
           ,
           but
           never
           receive
           them
           into
           their
           Favour
           .
           Absalom
           was
           recall'd
           from
           Banishment
           ,
           but
           for
           two
           Years
           was
           not
           admitted
           to
           see
           the
           King's
           Face
           .
           But
           God
           does
           magnify
           and
           manifest
           his
           Love
           to
           those
           whom
           he
           pardons
           .
           He
           does
           not
           distinguish
           them
           from
           the
           Angels
           that
           always
           obeyed
           him
           .
           He
           forgives
           our
           Sins
           as
           entirely
           as
           if
           they
           had
           never
           been
           committed
           ,
           and
           is
           reconcil'd
           as
           if
           he
           had
           never
           been
           offended
           .
           We
           have
           the
           most
           clear
           Discovery
           of
           this
           in
           
           the
           Parable
           of
           the
           Prodigal
           .
           It
           might
           have
           been
           expected
           ,
           that
           his
           Father
           should
           have
           reproach'd
           him
           for
           his
           obstinate
           deserting
           his
           House
           ,
           his
           wasting
           his
           Portion
           in
           Lewdness
           and
           Luxury
           ,
           and
           that
           bitter
           Constraint
           forced
           him
           to
           return
           :
           no
           ,
           he
           dearly
           embraces
           him
           ,
           and
           cancels
           all
           the
           Debt
           of
           his
           past
           Offences
           with
           a
           most
           affectionate
           Kiss
           :
           and
           whereas
           the
           poor
           Penitent
           presum'd
           only
           to
           be
           received
           as
           a
           Servant
           ,
           he
           was
           restor'd
           in
           the
           most
           affectionate
           manner
           to
           the
           Dignity
           and
           Relation
           of
           a
           Son
           ;
           and
           universal
           Joy
           was
           diffused
           through
           all
           the
           Family
           for
           his
           Return
           .
           If
           our
           Saviour
           had
           not
           made
           this
           Relation
           with
           all
           its
           endearing
           Circumstances
           ,
           our
           narrow
           Hearts
           durst
           never
           presume
           and
           promise
           to
           us
           such
           compassionate
           Love
           of
           God
           to
           repenting
           Sinners
           .
           But
           whoever
           imitates
           the
           Prodigal
           in
           his
           Return
           ,
           shall
           find
           the
           Reality
           to
           exceed
           the
           Representation
           .
           I
           shall
           add
           some
           Examples
           of
           this
           Love
           of
           God
           to
           those
           who
           repent
           .
           
             Mary
             Magdalen
          
           had
           been
           guilty
           of
           foul
           Sins
           ,
           yet
           our
           Saviour
           graciously
           received
           the
           tender
           Expressions
           of
           her
           Grief
           and
           Love
           ,
           to
           the
           Astonishment
           of
           
             Simon
             :
             She
             wash'd
             his
             Feet
             with
             her
             Tears
             ,
             and
             wiped
             them
             with
             the
             
             Hair
             of
             her
             Head
             ,
             and
             kissed
             them
             :
          
           and
           after
           his
           Resurrection
           appeared
           first
           to
           her
           as
           his
           endeared
           Favourite
           .
           'T
           is
           recorded
           by
           the
           Evangelist
           ,
           with
           an
           infinite
           Emphasis
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           that
           
             he
             first
             appear'd
             to
          
           Mary
           Magdalen
           ,
           
             out
             of
             whom
             he
             had
             cast
             seven
             Devils
             .
             Peter
             ,
          
           in
           whose
           Denial
           of
           Christ
           there
           was
           such
           a
           Mixture
           of
           Infidelity
           ,
           Ingratitude
           ,
           and
           Impiety
           ,
           he
           promised
           he
           would
           die
           with
           him
           or
           for
           him
           ;
           yet
           being
           questioned
           not
           with
           Terror
           by
           an
           armed
           Magistrate
           ,
           not
           surprized
           by
           a
           subtle
           Examiner
           ,
           but
           at
           the
           Question
           of
           a
           Maid
           renounc'd
           him
           ,
           yet
           he
           was
           restor'd
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           his
           Office
           ,
           and
           the
           Affection
           of
           his
           Master
           .
           'T
           is
           very
           observable
           ,
           that
           when
           he
           appeared
           to
           
             Mary
             Magdalen
          
           ,
           he
           directs
           her
           to
           tell
           his
           Disciples
           and
           Peter
           of
           his
           Resurrection
           ;
           he
           particularly
           mentions
           Peter
           ,
           to
           raise
           his
           drooping
           Spirit
           by
           this
           new
           Assurance
           of
           his
           Love.
           
        
         
           This
           happy
           Privilege
           belongs
           to
           all
           penitent
           Believers
           ,
           for
           whomsoever
           God
           pardons
           he
           prefers
           ,
           and
           adopts
           into
           his
           Family
           ,
           and
           makes
           them
           Heirs
           of
           Heaven
           .
           The
           first
           Beam
           of
           Mercy
           shines
           in
           the
           Pardon
           of
           our
           Sins
           ,
           which
           is
           an
           infallible
           Assurance
           of
           freeing
           us
           
           from
           the
           Punishment
           of
           Sin
           in
           Hell
           ,
           and
           of
           our
           obtaining
           the
           Joys
           of
           Heaven
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           has
           by
           his
           meritorious
           and
           voluntary
           Sufferings
           paid
           our
           Ransom
           from
           eternal
           Death
           ,
           and
           purchased
           for
           us
           a
           Right
           to
           eternal
           Life
           :
           accordingly
           
             whom
             God
             justifies
             he
             glorifies
          
           .
           The
           formal
           Effect
           of
           Justification
           is
           the
           restoring
           us
           to
           the
           forfeited
           Favour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           from
           that
           Fountain
           all
           blessed
           Benefits
           flow
           .
           God
           declares
           concerning
           his
           People
           :
           
           
             They
             shall
             be
             mine
             in
             the
             day
             that
             I
             make
             up
             my
             Jewels
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             spare
             them
             as
             a
             Man
             spares
             his
             Son
             that
             serves
             him
             :
          
           Which
           two
           Acts
           of
           the
           Divine
           Mercy
           are
           inseparable
           .
        
         
           
             The
             APPLICATION
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             Use
             shall
             be
             of
             Caution
             ,
             lest
             Men
             abuse
             carelesly
             and
             contemptuously
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Divine
             Forgiveness
             .
             Many
             sin
             freely
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             believed
             the
             Permission
             of
             Sins
             ,
             or
             presumed
             upon
             a
             ready
             Remedy
             ,
             and
             are
             without
             Fear
             of
             Judgment
             to
             come
             .
             This
             is
             the
             Language
             of
             their
             Actions
             ,
             tho
             not
             of
             their
             Tongues
             .
             There
             are
             not
             a
             worse
             sort
             of
             Sinners
             out
             of
             Hell.
             If
             that
             
             which
             should
             soften
             and
             reclaim
             Sinners
             hardens
             them
             ,
             the
             Case
             is
             desperate
             and
             incurable
             .
             To
             correct
             the
             vile
             Conceits
             Men
             have
             of
             obtaining
             an
             easy
             Pardon
             of
             their
             Sins
             ,
             tho
             habitually
             committed
             upon
             that
             Account
             ,
             let
             them
             consider
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Angels
             who
             were
             the
             first
             and
             brightest
             Offspring
             of
             the
             Creator
             ,
             for
             one
             Sin
             were
             decreed
             and
             doom'd
             to
             an
             Exclusion
             from
             the
             Glory
             of
             Heaven
             for
             ever
             .
             Mercy
             did
             not
             suspend
             the
             Sentence
             :
             Their
             mighty
             Numbers
             ,
             and
             the
             Nobility
             of
             their
             Nature
             ,
             did
             not
             incline
             the
             Judg
             of
             the
             World
             to
             spare
             them
             .
             They
             are
             now
             in
             the
             Chains
             of
             powerful
             Justice
             ,
             and
             have
             perpetual
             Hell
             within
             them
             .
             And
             shall
             rebellious
             Men
             ,
             who
             are
             but
             Dust
             in
             their
             original
             Composition
             and
             final
             Resolution
             ,
             expect
             to
             escape
             Vengeance
             ?
             If
             we
             should
             see
             a
             hundred
             Noble
             Men
             executed
             in
             a
             Day
             ,
             the
             Sight
             would
             strike
             us
             with
             Terror
             :
             How
             much
             greater
             Reason
             is
             there
             awfully
             to
             adore
             the
             inflexible
             Judg
             ,
             for
             such
             a
             dreadful
             Execution
             and
             Example
             of
             Justice
             upon
             an
             innumerable
             Company
             of
             Angels
             ?
          
           
             2.
             
             To
             pardon
             Sin
             is
             an
             Act
             of
             greater
             Power
             than
             to
             create
             the
             World
             :
             If
             we
             consider
             the
             Distance
             of
             the
             Terms
             ,
             and
             
             the
             Difficulty
             of
             the
             Means
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             wider
             Distance
             between
             a
             righteous
             God
             infinitely
             provoked
             by
             Sin
             ,
             and
             the
             guilty
             Creature
             ,
             than
             between
             a
             State
             of
             not
             being
             ,
             and
             the
             actual
             Existence
             of
             the
             World.
             One
             powerful
             Word
             rais'd
             this
             great
             World
             from
             its
             native
             nothing
             .
             But
             to
             accord
             the
             Divine
             Attributes
             between
             which
             there
             seem'd
             a
             Repugnance
             ,
             and
             reconcile
             God
             to
             sinful
             Men
             ,
             cost
             the
             dearest
             Price
             .
             The
             anxious
             Sinner
             makes
             Inquiry
             ,
             
             
               Shall
               I
               give
               the
               First-born
               of
               my
               Body
               for
               the
               Sin
               of
               my
               Soul
               ?
            
             that
             is
             too
             mean
             an
             Offering
             :
             no
             less
             than
             the
             First-born
             of
             the
             Almighty
             could
             by
             the
             Sacrifice
             of
             himself
             make
             an
             Atonement
             for
             our
             Offences
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Vengeance
             belongs
             to
             God
             as
             well
             as
             Forgiveness
             .
             
             
               The
               Wrath
               of
               God
               is
               reveal'd
               from
               Heaven
               against
               all
               Vngodliness
               and
               Vnrighteousness
               of
               Men.
            
             It
             was
             decreed
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             't
             is
             denounced
             in
             his
             Word
             ,
             and
             shall
             be
             executed
             by
             his
             just
             Power
             in
             its
             Season
             .
             There
             is
             a
             time
             to
             pardon
             ,
             and
             a
             time
             to
             punish
             .
             God
             is
             stiled
             
               the
               God
               of
               Patience
            
             :
             in
             the
             present
             World
             
               his
               Patience
               has
               its
               perfect
               Work.
            
             But
             in
             the
             next
             World
             Justice
             will
             gloriously
             appear
             against
             the
             Wicked
             
             who
             are
             devoted
             to
             Destruction
             .
             Forbearance
             is
             not
             Forgiveness
             .
             The
             last
             Day
             will
             close
             the
             Accounts
             of
             the
             Judg
             of
             the
             World
             with
             Sinners
             ,
             and
             a
             terrible
             Arrear
             will
             be
             exacted
             of
             them
             for
             all
             the
             Treasures
             of
             his
             Goodness
             and
             Clemency
             wasted
             by
             them
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Those
             who
             indulge
             themselves
             in
             a
             Course
             of
             Sin
             upon
             the
             Presumption
             of
             an
             easy
             Pardon
             ,
             are
             the
             most
             unworthy
             and
             uncapable
             of
             the
             Divine
             Mercy
             .
             They
             sin
             against
             the
             Nature
             and
             End
             of
             Grace
             :
             and
             by
             an
             immediate
             and
             direct
             Opposition
             to
             it
             in
             the
             proper
             Notion
             of
             Grace
             ,
             cut
             off
             all
             their
             Pleas
             for
             it
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             God
             is
             very
             merciful
             ,
             and
             easy
             to
             be
             intreated
             by
             those
             who
             sincerely
             repent
             and
             reform
             their
             Lives
             :
             but
             he
             is
             inexorable
             to
             all
             those
             who
             harden
             themselves
             in
             their
             Sins
             by
             the
             false
             and
             presumptuous
             Hopes
             of
             his
             Mercy
             .
             He
             declares
             in
             his
             Word
             ,
             that
             
               when
               Sinners
               despise
               the
               Curse
               threatned
               against
               them
               ,
            
             
             
               and
               bless
               themselves
               in
               their
               Hearts
               ,
               that
               they
               shall
               have
               Peace
               ,
               tho
               they
               walk
               in
               the
               Imagination
               of
               their
               own
               Hearts
               ,
               to
               add
               Drunkenness
               to
               Thirst
               ;
               the
               Lord
               will
               not
               spare
               them
               ,
               but
               then
               the
               Anger
               of
               the
               Lord
               and
               his
               Jealousy
               shall
               smoke
               against
               them
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Curses
               written
               in
               this
               
               Book
               shall
               lie
               upon
               them
               without
               Mitigation
               or
               Intermission
               .
            
             No
             less
             Punishment
             than
             eternal
             Damnation
             is
             equal
             to
             their
             Sin.
             They
             resist
             and
             renounce
             Mercy
             by
             their
             abusing
             it
             to
             the
             worst
             ends
             ,
             yet
             are
             confident
             of
             their
             Interest
             in
             it
             .
             What
             a
             prodigious
             Contradiction
             is
             there
             between
             the
             Hopes
             of
             presumptuous
             Sinners
             and
             their
             Practices
             ?
             They
             kindle
             his
             Anger
             every
             day
             ,
             and
             inflame
             Anger
             into
             Wrath
             ,
             and
             Wrath
             into
             Vengeance
             ,
             and
             yet
             strongly
             fancy
             they
             shall
             find
             Mercy
             .
             What
             a
             diabolical
             Wonder
             is
             it
             ,
             as
             astonishing
             as
             extraordinary
             Miracles
             ,
             but
             that
             't
             is
             commonly
             seen
             ,
             that
             Men
             without
             a
             Promise
             ,
             and
             against
             the
             Threatning
             ,
             should
             expect
             the
             Favour
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             is
             the
             Portion
             of
             his
             Children
             ,
             and
             continue
             in
             high
             and
             actual
             Rebellion
             ?
             If
             a
             Spark
             of
             Reason
             or
             Grain
             of
             Faith
             were
             shining
             in
             their
             Breasts
             ,
             they
             would
             be
             restless
             in
             the
             Apprehension
             of
             his
             firy
             Displeasure
             .
             The
             Tempter
             over-reaches
             their
             Minds
             by
             a
             double
             Delusion
             ,
             that
             they
             shall
             have
             Time
             and
             Grace
             to
             repent
             ,
             and
             over-rules
             their
             Wills
             ,
             that
             the
             most
             terrible
             Threatnings
             and
             Divine
             Disswasives
             are
             not
             effectual
             to
             make
             them
             forsake
             their
             Sins
             .
             They
             are
             secure
             ,
             tho
             
             not
             safe
             one
             Hour
             :
             for
             't
             is
             in
             the
             Power
             of
             their
             Judg
             ,
             and
             they
             have
             Reason
             to
             fear
             in
             his
             Purpose
             ,
             
             
               to
               destroy
               them
               suddenly
               ,
               and
               without
               Remedy
               .
            
             The
             presumptuous
             Conceit
             of
             immense
             Mercy
             has
             so
             fully
             possess'd
             their
             Minds
             ,
             that
             like
             a
             powerful
             Opiate
             it
             makes
             them
             sleep
             securely
             upon
             the
             Brink
             of
             Ruine
             :
             but
             Conscience
             is
             of
             an
             immortal
             Nature
             ,
             and
             tho
             it
             may
             be
             stupified
             ,
             it
             cannot
             be
             extinguish'd
             .
             In
             the
             present
             Life
             sometimes
             a
             sharp
             Affliction
             awakens
             it
             into
             a
             furious
             Activity
             ;
             and
             then
             presuming
             Sinners
             that
             have
             been
             indulgent
             to
             their
             Lusts
             ,
             despair
             of
             Pardon
             :
             for
             when
             Mercy
             ,
             that
             is
             our
             only
             Advocate
             in
             his
             Bosom
             to
             avert
             Wrath
             for
             Sins
             against
             the
             other
             Attributes
             ,
             shall
             turn
             our
             Accuser
             ,
             and
             solicite
             Justice
             to
             revenge
             its
             Dishonour
             upon
             those
             who
             have
             abused
             it
             ,
             there
             remains
             no
             Shadow
             of
             Hope
             to
             refresh
             their
             Sorrows
             .
             But
             suppose
             the
             Charm
             be
             not
             unbound
             ,
             and
             the
             Self-deceiver
             continues
             his
             evil
             Course
             to
             the
             end
             of
             Life
             ,
             and
             perishes
             pleasantly
             with
             the
             vain
             Hopes
             of
             Mercy
             ,
             yet
             immediately
             after
             Death
             his
             Conscience
             will
             be
             irresistibly
             convinc'd
             of
             his
             outragious
             Provocations
             of
             the
             righteous
             God
             ,
             and
             be
             more
             tormenting
             
             than
             the
             hottest
             Flames
             of
             Hell.
             
          
           
             Let
             us
             attend
             to
             the
             instructive
             Inference
             in
             the
             Text
             ,
             
               There
               is
               Forgiveness
               with
               thee
               that
               thou
               mayst
               be
               feared
               :
            
             that
             is
             ,
             with
             a
             Fear
             of
             Reverence
             for
             his
             amiable
             Excellencies
             ,
             for
             the
             Attractives
             of
             his
             pardoning
             Mercy
             ;
             and
             of
             Caution
             ,
             lest
             by
             abusing
             we
             should
             make
             a
             deadly
             Forfeiture
             of
             it
             .
             If
             God
             should
             appear
             as
             an
             irreconcileable
             Judg
             ,
             arm'd
             with
             Terrour
             against
             all
             Offenders
             ,
             the
             Apprehension
             would
             produce
             Hatred
             ,
             and
             a
             dreadful
             Flight
             from
             him
             :
             it
             would
             make
             Men
             boldly
             wilful
             ,
             and
             harden
             them
             in
             their
             Rebellions
             :
             for
             if
             they
             cannot
             be
             pardoned
             for
             their
             past
             Sins
             ,
             and
             can
             be
             but
             damned
             for
             their
             Continuance
             in
             them
             ,
             they
             will
             give
             Licence
             to
             their
             roving
             and
             impetuous
             Appetites
             ,
             and
             commit
             Iniquity
             with
             Greediness
             .
             Now
             God
             has
             appointed
             a
             Way
             for
             the
             Pardon
             of
             Sin
             ,
             wherein
             there
             is
             a
             bright
             and
             equal
             Discovery
             of
             his
             Greatness
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             his
             Purity
             and
             Righteousness
             ,
             that
             his
             Law
             may
             be
             more
             sacred
             and
             inviolable
             ,
             more
             remembred
             and
             obeyed
             by
             us
             .
             He
             has
             declared
             in
             the
             Death
             of
             his
             Son
             ,
             wherein
             the
             equal
             Extreams
             of
             Ignominy
             and
             Torment
             were
             combin'd
             ,
             what
             an
             Evil
             
             Sin
             is
             ,
             that
             requir'd
             such
             a
             mighty
             Expiation
             .
             We
             may
             from
             the
             Depth
             of
             his
             Sufferings
             conceive
             the
             Excess
             and
             Height
             of
             our
             Provocations
             :
             We
             may
             understand
             the
             deadly
             Guilt
             of
             Sin
             ,
             that
             can
             only
             be
             wash'd
             away
             in
             the
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Fountain
             of
             Remission
             .
             To
             turn
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             into
             Wantonness
             ,
             to
             be
             more
             loose
             and
             secure
             in
             committing
             Sin
             ,
             is
             to
             turn
             the
             Antidote
             into
             Poison
             ,
             and
             defeat
             his
             blessed
             End.
             'T
             is
             a
             main
             Article
             of
             our
             Reconciliation
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               will
               speak
               Peace
               to
               his
               People
               ,
               but
               let
               them
               not
               return
               to
               Folly.
            
             We
             may
             conceive
             ,
             that
             God
             speaks
             to
             the
             pardon'd
             Sinner
             what
             our
             Saviour
             said
             to
             the
             Man
             whom
             he
             miraculously
             heal'd
             ,
             
               Go
               away
               ,
               sin
               no
               more
               ,
               lest
               a
               worse
               thing
               befal
               you
               .
            
          
           
             'T
             is
             both
             the
             Duty
             and
             Disposition
             of
             those
             who
             have
             received
             the
             Pardon
             of
             their
             Sins
             ,
             
               to
               fear
               the
               Lord
               and
               his
               Goodness
               .
            
             There
             is
             no
             Principle
             more
             clearly
             natural
             and
             sensible
             than
             this
             :
             Dependance
             includes
             Observance
             ;
             the
             receiving
             Benefits
             obliges
             a
             Person
             to
             the
             Benefactor
             .
             Accordingly
             the
             Psalmist
             expresses
             the
             Affections
             of
             the
             humane
             and
             the
             holy
             Nature
             ,
             
             
               What
               shall
               I
               render
               to
               the
               Lord
               for
               all
               his
               Benefits
               ?
            
             and
             breaks
             
             out
             in
             an
             Extasy
             of
             Thankfulness
             ,
             
               O
               Lord
               ,
               truly
               I
               am
               thy
               Servant
               ,
               I
               am
               thy
               Servant
               ,
               thou
               hast
               broken
               my
               Bands
               .
            
             The
             repenting
             Believer
             receives
             Pardon
             from
             God
             with
             joyful
             Admiration
             ,
             that
             fastens
             his
             Mind
             in
             the
             Contemplation
             of
             his
             glorious
             Mercy
             :
             the
             serious
             Thought
             of
             it
             kindles
             a
             sacred
             Fire
             in
             his
             Breast
             :
             as
             't
             is
             said
             of
             
               Mary
               Magdalen
               ,
               Much
               was
               forgiven
               her
               ,
               for
               she
               loved
               much
               .
            
             Love
             to
             God
             that
             results
             from
             his
             pardoning
             Love
             to
             us
             ,
             is
             singular
             and
             supreme
             ,
             and
             necessarily
             produces
             an
             ardent
             Desire
             to
             please
             and
             glorify
             him
             ,
             and
             an
             ingenuous
             grateful
             Fear
             of
             offending
             him
             .
             The
             Soul
             that
             has
             felt
             
               the
               Terrors
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             as
             the
             holy
             and
             righteous
             Judg
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             afterward
             has
             been
             revived
             by
             the
             Light
             of
             his
             Countenance
             ,
             and
             has
             tasted
             how
             good
             the
             Lord
             is
             ,
             how
             is
             it
             possible
             to
             resist
             such
             dear
             and
             immense
             Obligations
             ?
             How
             prodigious
             to
             turn
             the
             strongest
             and
             sweetest
             Ingagement
             to
             Reverence
             and
             Obedience
             ,
             into
             an
             Encouragement
             to
             do
             that
             which
             is
             odious
             and
             offensive
             in
             his
             Sight
             ?
             To
             sin
             against
             Light
             heightens
             a
             Sin
             into
             Rebellion
             ,
             but
             to
             sin
             against
             revealed
             Love
             makes
             it
             
               above-measure
               sinful
            
             .
             This
             is
             so
             contrary
             to
             natural
             Conscience
             and
             
             super-natural
             Grace
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             the
             Leprosy
             of
             the
             Wicked
             ,
             not
             the
             Spot
             of
             God's
             Children
             :
             
               Do
               you
               thus
               requite
               the
               Lord
               ,
               O
               foolish
               People
               and
               unwise
               ?
            
             The
             upbraiding
             reduces
             them
             to
             a
             defenceless
             Silence
             ,
             and
             covers
             them
             in
             black
             Confusion
             .
             When
             Divine
             Grace
             pardons
             our
             past
             Sins
             ,
             it
             cures
             our
             depraved
             Inclinations
             to
             future
             Sins
             .
          
           
             The
             clearest
             Discovery
             of
             the
             Heart
             is
             by
             Reflections
             on
             God's
             Mercy
             .
             The
             Fear
             of
             God's
             Justice
             is
             natural
             ,
             the
             reverent
             Regard
             of
             his
             Goodness
             is
             a
             spiritual
             Affection
             .
             There
             is
             a
             great
             Difference
             between
             filial
             Fear
             of
             the
             divine
             Goodness
             that
             is
             so
             becoming
             the
             Breast
             of
             a
             Christian
             ,
             and
             so
             congruous
             to
             our
             present
             State
             ,
             and
             servile
             Fear
             ,
             that
             is
             the
             proper
             Character
             of
             one
             in
             the
             Bondage
             of
             Sin.
             
          
           
             The
             Filial
             Fear
             of
             God
             is
             an
             ingenuous
             voluntary
             Affection
             ,
             flowing
             from
             Love
             ,
             and
             freely
             exercis'd
             ,
             and
             esteem'd
             the
             
               Treasure
               of
               the
               Soul.
            
             Servile
             Fear
             ,
             the
             Sequel
             of
             Guilt
             ,
             is
             a
             judicial
             Impression
             from
             the
             sad
             Thoughts
             of
             the
             provoked
             Majesty
             of
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             Offender
             could
             dissolve
             the
             Bands
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             he
             would
             throw
             it
             off
             .
             Filial
             Fear
             is
             mix'd
             with
             Joy
             ,
             't
             is
             the
             Preservative
             
             of
             God's
             Favour
             to
             us
             ;
             it
             makes
             us
             more
             circumspect
             ,
             but
             not
             less
             comfortable
             :
             it
             opposes
             Security
             ,
             but
             establishes
             the
             Assurance
             of
             Faith
             :
             the
             Fear
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             
               Hope
               in
               his
               Mercy
            
             ,
             are
             united
             Graces
             .
             Servile
             Fear
             
               has
               Torment
            
             ,
             't
             is
             an
             Alarm
             within
             that
             disturbs
             the
             Rest
             of
             the
             Sinner
             ;
             't
             is
             a
             fretting
             Fire
             that
             secretly
             torments
             him
             in
             his
             most
             luscious
             Fruitions
             .
             Filial
             Fear
             restrains
             from
             all
             Sin
             in
             the
             Heart
             and
             Life
             ,
             because
             it
             dishonours
             and
             displeases
             God
             ;
             it
             denies
             the
             carnal
             Appetites
             with
             Sweetness
             and
             Satisfaction
             to
             the
             Soul
             :
             it
             excites
             us
             to
             obey
             God
             with
             Choice
             and
             Complacency
             .
             Servile
             Fear
             induces
             an
             Abstinence
             from
             some
             Sins
             ,
             which
             fly
             in
             the
             Face
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             which
             the
             Sinner
             loves
             ,
             and
             urges
             to
             the
             outward
             Performance
             of
             Duties
             ,
             which
             he
             hates
             .
             The
             slavish
             Spirit
             is
             afraid
             to
             burn
             ,
             not
             to
             sin
             ;
             he
             is
             fearful
             to
             be
             damn'd
             ,
             not
             to
             displease
             God.
             Filial
             Fear
             is
             a
             serious
             and
             habitual
             Constitution
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             inseparable
             from
             it
             in
             all
             Times
             and
             Places
             ,
             't
             is
             influential
             into
             the
             whole
             Life
             .
             Servile
             Fear
             is
             a
             sudden
             Passion
             ,
             and
             transient
             :
             sometimes
             a
             sharp
             Affliction
             ,
             a
             piercing
             Sermon
             ,
             awakens
             a
             secure
             Wretch
             into
             a
             
             Fit
             of
             Terror
             .
             Filial
             Fear
             keeps
             the
             Soul
             close
             to
             God
             ,
             makes
             it
             solicitous
             ,
             lest
             any
             Sin
             should
             intercept
             the
             Light
             of
             his
             Countenance
             ,
             and
             obstruct
             Communion
             with
             him
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Paradise
             of
             a
             Saint
             :
             't
             is
             the
             gracious
             Promise
             of
             God
             to
             his
             Children
             ,
             
               I
               will
               put
               my
               Fear
               into
               their
               Hearts
               ,
               and
               they
               shall
               never
               depart
               from
               me
               .
            
             Servile
             Fear
             makes
             the
             Sinner
             shy
             of
             God's
             Presence
             ,
             and
             as
             unwilling
             to
             find
             him
             ,
             as
             a
             Saint
             is
             to
             lose
             him
             :
             He
             is
             not
             pleased
             with
             Solitude
             ,
             lest
             the
             guilty
             Conscience
             should
             have
             time
             of
             Recollection
             ,
             and
             should
             look
             to
             the
             Judg
             above
             :
             He
             takes
             no
             Delight
             in
             the
             Society
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             and
             the
             Enjoyment
             of
             the
             Ordinances
             ,
             because
             God
             is
             peculiarly
             present
             there
             ;
             and
             above
             all
             things
             he
             is
             afraid
             to
             die
             ,
             because
             then
             
               the
               Spirit
               returns
               to
               God
               that
               gave
               it
               .
            
             In
             short
             ,
             the
             filial
             Fear
             of
             God
             ascends
             with
             the
             Soul
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             is
             the
             eternal
             Respect
             that
             the
             blessed
             Spirits
             continually
             pay
             to
             his
             adorable
             Perfections
             .
             Servile
             Fear
             attends
             the
             Sinner
             to
             Hell
             ,
             and
             settles
             into
             Despair
             for
             ever
             .
          
           
             2
             dly
             .
             The
             Doctrine
             of
             Divine
             Forgiveness
             affords
             strong
             Consolation
             to
             those
             who
             are
             wounded
             in
             Spirit
             in
             the
             Sense
             
             of
             their
             Sins
             .
             Those
             only
             who
             feel
             the
             intolerable
             Burden
             of
             Guilt
             ,
             will
             come
             to
             Christ
             to
             find
             Rest
             :
             and
             only
             those
             our
             Saviour
             invites
             and
             promises
             graciously
             to
             receive
             .
             A
             tender
             and
             timorous
             Conscience
             does
             often
             impute
             the
             Guilt
             of
             Sin
             ,
             when
             't
             is
             abolish'd
             ;
             a
             seared
             Conscience
             does
             not
             impute
             it
             ,
             when
             it
             abounds
             .
             God
             has
             revealed
             his
             Mercy
             in
             so
             full
             a
             manner
             ,
             as
             to
             answer
             all
             the
             Allegations
             of
             a
             repenting
             Sinner
             against
             himself
             .
             He
             objects
             his
             Unworthiness
             of
             Pardon
             :
             but
             this
             cannot
             exclude
             him
             from
             it
             :
             for
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             springs
             from
             within
             ,
             and
             has
             no
             original
             Cause
             without
             it self
             .
             'T
             is
             like
             celestial
             Fire
             that
             feeds
             it self
             :
             God
             declares
             his
             sovereign
             Pleasure
             in
             the
             Exercise
             of
             Mercy
             :
             
               I
               will
               be
               gracious
               to
               whom
               I
               will
               be
               gracious
               ,
            
             
             
               and
               will
               shew
               Mercy
               to
               whom
               I
               will
               shew
               Mercy
               .
            
             If
             Mercy
             were
             bestowed
             only
             upon
             the
             worthy
             ,
             none
             could
             be
             saved
             :
             
               for
               all
               have
               sinned
               and
               come
               short
               of
               the
               Glory
               of
               God.
            
             The
             humble
             Penitent
             urges
             against
             himself
             ,
             that
             he
             has
             been
             a
             singular
             and
             extraordinary
             Offender
             ,
             that
             none
             is
             like
             him
             in
             sinning
             :
             but
             we
             are
             assured
             none
             
               is
               like
               God
               in
               pardoning
            
             .
             
             The
             Number
             of
             our
             Sins
             is
             terrifying
             :
             This
             so
             affected
             
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             that
             he
             fainted
             with
             desponding
             Fear
             ;
             
               My
               Sins
               are
               like
               the
               Hairs
               upon
               my
               Head
               ,
               therefore
               my
               Heart
               fails
               me
               .
            
             But
             the
             Multitude
             of
             God's
             Mercies
             incomparably
             exceed
             our
             numerous
             Sins
             .
             They
             are
             renewed
             every
             Moment
             of
             our
             Lives
             :
             Stupendous
             Infinity
             !
             they
             are
             over
             
               all
               his
               Works
            
             ;
             and
             over
             all
             his
             Attributes
             .
             
               God
               is
               Love
            
             ,
             and
             Love
             covers
             a
             Multitude
             of
             Sins
             .
          
           
             The
             killing
             Aggravations
             of
             our
             Sins
             strike
             us
             through
             :
             but
             there
             is
             not
             so
             much
             Evil
             in
             Sin
             as
             there
             is
             Goodness
             in
             God.
             Our
             finite
             Acts
             cannot
             preponderate
             his
             unlimited
             Essence
             .
             He
             declares
             ,
             
               I
               am
               God
               and
               not
               Man
               ,
            
             
             
               therefore
               ye
               are
               not
               consumed
            
             .
             We
             hardly
             forgive
             a
             few
             Pence
             ,
             he
             forgives
             ten
             thousand
             Talents
             .
             He
             is
             God
             ,
             infinite
             in
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             as
             liberal
             as
             infinite
             .
             Delight
             in
             Sin
             is
             an
             aggravating
             Circumstance
             ;
             but
             
               God
               delights
               in
               Mercy
            
             .
             Continuance
             in
             Sin
             inflames
             the
             Guilt
             ;
             but
             his
             Mercy
             extends
             to
             Eternity
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             add
             ,
             for
             the
             Support
             of
             returning
             Penitents
             ,
             some
             Examples
             of
             God's
             forgiving
             great
             Sinners
             recorded
             in
             Scripture
             .
             He
             charges
             the
             People
             of
             Israel
             ,
             
             
               Thou
               hast
               made
               me
               serve
               with
               thy
               Sins
               ,
               and
               wearied
               me
               with
               thine
               Iniquities
               .
            
             
             It
             might
             be
             expected
             ,
             that
             the
             next
             Words
             should
             have
             been
             ,
             I
             will
             revenge
             your
             dishonouring
             of
             me
             according
             to
             the
             Glory
             of
             my
             Majesty
             ,
             and
             the
             Extent
             of
             my
             Power
             :
             but
             he
             promises
             Pardon
             ;
             
               I
               ,
               even
               I
               am
               he
               ,
               that
               blotteth
               out
               thy
               Transgressions
               for
               my
               Name
               sake
               ,
               and
               will
               not
               remember
               thy
               Sins
               .
            
             By
             the
             Comparison
             of
             their
             Sins
             ,
             he
             illustrates
             the
             Glory
             of
             his
             Mercy
             .
             Lot
             ,
             guilty
             of
             Incest
             with
             his
             Daughters
             ;
             David
             ,
             of
             Murder
             and
             Adultery
             ;
             Manasseh
             ,
             a
             Sorcerer
             and
             Idolater
             ,
             that
             burnt
             his
             Children
             alive
             in
             Sacrifice
             to
             the
             Devil
             ,
             and
             fill'd
             Jerusalem
             with
             innocent
             Blood
             ;
             
               Mary
               Magdalen
            
             ,
             out
             of
             whom
             seven
             Devils
             were
             cast
             ;
             Peter
             ,
             who
             was
             so
             faint-hearted
             and
             false-hearted
             ,
             that
             with
             Execrations
             he
             denied
             his
             Master
             ;
             Paul
             ,
             that
             was
             a
             bloody
             Persecutor
             ;
             are
             the
             Instances
             of
             the
             astonishing
             Omnipotent
             Mercy
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             can
             as
             easily
             pardon
             the
             greatest
             Sins
             as
             the
             least
             ,
             and
             makes
             no
             Difference
             when
             our
             Repentance
             is
             sincere
             ,
             and
             our
             Faith
             unfeigned
             :
             tho
             according
             to
             the
             degrees
             of
             their
             Guilt
             Conscience
             should
             be
             affected
             .
             How
             many
             pardon'd
             Sinners
             ,
             Miracles
             of
             the
             Divine
             Mercy
             ,
             are
             in
             Heaven
             happy
             in
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             
             glorious
             in
             Holiness
             ,
             who
             were
             as
             deeply
             guilty
             and
             polluted
             as
             any
             that
             now
             mournfully
             seek
             the
             Favour
             of
             God
             ?
             These
             are
             Examples
             of
             Grace
             so
             excellent
             and
             so
             divine
             ,
             to
             encourage
             us
             in
             our
             Addresses
             for
             Pardon
             .
             The
             Apostle
             Paul
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               That
               for
               this
               Cause
               he
               obtained
               Mercy
               ,
            
             
             
               that
               in
               me
               Jesus
               Christ
               might
               shew
               all
               Long-suffering
               for
               a
               Pattern
               to
               them
               who
               shall
               hereafter
               believe
               on
               him
               to
               everlasting
               Life
               .
            
             There
             is
             the
             same
             Motive
             in
             God
             ;
             he
             forgives
             Sins
             for
             his
             Name
             sake
             :
             The
             Treasures
             of
             his
             Mercy
             are
             not
             wasted
             by
             communicating
             :
             There
             is
             the
             same
             Merit
             in
             Christ
             ,
             his
             precious
             Blood
             shed
             upon
             the
             Cross
             is
             pleaded
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             
               He
               ever
               lives
               to
               make
               Intercession
               for
               us
               :
            
             and
             if
             we
             
               obtain
               the
               same
               precious
               Faith
            
             ,
             we
             shall
             have
             the
             same
             Acceptance
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             let
             those
             who
             are
             overwhelmed
             with
             Fear
             consider
             ,
             't
             is
             not
             only
             our
             Privilege
             ,
             but
             Duty
             ,
             to
             trust
             in
             the
             Divine
             Mercy
             :
             We
             are
             commanded
             
               to
               believe
               in
               the
               Mediator
            
             :
             Despair
             is
             more
             dishonourable
             to
             God
             than
             Presumption
             ,
             in
             that
             't
             is
             a
             Sin
             directly
             against
             a
             superiour
             Attribute
             ,
             the
             Exercise
             of
             which
             is
             his
             Delight
             and
             dearest
             Glory
             .
          
           
           
             3
             dly
             .
             Let
             us
             be
             excited
             to
             seek
             the
             pardoning
             Mercy
             of
             God
             with
             Humility
             ,
             with
             Fear
             and
             all
             possible
             Diligence
             ,
             lest
             we
             should
             not
             obtain
             it
             .
             Our
             Hearts
             should
             be
             set
             upon
             this
             with
             the
             most
             intense
             Zeal
             ,
             
               for
               't
               is
               our
               Life
            
             .
             Every
             impenitent
             Sinner
             is
             under
             the
             condemning
             Sentence
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             but
             a
             step
             between
             him
             and
             Death
             :
             the
             only
             Hope
             is
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             not
             yet
             ratified
             by
             the
             Judg
             ,
             nor
             inflicted
             ,
             but
             't
             is
             reversible
             by
             suing
             out
             a
             Pardon
             in
             the
             superiour
             Court
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
             Now
             't
             is
             astonishing
             ,
             that
             when
             the
             Danger
             is
             so
             great
             and
             present
             ,
             (
             for
             't
             is
             as
             morally
             impossible
             to
             be
             sure
             of
             time
             to
             come
             ,
             as
             to
             recal
             time
             past
             )
             that
             Men
             should
             be
             so
             unconcerned
             and
             secure
             ,
             and
             neglect
             the
             main
             Work
             for
             which
             they
             are
             spared
             by
             the
             admirable
             Patience
             of
             God.
             Time
             is
             certainly
             short
             ,
             and
             uncertainly
             continued
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             Oil
             that
             feeds
             the
             Lamp
             of
             Life
             is
             spent
             ,
             the
             next
             State
             is
             the
             Blackness
             of
             Darkness
             for
             ever
             to
             all
             unpardoned
             Sinners
             ▪
             Now
             the
             Scepter
             of
             Grace
             is
             extended
             to
             us
             ,
             we
             are
             within
             the
             Call
             of
             pardoning
             Mercy
             ;
             
               God
               waits
               to
               be
               gracious
            
             :
             but
             there
             is
             a
             sad
             Assurance
             ,
             if
             we
             do
             not
             sue
             out
             our
             Pardon
             in
             the
             present
             
             Life
             ,
             the
             time
             of
             our
             Reprieve
             ,
             Death
             is
             immediately
             attended
             with
             eternal
             Judgment
             ;
             the
             Belief
             of
             which
             makes
             the
             Prince
             of
             Darkness
             ,
             with
             the
             most
             stubborn
             Spirits
             of
             Hell
             ,
             to
             tremble
             :
             yet
             Men
             continue
             in
             the
             Guilt
             of
             their
             unrepented
             Sins
             without
             Fear
             ,
             and
             wretchedly
             deceive
             themselves
             with
             a
             vain
             Presumption
             that
             the
             Door
             of
             Mercy
             will
             be
             open
             when
             they
             leave
             the
             World
             ;
             or
             bear
             up
             themselves
             by
             the
             numberless
             Multitude
             of
             stupid
             Sinners
             ,
             and
             make
             a
             resolute
             Reckoning
             they
             shall
             do
             as
             well
             as
             the
             most
             .
             They
             are
             studious
             and
             contriving
             ,
             active
             and
             ardent
             about
             the
             Affairs
             of
             this
             low
             Life
             ,
             and
             careless
             of
             being
             reconcil'd
             to
             God
             ,
             a
             Matter
             of
             the
             highest
             Concernment
             and
             eternal
             Consequence
             .
             Prodigious
             Folly
             ,
             never
             enough
             lamented
             !
             though
             Vengeance
             from
             above
             is
             ready
             to
             fall
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             Hell
             below
             with
             its
             dark
             Horrors
             is
             open
             to
             swallow
             them
             up
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             stupid
             and
             fearless
             :
             The
             Remembrance
             of
             this
             will
             rack
             and
             torment
             them
             for
             ever
             ;
             for
             when
             extreme
             Folly
             is
             the
             Cause
             of
             extreme
             Misery
             ,
             the
             Sufferer
             is
             the
             most
             cruel
             Enemy
             to
             himself
             .
          
           
           
             
               Let
               us
               therefore
               seek
               the
               Lord
               while
               he
               may
               be
               found
               ,
               and
               call
               upon
               him
               while
               he
               is
               near
               .
            
             Now
             God
             offers
             his
             Pardon
             to
             the
             greatest
             Sinners
             that
             will
             humbly
             submit
             to
             the
             gracious
             Terms
             proposed
             in
             the
             Gospel
             for
             our
             obtaining
             it
             .
             Besides
             what
             has
             been
             said
             of
             Faith
             and
             Repentance
             ,
             I
             will
             more
             particularly
             consider
             what
             God
             requires
             of
             guilty
             Creatures
             in
             order
             to
             their
             Pardon
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             The
             Confession
             of
             our
             Sins
             is
             indispensably
             required
             to
             qualify
             us
             for
             Pardon
             .
             The
             Promise
             is
             express
             and
             full
             ,
             
               He
               that
               confesses
               and
               forsakes
               Sin
               ,
            
             
             
               shall
               find
               Mercy
            
             .
             That
             we
             may
             not
             be
             deceived
             in
             the
             Application
             of
             this
             Promise
             ,
             I
             will
             briefly
             consider
             what
             is
             preparatory
             to
             this
             Duty
             ,
             the
             Properties
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             Connection
             of
             Pardon
             with
             it
             .
          
           
             1
             st
             .
             The
             Understanding
             must
             be
             enlightned
             by
             the
             Divine
             Law
             to
             discover
             Sin.
             The
             Law
             is
             the
             Rule
             of
             our
             Duty
             ,
             and
             the
             Obligation
             to
             obey
             it
             is
             immediately
             conveyed
             by
             Conscience
             .
             While
             there
             is
             a
             Cloud
             of
             Darkness
             in
             the
             Mind
             ,
             there
             will
             be
             a
             Silence
             in
             the
             Conscience
             .
             Paul
             declares
             ,
             that
             he
             
               was
               once
               alive
               without
               the
               Law
               ,
               i.
               e.
            
             not
             understanding
             his
             Guilt
             ,
             he
             presum'd
             of
             his
             
             Justification
             ;
             but
             when
             
               the
               Commandment
               came
            
             in
             its
             Light
             to
             convince
             him
             of
             the
             Transgression
             of
             it
             ,
             the
             Apparition
             of
             Sin
             in
             the
             clear
             Glass
             of
             the
             Law
             struck
             him
             dead
             .
             There
             must
             be
             a
             Discussion
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             a
             comparing
             our
             Actions
             with
             the
             Rule
             ,
             to
             discover
             their
             Obliquity
             :
             for
             Sins
             unknown
             and
             unconsider'd
             cannot
             be
             confest
             .
             Some
             Sins
             are
             notorious
             ,
             and
             present
             themselves
             to
             our
             Knowledg
             and
             Memory
             :
             others
             are
             of
             a
             weaker
             Evidence
             ,
             Inquiry
             must
             be
             made
             after
             them
             .
             'T
             is
             an
             unpleasant
             Work
             to
             rake
             in
             the
             Sink
             of
             a
             corrupt
             Heart
             ,
             but
             't
             is
             necessary
             .
          
           
             2
             ly
             .
             The
             Properties
             of
             Confession
             are
             ,
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             It
             must
             be
             free
             and
             ingenuous
             :
             That
             which
             is
             extorted
             by
             bitter
             Constraint
             is
             of
             no
             Value
             and
             Acceptance
             .
             Pharaoh
             ,
             an
             obstinate
             Rebel
             ,
             upon
             the
             rack
             ,
             acknowledg'd
             
               he
               had
               sinned
            
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             the
             Penal
             Effects
             of
             Sin
             may
             be
             the
             first
             Excitation
             of
             Sinners
             to
             consider
             their
             Ways
             ,
             but
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             by
             that
             Means
             so
             deeply
             affects
             them
             with
             the
             Evil
             of
             Sin
             ,
             that
             they
             voluntarily
             confess
             them
             before
             the
             all-discerning
             Judg.
             David
             declares
             ,
             
               When
               I
               kept
               Silence
               ,
               my
               Bones
               waxed
               old
               :
               I
               said
               ,
               I
               will
               confess
               my
               Sins
               ,
               and
               thou
               forgavest
               them
               .
            
             He
             
             came
             to
             a
             deliberate
             Resolution
             ,
             
               I
               will
               confess
               them
            
             .
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             Confession
             must
             be
             sincere
             and
             full
             ,
             that
             our
             Sins
             may
             be
             more
             evident
             and
             odious
             to
             us
             .
             
             The
             covering
             of
             Sins
             is
             like
             the
             keeping
             a
             Serpent
             warm
             ,
             that
             will
             sting
             more
             fiercely
             .
             The
             concealing
             Sin
             argues
             the
             Love
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             is
             a
             Bar
             against
             Pardon
             .
             
             
               Blessed
               is
               the
               Man
               unto
               whom
               the
               Lord
               imputes
               no
               Iniquity
               ,
               in
               whose
               Spirit
               there
               is
               no
               Guile
               .
            
             'T
             is
             not
             said
             ,
             In
             whose
             Spirit
             there
             is
             no
             Sin
             ,
             but
             no
             Guile
             ,
             no
             reserved
             allowed
             Sin.
             The
             sincere
             Penitent
             pours
             forth
             his
             Heart
             
               like
               Water
               before
               the
               Lord.
            
             Of
             all
             Liquids
             none
             are
             so
             clearly
             pour'd
             out
             of
             a
             Vessel
             as
             Water
             :
             Wine
             or
             Oil
             leave
             a
             Tincture
             .
             We
             should
             in
             Confession
             pour
             out
             all
             our
             Sins
             ,
             and
             leave
             no
             Tincture
             of
             Affection
             to
             them
             .
             If
             it
             be
             said
             ,
             How
             can
             we
             confess
             our
             Sins
             that
             are
             above
             our
             counting
             ?
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             but
             we
             must
             reserve
             none
             .
             We
             must
             confess
             the
             kinds
             of
             our
             Sins
             ,
             against
             the
             first
             and
             second
             Table
             ,
             that
             were
             both
             written
             with
             God's
             Hand
             ;
             Sins
             of
             Omission
             and
             Commission
             ,
             and
             particular
             Sins
             of
             greater
             Guilt
             :
             we
             must
             wash
             off
             their
             deceitful
             Colours
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             appear
             in
             their
             hellish
             Shape
             ,
             and
             more
             
             deeply
             affect
             us
             .
             Men
             are
             very
             averse
             from
             this
             Duty
             ,
             and
             apt
             to
             conceal
             or
             extenuate
             their
             Sins
             .
             The
             Art
             of
             concealing
             and
             Excuses
             is
             learnt
             from
             the
             first
             Transgressor
             .
             When
             God
             called
             to
             
               Adam
               ,
               Where
               art
               thou
            
             ?
             tho
             his
             Dread
             to
             appear
             before
             the
             Divine
             Presence
             was
             a
             tacit
             Confession
             of
             his
             Fault
             ,
             and
             his
             hiding
             himself
             discovered
             his
             Sin
             ;
             yet
             he
             does
             not
             acknowledg
             his
             Sin
             ,
             but
             alledges
             the
             Consequence
             of
             it
             ,
             his
             Shame
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             Cause
             of
             his
             guilty
             Fear
             .
             
               I
               heard
               thy
               Voice
            
             ,
             
             
               and
               was
               afraid
               ,
               because
               I
               was
               naked
               .
            
             And
             to
             extenuate
             his
             Offence
             ,
             transfers
             his
             Guilt
             on
             the
             Woman
             ,
             and
             constructively
             reflects
             upon
             God
             as
             the
             Cause
             of
             it
             :
             
               The
               Woman
               which
               thou
               gavest
               me
               ,
               gave
               me
               of
               the
               Fruit
               ,
               and
               I
               did
               eat
               .
            
             The
             wicked
             Excuse
             did
             infinitely
             aggravate
             his
             Sin.
             The
             Woman
             lays
             her
             Fault
             at
             the
             Serpent's
             door
             ,
             
               The
               Serpent
               beguiled
               me
               .
               Aaron
            
             pretends
             that
             the
             People
             compell'd
             him
             to
             Idolatry
             :
             and
             that
             the
             golden
             Calf
             was
             not
             the
             Effect
             of
             Design
             and
             Art
             ,
             but
             of
             Chance
             :
             
               I
               cast
               the
               Gold
               into
               the
               Fire
               ,
               and
               there
               came
               out
               this
               Calf
               .
            
             
             Saul
             coloured
             his
             Rebellion
             with
             the
             Pretence
             of
             Religion
             :
             
               He
               kept
               the
               best
               of
               the
               Cattel
               for
               Sacrifice
               .
            
             In
             short
             ,
             
             as
             in
             Sweating
             ,
             't
             is
             observed
             
             that
             a
             general
             Sweat
             of
             the
             Body
             is
             for
             its
             Advantage
             ,
             but
             the
             Sweat
             of
             a
             Part
             only
             is
             the
             Symptom
             of
             a
             Disease
             :
             So
             a
             clear
             unfeigned
             Confession
             is
             for
             our
             Profit
             ,
             but
             a
             semi-Confession
             is
             counterfeit
             ,
             an
             Indication
             of
             Hypocrisy
             .
          
           
             (
             3.
             )
             Confession
             must
             be
             mix'd
             with
             Sorrow
             and
             Shame
             in
             the
             Remembrance
             of
             our
             past
             Sins
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             A
             piercing
             deep
             Sorrow
             from
             spiritual
             Principles
             and
             Perswasives
             is
             the
             Ingredient
             of
             an
             acceptable
             Confession
             .
             There
             is
             a
             natural
             Sorrow
             proceeding
             from
             the
             Impression
             of
             afflicting
             Evils
             .
             Sense
             is
             very
             tender
             and
             apt
             to
             resent
             what
             is
             oppressive
             to
             it
             .
             A
             Sinner
             that
             has
             wasted
             his
             Estate
             ,
             blasted
             his
             Reputation
             ,
             shortned
             his
             Life
             by
             his
             Excesses
             ,
             and
             hasten'd
             his
             Damnation
             ,
             may
             feel
             Anguish
             in
             his
             Breast
             for
             his
             Sins
             ,
             the
             procuring
             Causes
             of
             his
             Punishment
             .
             But
             this
             Sorrow
             proceeds
             only
             from
             the
             Sense
             of
             external
             Evils
             ,
             not
             from
             the
             melted
             Heart
             for
             the
             intrinsick
             Evil
             of
             Sin
             :
             As
             Marble
             Pillars
             are
             wet
             ,
             from
             the
             Moisture
             of
             the
             ambient
             Air.
             'T
             is
             the
             miserable
             Man
             ,
             not
             the
             miserable
             Sinner
             that
             mourns
             .
             This
             Sorrow
             is
             consistent
             with
             the
             Love
             of
             Sin
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             penal
             Evil
             is
             removed
             ,
             the
             
             Sinner
             returns
             to
             the
             Practice
             of
             it
             .
             Carnal
             Sorrow
             only
             respects
             a
             Man's
             self
             as
             a
             Sufferer
             :
             't
             is
             in
             Hell
             ,
             in
             the
             extreme
             Degrees
             ,
             
               there
               is
               weeping
               for
               ever
            
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             a
             godly
             Sorrow
             ,
             of
             which
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             is
             the
             Spring
             .
             'T
             is
             the
             Promise
             of
             God
             to
             his
             People
             ,
             
               I
               will
               pour
               forth
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Grace
               and
               Supplication
               upon
               the
               Inhabitants
               of
            
             Jerusalem
             ,
             
               and
               they
               shall
               see
               him
               whom
               they
               have
               pierced
               ,
               and
               mourn
               over
               him
               ,
               as
               one
               mourns
               for
               the
               Death
               of
               his
               First-born
               .
            
             The
             Perswasive
             of
             our
             Sorrow
             is
             answerable
             to
             its
             Principle
             .
             The
             serious
             Contemplation
             of
             our
             bleeding
             dying
             Saviour
             ,
             is
             a
             spiritual
             and
             powerful
             Motive
             to
             melt
             us
             into
             the
             Tears
             of
             Repentance
             .
             How
             congruous
             is
             it
             ,
             if
             the
             Purchase
             of
             our
             Pardon
             cost
             our
             Saviour
             his
             bloody
             Agony
             ,
             that
             the
             applying
             of
             the
             Pardon
             to
             us
             should
             cost
             us
             the
             most
             bitter
             Sorrow
             ?
             Divine
             Grief
             is
             more
             from
             the
             Memory
             of
             the
             Evils
             we
             have
             committed
             against
             our
             heavenly
             Father
             ,
             than
             from
             the
             Evils
             we
             suffer
             .
             Carnal
             Sorrow
             is
             barren
             and
             unprofitable
             .
             It
             may
             be
             said
             of
             it
             ,
             what
             the
             wise
             Preacher
             says
             of
             wild
             Mirth
             ,
             
               What
               dost
               thou
            
             ?
             only
             that
             Sorrow
             that
             comes
             from
             Heaven
             is
             accepted
             there
             :
             One
             spiritual
             Tear
             
             is
             of
             more
             Value
             and
             Efficacy
             with
             God
             than
             a
             Torrent
             of
             natural
             Sorrow
             .
          
           
             Repenting
             Sorrow
             is
             an
             indispensable
             Qualification
             in
             order
             to
             our
             Pardon
             ,
             not
             merely
             from
             the
             Will
             of
             the
             Law-giver
             as
             the
             Reason
             of
             our
             Duty
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             Congruity
             of
             the
             thing
             it self
             .
             'T
             is
             observable
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Kindness
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Nature
             ,
             that
             the
             Food
             that
             preserves
             Life
             is
             pleasant
             to
             our
             Taste
             ,
             to
             invite
             us
             every
             Day
             to
             eat
             ,
             and
             renew
             our
             Strength
             ;
             but
             Physick
             that
             is
             necessary
             for
             the
             Recovery
             of
             Health
             ,
             is
             very
             distastful
             ,
             that
             our
             Aversion
             from
             it
             may
             make
             us
             circumspect
             ,
             to
             prevent
             all
             Excesses
             that
             are
             the
             Causes
             of
             Diseases
             .
             Thus
             the
             sorrowful
             Confession
             of
             Sin
             which
             is
             medicinal
             to
             the
             Soul
             ,
             is
             very
             afflicting
             ;
             it
             wounds
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             breaks
             the
             Heart
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             be
             jealous
             of
             our selves
             ,
             lest
             we
             eat
             of
             the
             forbidden
             Fruit
             that
             requires
             so
             bitter
             a
             Remedy
             .
          
           
             Godly
             Sorrow
             ,
             tho
             it
             be
             very
             afflicting
             to
             Nature
             ,
             yet
             the
             Exercise
             of
             it
             is
             more
             satisfying
             to
             a
             sincere
             Penitent
             ,
             than
             all
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             Sin.
             In
             two
             cases
             Grief
             is
             pleasant
             :
             when
             't
             is
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             a
             Person
             dearly
             loved
             ;
             a
             Parent
             indulges
             his
             Sorrow
             for
             the
             Death
             
             of
             a
             Child
             that
             was
             the
             Life
             of
             his
             Life
             .
             Or
             when
             Pain
             is
             beneficial
             and
             an
             Advantage
             :
             as
             in
             the
             Application
             of
             a
             Plaister
             ,
             we
             are
             pleased
             with
             the
             Pain
             it
             causes
             ,
             that
             being
             a
             Sign
             and
             Effect
             of
             its
             healing
             Operation
             .
             Now
             both
             these
             Considerations
             are
             mix'd
             with
             repenting
             Sorrow
             :
             for
             it
             principally
             arises
             from
             the
             Reflection
             upon
             Sin
             ,
             as
             that
             which
             has
             so
             dishonour'd
             and
             displeased
             the
             blessed
             God
             our
             Maker
             ,
             Preserver
             and
             Redeemer
             ;
             that
             we
             have
             preferr'd
             the
             pleasing
             our
             corrupt
             and
             licentious
             Appetites
             ,
             before
             the
             obeying
             
               his
               holy
               ,
               just
               ,
               and
               good
               Will.
            
             The
             repenting
             Sinner
             declares
             his
             Love
             to
             God
             by
             his
             Grief
             for
             offending
             him
             ,
             and
             voluntarily
             remembers
             his
             past
             Sins
             ,
             and
             is
             pleased
             in
             overflowing
             Sorrow
             for
             them
             .
             And
             this
             Sorrow
             is
             preparative
             for
             Peace
             :
             
               Vnutterable
               Groans
            
             are
             introductive
             of
             
               unspeakable
               Joys
            
             :
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             
               that
               convinces
               of
               Sin
               is
               the
               blessed
               Comforter
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Confession
             of
             Sin
             must
             be
             mix'd
             with
             Shame
             .
             All
             the
             just
             Causes
             of
             Shame
             ,
             Guilt
             ,
             Turpitude
             ,
             Folly
             and
             Disappointment
             ,
             are
             complicated
             in
             Sin.
             The
             repenting
             Sinner
             ,
             by
             Consciousness
             and
             Reflection
             upon
             Sin
             ,
             that
             induces
             so
             heavy
             a
             Guilt
             ,
             that
             defiles
             the
             Soul
             with
             
             so
             deep
             a
             Pollution
             ,
             that
             no
             Ray
             of
             its
             Original
             Purity
             remains
             ,
             that
             debases
             it
             infinitely
             below
             its
             heavenly
             Descent
             ,
             mourns
             with
             Tears
             of
             Confusion
             for
             what
             he
             has
             done
             .
             
             Repenting
             Ephraim
             bemoans
             himself
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             been
             rebellious
             against
             the
             Methods
             of
             God's
             Mercy
             ,
             like
             a
             refractory
             Bullock
             unaccustom'd
             to
             the
             Yoke
             :
             and
             his
             recoiling
             Thoughts
             made
             him
             to
             smite
             on
             his
             Thigh
             ,
             to
             be
             ashamed
             to
             the
             degree
             of
             Confusion
             for
             his
             Disobedience
             .
             How
             affecting
             an
             Object
             he
             was
             in
             God's
             Eye
             ,
             the
             immediate
             Answer
             declares
             :
             Is
             Ephraim
             
               my
               dear
               Son
               ?
               is
               he
               a
               pleasant
               Child
               ?
               for
               since
               I
               spake
               against
               him
               ,
               I
               do
               earnestly
               remember
               him
               still
               :
               therefore
               my
               Bowels
               are
               troubled
               for
               him
               ;
               I
               will
               surely
               have
               Mercy
               upon
               him
               ,
               saith
               the
               Lord.
            
             The
             Psalmist
             reflecting
             upon
             his
             being
             almost
             vanquish'd
             by
             a
             vexatious
             Temptation
             ,
             degrades
             and
             vilifies
             himself
             ,
             
               so
               foolish
               was
               I
               and
               ignorant
               ,
            
             
             
               and
               like
               a
               Beast
               before
               thee
               .
               Ezra
            
             in
             the
             Confession
             of
             the
             Holy
             Seed's
             mixing
             with
             Heathen
             Idolaters
             ,
             saith
             ,
             
               O
               Lord
               ,
               I
               blush
               and
               am
               ashamed
               at
               the
               foul
               Deformity
               of
               their
               Sin.
            
             The
             Apostle
             upbraids
             the
             Romans
             with
             a
             stinging
             Reproach
             ,
             
               What
               Fruit
               have
               you
               of
               those
               things
               whereof
               ye
               are
               now
               ashamed
               ,
               
               the
               End
               whereof
               is
               Death
               ?
            
             When
             a
             foolish
             Choice
             is
             made
             ,
             and
             the
             Folly
             is
             detected
             ,
             and
             Experience
             disappoints
             the
             Expectation
             ,
             the
             natural
             Consequent
             is
             Shame
             .
             At
             the
             last
             Day
             ,
             when
             the
             Filthiness
             and
             Folly
             of
             Men
             shall
             be
             publish'd
             before
             God
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Angels
             and
             Saints
             ,
             how
             much
             rather
             would
             they
             be
             hid
             in
             the
             Darkness
             of
             their
             Graves
             ,
             than
             be
             clothed
             with
             Confusion
             before
             that
             glorious
             and
             immense
             Theatre
             ?
             The
             sorrowful
             Confession
             of
             Sin
             ,
             with
             deep
             Shame
             here
             ,
             will
             prevent
             the
             exposing
             the
             Sinner
             to
             publick
             Shame
             hereafter
             .
          
           
             (
             4.
             )
             Confession
             must
             have
             Concomitant
             with
             it
             ,
             the
             judging
             our selves
             as
             unworthy
             of
             the
             least
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             deserving
             severe
             Punishment
             .
             The
             Apostle
             assures
             us
             ,
             
               If
               we
               would
               judg
               our selves
               ,
               we
               should
               not
               be
               judged
               .
            
             He
             does
             not
             say
             ,
             if
             we
             are
             innocent
             we
             shall
             not
             be
             condemn'd
             ,
             for
             then
             who
             can
             appear
             before
             the
             high
             and
             inlightned
             Tribunal
             of
             Heaven
             ?
             but
             if
             we
             acknowledg
             our
             Guilt
             ,
             and
             the
             Righteousness
             of
             the
             Sentence
             to
             which
             we
             are
             obnoxious
             ,
             we
             shall
             be
             spared
             .
             We
             cannot
             satisfy
             God's
             Justice
             ,
             but
             we
             must
             glorify
             it
             :
             In
             this
             the
             admirable
             Mercy
             of
             God
             appears
             .
             
             Suppose
             a
             Court
             on
             Earth
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Rule
             of
             Judgment
             were
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             Faults
             which
             the
             Guilty
             confess
             and
             condemn
             themselves
             for
             ,
             should
             be
             pardoned
             ,
             and
             only
             those
             they
             conceal
             should
             be
             deadly
             to
             them
             ;
             how
             willingly
             and
             humbly
             would
             those
             who
             are
             conscious
             of
             many
             capital
             Crimes
             ,
             and
             are
             summon'd
             to
             appear
             ,
             accuse
             themselves
             ?
             In
             the
             Court
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             if
             we
             are
             faithful
             to
             God
             and
             our
             own
             Souls
             ,
             in
             the
             confessing
             our
             Sins
             ,
             and
             passing
             Sentence
             upon
             our selves
             ,
             we
             prevent
             his
             Sentence
             against
             us
             .
          
           
             (
             5.
             )
             Prayer
             for
             Pardon
             must
             be
             joined
             with
             the
             Confession
             of
             Sin
             :
             
               The
               Lord
               is
               good
               ,
               and
               ready
               to
               forgive
               ,
               and
               plenteous
               in
               Mercy
               unto
               all
               that
               call
               upon
               him
               .
            
             God
             who
             is
             rich
             in
             Mercy
             ,
             has
             appointed
             Prayer
             as
             the
             Means
             of
             our
             receiving
             it
             ;
             it
             being
             most
             honourable
             to
             him
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             have
             a
             serious
             Sense
             of
             our
             Wants
             and
             Unworthiness
             ,
             and
             our
             absolute
             Disability
             to
             supply
             them
             :
             and
             by
             our
             Desires
             we
             should
             glorify
             his
             Power
             and
             Love
             ,
             whereby
             he
             is
             all-sufficient
             and
             ready
             to
             bestow
             upon
             us
             his
             Blessings
             .
             Prayer
             for
             Pardon
             must
             have
             these
             Ingredients
             .
             1
             st
             .
             Humility
             is
             the
             most
             becoming
             Qualification
             of
             a
             
             Suppliant
             to
             the
             high
             Judg
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             to
             reverse
             the
             Sentence
             of
             eternal
             Death
             .
             The
             deep
             Apprehension
             of
             our
             Guilt
             will
             humble
             us
             before
             his
             dreadful
             Tribunal
             .
             2
             dly
             .
             Fervency
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Life
             of
             Prayer
             .
             A
             cold
             Prayer
             ,
             the
             spiritless
             Motion
             of
             the
             Lips
             ,
             is
             so
             far
             from
             inclining
             the
             Divine
             Mercy
             to
             pardon
             us
             ,
             that
             it
             increases
             our
             Guilt
             ,
             and
             provokes
             God's
             Displeasure
             .
             If
             our
             Apprehensions
             were
             as
             real
             and
             quick
             of
             our
             spiritual
             Wants
             as
             of
             our
             temporal
             ,
             our
             Prayers
             would
             be
             as
             ardent
             for
             Supplies
             .
             Our
             Desires
             should
             be
             raised
             in
             the
             most
             intense
             degrees
             ,
             in
             some
             proportion
             to
             the
             Value
             of
             the
             Blessing
             ;
             they
             should
             be
             strong
             ,
             as
             our
             Necessity
             to
             obtain
             it
             .
             The
             Pardon
             of
             our
             Sins
             is
             the
             Effect
             of
             God's
             highest
             Favour
             ,
             of
             that
             Love
             that
             is
             peculiar
             to
             his
             Children
             ,
             't
             is
             the
             Fruit
             of
             our
             Saviour's
             bloody
             Sufferings
             ;
             without
             it
             we
             are
             miserable
             for
             ever
             ,
             and
             can
             we
             expect
             to
             obtain
             it
             by
             a
             formal
             superficial
             Prayer
             ?
             It
             deserves
             the
             Flower
             and
             Zeal
             of
             our
             Affections
             .
             How
             solicitous
             and
             vehement
             ,
             and
             unsatisfied
             should
             we
             be
             ,
             till
             we
             have
             the
             clear
             Testimony
             that
             we
             are
             in
             a
             State
             of
             Divine
             Favour
             ?
             Only
             fervent
             Prayers
             are
             regarded
             
             by
             God
             ,
             and
             recorded
             in
             Heaven
             .
             We
             disvalue
             his
             Pardon
             by
             our
             Indifferency
             and
             faint
             Desires
             .
             In
             our
             Petitions
             for
             temporal
             things
             ,
             our
             Affections
             should
             be
             temperate
             ,
             always
             mix'd
             with
             resign'd
             Submission
             to
             the
             Will
             and
             *
             Wisdom
             of
             our
             Heavenly
             Father
             ,
             who
             knows
             what
             is
             better
             for
             us
             than
             we
             do
             ,
             and
             loves
             us
             better
             than
             we
             do
             our selves
             :
             but
             in
             praying
             for
             the
             Pardon
             of
             our
             Sins
             our
             Affections
             should
             be
             inflamed
             ,
             we
             should
             as
             it
             were
             offer
             Violence
             to
             the
             King
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             be
             unsatisfied
             without
             it
             .
          
           
             What
             ardent
             and
             repeated
             Addresses
             were
             made
             by
             David
             for
             this
             great
             Blessing
             :
             
               Have
               Mercy
               upon
               me
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               according
               to
               thy
               Loving-kindness
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               Multitude
               of
               thy
               tender
               Mercies
               blot
               out
               my
               Transgression
               .
               Wash
               me
               throughly
               from
               mine
               Iniquity
               ,
               and
               cleanse
               me
               from
               my
               Sin.
               Purge
               me
               with
               Hyssop
               ,
               and
               I
               shall
               be
               clean
               :
               wash
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               shall
               be
               whiter
               than
               Snow
               .
               Deliver
               me
               from
               Blood-guiltiness
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
               thou
               God
               of
               my
               Salvation
               .
            
             He
             prays
             as
             if
             the
             Ghost
             of
             Vriah
             were
             always
             in
             his
             View
             ,
             covered
             with
             Blood
             ,
             and
             reproaching
             him
             for
             his
             treacherous
             Cruelty
             .
             The
             Affairs
             and
             Pleasures
             of
             his
             Kingdom
             could
             not
             
             divert
             and
             calm
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             till
             he
             was
             restored
             to
             the
             joyful
             Sense
             of
             God's
             saving
             Mercy
             .
             If
             it
             be
             said
             ,
             that
             
             David's
             complicated
             Sins
             were
             of
             a
             crimson
             Guilt
             ,
             and
             justly
             terrified
             his
             Conscience
             with
             the
             Apprehension
             of
             Vengeance
             :
             I
             answer
             ,
             't
             is
             true
             ,
             but
             supposing
             that
             preventing
             Grace
             has
             kept
             us
             from
             Sins
             of
             a
             high
             Nature
             ,
             whereby
             we
             should
             have
             incurr'd
             greater
             Guilt
             ,
             and
             been
             exposed
             to
             greater
             Punishment
             ,
             yet
             even
             the
             best
             Men
             are
             in
             infinite
             need
             of
             pardoning
             Grace
             ;
             for
             the
             least
             Sin
             makes
             us
             guilty
             of
             eternal
             Death
             ,
             and
             the
             infinite
             Number
             of
             our
             Sins
             ,
             tho
             according
             to
             the
             carnal
             Conceits
             of
             Men
             small
             ,
             would
             be
             over-whelming
             .
             What
             is
             weaker
             than
             a
             Drop
             of
             Water
             ,
             yet
             the
             Sea
             that
             is
             a
             Collection
             of
             innumerable
             Drops
             of
             Water
             ,
             does
             often
             by
             an
             irresistible
             Inundation
             drown
             the
             Land.
             The
             Wind
             is
             a
             Collection
             of
             many
             Vapours
             ,
             which
             singly
             are
             of
             no
             Force
             ,
             yet
             it
             often
             tears
             up
             the
             strongest
             Trees
             ,
             and
             overthrows
             the
             firmest
             Buildings
             .
             If
             the
             numerous
             Sins
             of
             one
             Man's
             Life
             were
             set
             in
             order
             before
             his
             Eyes
             ,
             he
             would
             sink
             into
             the
             Depths
             of
             Despair
             ,
             were
             not
             the
             Divine
             Mercy
             superabundant
             to
             our
             abounding
             
             Sins
             .
             We
             must
             renew
             our
             Requests
             for
             Pardon
             every
             day
             :
             't
             is
             more
             necessary
             than
             to
             pray
             for
             our
             daily
             Bread.
             We
             contract
             new
             Guilt
             every
             day
             :
             and
             as
             our
             Saviour
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               he
               that
               is
               washed
               needs
               to
               wash
               his
               Feet
               ,
            
             i.
             e.
             the
             Sins
             of
             Frailty
             and
             daily
             Incursion
             must
             be
             purged
             away
             by
             serious
             Repentance
             ,
             and
             the
             Application
             of
             the
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             our
             earnest
             Prayer
             for
             Pardon
             .
             'T
             is
             the
             cruel
             Character
             of
             Satan
             ,
             he
             accuses
             the
             
               Saints
               before
               God
               Day
               and
               Night
               :
            
             He
             is
             an
             ardent
             Accuser
             ,
             and
             watchful
             always
             to
             find
             Matter
             to
             provoke
             God's
             Displeasure
             against
             us
             .
             'T
             is
             therefore
             a
             Duty
             of
             daily
             Revolution
             ,
             to
             pray
             for
             our
             Pardon
             .
             Besides
             ,
             the
             Neglect
             of
             seeking
             for
             the
             daily
             Pardon
             of
             our
             Offences
             against
             God
             ,
             argues
             the
             despising
             his
             Anger
             ,
             and
             consequently
             the
             despising
             his
             Love
             ,
             which
             is
             infinitely
             provoking
             .
             We
             are
             commanded
             not
             to
             let
             the
             
               Sun
               go
               down
               upon
               our
               Wrath
               ,
               much
               less
               upon
               God's
               .
            
             Repentance
             is
             not
             an
             initial
             Act
             of
             Sorrow
             ,
             but
             must
             be
             renewed
             all
             our
             Lives
             .
             God's
             pardoning
             us
             is
             not
             a
             transient
             Act
             ,
             but
             continued
             ,
             as
             Conservation
             is
             a
             continued
             Creation
             .
          
           
           
             Prayer
             for
             Pardon
             must
             be
             mix'd
             with
             Faith
             in
             our
             
               blessed
               Advocate
               ,
               who
               ever
               lives
               to
               make
               Intercession
               for
               us
               .
            
             If
             we
             could
             fill
             the
             Air
             with
             our
             Sighs
             ,
             and
             Heaven
             with
             our
             Tears
             ,
             we
             could
             not
             incline
             the
             righteous
             and
             holy
             God
             to
             pardon
             us
             :
             his
             Justice
             is
             inflexible
             ,
             and
             his
             pardoning
             Mercy
             a
             sealed
             Fountain
             ;
             't
             is
             by
             the
             precious
             Merits
             and
             Mediation
             of
             his
             Son
             we
             are
             reconciled
             to
             him
             .
             Jesus
             Christ
             is
             the
             same
             powerful
             compassionate
             Saviour
             ,
             
               yesterday
               ,
               to
               day
               ,
               and
               for
               ever
               .
            
             His
             obedient
             Sufferings
             are
             of
             infinite
             Value
             ,
             and
             everlasting
             Efficacy
             .
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             Confession
             of
             Sin
             is
             a
             relative
             Duty
             ,
             and
             must
             be
             joined
             with
             forsaking
             of
             Sin.
             The
             sharpest
             Sorrow
             ,
             the
             most
             confounding
             Shame
             for
             Sin
             ,
             the
             strongest
             Desires
             for
             Mercy
             ,
             without
             the
             forsaking
             of
             Sin
             ,
             are
             ineffectual
             .
             There
             must
             be
             a
             renouncing
             of
             Sin
             in
             our
             Hearts
             ,
             a
             Resolution
             firm
             and
             permanent
             against
             it
             ,
             an
             avoiding
             the
             Appearance
             and
             Approaches
             of
             Sin
             ,
             and
             an
             actual
             leaving
             it
             .
             If
             it
             be
             said
             ,
             't
             is
             impossible
             we
             should
             preserve
             our selves
             from
             all
             Sin
             :
             St.
             John
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               If
               any
               Man
               saith
               he
               has
               no
               Sin
               ,
               he
               is
               a
               Liar
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               Truth
               in
               him
               .
            
             I
             answer
             ,
             we
             
             must
             distinguish
             between
             Sins
             :
             there
             are
             some
             ,
             which
             while
             we
             are
             united
             to
             Flesh
             ,
             that
             is
             a
             Principle
             of
             Weakness
             ,
             and
             are
             in
             this
             open
             State
             ,
             surrounded
             with
             Temptations
             ,
             we
             cannot
             absolutely
             be
             freed
             from
             .
             Such
             are
             Sins
             of
             Ignorance
             and
             Inadvertence
             ,
             and
             of
             sudden
             Surreption
             :
             for
             Grace
             is
             not
             bestowed
             in
             such
             a
             degree
             of
             Eminence
             to
             the
             Saints
             here
             ,
             whereby
             they
             may
             obtain
             a
             clear
             and
             final
             Victory
             over
             them
             :
             but
             if
             we
             pray
             ,
             and
             watch
             ,
             and
             strive
             against
             them
             ,
             and
             mourn
             for
             their
             Adherence
             to
             us
             ,
             
               God
               will
               spare
               us
               as
               a
               Father
               spares
               his
               Son
               that
               serves
               him
               .
            
             And
             't
             is
             a
             certain
             Sign
             of
             our
             Sincerity
             ,
             if
             we
             are
             gradually
             cleansing
             our selves
             from
             them
             .
             If
             they
             grow
             and
             increase
             ,
             't
             is
             a
             sad
             Indication
             :
             as
             't
             is
             said
             ,
             if
             a
             Scald
             in
             the
             Head
             spreads
             ,
             't
             is
             a
             Leprosy
             .
             
             But
             there
             are
             Sins
             of
             a
             more
             heinous
             Nature
             ,
             the
             not
             forsaking
             whereof
             excludes
             from
             Heaven
             :
             such
             are
             enumerated
             by
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             
             
               The
               Works
               of
               the
               Flesh
               are
               manifest
               ,
               Adultery
               ,
               Fornication
               ,
               Vncleanness
               ,
               Lasciviousness
               ,
               Idolatry
               ,
               Witchcraft
               ,
               Hatred
               ,
               Variance
               ,
               Emulations
               ,
               Wrath
               ,
               Strife
               ,
               Seditions
               ,
               Heresies
               ,
               Envyings
               ,
               Murders
               ,
               Drunkenness
               ,
               Revellings
               ,
               and
               such
               like
               :
               of
               the
               which
               I
               have
               told
               you
               in
               
               time
               past
               ,
               that
               they
               which
               do
               such
               things
               ,
               shall
               not
               inherit
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God.
            
             Besides
             ,
             if
             the
             Love
             of
             any
             Sin
             remains
             in
             the
             Heart
             of
             a
             Man
             ,
             he
             cannot
             be
             justified
             here
             ,
             nor
             glorified
             hereafter
             .
             An
             indulged
             Sin
             ,
             tho
             small
             in
             the
             Matter
             ,
             is
             great
             in
             the
             Disposition
             of
             the
             Sinner
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             God
             requires
             sincere
             Repentance
             ,
             express'd
             in
             the
             confessing
             of
             our
             Sins
             ,
             not
             to
             inform
             him
             ,
             for
             neither
             the
             Solitude
             or
             Secrecy
             wherein
             Sin
             is
             committed
             ,
             can
             hide
             us
             from
             his
             all-discerning
             Eye
             :
             tho
             there
             is
             no
             Witness
             to
             accuse
             and
             give
             Evidence
             ,
             nay
             if
             the
             Sinner
             could
             extinguish
             his
             Conscience
             ,
             yet
             God
             will
             set
             the
             Sins
             of
             Men
             in
             order
             before
             them
             ,
             and
             convince
             the
             Guilty
             ,
             he
             needed
             not
             their
             Confession
             to
             discover
             them
             :
             but
             the
             humble
             ingenuous
             and
             sorrowful
             Confession
             of
             Sin
             is
             required
             ,
             that
             his
             Mercy
             may
             be
             more
             illustrious
             in
             the
             Pardon
             of
             our
             Sins
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             Sinner
             may
             fear
             to
             return
             to
             Folly.
             And
             this
             Confession
             must
             be
             attended
             with
             the
             forsaking
             of
             Sins
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             our
             Pardon
             ,
             because
             of
             his
             immutable
             Perfections
             .
             A
             Malefactor
             may
             justly
             be
             condemned
             for
             his
             Crimes
             ,
             and
             tho
             he
             remains
             impenitent
             and
             obstinate
             in
             Evil
             ,
             may
             be
             pardoned
             ,
             because
             
             a
             temporal
             Prince
             is
             capable
             of
             various
             Apprehensions
             and
             Passions
             ,
             and
             may
             deflect
             from
             the
             Rule
             of
             Justice
             :
             but
             the
             Judg
             of
             the
             World
             is
             unchangably
             righteous
             and
             holy
             ,
             and
             cannot
             pardon
             Sinners
             to
             the
             Disparagement
             of
             his
             Majesty
             ,
             his
             Purity
             and
             Justice
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Our
             pardoning
             the
             Offences
             of
             others
             is
             an
             evangelical
             Condition
             of
             our
             obtaining
             Pardon
             :
             We
             are
             commanded
             ,
             
               When
               ye
               stand
               praying
            
             ,
             
             
               forgive
               if
               ye
               have
               ought
               against
               any
               :
               that
               your
               Father
               also
               which
               is
               in
               Heaven
               may
               forgive
               you
               your
               Trespasses
               .
               But
               if
               you
               do
               not
               forgive
               ,
               neither
               will
               your
               Father
               which
               is
               in
               Heaven
               forgive
               your
               Trespasses
               .
            
             The
             Command
             is
             peremptory
             and
             universal
             ,
             frequently
             and
             severely
             urged
             upon
             us
             by
             our
             Saviour
             .
             The
             Reasonableness
             and
             Congruity
             of
             it
             is
             most
             evident
             ,
             if
             we
             consider
             the
             Disparity
             of
             the
             Object
             ,
             or
             the
             Number
             of
             Offences
             .
             Our
             Sins
             against
             God
             are
             relatively
             infinite
             ,
             for
             his
             Majesty
             and
             Authority
             are
             truly
             infinite
             ,
             which
             are
             despised
             and
             abused
             by
             the
             Transgression
             of
             his
             Laws
             :
             they
             are
             against
             all
             the
             Duty
             and
             Motives
             of
             Justice
             and
             Gratitude
             that
             oblige
             reasonable
             Creatures
             to
             obey
             their
             Maker
             .
             Now
             the
             Offences
             and
             Injuries
             done
             to
             
             us
             are
             incomparably
             less
             :
             for
             we
             are
             mean
             Creatures
             ,
             far
             less
             in
             comparison
             to
             God
             ,
             than
             a
             Worm
             is
             to
             an
             Angel
             ;
             and
             by
             our
             Sins
             are
             
               viler
               than
               the
               Earth
            
             .
             Besides
             ,
             the
             Obligation
             that
             should
             restrain
             Men
             from
             being
             injurious
             to
             us
             ,
             are
             of
             infinitely
             a
             lower
             Nature
             .
             The
             Disparity
             in
             the
             Number
             is
             very
             considerable
             .
             Our
             Sins
             against
             God
             are
             like
             the
             Sand
             upon
             the
             Sea-shore
             ,
             their
             Number
             is
             astonishing
             :
             Our
             Imaginations
             have
             been
             continually
             evil
             ,
             from
             the
             dawning
             of
             our
             Reason
             :
             but
             Offences
             against
             us
             are
             comparatively
             few
             :
             for
             the
             Variety
             of
             Objects
             in
             the
             World
             often
             divert
             the
             Thoughts
             and
             Passions
             of
             our
             Enemies
             from
             us
             .
             We
             owe
             to
             the
             Lord
             10000
             Talents
             ,
             a
             vast
             Sum
             that
             can
             never
             be
             paid
             if
             it
             be
             not
             forgiven
             ,
             and
             shall
             we
             be
             unwilling
             to
             forgive
             a
             few
             Pence
             ?
             What
             is
             more
             becoming
             than
             that
             we
             who
             want
             a
             great
             Pardon
             ,
             should
             give
             a
             little
             one
             ?
             The
             Divine
             Mercy
             is
             proposed
             as
             a
             Model
             for
             our
             Imitation
             .
             We
             must
             pardon
             intirely
             ,
             and
             take
             no
             Revenge
             for
             Injuries
             done
             to
             us
             ,
             but
             return
             Love
             for
             Hatred
             ,
             Good
             for
             Evil
             ,
             for
             so
             God
             does
             to
             us
             .
             We
             must
             not
             only
             forgive
             ,
             but
             forget
             Injuries
             in
             the
             Sense
             of
             Love
             :
             not
             
             like
             those
             who
             pardon
             in
             Words
             ,
             but
             retain
             the
             Memory
             of
             Offences
             ,
             and
             upon
             a
             slight
             Occasion
             renew
             their
             Resentments
             .
             We
             must
             forgive
             great
             Offences
             as
             well
             as
             small
             ,
             and
             renew
             our
             Pardon
             as
             often
             as
             Offences
             are
             repeated
             ,
             unless
             we
             will
             set
             Bounds
             to
             the
             Divine
             Mercy
             .
             We
             must
             rejoice
             more
             in
             pardoning
             than
             in
             revenging
             Injuries
             ,
             and
             seek
             to
             be
             reconciled
             to
             those
             who
             are
             averse
             from
             us
             ,
             for
             that
             is
             according
             to
             our
             Pattern
             .
             'T
             is
             pretended
             ,
             that
             by
             bearing
             a
             single
             Injury
             ,
             we
             expose
             our selves
             to
             a
             double
             Injury
             :
             but
             we
             must
             imitate
             our
             heavenly
             Father
             :
             If
             we
             do
             not
             follow
             him
             in
             forgiving
             ,
             he
             will
             follow
             us
             in
             retaining
             our
             Sins
             .
             The
             Psalmist
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               With
               the
               Merciful
               God
               will
               shew
               himself
               merciful
               ,
               but
               with
               the
               Froward
               he
               will
               shew
               himself
               froward
               :
            
             A
             holy
             and
             righteous
             Punishment
             in
             Retaliation
             of
             their
             sinful
             Disposition
             .
          
           
             The
             pardoning
             Injuries
             is
             contrary
             to
             corrupt
             Nature
             ,
             and
             the
             Duty
             is
             difficult
             ,
             but
             the
             Reward
             is
             infinite
             .
             Tho
             it
             seems
             to
             vilify
             us
             ,
             as
             if
             defective
             in
             our
             Minds
             ,
             not
             to
             understand
             Injuries
             ,
             or
             in
             Courage
             not
             to
             repay
             them
             ,
             which
             makes
             Men
             hard
             to
             forgive
             ;
             yet
             upon
             calm
             Consideration
             we
             shall
             esteem
             it
             a
             
             Duty
             easy
             and
             honourable
             :
             for
             it
             prevents
             the
             inflaming
             our
             Passions
             ,
             and
             the
             troubling
             of
             our selves
             and
             others
             :
             't
             is
             an
             Act
             of
             Royalty
             ,
             and
             makes
             us
             superiour
             to
             them
             :
             't
             is
             the
             noblest
             Victory
             ,
             and
             often
             conquers
             and
             changes
             an
             Enemy
             into
             a
             Friend
             .
             And
             above
             all
             Motives
             this
             should
             recommend
             it
             to
             us
             ,
             it
             seals
             our
             Pardon
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             conveys
             the
             most
             clear
             and
             comfortable
             Sense
             of
             it
             to
             us
             :
             For
             ,
             as
             the
             Psalmist
             excellently
             argues
             ,
             
               He
               that
               planted
               the
               Ear
               ,
               shall
               he
               not
               hear
               :
               He
               that
               formed
               the
               Eye
               ,
               shall
               he
               not
               see
               ?
            
             If
             we
             are
             by
             Divine
             Grace
             inclin'd
             and
             enabled
             to
             pardon
             frequent
             Offences
             against
             us
             ,
             shall
             not
             the
             God
             of
             all
             Grace
             be
             ready
             to
             pardon
             our
             many
             Offences
             against
             him
             ?
             Our
             Saviour
             reasons
             from
             the
             Love
             of
             natural
             Parents
             ;
             
               If
               you
               that
               are
               evil
               know
               how
               to
               give
               good
               things
               to
               your
               Children
               ,
               how
               much
               more
               shall
               your
               heavenly
               Father
               give
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               to
               those
               that
               ask
               it
               ?
            
             The
             Illation
             is
             as
             strong
             in
             forgiving
             Love.
             If
             we
             who
             are
             of
             an
             unforgiving
             Nature
             sincerely
             forgive
             those
             who
             injure
             us
             ,
             and
             restore
             them
             to
             our
             Favour
             ,
             how
             much
             more
             shall
             God
             who
             is
             Love
             ,
             forgive
             our
             Sins
             ,
             and
             be
             reconciled
             to
             us
             ?
          
           
           
             4.
             
             The
             Divine
             Forgiveness
             should
             be
             a
             powerful
             Motive
             to
             Thankfulness
             .
             David
             addresses
             to
             his
             Soul
             in
             an
             ardent
             and
             lively
             manner
             ;
             
               Bless
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             
             
               O
               my
               Soul
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               is
               within
               me
               bless
               his
               Holy
               Name
               .
            
             He
             excites
             every
             Faculty
             ,
             the
             Understanding
             to
             consider
             and
             value
             the
             Mercies
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             Memory
             to
             register
             them
             ,
             and
             retain
             a
             thankful
             Sense
             of
             them
             ,
             the
             Affections
             to
             celebrate
             them
             .
             He
             repeats
             the
             Call
             ,
             
               Bless
               the
               Lord
               ,
               O
               my
               Soul
               ,
               and
               forget
               not
               all
               his
               Benefits
               .
            
             We
             are
             apt
             to
             forget
             Favours
             ,
             and
             remember
             Provocations
             .
             Benefits
             are
             written
             in
             the
             Dust
             ,
             Injuries
             are
             engraven
             in
             Marble
             .
             But
             strong
             Affections
             will
             make
             indelible
             Impressions
             of
             Thankfulness
             .
             If
             we
             duly
             consider
             the
             Greatness
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             our
             Meanness
             and
             Unworthiness
             ,
             
               that
               we
               are
               less
               than
               the
               least
               of
               his
               Mercies
               ,
            
             we
             must
             be
             convinc'd
             every
             Benefit
             we
             receive
             from
             God
             deserves
             to
             be
             remembred
             and
             acknowleged
             with
             serious
             Thankfulness
             .
             That
             God
             draws
             a
             Curtain
             of
             Rest
             about
             us
             in
             the
             Night
             ,
             provides
             for
             us
             in
             the
             Day
             ,
             regards
             us
             with
             a
             compassionate
             Eye
             ,
             and
             relieves
             us
             in
             our
             Wants
             and
             Sorrows
             ,
             should
             cause
             such
             
             deep
             Affections
             as
             flow
             into
             outward
             Declarations
             of
             Praise
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             our
             most
             solemn
             Recognition
             of
             his
             Benefits
             is
             but
             a
             poor
             Duty
             compar'd
             with
             his
             immense
             Bounty
             to
             us
             :
             our
             Thanksgiving
             is
             an
             Echo
             to
             God's
             Mercies
             ,
             that
             repeats
             a
             few
             Syllables
             :
             what
             can
             our
             fading
             Breath
             add
             to
             his
             Blessedness
             and
             Glory
             ,
             that
             are
             in
             the
             highest
             degree
             of
             Perfection
             ,
             and
             truly
             infinite
             ?
             But
             't
             is
             most
             reasonable
             ,
             that
             as
             all
             our
             Blessings
             flow
             from
             his
             Mercy
             ,
             they
             should
             fall
             into
             the
             Sea
             of
             his
             Glory
             :
             and
             when
             our
             Souls
             bless
             him
             ,
             he
             accepts
             our
             Sincerity
             ,
             and
             does
             not
             despise
             our
             Thanksgivings
             for
             want
             of
             Perfection
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             recounting
             God's
             Benefits
             ,
             the
             Psalmist
             mentions
             in
             the
             first
             place
             the
             Pardon
             of
             Sin
             ,
             
               who
               forgives
               all
               thy
               Iniquities
            
             ,
             as
             the
             Principal
             and
             Foundation
             of
             all
             the
             rest
             .
             This
             in
             a
             most
             powerful
             way
             enter'd
             into
             his
             Heart
             ,
             and
             kindled
             a
             sacred
             Fire
             there
             .
             I
             will
             briefly
             shew
             ,
             that
             the
             Pardon
             of
             Sin
             is
             so
             divine
             a
             Benefit
             ,
             that
             it
             deserves
             our
             most
             solemn
             Thankfulness
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             inclines
             and
             disposes
             the
             Soul
             to
             that
             Duty
             .
          
           
             1
             st
             .
             That
             the
             Pardon
             of
             our
             Sins
             deserves
             our
             most
             solemn
             Thankfulness
             ,
             
             will
             appear
             by
             an
             evident
             Light
             ,
             if
             we
             consider
             the
             Nature
             and
             Quality
             of
             the
             Benefit
             ,
             the
             Means
             by
             which
             't
             is
             obtain'd
             ,
             the
             Circumstances
             in
             the
             dispensing
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             Consequents
             .
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             The
             Quality
             and
             the
             Nature
             of
             the
             Benefit
             .
             Our
             Blessedness
             consists
             in
             the
             Forgiveness
             of
             our
             Sins
             .
             David
             inspired
             from
             Heaven
             declares
             ,
             
             
               Blessed
               is
               the
               Man
               whose
               Iniquity
               is
               forgiven
               ,
               and
               whose
               Sin
               is
               cover'd
               .
            
             The
             worst
             Effect
             of
             Sin
             is
             the
             Separation
             between
             God
             and
             the
             Soul.
             In
             his
             Presence
             
               is
               Fulness
               of
               Joy
            
             ,
             in
             his
             Absence
             Fulness
             of
             Sorrow
             .
             
               Go
               ye
               cursed
            
             ,
             is
             as
             terrible
             a
             Part
             of
             the
             Sentence
             as
             the
             
               everlasting
               Burning
            
             .
             Hell
             is
             the
             Element
             of
             Sin
             and
             Misery
             :
             wherein
             the
             Fire
             made
             fierce
             with
             Brimstone
             ,
             and
             the
             undying
             Worm
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             torment
             the
             Wicked
             .
             Now
             the
             Pardon
             of
             Sin
             secures
             us
             from
             the
             Wrath
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             supreme
             Evil
             ,
             and
             the
             Cause
             of
             all
             other
             Evils
             .
          
           
             Besides
             ,
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             that
             pardons
             us
             is
             our
             sovereign
             Good
             ,
             and
             is
             the
             productive
             and
             conservative
             Cause
             of
             all
             Good
             :
             It
             bestows
             upon
             us
             celestial
             Happiness
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             which
             all
             the
             Degrees
             of
             worldly
             Honour
             ,
             and
             Power
             ,
             and
             Pleasure
             ,
             and
             Riches
             ,
             are
             
             but
             Dross
             and
             Dung.
             The
             Pardon
             of
             Sin
             has
             inseparably
             annex'd
             to
             it
             the
             Privilege
             of
             Adoption
             ,
             and
             a
             Title
             to
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Glory
             .
             Our
             Saviour
             declar'd
             to
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             that
             the
             End
             of
             the
             Gospel
             is
             
               to
               open
               the
               Eyes
               of
               Men
               ,
               and
               to
               turn
               them
               from
               Darkness
               to
               Light
               ,
            
             
             
               that
               they
               may
               receive
               the
               Forgiveness
               of
               Sins
               ,
               and
               an
               Inheritance
               among
               them
               who
               are
               sanctified
               by
               Faith
               that
               is
               in
               me
               .
            
          
           
             God
             permitted
             the
             Fall
             of
             Man
             ,
             to
             raise
             him
             to
             a
             more
             excellent
             and
             stable
             Felicity
             .
             Adam
             was
             dignified
             with
             Dominion
             over
             the
             lower
             World
             ,
             and
             seated
             a
             Prince
             in
             Paradise
             ;
             but
             his
             Happiness
             depended
             upon
             his
             Obedience
             ,
             and
             that
             upon
             the
             Freedom
             of
             his
             Will
             ,
             which
             proved
             a
             dangerous
             Endowment
             by
             his
             Abuse
             of
             it
             .
             He
             was
             foolish
             and
             fickle
             in
             the
             best
             State
             of
             Nature
             :
             he
             affected
             an
             independent
             Immortality
             ,
             
               and
               being
               in
               Honour
               ,
               became
               like
               the
               Beasts
               that
               perish
               .
            
             But
             the
             Pardon
             of
             Sin
             is
             the
             Foundation
             of
             eternal
             Happiness
             .
             Those
             
               who
               are
               justified
               shall
               be
               glorified
               ,
               and
               made
               equal
               to
               the
               Angels
               ,
            
             who
             are
             constant
             in
             Good
             ,
             as
             the
             Devils
             are
             obstinate
             in
             Evil.
             The
             blessed
             State
             above
             is
             secure
             and
             unforfeitable
             :
             the
             Saints
             are
             uncapable
             of
             sinning
             and
             dying
             .
          
           
           
             (
             2.
             )
             The
             Means
             whereby
             our
             Pardon
             is
             obtain'd
             .
             I
             shall
             not
             dare
             to
             determine
             ,
             that
             God
             could
             not
             have
             pardon'd
             us
             by
             his
             Sovereignty
             without
             Satisfaction
             to
             his
             Justice
             ,
             but
             he
             has
             been
             pleased
             to
             save
             us
             in
             a
             way
             most
             honourable
             to
             himself
             ,
             and
             comfortable
             to
             us
             .
             The
             Psalmist
             tells
             us
             ,
             according
             
               to
               the
               Name
               of
               God
               ,
               so
               is
               his
               Praise
               .
            
             
             As
             his
             excellent
             Attributes
             are
             manifest
             in
             his
             Works
             ,
             understanding
             Creatures
             adore
             and
             celebrate
             them
             .
             The
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             so
             gloriously
             appears
             in
             the
             way
             of
             our
             Salvation
             ,
             that
             the
             admiring
             Angels
             praise
             him
             for
             ever
             .
             And
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             is
             so
             conspicuous
             in
             saving
             us
             by
             Christ
             ,
             that
             our
             exuberant
             Affections
             should
             be
             poured
             forth
             in
             Thankfulness
             .
             The
             Remission
             of
             our
             Sins
             is
             
               by
               Redemption
               in
               his
               Blood.
            
             It
             was
             an
             Expression
             of
             
             David's
             Piety
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             not
             serve
             God
             with
             
               that
               which
               cost
               him
               nothing
            
             ,
             
             but
             purchase
             the
             Sacrifice
             by
             a
             Price
             :
             and
             it
             was
             the
             high
             Expression
             of
             God's
             Love
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             not
             save
             us
             with
             that
             which
             cost
             him
             nothing
             ,
             but
             with
             the
             sacred
             Treasure
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             the
             precious
             Blood
             of
             his
             Son.
             Besides
             ,
             the
             guilty
             Conscience
             has
             so
             quick
             a
             Sense
             of
             God's
             revenging
             Justice
             ,
             that
             
             our
             Assurance
             would
             not
             be
             so
             entire
             in
             his
             Mercy
             ,
             without
             Satisfaction
             made
             by
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             our
             blessed
             Mediator
             .
             In
             this
             we
             have
             the
             Advantage
             of
             David
             ,
             who
             had
             not
             so
             clear
             a
             Discovery
             of
             the
             Means
             of
             our
             Pardon
             ,
             but
             a
             general
             Knowledg
             of
             the
             Forgiveness
             of
             Sins
             ;
             yet
             that
             inspir'd
             such
             flaming
             Affections
             into
             his
             Breast
             ,
             that
             he
             begins
             the
             Eucharistical
             Psalm
             for
             that
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             concludes
             it
             with
             
               Bless
               the
               Lord
               ,
               O
               my
               Soul
               :
            
             But
             we
             that
             
               have
               had
               Jesus
               Christ
               evidently
               set
               forth
               as
               crucified
               before
               our
               Eyes
               ,
               to
               reconcile
               God
               to
               us
            
             ;
             we
             to
             whom
             it
             is
             revealed
             ,
             that
             
               the
               Robe
               of
               our
               Salvation
            
             is
             woven
             out
             of
             his
             bleeding
             Bowels
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             Proportion
             as
             our
             Knowledg
             of
             this
             mysterious
             Mercy
             ,
             our
             Thankfulness
             should
             exceed
             his
             .
             If
             any
             do
             not
             with
             the
             most
             ardent
             Affections
             acknowledg
             the
             Mercy
             of
             Forgiveness
             so
             dearly
             purchased
             ,
             't
             is
             an
             unhappy
             Sign
             he
             has
             no
             Interest
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             (
             3.
             )
             The
             Circumstances
             of
             dispensing
             our
             Pardon
             .
             I
             shall
             consider
             two
             that
             make
             the
             Divine
             Mercy
             more
             glorious
             and
             worthy
             of
             our
             Thankfulness
             .
          
           
             1
             st
             .
             That
             pardoning
             Mercy
             was
             dispensed
             to
             us
             ,
             notwithstanding
             our
             continued
             Rebellions
             against
             God.
             A
             Prince
             
             is
             sometimes
             induced
             to
             pardon
             a
             Criminal
             ,
             by
             the
             Solicitations
             of
             his
             Friends
             ,
             and
             by
             his
             Prayers
             and
             Tears
             :
             but
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             was
             the
             sole
             Mover
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             interposed
             between
             Justice
             and
             our
             Offences
             .
             Instead
             of
             appeasing
             God
             by
             humble
             and
             mournful
             Submission
             ,
             and
             ardent
             Addresses
             for
             Mercy
             ,
             we
             repeated
             the
             Provocations
             of
             his
             Displeasure
             every
             day
             .
             How
             long
             did
             he
             with
             unwearied
             Patience
             
               wait
               to
               be
               gracious
            
             ?
             If
             after
             ten
             thousand
             Denials
             of
             accepting
             his
             Mercy
             ,
             he
             had
             forsaken
             us
             ,
             we
             had
             been
             as
             miserable
             as
             we
             are
             sinful
             .
             But
             notwithstanding
             our
             being
             inflexible
             to
             the
             innumerable
             Calls
             of
             his
             Word
             ,
             impenetrable
             to
             the
             pure
             Motion
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             insensible
             of
             his
             excellent
             Goodness
             that
             leads
             Sinners
             to
             Repentance
             ;
             tho
             the
             Love
             of
             Heaven
             or
             Fear
             of
             Hell
             could
             not
             prevail
             with
             us
             to
             forsake
             our
             Sins
             :
             when
             we
             were
             prepared
             for
             Wrath
             ,
             and
             averse
             and
             utterly
             indisposed
             for
             the
             receiving
             his
             Mercy
             ,
             then
             his
             Grace
             ,
             as
             free
             as
             omnipotent
             ,
             gave
             us
             Repentance
             unto
             Life
             ,
             and
             qualified
             us
             for
             Pardon
             ,
             and
             bestowed
             it
             upon
             us
             .
             The
             Extenuation
             of
             our
             Sins
             is
             inconsistent
             with
             the
             Exaltation
             of
             Grace
             :
             but
             the
             more
             humble
             we
             are
             
             in
             the
             deep
             Sense
             of
             our
             Guilt
             ,
             the
             more
             thankful
             for
             the
             Divine
             Clemency
             .
             That
             God
             was
             pleased
             to
             
               crown
               us
               with
               Loving-kindness
               and
               Mercy
               ,
            
             when
             a
             killing
             Charge
             of
             innumerable
             Offences
             was
             levell'd
             against
             us
             ,
             O
             Goodness
             ,
             truly
             Divine
             and
             Infinite
             ,
             and
             should
             accordingly
             affect
             us
             with
             Admiration
             !
          
           
             2
             dly
             .
             Pardoning
             Mercy
             distinguishes
             between
             Sinners
             of
             equal
             Guilt
             ,
             and
             often
             saves
             those
             of
             greater
             Guilt
             when
             others
             die
             eternally
             :
             This
             Comparative
             heightens
             God's
             Love
             and
             our
             Thankfulness
             .
             How
             many
             are
             surpriz'd
             and
             cut
             off
             in
             a
             Course
             of
             Sin
             ?
             how
             many
             die
             without
             Repentance
             ,
             and
             are
             under
             a
             notorious
             Necessity
             of
             perishing
             ?
             yet
             we
             that
             were
             as
             bad
             or
             worse
             ,
             neither
             melted
             and
             made
             pliable
             by
             his
             Goodness
             ,
             nor
             better'd
             by
             his
             Judgments
             ,
             he
             spared
             ,
             and
             by
             his
             Grace
             cleansed
             and
             changed
             us
             ,
             that
             we
             might
             partake
             of
             Mercy
             .
             In
             this
             Dispensation
             the
             Question
             of
             the
             Apostle
             may
             be
             put
             in
             its
             full
             Force
             ,
             
               Who
               made
               thee
               to
               differ
            
             ?
             Nothing
             within
             us
             ,
             nothing
             without
             us
             ,
             distinguish'd
             us
             from
             those
             that
             perish
             ;
             there
             were
             the
             same
             polluted
             Principles
             in
             our
             Hearts
             ,
             and
             the
             same
             rebellious
             Sins
             in
             our
             Lives
             :
             only
             the
             Mercy
             of
             
             God
             that
             has
             no
             moving
             Cause
             but
             it self
             ,
             made
             the
             Difference
             .
             Let
             the
             Comparison
             be
             contracted
             between
             us
             and
             our
             Associates
             in
             Sin
             ,
             and
             as
             the
             Sun-beams
             concenter'd
             in
             a
             Burning-glass
             ,
             it
             will
             more
             inflame
             our
             thankful
             Affections
             .
             How
             many
             that
             were
             joined
             in
             the
             commission
             of
             social
             Sins
             ,
             of
             Intemperance
             ,
             Uncleanness
             ,
             Unrighteousness
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             ,
             are
             dead
             ,
             and
             without
             the
             Reserve
             of
             pardoning
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             some
             were
             rescued
             from
             Damnation
             ,
             as
             due
             to
             them
             as
             to
             the
             rest
             .
             At
             the
             last
             Day
             when
             there
             shall
             be
             an
             everlasting
             Separation
             between
             those
             at
             the
             right
             Hand
             ,
             and
             those
             at
             the
             left
             Hand
             of
             the
             Judg
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             we
             shall
             understand
             the
             Riches
             of
             Grace
             that
             distinguish
             between
             us
             and
             the
             Partners
             of
             our
             Guilt
             :
             as
             by
             seeing
             us
             justified
             and
             received
             into
             Glory
             ,
             their
             sad
             Exclusion
             will
             be
             aggravated
             to
             Extremity
             ;
             so
             by
             seeing
             them
             doom'd
             to
             Destruction
             for
             ever
             ,
             the
             saving-Grace
             of
             God
             to
             us
             will
             be
             more
             glorious
             .
          
           
             (
             4.
             )
             The
             Consequents
             of
             Pardon
             in
             the
             present
             Life
             deserve
             our
             most
             affectionate
             Thankfulness
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Pardon
             of
             Sins
             gives
             us
             a
             regular
             Title
             to
             all
             temporal
             Blessings
             ,
             
             and
             the
             truest
             Sweetness
             in
             their
             Fruition
             .
             God
             is
             the
             universal
             and
             absolute
             Proprietary
             of
             all
             things
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             being
             made
             by
             his
             creating
             Power
             ,
             and
             continued
             by
             his
             preservative
             Power
             .
             By
             our
             rebellious
             Sins
             we
             were
             under
             a
             just
             Deprivation
             of
             them
             .
             Now
             the
             Pardon
             of
             Sin
             takes
             off
             the
             deadly
             Forfeiture
             ,
             and
             restores
             the
             Use
             and
             Benefit
             of
             temporal
             Blessings
             to
             us
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             God
             by
             his
             general
             Bounty
             affords
             Supplies
             to
             his
             Enemies
             ;
             
               The
               Sun
               rises
               with
               his
               chearful
               Light
               ,
               and
               the
               Rain
               falls
               upon
               the
               Just
               and
               Vnjust
            
             ;
             and
             wicked
             Men
             have
             a
             civil
             right
             to
             their
             Possessions
             :
             but
             they
             are
             not
             the
             Gifts
             of
             his
             special
             Love
             to
             them
             .
             The
             Prodigal
             was
             first
             pardon'd
             ,
             and
             then
             entertain'd
             with
             a
             Feast
             .
             The
             Love
             of
             God
             gives
             a
             chearful
             Tincture
             to
             all
             his
             Benefits
             .
             'T
             is
             emphatically
             said
             ,
             
               God
               ,
               even
               our
               own
               God
               ,
               shall
               bless
               us
               .
            
             As
             he
             is
             pleased
             to
             value
             and
             accept
             the
             meanest
             Service
             that
             is
             mix'd
             with
             our
             Affections
             to
             him
             :
             A
             Cup
             of
             cold
             Water
             that
             comes
             from
             the
             Spring
             of
             Love
             ,
             shall
             have
             its
             Reward
             :
             So
             his
             Love
             raises
             the
             Price
             of
             every
             Blessing
             .
             The
             Psalmist
             having
             set
             forth
             the
             Riches
             ,
             and
             Prosperity
             ,
             and
             Peace
             of
             a
             Kingdom
             ,
             breaks
             forth
             ,
             
             
               Happy
               is
               the
               People
               that
               are
               in
               such
               a
               case
               .
            
             But
             he
             presently
             revokes
             it
             ,
             and
             ascends
             with
             a
             Gradation
             of
             Light
             and
             Force
             ;
             
               Yea
               ,
               happy
               is
               that
               People
               whose
               God
               is
               the
               Lord
            
             ;
             who
             are
             in
             a
             State
             of
             Divine
             Favour
             .
             Temporal
             Blessings
             ,
             if
             they
             are
             not
             the
             Gifts
             of
             God
             reconciled
             to
             us
             in
             the
             Redeemer
             ,
             are
             Snares
             that
             alienate
             the
             Hearts
             of
             Men
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             foment
             their
             Lusts
             ,
             and
             prepare
             them
             for
             final
             Destruction
             .
             The
             rich
             Man
             had
             his
             good
             things
             here
             ;
             and
             was
             tormented
             after
             his
             sensual
             Fruitions
             .
             A
             rebellious
             Sinner
             is
             spared
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             and
             punished
             for
             ever
             .
             The
             King
             of
             Sodom
             was
             rescued
             from
             Captivity
             by
             Abraham
             ,
             and
             reserved
             for
             Destruction
             by
             a
             Shower
             of
             Fire
             and
             Brimstone
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Pardon
             of
             our
             Sins
             allays
             and
             mitigates
             all
             Afflictions
             in
             the
             present
             State.
             The
             Conscience
             of
             Guilt
             mix'd
             with
             Affliction
             ,
             is
             like
             the
             poisoning
             a
             Sword
             that
             makes
             it
             wound
             more
             deadly
             .
             The
             Spirit
             of
             a
             Man
             may
             bear
             temporal
             Evils
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             by
             Counsel
             and
             Constancy
             may
             support
             himself
             under
             them
             ;
             
               but
               a
               wounded
               Spirit
               who
               can
               bear
               ?
            
             Conscience
             in
             Anguish
             by
             the
             feeling
             of
             God's
             Wrath
             for
             our
             Sins
             ,
             and
             Fear
             of
             the
             Extremity
             of
             it
             hereafter
             ,
             is
             an
             intolerable
             
             Evil.
             Let
             the
             Affliction
             be
             a
             light
             Touch
             upon
             the
             outward
             Man
             ,
             yet
             when
             the
             afflicted
             Person
             considers
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             sent
             from
             God
             as
             an
             Enemy
             ,
             and
             't
             is
             the
             Beginning
             of
             his
             Wrath
             that
             is
             a
             consuming
             Fire
             ,
             he
             is
             dispirited
             and
             sinks
             under
             the
             Weight
             of
             it
             .
             How
             can
             frail
             Man
             encounter
             with
             offended
             Omnipotence
             ,
             sinful
             Man
             conflict
             immediately
             with
             the
             Holy
             God
             ?
             The
             Sense
             of
             Guilt
             makes
             a
             Man
             a
             Terror
             to
             himself
             ,
             and
             consequently
             makes
             Afflictions
             to
             be
             more
             piercing
             and
             dolorous
             .
             Whereas
             when
             the
             Soul
             is
             establish'd
             in
             the
             Peace
             of
             God
             ,
             it
             finds
             Consolation
             in
             his
             pardoning
             Love
             ,
             superiour
             to
             all
             kinds
             and
             degrees
             of
             external
             Evils
             that
             can
             afflict
             us
             here
             .
             'T
             is
             the
             happy
             Privilege
             of
             the
             Inhabitants
             of
             Zion
             ,
             the
             holy
             City
             ,
             
             
               They
               shall
               not
               say
               they
               are
               sick
               ,
               for
               their
               Iniquities
               shall
               be
               forgiven
               .
            
             The
             Divine
             Comforter
             fortifies
             their
             Faith
             in
             the
             Promises
             of
             the
             blessed
             Issue
             out
             of
             all
             their
             Afflictions
             :
             
               All
               things
               work
               together
               for
               the
               Good
               of
               those
               who
               love
               God.
            
             Our
             Love
             to
             God
             is
             the
             Reflection
             of
             his
             Love
             to
             us
             ,
             that
             is
             powerful
             so
             to
             order
             all
             Evils
             ,
             that
             they
             shall
             harmoniously
             conspire
             to
             our
             eternal
             Happiness
             .
             The
             Impression
             of
             this
             in
             the
             Spirits
             of
             God's
             
             Children
             ,
             makes
             them
             patient
             and
             submissive
             with
             Resignation
             under
             all
             Afflictions
             .
             'T
             is
             certain
             the
             fastening
             of
             the
             Mind
             in
             Contemplation
             of
             an
             excellent
             Object
             ,
             may
             cause
             so
             strong
             a
             Diversion
             ,
             that
             bodily
             Pains
             are
             much
             mitigated
             .
             The
             Martyrs
             ,
             by
             the
             powerful
             Impression
             of
             the
             glorious
             Reward
             ,
             seem'd
             to
             be
             in
             an
             Extasy
             ,
             without
             Feeling
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             their
             cruel
             Sufferings
             .
             The
             Prophet
             Habakkuk
             triumphantly
             declares
             ,
             
               Altho
               the
               Fig-tree
               shall
               not
               blossom
               ,
               neither
               shall
               Fruit
               be
               in
               the
               Vines
               :
               the
               Labour
               of
               the
               Olive
               shall
               fail
               ,
               and
               the
               Fields
               shall
               yield
               no
               Meat
               :
               The
               Flock
               shall
               be
               cut
               off
               from
               the
               Fold
               ,
               and
               there
               shall
               be
               no
               Herd
               in
               the
               Stalls
               .
            
             Tho
             all
             the
             Supports
             and
             Comforts
             of
             Life
             fail
             ,
             
               yet
               I
               will
               rejoice
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               I
               will
               joy
               in
               the
               God
               of
               my
               Salvation
               .
            
             Joy
             is
             the
             Affection
             of
             Prosperity
             ;
             but
             as
             the
             scalding
             Drops
             of
             God's
             Wrath
             upon
             the
             Conscience
             turn
             all
             the
             Comforts
             of
             a
             Man
             into
             Torment
             ,
             so
             the
             cordial
             Drops
             of
             his
             Love
             change
             Afflictions
             into
             Consolations
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             I
             will
             shew
             that
             the
             Pardon
             of
             our
             Sins
             produces
             an
             excellent
             Temper
             and
             Disposition
             of
             Soul
             to
             praise
             God.
             Love
             to
             the
             Benefactor
             ,
             and
             Joy
             in
             the
             Benefit
             ,
             are
             the
             Incentives
             of
             Thankfulness
             .
             
             They
             tune
             the
             Heart
             and
             Tongue
             in
             the
             Musick
             of
             Praise
             .
             When
             they
             are
             raised
             to
             a
             Flame
             ,
             they
             have
             a
             kind
             of
             Charm
             ,
             of
             Rapture
             and
             extatick
             Force
             ,
             and
             transport
             the
             Soul
             above
             it self
             in
             Expressions
             of
             Praise
             .
             These
             holy
             Affections
             in
             the
             Angels
             and
             Saints
             above
             are
             in
             their
             Exaltation
             :
             and
             the
             Circle
             of
             their
             Employment
             is
             ,
             to
             acknowledg
             and
             admire
             ,
             to
             reverence
             and
             magnify
             God
             ,
             for
             his
             absolute
             Excellencies
             ,
             and
             his
             relative
             Benefits
             .
             Love
             and
             Joy
             are
             regulated
             by
             their
             Objects
             and
             Motives
             .
             Exceeding
             Love
             and
             Joy
             ,
             when
             terminated
             on
             worldly
             things
             ,
             are
             exceeding
             Folly
             :
             they
             are
             empty
             and
             vanishing
             ,
             a
             sudden
             Blaze
             that
             dies
             in
             a
             Moment
             .
             But
             the
             Pardon
             of
             our
             Sins
             infinitely
             endears
             God
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             produces
             a
             substantial
             permanent
             Joy.
             His
             Love
             ,
             tho
             our
             Hearts
             be
             as
             hard
             as
             a
             Rock
             ,
             as
             cold
             and
             dead
             as
             the
             Grave
             ,
             will
             melt
             us
             ,
             and
             kindle
             a
             holy
             Heat
             of
             Affection
             ,
             a
             Love
             singular
             and
             supreme
             to
             God
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Excellency
             of
             the
             Benefit
             .
             Love
             will
             ingeminate
             the
             Praises
             of
             God
             :
             
             
               Thou
               art
               my
               God
               ,
               I
               will
               praise
               thee
               :
               thou
               art
               my
               God
               ,
               I
               will
               exalt
               thee
               .
            
             Our
             Joy
             in
             the
             Benefit
             will
             be
             according
             to
             our
             extreme
             want
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             
             the
             Strength
             of
             our
             Desires
             to
             obtain
             it
             .
             Without
             the
             Pardon
             of
             our
             Sins
             ,
             
               it
               had
               been
               better
               for
               us
               we
               had
               never
               been
               born
            
             ;
             or
             made
             in
             a
             lower
             Rank
             of
             Creatures
             uncapable
             of
             Damnation
             .
             According
             to
             the
             Conviction
             of
             the
             Greatness
             of
             our
             Misery
             ,
             our
             Longings
             will
             be
             for
             Deliverance
             :
             
               The
               Desire
               accomplish'd
               is
               a
               Tree
               of
               Life
               .
            
             The
             Tree
             of
             Life
             was
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             Paradise
             ,
             the
             Centre
             of
             its
             Pleasures
             .
             According
             to
             the
             Degrees
             of
             our
             Desires
             ,
             such
             is
             the
             Sweetness
             of
             Fruition
             .
             Now
             when
             the
             Soul
             is
             overwhelm'd
             with
             the
             fearful
             Apprehensions
             of
             everlasting
             Death
             ,
             how
             ardent
             are
             the
             Desires
             of
             Pardon
             ?
             how
             unsatisfied
             without
             it
             ?
             and
             what
             Impressions
             of
             Joy
             are
             felt
             from
             the
             sealing
             its
             Pardon
             ?
             Solomon
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               That
               good
               News
               from
               a
               far
               Country
               is
               like
               cooling
               Water
               to
               one
               burnt
               up
               with
               Thirst.
            
             How
             much
             more
             refreshing
             is
             the
             Testimony
             of
             the
             blessed
             Comforter
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             to
             one
             fainting
             in
             the
             Estuations
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             that
             his
             Sins
             are
             pardoned
             ?
             David
             expresses
             his
             Valuation
             and
             earnest
             Longing
             for
             the
             Favour
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             joyful
             Sense
             of
             it
             :
             
               There
               be
               many
               that
               say
            
             ,
             
             
               Who
               will
               shew
               us
               any
               Good
               ?
               Lord
               ,
               lift
               up
               the
               Light
               of
               thy
               Countenance
               upon
               me
               :
               Thou
               
               hast
               put
               Gladness
               in
               my
               Heart
               ,
               more
               than
               in
               the
               time
               that
               their
               Corn
               and
               Wine
               increased
               :
            
             An
             inward
             cordial
             Joy
             ,
             that
             far
             exceeds
             the
             counterfeit
             Joy
             in
             the
             Countenance
             ,
             that
             ends
             in
             Heaviness
             .
             Now
             the
             thankful
             Sense
             of
             a
             Benefit
             is
             correspondent
             to
             the
             joyful
             Sense
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             joyful
             according
             to
             our
             languishing
             longing
             after
             it
             .
             Fervent
             Prayer
             for
             the
             pardoning
             Mercy
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             a
             frozen
             Acknowledgment
             of
             it
             ,
             are
             utterly
             inconsistent
             .
             There
             is
             no
             Joy
             in
             the
             World
             so
             sensible
             and
             affecting
             ,
             as
             the
             Joy
             of
             one
             saved
             from
             present
             Death
             .
             A
             condemned
             Man
             values
             and
             rejoices
             more
             in
             receiving
             two
             Lines
             where
             his
             Pardon
             is
             contained
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             Conveyance
             of
             a
             Kingdom
             .
             Hezekiah
             ,
             when
             under
             the
             Sentence
             of
             Death
             in
             his
             Sickness
             ,
             how
             passionate
             were
             his
             Addresses
             for
             Recovery
             ?
             how
             exuberant
             were
             his
             Joy
             and
             Thankfulness
             for
             his
             Rescue
             from
             perishing
             ?
             
               The
               living
               ,
               the
               living
            
             ,
             
             
               he
               shall
               praise
               thee
               ,
               as
               I
               do
               this
               day
               .
            
             He
             resolves
             to
             renew
             the
             Praises
             of
             his
             gracious
             Preserver
             every
             day
             :
             
               The
               Lord
               saved
               me
            
             ;
             
             
               therefore
               we
               will
               sing
               my
               Songs
               to
               the
               stringed
               Instruments
               all
               the
               Days
               of
               our
               Life
               ,
               in
               the
               House
               of
               the
               Lord.
            
             Had
             he
             so
             quick
             and
             warm
             a
             
             Sense
             of
             the
             Divine
             Mercy
             that
             saved
             him
             from
             the
             Grave
             ,
             how
             much
             more
             ardent
             should
             our
             Acknowledgments
             be
             for
             the
             saving
             us
             from
             Hell
             ?
             If
             we
             have
             the
             Feeling
             of
             Sin
             ,
             as
             we
             have
             of
             Sickness
             ,
             and
             are
             as
             duly
             sensible
             how
             much
             the
             Life
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             our
             excellent
             and
             immortal
             Part
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             preferred
             before
             the
             Life
             of
             the
             frail
             and
             perishing
             Body
             ,
             our
             Joy
             and
             Thankfulness
             would
             be
             in
             the
             highest
             Elevation
             ,
             in
             remembring
             forgiving
             Mercy
             .
             This
             will
             be
             the
             Argument
             of
             the
             high
             and
             everlasting
             Praise
             of
             God
             in
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             conclude
             with
             this
             Advice
             ,
             Let
             us
             not
             content
             our selves
             with
             verbal
             Acknowledgments
             of
             this
             real
             and
             glorious
             Benefit
             :
             Let
             our
             Thanksgiving
             be
             joined
             with
             Thanksdoing
             ;
             then
             we
             shall
             be
             accepted
             .
             Of
             this
             we
             have
             the
             most
             comforting
             Assurance
             from
             God
             himself
             ;
             
               He
               that
               offers
               Praise
               glorifies
               me
               :
            
             
             
               and
               to
               him
               that
               orders
               his
               Conversation
               aright
               ,
               I
               will
               shew
               the
               Salvation
               of
               God.
               
            
          
           
             FINIS
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           BOOKS
           writ
           by
           
             William
             Bates
          
           ,
           D.D.
           and
           sold
           by
           
             B.
             Aylmer
          
           .
        
         
           THE
           Harmony
           of
           the
           Divine
           Attributes
           ,
           in
           the
           Contrivance
           and
           Accomplishment
           of
           Man's
           Redemption
           by
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           :
           Or
           Discourses
           wherein
           is
           shewed
           ,
           how
           the
           Wisdom
           ,
           Mercy
           ,
           Justice
           ,
           Holiness
           ,
           Power
           ,
           and
           Truth
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           glorified
           in
           that
           great
           and
           blessed
           Work.
           
        
         
           Considerations
           of
           the
           Existence
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Immortality
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           with
           the
           Recompences
           of
           the
           future
           State.
           To
           which
           is
           now
           added
           ,
           The
           Divinity
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           The
           Four
           Last
           Things
           ,
           Death
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           Heaven
           and
           Hell
           ,
           practically
           considered
           and
           applied
           .
        
         
           The
           Danger
           of
           Prosperity
           discovered
           ,
           in
           several
           Sermons
           .
        
         
           The
           great
           Duty
           of
           Resignation
           in
           Times
           of
           Affliction
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           A
           Funeral-Sermon
           on
           Dr.
           
             Thomas
             Manton
          
           ,
           who
           deceased
           October
           18
           ,
           1677.
           
           With
           the
           last
           publick
           Sermon
           Dr.
           Manton
           preached
           .
        
         
           The
           Sure
           Trial
           of
           Uprightness
           ,
           opened
           in
           several
           Sermons
           upon
           Psal.
           18.
           v.
           23.
           
        
         
           A
           Description
           of
           the
           blessed
           Place
           and
           State
           of
           the
           Saints
           above
           ,
           on
           John
           14.2
           .
           Preached
           at
           the
           Funeral
           of
           Mr.
           Clarkson
           .
        
         
           The
           Way
           to
           the
           highest
           Honour
           ,
           on
           John
           12.26
           .
           Preached
           at
           the
           Funeral
           of
           Dr.
           Jacomb
           .
        
         
           The
           speedy
           Coming
           of
           Christ
           to
           Judgment
           ,
           on
           Rev.
           22.12
           .
           Preached
           at
           the
           Funeral
           of
           Mr.
           
             Benj.
             Ashhurst
          
           .
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           on
           the
           Death
           of
           the
           Late
           Queen
           Mary
           .
        
         
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A26806-e100
           
             Ver.
             3.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             43.
             
          
           
             Mal.
             3.
             
          
           
             Mic.
             7.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             86.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             10.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             32.
             
          
           
             Luke
             24.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             
          
           
             Acts
             5.
             
          
           
             Jonah
             2.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             3.10
             .
          
           
             Luke
             2.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             1.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             6.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             3.
             
          
           
             Ephes.
             2.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             4.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             7.16
             .
          
           
             Hos.
             14.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             
          
           
             1
             John
             1.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             6.18
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             8.24
             .
          
           
             Hos.
             11.8
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             1.
             
          
           
             Lam.
             3.
             
          
           
             Acts
             11.
             
          
           
             Ephes.
             2.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             9.
             ult
             .
          
           
             John
             5.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             6.
             
          
           
             Ephes.
             2.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             103.
             
          
           
             Mich.
             7.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             31.34
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             9.14
             .
          
           
             Cor.
             11.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             
          
           
             Mal.
             3.
             
          
           
             Mic.
             7.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             1.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             29.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             29.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             116.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             33.
             
          
           
             Mic.
             7.
             
          
           
             Hos.
             11.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             43.25
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             1.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             28.13
             .
          
           
             Alitur
             vitium
             ,
             vivitque
             tegendo
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             32.2
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             3.10
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             32.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             15.15
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             31.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             73.
             
          
           
             *
             Nam
             pro
             jucundis
             aptissimae
             ,
             quaeque
             dabunt
             Dii
             :
             charior
             est
             illis
             homo
             quam
             sibi
             .
             Juven
             .
          
           
             Lev.
             5.13
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             5.
             
          
           
             Mark
             11.25
             ,
             26.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             103.1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             32.1
             .
          
           
             Acts
             26.18
             
          
           
             Psal.
             48.
             
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             24.24
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             33.
             ult
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             118.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             5.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             38.19
             .
          
           
             Ver.
             20.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             50.
             ult
             .