The Forgiveness of Sins

Chapter 1

II. 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, it is requisite to consider; 1st. What is contained in forgiveness. 2dly.

Chapter 2

1. What is contained in forgiveness. This necessarily supposes sin,

and sin a law that is violated by it: the law implies a sovereign Lawgiver, to whose declared will subjection is due, and who will exact an account in judgment of men's obedience or disobedience to his law, and dispense

Chapter 3

2. I shall next demonstrate, that forgiveness belongs to God. This will

be evident by the following considerations. First. It 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 o

Chapter 4

3. I now come to notice, that God is abundant in forgiveness. This

God has declared 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, a

Chapter 5

I. The extent of it, with respect to the number and quality of the sins

that are pardoned. 1st. 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

Chapter 6

2. As the extent, so the entireness of pardon offered to sinners

declares God's abundant mercy. 1st. The pardon is as full as free, according to his excellent goodness: the imputation of the fault ceases, and the obligation to punishment is abolished. We have clear evidence of this fr

Chapter 7

1. Use of caution. The first use shall be of caution, lest men abuse

carelessly 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 langua

Chapter 8

2. Use of comfort. 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

Chapter 9

3. Use of exhortation. 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 it is our life." Every impenitent sinner is under the condemni

Chapter 10

4. Use of gratitude. The divine forgiveness should be a powerful

motive to thankfulness. David addresses his soul in an ardent and lively manner; "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name." Psal. 103:1, 2. He excites every faculty, the understanding to

Chapter 11

20. 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 excel