Gospel Remission, Outline
A TABLE of the Principal Things contain'd in this Treatiſe.
CHAP. I. THe Text opened, and the main Doctrine propounded, viz. pag. 1
Doct. That the bleſſedneſs of a man, or of any ſoul, conſiſts in the free grace of God forgiving of his ſin. 4
CHAP. II. Of the bleſſedneſs of the pardon of ſin, which appears 6
1. Negatively in the evil it frees us from. ibid.
2. Poſitively in the good beſtowed upon us: therein conſider 8
1 The Efficient cauſe of mercy in forgiveneſs of ſin. ibid.
2 The Final cauſe of mercy in forgiveneſs of ſin. 9
CHAP. III. Of 11 wonderful Myſteries of Godlineſs included in in the great mercy of forgiveneſs of Sin. 10
1 It is by means of a Mediator. 11
2 It is through Chriſts undertaking the debt upon himſelf. 12
3 It is by Chriſts ſufferings. 13
4 Sin pardoned makes the ſoul ſtands righteous before God. 14
5 This righteouſneſs is in another. ibid.
6 A near union is made between Chriſt and the Soul 15
7 It is by faith, yet boaſting is excluded. 16
8 God is infinitely juſt, and yet infinitely merciful. 18
9 When God forgives ſin at preſent, he forgives all to come 19
10 God pardons a ſinner not becauſe he is, but that he might be changed. 25
11 God himſelf purchaſes the Pardon. 27
CHAP. IV. Of Pardon of Sin, not only being a mercy in it ſelf, but the Foundation of many other Mercies. 28
1 Peace
1 with God.
2 with
1 Conſcience.
2 Creatures.
30
32
33
2 The Revelation of Gods ſecrets to them he pardons. ibid.
3 It makes all other injoyments to be mercies which otherwiſe are not. 38
1 By reaſon of guilt of ſin. 39
2 Not known whether they be given in love or hatred. ibid.
4 It makes all afflictions eaſie to be borne. 40
1 The great good of pardon makes the bittereſt evil nothing. 41
2 It aſſures the ſoul the evil of affliction is gone. 42
5 Pardoning mercy brings healing with it into the ſoul. 43
6 Comfort againſt death the effect of pardoning mercy. 45
7 Security againſt the worlds reproaches. 46
8 It is the foundation of eternal life. 48
9 It is the bottom of all true comfort. ibid.
CHAP. V. Of Pardoning Mercy paſsing through a great many difficulties by reaſon of the wrong that man hath done to God by Sin. 49
1 God muſt be made Man, and yet remain the ſame God he was before. 50
2 He muſt die and be made a curſe. ibid.
3 The dead heart of man muſt be raiſed to do the gloriouſeſt work that any creature ever did. 51
Hence 1 it is a great taking the Name of God in vain, for any man or woman to have ſlight thoughts of ſin. ibid.
2 Men ſhould be content to endure much difficulty in ſeeking of Pardon. ibid.
3 The difficulties pardon of ſin paſſes through, ſhould make us willing to undergo any hard ſervices God puts us to. 52
CHAP. VI. Of Pardoning Mercy coming from the Fountain of Gods Everlaſting Love. 52
CHAP. VII. Of Pardoning Mercy being a work that all the three Perſons in the Trinity are ingaged in. 54
1 God the Father's heart was in it. ibid.
2 Chriſt the Son's heart was in it. 55
3 The Holy Ghoſt was much in it. 56
CHAP. VIII. Of Pardoning Mercy being a perfect mercy. 60
Hence
1 Flows out abundance of comfort. 61
2 Great ingagement unto duty. ibid.
CHAP. IX. Of Pardoning Mercy being an Irrevocable Mercy. 62
This appears
1 In Gods blotting out of ſin. 64
2 Caſting it behind his back. 65
3 Removing it as far as the Eaſt is from the Weſt. ibid.
4 Caſts them in the bottom of the Sea. ibid.
5 He will remember them no more. ibid.
6 They ſhall never be mentioned. ibid.
7 They ſhall never be found. 67
CHAP. X. Of Pardon of Sin, being a mercy denyed to fal'n Angels. 69
CHAP. XI. Of Pardoning Mercy being ſuch that it is given but to a few. 71
1 Becauſe God would have a proportion between his Juſtice and Mercy. 72
2 To manifeſt his Mercy the more to thoſe that are ſaved. ibid.
CHAP. XII. Of the poſsibility of Pardoning Mercy, how it would be prized by poor Souls now under wrath. 74
CHAP. XIII. Of Pardon of Sin being the ſpecial end of all God's Ordinances. 76
1. Hearing of the Word. ibid.
2. The Sacraments. 78
3 Diſcipline. 79
A Tranſition to the Application of what is to be ſaid to theſe things. ibid.
CHAP. XIV. Of the Diſhonour done by Men to the Pardoning Grace of God. 81
1 By careleſs ones. 82
2 By ſinful ones who labour to increaſe guilt. 84
3 Thoſe that have ſlight thoughts of Pardon. 87
4 Such as ſeek Pardon, but are inſenſible of the greatneſs of the work. 89
5 Thoſe that dally with God, and 92
1 That cry for pardon, and yet continue in love to their ſin. ibid.
2 That ſeek the pardon of ſome ſins, yet ſtill keep the love of others. 94
3 That look not after their Prayers. 95
4 That follow not their Prayers with anſwerable endeavours. ibid.
5 Thoſe that pray for pardon, and yet are ſatisfied with other things. ibid.
6 Thoſe that are quiet upon weak and ſlight Evidences, diſhonour God, 96
1 The Word. 97
2 The Word put in writing. ibid.
3 Witneſſes, and they are ſix
3 in Heaven, and
3 on Earth.
ibid.
4 An Oath. ibid.
5 Seals. 98
1 The Broad Seal of the Image of God. ibid.
2 The Privy Seal of the Spirit of God. ibid.
3 Baptiſm and the Supper of the Lord. ibid.
7 Thoſe diſhonour Gods Mercy that defer the ſeeking of it to the worſt times, as Sick-bed or Death-bed time. 99
1 Becauſe they leave not ſin till ſin is leaving them. 100
2 That time is uſually the time of Gods wrath. ibid.
3 A man is then unfit for the greatneſs of this work. 101
4 God will looſe a great part of his end in pardoning mercy. 102
5 It argues a baſe ſpirit to put it off till then, that all the tag-rag and rabble-rout will come in ibid.
8 They diſhonour the pardoning grace of God that ſeek it any other way then in and through the Mediation of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. ibid.
9 Thoſe that venture on any one ſin in hopes they may be pardoned 107
1 It argues an abominable heart. 111
2 An ingenious gracious ſpirit would never do it. ibid.
3 Gods Children reaſon to the contrary. 112
4 In ſome reſpect thou art worſe than the damned in Hell. 113
5 This will be an intollerable burden to thee, that will indanger the ſinking of thy ſoul in the bottomleſs gulf of diſpair. 114
10 They diſhonour the Pardoning Grace of God that ſin after pardon, as 115
1 That return to the ſame ſin. 116
2 That are negligent in the ways of God. 117
1 They remember not the days of old. 118
2 Are in danger of loſing their Evidences. 120
3 This may provoke God to deal with you as a ſlave, and not as a ſon. 122
4 Hereby thy ſin is aggravated above the ſins of the wicked. ibid.
CHAP. XV. Of the diſhonour done to the Grace of God by not reſting on it. 125
1 It argues low thoughts of the pardoning Grace of God. 126
2 Thou hereby judgeſt of God according to thy own thoughts 127
3 'Tis contrary to the main ſcope of the Scriptures, which is to magnifie the pardoning grace of God 128
1 Againſt the greatneſs of ſin. ibid.
2 The way thou takeſt 'tis the ready way to periſh. 129
Object. Would you have us go on to believe and doubt no more? 130
Anſw. No. But
1 Turn your fears of Preſuming into fears of Diſhonouring the Grace of God. 131
2 Set the greatneſs of the Pardoning Grace of God before the eye of your ſouls. ibid.
3 Keep your ſpirits in an active frame. 132
4 Renew your Reſolutions of Honouring God whatever God does with you. ibid.
5 Keep thy heart in a waiting frame. ibid.
6 Catch hold of any beginnings. 133
Of the evil of this ſin of diſhonouring the pardoning Grace of God. ibid.
1 It is a ſinning againſt mercy which God accounts his glory. ibid.
2 It aggravates the ſin of ſuch men. 134.
1 Above the ſin of the Heathen. ibid.
2 Above the ſin of the Devils. 135
3 The Scripture ſpeaks dreadfully of it. ibid.
CHAP. XVI. Of the ſeveral Miſtakes of Men about the Pardon of their Sins.
1 Many think their ſins are pardoned, becauſe it is but little they are guilty of. Anſw. 140
1 Such underſtand not the evil that is in the leaſt ſin. ibid.
2 Gods mercy is his own to do with it as he pleaſes. ibid.
2 Others think they are pardoned, becauſe they have not multiplied and increaſt them. 142
Anſw. One ſin is enough to damn thee as well as a million of tranſgreſſions. ibid.
3 Others think they are pardoned, becauſe the guilt of them does not lie upon their Conſciences. Anſwered. 143
4 Others think they are pardoned, becauſe they have had proſperity, Anſw. 145
5 Others hope they are pardoned, becauſe
1 They are ſorry for them: Anſw. 146
2 Leave them: Anſw. 151
1 All Reformation ſatisfies not for ſin. 153
2 God accepts of duties not for themſelves, but becauſe of the perſon that performs them. 154
3 Others ſay, we truſt in the mercy of God, and they are
1 Such as are moſt groſly ignorant: Anſw. 155
2 Others more knowing: Anſw. 157
4 Others ſay, We rely upon Chriſt: Anſw. 161
CHAP. XVII. Of the true Evidences of Forgiveneſs of Sin. 162
1 They are ſuch as are Called Ones. 163
2 They are received into the Covenant with God. 169
3 They are tranſlated into the Kingdom of his Son. 171
4 They have much given unto them. 173
1 The Spirit to inlighten them. 174
2 God will write his law in their hearts. ibid.
3 God will give them cleanſing mercies. ibid.
5 They have a glory put upon them. 175
6 They are made to know what pardon means. 177
7 They have melting hearts for ſin. ibid.
8 They have a growth in grace according to the degrees of pardon. 179
9 They have an anſwerable work in their ſouls to the work of Gods grace in pardoning them. 181
10 They have a merciful frame of heart to forgive others. 182
CHAP. XVIII. Of the Rules how to apply the Evidences of the Pardon of Sin.
1 If you cannot find all, yet if you find any one of them, you may take comfort becauſe all are there. 185
2 Have recourſe to Gods former workings. 187
3 Try not your ſelves in times of temptation. 189
4 What of the Word you find on your ſide, keep cloſe to that 191
5 Renew your Evidences if you cannot find your old ones. 193
6 Remember you are to deal with God in a Covenant of Grace 195
7 When you want the faith of Aſſurance, put forth the work of faith of Adherence. 199
8 Reſt not much upon Evidences. 200
9 When you have loſt the uſe of ſigns at preſent, do not determine all is gone. 201
10 Keep up good thoughts of God when you are at the loweſt. ibid.
CHAP. XIX. Of Exhortation to ſeek after Pardon of Sin, with Cautions and Rules how to ſeek, and what we are to do.
1 Caution, Know, nothing in a natural man can be acceptable to God. 204
2 What is done before Ʋnion with Chriſt, is not to be reckoned on as the condition of the Covenant of Grace. 205
3 Reſt not on any Preparatory works. ibid.
4 Yet ſuch works are worthy of our utmoſt endeavours. 206
Rules how to ſeek
1 Set your ſelves as in the preſence of God. 207
2 See it be ſuch a ſeeking that may teſtifie thou priſeſt thy life here in this world for this end. 207
3 It muſt be done ſo, as that you never ſought any thing in this world ſo us you ſeek this. 208
4 Do it as apprehending that God is a going. ibid.
5 So ſeek after it, as that thou may'ſt teſtifie thou ſanctifieſt the Name of God in it. 209
6 So ſeek as if you were now to anſwer for all your ſins before the Lord. 210
7 Do it as thou thinkeſt in thy Conſcience the damned ſouls in Hell would do it, if they had a poſſibility granted them. ibid.
8 Seek after it with a deſire to bring as much glory to God as if he ſhould damn you. 211
Of what is to be done in ſeeking
1 Be ſure to take the heart from all other imaginary bleſſedneſs. ibid.
2 Let Conſcience have free liberty to ſhew thee thy ſins. 212
3 Be willing to own all thy ſins. ibid.
4 Be willing to accept of the puniſhment of ſin▪ 213
5 Reſolve to avoid ſin whatever come of it. ibid.
6 Caſt out whatſoever is gotten by falſe wayes. ibid.
7 Be ſure thou be put of with nothing elſe but pardon of ſin. ibid.
CHAP. XX. Of Encouragements to ſeek after Pardon of Sin.
1 The time of your life is given you for this end. 215
2 The means you are under, argues that God intends mercy for you. ibid.
3 From the ſtirrings of Gods Spirit thou may'ſt argue God intends thee good. ibid.
4 The world is continued for this end, that God may gather in his Elect. 216
5 The Principal ſcope of the Scriptures is for this end, to reveal the pardoning Grace of God. ibid.
6 God ſends his Ambaſſadors to wo you. 217
7 It is the great work of Chriſt's Mediatorſhip to bind up broken hearts. ibid.
8 God whom thou haſt to deal withal, his nature is mercy in the abſtract. ibid.
1 He more delights in pardoning any one ſinner, than in all the Creatures of Heaven and Earth. ibid.
2 He takes more pleaſure in ſaving the… than thou doſt thy ſelf. 218
3 God more delights in the work of the heart cloſing with … grace than in all Legal Humiliations. ibid.
9 Chriſt hath ſatisfied Gods Juſtice. ibid.
10 As vile ſinners as thou art, are now in Heaven. ibid.
11 Make the utmoſt thou can'ſt of thy ſin, yet this need not hinder thee to come to God. ibid.
12 On cloſing with Chriſt thou wilt find ſuch a change as was never in any creature beſides. 119
13 Thy coming in, will fill Heaven and Earth with joy. ibid.
14 Thou art hereby made heir of the whole world. ibid.
15 For any thing thou knoweſt thou art one of Gods Elect, and ſo there is nothing that thou art to do, but he hath promiſed to enable thee to do it. 220
FINIS.
End of the text · Jeremiah Burroughs, Gospel Remission (1668)