The Bowels of Tender Mercy Sealed in the Everlasting Covenant, Religious treatise · Part 2 · Chapter 5
CHAP. V. Chriſts blood the merit of pardon.
THat the blood of Chriſt is the Cauſe▪ and it is the only meritorious cauſe for This blood of Chriſt is the cauſe, and the only meritorious cauſe of forgiveneſs.which the people of God have their many and great ſins pardoned: (That is the clean water (or according to the Original, the clean waters) which makes them clean.)
SECT. I.
OF this Aſſertion there are two Branches.It is the cauſe of forgiveneſs.
Firſt, That the blood of Chriſt is the Cauſe for which the people of God have all their ſins pardoned: This truth the Scripture clearly holds forth. Matth. 26. 28. This is my blood of the New Teſtament which is ſhed for many for the remiſſion of ſins. Rom. 3. 25. Whom God hath ſet forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his blood, to declare his righteouſneſs for the remiſſion of ſins that are paſt. Mark, Chriſt is our Propitiation, and he is our Propitiation by blood: It is the blood that maketh an Atonement for your ſouls: Levit. … 11. And without ſhedding of blood is no remiſſion, Heb. 9. 22. And therefore the High Prieſt (who was a Type of Chriſt, when he was to make an Atonement, he alwayes came with the blood of the Sacrifice) Epheſ. 1. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveneſs of ſins. Rev. 1. 5. Who waſhed us from our ſins in his own blood. 1 Joh. 1. 7. The blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son cleanſeth us from all ſin. Beſides theſe Scriptures, you ſhall find other places putting the forgiveneſs of ſins expreſly upon Chriſts account as the Cauſe, Epheſ. 4. 32. Forgiving one another, even as God fir Chriſts ſake hath forgiven you. 1 Joh. 2. 12. I write unto you little Children, becauſe yovr ſins are forgiven you for his Name ſake. Rom. 5. 11. We joy in God through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt by whom we have received the Atonement. Beloved, The people of God have a three-fold anchor to truſt upon for the pardon of their ſins.
1. One is the free grace of God: Rom. 3. 24. Being juſtified freely by his grace.
2. A ſecond is the blood of Chriſt: Rom. 5. 9. Being now juſtified by his blood.
3. The third is the Covenant of God: Jer. 33. 8. I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have ſinned, and whereby they have tranſgreſſed againſt me.
Before I quit this firſt Branch of the Aſſertion, I would directly anſwer three Queſtions.
1. How the blood of Chriſt can be ſuch a Cauſe as amounts ſo high as the forgiveneſs of ſins, though very many, and very great?
2. What neceſſity there was for the effuſion of his blood in a Cauſal order to the forgiveneſs of our ſins.
3. How it may be demonſtrated that it doth reach ſo far, &c.
Queſt. 1. How the blood of Chriſt can be ſuch a cauſe as to amount How there can be ſuch an efficacy in the blood of Chriſt; Anſ…e…ed.and reach ſo high for the forgiveneſs of all our ſins, though very many, and very great?
Sol. To this it may be anſwered, that it doth ariſe from
1. The dignity of the perſon of Chriſt who was God-man.
2. The Concurrence of both the natures of Chriſt, in all his Mediatory actions and paſſions, ſo that they were Theandrical, ſufferings both Humane and Divine; and therefore his blood is called the blood of God, (Acts 20. 28. God purchaſed the Church with his own blood.) and the Lord of glory is ſaid to be crucified, (they crucified the Lord of glory, 1 Cor. 2. 8.) And from theſe two Conſiderations there is light enough to convince us of the wonderful power and vertue in the blood of Chriſt to reach the forgiveneſs of all our ſins, becauſe he was an infinite perſon, and for him to ſuffer and dye, was more than if all the ſons of men had done ſo. And becauſe the vertue of his Deity did ſo extend unto, and attend his Death or Sacrifice, that thereupon it came to be of more than ſufficient worth to ſatisfie Gods juſtice, and to expiate our ſins; for although there was in our ſins an abounding meaſure of guilt, yet there was in the blood of Chriſt (it being the obedience of one who was God) a ſuperabounding worth to weigh down and remove all the malignity and demerit in the ſin of man; there being no more proportion 'twixt the demerit of our ſinnings, and the demerit of his ſufferings, than there is 'twixt our perſons and his perſon.
What neceſſity was there of it;Queſt. 2. But ſecondly, It is demanded, What neceſſity there was for the effuſion of his blood in order to the forgiveneſs of our ſins?
Anſwered. Sol. It was neceſſary that the blood of Chriſt ſhould be ſhed to waſh us from our ſins, becauſe
Firſt, Divine juſtice muſt be ſatisfied before ſins can be forgiven; till that Divine juſtice muſt be ſatisfied.be done, mercy it ſelf (if I may ſo ſpeak) is not at liberty; therefore the Apoſtle tells us that God did ſet forth Christ to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, (Rom. 3. 25.) To declare his righteouſneſs, that he might be juſt, and the juſtifier of him that believeth in Jeſus, (Ver. 26.) The meaning is, that the blood of Chriſt reconciled both theſe Attributes of God; juſtice calls for ſatiſfaction; there it is ſaith Chriſt, my blood hath ſatisfied you; and mercy longs to help and pardon the poor ſinner; it ſhall come ſaith Chriſt, for my blood hath purchaſed it.
Secondly, Jeſus Christ muſt make good his bargain and agreement; he did agree with Chriſt muſt make good his bargain.his Father to be a Surety for all his people, and was content to ſtand in their ſtead, and to have all their iniquities laid upon himſelf, and to anſwer for them, and to ſuffer for them, and to clear and diſcharge them, and to reconcile and ſave them by his death; and therefore even upon that account it was neceſſary that Chriſt ſhould dye, and ſhed his blood, that the agreement 'twixt him and the Father might be performed.
Thirdly, It was neceſſary alſo in this reſpect, To convince us of the hainouſneſs To convince us of the hainouſneſs of ſin.of ſin; we ordinarily look on ſin as a ſmall matter, as if God were not offended and provoked by it; and if he be, …et a ſmall matter will ſerve the turn to ſatisfie God, to pacifie him towards us▪ and get forgiveneſs; but we do extraordinarily delude our ſelves; for without ſhedding of blood there is no remiſſion; it coſt Jeſus Chriſt (the Son of God) his precious blood, and if that had not been ſhed, never could any have got the forgiveneſs of any one ſin.
Fourthly, It was neceſſary likewiſe as to the acquieſcing, quieting or ſatisfying To ſatisfie conſcience.of conſcience, which would never come to any reſt or peace, unleſs Jeſus Chriſt had ſhed his blood; for ſtill the conſcience cries out, Gods juſtice muſt be ſatisfied, and who will undertake that great work? Lo I come ſaith Chriſt, I have laid down a price, I became ſin, I was made a curſe, I wrought redemption, I have ſatisfied the juſt God, and purchaſed the forgiveneſs of your ſins; and now conſcience is quieted; Who ſhall condemn? it is Chriſt that dyed.
How it may be demonſt…ated;Queſt. 3. How it can be demonſtrated that the blood of Chriſt is the cauſe of forgiveneſs of our ſins, though many and great?
Anſwered. Sol. Beſides the clear Scriptures already mentioned, theſe Arguments may help us to demonſtrate it.
Firſt, We are ſet free by the blood of Chriſt. Zach. 9. 11. By the blood of thy Covenant, I have ſent forth thy priſoners out of the pit.
Secondly, We are juſtified by his blood, and ſaved from wrath. Rom. 5. 9. Much more being juſtified by his blood, we ſhall be ſaved from wrath by him. Pray, tell me what is it to be juſtified, but to be pardoned? and what is it to be ſaved from wrath, but to be delivered from all puniſhment? and both theſe depend upon the blood of Chriſt.
Thirdly, So we are ſaid to be made nigh by the blood of Chriſt, Epheſ. 2. 13. and to be reconciled through the blood of his Croſs, Coloſ. 1. 20.
Secondly, Now I come to the ſecond Branch of the Aſſertion, that as Jeſus Chriſts blood the only cauſe of pardon;Chriſts blood is the cauſe, ſo it is the only cauſe for which God forgives the ſins of his people.
Yet let me diſtinguiſh; cauſes of forgiveneſs are of two ſorts.
Firſt, Internally moving God, and that is his own free grace only.
Secondly, Externally meriting, and that is the death or blood of Chriſt only. Iſa. 63. 3. I have trodden the wine-preſs alone, and of the people there was none with me. Acts 4. 12. Neither is there ſalvation in any other Name; for there is none other Name under heaven given amongſt men whereby we muſt be ſaved. Acts 13. 38. Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveneſs of ſins. Ver. 39. And by him all that believe are juſtified from all things from which ye could not be juſtified by the Law of Moſes. 1 Cor. 3. 11. Other foundation can no man lay, than that which is laid, which is Jeſus Chriſt.
The truth of this will eaſily appear, if you conſiderDemonſtrated.
Firſt, The works of God the Father, who laid on Chriſt (and none but Chriſt) the iniquities of us all, Iſa. 5. 3. 6. and ſealed him, John 6. 27. (and ſet him apart, authoritatively commiſſioned him) and ſet him forth to be a propitiation, Rom. 3. 25.
Secondly, The office of Chriſt (amongſt the reſt) to be our High Priest; and in this reſpect, two things are proper unto him. 1. The oblation of himſelf for ſin. 2. His interceſſion for tranſgreſſions.
Thirdly, The nature of merit, which
1. Muſt be opus indebitum; for he who doth do no more than he ought to do, or ſuffers but what he deſerves to ſuffer, merits nothing by his doing, or by his ſuffering.
2. Muſt be opus perfectum, againſt which no exception can be taken; nothing is meritorious which is ſhort and faulty.
3. Muſt be opus infinitum, a work of infinite value and worth, which cannot only ſtand before juſtice, but plead alſo with it, and challenge it for the dignity of what is done or ſuffered.
Now theſe qualifications (not to mention any more) ſet the Crown on the head of Chriſt alone, and ſtrike it off from us, and all our works, yea, the beſt; for they are
1. But debts; our beſt obedience is but ſo, and our beſt repentance is but ſo.
2. But imperfect; when we have done all, we are but unprofitable ſervants; and ſo much iniquity accompanies our holy offerings, that we need Jeſus Chriſt to be our Aaron to bear them, and have need to pray, as he that mourned for his ſins, Domine, Lava lachrymas me as.
3. Were they perfect, yet they are but of a finite worth, and riſe not to the far more exceeding m…rit in ſin, nor yet to the ſurpaſſing worth of Divine mercy: If Jacob were not worthy of the leaſt of mercies, much leſs are we of the greateſt of mercies.
Fourthly, The purpoſe of grace, which is univerſally to be exalted in the forgiven…ſ… of ſins▪ with which, though Chriſts merits can well conſiſt, (Rom. 3. 23. Being juſtified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Chriſt.) yet our merits are contradictorily repugnant. Rom. 11. 6. If by grace, then it is no more of works; and if it be of works, then it is no more grace.
SECT. II.
Ʋſe 1 BUT let us now make ſome uſeful Application of all this unto our ſelves. Is the blood of Chriſt the cauſe, and the only cauſe for which the people of God come to have their ſins forgiven? from thence let us learn two things.Hence learn To judge of the hainouſneſs of ſin.
Firſt, To judge in another manner of our ſins than in former times we have done; how hainous they are, and how high the …uilt of them is.
There are five glaſſes in which we may behold the hideous guilt of our ſins, of which yet many perſons do but yet make a work of paſtime.
1. One is the dreadful threatnings of the Law of God, which reveals and diſcharges the wrath of God, and all ſorts of curſes, corporal, and ſpiritual, and eternal againſt people for their ſins.
2. A ſecond is the unſpeakable terrors in conſcience, raiſed only from our ſins, which makes us like the troubled Sea that cannot reſt; and to cry out with Cain, and to deſpair with Judas, and to long for death with Spira.
3. A third is the wonderful outward judgements inflicted by God on people for ſin, plague and famine, and the ſword, and tormenting diſeaſes, burning down of Cities, renting up of Kingdomes, and all the miſerable evils in the world.
4. A fourth is the eternal duration of the flame of hell fire, the ſuffering of the vengeance of eternal fire, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Jude, ver. 7.
5. The fifth is the death and ſuffering of Jeſus Chriſt; one ſaith, that if it were poſſible for us to ſee and feel the torments which the damned do ſuffer in hell, it could not be ſo clear and eff…ctual conviction of the true deſert of ſin, of the hainouſneſs of it, of the odiouſne…s of it, of the dreadfulneſs of it, as the conſideration of it in the death and blood of Chriſt, without which there could be no forgiveneſs of our ſins, no no… of the leaſt of them; I beſeech you to attend a little, …in is of ſuch a provoking, deſerving nature;
Firſt, That no creature, no not all the creatures in heaven and earth could pacifie God, and cleanſe us from our ſins, and procure the pardon of them, but Jeſus Chriſt the Son of God alone: Neither Angels nor Saints, nor righteouſneſs, nor prayers nor gold, nor ſilver can give unto God a …anſome for our ſoul; the redemption of it is more precious, it cannot be without the precious blood of Chriſt.
Secondly, As none can procure the pardon of ſin but Chriſt, ſo Chriſt could not do it, but by dying; indeed there was very much excellency and worth in the active obedience of Chriſt, in the holineſs of his life, and exactneſs of his works; nevertheleſs to get off our ſins, his paſſive obedience is likewiſe required, without that there was no remidion: Thou waſt ſlain, and haſt redeemed us to God by thy blood, Rev. 5. 9.
Thirdly, As Chriſt muſt dye to get the pardon of ſin, ſo every death of Chriſt is not ſufficient, but he muſt dye that accurſed death of the Croſs, and become a curſe for us, or elſe he could not have got the pardon of our ſins; hear the Apoſtle, Gal. 3. 13. Chriſt hath redeemed us from the curſe of the Law, being made a curſe for us; for it is written, curſed is every one that hangeth on a Tree. 1 Pet. 2. 24. Who his own ſelf bare our ſins in his own body on the Tree. Coloſ. 1. 20. He made peace through the blood of his Croſs.
Fourthly, Neither would this have ſufficed to dye on the Croſs, (there enduring the grievous torments in his ſoul and body due to our ſins) if he had not been God as well as man. 1 Joh. 3. 16. ſpeaking of the perſon of Chriſt, he ſaith, God laid down his life for us; and indeed that muſt be of infinite price and merit, which muſt anſwer the everlaſting torments due for all the ſins of all the Elect; there had not been enough in the death of Chriſt, had it not been the death of a perſon who was God as well as Man. Thus you ſee (even in the blood of Chriſt) the hainouſneſs of ſin, and the high guilt thereof, which may make us to fear and tremble at the conſideration of our own exceeding guiltineſs, &c.
Secondly, To look after Chriſt in another manner than formerly we have done: To look after Chriſt in another manner than formerly.Why, will you ſay? becauſe in his blood only we have the remiſſion of ſins, that it is the only cauſe for which God doth forgive us.
Now becauſe this is the principal Uſe which (I think) can be made of this point, I will therefore briefly ſpeak unto theſe three queſtions.
1. How we ſhould look after Chriſt, ſeeing that there is no forgiveneſs but in and by him.
2. Whether we do indeed look after Chriſt, ſo as that we may get him to be ours, and have the benefit of forgiveneſs in his blood.
3. How one may know that he hath got Jeſus Chriſt to be his, and conſequently an intereſt in his blood for the pardon of his ſins.
Queſt. 1. Seeing that there is no forgiveneſs of ſins but for the blood of How we ſhould look after Chriſt.Chriſt, how therefore ſhould we look after Chriſt?
Sol. To this I anſwer.
Firſt, We ſhould look after Chriſt (ſo as to enjoy him to be ours) with With all ſpeedineſs.all ſpeedineſs, as David ſpake in another caſe, I made haſte, and delayed not to keep thy Commands, Pſal. 119. 60. So ſhould not we delay from time to time, but haſten in to Chriſt, that ſo our ſins may be pardoned: Whiles it is called to day, to hearken unto his voice, Hebr. 3. 7. Iſa. 60. 8. Who are theſe that flee as a cloud, and as the Doves to their Windows? In three caſes, ſwiftneſs and preſentneſs of action are required, viz.
1. When the danger is great.
2. When the mercy is great.
3. When the opportunity is uncertain, all theſe circumſtances meet together to ſtirre us up ſpeedily to look after Chriſt, to get him to be ours; for
1. All the guilt of our ſins lies upon our own ſouls, untill Chriſt be ours; no ſin is forgiven, but we are under wrath and condemnation.
2. All our ſins ſhall be taken off by the blood of Chriſt, if Chriſt be ours; ſo that there is no condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus, Rom. 8. 1.
3. We have but our day, our houre, our opportunity, our preſent moment to look after Chriſt; the day of life is uncertain, and the day of grace is uncertain, the Spirit blows when and where, and how long, and how ſhort, as himſelf liſteth; O that thou hadſt known, even in this thy day! &c. Luke 19. 42.
Secondly, We ſhould look after Chriſt very ſeriouſly and carefully; our Very ſe…iouſly.ſouls ſhould make it their ſolemn work and buſineſs, yea▪ all that is in our ſouls ſhould be united and engag…d for to get Chriſt. Simile. As he ſaid to his ſon, Percute tanquam ad Aratrum, Strike as thou waſt wont to ſtrike at the Plough; ſo would I ſay, look after Chriſt as ye are wont to look after the world) (the riches, and honour, and pleaſure of it) earneſtly, and with all your heart, and with all your mind, and with all your might; the Kingdome of heaven ſhould ſuffer vi…lence, &c. Ma…th. 11. 12. Prov. 8. 17. Thoſe that ſeek me early, ſhall finde me.
Thirdly, We ſhould look after Chriſt diligently and laboriouſly, not ſhrinking Diligently.at any pains, and any ways, and any means to get Chriſt. Prov. 8. 34. Bleſſed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the poſts of my do…rs. Cant. 3. 1. By night on my bed I ſought him whom my ſoul loveth. Ver. 2. I will riſe up, and go about the City in the Streets, and in the broad ways I will ſeek him whom my ſoul loveth. Ver. 3. The watchmen that go about the City found me, to whom I ſaid, Saw ye him whom my ſoul loveth? We ſhould give all diligence to make our c…lling and election ſure, 2 Pet. 1. 10. ſo ſhould we to make Chriſt ſure to our ſouls; for Prov. 8. 35. Who ſo findeth me, findeth life; and ver. 36. All they that hate me, love death.
Fourthly, We ſhould look after Chriſt reſolutely, againſt all the diſcouragements Reſolutely.of our own hearts, and againſt all the reproaches and contempts of the world, and againſt all the ſuggeſtions of Satan: as Jacob ſpake, I will not let thee go, except thou bleſs me. Gen. 32. 26. Or as David, one thing have I deſired of the Lord, that I will ſeek after, &c. Pſal. 27. 4. So Lord, My heart is fixed, my heart is fixed, and engaged. O give Chriſt to my poor ſoul, O bring in my ſoul to Chriſt; I periſh without him, as thoſe out of the Ark; I live only in and by him, I ſhall be damned if I have not Chriſt.
Queſt. 2. Whether we do ſo indeed look after Chriſt, as that we may get him Whether we do indeed look after Chriſt. He looks after Chriſt ſo as to get him, Who ſeeks him with a burdened ſpirit.to be ours, and finde the forgiveneſs of our ſins in his blood?
Sol. This is a great and neceſſary queſtion, which may be thus reſolved.
Firſt, That man looks after Chriſt (as moſt probable to get him) whoſe minding of Chriſt doth ariſe from a burdened ſpirit, and a broken heart: O when the Spirit of God doth ſo ſet our ſins upon our conſciences, that they appear indeed as ſins, and do become the grievous burden of our ſouls, and we are …ow concluded and ſhut up by them as poor Priſoners, utterly loſt and undone, and no hope nor help but in a Chriſt. And hereupon our oppreſſed and dejected ſouls (even from a clear experimental ſenſe of our abſolute need and want of Chriſt) are carried out to the Prince of life and peace, Maſter, ſave us, or elſe we periſh; thou art life, and thou art peace, and thou art help, and thou only art our hope; this is a right looking after Chriſt, and this will bring us at length to the enjoying of him.
Secondly, That man looks after Chriſt, ſo as to get him, whoſe ſoul doth Who hungers and thirſts for Chriſt.come to an hungring and thirſting for Chriſt; if any man thirſts, ſaith Chriſt, &c. my meaning is,
1. If it be Chriſt himſelf that the ſoul would have; as it is bread which the hungry man would have, and it is water that the thirſty man would have.
2. If his heart be ſo affectionately ſet on Chriſt, and drawn out after him, that all ſhall go which hinders the fruition of Chriſt, and that all ſhall be embraced that makes way for the enjoyment of Chriſt.
3. If his ſoul be inceſſantly importunate for Chriſt, even importunate for him, O Lord how long! will not be denied, &c. For whom I have ſuffered the l…ſs of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Chriſt, Phil. 3. 8. ſo Matth. 23. 46.
Thirdly, That man looks ſo after Chriſt, as to get him, who ſtrives with Who ſtrives with God for faith.God for faith, and attends the Word of faith, and meditates much on Chriſt, and on the promiſes of the Goſpel, and invitations of the Goſpel, and the encouragements of the Goſpel to perſwade and breed faith in him to joyne him to Chriſt. O I want faith, O that God would give me faith, O that he would perſwade and draw me by his own Spirit, O that I could lay hold on Chriſt, and receive him, and give glory to his love and willingneſs, and offers, and promiſes! and ſtill the ſoul is upon this requeſt, Lord give me Chriſt, and Lord give me faith, and Lord ſtrengthen faith, &c.
Queſt. 3. How may one know that he hath got Chriſt to be his Chriſt, and How one may know he hath got Chriſt to be his.conſequently the forgiveneſs of all his ſins by Chriſt, and for Chriſt?
Sol. I do but occaſionally move this queſtion for their ſakes who would fain be aſcertained that their ſins are forgiven, of which they cannot be, unleſs and untill they be aſcertained of Chriſt; but to the Quaeries, one may know that he hath got Chriſt, that Chriſt is his, and he is Chriſts, by three Characters, expreſſed in Three Characters of it.three places of Scripture.
Firſt, If any man be in Chriſt, he is a new creature, 2 Cor. 5. 17. A new creature is changed, his mind new, and judgement new, and affections new, and words and converſation new, and company new, and employment new, &c.
Secondly, They that are Chriſts, have crucified the fleſh with the affections and luſts, Gal. 5. 24. No ſin hath dominion, every ſin is crucified, it hath loſt its dominion; we are no friends to ſin, no ſervants to ſin; as Chriſt dyed for our ſins, ſo they that are Chriſts, dye unto their ſins, in reſpect of love, and of action.
Thirdly, Chriſt becomes the Author of eternal ſalvation to all them that obey him, Hebr. 5. 9. Chriſt rules where Chriſt ſaves; if he be thy Lord, aſſuredly he is thy Saviour: His we are, whoſe ſervants we are, whom we do obey. Thou haſt delivered us, and therefore thou ſhalt reign over us, ſaid they to Gideon; ſo the man who is in Chriſt, Thou haſt redeemed me by thy blood, and therefore thou ſhalt rule me by thy Spirit; but if we will not obey Chriſt, we have no intereſt in him.
Ʋſe 2 A ſecond Uſe of this Point, ſhall be to ſhew the miſerable condition of many perſons; for if forgiveneſs of ſins come unto us only for the blood of Chriſt, The miſerable condition of ſuch Who regard not the offers of Chriſt. Who look for pardon on another account.then two ſorts are in a miſerable condition, they ſhall certainly miſs thereof.
Firſt, Who regard not the offers of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but ſtand out and refuſe him, and will be enemies or ſtrangers to him; they reſerve their hearts for the world, and for their ſins; theſe men will live and dye in their ſins.
Secondly, Who look for the pardon of their ſins upon another account than the blood of Chriſt; if they give ſome almes, there's a foundation which they lay for the pardon of their ſins; if they ſay their prayers, if they leave a ſin, they conceive here is cauſe enough why God ſhould forgive them; and if they ſerve him a little, that alſo they build their hopes upon. But all this (unleſs God opens the eyes, and changes the heart) will prove a damnable miſtake unto you; for lying vanities you do forſake your mercies. It is 1. Folly. 2. Sin. 3. Loſs and Ruine thus to place thy confidence on any thing but the blood, &c.
Object. But have you not told us that God promiſeth forgiveneſs upon repenting and praying?
Sol. Yea, but never for repenting and praying, but only for Chriſts ſake; means they are for pardon, but reaſons and cauſes they are not of forgiveneſs; therefore this do, mourn and repent ſtill, but remember to ſtick unto Chriſts blood alone, as the meritorious cauſe of your forgiveneſs. O Lord, I am a broken and penitent ſi…ner, I beſeech thee to forgive me my ſins; Why, what reaſon, upon what account? ſaith God O Lord do it for Chriſts ſake, whoſe I am, and whom I ſerve; he ſhed his precious blood for the remiſſion of ſins, for his ſake forgive all my ſins, &c.
Ʋſe 3 This is of great ſtay and comfort unto poor ſinners who are rightly ſenſible of their ſins and of the ſurpaſſing goodneſs of forgiving mercy, and alſo of their For ſtay and comfort to poor ſinners.utter unworthineſs thereof, and many times are doubting and diſputing what they may bring for mercy, and what they ſhould plead for mercy. I will tell you what you ſhould bring, and what you ſhould plead, for which God will forgive you your ſins; bring Jeſus …hriſt, and plead in his blood, and in his Name; he is the propitiation for your ſins, and through his blood you have the forgiveneſs of your ſins: I am a great ſinner, and do need pardoning mercy; O Lord, I come not in mine own name, but in Chriſts Name; I cannot offer up any worthineſs of mine own, but I do by faith offer up the blood of Jeſus Chriſt, O pardon me for his ſake, waſh me from my ſins in his blood, drown them in the depth; his blood ſpeaketh better things than the blood of Abel; it was ſhed to ſatisfie thy juſtice, and to reconcile and make peace; Lord, I reſt not on my ſelf, but on thy Chriſt; not on my works, but on his merits; his blood was ſhed for the remiſſion of ſins, that is my plea, and that is my confidence, &c.
Poor ſoul, this will carry it, this will prevail for thee.
1. The blood of Chriſt is the meritorious cauſe.
2. And it is the only meritorious cauſe.
3. And it is the effectual cauſe of forgiveneſs of ſins; God hath appointed it, and God will own and accept of it; he would have us draw nigh by the blood of Chriſt; therefore make uſe of it, reſt upon it▪
EZEK. 36. 25.
I will ſprinkle clean water upon you, and ye ſhall be clean, &c.
I Now come to the handling of the ſecond Propoſition from theſe words, viz.