it when it is there Propos 4. In respect of Gods liberty and freedom there is great difference between the attributes of God as also the exercises and actions of them There are some properties that require no object for their exercise but they make it thus the omnipotency of God doth not finde but make its object Again there are others which though they require an object yet not any condition or circumstance in it so the wisdom of God can and doth order every object let it be what it will be to a glorious end It ordered an harmonious world out of a Chaos he made all things qua omnipotens as omnipotent and ordered them all qua sapiens as a wise God But then there are other attributes which though essential to him yet cannot be exercised but where the objects are so and so conditionated as that mercy of God whereby he doth forgive sins requireth an object penitent and believing so that Justice of God whereby it is punitive and vindicative of sin requireth an object that is a sinner and impenitent Now in the actions about the objects of the former sort God is every way free he might have created the world or not have created it but in the actions of the latter sort though he be also free yet not so as to use Justice or not Justice when there is an object with its due condition As now it was free to God whether he would make man or no it was free for him whether he would permit man to fall or no but when fallen not free whether he would be just or no Thus God is free whether he will procure or prepare an object of justice but then when he hath so prepared an object then he is not loosned from the obligation of Justice To procure an object of Justice ariseth from the Soveraignty and meer freedom of God Hence Gods permission of sin or reprobation negative which is the passing by of some are not acts of Justice properly so called but condemnation for sin is truly and properly Justice The former arise from Gods supream dominion and freedom When an Object of Justice is there is an obligation to execute the same upon it but not when an object of mercy is because its necessary to mercy that it should be indebita but to justice debita I do not here intend to meddle with that Question Whether God absolutely might not have let sin go unpunished and yet forgive it as we see men can This is disputed even among the Orthodox some are for the Negative as Pisâ—ator Lubertus c. Others for the Affirmative as Davenant Twist c. but the proper place for this will be when we speak of Christs satisfaction nor yet with that other of the Schoolmen Whether God may absolutely accept of a sinner to pardon and eternal life though he do not regenerate or sanctifie him these are to be handled in their proper place You see by this delivered how far the actions of Gods Justice may be said to be free or not free Propos 5. Whatsoever may be said in an absolute sense about Gods Justice yet since that threatning promulged In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt die the death God cannot in Iustice but punish sinners Though it be in his freedom whether he will give thee a being or no yet if thou art an obstinate sinner it is not in his freedom whether he will damn thee or no so that as God cannot but love that Image of his holinesse where he seeth it so he cannot but hate the contrary wheresoever it is though that hatred shall not alwayes fall upon the person in whom it is because removed by Christ It is Camerons opinion That the word Iustitia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when attributed to God doth alwayes signifie Goodnesse Salvation Redemption but never in the Scripture saith he doth it denote an affection in God whereby he avengeth himself upon sinners but that the words Ira and Iudicium Anger and Iudgement expresse this But though the word signifie so sometimes yet in some places it must needs mean this disposition in God Psal 9.5 1 Tim. 4.8 2 Thess 1.6 so that in some sense we may with several Orthodox men say Iustice is essential to God Sin is not indeed Physically contrary to God as water is to fire for if it were so God would not suffer it to be because he is an infinite good as if there were infinite fire or light there could not be any water or darknesse but it is morally contrary to him Hab. 1. Thou art of purer eyes then to behold iniquity even sins against any positive command of God that are sins only because prohibited they are thus far against his nature and not his will only because it is against his nature to have his will and commands disobeyed in any thing he being the supream and most holy Lawgiver If God did only punish sin because he will and not because he is essentially just there could no true cause be given why Heathens should have terrour in their consciences after sins committed seeing the Word is not revealed unto them declaring Gods will and when the Scripture speaks of God punishing sins it doth not attribute it to Gods meer will because he will do so but to his Iustice Rev. 16.5 7. Thus Exod. 24. God is described by this property Not acquitting the guilty Now when we say God cannot but punish sin with death since the promulgation of the threatning that is not so to be understood as if then only the tie and obligation of Iustice came upon God but it was from eternity for as God did in time reveal this threatning so he did from all eternity will this threatning and so therefore from all eternity it was just with God to punish a sinner neither could he forgive him without a satisfaction This is diligently to be observed because men speak sometimes as if vindicative Iustice were then only due when the actual threatning was whereas the executions of God in time are as his decrees were from eternity and truly we should not give way to such Disputes Whether God could have pardoned absolutely or provided any other way and remedy when we see God pitching upon this and the Scripture only revealing this Hence the Scripture commandeth us to eschew sins not meerly because of his will onely but because he is holy in his nature Lev. 11.44 Josh 24.19 It is true Gods hatred and displicency of sin cannot but be yet the destination of it actually to punishment comes in some sense under his liberty Prop. 6. Though God cannot but take notice of sin so as to punish it yet it is under his freedom whether he will punish it in their own persons or in a surety and by this means the wisdom of God found out an excellent temperament of Iustice and Mercy so that the one doth not oppose the other notwithstanding Gods justice
the same we can prove it is because of repentance future So that still no sin will be forgiven without repentance For suppose that were a true rule to stand upon Gods internal will to pardon is an immanent act and therefore from all eternity will it not as well follow Gods internal will to give repentance is an immanent act and therefore repentance is from all eternity If another be a true rule That God hath given us all pardon from eternity only we have the sense of it and manifestation in our own souls may we not then say that we had the grace of repentance from all eternity but it is declarative in time in our own souls For although justification be Gods act and repentance ours yet we are passive in the infusion of this as well as justification I speak not of repentance as an act which cannot so properly be said to be infused but of the frame of the soul If a third rule should be true That therefore sins are pardoned because the Covenant of Grace saith it will pardon all Doth not this hold also for repentance seeing in the Covenant God promiseth to give a repenting heart Lastly If God may be thought changeable because now he pardons and once he did not will it not as well hold because he now gives grace to such a man to repent and once he did not To conclude therefore it followeth with an equal necessity That if future sins are forgiven before they be committed That God also did accept of future repentance before it was practised or else if repentance be not received by God till actually performed so neither is sin forgiven till actually committed and repented of The result of this whole truth is by way of Use to admonish us That we make not any Doctrine about grace in the genious and natural consequence of it to encourage or harden to sin If the grace of God which hath appeared to teach thee to deny all ungodly lusts make thee love them the more If because you are under grace sin hath therefore dominion over you If there be goodness with the Lord and therefore you do not fear him then know all things work contrary to their nature and Scripture-directions All Gospel-grace is a cleansing purifying refining property it is fire to get out the dross it is water to wash away the filth it is oyl to mollifie the wounds of the soul it is wine to make the heart glad and rejoyce in God Do not while you promise your selves a liberty by grace therein become servants of corruption more especially let the children of God who have had sweet experience of the Covenant of Grace upon their souls take heed of fals and relapses If the Prodigal son after that reconciliation made with his father after all that glory and love vouchsafed to him had again wandered into far Countries prodigally consumed all his estate living with swine upon husks How unpardonable and unworthy would this fact have been No less guilty wilt thou be who hast had the ring put on thee who hast fed on the fatted Calf if after this thou provoke God by gross transgressions Some have disputed Whether it be possible for a godly man to be secure in sinning and more willing to offend because of Gods gracious Covenant which will infallibly rescue him out of that sin But what sin is not possible except that against the holy Ghost even to a regenerate man Take heed then lest thou love the Gospel because it hath alwaies glad tidings and thou canst not abide the precepts or threatnings because they speak hard things to thee There may be a carnal Gospeller as well as a Popish Legalist LECTURE XXIX ACTS 3.19 Repent and be converted that your sins may be blotted out THe Apostle Peter in this exhortatory discourse of his to the Jews deals like a wise Physitian First Discovering the danger of the disease Secondly Applying an effectual remedy The disease is that hainous sin the Jews were guilty of in killing of Christ the Prince of life Which sin is aggravated by a threefold antithesis 1. They delivered up and denied Christ in the presence of Pilate when he would have acquitted him 2. They denied him though he was an holy and just One 3. They desired a murtherer to be released rather then him This is their sin In the next place you have the remedy prescribed in two words Repent and be converted Repent that denotes a change in the heart and to be converted an alteration in the outward conversation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Howsoever it be generally received that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth only true and godly sorrow and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that imperfect and unsound grief which is upon hypocrites yet this is not universally true for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is applied to true repentance Mat. 21.19 32. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to an outward repentance meeerly Mat. 11.21 The other word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is to be understood reciprocally Turn your selves or be turned This exhortation doth not suppose free-will in us it only denoteth our duty not our ability Neither is Grotius his assertion better then Semipelagianisme when he compareth the will of a man to the mother and grace to the father so that as children are named after the father and not the mother thus good actions are denominated from grace not free-will for in our conversion free-will is neither a totall or partiall cause preoperant or cooperant but the passive subject recipient of that Vim gratiae vorticordiam as Austin called it the heart-changing power of grace This duty of repentance is urged from the profitable consequent Piscator cals it effectu utili the effect of conversion which is that your sins may be blotted out It is not an inference of causality but of consequence Blotting out is as you heard from merchants that expunge their debts or the Scribe that raceth out those letters which ought not to be in the paper or the Painter that defaceth those lineaments which should not be in the Picture In the next place you have the time when these sins shall be blotted out that is when the times of refreshing shall come 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used Exod. 8.15 Some do not understand this nor that expression The times of restitution of all things vers 21. of the day of judgement but of that preservation the elect should have when the destruction of Jerusalem should be Hence it is that they expound the day of the Lord so much spoken of in Peter and other places which is said to be coming upon the beleevers of that time when God came to destroy Jerusalem but there is no cogent reason to go from the received interpretation which maketh the day of judgement to be the times of refreshing to the godly for so indeed it is because then they are eased from all those troubles and oppressions they lay under in
fit nisi revelante spiritu per fidem aeternum Dei propositum de sua salute Who is a righteous man but he that returneth love to God for Gods loving of him And how can this be but by Gods Spirit revealing his purpose of Election concerning the just mans Salvation Use of Instruction Doth the apprehension of great pardon breed great Humiliation then we may see the necessity of that Ministery and preaching which doth discover the depth length and breadth of sin They take the best way to set up grace and magnifie Christ who do amplifie the pollution of sin in us Now that we may come to be convinced how much God doth forgive us two points are much to be insisted upon 1. The Doctrine of original corruption for thereby we shall see our selves guilty of more sins then ever we thought of a man without this Scripture-light is like one in a dark dungeon which is full of Serpents Toads and all venemous creatures but is not able to see any of them and so thinks himself without any danger at all If therefore thou wouldst see how much is forgiven reckon up all the debts thou owest The mercy and skill of the Physician will then appear when the worst of thy disease is made manifest A second Point much to be pressed is the pure strict and exact obligation of the law which being set as a pure glass before thee all thy deformities will appear In this sense it is good to be a legal Preacher and a legal Hearer often that so knowing the holiness of the Law and our imperfection we may esteem the more of Gods Grace in pardoning so much As God in the outward passages of his providence doth therefore suffer one trouble to follow another like so many waves that so the greater their calamities have been his wisdom power and goodness may be the more conspicuous in delivering of them Thus it is also in his spiritual administrations he will not reveal the riches of Grace but to the poor in spirit nor will he give ease and refreshment but to those that are heavy laden and burdened And this is the reason why a Pharisee a formalist a moral man a self-righteous man doth not love Christ as converted Publicans and sinners do Use second of Admonition to those who have sinned much and so have had much forgiven them let such know their expences of practised grace must be according to the receipts of justifying Grace Let such know the pardon of many sins is a talent to be greatly improved As thou hast abounded in many sins and God in many pardons so do thou in much thankfulness How thankful would we be to a man who hath delivered us often from a temporal death but behold a greater love is manifested here Thou who hast it may be been the chiefest sinner of many thousands be now the chiefest Believer of many thousands If thou hast been a great sinner and art not now a great actour and spiritual merchant negotiating for God fear the truth of thy grace much love should be like much fire that consumes all dross quicken up thy self with such thoughts as these Lord who was more plunged into sin then I whose diseases were greater then mine It may be thousands and thousands for less and fewer sins then I have committed are now taking their portion in hell O Lord this thy overflowing goodness doth overcome me oh that I had the hearts of all men and Angels to praise thee FINIS THE TABLE A FIve absurdities objected by the Antinomians which they say will follow from the Doctrine that God afflicts his people for sin vindicated p. 39 40 41 What kinde of act forgivenesse is and whether it be antecedent to our faith and repentance 166 167 There are no accidents in God ib. How afflictions come upon the godly after pardon of sin 24 God doth not alwayes afflict with reference to sin 28 The afflictions of the godly are not legal but evangelical and why 39 How afflictions on believers agree with the justice of God 101 It is a great aggravation to the sins of Gods people that they have been committed in his sight 53 54 Aggravations and diminutions of sin 206 208 The unsound Answers of the Antinomian about the afflictions of the godly 24 25 The Antinomian contrary to himself 33 34 93 Three Arguments of the Antinomian answered 34 35 36 37 The Antinomians answer to and evasion of certain Scriptures answered 53 How the anger of God is shewed toward the the sins of his people 76 77 78 The Antinomian Arguments answered 176 to 193 Arguments proving that God doth see sin in the justified so as to be offended with it 53 Seven Arguments proving our faith and repentance antecedents of Justification 169 to 172 Three Reasons proving that Assurance of pardon is apt to kindle spiritual affections in us 269 270 B Sins committed after Baptism pardonable 126 127 Christ is the advocate of Believers after Justification 66 67 Bellarmines objection answered 115 How sin is a blot in the soul 136 When sins are blotted out 158 C A three-fold cause of Justification Efficient Meritorious Instrumental 2 The people of God are not cast off for their sins 232 It is one thing to change the will and another to will a change 193 It is no derogation from Christ that sin is in a believer 40 What the bloud of Christ doth meritoriously cleanse the Spirit doth efficaciously 57 Wherein the compleatness of the pardon of sin at the day of Judgement consists 259 260 Six comfortable considerations gathered from certain Scriptures 49 â—0 It is of great consequence to have the Doctrine of Justification kept pure and why 3 A two-fold condition of faith pag. 191 192 Comfort to the children of God 263 Pardon of sin is a continued act 115 What is meant by covering sin 216 217 1 What is 2 What is not implied in that phrase of covering sin 217 218 219 How sin being in the regenerate yet covered will stand with the omnisciency truth and holiness of God 220 221 Whether God doth see sin when he hath covered it 219 220 D Eternal Death deserved by every sin 206 What in sin is a Debt 105 Sins called a Debt in a four-fold respect 105 106 There is a great difference between original and actual sin and wherein they differ 20 There is great difference in the calamities of the godly 28 The afflictions of the godly and the wicked for sin how differ 29 The difference between a godly man troubled in conscience and a man damned in hell 82 A two-fold difference between actions immanent and transient 166 167 168 An elect person and a reprobate how they are alike differ 188 Whether a difference ought to be made between great and little sins Six Propositions clearing the same 206. to 212 A Christian is to make a difference of sins six wayes 208 209 210 Four things wherein a Christian
is not to make a difference of sin 212 213 A three-fold difference between the sins of a godly and wicked man 232 233 Seeing and knowing how they differ 90 No difference to our capacity between Gods seeing and knowing 91 A two-fold difference between Gods forgiving our sins and our forgiving others 113 114. The Properties of God and the actions of them how they differ p. 97 Justification and pardon of sinne how they differ 257 The sense of Gods displeasure for sin may be retained in us two wayes servilely filially 22 The Antinomian distinction examined 89 90 Believers have not a full discharge from sin till the day of Judgement 256 It is the duty of justified persons to pray for pardon and for forgiveness of sin 113 It is the duty of Believers to repent of sinne that it may be pardoned and why 114 E Election is Amor ordinativus non oâ—llâ—tiâ—us 188 In what sense an elect man before conversion is loved of God â—88 God hath other ends then to satisfie his Justice when he afflicts his people 26 There are many errors about Justification and the danger of them 4 The ground of Popish errors about Justification 5 The errors of Papists Antinomians concerning remission of sinne 43 44 45 The errors of the Saints displeasing to God 80 81 Who they are which do esteem of pardon of sin and why 221 222 Why Creation and Justification are not from Eternity 167 How sin doth and how it doth not expell the Grace of Justification 243 F How the word Face is attributed to God 226 All men called flesh 1 A two-fold Faith in all Petitions Applicative Fiducial 61 Forgivenes is the removing the guilt though not the nature of sin 45 Prayer for and faith in God for forgiveness may well stand together 62 God doth reiterate forgivenss of sin 127 Christians ought to pray for forgiveness and in what sense 129. from 113. to 116 Forbearance of punishment differs from forgiveness 143 144 What forgiveness of sin is 214 Whether God in forgiving sin doth forgive all sin together 244 245 The meaning of the Petition Forgive us our Debts declared in eight particulars 113 to 118 How freedom is extended to God 96 G The Glory of God what 2 The nature of Gospel-grace 253 Great sins as weâ—l as lesser are forgiven the godly 51 Two considerations which will much help us to see the greatness of our sins 204 Gross sins procure wrath to the godly 208 Gross sins exclude from the society of the Church ibid. Gross sins require many conditions before pardoned 209 Gross sins require a more intense act of faith to apply pardon 210 A godly man falling into gross sins is under sequestration though not ejection 238 Why the guilt of new gross sins doth not take away Justification 243 244 H Hay and stubble 1 Cor. 3. what 81 Humiliation and Repentance denied by the Antinomians 59 125 A Christian is to be humbled more for gross sins then ordinary infirmities 208 209 Hyperbolical expressions of the Fathers 250 I Five things implied from the subject praying Forgive us our debts Mat. 6.12 1. That all are sinners 2. A sense of sin 3. Godly sorrow 4. Earnestnesse and perseveâ—ance until we obtain 5. Constant renewed acts of faith 121 to 125 Three things implied in the object matter Mat. 6.12 125 126 The act of imputation and the ground of it how they differ 185 There is a two-fold impulsive cause of Justification 2 Justification what it implieth 6 How Infants are justified whether without faith or no 181 182 183 How Christ is in us and we in him 184 A man is not justified untill he doth repent and believe 12 Wherein Justification consists 17 How Justification can be said to be the pardon of sin ibid. Whether the Justification of Believers be the same under the old and new Testament 62 How sin is injurious to God 164 How we are justified before faith 177 Justification and faith are correlatives 183 God cannot in Justice but punish sinners 98 The Justice of God admits of a surety 200 The Justice of God essentially ad intra and the effects ad extra how differ ibid. Four Propositions shewing the nature and time of a believers Justification 257 258 259 Justification is not reiterated 115 K Gods Knowledge and ours how they differ 89 90 L How Gods taking notice of sin to punish it is subject to the meer Liberty of his will 95. to 102 God takes notice of little sins 79 M Whether the sins of Gods people shall be manifested at the last day 261 262 The Ministers of God commanded to binde and retain sins 65 The spirit doth mortifie our sins 56 External and spiritual mortification how differing 57 Sin is mortified in us not only declaratively but really ibid. N The Nature of Justification 116 117 The nature of sin what and how expressed in Scripture 130 131 132 The nature of the sins of Gods people 230 231 Faith and Repentance how necessary to the pardon of sin 140 141 God takes notice of the sins of believers 60 1â—9 O The answering of Objections sometimes profitable 41 42 Antinomian Objections and distinctions discussed 88. to 102 An Obligation to punishment follows sinne long before committed 137 139 False Opinions liable to the anger of God proved 80 81 Habitual original sin how truly it may be called sin 132 The original of justification and assurance 171 172 173 The Orthodox truth concerning afflictions upon a justified person against the errors of Antinomians and Papists â—6 P Pardon of sin is not only privative bâ—t positive 118 Five Reasons proving that the sense of pardon doth not beget carnal security 267. Five Reasons why God doth sometimes pardon sin and not manifest it to the soul 199 200 Whether the sins of believers be pardoned before they be committed 246 Eight Arguments proving they are not 247 to 253 Three Directions to a soul tempted about the pardon of sin 122 Our sins are perfectly pardoned in this life 258 Whether God by his absolute power may not pardon sin without the graces of faith and repentance 148 Peace with God what it is 34 35 Whether in that Petition Mat. 5.12 we pray for pardon and assurance 116 117 196 Four Reasons proving that we pray for the pardon it self and not only for assurance 196 Four sorts of men praying for pardon and the manner of their praying 195 196 197 Four Reasons proving that not only assurance but the pardon it self is to be prayed for 197 Who are the best Preachers of Christ and the Gospel 122 The Promises of God require an holy and humble walking 172 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what is signifieth 2 Thirteen Propositions to clear the nature of Justification 3. to 13 Nine Propositions for the understanding the nature of pardon of sin 18. to 22 Seven Propositions laid down to clear the truth of that assertion that God doth afflict his people as a Father 27 28 29 30 A
of Instruction to the godly Observ It is the duty of justified persons to pray for forgivenesse of their sins The meaning of the Petition Forgive us c. 1 â—hat God wâ—uld not require of us the satisfaction of his justice for our sins 2 That God would lay our sins on Christ A two-fold diffâ—rence between Gods forgiving our sins and our forgiving others 3. As we pray for justification so for the continuance in it 4. We pray for daily renewed acts of pardon and imputation of Christs righteousnesse Bellâ—rmines objection answered 5. We pray for the sense of this pardon in our consciences more and more We pray for pardon it self and not for the sense thereof only Reasons proving this Reas 1. Reas â— Reas 3. Reas 4. 6 We pray that as God forgives the sin so he would release the punishmâ—nt 7 We pray to be delivered from the effects of sin 8 We pray for pardon and the concomitants thereof Three things implied in this Petition 1. On the part of the subject or he who praieth is implied 1 That all men are sinfull 2. A sense of sin within us 3 Godly sorrow for sin 4 Earnest perseverance till we obtain 5 Constant renewed acts of faith 3 In the object or matter praâ—ed for are implâ—ed 1 That fâ—rgâ—venâ—ss of sin may he had after Bâ—ptism 2 That a remission of great sins may be hoped for 3 That there is an iteration of pardon 3 In the person to whom we pray are implied 1 That God only can forgive sins 2 That he takes notice of sin Vse Sin considered â—our vvayes 1 Abstractedly in its own nature The nature of sin expressed in the severall names of it 2 In the definition of it Hovv all sin is voluntary 2 Of sin relating to the person sinning A man possibly may not or rather formâ—lly cannot intend sinne 3 The proper effâ—ct of sinne which is to make guilty Whence comes 1 A stâ—in upon the soâ—l taken out by sanctification Liv. de Rec. â— An oâ—â—igation to â—tâ—râ—â—l â—â—â—shment 〈◊〉 by reâ—ission Sin considered as an â—ffence to God Whether sin bâ— an infinite evil Vse What remission of sin is From the names of it Propos 1. Propos 2. Propos 3. Propos 4. Propos 5. Propos 6. Object Answ Vse How our duty of repentance consists with Gods free grace in remitting Propos 1. Propos 2. Propos 3. Propos 4. 5 Two great practical mistakes concerning repentance observed The first of the prophane man The second of the godly Propos 6. Propos 7. The scope of the whole Vse 1. Vse 2. Practical Objections concerning repentance Object 1. Of what use repentance may be Answ 1. Answ 2. Six Reasons of congruity betwixt repentance and remission Reas 1. Reas 2. Reas 3. Reas 4. Reas 5. The sixt Reason two â—old 1. In regard of Gods justice 2 In regard of his grace and mercy Object 2. Whether repentance of it self may not take away the guilt of sin Answ 1. Answ 2. Answ 3. Why repentance bears not the proportion in satisfaction that sin does in the offence Object 3. What harm to God in sin Answ By distinguishing Gods Attributes Vse 1. Vse 2. What kinde of act in God forgivenesse of sin is Two cautions concerning the workings of God 1. There are no accidents in him 2. No new will in him Differences between an immanent traâ—sient action 1. An immanent action produceth no outward effecâ— * Exâ—ra controversiam est remissionem peccatorum prout actâ—â— est in Dâ—o immanens antecedere nostram fidem resipiscentiam Twiss Vin. gr pag. 18. 2. An immanent action in God is from eternity Arguments proving our belâ—ef and repentance antecedents of justification Argum. 1. Argum. 2. Argum. 3. Arg. 4. * Den reconcil with God p. 25 Arg. 5. Arg. 6. Den. Arg. 3. to prove we are justified before vve believe Arg. 7. Vse Whether Justification precede faith and repentance Arguments for the affirmative From authority of orthodox men What the opinion above-said may mean That so expounded it seemeth but weak for thâ—se Reasons Reas 1. Reas 2. * Den recon of man with God p. 3 4. Reas 3. 1. Argument fâ—om Infants * Neither may this seem such a wonder seeiâ—g that the orthodox hold even in men growâ— up the first grace is wrought in us as meer patients our understandings wils no waies antecedently concurring to it so that the grace of God is then wrought in us without us Argum 2. Arg. 5. Answ Arg. 7. Ans 1. Answ 2. Answ 3. Answ 4. Answ 5. An elect person unconvâ—râ—ed and a reprobate in many things differ not As Argu. 4. and Argum. 6. Answ 1. Answ 2. Answ 3. A two fold condition of faith Arg. ult Answ Whether we pray here for Pardon or for Assurance of Pardon only The Answer to the Question propounded 1. Thâ—y who are assured of Pardon ought yet to pray 2. This Petition relates to four sorts of men 3 Assurance of pardon not the only thing prayed for proved by four Reasons Reas 1. Reas 2. Reas 3. Reas 4. The instance for the coâ—trary opinion answered Why God doth sometimes pardon sin not acquainting the sinner vvith it Reas 1. Reas 2. Reas 3. Reas 4. Reas 5. What directions should be given a soul under temptation about pardon of sin Direct 1. Direct 2. Direct 3. Whether in repentance the difference between great sins and Less is to be respected Propositions premised concerning this Quâ—stion The Question stated in these Propositions following 1. This difference is to be attended in suing for pardon 2. In respect of humiliation 3. Gross sins procure wrath and hinder the consolations of Gods Spirit 4. Gross sins exclude from the society of the faithful 3 Some gross sins requste mâ—ny conditions before pardon 6 Grosse sins require a more intense act of faith to apply pardon Some particulars wherein no difference is to be put between great and lesser sins 1. In respect of the efficient cause of pardon 2. Nor in respect of the meritorious cause 3 Neither in the means of pardon 4. No difference to be made as to the state of justâ—fication Illustration The text contains a description of the pardon of sin 1 From several expressions to magnifie the mercy of it 2 From the adjunct of remâ—ssion viz. blessednesse Observations raised from the Text. 1 That forgiveness of sin is a covering of sin What is meant by covering of sinne How God by pâ—rdâ—n is said to cover sin Some particulars not extended to in this phrase of covering sin Whether the phrase of Gods covering sinne favour the errour That God seeth not sinne in beleevers Answer negative Two Objections answered Object 1. Object 2. Answ Pardon of sin duly valued by those only who inwardly feel Gods anger against it Vse 1. Of the first Observation Vse 2. Vse 3. The text divided into tvvo Petitions A face attributed to God in a double sense Observation from the first Petition The aggravation of Davids sin in ten particulars The degrees of Davids repentance The teâ—t considered in theâ— What sins Gods children may fall into The sins of Gods people in what kinde to be ranked Differences between the sins of the godly and reprobate Differ 1. Differ 2. Differ 3. Vse How far grosse sins make a breach upon Justification Answered negatively The Question answered affirmatively Why the guilt of new grosâ—e sins doth not take avvay Justification The second Petition handled Whether God in pardoning do forgive all sins together Three things laid down by way of concession The Question held negatively upon these grounds Vse Observ Propositions laid down in prosecution of this Observatâ—on Wherein the compleatnesse of the pardon of sin at the day of judgement consisteth 1. In our sense of that pardon 2. In the accomplishment of all effects of pardon 3. Then no more iteration of pardon 4. Then justification shall be perfected Whether the sins of Gods people shâ—ll be manifested at the last day Vse 1. Vse 2. An Entrance into the Text from the consideration of the history Two Questions resolved for cleâ—ring the Text. Answ 1 When this Penitents sinne was pardoneâ— 2. Whether the expression in the text favour any causality in the Penitents love in reference to hâ—r pardon Observ 1. A two fold repeâ—taâ—ce in Scriptâ—re The Observation proved from Scripture By reason Further evidence from experience Vse 1. To press this use upon us two things especially to be insisted upon 1. The doctrine of oâ—iâ—inal coâ—ruption 2. The strict obligation of the Law Vse 2.
eradication and abolition of the filth but that it still continueth in us make this objection to themselves Nothing is hid or covered from Gods eyes if therefore sin be there God cannot but see it To this they answer God seeth all but what he will not see and that is a known saying of Austins Noluit advertere noluit animadvertere noluit agnoscere maluit ignoscere God will not take notice of the sins of justified persons he will not punish them he had rather forgive them It seemeth then by this that God will not see sin in Believers to condemnation but yet he will to castigation but if Christ hath fully satisfied Gods wrath and it be a meer arbitrary thing in God whether he will chastise or no why then should not Gods anger and his chastisements be removed from the godly by Christs death as well as his justice and punishments It 's therefore worthy the inquiry how far Gods taking notice of sin so as to chastise or punish it is subject to the meer liberty of his will And in answering of this I will not range as far as this question will carry me for the totall discussion of it in its large extent will be when we speak of the meritorious cause of justification against Socinians To speak therefore in a more restricted way of this matter Consider these Propositions some whereof are ground-works and foundations the other more immediatly reaching to our scope in hand First There is in God a liberty and free-will whereby he doth whatsoever he pleaseth so that as the Psalmist saith He that made the eye to see shall not he see He that maketh man to know shall not he know and thus he that gave man and Angels this perfection of freedom shall not he much more be free Therefore those titles of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Greek Fathers sometimes give to the will of man are too proud and lofty and do more properly belong to God Indeed so far as freedom is conceived in creatures to have some potential 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 indifferency or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a suspendedness to be determined by some other so far we are not to conceive it in God for this mutability or Potentiall indetermination is an imperfection and so that same potest as peccandi power to sin which some make necessary to liberty and which they call a perfection though they grant the action of sin it self to be an imperfection though this should be granted which must not yet neither could this be found in Gods liberty and no marvell seeing that it is not in the liberty of Christs humane will for though Christs obedience was truly and properly so being under a command of God yet not only as he was God but as he was man he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 impeccablo or free from the temptation of sin Therefore its detestable blasphemy of Durand and other Schoolmen saying Christ might have sinned lib. 3. Sentent dist 12. quae 2. as also of the Remonstrants who say Christ after he had taken this Office of a mediatorship might have forsaken it and given it over but of this more in its proper place God therefore is a free agent Psal 135.6 He hath done whatsoever he pleased in heaven and earth so that he made not the world as the fire burneth or the Bees make their Honey-Combs by a naturall necessity but according to the counsel of his will hence it is that all his spiritual mercies become commended unto us under the title of grace There was no naturall or morall necessity obliging God to elect us to give his Son for us or to save us and indeed it could not be liberality if it were not a libero from one that is free Propos 2. According to the different descriptions of liberty and freedom so it may be extended larger or narrower unto the actions of God Those who make liberty consistent with a necessity of immutability and do not think indifferency necessary but only knowledge and judgement going before they extend it even to the goodnesse and holinesse of God so they say God is liberè bonus freely good and doth freely love himself so they make the confirmed Angels and Saints freely to love God though necessarily thus we sin freely though necessarily But others who make a power to do or not do necessary to liberty think it a kinde of blasphemy to say God doth freely will that which is good hence they make liberty not an attribute of his nature as holinesse omnipotency c. are but an affection of his will only and they think that necessarium and contingens under which liberty is comprehended are differences of ens in its full latitude as finitum and infinitum therefore as the same thing cannot be finite and infinite so neither necessary and free but this is to put the definition of liberty into too strait fetters as in time may be shewn I join with those that think immutability and liberty may be in the same act and that God doth freely though unchangeably love himself but that freedom of his actions to the creatures is with a power to do otherwise if he pleaseth There is also another kinde of liberty mentioned by the learned which is opposed to servitude and is the same with sui juris now God in all things is this way free He hath no law imposed upon himself by any other but only what he prescribeth himself that doth he work by therefore when we say its just with God to damn an impenitent sinner this justice ariseth not from any obligation put upon him by another but what he hath eternally prescribed himself Propos 3. Gods omnisciency or his bare seeing and taking notice of sin when it is is not subject to his liberty He cannot but see whatsoever is and also possible to be so that we cannot say properly God seeth all things because he will see them for this is an attribute founded in the nature of God but if we take knowledge or seeing for the effects accompanying them as the Scripture for the most part doth because God is not an idle spectator of things but upon his seeing there is either care and protection or anger and punishment then in this sense all these effects are subject in some sense to the liberty and free-will of God God cannot but see the adultery of David but whether he will so see it as to punish David for it in his own person or in Christ or whether he will chastise him at this time or in this manner that is meerly at the good pleasure of God Whether indeed he is free to punish at all or chastise at all you will hear in the other Propositions thus much we may conclude That God cannot abolish sin so out of his sight so that with his eyes of omnisciency he should not behold
may easily see which of these two Justification or Remission of sinne is The first and proper difference is this An immanent action is that which abides in God so that it works no reall effect without As when God doth meerly know or understand a thing but a transient action is when a positive change is made thereby in a creature as in Creation c. So that we may conclude of all Gods actions which do relate to believers only predestination is an immanent act of God and all the rest Justification Regeneration Glorification are transient acts for Predestination though it be an act of God choosing such an one to happinesse yet it doth not work any reall change or positive effect in a man unlesse we understand it virtually for it is the cause of all those transient actions that are wrought in time Howsoever therefore Justification be called by some an immanent action and so made to go before Faith and Repentance as if Faith were onely a declaration and signe of pardon of sinne from all eternity yet that cannot be made good as is to be shewed A second difference floweth from the other An immanent action is from eternity and the same with Gods essence but a transient action is the same with the effect produced Hence the Orthodox maintain That Gods decrees are the same with his nature Hence when we speak of Gods willing such a thing it is no more then his divine Essence with an habitude and respect to such objects Gods Decrees are no more then God decreeing Gods will no more then God willing otherwise the simpliciy of Gods nature will be overthrown and those volitions of God will be created entities and so must be created by other new volitions and so in infinitum as Spanheimius well argueth only the later part seemeth not to be strong or sufficient because when man willeth he doth not will that by a new volition and so in infinitum and why then would such a thing follow in God Besides its no such absurdity in the actings of the soul to hold a progresse in infinitum thus far that it doth not determinately pitch or end at such an act It is one thing to have things distinguished in God and another thing for us to conceive distinctly of them The former is false The later is true and necessary But with transient actions it is otherwise they being the same with the effects produced are in time And this is a perpetual mistake in the Antinomian to confound Gods Decree and Purpose to justifie with Justification Gods immanent action from all eternity with that transient which is done in time Whereas if they should do thus in matters of Sanctification and Glorification it would be absurd to every mans experience whereas indeed a man may as truly say That his body is glorified from all eternity as that his sins are forgiven from all eternity And certainly Scripture speaks for one as well as the other when it saith Whom he hath justified them he hath glorified By these two differences you may see That pardon of sin is a transient action and so Justification also partly because it leaveth a positive real effect upon a man justified he that was in the state of hatred is hereby in a state of love and friendship he hath peace with God now that once was at variance with him Now when we say There is a change made in a man by Justification it is not meant of an inward absolute and physical one such as is in Sanctification when of unholy we are made holy but morall and relative as when one is made a Magistrate or husband and wife partly because this is done to us in time whereas immanent actions were from all eternity and therefore it would be absurd to pray for them as it is ridiculous for a man to pray he may be predestinated or elected Some indeed have spoken of Predestination as actus continuus a continued act and so with them it is good Divinity Si non sis praedestinatus ora ut praedestineris If thou beest not predestinated pray that thou maiest be but this is corrupt doctrine and much opposeth the Scripture which doth frequently commend election from the eternity of it that it was before the foundations of the world were laid whereas now for pardon of sinne it is our duty to pray that God would do it for us This being thus cleared we come to answer the next Question depending upon this viz. Whether God doth justifie or forgive our sins before we believe or repent and our answer is negative That God doth not Although there are many who are pertinacious that he doth and so they make Faith not an instrumental cause to apply pardon but only a perswasion that sin is pardoned and thus repentance shall not be a condition to qualifie the subject to obtain forgiveness but a sign to manifest that sin is forgiven This Question is of great practical concernment and therefore to establish you in the truth consider these Arguments 1. The Scripture speaks of a state of wrath and condemnation that all are in before they be justified or pardoned Therefore the believers sins were not from all eternity forgiven for if there were a time viz. before his Regeneration and Conversion that he was a childe of wrath under the guilt and punishment of sin then he could not be at the same time in the favour of God and peace with him Now the Scripture doth plentifully shew That even believers before their Regeneration are detained in such bonds and chains of guilt and Gods displeasure Ephes 2.1 2 3. There the Apostle speaking to the converted Ephesians telleth them of the wretched and cursed condition they were once in and he reckons himself amongst them saying They were children of wrath and that even as others were So that there is no difference between a godly man unconverted and a wicked man for that present state for both are under the power of Satan both walk in disobedience both are workers of iniquity and so both are children of wrath It is true the godly man is predestinated and so shall be brought out of this state and the other left in it But predestination as is more largely to be shewed being an immanent act in God doth denote no positive effect for the present of love upon the person and therefore he being not justified hath his sins imputed to him lying upon him and therefore by the Psalmists argument not a blessed man This also 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. The Apostle saith of some Corinthians That they were such as abiding in that state could not inherit the kingdom of God and such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are justified Therefore there was a time when these Corinthians were not justified but had their sins abiding on them Likewise all the places of Scripture which speak of Gods wrath upon wicked men and that
Scripture less loving is called hating sometimes as the Learned observe Neither doth this make any change in God it only denoteth a change in the creature as hereafter is to be shewed So that the gross mistake as if Eleâ—tion were all love actually and expresly and the confounding of the love of God as an immanent act in him with the effects of this love hath made several persons split upon rocks of errors But how love and anger are in God is more exactly to be examined when we speak of the meritorious cause of Justification which is Christs merits for indeed this Argument from Election will as well put in for a Justification before any consideration of Christ as well as of Faith if every thing be duely weighed as in that part God willing is to he shewed where also the distinctions about Gods love are to be considered of Some making a general love and a special love others a first love and a second or one flowing from the first others a love of benevolence or beneficence and of complacency But of these in their proper place We proceed and in the next place we will put his fourth and sixth Argument together being both grounded upon this That Christ by his death gave a full satisfaction to God and God accepted of it whereby Christ is said so often to take away our sins and we to be cleansed by his bloud This Argument made the learned Pemble pag. 25. to hold out Justification in Gods sight long before we were born as being then purchased by Christs death otherwise he thinks we must with the Arminians say Christ by his death made God placabilem reconcilable not placatum reconciled No saith he it is otherwise the ransome demanded 〈◊〉 paid and accepted full satisfaction to the divine Justice is given and taken all the sins of the Elect all actually pardoned This is a great oversight For first Though Christ did lay down a price and the Father accept of it yet both agreed in a way and order when this benefit should become theirs who are partakers of it and that is when they believe and repent Now Bonum est ex integris causis if God the Fathers Covenant be to give pardon for Christs sake to those that do believe which faith also is the fruit of Christs death then may we not separate Christ from faith no more then faith from Christ or God the Fathers love from both If Christ had died for such a man to have his sins pardoned whether he had faith in him or no then this Argment would have stood firm God then did accept of Christs death and becomes reconciled but in that order and way which he hath appointed 2. This Argument doth interfâ—re with that of Election for there pardon of sin doth take its rise from Election but here from the time God laid our sins upon Christ And indeed the Antinomians are at a variance amongst themselves some fetching the original of pardon from one way and some from another 3. We do not say That faith is the condition of Christs acquiring pardon but of the application of pardon Faith doth not make Christs merits to be merits or his satisfaction to be satisfaction This ariseth from the dignity and worth of Christ It would be an absurd thing to say That faith is the cause why God doth accept of Christs merits and receiveth a satisfaction by him This were to make the instrumental cause a meritorious cause The Arminians they make Christ to have purchased pardon upon condition of believing which believing they do not make a benefit by Christs death yea they say Nihil ineptius nibil vanius nothing is more foolish and vain then to do so Now this indeed is an execrable errour to hold Christ died only to make a way for reconciliation which reconciliation is wholly suspended upon a mans faith and that faith comes partly from a mans will and partly from grace not being the fruit of Christs death as wel as remission of sins it self But we say a far different thing Christ satisfied Gods wrath so that God becomes reconciled and gives pardon but in the method and way he hath appointed which is faith and this faith God will certainly work in his due time that so there may be an instrument to receive this pardon For the opening of this when it is said Christ satisfied Gods wrath this may have a different meaning either that Christ absolutely purchased reconciliation with the Father whether they believe or no without any condition at all as Joab obtained Absoloms reconciliation with David or Esther the Jews deliverance of Ahashuâ—rosh Or with a condition In the former sense it cannot be said because the fruits of Christs death are limited only to believers If with a condition then either Antecedent which is to be wrought by us that so we may be partakers of his death and that cannot be because it is said He died for us while sinners and enemies And this is Arminianism for by this means only a gate is set open for salvation but it may happen that no man may enter in or else this condition is Concomitant or consequent viz. A qualification wrought by the Spirit of Christ whereby we are enabled to receive of those benefits which come by his death And in this sense it is a truth and by this the foundation of the Opponent is totally razed For Christ took away the sins of those for whom he died and reconciled them to God and this absolutely if by it we understand any condition anteceding to be done by us but not absolutely if it exclude a condition that is consequently wrought by the Spirit of God to apply the fruits of Christs death so that the actual taking away of sins is not accomplished till the person for whom he died be united to him by Faith Hence the Scripture speaks differently about Christs death sometimes it saith He died for us sinners and enemies and in other places John 15.13 He layeth down his life for his friends and his sheep Joh. 17.19 He saith he prayeth and sanctifieth himself for those that shall believe in him viz. in a consequent sense for those who by faith shall lay hold on his death So that faith hath a two-fold condition the first of the time when sins are taken away by Christs death and that is when they believe 2. Of whom these priviledges are true and that is of such who do believe Now all this may be the further cleared if we consider what kinde of cause Christs death is to take away our sins It is a meritorious cause which is in the rank of moral causes of which the rule is not true Positâ causâ sequitur effectus The cause being the effect presently followeth This holdeth in natural causes which necessarily produce their effects but moral causes work according to the agreement and liberty of the Persons that are moved thereby As for
Covenant of Grace as it promiseth pardon of sin so also a new heart and actual exercise of grace so that they shall walk in all Gods waies Now the way wherein pardon is to be had is repentance and faith We must not therefore conceive of the Covenant of Grace as promising pardon and forgiveness without any qualification in the subject this would contradict other places of Scripture Therefore in the Covenant of Grace some things are promised absolutely supposing nothing to go before such are regeneration the working of faith in us giving his holy Spirit to us and union with Christ 2. There are many priviledges in the Covenant of Grace and those are given where God hath wrought some former effects of his grace and suppose them to be such are Justification pardon of sin increase in grace Glorification all these things are promised in the Covenant of Grace but made good where there are the former effects of Gods grace wrought in them We do not therefâ—re say God doth not pardon sin unless repentance go before as if God needed repentance as if he could not do it without repentance as if repentance made God the better or made him amends These are idle calumnies cast upon this Doctrine in some Pamphlets But only God hath appointed one effect of his grace before another in order and he will not vouchsafe one before he hath wrought the other As for instance God hath appointed no unclean thing shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven God will not give glory where he hath not given grace If one should tragically exclaim upon this This is to make God need our graces This is to make grace meritorious with God This is to be a Papist a Formalist to make men rest in themselves you would presently judge this a vain weak cavill No less is it when we are charged thus for holding God will not forgive sin but to those that believe and repent It is not for any worth in what we do but because God will have an order and a method in his graces Justification where Repentance is Glorification where Holiness is It being not fit to give pearl unto swine nor childrens meat to dogs Fifthly If a man may believe his sins are pardoned before they be committed and so before repented of then he may have full joy and unspeakable boasting in God while he lieth wallowing in the midst of sins The reason of the consequence is this By such an act of faith we have peace with God and we glory in him This floweth as a proper effect of faith though it do not alway follow yet it may follow and happily it is our weakness if it doâ—â—â—ot And if so then it was Davids weakness to bâ— troubled about sin It was for want of a right considering of the Covenant of Grace that he had no joy in his heart and that his bones were broken The Adversary seeth the necessity of this consequent and therefore is not afraid to say That a justified person even when sin is most prevalent and the heart most hardened yet then can glory in Jesus Christ with a large heart breaking forth into thanksgivings Cornwel of Gospel-Repentance pag. 125. How contrary is this to Davids experience Psal 32. who while he humbled not himself for his sin found nothing but terrour and trouble in his own soul And certainly this Doctrine must be very distastfull to â—very gracious heart which shall make faith and assurance in the glorious effects of it amicably concording as it were with great and grievous sins And let the Adversary shew such an instance in all Scripture For as for his example in Paul Rom. 7. who found himself captivated unto sin doing the things he would not yet giving thanks to God through Jesus Christ this is clean contrary to him for Paul did greatly humble himself and was deeply sensible of this tyranny of sin which made him cry out O miserable man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of sin So that we cannot with any colour call him an hardened sinner Somnium narrare vigilantis est said Seneca and to complain of sin especially in the first motions and suggestions of it as Paul did argues a tender life of grace in him No less absurd is it to bring Habakkuk to patrocinate this great errour for although he said He would rejoyce in God and glory in his salvation Hab. 3.8 9. in the midst of Gods judgements upon the publike yet this doth not suppose any personal grievous sins he was fallen into Sixtly If sins be pardoned thus before committed and repented of then it would be in vain to pray for forgiveness of sin seeing it is already past This Argument as before was said Gomarus urged against Piscator explaining that Petition Forgive us our sins for the sense and assurance of it only in our hearts It is true we may pray for a thing that is past thus far for the continuance of it but not for the thing it self Although there can hardly be an instance in all Scripture given of such a Petition We do not reade of any prayer in Scripture that God would elect us and predestinate us yet that might admit of the same interpretation which they give for pardon of sin viz. To make us more assured and perswaded of it in our own hearts Hence when God speaks of pardon of sins he useth many times the future tense Jer. 31. I will forgive their iniquities which if pardoned before would be very difficult to say even as hard as if God should say I will predestinate and elect such men It is indeed often said That when we pray for pardon of sin we pray for the sense and feeling of it but let such that interpret so give any parallel place for such a sense yet we deny not as before hath been said but reductively this may be included in that Petition Seventhly If a mans future sins be already pardoned in a justified man then in a reprobate man all his future sins are actually condemned The consequence is firm upon that rule Eadem est ratio contrariorum there is the same reason of contraries Therefore if a mans future sins be pardoned before they be committed then a reprobate mans sins shall be punished before they be Now how contrary is this to Gods dispensation revealed in the Scripture Where can we finde any one man punished for a future sin Were not all the sins men are afflicted for in Gods Word because they had done them not because they were to do them Indeed the Scripture Matth. 5. sometimes makes the desires and lusts of the soul after sin to be the sin it self but that is because they are the proxime and immediate cause of such a sin but we are now speaking of future sins that it may be as yet have no preparation at all for them in any cause Eightly By what principles the Opponents can prove That God pardons sins future by