3. When he who forgiveth, is no further bound to accept the satisfaction which he doth accept,h then by his own promise. What other bond can be alleged to bind God, then that whereby he hath voluntarily bound himself. So as all on Gods part is most free. Freely he gave his Son a ransom. Freely he imputeth what his Son did and suffered, to us. Freely he accepteth us in his Sonne. Freely he acquitteth our debt. Hereuponi the Apostle joineth our Redemption by Christs blood, Remission of sins, and the riches of Gods Grace altogether: implying thereby that neither of these cross the other, but that all of them may and do stand together. Christs satisfaction is so far from impeaching the freeness of Gods grace, as it doth the more commend the same. For it is much more grace, and far greater mercy in God, not to spare his only begotten Son, but to give him for sinners, then upon his absolute prerogative without any satisfaction at all to forgive sinners. Christ, the Son of Gods love, is more highly esteemed of God then any satisfaction can be. But by the satisfaction which the Son of God hath made, there is manifested a perfect ⟨p. 147⟩concurrence of infinite mercy, and absolute justice: and the freeness of Gods grace is clearly manifested, and highly magnified thereby.
3. When hee who forgiueth, is no further bound to accept the satisfaction which he doth accept,h then by his owne promise. What other bond can be alledged to binde God, then that whereby he hath voluntarily bound himselfe. So as all on Gods part is most free. Freely he gaue his Sonne a ransome. Freely hee imputeth what his Sonne did and suffered, to vs. Freely he accepteth vs in his Sonne. Freely he acquitteth our debt. Hereuponi the Apostle ioyneth our Redemption by Christs bloud, Remission of sinnes, and the riches of Gods Grace altogether: implying thereby that neither of these crosse the other, but that all of them may and do stand together. Christs satisfaction is so farre from impeaching the freenesse of Gods grace, as it doth the more commend the same. For it is much more grace, and farre greater mercie in God, not to spare his onely begotten Sonne, but to giue him for sinners, then vpon his absolute prerogatiue without any satisfaction at all to forgiue sinners. Christ, the Sonne of Gods loue, is more highly esteemed of God then any satisfaction can be. But by the satisfaction which the Sonne of God hath made, there is manifested a perfect ⟨p. 147⟩concurrence of infinite mercie, and absolute iustice: and the freenesse of Gods grace is clearely manifested, and highly magnified thereby.
- hHeb. 6. 17.
- iEph. 1. 7.
