SO far reacheth the goodness of God in forgiving sin, as there is no sin (except that only which is here excepted, The sin against the Holy Ghost) but cometh within the Compass thereof. All sins (as Saint Mark hath recorded Christs speech) All manner of sin, (as S. Matthew hath recorded it) shall be forgiven: not as if in the issue and event, every sin should indeed be pardoned (for then few men should be condemned, which is contrary to the current of the Scripture, that saith, Few shall be saved) but because every sin is pardonable. 1The point then here to be noted, is that (except before excepted) No sin in the nature thereof is irremissible: original corruption, and actual transgressions: whether few or many: light or heinous: new bred, or old and inveterate: only once, or oft committed; on ignorance or against knowledge: voluntarily or by force: of infirmity or presumption: against God or man; without a mans body, or against his own body: in secret or openly: by omitting or slightly performing that which is good: all may be pardoned. For a particular proof hereof, take the example of Manasseh, who (I think) went the furthest in⟨p. 575⟩ sin that ever any did since Adams time, and received pardon. Of his original corruption no question can be made: that his actual transgressions were many, & those most heinous bloody, crying sins, committed not on ignorance only,2 but against knowledge, voluntarily, presumptuously, against God and man, the history recorded of him apparently showeth:3 and yet were they all pardoned.
SO farre reacheth the goodnesse of God in forgiuing sinne, as there is no sinne (except that onely which is heere excepted, The sinne against the Holy Ghost) but commeth within the Compasse thereof. All sinnes (as Saint Marke hath recorded Christs speech) All manner of sinne, (as S. Matthew hath recorded it) shall be forgiuen: not as if in the issue and euent, euery sin should indeed be pardoned (for then few men should be condemned, which is contrary to the curret of the Scripture, that saith, Few shall be saued) but because euery sinne is pardonable. 1The point then heere to be noted, is that (except before excepted) No sinne in the nature thereof is irremissible: originall corruption, and actuall transgressions: whether few or many: light or hainous: new bred, or old and inueterate: only once, or oft committed; on ignorance or against knowledge: voluntarily or by force: of infirmitie or presumption: against God or man; without a mans bodie, or against his owne body: in secret or openly: by omitting or sleightly performing that which is good: all may be pardoned. For a particular proofe hereof, take the example of Manasseh, who (I thinke) went the furthest in⟨p. 575⟩ sinne that euer any did since Adams time, and receiued pardon. Of his originall corruption no question can be made: that his actuall transgressions were many, & those most hainous bloody, crying sinnes, committed not on ignorance only,2 but against knowledge, voluntarily, presumptuously, against God and man, the history recorded of him apparantly sheweth:3 and yet were they all pardoned.
- 1Mat. 7. 14.
- 22. Chro. 33. 1, &c.
- 3Vers 13.
