The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

1. 'Tis more beneficial, in that it admits of Repentance and Reconciliation after sin, and accepts of Sincerity instead of perfection. The Apostle magnifies the Office of Christ,¹ By how much he is a Mediator of a better Covenant, which was established upon better promises. The comparison there, is, between the Ministry of the Gospel and the Mosaical economy. And the excellency of the Gospel is specified, in respect of those infinitely better promises that are in it. The ceremonial Law appointed Sacrifices for sins of ignorance and error, and to obtain only legal ⟨p. 191⟩impunity; but the Gospel upon the account of Christ's all-sufficient Sacrifice, offers full Pardon for all Sins that are repented of and forsaken. Now with greater reason the Covenant of Grace is to be preferred before the Covenant of Works. For the Law considered Man as holy, and endued with perfection of Grace equal to whatsoever was commanded: 'Twas the measure of his Ability as well as Duty, and required exact Obedience, or threatened extreme Misery. The least breach of it is fatal: A single Offence as certainly exposes to the curse, as if the whole were violated. And in our lapsed state we are utterly disabled to comply with its Purity and Perfection. But the Gospel contains the Promises of Mercy, and is in the hands of a Mediator. ²The tenor of it is, That Repentance and Remission of Sins be preached in the Name of Christ. ³And if we judge our selves, we shall not be judged. 'Tis not if we are innocent, for then none could be exempt from Condemnation: But if the convinced Sinner erect a Tribunal in Conscience, and strips Sin of its disguise, to view it in its native deformity; if he pronounce the Sentence of the Law against himself, and glorify the Justice of God which he cannot satisfy, and forsake the Sins which are the causes of his sorrow, he is qualified for pardoning Mercy.

1. 'Tis more beneficial, in that it admits of Repentance and Reconciliation after sin, and accepts of Sincerity instead of perfection. The Apostle magnifies the Office of Christ,¹