Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

'Tis objected, that the asserting Repentance to be the Condition of Pardon, lessens the Grace of the Gospel: but this is a great Mistake, for Repentance is an Evangelical Duty and Grace. The Law requires Innocence and perfect Obedience, or condemns without Mercy: the Gospel commands and accepts Repentance. This Grace was purchased by our Saviour, and is wrought in us by the holy Spirit; and joined with Faith, are the first Fruits of the returning Sinner to God. When 'tis exercised in the most eminent degrees, it has not the least Merit nor Causality in the obtaining Pardon. If a repenting ⟨p. 271⟩Sinner could fill the Air with his Sighs, and Heaven with his Tears; if all his vital Springs were opened, and Streams of Blood flowed out, they cannot be satisfactory to God's injured Justice. The unreconcilable Hatred of Sin, the ardent Love of Holiness, and steadfast Resolution to follow it, which are Ingredients in sincere Repentance, tho they are pleasing to God, yet are the Duty of the reasonable Creature before the commission of Sin, and therefore can deserve nothing of God. But the ordaining an inseparable Connection between Repentance and Pardon, is honourable to God, and very beneficial to Men: for there is no State of Misery more miserable than for the Sinner to be hardened in his Sins. But to return from this Digression.

'Tis objected, that the asserting Repentance to be the Condition of Pardon, lessens the Grace of the Gospel: but this is a great Mistake, for Repentance is an Evangelical Duty and Grace. The Law requires Innocence and perfect Obedience, or condemns without Mercy: the Gospel commands and accepts Repentance. This Grace was purchas'd by our Saviour, and is wrought in us by the holy Spirit; and join'd with Faith, are the first Fruits of the returning Sinner to God. When 'tis exercis'd in the most eminent degrees, it has not the least Merit nor Causality in the obtaining Pardon. If a repenting ⟨p. 271⟩Sinner could fill the Air with his Sighs, and Heaven with his Tears; if all his vital Springs were open'd, and Streams of Blood flow'd out, they cannot be satisfactory to God's injured Justice. The unreconcilable Hatred of Sin, the ardent Love of Holiness, and stedfast Resolution to follow it, which are Ingredients in sincere Repentance, tho they are pleasing to God, yet are the Duty of the reasonable Creature before the commission of Sin, and therefore can deserve nothing of God. But the ordaining an inseparable Connexion between Repentance and Pardon, is honourable to God, and very beneficial to Men: for there is no State of Misery more miserable than for the Sinner to be hardned in his Sins. But to return from this Digression.