A26806:39
Sermons upon Psalm CXXX, ver. 4 but there is forgiveness with thee, that thou…
Sermons upon Psalm CXXX, ver. 4 but there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayst be feared / by William Bates.
London: printed by J.D. for Brabazon Aylmer, 1696
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2dly. There is no Causality or Merit in Repentance to procure our Pardon. The Mercy of God for the most precious Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ is the only Cause of Pardon. A Flood of repenting Tears, an Effusion of our Blood, are of too low a Price to make ⟨p. 27⟩any Satisfaction to God, to deserve a Return of his Favour. The most sincere Love of Holiness, and steadfast Resolution to forsake Sin, which is the principal part of Repentance, can be no Satisfaction for our past Offences, for 'tis the natural Duty of Man before the commission of Sin: Repentance is only a vital Qualification in the Subject that receives the Pardon.
2dly. There is no Causality or Merit in Repentance to procure our Pardon. The Mercy of God for the most precious Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ is the only Cause of Pardon. A Flood of repenting Tears, an Effusion of our Blood, are of too low a Price to make ⟨p. 27⟩any Satisfaction to God, to deserve a Return of his Favour. The most sincere Love of Holiness, and stedfast Resolution to forsake Sin, which is the principal part of Repentance, can be no Satisfaction for our past Offences, for 'tis the natural Duty of Man before the commission of Sin: Repentance is only a vital Qualification in the Subject that receives the Pardon.
3dly. The Grace of God is very conspicuous in dispensing Pardon, according to the Order of the Gospel to repenting Sinners. For first, Repentance renders the Divine Mercy most honourable in the Esteem of those who partake of it. Our Saviour tells us, The whole need not a Physician, but those who are sick. He that feels his Disease, and is strongly apprehensive of its Danger, values the Counsel and Assistance of a Physician above all Treasures. The repenting Sinner who is under the strong Conviction of his Guilt, and his being always obnoxious to the Judgment of God, and eternal Misery the Consequent of it, he values the Favour of God as the most sovereign Good, and accounts his Displeasure as the supreme Evil. Repentance inspires flaming Affections