An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches

§. 7. Though want of the sense of Sin, and its desert, and Man's misery may be thought by some to be the only cause of this, and so that it is but sinful presumption, and no part of Nature's obligation; yet this upon trial will prove false. (Though what they allege be one part of the Cause). For, 1. These men do acknowledge themselves Sinners, and to deserve punishment from God. 2. They find some misery and fear more. 3. It is not presumption to judge God to be merciful, when they and all the World do find him so. 4. It is not presumption to judge, that he can and will pardon Sin, when full Experience assureth us, that he hath already pardoned much. To remit the Sin, is (as we now speak of it) to remit the deserved punishment. And He that giveth Man forfeited life, health, time, and all the abundant Mercies which the World is full of, doth thereby so far actually forgive Sin: Saith Christ, Whether is it easier to say thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say arise, take up thy Bed and walk, that is, Executively to forgive them, which is the full forgiveness, by taking away the punishment. 5. It is no presumption to believe such Duty to be incumbent on us, as the remaining Law of Nature doth oblige us to. 6. Nor yet to take God's own Encouragements to seek our own recovery and felicity.

§. 7. Though want of the sense of Sin, and its desert, and Man's misery may be thought by some to be the only cause of this, and so that it is but sinful presumption, and no part of Nature's obligation; yet this upon trial will prove false. (Though what they alledge be one part of the Cause). For, 1. These men do acknowledge themselves Sinners, and to deserve punishment from God. 2. They find some misery and fear more. 3. It is not presumption to judge God to be merciful, when they and all the World do find him so. 4. It is not presumption to judge, that he can and will pardon Sin, when full Experience assureth us, that he hath already pardoned much. To remit the Sin, is (as we now speak of it) to remit the deserved punishment. And He that giveth Man forfeited life, health, time, and all the abundant Mercies which the World is full of, doth thereby so far actually forgive Sin: Saith Christ, Whether is it easier to say thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say arise, take up thy Bed and walk, that is, Executively to forgive them, which is the full forgiveness, by taking away the punishment. 5. It is no presumption to believe such Duty to be incumbent on us, as the remaining Law of Nature doth oblige us to. 6. Nor yet to take God's own Encouragements to seek our own recovery and felicity.