Richard Baxter's penitent confession and his necessary vindication in answer to a book called…

§ 7. 6. How reasonable a condition is this to make a miserable sinner free from all his guilt or danger of destructive punishment, without any purchase, price or compensation of his own, by the mere Merits, and Love, and Bounty of a Saviour, and a merciful God; and this after long and aggravated sinning, as soon as ever he is but converted by Faith and true Repentance. What would you think of such terms of pardon offered by Man, in his lesser injuries? If one abuse you, rob you, slander you, and you tell him, do but repent and give over, and I will forgive thee, because an Intercessor hath purchased thy forgiveness] would you think him fit for pardon that refused such an offer? Can you for shame say to God, I will not repent and amend, but yet forgive me. It is an absurd error of the Libertines that take Repentance in order to forgiveness to be a Legal burden, and the preaching of it to be no Gospel preaching? What Law is it but the Gospel or Law of Grace that giveth pardon on such gentle terms? The first Law of Innocency gave no forgiveness: The Law of Moses as Political gave ⟨p. 3⟩temporal pardon, but only for some lesser sins, and on costly burdensome terms: The Law of Grace made to lapsed Man (Adam, Noah, Abraham, and fully by Christ incarnate) is it that calleth for Faith and Repentance as the condition of Everlasting Pardon and Life: Christ is a Prince and a Saviour, to give Repentance and Remission of Sins.

§ 7. 6. How reasonable a condition is this to make a miserable sinner free from all his guilt or danger of destructive punishment, without any purchase, price or compensation of his own, by the meer Merits, and Love, and Bounty of a Saviour, and a merciful God; and this after long and aggravated sinning, as soon as ever he is but converted by Faith and true Repentance. What would you think of such terms of pardon offered by Man, in his lesser injuries? If one abuse you, rob you, slander you, and you tell him, do but repent and give over, and I will forgive thee, because an Intercessor hath purchased thy forgiveness] would you think him fit for pardon that refused such an offer? Can you for shame say to God, I will not repent and amend, but yet forgive me. It is an absurd errour of the Libertines that take Repentance in order to forgiveness to be a Legal burden, and the preaching of it to be no Gospel preaching? What Law is it but the Gospel or Law of Grace that giveth pardon on such gentle terms? The first Law of Innocency gave no forgiveness: The Law of Moses as Political gave ⟨p. 3⟩