An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

But to this we answer, That though the pardon of sin be of Justice to Christ, yet it is wholly of mercy to us. It is not any thing we could do, that might procure pardon; if we could merit or satisfy the Justice of God by the works we do, then indeed it would not be of grace and mercy to us; but this Justice is only between Christ and the Father: So that it's wholly of mercy to us, both in respect that he hath found out a Saviour for us, as also in applying the benefits of Christs death. For though Christ become into the world, yet how many eternally perish? It is therefore unspeakable mercy to thee, that thy sins are pardoned, that thou art converted, and so many thousands abide under the power of Satan and sin. Therefore when Gods mercy is spoken of in pardoning of sin, it is perpetually in respect of us, not of Christ. Thus you see, judging of Gods mercy without Scripture-light, into how many Doctrinal errors it may plunge us.

But to this we answer, That though the pardon of sinne be of Justice to Christ, yet it is wholly of mercy to us. It is not any thing we could do, that might procure pardon; if we could merit or satisfie the Justice of God by the works we do, then indeed it would not be of grace and mercy to us; but this Justice is only between Christ and the Father: So that it's wholly of mercy to us, both in respect that he hath found out a Saviour for us, as also in applying the benefits of Christs death. For though Christ become into the world, yet how many eternally perish? It is therefore unspeakable mercy to thee, that thy sins are pardoned, that thou art converted, and so many thousands abide under the power of Satan and sinne. Therefore when Gods mercy is spoken of in pardoning of sinne, it is perpetually in respect of us, not of Christ. Thus you see, judging of Gods mercy without Scripture-light, into how many Doctrinal errors it may plunge us.

4. For want of Scripture-direction, the Papist and Antinomian oppose the mercy of God, but in extreme contrary ways. Though God be merciful, yet he hath so ordained, that none shall partake of his mercies in time, but those who by his grace are enabled to believe and repent, as the way to salvation. Now the Papist injureth the mercy of God, for he will have his Faith, Repentance, with other holy works, the merit and cause of his salvation, disdaining to have eternal life, as mere alms from God. But the Antinomian to avoid this Scylla falls into Charybdis, he affirmeth, a mercy, and that of Justification, even while we are sinners, before we do either believe or repent. But the Scripture-mercy lieth between both.