The true doctrine of justification asserted and vindicated, from the errors of Papists, Arminians,…The true doctrine of justification asserted and vindicated, from the errours of Papists, Arminians,…

Another is Mechah (and I will name no more) which is to blot out, or wipe out, a Metaphor from those who cancel or blot out their debts ▪ when once discharged. Now besides these verbal expressions, you have many real phrases that do declare this great mercy, as Micah 7.19. He will subdue our iniquities, and thou wilt cast them into the bottom of the sea, where the Prophet doth admire the goodness and freeness of God herein, Who is a God like thee? passing by iniquity, subduing sins. The word implieth, that our sins were as our enemies, the guilt of them did enslave us, and keep us like vassals in fear, but now they are mastered. And further, He throweth them in the bottom of the sea, there is no more memory or footsteps of them, as when the Egyptians were drowned in the bottom of the sea, they could never hurt the Israelites more. Thus God doth to thy sins when they are pardoned. Another expression you have, Isa. 44.22. some expound it thus, As the Sun rising doth make the thick clouds to vanish away, and there is nothing but serenity to be seen; so it is with God pardoning: but Junius understands it thus, As the thick cloud dissolved into rain, washeth away the soil and filth of the earth, so will the Lord in pardoning, take away that noisomeness and offence their sins made. Consider Hezekiahs expression, Isa. 38.17. Thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back; It is an expression from men, who when they will not regard a thing, cast it behind their backs, and thus God doth, not as if he did not take notice to chastise for them, but they shall not have their proper effect, which is to condemn. And these expressions are very necessary ⟨p. 49⟩to a contrite heart, which is apt to imagine God as always beholding his sins, and sending forth his judgements because of them, whereas it must be as a foundation laid, That God is gracious and merciful, not only in the general, but even to us in particular. The last I will pitch upon, is Psal. 13.12. As far as the East is from the West, so far hath he removed our sins from us, where the Psalmist makes Gods mercies as much above our sins, as heaven is above earth; and lest the guilt of sin should hinder the descent of it, he makes God to throw away our sins from him, as far as it can be. Thus you see how abundant the Scripture is, in describing this mercy of mercies: