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,…

Fifthly, From this Scripture-expression is gathered, That gross §5sins are blotted out, as well as sins of an inferior nature; Though there be sins that waste the conscience, yet they do not waste the grace of remission; how is the true repentant affected with slavish fears sometimes, as if his sins did blot out Gods mercy like a thick cloud? as if our transgressions had subdued his goodness, and thrown it into the bottom of the Sea? What a comfortable expression is that, Isaiah 1.18. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, &c. It was wonderful mercy that ever so horrid and bloody sinners (therefore their sins are said to be like scarlet) should become so clear, yet the grace of Justification doth as totally remit great sins, as less sins, as Christ did with the same easiness cure several diseases. Thus David also, Psal. 51. after he had wallowed in that mire, he prayeth to be purged, in an allusive expression, with hyssop, which was the last thing used in their legal purifications, and therefore doth imply the total and complete cleansing by Christ, and upon this, David saith, He shall be whiter then snow, which phrase is neither with the Papist to be extended to sanctification, as if such perfect clean righteousness were vouchsafed to him, as that there were no sin in him, nor with the Antinomian, as if God did quite abolish sin from David out of his sight, so as to take no notice of it, or chastise him for it (for after the pardon was past, yet his child was to die, and much more evil to come to Davids house) but in respect of final condemnation, God having thus pardoned ⟨p. 52⟩David through Christ, would no more adjudge him to everlasting punishment, then he would one that was innocent, or without any spot of sin. And this is to encourage great sinners; ten thousand talents was a great sum of money, yet how easily forgiven by that kind Master? Thus Exod. 34.7. God is described forgiving sins of all sorts, and this he proclaimed, when his glory passed by; and how necessary is this for the contrite heart, which judgeth his sins, because of the aggravations of them, to be unpardonable? If they had not been of such a breadth and depth, and length, they would not fear overwhelming as now they do.