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,…

¹Lastly, In the Person to whom we pray, there is supposed,

1. 13 In the person to whom we▪ pray, are implied,

¹First, That God only can forgive sins. This is an incommunicable property of God, Isa. 43.1. and Exod. 34.7. It is there reckoned as one of his prerogatives: Hence Matth. 9. this is made an argument of Christs Deity, that by his mere command he forgave sin, for this power to forgive sin, is greater then to create Heaven or Earth, or to work the greatest miracles; Therefore a power to work miracles hath been vouchsafed to the Apostles, but not of forgiving of sin, unless declaratively only. When therefore our Saviour, Matth. 9. asketh which is easier, To forgive sin, or to say, Take up thy bed and walk; intending by this miracle to prove that he did also forgive sin, it is not spoken as if this later were greater then the ⟨p. 127⟩former, but only the curing of the paralytical man, was a more visible sign to confirm the other, for when they saw that which he commanded accomplished upon the mans body, they might well conclude the other fulfilled in his soul. Now when we say, God only can forgive sin, this is to be extended both to the forgiveness in Heaven, and to that in a mans own conscience; for the former it is plain, because the injury is done only against him, when we sin; and for the later, it is clear, because he is the Father of Spirits, and so can command whatsoever peace and security he pleaseth in the conscience. We see when Friends and Ministers do pour oil into a wounded soul, they feel no benefit or refreshment, till God speak to the heart. This is notably asserted by Elihu,