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,…

2.¹ Although the Scripture attribute pardon of sin to many qualifications in a man, yet Repentance is the most express and proper duty.

2.¹ Although the Scripture attribute pardon of sin to many qualifications in a man, yet Repentance is the most expresse and proper duty.

1. 1Propos. 2.

The Scripture sometimes makes forgiving of others a necessary disposition, sometimes confessing and forsaking of them, sometimes believing (though that hath a peculiar nature in receiving of pardon, which other graces have not; and therefore faith obtaineth pardon by way of an instrument applying, which other graces do not) But if we speak of the express formal qualification, it is repentance of our sins, not repentance as it is a mere bare terror upon thy heart, but as it is sweetened with Evangelical considerations. Luther said, There was no word so terrible unto him, and which his soul did more hate, then that (Repent.) But it was because he understood not Gospel-grounds. We read then of some places of Scripture, which make God to be the only Author of blotting out and pardoning sin. And again we read of other places, where God doth this for none, but the broken and contrite heart. Now both these places must not be opposed to each other: neither may we so dwell upon the one, as to neglect the other; so to look upon it as Gods act, as if there were nothing required in us: and again, so to look upon that which we do, as if God were not to be acknowledged.

The Scripture sometimes makes forgiving of others a necessary disposition, sometimes confessing and forsaking of them, sometimes believing (though that hath a peculiar nature in receiving of pardon, which other graces have not; and therefore faith obtaineth pardon by way of an instrument applying, which other graces do not) But if we speak of the expresse formall qualification, it is repentance of our sins, not repentance as it is a meer bare terrour upon thy heart, but as it is sweetned with Evangelical considerations. Luther said, There was no word so terrible unto him, and which his soul did more hate, then that (Repent.) But it was because he understood not Gospel-grounds. We read then of some places of Scripture, which make God to be the only Author of blotting out and pardoning sin. And again we reade of other places, where God doth this for none, but the broken and contrite heart. Now both these places must not be opposed to each other: neither may we so dwell upon the one, as to neglect the other; so to look upon it as Gods act, as if there were nothing required in us: and again, so to look upon that which we do, as if God were not to be acknowledged.