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,…

First, From several expressions to magnify the mercy,¹ Sins forgiven, covered, not imputed. It is much to consider how ancient Interpreters have made a difference between the sins enumerated; as if there were divers kinds, or at least degrees of sin enumerated; and hereupon also they make a difference between forgiving, covering and imputing, as if one were more then the other; but we are rather to take it according to the Scripture-custom, which doth use for amplification sake, to say the same thing in divers words, and this is autology, but not tautology. The difference that is, is from the several metaphors that are in the words. As the first word doth signify the taking away of sin, which is a burthen, blessed is he that is eased of such a weight. The second, which is covering, doth suppose the loathsome filthiness of sin in the eyes of God, and therefore by grace is taken out of his sight. The third, not imputing or reckoning, is a metaphor supposing sin a debt, and God in his account will not set it upon our score, so that the several expressions are wonderfully comfortable, if sin trouble thee as an heavy weight on thee, pardoning is the easing and taking off this burden; if sin make thee to judge thy self loathsome, thou canst not endure thy self, pardon of sin is covering of it; if sin put thee in such a debt to God, that thou knowest not how to satisfy, pardon is not imputing.

First, From severall expressions to magnifie the mercy,¹ Sins forgiven, covered, not imputed. It is much to consider how ancient Interpreters have made a difference between the sins enumerated; as if there were divers kindes, or at least degrees of sinne enumerated; and hereupon also they make a difference between forgiving, covering and imputing, as if one were more then the other; but we are rather to take it according to the Scripture-custome, which doth use for amplification sake, to say the same thing in divers words, and this is autology, but not tautology. The difference that is, is from the severall metaphors that are in the words. As the first word doth signifie the taking away of sin, which is a burrhen, blessed is he that is eased of such a weight. The second, which is covering, doth suppose the loathsome filthinesse of sin in the eyes of God, and therefore by grace is taken out of his sight. The third, not imputing or reckoning, is a metaphor supposing sinne a debt, and God in his account will not set it upon our score, so that the severall expressions are wonderfully comfortable, if sinne trouble thee as an heavy weight on thee, pardoning is the easing and taking off this burden; if sinne make thee to judge thy self loathsome, thou canst not endure thy self, pardon of sin is covering of it; if sin put thee in such a debt to God, that thou knowest not how to satisfie, pardon is not imputing.