Gospel reconciliation, or, Christ's trumpet of peace to the world

CAHP. 38. Not imputing their trespasses; Opened And 3. Notes on the text.

Now follows the Two other Expressions. Not inputting their trespasses to them. And hath committed to us the word of Reconciliation. The first; I may finish in a few words, not imputing their trespasses; meaning, not reckoning, not setting their sins upon their own score; so the word is. As a man that is in debt; we say there is so much standing upon his Head; so much upon his score. Now, when God is said not to impute your trespasses; the meaning is; ⟨p. 173⟩your debt comes to be cancelled & to be reckoned the debt of an other man; he sets your sins no longer upon your score, but upon the score of Christ: this is the happiness of Believers: that those sins of theirs that stood upon their score are now taken off and set upon the score of Christ. This is a blessed doctrine, and we cannot speak of this without trembling of heart; because we know how subject men are to abuse it; but the Children must have the bread given to them, though it tend to the ruin, and destruction of others. You that are sinners and go on in sin, though you see it not, you run every day upon the score, like some Gallants that come into an Inn, or into a Tavern, and there call for Wine, and good cheer, never thinking that one is all the while they are eating, and drinking, and merry, behind the door with a piece of Chalk scoring up all, and at last will call in for the payment of it. Every sin we commit is upon the score and there is a time when God will call for payment. You will say, how is it then that God saith, their sins shall not be imputed? Why, it is because Christ comes, and all that is upon our score is taken off, and set upon his, but yet the score must be payed. So that this phrase noteth; That the Salvation of man is not from such a free pardon, as a man that is in debt should have his Creditor come, and say, I will quit the score, I will wipe off all, and pardon it all: No; But the way of the Salvation of man is thus; Here is a debt, and payed it must be: Only Christ the surety comes, and he pays for some, and others are cast into the prison of Hell, where they must lie till they have paid the uttermost farthing; for the debt must be paid. And here is the Reason of the difference between Believers, and others. Those that are damned; all the time they live, they run upon the score, and at last God comes, and reckoneth with them for all; and then alas they have nothing to pay.