The Fountain of Life Opened

To conclude, man only can freely forgive man, in a private capacity; so far as the wrong concerns himself; but ought not to do so, in a public capacity, as he is a Judge, and bound to execute justice impartially. God is our Law-giver, and Judge. He will not dispense with violations of the Law, but strictly stands on complete satisfaction.

To conclude, man only can freely forgive man, in a private capacity; so far as the wrong concerns himself; but ought not to do so, in a publick capacity, as he is a Judge, and bound to execute justice impartially. God is our Law-giver, and Judge. He will not dispense with violations of the Law, but strictly stands on compleat satisfaction.

Secondly, Man can tender to God no satisfaction of his own for the wrong done by his sin. He finds no way to compensate, and make God amends; either by doing, or by suffering his will.

First, Not by doing. This way is shut up to all the world. None can satisfy God, or reconcile himself to him this way. For its evident our best works are sinful. All our righteousness as filthy rags, Isa. 64.6. And it's strange any should imagine, that one sin, should make satisfaction for another: if it be said, not what is sinful in our duties, but what is spiritual pure and good, may ingratiate us with God. It is at hand to reply, that what is good in any of our duties, is a debt we owe to God; yea, we owe him perfect obedience; and it is not imaginable, how we should pay one debt, by another. Quit a Farmer, by contracting a new engagement: if we do any thing that is good, we are beholding to grace for it.