A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

It follows in the next words, and I will not remember thy sins. Not that there is truly any forgetfulness in God; no, his Memory retains every sin we have committed surer and firmer than if all our sins were written in Leaves of Brass; but God speaks here as he doth elsewhere frequently in Scripture, by a gracious Condescension, and after the manner of Men, and it is to be interpreted only by the Effects, I will not remember their sins; that is, I will deal so mercifully with them, as if indeed I did not remember the least of their Provocations, I will be to them as one that hath utterly forgotten all their injuries. So, that this, not remembering of sin, denies not the eminent Act of God's Knowledge, but only the transient Act of his Justice, and is no more than his promising not to punish sin; as if God had said, I will not be avenged on them, nor punish them for their sins.

It follows in the next words, and I will not remember thy sins. Not that there is truly any forgetfulness in God; no, his Memory retains every sin we have committed surer and firmer than if all our sins were written in Leaves of Brass; but God speaks here as he doth elsewhere frequently in Scripture, by a gracious Condescension, and after the manner of Men, and it is to be interpreted only by the Effects, I will not remember their sins; that is, I will deal so mercifully with them, as if indeed I did not remember the least of their Provocations, I will be to them as one that hath utterly forgotten all their injuries. So, that this, not remembring of sin, denies not the eminent Act of God's Knowledge, but only the transient Act of his Justice, and is no more than his promising not to punish sin; as if God had said, I will not be avenged on them, nor punish them for their sins.

And here we may see what abundant security God gives his People, that ⟨p. 8⟩they shall never be impleaded for those sins which once they have attained the pardon of; they are blotted out of his Book of Remembrance: and that they may not fear he will accuse them without Book, he tells them, That they are utterly forgotten, and shall never be remembered by him against them any more.