A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

First, Whether the Grace of God be so free, as to exclude all Merit and Desert?

Now in Answer unto this Question, I shall lay down three Propositions.

First,¹ That the pardoning Grace of God is not so freely vouchsafed to Man, as to exclude all Merit and Desert on Christ's part. There is not the least sin pardoned unto any, but it first cost the price of blood, even the precious blood of the Son of God. It is this blood that crosseth God's Debt-Book, and blots out all those Items that we stand indebted to him for. As Christ now sues out our Pardon by his Intercession in Heaven; so he bought out our Pardon by his Sufferings on the Cross; for, without shedding of blood, there is no Remission, ⟨p. 14⟩Hebr. 9.22. And this is my blood, says our Saviour himself, which is shed for the remission of sins, Matth. 26.28. And we are not our own, but we are bought with a price, even with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish, and without spot, as the two great Apostles speak, 1 Cor. 6.14. 1 Pet. 1.21. Some have made bold, and possibly with no bad intention, to call Jesus Christ the greatest sinner in the World; because the sins of all God's People meet in him, and were imputed to him. They were his by a voluntary susception and undertaking: and if the foregoing expression may be allowed, there is one in Heaven, the highest in Glory, whose sins were never pardoned; for our Lord Christ paid down the utmost Farthing that either the Law, or Justice of God could exact, as a satisfaction for those sins that he voluntarily took upon himself: And therefore by Law and Justice, and not by free Grace, he hath taken possession of Heaven for himself, and is there preparing Mansions for us. In respect of Christ we receive nothing of free Grace, or of free Gift, but all is by purchase. And as we our selves