A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

First, Though the Guilt of sin be removed, yet it is not our Repentance that removes it: for then, as no Man's Repentance is absolutely perfect; so no Man's Sins should be fully pardoned; but still there would be remainders of Guilt left upon the Conscience, as there is still a mixture of Impenitency in the best Christians: But Pardon and Remission is not mingled with Guilt, as Grace is with Sin; because it is an Act of Mercy wrought, not in our breast, but arising in God's only, where it meets with nothing to allay or abate it, and it is infinitely more perfect than our Repentance can be.

First, Though the Guilt of sin be removed, yet it is not our Repentance that removes it: for then, as no Man's Repentance is absolutely perfect; so no Man's Sins should be fully pardon'd; but still there would be remainders of Guilt left upon the Conscience, as there is still a mixture of Impenitency in the best Christians: But Pardon and Remission is not mingled with Guilt, as Grace is with Sin; because it is an Act of Mercy wrought, not in our breast, but arising in God's only, where it meets with nothing to allay or abate it, and it is infinitely more perfect than our Repentance can be.

Secondly, Hence we may infer, ¹That our Pardon is infinitely more sure, than our Assurance of it in our own Consciences can be satisfactory; for the sense of Pardon is a work of God's Spirit within us, which commonly is mixed with some Hesitations, Mis-givings, ⟨p. 52⟩Doubts and Fears: And therefore tho our Comforts be never so strong, tho it be Spring-Tide with us; yet our ground for Comfort is still much more Oh what rich and abundant Grace is this in God towards us, that exceeds both our Grace and our Comfort! And therefore though, O Christian, thy Sanctification be the best Evidence of thy Justification and Pardon, yet is it not the best Measure of it, for thou art justified and thou art pardoned much more than thou art sanctified; Sanctifying Grace in thee indeed is in its first Rudiments and Inchoation; but Pardoning-Grace in thy God, is consummate and perfect. And that is the first thing.