Sermons preached

1. Christ's Undertaking was principally for the Glory of God, All the Promises are in him Yea and Amen to the Glory of God. And it should not be a Question which should have the precedence, the Glory of God, or our Good. Christ came to promote God's Glory, and that must have the precedence of our Benefit. Now then the abolishing the Guilt of Sin doth more directly respect our Interest and Good; but the abolishing the Power of Sin, or the turning and cleansing the Heart from it, doth more immediately respect the Glory of God, and our Subjection to God. Therefore Christ would not only pacify the Wrath of God, but his chief Work, that doth mostly concern the Glory of God, was, to heal our evil Natures, and prevent Sin for the time to come.

2. To be turned from Sin is to be freed from the greatest Evil. For Pardon gives us an Exemption from Punishment, which is a natural Evil, but Conversion gives us freedom from our naughty Hearts, which is a moral Evil; and certainly Vice is worse than Pain, and Sin than Misery. Besides, Sin is the Cause of all Evil, and the taking away the Cause is more than ceasing the Effect.

3. This hath nearer Connection with the Life of Glory. Pardon only removes the Impediment, but the sanctifying and healing of our Natures is the beginning of the Life of Glory, and Introduction into it. Pardon removes our Guilt, which hinders our Happiness; therefore Divines say, Justification is Gratia removens prohibens, that that removes the Impediment; but the sanctifying the Heart is an Introduction into our glorious State, and the more sanctified, the more meet to be Partakers thereof, Col. 1. 12. Now that which doth positively make us capable of Glory and Happiness, is a greater Privilege than that which only removes the Impediment.