Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

2. Pardoning Mercy or Grace; without this even his Love §. 8 would be fruitless. What discovery may be made of this by a sinful man, may be seen in the Father of us all; who when he had sinned had no reserve for mercy, but hid himself. Gen. 3. 8. He did it [Greek or Hebrew] when the wind did but a little blow at the presence of God; And he did it foolishly thinking to hide himself among trees Psal. 139. 7, 8. The Law was given by Moses, Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Joh. 1. 17. Grace in the truth and substance; Pardoning Mercy that comes by Christ alone: that Pardoning mercy which is manifested in the Gospel, and wherein God will be Glorified to all Eternity; (Ephes. 1. 6.) I mean not that General Mercy, that velleity of acceptance which some put their hopes in, ^cthat [Greek or Hebrew] which to ascribe unto God is the greatest dishonour that can be done him) shines not with one ray out of Christ; it is wholly treasured up in him, and revealed by him. Pardoning Mercy is God's free gracious acceptance of a sinner upon Satisfaction made to his Justice in the blood of Jesus. Nor is any discovery of it, but as relating to the satisfaction of Justice, consistent with the Glory of God. It is a mercy of inconceivable condescension in forgiveness, tempered with exact justice and severity. Rom. 3. 25. God is said, to set forth Christ to be a propitiation in his blood to declare his Righteousness in the forgiveness of Sins: ^dhis Righteousness is also manifested in the business of forgiveness of sins; and therefore it is every where said to be wholly in Christ: Eph. 1. 7. So that this Gospel grace, and pardoning mercy is alone Purchased by him, and revealed in him. And this was the main end of all typical institutions, to manifest that Remission, and forgiveness is wholly wrapped up in the Lord Christ, and that out of him there is not the least conjecture to be made of it, nor the least morsel to be