A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

First, There is his purpose of sending his Son to be the great means of procuring, of purchasing forgiveness. Though God be infinitely and incomprehensibly gracious, though he purpose to exert his Grace and Goodness toward sinners, yet he will so do it, do it in such a way, as shall not be prejudicial to his own Holiness and Righteousness. His Justice must be satisfied, and his holy indignation against sin made known. Wherefore he purposeth to send his Son, and hath sent him, to make way for the exercise of Mercy; so as no way to eclipse the glory of his Justice, Holiness, and hatred of sin. Better we should all eternally come short of forgiveness, than that God should lose any thing of his glory. This we have, Rom. 3. 25. God set him forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past. The Remission of sins is the thing aimed at; but this must be so brought about, as that therein, not only the mercy, but the Righteousness of God may be declared; and therefore must it be brought forth by a propitiation, or making of an Atonement, in the blood of Christ. So John 3. 16. 1 John 4. 9. Rom. 5. 8. This, I say, also lies in the mystery of that forgiveness that is administered in the Gospel; It comes forth from this eternal purpose of making way by the blood of Christ to the dispensation of pardon. And this greatly heightens the excellency of this discovery. Men who have slight thoughts of God, whose hearts were never awed with his dread or greatness, who never seriously considered his purity and holiness, may think it no great matter that God should pardon sin. But do they consider the way whereby it was to be brought about; even by the sending of his only Son, and that to dye, as we shall see afterwards. Neither was there any other way whereby it might be done. Let us now lay aside common thoughts, Assent upon reports and tradition, and rightly weigh this matter. Doubtless we shall find it to be a great thing, that forgiveness should be so with God, as to be made out unto us, (we know somewhat what we are) by sending his only Son to dye. Oh how little is this really believed, even by them who make a profession ⟨p. 101⟩