2. It now followeth that we consider of the success that the Psalmist found, upon his free and full confession of his Sin; thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Doubtless David here recommends his experience for the encouragement of others on like occasions, and the words are very emphatical: he tells us that he acknowledged, and then addeth, that he did say that he would do so, and that upon this purpose God forgave him. This seemeth to refer to, 2 Sam. 12. 13. He there made a short acknowledgement, upon which the Prophet declareth his pardon: but he with this resolved on a more ample and enlarged business of it, notwithstanding the intervening forgiveness: this he accomplished and hath left upon record, in Psal. 51. And it tells us, That sense of a pardon, should not prevent, but increase our humble acknowledgement of our sin unto God. And indeed, there is nothing that more tendeth to melt an ingenious soul, into self abhorrence for his sin, than the wonderful kindness of God in being so ready to forgive it. The word [Forgavest] is the same that ⟨p. 248⟩is used, verse 1. Where we took notice of the import of it. In sum Sin is then forgiven when the Guilt of it is removed, and God is reconciled to the person; and so he is delivered from the Curse threatened in the Law: And it is remarkable, that he doth not only say, thou forgavest my sin, but the iniquity of my sin. This is diversly understood by Interpreters, but all agreeable to the matter in hand. The word translated Iniquity properly signifieth, Crookedness, Pravity, Perverseness, Maliciousness; but is not so here to be understood; for the taking away of that properly belongeth to Sanctification, whereas Forgiveness belongeth to Justification. Some therefore read it, Guilt, and so the word is often used, because Sin is, by reason of its relation to the Law, attended with Guilt, and then it is that, which forgiveness hath the immediate respect unto. Others read it Punishment, in which sense also the Scripture useth it, by a like Metonymy; which is consequent upon Guilt, that being nothing else but a binding the Creature over to suffer it, and is therefore removed together with it.
2. It now followeth that we consider of the success that the Psalmist found, upon his free and full confession of his Sin; thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Doubtless David here recommends his experience for the encouragement of others on like occasions, and the words are very emphatical: he tells us that he acknowledged, and then addeth, that he did say that he would do so, and that upon this purpose God forgave him. This seemeth to refer to, 2 Sam. 12. 13. He there made a short acknowledgment, upon which the Prophet declareth his pardon: but he with this resolved on a more ample and enlarged business of it, notwithstanding the intervening forgiveness: this he accomplished and hath left upon record, in Psal. 51. And it tells us, That sense of a pardon, should not prevent, but encrease our humble acknowledgment of our sin unto God. And indeed, there is nothing that more tendeth to melt an ingenious soul, into self abhorrence for his sin, than the wonderful kindness of God in being so ready to forgive it. The word [Forgavest] is the same that ⟨p. 248⟩is used, verse 1. Where we took notice of the import of it. In summe Sin is then forgiven when the Guilt of it is removed, and God is reconciled to the person; and so he is delivered from the Curse threatned in the Law: And it is remarkable, that he doth not only say, thou forgavest my sin, but the iniquity of my sin. This is diversly understood by Interpreters, but all agreeable to the matter in hand. The word translated Iniquity properly signifieth, Crookedness, Pravity, Perverseness, Maliciousness; but is not so here to be understood; for the taking away of that properly belongeth to Sanctification, whereas Forgiveness belongeth to Justification. Some therefore read it, Guilt, and so the word is often used, because Sin is, by reason of its relation to the Law, attended with Guilt, and then it is that, which forgiveness hath the immediate respect unto. Others read it Punishment, in which sense also the Scripture useth it, by a like Metonymy; which is consequent upon Guilt, that being nothing else but a binding the Creature over to suffer it, and is therefore removed together with it.
