A96532:153
The doctrine of the covenant of redemption Wherein is laid the foundation of all…
The doctrine of the covenant of redemption Wherein is laid the foundation of all our hopes and happiness. Briefly opened and improved. By Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston. [Three lines from Psalms]
Boston: printed by Benj. Harris over against the Old-Meet, 1693
Chapter 10: The necessity of this Covenant, in order to Mans Salvation.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
8. That Mercy and Grace are also Divine Perfections. These are equally God with the other. They are Divine A•ttibutes, and are as much Essential to God, as his Holiness and Justice, though they are also Relative in the manifestation of them. When God shows himself merciful and gracious in pardoning Iniquity, Transgression, and Sin, he shows himself to be God, which he should not do, if these were not his Innate Perfections. These are therefore Letters of his Name, Exod. ⟨p. 77⟩34. 6, 7. and by these he gives us to know him.
8. That Mercy and Grace are also Divine Perfections. These are equally God with the other. They are Divine A•ttibutes, and are as much Essential to God, as his Holiness and Justice, though they are also Relative in the manifestation of them. When God shews himself merciful and gracious in pardoning Iniquity, Transgression, and Sin, he shews himself to be God, which he should not do, if these were not his Innat• Perfections. These are therefore Letters of his Name, Exod. ⟨p. 77⟩34. 6, 7. and by these he gives us to know him.
9. Hence we may seem to argue as strongly, that God Pardons Sin by necessity of nature, as well as Punisheth it. For surely he is gracious as well as Holy and Just; and then by consequence God could no more have avoided pardoning than punishing of Sin: but we are assured that his Grace proceeds according to his good pleasure,