The Scribes of old were so far Well Instructed, as to say, in Marc.2.7. Who can Forgive Sin, but God only? The true. Answer is very short; None Injuries done to men, may so far be forgiven by Men, as men only are concerned in them. Hence 'tis among the solemn Charges of the Lord Jesus, to us all; in Mat. 6. 14. Forgive men their Trespasses. But as it was of old said, If a Man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? Even so If a man sin against the LORD; who shall pardon him? Injuries done to God, are to be Forgiven by Him alone, whose Great Name is that in Exod. 34. 7. The Lord Forgiving Iniquity, and Transgression, and Sin. It is a Maxim, Nemo potest Remittere de Jure ⟨p. 23⟩Alieno; No man can dispose of Another's Right. Who then can Intrude, or dare Invade upon the Great God, so as to allow for a Wrong which has been done unto His Majesty? To Forgive Sin, is a prerogative peculiar to the God of Heaven; and it is therefore mentioned among His Regalia, in M c. 7 8. W•o is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth Iniquity? 'Tis one of His Incomparable Excellencies, and a Flower in His Glorious Crown; T•is the Glory which He will not give unto another. Look upon sin as a Debt; still God is the Creditor; Look upon sin as a F•uls; still God is the Governor, to whom alone belongs the Remission of it. We are advertised of this, Rom 8. 33. It is God that Justifies Ministerially to Declare a Pardon, is one thing. This may be done by the Churches of the Lord Jesus Christ; as the Priests were to pronounce upon the Cleanness of the Leper. In which respect our Lord said ⟨p. 24⟩in John 20 23. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them. And in such a sense was the Prophet Jeremiah to pull down and pluck up Nations; that was, to Declare what Nations were so to be dealt withal.
The Scribes of old were so far Well Instructed, as to say, in Marc.2.7. Who can Forgive Sin, but God only? The true. Answer is very short; None Injuries done to men, may so far be forgiven by Men, as men only are concerned in them. Hence 'tis among the solemn Charges of the Lord Jesus, to us all; in Mat. 6. 14. Forgive men their Trespasses. But as it was of old said, If a Man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? Even so If a man sin against the LORD; who shall pardon him? Injuries done to God, are to be Forgiven by Him alone, whose Great Name is that in Exod. 34. 7. The Lord Forgiving Iniquity, and Transgression, and Sin. It is a Maxim, Nemo potest Remittere de Jure ⟨p. 23⟩Alieno; No man can dispose of Anothers Right. Who then can Intrude, or dare Invade upon the Great God, so as to allow for a Wrong which has been done unto His Majesty? To Forgive Sin, is a prerogative peculiar to the God of Heaven; and it is therefore mention'd among His Regalia, in M c. 7 8. W•o is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth Iniquity? 'Tis one of His Incomparable Excellencies, and a Flower in His Glorious Crown; T•is the Glory which He will not give unto another. Look upon sin as a Debt; still God is the Creditor; Look upon sin as a F•uls; still God is the Governour, to whom alone belongs the Remission of it. We are advertised of this, Rom 8. 33. It is God that Justifies Ministerially to Declare a Pardon, is one thing. This may be done by the Churches of the Lord Jesus Christ; as the Priests were to pronounce upon the Cleanness of the Leper. In which respect our Lord said ⟨p. 24⟩in John 20 23. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them. And in such a sense was the Prophet Jeremiah to pull down and pluck up Nations; that was, to Declare what Nations were so to be dealt withal.
