266 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. XXXV.
and our enjoying pardon, or actual interest in it. God purposed it from all eternity, but we are not actually reconciled and pardoned from all eternity, no more tlian we were actually created, sanctified, and glorified from all eternity. So Christ purchased it, when he died ; and therefore the apostle saith, ' we were reconciled by the death of his Son,' Kom. v. 10 ; then all was done on Christ's part which was necessary to our reconciliation and pardon ; by virtue of the satisfac- tion made by Clirist, he was pleased to profess to us free and easy conditions of mercy in the gospel, by which it might be actually applied to us.
3. The next step was, when Christ rose from the dead ; for then we had a visible evidence of the sufficiency of the ransom, sacrifice, and satisfaction which he made for us ; therefore it is said, Kom. v. 25, ' That he died for our offences, and rose again for our justification.' As he died for our release and pardon, and to make expiation for our sins, so he rose again to convince the unbelieving world by that supreme act of his power, that all was finished which was necessary to our pardon and reconciliation with God; for Christ's resurrection was the acquittance of our surety, Eom. viii, 34, ' Yea rather that is risen again.' God hath received a sufficient ransom for sins, and all that believe in him shall find the benefit and comfort of it.
4. We are actually justified, pardoned, and reconciled, when we repent and believe. Whatever thoughts and purposes of grace God in Christ may have towards us from all eternity, yet we are under the fruits of sin, till we become penitent believers ; for we must distinguish between God's looking upon the elect in the purposes of his grace, and in the sentence of his law ; in the purposes of his grace, so he loved the elect with the love of good-will ; in the sentence of his law, so we were under wrath, Eph. ii. 3, and Jolm iii. 18, ' Condemned already,' and wrath remaineth on us, till believing and repenting. That these are conditions which only make us capable of pardon is evident.
[1.] Kepentance: Acts v. 31, 'Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a prince and a saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins.' Christ purchased pardon and absolution into his own hands, as king and judge, or head of the renewed state, to be dispensed according to the laws of his mediatorial kingdom ; and so lie glveth both these togetlier. So he grants pardon by his new law, by which he requireth and giveth repentance and remission of sin ; so he sent forth his messengers into the world : Luke xsiv. 47, ' And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations.' Well then, none but the penitent are capable.
[2.] Faith : Acts x. 43, ' To him gave all the prophets witness, that thr(3Ugh his name whosoever believeth on him shall receive remission of sins ; ' and Acts xiii. 38, 39, ' Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the for- giveness of sins ; ' and, 'by him all that believe are justified from all tilings, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.' It belongeth to the power and office of our Lord Jesus to forgive sin ; and it must be forgiven according to the terms of his new covenant or law ; and that is, when men obediently receive his doctrine, and by their prayers offered in his name, do in a broken-hearted manner sue
VeK. 19.] SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. 267
out their pardon, and remission of their sins, they are justified and accepted with God, and freed from his wrath and punishment which attend sin in another world. Well then, none are actually and per- sonally pardoned, but penitent believers. This benefit is bestowed upon sinners, but sinners repenting and believing ; a person abiding in his sins and persisting in his rebellion, cannot be made partaker of this privilege ; repentance qualifieth the subject, faith immediately receiveth it, as having a special aptitude that way. That I may not nakedly assert this truth, but explain it for your edification, I shall suggest two things.
(1.) As to the nature of these graces, that the reference of repentance is towards God, and faith doth especially respect the mediator ; so I find them distinguished: Acts xx. 21, 'Repentance towards God, and faith in onr Lord Jesus Christ.' All Christianity is a coming to God by him, Heb. vii. 25. Repentance towards God noteth a willing- ness to return to the duty, love, and service, which we owe to our Creator, from whence we have fallen by our folly and sin. This must be, for Christ died not to reconcile God to our sins, or, which is all one, to pardon our sins while we remain in them ; but to bring us back again to the service, love, and enjoyment of God. Faith respects the Redeemer ; for by dependence upon his merit, and the sufficiency of his sacrifice, and the power of his Spirit, we come to God, and by a thankful sense of his love, we are encouraged and enabled to do our duty. Well then, when in a broken-hearted manner we confess our sins, and own our Redeemer, and devote ourselves to God, and resolve to walk in Christ's prescribed way, then are sins pardoned, and we accepted with God.