88 Of Repentance. S ER m. of puniíhment in a future ¡late on thole IV. who finned in this life, even altho' they have repented. But this anxiety is fuper- feded, and ftrong confolation is provided for penitents, by a pofitive declaration from a perfon who has a plenary authority fuflici- ently attefted, that God will receive them into favour as if they had never finned, and that there is referved for them a compleat and eternal felicity hereafter. The method in which this mercy is dif- penfed carries in it very flrong arguments to enforce our duty, I mean, repentance and genuine fruits. It is by the mediation of Chrift ; by the íhedding of his blood,* they are made near to God, who were far of; and he T was railed from the dead for their jufli- fcation, laving to the uttermo /l all -that come to God by him, becaufè he ever lives to make intereyioz for them +. low, this lays us under the moll endearing obligation of gra- titude to our Saviour, who gave himfelf' for us, to redeem us from all our If iniquities, and to purify unto himfelf a peculiar people zealous f good works. The New Teftament writers fo rcprefent both the death and refurreEtion of * Ephef. ii. 13. t Rom. iv. 25, I Hob. Vii. 25. JJ Tit. ii. 14. Chrift,
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