Bates - BT775 B274 1675

ít1 QContribing ari ebemption r 77 ter Covenant, which-was eflablifed upon betterpromifes. Chap IX. Thecomparifon there, is, between the Min ifrryof the Gofpel and the Atofaicaloconomy. And theexcellency of the Gofpel is fpecified, in refpecc of thofe infinitely bet- ter promifes that are in it.The ceremonialLaw appointed Sacrifices for fins of ignorance and error, and toobtain only legal impunity ; but the Gofpel upon the account of Chrift's allfuficientSacrifice, offers full Pardon for all Sins that are repentedofand forfaken.Now withgreater reafon theCovenant ofGrace is tobe preferr'd before the Covenant ofWorks.For theLaw confideredMan as ho- ly, 'and endued with perfeFtion of Grace equal to what- fòever was commanded:'Twas themeafure ofhisAbility aswell asDuty,and requir'dexa&Obedience,or threatn- ed extremeMifery.The leaft breach of it is fatal: A fingle Offence ascertainly expofes to theCurfe, as if the whole were violated. And in our.lapfed trate we are utterly difabled to comply with its Purity and Perfeëtion. But the Gofpel contains the Promifes of Mercy, and is in the hands ofa Mediator. The tenour of it is, That Re- Afa.2. 38. pentance and Remijon ofSinsbepreached in theName ofChrifl. And if wejudge our felves, we (hall not be s cor. r r. 3rß judged. 'Tis not if we are innocent, for then none couldbe exempt from Condemnation : But if thecon- vinced Sinner ere&a Tribunal in Confcience, and frrips Sin of its difguife, to view its native deformity; if he pronounces the Sentence of the Law againft himfelf, and glorifie the Juftice of God which he cannot fatif- fie, and forfake the Sins which are the caufes of his for- row, he is qualified for pardoning Mercy. Befides, The Goffiel doth not only apply Pardon to us for all forfaken Sins, but provides a Remedy for thofe Infirmities towhich the belt are incident. Whilft we are in this mortal frate, we are expofed to Tempta- tions fromwithout, and have Corruptions within that A a often

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