JS FORGIVENESS OF SIN. 4I. Because, upon his death, God the Father hath com- mitted to him the whole management of the business of forgiveness, " He gives repentance and forgiveness of sins." Acts, 5: 31. It is Christ that forgives us. Col. 3: 13. All forgiveness is now at his disposal, and lie pardoneth whom he will ; even all that are given to him of the Father, not casting out any that come to God by him. He is intrusted with all-the stores of his Father's purpose and his own purchase, and thence tells us that "all things that the Father hath are his." John, 16: 15. In all these respects doth forgiveness relate to the blood of Christ. Mercy, pardon and grace could find no other way to issue forth from the heart of the Father but by the heart's blood of the Son, and so do they flow to the heart of the sinner. Two things are principally to be considered in the re- lations of forgiveness to the blood of Christ. 1. The way of its procurement ; 2. The way of its administra- tion by him. The first is deep, mysterious, dreadful. It was by his blood, the blood of the cross, the travail of his soul; his undergoing wrath and curse. The other is gracious, merciful and tender; whence so many things are spoken of his mercifulness and faithfulness, to en- courage us to expect forgiveness from. him. This also adds to the mysterious depths of forgive- ness, and makes its discovery a great matter. The soul that looks after it in earnest must consider what it cost: How light do most men make of pardon! What an easy thing is it to be acquainted with it ! And no very hard matter to obtain it! But to hold communion with God in the blood of his Son is a thing of another nature than is once dreamed of by many, who think they knowwell enough what it is to be pardoned. " God be merciful," is a common saying, and as common to desire he would be so "for Christ's sake." Poor creatures are cast into the mould of such expressions, who know neither God,
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