150 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. sels of mercy which he had prepared for glory," verse 23. This is the great end of God's patience, which while he pursues towards the vessels of mercy, he en- dures others with much long- suffering and forbearance. This, then, is fully evident, that there could be no suffi- cient reason assigned for the patience of God towards sinners, but that there is forgiveness prepared for them that come to him by Christ, to which Scripture clearly testifies. 2Pet. 3 : 9. The question is, what is the reason why God forbears the execution of his judgment upon ungodly men l Some would have it that God is slack ; that is, regardless of the sins of men, and takes no notice of them. No, saith the apostle, God has another design in his patience and long-suffering. What is this It is, to manifest that he is not willing we shouldperish. This it is which we have proved. For our freedom from destruction is by repentance, which necessarily infers the forgiveness of sin. So Paul tells us, that in the Gospel is declared what is the end of God's pa- tience and forbearance ; namely, " the remission of sins." Rom. 3 : 25. Let us then bear in mind this evidence, in the apply- ing ourselves to God for pardon. It is certain that God might have taken us from our birth, and have cast us into utter darkness. And, in the course of our lives, we have been guilty of such provocations as Godmight justly have visited, to glorify his justice and severity in our ruin. But yet we have lived thus long in the pa- tience and forbearance of God. And to what end has he thus spared us l Is it not that he might, by his pa- tience, give us leave and space to get an interest in that forgiveness which he thus testifies to be in himself l Let us then be encouraged by it, to use it to the end and purpose for which it is exercised towards us. You that are yet in doubt of your condition, con- sider that the patience of God was extended to you
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