4 EVIDENCES OF FORGIVENESS. 179 Bence we may see two things: first, the greatness of forgiveness, that we may learn to value it; and, se- condly, the certainty of it, that we may learn to be- lieve it. 1. The greatness of it God would not do so great a thing as that mentioned, but for a great end. Had it not been of the greatest importance to the glory' of God and the good of the souls of men, Gcd would not, for the sake of it, have laid aside one covenant and made another. We may evidently see how the heart of God was set upon it, how his nature and will were engaged in it. All this was done that we might be pardoned. The old glorious fabric of obedience and rewards is le- velled to the ground, that a new one may be erected for'the honor and glory of forgiveness. God forbidThat we should have slight thoughts of that which was so strangely and wonderfully produced, in which God as it were embarked his great glory. Shall all this be done for our sakes, and shall we undervalue it'? God forbid. God could, if I may so say, more easily have made a new world of innocent creatures, and have governed them by the old covenant, than have established this new one for the salvation of poor sinners; but then where had been the glory of forgiveness l It could never have been known that there was forgiveness with him. The old covenant could not have been preserved and sinners pardoned. Wherefore, God chose rather to leave the covenant than that sinners should be unrelieved, grace unexalted, and pardon unexercised. Prize it as you prize your souls, and give glory to God for it, as all those that believe will do unto eternity. 2. Consider the security of this covenant, that we may believe it. What greater can be given l G od de- ceiveth no man, any more than he is deceived. And what could God, that cannot lie, do more, to give us satisfaction herein, than he has done? Would you be
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