GREATNESS OF FORGIVENESS. 215 cause corresponding with the infinite largeness of his heart, from whence it proceeds. And Moses uses this plea for the forgiveness of Israel under a high provocation and a most severe threaten- ing of their destruction. Numb. 14 : 17, 18. He pleads . for pardon in such a manner as may answer ,the great and glorious properties of the nature of God, and which would manifest an infiniteness of power and all-sufil- ciency in him. This, I say, is an encouragement in general to. be- lievers. We have, as .I hope, upon- unquestionable grounds evinced that there is forgiveness with God, which is the hinge on which the issue of our eternal condition turns. Now, this is like himself; such as-be- comes him; that answers the infinite perfections of his nature ; that is exercised and given forth by him as God. We are apt to narrow and limit it by our unbelief, and to- render it unbecoming of him. He no more dishonors God, who, being wholly under the power of the law, be- lieves that there is no forgiveness with him, than he does, who, being convinced of the principles and grounds of it, and of the truth of the testimony given to it, yet, by narrowing and limiting it, renders, it unworthy of Him whose excellences are all infinite, and whose ways on that account -are incomprehensible. If, then, we resolve to treat with God about forgive- ness, let us do it as becomes his' greatness, that is, in- deed, as the wants of our souls require : let us not entangle our own spirits by limiting his grace. _ The . father of the ..child possessed with a devil, being in a great agony when he came to our Savior, cries. out, "If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us,- and help us." Mark, 9 : 22. He would fain be delivered, but the matter was so great that he questioned whether the Lord Christ had either compassion or power enough for his relief. And what did he obtain hereby? Nothing
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