HOly David in the front of this Psalm, shews us, wherein true happiness consists; not in beauty, honour, riches, (the Worlds Trinity) but in the forgiveness of sin. Vers. 1. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven. The Hebrew word to forgive1signifies to carry out of sight; which well agrees with that, Ierem. 50. 20. In those dayes (saith the Lord) the sins of Judah shall be sought for, and they shall not be found. This is an incomprehensible blessing, and such as layes a foundation for all other mercies. I shall but glance at it, and lay down these five Assertions about it.
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Forgiveness of sin is an act of Gods Free Grace. The Greek word to forgive2deciphers the Original of pardon; it ariseth not from any thing inherent in us, but is the pure result of Free Grace. Isa. 43. 25. I, even I am he, that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake. When a Creditor forgives a Debtor, he doth it freely. Pardon of sin is a fine thread spun out of the bowels of Free Grace. Paul cries out, I obtained mercy, 1 Tim. 1. 13. […], I was be-mercied: he who is pardoned, is all bestrewed with mercy. When the Lord pardons a sinner, he doth not pay a Debt, but give a Legacy.
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God in forgiving sin, remits the guilt and penalty. Guilt cries for justice; no sooner had Adam eaten the Apple, but he saw the flaming sword, and heard the Curse; but in remission God doth indulge the sinner; he seems to say thus to him, Though thou art fallen into the hands of my Justice, and deservest to die, yet I will absolve thee, and whatever is charged upon thee, shall be discharged.
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Forgiveness of sin is through the blood of Christ. Free grace is the impulsive cause, Christs3 blood is the meritorious. Heb. 9. 22: Without shedding of blood is no remission. Justice would be revenged either on the sinner or the surety. Every pardon is the price of blood.
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Before sin is forgiven, it must be repented of. Therefore repentance and remission are linked together. Luk. 24. 47. That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name4. Not that repentance doth in a Popish sense merit forgiveness; Christs blood must wash our Tears: but repentance is a qualification, though not a cause. He who is humbled for sin will the more value pardoning mercy. When there is nothing in the soul but clouds of sorrow, and now God brings a pardon, which is a setting up a Rainbow in the Cloud, to tell the sinner, that the flood of wrath shall not overflow him; O what joy is there at the sight of this Rainbow! The soul that before was steeped in tears, now melts in love to God. Luk. 7. 38. 47.
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God having forgiven sin, he will call it no more into remembrance, Ier. 31. 34. the Lord will make an5 act of Indempnity, he will not upbraid us with former unkindnesses, or sue us with a cancelled Bond. Micah 7. 19. he will cast our sins into the depth of the sea. Sin shall not be cast in as Cork which riseth up again; but as Lead which sinks to the bottom. How should we all labour for this Covenant-blessing!
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How sad is it to want it! It must needs be ill with the Malefactor who wants his pardon: all the Curses of God stand in full force against the unpardoned sinner; his very blessings are cursed. Mal. 2. 2. Caesar wondred at one of his Souldiers, that was so merry when he was in debt. Can the sinner be merry who is heir to all Gods Curses, and knows not how soon he may take up his Lodgings among the damned?
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How sweet is it to have it! 1. The pardoned soul is out of the gun-shot of Hell.6 Rom. 8. 33. Satan may accuse, but Christ will show a discharge. 2. The pardoned soul may goe to God with boldness in prayer. Guilt clips the wings of prayer, that it cannot flye to the Throne of Grace; but forgiveness breeds confidence: He who hath his pardon, may look his Prince in the face with comfort.
This great mercy of pardon David had obtained, as appears, vers. 5. Thou forgavest me. And because he had found God a God of pardons, (Neh. 9. 17) therefore he encourageth others to seek God, in the words of the Text, For this cause shall every one that is godly pray unto thee.