Abundant Pardon

‘THHE prophet is setting forth the mission of Jesus (verses 4 and 5).

Straightway he makes an appeal to sinners, for Jesus comes to sinners. He proclaims pardon to them, for this Jesus brings: his coming is as the morning, bedewing the earth with delight.

The call is practically to faith and repentance; immediate, frank, spiritual, complete.

The inducement presented is an abundant free-grace pardon: “he will abundantly pardon.”

There is no more likely argument wherewith to persuade souls.

I. LET US CONTEMPLATE THE ABUNDANCE OF
DIVINE PARDON.

We may do so the better if we consider, — 1. The abundance of the attribute from which it springs. All the attributes of God are in finite and harmonious, but we are told that 44 God is love,” and this is not said of justice, or power. “Thy mercy is great above the hearens: “Ps. cviii. 4.” The earth,

(IU)

O Lord, is full of thy mercy:” Ps. cxix. 64.

“His mercy endureth forever.” Ps. cxxxvi. 2. The abundance of the objects of the pardon.

Since the days of Adam and even until

now God has pardoned multitudes among

all nations, classes, and ages. We quickly lose patience when many offend,

but it is not so with our God.” Thou hast

forgiven this people from Egypt even until

now:” Num. xiv. 19. 3 The abundant sins which are pardoned. Who

can count the thoughts, words, and deeds

which are pardoned I
These repeated ad nauseam. Is. xliii. 24

Rev. iii. 16. Sins against law and gospel, light and love, in

youth and old age. Yet these God removes, like the countless

locusts blown away by the wind, or as the

drops of dew exhaled by the sun. 4. The abundant sin of the sins which are pardoned. Some sins are planned and deliberated on,

and each plotting and devising entails sin. Some are a spider’s nest, swarming with many

sins. Some are proud, wanton, cruel, blasphemous,

impudent.

Some are repeated, aggravated, and persisted in. Yet the intensified venom of epitomized sin

the Lord removes.

5. The abundant means of pardon.

The atonement of his Son, and his righteousness.

The infinite merit of the ever-living Advocate.

The Holy Spirit ever present to apply gospel provisions.

6. The abundant ease of the terms of pardon.

No hard conditions of penance or purgatory. Only ask and have; repent and trust. Even the repentance and faith required are also given.

7. The abundant fullness of the pardon.

It covers all sin, past, present, and to come.

It is most effectual, and sure.

It is perpetual, and irreversible.

It is accompanied with imputed righteousness.

Pardon washes, and justification clothes

and beautifies.

8. The abundant blessings which attend it.

Liberation from spiritual prison, legal bonds,

&c.

Freedom from the reigning power of inbred sin. Adoption into the heavenly family. Acceptance so full that we may challenge

accusers.

Employment in services of trust. Communion with the thrice-holy God. Reception of answers to our prayers, as true

and certain as if we were perfectly pure. Ultimate admission into glory itself with the

perfect ones.

IL LK;

and these shall furnish the

1, Him th<wrc la no loom for dam!

kxdl

he ia ao

Here k a apodal oaH to A ainoa abundant avrajktothairoaaa: and no ki guilt joomtk amoathwa

4* Such a ttuoh-JtagiTutg God daaaifot to ba
muoh loT«d, and ilia HTM of the paidonod
J«OT« that to whom muoh m loi
the aame loretii muoh.

If auoh mewj be slighted, we ouy be auz» it will entail gfeatwwtfcu

Somme.

That ain which k not too great to befonaken, ia lot too great to be faigiTenu

Meroj in o% it ia no more than a drop; but in God it k an ooean; in ua it k no more than a little stream; in God it k a springing and flowing fountain. A

ABUNDANT JPAiiDON. 119

§ pi big continually runs, an ocean is never drawn dry. What is a little sparkle of fire, if it fall into the main sea? The same are the sins of a penitent person when dealt with by the mercy of God. — Thomat Norton.

One of the captive followers of the Duke of Monmouth was brought before James the Second. “You know it is in my power/* said the king,” to pardon you.” “Yes,” said the man, who well knew his cruel character, “but it is not in your nature.“‘However unwise this answer was, its truth was soon seen. Happily, we know that God has not only the power but the disposition to show mercy. Also, unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy.”

Mr. Fleming, in his “Fulfilling of the Scriptures,** relates the case of a most hardened sinner who was put to death in the town of Ayr. It pleased the Lord to bring him to repentance when in prison, and so full was his assurance of pardoning mercy that, when he came to the place of execution, he could not help crying out to the people, under the sense of naj-dnu, “Oh, he is a great Forgiver! He is a great Forgiver! ‘” and he added, “Now hath perfect love cast out fear. I know God hath nothing to say against me, for Jesus Christ hath paid all; and those are free whom the Son makes free,” — G. S. BWDC*.

Lord, before I commit a sin, it seems to me so shallow that I may wade through it dry-shod from »ny sruiltines*; but when I have committed it. it

120 MI 8ERMO>i NOTES.

often seems so deep that I cannot escape without drowning. Thus I am always in extremities: either my sins are so small that they need not any repentance, or so great that they cannot obtain thy pardon. Lend me, O Lord, a reed out of thy sanctuary, truly to measure the dimension of my offences. But O! as thou revealest to me more of my misery, reveal also more of thy mercy; lest, if my wounds, in my apprehension, gape wider than thy tents (plugs of lint), my soul run out at them. If my badness seem bigger than thy goodness but one hair’s breadth, but one moment, that is room and time enough for me to run to eternal despair. — Thomas Fuller.