lawgiver, who gives law to the conscience, and that it is God alone that forgiveth sins as a judge. The Ministers of the Gospel are as Heralds that publish and proclaim the grace of the Prince.

Luke, 24:26. "It behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations." Note, that 'tis the property of true Pastors to preach pardon of sin in the name, and by the authority of Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep.

Acts, 13:38. "Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins."

2 Cor. 5: 18, 19. "All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

Verse 20. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." Note, that the true Pastors who declare unto us the pardon of our sins, do it as the Ministers of God, and as the ambassadors of Jesus Christ.

Rev. 37. Our Lord Jesus Christ is described in these words "He that is holy, he that is true,

he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth."

Note, that Jesus Christ hath given unto faithful Pastors the key of the kingdom of Heaven; they open Heaven when they declare the grace of God to repenting sinners: they shut Heaven when they declare the judgment of God to impenitent sinners; but if they be ignorant or wicked, let them pardon the impenitent, and excommunicate the good, that which they do on earth is not ratified in Heaven.

CHAPTER LVI.

OF PURGATORY.

That our Saviour Jesus Christ hath delivered us from the Guilt, but not from all the Punishment that was due to our Sins. Counc. of Trent, Sess. 6. cap. 30. Bellarm. de Purgat. lib. 1. c. 14.

In the Holy Bible it is written, Rom. 8:1. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Where there is no condemnation, the justice of God hath ordained no vindictive punishment; but there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus; therefore the justice of God hath ordained no punishment unto them, which is for condemnation.

John, 5:24. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life." He that is not subject to condemnation, cannot be subject to the punishment which justice inflicts for the satisfaction thereof.

Gal. 3:13. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Note, that the curses of the law do adjudge us to punishments, and that Jesus Christ hath redeemed us from these sufferings by his cross.

Isa. 53:4, 5. "Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted; but He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed." Note, that as the Church of Rome proveth with us, that he hath delivered us from the guilt, because, it is written, that he hath borne our sins; so do we prove that he hath delivered us from the punishments, because it is written, that he hath borne our griefs; the reason is equally good.

1 Pet. 2:24. "Who His own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed." Note, that stripes is a punishment; to be healed by the stripes of Jesus

Christ, then, is to be delivered from the punish

ment.

Col. 2: 13, 14. "Hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses, blotting out the hand writing of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross." Note, that it is tyranny to punish for a pardoned fault, and to throw one in prison for a debt that is acquitted.

Note, that when we ask pardon of sin, we mean that we may not suffer the punishment-" I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin,” Psalm 32 : 5.

We conclude, then, with the Apostle to the Romans, Rom. 8:33, 34. "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Take notice, that in all this chapter we dispute against satisfactory punishments made to the justice of God, and which it is pretended are to be! endured after this life, and not against the chastisements with which our Lord chastens those during this life whom he loves, and whom he receives for his children, Heb. 12.

CHAPTER LVII.

That besides the blood of Jesus Christ, there is a Purgatory for the expiation of our Sins, and that he who doth not believe it, shall be damned. Council of Florence. Bellarm. de Purgator. lib. 1. cap. 15.

In the Holy Bible it is written, 1 John, 1:7. "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Note, that it is not said absolutely, we are cleansed from sin, but that we are cleansed from all sin by the blood of Christ. There is nothing else but this blood can wipe away the stains of our sins.

Verse 9. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." What remains then to be purged in him, who is cleansed not from some, but from all iniquity?

Psalm 517. "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Those then that speak of purging them whom God hath washed, undertake to whiten the

snow.

Isa. 1:18. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Note, that these words are for the consolation of the greatest