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I. A DECLARATION OF MERCY.

1. It proceeds from the free, spontaneous motion of God's good pleasure.

2. The sins and offences that are the subject-matter of it.

(1) Their number is numberless.

(2) Their magnitude. We have them painted out to us in their colours (Isaiah 1:18), with a crimson tincture, and a scarlet dye: with a redness and a blushing; sin thus wearing the colour of shame. Yet in the same verso we have forgiveness changing their hue to the whiteness of snow and the innocence of wool.

3. The persons on whom this pardon is conferred, who are men; that is, very worthless and inconsiderable creatures, in comparison of those to whom the same pardon is denied.

II. THE END OF SUCH A DECLARATION, WHICH IS FEAR AND OBEDIENCE. "There is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared."

1. What this fear is. There are three sorts of fear: an anxious, distracting, amazing fear; a slavish and servile fear; and a filial, reverential fear. Now, there is this difference between these three sorts of fear; that the first is properly the fear of a malefactor, the second of a slave, and this last of a son; which is that alone that is designed in these words: and indeed there is good reason that God should require it, since He intends to turn His servants into sons. And is it not equal to require a son's affection where He resolves to bestow a son's inheritance? Besides, this affection is of all others the most sedulous, diligent, and serviceable, and therefore there is a more than ordinary significance in those words (Malachi 3:17).

2. How God's forgiveness may be an argument to enforce this fear.

(1) Because the neglect of the fear of God, upon supposal that He has forgiven us our sins, is highly disingenuous.

(2) Because the neglect of God's fear upon the account of His forgiveness, besides the disingenuity of it, is also most provoking and dangerous.

III. DEDUCTIONS.

1. The different nature of Christ's spiritual kingdom from all other kingdoms in the world; and that not only in respect of the external administration of it, that it is not bolstered up with pomp and show, and other little assistances of grandeur and secular artifice; but chiefly in respect of that which is the main instrument and hinge of government and subjection, the fear of the subject.

2. Upon what ground every man is to build the persuasion of the pardon of his sins. It is the temper of most persons to be more busy about their assurance than their obedience; and to be confident of their reward, while they should be solicitous about their duty.

(R. South, D. D.)

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KJV: But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

WEB: But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.