Here the great Lord of all appears, dispensing innumerable and free pardons; but in such a way as preserves the honors of his law inviolate, and maintains the rights of his divine government—in such a way as is the surprise of angels, and the wonder of heaven. To contrive it, was the work of infinite wisdom; to manifest it, a display of boundless grace. In such a method of dispensing forgiveness, how safely may the alarmed conscience rest! For while it is most happily adapted to impress the mind with an awful sense of the infinite evil of sin, the purity of the divine nature, and the extensive demands of the holy law, it encourages the most unreserved confidence in mercy thus revealed, and cherishes the liveliest hope in grace thus reigning.

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