III.       Thirdly, That remission of sins is a part, and a principal part of redemption.

A.        How is it a part or fruit of redemption?

I answer—Redemption is taken either for the impetration or application.

1.         The impetration[1] or laying down the price, that was done by Christ upon the cross. Heb. 9:12

2.         Then was God propitiated, the deadly blow given to the kingdom and power of the devil, and the merit and ransom interposed, by the virtue of which we are pardoned.

3.         The obtained redemption and remission of sins is a fruit flowing from it, and depending upon it as an effect upon the cause. [That is application follows from the impretation.]

B.        The scripture considers redemption in its application. [the deliverance]

1.         This is either begun or complete.

a.         The complete redemption, or freedom from sin and misery, is that which the godly shall enjoy at the last day. Rom. 8:23; Eph. 1:14, 4:30;

b.         The inchoate or begun deliverance is that measure of deliverance which believers enjoy now by faith, which consists of two parts—justification and sanctification.

i.          Sanctification: 1 Pet. 1:18, Titus 2:14

ii.         Justification, Eph. 1:7; when sin is freely pardoned, and our debt cancelled,

2. As it is a part, so it is a principal part. This will appear if you consider the evil we are freed from.

a.         The power of the devil is destroyed. All the advantage which he hath against us is as we are sinners, guilty sinners before God…..

b.         The reign of sin is broken, or sanctifying grace is inseparable from pardoning grace ….

c.         We are eased of tormenting fears in a great measure. Man can have no firm peace and comfort in his own soul while sin remaineth upon him. … if they will dance about the brink of hell, and go merrily to their execution, it argues not their safety, but their stupidness. …They may lull the soul asleep by the stupifying potion of carnal delights, and while conscience is asleep please themselves with stolen waters, and bread eaten in secret, which is soon disturbed by a few serious and sober thoughts of the world to come. God is offended, and what peace can they have?

d.         Death is unstinged. That is the usual time when convictions grow to the height, and the stings of an awakened conscience begin to be felt,

e.         The obligation to eternal punishment ceases. Pardon is dissolving and loosing that obligation.

i.          Now the punishment is exceeding great; hell and damnation are no vain scarecrows.

ii.         See here a man may run away from the rebukes of conscience by many shifts—sleeping, sporting, distracting his mind with a clatter of business; but there not a thought free, but is always thinking of slighted means, abused mercies, wasted time, the offences done to a merciful God, and the curse wherein they have involved themselves; the fire is the wrath of God, or these unknown pains that shall be inflicted on body and soul, which must needs be great when we fall into the hands of the living God….

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[1] To obtain something by request or entreaty. To pray for something. Jesus’ death was a request for the redemption granted.