VERSE 17.
NEither the guilt, nor punishment of them.
This testimony was cited Chapter 8. to prove that there was a New Covenant to abolish the Old. Here it is alleadged to prove that remission of sins is effected by the sacrifice of Christ in the New Testament, which was only figured out by the sacrifices of the Old Testament: So that one and the same Scrip∣ture may be applyed to diverse purposes.
The foundation, whereupon the remission of sins promised by God was built, was the sacrifice of Christ in the New Testament: otherwise this testimony should not be alleadged to purpose.
That which we minde to punish we will remember. I remember Amalek, said the Lord. A master being displeased with his servant sayes,* 1.1 I will remember you anon: but God will not remember our sins, he will rase them out of the booke of his remembrance. An hap∣py turne for us! for if he should remember but one sin against us, it were sufficient to cast us into hell. As God remembers not our sins: So let not us remember the injuries, done to us. Ioseph would not revenge himselfe on his brethren, for the injurie, they intended against him, and practised, but remitted: so Christ forgot the cruelty that his persecutors used towards him, Mat. 18.3. All good turnes let us remember: but as for all wrongs, let them bee forgotten for ever.
Why will he not remember our sins any more? Surely because his Son Christ Iesus hath dyed for our sins, and offered himselfe for them: him that knew no sin he made to be sin, for us; therefore he will remember our sins no more. To that purpose is this testimony al∣leadged in this place.