ANSWER.
When God pardons a sinner, he doth it not by way of Ex∣change, or Parcelling, but remitteth all punishment of Maledi∣ction, [ B] or pure Reuenge a: For that which is so forgiuen, as that after pardon it is not mentioned, or remembred, and which is cast behind Gods backe, and throwne into the bottome of the Sea, and which can no where be found, and is blotted out of the Debt-Booke of the Almightie, is not taken away by commutation of a greater punishment into a lesse, but by a free and full condonation of all vindictiue punishment. But the ho∣ly Scripture, and the Primitiue Fathers, teach such a remission of sinnes on Gods part, to the Penitent, Ezech. 18.22. Esa. 38. 17. & ca. 43. 25. & 44. 22. Mich. 7.19. Ier. 50.20. Heb. 8. [ C] 12. & 10. 17. Col. 2. 14. Matth. 18.32. S. Augustine b, If God hath couered sinnes, hee will not obserue, hee will not thinke vpon them, to punish them; hee will not take knowledge, but rather pardon. Gregorie c the Great; Ignoscendo impunita relinquit, By pardo∣ning, he leaueth them vnpunished. Cassiodorus d; Remittere est debitum relaxare, non causae alicuius interuentu sed pietatis intuitu, To remit, is to release the Debt; not by entercourse of any cause (on mans part) but by aspect of Pietie. Neuerthelesse, after great and enormious offences committed by his people, God doth chastise them e with the Rod of Correction, Psal. [ D] 89. 33. 1. Cor. 11. 31, 32. And this Correction, is a paine of Castigation, Lament. Ierem. 3.39. but not a punishment of Malediction f, Galath. 3. 13. a worke of Gods Mercie, rather than of his Iustice.
The difference betweene Pontificians and vs in this Doctrine, is, That we beleeue a remainder of Temporall affliction, after