5.  Though there be no actual pardon of sins, till they be committed, and repented of, according to the tenor of the gospel, Matt. iii. 2, Luke xiii. 3.  Acts ii. 38; and viii. 22; yet while Christ bare all the sins of his people upon the cross, they were all then virtually and meritoriously taken away; of which Christ’s resurrection was a certain pledge and evidence; for then got he his acquitance from all that either law or justice could charge him with, in behalf of them, for whom he laid down his life a ransom.  Rom. viii. 33, 34, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?  It is God that justifieth:  Who is he that condemneth?  It is Christ that died, or rather that is risen again.”

6.  So that by virtue of Christ’s death, there is a way laid down, in the covenant of grace, how the sins of the elect shall be actually pardoned, viz. that at their conversion and first laying hold on Christ by faith, all the sins, whereof they then stand guilty, shall be actually pardoned and forgiven, in their justification; and all their after-sins shall also be actually pardoned, upon their griping to Christ of new by faith, and turning to God by repentance.  And this way is agreed to by Father and Son, and revealed in the gospel, for the instruction and encouragement of believers; and all to the glory of his free grace.  “In whom we have redemption, (saith the apostle, Eph. i. 7-9) through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself.”

7.  Beside Christ’s death and resurrection, which give ground of hope, of pardon, of daily out-breakings, there is likewise his intercession useful for this end.  For, so saith the apostle, 1 John ii. 1, 2, “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins.”  This intercession is a special part of his priesthood, who was the great high priest, Heb. iv. 14, 1; and a completing part, Heb. viii. 4, and ix. 8; and upon this account it is, that “He is able to save to the uttermost, all that come to God through him, because he liveth for ever to make intercession for them,” Heb. vii. 25.  For by his intercession is the work of redemption carried on, the purchased benefits applied, and particularly, new grants of remission are, through his intercession, issued forth:  he pleading and interceding, in a way suitable, to his glorified condition, upon his death and propitiation made, while he was upon the cross, accepted of the Father, and declared to be accepted by his resurrection, ascension, and sitting at his Father’s right hand.  And thus, as believers are reconciled to God by Christ’s death, they are saved by his life, Rom. v. 10.  So that Christ’s living to be an intercessor, makes the salvation sure; and so laying down a ground for taking away of daily out-breakings, which, if not taken away, would hinder and obstruct the believer’s salvation.