The Montanifts and the Novatian Hereticks of old (like our Modern Separatifts) would Abfolve none: But the Donatifts and Audiani (like thofe of Rome) affumed to themselves an Abfolute Power; while the Church of England (as the Primitive Catholick Church was wont) goes a Middle way, and neither Abfolves any Abfolutely by her own Power, nor yet denies to Abfolve in Chrift's Name thofe who are truly Penitent, and defire it; and doubtless, if Men were not prejudiced by Evil Principles, our Sick and Dying Perfons might have as much Comfort by this excellent part of the Office, as the Chriftians of old found in it: And if they rightly knew the Benefit thereof, and were duly prepared for it, nothing could better fit them for a chearful Paffage out of this World. A [9] あ A SERMON ON Remiffion of Sins. JOHN xx: 21, 22, 23. Then faid Fefus to them again, Peace be unto you as my Father bath fent me, even fo fend I you. ye the And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and faith unto them, Receive Holy-Ghoft Whofe foever Sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whofe foever Sins ye retain, they are retained. W THEN our bleffed Saviour had compleated our Redemption by his Death and Refurrection, and had appear'd to Mary Magdalen and others, who by his Order had acquainted the Apoftles with it; He vouchfafed to take them a Vifit himfelf. the very fame Day at B Even, ; Even, at fuch time as they were privateLuke xxiv. ly got together, to enquire of one another what was become of him, and con 33. fult where they might feek him; and learn who had feen him, and who had not feen him: And though they had fhut the Doors for fear of the Jews, yet he came in and flood in the midst of them. And having given them the Salutation of Peace, he fhewed them his Hands and his Side, fully to fatisfie them that he was really the fame Perfon, their Mafter, whom they had feen crucified. And finding them perfectly convinc'd that it was He himfelf, and no Angel or Apparition, and that they were rejoyced at the Sight of him. He then not only gave them again the Bleffing of Peace, but alfo a most ample Commiffion faying, As my Father, &c. How well does this Commiffion, given at this time, fet forth Chrift's great Love and tender Care of us? in that as foon as he had accomplished his own Refurrection, he took immediate Care to provide a Means, by which we might rife alfo from the Death of Sin to the Life of Righteoufnefs. He could not fo conveniently give it before his Death, because till then be bad not made his Soul an Offering for Sin. For 'till then, he had not fhed his Blood, without which there is no Remiffion of Sins. Therefore it is that this Power was promifed before, but not given 'till now. But having made a full Atonement for the Sins of the whole World, he judg'd it expedient immediately to give his Apoftles a Commiffion, as his Ambaladors, to reconcile Sinners to God, committing unto them the Word of Reconciliation. From the Words of the Text therefore I will fhew you, 1. l. 1o. Heb. ix. 22. 19. 2 Cor. v. 19. First That our Saviour did leave with his Apostles a Power to remit or retain Sins. Secondly, Secondly, That this Power was tranfmitted by them to their Succeffors, and continues in the Church to this Day. And, Thirdly, How ufeful and expedient it is, that there fhould be fuch a Power in the Church; and the great Benefit it may be to the People, if rightly used and applied. Mat. xvi. 16. I. First then, I will fhew you, That our Saviour did leave with his Apoftles a Power to remit or retain Sins; that is, to pardon or forgive Sins, or elfe to bind them more clofely, fo as the Sinner fhould not be released from his Sin, or pardoned by God, 'till they had released him alfo. This Power is therefore in other places (for it is fpoke of more than once in the Holy Gofpel) call'd the Power of binding and loofing, or the Power of the Keys. Thus upon St. Peter's Confellion of Chrift, and acknowledging Him to be the Son of the living God, which he did in the Name not of himself alone, but of all the reft, (for the Queftion, Whom fay ye that I am? was put to all the Difciples) our Saviour promifed to him, and with him to the reft, faying, I will give unto thee the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: And what foever thou shalt bind on Earth, Shall be bound in Heaven: What foever thou shalt loofe on Earth, fhall be loofed in Heaven. And a little after he took another occafion to repeat and renew his Promise to all whom he should appoint to be Governors of his Church, faying, Verily I fay unto you, what foever ye fhall bind on Earth, Shall be bound in Heaven; And what foever ye shall loofe on Earth, fhall be loofed in Heaven. And having thus twice promised to give this Power to his Apoftles, immediately after his Refurrection he invefted them with it, faying in the Words of the Text, As my Father bath fent me, fo B 2 Ver. 19. Mat. xviii. 18. Send |