Men have ever been solicitous, to reconcile Pardon of Sin to the Purity of God's Nature, which has expos'd them (as we have seen) to divers Delusions, and to wearisome and costly Superstitions; even sometimes to the giving _the Fruit of their Bodies to attone for the sins of their Souls_. All the Forms of Pagan Religion have abounded with Institutions of this Nature; and that of the Jews consisted very much of tiresome and unpleasant performances; which being Types and Shadows of him that was to come, were practis'd to the same purpose. All which things we are freed from by the Gospel; _Christ having offer'd up himself once for all, through whom forgiveness of Sin is preached to as many as believe in him_, truly repenting of their past Sins, and _walking in newness of Life_, conformably to the Law of him their Master; but and if, thro' humane Weakness or Imbecillity, we do Sin, he is our _Advocate with the Father_, who for the sake of him his Beloved Son, will justify, or accept as Righteous, those who truly believe in him, whence we are justify'd by God's free Grace or Favour, and not by the Works of the Law, against which all have transgressed, and fail'd of a perfect Obedience. The great end then of Christianity is (in short) to teach us effectually to _renounce all Ungodliness and every evil work_, by declaring to us, that if we sincerely repent of our Sins past, and indeavour, for the time to come, to obey the Law of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, which is no other than the Law of Reason, or the eternal Rule of Right, we need not despair of God's Mercy from the Imperfection of our Obedience; since he will for the sake of his Son, pardon their Sins who believe in him: Sincere indeavours after perfect Righteousness being accepted in those who believe in Christ as if they attained it, which is call'd, _the Righteousness of Faith_. And thus our Blessed Lord, that he might _purchase to himself a peculiar people zealous of good Works_, has propos'd to his Followers the strongest Motives and Encouragements that are conceivable to induce free Agents to Obedience, putting them at once upon using their utmost Diligence to _fullfil_ _the Law_; yet, at the same time, delivering them from the fear that their defective _Righteousness should_ render their Labour vain in the Lord, by assuring them that he will be merciful to their Sins.