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The ground foundation of all our hope and comfort, in our restoration after our distresses, is the Lord's pardoning mercy. "Who is a God like unto Thee?" This abrupt and passionate admiration of God's pardoning mercy showeth that all these promises had their rise there. There were great difficulties to be overcome before these promises could take place; but the greatest difficulty and obstruction lay in their sins. And the prophet wondreth more at His grace subduing sin, than at His power overcoming difficulties.

1. Sin is the greatest obstacle. Take that out of the way, and then mercies come freely from God. If there be any restraint of God's blessing, it is because of man s sin.

2. Sin is the cause of all our evils, as well as it stoppeth and hindereth our mercies. Sin being pardoned, the cause of the misery is removed, and the cause being removed, the effect ceaseth.

3. Outward mercies, were they never so great and full, would never yield any true satisfaction, unless they be joined with reconciliation with God, and pardon of sin. No solid happiness till pardon. Use this to reprove(1) Them that look not after pardon of sin in their distresses, but temporal blessings in the first place.

(2) Those that hope to remove evil either by sinful means, or be natural means, without being reconciled to God.

(3) Those that, lying under the fruits of sin, have not a heart to seek their recovery from the Lord's pardoning mercy, Use this —

4. To instruct us, what should most affect our hearts. Not so much God's acts of power, as His acts of grace. Doctrine — That the chief glory of the true God consisteth in the pardon of sins, wherein there is none like Him. Evidence this by these considerations —

1. We have not a true apprehension of God, till we see Him singular and matchless in excellency, and do give Him a distinct and separate honour, far above all other things which are in the world.

2. Among all His excellences, His pardoning mercy shineth forth most conspicuously in the true religion, and is represented with such advantages as cannot be found elsewhere. The business of a religion is to provide sufficiently for two things; to provide a suitable happiness for mankind, and a sufficient means for the expiation of the guilt of sin. Till there be a due course taken for the pardon of sin, there is no provision made for establishment, either of the creature's comfort or duty. Natural light giveth some evidence of this truth, that God is placable. The Gentiles were all of this opinion, that their gods were inclined to pardon. Thence came all their sacrifices and expiations. They thought their gods would be propitious to sinners, if they did come humbly and ask pardon. God's commanding us to forgive one another is an argument that mercy and forgiveness are pleasing to God. In the Christian religion all things are provided for which are necessary to establish a regular hope of pardon.

1. There is full satisfaction given to Divine justice, and the foundation laid for pardon in the death of Christ.

2. We have privileges offered to us by a sure covenant in Christ's name.

3. It is dispensed upon rational terms, such as faith and repentance.

4. In the manner of dispensing forgiveness. God doth it in a free, full, and universal remission of our sins. It is a free pardon. It is not given without our desiring, but it is without our deserving. God doth it for His name's sake, pitying our misery, and for the glory of His own mercy. And there is no renovation of any one sin, but that sin for which men will not ask pardon.Application —

1. Information. To show us the excellency of the Christian religion above other religions in the world; because it discovereth pardon of sins upon such terms as may be most commodious for the honour of God, and satisfactory to our souls. The heathen were mightily perplexed about the terms, how God might dispense it with honour, and man receive it with comfort. Somewhat they conceived of the goodness of God, but they could not apprehend Him reconciled to the sinner, without debasing His holiness.

2. To put us upon self-reflection. Do we entertain this offered pardon as such a singular thing deserves?What impressions should it leave upon us?

1. The sense of God's glorious grace in pardoning, should work in us a great love to God, and commend and endear Him to our hearts.

2. Where it is rightly entertained, it breedeth admiring thoughts. Everything about God is marvellous, but especially His mercy.

3. It breedeth a reverence of God. That sense of pardon which worketh no reverence, but rather a contempt and commonness of spirit in all our transactions with God, is justly to be suspected.

4. It confirmeth us in the true religion. Carnal comforts tickle the senses. False religions leave us in darkness and perplexity. But the grace of Christ truly propounded, soon brings ease and peace.

5. It takes off the heart from other things, and brings us back from the flesh to God.

6. It giveth us strength and encouragement to new obedience.

7. It melteth us into the forgiveness of others. We press you to admire the grace of God in the pardon of sins. It is a necessary mercy: a great mercy. This truth should refresh the weary, and make glad the mournful soul.

( T. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

WEB: Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn't retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness.