Stephen Charnock,
The Existence and Attributes of God…
“ Nothing is so capable of setting the soul in a heavenly tune, as the consideration of God as a pardoner and as a healer. 5. Where sin is pardoned, the punishment is remitted (ver. 3, 4) : “Who forgives all thy iniquities, and redeems thy life from destruction.” A malefactor’s pardon puts an end to his chains, frees him from the stench of the dungeon, and fear of the gibbet. Pardon is nothing else but the remitting of guilt, and guilt is nothing else but an obligation to punishment as a penal debt for sin. A creditor’s tearing a bond frees the debtor from payment and rigor. ”
