THIS is ever true, and of immense importance. God never holds the guilty for innocent. It is contrary to His nature. It would not be the truth. He may put away sin, and receive the cleansed sinner; but He cannot act as if it did not exist, when it does, nor be indifferent to it while He remains Himself. He may, for good, chastise, and so show His Government, i.e. deal with sin in this respect; or He may have it entirely put away and blotted out, according to the exigencies of His own nature and glory, which is salvation for us; and both are true. But He cannot leave it anywhere as not existing, or indifferent.
J. N. D.