Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 3:25

25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation , through Faith in his blood , to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God ;

i. e. God the Father hath propos'd this IESVS, in the Eternal Council, and Covenant of Redemption, Eph. 1.9. 1 Pet. 1.20.21. Or in the Types and Shadows of the Old Tabernacle; and hath now at last shown him openly to the World.

Or Attonement, 1 Iohn 2.2. He Alludes to the Mercy-Seat, sprinkled with Blood, which was Typical of this great Attonement; and from whence God shew'd himself so Propicious and Favourable to Sinners, Levit. 16.2. Numb. 7.89.

He goes on to shew the instrumental Cause of Justification, to wit, Faith, i. e. The close Adherence, and most submissive Dependance of the Sinner; together with the peculiarity of the Object of Faith, viz. the Blood, i. e. The Death and Sacrifice of Christ; in Contra-distinction to his Dominion (with which yet on other accounts Faith is so much concern'd) and in Opposition to the Blood of Beasts, Slain and Sacrific'd.

i. e. For the shewing forth either of his Goodness and Mercy, vid. 1 Sam. 12.7, 8, 10. Psal. 36.10. Or of his Faithfulness in his Promises, and fulfilling all Types and Prophesies: Or else of his Vindictive Iustice, in the Just proceedings of God against Sin, which He hath Condemned in his Son, though He justify the Sinner. Or further it may be understood of the Righteousness of Faith, of which ver. 22. which is hereby shewn to be His; and to Manifest it self in the Forgiveness of Sins, and which is so Declared as to be exhibited.

He means, either the Sins committed before Justification, while God bore so Patiently with the Sinner, and did not presently take the Forfeiture. Or else the Sins Committed under the Old Testament, before the propos'd Propitiation was expos'd to the World: When God so indulg'd our Fathers, as to Pardon them upon the account of what was to come, vid. Heb. 9.15, 16, 17, 18.

Marginal references: Or, fo[illegible: 2 letters] dain'd.; Or, pa[illegible: 3 letters]over.