Gospel Remission, Treatise · Chapter 10
CHAP. X. Of Pardoning Mercy, being ſuch a Mercy as is denyed to the fall'n Angels.
BLeſſed is the man that hath his iniquities forgiven; for this is a mercy that God hath denyed to the fall'n Angels: 10. Argument.God in pardoning thy ſin, does more for thee than he would do for thoſe thouſand thouſand millions of Angels; it is a mercy that God has deny'd to thoſe millions of Angels that ſinned againſt him: Suppoſe a poor wretched man be guilty of Treaſon againſt the King, and as he is, ſo a great part of the chief Nobility of the Land are guilty alſo, as well as he: But now when the King comes to look upon them, he ſets his heart on this poor man (that perhaps begg'd from door to door) and ſays this poor creature ſhall be forgiven; I will paſs by his offence, and not only ſo, but advance him into high and great favour at the Court, and condemns all the Nobles: Now if this poor man ſhall ſee all the Noble men in chains, that were guilty but of one offence; and he perhaps hath been guilty for acting in a treaſonable way 40, 50, or 70 years; and the Noble men guilty but for one offence; and this poor wretched creature ſees theſe Noble men in chains, and knows that all they and every one of them are condemn'd to ſuffer moſt dreadful tortures, to dye a moſt dreadful torturing tormenting death: Now what a mighty aggravation is this of the mercy of the King, that ſhall pardon the offence of this poor creature; how will he ſtand amazed, admiring at the greatneſs of it; I that am guilty of the ſame offence, yea more guilty than they, and that I ſhall be pardoned, and the chief of the Nobility of the Kingdom muſt die a moſt torturing tormenting death, for their offence; what a difference hath the Kings favour made between me and them: certainly this is the caſe for all the world, with any poor ſoul whoſe ſins are pardoned; God has done as much for thee, to the full; the Angels were the moſt glorious creatures that ever God made, and thou art but a poor worm in compariſon of them; they ſinned againſt him but once, and thou art guilty of millions of tranſgreſſions, and yet God ſets his heart on thee, and ſays, I will do great things for thee, though I paſs by thouſands, millions of Angels; I will magnifie my rich grace to this poor creature in pardoning his ſin, and advance him to high favour, though I condemn them into everlaſting chains of darkneſs; now when a poor creature comes to ſee the infinite riches of Gods grace that hath made ſuch a difference between him and the Angels: how will he ſtand admiring of it? me thinks this ſhould mightily work upon the hearts of all poor ſinners, and make them to ſay, What ſhall God paſs by ſuch excellent creatures as the Angels, the moſt excellent creatures that ever God made, and come to me a poor worm, to ſet his heart on me, and ſhew mercy to me; Oh let me paſs by all the excellencies of the creatures to perform my duty unto him; Hath God paſt by the moſt excellent of his creatures that mercy might come to me? Oh let me paſs by all the glories and excellencies of any thing in this world, that my Soul may come in; in a way of duty and ſervice unto him: Shall God leave the glorious Angels to ſhew mercy to me, and to do good for me; and ſhall not I leave my baſe luſts for him? Shall not I be content to leave any thing to ſerve him? Shall I ſatisfie any baſe luſt, with the neglect of him? God forbid. This is another Argument, that they are bleſſed that have their ſins pardoned, becauſe God does that for them that he will not do for the faln Angels.