Gospel Remission, Treatise · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII. Of the Poſſibility of Pardoning Mercy, how it would be priſed by poor Souls now under wrath.
12. Argument.FUrther, Bleſſed is he that hath his iniquities forgiven, becauſe the very poſſibility of it to thouſands of creatures now under wrath would be priſed more, than ten thouſand worlds, to have but a poſſibility of it upon any terms; thoſe that are now damn'd in Hell, and ſee the ſtroaks of Gods dreadful wrath againſt them for their ſin, that are now ſwallowed up in the gulf of miſery and condemnation; if they might have but any poſſibility to have their ſins pardoned; how would they priſe it, if ſuch a Meſſenger were ſent from God to Hell-gates to call there and to cry out, O ye damned ſpirits, behold a meſſage from the Almighty; I come unto you from him, and this is the meſſage to let you know, That there is a poſſibility upon ſome terms (that God will require) that your ſins may be pardoned, and you delivered from that dreadful wrath you now lie under? How would the damned ſpirits ſing and rejoyce, and look about them to attend this meſſage? What acclamations would there be in Hell in the mid'ſt of thoſe fiery flames? What holding up of hands and rejoycing would there be to hear of ſuch a thing, that there is a poſſibility on any terms? they would not ſtand to enquire what the terms were, whether hard or eaſie; they would anſwer, let them be what they will, if there be but a poſſibility it is enough, thinking every one it might be he: Well then, if the poſſibility of being ſaved, would be received with ſuch joyfulneſs by the damned in Hell; What then is the Poſſeſſion of it, and glorious knowledge of it to a ſoul that is already pardoned, if they would all cry out, on ſuppoſition a meſſage ſhould be delivered of a poſſibility that ſome ſhould be freed from Hell, and have their ſins pardoned? They would all cry out, Oh bleſſed, bleſſed indeed is he that ſhall have his ſins pardoned, and be delivered from Hell! if they would give this teſtimony, let us give it much more; Though there be a bleſſed difference between their condition and yours, yet not long ſince there was not, it may be, for ought you know, ſome of them might go to Church with you, ſit in the ſame Pew, and hear thoſe Sermons of the Evil of Sin, which now they are gone to feel, and are ſhut up in the bottomleſs pit, beyond any poſſibility of pardon: But this is granted to you all that are before the Lord this day, In the Name of God I can boldly preach this unto you, that if you come in and believe, there is a poſſibility, yea even for the worſt of all, they may come in and be pardoned, Now if the damned in Hell would priſe it ſo high, if there were a poſſibility for them to be pardoned, ſhall not you priſe it as high as they? as I remember in ſetting out the evil of ſin, that was one thing that aggravated the ſin of men above the Devils, that the Devils believe and tremble, and yet ſome men will not do ſo much as the Devils; ſo now I ſay, if there were but a poſſibility of pardon to the damned in Hell, how would they rejoyce; and ſhall not you rejoyce more than the damned ſouls in Hell would? Bethink your ſelves, if the damned ſouls in Hell would rejoyce, if they had a meſſage of a poſſibility for them to be ſaved; me thinks you ſhould not be quiet, if you find not the ſame workings in your hearts as would be in theirs; Shall a poor Miniſter be forc't to ſay, there is leſs hopes to prevail with you than if he were to preach to thoſe in Hell? Shall he ſay, there would be better Auditors in Hell than are here? God forbid it ſhould be ſo, that there ſhould be more ſtirring in Hell (if they might but here of a probability of being pardoned) than there is with you, if your hearts are not ſtirr'd at the hearing of this bleſſed Doctrine of the Pardon of Sin; that there would be better Auditors in Hell than you are, whoſe hearts are not ſtirr'd in hearing the glorious myſteries of the Goſpel opened, how a ſinner may come to get the pardon of his ſins; God forbid it ſhould be ſo.