Gods Thoughts and Ways Above Ours, Sermon 2

Gods Thoughts and Ways Above Ours · Sermon 2

p. 29THE Second Sermon.

ISAIAH, LV. 7.

Let the Wicked forſake his Way, and the Unrighteous Man his Thoughts, and let him Return unto the Lord, and he will have Mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly Pardon.

'TIS of the Sixth Obſervation from theſe Words that I would now ſpeak, (without ſo much as repeating the other five,) viz. That Pardoning Mercy to Penitent Sinners, is Mercy indeed; the moſt valuable and ſeaſonable Mercy. This I ſhall endeavour to manifeſt by ſeveral Conſiderations, and then Apply it.

Firſt, There's nothing more ſuitable to the Caſe of a Guilty Sinner, who hath any Thoughts of returning to God. Conſider p. 30the Perplexities of one that is awakened to a Senſe of Sin, and is under a Spirit of Conviction: His bitter Complaints, and loud Cryes tell us, that he knows not what to do, nor how to be rid of his Burden: He apprehends his Danger from unpardoned Sin, and feels the want of this Forgiveneſs: He is wounded, and nothing but the Voice of Pardoning Mercy can heal him. I have greatly ſinn'd, ſaid David, and his Heart ſmote him, 2 Sam. XXIV. 10. And now, I beſeech thee, O Lord, take away the Iniquity of thy Servant: Nothing elſe could give him Eaſe and Quiet from an Accuſing troubled Conſcience. The Inhabitant ſhall not ſay, I am ſick, the People that dwell therein ſhall be forgiven their Iniquity, Iſa. XXXIII. 24. The meer Patience and Forbearance of God, without Forgiveneſs, will not anſwer the Exigence of his Caſe. Tho' he be yet out of Hell, he knows not how long it ſhall be ſo; or how ſoon he may there have a Miſerable Portion. 'Tis the Senſe of Unpardon'd Sin that breaks his Bones, and dryeth up his Marrow; and ſticks like an Arrow in his fleſh. Whereas Pardoning Mercy is as Health to the Navel, and Marrow to the Bones, and a Cordial to his Heart; yea, even as Life from the Dead. And dead he is in Law, as under a Sentence of Condemnation, 'till he be intereſted in Forgiveneſs, by Faith in the Blood of Jeſus. Then may p. 31he lift up his Head, as one Alive from the Dead; and admit Conſolation; when he can hope his Sins are forgiven; and that God is reconciled. Comfort ye, Comfort ye my People, ſay unto Jeruſalem, her Warfare is Accompliſhed, her Iniquity is forgiven, Iſa. XL. 1, 2. Bleſſed is the Man whoſe Iniquity is forgiven, and Sin covered, Pſal. XXXII. 1. 'Till then, they are under the Curſe of God on Record: A Curſe, that cuts off from God, and all gracious Communications from him; a Curſe which pierceth deep, and ſpreadeth far, and makes the whole Creation at Enmity with us: And this Curſe is intolerable in the Effects of it, and unavoidable too. There is no Relief or Remedy againſt it, but by the New Covenant, and Faith in Jeſus Chriſt. 'Tis only by the Redemption we have in Jeſus Chriſt, through his Blood, even the Forgiveneſs of Sins: In which Forgiveneſs we can never be intereſted, without Repentance towards God, and Faith in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. There is no Reſt in my Bones, becauſe of my Sin, ſaith the Pſalmiſt; Pſal. XXXVIII. 3. My Sins are an heavy Burden, they are too heavy for me, v. 4. 'Till this Burden be removed by Forgiveneſs, what Eaſe or Reſt can a Sinner enjoy?

'Tis true, the Deceit of ſenſual Pleaſures, or the Hurry and Clatter of Worldly Buſineſs, may hinder the Senſe of this for a while; and keep all quiet: Yet ſooner or p. 32later, the ſinful Soul will have Torment: Conſcience will awake. Men may laugh and be merry for a Time, make a ſhift to be confident and ſecure, under the Wrath and Curſe of God; they may take their Poyſon for their Antidote, their Wound for their Plaiſter, their Plague for their Cure, their Diſeaſe for their Remedy; and ſo make a hard ſhift to preſerve a little falſe Peace: But the End will be the moſt horrid Deſpair. And the more Jovial and Airy, Careleſs and Preſumptuous, they have been in Health and Proſperity, under the Guilt of great Tranſgreſſions; the more diſconſolate will ſuch be, when Conſcience awakes, to ſet their Sins in order before them. Is there then any Meſſage like that of Forgiveneſs, that will ſuit the Caſe of ſuch? They can reliſh nothing elſe, think of nothing elſe, this is what they aim at. This is the Subject of their great Enquiry, How they may be forgiven. They may try in vain, what Company, Mirth, Sports, Buſineſs, or Superſtition will do: They muſt come to God for Pardon, or they cannot find Reſt. Hoſ. V. 13. When Ephrahim ſaw his ſickneſs, and Judah ſaw his wound; then went Ephraim to the Aſſvrian, and ſent to King Jareb; yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.

Did you know the Miſery and Danger of a ſinful Soul, unreconciled to God, bound over to his Eternal Wrath, every Moment p. 33expos'd as a Guilty Wretch, to his fiery Vengeance? Did you conſider the Caſe of ſuch a One? who hath all the Plagues and Curſes in the Book of God, in force againſt him; and nothing but a little Breath between him and Endleſs Ruine; that can't tell but the next Day or Minute, Death may open the Door, and let him fall into Damnation? Did any one rightly underſtand this, believe it, conſider it, and apply it as his own Caſe? what Mercy will ſuit ſuch a One, but Pardoning Mercy? What is all the Pomp and Glory of this World to ſuch a Man, without the Forgiveneſs of Sin? How can he eat, drink or ſleep, or trade, or do any thing, without ſome Hope of Pardon? without ſeeking after it? without endeavouring it? without uſing means in Order to it?

Secondly, Pardoning Mercy is Mercy indeed, as 'tis the Fruit of Covenant Love, an Effect of the ſpecial, diſtinguiſhing Love of God: This is the great Priviledge of ſuch whoſe God is the Lord. This is a Covenant Bleſſing, that's never given in Anger: This is never beſtow'd, but as a Favour, peculiar to God's People. This is always accompany'd with Regeneration, and Adoption, Jer. XXXI. 33. I will be their God, and will forgive their Iniquity. Happy is the Man whoſe Iniquity is forgiven, Happy is the People whoſe God is the Lord.

Thirdly, This Mercy is the moſt Comprehenſive p. 34Bleſſing, and the Foundation of many other Mercies. This ſecures our State, ſweetens our other Bleſſings, lays the Foundation for Peace of Conſcience, gives Freedom of Acceſs to the Throne of Grace, and makes way for Communion with God in all Ordinances: This clears us from the Accuſation of Satan, the Condemnation of the Law, and of our own Hearts; for who ſhall lay any thing to his Charge, whom God forgives? We can have no Right and Title to Eternal Life without this: For the Legal Bar muſt be removed by the Pardon of Sin, as well as the Moral Incapacity by the Sanctifying Spirit. The great Bleſſings of the Goſpel, ſuch as the Spirit of Holineſs, Communion with God, &c. they are promiſed to Accompany this of Forgiveneſs, Heb. VIII. latter End. I will be merciful to their Ʋnrighteouſneſs, and their Iniquities I will remember no more. By this we not only eſcape the Puniſhment due to Sin, which would render us deeply miſerable, but are reſtored to the Favour of God, and accepted in the Beloved, and have Grace to overcome the World, Fleſh, and Devil. The ſanctifying Spirit to purge us from all Filthineſs, is joyn'd with this Pardon, which delivers from the Condemning Guilt of Sin. We are tranſlated into the Kingdom and Family of Chriſt, as well as deliver'd from the Kingdom of Satan, and the Power of Darkneſs. In a Word, the p. 35Acceptation of our Perſons, Sanctification of our Natures, the Anſwer of our Prayers, and a Title to Heaven and Eternal Life, are connected with, and conſequent to this Forgiveneſs of Sin, Pſal. XXXII. 1, 2, 3. Zac. I. 4. Iſa. LIX. 2, 3. Pſal. CIII. 2, 3. Job VII. 21.

This alſo hath reſpect to all the Comforts, and Afflictions of this preſent Life. You ought to Conſider, that if Sin be forgiven, all things ſhall work for good. Take away all Iniquity, (ſaith the Church) and receive us graciouſly, or do us good, Hoſ. XIV. 2. Every Providence ſhall be ſanctified, if Sin be forgiven. For peace I had great bitterneſs, ſaith Hezekiah, but in love to my Soul, thou haſt deliver'd it from the Pit of Corruption; for thou haſt caſt all my ſins behind thy Back, Iſa. XXXVIII. 17. You have a like Inſtance, Jer. XXXIII. 6, 8. But if you had all the Plenty, Peace, Health, Riches and Grandeur of this World, yet the Guilt of one Sin on the Conſclence, under the Apprehenſion of God's deſerved Wrath, will ſpoil the Reliſh of all. Where Sin is forgiven, other Mercies will be ſweet, and the Burden of Affliction tolerable: But without this, and under the Apprehenſions of the contrary, every Temporal Calamity is double. For this is the Wormwood and the Gall in every bitter Cup. We ſhall not under the Troubles and Diſappointments of this World, cry out we are undone, if we can think that p. 36God hath forgiven us: No more than a Man, who has juſt receiv'd his Prince's Pardon, (when he lay under a Sentence of Condemnation to Death) can be thought, if he loſe his Glove or Handkerchief in the way home, that he will wring his Hands, and weep, and take on for ſuch a Loſs, when he had ſo lately his Life graciouſly given him.

Beſides, Hereby is a Foundation laid for a Life of Thankful Love and Obedience to God. Conſcience being purg'd from dead Works, we ſerve the Living God without fear, in hope of his Acceptance; with the Promiſe of his hearing our Prayers, and that he will be well pleaſed with our Services, and overlook our Infirmities, &c. We may therefore well bear the Tryals of this Life with Patience and Reſignation; and in a dying Hour, ſhall be able to commend our Souls with Faith and Hope, into the Hands of Chriſt, who will take Care of us as his own, when we leave the World; and at laſt publickly acknowledge and abſolve us in the great Day. Oh how many Mercies accompany this one, of the Forgiveneſs of Sin!

Fourthly, This is Mercy indeed to a Returning Sinner; Peculiar Mercy, as it it Irrevocable. Where Sin is forgiven, and Iniquity blotted out, it ſhall be remember'd no more. You are freely juſtify'd from all things, and ſhall never come into Condemnation. This my Covenant of Peace ſhall never be removed, p. 37ſaith the Lord, who hath mercy on thee, Iſa. LIV. 10. This is not only true of the firſt Settlement of it, but is the Priviledge of every one, who is under the Bond and Bleſſing of the New Covenant. Tho' I viſit his Tranſgreſſion with a Rod, and his Iniquity with Stripes, nevertheleſs my loving Kindneſs will I not utterly take from him, nor ſuffer my Faithfulneſs to fail; my Covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my Lips. God may remember the Sins of Pardoned Believers, ſo as to afflict them in this World, and exerciſe the Diſcipline of his Family: Their ſhare in National Sins, may involve them in preſent Sufferings with others: And for particular Tranſgreſſions, God may teſtifie his Fatherly Diſpleaſure againſt good Men, by remarkable Afflictions; but will not reverſe their Pardon, ſo as to puniſh them Eternally. Ely, David, Jonah, and others are Inſtances. Your Peace with Heaven ſhall never be ſo broken; none of your Afflictions will prove it. The Reconciliation between God and Sinners, that is once accepted by a Real, Active, Unfeigned, Obedient Faith, is Perpetual. It is promis'd, that our Iniquities ſhall be blotted out, and remember'd no more; that God will caſt 'em behind his Back; Caſt 'em into the bottom of the Sea; Scatter 'em as a thick Cloud, &c. Iſa. XLIII. 25. Pſal. LI. 9. Iſa. XXXVIII. 17. Mic. VII. 19. Iſa. XLIV. 22. And yet more expreſly to aſſure us, that God will not enter p. 38into Judgment with us, for the Sins he hath once forgiven, we read, Jer. L. 20. In that day ſhall the Iniquity of Iſrael be ſought for, and there ſhall be none; and the Sins of Judah, and they ſhall not be found.

Where God beſtows Forgiveneſs, he communicates the Spirit of Grace, for the Mortification of Sin. And tho' that Work be not perfect, it ſhall be progreſſive; and the Remainders of Corruption in the Soul, will not prove that your Sin is not forgiven. The Fleſh will war againſt the Spirit, and the Spirit will ſtrive againſt the Fleſh; but you can't conclude, that you are not forgiven, from the Oppoſition that Sin makes againſt the Grace of God in the Soul. Would you judge of your ſelves? conſider what Oppoſition you make againſt Sin: Would you have Relief? Apply to the Fountain open, to the Blood and Spirit of Chriſt, for new Strength from Day to Day, to Crucifie the Fleſh, to Continue the Warfare, and Maintain the Conflict. That Sin yet remains in the Soul, is conſiſtent with your Reconciliation to God; and your Sence of this, with his Acceptance of you. Yea, I am perſwaded, there's never ſuch a Diſcovery of Corruption, as after Forgiveneſs; when the Grace of God hath enlightned the Soul. But which part do you ſide with? Do you Condemn, Bewail, Oppoſe, Reſiſt, Strive, Watch, Pray, Fight, and Endeavour the Mortification of p. 39Corruption, that yet remains, after the Hopes of Pardon? You ſhall then by the Grace of Chriſt hold on, and be more than Conquerors: You ſhould Apply to him, and Exalt his Power, as able to deſtroy the Works of the Devil. He has promiſed, and undertaken it, that no Iniquity ſhall be charged to your Condemnation. No old Stories ſhall be repeated, no latent Diſpleaſure harboured, no former Quarrel revived. If thou return to God with all thy Heart, he will never upbraid thee with thy former Sins; tho' Men may. But if you can hope, that God forgives you, you'll eaſily bear that, and little mind it. Can you doubt of this Fulneſs of Pardon, when God hath ſaid, he will hide and blot out our Sins, ſo as When ſought for they ſhall not be found: And that he will put them as far from us, as the Eaſt is from the Weſt; that None of them ſhall be mentioned again unto us, Pſal. CIII. 10. Jer. XXXI. 34.

Fifthly, This Pardoning Mercy is Mercy indeed to a Returning Sinner, becauſe all his unknown and forgotten Sins ſhall be pardoned, as well as thoſe he hath particularly confeſs'd, agravated, and repented of. As he that breaks the Law in one Point is guilty of all, by the wilful Contempt of Divine Authority; ſo he that is abſolved in one Point, is forgiven in all. It were otherwiſe in vain to be forgiven, and abſolved as to ſome Sins, that might damn us, if there's any one left p. 40that would do it. He that is under Condemnation for one Sin, is liable to Eternal Death: But Divine Forgiveneſs is entire and full. There are Sins of Good Men, that ariſe from Humane Frailty, and not from any evil Purpoſe of Heart; as Sins of Ignorance, which if we had known, we would not have committed; or of ſudden Surprize, that we did not Obſerve; or fell into by the violent hurry of Temptation, before we had time to think what we were doing; of ſuch Sins we ſhall be often guilty, while we are in the World; and we are bid to ask daily Pardon for 'em; and then they ſhall not break Covenant between God and Us.

But there are Many Sins that we have forgotten, for which we were never Humbled in Particular: And yet if we truly Repent of thoſe we do know, and call to mind, our forgotten Sins ſhall be forgiven. For God will Pardon us like himſelf; Forgive us like a God; not according to our Knowledge, but His own. And as He is greater than our Hearts, to know much more againſt us, than we can remember againſt our ſelves; ſo He is greater than our Hearts, to forgive even thoſe Faults which our Hearts and Conſciences do not Recollect. He knows the Value of Chriſt's Blood and Merits, to Forgive all our Sins. And by unfeigned Faith, we are intereſted in the Virtue of it. God hath more Thoughts of Mercy in him, than p. 41we have had of Rebellion againſt him: Pſal. XL. 5. Thy Thoughts to us-ward, (ſpeaking of his Thoughts of Mercy) are more than can be numbred. They have been from Everlaſting, and reach to Everlaſting; whereas 'tis but as of yeſterday, that the oldeſt Sinner began to rebel againſt God. There is no Compariſon. And this leads to the Laſt Obſervation from thoſe Words, He will abundantly Pardon.

Laſt Obſ. That God will not only ſhow Mercy to Returning Sinners, ſo as to Forgive them, but He will abundantly Pardon: He will Multiply Forgiveneſſes.

The Apoſtle ſpeaks of the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that it was exceeding abundant towards him; foreign, with Faith and Love, which is in Chriſt Jeſus; 1 Tim. I. 14. ſuperlative, ſuperabundant Grace; not only ſufficient for the Pardon of his Sins; but of multitudes more beſides. And accordingly in other places we read, not only of the Grace of God in Forgiveneſs, but of his abounding Grace, of the Riches of his Grace; Yea, of the Exceeding Riches of his Grace, Epheſ. I. 6, 7. and this joyn'd with tender Mercies; with Loving Kindneſs; and with Multitudes of Mercies. And here I may ſhow,

Firſt, In what Reſpects, God will abundantly Pardon Returning Sinners.

Secondly, Conſider what Reaſon we have p. 42to believe it, and be firmly perſwaded of it.

Thirdly, What is the Abuſe of this Bleſſed Doctrine.

Fourthly, I ſhall aſſiſt you to make a Right Improvement of it.

Firſt, In what reſpects God promiſeth Abundantly to Pardon, or to Multiply Forgiveneſſes. And this I might ſhow as to Perſons, and as to Things.

Firſt, If we Conſider the Extent of Forgiveneſs as to Sins: With Reference to Time, and Place, and Perſons, &c. As to Time, from the firſt Promiſe of the Seed of the Woman, made ſoon after the Fall, to the End of the World, this door of Mercy is open for Returning Sinners. As to Places, The Goſpel is appointed to be Preach'd to every Creature, in every part of the World: Neither Jew, nor Gentile, Bond, nor Free, Barbarian, or Scythian, are excepted. The Goſpel of Grace by Chriſt Jeſus is every where the Power of God, to Pardon, and Salvation, unto all that believe. As to Perſons, none ſhall Periſh for want of a ſufficient Price, for their Ranſom; for want of a ſufficient Satisfaction to the Juſtice of God: But whereever the Everlaſting Goſpel is preached, He that Believeth ſhall be ſaved. Whoever will, may come, and take of the Waters of Life freely. Whoever will Accept of the Mercy of Chriſt, upon the holy Terms of the Goſpel, ſhall p. 43receive Remiſſion of Sins, Joh. III. 10. God hath ſo Loved the loſt World, that Whoſoever Believeth on Chriſt ſhall not periſh, but have Everlaſting Life, Joh. XII. 46, 47. I am come (ſaith our Lord) a Light into the World, that Whoſoever Believeth in me ſhould not abide in darkneſs. If any Man hear my Words, and believe not, I judge him not, for I came not to Judge the World, but to ſave the World. 1 Joh. II. 2. He is a Propitiation for our Sins, and not for ours only, but for the Sins of the whole World. And when we Conſider what ſort of Perſons, (even the chiefeſt and vileſt of Sinners,) many of thoſe have been, who have been Pardon'd and received to Mercy; We muſt needs ſay, there is no Reſpect of Perſons with God, as to this Matter. And there are a great Multitude of theſe, conſidered in themſelves. For even of Martyrs and Confeſſors, that came out of great Tribulation, and had waſhed their Robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb, there is a Vaſt Multitude, ſuch as none could number of all Nations, and Kindreds, and People, and Tongues, Rev. VII. 9, 14.

Secondly, He doth abundantly Pardon, conſidering the Sins forgiven. He is a God pardoning Iniquity, Tranſgreſſion and Sin; i.e. Sins of all ſorts. Let the Kinds, Numbers, Repetitions, Aggravations be what they will. There is a Multitude of tender Mercies to forgive, and abundant Vertue in the Blood p. 44of Chriſt, to cleanſe from all Sin. If the multitude of Tranſgreſſions could make a Pile, as high as from Earth to Heaven, God's pardoning Mercy is above the Heavens: His Thoughts are above ours in this matter of Forgiveneſs, as far as the Heavens are above the Earth. No Sin but final Impenitence, Ungodlineſs, and Unbelief, is ſhut out from Pardon; for the Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt is attended with that, and therfore never to be forgiven.

And as to Sins after Repentance and Pardon, God hath promiſed to multiply Forgiveneſſes, to heal Backſlidings, and therfore invites Men to return, with a Promiſe of Pardon. Return ye backſliding Children, and I will heal your Backſlidings. In ſome early Days of the Chriſtian Church, the Novatian Doctrine ſpread, that denies Repentance and Pardon to Sins after Baptiſm; upon which Account 'tis thought, many good Men delay'd their Baptiſm as long as they could, that they might not defile their Garments after they were waſhed. It ſeem'd to have taken its Riſe from the Miſunderſtanding of Heb. 6. the Beginning. But any ſuch Doctrine as would diſcourage Men's Repentance, and return to God, after they have ſinned, muſt needs be of very dangerous Conſequence to the Souls of Men. I confeſs, it is a diſmal Symptom, to fall often into wilful Sin, to repent and then ſin again; to repent and ſin in a Circle. This rather p. 45argues an Intention of ſinning again, than a Deſign of leaving it. But for ſuch as have return'd to God, and been forgiven, and yet by the Power of Temptation have afterwards fallen, there is great Encouragement for their Return, and Ground to hope for Forgiveneſs. For if any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, even Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous, who was a Propitiation for our Sins. If any Man ſin, 'tis not to encourage to ſin, but to prevent Deſpair after the Commiſſion of it. And ſince we are to forgive one another, as God for Chriſt's ſake hath forgiven us, it would never have been made our Duty to forgive our Offending Brother once and again. Yea, unto ſeventy times ſeven, if there were no Mercy with God for Returning Backſliders. You are allowed, and commanded in ſuch a Caſe, to return to God, and to ſue out your Pardon; and you ought to believe you ſhall find Welcome, and that your Backſlidings ſhall be healed.

There is need of urging this, becauſe Sins after Repentance, and after Vows and Reſolutions, and Sacraments, &c. not only defile, but diſturb the Conſcience; and you can't preſently approach to God with Comfort? What then ſhould you do? Give up all for loſt? Run into Exceſs of Riot? and ſay, There is no Hope; therfore let us walk after the Imagination of our own Hearts? No, by no Means. But by renewed Acts p. 46of Repentance towards God, and of Faith in the Blood of Jeſus, return to God, and ſeek Forgiveneſs. I grant in ſuch Caſes, it is hard to do this with any Encouragement and Hope: Our Hearts miſgive us, and well they may; we ſhall have a thouſand Jealouſies and Fears: And it can't be otherwiſe. However, God's Thoughts are not as ours, He will abundantly pardon Returning Sinners; tho' you have abus'd his Grace, tho' you have diſhonour'd his Name, revolted after Forgiveneſs, ſlighted the Redeemer Chriſt, griev'd his Spirit, given Advantage to the Devil, deſerv'd to be caſt out of his ſight; tho' you have broken your ſolemn Vows, and broken your Peace thereby; yet let ſuch remember, that God will ſhow Mercy to Returning Sinners, and he will abundantly pardon 'em. He will heal their Backſlidings, and make them loath themſelves, and be confounded for all their Abominations, even After he is pacify'd towards them, Ezek. XVI. the laſt. You know the kind Language God us'd to Ephraim, Jer. XXXI. 18, 20. Surely I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himſelf, he is my dear Son, he is a pleaſant Child, (or rather, is he not ſo?) though I ſpake aginſt him, I remember him ſtill, my Bowels are moved for him, I will ſurely have mercy on him, ſaith the Lord. Read with Thankfulneſs, Mic. VII. 18, 19. Who is a God like unto thee? that pardoneth Iniquity, and paſſeth by the Tranſgreſſions of his Remnant, and retaineth not p. 47his Anger for ever, becauſe he delighteth in mercy? He will turn again, and have compaſſion on us, and will ſubdue our Iniquities, and caſt our Sins into the Depths of the Sea. And how ſweet is the Repentance of ſuch a Returning Backſlider, that is kindly melted, humbled, and broken, and brought to the Foot of God, with Hope of Mercy through Chriſt? The Contrition of ſuch a Soul, is made up like that of Mary Magdalen, of Tears and of Kiſſes, of Sorrow and of Love, of Humility and Hope, of Confuſion and Confidence, of Shame and Joy. And how will ſuch a Soul love much, to whom much is thus forgiven?

In ſhort, God doth abundantly pardon, and multiply Pardons, as to the Forgiveneſs of many Sins, in that never any one Sin was forgiven to any Man, to whom this was not made good. Numberleſs Sins are forgiven wherever one is. They are more than the Hairs of our Head, or the Sands on the Sea-ſhore. Well might the Pſalmiſt ſay, Have mercy on me, O Lord, according to thy loving Kindneſſes, and according to the multitude of thy tender Mercies, Pſal. LI. 1. I will abundantly pardon, (ſaith God here) and in another place, I will cleanſe them from all their Iniquities, whereby they have ſinn'd againſt me, whereby they have treſpaſs'd againſt me, (ſaith the Lord) Jer. XXXII. 8. Who can underſtand his Errors before Converſion and ſince? by Omiſſion and Commiſſion, in Thought, in Word p. 48and Act? How long did God wait on ſome of us? What various Methods did he uſe to bring us home? How graciouſly did he receive us at firſt? and after many Provocations receive us again? Surely if we find Mercy with God, any of us, he muſt abundantly pardon us, and multiply Forgiveneſſes. And becauſe 'tis not ſo eaſie a thing to believe this, I proceed to the Second Particular, to Conſider what Reaſon we have to be perſwaded of this.

Secondly, Upon what Grounds may we be firmly perſwaded of this Truth, That God will thus multiply Pardons? 'Tis certain, to an humbl'd, awaken'd, convinced, penitent Sinner, it muſt be glad Tydings of great Joy; that his Caſe will admit of Hope. That he ought not to deſpair, that there is a poſſibility he may find Mercy with God, if no more: But to have the Riches of God's Grace diſplay'd, to have a free and general Invitation made to all the Hungry and Thirſty, the Weary and Heavy laden; to have a Promiſe of Mercy and of Forgiveneſs, whatever thy Sins have been. What matter of Rejoycing is this? This will anſwer a thouſand Objections, which otherwiſe you could not tell what to ſay to. This is proper to revive the moſt drooping Spirits, to make them adore God, and admire his glorious Grace: This may cauſe them to think honourably of him, ſeek earneſtly p. 49to him, and thankfully accept his offered Mercy; as poor, wretched, periſhing, condemn'd, undone Creatures; toward whom the God of all Grace will magnifie his Rich and Undeſerved Mercy. Therfore, be perſwaded to believe it; conſidering ſuch things as theſe.

Firſt, That there are large and expreſs Promiſes, and moſt aſtoniſhing Inſtances, in the Holy Scriptures, to Encourage your Faith, He that beſt underſtands his own kind Thoughts to the Children of Men, to the chiefeſt of Sinners, hath aſſured you he will not only have Mercy, but abundantly pardon; and that where Sin hath abounded, Grace ſhall much more abound toward all of them, who will accept of Mercy by Jeſus Chriſt; ſo as God may not loſe the Glory of it. You think it very hard to be perſwaded of this, but hath not God told you, that as far as the Heavens are above the Earth, ſo are his Thoughts and Ways above yours? And tho' your Sins be as Crimſon and Scarlet, that they ſhall be as Snow and Wool; and that To the Lord our God, belong Mercies and Forgiveneſs, tho' we have rebell'd againſt him.

Have we not Inſtances of this, as to others? of the worſt of Men and Women, that have been waſhed and juſtify'd, through the Blood of Chriſt, and Spirit of Chriſt? of Sinks of Sin, that have been made Veſſels of Mercy? Many Examples in the Old Teſtament and p. 50in the New, of Jews and Gentiles? What Folly, and what aggravated Sin was David guilty of, after the Knowledge of God? and what great Sins before Converſion was the Apoſtle Paul charg'd with? You have been ſometimes told, that 'tis an Inſtance of God's Wiſdom and Kindneſs, to record the the Example of David's Fall. Some it may be, think it were better left out, leſt it ſhould encourage Sinners, but doubtleſs many a Man would have periſhed in Deſpair, and made away himſelf, if it had not been for the Example of David's Repentance; and God's Forgiveneſs of him, after ſuch hainous Tranſgreſſions.

Secondly, God hath declared this to be his Nature and Delight. He proclaims it as part of his Name, Exod. XXXIV. 5, 6. to be The Lord God, Gracious and Merciful, Slow to Anger, and Abundant in Goodneſs and Truth, forgiving Iniquity, Tranſgreſſion and Sin. He is pleas'd in the Exerciſe of his Mercy, he delights to be Gracious, and takes pleaſure in them that hope in his Mercy. And therfore what pleaſeth him, and he delights to do, he will do abundantly. There is an Inexhauſted Treaſure of Grace in God, Exceeding Riches of Grace, and unſearchable Depths of Mercy and Grace. God, who is rich in mercy, (ſaith the Apoſtle) for the great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in ſins, hath quickned us together with Chriſt, Epheſ. II. 4, 5. And p. 51all the Saints are ſet forth, as ſtudious and thoughtful about the Glorious Dimenſions of God's Grace, as endeavouring to comprehend the Breadth, Length, Height, and Depth of this Grace, that paſſeth Knowledge, Eph. I. 8. The Breadth of his Love, in covering ſuch a multitude of Sins, and pardoning ſuch a multitude of Sinners: The Depth of it, reaching us in the Depth of our Sin and Miſery: The Length of it, from Everlaſting to Everlaſting: The Height of it, in raiſing us from a deſerved Hell, to an infinitely Glorious Heaven. Love, Grace and Mercy, are his Nature and Delight. 'Tis above our Thoughts, and paſt our Comprehenſion. We read, that his Judgments are unſearchable, and his Ways paſt finding out; 'tis as true of his Ways of Mercy, as of any. By that Name Judgments, ſometimes his Mercies are call'd, Pſal. XXXVI. 5, 6. Thy Judgments are a great deep; to ſhow the Meaning whereof, the Pſalmiſt breaks out, O Lord, how excellent is thy Loving Kindneſs to the Sons of Men, that put their truſt in thee? All the Merits of Chriſt are call'd the Mercies of God, the ſure Mercies of David. God is ſaid to be Rich in Mercy, and no other Attribute of God is call'd his Riches, but his Goodneſs, Grace and Love.

Thirdly, God uſeth variety of Arguments throughout the Scriptures, to perſwade us to believe this. He not only urgeth us from his own Example, and obliges us to forgive p. 52our Treſpaſſing Brother, (if he repent) unto ſeventy times ſeven, but with the greateſt Kindneſs, he beſpeaks us to believe his Compaſſion, to be perſwaded of his Tenderneſs and Love. He employs a great deal of Rhetorick to that purpoſe. Why ſayeſt thou, O Jacob, and ſpeakeſt O Iſrael, my way is hid from the Lord, and my Judgment is paſſed over from my God; haſt thou not known, haſt thou not heard? that the everlaſting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the Earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? Iſa. XL. 7, 8. He appeals to Heaven and Earth, to the Dumb and Inſenſible Creatures; that his Ways are equal, that ours are unequal; he offers, he invites, he calls, and expoſtulates, and complains of our Backwardneſs to believe him; he pleads, and promiſeth, and adds his Oath to his Word, As I live ſaith the Lord, i. e. As I am a Living God, I take no pleaſure in the death of him that dyeth, but rather that he return and live, than go on and dye. Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye dye, O Houſe of Iſrael? He's repreſented as with Sighs and Groans, bewailing the Obſtinacy of Sinners to their own Deſtruction. O that they were wiſe, and would conſider this! O that there were ſuch a Heart in them? O that they knew the things that belong to their peace, before they are hid from their Eyes! How kind and encouraging are ſuch Paſſages?

Fourthly, Conſider, this is one great End of God's Patience, and Forbearance, and of p. 53his continuing the Preaching of the Word, and the Ordinances of the Goſpel; that Sinners might be led to Repentance, by the Hopes of Forgiveneſs. How many Years hath God waited on ſome of you? Should not the Long-ſuffering of God, that hath a Tendency to Salvation, encourage you to believe, that there is Mercy and Forgiveneſs with him? What quick Diſpatch hath he made with others, while he hath ſpared you? He hath taken ſome, in the Act of their Vile Abominations; many in the very height of their Wickedneſs; and hath refus'd to give them further time and ſpace to repent: He hath call'd ſome to Judgment in their Youth, ſoon after they had broken the Fetters of their Education, caſt off the God of their Fathers, and begun to indulge themſelves in youthful Luſts: Many beſure, (not greater Sinners than you) are gone to their place, while he yet waits to be gracious to you. He offers you Pardon and Life, when he might have condemn'd you to Remedileſs Wrath, and put it in Execution long ago. He continues to exerciſe great Patience and Power in forbearing you. Is it not with this kind Deſign, that it might lead you to Repentance, that you might turn to him, ſeek after him, and intreat his Pity before it be too late? May you not infer thus much from his Long-ſuffering? Did he bear with thee, when thy Heart was hard as a Rock? and p. 54thou would'ſt not hearken to any Treaty of Peace? and will he not accept thee now thy Heart begins to be contrite, and broken with Sence of Sin, and Sorrow for it? Did he bear with thee while Sin was thy Delight? and will he not be gracious if thou ſeek him, now Sin is become thy Burthen? Doth he continue to call thee by his Word? and Commiſſion his Miniſters to tell thee in his Name, that if thou return, he will abundantly pardon? Doth he order them to beſeech thee for Chriſt's ſake, and in his ſtead, that thou would'ſt be reconciled to God? and can you ſuppoſe he is inexorable? If a King ſhould ſend one of his Attendants to a Condemned Priſoner, ſaying, Go tell ſuch a one, let him come to me for his Pardon, and he ſhall have it; my Son hath interceeded for him, and made his Peace, tho' he hath forfeited his Life, and deſerv'd to dye, and I might put the Sentence in Execution to Morrow; yet let him come, and confeſs his Sin, and ask Forgiveneſs, and I will pardon him. Yea, tell him, I deſire, I entreat, that he would come. I beg that he would have pity on himſelf, and not refuſe me: I earneſtly pray, and beſeech him; I muſt take no Denial, he muſt come. What Kindneſs and Condeſcention were this! You know how to apply it. 'Tis as certain unto all of you, by the Preaching of the Goſpel, as if you were ſpoken to by Name.

p. 55But if you reject the kind Offer of the Grace of the Goſpel, and will not return from your Evil Ways, but go on and put it to the venture; (after ſuch a Merciful Invitation, and that ſo often repeated) conſider then, what a Hazard you run, and if you hold on, how dreadful your Doom will be. All the Miniſters of Chriſt, inſtead of Bleſſing you in the Name of the Lord, muſt pronounce againſt you all the Curſes of the Law, and all the additional Curſes, denounced againſt the Deſpiſers of the Goſpel. And muſt ſay unto you, Anathema Maranatha, Curſed in this World, 'till the Coming of Chriſt; and when he comes, Accurſed from his bleſſed Preſence, into Everlaſting Deſtruction. Yea, all the Angels of God, all the Churches of Chriſt, all the Saints on Earth and in Heaven, will adore Divine Juſtice, and can have no Compaſſion on you, if you go on to deſpiſe the Grace of God, and will not be drawn with the Cords of his Love.

Fifthly, To perſwade you, that God will abundantly pardon; Conſider how valuable a Price was paid for your Redemption, that you might have Forgiveneſs. When you think of the Freeneſs of this Mercy to you, think alſo that it coſt the precious Blood of Jeſus to Procure it. And by the great Propitiation for Sin, which he hath made, God hath glorify'd his Holineſs and Juſtice, and may now glorifie his Mercy and Grace, in p. 56pardoning and ſaving Sinners, without leſſening the Honour of his Authority and Government, or impeaching any of his Attributes and Perfections. You may come, and beg Mercy for the ſake of Jeſus Chriſt, ſaying, Lord, ſave me, for thy Mercy's ſake, I am a Vile Sinner, a Rebellious Creature, not only an unprofitable Servant, but a hainous Criminal: I have nothing in my ſelf, but Matter of Shame, and Humiliation; nothing of any good, but what thou haſt given me. There's nothing in any of my Services, but need the Sprinkling of the Blood of Jeſus, to make them accepted. But there is Redemption, even the Forgiveneſs of Sin through the Blood of Jeſus. Lord, Here is the Blood ſhed for Expiation of my Sins: Lord, Here's the Price paid for my Reconciliation, here's a perfect Righteouſneſs to cover me, here's a compleat, Attoning Sacrifice, Chriſt's Merit, Righteouſneſs, and Interceſſion, and Grace can ſave me. O let me be found in him, accepted in him! Did I diſhonour God formerly, by my aggravated Sins? Chriſt my Redeemer hath honour'd him more by his Death, than ever I diſhonour'd him by my wicked Life.

Is it not a Trouble to you, to think with what Affection and Delight you ſinned, with what Deliberation you committed ſuch and ſuch Sins? Oh! remember that Chriſt delighted p. 57to do the Mediatorial Will of his Father: He was ſtraitned 'till he drank of the bitter Cup, and was baptized with his own Blood. He knew before hand, all that he was to do and ſuffer for our Redemption, and yet willingly undertook it: Did you ſin with much intenſeneſs of Spirit, ſo that your Heart was in it? Have your Crimes been (many of them) Mental, Spiritual, Inward Sins? (like thoſe of the Devil, which are worſe than Senſual, Carnal Ones) Remember, Chriſt's Sufferings lay much in his Soul alſo. His Spirit, his Soul was heavy unto Death, &c.

And whatever Unworthineſs you may apprehend of the Mercy offer'd you, remember 'tis Free Mercy. You are call'd and invited to receive it, without Money and without Price. If you are weary and heavy laden, and ſenſible of your Unworthineſs; if you ſee your need of his help, are deſirous of it, and willing to yield your ſelves to his Conduct; to be ſaved in a way of Free-grace, ſo as to give him the entire Glory of your Salvation; you ought to believe that God will ſhow you Mercy, and abundantly pardon you. He hath glorify'd his Mercy in the purchaſe of Forgiveneſs by Chriſt, in the Publication of it in the Goſpel, and in the Application of it to particular Sinners upon Faith and Repentance, or Repentance and Faith; (I ſcruple not to put either firſt.) p. 58ſince they are inſeperable, and are never parted: And both are abſolutely needful. Repentance towards God, and Faith in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that at once we may give God the Honour of his Authority and violated Law, by our Repentance; and of his rich Grace in the Goſpel, by our Faith in Chriſt. And can any thing be more free to us, than to be forgiven, in this Method, on theſe Terms? to have all our Tranſgreſſions blotted out for his Name's ſake? and to be waſhed and cleans'd in the Fountain of Chriſt's Blood, when we have nothing but our own miſerable, and wretched Caſe to move his Pity? He juſtiſies us freely by his Grace, and found a way to do it, with Honour to his own Name. What a ſtrange Paſſage is that of the Prophet? Iſa. XLIII. 22, 23, 24. Thou haſt not called upon me, O Jacob, but haſt been weary of me, O Iſrael, thou haſt not brought me the ſmall Cattle of thy burnt Offerings, neither haſt thou honour'd me with thy Sacrifice; thou haſt bought me no ſweet Cane with Money, neither haſt thou filled me with the fat of thy Sacrifices, but thou haſt made me to ſerve with thy ſins, thou haſt wearied me with thine Iniquities. What might now be expected, but that God ſhould ſay, Therfore I will not hear thee when thou calleſt, I'le make thee a Sacrifice to my Wrath, I'le puniſh thee according to thy Deſert: But 'tis quite otherwiſe, for it follows in Verſe 25. I, even I, am he, p. 59that blotteh out thy Tranſgreſſions for my own ſake, and will not remember thy Sins. When the God whom we had offended by Sin, is become a God of Forgiveneſs, in ſuch a way and method of rich and glorious Grace, we need not doubt but his Heart is in it, and therfore that he will abundantly pardon. He might have exacted the Puniſhment of Sin, when he gave his only begotten Son, to be a Propitiation for our Sin, and accepted his Suffering inſtead of ours. There could be nothing move him to this, but his own Grace and Love: And therfore we ought to believe, that he's ready to receive returning Sinners unto Mercy for Chriſt's ſake.

Sixthly, As conſequent to this, Conſider, that by believing, that God will abundantly pardon returning Sinners, we give Honour and Glory to God. He is pleas'd and honour'd by our giving Credit to his Word, and hoping in his Mercy. Whereas if we diſtruſt his Promiſes, and Declarations of Grace, we not only diſobey his Order, but refuſe that which he delights in, and whereby he's glorify'd. By not believing his Promiſes of Pardon, we do what we can to fruſtrate the Command of Faith in Jeſus Chriſt, and the Promſe of Salvation by him. Yea, to diſappoint the great Deſign of Chriſt's Coming into the World, which was to ſave Sinners. We undervalue the rich Proviſion p. 60he hath made for our Encouragement; we gratifie the Devil, in keeping off from the only Remedy which Chriſt hath procured: We do in effect make God a Liar, by disbelieving the Record he hath given of his Son, not ſetting to our Seal that God is true, 1 John V. 10. John III. 33. If we honour and pleaſe God by our Faith and Hope, more than by any thing elſe; we do as much diſhonour and diſpleaſe him by our Unbelieving Deſpondency, and Diſpair. Yea, all the Sins of your paſt Life, that make you fear God will never forgive you, are not cloathed with higher Aggravations of Guilt, than your doubting of the pardon of them, in Caſe you unfeignedly return to God, and believe in Chriſt.

Laſtly, You ought to believe it for the Reaſon added, Ver. 7. becauſe God's Thoughts are not as ours; but as far as the Heavens are above the Earth, &c. We can't think ſo kindly of any, who have injur'd us: as God thinks of us who have offended him. Nor can we think to what degree God is able to forgive our greateſt Provocations, and ſhow Mercy to the vileſt Sinners, that will return. We are prone to revenge, we are hardly reconciled; we are apt to return Evil for Evil; we are not eaſily brought to Forgiveneſs. But My thoughts are not as yours, (ſaith God) You know not how far my Mercy can p. 61reach, I am God and not Man. The diſtance between God and Man, between the Creature and Creator, is infinitely more than between Heaven and Earth. What if you can't imagine, that ever I ſhould have ſuch Thoughts of Mercy for poor Sinners: Do you conſider, how high the Heavens are above the Earth? ſo are my Thoughts and Ways higher than yours: They are like my ſelf, infinite.

And how many, by their own Experience of God's kind and gracious Dealing with them, who with holy Wonder and Thankfulneſs, have acknowledg'd and atteſted the Truth of this: Many a time have I called my ſelf a Prodigal, (to uſe the Words of an **Mr. Baxter of Converſing with God in Solitude, 4…. pag. 363, 364.Excellent Perſon) a Companion of Swine, a miſerable, hard-hearted Sinner, unworthy to be called his Son, when he hath called me Child, and chid me for, my queſtioning his Love, he hath readily forgiven the Sins, which I thought would have made my Soul the fuel of Hell; he hath entertain'd me with Joy, with Muſick and a Feaſt; when I better deſerv'd to have been among the Dogs without his Doors. He hath embrac'd me in his ſuſtaining, Conſolatory Arms, when he might have ſpurned my guilty Soul to Hell, and ſaid, Depart from me thou Worker of Iniquity, p. 62I know thee not. O little did I think, that he could ever have forgotten the Vanity and Villany of my Youth; yea, ſo eaſily have forgotten my moſt aggravated Sins. When I had ſinned againſt Light, when I had reſiſted Conſcience, when I had frequently and wilfully injured Love, I thought he would never have forgotten it: But the greatneſs of his Love and Mercy, and the Blood and Interceſſion of his Son hath cancelled all. O how many Mercies have I taſted, ſince I thought I had ſinned away all Mercies! How patiently hath he born with me, ſince I thought he would never have put up more? — Tho' I injure and diſhonour him by loving him no more, tho' I oft forget him, and have been out of the Way, when he hath come or called me; tho' I have diſobediently turned away mine Ears, and unkindly refus'd the Entertainments of his Love; and unfaithfully play'd with thoſe, whoſe Company he forbad me; yet he hath not divorc'd me, or turn'd me out of Doors. O wonderful! that Heaven will be familiar with Earth! and God with Man! the Higheſt with a Worm! and the moſt Holy with an unconſtant Sinner! Man refuſeth me, when God will entertain me: Thoſe whom I never wrong'd, reject me with Reproach; and God whom I have unſpeakably injured, doth invite me, entreat me, and p. 63condeſcendeth to me, as if he were beholden to me to be ſaved. Men that I have deſerved well of, abhor me; and God that I have deſerved Hell of, doth accept me. I upbraid my ſelf with my ſins, but he doth not upbraid me with them. I condemn my ſelf for them, but he condemns me not, I have Peace with him, before I can have Peace with my Conſcience.

Object. But after all theſe endearing Expreſſions of the Grace of God, (may ſome ſay) we can't tell how to believe, 'tis hard to be fully perſwaded of this. Conſider therefore, the Verſes following the Text, where there's this Objection obviated. You ſay, you can't have your Hearts duely affected with theſe Declarations of God's Grace, you can't be brought to accept this Mercy, to cloſe with this Offer, to be encouraged by ſuch a Promiſe and truſt in it: It is therefore added, as directly ſuitable to ſuch a Caſe, Verſes 10, 11. As the Rain cometh down, and the Snow from Heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the Earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give Seed to the Sower, and Bread to the Eater. So ſhall my word be, that goeth forth out of my Mouth; it ſhall not return unto me void, but it ſhall accompliſh that which I pleaſe, it ſhall proſper in the thing whereto I ſent it. That is, As the Heavens do not give Light and Heat, and Snow in vain; p. 64but cauſe a promiſing Spring, and a fruitful Harveſt: So, ſaith God, my Thoughts of Grace, manifeſted by my Declarations of Mercy, and Promiſes of Forgiveneſs, ſhall have Efficacy and Influence to make you believe; to enable you to hope and truſt in my Mercy; and ſo to be quiet and ſatisfy'd, that your great and hainous Sins ſhall be forgiven. The very Publication of this Grace, ſhall be attended with a Power to bring Souls to believe it. I know my Thoughts toward you, are Thoughts of Peace, and not of Evil; to give you a gracious End, and raiſe your Expectations of it, and they ſhall accordingly be fulfilled. The Declarations of this Mercy ſhall be credited, my Word of Grace ſhall not be in vain; it ſhall take hold of dejected, deſpairing Souls, and raiſe them to Faith and Hope. 'Tis with this Encouragement we publiſh the glad Tydings of Salvation, and invite Sinners to return to God by Jeſus Chriſt, with an Aſſurance of finding Mercy. I ſay, 'tis with this Encouragement, that we beſeech them to be reconcil'd to God, and aſſure 'em that he's ready to forgive: 'Tis in Hope, that by the Spirit accompanying the Declaration of the Word, concerning this Forgiveneſs with God, many Souls might be attracted and won, perſwaded and overcome, and ſo prevail'd with to return to God, and believe the glorious Riches, Freeneſs and Abundance of his Mercy. God p. 65grant we may find more and more, ſuch fruits of preaching the Goſpel. On the other hand, I beſeech you take heed, how you turn your Backs on this Mercy of God, and the Offer of it: Beware how you ſhut your Ears againſt his gracious Invitation, when he thus proclaims and publiſhes his Readineſs to forgive. Take heed how you go on in Sin, after God freely tenders you the Forgiveneſs of all your Sins, if you will return. With the greateſt Seriouſneſs I muſt tell you, that one ſuch Sermon of God's forgiving Grace and Mercy, rejected, ſlighted, and miſimprov'd, may be of more dreadful Conſequence to the Souls of thoſe that hear it, and make light of it, than I am able to expreſs.

APPLICATION.

ƲSE 1. Let this Mercy, Love and Grace, overcome your Hearts. Conſider it again and again: Apply it ſeriouſly to your ſelves. Is the Lord thus Gracious to me, after ſo long a Rejection of him? Will he yet receive me, after ſo many Refuſals? Doth he invite and call me again, after ſo much Contempt of his Mercy and Grace? Will he yet ſhow Mercy to me? What ſtrange, aſtoniſhing Grace, what endearing Kindneſs is this? What manner of Love is this? How p. 66true is it, that God's Thoughts and Ways are not as ours? That God ſhould ſpeak ſuch Language to me as this. Tho' for lying Vanities, thou haſt forſaken thine own Mercies, yet return to me: Tho' thou haſt play'd the Harlot with many Lovers, yet return: Tho' thou haſt turned a deaf Ear to many Reproofs, yet thy Caſe is not deſperate. Tho' I offer my Son, and Life by him, (He that hath the Son, hath Life) and ye would not: This Offer was repeated Sabbath after Sabbath, for many Years, yet you would not hear it; you would not ſtoop to the Terms; yet return unto me, I will pity and pardon you, I will abundantly pardon. Long ſince I might have ſworn in my Wrath, you ſhall never enter into my Reſt. I might have ſaid, Let them alone, to be undone by their own Obſtinate, Fooliſh Choice. I might have reſolv'd, never ſuch an Offer ſhould be made to you more. Never any Sermon about it ſhall ever do you good more. But I am God and not Man, my Thoughts and Ways are not as yours. I invite you again, I beſeech you turn and live, do not go on and dye. God ſpeaks this Language to every one of you, the worſt of you, who hear me this Day.

Let none therfore think or ſay, 'tis too late for him or her; there's now no more p. 67Mercy for me. For Chriſt yet ſtands at the Door and knocks, tho' you have refus'd formerly, and ſhut the Door formerly, yet now if you will open the Door, he will come in and ſup with you, and you with him; Rev. III. 20. Nay, tho' he has not taken Poſſeſſion of thy Heart, he knocks at thy Door by his Spirit, and is ready to enter; tho' you refuſe him, he does not abandon you. Tho' his Kindneſs and Love hath been ſlighted, yet his Mercy is tendered ſtill, and his Patience prolonged. And will you reſolve to go on thus? Will ye not return? Are you content to periſh, rather than come to Chriſt for Life? rather than give him the Glory of your Salvation? Will you rather dye in your Sins, than be beholden to him for your Forgiveneſs? rather than apply to God for it, when he hath provided an All-ſufficient Saviour, and offer'd you that Salvation freely, which coſt ſo dear to purchaſe? After this, for a poor, proud Sinner, to turn his Back upon this Grace of God, to ſcorn this Saviour, and diſdain to be ſaved by him; ſaying in Effect, I will have none of your Chriſt, none of his Grace, none of his Mercy: I had rather enjoy my Luſts, continue in my Sin, and put it to the Venture; how provoking is ſuch Guilt? and how righteous will be the Condemnation of ſuch obſtinate Sinners?

p. 68Secondly, Apply your ſelf therfore to God in Chriſt, by Earneſt Prayer. He hath the Words of Eternal Life, he is a Prince and a Saviour, to give Repentance as well as Pardon. The Spirit of Faith, is the Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt; he can open thy blind Eyes, and ſoften thy hard Heart; he that commanded the Cripple to take up his Bed and walk, at the ſame time gave him Power to obey. There is a Divine Spirit and Power, even the Spirit of Life and Power in Chriſt Jeſus, that accompanies the Preaching of the Goſpel; this may be hoped for, this ought to be valu'd, deſir'd and begg'd. You ought never to deſpair of God's Grace, to enable you to believe, when it continues to be your Duty to believe on Chriſt; and it cannot but continue to be ſo, unleſs the Goſpel be repeal'd. Therefore beg with all your Hearts, that you may be enabled to look to him, and be ſaved; to come to him, and find Reſt to your Souls; to believe on him, and receive Remiſſion of Sins. For by beholding the Glory of God in the Face of Chriſt, you may be changed into the ſame Image, from Glory to Glory.

Beg an Underſtanding to know him that is true, and with all your Hearts to believe on him, that you may aſſent to his Word, conſent to his Covenant, reſign to his Will, and truſt in his Promiſe, depending on his p. 69Readineſs, Willingneſs, Power and Faithfulneſs to ſave you: Saying, Lord, draw me, and I will run after thee; Lord, thou art willing to receive Sinners, make me willing to receive thee: Lord, thou haſt received Gifts for Men, even for the Rebellious; O communicate of thoſe Gifts of Grace to me! I ſee my need of Chriſt, and what Reaſon I have to come to him; O lead me to him, and work in me to will and to do of thine own good Pleaſure!

Thirdly, If you begin to find the Spirit of Chriſt breathing on your Souls, that have been yet unperſwaded; if you have any Motions of the good Spirit of God, by the preaching the Word, or by any other means, take heed you thankfully cheriſh and entertain them. When you find your Souls begin to turn towards Chriſt, if you find any Beams of Heavenly Light break in upon you; any Inclinations ſtarted of applying to him, beſure to obey the Voice of his Spirit. Open every Door of your Souls to receive his Light. When he works any Conviction of Sin, any ſence of your need of a Saviour, any Deſires after him, or Purpoſes of Heart to leave your Sins, and give up your ſelves to God, to be ſaved by Chriſt, according to the Goſpel; for your Souls ſake encourage ſuch Thoughts, cheriſh ſuch Suggeſtions. Beware how you turn them off, but preſently and p. 70thankfully ſtrike in, ſaying, Lord, I yield, I am overcome; I have long enough, and too long refus'd thy Grace, diſobey'd thy Will, and reſiſted thy Spirit. Thou haſt often knockt, and I would not open; O now enter thou Bleſſed of the Lord, and take Poſſeſſion of my Soul! Let Chriſt dwell in my Heart by Faith, and his Spirit form a Temple there, and reſide there as in his own Dwelling for ever. Lord, art thou yet willing, (after all my Provocations) to ſhow Mercy, and abundantly to pardon? Willing to be my God and my Saviour? Bleſſed be God, I am now willing to be thy Servant. Thy powerful Grace hath made me willing: Thy Spirit open'd my Eyes to ſee my ſelf undone, to ſee that Chriſt is able and willing to ſave me; I hope, I am now ready to receive him, willing to embrace him as Chriſt Jeſus my Lord. I come to thee, O God, as to the Fountain of Life, to be quickned and cleans'd, to be waſh'd, juſtify'd, ſanctify'd and ſav'd from Sin and Hell, by the Blood and Spirit of Jeſus, through the Free Mercy and Grace of God.

But to Conclude, If after all, there be any Such here as are not, will not be perſwaded to forſake their Evil Ways, and turn to God in Chriſt; Let them conſider, that the longer they continue in their Obſtinacy p. 71and Unbelief, under the preaching of the glorious Grace and Mercy of God to Sinners, ſo much the more Danger they are in of being loſt for ever. For their Minds muſt needs be more blinded by ſinning againſt the Light: Their Hearts more hardned, by miſimproving that which ſhould have ſoftned them: The Power of Conſcience is weakned, after ſo many Struglings and Combates, that they muſt needs have had with their own Conſciences; after ſo many Conteſts between Corruption and Conviction, between Truth in the Mind, and Corrupt Inclinations in the Heart. Eſpecially, if they have formerly been awakned, and there have been ſome Fears and Hopes, with good Deſires, and other Affections formerly ſtirr'd; if by the Common Operations of the Holy Spirit, they have had ſome ſerious Concern about their Salvation, and all this is worn off and gone; the Caſe of ſuch is very bad, and their Recovery the leſs hopeful; becauſe their Repentance is the more unlikely. And if they perſiſt, their Doom will be intolerable. But it is to prevent this, as to thoſe who may be in ſuch a dangerous Caſe, that I thus ſpeak. And therefore I moſt earneſtly invite, beſeech and entreat them; however Wicked and Unrighteous they have been, not to make light of this further Offer of the Grace of the p. 72Goſpel: And that by no means, they would deſpair of finding Mercy with God; even Now, if they will Return to him with all their Hearts, whatever their paſt Sins have been. If Now they will return, God will abundantly pardon: For his Thoughts are not as ours, &c.