The Efficacy of the Fear of Hell to Restrain Men from Sin, Sermon 2
The Second Sermon.
Luke 4.18.
To Preach the Goſpel to the Poor.
IN theſe and the following Words, is ſet forth the Work that Chriſt was anointed for. Firſt to Preach the Goſpel to the Poor. Here mind, 1. What he was to Preach; that is, the Goſpel. In Iſaiah it is good Tidings. And ſo the Greek Word ſignifies, ſo our Word Goſpel ſignifies. It comes from two Saxon Words. God, that ſignifies Good; and Spell, that ſignifies a Word. There be other good Tidings, but the Goſpel is ſo by way of Eminency. The Goſpel brings Tidings of the love of God to Men, and of a Glorious way of Reconciliation and Salvation. They are much to blame that ſlight the Goſpel, and reject it. They carry as if the Goſpel were not good Tidings. 2. To whom he was to Preach, viz. To the Poor. There be two ſorts of Poor. 1. They that are low in the World: That are deſtitute of Riches; and the Invitations of the Goſpel are ſent to them as well as others; and they that receive it, are more generally of that ſort. 1 Cor. 1.28. God hath choſen the baſe Things of the World, and Things that are deſpiſed. Jam. 2.5. Hath not God choſen the Poor of this World, Rich in Faith, Heirs of the Kingdom. And Chriſt Jeſus principally preached to ſuch. Math. 11.5. The Poor have the Goſpel preached unto them. 2. Thoſe that are Poor in Spirit; that are ſenſible that they have nothing to purchaſe Heaven; that are ſenſible that they have no Money nor Price for their Salvation: And they are of two ſorts. 1. Such as are legally Poor. As they, Math. 11.28. That Labour and are heavy Laden: That are convinced of the wretchedneſs of their Hearts, and that God may juſtly Condemn them. 2. Such as are Evangelically Poor in Spirit. Such as have the Grace of Humility, and live upon the Mercy of God in Chriſt. Spoken of, Math. 5.3. Bleſſed are the Poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Thoſe that are called Poor here, are called Meek in Iſaiah, C. 60. V. 1. Their Hearts are meekned, either by Conviction or by Grace. I don't exclude the Later, but it ſeems to have a particular Reſpect to the Former.
DOCTRINE. The Goſpel is eſpecially to be preached to the Poor in Spirit: They are particularly to be invited. Conſider here theſe two Propoſitions.
1 Propoſition. The Goſpel is to be preached to all. Though there be no expectation that all will receive it, yet it is to be preached to all. Miniſters are not bound to Preach it to every one in the World, for that is impoſſible: But they are to Preach to all as they have Opportunity. They may not deſignedly hide the Goſpel from any. There be many Differences among Men, in reſpect of their Eſtates, Age, Covenant, Intereſt and Sinfulneſs: But the Goſpel is to be preached to them all. Chriſt did forbid his Diſciples to go into the Way of the Gentiles, or to enter into any City of the Samaritans. Math. 10.5. But this was a temporary Command: But now the Goſpel is to be preached unto all. Mar. 16.15. Go into all the World, and Preach the Goſpel to every Creature. That is, every humane Creature. Act. 20.21. Teſtifying both to the Jews, and alſo to the Greeks Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Gal. 3.28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither Bond nor Free, there is neither Male nor Female, for ye are all one in Chriſt Jeſus. All are to be inſtructed in the Goſpel, and to be invited to Chriſt.
1 Reaſon. Becauſe the Promiſe is to all. There is a conditional Promiſe made to all that believe in Chriſt. There is no exception of any that do believe in Chriſt. The Sin againſt the holy Ghoſt ſhall not be forgiven. But the conditional Promiſe is true of them, and no Man knows that he hath committed that Sin. The offer of the Goſpel is made to Men without any Exception. It is propounded in general Terms, ſo as to comprehend all. Act. 10.13 Whoſoever believeth on him, ſhall have Remiſſion of Sins. Men are ready to except themſelves, but God makes no Exceptions. Sometimes the Promiſe is …pounded Indefinitely. Joh. 3.36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlaſting Life. But ſometimes it is propounded Univerſally; for there is no other Condition joined to this; and not only ſo, but the Notes of Univerſality are added to the Promiſe; as whoſoever. Joh. 3.16. So all. Act. 13.39. And any. Rev. 3.20. And therefore it muſt be preached to all.
2 Reaſon. They that are not Poor in Spirit, may receive Benefit by the Goſpel. The Goſpel is many Ways uſeful to make Men Poor in Spirit. Preparation for Chriſt is carried on by the Law and the Goſpel in Conjunction. When Men hear that there is a way of Salvation by Chriſt, that makes them more willing to ſee their Danger, and not altogether ſo oppoſite to receive Conviction. It encourages them to Pray to God to ſhew them their Miſery. When Men hear that Chriſt died for our Sins, that makes them ſenſible that God is very angry for Sin; that he will execute Vengeance. This is an evidence of the Juſtice and Severity of God. Men may learn from thence, that Sin is a great Offence, and muſt be puniſhed. Luk. 23.31. If they do ſuch things in a green Tree, what ſhall be done in a dry? When Men hear, that God ſo loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son to ſuffer for them, that diſcovers the vile Nature of Sin, whereby Men abuſe a God of ſuch Grace. Pſal. 130.4. There is Forgiveneſs with thee, that thou mayeſt be feared. When Men hear that Chriſt hath redeemed us from the Curſe, that may convince them that their own Works can't ſave them. Gal. 2.21. If Righteouſneſs come by the Law, then Chriſt is Dead in vain. When they hear the Command to believe in Chriſt, that convinces them, that though they be Civil and Religious, yet if they believe not, they are Rebellious, and in a miſerable Eſtate.
3 Reaſon. Becauſe they that are not Poor in Spirit now, may be Poor in Spirit afterwards. If Men hear the Goſpel, and don't make a right Uſe of it now, yet they will retain the Knowledge of it, and it may do them Service afterwards, though they be not ſenſible of their loſt Condition now; but are Senceleſs, and carnally Confident, yet they may be Poor in Spirit hereafter; and then what they have heard may come to Mind, and become powerful upon their Hearts. It may be, when they have not an opportunity to hear the Goſpel, they will call to Mind what they have heard ſome Years before, and ponder on what has been preached to them formerly. It is poſſible they may be made Poor in Spirit, when they are in Captivity among the Papiſts, or Heathens. When they have no opportunity to hear the Goſpel, or they may be made Poor in Spirit, when they lie upon a ſick Bed, and cannot hear the Word preached; and then what they have formerly heard, may work effectually on them. Manaſſeh would not hearken to the Prophets when they ſpake to him. 2 Chron. 33.10. But afterwards when he was a Captive in Babylon, he remembred what he had been taught, and repented. V. 12. When he was in Affliction, he beſought the Lord his God, and humbled himſelf greatly before the God of his Fathers.
2 Propoſition. The Goſpel is eſpecally to be preached to the Poor in Spirit. It is fit that Miniſters ſhould make particular Application of the calls of the Goſpel to them. It is true, they may do ſo to young Men, to ancient Men and to great Sinners: But there is peculiar Reaſon to make particular Application to them that are Poor in Spirit. Theſe Perſons are in a particular Manner invited in the Scripture. Iſai. 55.1. Ho, every one that Thirſteth, come ye to the Waters and he that hath no Money; come ye, buy and eat, buy Wine and Milk without Money, and without Price. They are Thirſty that are parched up for want of ſomewhat to quench their Thirſt. The like we have, Math. 11.28. Come unto me all ye that are Weary and heavy Laden, and ye ſhall find Reſt for your Souls. They are Weary and heavy Laden that are oppreſſed with the weight of God's Wrath. So, Rev. 22.17. The Spirit and the Bride ſay, Come. And let him that is athirſt, Come: And whoſoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. God is here teaching Miniſters to have a particular Regard to ſuch. The Invitations are not confined to theſe, but they are to be particulary applied to theſe. Some others have ſpecial need to have the Terrours of the Law preached to them: But the Invitations of the Goſpel are eſpecially to be propounded to thoſe that are Poor in Spirit.
The Reaſon of this, is, Not from any Excellency in this poverty of Spirit. There is nothing of Spiritual Goodneſs in this. It is indeed a reaſonable Thing; it is according to the dictates of right Reaſon, but there is nothing of Piety or love to God, or godly Sorrow in it. It is a meer forced Thing, and accordingly it is not acceptable unto God. The firſt good Act that is done by the Soul, is believing in Chriſt: And accordingly there is no Promiſe made in the Scripture to this legal Poverty of Spirit. No Man is under any Promiſe of Salvation till he comes to Chriſt. It is probable that God may give Grace to all thoſe that have this Poverty of Spirit; but there is no Promiſe in the Word that he will. Indeed there is an inconſiſtancy in it, that there ſhould be any Promiſe made to it. For when a Man is Poor in Spirit, he owns that it is in God's liberty to do with him as he pleaſes: And he continues ſometime in this Frame, and continues to acknowledge it. But if there were any Promiſe of Salvation to it, then after the firſt Act of Submiſſion, it would not be in Gods liberty to do with him as he pleaſed; but he would be bound to beſtow Grace upon him, and he might challenge and lay claim to Faith,
But the reaſon is, Becauſe ſuch Men are prepared to receive the Goſpel. This Poverty of Spirit brings Men near to Chriſt; ſo that it is very hopeful that they will except of him. The People of the Jews needed the Miniſtry of John to prepare them to receive the Meſſiah. Mar. 1.2. I ſend my Meſſenger before thy Face, to prepare thy Way before thee. So particular Souls need a Work of Preparation to make way for their accepting of Chriſt. So Paul was prepared. Act. 9.6. He Trembling and aſtoniſhed, ſaid, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? So the Jailour, Act. 16.30. He ſaid, Sirs, What muſt I do to be ſaved? And when Men are thrown out of their own Confidences, and made Poor in Spirit, now they are in a fair Way to receive Chriſt; Now they are ſenſible that Pardon and eternal Life are the free Gifts of God, and therefore Chriſt to prepare the Angel of the Church of Laodicea, convinces him that he was Poor, and Wretched, and Miſerable, and Blind, and Naked. Rev. 3.17. Yet thoſe Men don't accept of Chriſt, until they have another Work of God upon the Heart. They are not fully prepared by this legal Poverty of Spirit. There needs another Work of God, further to prepare Men before they will come to Chriſt. If a Man were Poor in Spirit ſeven Year together, that will not prevail with him to come to Chriſt; but further to prepare him, his Eyes muſt be opened to ſee the Divine Authority of the Goſpel. 1 Theſ. 2.13. When ye received the Word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the Word of Men, but as it is indeed the Word of God, which effectually worketh in you that believe. Until they ſee the Glory of God and Chriſt, they will not believe. Pſal. 9.10. They that know thy Name, will put their truſt in thee. But when they are Poor in Spirit, they are prepared to receive the Goſpel, and give Entertainment to Chriſt.
1. Now they ſee a want of Salvation. Men that are ſeeking their Felicity in the World, and have not a ſenſe of the Wrath of God, don't mind Chriſt. They take more Notice of the Market, and worldly Opportunities, than of goſpel Invitations. Math. 22.5. They made light of it, and went one to his Farme, and another to his Merchandize. But when they are Poor in Spirit, they are like Thirſty Men, that are even parched up. Rev. 22.17. Let him that is athirſt come. They Tremble as Paul did. Act. 9.6. This is ſome Preparation.
2. Now they ſee that they can get Salvation in no other Way. If Men have hope to Work out their Salvation themſelves, they will not come to Chriſt. If they can cure their own Souls, they will not come to this Phyſitian. If the Prodigal thinks that he can earn his Living, he will not return to his Father. Luk. 15.15. He went and joined himſelf to a Citizen of the Country. But he that is Poor in Spirit, has tried all Concluſions, and every thing fails him. He ſees himſelf a dead Man. Rom. 7.9. Sin revived, and I died. So he ſees greater Neceſſity. This is a farther degree of Preparation.
1 USE. Hence ſee, That thoſe that are not Poor in Spirit, do eſpecially need to have the Law preached to them. It is uſeful to all ſorts of Men to hear the Preaching of the Law. Saints ſtand in need of it to keep them Humble, to put them upon it to renew their Faith in Chriſt, and to make them Thankful: But eſpecially ſuch as are not Poor in Spirit. They need to be brought to Mount Sinai, and to hear the Thundrings, and ſee the Lightnings. Secure Sinners don't love to hear the Terrours of the Law. They had rather be entertained with ſome more comfortable Doctrine; but they are in great Neceſſity to hear the Law. If there had been no Law, there would have been no Neceſſity of the Goſpel: And Men that are not ſenſible of the Terrours of the Law, will not regard the Invitations of the Goſpel. Such as are not Poor in Spirit, need to hear the Law often, that they may be prepared to receive the Goſpel; that their Hearts may be broken and humbled. Gal. 3.24. The Law was our Schoolmaſter, to bring us to Chriſt.
1. That they may be ſenſible of the Terribleneſs of Damnation. Many Men are not aware what a terrible Thing it is to be Damned. They have a deeper Senſe of Poverty and Reproach, than they have of Damnation. They look upon Hell as an uncomfortable Place: They think if it muſt be their Portion to go to Hell, they ſhall bear it as well as others; they are not like to go thither alone: They ſeldome think of it. They look upon it as a remote Thing at a great Diſtance, and it don't terrify them; but the Law diſcovers that it is Intollerable. Pſal. 11.6. Upon the Wicked God will Rain Snares, Fire and Brimſtone, and an horrible Tempeſt. Iſai. 30.33. Tophet is prepared of Old, he hath made it deep and large; the Pile thereof is Fire aad much Wood; the Breath of the Lord, as a ſtream of Brimſtone, doth kindle it. Math. 25.41. Depart ye Curſed, into everlaſting Fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels. Math. 13.42. He ſhall caſt them into a Furnace of Fire, there ſhall be Weeping and gnaſhing of Teeth. Hence many Men are exceedingly terrified, and ſee a neceſſity of Deliverance. Iſai. 33.14. Sinners in Zion are afraid, Trembling has ſurprized the Hypocrites: Who among us can dwell with devouring Fire? Who among us can dwell with everlaſting Burnings? If the ſenſe of the terribleneſs of Damnation ſinks into their Hearts, they won't regard the World, they won't ſtick at their Pains; they won't think much to part with their Sins: They had rather undergo any Sorrow than be Damned.
2. That they may be ſenſible of the great danger of Damnation. Men are wont to ſooth up themſelves that God will not ſend them to Hell: He is Kind, and Gracious, and they Pray to him, and they are in Covenant, and enjoy Priviledges: They live Orderly, and are ſorry for their Sins, and ſo they hope they are in no great danger. But the Law ſhews, that Sinners are under a Sentence of Condemnation. Rom. 6.23. The Wages of Sin is Death. That God is very Angry with ungodly Men, Pſal. 50.21, 22. I will Reprove thee, and ſet thy Sins in Order before thee. Conſider this, ye that forget God, leſt I tear you to pieces, and there be none to deliver. The Law ſhews, that the Threatning muſt be executed. The Law muſt take Place, that the Faithfulneſs of God is engaged for the fulfilling of the Law. Math. 5.18. Not one jot nor tittle ſhall paſs from the Law, but all ſhall be fulfilled. Hence many Men are afraid they ſhall not eſcape. They ſay as Mic. 6.7. Will the Lord be pleaſed with Thouſands of Rams, or ten Thouſands of Rivers of Oyl? They are afraid there is no Mercy for them. They have a Fearful expectation of fiery Indignation. They have a dreadful Sound in their Ears, as Job 15.21. And their Hearts are Meditating Terrour. They Confeſs, they Reform, they Cry, they Plead, but yet it Rings in their Ears, Curſed is every one that continues not in all things that are written in the Book of the Law to do them.
3. That they may be ſenſible of the danger of ſudden Deſtruction. There is an Inclination in Men to put far away the evil Day, and then they think they may have a long Opportunity to enjoy worldly Comforts. Men ſee that God exerciſes Patience towards others, and they flatter themſelves that he will be Patient towards them. But by the Law, they ſee that God will deſtroy many Sinners ſuddenly. 1 Theſ. 5.3. When they ſay Peace and Safety, then ſudden Deſtruction cometh upon them, as Travail upon a Woman with Child, and they ſhall not eſcape. And the Law ſhews them, that God is very Angry; that he ſets their Iniquities before him, their ſecret Sins in the light of his Countenance: And ſo they are afraid God will not wait upon them. In the Evening they are afraid they ſhall die before Morning. If they find any bodily Indiſpoſition, they are afraid they ſhall die. If there be a Thunder-Storm, they are afraid they ſhall be killed: Their Hearts ſhake at the report of Sickneſs that prevails: They tremble at the ſhaking of a Leaf. It is with them as Deut. 28.66, 67. Thy Life ſhall hang in ſuſpence, and thou ſhalt fear Day and Night, and ſhalt have none aſſurance of thy Life. In the Morning thou ſhalt ſay, Would God it were Evening: And at Evening thou ſhalt ſay, Would God it were Morning; for the fear of thine Heart wherewith thou ſhalt fear.
4. That they may be ſenſible of the juſtice of their Damnation. Men have abundance of Objections againſt the juſtice of God. They argue that Sins don't hurt God; he is happy for ever, notwithſtanding their Sins. They object, that they could not prevent their Sins; they are according to the Decree of God; that the Sin of Adam, that they did not conſent to, was imputed to them, and ſo they were conceived in Sin, and born in Iniquity. They object, that they have done Service, and that the Pains of Hell are intolerable. But the Law ſhews that their Damnation is juſt. Rom. 3.19. Whatſoever Things the Law ſaith, it ſaith to them that are under the Law: That every Mouth may be ſtopped, and all the World may become Guilty before God. It is very evident from the Law, that Men have deſerved Deſtruction; that they are worthy of Death, for they have broken an holy Law, and according to the Sentence of it, which is a Rule of Juſtice, they have merited Damnation. It is evident, that they are the proper Cauſes of their own Sins, and they have therein run upon the point of the Sword, and have thrown themſelves into a Gulph of Miſery. Hoſ. 13.9. O Iſrael, thou haſt deſtroyed thy ſelf.
2 USE. Of warning to Sinners: Be not afraid to ſee that you are Poor. There is that maketh himſelf Rich, yet hath nothing. Prov. 13.7. So it is with ſome in this Caſe. Rev. 3.17. Thou ſayeſt thou art Rich, and increaſed in Goods, and haſt need of nothing, but art Poor, and Wretched, &c. Men miſerably deceive themſelves by ſuch Imaginations. Gal. 6.3. He that thinketh himſelf ſomething when he is nothing, deceiveth himſelf. It is Awful for Men to ſee themſelves Poor: It is Frightful, but if you be Poor, it is beſt to ſee it. The Caſe of ſuch Men is Doleful, but not Deſperate. Such have no Foundation to truſt in themſelves; but they have Ground of Encouragement, for the Goſpel is eſpecially to be preached to them that are Poor in Spirit. In the Invitations of the Goſpel, he hath a ſingular Regard to them. Luk. 4.18. Your Condition is not the more Dangerous, but the more Hopeful, for ſeeing your ſelves Poor.
Conſider, 1. You are wholly empty of Goodneſs. Some of you have conſiderable ſhews of Goodneſs. There is an Appearance of good Deſires, gracious Sorrow, love to Ordinances and Sabbaths, and there is care to avoid Sin; but there is nothing of Goodneſs in all this. It can't be ſaid of you, as of Jeroboam's Son, There is ſome good thing towards the Lord God of Iſrael. All that you do is in Hypocriſy. You are acted in your Religion by a Spirit of Selfe-love: Fear of Hell and hopes of Heaven are the great Principles that influence you. You are acted by a Luſt of Self-love in all your Religion. Pſal. 78.36. They flattered him, and lyed to him with their Tongue. Their Heart was not right with him. You make a conſiderable Profeſſion, but God may ſay of you, as of them, Deut. 5.29. O that there were ſuch an Heart in them. All that ye do is for your ſelves. Hoſ. 10.1. If you be Swept and Garniſhed, yet you are Empty. There is ſome ſimilitude of Faith and Love, but no reality. There is not one ſpark of Goodneſs in your Heart; though Corruption be reſtrained, yet it Reigns; and ſo long as Corruption Reigns, there is a total want of Goodneſs. Faith is the firſt good Thing that is wrought in the Heart. You are afraid of Judgment; ſo are the Devils. Jam. 2.19. The Devils believe and Tremble. You are much in Prayer, ſo would the Devils be, if they had hopes of Deliverance.
2. You have no Power to do any Good. You have Power to do all manner of External Duties, but you have no Power to keep the Law. Rom. 8.7. The natural Mind is not ſubject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be. If you have the help of Ordinances, of Afflictions, of Deliverances of Examples; yet you cannot work up any gracious Frame in your own Heart. If there were a ſeed of Grace in your Heart, by being cheriſhed, it might grow and flouriſh, but there is none. A Man that is in a Swound, may be brought to be ſenſible, and to Walk and Work, but a Man that is Dead cannot: Thus it is with you. You are Dead in Treſpaſſes and Sins. Eph. 2.1. A Watch, or a Clock, by Springs and Weights may move Briskly, but it has no Principle of Life. It is quite beyond you to do any ſpiritual Good. You can't receive the Goſpel. There is Encouragement enough ſet before you, and it would be exceeding Profitable to you to receive it, but you cannot. You have not an Heart to receive it. Joh. 6.44. No Man can come unto me, except the Father that ſent me draw him.
3. God is not bound to change your Heart. God is abſolutely free, he may help you, but if he won't, he is bleſſed for ever. It is true, he may help you without any Wrong to himſelf, but that lays him under no Neceſſity. It is in his Choice, whether he will Glorify his Juſtice or his Mercy on you: He may paſs over you and take another Rom. 9.16. It is not of him that Willeth, nor of him that Runneth, but of God that ſheweth Mercy. God is under no Conſtraint to change your Heart; His Juſtice don't neceſſitate him. You have deſerved Condemnation, and your Prayers and Tears lay no Bonds on the Juſtice of God. His Faithfulneſs don't neceſſitate him. He hath promiſed to Convert ſome, but there is no abſolute Promiſe to any natural Man. His Mercy don't neceſſitate him. The merciful Nature of Man, doth many times force him to pity and help others, but God is wholly Voluntary in the Exerciſes of his Mercy. God is not of ſuch a tender Heart, that he can't bear to ſee Men in Miſery. God can take Pleaſure in the Exerciſes of Juſtice. Iſai. 1.24. Ah, I will eaſe me of mine Enemies, and avenge me of my Adverſaries. His Henour don't neceſſitate him to Convert you. It would have been as much for his Honour to have converted Eſau as Jacob, Judas as Peter, Saul as David. If he don't Convert you, he will be glorified for ever. You can't bring God under any Neceſſity to Convert you. If he doth not, he doth you no Wrong: You are in his Hands. He is the Potter, and you are the Clay; He may make you a Veſſel of Honour or Diſhonour. Rom. 9.21.
3 USE. Of Exhortation to them that are Poor to receive the Goſpel. If it were not offered to you, it would be Obtruſion and Preſumption, a thruſting of your ſelves upon Chriſt, it would be an impudent Thing. But God offers Mercy to you; yea in an eſpecial Manner; as the Meſſage concerning Chriſt's Reſurrection was ſent in a particular Manner to Peter. Mar. 16.7. Go tell his Deſciples, and Peter. So he charges his Miniſters to make a particular Application of the Goſpel to you. Luk. 4.18. Iſai. 55.1. Rev. 22.17.
Conſider 1. It is not beyond his Mercy to Pardon you. Salvation is a great Work. If your Sins had been fewer in Number, and ſmaller in their Nature and Aggravations, it would require great Mercy to Pardon and Save you. But as great as your Sins are, it is not beyond the Grace of God. You muſt beware that you don't limit the holy One of Iſrael. God is rich in Mercy. Eph. 2.4. His Grace is like the Ocean. It is ſufficient to cover all your Sins. Eph. 3.18. To comprehend the Breadth, and Length, and Heigth, and Depth of the Love of Chriſt. There are Three Dimenſions that belong to Bodies: Hers are Four aſcribed to Mercy. Thickneſs may be meaſured Downwards, ſo 'tis Depth; and Upwards, ſo 'tis Heigth. Mercy brings Sinners from deep Miſery, to the Pinnacle of Happineſs. God's Mercy is greater than Man's. God can find Mercy for ſuch as Men cannot find Mercy for. Hoſ. 11.9. I will not return to deſtroy Ephraim, for I am God and not Man. Iſai. 55.9. For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, ſo are my Ways higher than your Ways, and my Thoughts than your Thoughts. God's Mercies are greater than your Sins. Men think if they had not ſinned ſo much, or ſo long, their Sin would not have been beyond God's Mercy. But God's Mercy can Conquer all their Provocations. Grace may prevail over all. Rom. 5.21. Grace reigns through Righteouſnes, to eternal Life. The Mercy of God is greater than we can conceive of. The Underſtanding of Man is large: We can conceive how many Minutes there be in a thouſand Years; how many Inches it is to the Center of the Earth, but we can't comprehend the Love of Chriſt Eph. 3.19. The Love of Chriſt paſſeth Knowledge. We can't comprehend the Bitterneſs of the Cup that he Drank for our ſakes. We can't comprehend the Duration of his Love. We can't comprehend the great Good that he hath procured for us.
2. God has deſigned to ſave many loſt Sinners. It is the purpoſe of his Heart, to bring many poor Sinners to heavenly Glory. If he had taken up a Reſolution againſt it, Men might well be diſcouraged; but he has not reſolved againſt it, neither is he at a loſs what to do; he is not loth to do it: but it is his full Determination; he is reſolved in his Way, and he purpoſes to break over all Objections, and Conquer all Oppoſitions. He is ſet in his Way, and will not be put out of it. 2 Theſ. 2.13. God has choſen you to Salvation. Gal. 1.5. Having predeſtinated us unto the Adoption of Children by Jeſus Chriſt. And he has done a great deal in order to the Salvation of ſuch Sinners. The Price of it is paid. Sin laid a Bar in the Way, but that Bar is removed by the Death of Chriſt. There is no need of any Contrivance how to ſatisfy the Law, that is done already by Chriſt. God has ſent Chriſt to ſave us. Gal. 3.13. Chriſt hath redeemed us from the Curſe, being made a Curſe for us. And God makes a Propoſal to you, and gives you liberty to be ſaved, if you will accept of Jeſus Chriſt. He don't tell you that his Heart is hardned againſt you; but he tells you, that you ſhall be welcome, if you will come to Chriſt. Rev. 22.17. Whoſoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. Yea, he doth beſeech you to come for Salvation. God is of infinite Majeſty, yet he intreates you to be ſaved. He condeſcends to your Infirmity, and ſtoops ſo low as to plead with you; He becomes as it were a Petitioner to you: He begs of you to come, and urges it as a Courteſy to come, with tender-heartedneſs prayes you to come. 2 Cor. 5.20. We are Ambaſſadors for Chriſt, as though God did beſeech you by us; we pray you in Chriſts ſtead, be ye reconciled to God.
3 This is a principal Way, wherein God Glorifies himſelf. The end of all Things is God's Glory; and he hath done many great Things for his Glory. He made the World for his Glory, that his Power and Wiſdom might be manifeſted. He preſerved the holy Angels from Sinning, for the Glory of his Goodneſs. He gave the Law for the Glory of his Holineſs. He drowned the old World, ſaved Iſrael out of Egypt,, deſtroyed Sodom, brought Judah from Babylon for his Glory. But this is a principal Way wherein he Gloryfies himſelf, in working out the Salvation of Sinners by Chriſt. There is a great Manifeſtation of the Trinity of Perſons in the God-head. There is a Manifeſtation of the Power, of the Juſtice, and of the manifold Wiſdom of God, and of his unſearchable Grace. In this way he is greatly exalted. Mic. 5.18. Who is a God like unto thee, pardoning Iniquity, and paſſing by the Tranſgreſſion of the Remnant of his Heritage, becauſe he delighted in Mercy? Rev. 5.12, 13. Worthy is the Lamb that was ſlain, to receive Power, and Riches, and Wiſdom, and Honour, and Strength, and Glory, and Bleſſing. And every Creature which is in Heaven, and in the Earth, and under the Earth, and ſuch as are in the Sea, and all that are in them, heard I, ſaying, Bleſſing, and Honour, and Glory, and Power be unto him that ſitteth on the Throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.