The Malefactor is glad of his Princes pardon, specially of his Highness favour, whereby he is advanced into great honour and dignity. When the Jews heard of the proclamation of King Cyrus (by which they were set free from their long and tedious captivity) they were rapt with joy and wondering,1 that they were like to men that think they rather dream, then indeed possess the thing that their souls longed after: how much more will certain assurance, that we are set free from the perpetual bondage of sin, and restored to the everlasting freedom of righteousness and life, make us wonder at the infinite wisdom, and unspeakable goodness of our Heavenly Father? The Saints considering the goodness of God towards Man in his creation, break forth into holy admiration;2 Lord, what is man that thou art so mindful of him The Prophet calling to Mind long after, what God had done for his soul, in delivering him from the terror of death, and power of the grave, cannot pass it over without fervent thanks and praise,3 What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards me. And when Peter came to himself, and saw indeed that he was delivered from the tyranny of Herod, from the deep dungeon and bitter death prepared for him, he entered into a religious and thankful admiration of the great power and mercy of the Lord,4 saying▪ Now I know for a truth, that the Lord hath sent his Angel, and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod. How much more ought ⟨p. 127⟩and will that man, who is assured of Gods favour and love towards him, for ever admire the mighty power unspeakable goodness, and rich mercy of God, who hath delivered him from the pit of Hell, from the power of Satan, from the curse of the law, and from the waiting for of all the wicked Devils and damned Spirits, and hath translated him into the kingdom of his dear Sonne. And if he daily consider his unworthiness, and and renewed sins, he shall see more cause to wonder every day, then at the first, if comparison may be made in such a case, and to renew his repentance, care, watch, and resolution to better his obedience. For is it not to be wondered at, that God pardoneth the sins of his children daily, and continueth his mercy towards them, and the sense of his love, even unto the end.
The Malefactour is glad of his Princes pardon, specially of his Highnesse fauour, whereby he is aduanced into great honour and dignitie. When the Iewes heard of the proclamation of King Cyrus (by which they were set free from their long and tedious captiuitie) they were rapt with ioy and wondring,1 that they were like to men that thinke they rather dreame, then indeede possesse the thing that their soules longed after: how much more will certaine assurance, that we are set free from the perpetuall bondage of sinne, and restored to the euerlasting freedome of righteousnesse and life, make vs wonder at the infinite wisedome, and vnspeakeable goodnesse of our Heauenly Father? The Saints considering the goodnesse of God towards Man in his creation, breke forth into holy admiration;2 Lord, what is man that thou art so mindfull of him The Prophet calling to Minde long after, what God had done for his soule, in deliuering him from the terrour of death, and power of the graue, cannot passe it ouer without feruent thankes and praise,3 What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefites towards me. And when Peter came to himselfe, and saw indeede that he was deliuered from the tyrannie of Herod, from the deepe dungeon and bitter death prepared for him, he entred into a religious and thankefull admiration of the great power and mercie of the Lord,4 saying▪ Now I know for a truth, that the Lord hath sent his Angell, and hath deliuered mee from the hand of Herod. How much more ought ⟨p. 127⟩and will that man, who is assured of Gods fauour and loue towards him, for euer admire the mightie power vnspeakeable goodnes, and rich mercie of God, who hath deliuered him from the pit of Hell, from the power of Satan, from the curse of the law, and from the waiting for of all the wicked Deuils and damned Spirits, and hath translated him into the kingdome of his deare Sonne. And if hee daily consider his vnworthines, and and renued sinnes, hee shall see more cause to wonder euery day, then at the first, if comparison may be made in such a case, and to renue his repentance, care, watch, and resolution to better his obedience. For is it not to be wondred at, that God pardoneth the sinnes of his children daily, and continueth his mercie towards them, and the sence of his loue, euen vnto the end.
- 1Psa. 126.1.2.
- 2Psal. 8.4.5. Joh. 7.17. Psal. 144.3.Psal. 8.4.5. Ioh. 7.17. Psal. 144.3.
- 3Psal. 116.12.
- 4Act. 12.11.
