A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

First, an immoderate aggravation of their sin, and continual thought of their unworthiness. Thus the case stands with many poor Christians; fain they would believe (as they acknowledge) but they are unworthy, they have been sinners. These must know, it is good they should see their own unworthiness, but not that they should be hindered thereby from coming to Christ it is good to deny themselves, but not to doubt of the mercy of the Lord. Christ came to seek that which was lost, ¹to bind up the broken hearted, and to save sinners. He died for his enemies, for the unworthy: He inviteth the burdened to come unto him, and makes suit to the poor and worthless, that he might ease and enrich them. If they were not unworthy, what need had they of Gods mercy? or how should God glorify the riches of his mercy in pardoning their offences? The feeling of their unworthiness makes them fit to receive mercy from God who doth vouchsafe it freely: seeing besides their sin which makes them unworthy, they have a sense of it, and an heart broken for it. If they were not unworthy, they could no• believe: If their case had not been desperate, what need was there, that Christ should come from the bosom of his Father?² Pardon is offered freely of grace, the more vile they be in themselves, the fitter to receive this undeserved kindness. Oh, but their sins are grievous and notorious, scarlet, crying, scandalous sins? This detestation of sin is greatly to be commended, ⟨p. 235⟩if they remember withal,³ that there is hope in Israel concerning this: if they will set one eye upon the mercy of God, as they set the other upon the vileness of their iniquities. If their sins be many and great,⁴ God is rich in mercy, abundant in goodness, hath a multitude of tender mercies; His mercy reacheth above the Heavens, he forgiveth iniquity, transgression, sin & rebellion. All faults are easily pardonable to his infinite mercy, which exceeds Mans, as Heaven doth Earth; which can readilier forgive seventy, then Man seven offences. Was not Adam, Manasseh, Paul, the sinful woman commonly called Mary Magdalene,