The Soul's Preparation for Christ

Thirdly, some will say, God may give me repentance, Quest. Christ came into the world to save sinners, and why may he not save me? Answ. I answer, is that all? is it come to this? and who knows but that God may damn thee too? if that be all, why may you not say more truly; what know I, but that God may give me up to a hard heart, and a blind mind for ever, and I may for ever be cast out of the presence of God? is it but, It may be all this while? And therefore for a full answer, consider these two things to shake off this carnal security, whereby men resolve to pin their salvation Gods mercy, though they purpose to oppose his mercy. First, know this, that there is a time when God will not show mercy? Behold; saith God,¹ I gave her a time of repentance, but she repented not, therefore I will cast her upon the bed of sickness: and as our Saviour saith to Jerusalem, Oh that thou ⟨p. 53⟩hadst known in this thy day, ²the things belonging to thy peace; but now they are hid from thy eyes. God had sealed up h•s mercy, and the day of salvation was past, and when the day is over, though Noah, Daniel, and Job, ³should pray for a people they should save neither son nor daughter; And if thy father did pray for thee that art a child; if mercy be past, the Lord will not spare that man saith the text; as if the Lord had said, I have abundance of mercy but thou shalt never taste of it, nay, for ought I know, the Lord may set a seal of condemnation upon thee, and so give thee over to all evil, to all sin, to all curses; and blot out thy name from under heaven; Are you yet persuaded that this is Gods word? if you were but persuaded of the sorrow some have had, it would make you look about you; The Wise man saith, that wisdom professeth to pour out abundance of mercy, ⁴saying, Oh you simple ones, how long will you contemn and despise purity and holiness?

Thirdly, some will say, God may give me repentance, Quest. Christ came into the world to save sinners, and why may he not save me? Answ. I answere, is that all? is it come to this? and who knows but that God may damne thee too? if that be all, why may you not say more truly; what know I, but that God may give me up to a hard heart, and a blinde minde for ever, and I may for ever be cast out of the presence of God? is it but, It may be all this while? And therefore for a full answere, consider these two things to shake off this carnal security, wherby men resolve to pin their salvation Gods mercy, though they purpose to oppose his mercy. First, know this, that there is a time whē God will not shew mercy? Behold; saith God,