1 That no sin (though never so great) should be a cause to move any Christian to despair, so long as Gods mercy, by so many millions of degrees is greater: and that ⟨p. 904⟩every penitent and believing sinner, hath the pardon of all his sins confirmed by the Word and Oath of GOD; two immutable things wherein it is unpossible that God should lye. 12His Word is that at what time soever, 3a sinner, whosoever, doth repent of his sin whatsoever, (for both time, & sins, and sinners are indefinite) from the bottom of his heart; God will blot forth all his sins out of his remembrance, that they shall be mentioned unto him no more. If we will not take his word (which GOD forbid we should doubt of) he hath given us his oath: As I live, I desire not the death of the wicked, 4but that the wicked turn from his way and live: as if he had said; ⟨p. 905⟩Will ye not believe my word? I swear by my life, that I delight not to damn any sinner for his sins, but rather to save him upon his conversion and repentance. The meditation hereof, moved Tertullian to exclaim: Oh, how happy are we, 5when God sweareth that he will not our damnation! Oh, what miserable wretches are we, if we will not believe God, when he sweareth this truth unto us! Listen, O drooping spirit, whose soul is assailed with waves of faithless despair: how happy were it to see many like thee, and Hezekiah? (who mourn like doves for the sense of sin, 6and chatter like Cranes and Swallows for the fear of Gods anger) rather ⟨p. 906⟩then to behold many who die like beasts without any feeling of their own estate, or any fear of Gods wrath, or tribunal seat, before which they are to appear? Comfort thy self, O languishing soul; for if this earth hath any for whom Christ spilt his blood on the Cross? thou assuredly art one. Cheer up therefore thy self. in the all-sufficient atonement of the blood of the Lamb▪ 7which speaketh better things then that of Abel. And pray for those, who never yet obtained the grace, to have such a sense with detestation of sin. Thou art one indeed, for whom Christ dyed; and from whom a wounded spirit (judging rather ⟨p. 907⟩according to his feeling, then his faith) hath wrung that doleful voice of Christ, My God, my God, 8why hast thou forsaken me? And doubt not but ere long thou shalt as truly reign with him,9 as now thou doest suffer with him:10 for Yea and Amen hath spoken it.
1 That no sinne (though neuer so great) should bee a cause to moue any Christian to despaire, so long as Gods mercy, by so many millions of degrees is greater: and that ⟨p. 904⟩euery penitent and beleeuing sinner, hath the pardon of all his sinnes confirmed by the Word and Oath of GOD; two immutable things wherein it is vnpossible that God should lye. 12His Word is that at what time soeuer, 3a sinner, whosoeuer, doth repent of his sin whatsoeuer, (for both time, & sinnes, and sinners are indefinite) from the bottome of his heart; God will blot forth all his sinnes out of his remembra•ce, that they shall be mentioned vnto him no more. If we will not take his word (which GOD forbid wee should doubt of) he hath giuen vs his oath: As I liue, I desire not the death of the wicked, 4but that the wicked turne from his way and liue: as if he had said; ⟨p. 905⟩Will yee not beleeue my word? I sweare by my life, that I delight not to damne any sinner for his sinnes, but rather to saue him vpon his conuersion and repentance. The meditation hereof, moued Tertullian to exclaime: Oh, how happy are wee, 5when God sweareth that hee will not our damnation! Oh, what miserable wretches are wee, if wee will not beleeue God, when he sweareth this truth vnto vs! Listen, O drooping spirit, whose soule is assailed with waues of faithlesse despaire: how happy were it to see many like thee, and Hezechias? (who mourne like doues for the sence of sinne, 6and chatter like Cranes and Swallowes for the feare of Gods anger) rather ⟨p. 906⟩then to behold many who die like beasts without any feeling of their owne estate, or any feare of Gods wrath, or tribunall seate, before which they are to appeare? Comfort thy selfe, O languishing soule; for if this earth hath any for whom Christ spilt his bloud on the Crosse? thou assuredly art one. Cheere vp therfore thy selfe. in the all-sufficient attonement of the bloud of the Lambe
- 1Heb. 6.18.
- 2Eze. 18.22.
- 3D. King, B. of Lo•d. his Lectures on Jonah.D. King, B. of Lo•d. his Lectures on Ionas.
- 4Eze. 33.11.
- 5O faelices nos, quorum causà turat Deus! O miserrimos nos sine Deo quidem juranti credimus! Tertul.O faelices nos, quorum causà turat Deus! O miserrimos nos sine Deo quidem iuranti credimus! Tertul.
- 6Isa. 38.14.
- 7Heb. 12.24.
- 8Mat. 27.46.
- 92 Tim. 2.11. 2 Cor. 1.20.
- 10Apoc. 3.14.
