The Practice of Piety

¹1 That many (who are now in heaven most blessed and glorious Saints) committed in the same kind kind (when they lived on earth) as great, and greater sins then ever thou hast committed, and continued before they repented, in those sins as long as ever ⟨p. 893⟩thou hast done. As therefore all their sins, and the continuance in them could not hinder gods mercy upon their repentance, from forgiving their sins, and receiving them into favour: no more shall thy sins and continuance therein, hinder him from being merciful unto thee, if thou dost repent as they did: yea,² upon thy repentance every one of their examples is a pledge that he vvill do the same unto thee that he did unto them. For, as the least sin in Gods Justice without Repentance is damnable: so the greatest sin upon repentance is in his Mercy pardonable. Thy greatest and inveteratest sins are but the sins of a man: but the ⟨p. 894⟩least of his mercies is the mercy of God. Because thou knowest thine own sins; thou doubtest whether they shall be pardoned. Mark how this doubtful case is resolved by GOD himself. Many in Isaiah's days thought (as thou dost) that they had continued so long in sin, that it was too late for them now to seek to return unto GOD for grace and mercy. But GOD answereth them; Seek ye the Lord whilst he may be found: ³call ye upon him whilst he is near. As if he had said; Whilst life lasteth, and my Word is preached, I am near to be found of all that seek me, and pray unto me. The people reply: But we O Lord are ⟨p. 895⟩grievous sinners, and therefore dare not presume to call upon thy Name, or to come near thine Holiness. To this the LORD answereth: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the man of iniquity his thoughts: and let him return unto me, and I will have mercy upon him, and be his God; and I will pardon him abundantly. But we would think (say the people) that if our sins were but ordinary sins, this promise of mercy might belong unto us. But because our sins are so great, and of such long continuance, therefore we fear least when we appear before GOD he vvill reject us. To this GOD answereth again: My thoughts (of