The oil of gladnessThe oyle of gladnesse

Now follows the last meditation, which must be of the examples of Gods grace, in performing these promises to other sinners, as bad, ⟨p. 101⟩if not worse then any of us can be. For the Lord hath made good these words of his in his Son to as great, heinous, wilful, presumptuous offenders, as any have been, are or can be in the world, that will come unto him. No man can name, so great a sin or sins, with so great aggravations, but that the Scriptures afford us examples of as grievous sins pardoned, and as grievous sinners saved, if they have framed themselves to humiliation and conversion. For what ⟨p. 102⟩may thy sin be or thine obstinacy in sin? Is it murder and adultery run into with fore-resolved deliberation? continued in with great hardness and obduration? behold these were Davids faults, and thou seest him pardoned and comforted, yea though he ran unto them in old age after many benefits received, and after a long time of forwardness in the true religion and service of God. Hast thou been an Idolater? a Buggerer? a Drunkard? a Railer? an ⟨p. 103⟩Extortioner? why such were some of the Corinthians, (as Paul remembers them) and yet they were washed, sanctified, justified, as he also telleth them. Hast thou besides Idolatry followed Sorcerers and Witches? and practised enchantments and sorceries? and that with so much and so long obstinacy, as to kill those that should admonish thee of these faults? Why so did Manasseh too, and yet he is pardoned. Hast thou persecuted Christ? blasphemed ⟨p. 104⟩