The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

9. They may conceive fair hopes of mercy. The Lord Christ being held out in the Gospel, and freely offered to sinners, this breeds hope in them, a general and preparatory hope: What shall we do? you told us that God had raised up that Jesus we crucified, and made him Lord and Christ; and that whosoever should call upon his name should be saved, therefore we hope there is mercy for us. Thus had they a hope kindled in them,¹ and Peter in the two next verses strengthens their hope, saying, Repent and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the promise is to you and to your children.

9. They may cnoceive fair hopes of mercy. The Lord Christ being held out in the Gospel, and freely offer'd to sinners, this breeds hope in them, a general and preparatory hope: What shall we do? you told us that God had raised up that Jesus we crucified, and made him Lord and Christ; and that whosoever should call upon his name should be saved, therefore we hope there is mercy for us. Thus had they a hope kindled in them,¹ and Peter in the two next verses strengthens their hope, saying, Repent and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the promise is to you and to your children.

1. 1Act. 2.21.

10. They may thirst after, and pray for the mercy hoped for. Such a qualification was in these men, What shall we do? you men of God we are a thirst, and do entreat you to tell us where we may have water to quench our heat, mercy to pardon our sins, balm to cure our wounds. The Publican in Luke hath left us his short pithy and affectionate prayer, to imitate being in this case and state, Lord, saith he, be merciful to me a sinner. He was sensible of his sin and of his want of righteousness, he had hope of mercy, and thereupon came to the Temple to pray; and prayed earnestly for mercy, and Conversion is none of the least mercies of God, or least needful for a sinner.