A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

1. Because, it being the accepted time, or time of free-grace and good will, we must for the present improve it upon the account of gratitude and ingenuity.

2. Because, it being the accepted time, and the day of God's free-grace in accepting of sinners, we must presently improve it upon the account of real self-interest.

1. Upon the account of ingenuous gratitude. The terms upon which reconciliation is bestowed are all free; 'tis free not only in respect of the persons upon whom 'tis bestowed, who are weak and unworthy and polluted and opposite to God; but in respect of the terms on which it is bestowed. The terms are free terms. The old friendship between God and man was kept up by Doing; but restoring to friendship, or reconciliation, is bestowed in the way of believing. We do not buy the favour of God. 'Tis not afforded Secundum pretium, but Secundum pactum. It is not by laying down any valuable consideration for the meriting and purchasing of it; but it is in the way of doing that which God appoints, and by his free grace is pleased to condescend unto, and that is humble and thankful acceptation. If we buy it, it is with another's purse. Jesus Christ only bought it. We part with nothing for the favour of God, but what is our bane, if we keep it. We may keep all, but what will kill and damn us. Nor doth our obedience to God, when we accept of reconciliation with him through Christ, make our reconciliation less free; For the pardon of a Traitor may be free, though it be under the condition of future Loyalty. Now then what is more suitable to ingenuous gratitude, than to embrace the season of God's bestowing so free a favour? Surely, the least we can do is, to accept of that God that accepteth of us, to accept of him that is so full of loveliness and rewards, we having nothing to bring him but deformity and beggary.