The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

2. The Love of God discovered in our Redemption, is the most powerful persuasive to Repentance. For the discovery of this we must consider, that real Repentance is the consequent of Faith, and always in proportion to it. Therefore, the Law which represents to us the Divine Purity and Justice, without any allay of Mercy, can never work true Repentance in a Sinner. When Conscience is under the strong conviction of guilt, and of Gods Justice as implacable, it causes a dreadful flight from him, and a reckless neglect of means. Despair hardens. Neither is the discovery of God in Nature, prevailing over the impenitent Hearts of men. 'Tis true, the visible frame of the World, and the continual benefits of Providence, instruct Men in those prime Truths, the Being and Bounty of God to those that serve Him, and invite them to their Duty. God ⟨p. 210⟩never left himself without a witness in any age: ¹His Goodness is designed To lead men to Repentance. And the Apostle aggravates the obstinacy of Men, that rendered that method entirely fruitless. But the Declaration of Gods Goodness in the Gospel is infinitely more clear and powerful, than the silent revelation by the works of Creation and Providence. For although the Patience and general Goodness of God offered some intimations that he is placable, yet not a sufficient support for a guilty and jealous Creature to rely on. The natural notion of Gods Justice is so deeply rooted in the Humane Soul, that till He is pleased to proclaim an Act of Grace and Pardon, on the conditions of Faith and Repentance, 'tis hardly possible that convinced Sinners should apprehend Him otherwise than an Enemy; and that all the common Benefits they enjoy, are but Provisions allowed in the interval between the Sentence pronounced by the Law, and the Execution of it at Death. Therefore God to overcome our fears, and to melt us into a compliance, hath given in the Scripture the highest assurance of his willingness to receive all relenting and returning Sinners. He interposes the most solemn Oath to remove our suspicions.² As I live, saith the Lord, I delight not in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. ³And have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: And not that he should return from his ways and live?