Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

3dly. The Gospel sets forth his Willingness to save us. Faith has an Aspect upon Christ as able and willing to save: for Power without a Will to save is unprofitable, ⟨p. 311⟩and the Will without Power is fruitless and ineffectual. For the begetting of Faith we are to consider the Proposal and Offer of Grace in the Gospel, and the Promise of it.

1. In the Gospel there is a Proposal of Grace to all: the Invitation is universal; Whoever will, let him come to the Waters of Life freely. Our Saviour gave this Command to the Apostles, Preach the Gospel to every Creature. Neither the number nor quality of Mens Sins are a Bar against their coming to Christ for Life. None are excluded but those who exclude themselves. In the Parable those were earnestly invited by the Command of the Master of the Feast, who refused to come. This Offer of Grace and Life to all that will humbly receive it, is the first Foundation of Faith, and induces our Acceptance of it: for without this, the ⟨p. 312⟩self-condemned Sinner sinks into Misery bottomless and helpless. The most miserable Despair is drawn from Impossibility. If Men think 'tis impossible to obtain what they desire, they will not endeavour to obtain. 'Tis easily cleared by the Scriptures, if Men will believe the Scriptures when they are clear, that as the Brazen Serpent, the Sign of Salvation, was lifted up on high, and made obvious to every Eye, to convey healing Virtue to those who were stung by the fiery Serpents; so our crucified Saviour is lifted up in the Gospel for every Soul-wounded Sinner to regard. The belief of inviting Mercy opens the Springs of Godly Sorrow: a Natural Sorrow arises from the sense of oppressing Evils, and is terminated upon our selves: a Spiritual Sorrow proceeds from the sense of our Unworthiness, and the ⟨p. 313⟩Divine Goodness, that is so ready and desirous to save us.