1. Rash Mis-interpretations and misapplications of Scripture. Some weak-headed Troubled Christians can scarce read a Chapter, or hear one read, but they'll find something which they think doth Condemn them. If they read of Gods Wrath and Judgement, they think it is meant against them. If they read, Our God is a Consuming Fire, they think presently it's themselves that must be the •ewel: Whereas Justice and Mercy have each their proper objects: The burningest Fire will not waste the Gold, nor is Water the Fuel of it: But combustible matter it will presently consume. An humble soul, that lies prostrate at Christs feet, confessing its unworthiness, and bewailing its sinfulness, this is not the object of Revenging Justice: Such a soul bringing Christs Merits, and pleading them with God, is so far from being the Fuel of this Consuming •ire, that he bringeth that water which will undoubtedly quench it. Yet this Scripture-expression of our God, may subdue carnal security even in the best, but not dismay them or ••scourage them in their hopes. Another […] in Psal. 5. I will set thy sins in order […] ; and he thinks, certainly God will d••l thus by him. Not considering, that God chargeth only their sins upon them that •ha•ge them not by true Repentance on ⟨p. 389⟩themselves, and Accept not of Christ who hath Discharged them by his blood. It is the excusers, and mincers, and defenders of sin, that love not those that Reprove them, and that will not avoid them, nor the occasions of them, that would not be Reformed, and will not be persuaded, in whose souls Iniquity hath Dominion, and that Delight in it, it is these on whom God Chargeth their sin: For this is the Condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men Love Darkness rather then Light: and come not to the Light, lest their deeds should be Reproved, Joh. 3.20, 21. But for the soul that trembleth at Gods Word, and Comes home to God with shame and sorrow, Resolving to return no more to wickedness, God is so far from Charging his sins upon him, that he never mentioneth them, as I told you, is evident in the Case of the Prodigal. He makes not a poor sinners burden more heavy by hitting him in the teeth with his sins, but makes it the office of his Son to ease him by disburdening him.
1. Rash Mis-interpretations and misapplications of Scripture. Some weak-headed Troubled Christians can scarce read a Chapter, or hear one read, but they'l find something which they think doth Condemn them. If they read of Gods Wrath and Judgement, they think it is meant against them. If they read, Our God is a Consuming Fire, they think presently it's themselves that must be the •ewel: Whereas Justice and Mercy have each their proper objects: The burningst Fire will not waste the Gold, nor is Water the Fewel of it: But combustible matter it will presently consume. An humble soul, that lies prostrate at Christs feet, confessing its unworthiness, and bewailing its sinfulness, this is not the object of Revenging Justice: Such a soul bringing Christs Merits, and pleading them with God, is so far from being the Fewel of this Consuming •ire, that he bringeth that water which will undoubtedly quench it. Yet this Scripture-expression of our God, may subdue carnal s•curity even in the best, but not dismay them or ••scourage them in their hopes. Another 〈…〉 in Psal. 5. I will set thy sins in order 〈…〉 ; and he thinks, certainly God will d••l thus by him. Not considering, that God chargeth onely their sins upon them that •ha•ge them not by true Repentance on ⟨p. 389⟩themselves, and Accept not of Christ who hath Discharged them by his blood. It is the excusers, and mincers, and defenders of sin, that love not those that Reprove them, and that will not avoyd them, nor the occasions of them, that would not be Reformed, and will not be perswaded, in whose souls Iniquity hath Dominion, and that Delight in it, it is these on whom God Chargeth their sin: For this is the Condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men Love Darkness rather then Light: and come not to the Light, lest their deeds should be Reproved, Joh. 3.20, 21. But for the soul that trembleth at Gods Word, and Comes home to God with shame and sorrow, Resolving to return no more to wickedness, God is so far from Charging his sins upon him, that he never mentioneth them, as I told you, is evident in the Case of the Prodigal. He makes not a poor sinners burthen more heavy by hitting him in the teeth with his sins, but makes it the office of his Son to ease him by disburthening him.
