Gospel reconciliation, or, Christ's trumpet of peace to the world

CHAP. 68. The Eight Argument: Manifesting the exceeding willingness of God to be reconciled to sinners.

Further God manifests himself willing to be reconciled in this; in the ways of his dealing with wretched sinful men; in sending his Grace to allure the hearts of sinners: the Lord sends his mercy, to spread all the beauty; and lustre thereof before the Sons of men; all the excellency, and Glory of it before the Soul, that it may entice the Soul of the sinner to come in unto him, (he doth not merely send and seek to him) but that he might overcome the hearts of men with love and mercy; this is Gods way, to cause his mercy to stand before the Soul, and to spread the beauty, and excellency of it, that it move, and entice, and allure the hearts of men, that so God (as it were by cords of Love) might draw the hearts of poor sinful men unto him. If God did but scare men so come in to him, it were somewhat; but it is this which we have cause to bless God for; if the Lord come in never such a terrible way to force us to come in, that so there might be made up peace between God, and us, the Lord (besides that way of terror and wrath) (though sometimes he will use that way to stop men in the course of their sins, and to force them to come in) he goes forth, and doth send his mercy, to stand before the Soul, and to spread the beauty, excellency, and glory of it before the heart of the sinner, that so it might allure the sinner to come in: so God speaks of his people in the 2 Hosea the 14. There was a great breach between Israel and God at the time, and God to make up the breach, (when ⟨p. 327⟩he would be pacified towards Israel) he expresses it in this manner; Therefore behold, I will allure her, and in the 11. of Hos. 4. mark! I draw them with the cords of a man, and with the cords of love; I dealt with them in a suitable way, because that mans Nature had rather be drawn, than driven) and cannot so well bear to be driven with violence as to be drawn by love: Therefore (saith God) I will deal with them according to their own Nature, and in a suitable way. I draw them with the cords of a man and with bonds of Love; here are the gracious expressions of God unto wretched sinners, to break their hearts that they may come in, and be reconciled to him: God takes away the terror of his greatness, and comes in loving, and sweet ways to draw the hearts of sinners.