If this be so that Gods Mercies, and even present Mercies are inlets to future, when God is in a way of Mercy, then his people may expect greater to follow. hence follows this consequence upon it that therefore those men and women that are only careful to seek God in time of affliction, are much mistaken, and it is a vile wretched folly for any to think, that that is the only time to seek God, the time of affliction, that is confuted from this point thus, for if when God is in a way of mercy, then Gods people they argue that more mercy is coming, then this follows, that when God is in a way of mercy, then it is a fit time to pray to him, that is the fittest time to pray to him, when God is in a way of goodness and Mercy to them, when Mercy is coming, then it is a time for thee to be praying; But now the case is quite cross in the world, they will pray to God indeed; when? when God hath them at the advantage, in a time of sickness and affliction, and upon their death beds, when Gods ⟨p. 396⟩justice is out against them, and Gods wrath upon them, and they see themselves plunging into the bottomless gulf, then they will pray and cry for mercy, Oh! thou showest thy self to be a stranger to the ways of God, and to the mind of God, and to the covenant of God, if thou wert one of Gods people, then thou wouldest know that when God is in a way of Mercy, then is the best time of praying, for one Mercy lets in another, and then is the best time of praying; I would argue thus, Is it more likely that God when the day of his patience and long suffering continues to thee, that then he should deny thee mercy? (I say) is it like he should deny thee mercy then? and yet when the day of his wrath and justice cometh, then he should bestow Mercy upon thee, what an absurd apprehension of things is here? Thou criest God will deny thee Mercy and grace now, & now is the day of his long-suffering & patience, and will he deny it now, and yet is he like to give it thee, when the day of his wrath and justice cometh, upon thy sick bed, and death bed, that may be the day of vengeance & of wrath; If thou hast wisdom to thy soul seek God whilst Mercy is coming, and while he is in a way of Mercy that is the fittest time to pray, and therefore take it this day and be convinced you carnal hearts that have no mind to pray, but when they are in their afflictions:
If this be so that Gods Mercies, and even present Mercies are inlets to future, when God is in a way of Mercy, then his people may expect greater to follow. hence folows this consequence upon it that therefore those men and women that are only careful to seeke God in time of affliction, are much mistaken, and it is a vile wretched folly for any to thinke, that that is the only time to seeke God, the time of affliction, that is confuted from this point thus, for if when God is in a way of mercy, then Gods people they argue that more mercy is coming, then this follows, that when God is in a way of mercy, then it is a fit time to pray to him, that is the fittest time to pray to him, when God is in a way of goodness and Mercy to them, when Mercy is comming, then it is a time for thee to be praying; But now the case is quite cross in the world, they wil pray to God indeed; when? when God hath them at the advantage, in a time of sickness and affliction, and upon their death beds, when Gods ⟨p. 396⟩justice is out against them, and Gods wrath upon them, and they see themselves plunging into the bottomless gulfe, then they wil pray and cry for mercy, Oh! thou shewest thy selfe to be a stranger to the waies of God, and to the minde of God, and to the covenant of God, if thou wert one of Gods people, then thou wouldest know that when God is in a way of Mercy, then is the best time of praying, for one Mercy lets in another, and then is the best time of praying; I would argue thus, Is it more likely that God when the day of his patience and longe sufering continues to thee, that then he should deny thee mercy? (I say) is it like he should deny thee mercy then? and yet when the day of his wrath and justice cometh, then he should bestow Mercy upon thee, what an absurd apprehension of things is here? Thou criest God wil deny thee Mercy and grace now, & now is the day of his long-suffering & patience, and wil he deny it now, and yet is he like to give it thee, when the day of his wrath and justice cometh, upon thy sick bed, and death bed, that may be the day of vengance & of wrath; If thou hast wisdome to thy soul seeke God whilst Mercy is coming, and while he is in a way of Mercy that is the fittest time to pray, and therefore take it this day and be convinced you carnal hearts that have no minde to pray, but when they are in their afflictions:
