A39678:483
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native country, and the souls of men.The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native countrey, and the souls of men.
London: printed for Thomas Cockerill, 1691
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And if the Causes of Pardon be sufficient, and able to produce it; if the Gospel-invitations do take them in; and such sinners as these, every way as vile and wicked, have not been shut out, but ⟨p. 126⟩received to mercy; then 'tis beyond all doubt that there is (at least) a possibility of mercy for such sinners as you are.
I. 'Tis past all rational doubt, that the Causes of Remission are every way sufficient and able to produce the forgiveness of such sins as yours are. For consider with your selves, The power of 1. The Impulsive Cause. 2. The Meritorious Cause. 3. The Applying Cause.
1. The sufficiency and ability of the Impulsive Cause of Pardon, which is none other but the Free-grace of God, the immense riches and treasures whereof, do infinitely exceed the accounts and computations both of Angels and Men, Exod. 34. 6, 7. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin. Mic. 7. 18, 19. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy▪ He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us, he will subdue our iniquities, and thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the Sea. Once more, Rom. 5. 20. Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. So that whatever thy sins have been, they do not, they cannot exceed the ability and power of the Grace of God, the all-sufficient Impulsive Cause of Remission. That infinite Abyss or Sea of mercy can swallow up and cover