The application of redemption

The Lord not only offers it freely that we might §3be encouraged: but heartily intends it; yea, entreats it earnestly that indeed we might be persuaded without gain-saying to yield. He not only commands the sinner to come, but if he go away, Mercy pursues him; if yet he seems to withdraw himself, Mercy lays hold on him, will not leave him, but weeps over him, kneels down before him, and begs importunately at his hands his own reconciliation with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5. 17. The Lord by us doth beseech you to be reconciled, the Ministers proclaim it, but God professeth it; they desire men, and God in them […], and entreateth to be reconciled.

The Lord not only offers it freely that we might §3be encouraged: but heartily intends it; yea, entreats it earnestly that indeed we might be perswaded without gain-saying to yeild. He not only commands the sinner to come, but if he go away, Mercy pursues him; if yet he seems to withdraw himself, Mercy laies hold on him, wil not leave him, but weeps over him, kneels down before him, and begs importunately at his hands his own reconciliation with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5. 17. The Lord by us doth beseech you to be reconciled, the Ministers proclaim it, but God professeth it; they desire men, and God in them 〈…〉, and entreateth to be reconciled.

This makes the bowels of a sinner to roll within him and drives him to a stand, and almost overcomes our unkind natures: What! A King to entreat a Traitor to be pardoned; the Judge a Thief to be acquitted; a Conqueror fall at the foot of a Captive and his Prisoner, and desire him to be reconciled. I hat God, the great God of heaven and earth who was offended by us, who hath no need of us, who was infinitely happy in himself without us who might with the breath of his nostrils for ever confound us, and that justly; why it had been enough, and enough a Conscience, but to admit such accursed dust and ashes into his presence, […] to hear him speak, and give him but leave to bewail his sins before he should have perished for them. It had been a high favour and mercy to have given him leave to have begged mercy, though he had never granted it. But to hear me when I call and cry, to receive me to favour when I come, that is as much as could be desired. But that God should stoop to man, heaven to earth, […] to meanness, he that was offended