The blessedness of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /The blessednesse of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /

I have thought sometimes, with much wonder, of the stupid folly of unsanctified hearts, they are even confounded in their own wishes; and would have (in order to their security) they know not what. Were the question faithfully put to the very heart of such a one, what wouldest thou have done in order to thy eternal safety from divine wrath and vengeance? would not the answer be, O that God would recall those severe constitutions he hath made, and not insist •o strictly, on what be hath required in the Gospel, in order to the salvation ⟨p. 213⟩on of sinners. But foolish wretch, dost thou know what thou sayest? wouldst thou have God repeal the Gospel that thou mayest be the more secure? in what a case art thou then? Hast thou no hope if the Gospel stand in force? what hope wilt thou have if it do not? Must the hopes of all the world be ruined to establish thine? and yet leave them involved in the common ruin too? What, but the Gospel gives the least hope to Apostate sinners? There is now hope for thee in the Gospel promise, if thou return to God. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; ¹and let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, and he will abundantly pardon. But take away the Gospel and where art thou? Were it possible for thee to repent, and become a new man, what settles the connection between Repentance, and Salvation but the Gospel-promise? Will the violated Law of works accept thy Repentance instead of Obedience? Doth it not expressly preclude any such expectation? Doth it give any ground to look for any thing but death after sin? Thou must therefore fly to the Gospel or yield thy self lost; and know it contains none but faithful and true sayings, that have more stability in them, than the foundations of heaven and earth. Therefore expect nothing to be altered for thy sake. The Gospel-constitution was settled long before thou wast born; Thou comest too late with thy Exceptions (if thou hadst any) against it. Remember, therefore, this is one ⟨p. 214⟩of the unalterable determinations of this Gospel, without holiness thou shalt never see God, or (which amounts to the same) thou canst not behold his face but in righteousness. There is no word in all the Bible of more certain truth than this. In this also how apt are sinners foolishly to entangle themselves.