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

3. But it may further be doubted, ¹what if it be acknowledged that these are both things possible and lawful; yet to what purpose will it be to attempt any thing in this kind? O! what assurance have I of success? is there any word of promise for the encouragement of one in my case? or is God under any obligation to reward the endeavours of nature with special grace? wherefore, when I have done all I can, he may with-hold his influence, and then I am but where I were, and may perish notwithstanding.

3. But it may further be doubted, ¹what if it be acknowledged that these are both things possible and lawful; yet to what purpose will it be to attempt any thing in this kind? O! what assurance have I of success? is there any word of promise for the encouragement of one in my case? or is God under any obligation to reward the indeavours of nature with special grace? wherefore, when I have done all I can, he may with-hold his influence, and then I am but where I were, and may perish notwithstanding.

1. 1Doubt. 3.

And suppose thou perish notwithstanding.¹ Do but yet consult a little with thy own thoughts, which is more tolerable and easy to them to perish, as not attaining what thy fainter strugglings could not reach; or for the most direct, wilful rebellion; doing wickedly as thou couldest? Or who shall have, thinkest thou, ⟨p. 283⟩the more fearful condemnation. He that shall truly say when his Master comes to judgment; I never had indeed (Lord) an heart so fully changed, and turned to thee, as should denote me to be the subject of thy saving, pardoning mercy; but thou knowest (who knowest all things) I long (and with some earnestness) did endeavour it. Thou hast been privy to my secret desires, and moans, to the weak strivings of a listless, distempered spirit, not pleased with it self; aiming at a better temper towards thee. I neglected not thy prescribed means, only that grace which I could not challenge thou wast pleased not to give; thou didst require what I must confess my self to have owed thee; thou didst with-hold only what thou owedst me not; therefore must I yield my self a convicted guilty wretch, and have nothing to say why thy sentence should not pass. Or he that shall as truly hear from the mouth of his Judge; Sinner, thou wast often forewarned of this approaching day, and called upon to provide for it. Thou hadst Precept, upon Precept, and Line, upon Line. The counsels of life, and peace were, with frequent importunity pressed upon thee, but thou rejectedst all with proud contempt, didst despise, with the same profane scorn, the offers, commands, and threats of him that made thee; hardenest thy heart to the most obstinate rebellion against his known Laws, didst all the wickedness to which thy heart prompted thee, without restraint, declinedst every