Now what ever God proposeth as an encouragement for sinners to come to him, that is of, or hath a special influence into the Forgiveness that is with him. For nothing can encourage a sinner as such, but under this consideration, that it is, or it respects forgiveness. That this Graciousness of Gods nature, lies at the head or spring, and is the root from whence forgiveness doth grow, is manifest from that solemn Proclamation which he made of old of his name, and the Revelation of his nature therein, (for God assuredly is; what by himself he is called,) Exod. 34. 6, 7. 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. His forgiving of iniquity flows from hence; that in his nature, he is merciful, gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness. Were he not so, infinite in all these, it were in vain to look for forgiveness from him. Having made this known to be his Name, and thereby declared his Nature, he in many places proposeth it as a relief, a refuge for sinners, an encouragement to come unto him, and to wait for mercy from him, Psal. 9. 10. They that know thy name, will put their trust in thee. It will encourage them so to do; others ⟨p. 96⟩have no foundation of their confidence; but if this name of God be indeed made known unto us by the Holy Ghost, what can hinder why we should not repair unto him, and rest upon him. So Isa. 50. 10. Who is among you, that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his Servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light, let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Not only sinners, but sinners in great distress are here spoken unto. Darkness of state or condition, in the Scripture denotes every thing of disconsolation and trouble. To be then in darkness, where yet there is some light, some relief, though darkness be predominant is sad and disconsolate; but now not only to be, but also to walk, that is to continue a course in darkness, and that with no light, no discovery of help or relief; this seems an overwhelming condition; yet sinners in this estate are called to trust in the name of the Lord.
Now what ever God proposeth as an encouragement for sinners to come to him, that is of, or hath a special influence into the Forgiveness that is with him. For nothing can encourage a sinner as such, but under this consideration, that it is, or it respects forgiveness. That this Graciousness of Gods nature, lyes at the head or spring, and is the root from whence forgiveness doth grow, is manifest from that solemn Proclamation which he made of old of his name, and the Revelation of his nature therein, (for God assuredly is; what by himself he is called,) Exod. 34. 6, 7. The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in Goodness and Truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniuity and transgression and sin. His forgiving of iniquity flows from hence; that in his nature, he is merciful, gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness. Were he not so, infinite in all these, it were in vain to look for forgiveness from him. Having made this known to be his Name, and thereby declared his Nature, he in many places proposeth it as a relief, a refuge for sinners, an encouragement to come unto him, and to wait for mercy from him, Psal. 9. 10. They that know thy name, will put their trust in thee. It will encourage them so to do; others ⟨p. 96⟩have no foundation of their confidence; but if this name of God be indeed made known unto us by the Holy Ghost, what can hinder why we should not repair unto him, and rest upon him. So Isa. 50. 10. Who is among you, that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his Servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light, let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Not only sinners, but sinners in great distress are here spoken unto. Darkness of state or condition, in the Scripture denotes every thing of disconsolation and trouble. To be then in darkness, where yet there is some light, some relief, though darkness be predominant is sad and disconsolate; but now not only to be, but also to walk, that is to continue a course in darkness, and that with no light, no discovery of help or relief; this seems an overwhelming condition; yet sinners in this estate are called to trust in the name of the Lord.
