A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

2. The proposal of Repentance, is a thing fitted and suited in its own nature, to beget thoughts in the mind of a sinner that there is forgiveness with God. Repenting is for sinners only. I came not, saith our Saviour, to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. It is for them, and them only. It was no duty for Adam in Eden; it is none for the Angels in Heaven, nor for the damned in Hell. What then may be the language of this appointment? O sinners, come and deal with God by Repentance: Doth it not openly speak forgiveness in God? and if it were otherwise could men possibly be more frustrated or deceived? would not the Institution of Repentance be a lye? Such a delusion may proceed from Satan, but not from him who is the fountain of Goodness, Holiness and Truth. His Call to Repentance, is a full Demonstration of his readiness to forgive, Acts 17. 30, 31, 32. It is true, many do thus deceive themselves. They raise themselves unto an expectation of immunity, not on Gospel grounds; and their disappointment is a great part of their punishment. But God deceives none: whoever comes to him on his proposal of Repentance, shall find forgiveness. It is said of some indeed, that he will laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear cometh, Prov. 1. 26. He will aggravate their misery, by giving them to see what their pride and folly hath brought them unto. But who are they? only such as refuse his Call to Repentance, with the Promises of Acceptation annexed.

3. There is then no cause, why those who are under a Call to Repentance, should question whether there be forgiveness in God or no. This concerns my second Proposition. Come, saith the Lord, unto the souls of men; leave your sinful ways, turn unto me, humble your selves with broken and contrite hearts: Alas, ⟨p. 148⟩say poor convinced sinners, we are poor, dark and ignorant creatures; or we are old in sin, or great sinners, or backsliders, or have fallen often into the same sins; can we expect there should be forgiveness for us? Why you are under Gods Invitation to Repentance; and to disbelieve forgiveness, is to call the Truth, Holiness and Faithfulness of God into question. If you will not believe forgiveness, pretend what you please, it is in truth because you hate Repentance. You do but deceive your souls when you pretend you come not up to Repentance, because you cannot believe forgiveness. For in the very Institution of this duty God engageth all his Properties to make it good that he hath pardon and mercy for sinners.