Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

Again, he extracts grace out of unworthiness, well knowing that the way of grace is to move it self into act from our unworthiness; a notable instance whereof we have, Hos. 2.13, 14. she went after her lovers, and forgot me, saith the Lord, therefore behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her; as if he had said, she is idolatrous, therefore behold, I will be gracious. Oh what a stupendous therefore is here? deservedly is it followed with a behold, a note of admiration: So wonderful it is, that some Learned men among the Papists, not understanding how such a connection could possibly be, have thought that it refers not to that which immediately went before, but to some precedent words about the beginning of the Chapter; a parallel place to this we have, Isa. 57.17, 18. he went on frowardly in the way of his heart, I have seen his ways and will heal him. Oh! what strange grace is here? one would have thought he would have said, he went on frowardly, I have seen his ways, and will damn him, but it is, I have seen his ways, and will heal him. Some Jewish Commentators gloss it thus, I have seen his repenting ways and will heal him. I suppose not understanding how grace should immediately follow upon perverseness, but the believer knows that this is the method of grace, and therefore by an holy art presses for it even from his own unworthiness, ⟨p. 196⟩Our Saviour Christ calls the Canaanitish woman, crying out for mercy, no better then dog, Math. 15.26. a word of reproach, such as the proud Jews put on all the Gentiles, such as made the Saracens revolt from the Emperor Heraclius his army, and set up for themselves, under their Captain Mahomet; but see how admirably her faith gathers upon him, and even from that word presses for mercy, truth Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from their Masters table, ver. 27. ipsum Dominum in verbis capit, she takes the Lord in his own words, saith Ferus, proving her title to the crumbs from her being a dog: Holy David prays, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great, Psal. 25.11. a strange argument for pardon, for it is great, such as no malefactor would use to an earthly Prince, but the holy man knows that it will pass with God, who loves to make grace superabound there, where sin hath abounded.