Sun-beams of gospel-light shining clearly from several texts of Scripture, opened and applied. 1.…Sun-beams of gospel-light shining clearly from severall texts of Scripture, opened and applyed. 1.…

But it will be said this is a hard case, although a man would repent, yet he cannot: though he desire to serve God, yet it is impossible. Therefore to take away this Scruple, we must know that God is exceeding free and open-handed in giving grace (if it may be taken in time) and if we will not believe it, John cometh here and telleth you, I have received of his Fullness, and not only I, but all we have received, that is, all other Saints that either are, or have been: and since John's time, many thousand thousands: And shall not such a Cloud of Witnesses persuade us? If a Beggar do but hear of an open House kept; or a great Dole, it affects him, and invites him to go: But when he sees many come from it with arms-full, and lapsful, and baskets-full, then he is confident: that addeth wings to him; So if a sick man do but hear of a Famous Physician, or a healing Well, it stirs him up to go and try: But when he meets with 100 and 1000 coming from the Well, and telling him, I have been there and am healed, I have been there, and am made whole, then he maketh no question; So doth John here, Al we have received of his Fullness: Like a Bird that hath found out a full heap and calls his fellows to it. Say not therefore, oh my sins are so great, and my wants are so many: But rather think thus with your selves, if there was grace enough for so many, there is surely enough for me: Only you must receive when it is offered in the acceptable time, lest often grieving the Spirit, God suffers his Spirit to strive no longer. Gen. 6, 3. But (as I said before) swear in his wrath that you shall not enter into his rest.

But it wil be said this is a hard case, although a man would repent, yet he cannot: though he desire to serve God, yet it is impossible. Therefore to take away this Scruple, we must know that God is exceeding free and open-handed in giving grace (if it may be taken in time) and if we wil not believe it, Iohn commeth here and telleth you, I have received of his Fulnesse, and not onely I, but al we have received, that is, al other Saints that either are, or have beene: and since Iohn's time, many thousand thousands: And shal not such a Cloud of Witnesses perswade us? If a Beggar doe but heare of an open House kept; or a great Dole, it affects him, and invites him to goe: But when he sees many come from it with armes-ful, and lapsful, and baskets-ful, then he is confident: that addeth wings to him; So if a sick man doe but heare of a Famous Physitian, or a healing Wel, it stirs him up to goe and try: But when he meets with 100 and 1000 comming from the Wel, and telling him, I have beene there and am healed, I have beene there, and am made whole, then he maketh no question; So doth Iohn here, Al we have received of his Fulnesse: Like a Bird that hath found out a ful heape and calls his fellowes to it. Say not therefore, oh my sinnes are so great, and my wants are so many: But rather thinke thus with your selves, if there was grace inough for so many, there is surely inough for me: Onely you must receive when it is offered in the acceptable time, lest often grieving the Spirit, God suffers his Spirit to strive no longer.