Christ's certain and sudden appearance to judgment

3. If you repent of sin now, you may obtain th• pardon of sin; I will surely have mercy on him, saith the Lord, concerning repenting Ephraim, Jer. 31▪ 20. He that confesseth his sins, that is, with repentance, so as not only to grieve for them, but also to leave and for sake them, shall find mercy, Prov. 28. 13. Yea; God hath promised abundantly […] pardon such as forsake their evil ways, and by repentance turn to him, Isa. 55. 7. and if sinners ceas• to do evil, and learn to do well, that though their sin• be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they be red like Crimson, they shall be as wool, Isa. 1. 16▪ 17, 18. And not only his mercy, but also his justice and faithfulness is engaged to pardon such as acknowledge their sins with repentance, and ⟨p. 257⟩apply themselves to him by faith: 1 Joh. 1. 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The Door of mercy is now open to all true penitents, and the golden Sceptre of Grace and Reconciliation is hel• forth unto them; the Lord Jesus Christ is now interceding at the right hand of God, ready to make their peace with God; but if you do not repent until hereafter, a pardon will be unattainable; there will remain no sacrifice for sin; then the day of grace will be quite spent; and the Door of mercy will be fast shut: then Jesus Christ will have finished his interceding work, and it will be impossible to obtain remission.

3. If you repent of sin now, you may obtain th• pardon of sin; I will surely have mercy on him, saith the Lord, concerning repenting Ephraim,