The wells of salvation opened, or, Words whereby we may be saved

where is he to be found? how is he to be received? what are his terms? what are his commands? do any thing, part with any thing, you would not then think much to lay down your selves, and all that you have at his feet, so you might have him; none but Christ, none but Christ would you then desire; and if you might have all the world without him, you would not be contented. Sinners, would you be saved by Christ, get your hearts affected with godly sorrow for sin, and that you may mourn deeply and kindly, you must get not only a conviction of the guilt of sin, and the punishment which is due for it, which you cannot escape; but you must look further into the nature of sin, and get a sight and sense of the evil of sin; you must look ⟨p. 135⟩not only to the consequential evil of sin, but also to the intrinsical evil of sin; not only to the Hell which is like to follow upon it, but also to that Hell which there is in it; look to the evil of sin not only as it is like to burn you, but as it hath black• and smutted you; as it hath depraved and deformed your souls, which are of heavenly original, as it hath degraded and debased yo•, polluted and defiled you. But chiefly look upon the evil of sin as it reflecteth dishonour upon God, upon God that is so holy and glorious, and that is so good and gracious, as it displeaseth that God that made you, that hath exercised so much patience towards you, when he could so easily have cut you off in the act of sin, and appointed you your place and portion amongst the damned in Hell long ago; and that hath moreover been so bountiful to you, though sinners and his enemies, that he hath maintained you at his cost and charges all your days; but especially see the evil of sin, as it offendeth that God who is ready to be reconciled, and hath made such provision for reconciliation, which you could never have thought of, namely, through the death and mediation of his Son, whom he hath given for you, and proffers to give to you; and in him doth treat with you, and by us Ministers doth send entreaties to you, that you would accept of this reconciliation, lay down your weapons, and be reconciled unto him, 2 Cor. 5.20. Break, break ye rocky hearts at this, what is God willing indeed to put up such high affronts? and to forgive such great sins?