The truly blessed man, or, The way to be happy here, and forever being…

7. In the grief which he expresseth, when men after all wilfully reject his tendered forgiveness. He speaks after the manner of men, when he tells us of his Spirit being grieved at such carriages, Psal 95. 10. And what is this but a grief of compassion, extended to such as are in misery! he might justly be enraged at mens despising of such favour offered them, and fall on them in his fury; and may in time be provoked to it by their obstinacy; but how often doth he express such compassion, as ⟨p. 260⟩Christ did, in Mat. 23. 37. Luke 19. 41, 42. And this shows how ill God takes it, when men refuse him the glory of his Grace in forgiving them, by disregarding it, when he comes and begs their entertainment of it.

7. In the grief which he expresseth, when men after all wilfully reject his tendered forgiveness. He speaks after the manner of men, when he tells us of his Spirit being grieved at such carriages, Psal 95. 10. And what is this but a grief of compassion, extended to such as are in misery! he might justly be enraged at mens despising of such favour offered them, and fall on them in his fury; and may in time be provoked to it by their obstinacy; but how often doth he express such compassion, as ⟨p. 260⟩Christ did, in Mat. 23. 37. Luke 19. 41, 42. And this shews how ill God takes it, when men refuse him the glory of his Grace in forgiving them, by disregarding it, when he comes and begs their entertainment of it.

8. In the wondrous efficacy of his power, prevailing over the greatest obstinacy of Sinners. And every pardoned Sinner is an instance of this; but for this, Gods forgiveness had never been exemplified. Such is the malignity and enmity of heart in all men naturally, that they would never give it entertainment, did not he work it in them by the efficacy of his Almighty Spirit; till then all means, the most urgent pleadings, the most convincing arguments, signify nothing. When therefore all have been without success, he himself hath come in and wrought this change, putting in them that new heart, that hath closed with his Calls; on this account, we have God himself, so expressing himself,