Now that these Initials of Repentance are graciously accepted 1of God, may be thus manifested. 1. The Lord doth respect the truth of Grace, as well as the degrees of it, every quality as well as the quantity. Are not thine eyes upon the truth? The Goldsmith hath his eye on the very thin rays of Godl, as well as on the great knobs and pieces; Grace is excellent and amiable at the lowest, though then admirable when at highest. 2. The main thing that God looks upon, is to the heart; (My Son, give me thy 2heart:) All that is done, if the heart be not in it, it is of little or no estimation with God; but if the heart be right, this the Lord prizeth exceedingly, and so much, that for its sake, he passeth by many infirmities. The good Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart. &c. 2 Chro. 30. 19. Now in the Initials of Repentance, the heart is set right; it is set on God, and towards God in truth. 3. Even the Initials of Repentance are his own Gifts (special gifts of his blessed Spirit) it is he that worketh 3in us to will and to do, Phil. 2. 13. The spiritual will, and the spiritual deed (though both be imperfect) yet are they the genuine effect of Gods own spirit; sparks out of his fire, works of his own hands: Now as in the Creation, God looked upon all ⟨p. 160⟩that he made, and saw that it was good, he liked it well. So is it in our Renovation; all that good which God works in us, he doth accept and approve, he doth not despise his own image, which though it shine more fairly in progressive Repentance, yet is it truly stamped in our initial Conversion. 4. T•at which comes 4not only from a person, having faith, but from faith it self, that the Lord will graciously accept. For as our actions do not please him without faith (it is impossible without faith to please God:) So on the contrary, when the actions do come from faith, they do please the Lord. Abel's Sacrifice presented in Faith, did please him, when Cains presented without faith, was not regarded; faith puts a value and acceptance on our actions. But even initial Repentance comes from faith; the person is by faith united to Jesus Christ, from whom he hath received strength and grace to forsake his sins, and to become a servant of righteousness. 5. The Lord hath said, that he will not despise the day of small things; nor quench the smoking flax, nor break the 5bruised reed:
Now that these Initials of Repentance are graciously accepted 1of God, may be thus manifested. 1. The Lord doth respect the truth of Grace, as well as the degrees of it, every quality as well as the quantity. Are not thine eyes upon the truth? The Goldsmith hath his eye on the very thin raies of Godl, as well as on the great knobs and pieces; Grace is excellent and amiable at the lowest, though then admirable when at highest. 2. The main thing that God looks upon, is to the heart; (My Son, give me thy 2heart:) All that is done, if the heart be not in it, it is of little or no estimation with God; but if the heart be right, this the Lord prizeth exceedingly, and so much, that for its sake, he passeth by many infirmities. The good Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart. &c. 2 Chro. 30. 19. Now in the Initials of Repentance, the heart is set right; it is set on God, and towards God in truth. 3. Even the Initials of Repentance are his own Gifts (special gifts of his blessed Spirit) it is he that worketh 3in us to will and to do, Phil. 2. 13. The spirituall will, and the spiritual deed (though both be imperfect) yet are they the genuine effect of Gods own spirit; sparks out of his fire, works of his own hands: Now as in the Creation, God looked upon all ⟨p. 160⟩that he made, and saw that it was good, he liked it well. So is it in our Renovation; all that good which God works in us, he doth accept and approve, he doth not despise his own image, which though it shine more fairly in progressive Repentance, yet is it truly stampt in our initial Conversion. 4. T•at which comes 4not only from a person, having faith, but from faith it self, that the Lord will graciously accept. For as our actions do not please him without faith (it is impossible without faith to please God:) So on the contrary, when the actions do come from faith, they do please the Lord. Abels Sacrifice presented in Faith, did please him, when Cains presented without faith, was not regarded; faith puts a value and acceptance on our actions. But even initial Repentance comes from faith; the person is by faith united to Jesus Christ, from whom he hath received strength and grace to forsake his sins, and to become a servant of righteousness. 5. The Lord hath said, that he will not despise the day of small things; nor quench the smoaking flax, nor break the
- 1The Doctrine proved. God respects the truth as well as the degrees of Grace.
- 2God looks most at the Heart.
- 3The Initials of Repentance are his Cist.
- 4This Springs ••om faith.
- 5God will not de•p•se •he Day […] •mall thingsGod will not de•p•se •he Day 〈…〉 •mall things
