for it is said, that when the Father saw his repenting Son a great way off, he had compassion on him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him, and clothed him with the best robe, put it on him, put a ring on his hand, and shoes ⟨p. 412⟩on his feet, and caused the fat calf to be killed for him. Even so the everlasting Father doth rejoice at the conversion of any of his lost sons. Yea, there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God for one sinner that converteth. Moreover, the Lord most lively expresseth his merciful nature and disposition in this, That he is very loth we should perish, and willingly cast away our selves. Therefore often in the holy Scriptures he mourns for us, bewails our wretchedness, and takes up many pitiful complaints and lamentations for us,1 saying, O that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways. 2And again, O that thou hadst hearkened unto my commandments: then had thy prosperity been as the flood, and thy righteousness as the waters of the sea. Again, he mourningly complains by his Prophet Hosea, saying, O Ephraim, what shall I do to thee? O Judah, how shall I entreat thee? And in another place,3 What could I do more to my Vineyard that I have not done? Mark here how compassionately the Almighty God doth yearn over us, and even as it were blood upon our wounds. The Apostle also notes the rich mercy and marvellous love of GOD to mankind, in this, that ⟨p. 413⟩he doth beseech us, and pray us by the Ministers of the Gospel, that we would be reconciled unto him. The words are these, Now then are we Ambassadors for Christ; as though God did beseech you through us, we pray you in Christs stead, that you be reconciled unto God. Is it not a strange thing, that the omnipotent God should fall to entreating of us poor wretches? It is all one, as if a King should entreat a beggar, whom he may will and command. But the abundant mercy of God towards mankind doth most of all consist in this, That he hath given his only Son for us, when we were his enemies: as it is written, God so loved the world, that he hath given his only begotten Son, 4that whosoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. Again, Gods sets out his love towards us, seeing that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us:
for it is said, that when the Father saw his repenting Sonne a great way off, hee had compassion on him, and ranne, and fell on his neck, and kissed him, and cloathed him with the best robe, put it on him, put a ring on his hand, and shooes ⟨p. 412⟩on his feet, and caused the fat calfe to be killed for him. Even so the everlasting Father doth rejoyce at the conversion of any of his lost sonnes. Yea, there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God for one sinner that converteth. Moreover, the Lord most lively expresseth his mercifull nature and disposition in this, That he is very loth we should perish, and willingly cast away our selves. Therefore often in the holy Scriptures he mournes for us, bewailes our wretchednesse, and takes up many pitifull complaints and lamentations for us,1 saying, O that my people had hearkened unto mee, and Israel had walked in my waies. 2And againe, O that thou hadst hearkened unto my commandements: then had thy prosperity been as the floud, and thy righteousnesse as the waters of the sea. Againe, hee mourningly complaines by his Prophet Hosea, saying, O Ephraim, what shall I doe to thee? O Judah, how shall I intreat thee? And in another place,3 What could I doe more to my Vineyard that I have not done? Marke here how compassionately the Almighty God doth yerne over us, and even as it were blood upon our wounds. The Apostle also notes the rich mercy and marvellous love of GOD to mankind, in this, that ⟨p. 413⟩hee doth beseech us, and pray us by the Ministers of the Gospel, that wee would be reconciled unto him. The words are these, Now then are wee Embassadours for Christ; as though God did beseech you through us, wee pray you in Christs stead, that you be reconciled unto God. Is it not a strange thing, that the omnipotent God should fall to entreating of us poore wretches? It is all one, as if a King should intreat a begger, whom hee may will and command. But the abundant mercy of God towards mankind doth most of all consist in this, That hee hath given his onely Sonne for us, when wee were his enemies: as it is written, God so loved the world, that hee hath given his onely begotten Sonne, 4that whosoever beleeves in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. Againe, Gods sets out his love towards us, seeing that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us:
- 1Psal. •1.13.
- 2Psa. 48.18.
- 3Isa. 5.
- 4John •.
