The truly blessed man

3. In the free offers that he maketh of it to men. He hath not only made way for it, by the Obedience of his Son, who paid the price of our Redemption, but published it in the Gospel▪ and •endered it to all that come within the sound of that Proclamation: And there are two things that set forth his readiness to apply this forgiveness to Sinners.

1. That he maketh offer of, and invites Sinners to accept it. He hath ordered that man be told that he hath forgiveness, and that they be bidden to come for it. He doth not wait till miserable Sinners cry to him for it; which yet would be a rich favour, if so they might find it at his hands, but because they sought it not, nor ever would have done so, he sends them an Embassy about it, Isa. 65.1. 2 Cor. 5.20. And would he do so, did he not delight in pardoning?

2. That he offereth it freely. And if he did not do so, the Sinner must for ever go without it, for he had nothing to purchase it with. The Gospel Invitations come as freely as can be supposed, Isa. 55.1. Rev. 22.17. If it be here objected; you teach that there are Gospel Conditions on which it is only to be had; how then can it be said to be free? it may readily be replied; there are no other Conditions required in the Gospel, but what among men are required in order to receiving and being invested with the freest gift that can be: there is nothing but acceptance of this gift, and acknowledgement of the kindness of the bestower; faith is the hand that receiveth it, whereas unbelief