The truly blessed man

3. Though men have long withstood the calls of the Gospel, and strivings of the Spirit with them, yet they may be forgiven. To sin against Gospel light, is far more provoking than to Sin against the mere light of nature; to despite and not regard the means of Grace, in which God sets before men the things of their peace, and against the Spirit, who comes in and with those means, and pleads with Sinners by Convictions, Awakenings, Terrors, &c. is a most stupendous aggravation of Sin; much more then for such to live and lie in scandalous Sins, and follow the abominations of the Heathen; to Sin in a ⟨p. 33⟩Land of Uprightness; for men that sit under the Gospel, and are followed with calls, and counsels, and promises, and threatenings, not only to live in Unregeneracy, but to addict themselves to, and allow themselves in Drunkenness, Swearing, Whoredom, Sabbath-breaking, and all manner of debauchery and profaneness, is a most unaccountable wickedness; this is to do worse than the Heathen: and yet such as these are not hopeless; God hath forgiveness for such too. What Indictments did God bring in against Ephraim by the Prophet? and yet see how he declares himself, Hos. 11.8, 9. How shall I give thee up, Ephraim! &c. and doubtless our Saviours design is to commend this precious truth to us, in the Parable of the Prodigal, Luk. 15.11, &c.

3. Though men have long withstood the calls of the Gospel, and strivings of the Spirit with them, yet they may be forgiven. To sin against Gospel light, is far more provoking than to Sin against the meer light of nature; to despite and not regard the means of Grace, in which God sets before men the things of their peace, and against the Spirit, who comes in and with those means, and pleads with Sinners by Convictions, Awakenings, Terrors, &c. is a most stupendous aggravation of Sin; much more then for such to live and ly in scandalous Sins, and follow the abominations of the Heathen; to Sin in a ⟨p. 33⟩Land of Uprightness; for men that sit under the Gospel, and are followed with calls, and counsels, and promises, and threatnings, not only to live in Unregeneracy, but to addict themselves to, and allow themselves in Drunkenness, Swearing, Whoredom, Sabbath-breaking, and all manner of debauchery and profaness, is a most unaccountable wickedness; this is to do worse than the Heathen: and yet such as these are not hopeless; God hath forgiveness for such too. What Indictments did God bring in against Ephraim by the Prophet? and yet see how he declares himself,