N04231:45
The poor doubting Christian drawn to Christ. Wherein the main hindrances, which keep men…
The poor doubting Christian drawn to Christ. Wherein the main hindrances, which keep men from coming to Christ, are discovered. : With special helps to recover God's favour. / By Thomas Hooker. ; With an abstract of the author's life. ; [Four lines from Isaiah]
Boston: printed by Green for D. Henchman, 1743
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Answ. But, I answer: This cannot hurt thee, provided that thou canst see those Evils of thine: For then, tho' thou hast cast away the Kindness of the Lord, yet the Lord will not cast thee away, if thou wilt come and seek him earnestly again and again, Isai. 57.17, 18. For the Iniquity of his Covetousness I was wroth (saith God) and I smote him; I hid myself, and he went on frowardly in the Way of his own Heart. If this could have hindered, Judah should never have received Mercy: But the Text saith, I have seen his Ways, and will heal him; Jer. 3.1. Thou hast played the Harlot with many Lovers, yet turn again unto me, saith the Lord. So then, there is no Time past, if a Man has but a Heart to return. There is no Limitation of the Riches of God's free Grace, except the Sin against the Holy Ghost; therefore saith Christ, Rev. 3.20. I stand at the Door and knock: Though he cry 'till he be hoarse, and stand 'till he be weary, yet he stands still: If any adulterous or deceitful Wretch open, the Lord will come in, and bring store of Comfort to him, and sup with him.
Answ. But, I answer: This cannot hurt thee, provided that thou canst see those Evils of thine: For then, tho' thou hast cast away the Kindness of the Lord, yet the Lord will not cast thee away, if thou wilt come and seek him earnestly again and again, Isai. 57.17, 18. For the Iniquity of his Covetousness I was wroth (saith God) and I smote him; I hid myself, and he went on frowardly in the Way of his own Heart. If this could have hindered, Judah should never have received Mercy: But the Text saith, I have seen his Ways, and will heal him; Jer. 3.1. Thou hast play'd the Harlot with many Lovers, yet turn again unto me, saith the Lord. So then, there is no Time past, if a Man has but a Heart to return. There is no Limitation of the Riches of God's free Grace, except the Sin against the Holy Ghost; therefore saith Christ, Rev. 3.20. I stand at the Door and knock: Though he cry 'till he be hoarse, and stand 'till he be weary, yet he stands still: If any adulterous or deceitful Wretch open, the Lord will come in, and bring store of Comfort to him, and sup with him.