The saints everlasting rest

4. Yet further, it will much add to their torment to remember that GOD himself did condescend to entreat them: how long he did wait, how freely he did offer, how lovingly he did invite, and how importunately he did solicit them! how the Spirit did continue striving with their hearts, as if he were loth to take a denial: how Christ stood knocking at the door of their hearts, sermon after sermon, and one sabbath after another; crying out, open, sinner, open thy heart to the Saviour, and I will come in and sup with thee and thou with me. Why dost thou thus delay? What dost thou mean, that thou dost not open to me? How long shall it be till thou attain to innocency? How long shall thy vain thoughts ledge within thee? Woe to thee, Oh unworthy sinner! Wilt thou not be made clean? Wilt thou not be pardoned and sanctified, and made happy? When shall it once be? Oh that thou wouldst hearken to my word, and obey my gospel! Then should thy peace be as th• […], and thy righteousness as the waves of the s•a: though thy sins were as red as crimson, I would mak• them as white as the snow: O that thou were but wise to consider this! and that thou ⟨p. 99⟩wouldst in time remember thy latter end, before the evil days come upon thee, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say of all thy vaind lights, I have no pleasure in them! Why sinner! shall thy Maker thus bespeak thee in vain? Shall the GOD of all the world beseech thee to be happy, and beseech thee to have pity upon thine own soul, and wilt thou not regard him? Why did he make thy ears but to hear his voice? Why did he make thy understanding, but to consider? Or thy heart, but to entertain the Son in love? Thus saith the Lord of hosts, consider thy ways.—

4. Yet further, it will much add to their torment to remember that GOD himself did condescend to entreat them: how long he did wait, how freely he did offer, how lovingly he did invite, and how importunately he did solicit them! how the Spirit did continue striving with their hearts, as if he were loth to take a denial: how Christ stood knocking at the door of their hearts, sermon after sermon, and one sabbath after another; crying out, open, sinner, open thy heart to the Saviour, and I will come in and sup with thee and thou with me. Why dost thou thus delay? What dost thou mean, that thou dost not open to me? How long shall it be till thou attain to innocency? How long shall thy vain thoughts ledge within thee? Wo to thee, Oh unworthy sinner! Wilt thou not be made clean? Wilt thou not be pardoned and sanctified, and made happy? When shall it once be? Oh that thou wouldst hearken to my word, and obey my gospel! Then should thy peace be as th , and thy righteousness as the waves of the sa: though thy sins were as red as crimson, I would mak them as white as the snow: O that thou were but wise to consider this! and that thou