This I say is an encouragement in general unto Believers. We have, as I hope, upon unquestionable grounds evinced that there is forgiveness with God, which is the hinge on which turneth the issue of our eternal condition. Now this is like himself, such as becomes him; that answers the infinite perfections of his nature; that is exercised and given forth by him as God. We are apt to narrow and straiten it by our unbelief, and to render it unbecoming of him. He less dishonours God (or as little) who being wholly under the power of the Law, believes that there is no forgiveness with him, none ⟨p. 226⟩to be obtained from him, or doth not believe it, that so it is, or is so to be obtained, for which he hath the voice and sentence of the Law to countenance him; then those who being convinced of the principles and grounds of it before mentioned, and of the Truth of the Testimony given unto it, do yet by straitening and narrowing of it, render it unworthy of him, whose Excellencies are all infinite, and whose ways on that account are incomprehensible. If then we resolve to rreat with God about this matter, which is the business now in hand, let us do it, as it becomes his Greatness, that is, indeed, as the wants of our souls do require. Let us not entangle our own Spirits by limiting his Grace. The Father of the Child possessed with a Devil being in a great Agony when he came to our Saviour, cries out, If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us, Mark 9. 22. He would fain be delivered, but the matter was so great, that he questioned whether the Lord Christ had either Compassion or Power enough for his relief. And what did he obtain hereby? nothing but the retarding of the Cure of his Child for a season. For our Saviour holds him off until he had instructed him in this matter; saith he, v. 23. If thou canst believe, all things are possible unto him that believeth. Mistake not, if thy Child be not cured, it is not for want of power or pity in me, but of faith in thee. My power is such as renders all things possible, so that they be believed. So it is with many, who would desirously be made partakers of forgiveness. If it be possible they would be pardoned, but they do not see it possible. Why where is the defect? God hath no pardon for them, or such as they are, and so it may be they come finally short of pardon.
This I say is an encouragement in general unto Believers. We have, as I hope, upon unquestionable grounds evinced that there is forgiveness with God, which is the hinge on which turneth the issue of our eternal condition. Now this is like himself, such as becomes him; that answers the infinite perfections of his nature; that is exercised and given forth by him as God. We are apt to narrow and streighten it by our unbelief, and to render it unbecoming of him. He less dishonours God (or as little) who being wholly under the power of the Law, believes that there is no forgiveness with him, none ⟨p. 226⟩to be obtained from him, or doth not believe it, that so it is, or is so to be obtained, for which he hath the voice and sentence of the Law to countenance him; then those who being convinced of the principles and grounds of it before mentioned, and of the Truth of the Testimony given unto it, do yet by streigthning and narrowing of it, render it unworthy of him, whose Excellencies are all infinite, and whose wayes on that account are incomprehensible. If then we resolve to rreat with God about this matter, which is the business now in hand, let us do it, as it becomes his Greatness, that is, indeed, as the wants of our souls do require. Let us not entangle our own Spirits by limiting his Grace. The Father of the Child possessed with a Devil being in a great Agony when he came to our Saviour, cryes out, If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us, Mark 9. 22. He would fain be delivered, but the matter was so great, that he questioned whether the Lord Christ had either Compassion or Power enough for his relief. And what did he obtain hereby? nothing but the retarding of the Cure of his Child for a season. For our Saviour holds him off untill he had instructed him in this matter; saith he, v. 23. If thou canst believe, all things are possible unto him that believeth. Mistake not, if thy Child be not cured, it is not for want of power or pity in me, but of faith in thee. My power is such as renders all things possible, so that they be believed. So it is with many, who would desirously be made partakers of forgiveness. If it be possible they would be pardoned, but they do not see it possible. Why where is the defect? God hath no pardon for them, or such as they are, and so it may be they come finally short of pardon.
