VI. “ Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, says the

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Lord; ‘speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and ery unto her, That her warfare is accomplished, and her . iniquity is pardoned;* for, in me, she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. He is well pleased for my righteousness’ sake, I have magnified the law, and made it honourable: I have been lifted up, and now [I draw all men unto me. My delights are with the sons of men, and therefore am I exalted, that I may have mercy upon them. Behold, I come with a strong hand; my reward is with me, and my work before me. Every valley shall be exalted, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the crooked ‘shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: my glory shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
«‘ Hearken unto me, ye stout-hearted, that are far from righteousness ; | bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry. Seek ye me while I may be found, call upon me while I am near: return unto me, and I will have mercy upon you; and though ye have only done evil before me from your youth, I will abundantly pardon: for my thoughts are not revengeful as your thoughts, nor my ways unloving as your ways: in me ye shall be saved with an everlasting salvation.
- Come therefore unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and [ will give you rest: my yoke is easy, my burden light, and my rest glorious. Ho!
5
* This part of the address is almost literally transcribed from the ‘ scripture, and it is designed for none but Mourners in Sion, dejected sinners, who are backward to come to Christ that they may have life. These want line upon line, and invitation upon invitation ; and it is well if, after all, they are encouraged to come. As for full souls, I know they will loath this honey-comb. But while they complain it has too many cells, and they are filled with the same thing; some poor hungry hearts will say, ‘ One thing is needful for us, We cannot have too much virgin honey ; its sweets makes amends for the want of variety. If the manna falls abundantly round our tents, it will stir us up to praise, and not to murmur. Fulness of the bread of life will not make us wax fat and-kick like Jeshurun, but bless God for his rich profusion, With the disciples, we shall even gather the fragments, that nothing be lost.’ Hy
THE TRUE PENITENT. 407
every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money: come ye, buy and eat all that ean revive, strengthen, and delight your souls; yea, come, bity wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken. diligently unto me, eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fat- ness. Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live; I will make an everlasting cove- nant with you, even the sure mercies of David, and ye shall all know me, from the least to the greatest: for I will forgive your iniquity, and remember your sin no more. ? |
* Oh, if thou knewest the gift of God, wretched simer, and who it is that saith unto thee, If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink, thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee liv- ing water; a well, a fountain of it, would have sprung up in thee unto everlasting life; yea, out of thy belly, . thy inmost soul, rivers of living water, the greatest abundance of the purest joy, would have flowed for éver. I, even I, am he, that blotteth out thy trans- gressions for my own sake, and will not remember thy sins: I will guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, or like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
* © how often would I have gathered thee in years past, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings! How often would I have led thee, as an eagle flutter eth over her young, spreading abroad her wings taketh them, and beareth them! but thou woulds not. Nevertheless, this is still the day of my power merey, and love: I pardon those whom I reserve, and I will yet be pacified towards thee, for all that thou hast done. I was angry with thee, but mine anger is
-turned away ; my thoughts towards thee are thoughts of peace, and I am become thy salvation. Come then, “igh 4 now reason together, and though thy sins be as
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498 A. SERIOUS ADDRESS TO
scarlet, they shall: be as white as snow; tren ‘they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Hedy ad
Why does: not thy drooping heart, O sinner, leap for joy, or melt with gratitude, at these tender inyita- tions of thy. Samourt Thinkest thou, they do not belong to thee? Dost thou suppose, that Jesus, who is all purity and holiness, must turn away with abhorrence from such a guilty, polluted, and abo- minable creature, as thou art ?—one~so- void of all good, so. full of all evil, so completely lost and.un- done, as thou seest thyself? ? Art thou afraid that,thy relapses into sin have been so frequent, and thy back- slidings so multiplied, that hope, which comes to) all, can no more come .to thee? Or does the enemy of thy ‘soul suggest thou art ‘careless, hardened, or sunk in stupid unbelief?—Does he: insinuate, thou hast so long trifled with divine grace, art gone such lengths in horrid wickedness, or hast contracted such unconquerable habits of indulging thy carnal mind, or following thy vain imaginations, that. infi- nite mercy can no. longer pardon thy sins, or infinite power change thy nature? Art thou even tempted to believe thou hast committed the sin against. the Holy Ghost, and art almost, if not altogether, given up to.a reprobate mind? O check those gloomy, desparing thoughts; resist the devil; and give place to’ ean true and honourable sentiments of Jesus.
Wherefore dost thou doubt, O thou of little faith ? _ Is any thing too hard for the Lord? Are not-all things
possible with God? Can the Almighty, who became incarnate to die, as man in thy place, want either abilily or willingness to help thee, be thy case ever, so deplorable and desperate? Are not darkness or, light, sickness or death, all one to him, who is the light of the world, and the Prince of. life ; -and who witha. word or touch raised the- dead, whether they were yet warm ona bed,-or cold in a coffin, or alrnacty pe trified in a grave ?
Confine not then, poor dejected sinner, ‘thy Sarieutis oT mercy within the narrow limits a thy un-
THE TRUE. PENITENT. 499
believing thoughts. Get scriptural views of his par- doning love, and true discoveries of his redeeming power. To guess aright at the prodigious extent of his mercy, lift up the dim eyes of thy struggling faith, and behold a great multitude, which no man can number, standing before the throne, with their robes washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. — - _ . Among-those countless monuments of divine mercy, - those illustrious trophies of free grace, see David, who, after having been admitted to close communion ~ with God, plunged for ten months in the horrible guilt of adultery, treachery, hypocrisy, and murder !—See Paul, once so fierce an enemy to the truth, so fiery 2 blasphemer of Jesus, so raging a persecutor of: the saints, that his very breath was threatenings and slaughter against them!—See, Peter, who after a great profession of faithfulness, and-upon an appa- rently slight temptation, denied three times his Mas- ter, his Saviour, and his God, in his very presence— Peter, guilty of lying, cursing, and perjury; immedi- ately after he had been apprised of the imminent temp- tation, and armed against it, both by receiving the holy sacrament at our Lord’s own hand, and being admitted to see his wonderful agony, and glorious miracles! These and thousands more agree to tell thee, For this cause we obtained mercy, that in us ‘first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering, | for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
If all these witnesses do not silence thy doubts, and encourage thy hopes, Jesus himself, the faithful and true witness, will yet plead the cause of his dying love, against thy unbelieving fears: thy gracious Ad- vocate with God, will yet be God’s condescending Advocate with thee. O let thy clamorous conscience keep silence, while he preaches to thee the everlasting . gospel of his grace. And if to-day thou hearest his voice, harden not your hearts, come out of the cave of unbelief, wrap thyself in the mantle of divine mercy, and worship the pardoning God, the God of never- failing truth and everlasting love.
500 A SERIOUS ADDRESS TO
Gracious Saviour! make thine own words spirit and life to the soul thou hast. formed by thy breath, * and purchased with thy blood.—Blessed Comforter! while thy precious sayings strike the eyes of this hope- less Reader, let the love which thou sheddest abroad, soften, melt, and revive, his poor oppressed heart, and let salvation come this day to the house of ason or daughter of Abraham! A touch, a breath from thee, will brake the bars of iron, burst the gates of brass, and make the everlasting doors lift up their heads, that the King of Glory may come in.
Who is this King of Glory? Who is this, that com- eth from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this, that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in 1 the greatness of his strength? -
«« J, that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. I have trodden the wine-press alone, mine own arm hath brought salvation unto me, salvation for the lost.: it is gone forth; my righteousness is near; the isles shall wait on me, and on my arm shall they trust. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: he hath anointed me. to preach good tidings to the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, andthe opening of the prison to them that are bound, to comfort all that mourn, and by the ‘blood of the covenant to send forth the prisoners out ‘of the pit where there is no water.
‘‘ Fear not therefore, thou worm Jacob; Iam the first and the last, he that liveth and was dead, and, behold, I am alive for evermore. Yes, I ever live to make intercession for thee; and because I live, thou shalt liye also. All power is given, all judgment is committed to me in heaven and earth: I have the keys of death and hell: a Jonah, who cries toe me out of the very belly of hell, is not out of the reach of my gracious and omnipotent arm,
«Who art thou that hast, feared continually every day, because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? J, even I, am he that com forteth thee. I bring glad tidings of great joy, which
shall be to all people. I have triumphed over all
THE TRUE PENITENT. 501
thine enemies on the cross. I have led amp cap- tive; and received gifts for men, even the promise of the Father, that the Lord God the Spirit may dwell in them. At my command, great, the evangelical trumpet, is blown, and they that are- ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and. the outcasts m the land of Egypt, do come, and are welcome to Mount Sion, Hasten with them, thou captive exile, hasten to me, that thou mayest be loosed, and that thou shouldest not die in the horrible pit of thy na- tural state.
** Thy helplessness is no hinderance to my loving- kindness: I break not the bruised reed, 1 queneh not the smoking flax: I uphold all that fall, 1 raise up all those that are bowed down: I say to the prisoners, Go erie and to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves: I strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees: I say to them, that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not; behold, I will come with vengeance and a recompence, I will come and save you.
«« My tender mercies are over all my works. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and
' their tongue faileth for thirst; I the Lord will hear
them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places. I will make the wil- derness a pool, and the dry lands springs of water. *
« It is true, thou hast sinned with a high hand, both
_ against thy light, and against my love; but how shall
I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, sinner? How: shall I make thee as Admah, and set thee as Zeboim, those rebellious cities on which I poured my flaming vengeance? My heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. I will not destroy thee; for I am God, and not man. I have seen thy ways, and will heal and lead thee; and restore comfort to thee; for I create the fruit of the lips. Peace! peace to him that is afar off, and to him that is near, I will heal him.
-“ Thou hast not chosen me, but I have chosen thee; thou art my servant; fear not, for I am with
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502 A SERIOUS ADDRESS TO
thee; be ‘not dismayed, for I am ‘thy God. My strength i is sufficient for thee; I will help*thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righ~ teousness. dey that war against. thee shall be as - nothing; for 1 the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, and make my ‘strength perfect in'thy*weak- — ness. I. will bring thee by a way thou hast not known. I will make darkness light before thee, and crooked paths straight: when thou passest through the waters, I will be-with thee, and when thou walk- est through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee; for 1 am the Lord, thy Saviour, and thy God. I have carried thee from the womb, and even .to hoary hairs will I bear and deliver thee.
. “ Therefore’ hear’ now this, thou afflicted. wil drunken, but not with wine; 1 will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth; lest the spirit: should fail before me, and the soul which I have made. I turn the water of affliction into the wine of con- solation. Behold, I take out of thy hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou - shalt no more drink it.again; I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thy soul: and, in the room of ~ it, I.give thee the cup of the new testament in my blood, shed for the remission of sins: it is now ready, draw near, drink thou of it, and taste that I am gracious. ©
. Come near, that I may speak a word in season to thy weary spirit. Why standest thou afar off? Come near, I say, that my soul may bless thee. Let me show thee my glory, and proclaim my soul-reviving name: ‘“ The Lord! the Lord God! merciful: and gracious, long-suffermg and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, and forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin!” Let me wash thy heart from iniquity, guilty sinner; for unless 1 wash thee, thou hast no part with me. Unless thou art born again of water and of the Spirit, thou. canst not see the kingdom of God. , But this is the covenant of promise, which I make with thee: 1. will sprinkle
THE TRUE) PENITENT. 503
clean water upon thee, and thou shalt be clean: a new heart will I give thee, and a new spirit, even my own Spirit will I put within thee, and thou shalt. be com- pletely born: of God: .and at that day thou shalt know that I am in the Rather; and thou 1 in me, and I in thee. :
«Who is “a that sp deere ty It j is s I, who died for thy sins, yea, rather, who rose again for ‘thy justifi- - eation; whoam even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for thee. The ‘same com- passionate love, that made me weep over ungrateful: Jerusalem, and groan over dead Lazarus, made me bleed and die for thee. O that in this thy day, thou mayest know the things that belong unto thy peace, ‘and the efficacy of that sacrifice, by which I have for ever perfected them that are sanctified! O that un- belief, so injurious to me, and so pernicious to thee, may no longer hide my love from thine eyes! .
“ What! afraid of my purity! Art thou ready to cry out as my apostle, ‘‘ Depart from me, O Lord, for L am a sinful man?” And dost thou tremble, at my words as a criminal at the sentence of his judge? .O, be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid. Am not I thy light and. strength, thy shield and buckler, thy tower and resting place, thy strong hold whereunto. thou mayest always resort, thy castle and fortress, the horn also of thy salvation, and thy refuge? As for thy sins, if thou desirest to part with them, they will no more hinder me from visiting thee, than the sickness of a patient prevents a physician from giving him. his attendance.
“1 know thou art a sinner—a great sinner; for this cause I came down from heaven to Bethlehem— to Gethsemane—to Calvary. I know thine iniquities are more in number than the hairs of thy head; like a sore burden, they are too heavy for thee to bear; and therefore have I borne them for thee in my own body on the tree. I came not to call the righteous, but simners, to repentance: I am the man that receiveth sinners, and eateth with them; I am the friend of re- turning publicans and harlots: all manner of sins and
504 A SERIOUS ADDRESS TO
blasphemies shall be fogiven them through faith in my blood: God was in me reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them: and how, I beseech thee, be thou (for one) reconciled to God; for in me God is reconciled to thee, thy sin is covered, and thine iniquity forgiven. :
‘*¢ Great as thy crimes are, poor mourner in Zion, _} wpbraid thee not with them; my.- infinitely meri- torious sacrifice hath long ago atoned for their hein- ousness, and I now cast the mantle of my pardoning love over their multitude: thou art ashamed of them, and shall I be ashamed of thee ;—Far be the thought from thee—I glory in extending my boundless mercy to such miserable objects as thou art: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all men to be received,” that I came into the world to save sinners: and if, with my servant Paul, thou seest thyself the chief of them, let me do the chief part of the errand on which 1 came; look unto me—partake with him of my richest salvation—lose thy cares in the bosom of my merey—~ and teceive the atonement I made for thee; but receive it now: for I have’ heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succour- ed thee: behold, mow is the accepted time ; behold, now is the day of salvation, the day in which I bind up the breach of my people, and heal the stroke of their wound.—
“Whence arise, O poor sinner, thy backwardness and misgivings? I have ransomed thee from the power — of the grave, and thou art mine: I come to heal thee, © and reveal to thee the abundance of peace and truth: I bring thee a cure for thy wounded conscience, and saving health for thy sin-distempered soul!
‘* In a little wrath, and for a small moment, I have hid my face ftom thee; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee: for I am the Lord the Redeemer. . Believe it, and faith will work by)love, and love will cast out fear: thus shalt thou take hold of my strength, that thou mayest make peace with me; and thou shalt make peace with me; and 1 am strength to the needy in his distress, a hiding-place
THE TRUE PENITENT. 505
from the wind, a covert from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, and as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. : :
“© Come then, be not of them that draw back from me to perdition, but of them who believe to the saving of the soul. Far from casting away thy little confi- dence, which hath great recompence of reward, hold it fast; resist even unto blood, striving against the damning sin of unbelief; trust in me for ever, for in mé, Jehovah thy righteousness, is everlasting strength; and let me no lenger complain, that thou (one of my’ oppressed people in spiritual Egypt) wilt have none of me, and wilt not even come to me, that thou mightest have life more abundantly. * “Not by works of righteousnéss which thou hast done, but according to my mercy, I saved thee. I am _ the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.’ What my gracious purpose planned before time, I have executed in time. My hfe and death have com- pleted the wonderful bridge, by which thou canst go over the great deep fixed between a holy God and thy sinful soul. Concerning a main archof this mighty work, with one of my last breaths I said, Jt is finished ; and I now confirm the glad tidings with regard tothe whole. With my right hand, and with my holy arm, I have gotten myself the victory, and parted for thee, not the waves of the Red Sea, but the dreadful billows of the fiery gulph. And now I return to see thee safe over. Leave only the world and sin behind, and, walking by faith, follow me through the regeneration to a throne of glory. :
« Whence arises, sinner, this backwardness to trust _in my promise, and venture after me? Dost thou sus-' pect the sincerity of my tenders of grace? And by thinking, that I secretly except thee from my mercy, when I offer it thee openly, dost thou still make me a dissembler, a liar?’ O wrong me not so far. fam the Truth itself; I abhor dissimulation in my creatures: and I, that say a man should not use deceit, shall I use deceit? shall I have concord with Belial? Shall there —
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506 A SERIOUS-ADDRESS TO
be an agreement between the faithful Witness, and the father of lies? Shall I sentence him, that loveth a lie, to the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, and be guilty of making one myself? Horrible to suppose! Reject the blasphemous thought, Sinner; it wounds me in the tenderest part.
«« No, no, I do not put on a mask of pretended love, to hide a rancorous unforgiving temper: the general . invitation that formerly passed my lips, is still the very language of my heart, ‘‘ Whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely ;” and the promise, which I formerly made, is still firmer than the pillars of heaven, “ Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out.” Let these words, like uncorruptible seed, beget thee again to a lively hope, and help thee. to stir thyself up to lay hold on me, and my great salvation.
_ “J grant that.no man cometh unto me, except the
Father draw him: but does he not say, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving- kindness, with the cords of a man, with the bands of love, have I drawn thee? Does he not draw thee even now? Who stirs thee up to repentance? Who raises in thee a desire of coming unto me by prayer?’ Who indulges thee at times with sweet hopes and alluring joys, to encourage thee tocome? Is it not my Father, and thine, thou poor starving prodigal? And that nothing may be wanting on his part to make thee come, to drawing.does he not add driving? Does he not obstruct all thy prospects of creature-happiness, and blast all thy worldly, yea, and all thy self-righteous, schemes? And while he touches thy heart with the rod of distress, does not he lay the scourge of affliction on thy back, and put this gracious invitation in thy hand? Away then with thy hard thoughts of my Father: he and are the-flame of eternallove: I and the Father are one.
«« Neither say thou in thy heart, This is a day of trouble, rebuke, and blasphemy ; the children are come to the birth, and there 1s not strength to bring forth. Shall 1 bring to the birth, and not give strength ac-
THE TRUE PENITENT. 507
cording to the day? Dost thou fear that my zeal, my strength, and the sounding of my bowels towards thee, are restrained? Am not I Jesus still? Is my love waxed cold that it cannot pity? Is my hand shorten- ed at all that it cannot save? Is mine ear heavy that it cannot hear? ‘Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I clothe the - heavens with blackness; and if in the greatest storm I say to the raging billows, Be still! there is a great calm: fear not then: the zeal of the Lord of hosts— my zeal, will do this and more for thy soul ; yea, I will - do for thee exceeding abundantly above all that thou canst ask or think. , “«T see what passes in thy heart, O thou unwise and » slow of heart to believe all that I and my prophets have spoken; I read the new excuses. Thou sayest | thou dost not suspect me, my faithfulness, and my power; but thyself, thy helplessness, and the treachery of thy own desperately wicked heart.—What, shall this sore evil hinder thee from coming to me, who, alone can remedy it? Wilt thou pray to be excused from believing, on such an account as this? O drop this last, this most absurd plea; and walk in the steps of the faith of thy father Abraham, Rom. iv. 16. Consider not the deadness and hardness of thy heart, but the reviving softening love of mine; not thy want of power, but my omnipotence; not the suggestion of Satan, but the declarations of my gospel. Wrestle not only against flesh and blood, but against the powers of internal darkness, and the spiritual wicked- ness of an unbelieving thought. Strive to enter in at the strait gate of faith. Against hope believe in hope, that I quicken the dead, and eall the things which are not as though they were. Stagger no more at my promises through unbelief; but be strong in faith, and give glory to God, but being fully per- suaded that what I promise, I am able and willing to perform. “In me thou mayest find the richest and readiest supply of all thy wants: Iam both the Resurrection
508 © A SERIOUS ADDRESS TO
-of. the dead, and the Life of the living: he-that be- Tieveth in me, though he were dead, yet. he shall live; and he that liveth al believeth in me, shall never die. Believe then, and thou shalt not come into condemna- _ tion.—Believe, and thou shalt receive power, thou —
shalt see the glory of God; thou shalt be established ; yea, and sealed with the Holy Spirit of.promise.—Be- lieve, and thou hast everlasting life, and shalt not come into condemnation.—Believe, anda grain of faith will remove mountains of guilt and unbelief.—Believe with all thy heart—All things are possible to him that believeth, and he shall inherit all promises: for to him that overcometh (and faith is the victory) will L give to eat of the hidden manna, and to sit with me on my throne; as I also overcame, and am set down with my. Father on his throne.—Only believe then, and through
faith thou shalt subdue the kingdom of darkness, work
righteousness, obtain promises, stop the mouth of the
roaring lion, quench the-violence of temptation’s fire,
escape the flaming point of Satan’s darts, out of weak-
-ness be made strong,’ wax vahant in fight, turn to
flight the armies of thy spiritual adversaries,-and re-
ceive thy dead soul raised to life again.
‘Thou hast played with the fiery serpents, they have bitten thy heart; but I have already sucked the -worst of the mortal poison. In the perilous attempt my soul was seized with sorrow even unto death, and an unheard-of agony, attended with a bloody sweat, came upon my body. A racking cross was the bed I was stretched upon; sharp thorns proved the pillow on which I rested my fainting head. The bitterest Sarcasms were my consolations; vinegar and gall my cordials : a band of bloody soldiers the cruel wretches appointed to tear open my veins; whips, nails, ham- mers, and a spear, the inaioumaenia allowed them to do the dreadful operation. For hours I bled under their merciless hands: and thy fearful curse, O. Sinner, flowed together with my blood. In the mean time, noon-day light was turned into the gloom of night, a dire emblem of the darkness that overspread. "my
THE TRUE PENITENT. 509 >
agonizing soul: and at last, while earthquakes rock- ed me into the sleep of death, I gave up the ghost, with cries that astonished my bitterest enemies, and made them smite their breasts in pangs of involun- tary sympathy. Thus, to make thee partaker of my saving health, I took the shameful and painful. conse- quences of thy mortal distemper upon me. And now, Sinner, despise no more such amazing love, requite it with a. believing look. Consider my wounds, till thy conscience feels their wonderful effect. Behold my atoning blood, till thou canst witness it heals thy in- firmities.
“* Knowing the terrors of the Lord, I persuade men. Come, thou poor prisoner of hope, turn by faith to the strong hold of my protection.—Up! for God will destroy this Sodom, the wicked world where thou lin- gerest.—Up! for the great and terrible day of the Lord approaches. As I live, there is but one. step between thee and death, and another between death and. hell.
*“« Let my love even constrain thee to arise, and to’ follow me; that I may receive thee unto myself, and complain no longer, that, with respect to thee, I have . laboured in vain, and spent my strength for nought. Surely, Sinner, I deserve thy grateful love, for I have fought thy fiercest enemies. Dreadful was the battle! my flesh was-torn, my blood spilt, my life lost, in the obstinate combat: but I have slain the lion and the bear, I have vanquished death and the grave, and rescued thy poor helpless soul: and now let thy good Shepherd rejoice over his lost. sheep: let gratitude compel thee to come into the fold of my church, and joi the little flock of my faithful followers. And if thou canst not come, do but look wishfully at me,.and I will lay thee on my shoulders rejoicing, and carry thee in triumph into the richest ‘alain of my grace.
«Once more I turn supplicant: once more I stand at the door and knock.—Saul! Saul! it is hard for thee to*kick against the sharp goads of my love. —Martha! Martha! one thing is needful ; chuse,.the good -part,
510 A SERIOUS ADDRESS TO chuse me.—O, Absalom, my son! my son! give me thy heart; I have died for thee, do not crucify me afresh—Lay down the spear of unbelief, and thine is my grace, my glory, my kingdom, the kingdom of heaven.
“ Be not afraid to surrender; rebellious as thou art, I love thee still—Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, she may forget, yet will I not for- get thee. If thou wilt not take my word, believe my oath: because I can swear by no greater, I swear by myself: ‘* As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked,” but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn then, turn unto me, for I have redeem- ed thee, I have cast all thy sins into the depth of the sea, and will subdue all thine iniquities.
** And if thou canst not believe my oath, credit these scars.—See! I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands. Long, too long, have 1 waited for thy return, thou poor, wandering, weary prodigal. Let me see in thee the travail of my soul, and be satisfied. By the mystery of my holy incarnation and dreadful temptation, by my agony and bloody sweat, by my infamous death and glorious resurrec- tion, I beseech thee come to the pardoning God by me. If thou hast nothing to pay, I forgive thee all- the debt: whether it be fifty or five hundred pence, or ten thousand talents, I frankly forgive thee all. Only let me heal thy backslidings; and leve thee freely ; let my left hand be under thy head, and let my right hand embrace thee. See the wounds which I have received for thee in the house of my friends! | Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side; — and be not faithless, but believing. Cleave to me with full purpose of heart, follow me through the regeneration; and thou shalt not only be one of my jewels, but a crown of glory, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God: yea, as the bridegroom re- joiceth over the bride, so will I rejoice over thee, and give thee a name better than that of son and daughter,
THE TRUE PENITENT. Shk
—I, the Holy One of Israel, will be thy life and glory —I, thy Maker, will be thy husband, and thy all.”
And are these, O Sinner, the gracious sayings of God to thee? The compassionate expostulations of God become incarnate for thee? Did God so love. thee, as to set forth his only begotten Son, asa propi- tiation, through faith in his blood, thus to declare his. righteousness for the remission of sins that are past? May the Almighty now be just, and yet the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus? Is there no difference, no respect of persons with him? And is the same Lord over all, rich unto all that callon him? Then shout, ye heavens! triumph, thou earth! and thou, happy Sin- ner, know the day of thy visitation; be wise, ponder these things, and thou shalt understand the loving- kindness of the Lord.
Be no longer afraid that it will be presumption in thee to believe, and that God will be offended with thee if thou makest so free with Jesus, as to wash in= stantly in the fountain of his atoning blood. He not only gives thee J/eave to believe, but he invites. thee to -do it freely. Nay, he commands thee to believe, for, «« This is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ.” He even, enforees his precept by a double promise, that if thou believest, thou shalt not perish, but have everlasting life. And. that nothing may be wanting to stir thee up to this important business, he is gracious enough to. threaten the neglect of it with the most dreadful punishment ; for “ he that. believeth not, shall not enter into his rest,
_ and shall be damned ;” and he that to the end remains fearful and unbelieving, shall be cast into, the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. How canst thou doubt, then, whether thou art welcome to receive the Son given, by believing on his name ?
Come to him just as thou art, and he will make . thee what thou shouldst be. When he counsels thee to buy of him the gold of faith, and the garment of salvation, take him at his gospel-word : come without
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regarding thy stuff; the poorer thou art the better: the oil of his grace flows most abundantly into empty vessels: his charity is most glorified in the relief of the © most miserable objects : his royal bounty scorns the vile compensation of thy wretched merits: he sells like a king, like the King of kings, without money and without price. Ask and have, and, Take freely, are the encouraging mottos written upon all the un- searchable treasures of his grace.
Be of good comfort then, rise, he calleth thee : stretch out thy withered hand, and he will restore it : open thy mouth wide, and he will fill it: bring an empty vessel, a poor hungry heart, and he will give into thy bosom good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
And now what meanest thou, sleeper? Why tar- riest thou? Arise, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Lose not time in conferring with flesh and blood; much less in parleying with Sa- tan, or consulting thy unbelieving heart: here delays lead to ruin: the Philistines are upon thee, instantly shake thyself. If thou art not altogether blinded by the god of this world, and led captive by him at his will: this moment, in the powerful name of JzEsus, burst the bonds of spiritual sloth—Break, like a des- perate soul, out of the prison of unbelief—escape for _ thy lifelook not behind thee—stay not in all the plain. This one thing do; leaving the things that are behind, Sodom, and her ways, press forwards towards - Zoar, and escape to the mount of God, lest thou be consumed. By the new and living way consecrated for us, in full assurance of faith, fly to the Father of mer- cies—pass through the crowd of Laodicean professors —press through the opening door of hope—take the kingdom of heaven by violence.
With halting, yet wrestling Jacob, say to the Friend of sinners, I will not let thee go unless thou bless me. If he makes as if he would go farther, with the two mournful disciples constrain him to stay; or rather, with the’ distressed woman of Canaan, follow him
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whithersoever he goeth —take no denial —through the vail, that is to say, his flesh; torn from the crown ‘of his head to the sole of his feet—through this mysteri-. ous vail rent from the top to.the bottom, rush into. the blood-besprinkled sanctuary—embrace the horns: of the golden altar—lay all thy guilt on the head of the sin-atoning victim—read thy name on the breast of thy merciful High-priest—claim the safety, demand the blessings, receive the consolations bestowed ‘on all that fly to him for refuge—and begin a new de- lightful life, under the healing and peaceful shadow of his wings. ; wi But perhaps thou art now devoid of active power, and broken in spirit. The hurry of thy self-righteous nature subsides. Wounded and half dead, thou liest in the way of misery, waiting for the passing by of thy deliverer. Thou hadst set thy heart. upon being bless- ed in one particular manner, and God in his wisdom thinks it best to bless thee in another. Thou wouldst scale the new Jerusalem, and storm heaven; but he chuses it should come down into thy soul, as a fruitful shower descends into a fleece of wool. Be still then, and know that he is God. Let him break thy self will, which hides itself under godly appearances ; ‘and let him practically teach thee, that salvation is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God who showeth mercy. Meekly dive into the amazing depth of these words, “In quietness and rest shall be your strength. Stand still, and see the salvation of God.” The fire, the earthquake, and the rending of the rocks, are over, silence takes place ; the still small voice will soon fol- low. Thou art for a time taken from the foaming bil- lows of self-agitation, and laid by the still waters #'a calm succeeds the impetuous.storm, and a passive waiting thy restless, fruitless endeavours. Thou art in the ease of one falling into the sea, who having strug- gled long and hard to escape drowning, is obliged to yield at last. Yield, then, weary sinner, yield to thy happy fate. Fully surrender to the God of thy life. Entirely abandon thyself to Jesus. Freely trust him 17. 3 T
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with thy present and eternal salvation. Whether thou swim or sink, let thyself go into the ocean of mercy:
Catch at no broken reed by the way, but calmly ven- ture in the unfathomable depths of redeeming love.
Lose thus thy life, and thou shalt find it. The power of God will soon be made perfect in thy weakness; and when thy strength is renewed, earnestly wrestle again. Thus go on, alternately striving and waiting, according to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, till hav- ing passed through all the inferior dispensations of di-’ vine grace, thou enter by faith into the rest that remains for the people of God, and take possession of that kingdom of God, which consists in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.