24 DireRims forgetting, and keepi rs meerly a Gracious inclination. It is an officeoffer ving and IhewingMercy alfo that Chriít bath under- taken ; even toPeek and to fave that which was low tobring home liraying fouls to God : tobe the great Peace-maker between God and man : to Reconcile God to man, and man to God and fo to be the Head and Husband of his People. Certainly the Devil ítrangely wrongeth poor troubled fouls in this point ; that hé canbring them to have fuch hard fufpicious thoughtsofChriít, and fo much to over- look the Glory ofMercy which fo fhineth in the face ofthe Son of Mercy it fell. How can we more con - tradid the Nature ofChriít, and the Gofpel-defcri- ption ofhim, then to thinkhim a deftróyinghater of his creatures, and one that watcheth for our halting, and hath more mind to hurt us then to help us ? How couldhe have manifested more willingnefs to fave ? and more tender compafioñ to the fouls of men, then he bath fully maniieízed ? That the God- head should condefcend toalfume our Nature, is a thing fo wonderful even to aítonithmenr_, ;hat puts faith to it to apprehend it : For it is ten thoufand times morecondefcen:on, then for the greateft King tobecome a Fly or a Toad to fave fuch creatures And Ihall we ever have low and fufpicious thoughts ofthe Gracious andMerciful Nature of Chriít after fo ffrange and full a difcovery ofit ? If twenty were ready co drown in the fea, and if one that were able to fwi`n and fetch cheA,! al out, Mould call himfelf into the water, and offer them his help, were it not foolith ingratitude for any to fay J know not yet whether he be willing to help me, or not ; and fo tohave Jealous thoLghts of his good will ; and fo perifh in refuting
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