THE UNCONVERTED. 89 sin of all the world, that lay upon our Redeemer; and his sacrifice and satisfaction is sufficient for all, and the fruits of it are offered to one as well as another. But it is true, that it was never the intent of his mind to pardon and save any that would not, by faith and repentance, be converted. If you had seen and heard him weeping and bemoaning the state of disobedience in impenitent people:-Luke xix. 41, 42. "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, if thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. " Or complaining of their stubbornness, as Matt. xxiii. 37. "0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her ·wings, and ye would not! " Or if you had seen and heard him on the cross, praying for his persecutors- Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do-would you have suspected that he had delighted in the death of the wicked, even of those that perish by their wilful unbelief? 'Vhen God hath so loved, (not only loved, but so loved,) as to give his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him (by an effectual faith) should not perish, but have everlasting life, I think he hath hereby proved, against the malice ofmen and devils, that he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, hut had rather that they would" turn and live." 6. Lastly, If all this will not yet satisfy you, take his own word, that knoweth best his own mind, or at least believe his oath: but this leads me to the fourth doctrine. DocTRINE 4. The Lord hath confirmed to us by his oath, that he hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that he turn and live; that he may leave man no pretence to question th.e truth ofit. 8
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=