TO A SOUND CONVERSION. 327 The substance of the text lies in those observations following : Doc. 1. It is the unchangeable law of God, that wicked men must turn or die. Doc. 2. It is the promise of God, that the wicked shall live if they will turn. Doc. 3. God takes a pleasure in men's conversion and salvation, but not in their death and damnation : he had rather they would turn and live, than go on and die. Doc. 4. This is a most certain truth, which, be- cause God would not have men to question, he lias confirmed to them solemnly by his oath. Doc: 5. The Lord redoubles his commands and per- suasions to the wicked to turn. Doc. 6. The Lord condescends to reason the case with them, and asks the wicked why they will die? Doc. 7. If after all this the wicked will not turn, it is not the fault of God that they perish, but of them- selves; their own wilfulness is the cause of their dam- nation : they therefore die because they will die. Having laid the-text open before your eyes in these plain propositions, I shall next speak somewhat of each of them in order, though very briefly. DOCTRINE I. it is the unchangeable law of God, that wicked men must turn or die. IF you will believe God, believe this : there is but one of these two ways for every wicked man, either conversion or damnation. I know the wicked will hardly be persuaded either of- the truth or equity of this. No wonder if the guilty quarrel with the law. Few men are apt to believe that, which they would not'. have to be true ; and fewer would have that to be true, which they apprehend to be against them. But it is not quarrelling with the law, or with the judge,- that will save the malefactor. Believing and regarding the law might have prevented his death : but. li¿ F
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