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. " I 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 hands 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 to come? 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 thv 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 he not 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 I are the flames of eternal love : 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 is not strength to bring forth. Shall I bring to the births and not give strength ac
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