Houston-Packer Collection BV4253 .B85 1649 .B85 1649

Evangelical Repentance. .srowsaresh.ae. 247 But when I confider him as my father, the bet' friend I have in the world ; and confider how by my fins I have thicken atlim ; this makes me grieve : Oh that ever I fhould wound the name of himwhom my foul loves.! Sbe loved much (faies our Saviour concerning ,the weeping wo- man) the lovedmuch, for much was forgiven her : He does not fay, the wept much, for much was forgiven her : there was no mention before ofher love, but only of her wee- ping ; andyet fakesour Saviour, the loved much : becaufe he would thewwhat,it was that drew up the flute of there tears : it was her love. And what caufeth love ? Love caufeth love. The more a man fees, and apprehends the love of Chrtti towards him, the more his heart is drawn out in love towards Chrift again. And what greater aEt oflove than this?That the Kingdomof Heaven approaches, that theKingcl'Om of Heaven thould come, and make it's approach to fuch a poor finner as I am : Surely therefore, the approaching, or drawing neer of the Kingdom of Hea- ven, is the higheft, and greateti motive in theworld unto true Repentance. You will fay, Experience feems for to (peak the contra- ry : for,arguments drawn from Hell, and the wrath of God, Teem to be more powerful , and efficacious in the working ofRepentance. I have (will fome fay) fometimes confidered thewrath ofGod, and let out my heart upon arguments drawn from thence; and then I have bin much humbled, broken ; been much affetled : yea, the truth`is, I have been more humbled, and more broken, and more affeaed, and more troubled for fin; thanwhen theGofpel, thewordof the Kingdom hathbeen preach'd, and opened untome : How therefore is this true ? Experience feems to fpeak the contrary. I anfwer, guicquid recipitur 6.c. Every thing is recei- vedaccording unto the receiver. A legal fpirit doth re- 'jib and favour molt of thofearguments which are drawn from Hell, and from the wrath ofGod : But an Evangeli- cal Chriftian, thofe that are drawn from love and mercy. Oo But

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=