t ComfortablePre ruatiHesagainfi~ defperation. 43 2 Vçards thofe,who earnefllydefying it, wait vpon him, that theymaybee made partakers ofit. For the obie& ofGods mercy, about which it is exercifed,is mans miferie, and the a6kion thereof, is to pitie, and helpe him outofhis wretch- ed and miferable eflate ; and therefore, iftherewereno tni- ferie and wretchednefle, and no finne tobe forgiuen, there would bewanting that external!obie&, about \ti'hich Gods mercy fhould beexercifed and manifefted to all the world. Andhence it is, that the Lord willinglie permitted the fall ofour fir(l parents, to the end that heemight make a way for the rnanifeflation of his mercie, in pardoning repen- tantfinners, and his iuftice in punifhing the contemners ofhis grace. And as theApoltle faith, Rom.i 1.3z.Godbath Roma1.32. J19ut vpall in vn6eleefc, that bee might haue mercieon all, that is to fay, onall the eleel,both Iewes andGentiles. Seeing therforeGoddelighteth himfelf in exertifing and manifeftinghismercy,to thepraifeofthe gloryofhis grace, bypardoningand forgiving repentant limiers; let not any who are grieuoufly laden,and grone for wearines vnder the heauieburthenoftheir finnes, feare to come unto the Lord, and toimplore hismerde for the forgiuenesof their finnes, though neuer fo grieuous and manifold, neither let them doubt, left God will reie& their fuite, and refufe to receitie them intohis grace and fauour, becaufe of their great re- bellions and vnworthineife. For although there were not (as in truth there is not any thing to bee refpe&ed in vs, fauing that weeare the creatures ofGod, and worker ofhis hands, yet the Lord will haue compaflion upon vs, euen for his owne fake, becaufe hee is cxceedinglie delighted in dewingmerde to all thofe who turne unto him. And this the Lordhimfelfe profeffeth .25. I,ewen I am bee. that Efa.43-,1fa;. putteth away thine iniquities (or mine ownefake,and willnot re- member thygimmes. And therefore theProphet Daniel calling vpon the Lord formercy,in the behalfe ofhimfelfe and the people, difclaimeth their owne;righteoufneffe, and all re- fpe&oftheir owne merits and worthineffe ; faying, We doe notprefent our fupplications before thee for our ownerigh- teoufneffe, but for thygreat tender mercies ; 0Lord.heare,
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