ON THE G mere grace and mercy; for in thee the fatherless findeth mero end, secondly, the effect of it, which is praise a: ,:nanksgiving; so will we render the calves of our lip., And some things we may hence farther observe as unto the case under consideration. As, (1.) Although God will repair our spiritual decays, and heal our backslidings freely, yet he will do it so, or in such a way, as wherein he may communicate grace unto us, to the praise ofhis own glory. Therefore are these duties prescribed unto us in order thereunto; for although they are not the procuring cause of the love and grace from whence alone we are healed, yet are they required in the method of the dispensation ofgrace to precede the effect of them. Nor have we any where a more illustrious instance and testimony of the consis- tency and harmony which is between sovereign grace, and the diligent discharge of our duty, than we have in this place: for as God promiseth, that he would heal their backslidings out of his free love, ver. 4. and would do it by the communication of effectual grace, ver. 5.; so he enjoins them all these duties in order thereunto. (2.) That unless we find these things wrought in us in a way ofpreparation, for the receivingof mercy de- sired, we have no firm ground of expectation, that we shall be made partakers of it: for this is the method of God's dealingwith the church.Then, and then only we may expect a gracious reviving fromall our decays, when serious repentance working in the ways declared, is found in us. This grace will not surprise us inour sloth, negligence, and security, but will make way for itself, by stirring us up unto sincere endeavoursafter it, in the perseverance of these duties. And until we see better evidences of this repentance among us than as yet appears, we can have but small hopes of a general re- covery from our present decays. 5. The work itself is declared, (1.) By its nature. (2.) In its causes. (3.) From its effects. 1. In the nature of it, it is the healing of backslid - logs; I will heal their backslidings; the sin whereby they are fallen off from God, unto whom they are now exhorted to return. 'These bring the souls of men into a deceased estate, and danger of death: thecure hereof is the work ofGod alone. Hence he gives himself that title, I am the Lord that healeth thee, Exod. xv. 23. And because of the poisonous nature of sin, and the LORY OF CHRIST. Ios ranger it brings of eternal death unto the souls of men, the removal of it, or a recoveryfrom it,` is often caned by the name of healing, . Psal. vi. 2. Isa. Ivii. , 8, 19. Hos. vi. I. Here it includeth two things; first, the pardon of sin past, and then a supply of grace to make us fruitful in obedience; 1 will be as the dew unto Israel, as we shall see. This is God's healing of back- slidinge. 2. In the causes of it, which are, (1.) The principal moving cause, and that is free undeserved love; I will love them freely. From hence alone is our recovery to be expected. (2.) The efficient cause which as unto sins past is pardoning mercy; mine anger is turned a- way from him: and as unto renewed obedience, in which too our recovery consists; it is in a plentiful supply of effectual grace; I will be as the dew unto Is- rael. Fresh supplies of the Spirit ofgrace from above are so expressed: this is necessary unto our healing and recovery. 3. It is described by its effect, which is a much more abundant fruitfulness in holiness and obedience, inpeace and love, than ever they had before attained. This the prophet sets out in multiplied similitudes and meta- phors, to denote the greatness and efficacy of the grace so communicated. I have a little insisted on the opening of this context for sundry reasons. 1. The case which I would consider, is in all the parts of it stated distinctly, and represented clearly un- to us. There is nothing remains but only the especial way, whereby in the exercise of faith this grace may be obtained, which is that which I shall speak unto in the last place, as that which is principally intended in this discourse. 2. That I might shew how great a thing it is to have our spiritual decays made up, our backslidings healed, and so to attain the vigorous acting of grace and spirit- ual life, with a flourishing profession, and fruitful obe- dience in old age. It is so set forth here by the Holy Ghost, as that every one must needs have a sense of the beauty and glory of the work: it is that which di- vine love, mercy, and grace are eminently effectual in unto the glory of God, that which so many duties are required to prepare us for. Let no man think that it is a light or common work, every thing in it is peculiar: it isunto them who are made partakers of it, a life from the dead.
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