EVIDE'.dCES OF FO&GIVEhESS. 173 and unbelief, they still refuse to come to God in Christ, that they may be pardoned, Yea, the unfolding of this truth makes it plain why men perish in their sins. Is it for want of mercy, goodness, grace, or patience in God? Is it through any defect in the mediation of the Lord Christ? Is it for want of the mightiest encourage- ments and most infallible assurances that with God there is forgiveness'? Not at all, but merely on account of their own obstinacy, stubbornness and .perverseness: they will not come to this light; yea, they hate it, be- cause their deeds are evil. They will not come to Christ that they may have life. It is merely darkness, blindness, and love of sin that brings men to destruc- tion; and this is laid open, and all pretences and excus- es are removed, and the shame of men's lusts exposed, by the full confirmation of this truth, with which God has furnished us. Take heed, you that hear or read these things : - if they are not mixedwith faith they will add greatly to your misery. Every argument will be your torment. Moreover, if you will consider what has been now said concerning the nature and end of the worship of God, which you attend to, you may be instructed in the use and due observation of it. When you address your- selves to it, remember that this is what God requires of you as sinners; that this he would not have required, but with thoughts of mercy. Bless him with all your souls, that this is laid as the foundation of all your ap- proaches to him. You are not utterly cast off because you are sinners. Let this support and warm your hearts when you go to hear, to pray, or to any duty ofwor- ship. Consider what is your principal work in the whole. You are going, to deal with God about forgive- ness, in the being, causes, consequences and effects of it. Hearken to what he speaks, declares or reveals about it; mix his 'revelation and promises with faith.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=