EXHORTATION TO BELIEVE. 233 to twist it in with their own righteousness; both which are an abomination to the Lord. From these, and other considerations which might be added, it is evident that our word is not in vain, nor the exhortation which is to be built upon it. It appears that, notwithstanding the great pretences in. the world, there are but few who seriously receive this fundamen- tal truth of the Gospel, namely, that there is forgive- ness with God. Poor creatures! they sport themselves with their own deceivings, and perish in their own delusions. CHAPTER XII. EXHORTATION TO THE BELIEF OF FORGIVENESS. We nowproceed to the direct uses and practical bear- ings of the great truth that there is forgiveness with God. The persons concerned in this truth are all sin- ners whatever: no sort of sinners are unconcerned in it, none are excluded from it : and we include all under two heads. 1. Such as never yet sincerely closed with the promises of grace, andhave never received forgive- ness from God in believing. These we have already endeavored to undeceive, and to discover those false presumptions whereby they are apt to ruin and destroy their own souls : these we would now guide into safe and pleasant paths, wherein they may find assured rest and peace. 2. Others there are who have received it, but being again entangled by sin, or clouded by dark- ness and temptations, or weakened by unbelief, know not how to improve it to their peace and comfort. This is the condition of the soul represented' in this
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