EXHORTATION TO BELIEVE. 245 have described. Who would not think now, that the whole world would fly to him to be made partakers of these terms, willingly accepting of them 1 But it proves for the most part quite otherwise. Men like not this way, of all others. It had been something, says Naaman, if the prophet had come and done so and so; but this, " Go, wash and be clean," I do not like it, I am but de- luded. Men think that had it been some great thing that was required of them that they might be saved, they would with all speed address themselves to it ; but to come to God by Christ, to be freely forgiven, they like it not. Some rigid, austere penances, some compensatory obedience, some satisfactory mortification,or purgatory, had been a better way : this of mere pardon, in and by the cross, is but folly. 1 Cor. 1 : 18-20. I had rather, saith the Jew, have it as it were by the works of the law, Rom. 9 : 32, and chap. 10 : 3. This way of grace and forgiveness I like not. So say others also : so prac- tise others every day; either this way is wholly rejected, or it is.mended by some additions; which, with God, is the same as the rejection of it. Here multitudes of souls deceive themselves and pe- rish. I know not whether it be more difficult to per- suade an unconvinced person to think of any terms, or a convinced person to accept of these. Let men say what they will and pretend what they please, yet prac- tically they like not this way of forgiveness. I shall therefore offer some considerations tending to further your souls in the acceptance of the terms proposed. 1. This is the way ; these are terms of God's own choosing; he found out this way, he established it him- self. He did it when all was lost and undone ; he did it not upon our desire, request, or proposal, but merely of his own accord ; and why should we contend with him about it 1 If God will have us saved in a way of mere mercy and forgiveness; if his wisdom and sove-
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