2.66 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. when there shall be none to deliver. Methinks I see your poor, destitute, forlorn souls, forsaken of the plea- sures of sin, of the world, friends, angels, men, trem- bling before the throne of God, full of horror and fear- ful expectation of the dreadful sentence. O that I could mourn over you so as to prevail with you, whilst you are yet joined to all the living; while there is yet hope. O that in this your day you knew the things of your peace! If you say, Nay, but we will seek the Lord whilst he may be found, we will drawnigh to him before he cause darkness; then consider, I pray, 6. What Joshua told the children of Israel when they formed such a resolution and cried out, " We will serve the Lord our God." chap. 21 : 18. " Ye cannot serve the Lord for he is an holy God, a jealous God, he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins." If you go to him upon your own account, and in your own strength, with your own best endeavors and duties, you will find him too holy for you to deal with. You will obtain neither acceptance of your persons nor pardon of your sins. But you will say, These are heavy tidings. If we sit still, we perish; and if we rise to be doing, it will not be better; is there no hope left for our souls must we pine away under our sins, and the wrath of God for ever l God forbid. There are yet other direc- tions remaining, to guide you out of these entangle- ments. Wherefore, 7. Ponder seriously on what has been spoken of this way of approaching to God. Consider it in its own na- ture as to all the ends andpurposes for which it is propos- ed of God. Consider whether you approve of it or not
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