Ver.3. andmans falvation incon(lent. 53 Ipenfible order of our dependance on God, nothingof thatgood could come into confìderation, until the guilt of that fin were anfwered for unto the utmolt. No the penalty of every fin, being the eternal rreine of the fìnner, all his fuppofed good can Rand him in little [lead. And for the Law it fell, it is an iffue of theHolinefs, Righteoufnefs, and Wifdom of God ; fo that there is not any evil, fo great or (mall, but is forb dden in it , and condLmned by it. Hereupon David fo flares this whole matter, Pfal. rß}3.2. Enter not into judgement with thy fervant, for in thy fight (hall no man living be juftifted. That is if things are to be tryed out and determined by the Law, no (inner can obtain acquitment ; as Paul declares the fenfe of that place to be, Rom. 3. 20. Gil. 2. i6. but yet, Fourthly, It may be the fentence of the Law is not Co fierce and dreadful, but that though guilt be found , there may be yet a way of cfcape. But the Law fpeaks not one word on this fide death ,to an offendor. There is a greatnefs, and an Eternity of wrath in the Centence of it; and"it is God himfelf who bath undertaken to fee the vengeance of it executed. So that on all thefe accounts the conclNfion mentioned mutt needs be fixed in the foul of a firmer, that entertains thoughts of drawing nigh to God. Though what hath been fpoken, may be ofgeneral ufe unto sneers of all forts, whether called home to God, or yet ftran- gers to, him, yet I (hall not infitt upon any general improvement of it, becaufe it is intended only for one fpecial end or pur- pote. That which is aimedat, is to thew what are the frrli thoughts that arife in the heart of a poor intangled foul, when firtl he begins to endeavour a recovery in a returnal unto God. The Law immediately puts in its clairn unto him , and againtl him. God is reprefented unto him , as angry, dif pleated, provoked ; and his terror more or let's befets him round about. This fills him with fear, fhame, and confufion of face ; fo that he knows not what to do : There troubles are greater or leffer, accordinf as God feeth it belt for the poor creatures prefent humiliation, and future fafety. What then doth the firmer? What are his thoughts hereupon ? doth he think to fly from, God, and to give over all endeavours H 3 of
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