158 FOURTH SERMON him not," Isa. lxv. 1. and his office is not only to save, but to seek that which was lost. Again, other physicians are well used, and enter- tained with respect and honour ; but our patient here neglects and misuses his physician, falls from him, betakes himself unto pretenders and physicians of no value, yet he insists on his mercy, and comes when he is forsaken, when he is repelled, " I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people," Isa. lxv. 2. Further, other physicians have usually ample and honourable rewards for the attendance they give ; but this physician comes out of love, heals freely, nay is bountiful to his patient, doth not only heal him but bestows gifts upon him, gives the visit, gives the me- dicine, sends the ministers and servants who watch and keep the patient. Lastly, other physicians prescribe a bitter potion for the sick person to take, this physician drinketh off the bitterest himself ; others prescribe the sore to be lanced, this physician is wounded and smitten him- self; others order the patient to bleed, here the physician bleeds himself : yea, he is not only the phy- sician but the medicine, and gives himself, his own flesh, his own blood, for a purifyer, a cordial, a plaster to the soul of his patient ; dies himself that his pa- tient may live, and by his stripes we are healed, Isa. liii. 5. We should from all this learn : 1. To admire the unsearchable riches of the mercy of our God, who is pleased in our misery to prevent* us with goodness, and when we neither felt our disease nor desired a remedy, is pleased to convince us of our sins, Thou hast fallen by thine iniquity ;" to invite * Go before.
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