326 NONE EXCLUDED FROM. HOPE. [SEAM. XIX. against man, or against God himself, ought to shut up a humble soul under despair ; for this is a faithful say- ing, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came to save the chief of sinners, 1 Tim. i. 15. And that is a word of most extensive grace which our Saviour speaks, Mat. xii. 31. All manner ofsin and blasphemy shall beforgivenuntomen. You who have enjoyed a happy education, and have pious parents to boast of, as the Jews boastedof Abra- ham: you whohave many shining works of sobriety and righteousness, you are called to come and trust in this gospel : But you must renounce all your pretended me- rit, and accept of pardoninggrace, or you can never be saved. And you that have nothing that looks like a good work to glory in, sinners as bad as the worst of gentiles, come, and believe this gospel, and surrenderyourselves to Jesus the Prince and the Saviour; his blood is all- sufficient for the pardon of your sins, his righteousness is all-sufficient for yourjustification ; and his Spirit can purify your sinful natures. Where sin has abounded, grace has much more abounded, Rom. v. 20. It is to the everlasting honour of the gospel of Christ, that it has appeared to be the power of God to the salvation of multitudes ofsuch as you : Such Were some ofyou, saith the apostle to the Corinthians ; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye areJ justed, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God, 1 Cor. vi, 11. And sùrely if great degrees of sin cannot exclude the penitent soul from the benefit of the gospel ; then, 7. Neither shall any person be excluded because of the weak degrees ofhis faith : Hirn that is weak in the faith, receive ye; for Christ has received him, Rom. xiv. 1,,3. Read that kind, condescending promise, and believe it, Mat. xii. 20. He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the snaoakingflax, nor suppress, nor despise the least, the lowest desires ofgrace : He will encourage the youngest and the feeblest acts of sincere repentance and true faith, though struggling under much sin and dark- ness, till it break out into evident and active flame. The little tender seed of grace under his heavenly influences shall bud, and blossom, and spring up into full glory. How large and glorious is the salvation that attends
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