1 615 ] SERMON H. ISAIAH lVii. 17, 18. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him : I hid me and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his own heart. I have seen his ways and will heal him, I will lead him also : and will restore comforts unto him, and to his mourners. I AVING in the last discourse given you a large para- phrase of the first part of the words, I now proceed to this part, 1 have seen his ways and will heal him ; from whence I would raise this doctrine : When no methods of chastisement, neither temporal strokes nor the hid- ing of God's face will reduce a backslider, then God recovers him by a wondrous exercise of his sovereign grace. This is not Gods commonway of exerting grace towards his people, generally he accompanies his chas- tisement with his spirit, but sometimes he lets a soul run so far from him that noexternal methods ofrecoverywill do ; then saith God it is time I should arise, " I have seen his ways and I will heal him." My design on these words is to awaken those by a gentle touch of divine mercy on whom the strokes of God's rod have been re+ peated in vain. And let such as are dead in trespasses and sins attend to this word of almighty grace those that think themselves never so near to hell, though they are running from God, yet if God please he can heal them. In discoursing to these words, let us take this method : First, Let us consider what those ways are from which God intends to reclaim his people. I have seen his ways, and I will heal him. Secondly, consider the greatnessof the grace of God, by the aggravations of this sin of backsliding. Thirdly, How God beholds them. I have seen his ways, cc. Fourthly, What is implied in healing them. I have seen his ways, and will heal him. 52 R4.
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