[ 628 ] SERMON IV. ESA! lvii. 18. I have seen his ways, and I will heal him. INow proceed to make some little improvement of the discourses thus far. These inferences may be drawn from them : I. How extensive and unsearcheable are the riches of grace in the covenant. Grace, that is resolved to recover such stubborn backsliders. Large grace it was that pro- cured the covenant, that promised the blessings of it, and that fulfilled all its articles, according to the several seasons of the church's necessities. How abundant must be the compassion of the Father, that he should see our sinful ways, and yet heal us ! the wilfulness of our rebellion, and yet not stretch out his hands and smite us ! That he should see us in all the aggravations of our guilt, and yet not lift up his sword of justice, and take an ample vengeance on us ! Well may we cry out, ' Lord our Lord, how glorious is thy grace throughout all the earth'.. how vast thy magnificence of compassion 'above all our abounding iniquities !' Again, how abun- dant is the love of our Redeemer ! He died for his enemies; yea, he continues still with a heart and tongue pleading for us ; for us, who have sinned against him- self and his Father ! How glorious and efficacious are all his perfections ! What great righteousness must that be that could make satisfaction for such guilt ! What strongcompassion dwells in the heart of this physician, that he will apply his blood to those wounds that we have made after his once healing us. How great are his sanctifying influences ! A touch of his finger brought us to him at first, and recovered us after our backsliding. How long-suffering is he ; his love has been quenched by our many rebellions ; and we may well wonder that he should return to rekindle dying grace. Let every backslider that has been healed, let every preserved be- liever, and let every converted sinner in this assembly say, Honour and glory be to the love of God the Fa- 4
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