ESSAY V. 163 bfürce: This holy desire with some degree ofresolution, seems to be the first step or motion of the will towards God ; these are the beginnings of true repentance flowing from faith or hope in divine mercy ; this is the first work of,a saving conversion, even a restlessness of soul in this state of distance fromGod, and un- der the hope of his mercy, a sincere desire and holy resolution of heart to return towards him, as our portiòn and our everlasting happiness. This is that repentance towards God, and faith in his mercy, which was necessary in all ages, and in all nations, and under every dispensation, in order to the salvation of sinful man- kind from their state of misery, and in order to return to Gòd. V. When God designed to recover man to himself, and re- store him to his favour, he designed also to secure a due honour to his government for all times to come, and obedience to his autho- rity in all his future demands : And for this end man must be made, in some measue, to feel the evil of sin by the painful consequences of it, viz. " shame and remorse of conscience, and holy sorrow forhis past transgressions :" And God designed that these actings of the soul should have a powerful and a last- ing influence, through his grace, to make man hate every sin, and fear and avoid it, and awaken him to constant sincere endea- vours of universal obedience to a forgiving God for time to comé. Agreeably to this design of God, the sinful creature must seek to have his heart in some measure, painfully affected with shame and sorrow, for his past folly and disobedience tohis Cre ator ; and must learn hereby to hate every sin, and éonstantly avoid it, and he must endeavour after universal compliance with the will of God in all future instances of duty." These are the natural necessary operations and attendants of all truerepentance wheresoever it is found, and will be in greater or less degrees, working in the heart of every sinner that truly returns to God : For the great design of God in all his transactions of grace to= wards fallen man, is to recover to himself apeculiar people, averse to sin and zealous of gbod works; Tit. ii. 13. and that under the motives of his pardoning love, and the aids of his sanctifying grace, they walk before him in all holiness. This also be- longs to all the several dispensations of the grace of God ever since the fall ofman, and is required of every creature who should return to God. VI. In the New Testament the great God bath made much plainer discoveries of the particular way of his return to sinful man, viz. that he did not think fit to be reconciled to men, or bring them back again to himself, without a Mediator*: This * There may be several reasons why the blessed God thought fit to save mankind by a Mediator, and oot without onh ; es, I. To maintain his own ho- nour and the dignity of his majesty ; for it does not seem so proper for a God of such supreme glory, to admit such criminals immediately into leis favour and L2
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