122 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XL [SeR. XXIX.
have to fly to his mercy. Use a point of gospel logic, and make advan- tage of the temptation. Satan saith, Thou art a grievous sinner, and conscience can witness the accusation ; though you take the principle, yet beware of the devil's inferences ; the principle may be true, yet the inference a lie. I am a dog, yet there are crumbs for dogs : Mat. xv. 27, ' Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs, whicli fall from their master's table.' It is an excellent wisdom to turn discouragements into motives of believing ; to make that an argument to draw us to Christ which would seem to drive us from him. Therefore I ought to come to Christ. Again, God's mercy is as infinite as his wrath ; I fear his wrath, why should I not hope in his mercy? Believing is a command as well as a privilege ; God is worthy to be obeyed, though I be not worthy to be received to mere}'. Sins should not hinder a man from dut)'', nor sickness from the remedy : look upon thyself as imder an obligation. Again, presumers are seldom troubled about their estate ; their peace is broken when it is but suspected ; there is no fear of |)re- sumption when the lieart is touched : Ps. Ivi. 3, ' What time I am afraid I will trust in thee :' it is good to give duties their due time and season. Again, in this work Christ will help me ; if there be any- thing of faith he Avill cherish it: Mat. xii. 20, ' A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench.' He cherisheth not only the bright torches, but the smoking wick ; he hates unbelief as much as jou do, and will strengthen you against it, for it is the greatest enemy of his kingdom. God usually appeareth in the creature's humiliation : Ps. li. 17, ' The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart, 0 God, thou wilt not despise ; ' if thou canst say he will not accept thee, he will not despise thee. Humiliation is a good beginning, a fruit of Christ's purchase ; and Christ did not only purchase the beginnings of grace, but the perfection and increase : you have your souls at a good advantage. AVhen Paul was fasting, God sendeth Ananias, Acts ix. 10; and when Cornelius was fasting, he sendeth him an angel, Acts x. 30, 31, Christ's wounds are like those of a surgeon, not of an executioner ; when he wounds and opens the vein, he thinks of binding it up again. Many such reason- ings and discourses may we have within ourselves.
3. Make adventures. Faith at first goeth after Christ with a weak and trembling foot, it is a mere trial and essay: Joel ii. 14, 'Who knoweth if he will return, and repent, and leave a blessing behind him ?' It is a thousand to one but he doth : Amos v. 15, ' It may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph ; ' Jonah iii. 9, ' Who can tell if God will turn ; and repent, and turn away from the fierceness of his anger that we perish not ? ' It is pride and curiosity to pry into God's purposes ; what have yon to do with God's counsels ? But you have a fair offer. Why sliould I ascend unto heaven? the word is near me: Kom. x. 6-8, 'Say not, Who shall ascend into heaven to know the mind of God ? ' he hath declared his will in his offer, why should I dispute it ? When Ebedmelech cast a cord to Jeremiah in the dungeon, shall he fall disputing ; It may be thou dost not intend to pull me up ? It is a vanity to wrong ourselves by affected scruples ; there is pride and curiosity in the jealousy, but obedience in the adventure.
YeR. 6] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 123
4. If, after all, this brings no comfort, run to him, and acknowledge
your misery and impotency. Ar/nosco dehifum, confiteor impotentiam. ' Turn me, 0 Lord, and I shall be turned,' Jer. xxxi. 18. Da quod Juhes, et jube quod vis. Lord, thou hast forbidden despair, and com- manded calling for mercy; I cast m3'self at thy feet, give me grace. Onr trials are but to show us our weakness, that we may fall down, and take all at the hands of mercy. If we be not thus affected, w^e have no cause to complain of God's rigour, but our own penury and sin: Eom. xi. 32, ' God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.'
5. Observe the seasons of God's gracious approaches : Ezek. xvi. 8, ' Thy time was a time of love.' Grace hath its seasons : Isa. Iv. 6, ' Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found ; call ye upon him, while he is near.' There are seasons of sweet and spiritual refreshings ; as Benhadad's servant watched for the word, ' brother.' God Avill be observed ; it is Satan's sport to see us slip our seasons. Observe the sweet motions in the heart when the Father draws you.