* ' Unto him ' in B. C— G. f ' Specially ' in B, C— G.
X ' I say ' not in B, C ; and ' much more ' added after labour. Neat ^ pure. — G.
§ ' And ought not we ' in B, C. — G.
II ' Him ' in B, 0 ; and ' which is here intended ' omitted. — G.
% ' But because ' in B, C. — G.
** ' The more ... is the special time ' omitted in B, C. — G.
tt ' Of such a superstitious course ' added in B, C ; and ' That is . . . before ' omitted. — G.
II ' We have grown in grace, got ground of corruption, been exact in time, hung loose from God or not ' added in B, C. — G.
§§ ' In a strict manner ' added in B, C ; and ' when we have done all ' omitted. — G.
94 judgment's reason.
own act, that he had siuned ; but they went no further, they did not fly to God for mercy in Christ. Therefore let us fly to the throne of grace ; as we have an excellent pattern of this, Ps. exxx. 3 : saith the psalmist there,
* If thou be strict to mark what is done amiss. Lord, who shall abide it ?' There he is condemned in one court. If thou be strict to mark what is done amiss, who shall abide it ? There, being condemned in that coui't, ho flies to the throne of grace : ' But there is mercy with thee, that thou mightst be feared.' Lord, if thou be strict to mark what is done amiss by me in this action and in that action, who shall abide it ? ]5ut. Lord, there is mercy with thee in Jesus Christ, in whom thou hast stablished a throne of mercy ;* there is mercy with thee, that thou mayest be feared. Take this course, and undoubtedly God will shew mercy ; because the 8on directs us to the Father in the Lord's prayer that we should ask forgiveness ; and God the Father directs us to his Son, to believe his Sonf for forgive- ness. ' This is his commandment, that we believe in his Son Jesus Christ,' 1 John iii. 23. We cannot honour the Father more, we cannot honour the Son more, than to go to God for mercy ; because God in Christ now will be glorified in his mercy. J
Let us fetch out a pardon of course for every sin. ' If we confess our sins, he is merciful to forgive our sins.' And therefore it is our own fault if we find not the assurance of the forgiveness of them, because we deal not roundly, without a spirit of guile, with God. That is the next duty then, after we have judged ourselves, to go to mercy. And to shew yoii one example, how peace comes in after this judging of ourselves, Kom. vii. 24, the blessed apostle complains of his own corruptions. He had laid sore to his own charge, that the ill that he would not do, that he did ; and the good that he would do, that he did not ; and he breaks out, ' Oh ! wretched man that I am.' "What did he find presently upon this ? ' Thanks be to God,' presently upon it, as if he had found peace presently upon complaining of his comiptions. Oh, miserable man, &c.§ So when we honour God by confessing and judging ourselves, he will honour us with inward peace and joy ; because faith honours him by trusting and relying upon his mercy. If therefore we would find inward peace in the pardon of our sins, let us deal faithfully with our souls in spreading our sins before God ; and we shall find peace presently upon it. If not, learn to wait ; for undoubtedly God will make good his promise.
Quest. But what shall we do in the. next place, after we h^ive so opened the case to God, and gone to him for pardon, and forgiveness, and mercy in Christ ?
Sol. Then renew our covenant with God for the time to come, of better service, and enter upon refoiTaation,l| upon our resolution ; for this is a fruit of the former.
Quest. How shall we' know that we have humbled ourselves, and judged ourselves as we should do ?
Sol. When we relish the mercy of God in the pardon of our sins.
Quest. But how shall we know when God hath pardoned our sins ?
Sol. When he gives us grace to renew our covenants for the time to come, not to ofiend him ; and when he gives us strength to reform our ways ; for with pardoning mercy there goeth healing mercy: Ps. ciii. 1, 'Praise the
* ' Grace ' in B, G ; and ' There is . . . feared ' omitted. — G.
f ' In him ' in B, C. — G. f ' In mercy to penitent sinners ' in B, 0. — G.
§ ' Oil, miserable man ' omitted in B, C. — G.
II ' Of life ' in B, C ; and ' Upon ... of the former ' omitted. — G.