What is the reason ? It is sufficient to a gracious soul that it is thus ; it is the course of God. But there be reasons to give satisfaction.
Reason 1. First, The love of Christ to a poor, disconsolate, afflicted soul is most seasonable. When they have relapsed and dealt unkindly with Christ, then Christ not only forgiveth, but forgets all ; nay, and calleth them under the term of ' brethren,' which is more than forgiving or forgetting. Oh now it is seasonable. For there is a wonderful dejection of spirit after unkind usage of Christ, in a soul that knows what Christ means. It is as a shower of rain after great drought. It falleth weighty upon the soul.
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Eeason 2. Secondly, The freedom of Christ's love most ajypeareth then, when no desert of ours can move it. For is not that love free, when we have dealt unkindly with him, and joined with the world and with the flesh, and dealt slipperily with him, that then he would speak kindly to us and make love to us ? Lord, if I had had my due, what would have become of me ? If he had sent them word according to their deserts, he might have said, ' Go, tell the apostate, base people that have dealt unworthily with me, whom I will send to hell.' Oh no. But ' tell my brethren.' His free love appeareth most at such times, when our souls are most dejected,
Eeason 3. Thirdly, Satan roarcth then most, then he most of all sheiceth his horns, ichen ive are relapsed. Oh, saith he, if thou hadst never found kindness, it had been something ; but thou hast dealt unworthily that hast bad so many favours, and dost thou so requite the Lord of glory ? Now this love of Christ doth exceedingly confound Satan, and trouble his plots. He knoweth then that God leaveth men, and he joineth with a guilty con- science, and a guilty conscience maketh them to fear all they have deserved. Shall I look God in the face, and Christ in the face when I have used them thus ? Shall I receive the sacrament and join with God's people ? Now Satan doth join with guilt of conscience, and carrieth it further ; and when God seeth them dejected and humbled for this, he speaketh more comfort to them than ever before.
There is none of us all, I can except none, but had need of this. Have we dealt so unkindly with Christ since our conversion ? Have not we dealt proudly, and unkindly, and carelessly with him ? And if we have the love of Christ in our breasts, it will shame and abash us. Now if we have joined with a temptation, Satan will say, Will you go to God, and to prayer, that have served God thus ? Shall I yield to this temptation ? If we can shame ourselves and say. Lord, I take all shame to myself, I have dealt most unworthily with thee, we shall hear a voice of comfort presently. And therefore whatsoever our conditions be, be invited to repentance, though thou hast fallen and fallen again. * I have dealt unkindly.' Did not Peter so ? and yet, ' Go, tell my disciples, and tell Peter.' The pope will have him head of the church. I am sure he was head in forsaking of Christ, and indeed Christ never* upbraided Peter with forsaking of him. Now only he biddeth him feed, feed, feed, that he might take more notice of it ; but he was so kind that he never cast it into his teeth, John xxi. 15-17.
Obj. But saith the poor drooping soul. If I had never tasted of mercy it had been something.
Ayxs. But object not that, for though Peter's offence was great, yet his repentance was great ; and though thy sins be great, yet if thy repentance and humiliation be answerable, thou shalt have most comfort of all. And therefore let no man be discouraged.
If we go on in sinful, desperate courses, as the fashion of the world is, speak what we can, if we speak out our lungs, many will not leave an oath, nor their profane base courses and filthy ways ; ill they have been already, and ill they will be till they come to hell. Some such there be, but better we are to speak too. Whosoever thou art, that are weary of thy profane, base, godless courses, be humbled for them. When thou art humbled and broken-hearted, then think of Christ, as he offers himself; think of nothing but love, nothing but mercy. Satan will picture him thus and thus, but when thou beest humbled and broken-hearted, he is * Misprinted ' ever." — G.
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readier to entertain tlicc than thou art to lly to him. And therefore at such times consider how Christ offcreth himself to thee. He that died for his enemies, and seeks them that never sought him, that is found of them that sought him not, will he refuse them that seek him '? If thou hast an heart humbled, and hast a desire of favour, will he refuse thee, that receiveth many in the world. Therefore do not despair. We as ambassadors beseech you, saith the apostle. Thou desirest God's favour and Christ's love. Thou desirest them, and Christ entrcateth thee, and then thou art well met. Thou wouldst fain have pardon and mercy, so would Christ fain bestow it upon thee. Therefore join not to Satan. Take heed of temptations in such a case as this is. Take heed of refusing our own mercies. When God offers mercy in the bowels of his compassion, refuse it not. Christ is ready to shew great kindness in our greatest unkindness, if we be humbled for it.