For the farther clearing of this truth, take along with you these few considerations of God's dealing with us, and his condescension therein, that he may act suitably to his own nature and name.
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[1.] His comparing himself to creatures of the most tender and boundless affection ; Isa. xlix. 15, 16. This is as high as we can go. The affection of a mother to a suck- ing child, the child of her womb, is the utmost instance that we can give of love, tenderness, and affection. This, says God, you cannot think, you ought not to imagine, that a tender, loving mother should not have compassion on 'a sucking child, the son of her womb.' Things will act ac- cording to their natures, even tigers love their own offspring. And shall * a woman forget her sucking child V But yet, saith God, raise up your apprehensions to this, take it for granted that she may do so, which yet without offering violence to nature cannot be imagined, ' yet I will not forget you.' This will not reach my love, my affection. Were we as secure of the love of God to us, as we are of the love of a good gracious mother to her sucking child, whom we see embracing of it, and rejoicing over it all the day long, we would think our estate very comfortable and secure. But alas ! what is this to the love of God to the meanest saint on the earth? What is a drop to the ocean ? What is a little dying, decaying affection, to an infiniteness, an eternity of love? See the working of this love in God, Hos. xi. 8, 9. Jer. xxxi. 20.
[2.] His condescension to entreat us that it may be so, that he may exercise pity, pardon, goodness, kindness, mercy towards us. He is so full, that he is, as it were, pained until he can get us to himself, that he may commu- nicate of his love unto us. ' We pray you,' says the apostle, ' in Christ's stead, as if God by us did beseech you.' What to do? What is he so earnest about? What would God have of us? Some great thing, some difficult service assuredly. No, says he, but ' be reconciled to God ;' 2 Cor. v. 20. Says God, O, ye sons of men, ' why will you die ?' I beseech you, be friends with rae, let us agree, accept of the atonement. I have love for you, take mercy, take pardon, do not destroy your own souls. ' This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing;' Isa. xxviii. 12. Remember how the Scripture abounds with exhortations and entreaties to this purpose.
[3.] In condescension to our weakness, he hath added his oath to this purpose. Will we not yet believe him?
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Will we not yet venture upon him ? Are we afraid that if we put ourselves upon him, into his hand, he will kill us, we shall die ? He gives us this last possible relief against such misgiving thoughts. Swear unto me that I shall not die, is the utmost that any one requires, when with the greatest ground of mistrust he gives up himself to him that is migh- tier than he. Now, *as I live, saith the Lord, I would not the death of a sinner;' Ezek. xxxiii. 11. Methinks this should put an end to all strife. We have his promise and oath, Heb. vi. 18. and what would we have more ? He is of an infinite, loving, and tender nature, he entreats us to come to him, and swears we shall not suffer by our so doing. In- numerable other instances of the like kind might be given, to evidence the actings of God towards us to be suitable to his name and nature before insisted on.
Now the end aimed at, as you know, in these considera- tions, is by them to encourage our hearts in the belief of the promises. It is God with whom therein we have to do. The things we receive by our believing are excellent, desir- able, what alone we want, andHvhich will do us good to eter- nity. The diflSculties of believing arise from our unworthi- ness, and the terror of him with whom we have to do. To disentangle our souls from under the power of such fears and considerations, this in the first place is proposed, the ten- der, gracious, loving nature of him, with whom herein we have to do. Fill your hearts then with such thoughts of God as these, exercise your minds with such apprehensions of him: the psalmist tells you what will be the issue of it, Psal. ix. 10. 'They that know thy name, will put their trust in thee ;' establishment in believing will ensue. If we know the name of God, as by himself revealed, know the love and kindness wrapped up therein, we cannot but trust him. Let us be always thinking of God, with a clear persuasion that so it is, that he is gracious, loving, ready to receive us, de- lighting, rejoicing to embrace us, to do us good, to give us mercy and glory, whatever he hath promised in Christ ; and it will exceedingly tend to the establishment of our hearts.