but shine forth in such amazing Brightness before the Face of such as afflicted them, and made no account of their Labours, that they, repenting and groaning for Anguish of Spirit, shall say within themselves, These are they, which we had sometime in derision, and a Proverb of Reproach. We Fools accounted their Life Madness, and their End to be without Honour: But how, for their eminent Wisdom, are they numbred among the Children of God; and, whilst our more than brutish Folly condemns us to everlasting Torments, is their Lot among the Saints ?

SER.

C

SERMON III.

EZEK. 33. II.

/

As I live, faith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the Death of the Wicked; but that the Wicked turn from his way, and live : Turn ye, Turn ye from your evil mays: for why will ye die, O House of Ifrael?

Fall the glorious Attributes and Perfections of our Maker, none so frequently unfolds its excellent Beauty to us in the sacred Oracles, as this of Mercy. 'Twas by this Name, that God,

E 2

bes

before the numberless Host of Heaven, the glorious Battalions of attending Angels upon Mount Sinai, most solemnly proclaim'd himself to his Servant Exod. 34. Moses. The Lord, says he, The Lord 6.God, merciful and gracious. And the whole Divine Song is nothing else, but a lovely Representation of it by all the Flowers and Delicacies of the most exalted Poetry. Nay, 'tis so frequently inculcated, that (as an ingenious Author speaks) Were it not for the Mystery of the Thing, and that there is no Tautology in Love, the Scriptures would feem chargeable with vain Repetitions. But though the Holy Oracles almost in every Page speak to us in the comfortable and ravishing Voice of Mercy; yet they no where do this more emphatically, than in the Words of my Text: For though God is not a Man, that he should lie, neither the Son of Man, that he should repent, but when he hath said, he will assuredly do it; and when he hath spoken, he will infallibly make it good; yet He is not contented with these most folemn, innumerable, and most affectionate Declarations of his abundant Goodness;

Numb. 23.

but here, in a miraculous and most astonish

aftonishing Condescension to the Infirmities of his Creatures, and that the broken and contrite Spirit may have the surest Word of Promise that can possibly be given it, vouchsafes even to interpose his Oath, and as folemnly to fwear. the same thing. As I live, faith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the Death of the Wicked; but that the Wicked turn from his way, and live: Turn ye, Turn ye from your Evil Ways; for why will ye die, O House of Ifrael?

In discoursing upon which Words, I shall endeavour, I. To make good this Proposition,

That God in his infinite Mercy, offers to all the Children of Men, Grace sufficient for their Conversion and Salvation. II. Toanswer some Objections, that have been raised against it. And, III. I shall infer from the whole, and conclude.

I. I shall endeavour to make good this Proposition, That God in his Infinite Mercy, offers to all the Children of Men, Grace sufficient for their Converfron and Salvation. And this I shall do,

1. From the Nature of the New Cove

nant.

2. From those manifold Calls and Invitations, and those Pathetical and most affectionate Protestations and Promises, which God makes to Sinners. And,

3. From plain and express Texts of Scripture.

1. From the Nature of the New CoveBefore the Breach indeed of the First Covenant, or the Shameless, inexcusable Transgression of Adam in Paradise, we stood in no need of this Supernatural Assistance. The Soul of Man was healthful and strong, and girded about with Power. Her Locks were unshorn, her Wings unclipt, and she could easily bear her self up in the purer Air, above the Attractions and Enchantments of Sensible Objects, and converse freely with God. He could, upon the Stock of his Natural Abilities, travel without weariness in the Paths of Vertue; yea, (like his elder Brethren above) continually run with Chearfulness the Ways of Gods Command

;