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converfion, that when we fhall come to know better, how much God was concerned in it, we fhall think eternity itself too strait and too narrow for us to magnify and praise fo good a God, fo well deferving at our hands. What encouragement was it for a prodigal fon, to be so kindly received by his father, Luke xv. II. &c.

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Now, the conclufion of all, is this: fince, as we have feen, fin is fo fatal and mifchievous to us, and the condition of every finner fo horrid and lamentable, that is not brought to repentance, and into reconciliation with God, and to the law of everlasting righteoufnefs and truth: fince, if we are not according to the mind of God, we can never be acceptable to him, nor made happy by him and fince God doth afford us his grace and affiftance, let us be encouraged to be up and doing, and fet ourselves with all our might to leave off to fin, and to return to our duty. 'Tis very good news to a fick man, to tell him that his disease is not mortal; and to him that is wounded, that his wound is curable; and 'tis no lefs good tidings to finners, that we can tell them, that their fins are pardonable upon their repentance, and that though they have offended God, they may be forgiven, and become acceptable unto him, upon their converfion, through Chrift's recommendation, and interceffion. these things make it credible, which I pray confider.

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First, What fin is, either the act or defect of a fallible creature, and fo reverfible. And that by how much the more we are liable to miscarry through temptation, by fo much the more is God willing

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to receive us upon our repentance and return to him. For this doth abate the fin of us men in this ftate of weakness and contracted impotency; for our fin is not like the fin of the angels, that fell without a tempter, for ought we know.

Secondly, As our act is reversible, and made null by our repentance and felf-condemnation, fo God hath all right to pardon. First, as he is lord and owner of the creature. Secondly, as he is governor of the world fo alfo as he is the first and chief goodness. So that if it doth consist with goodness and the honour of his government, a finner may be sure to have it upon the terms of the gospel. But then you must come to God's terms; for otherwise it is good to controul wickedness and fin; and it is a righteous thing with God, to render tribulation to thofe that continue obftinate.

Thirdly, God de facto, hath and will pardon fin to the penitent. Such is the excellency of his nature, that he takes delight in it. And I will add one thing more that God concerns himself in our affairs and takes care of man; and this hath an univerfal acknowledgment; yea, 'tis the very sense of our natures, and the dictates of our reafon; as I will fhew you in these instances.

ift. If at any time, we fall into diftrefs, what comes fooner out of our mouth, than, O God, or God help me.

2dly, If we do engage, or undertake any thing wherein there is difficulty; we fay, in the name of God.

3lly, In our narration, all fober men fay, as God would have it.

4thly, In our deprecations of things that are formi dable; we fay, God forbid.

5thly, In our thanksgivings, we ordinarily fay, God be bleffed or, I thank God.

6thly, In our proteftations, we fay, before God, or, as in the prefence of God.

7thly, In our falutations, one of another, we say, God be with you, or, God keep you.

And though thefe in the mouths of many men, are formal, and without due confideration, yet the cuftom of them does proceed from a very good original, and they speak nature's fenfe, and fhew that there is motion in our minds towards God, and fome fenfe of him upon our fpirits.

DISCOURSE XV.

The Converfion of a SINNER.

EZEK. xviii. 27.

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When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doth that which is lawful and right, he shall fave his foul alive.

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Have purpofed, in the clofe of my difcourfe on this text, to speak to five things.

I. The time when the wicked turneth away

from his wickednefs.

VOLI,

II. The

II. The quality of the perfon; wicked. When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness. III. The motion; turneth away from his wickedness. IV. To give an account of what is lawful and right; when the wicked turneth away from his wickedness, and doth that which is lawful and right.

V. To fhew the good effect of this motion, he shall fave his foul alive.

I. For the time of his converfion and return to God, it is indefinitely spoken, and doth not exclude late time, which may be an encouragement to every one, be his cafe never fo defperate. But then, this is not spoken to encourage mens delays and put-offs; for there are four great evils confequent upon that.

14. It were to ill-refent the goodness of God, thus to requite his grace and favour, that we continue in fin, because God is gracious. God forbid (faith the apoftle) that we should continue in fin, because grace doth abound, Rom. vi. 1, 2. This would be horrid ingratitude, and disingenuity. 2dly, It were to abufe ourselves, and do ourselves more and more harm. For evil is against the nature of man; it is fuch a thing as marrs his nature and spoils his principle. Therefore we should néver meddle with it, and much lefs continue in it.

3dly, It would make the work which is necessa ry to our happiness, much more hard and difficult For ill ufe doth contract bad habits; and bad ha bits contracted by long ufe and cuftom, are with great difficulty left off. This the prophet fuppof

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eth in those words, when he faith; can the blackmoor change his skin, or the leopard his spots ; then they which are accustomed to do evil, may learn to da well, Jer. xiii. 23. Impudence and immodefty, grow upon those that continue in the practice of iniquity.

4thly, Continuance in fin doth expofe us to far greater danger.

1. Because of the great uncertainty of life, for who can promise himself another day, nay, another moment? and

2. Because of the devil's repeated and continued affaults, by which he will still get the more advan tage upon us; and so it will become the more difficult to get him out of poffeffion.

3. In refpect of the infinuations of bad company and converse. For men that are bad themselves, will keep fuch company as themselves; and company and converse are of an infinuating quality, and that is done by treaty and converse, which is not done on a fudden.

4. All the while you stand out, you are in a way of resistance of the holy Spirit, and fight against the motions of God almighty; which are neceflary to bring you to good, and to qualify you for eternal life. Let therefore no man think, that be may lead afinful life of pleasure here, and immediately repent, and enter into life. For heaven is rather a state than a place; and doth require a good temper of mind, to qualify us for the enjoyment of it. And we are faid to be faved, in the language of fcripture, when we are delivered from our fins, and qualified for the Q 2 enjoyment

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