Art
thou that readest these lines such a one? Speak out, man. Art thou
such a one? and art thou now coming to Jesus Christ for the mercy of
justification, that thou mightest be made white in his blood and be
covered with his righteousness? Fear not; forasmuch as this thy
coming betokeneth that thou art of the number of them that the
Father hath given to Christ; for he will in no wise cast thee out.
"Come now," saith Christ, "and let us reason together: though your
sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be
red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
I might tell you of the contests and battles that great sinners at
their conversion are engaged in, wherein they find the besettings of
Satan above any other of the saints. At which time Satan assaults
the soul with darkness, fears, frightful thoughts of apparitions;
now they sweat, pant, cry out, and struggle for life.
The angels now come down to behold the sight, and rejoice to see a
bit of dust and ashes overcome principalities, and powers, and
mights, and dominions.
But whea these come to be a little settled, they are prepared for
helping others, and are great comforts unto them. Their great sins
give great encouragement to the devil to assault them; and by these
temptations Christ takes advantage to make them the more helpful to
the churches.
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