Never despair, so long as our
text is alive; for that doth sound it out, that mercy by Christ is
offered in the first place to the biggest sinner.
Let none despair, let none presume: let none despair, that are sorry
for their sins and would he saved by Jesus Christ; let none presume
that abide in the liking of their sins, though they seem to know the
exceeding grace of Christ; for though the doors stand wide open for
the reception of the penitent, yet they are fast enough barred and
bolted against the presumptuous sinner. Be not deceived, God is not
mocked; whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. It cannot be
that God should be wheedled out of his mercy, or prevailed upon by
lips of dissimulation; he knows them that trust in him, and that
sincerely come to him by Christ for mercy.
It is, then, not the abundance of sins committed, but the not coming
heartily to God by Christ for mercy, that shuts men out of doors.
Is it so, that they that are coining to Jesus Christ, are ofttimes
heartily afraid that he will not receive them? Then this should
teach old Christians to pity and pray for young comers. You know the
heart of a stranger, for you yourselves were strangers in the land
of Egypt. You know the fears and doubts and terrors that take hold
of them, for they sometimes took hold of you.
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