Indeed this is a very black thought,
but there are worse thoughts than this; therefore prithee think
again. Why, I think, saith the sinner, that God is not able to
pardon all my sins. Aye, now thou hast thought indeed; for this
thought makes thee look more like a devil than a man; and yet,
because thou art a man and not a devil, see the condescension and
boundlessness of the love of thy God. He is able to do above all
that we think. Couldst thou, sinner, if thou hadst been allowed,
thyself express what thou wouldst have expressed--the greatness of
the love thou wantest--with words that could have suited thee
better? For it is not said he can do above what we think, meaning
our thinking at present, but above all we can think; meaning, above
the worst and most soul-dejecting thoughts that we have at any time.
Sometimes the dejected have worse thoughts than they have at other
times. Well, take them at their worst times, at times when they
think, and think, till they think themselves down into the very
pangs of hell, yet this word of the grace of God is above them, and
shows that he can yet recover and save these miserable people.
And now I am upon this subject, I will a little further walk and
travel with these desponding ones, and will put a few words in their
mouths for their help against temptations that may come upon them
hereafter.
Pages:
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358