But the publican comes out, though
in his sins, yet like an awakened, enlightened, resolved man; and
first abases himself, then gives God the glory of his justice, and
after that the glory of his mercy, by saying, "God be merciful to me
a sinner." And thus in the ears of the angels he did ring the
changes of heaven. And,
3. The publican, in his thus putting himself upon mercy, showeth
that in his opinion there is more virtue in mercy to save, than
there is in the law and sin to condemn. And although this is not
counted a great matter to do, while men are far from the law and
while their conscience is asleep within them, yet when the law comes
near and conscience is awake, whoso tries it will find it a
laborious work. Cain could not do thus for his heart, no, nor soul;
nor Judas neither. This is another kind of thing than most men think
it to be, or shall find it whenever they shall behold God's angry
face, and when they shall hear the words of his law.
However, our publican did it, and ventured his body, soul, and
future condition for ever in this bottom, with other the saints and
servants of God; leaving the world to swim over the sea of God's
wrath, if they, will, in their weak and simple vessels of bulrushes,
or to lean upon their cobweb-hold, when he shall arise to the
judgment that he hath appointed.
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