Page:Faith's plea upon God's word.pdf/30

( 30 ) his calls, grieving his Spirit ? Yea, we are called to preach the goſpel to every creature, and even to the crucifiers of Chriſt ; “ Repentance and remiſſion of ſin muſt be preached in his name, beginning at Jeruſalem," Luke xxiv 47. Why beginning at Jeruſalem, among the crucifiers of Chriſt ? Becauſe they have moſt need of his blood to waſh them ; Chriſt came to ſave ſinners - Hath he ſaid ſo ? Ihen put in your bill, Lord, do as thou haſt ſaid.

But will you tell me, is there any word for one that cannot think that it is as you are ſaying, that there is any merciful word in God's mouth, or any merciful thought in God's heart towards me, it cannot enter into my thought ; I cannot let it light in my mind or heart ? Why, God ſays Iſaiah lv. 8, &c " My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, faith the Lord ; for as the heavens are higher than the earth, ſo are my ways, higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." You are not to meaſure his thoughts by yours, no more than you can meaſure theſe wide heavens with your arms ; but God knows his own thoughts, and what ſays he of them, Jerem. xxix. 11. 12. 13. " I know the thoughts that I think towards you, faith the Lord ; thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then ſhall ye call upon me, and I will bearken unto you. And ye ſhall ſeek me, and find me, when ye ſhall ſearch for me with all your heart" Hath he ſaid ſo ? Then go and plead his word, ſaying, Lord, do as thou haſt ſaid.

In a word do you want his preſence ? He hath ſaid, " Lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world, I will never leave thee nor forſake thee?" Are you afraid of hell and damnation ? He hath ſaid. “ Deliver his ſoul from going down to the pit ; I have found out a ranſom" O what