Page:Sermon preached on a preparation-day, before the sacrament of the Lord's-Supper, at Bruntisland, upon 2 Sam. vii. 20. Do as thou hast said.pdf/14

 of being reclaimed by word and rod? Is there any caſe like mine, or is there any word for me to lay hold upon? Yes; what think you of that word, Iſa. lvii. 17, 18. "For the iniquity of his covetouſneſs was I wroth, and ſmote him: I hid me and was wroth, and he went on forwardly in the way of his heart." Well, what follows; "I have ſeen his ways; and I will heal him: I will lead him alſo, and reſtore comforts unto him and to his mourners." O aſtoniſhing wonder of free grace! that it was not ſaid, I have ſeen his ways, and will him, but I have ſeen his ways, and will Save him-Hath he ſaid ſo? Then put in your petition, Lord, Do as thou haſt ſaid.

But is there any word to ſuch as are under the power of unbelief and impenitency? The goſpel is preached to believers and penitents: O God forbid but it was not preached to ſinners, that are both unbelieving and impenitent, in order to bring them to faith and repentance: why what ſays God to ſuch? He ſays, that they ought to lay hold and plead upon, Pſal. cx. 3. "Thy people ſhall be willing in the day of thy power. Acts. v. 31. Chriſt is "exalted at the right hand of God to be a prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Iſrael, and forgiveneſs of ſins." Plead then he may Do as he hath ſaid.

But is it poſſible that God is ſpeaking to any that hath been a notorious ſinner? Perhaps all the coutry knows that I have been a ſcandalous debauchee, a leud and wicked ſinner, a profane graceleſs wretch. O! if any were charmed with the joyful ſound of the goſpel grace to day, he ſays, Iſa i. 18 "Come now let us reaſon together, faith the Lord: though your ſins be as ſcarlet, they ſhall be as white as ſnow; tho' they be red like crimſon, they ſhall be as wool." Though you have finned to the uttermoſt, I am able to ſave to the uttermoſt, is your name wonderful, as a ſinner? Behold his name is Wonderful, as a Saviour.-O hath he ſaid ſo? Well, go and plead his word, ſaying, Lord, Do as thou haſt ſaid.

But beſides my wickedneſs, I am groſly ignorant; doth God ſay any thing to a poor brutiſh, ignorant creature like me? Would you be taught? There is a word you may take hold of John vi.45. "It is written in the prophets, they ſhall be all taught of God." And, who teaches like him?--Hath he ſaid ſo? Then take him at his word ſaying, Do as thou haſt ſaid.

But is there any word from God for one that hath crucified ſo many convictions as I have done; yea, and virtually fied