A treatise on comforting afflicted consciences - The Digital Puritan

242 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMFORTINGand grown old in sin, to return and give way to any savingwork of the ministry, because too often in the mean timethey so " harden their hearts, that they cannot repent;"yet notwithstanding, be thou assured in the word of life andtruth, if now at length thou be truly touched indeed, andwilt come in earnest, the Father of mercies will receivethee freely to mercy, and embrace thy bleeding soul inthe arms of his everlasting love through Christ. For it is atitle of highest honour unto him to be " long-sufFering." Heall this while " "waited that he might be gracious unto thee ;(Isa. XXX, 18) andnow undoubtedly upon thy ;first resolutionto return in truth he will meet thee with infinitely more compassionateaffectionateness than the father in the gospelmet his prodigal ; who " when he was a great way off, hisfather saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell onhis neck, and kissed him, &c." (Luke xv, 20,)(4.) Yea, but, saith another, though I have been a professorlong, yet many times my heart is full heavy, andmore loath to believe when I seriously and sensibly call tomind the heinousness of my unregenerate time, and see inmyself besides, since I was enlightened and would havebehaved myself in forwardness and fruitfulness for Godanswerably to my former folly and furiousness in evil, somany defects and imperfections every day ; and such weak,distracted discharging of commanded duties, both to Godand man. Take then counsel and comfort in this case, bycasting thine eye upon God's kindness. He is " abundantin kindness " ; which hath these four precious properties :first, to be easily entreated ; secondly, to be entreated forthe greatest; thirdly, to pass by involuntary infirmities;fourthly, to accept graciously weak services. Even a frailman, if of a more noble, generous, and kind disposition,will be easily appeased for the unpurposed offences, errors,and oversights ; and well pleased with the good will, sincereand utmost endeavours, especially of those who heknows to be true-hearted unto him ; and desire heartily, ifthey were able, to do all he desires, even to the height ofexactness and expectation. How much more then will ourheavenly Father deal so with his children, who is in himselfessentially and infinitely kind.(5.) Yea, but, sayest thou, many times when I reach outthe hand of my faith to fetch some special promise into mysoul for refreshing and comfort ; and weighing them well,and comparing advisedly my own nothingness, worthlessness,vileness, with the riches of mercy, grace, and gloryshining in it ; and marking the disproportion, I am overwhelmedwith admiration and astonishment; and;, to tell