Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friers, London.

§. 36. Of the penitents comfort in reconciliation.

3. * 1.1 POore penitent sinners, whose hearts are broken with sight and sence of their sinnes, may hence, and will hence receive much comfort, that there is meanes of attone∣ment and reconciliation betwixt God and them. For God useth to absolve such as he observes to judge themselves. This must needs be very cordiall to them. For true peni∣tents that are pierced with sence of their sinnes, know that

while there remaines enmity betwixt God and them, they are in no better estate then the Devils. They find by the heavy burthen of sinne oppressing their soules, and by their deepe apprehension of Gods wrath thereupon, that Gods favour is more sweet then life it selfe, and infinitely to be preferred before all contents and delights that this world can affoord. To these * 1.2How beautifull are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, &c. Take notice therefore, O ye poore in spirit, take notice of this sove∣raigne ground of comfort, There is meanes of reconciliation betwixt you and your God. An attonement is made. Com∣fort your soules herewith. * 1.3It is sufficient, and in stead of all righteousnesse, to have him alone, against whom alone I have sinned, propitious and gracious in pardoning sinne.

* 1.44. Means of reconciliation being on Gods part affoorded and offered, it remaineth as a bounden duty for us, with the uttermost of our power to seeke after it. Yea it giveth good encouragement to do our best for partaking of the benefit thereof.

• 1. For our duty, shall a matter of so great consequence, so excellent, so needfull, so usefull a thing as reconciliation with God be published and proclaimed to us wretched re∣bels against God, and should not we enquire after it? They adde much to the heape of their other sinnes that neglect this duty. * 1.5How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?
• 2. For encouragement, what greater then this, that there is such a thing, that upon due and diligent seeking, may and shalbe had. If God were implacable, irreconciliable, and would accept of no attonement, then had we cause to be discouraged from seeking it, but God is so farre from being irreconciliable, that he is most easie to be intreated. Yea by his Ministers he * 1.6prayeth us to be reconciled to him. Who is a God like to thee, that pardoneth iniquity, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Poenitentes, quid à seipsis suscipit judicatos, Deus absolvit. Cypr. Serm de Pass. Christi.
• * 1.2

  Isa. 52. 7.
• * 1.3

  Sufficit mihi ad omnem justitiam solum habere prepitium, cui soli peccavi. Bern. super Cant, Serm. 23.
• * 1.4

  Meanes of re∣conciliation to be sought.
• * 1.5

  Heb. 2. 3.
• * 1.6

  2 Cor. 5. 20. Mic. 7. 18.