Dauids repentance, or, A plaine and familiar exposition of the 51 psalme first preached and now published for the benefite of Gods church : wherein euery faithfull Christian may see before his eyes the patterne of vnfeigned repentance, whereby we may take heed of the falling into sinne againe.

VERSE. 7. 7. Purge mee with hissope, and I shall be cleane: wash me, and I shall be whiter then snow.

* 1.1DAuid hauing made his request vnto GOD for mercy, for the pardon of his sins: and vsed a reason from the free confession and acknowledgement of them to moue the Lord to pitty him; doth heere againe renue his suit and humble request vnto God: and hee praieth here vnto God for two great benefites: First, Iustification in the free pardon of his sinnes, and im∣putation of CHRISTS righteous∣nesse verse 7. And secondly, for

Sanctification and Reformation of the whole man, verse 10.

And first, verse 7. he intreates the Lord for the free pardon of his sins, that GOD would cleanse and wash him from them in the bloud of Christ the Lambe of GOD: and se∣condly, hee prayeth for the blessed fruite of Iustification, namely peace of conscience, and ioy in the spirite, verse 8. for till the conscience haue a Certificate from GOD, and a bles∣sed pardon sealed and applied by faith, it cannot be at quiet.

First, seeing Dauid had prayed be∣fore vnro God for mercy and pardon of his sinnes: and heere doth againe renue the same Petition, and in o∣ther words puts vp his request vnto God for the same: Hence we learne that the pardon of our sinnes is a sin∣gular fauour and mercy of GOD be∣stowed vpon vs for CHRISTS sake: which appeares in that Dauid so of∣ten in a Psalme prayes for it,* 1.2 there∣fore it is a great and inestimable mercie, and hardly come by: not so

easily as most men thinke. Dauid sheweth how great a blessing it is, in that hee preferred it before a King∣dome, and though hee was a King, yet he pronounceth him blessed, not that is a King, as in the 32. Psalme 1, 2. verses, But whose sinne is pardoned. God hath sent his Sonne Iesus Christ to blesse you, in turning euery one of you from your euill wayes, a blessing of all blessings.

[Vse. 1] Seeing remission of sinnes is so great a blessing, and hardly come by: First, we learne that wee esteeme of this aboue all other things in the world: if the question were asked what wee desire in the whole world, we should answere with feeling the pardon of our sinnes:* 1.3 and therefore we should desire and seeke this bles∣sing aboue all other: if thou bee as poore as Iob, and hast this, thou art a rich and a happy man.

[Vse 2] Seeing Dauid vseth so many prai∣ers vnto GOD, and vseth such rea∣sons to moue the Lord to pitty him, and to pardon his sinnes: Hence we

see that those are much deceiued, who thinke it is the easiest matter in the world to get the pardon of their sinnes: and if they can but say, Lord haue mercy on mee, all is well: no, no, Lord haue mercie on mee, will not serue the turne: good things are hardly come by without great tra∣uell, labour, and study, how much more is it hard to get the pardon of our sins, the saluation of our soules, and life eternall: And therefore let vs know, that to get the pardon of our sins, we must take great paines, labour, and diligence, wee must shed many a teare in bewailing them, they will cost vs many a sobbe, and many a sigh, many a prayer and request vn∣to God vpon our knees: and then if wee get it, oh it is a wonderfull fa∣uour and mercie of GOD, it will make vs happy and blessed for euer∣more.

* 1.4Dauid makes two requests vnto God: and withall shewes a twofold fruit and effect of his requests. First, hee intreates the Lord to Purge him

with hissope, and then it will come to passe, He shalbe cleane. Secondly, he desireth the Lord to wash him, and then it will follow, That hee shall be whiter then snow.

For the first Petition, Purge mee with hissope: In these wordes he allu∣deth to the Legall Ceremonies and maner of purging, vsed in the time of the Law, in the purifying of the Leaper, and of any person polluted; they were to dippe the bunch of his∣sope in blood or in water, and so sprinckle it on the person to be puri∣fied,* 1.5 which ceremony was a Type and figure of the blood of IESVS CHRIST, who is that alone sacri∣fice and Lambe of God, which ta∣keth away the sinnes of the world.

Now then, seeing that by this sprinkling with hyssope in the bloud of beastes is meant the sprinckling with the blood of Iesus Christ, when he saith, O Lord purge me with hyssope, &c. it is all one as if he should haue said: O Lord, I am exceedingly pol∣luted and stained with sinne and vn∣cleanenesse,

and no Leaper was euer more vile and loathsome then I am now in thy sight, neyther is there a∣ny water to wash and purge me, but I beseech thee of thy mercy to wash me, and to besprinkle my soule with the blood of IESVS CHRIST, that can alone take away my sins, and so I shall be made cleane and pure a∣gaine.

[Doctr. 1] Hence marke the miserable and cursed fruit of sinne:* 1.6 no leprosie did euer so defile the body of a man in the time of the Iews, as sinne doth staine, and defile both soule and bo∣dy, no dunghill nor stincking carri∣on is so loathsome in the eies of man, as an vncleane sinner is in the sight of God till hee be washed and purged in the bloud of Christ.

This is the reason which the Lord vsed, Ioshua 7.12. why Israel fell before their enemies, and he went not foorth with their Armies when they fell before the men of Ai, Ther∣fore the children of Israel can not stand before their enemies; but haue turned

their backes before their enemies, because they are execrable: we see then the na∣ture of sinne, how it maketh a man abhominable and detestable in the sight of God.

[Ʋse. 1] Seeing this is the cursed nature and fruit of sinne, that it defileth and staineth both bodie and soule, and maketh them more loathsome and vile then any toad or serpent, how should wee abhorre sinne and euery wicked way: wee will bee loath to touch poyson or rattes-bane, or any thing else wherein is danger: oh! sin is such rattes-bane as infecteth and poysoneth both soule and body, and therefore let vs shun sinne and touch it not.

[Vse 2] When as wee bee defiled with sin and so made filthy and vncleane in the sight of God, and more vile then any Leaper, or dunghill, carrion, toade, or serpent: Oh let vs pray with Dauid to be washed and purged from our filthinesse, let vs repent of all our sinnes, bewaile our vnclean∣nesse: let vs by faith as a bunch of

hyssope besprinckle our soules with the blood of Iesus Christ.

[Doctr. 2] * 1.7Seeing Dauid desireth to be pur∣ged with hyssope: We learne hence that the Lord would not that men should despise such ceremonies and types of Christ, as he himselfe com∣manded in the time of the Law: and though it might seeme a vaine and needlesse thing to besprinckle them with a bunch of hyssope, dipped in the blood of a beast, yet seeing it was the•• commandement of God, they did not despise this ceremony, being a type of the blood of Christ, when they could not see with bodily eyes the blood of Christ, it pleased god by such ceremonies and types to helpe their faith, by sprinckling the blood of a beast, to shew to them that they must be so sprinckled in their soules with the bloud of Iesus Christ.

[Vse.] * 1.8Hence wee learne by the example of Dauid, and all the holy Fathers & Seruants of God in the time of the Lawe, to vse all such sacraments and ceremonies as God commands in his

word for the helping of our faith, we cannot see the bloud of Christ, nor touch it with our outward senses; yet the Lord hath appoynted the Sa∣crament of Baptisme; and the Sup∣per of the Lord, that in them wee might see, feele, touch, and taste as it were the body and bloud of IEVS CHRIST: And therefore all those which despise these Sacraments ma∣king little or no accompt of them, shew that they despise the ordinance of God, and so make light of that which is ordained for the good of their soules.

[Doctr. 3] Marke further,* 1.9 when that Dauid prayeth the Lord to purge him with hyssope, the word signifies to purge by sacrifice; euen the sacrifice of the Sonne of GOD, and by his death and bloud-sheding to purge his sins away, so as he confesseth there is no∣thing in heauen or earth, that is of force to purge him from his sinnes and vncleanenesse, but the blood of Christ alone. It is not the bloud of bullockes, lambs, and goats that can

wash away the least spot of sinne, but onely the bloud of the immaculate Lambe Christ Iesus, and to him all the Sacrifices had relation and sha∣dowed out Iesus Christ the true Pas∣call Lamb vnto vs.* 1.10

And this was the reason why Da∣uid maketh mention of hyssope that God would purge him with hissope, because God in the time of the Law ordained this ceremony for a confir∣mation of their faith and to help the people of the Iewes to the better sight and knowledge of the promi∣sed Messiah; for seeing CHRIST was not yet come into the world, and they could not see the worke of re∣demption as yet performed: the Lord would leade them by these ceremo∣nies vnto Iesus Christ the promised Messiah, that they might see him as it were before their eyes: for when they saw a beast slaine, and the blood spilt,* 1.11 then they tooke a bunch of hyssope, dipt it in the blood of the beast, and besprinckled them that of∣fered the same with the bloud: they

were thereby taught, that euen so must Iesus Christ the Sonne of GOD and promised Messiah be slaine and put to death, his bloud shed for their sinnes, and they must by faith as a bunch of hyssope besprinckle their soules with the blood of Christ for the pardon of their sinnes.

It is true indeede, that the Lord hath eased vs in the time of the Gos∣pel of all those old and ancient cere∣monies; neyther is it the ••ill of God that we should be clogged with the dead and needlesse,* 1.12 and beggarly rudiments and ceremonies of men which become not the simplicitie of the Gospel. But yet hee hath in mercie appoynted certaine helpes and meanes to leade vs vnto Christ Iesus, as the two Sacraments to help our faith, for wee being as yet car∣nall (alas) wee can not beholde no more then wee see: And therefore the Lord hath appoynted them as helpes to leade vs to Christ, to set him before our eyes in the Water in Baptisme, and Bread and Wine in

the Lords Supper, that so our faith should bee confirmed thereby, and wee might euen see Christ Iesus be∣fore our eyes: And therefore as Da∣uid did carefully vse such helpes and ceremonies as GOD commanded, for the strengthening of their Faith: so let vs bee as carefull, to vse the helps that God hath left vs vnder the Gospel, for the strengthening of our weake faith.

[Purge me with hyssope]

* 1.13THe meaning is this, accept of that most perfect and euerlast∣ing sacrifice of Iesus Christ for the punishment due to my sins: As if he should haue said, O Lord, I confesse I haue sinned exceedingly, I haue bin borne in sin, and haue by murder and adultery deserued to be condemned eternally, and to haue the curse and punishment due to my sin to be cast vpon me: but I beseech thee in mercy to accept of the death and bloud∣shedding

of thy Sonne my Sauiour Iesus Christ for the satisfaction due to my sinnes.

And whereas the Iustification of a sinner in the sight of God stands on two parts: first, remission and pardon of sin: secondly, the imputation of Christs righteousnes, me thinks, the Prophet requires & begs both these at the hands of God; first to be pur∣ged, or as the word signifies, to purge (not by washing) but by sacrificing, to appease the wrath and anger of God by the bloud of Christ: second∣ly, when he prayeth to be washed, he desireth to be made pure and righte∣ous, not in his owne righteousnesse, but only in the righteousnesse and o∣bedience of IESVS CHRIST im∣puted to him, and laide hold vpon by faith.

[Doctr. 4] Seeing Dauid intreates the Lord that hee would Purge him:* 1.14 that is, accept of the most perfect Sacrifice of Iesus Christ, for the punishment due to his sins: we learne that there is no Name giuen vnder Heauen,

whereby a man shall be saued, but onely in the name of Iesus Christ;* 1.15 it is not the bloud of Bullocks, Lambs, and Goates, that can wash away the least spot of sin, but onely the blood of the immaculate Lambe Christ Ie∣Iesus; but of this before.

[Vse 1] Hence we see the endlesse and vn∣speakeable mercy of God to misera∣ble men: who when no other means could bee found, no water or hearb could heale the soule of a sinner, and wash him from sinne and the punish∣ment of it, but onely the precious bloud of the Sonne of GOD; was content to giue his owne Sonne to death for vs:* 1.16 which made Saint Iohn to admire it: And if God hath not failed vs in this, but could rather be content to see his only Sonne put to death and hang on the Crosse, then we should perish, how should be de∣ny any smaller and lighter matter•• vnto vs?

[Ʋse 2] Beholde heere the greatnesse and heynousnesse of mans sinne, which could bee purged by no creature in

heauen or earth, but onelie by the bloud of Iesus Christ alone: if all Men and Angells should haue died and beene cast for euer into hell fire, they could not satisfie the infinite wrath of God for one sinne, but the heart bloud of Iesus Christ must bee shed, else we can haue no pardon.

[Vse. 3] This condemnes that wicked and erronious Doctrine of the Papists, who teach, indeed CHRIST by his death hath satisfied Gods iustice for the fault and eternal punishment due to our sinnes: but men must eyther in this lif•• by workes, or else in Pur∣gatorie satisfie Gods iustice for tem∣porall punishments: now then what is this but to make the sacrifice and death of Christ imperfect, when as it must bee patched and peeced with mens meri••es: but wee beleeue and hold that Christs death is a sufficient sacrifice for all our sinnes.

[Vse 4] Would you then haue the pardon of your sinnes,* 1.17 euery sinne deserues death and the curse of GOD: Now there is no way but this, to beleeue

in Iesus Christ, to imbrace him by faith, that so God the Father may for his sake pardon our sinnes, accept of his death and passion for the punish∣ment of them all.

And that we may be purged from our sins, both the fault and punish∣ment, by the bloud and sacrifice of Christ, we must first repent of them, with Dauid be grieued for them, be∣waile them, amend our liues, and be∣come new creatures in Christ Iesus, wee must beg for pardon of them at the hands of God.

Secondly, besides wee must bee sprinckled with hyssope, that is, as in the time of the Law, they dipped the hyssope into the bloud of the beast, and so besprinckled the person to be cleansed, euen so must we by faith as it were with a bunch of hyssop apply the bloud of Christ, and by saith be∣sprinckle our defiled consciences, it will purge vs from sinne, and appease the anger of GOD for the punish∣ment.

But if men either doe not repent

of them and leaue their sinnes, or doe not come with Faith, to applie the blood of CHRIST, they can not haue pardon: As if there were a soue∣raine plaister to cure any sore; if a man doe not apply it to his wound, but let it lie in a box, it will doe him no good: so vnlesse wee apply the blood of Christ to our wounds and sores by faith (alas) it cannot help vs: And as the woman with the bloodie issue touched Christs garment, and was healed; so if wee can by faith touch the blood of Christ, and apply it to our selues, it will heale all the bleeding wounds of sinne.

The second request is that GOD would wash him & make him pure, not imputing his sinnes vnto him: but couering them in the death and obedience of his Sonne Iesus Christ. And therefore in the second part of this verse he prayeth for the imputa∣tion of Christs righteousnes: name∣ly, that God would not onely remit the punishment due to his sinne, but looke vpon him as he is in CHRIST,

couered with his rightousnesse, and that God would accompt him iust for Christs obedience, holinesse, sa∣tisfaction and righteousnesse: for when God beholds a poore sinner couered with the righteousnesse, holinesse and obedience of his Son Christ,* 1.18 then he accompts him as no sinner, but iust and righteous: Euen as a man beholding any thing through a red glasse it appeares red or of the same colour: so if the Lord looke on vs in Christ we appeare ho∣ly and righteous before him.

[Doctr. 1] Whereas the Prophet Dauid in∣treates the Lord to wash him, hee shewes that hee was defiled with sin and stained with vncleanesse: and so stood in great neede of Gods mercy to cleanse his filthy soule and defiled conscience now polluted with most vile Adultery, and filthy vncleane∣nesse:* 1.19 that his soule was now be∣sprinkled with the innocent bloud of that faithfull seruant and loyall Sub∣iect Vrias the Hittite: And as it was with Dauid, sinne infected him, made

him vile and loathsome, filthy and abhominable in the sight of God: Euen so it doth begrime the faces of the best of Gods children, it staines and pollutes them both in soule and body: yea, no carrion is more loath∣some and odious then a sinner defi∣led and polluted with sinne is in the sight of God.

The leprosie was a loathsome di∣sease, it infected the body, & the very garments, yea the stones and timber: But this spirituall leprosy sinne in∣fects the whole man, body and soule: yea it infects heauen and earth, and all other creatures in the world, and there is nothing that can take away the spots and blemishes of sinne but onely the precious bloud of Iesus Christ, laid hold on by true faith.

[Ʋse 1] Well, seeing all of vs are thus de∣filed with sinne as Dauid was, in soule and body, let vs desire to bee washed: let vs bewaile them, loath and hate them, intreate the Lord that he would not impute our sinnes

vnto vs, but couer them vnder the robe of Christs righteousnesse: And that we should abhor euery sinne f•••• this cause, because it defiles vs, it pol∣lutes vs, and makes vnworthy to ap∣peare in Gods presence.

[Ʋse 2] Seing Dauid, though an holy Pro∣phet of God, a man after Gods own heart; yet desires the Lord to w••sh him from his sinnes and to couer them in the obedience of CHRIST IESVS appplied by faith: wee see that no man is able to stand before the face of God in his owne righ∣teousnesse, in his owne workes, or wothinesse: for if any might, who might better haue done it then Da∣uid▪ a man truly sanctified, a holy Pro∣phet, a man after Gods owne heart, yea the Prophet Esay saith, that all our righteousnesse is no better then a stayned clout full of bloud and all pollution:* 1.20 And Paul desires that hee may not bee found in his owne righteousnesse, and worthinesse,* 1.21 at the day of Iudgement but in the righteousnesse of Christ laid hold

on by faith. And therefore let vs re∣nounce all our owne goodnesse, or worthinesse, and accompt all but dung in respect of CHRIST and his righteousnesse: And as for the Church of Rome wee may see their intollerable pride, that they do so much rest and relye vpon their owne goodnesse, and worthinesse, merites, and righteousnesse, to stand vpon it & appeare in it for remission of sins, and life eternall: But (alas) if Paul, Dauid and all the Saints of God ab∣horre themselues in dust and ashes; desire to be purged and washed and couered in the obedience and righ∣teousnesse of Iesus Christ, yea count all their owne righteousnesse but as dung, and dare not appeare in it be∣fore the seate of Gods Iudgement, but in the righteousnesse of Christ. shall any Papist of them dare to stand before Gods Iudgement in his owne righteousnesse, and worthinesse: no, no; hee shall tremble, and quake, and not abide so great and glorious a presence.

[I shall bee cleane: I shall bee whiter then snow.]

IN these words the Prophet shewes the euent and issue of this, when a man doth truely repent, is reconci∣led to God in Iesus Christ, and is washed from his sinnes by faith in Christs bloud; then hee is made of a most vile and loathsome sinner a most blessed and holy child of God: of a filthy vncleane lim of the deuill, a blessed member of Iesus Christ: beautifull and glorious in the eyes of God being couered in Christs righ∣teousnesse.

[Doctr. 1] Seeing Dauid saith,* 1.22 when God shal pardon him his sinnes on his true re∣pentance, and bee reconciled vnto him couering his sinnes in the me∣rites and obedience of Christ, Then hee shall bee cleane: Then before a man repent, be reconciled to God by Ie∣sus Christ, and bee purged from his sinnes: hee is most vncleane and fil∣thy, vile, loathsome and abhomina∣ble

in the sight of God: and indeede so he is; no carrion worse, no Toad so vgly, nor Serpent so full of poyson as a filthy sinner polluted with sinne till hee repent, get pardon of them and be reconciled to God by Christ: I pray you take knowledge of this Doctrine, whatsoeuer thou art, high, low, rich, poore, yong, old, Prince, or Noble: till thou repent, till thou turne to God, till thou get the par∣don of thy sinnes and bee washed by faith in the bloud of IESVS CHRIST, thou art most vile and miserable, thou art most vncleane & filthy, thou art more vgly then the venomous Toad, more loathsome then the Serpent, more filthy and stinking ••hen the Carrion: yea no creature is so loathsome before God as a filthy sinner that liues in sin with∣out repentance, that is not washed and purged from them in the bloud of Christ.

[Ʋse. 1] Well, seeing this is the wofull and miserable estate of all impenitent sin∣ners, how should this moue euery

one, with speed, to tepent, to turne to God, to seeke to bee reconciled to God by Iesus Christ, to desire par∣don of his sinnes, to bee washed and cleansed from them all, in and by the bloud and merites of Christ; for this know, I say, till thou art reconciled to God, dost repent, art washed and cleansed, thy case is fearefull, thou wert better bee a Toad then a man without this: thou mayst go in Silke and Veluet, in gay and golden apparell, thou maist haue a faire body, perfume thee with sweete smels, &c. but till thou repent, thou art filthy and loathsome in GODS sight.

Oh! how should this serue to plucke down the pride of many impenitent sinners? Men and women thinke highly of themselues, ruffle it out in silke and veluet, starching and wash∣ing; but all this while they know not that their poore soules are loathsome in Gods sight, that God hates them, and cannot abide them. Oh then be washed, bee cleansed in the bloud of

Christ, which alone can wash away sinne.

O that men would remember that saying of Christ: Thou art poore, blinde, miserable, and naked. Then they would say with Iob:* 1.23 I abhorre my selfe and repent in dust and ashes: Then they would neuer giue any rest to their soules till they haue repented, got pardon, bee reconciled, and washed from their filthy sinnes.

[Doctr. 2] Seeing Dauid acknowledgeth, that when he shall repent, get pardon of his sinnes, be reconciled to God, bee washed from the filthinesse of sinne: then he shall be cleane and white, yea most white, euen as snow,

Hence we learne, that as a filthy sinner, that liues and goes on still in sinne without repentance, there is no creature more vile, blacke, and vncleane: So the child of God that doth repent, that is washed in the bloud of Christ, reconciled to God, hee is a blessed and glorious crea∣ture, most beautifull and faire in the sight of God: not by any good∣nesse,

or worthines of his owne, but by the mercy of GOD so account∣ing vs;* 1.24 and by the merites and wor∣thines of Iesus Christ, in whose righteousnes wee be righteous, and by whose merites and worthines we are couered. The Saints of GOD goe in long white roabes, which are made white in the bloud of the Lambe.

[Ʋse. 1] Seeing this is the blessed and glo∣rious estate of those that do truly re∣pent, be reconciled to God, imbrace and beleeue in Iesus Christ, are wa∣shed and cleansed from their sinnes in his bloud, and couered in his righ∣teousnes, O how should it moue eue∣ry man and woman to turne to God! to forsake their euill wayes and their filthy sinnes! to put on the Lord Ie∣sus Christ, to beleeue, to become the sonnes and daughters of God. It is a goodly thing, to be son to an earth∣ly King, to be cloathed in cloth of gold, &c. But if wee compare this with the blessed and glorious estate of Gods children, it is but dung and

beggery, it is but like rotten ragges, and beggars clouts, taken off the dunghill: Hee that is wise shall shine as the firmament,* 1.25 and hee that conuerts many to righteousnesse shall shine as the Sun in the firmament: oh! then againe, and againe, let vs repent, let vs bee reconciled to God, get this wedding garment, which will make vs beauti∣full before God.

[Ʋse 2] Another vse is this, seeing that the state of Gods children euen in this world is so blessed and glorious, so beautifull and excellent, being re∣conciled to God, washed in the bloud of CHRIST, and cloathed with the most pure robe of Christs righte∣ousnesse: Here is matter of comfort to all the poore children of GOD whom the would is not worthy of, alas they are esteemed as beggars, they bee esteemed as vile, and base, miserable, and cast-awaies, by vn∣godly men, they are made as the dung in the streets, and the off-scou∣ring of the worlds, & men euen tread and trample them vnder their feete:

now what is that which may com∣fort the hearts of Gods children? surely this, that though they seeme vile, base, and miserable in the blind eyes of sinnefull men: yet they bee most white, beautifull, and glorious, in the eyes of GOD our heauenly Father: though the world hate vs, contemne vs, be a weary of vs, loath and abhorre vs: let vs remember the Lord loues vs, takes delight in vs, we are most faire and beautifull in his sight. They do not see what wee be,* 1.26 they cannot know that wee are little Princes, sonnes, and great heires of the kingdome of heauen, the sonnes and daughters of the great God: and therefore this may teach vs patience, seeing we know that God loues vs, and that we are deere vnto him, though the world hate vs, so it was with many Prophets of God, and true beleeuers,* 1.27 whom the world 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not worthy of.

[Vse. 3] Lastly, heere is matter of great comfort to great and grieuous sin∣ners, that haue committed many and

grieuous sinnes, that if they will vn∣fainedly repent and turne to GOD, imbrace, and lay hold on CHRIST, God will make them of the cursed fire-brands of Hell, heires of the kingdome of Heauen: of the limbe of the Diuell, the members of Iesus Christ: of adulterers and filthy sin∣ners, such as Dauid was, chaste and pure, and the holy seruants of God: And this the Lord promises men, that if they will repent, turne to God, and forsake their sinnefull wayes,* 1.28 Then though your sinnes were as redde as sear∣let. I will make them as white as snow: Though they were as crimson, yet I will make them cleane as wooll: That is, though men bee guiltie of bloudie finnes, notorious euills, as Dauid of murder, vncleannes, whooredome, adultery, couetousnesse, swearing, contempt of the word of God, &c. Yet if thou hast the grace to repent, certainely the Lord will most tho∣rowly purge and wash away all thy sinnes, hee will seale thee a gene∣rall pardon of them all, if thou wilt

onely repent and lay holde vpon Christ.

Oh! then let me speake vnto you in the name of God: hast thou been a vile blasphemer? hast thou beene a contemner of the Word? a persecu∣ter of Gods children? hast thou been a cruell murderer, oppressor, vsurer? hast thou beene an adulterer, a filthie liuer? Well, if thou wilt now repent, turne to God, bewaile thy sins, beg pardon of thē, if thou wilt renounce, leaue and forsake them, become a new creature in Christ Iesus, and a∣mend thy si••full life: loe, God doth this day offer mercy vnto thee, he wil embrace thee as he did the Prodigall child: he will wash thee in the bloud of his owne Sonne:* 1.29 hee will couer thee in his righteousnes: hee will pardon all thy sinnes, and neuer lay them to thy charge: he will make of thee that art a vile and miserable sin∣ner, a very fire-brand of hel, a blessed member of Iesus Christ. And there∣fore let not the number or greatnesse of thy sinnes hinder thee; for if thou

canst repent, God wi•••• pardon them all, and receiue thee to mercy: Oh then, if thou wilt not for all this re∣pent and turne to God, leaue and for∣sake thy sins and impieties, become a new creature in Christ Iesus, but lie in thy sinnes, and wallow in the filth of them still, and harden thy heart against all the sweete and gracious offers of mercy: How art thou wor∣thy to perish,* 1.30 if thou shalt despise so great saluation?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Dauid re∣newes his former re∣quest. v. 2.
• * 1.2

  Pardon of sinne the greatest mercy.
• * 1.3

  Mat. 16.26.
• * 1.4

  Partes of the verse.
• * 1.5

  Leu. 14.6, 7 Num, 19.18
• * 1.6

  Sinne is a leprousie.
• * 1.7

  The cere∣monies vnder the Law were but to lead vs vnto Christ.
• * 1.8

  Obediēce required to GODS ordināces.
• * 1.9

  Christs bloud a∣lone doth purge our sinnes. Hebr. 9.9. 1. Ioh. 1.7. Rev. 1.5. Iohn 1.29. 1. Pet. 1.2.
• * 1.10

  The vse of the cere∣monies vnder the Law.
• * 1.11

  Note.
• * 1.12

  Galat. 4.
• * 1.13

  The mea∣ning of the word••.
• * 1.14

  Saluation is to bee sought for onely in Christ.
• * 1.15

  1. Iohn 1.7 1. Pet. 1.18 Reu. 1.5
• * 1.16

  Iohn. 3.16. Rom. 8.32.
• * 1.17

  Rom. 6. Gal. 3.
• * 1.18

  Ps. 32.1.2.
• * 1.19

  Sinne de∣files a mā.
• * 1.20

  Esay. 64 6.
• * 1.21

  Phil. 3.9. 1. Cor. 1 30
• * 1.22

  The woful estate of al naturall men.
• * 1.23

  Esay 1.16. Reu. 3.14. Iob. 42.6.
• * 1.24

  Cant. 1.7. & 4.1. Ezek. 16.9 10.11.12, &c. Reu. 3.18 1. Cor. 6.10.11.
• * 1.25

  Dan. 12.
• * 1.26

  1. Ioh. 3.2.
• * 1.27

  Heb. 11.
• * 1.28

  Esay. 1.18.19.
• * 1.29

  Luke 15.
• * 1.30

  2. Cor. 5.18.