Gospel reconciliation, or, Christ's trumpet of peace to the world wherein is shewed (besides many other gospel truth) ... that there was a breach made between God and man ... to which is added two sermons / by Jeremiah Burroughs.

CHAP. 73. The thirtenth argument: Manifesting the exceeding willingness of God to be reconciled to sinners.

ANother evidence of Gods willingness to be reconci∣led is this; that God is so importunate with sin∣ners, he uses such strong arguments, that he first takes away objections, and then he is so importunate, he doth not meerly satisfy himself with offering of mercy: but he is very importunate in the work, and the importunity of God appeares. First in this; that the scripture ex∣presses God crying out after sinners: not only seeking out after sinners, but calling, and crying: so the words in the Original are, of Gods beseeching to be reconciled, of God calling to sinners, in Prov. 1. It is said of wis∣dom, that it cries, the Lord cryes out, and that in Isa. 55.

When he makes a proclamation he begins first with, Oh! yes, Oh! every one that thirsteth come to the waters, and he that hath no mony, and there is the offer of Christ with a proclamation.

Further, Gods importunity is manifest in this; that he comes over again with a thing, and is not content with the expressing of himself. But he doth it again, and again, and again he is at it, as in Isa. 55. vers. the first, Se how many times there is crying in one verse, Ho! every one that thirsteth come ye; and he that hath no mony come; and come the third time; three times in one verse saith God come to sinners, and then in the third verse, Incline your eare, and come unto mee (saith God) and hear, and your souls shal live, and I wil make an everlasting Covenant with you; there is another promise; Even the sure mercies of David: so hear in one short scripture four times come, saith

God; O! how importunate is God with sinners? God doth not do with us, as commonly wee do with him, God seeks after sinners more earnestly than sinners seek after God; thus we seek to God for mercy; we pray to God for mercy; we content our selves with praying once, and seldome looke after our prayers what becoms of them; but God he cries to us to come and if we do not come the first time, then he crys come, come, & come four times together we are ready to think if our petitions be re∣peated twice in prayer, it is atautology & this shews the earnestness of the spirit of God in it, and he is exceeding willing.