Why was it that his Son was incarnate, but that his word was passed for it so soon as man had sinned; the seed of the woman should break the Serpents head? Why did he take the Name Jesus, but to save his people from their sins? Why did he turn in, teach, converse and eat with Publicans and sinners, except for their conversion? Why did he ordain his Word to be preached, his Sacra∣ments to be administred? Why doth he call to him all that labour, and are hea∣vy-laden, except it were to make it evident, that he came to seek and save that which was lost? His Word for this was pass'd to the Patriarchs and old Pro∣phets, and he sent his Son in the similitude of sinful flesh to perform it.
This is the Rock on which a distressed soul may safely Anchor. Say the winds of temptations rise high, and the waves roar to split thee on the Rock of despair; look from thy self to God: Thou in a moody fit mayst say, I am cast out of the sight of thy eyes: But he is the same God, and his promises cannot fail; he hath said it, nay, sworn it, As he liveth, he will not the death of a sinner; let but the wicked man turn from all his iniquities, and he will not remember them: They are his own words; and therefore he calls, Turn unto me, and I will turn to you.
Let it but be shewed what one promise he ever made that was not perform∣ed, and then I am content that you distrust him for this. He promised to I••rael deliverance from bondage; to the Jewes, a return from captivity; to Abra∣hams posterity the Land of Canaan; with thousands of this kind, all which he performed in their due time. He is the same God still, immutable, unchange∣able, verus & verax; and hath he said it, and shall he not do it? Is his word pas∣sed to a penitent, and can you think, that he who is faithful, will break it? Th•• Earth may shake and reel too and fro; the Mountains may fall, and crumble to no∣thing; the Heavens shall be wimpled up as a garment; but not one word, not one Iota that he hath spoken, shall be disanull'd.
As long as we are compassed with this body of sin, our heart will be affrighted with distrusts, with fears, with doubts; need we have to pray, Lord increase our faith. That which can especially keep us from despair, is the me∣ditation of this Attribute, God is faithful; I know whom I have bel••eved; neither can I be disappointed of my hope, unless the Lord should fail in his truth. This is the first Reason why we may hope for a pardon, which is drawn from Gods truth and faithfulness; and yet there is another drawn from his justice.