ce to him, as those sins by
which we offend him.

Certainly, the very name of God, revealed to us or known by nature's
light, those general characters of his name, mercy and goodness, power and
greatness, might suffice to so much, as to make us, in the apprehensions
of our own guiltiness and provocations of his holiness, to look no other
way than to his own merciful and gracious nature. Suppose we had nothing
of a promise from him, by which he is bound, yet, as the very apprehension
of the general goodness, and unlimited bounty, and original happiness that
is in God, ought naturally to draw the creature towards him in all its
wants, to supplicate his fulness, that can supply all necessities, without
lessening his own abundance, even so, if we did only apprehend that God is
the fountain of mercy, and that he is infinitely above us and our
injuries, and that all our being and well being eternally consists in his
sole favour, this, I say, alone considered, might draw us to a pouring out
our hearts before him, in the acknowledgment of our guiltiness, and
casting ourselves upon his mercy, as the term is used in war, when there
is no quarter promised, and no capitulation made. It is the last refuge
of a desperate sinner, to render unto God upon mercy, to resign himself to
his free disposal. Since I cannot but perish, may a soul say, without
him, there is no way of escaping from his wrath, I will rather venture,
and "go in to the King, and if I perish, I perish." There is more hope in
this way to come to him, than to flee from him. Perhaps he may show an
act of absolute sovereign goodness, and be as glorious in passing by an
offence, as just in punishing it. Do I not see in man, in whom the divine
Majesty hath imprinted some characters of conscience and honesty, that it
is more generous and noble to forgive than to revenge? And do I not see
generally among men, clemency and compassion are commended above severity
and rigour, though just, especially towards those who are inferior, weak,
unable to resist, and have yielded themselves to mercy. Now, shall I not
much more apprehend that of God which I admire in a sinful man? Shall not
that be most perfect in him which is but a maimed and broken piece of his
image in lost man? Certainly, it is the glory of God to conceal an
offence as well as to publish it, and he can show as much greatness and
majesty in mercy as in justice, therefore I will wholly commit myself to
him. I