men's hearts. There is a
secret reflection of our spirits upon his Majesty, as if his ways were not
equal, whenever we repine against them, and when we do not take with our
iniquity, and stop our mouths with dust. Behold, the Lord will assert his
own ways, and plead with all flesh this controversy, that all his
proceedings are full of equity. He walks according to a rule, though he be
not tied to a rule. He walks according to the rules of wisdom, justice,
and mercy, though his illimited sovereignty might be a sufficient ground
of clearing of all his proceedings. But we walk not according to a rule,
though we be bound to a rule, and a rule full of equity.

Here is the equity and justice of his ways, the gospel holds it forth in a
twofold consideration. _First_, If any man turn from his iniquity, and
flee unto my Son as the city of refuge, he shall live, he hath eternal
life, iniquity shall not be his ruin, although he hath done iniquity. O
"who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity!" Is not this
complete mercy? Whatever iniquity hath been, aggravate it as ye can,
though it could have ruined a world yet it could not have ruined thee that
turnest in to Jesus Christ from iniquity. What exception can all the world
have against this, or his walking according to it? And _on the other
hand_, whosoever continueth in sin, though he appear to himself and others
never so righteous, if he entertain and love any known sin, and will not
part with it for Jesus Christ, shall not he die in his iniquity? Is there
any iniquity in this, that he receive the wages of his works--his reward
that he eat of the fruit of his own ways, and drink of his own devices?
But how many hearts censure this way as a rigid and strict severe dealing!
The multitude think it cruelty to condemn any christened soul--to put so
many in hell. The civil man will think it is too hard measure that he
should be ranked in hell with the profane. But certainly, all mouths shall
be stopped one day, and he shall be justified when he judges. Ye that will
not justify him in his sayings, and set to your seal to the truth of the
word, you shall be constrained to justify him, when he executes that
sentence. Ye shall precipitate your own sentence, and rather wonder at his
clemency in suffering you so long.

This way of the Lord is equal and right in itself, but it is not so to
every one. The just man shall walk in it and not stumble; as in an even
way, nothing shall off