ngness to receive you is not without the compass of his
invitation, and yet you seek it where it is least to be found, that is, in
yourselves. But indeed, his invitations in the gospel carry the evidence
in their bosom,--that which is above all other signs and evidences that he
did even send his own Son in the flesh for this purpose. Is there any
thing besides this, either greater or clearer? I think we are like those
who, when they had seen many signs and wonders done by Christ, which did
bear testimony to all the world of his divine nature, yet they would not
be satisfied, but sought out another sign, tempting him, Matt. xvi. 1. And
truly, he might return this answer to us, "O wicked and adulterous
generation, that seeketh after a sign, there shall no sign be given to
thee, but the sign of the prophet Jonas." The greatest testimony that can
be imagined, is given already,--that the Father should send his only
begotten and well beloved Son into the state of a servant for man. If this
do not satisfy, I know not what will. I see not how any work of his Spirit
in us, can make so much evidence of his reality and faithfulness in the
gospel, and of his willingness to welcome sinners. All the works of the
creation, all the works of grace, are nothing to this, to manifest his
love to men; and therefore there is a singular note upon it, "God so loved
the world, that he gave his Son," John iii. 16. And in this was his love
manifested, that he sent his Son, 1 John iv. 9. If men and angels had set
themselves to devise and find out a pledge or confirmation of the love of
God, they would have fallen upon some revelation unto, or some operation
upon their spirits. But, alas, this is infinitely above that. His own
express image, and the brightness of his glory, is come down to hear
witness of his love, nay, he who is equal with himself in glory, is given
as a gift to men; and is not he infinitely more than created gifts or
graces, who is the very spring and fountain of them all? "God so loved the
world," that truly he gave no such gift besides, to testify such a love.
Therefore, when all that he hath done in this kind cannot satisfy thy
scrupulous mind, but thou wilt still go on, to seek more confirmation of
his readiness to receive thee, I think it is a tempting of the Holy One,
which may draw such an answer from him, O wicked and adulterous person,
there shall no sign be given thee, but that which is darker than the
former, that which t