A Sermon Preached at the Quakers Meeting House, in Gracechurch-Street, London, Eighth Month 12th, | Page 2

see the face of God with comfort. This is an eternal truth of God, and recorded in the Holy Scriptures. John iii. 16. That "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." God so loved the world, he gave his Son to be a light unto the world, that all might see their way back to God again: For sin hath darkened the understanding, and clouded the mind of man and woman, and alienated them from the life of God, and their hearts are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. But now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation, the day of God's grace and favourable visitation, wherein he visits men and women, illuminates their minds and spirits with a light from heaven, that they might see the deplorable state and condition wherein they are, and what they are doing: It is in this light, that they have a day of grace vouchsafed to them, that it may be well with them, both here and for ever. They that receive this light, and come out of that which they are called from, which is sin, they may come to enjoy peace with God. It was sin that first separated between God and man; and it is sin now that hinders man from acquaintance with the Lord, who brings peace unto him: It is by this light, that we are to acquaint ourselves with God, that we may be at peace. Thus saith the Lord by the prophet, "It is sin has separated between me and you:" Sin hath made a partition wall between God and us, and God hath sent his Son into the world to break down this partition wall that sin hath made; that so fallen man might return to God, and come into Paradise again, out of which sin hath cast him.
Now, none can bring us back to God, and into favour and communion with him, but our Lord Jesus Christ: He is the light and leader of his people. There is no name under heaven by which we can be saved, but the name of JESUS: It is he that saves his people from their sins; and it is in him alone that we are blessed: "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, and whose sin is covered:" And for the sake of Christ alone it is, that the Lord imputeth not iniquity to us. Now pray "Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith," 2 Cor. xiii. 5. "Prove your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates." Examine yourselves, whether you have chosen the Lord for your God, and Christ for your Redeemer? And whether you have forsaken your sins, and returned from your evil ways, and answered the visitation of the love of God in your souls? Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to seek and to save them that were lost? He is the Physician of value, that was wounded to heal our wounds: "He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, and had the chastisement of our peace upon him; that by his stripes we might be healed:" It is he alone that could do this. Who is sufficient for these things? The Lord found out one that is sufficient; he hath "laid help upon one that is mighty," that is "able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him." God hath given him the Spirit without measure, and filled him with grace and truth, that of his fullness we might all receive, and grace for grace: He is mighty to save the sons and daughters of men, and to give them power to become the children of God.
This was testified of old, John i. 12. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on his name." Men want power over their sins: When sin appears to be exceeding sinful, they would overcome it, and be rid of it, when it is troublesome: And when they are under a deep conviction of the evil of it, and see the woful and miserable state that sin hath brought mankind into how they have lost the image of God and the favour of God; they then desire to be restored, and brought back again into their primitive state. You that know the truth of God, see how the work goes on in your hearts, see how the image of God is carrying on upon you. Consider, that the Lord is a holy God, of purer eyes than to behold iniquity with approbation: "There is no