God's goodness stirs up to duty
because we will? But this is not all, for as it is abominable to God, so it is dangerous to us; for whence comes judgments? Whence is it that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven? Rom. 1:18. Whence is sickness, disgrace, troubles? All these are the fruits of sin. Nothing makes us miserable but sin. Take a man when he lies a-dying. Ask him what troubles him? Oh! he cries out of sin, of the wrath of God.
He feels not sickness, even as the gout is not felt by one that hath a fit of the stone upon him. Let us think of this in time; let us shame the devil, shame ourselves. But is this all? No. Judas saw his sin and confessed, yet was he never the better. He wanted that which should make his repentance perfect. He wanted faith to lay hold on pardon.
A poor man is fit for treasure, but unless he lay hold on treasure, he shall never be rich. Therefore faith and repentance are ever joined in the gospel. Repent and believe the gospel, as was said to the jailor. So Christ saith, 'Come to me,' Mat. 11:28. Christ came to satisfy for all sin, to cure all diseases, but they must first come to him, and say,
'Lord, if thou wilt thou canst make me clean,' Mat. 8:2. and to such as these I may say, as they said to the blind man, 'Be of comfort, for Christ calls thee,' Mark 10:49.
'That thou mayest be feared.'
Fear in this place is taken for the spiritual worship of God, arising from a reverential fear mingled with love. 'Fear God and keep his commandments,' Eccles. 12:13, is the whole duty of man. So that these words being considered with the former, brings this observation to our consideration.
God's goodness stirs up to duty Doct. That God's goodness, forgiveness, grace, and mercy, is a means to stir up his children to all duties; and therefore we are commanded