high God, that shew unto us the way of salvation!" Yes it was, as is
evident, for Paul was grieved to hear it. But why did the devil stir
up her to cry so? but because that was the way to blemish the Gospel,
and to make the world think that it came from the same hand as did
her soothsaying and witchery; verse l6-18; "Holiness, O Lord, becomes
thy house for ever."

Let, therefore, whoever they be that profess the name of Christ, take
heed that they scandal not that profession which they make of him,
since he has so graciously offered us, as we are sinners of the
biggest size, in the first place, his grace to save us.

Having thus far spoken of the riches of the grace of Christ, and of
the freeness of his heart to embrace the Jerusalem sinners, it may
not be amiss to give you yet, as a caution, an intimation of one
thing, namely, that this grace and freeness of his heart is limited
to time and day; the which, whoso overstandeth, shall perish
notwithstanding.

For as a king, who, of grace, sendeth out to his rebellious people an
offer of pardon, if they accept thereof by such a day, yet beheadeth
or hangeth those that come not in for mercy until the day or time be
past; so Christ Jesus has set the sinner a day, a day of salvation,
an acceptable time; but he who standeth out, or goeth on in rebellion
beyond that time, is like to come off with the loss of his soul; 2
Cor. vi. 2; Heb. iii. 13, 16, 17, 18, 19; chap. iv. 7; Luke xix. 41,
42.

Since, therefore, things are thus, it may be convenient here to touch
a little upon these particulars.