since we have withal a clause in the commission given to ministers to
preach, that they should begin with the Jerusalem sinners in their
offering of mercy to the world.

Besides, God says, They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; but perhaps it
may be long first. "I waited long," saith David, "and did seek the
Lord;" and at length his cry was heard: wherefore he bids his soul
wait on God, and says, For it is good so to do before thy saints;
Psalm xl. 1; lxii. 5; lii. 9.

And what if thou waitest upon God all thy days? Is it below thee?
And what if God will cross his book, and blot out the hand-writing
that is against thee, and not let thee know it as yet? Is it fit to
say unto God, Thou art hard-hearted? Despair not; thou hast no
ground to despair, so long as thou livest in this world. It is a sin
to begin to despair before one sets his foot over the threshold of
hell-gates. For them that are there, let them despair and spare not;
but as for thee, thou hast no ground to do it. What! despair of
bread in a land that is full of corn! despair of mercy when our God
is full of mercy! despair of mercy, when God goes about by his
ministers, beseeching of sinners to be reconciled unto him! 2 Cor.
v. 18-20.

Thou scrupulous fool, where canst thou find that God was ever false
to his promise, or that he ever deceived the soul that ventured
itself upon him? He often calls upon sinners to trust him, though
they walk in darkness, and have no light; Isa. 1. 10.

They have his promise and oath for their salvation, that flee for