Also our text stands firm as ever it did, and our observation is
still of force, that Jesus Christ would have mercy offered in the
first place to the biggest sinners. So then let none despair, let
none presume; let none despair that are sorry for their sins, and
would be saved by Jesus Christ; let none presume that abide in the
liking of their sins, though they seem to know the exceeding grace of
Christ; for though the door stands wide open for the reception of the
penitent, yet it is fast enough barred and bolted against the
presumptuous sinner. Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever
a man sows, that he shall reap. It cannot be that God should be
wheedled out of his mercy, or prevailed upon by lips of
dissimulation; he knows them that trust in him, and that sincerely
come to him by Christ for mercy; Nahum i. 7.

It is then not the abundance of sins committed, but the not coming
heartily to God by Christ for mercy, that shuts men out of doors.
And though their not coming heartily may be said to be but a sin, yet
it is such a sin as causeth that all thy other sins abide upon thee
unforgiven.

God complains of this. "They have not cried unto me with their
heart; they turned, but not to the most High. They turned
feignedly;" Jer. iii. 10; Hos. vii. 14, 16.

Thus doing, his soul hates; but the penitent, humble, brokenhearted
sinner, be his transgressions red as scarlet, red like crimson, in
number as the sand; though his transgressions cry to heaven against
him for vengeance, and seem there to cry louder than do his prayers,
or tears, or groans for mercy, yet he is safe. To this man God will
look; Isa. i. 18; chap lxvi. 2.