The fourth device that Satan hath to keep poor sinners from believing, from closing with a Saviour, is,
Device (4). By suggesting to a sinner Christ’s unwillingness to save. It is true, saith Satan, Christ 1s able to save thee, but is he willing? Surely, though he is able, yet he is not willing to save such a wretch as thou art, that has trampled his blood under thy feet, and that has been in open rebellion against him all thy days, &c.
The remedy against this device of Satan is, briefly to consider these few things.
Remedy (1). First, The great journey that he hath taken, from heaven to earth, on purpose to save sinners, doth strongly demonstrate his willingness to save them. Mat. ix. 13, ‘I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” 1 Tim. 1. 15, This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom 1 am chief.’
Secondly, His divesting himself of his glory in order to sinners’ salvation, speaks out his willingness to save them. He leaves his Father’s bosom, he puts off his glorious robes, and lays aside his glorious crown, and bids adieu to his glistering courtiers the angels; and all this he doth, that he may accomplish sinners’ salvation.!
Thirdly, That sea of sin, that sea of wrath, that sea of trouble, that sea of blood that Jesus Christ waded through, that sinners might be pardoned, justified, reconciled, and saved, doth strongly evidence his willingness to save sinners, 1 Cor. v. 19, 20.
Fourthly, His sending his ambassadors, early and late, to woo and entreat sinners to be reconciled to him, doth with open mouth shew his readiness and willingness to save sinners.
Fifthly, His complaints against such as refuse him, and that turn their backs upon him, and that will not be saved by him, doth strongly declare his willingness to save them: John i. 11, ‘ He came to his own, and his own received him not.’ So in John v. 40, ‘ But ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.’
Siathly, The joy and delight that he takes at the conversion of sinners, doth demonstrate his willingness that they should be saved: Luke xv. 7, ‘I say unto you, That likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons that need no repentance” God the Father rejoiceth at the return of his prodigal son; Christ rejoices to see the travail of his soul; the Spirit rejoices that he hath another temple to dwell in; and the angels rejoice that they have another brother to delight in, &ec., Isa. lin. 11.