⟨But⟩ to enlarge a little, we lay down a twofold ⟨doctrine.⟩ Doct. First, "There is both ability and ⟨willingness⟩ in the Lord, to give you whatsoever your necessity requires."
'Ability,' What would you have? Salvation and ⟨deliverance⟩, then 'He is able to save to the uttermost, all that come unto him,' Heb vii 25. Lift ⟨up your⟩ eyes and behold a wonder, which ye cannot ⟨behold⟩, behold a wonder which you cannot know, ⟨and⟩ put forth this question, Ifa. Ixiii. I. 'Who is ⟨this⟩ that cometh from Edom, with dyed ⟨garments⟩ from Bozrah? This that is glorious in his ⟨apparel⟩, travelling in the greatness of his strength.' ⟨And⟩ his answer will be unto you, It is 'I that speak ⟨in⟩ righteousness, mighty to save.' Gain-say it who ⟨will,⟩ 'The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his ⟨hand,⟩ he shall see of the travel of his soul, and be ⟨satisfied⟩'
Now methinks I hear you saying. All that is true, ⟨we⟩ can set our seals to it; but O, is he willing? ⟨There⟩ is our question. Willing indeed; he is not ⟨more⟩ able, than he is willing. 'What are all his ⟨promises⟩ but declarations of his free willingness? ⟨What⟩ are all his sweet invitations, but to tell you ⟨that⟩ he is willing, and ye are welcome? He that ⟨thirsteth⟩, let him come and whosoever will, let him ⟨come⟩ and take of the water of life freely.' Ah! ⟨what⟩ say you to it now? Give us your seal to his ⟨willingness⟩ also. Go, say ye, why not? Ye have ⟨it.⟩ Then come away, there is no more wanting, ⟨say⟩ come; we know he is willing and we set our ⟨seal⟩ to his willingness. But is he willing to receive ⟨me?⟩ Satisfy me in that, and then I will be right. ⟨Ah⟩ cheat! ye are taking your word back again ⟨now,⟩ and lifting off your seal; if ye except not ⟨yourself⟩, he will not except you: His invitation is ⟨unto⟩ all; every one come, he that thirsteth, come, ⟨he that⟩ hath no money, "come." Isaiah lv. 1.
