Daniel Burgess (1645–1713) on God's Will of Complacency

Reader, I cannot yet have done with thee. I must say to thee, as Ruth to her Mother in Law, Intreat me not to leave thee, or return from following after thee with this Inference. I must insist a little more upon God's so astonishing Intreaty. And I would to God I could find or make words prevalent with thee to insist much hereon. To be often musing what it is, that God's intreaty of sinners to be reconciled, doth in good sober Truth import. I beseech thee go and consult God himself in holy Prayer unto him. Go consult his Ministers, the best of them; and such through whose Mouths he is most likely to speak his Heart unto thee. Go consider, and take advice, whether it import not thus much: To wit, a real will of God without any design or unsincerity, to have sinners reconciled unto him; even as many of them as he sends his Gospel unto. A will of complacence, as of a thing that would be highly grateful unto him; though not a Will efficacious, and effective of it against all wilful and affected unfitness in sinners; super-added unto their natural. A Will, that indeed doth not so overpower all things, as to bring all sinners unto Reconciliation; but yet one that leaves nothing but their own obstinate Wills to keep them from it. And makes, that all who live under the Gospel, and who do seek it as they are directed by the Gospel, may reasonably judge their obtainment of it most highly probable; and conclude that if their labour for it be lost, it will not be through failure on God's part, but their own.

Tis very certain, that such influences of the Holy Spirit were communicated under the Old Testament, that of all that lived and died then unreconciled unto God, the fault was laid at their own doors. Thou gavest thy good Spirit to instruct them, Neh. 9:20. Turn ye at my reproof, behold I will pour my Spirit to you, I will make known my words unto you, Prov. 1:23, &c. O how much more must we now conclude in the Gospel day, that Mens destruction is of themselves? That the Holy Spirit is always striving with sinners, and persuading them to be reconciled, until they do by very great provocations cause him to withdraw for ever from them.

By the Prophets of old, the Holy Ghost never spake in the wondrously condescensive Language, which he useth in the New Testament. Herein shows the Language of incomparable tenderness; and such as put it beyond the most jealous suspicion, that God is desirous of our Happiness in the said Reconciliation. Herein the Majesty of Heaven even courts every vile Worm of us. And in most compassionate manner, assays to melt and overcome the pervertest sinner: Even thy self, my Reader, thy self in particular.

Daniel Burgess, Man's Whole Duty, and God's Wonderful Intreaty of Him Thereunto (London: Printed by J. Richardson for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside; and John Lawrence at the Angel in the Poultry, 1690) 98–101. Google Books has an edition of this work HERE.

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