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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Daniel Burgess (1645–1713) on God Begging

And for Sinners, that make light of all God's Calls to Reconciliation; and are inflexible by his very entreaties, for whole Weeks, Months, and Years together; who sees it not? Their Life is a practical protest, that they will bear the prison of Hell, the torment of Fire, and that for the space of Eternity, rather than be friends with God. So they love God; so they love themselves. Tis true, we cannot here persuade them, but that they do truly love themselves, and their God too. But in utter darkness itself men will see better. There they will see and say, God was kind, and made them good offers; but they were themselves their own destroyers; being by sin bewitched, in heart to murder him, and in act to murder themselves. There they will understand the sense, as well as feel the truth, of Prov. 8:36 and 35.

There they will know to their torment, what it is for God to beseech and pray sinful Dust to come take Pardon and Peace; and for them to lend him a deaf ear, or give him a more reproachful repulse against convictions of Conscience. Reader, there stay a while: Think, and speak with thy self of the huge imports of this word: [As though God did beseech you by us.] How, GOD beseech? SOVEREIGNTY beg? And that of both Creatures and Rebels too? What meaneth this, and what is it we are to learn by it? God beseech! The word astonishes me; and filleth my mind with these thoughts above others. First, How powerful is Love? Secondly, How loveful is the Divine Majesty, that thus condescendeth, that makes Omnipotence stoop? Thirdly, How wonderful is this condescension, whereunto God never stooped before, and beyond which it is not to be thought possible that he should ever stoop? Fallen Angels, had nothing like it: Fallen Men, can have nothing beyond it. God stoops; he stoops low; he stoops lowest, unto us. The lowest that the nature and honour of his Government will admit. God beseech!

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) 94-96. Google Books has an edition of this work HERE.

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Observe: According to Daniel Burgess, God "beseeches," "stoops" and "begs" in the gospel call for all "to take pardon and peace," even towards those who finally "bear the prison of hell," out of "love" and "kindness," and makes them "good offers."