Return, thou backsliding Israel saith the Lord, and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you; for I am merciful saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever. Jeremiah 3:12. Thou hast received gifts for men. yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. Psalms 68:19. My covenant will I not break or alter. Psalms 89:35. See also, 1 Peter 3:21. what is said of our baptismal covenant, and Luke 15. of the prodigal son, how his father went out to meet him, when he returned.
Even when we do not seek God, but flee from him, yet he seeks and longs for us, showing us the misery of our condition, and drawing to his Son. "Why should he not receive us now, when we by his drawings cone to him, through Christ, earnestly seeking him, and instead of fleeing from him, flee to him. What mother will not willingly receive her once lost, but now returning child again?
"Who can describe the joys that rise
Through all the courts of Paradise,
To see a prodigal return,
To see an heir of glory born?
"With joy the Father doth approve
The fruit of his eternal love;
The Son with joy looks down and sees
The purchase of his agonies.
The Spirit takes delight to view
The holy soul he formed anew;
And saints and angels join to sing
The growing empire of their King.