8. It may be farther considered, that it was of mere grace, of free love, of undeserved mercy, that God hath vouchsafed to sinful man, any way of reconciliation with himself, that we were not cut away from his hand, and utterly blotted out of his remembrance. Therefore whatever method he is pleased to appoint, of his tender mercy, of his unmerited goodness, whereby his enemies, who have so deeply revolted from him, so long and obstinately rebelled against him, may still find favour in his sight, it is doubtless our wisdom to accept with all thankfulness. 9. To mention but one consideration more. It is wisdom to aim at the best end by the best means. Now the best end which any creature can pursue, is happiness in God. And the best end a fallen creature can pursue is, the recovery of the favour and image of God. But the best, indeed the only means under heaven given to man, whereby he may regain the favour of God, which is better than life itself, or the image of God, which is the true life of the soul, is the submitting to the _righteousness which is of faith_, the believing in the only-begotten Son of God. III. 1. Whosoever therefore thou art who desirest to be forgiven and reconciled to the favour of God; do not say in thy heart, “I must _first do this_; I must _first_ conquer every sin; break off every evil word and work, and do all good to all men: or, I must _first_ go to church, receive the Lord’s supper, hear more sermons, and say more prayers.” Alas, my brother, thou art clean gone out of the way, thou art still _ignorant of the righteousness of God_, and art _seeking to establish thy own righteousness_, as the ground of thy reconciliation. Knowest thou not, that thou canst do nothing but sin, ’till thou art reconciled to God? Wherefore then dost thou say, I _must do this_ and this _first_, and then I shall believe. Nay, but _first believe_. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the propitiation for thy sins. Let this good foundation _first_ be laid, and then thou shall do all things well. Neither say in thy heart, “I can’t be accepted yet, because I am not _good enough_.” Who is _good enough_? Who ever was? To merit acceptance at God’s hand’s? Was ever any child of _Adam good enough_ for this? Or will any, till the consummation of all things? And as for thee, thou art not good at all: there dwelleth in thee no good thing. And thou never wilt be, till thou believe in Jesus. Rather thou wilt find thyself worse and worse. But is there any need of being worse, in order to be accepted? Art thou not _bad enough_ already? Indeed thou art, and that God knoweth. And thou thyself canst not deny it. Then delay not. All things are now ready. _Arise and wash away thy sins._ The fountain is open. Now is the time, to wash thee white in the blood of the Lamb. Now he shall _purge_ thee as with _hyssop, and_ thou _shalt be clean; he_ shall _wash_ thee, and thou _shalt be whiter than snow_.