Alas! the sin of God's children seemeth sometimes to overspread not only their flesh, and the face of their souls, but the whole face of heaven. And what shall he do now, that is a stranger to this breadth, made mention of in [Eph. 3:18]? Why, he must despair, lie down and die, and shut up his heart against all comfort, unless he...can, at least, apprehend what is this breadth, or the breadth of mercy intended in this place...
This therefore should be that upon which those that see the spreading nature of sin, and the leprosy and contagion thereof should meditate, to wit: The broadness of the grace and mercy of God in Christ. This will poise and stay the soul; this will relieve and support the soul in and under those many misgiving and desponding thoughts unto which we are subject when afflicted with the apprehensions of sin, and the abounding nature of it...Let this therefore, when thou seest the spreading nature of thy sin, be a memento to thee, to the end thou may'st not sink and die in thy soul.
-John Bunyan, All Loves Excelling, pp. 9-11
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