Englands duty under the present gospel liberty from Revel. III, vers. 20 : wherein is opened the admirable condescension and patience of Christ in waiting upon trifling and obstinate sinners, the wretched state of the unconverted, the nature of evangelical faith ..., the riches of free grace in the offers of Christ ..., the invaluable priviledges of union and communion granted to all who receive him ... / by John Flavell ...
         Flavel, John, 1630?-1691.
      
       
         
           1689
        
      
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             Englands duty under the present gospel liberty from Revel. III, vers. 20 : wherein is opened the admirable condescension and patience of Christ in waiting upon trifling and obstinate sinners, the wretched state of the unconverted, the nature of evangelical faith ..., the riches of free grace in the offers of Christ ..., the invaluable priviledges of union and communion granted to all who receive him ... / by John Flavell ...
             Flavel, John, 1630?-1691.
          
           [42], 454, 71 p., [1] leaf of plates : port.
           
             Printed for Matthew Wotton ...,
             London :
             1689.
          
           
             Engraved frontispiece portrait of Flavel opposite t.p.
             Errata: p. [42].
             Advertisement: p. [39]-[40].
             Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Bible. -- N.T. -- Revelation III, 20 -- Sermons.
           Presbyterianism -- Doctrines.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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               ●ffigies
               of
               Iohn
               Flavell
               .
            
             
               Aetatis
               suoe
               .
               59
               An̄o
               Dom
               1689.
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           
             Englands
             Duty
          
           ,
           Under
           the
           Present
           GOSPEL
           LIBERTY
           .
           FROM
           Revel
           .
           III.
           vers
           .
           20.
           
           Wherein
           is
           Opened
           The
           Admirable
           Condescension
           and
           Patience
           of
           Christ
           ,
           in
           waiting
           upon
           trifling
           and
           obstinate
           Sinners
           .
           The
           wretched
           State
           of
           the
           Vnconverted
           .
           The
           nature
           of
           
             Evangelical
             Faith
          
           ,
           with
           the
           Difficulties
           ,
           Tryals
           ,
           and
           Means
           thereof
           .
           The
           
             Riches
             of
             Free-grace
          
           in
           the
           offers
           of
           Christ
           ,
           Pardon
           ,
           and
           Peace
           to
           the
           worst
           of
           Sinners
           .
           The
           invaluable
           Priviledges
           of
           Vnion
           ,
           and
           Communion
           ,
           granted
           to
           all
           that
           receive
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           Duty
           of
           opening
           to
           him
           at
           the
           present
           Knocks
           and
           Calls
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           with
           the
           danger
           of
           neglecting
           these
           Loud
           (
           and
           it
           may
           be
           )
           last
           Knocks
           and
           Calls
           of
           Christ
           ,
           discovered
           .
           By
           
             Iohn
             Flavell
          
           ,
           Preacher
           of
           the
           Gospel
           at
           Dartmouth
           in
           Devon.
           
        
         
           
             Rom.
             II.
             4.
             
          
           Or
           despisest
           thou
           the
           riches
           of
           his
           goodness
           ,
           and
           forbearance
           ,
           and
           long-suffering
           ;
           not
           knowing
           that
           the
           goodness
           of
           God
           leadeth
           thee
           to
           repentance
           ?
        
         
           London
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Matthew
             Wotton
          
           at
           the
           Three
           Daggers
           near
           the
           Inner-Temple
           Gate
           in
           Fleetstreet
           ,
           1689.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           Licensed
           ,
        
         
           
             
               Septemb.
               29
               th
               .
               1688.
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           AN
           EPISTLE
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           
             Candid
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           THE
           following
           Discourse
           comes
           to
           thy
           hand
           in
           that
           Native
           plainness
           wherein
           it
           was
           Preached
           .
           I
           was
           conscienciously
           unwilling
           to
           alter
           it
           ,
           because
           I
           found
           by
           experience
           ,
           the
           Lord
           had
           blessed
           and
           prosper'd
           it
           in
           that
           dress
           ,
           far
           beyond
           any
           other
           composures
           on
           which
           I
           had
           bestowed
           more
           pains
           .
           Let
           it
           not
           be
           censured
           ,
           as
           vanity
           or
           ostentation
           ,
           that
           I
           here
           acknowledge
           the
           goodness
           of
           God
           in
           leading
           me
           to
           ,
           and
           blessing
           my
           poor
           Labours
           upon
           this
           Subject
           :
           Who
           ,
           and
           what
           am
           I
           ,
           that
           I
           should
           be
           continued
           ,
           
           and
           again
           employed
           in
           the
           Lords
           Harvest
           ,
           and
           that
           with
           success
           and
           encouragment
           ;
           when
           so
           many
           of
           my
           Brethren
           ,
           with
           their
           much
           richer
           Furnitures
           of
           Gifts
           and
           Graces
           ,
           have
           ,
           in
           my
           time
           ,
           been
           called
           out
           of
           the
           Vineyard
           ,
           and
           are
           now
           silent
           in
           the
           Grave
           !
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           they
           enjoy
           what
           I
           do
           not
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           as
           true
           ,
           I
           am
           capable
           of
           doing
           some
           Services
           for
           God
           which
           they
           are
           not
           .
           In
           Preaching
           these
           Sermons
           I
           had
           many
           occasions
           to
           reflect
           upon
           the
           mystical
           sense
           of
           that
           Scripture
           ,
           
             Amos
             9.
             13.
             
             The
             Plow-man
             shall
             overtake
             the
             Reaper
             ,
             and
             the
             Treader
             of
             Grapes
             ,
             him
             that
             soweth
             Seed
             .
          
           Sowing
           and
           Reaping
           time
           trod
           so
           close
           upon
           one
           another
           ,
           that
           (
           in
           all
           humility
           I
           speak
           it
           to
           the
           praise
           of
           God
           )
           it
           was
           the
           busiest
           and
           blessedst
           time
           I
           ever
           saw
           ,
           since
           I
           first
           Preached
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           England
           hath
           now
           a
           day
           of
           special
           Mercy
           :
           There
           is
           a
           wide
           door
           of
           opportunity
           opened
           to
           it
           ;
           O
           that
           it
           might
           prove
           an
           effectual
           door
           !
           'T
           is
           transporting
           and
           astonishing
           ,
           that
           after
           all
           the
           high
           and
           horrid
           provocations
           ,
           the
           Atheism
           ,
           Prophaness
           ,
           and
           bitter
           enmity
           against
           Light
           and
           Re●ormation
           ;
           this
           sweet
           Voice
           is
           still
           heard
           in
           
             England
             ,
             Behold
             ,
             I
             stand
             at
             the
             door
             and
             knock
             .
          
           The
           Mercies
           and
           Liberties
           of
           this
           day
           are
           a
           new
           Tryal
           obtained
           for
           us
           by
           our
           potent
           Advocate
           in
           the
           Heavens
           :
           If
           we
           bring
           forth
           fruit
           ,
           well
           ,
           if
           not
           ,
           the
           Ax
           lieth
           at
           
           the
           root
           of
           the
           Tree
           .
           Let
           us
           not
           be
           secure
           .
           Jerusalem
           was
           the
           City
           of
           the
           great
           King
           :
           The
           seat
           of
           his
           Worship
           and
           Symbols
           of
           his
           presence
           were
           fixed
           there
           .
           It
           was
           the
           joy
           of
           the
           whole
           Earth
           ;
           the
           House
           of
           Prayer
           for
           all
           Nations
           ;
           thither
           the
           Tribes
           went
           up
           to
           Worship
           ;
           the
           Tribes
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           unto
           the
           Testimony
           of
           Israel
           .
           For
           there
           were
           set
           Thrones
           of
           Iudgment
           ,
           the
           Thrones
           of
           the
           House
           of
           
             David
             ,
             Psal.
          
           122.
           4
           ,
           5.
           
           These
           priviledges
           she
           enjoyed
           through
           the
           succession
           of
           many
           Ages
           ,
           and
           had
           ramained
           the
           glory
           of
           all
           Nations
           to
           this
           day
           ,
           had
           she
           known
           ,
           and
           improved
           ,
           in
           that
           day
           the
           things
           that
           belonged
           to
           her
           peace
           ;
           but
           they
           neglected
           their
           season
           ,
           rejected
           their
           mercies
           ,
           and
           miserably
           perished
           in
           their
           sins
           :
           for
           there
           ever
           was
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           found
           ,
           an
           inseparable
           connection
           betwixt
           the
           final
           rejection
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           destruction
           of
           the
           Rejecters
           ,
           Matth.
           22.
           5
           ,
           6
           ,
           7.
           
           The
           contemplation
           whereof
           drew
           those
           compassionate
           Tears
           from
           the
           Redeemers
           eyes
           ,
           when
           he
           beheld
           it
           in
           his
           descent
           from
           the
           Mount
           of
           Olives
           ,
           Luke
           19.
           41
           ,
           42.
           
        
         
           Let
           all
           that
           are
           wise
           in
           Heart
           henceforth
           depose
           their
           animosities
           ;
           sadly
           reflect
           on
           their
           past
           follies
           ,
           encourage
           and
           assist
           the
           Labours
           of
           their
           Brethren
           in
           the
           Lords
           Harvest
           ;
           and
           rejoyce
           that
           God
           hath
           set
           them
           at
           liberty
           by
           
           Law
           ,
           whose
           assistance
           ,
           in
           so
           great
           an
           opportunity
           ,
           is
           so
           necessary
           and
           desirable
           :
           It
           is
           against
           the
           Laws
           of
           Wisdom
           and
           Charity
           ,
           to
           envy
           the
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           the
           Success
           ,
           of
           our
           Brethren
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           13.
           4.
           
           If
           the
           Workmen
           contend
           and
           scuffle
           in
           a
           catching
           Harvest
           ,
           who
           but
           the
           owner
           suffers
           damage
           by
           it
           ?
           If
           after
           so
           miraculous
           ,
           recent
           ,
           and
           common
           a
           Salvation
           as
           this
           ,
           we
           still
           retain
           our
           old
           prejudices
           and
           bitter
           envyings
           ;
           if
           we
           smite
           with
           the
           Pen
           and
           Tongue
           when
           we
           cannot
           with
           the
           Hand
           ;
           and
           study
           to
           blast
           the
           Reputations
           and
           Labours
           of
           our
           Brethren
           ;
           and
           still
           hate
           those
           we
           cannot
           hurt
           .
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           if
           we
           still
           bite
           and
           devour
           one
           another
           ,
           we
           shall
           be
           devoured
           one
           of
           another
           :
           let
           us
           not
           lay
           the
           fault
           upon
           others
           ,
           we
           our selves
           have
           been
           the
           Authors
           and
           Instruments
           of
           our
           own
           ruin
           ;
           and
           this
           must
           be
           the
           inscription
           upon
           our
           Toomb-stone
           ,
           O
           England
           ,
           
             thou
             hast
             Destroyed
             thy Self
          
           .
           I
           am
           more
           afraid
           of
           the
           rooted
           enmity
           ,
           and
           fixed
           prejudices
           ,
           that
           are
           to
           be
           found
           in
           many
           against
           holiness
           ,
           and
           the
           serious
           Professors
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           inflexible
           obstinacy
           and
           dead
           formality
           in
           many
           others
           ,
           (
           the
           tokens
           of
           a
           tremendous
           infatuation
           )
           than
           I
           am
           of
           all
           the
           whispered
           fears
           from
           other
           Hands
           ,
           or
           common
           Enemies
           upon
           our
           borders
           .
        
         
         
           To
           prevent
           these
           mischiefs
           ,
           and
           promote
           zeal
           and
           unanimity
           among
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           I
           have
           presumed
           to
           address
           to
           them
           in
           the
           following
           Epistle
           .
           I
           judged
           it
           necessary
           on
           several
           reasons
           to
           write
           it
           in
           Latin
           ,
           as
           what
           allowed
           me
           a
           greater
           freedom
           of
           expression
           ,
           than
           might
           seem
           convenient
           in
           the
           common
           Language
           .
           I
           am
           conscious
           of
           my
           own
           unworthiness
           to
           be
           their
           Monitor
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           defects
           their
           Iudicious
           Eyes
           will
           easily
           discern
           ,
           in
           the
           style
           wherein
           it
           is
           written
           ;
           and
           yet
           can
           promise
           my self
           a
           becoming
           reception
           of
           what
           is
           so
           faithfully
           ,
           seasonably
           ,
           and
           honestly
           designed
           for
           their
           good
           .
           I
           am
           satisfied
           that
           no
           candid
           and
           ingenuous
           Person
           will
           put
           Words
           upon
           the
           Rack
           ,
           quarrel
           a
           Similitude
           ,
           or
           expose
           a
           Trifle
           ,
           when
           he
           finds
           the
           design
           Honest
           ,
           and
           the
           matter
           Good
           and
           Necessary
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           Treatise
           it self
           ,
           thou
           wilt
           find
           it
           a
           Persuasive
           to
           open
           thy
           Heart
           to
           Christ.
           Thy
           Soul
           ,
           Reader
           ,
           is
           a
           magnificent
           Structure
           built
           by
           Christ
           ;
           such
           stately
           Rooms
           as
           thy
           Vnderstanding
           ,
           Will
           ,
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           Affections
           ;
           are
           too
           good
           for
           any
           other
           to
           Inhabit
           .
           If
           thou
           be
           in
           thy
           Vnregenerate
           state
           ,
           then
           he
           solemnly
           demands
           ,
           in
           this
           Text
           ,
           admission
           into
           the
           Soul
           he
           made
           ,
           by
           the
           consent
           of
           the
           Will
           :
           which
           if
           thou
           refuse
           to
           give
           
           him
           ,
           then
           Witness
           is
           taken
           that
           Christ
           once
           more
           demanded
           entrance
           into
           thy
           Soul
           which
           he
           made
           ,
           and
           was
           denied
           it
           .
           If
           thou
           hast
           opened
           thy
           Heart
           to
           him
           ,
           thou
           wilt
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           meet
           somewhat
           in
           this
           Treatise
           that
           will
           clear
           thy
           Evidences
           ,
           and
           chear
           thy
           Heart
           ;
           Pray
           ,
           Read
           ,
           Ponder
           ,
           and
           Apply
           .
        
         
           
             I
             am
             ,
             Thine
             and
             the
             Churches
             Servant
             
               Iohn
               Flavell
            
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           EPISTOLA
           Dilectissimis
           ,
           &
           in
           Christo
           prequam
           Reverendis
           Evangelii
           Ministris
           ;
           nunc
           demum
           miranda
           Dei
           providentia
           libertati
           restitutis
           :
           Senioribus
           quidem
           supplex
           ,
           Iunioribus
           vero
           &
           Candidatis
           Paraenetica
           .
        
         
           
             Patres
             ,
             Fratresque
             in
             Christo
             Colendissimi
             ,
          
        
         
           QUamvis
           nobis
           non
           convenit
           pro
           arbitratu
           nostro
           cudere
           Metaphoras
           ,
           eas
           tamen
           amplecti
           convenit
           ,
           quas
           ipse
           Spiritus
           Scriptura
           signavit
           :
           signavit
           autem
           &
           graphice
           depinxit
           exulantis
           Ecclesiae
           liberationem
           ,
           ingruentis
           &
           amoeni
           veris
           suavibus
           deliciis
           ,
           
             Cant.
             II.
             v.
          
           11
           ,
           12.
           
        
         
           Sub
           Sole
           vernalitellus
           velut
           parens
           benignissima
           sinus
           suos
           recludit
           ,
           herbas
           varias
           expromit
           ,
           prata
           florum
           
           copia
           condecorat
           ,
           Arbores
           prioribus
           viduatae
           ,
           novis
           frondibus
           se
           induunt
           :
           pulso
           frigore
           ,
           aer
           tepet
           ;
           pecudes
           ubera
           tumentia
           domum
           referunt
           ,
           
             
               
                 Avia
                 tunc
                 Avibus
                 resonant
                 virgulta
              
               
                 Canoris
                 .
              
            
             
               Virgil.
               
            
          
           revirescunt
           ,
           &
           rident
           omnia
           .
           Tempus
           quidem
           propitium
           ,
           beneficum
           ;
           &
           rebus
           omnibus
           ,
           praecipue
           viventibus
           mirifice
           commodum
           ac
           amicum
           .
        
         
           Quae
           omnia
           a
           Brightmanno
           nostro
           ,
           summa
           ,
           quidem
           industria
           ,
           ac
           miro
           ingenii
           acumine
           accommodantur
           insigni
           isti
           temporis
           periodo
           ,
           qua
           Cyrus
           Edictum
           suum
           (
           nunquam
           satis
           laudandum
           )
           de
           liberando
           populo
           emittebat
           .
           Consimilis
           providentiae
           radii
           animantes
           ,
           veluti
           Sol
           Arietem
           ingrediens
           ,
           nos
           semi-mortuos
           revirescere
           fecerunt
           .
        
         
           Non
           nos
           latet
           ;
           (
           adhuc
           enim
           crudescunt
           vulnera
           )
           quam
           dura
           &
           acerba
           
           a
           multis
           retro
           annis
           conscientiae
           causa
           sustinuimus
           ;
           heu
           !
           quae
           non
           vidimus
           !
           quae
           non
           perpessi
           fuimus
           indigna
           !
           Durante
           hac
           hyeme
           aspera
           ,
           tristi
           ,
           &
           omnimodo
           molesta
           ,
           vi●●imus
           aequora
           horridis
           tumentia
           procellis
           ;
           quibus
           aliqui
           territi
           ac
           attoniti
           ,
           cuilibet
           vento
           vela
           dedere
           .
           Vidimus
           Arbores
           tam
           fructu
           ,
           quam
           forma
           aliis
           praecellentes
           ,
           nimbosis
           ventis
           prosternatas
           :
           alias
           sine
           fructu
           vel
           fronde
           quasi
           sideratas
           .
           Montes
           crebris
           pruinis
           albicantes
           ,
           flumina
           glacie
           concrescentia
           ,
           terras
           nivibus
           obrutas
           ,
           imo
           sepultas
           .
           Alituum
           pecudumque
           greges
           famelicos
           undique
           dispersos
           ,
           &
           angustiis
           pressos
           .
           Aucupes
           astutos
           retia
           sua
           non
           fine
           successu
           dispandentes
           .
           Ut
           verbo
           absolvam
           ,
           vidimus
           eheu
           !
           Ecclesiam
           Christi
           propriis
           pennis
           transfixam
           .
           Rempublicam
           legibus
           fundatam
           legibus
           fere
           subversam
           ,
           inauspicata
           omnia
           ,
           &
           in
           deterius
           indies
           vergentia
           .
        
         
         
           
             Diu
             direque
             in
             hoc
             malorum
             pelago
             agitati
             fuimus
             .
             Juvenes
             inibamus
             ,
             Senes
             emergimus
             ;
             idem
             nobis
             evenit
             quod
             in
             obsidione
          
           Tyri
           recordatur
           ,
           Ezek.
           XXIX
           .
           18.
           
           Omne
           caput
           decalvatum
           ,
           &
           omnis
           humerus
           depilatus
           est
           .
           
             Attamen
             haec
             omnia
             molesta
             potius
             quam
             miranda
             illi
             videntur
             ,
             qui
             serio
             perpendit
             verba
             fatidica
             magni
          
           Apostoli
           ,
           1
           Tim.
           
             III.
             1.
          
           
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           
           
             De
             quibus
             temporibus
             formidolosis
             ita
          
           Lactantius
           ,
           Propinquante
           igitur
           hujus
           seculi
           termino
           ,
           humanarum
           rerum
           statum
           commutari
           necesse
           est
           ;
           &
           in
           deterius
           nequitia
           in
           valescente
           prolabi
           :
           ut
           etiam
           nostra
           haec
           tempor
           a
           quibus
           iniquitas
           &
           malitia
           usque
           ad
           summum
           gradum
           crevit
           ,
           in
           illius
           tamen
           insanabilis
           mali
           comparationem
           foelicia
           &
           prope
           aurea
           possint
           judicari
           .
           Ita
           enim
           justitia
           rarescet
           ,
           ita
           impietas
           &
           avaritia
           ,
           &
           cupiditas
           ,
           &
           libido
           crebrescent
           ,
           ut
           si
           qui
           tum
           forte
           fuerint
           boni
           ,
           praedae
           sint
           sceleratis
           ,
           ac
           divexentur
           undique
           ab
           injustis
           .
           
           Soli
           autem
           mali
           opulenti
           sint
           ,
           boni
           vero
           in
           omnibus
           contumeliis
           atque
           in
           egestate
           jactentur
           .
           Confundetur
           omne
           jus
           ,
           &
           leges
           interibunt
           ,
           nihil
           quisquam
           tune
           habebit
           nisi
           aut
           male
           quaesitum
           ,
           aut
           manu
           defensum
           ,
           audacia
           &
           vi
           omnia
           possidebunt
           .
           Non
           fides
           in
           hominibus
           ,
           non
           pax
           ,
           non
           humanitas
           ,
           non
           pudor
           ,
           non
           veritas
           erit
           ,
           atque
           ita
           securitas
           ,
           neque
           reginem
           ,
           neque
           requies
           a
           malis
           ulla
           ;
           omnis
           enim
           terra
           tumultuabitur
           ,
           frement
           ubique
           bella
           .
           Omnes
           gentes
           in
           armis
           erunt
           ,
           &
           seinvicem
           oppugnabunt
           .
           Civitates
           inter
           se
           finitimae
           preliabuntur
           ;
           tunc
           per
           agrabit
           clades
           orbem
           ,
           metens
           omnia
           ,
           &
           tanquam
           messem
           cuncta
           prosternans
           :
           cujus
           vastitatis
           &
           confusionis
           haec
           erit
           causa
           ,
           quod
           Romanum
           nomen
           quo
           nunc
           regitur
           Orbis
           ,
           (
           horret
           animus
           dicere
           ,
           sed
           dicendum
           ,
           quia
           futurum
           est
           )
           tolletur
           de
           terra
           .
        
         
           Quid
           tibi
           videtur
           Lector
           ?
           nostrane
           heic
           tempora
           describuntur
           ,
           an
           longius
           expectandum
           donec
           hoc
           hominum
           genus
           pestiferum
           in
           Scenam
           prodeat
           ?
           
           nemo
           sane
           de
           iis
           dubitet
           quae
           sanis
           ac
           illaesis
           sensibus
           persentiscit
           .
        
         
           Caeterum
           Deus
           tandem
           nostri
           misertus
           ,
           virum
           pietatis
           amantem
           ,
           &
           veri
           studiosum
           excitavit
           ;
           qui
           summis
           laboribus
           &
           maximis
           periculis
           causam
           suam
           fortiter
           assereret
           ,
           &
           faciem
           terrae
           renovaret
           .
           
             Secundum
             hoc
             tempus
             dicetur
             ,
             quid
             operatus
             est
             Deus
             !
          
           Nunc
           omni
           impedimento
           sublaturo
           ,
           horrida
           procella
           sedata
           ;
           (
           quae
           nos
           huc
           illuc
           sicut
           stipulas
           dispergebat
           )
           Deus
           noster
           propitius
           nos
           ita
           alloquitur
           ,
           
             Surge
             Amica
             mea
             &
             veni
             ,
             ecce
             enim
             hyems
             transiit
             ,
             pluvia
             praeteriit
             ,
             flores
             conspiciuntur
             in
             terra
             ,
             tempus
             minuritionis
             advenit
             ;
             &
             vox
             Turturis
             auditur
             in
             terra
             nostra
             .
          
           q.
           d.
           jam
           satis
           domi
           latitasti
           ,
           potes
           in
           publicum
           prodire
           .
           Signa
           Salutis
           ,
           &
           incitamenta
           laboris
           undiquaque
           apparent
           .
           Sic
           hyemis
           asperitas
           nobis
           commendat
           suavitatem
           Veris
           .
        
         
         
           Ad
           me
           quod
           attinet
           ,
           quam
           primum
           vox
           laeta
           libertatis
           aurem
           attigerat
           ,
           proprio
           &
           exoptato
           operi
           meipsum
           statim
           accingere
           cepi
           .
           Si
           enim
           tanta
           Dulcedo
           in
           mathematicarum
           artium
           studiis
           invenitur
           ,
           &
           cum
           quis
           eam
           degustaverit
           ,
           quafi
           Circeis
           poculis
           captus
           se
           non
           finit
           ab
           illis
           divelli
           :
           dulcissimum
           erit
           labores
           nostros
           quamvis
           exantlatos
           ,
           gloria
           Christi
           ,
           &
           animarum
           salute
           ultro
           impendere
           .
           Gaudio
           igitur
           non
           vulgari
           gavisus
           sum
           ,
           quod
           demum
           falcem
           meam
           fere
           rubigine
           exesam
           ,
           in
           messem
           Domini
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           immittarem
           .
           Gratias
           ago
           Deo
           meo
           benignissimo
           ,
           qui
           opportunitatis
           o●tium
           non
           tantum
           tempestive
           apperuit
           ,
           quin
           etiam
           (
           mihi
           supplicanti
           )
           Salubrioris
           doctrinae
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           suppeditavit
           ;
           multisque
           jamdudum
           benedixit
           .
        
         
           Has●e
           ergo
           primitias
           restitutae
           libertatis
           ,
           quales
           ,
           quales
           ,
           quas
           autem
           non
           pauci
           acrius
           efflagitarunt
           ,
           ut
           in
           apricum
           
           cum
           feram
           ;
           vobis
           perquam
           humillime
           offero
           .
           Venia
           sit
           fratri
           ,
           omnium
           minimo
           ;
           seque
           infra
           omnes
           Christi
           Legatos
           merito
           aestimanti
           ;
           si
           signata
           &
           celeberrima
           hac
           occasione
           ,
           audacius
           paulo
           quam
           pro
           eruditionis
           aut
           experientiae
           modulo
           ,
           sese
           efferat
           Christianus
           ●ervor
           .
        
         
           Pompaticam
           eloquentiam
           non
           ambiit
           Concionator
           vester
           .
           Oratione
           populari
           ,
           non
           polita
           ;
           pressa
           ,
           non
           praeculta
           ;
           per
           totum
           usus
           fui
           .
           Non
           minus
           enim
           de
           rebus
           Theologicis
           dicendum
           duxi
           ,
           quam
           de
           Philosophicis
           Cicero
           .
           Istiusmodi
           res
           dicere
           ornate
           puerile
           est
           ,
           plane
           autem
           &
           perspicue
           expedire
           posse
           ,
           docti
           &
           intelligentis
           viri
           .
           Merito
           displiceat
           ,
           si
           doctrinam
           Christi
           crucifixi
           ;
           stylo
           non
           crucifixo
           ,
           hoc
           est
           turgido
           pertractarem
           .
        
         
           
           
             Hisce
             praemissis
             .
          
           
             I.
             
          
           
             Laetemur
             libertate
             nostra
             laetitia
             debite
             temperata
             ,
             laetitia
             dico
             ,
             suis
             ponderibus
             aeque
             librata
             ;
             &
             utrinque
             munita
             ,
             peccatorum
             sc.
             praeteritorum
             moestitia
             ,
             nec
             non
             futurorum
             metu
             .
             Legimus
             Ier.
             XXIX
             .
             12.
             de
             voce
             gemitus
             ac
             fletus
             qua
             sub
             tempus
             liberationis
             agnoscerent
             fideles
             pristina
             sua
             peccata
             ;
             quibus
             Deum
             lacessiverant
             ;
             &
             eadem
             emollitis
             cordibus
             ex
             animis
             lugerent
             .
             Et
             quam
             congrua
             fuit
             vox
             ista
             Ecclesiae
             ,
             vel
             ad
             jacta
             fundamenta
             redivivi
             Templi
             ?
             vox
             laeta
             vociferatione
             ,
             ac
             uberi
             fletu
             aequaliter
             mista
             ,
             
               Ezra
               III.
               10.
               
               Multi
               flebant
               vace
               magna
               ,
               multi
               vociferatione
               ex
               laetitia
               efferebant
               vocem
               ;
               ita
               ut
               populus
               non
               internosceret
               sonum
               vociferationis
               ex
               laetitia
               ,
               a
               voce
               fletus
               populi
               .
            
             Nec
             pudet
             sanctos
             lapsus
             sui
             &
             dedecoris
             ad
             gloriam
             Dei
             
             meminisse
             ;
             nihil
             enim
             nobis
             decedit
             ,
             quod
             cedit
             in
             illius
             honorem
             .
             Venustae
             admodum
             &
             amabiles
             conspectu
             suo
             erunt
             facies
             nostrae
             ,
             cum
             lachrymas
             plorantes
             gratulabundis
             lachrymis
             supervenientes
             viderit
             !
             veri
             poenitentis
             est
             flere
             commissa
             ,
             ne
             flenda
             committeret
             .
          
           
             Praecessit
             nobis
             Asaphus
             laudabili
             ●uo
             poenitentiae
             exemplo
             ,
             Psalm
             .
             LXXIX
             .
             8.
             
             Ne
             recorderis
             (
             in
             quit
             )
             iniquitatem
             priorum
             ,
             &c.
             recordari
             Deus
             dicitur
             iniquitatum
             ,
             cum
             peccata
             quasi
             ad
             calculum
             vocans
             ,
             &
             tam
             magnitudinem
             ,
             quam
             multitudinem
             horum
             aestimans
             ,
             punire
             constituit
             .
             Loquitur
             de
             Deo
             more
             humano
             ,
             homines
             enim
             gravius
             offensi
             ,
             &
             poenas
             de
             liberis
             suis
             sumpturi
             ;
             in
             memoriam
             sibi
             vocant
             priora
             delicta
             omnia
             quae
             liberi
             commiserunt
             :
             Revocemus
             itidem
             ,
             &
             ex
             animis
             ploremus
             desidiam
             nostram
             praeteritam
             libertatem
             male
             concomitantem
             .
             Ardenti
             desiderio
             non
             
             ita
             flagravimus
             ;
             Ex
             imo
             pectore
             non
             ingemiscimus
             :
             Ex
             cerebro
             saepe
             ,
             non
             medullitus
             proloquuti
             fuimus
             .
             Nimis
             frigide
             de
             rebus
             vere
             tremendis
             inter
             orandum
             &
             praedicandum
             disseruimus
             .
             Antecessores
             superioris
             seculi
             non
             aequis
             passibus
             sequuti
             sumus
             .
             Gravitate
             morum
             ,
             &
             utilitate
             sermonum
             majestatem
             religionis
             non
             conservavimus
             .
             Quorum
             causa
             Deus
             noster
             justam
             concepit
             iram
             ,
             eamque
             praeteritis
             calamitatibus
             patefecit
             ,
             &
             patefaciendo
             de
             futuro
             nos
             palam
             admonuit
             .
          
        
         
           
             II.
             
          
           
             Proinde
             Fratres
             in
             Visceribus
             Christi
             enixe
             postulo
             ,
             
             ne
             excidat
             vobis
             illud
             Paulinum
             ,
             
               Si
               fieri
               〈◊〉
               ,
               &
               quantum
               in
               vobis
               est
               ,
               cum
               omnibus
               hominibus
               in
               pace
               viventes
               ,
            
             Rom.
             XII
             .
             18.
             
             Duplex
             additur
             limitatio
             .
             Prima
             ,
             
               Si
               fieri
               potest
            
             ,
             nempe
             salva
             justitia
             ,
             pietate
             ,
             ac
             veritate
             :
             Ratio
             veritatis
             non
             est
             sic
             habenda
             ,
             ut
             pacis
             cura
             prorsus
             
             negligatur
             ,
             nec
             unitas
             talis
             ambienda
             qua
             veritas
             deseratur
             :
             sed
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             ut
             ipse
             loquitur
             ,
             Eph.
             IV.
             15.
             
             Neutram
             enim
             ex
             animo
             diligunt
             (
             ut
             recte
             Davenantius
             noster
             )
             qui
             utramque
             non
             diligunt
             .
             Christiani
             ergo
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             maxime
             ornant
             Christianum
             nomen
             .
             Altera
             ,
             
               quantum
               in
               vobis
               est
            
             ,
             (
             i.
             e.
             )
             omnium
             amici
             este
             ,
             si
             ●ieri
             potest
             ,
             si
             non
             potest
             utrinque
             ,
             certe
             ex
             vestra
             parte
             amici
             este
             .
             Veritas
             inter
             im
             probos
             odium
             parit
             ,
             &
             pietas
             semper
             invisa
             est
             ,
             cujus
             rei
             hanc
             rationem
             reddit
             Lactantius
             ,
             
             
               Quod
               is
               qui
               peccat
               vult
               habere
               liberum
               peccandi
               locum
               ;
               non
               aliter
               se
               putat
               malefactorum
               voluptate
               securius
               perfrui
               posse
               ,
               quam
               si
               nemo
               sit
               cui
               delicta
               non
               placeant
               .
               Ergo
               tanquam
               scelerum
               &
               malitiae
               suae
               testes
               extirpare
               funditus
               nituntur
               ,
               &
               tollere
               ;
               gravesque
               sibi
               putant
               tanquam
               vita
               eorum
               coarguatur
               :
               horum
               igitur
               amicitia
               pietas
               periclitatur
               .
            
          
           
           
             
               Alios
               habemus
               formam
               pietatis
               induentes
            
             ,
             
             
               sed
               qui
               vim
               ejus
               abnegarint
               .
               De
               his
               ita
               questus
               est
            
             Bernardus
             ,
             Vae
             generationi
             huic
             a
             fermento
             Pharisaeorum
             quod
             est
             hypocrisis
             ;
             si
             tamen
             hypocrisis
             dici
             debet
             ,
             quam
             jam
             latere
             prae
             abundantia
             non
             valet
             ,
             &
             prae
             impudentia
             non
             quaerit
             .
             Serpit
             hodie
             putida
             Tabes
             per
             omne
             corpus
             Ecclesiae
             :
             &
             quo
             latius
             ,
             eo
             desperatius
             :
             eoque
             periculosius
             ,
             quo
             interius
             .
             Nam
             si
             insurgeret
             apertus
             inimicus
             haereticus
             ,
             mitteretur
             foras
             .
             Si
             violentus
             inimicus
             ,
             absconderet
             se
             forsitan
             ab
             eo
             .
             Nunc
             vero
             quem
             ejiciet
             ,
             aut
             a
             quo
             absconderet
             se
             ?
             omnes
             Amici
             ,
             &
             omnes
             inimici
             ;
             omnes
             necessarii
             ,
             &
             omnes
             Adversarii
             .
             Omnes
             domestici
             ,
             &
             nulli
             pacifici
             .
             Omnes
             proximi
             ,
             &
             omnes
             quae
             sua
             sunt
             quaerentes
             .
             Ministri
             Christi
             sunt
             ,
             &
             serviunt
             Antichristo
             .
             Honor
             ati
             incedunt
             de
             bonis
             Domini
             ,
             cum
             Domino
             honorem
             non
             deferunt
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               De
               his
               dicam
               ,
               in
               Consilium
               eorum
               non
               veniat
               anima
               mea
               ,
               in
               Coetu
               illorum
               non
               sit
               gloria
               mea
               .
            
          
           
           
             Multi
             vero
             sunt
             pacis
             &
             veritatis
             studiosi
             ,
             in
             fundamentalibus
             consentientes
             ,
             &
             contra
             communes
             reformatae
             religionis
             hostes
             pariter
             conscripti
             ;
             qui
             nihilominus
             proh
             dolor
             !
             in
             non
             necessariis
             dissiliunt
             ,
             &
             suos
             utrinque
             ad
             partes
             &
             pugnas
             vocant
             .
             Dum
             pugna
             haec
             hostilis
             gliscit
             inter
             fratres
             ,
             hostibus
             suis
             perpetuas
             insultandi
             &
             nocendi
             opportunitates
             suppeditant
             .
             Si
             quis
             huic
             morbo
             epidemico
             medicamentum
             reperire
             posset
             ,
             bene
             de
             Ecclesia
             merueret
             :
             at
             cum
             tot
             annorum
             experientia
             sit
             compertissimum
             ,
             illud
             vix
             ,
             aut
             ne
             vix
             fieri
             posse
             pulvere
             scholastico
             luctand●
             ,
             aut
             conscientiam
             poenis
             premendo
             ;
             consultius
             esset
             omnia
             haec
             certamina
             consopire
             ,
             quam
             frustra
             luctando
             Ecclesiam
             dilaniare
             ;
             &
             tandem
             ad
             utilissimam
             ,
             si
             non
             unicam
             istam
             pacis
             regulam
             redire
             ,
             Phil.
             III.
             16.
             
             
               In
               eo
               ad
               quod
               usque
               pervenimus
               ,
               eadem
               incedamus
               regula
               ,
            
             &c.
             cui
             convenit
             saluberrimum
             istud
             Tossani
             
             consilium
             ,
             
               Academiae
               Tubingensi
            
             his
             verbis
             traditum
             ,
          
           
             Tollenda
             merito
             omnis
             criminandi
             &
             maledicendi
             amarulentia
             ,
             &
             judicum
             filio
             Dei
             domino
             nostro
             Iesu
             Christo
             ipsisque
             posteris
             nostris
             ,
             qui
             certaminis
             non
             Auctores
             ,
             sed
             spectatores
             ,
             aequius
             sepositis
             affectibus
             judicaturi
             sunt
             permittendum
             .
             Adversarii
             nostri
             etiamnum
             vivunt
             ,
             &
             quotidie
             audaciores
             fiunt
             .
             Noctes
             &
             dies
             hoc
             agunt
             &
             meditantur
             ,
             ut
             exortum
             Evangelii
             lumen
             extinguant
             ;
             antiquasq
             :
             tenebras
             revocent
             .
             Interea
             nos
             qui
             initio
             unanimos
             per
             Dei
             gratiam
             Evangelium
             enunciavimus
             ,
             conversis
             armis
             in
             mutua
             vulnera
             ruimus
             ;
             gratumque
             hostibus
             spectaculum
             exhibemus
             :
             qui
             plus
             praesidii
             atque
             fiduciae
             in
             concertationibus
             nostris
             ,
             quam
             inani
             causae
             suae
             fundamento
             collocant
             .
          
           
             Iterum
             iterumque
             respiciamus
             illud
             Apostoli
             ,
             Gal.
             V.
             
               15.
               
               Quod
               si
               alii
               aliis
               mordetis
               ac
               exeditis
               ;
               videte
               ne
               vicissim
               alii
               ab
               aliis
               consumamini
               .
            
             Quod
             
             enim
             Cicero
             de
             clarorum
             virorum
             discordiis
             dixit
             ,
             id
             Davenantius
             noster
             de
             Ecclesiarum
             discordiis
             non
             dubitat
             affirmare
             ;
             non
             alios
             solere
             esse
             illarum
             exitus
             ,
             nisi
             aut
             universarum
             interitum
             ,
             aut
             victricium
             in
             reliquas
             injustum
             dominatum
             .
             Valde
             metuendum
             est
             ne
             hisce
             diuturnis
             &
             funestis
             contentionibus
             (
             quod
             Deus
             avertat
             )
             suum
             omnes
             accelerent
             interitum
             .
             Nec
             dubito
             discordias
             inter
             pios
             extingui
             posse
             ,
             quicquid
             in
             contrarium
             aliqui
             obtendunt
             ,
             si
             quorundam
             mentes
             ab
             omnis
             suspicionis
             ,
             irae
             ,
             ac
             invidiae
             spumis
             &
             scoriis
             bene
             expurgatae
             essent
             :
             En
             Fratres
             ,
             quam
             propriam
             tempestivamque
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             prudentissimus
             noster
             Medicus
             nobis
             omnibus
             hoc
             tempore
             adaptavit
             !
             det
             Deus
             effectum
             desideratum
             ,
             Ne
             ,
             
               Vulnus
               in
               antiquum
               redeat
               male
               firma
               cicatrix
               .
            
          
           
             Pii
             ubique
             gemunt
             praesentem
             &
             deplorandum
             Ecclesiae
             statum
             :
             &
             ex
             
             clade
             nonnullorum
             ,
             conjecturam
             faciunt
             quid
             periculi
             immineat
             universis
             .
          
           
             
               —
               En
               quo
               discordia
               gentes
               ,
            
             
               Perduxit
               miseras
               !
            
          
           
             
               Nec
               potest
               quisquam
               in●icias
               ire
               sanctos
               &
               sapientes
               ex
               utraque
               parte
               (
               Quantum
               inter
               se
               dissentiunt
               )
               in
               hoc
               saltem
               unanimos
               esse
               ,
               quod
               haec
               non
               sunt
               litigandi
               ,
               sed
               orandi
               ,
               &
               redintegrandi
               tempora
               ;
               tales
               enim
               voces
               ubique
               effundunt
               ,
            
             Convertat
             Deus
             cor
             patrum
             ad
             filios
             ,
             et
             cor
             filiorum
             ad
             patres
             ;
             ne
             veniens
             percutiat
             terram
             anathemate
             .
             Suis
             non
             recte
             consulunt
             ,
             qui
             ob
             Controversias
             nunquam
             fortasse
             inter
             doctos
             terminandas
             ,
             perpetuis
             dissidiis
             lacerant
             Ecclesiam
             .
             Fratres
             nostri
             qui
             serio
             profitentur
             se
             nulla
             alia
             causa
             a
             nobis
             dissentire
             in
             minutioribus
             Religionis
             ,
             quam
             formidine
             peccandi
             ;
             ambabus
             ulnis
             sunt
             amplectendi
             :
             Cito
             igitur
             tollantur
             omnia
             offendicula
             ,
             ne
             bis
             impingeremus
             in
             eundem
             lapidem
             .
             Si
             iterum
             collidimur
             ,
             frustulatim
             
             frangimur
             ;
             nolumus
             illis
             hanc
             laudem
             concedere
             ,
             quod
             illi
             pacis
             &
             concordiae
             studiosiores
             quam
             nos
             evaderent
             ;
             in
             fundamentalibus
             &
             necessariis
             conformitatem
             exigite
             ,
             in
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             &
             non
             necessariis
             debitam
             ,
             amplam
             ,
             &
             non
             hamatam
             libertatem
             concedite
             .
             Nemo
             sibi
             arroget
             li●entiam
             dividendi
             Ecclesiam
             ,
             &
             dissolvendi
             fraternam
             unitatem
             ex
             ea
             causa
             quam
             nec
             Christus
             ,
             nec
             Apostoli
             ,
             nec
             Ecclesia
             pure
             primitiva
             unquam
             approbasset
             .
          
           
             Omnes
             Controversias●e
             medio
             tolli
             non
             posse
             concedimus
             ,
             sed
             omnibus
             discordiis
             valedicere
             poteramus
             ;
             opinionum
             enim
             varietas
             ,
             &
             Opinantium
             unitas
             non
             sunt
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             :
             Quid
             facit
             in
             pectore
             Christiano
             Luporum
             feritas
             ,
             Canum
             rabies
             ,
             venenum
             lethale
             Serpentum
             ,
             cruenta
             saevitia
             bestiarum
             ?
             ut
             olim
             Cyprianus
             .
             Nova
             atque
             inaudita
             (
             inquit
             Gregorius
             )
             est
             ista
             praedicatio
             ,
             quae
             verberibus
             exigit
             fidem
             ;
             facessat
             ergo
             omnis
             criminandi
             &
             maledicendi
             amarulentia
             ;
             tranquillus
             
             Deus
             tranquillet
             omnia
             .
          
        
         
           
             III.
             
          
           
             Praecipue
             ac
             prae
             omnibus
             suppliciter
             vos
             rogo
             ,
             ut
             sepositis
             omnibus
             levioris
             naturae
             studiis
             ,
             hoc
             unum
             intendatis
             ,
             quomodo
             animas
             vobis
             commissas
             ,
             (
             quibus
             omnia
             terrena
             sunt
             longe
             postponenda
             )
             Christo
             lucrifaciatis
             :
             Hic
             labor
             ,
             hoc
             opus
             est
             .
          
           
             Procul
             absit
             a
             vobis
             detestanda
             illa
             donorum
             parsimonia
             ,
             mundanorum
             immunda
             cura
             ,
             corporis
             vilissimi
             nimis
             cautela
             ;
             non
             magnum
             nobis
             videatur
             vilem
             sudorem
             nostrum
             illarum
             gratia
             dispendere
             ,
             cum
             Christus
             pretiosissimum
             suum
             sanguinem
             tam
             libere
             ac
             libentissime
             effudit
             .
             Si
             Domini
             talenta
             sudario
             abscondimus
             ,
             ubi
             fudaria
             inveniemus
             cruentas
             lachry
             mas
             nostras
             pro
             tanto
             facinore
             exsiccare
             ?
          
           
             Recolligite
             Fratres
             ,
             omne
             tempus
             nobis
             impensum
             ,
             requiretur
             a
             nobis
             qualiter
             sit
             expensum
             .
             Quantum
             temporis
             inutili
             silentio
             jamdudum
             
             amisimus
             !
             Sed
             inter
             omnia
             gravamina
             sub
             quibus
             diu
             gemuistis
             ,
             nullum
             persuasissimum
             habeo
             aegrius
             tulistis
             quam
             oribus
             occlusis
             inter
             animas
             egenas
             tam
             diu
             latitasse
             ;
             praesens
             opportunitas
             labilis
             est
             ,
             quod
             ad
             futurum
             attinet
             ,
             nubes
             post
             pluvias
             revertantur
             :
             Surgite
             ergo
             viri
             optimi
             ,
             agite
             hoc
             negotium
             ,
             &
             erit
             Dominus
             vobiscum
             .
             Communes
             carnis
             querelas
             despicite
             ,
             Coronam
             istam
             Coelestem
             prospicite
             .
             Splendebunt
             prudentes
             quasi
             splendor
             expansi
             ,
             &
             qui
             multos
             instituunt
             ,
             quasi
             stellae
             in
             sempiterna
             secula
             .
          
           
             
               Hac
               spe
               labefactantes
               animos
               erigamus
               ,
               &
               muniamus
               adversus
               irrisiones
               &
               molestias
               quas
               Evangelii
               nomine
               expectandas
               habemus
               ;
               quae
               non
               induenda
               viscera
               misericordiae
               ,
               cum
               tales
               de
               salute
               recuperenda
               ,
               &
               exitio
               ad
               quod
               in
               instanti
               abripi
               possunt
               ,
               vitando
               ,
               cum
               interim
               nihil
               minus
               de
               se
               cogitant
               ;
               alloquimur
               ?
               
               conqueritur
               apud
            
             Amesium
             
               Author
               laudatus
            
             ,
             
             Verba
             vitae
             in
             quorundam
             doctorum
             et
             praedicatorum
             labiis
             quantum
             ad
             virtutem
             et
             efficaciam
             ,
             
             moriuntur
             .
             Adeo
             enim
             tepide
             ,
             adeo
             remisse
             verba
             Dei
             enunciant
             ,
             ut
             extincta
             in
             labiis
             eorum
             penitus
             videantur
             ;
             unde
             sicut
             ipsi
             frigidi
             sunt
             et
             extincti
             ,
             sic
             frigidos
             et
             extinctos
             relinquunt
             .
             Novi
             quendam
             propter
             hoc
             de
             civitate
             Parisiaca
             aufugisse
             :
             Dicebat
             enim
             ,
             se
             praedicationibus
             &
             lectionibus
             Parisiensibus
             de
             die
             in
             diem
             ,
             amplius
             ,
             &
             amplius
             infrigidari
             ,
             &
             se
             timere
             ,
             si
             moram
             diuturniorem
             ibi
             traheret
             ,
             ne
             tandem
             spirituali
             gelicidio
             extingueretur
             :
             propter
             quod
             transtulit
             se
             ad
             viros
             ferventes
             ,
             velut
             ad
             carbones
             vivos
             ,
             ut
             inter
             eos
             conversans
             ardorem
             nutriret
             ,
             &
             augeret
             .
          
           
             Attollite
             oculos
             ,
             &
             regiones
             spectate
             ;
             albae
             enim
             jam
             sunt
             ad
             messem
             .
             Nonne
             videtis
             vosmet
             esurientium
             animarum
             turmis
             undique
             stipatos
             ,
             hianti
             ore
             ,
             solicitisque
             oculis
             a
             vobis
             
             panem
             poscentibus
             ?
             si
             viscera
             Pastorum
             Principis
             nobis
             insunt
             ,
             pascamus
             oves
             suas
             .
             Nonnulli
             senectute
             &
             variis
             aerumnis
             pene
             confecti
             sunt
             ,
             alii
             minutiis
             Scripturae
             majestatem
             minuunt
             ;
             auresque
             vulgi
             vano
             verborum
             strepitu
             complent
             ,
             aut
             lenociniis
             titillant
             :
             Interea
             ,
             si
             vos
             quoque
             qui
             omnigena
             donorum
             copia
             locupletati
             estis
             ,
             &
             opportunitatem
             tam
             commodam
             &
             amicam
             habetis
             ,
             zelo
             Dei
             &
             animarum
             non
             ardesceretis
             ,
             horrescam
             prospicere
             funestissimum
             ac
             vere
             miserabilem
             omnium
             exitum
             .
          
        
         
           
             IV.
             
          
           
             Postremo
             ,
             paucis
             expediam
             quae
             necessaria
             dicenda
             duxi
             junioribus
             Theologis
             ,
             &
             sacri
             Ministerii
             Candidatis
             ;
             qui
             tempore
             pernecessario
             huic
             operi
             seipsos
             libentissime
             dederunt
             ,
             vel
             daturi
             sunt
             ;
             Nos
             aestum
             pondusque
             diei
             longe
             portavimus
             .
             Milites
             pene
             emeriti
             sumus
             ;
             dabit
             posterior
             aetas
             tractabiliores
             fortasse
             animos
             ,
             
             mitiora
             pectora
             quam
             nostrum
             habet
             seculum
             .
          
           
             Faustis
             Natalitiis
             vestris
             ergo
             congratulor
             ;
             praesertim
             si
             vestra
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             nobilitata
             &
             sanctificata
             sit
             vel
             fuerit
             ;
             idque
             eo
             magis
             ,
             quia
             jam
             omnes
             praestantissimi
             Chronologi
             ,
             &
             temporum
             Indagatores
             qui
             computationi
             operam
             dederunt
             ,
             evaserunt
             similes
             mulieri
             gravidae
             temporis
             pariendi
             computum
             suum
             praetergressae
             ;
             quae
             singulis
             horis
             partus
             dolores
             expectare
             necesse
             habet
             .
             Valde
             probabile
             est
             diem
             illum
             de
             quo
             omnes
             Prophetae
             Prophetarunt
             ,
             &
             quem
             omnes
             boni
             ,
             quasi
             exerto
             capite
             expectarunt
             ,
             prae
             foribus
             jam
             esse
             .
          
           
             Quapropter
             ,
             Juvenes
             spectatissimi
             ,
             spes
             &
             expectatio
             renascentis
             Ecclesiae
             ,
             hanc
             opportunitatem
             mordicus
             arripite
             mentes
             vestras
             omnigena
             donorum
             copia
             ditare
             .
             Lectionibus
             assiduis
             ac
             precibus
             ferventissimis
             reserate
             diem
             ,
             &
             obserate
             noctem
             ;
             Qui
             prostratus
             
             studet
             optimus
             Theologus
             evasurus
             est
             .
             Nudati
             donis
             ,
             non
             possumus
             veritatem
             propugnare
             ,
             aut
             veritatis
             inimicos
             oppugnare
             .
             Non
             bona
             indoles
             ,
             nec
             elocutionis
             gratia
             ;
             non
             gestus
             decor
             ,
             aut
             conversationis
             urbanitas
             pro
             egestate
             donorum
             compensare
             queat
             .
          
           
             Utcunque
             Fratres
             ,
             prae
             omnibus
             cavete
             ,
             ne
             germinante
             indies
             Arbore
             scientiae
             ,
             
             sola
             sterilescat
             Arbor
             vitae
             ,
             ut
             eximius
             Theologus
             satis
             apposite
             l●quitur
             ;
             ne
             sint
             apud
             vos
             ultima
             prima
             ,
             &
             prima
             vicissim
             ultima
             ;
             tam
             pestifera
             inversio
             ,
             toto
             conversionis
             operi
             exitialis
             erit
             ;
             caput
             regulatum
             est
             valde
             desiderandum
             ,
             sed
             cor
             sanctum
             absolute
             necessarium
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               XII
            
             .
             31.
             
             Vigeant
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             sed
             emineat
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             altius
             radices
             figant
             cordibus
             vestris
             〈◊〉
             magni
             Apostoli
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               IX
               .
               27.
            
             
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Quid
             enim
             prodest
             peritum
             esse
             ,
             &
             periturum
             ?
             Aliud
             est
             erudiri
             de
             veritatibus
             Christi
             ,
             aliud
             edoceri
             de
             eo
             ,
             sicut
             veritas
             est
             in
             Jesu
             .
          
           
             Noctes
             atques
             dies
             mentibus
             vestris
             insideat
             grav
             is
             ista
             cautela
             literatissimi
             Reynoldi
             nostri
             ;
             Ne
             nobis
             nimium
             adblandiamur
             ,
             
             si
             forsan
             exquisitissimis
             naturae
             dotibus
             ,
             ingenii
             acumine
             ,
             sermonis
             elegantia
             ,
             varia
             lectione
             ,
             longo
             rerum
             usu
             ,
             Artium
             ,
             linguarum
             ,
             scientiarum
             omnium
             peritia
             ,
             judicii
             gravitate
             ,
             &
             rationis
             pene
             angelica
             perspicacia
             nos
             Deus
             ornaverit
             :
             nisi
             simul
             accedat
             Spiritualis
             gratiae
             adjutorium
             ,
             quo
             Coelestis
             mysterii
             cognitionemque
             adaptemur
             .
             Quamvis
             enim
             splendidissima
             haec
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             merito
             nobis
             in
             animis
             &
             affectibus
             hominum
             famam
             gratiamque
             conciliant
             ,
             quamvis
             magnum
             inde
             Reipub
             ▪
             literariae
             ,
             &
             Ecclesiae
             Christi
             
             emolumentum
             accedat
             ;
             nullum
             tamen
             ex
             sese
             aut
             ad
             Dei
             favorem
             ,
             aut
             ad
             Coelestis
             beatitudinis
             mercedem
             consequendam
             momentum
             conferunt
             .
             Det
             Deus
             dona
             ministrantia
             &
             sanctificantia
             ,
             ut
             Christi
             Propugnatores
             ,
             &
             inimicorum
             ejus
             Expugnatores
             vosmet
             comprobetis
             .
             Sed
             manum
             de
             tabula
             ,
             Epistolam
             hanc
             levidensem
             ,
             &
             pingui
             (
             ut
             aiunt
             )
             Minerva
             contextam
             ;
             benevole
             tamen
             excipite
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             debitae
             observantiae
          
           
             
               A
               Conservo
               vestro
               in
               Evangelio
               Christi
               
                 Johanne
                 Flavello
              
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           By
           reason
           of
           the
           Authors
           distance
           from
           the
           Press
           ,
           some
           mistakes
           have
           escaped
           which
           the
           Candid
           Reader
           is
           desired
           to
           Correct
           .
        
         
           ERRATA
           in
           this
           Epistle
           .
        
         
           PAge
           3.
           l.
           4.
           read
           omnimode
           .
           p.
           5.
           l.
           9.
           after
           ita
           ,
           add
           
             neque
             .
             ib.
             r.
             regimen
          
           .
           p.
           7.
           l.
           6.
           for
           &
           ,
           
             r.
             ut
          
           .
           p.
           10.
           l.
           12.
           for
           
             iniquitatem
             ,
             r.
             iniquitatum
          
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           THE
           worthy
           Author
           of
           the
           Discourse
           emitted
           herewith
           ,
           is
           one
           whose
           praise
           is
           in
           the
           Gospel
           throughout
           all
           the
           Churches
           .
           His
           other
           Books
           have
           made
           his
           Name
           precious
           and
           famous
           
             in
             both
             Englands
          
           .
           Nor
           can
           my
           Testimony
           add
           any
           thing
           to
           one
           every
           way
           greater
           than
           my self
           .
           Nevertheless
           ,
           a
           singular
           Providence
           having
           cast
           my
           Lot
           to
           be
           at
           present
           in
           this
           great
           City
           ▪
           I
           could
           not
           withstand
           the
           importunity
           of
           them
           ,
           who
           desi●ed
           a
           few
           Prefatory
           Lines
           to
           manifest
           the
           Respect
           I
           owe
           to
           this
           Renowned
           and
           Learned
           Man.
           
        
         
           It
           was
           a
           wife
           Reproof
           which
           a
           grave
           Divine
           administred
           to
           a
           young
           Preacher
           ,
           who
           entertained
           his
           Auditory
           with
           an
           elaborate
           Discourse
           :
           After
           
           he
           had
           commended
           his
           parts
           and
           pains
           ,
           there
           was
           (
           said
           he
           )
           one
           thing
           wanting
           in
           the
           Sermon
           ;
           I
           
             could
             not
             perceive
             that
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             was
             in
             it
             .
          
           And
           though
           Morality
           is
           good
           and
           necessary
           to
           be
           taught
           and
           practised
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           much
           to
           be
           lamented
           ,
           that
           many
           Preachers
           in
           these
           days
           have
           hardly
           any
           other
           Discourses
           in
           their
           Pulpits
           than
           what
           we
           may
           find
           in
           
             Seneca
             ,
             Epictetus
             ,
             Plutarch
          
           ,
           or
           some
           such
           Heathen
           Moralist
           .
           Christ
           ,
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           (
           in
           a
           word
           )
           
             the
             Gospel
          
           is
           not
           in
           their
           Sermons
           .
           But
           blessed
           be
           God
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           some
           (
           and
           great
           is
           their
           Company
           in
           this
           Land
           of
           Light
           )
           who
           preach
           the
           Truth
           as
           it
           is
           in
           Jesus
           :
           And
           he
           who
           has
           taken
           the
           Book
           out
           of
           the
           Right
           Hand
           of
           him
           that
           sits
           on
           the
           Throne
           ,
           and
           is
           worthy
           to
           open
           the
           Seals
           thereof
           ,
           has
           been
           pleased
           in
           wonderful
           ways
           to
           set
           open
           and
           keep
           
             open
             a
             door
             of
             Liberty
          
           to
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           they
           ,
           unto
           whom
           he
           has
           given
           an
           
           Heart
           to
           Preach
           Christ
           ,
           may
           do
           it
           .
           This
           is
           the
           Lords
           doings
           ;
           This
           is
           a
           
             Spirit
             of
             Life
             from
             God.
          
           When
           Cyrus
           proclaimed
           Liberty
           for
           the
           free
           Exercise
           of
           Religion
           ,
           the
           Lords
           Servants
           ,
           who
           for
           some
           years
           had
           
             lain
             dead
          
           ,
           were
           
             brought
             out
             of
             their
             Graves
          
           ,
           Ezek.
           37.
           12
           ,
           13.
           
        
         
           This
           Treatise
           is
           a
           word
           in
           season
           :
           God
           has
           made
           the
           Author
           to
           be
           a
           
             wise
             Master-builder
          
           in
           his
           House
           ,
           and
           acccording
           to
           the
           Wisdom
           given
           him
           of
           God
           ,
           he
           has
           inlarged
           on
           a
           Gospel
           subject
           very
           proper
           to
           be
           insisted
           on
           at
           such
           a
           day
           as
           this
           .
           I
           am
           inform'd
           by
           unquestionable
           hands
           that
           there
           was
           a
           remarkable
           pouring
           out
           of
           the
           Spirit
           when
           these
           Sermons
           were
           
             viva
             voce
          
           delivered
           ,
           a
           great
           number
           of
           Souls
           having
           been
           brought
           home
           to
           Christ
           thereby
           .
           The
           Lord
           grant
           that
           the
           second
           preaching
           of
           them
           to
           far
           greater
           Multitudes
           by
           this
           way
           of
           the
           Press
           ,
           may
           by
           the
           same
           Spirit
           be
           made
           abundantly
           successful
           
           for
           the
           Conversion
           and
           Salvation
           of
           Gods
           Elect.
           The
           Fruit
           brought
           forth
           by
           the
           Holy
           Apostles
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           Writings
           of
           some
           ,
           (
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Doctrin
           preach'd
           by
           all
           )
           of
           them
           ,
           does
           still
           remain
           .
           The
           fruitful
           Labors
           of
           this
           faithful
           Servant
           of
           Christ
           will
           promote
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           of
           Souls
           ,
           when
           he
           himself
           shall
           cease
           from
           his
           Labors
           and
           his
           Works
           shall
           follow
           him
           .
           Let
           the
           Lords
           people
           be
           thankful
           to
           him
           for
           that
           he
           has
           sent
           such
           a
           Labourer
           into
           the
           Harvest
           ,
           and
           pray
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           be
           continued
           long
           therein
           ,
           and
           that
           many
           such
           (
           for
           there
           are
           but
           ●ew
           such
           )
           may
           be
           raised
           up
           ,
           and
           be
           made
           eminently
           successful
           in
           their
           holy
           endeavours
           ,
           to
           the
           inlargement
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Christ
           and
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           let
           him
           reign
           in
           this
           Land
           for
           ever
           and
           ever
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Hearts
           Desire
           and
           Prayer
           of
           one
           who
           is
           ,
        
         
           
             Less
             then
             the
             least
             of
             all
             Saints
             
               INCREASE
               MATHER
            
             .
          
           
             London
             ,
             
               ▪
               18.
               1689.
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           Books
           written
           by
           the
           Author
           ,
           and
           sold
           by
           Matthew
           Wotton
           at
           the
           Three
           Daggers
           in
           Fleetstreet
           .
        
         
           
           FLavell's
           Fountain
           of
           Life
           opened
           ,
           or
           a
           Display
           of
           Christ
           in
           his
           Essential
           and
           Medi●torial
           Glory
           .
           4
           
           o.
        
         
           —
           The
           Method
           of
           Grace
           in
           bringing
           ho●●
           the
           Eternal
           Redemption
           .
           4
           
           o.
        
         
           —
           Discourse
           of
           the
           Immortality
           of
           the
           Soul.
           4
           
           o.
        
         
           —
           Husbandry
           Spiritualized
           ,
           or
           the
           Heavenly
           use
           of
           Earthly
           things
           .
           4
           
           o.
        
         
           —
           Two
           Treatises
           of
           Fear
           and
           Evil
           days
           .
           8
           
           o.
        
         
           —
           Divine
           Conduct
           ,
           or
           the
           Mystery
           of
           Providence
           .
           8
           
           o.
        
         
           —
           The
           Saint
           Indeed
           ,
           the
           great
           Work
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           opened
           and
           pressed
           ,
           from
           Prov●r●
           4.
           23.
           12
           
           o.
        
         
           —
           The
           Touch-stone
           of
           sincerity
           ,
           or
           signs
           of
           Grace
           and
           Symptoms
           of
           Hypocrisie
           .
           Being
           the
           second
           Part
           of
           the
           Saint
           Indeed
           .
        
         
           —
           The
           Seaman's
           Compass
           .
           8
           
           o.
        
         
           —
           The
           Seaman's
           Companion
           ,
           containing
           Six
           Sermons
           suited
           to
           the
           various
           conditions
           of
           Seamen
           .
           12
           
           o.
        
         
           —
           Token
           for
           Mourners
           ,
           or
           Boundaries
           for
           Sorrow
           on
           Death
           of
           Friends
           .
           12
           
           o.
        
         
           —
           Preparation
           for
           Sufferings
           .
           12
           
           o.
        
         
           —
           Sacramental
           Meditations
           .
           12
           
           o.
        
         
           —
           Balm
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           applied
           to
           the
           Bleeding
           Wounds
           of
           Afflicted
           Saints
           .
           12
           
           o.
        
         
           —
           A
           Sermon
           Preached
           at
           the
           Publick
           Thanksgiving
           Feb.
           14.
           1689.
           for
           Englands
           Deliverance
           from
           Popery
           .
        
         
         
           
             Books
             Printed
             for
          
           Matthew
           Wotton
           .
        
         
           
           Smith's
           
           David's
           Repentance
           .
        
         
           —
           Great
           Assize
           .
        
         
           —
           
           David's
           Blessed
           Man.
           
        
         
           
           Dent's
           Plain
           Man's
           Pathway
           to
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           
           Farnaby's
           Rhetorick
           .
        
         
           
           Inet's
           Devout
           Christian
           in
           Three
           Parts
           ,
           first
           ,
           Prayers
           for
           a
           single
           Person
           ;
           secondly
           ,
           Prayers
           for
           a
           Family
           ;
           thirdly
           ,
           A
           Discourse
           on
           ,
           and
           Prayers
           at
           ,
           the
           Sacrament
           .
        
         
           
           Winchester's
           Phrases
           .
        
         
           
           Markham's
           Master
           piece
           .
           4
           
           o.
        
         
           English
           Gardner
           .
           4
           
           o.
        
         
           
           Salmon's
           Dispensatory
           .
        
         
           —
           
             Doron
             Medicum
          
           ,
           or
           Supplement
           to
           the
           Dispensatory
           .
        
         
           
           Baker's
           Arithmetick
           .
        
         
           
           York's
           Arithmetick
           .
        
         
           
           Lucian's
           Dialogues
           Greek
           and
           Latin.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           Si
           accentus
           ,
           Comma
           ,
           Colon
           ,
           Periodus
           omittantur
           ,
           vel
           id
           genus
           lelevior
           a
           occurr
           ant
           festinantis
           preli
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ;
           tuam
           rogatam
           velim
           indulgentiam
           :
           graviora
           quod
           attinet
           ,
           exhibeo
           tibi
           indicem
           ,
           ut
           videre
           est
           .
        
         
           
             In
             the
             Latin
             Epistle
             .
          
           
             PAge
             5.
             line
             9.
             after
             ita
             add
             
               neque
               .
               ib.
            
             read
             Regimen
             .
             p.
             7.
             l.
             6
             for
             &
             r.
             ut
             .
             and
             l.
             18.
             r.
             aperuit
             .
             p.
             10.
             l.
             12.
             r.
             iniquiratum
             .
             p.
             13.
             l.
             6.
             for
             
               quam
               qu●●
            
             .
             p.
             15.
             l.
             4.
             r.
             judicium
             .
             l.
             23.
             for
             aliis
             r.
             alies
             .
             p.
             25.
             l.
             7.
             for
             atques
             r.
             aqtue
             .
             l.
             19.
             r.
             
               Cognitionem
               Dilectionemque
            
             .
          
        
         
           
             In
             the
             Book
             it self
             Correct
             thus
             .
          
           
             Page
             17.
             l.
             23.
             r.
             how
             .
             To.
             p.
             26.
             l.
             3.
             r.
             
               Co
               extended
            
             .
             p
             39.
             l.
             ult
             .
             for
             but
             r.
             and.
             p.
             40.
             l.
             15.
             r.
             
               Angel
               of
               God
            
             p.
             41.
             l.
             14
             for
             World
             r.
             Word
             .
             p.
             53.
             l.
             4.
             r.
             
               a
               point
            
             .
             p.
             57.
             l.
             24.
             r.
             
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               Free
               Grace
            
             .
             p.
             65.
             l.
             23.
             for
             though
             r.
             because
             .
             p.
             95.
             l.
             4.
             r.
             fell
             .
             p.
             142.
             l.
             ult
             .
             r.
             home
             .
             p.
             159.
             l6
             .
             r.
             Four.
             p.
             177.
             l.
             19
             for
             too
             r.
             some
             .
             p.
             192.
             l.
             21.
             r.
             
               the
               Curse
            
             .
             p.
             216.
             l.
             28.
             r.
             your
             .
             p.
             227.
             l.
             21.
             r.
             hold
             .
             p.
             246.
             l.
             1.
             r.
             once
             .
             p.
             251.
             l.
             26.
             for
             by
             r.
             for
             .
             p.
             256.
             l.
             20.
             r.
             Thousands
             .
             p.
             264.
             l.
             9.
             for
             seem
             r.
             serve
             .
             p.
             268.
             l.
             17.
             r.
             which
             .
             p.
             269.
             l.
             17.
             dele
             the.
             p.
             270.
             l.
             29.
             r.
             scared
             .
             p.
             275.
             l.
             23.
             for
             that
             r.
             the.
             p.
             278.
             l.
             1●
             .
             song
             .
             p.
             281.
             
             Marg.
             for
             est
             r.
             &
             p.
             284.
             l.
             22.
             for
             have
             r.
             hear
             .
             p.
             291.
             l.
             23.
             dele
             and.
             p.
             305.
             l.
             19.
             r.
             Word
             .
             p.
             311.
             l.
             ult
             .
             r.
             strikes
             .
             p.
             312.
             l.
             19.
             r.
             you
             .
             p.
             318.
             l.
             7.
             for
             means
             r.
             signs
             .
             p.
             322.
             l.
             5.
             r.
             Christ's
             .
             p.
             326.
             l.
             17.
             r.
             gaining
             .
             p.
             329.
             l.
             25.
             add
             not
             .
             p.
             342.
             l.
             20.
             for
             in
             r.
             with
             .
             p.
             394.
             l.
             7.
             r.
             
               to
               sit
            
             .
             p.
             414.
             l.
             17.
             r.
             believers
             .
             p.
             417.
             l.
             14.
             r.
             hides
             .
             and
             l.
             28.
             r.
             
               poured
               out
            
             .
             P.
             445.
             l.
             3.
             r.
             
               first
               is
               this
               the.
            
             l.
             19.
             dele
             a.
             
          
        
         
           
             In
             the
             Appendix
             .
          
           
             Page
             17.
             line
             11.
             add
             to
             .
             p.
             41.
             l.
             13.
             r.
             
               when
               it
            
             .
             p.
             54.
             1.
             27.
             r.
             
               by
               their
            
             .
             p.
             62.
             l.
             18.
             r.
             abeneus
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           SERMON
           .
           I.
           
        
         
           
             
               Revel
               .
               3.
               20.
               
            
             [
             Behold
             ]
             I
             stand
             at
             the
             door
             ,
             and
             knock
             :
             if
             any
             man
             hear
             my
             voice
             ,
             and
             open
             the
             door
             ,
             I
             will
             come
             in
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             sup
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             he
             with
             me
             .
          
        
         
           THis
           day
           hath
           our
           compassionate
           Redeemer
           opened
           unto
           us
           a
           door
           of
           liberty
           ,
           liberty
           to
           us
           to
           preach
           ,
           and
           liberty
           for
           you
           to
           hear
           the
           glad
           tydings
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           This
           is
           a
           day
           few
           looked
           for
           ;
           how
           often
           have
           I
           said
           in
           the
           years
           that
           are
           past
           ,
           God
           hath
           no
           more
           work
           for
           me
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           I
           shall
           have
           no
           more
           strength
           and
           opportunities
           to
           work
           for
           God
           ?
           And
           how
           often
           have
           you
           said
           in
           your
           hearts
           ,
           we
           have
           sinned
           our
           Ministers
           out
           of
           their
           Pulpits
           ,
           and
           our
           eyes
           shall
           no
           more
           behold
           those
           our
           Teachers
           ?
           But
           lo
           ,
           beyond
           the
           thoughts
           of
           most
           hearts
           ,
           a
           wide
           (
           and
           I
           hope
           )
           an
           effect●al
           door
           is
           now
           opened
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           us
           .
           Oh!
           that
           it
           might
           be
           to
           us
           as
           the
           Valley
           of
           Achor
           was
           to
           
             Israel
             ,
             for
             a
             door
             of
             hope
             :
          
           Hosea
           2.
           15.
           
           (
           
             i.
             e.
          
           )
           not
           only
           making
           the
           troubles
           they
           met
           with
           in
           that
           Valley
           an
           Inlet
           to
           their
           mercies
           ,
           as
           ours
           have
           been
           to
           us
           ;
           but
           giving
           them
           that
           Valley
           
             pignoris
             
             nomine
          
           ,
           as
           a
           pledge
           of
           greater
           mercies
           intended
           for
           them
           .
           Upon
           the
           first
           appearance
           of
           this
           mercy
           ,
           my
           next
           thoughts
           were
           how
           to
           make
           the
           most
           fruitful
           improvement
           of
           it
           amongst
           you
           ,
           lest
           we
           should
           twice
           stumble
           at
           the
           same
           stone
           ,
           and
           sin
           our selves
           back
           again
           into
           our
           old
           bondage
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           contemplation
           of
           this
           matter
           ,
           the
           Lord
           directed
           me
           to
           this
           Scripture
           ,
           wherein
           the
           same
           hand
           that
           opened
           to
           you
           the
           door
           of
           liberty
           ,
           knocks
           importunately
           at
           the
           doors
           of
           your
           hearts
           for
           entrance
           into
           them
           ,
           for
           union
           and
           communion
           with
           them
           .
           It
           will
           be
           sad
           indeed
           if
           he
           that
           hath
           let
           you
           in
           to
           all
           these
           mercies
           ,
           should
           himself
           be
           shut
           out
           of
           your
           hearts
           :
           But
           if
           the
           Lord
           should
           help
           you
           to
           open
           your
           hearts
           now
           to
           Christ
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           this
           door
           of
           liberty
           will
           be
           kept
           open
           to
           you
           ,
           how
           many
           soever
           the
           Adversaries
           be
           that
           envy
           it
           ,
           and
           will
           do
           their
           uttermost
           to
           shut
           it
           up
           ,
           Ezech.
           39.
           29.
           
           The
           mercies
           you
           enjoy
           this
           day
           ,
           are
           the
           fruits
           of
           Christs
           intercession
           with
           the
           Father
           ,
           for
           one
           tryal
           more
           ;
           if
           we
           bring
           forth
           fruit
           ,
           well
           ,
           if
           not
           ,
           
             the
             Ax
             lyeth
             at
             the
             Root
             of
             the
             Tree
             .
          
           Under
           this
           consideration
           I
           desire
           to
           Preach
           ,
           and
           even
           so
           the
           Lord
           help
           you
           to
           hear
           what
           shall
           be
           spoken
           from
           this
           precious
           Scripture
           ,
           
             Behold
             I
             stand
             at
             the
             door
             and
             knock
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           These
           words
           are
           a
           branch
           of
           that
           excellent
           Epistle
           dictated
           by
           Christ
           ,
           and
           sent
           by
           his
           servant
           John
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           Laodicea
           ,
           the
           most
           formal
           ,
           hypocritical
           and
           degenerate
           of
           all
           the
           seven
           Churches
           ;
           yet
           the
           great
           Phisitian
           will
           try
           his
           skill
           upon
           them
           ,
           both
           by
           the
           rebukes
           of
           the
           rod
           ,
           ver
           .
           19.
           and
           by
           the
           perswasive
           power
           of
           the
           word
           ;
           
             ver
             .
             20.
             
             Behold
             ,
             I
             stand
             at
             the
             door
             and
             knock
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
         
           This
           Text
           is
           Christs
           wooing
           voice
           ,
           full
           of
           Heavenly
           Rhetorick
           to
           win
           and
           gain
           the
           hearts
           of
           Sinners
           to
           himself
           ;
           wherein
           we
           have
           these
           two
           general
           parts
           .
           
             
               1.
               
               Christs
               suit
               for
               a
               Sinners
               heart
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               powerful
               Arguments
               enforcing
               his
               suit
               .
            
          
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             Christs
             suit
             for
             a
             Sinners
             heart
             ,
          
           wherein
           we
           
           have
           (
           1st
           )
           the
           solemn
           Preface
           ,
           ushering
           it
           in
           ,
           
             behold
             .
             (
             2dly
          
           )
           the
           suit
           it self
           .
           The
           Preface
           is
           exceeding
           solemn
           ,
           for
           beside
           the
           common
           use
           of
           this
           word
           behold
           ,
           in
           other
           places
           to
           excite
           attention
           ,
           or
           exaggerate
           and
           put
           weight
           into
           an
           affirmation
           ;
           
           it
           stands
           here
           as
           a
           Judicious
           Expositor
           notes
           ,
           as
           a
           term
           of
           notification
           ,
           or
           
             publick
             record
          
           ,
           wherein
           Christ
           takes
           witness
           of
           the
           most
           gracious
           offer
           he
           was
           now
           about
           to
           make
           to
           their
           souls
           ,
           and
           will
           have
           it
           stand
           
             in
             perpetuam
             rei
             memoriam
          
           ,
           as
           a
           testimony
           for
           or
           against
           their
           souls
           to
           all
           Eternity
           ,
           to
           cut
           off
           all
           excuses
           and
           pretences
           for
           time
           to
           come
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           suit
           it self
           ,
           wherein
           we
           have
           
             
               1.
               
               The
               Suitor
               ,
               Jesus
               Christ.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               His
               posture
               and
               action
               ;
               
                 I
                 stand
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 and
                 knock
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               suit
               it self
               ,
               which
               is
               for
               opening
               ,
               
                 If
                 any
                 man
                 open
              
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Suitor
           Christ
           himself
           ,
           I
           stand
           ;
           I
           that
           have
           a
           right
           of
           Sovereignty
           over
           you
           ;
           I
           that
           have
           shed
           my
           invaluable
           blood
           to
           purchase
           you
           ,
           and
           might
           justly
           condemn
           you
           upon
           the
           first
           denial
           
           or
           demur
           ,
           
             behold
             I
             stand
          
           ,
           this
           is
           the
           Suitor
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           His
           posture
           and
           action
           ,
           
             I
             stand
             at
             the
             door
             and
             knock
          
           ;
           
           the
           word
           is
           in
           the
           
             Preter
             Tense
          
           ,
           I
           have
           stood
           ,
           but
           being
           here
           joyned
           with
           another
           Verb
           of
           the
           Present
           Tense
           ,
           it
           is
           fitly
           translated
           ,
           
             I
             stand
          
           ,
           yet
           so
           as
           that
           it
           notes
           
             a
             continued
             action
          
           .
           I
           have
           stood
           and
           do
           still
           stand
           with
           unwearied
           patience
           ;
           I
           once
           stood
           personally
           and
           bodily
           among
           you
           in
           the
           days
           of
           my
           flesh
           ,
           and
           I
           still
           stand
           spiritually
           and
           representatively
           in
           my
           
             Ambassadors
             at
             the
             door
             ,
             (
             i.
             e.
             )
          
           the
           mind
           and
           conscience
           ,
           the
           faculties
           and
           powers
           which
           are
           introductive
           into
           the
           whole
           soul.
           
        
         
           The
           word
           Door
           is
           here
           improperly
           put
           to
           signify
           those
           introductive
           faculties
           of
           the
           soul
           which
           are
           of
           a
           like
           use
           to
           it
           ,
           as
           the
           Door
           is
           to
           the
           House
           .
           This
           is
           the
           
           Redeemer's
           posture
           ,
           his
           action
           is
           
             knocking
             ;
             (
             i.
             e.
          
           )
           his
           powerful
           essays
           ,
           and
           gracious
           attempts
           to
           open
           the
           heart
           to
           give
           him
           admission
           .
           The
           word
           Knock
           signifies
           a
           strong
           and
           powerful
           knock
           ,
           
           he
           stands
           patiently
           ,
           and
           knocks
           powerfully
           by
           the
           Word
           outwardly
           ,
           by
           the
           convictions
           ,
           motions
           ,
           impulses
           ,
           strivings
           ,
           and
           instigations
           of
           his
           Spirit
           inwardly
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           design
           and
           end
           of
           the
           Suit
           ,
           it
           is
           for
           
             opening
             (
             i.
             e.
          
           )
           consenting
           ,
           receiving
           ,
           embracing
           and
           hearty
           accepting
           of
           him
           by
           faith
           .
           
             Acts
             16.
             14.
             
             The
             Lord
             opened
             the
             heart
             of
          
           Lydia
           ,
           
             (
             i.
             e.
          
           )
           perswaded
           her
           soul
           to
           believe
           ;
           implying
           ,
           that
           the
           heart
           by
           nature
           is
           strongly
           barr'd
           and
           lock'd
           up
           against
           Christ
           ,
           and
           that
           nothing
           but
           a
           power
           from
           him
           can
           open
           it
           .
        
         
           
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           powerful
           Arguments
           and
           Motives
           used
           by
           Christ
           to
           obtain
           his
           Suit
           ,
           and
           get
           a
           grant
           from
           the
           Sinners
           heart
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           
           drawn
           from
           two
           inestimable
           benefits
           accrewing
           to
           the
           opening
           or
           believing
           soul.
           viz.
           
        
         
           
             1.
             
             Union
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Communion
             with
             Christ.
             
          
        
         
           1.
           
           
             Vnion
             ,
             I
             will
             come
             in
             to
             him
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           I
           will
           unite
           my self
           with
           the
           opening
           believing
           soul
           ,
           he
           shall
           be
           mystically
           one
           with
           me
           ,
           and
           I
           with
           him
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           
             Communion
             ,
             I
             will
             sup
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             he
             with
             me
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           I
           will
           feast
           the
           believing
           soul
           with
           the
           delicates
           of
           Heaven
           .
           Such
           comforts
           ,
           such
           joys
           ,
           such
           pleasures
           as
           none
           in
           the
           World
           but
           Believers
           are
           capable
           of
           .
        
         
           And
           to
           set
           home
           all
           ,
           these
           special
           benefits
           are
           proposed
           by
           Christ
           to
           all
           sorts
           of
           Sinners
           great
           and
           small
           ,
           old
           and
           young
           ,
           
             if
             any
             man
             hear
             my
             voice
             and
             open
             the
             door
             ,
          
           that
           so
           no
           soul
           might
           be
           discouraged
           from
           believing
           ,
           by
           the
           greatness
           or
           multitude
           of
           his
           sins
           ,
           but
           the
           vilest
           of
           Sinners
           may
           see
           free
           grace
           triumphing
           over
           all
           their
           unworthiness
           ,
           upon
           their
           consent
           to
           take
           Christ
           according
           to
           the
           gracious
           offers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           The
           words
           thus
           opened
           ,
           afford
           many
           great
           and
           useful
           points
           of
           Doctrine
           ,
           comprehending
           in
           them
           the
           very
           sum
           and
           substance
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           The
           first
           which
           ariseth
           from
           the
           solemn
           and
           remarkable
           Preface
           Behold
           ,
           will
           be
           this
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             DOCTRINE
             .
          
           
             That
             every
             offer
             of
             Christ
             to
             the
             Souls
             of
             Sinners
             is
             recorded
             and
             witnessed
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             day
             of
             account
             and
             r●ckoning
             .
             
          
           
           
             Here
             we
             shall
             enquire
             into
             three
             things
             .
          
           
             
               1.
               
               Who
               are
               Gods
               Witnesses
               to
               all
               Gospel
               tenders
               ?
            
             
               2.
               
               What
               are
               the
               object
               matters
               they
               witness
               to
               ?
            
             
               3.
               
               Why
               God
               records
               every
               offer
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               takes
               witness
               thereof
               ?
            
          
           
             
             First
             ,
             Who
             are
             Gods
             Witnesses
             to
             all
             the
             tenders
             and
             offers
             made
             of
             Christ
             by
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             they
             will
             be
             found
             to
             be
             more
             than
             a
             strict
             legal
             number
             ;
             for
          
           
             1.
             
             His
             Ministers
             by
             whom
             he
             makes
             them
             are
             all
             Witnesses
             as
             well
             as
             Officers
             of
             Christ
             to
             the
             People
             ,
             
               Acts
               26.
               16.
               
               I
               have
               appeared
               unto
               thee
               for
               this
               purpose
               ,
               to
               make
               thee
               a
               Minister
               and
               a
               Witness
               .
            
             Here
             you
             see
             Ministers
             have
             a
             double
             office
             to
             propose
             and
             offer
             Christ
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             bear
             witness
             for
             or
             against
             those
             to
             whom
             he
             is
             thus
             offered
             :
             They
             are
             expresly
             called
             Gods
             Witnesses
             ,
             Rev.
             11.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
             Their
             labours
             witness
             ,
             their
             sufferings
             witness
             ,
             their
             solemn
             appeals
             to
             God
             witness
             ,
             yea
             ,
             the
             very
             dust
             of
             their
             feet
             shaken
             off
             against
             the
             refusers
             of
             Christ
             ,
             turns
             to
             a
             testimony
             against
             them
             ;
             Mark
             6.
             11.
             
             Every
             groan
             and
             sigh
             ,
             every
             drop
             of
             sweat
             ,
             much
             more
             of
             blood
             ,
             are
             placed
             in
             Gods
             Book
             as
             Marginal
             Notes
             by
             all
             their
             Sermons
             and
             Prayers
             ,
             and
             will
             be
             produced
             and
             read
             in
             the
             great
             day
             against
             all
             the
             refusers
             and
             despisers
             of
             Christ.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Gospel
             it self
             which
             is
             preached
             to
             you
             is
             a
             Testimony
             or
             Witness
             for
             God
             ,
             for
             or
             against
             every
             one
             that
             hears
             it
             ,
             
               Iohn
               12.
               48.
               
               He
               that
               rejecteth
               me
               ,
               and
               receiveth
               not
               my
               words
               ,
               hath
               
               one
               that
               judgeth
               him
               ;
               the
               word
               that
               I
               have
               spoken
               ,
               the
               same
               shall
               judge
               him
               in
               the
               last
               day
               .
            
             And
             this
             is
             the
             sense
             of
             Christs
             words
             ,
             
               Matth.
               24.
               14.
               
               And
               this
               Gospel
               of
               the
               Kingdom
               shall
               be
               preached
               in
               all
               the
               World
               ,
               for
               a
               Witness
               to
               all
               Nations
               ,
               and
               then
               shall
               the
               end
               come
               .
            
             Ah
             Lord
             ,
             what
             a
             solemn
             record
             is
             here
             !
             Every
             Sermon
             you
             hear
             ,
             yea
             ,
             every
             reproof
             ,
             perswasion
             and
             conviction
             is
             a
             Witness
             for
             God
             to
             cast
             and
             condemn
             every
             Soul
             in
             Judgement
             ,
             that
             complies
             not
             obediently
             with
             the
             calls
             of
             the
             Gospel
             :
             So
             many
             Sermons
             ,
             so
             many
             Witnesses
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Every
             mans
             own
             conscience
             is
             a
             Witness
             for
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             hath
             a
             fair
             offer
             once
             made
             him
             ;
             the
             very
             consciences
             of
             the
             Heathens
             that
             never
             saw
             a
             Bible
             ,
             that
             had
             no
             other
             Preachers
             but
             the
             Sun
             ,
             Moon
             and
             Stars
             ,
             and
             other
             works
             of
             Nature
             ;
             yet
             of
             them
             the
             Apostle
             saith
             ,
             
               Rom.
               2.
               15.
               
               That
               they
               shew
               the
               work
               of
               the
               Law
               written
               in
               their
               hearts
               ,
               their
               conscience
               also
               bearing
               witness
               ,
               and
               their
               thoughts
               the
               mean
               while
               accusing
               or
               excusing
               one
               another
               .
            
             Certainly
             if
             such
             vigour
             and
             activity
             was
             put
             into
             the
             consciences
             of
             Heathens
             ,
             who
             could
             only
             read
             the
             will
             of
             God
             by
             the
             dim
             Moon-light
             of
             natural
             reason
             ;
             how
             much
             more
             vigorous
             and
             active
             will
             conscience
             be
             in
             its
             accusing
             office
             against
             all
             that
             live
             under
             the
             bright
             beams
             of
             Gospel
             light
             ?
             Their
             consciences
             will
             be
             swift
             Witnesses
             ,
             and
             will
             ring
             sad
             Peals
             in
             their
             ears
             another
             day
             .
             
               You
               shall
               know
               that
               there
               hath
               been
               a
               Prophet
               among
               you
               ,
               Ezek.
               2.
               5.
               
            
             This
             single
             Witness
             is
             instead
             of
             a
             thousand
             Witnesses
             for
             God.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             examples
             of
             all
             those
             that
             do
             believe
             and
             obey
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             are
             so
             many
             Witnesses
             for
             God
             against
             the
             despisers
             and
             neglecters
             of
             the
             
             great
             Salvation
             .
             Every
             mourning
             trembling
             Soul
             among
             you
             is
             a
             Witness
             against
             all
             the
             dead
             hearted
             ,
             unbelieving
             ,
             disobedient
             ones
             ,
             that
             sit
             with
             them
             under
             the
             same
             ordinances
             .
             Hence
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               6.
               7.
               
               Know
               ye
               not
               that
               the
               Saints
               shall
               judge
               the
               World
               ?
            
             They
             shall
             be
             Assessors
             with
             Christ
             in
             the
             great
             day
             ,
             and
             condemn
             the
             world
             by
             their
             examples
             ,
             as
             Noah
             did
             the
             old
             world
             ;
             and
             thus
             
               Matth.
               21.
               32.
            
             
             John
             
               came
               unto
               you
               in
               the
               way
               of
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               ye
               believed
               him
               not
               ,
               but
               the
               Publicans
               and
               Harlots
               believed
               him
               ,
               and
               ye
               when
               ye
               had
               seen
               it
               ,
               repented
               not
               afterward
               that
               ye
               might
               believe
               him
               .
            
             q.
             d.
             What
             shift
             did
             you
             make
             to
             quiet
             your
             consciences
             ,
             and
             stifle
             your
             convictions
             ,
             when
             you
             saw
             Publicans
             the
             worst
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             Harlots
             the
             worst
             of
             women
             ,
             repenting
             ,
             believing
             and
             hungering
             after
             Christ
             !
             Their
             examples
             shall
             be
             your
             Judges
             .
             These
             are
             Gods
             Witnesses
             .
          
           
             
             Secondly
             ,
             Next
             let
             us
             consider
             what
             are
             the
             
               object
               matters
            
             unto
             which
             they
             give
             their
             testimony
             ,
             and
             that
             will
             be
             found
             two-fold
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             two-fold
             event
             the
             Gospel
             hath
             upon
             them
             that
             hear
             it
             :
             of
             both
             which
             ,
             the
             Apostle
             gives
             us
             this
             account
             ,
             
               2
               Cor.
               2.
               16.
               
               Vnto
               some
               we
               are
               the
               savour
               of
               life
               unto
               life
               ,
               and
               unto
               others
               the
               savour
               of
               death
               unto
               death
               .
            
             Accordingly
             a
             double
             Record
             is
             made
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             Of
             the
             obedience
             and
             faith
             of
             some
             ,
             which
             Record
             will
             be
             produced
             to
             their
             joy
             and
             comfort
             in
             the
             day
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             
               when
               he
               shall
               come
               to
               be
               glorified
               in
               his
               Saints
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               admired
               in
               all
               them
               that
               believe
               ,
               because
               our
               testimony
               among
               you
               was
               believed
               in
               that
               day
               .
            
             Ministers
             are
             Instruments
             of
             espousing
             Souls
             to
             Christ
             ,
             and
             Witnesses
             to
             those
             espousals
             and
             contracts
             made
             betwixt
             him
             and
             
             them
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             11.
             2.
             
             Both
             these
             offices
             are
             exceeding
             grateful
             ,
             and
             pleasant
             to
             every
             faithful
             Minister
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             A
             Record
             is
             made
             ,
             and
             Witness
             taken
             of
             all
             the
             refusals
             ,
             disobedience
             ,
             and
             slightings
             of
             Christ
             by
             others
             .
             Thus
             Moses
             will
             be
             the
             accuser
             of
             the
             Jews
             ,
             
               John
               5.
               45.
               
               Do
               not
               think
               I
               will
               accuse
               you
               to
               the
               Father
               ,
               there
               is
               one
               that
               accuseth
               you
               ,
               even
               Moses
               in
               whom
               you
               trust
               .
            
             This
             is
             the
             saddest
             part
             of
             a
             Ministers-work
             ;
             the
             fore-thoughts
             of
             it
             are
             more
             afflictive
             than
             all
             our
             Labours
             and
             Sufferings
             .
             There
             is
             a
             three-fold
             Record
             made
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             (
             1st
             .
             )
             Of
             the
             time
             men
             have
             enjoyed
             under
             the
             means
             of
             Salvation
             ;
             how
             many
             years
             they
             have
             sat
             barren
             and
             dead
             hearted
             ,
             under
             the
             labours
             of
             Gods
             faithful
             Ministers
             ,
             
               Luke
               13.
               7.
               
               Behold
               these
               three
               years
               I
               come
               seeking
               fruit
               on
               this
               Fig-tree
               and
               find
               none
               .
            
             Behold
             the
             same
             term
             of
             Notification
             with
             that
             in
             the
             Text
             ,
             applyed
             to
             the
             time
             of
             Gods
             patience
             towards
             them
             :
             And
             again
             ,
             
               Ier.
               25.
               3.
               
               From
               the
               thirteenth
               year
               of
            
             Josiah
             
               even
               unto
               this
               day
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               three
               and
               twentieth
               year
               )
               the
               word
               of
               the
               Lord
               hath
               come
               unto
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               have
               spoken
               unto
               you
               rising
               early
               ,
               and
               speaking
               ,
               but
               ye
               have
               not
               hearkened
               .
            
             Oh
             consider
             all
             the
             years
             and
             days
             you
             have
             spent
             under
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             are
             upon
             your
             Dooms-day-book
             .
             (
             2dly
             ,
             )
             Records
             are
             also
             made
             of
             all
             the
             instruments
             that
             ever
             God
             employed
             for
             the
             Conversion
             and
             Salvation
             of
             your
             Souls
             .
             So
             many
             Ministers
             ,
             whether
             fixed
             or
             transient
             ,
             as
             have
             spent
             their
             labours
             upon
             you
             ,
             are
             upon
             the
             Book
             of
             your
             account
             .
             
               Ier.
               25.
               4.
               
               The
               Lord
               hath
               sent
               unto
               you
               all
               his
               servants
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               rising
               early
               and
               sending
               them
               ,
               but
               ye
               have
               not
               hearkened
               ,
               nor
               enclined
               your
               ear
               to
               hear
               .
            
             They
             
             have
             wasted
             their
             Lungs
             ,
             dropt
             their
             compassionate
             tears
             ,
             and
             burnt
             down
             one
             after
             another
             as
             Candles
             to
             direct
             you
             to
             Christ
             and
             Salvation
             ,
             but
             all
             in
             vain
             .
             (
             3dly
             ,
             )
             Every
             call
             ,
             perswasion
             and
             argument
             used
             by
             them
             to
             espouse
             you
             to
             Christ
             ,
             is
             likewise
             upon
             the
             Book
             of
             account
             ,
             
               Prov.
               1.
               24.
               25.
               
               Because
               I
               have
               called
               and
               you
               refused
               ,
               I
               have
               stretched
               my
               hand
               ,
               and
               no
               man
               regarded
               ,
               but
               you
               have
               set
               at
               nought
               all
               my
               counsels
               ,
               and
               would
               none
               of
               my
               reproofs
               .
            
             These
             calls
             and
             counsels
             are
             of
             too
             great
             value
             with
             God
             ,
             (
             though
             of
             none
             with
             you
             )
             to
             be
             lost
             and
             left
             out
             of
             your
             account
             .
          
           
             
             Thirdly
             ,
             we
             shall
             in
             the
             last
             place
             inquire
             into
             the
             grounds
             and
             reasons
             of
             these
             Judicial
             procedures
             of
             God
             ,
             why
             he
             will
             have
             every
             mans
             obedience
             and
             disobedience
             Registred
             and
             Witnessed
             for
             or
             against
             him
             under
             Gospel
             administrations
             ;
             and
             there
             are
             two
             weighty
             reasons
             thereof
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             
             that
             wherever
             the
             end
             of
             the
             Gospel
             is
             attained
             in
             the
             Conversion
             of
             any
             soul
             ,
             that
             soul
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             were
             instrumentally
             employ'd
             about
             the
             salvation
             of
             it
             ,
             may
             have
             their
             proper
             reward
             and
             comfort
             in
             the
             great
             day
             ,
             
               2
               Cor.
               1.
               14.
               
               As
               also
               you
               have
               acknowledged
               us
               in
               part
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               your
               rejoycing
               ,
               even
               as
               ye
               also
               are
               ours
               in
               the
               day
               of
               the
               Lord
               Iesus
               .
            
             This
             will
             be
             matter
             of
             joy
             unspeakable
             ,
             both
             to
             you
             that
             shall
             receive
             ,
             and
             to
             them
             that
             shall
             give
             such
             a
             comfortable
             testimony
             for
             you
             .
             Oh
             the
             joyful
             congratulations
             that
             will
             be
             in
             that
             day
             between
             Laborious
             Faithful
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             their
             Believing
             Obedient
             Hearers
             !
             Lord
             ,
             this
             was
             the
             blessed
             instrument
             of
             my
             happy
             Illumination
             and
             Conversion
             ;
             though
             
             I
             might
             have
             ten
             thousand
             Instructers
             in
             Christ
             ,
             yet
             not
             many
             Fathers
             ;
             for
             by
             the
             blessing
             of
             thy
             Spirit
             upon
             this
             mans
             Ministry
             ,
             my
             Soul
             was
             begotten
             to
             Christ.
             And
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             these
             are
             the
             Souls
             for
             whom
             I
             travelled
             as
             in
             birth
             until
             Christ
             was
             formed
             in
             them
             .
             'T
             is
             a
             glorious
             thing
             to
             say
             as
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             
               Here
               am
               I
               ,
               and
               the
               children
               God
               hath
               given
               me
               .
            
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             those
             that
             were
             but
             collaterally
             useful
             to
             help
             on
             the
             work
             of
             God
             begun
             by
             others
             ,
             must
             not
             lose
             their
             reward
             in
             that
             day
             ,
             
               Iohn
               4.
               36.
               
               And
               he
               that
               reapeth
               receiveth
               wages
               ,
               and
               gathereth
               fruit
               unto
               life
               eternal
               ,
               that
               both
               he
               that
               soweth
               and
               he
               that
               reapeth
               may
               rejoyce
               together
               .
            
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             
             Records
             are
             now
             made
             ,
             and
             Witnesses
             taken
             ,
             that
             thereby
             the
             Judicial
             Sentence
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             in
             the
             last
             day
             may
             be
             made
             clear
             and
             perspicuous
             to
             all
             the
             world
             ;
             that
             every
             mouth
             may
             be
             stopt
             ,
             and
             no
             Plea
             or
             Apology
             left
             in
             the
             mouth
             of
             any
             condemned
             Sinner
             .
             For
             Christ
             in
             that
             day
             cometh
             
               to
               convince
               all
               that
               are
               ungodly
               ,
               Iude
               ver
               .
               15.
            
             to
             convince
             by
             demonstration
             ,
             that
             all
             that
             are
             Christless
             now
             ,
             may
             be
             found
             speechless
             then
             ,
             Matth.
             22.
             12.
             
             Here
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             
               Psal.
               1.
               5.
               
               That
               the
               wicked
               shall
               not
               stand
               ,
               or
               rise
               up
               in
               the
               Iudgment
               .
            
             And
             no
             wonder
             when
             so
             many
             full
             testimonies
             and
             unexceptionable
             Witnesses
             shall
             come
             point
             blank
             against
             them
             ,
             the
             Minister
             that
             preach'd
             ,
             the
             word
             they
             preached
             ,
             their
             own
             consciences
             ,
             and
             the
             examples
             of
             all
             Believers
             will
             be
             produced
             against
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
             1.
             
             INFERENCE
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             
               The
               undoubted
               certainty
               of
               a
               day
               of
               Iudgment
               ,
               is
               hence
               evinced
               .
            
             To
             what
             purpose
             else
             are
             
             Records
             made
             ,
             and
             Witnesses
             taken
             ,
             but
             with
             respect
             to
             an
             Audit
             day
             ;
             this
             is
             a
             truth
             sealed
             upon
             the
             consciences
             of
             the
             very
             Heathens
             ,
             Rom.
             2.
             15.
             
               their
               consciences
               bear
               witness
            
             .
             But
             in
             vain
             are
             all
             these
             Records
             made
             ,
             unless
             there
             be
             a
             day
             to
             produce
             and
             plead
             them
             ,
             and
             of
             that
             day
             the
             Prophet
             Daniel
             speaks
             ,
             
               Dan.
               7.
               10.
               
               The
               Iudgment
               was
               set
               ,
               and
               the
               Books
               were
               opened
               .
            
             And
             again
             ,
             Rev.
             20.
             12.
             
             
               And
               I
               saw
               the
               Dead
               small
               and
               great
               stand
               before
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Books
               were
               opened
               ,
               and
               another
               Book
               was
               opened
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Book
               of
               Life
               ,
               and
               the
               Dead
               were
               judged
               out
               of
               those
               things
               which
               were
               written
               in
               the
               Books
               according
               to
               their
               works
               .
            
          
           
             Believe
             it
             Friends
             ,
             these
             are
             no
             devised
             Fables
             ,
             but
             most
             awful
             and
             infallible
             truths
             ;
             according
             to
             the
             saving
             effects
             the
             Gospel
             now
             hath
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             a
             time
             of
             refreshing
             to
             our
             Souls
             ,
             Acts
             3.
             19.
             to
             all
             others
             a
             day
             of
             terrour
             ,
             wrath
             and
             amazement
             ,
             2
             
               Thes.
               1.
               7
               ,
               8.
               
               The
               day
               in
               which
               the
               Lord
               Iesus
               shall
               be
               revealed
               from
               Heaven
               with
               his
               mighty
               Angels
               in
               flaming
               Fire
               ,
               taking
               vengeance
               on
               them
               that
               know
               not
               God
               ,
               and
               that
               obey
               not
               the
               Gospel
               of
               our
               Lord
               Iesus
               Christ.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             2.
             
             INFER
             .
          
           
             
               What
               a
               spur
               is
               here
               to
               Ministerial
               diligence
               and
               faithfulness
               ?
            
             'T
             is
             an
             awful
             work
             that
             is
             under
             our
             hands
             ;
             the
             effects
             of
             the
             Gospel
             which
             we
             preach
             will
             be
             the
             savour
             of
             life
             or
             Death
             to
             them
             that
             hear
             us
             .
             If
             the
             Lord
             prosper
             it
             in
             our
             hands
             ,
             we
             shall
             be
             witnesses
             for
             you
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             an
             addition
             to
             our
             glory
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             
               Dan.
               12.
               3.
               
               They
               that
               turn
               many
               to
               righteousness
               ,
               shall
               shine
               as
               the
               brightness
               of
               the
               Firmament
               ,
               and
               as
               the
               Stars
               for
               ever
               and
               ever
               .
            
             
             But
             if
             we
             be
             Ignorant
             ,
             Lazy
             ,
             Men-pleasers
             ,
             our
             people
             will
             come
             in
             as
             swift
             Witnesses
             against
             us
             ,
             and
             their
             blood
             will
             be
             required
             at
             our
             hands
             ;
             it
             will
             be
             an
             intollerable
             aggravation
             to
             our
             misery
             in
             Hell
             ,
             to
             have
             any
             that
             sat
             under
             our
             Ministry
             thus
             upbraiding
             us
             !
             
               O
               cruel
               man
               !
               thou
               sawest
               my
               soul
               in
               danger
               ,
               and
               never
               dealt
               faithfully
               and
               plainly
               with
               me
               ;
               the
               same
               time
               and
               breath
               which
               was
               spent
               in
               idle
               and
               worldly
               discourse
               ,
               might
               have
               been
               instrumental
               to
               have
               sav'd
               me
               from
               this
               place
               of
               torment
               .
            
             Let
             Ministers
             consider
             themselves
             as
             Witnesses
             for
             God
             ,
             and
             their
             People
             as
             Witnesses
             for
             or
             against
             them
             ;
             and
             under
             that
             consideration
             ,
             so
             study
             ,
             preach
             and
             pray
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             with
             Paul
             take
             God
             to
             record
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             free
             from
             the
             blood
             of
             all
             men
             ;
             no
             sort
             of
             men
             upon
             earth
             have
             more
             spurs
             to
             diligence
             and
             faithfulness
             than
             we
             have
             .
          
        
         
           
             3.
             
             INFER
             .
          
           
             
               What
               a
               Pill
               is
               this
               to
               purge
               formality
               out
               of
               all
               that
               hear
               us
               ?
            
             every
             Sabbath
             ,
             every
             Sermon
             is
             recorded
             in
             Heaven
             for
             or
             against
             your
             souls
             ;
             at
             what
             rate
             soever
             you
             attend
             to
             the
             word
             ,
             all
             that
             you
             hear
             is
             set
             down
             in
             the
             book
             of
             your
             account
             ;
             think
             not
             you
             shall
             return
             as
             you
             came
             ,
             the
             word
             will
             have
             its
             effect
             and
             end
             ,
             it
             shall
             not
             return
             in
             vain
             ,
             but
             shall
             accomplish
             the
             end
             for
             which
             it
             is
             sent
             ,
             Isaiah
             55.
             11.
             
             The
             decrees
             of
             Heaven
             are
             executed
             by
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             some
             souls
             shall
             be
             quickened
             ,
             and
             others
             shall
             be
             slain
             by
             the
             words
             of
             Gods
             mouth
             ,
             Ezek.
             47.
             9
             ,
             10.
             
             The
             Gospel
             is
             a
             River
             of
             the
             waters
             of
             Life
             ,
             which
             quickens
             and
             refreshes
             every
             thing
             that
             lives
             ;
             but
             the
             myre
             and
             marish
             places
             shall
             not
             be
             healed
             .
             How
             
             weighty
             therefore
             is
             that
             caution
             of
             our
             blessed
             Lord
             ,
             
               Luke
               8.
               18.
               
               Take
               heed
               how
               you
               hear
               ?
            
             When
             you
             come
             under
             an
             ordinance
             ,
             you
             are
             sowing
             seed
             for
             Eternity
             ,
             Gal.
             6.
             7
             ,
             8.
             
             Which
             will
             spring
             up
             in
             the
             world
             to
             come
             .
             Preaching
             and
             hearing
             may
             be
             considered
             two
             ways
             ,
             Physically
             or
             Morally
             ,
             in
             the
             former
             respect
             ,
             these
             acts
             are
             quickly
             over
             and
             pass
             away
             :
             I
             shall
             by
             and
             by
             have
             done
             preaching
             ,
             and
             you
             hearing
             ,
             this
             Sermon
             will
             be
             ended
             in
             a
             little
             time
             ,
             but
             the
             consequences
             thereof
             will
             abide
             for
             ever
             .
             Therefore
             for
             the
             Lords
             sake
             ,
             away
             with
             formality
             ,
             no
             more
             drowsie
             eyes
             or
             wandering
             thoughts
             .
             Oh
             when
             you
             come
             to
             attend
             upon
             the
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             that
             such
             thoughts
             as
             these
             might
             prepare
             your
             minds
             !
             The
             word
             I
             am
             going
             to
             hear
             will
             quicken
             or
             kill
             ,
             save
             or
             damn
             my
             soul
             ;
             if
             I
             sit
             dead
             under
             it
             ,
             and
             return
             barren
             from
             it
             ,
             I
             shall
             with
             one
             day
             that
             I
             had
             never
             seen
             the
             face
             of
             that
             Minister
             ,
             nor
             heard
             his
             voice
             that
             preached
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             4.
             
             INFER
             .
          
           
             
               What
               a
               dreadful
               condition
               are
               all
               those
               in
               that
               are
               real
               and
               professed
               Enemies
               to
               the
               Gospel
               and
               them
               that
               preach
               it
               !
            
             That
             instead
             of
             embracing
             and
             obeying
             the
             message
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             reject
             and
             despise
             it
             ;
             instead
             of
             opening
             their
             hearts
             to
             receive
             it
             ,
             open
             their
             blasphemous
             mouths
             against
             it
             to
             deride
             it
             ,
             and
             hiss
             it
             (
             if
             it
             were
             possible
             )
             out
             of
             the
             world
             .
             Ah
             ,
             what
             a
             book
             of
             remembrance
             is
             written
             for
             such
             men
             ?
             I
             fear
             there
             never
             was
             an
             age
             since
             Christianity
             blessed
             this
             Nation
             ,
             that
             was
             more
             deeply
             drench'd
             in
             the
             guilt
             of
             this
             sin
             than
             the
             present
             age
             .
             How
             are
             the
             Messengers
             of
             the
             
             Gospel
             slighted
             and
             rejected
             ?
             What
             have
             we
             done
             to
             deserve
             it
             ?
             Is
             not
             our
             case
             this
             day
             much
             like
             that
             of
             the
             Prophet
             ?
             
               Ier.
               18.
               20.
               
               Shall
               evil
               be
               recompensed
               for
               good
               ?
               for
               they
               have
               digged
               a
               Pit
               for
               my
               Soul
               ;
               remember
               that
               I
               stood
               before
               thee
               to
               speak
               good
               for
               them
               ,
               and
               to
               turn
               away
               thy
               wrath
               from
               them
               .
            
             What
             bruitish
             madness
             hath
             possest
             the
             souls
             of
             these
             men
             ?
             but
             alas
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             so
             much
             they
             ,
             as
             Satan
             acting
             in
             them
             ;
             he
             is
             a
             jealous
             Prince
             ,
             the
             Gospel
             allarms
             him
             ,
             his
             Subjects
             are
             in
             danger
             of
             revolting
             from
             him
             :
             No
             wonder
             therefore
             he
             makes
             an
             out-cry
             at
             the
             liberty
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             as
             is
             used
             to
             be
             made
             when
             an
             Enemy
             invades
             a
             Kingdom
             .
             In
             this
             case
             Christ
             directs
             his
             Ministers
             to
             shake
             off
             the
             dust
             of
             their
             feet
             for
             a
             testimony
             against
             them
             ,
             Mark
             6.
             11.
             
             The
             signification
             and
             meaning
             whereof
             is
             this
             ,
             that
             look
             as
             you
             shake
             off
             the
             dust
             of
             your
             feet
             ,
             even
             so
             Jesus
             Christ
             will
             shake
             off
             those
             men
             that
             despise
             the
             Gospel
             and
             abuse
             its
             Messengers
             .
          
        
         
           
             5.
             
             INFER
             .
          
           
             Hence
             it
             likewise
             follows
             ,
             
               that
               the
               case
               of
               the
               Pagan
               world
               will
               be
               easier
               in
               the
               day
               of
               Iudgment
               ,
               than
               theirs
               that
               live
               and
               dye
               unregenerate
               and
               disobedient
               under
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ.
            
             There
             are
             more
             Witnesses
             prepared
             ,
             and
             Records
             filed
             against
             the
             day
             of
             your
             account
             ,
             than
             can
             possibly
             be
             against
             them
             ;
             they
             have
             abused
             but
             one
             talent
             ,
             the
             light
             of
             nature
             ;
             but
             we
             thousands
             ,
             even
             as
             many
             thousands
             as
             we
             have
             had
             opportunities
             and
             calls
             under
             the
             Gospel
             .
             Upon
             this
             account
             Christ
             saith
             ,
             
               Matth.
               10.
               14
               ,
               15.
               
               Whosoever
               shall
               not
               receive
               you
               ,
               nor
               hear
               your
               words
               ,
               shake
               off
               the
               dust
               
               of
               your
               feet
               .
               Verily
               ,
               I
               say
               unto
               you
               ,
               it
               shall
               be
               more
               tolerable
               for
               the
               land
               of
            
             Sodom
             and
             Gomorrah
             
               in
               the
               day
               of
               Iudgment
               ,
               than
               for
               that
               City
               .
            
          
           
             Ah
             ,
             what
             a
             fearful
             Aggravation
             doth
             it
             put
             upon
             our
             sin
             and
             misery
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             not
             only
             accountable
             for
             all
             the
             light
             we
             had
             ,
             but
             for
             all
             that
             we
             might
             have
             had
             in
             the
             Gospel
             day
             !
             Capernaum
             was
             lifted
             up
             to
             Heaven
             in
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             means
             and
             precious
             opportunities
             ,
             and
             had
             an
             answerable
             downfall
             into
             the
             depth
             of
             misery
             from
             that
             height
             of
             mercy
             ;
             as
             the
             higher
             any
             one
             is
             lifted
             up
             upon
             a
             Rack
             ,
             the
             more
             terrible
             is
             the
             jerk
             he
             receives
             by
             the
             fall
             ,
             Matth.
             11.
             23.
             
          
        
         
           
             6.
             
             INFER
             .
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             hence
             it
             appears
             ,
             
               that
               the
               day
               of
               Iudgment
               must
               certainly
               take
               up
               a
               vast
               space
               of
               time
               :
            
             For
             if
             God
             will
             bring
             every
             thing
             into
             Judgment
             ,
             Eccles.
             12.
             14.
             not
             only
             sinful
             actions
             ,
             but
             words
             ,
             Matth.
             12.
             36.
             not
             only
             words
             ,
             but
             heart
             secrets
             ,
             Rom.
             2.
             16.
             
             If
             all
             the
             Records
             and
             Registers
             now
             made
             ,
             shall
             then
             be
             opened
             and
             read
             ,
             all
             the
             Witnesses
             for
             or
             against
             every
             man
             examined
             and
             heard
             ;
             judge
             then
             what
             a
             vast
             space
             of
             time
             will
             that
             great
             day
             take
             up
             .
             Some
             Divines
             are
             of
             opinion
             it
             may
             last
             as
             long
             as
             the
             World
             hath
             lasted
             ,
             but
             this
             is
             sure
             ,
             things
             will
             not
             be
             hudled
             up
             ,
             nor
             shuffled
             over
             in
             haste
             ;
             you
             have
             taken
             your
             time
             for
             Sinning
             ,
             and
             God
             will
             take
             his
             time
             for
             Judging
             .
          
           
             Consider
             the
             multitudes
             ,
             multitudes
             without
             number
             ,
             that
             are
             to
             be
             Judged
             in
             that
             day
             ,
             even
             all
             the
             posterity
             of
             Adam
             ,
             which
             are
             as
             the
             Sand
             
             upon
             the
             Sea
             shore
             ;
             that
             not
             only
             so
             many
             persons
             ,
             but
             all
             that
             they
             have
             done
             ,
             must
             come
             into
             Judgment
             ,
             even
             the
             very
             thoughts
             of
             their
             Hearts
             ,
             which
             never
             came
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             Men
             ;
             their
             Consciences
             to
             be
             interrogated
             ,
             all
             other
             Witnesses
             fully
             heard
             and
             examined
             ;
             how
             great
             a
             day
             must
             this
             day
             of
             the
             Lord
             then
             be
             ?
          
        
         
           
             The
             Second
             Vse
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             main
             Use
             of
             this
             Point
             will
             be
             for
             Exhortation
             ,
             that
             seeing
             all
             the
             offers
             of
             Christ
             are
             recorded
             and
             witnessed
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             a
             day
             of
             account
             ,
             every
             one
             of
             you
             would
             therefore
             immediately
             embrace
             the
             present
             gracious
             tender
             of
             Christ
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             as
             ever
             you
             expect
             to
             be
             acquitted
             and
             cleared
             in
             that
             great
             day
             :
             take
             heed
             of
             denials
             ,
             nay
             of
             delays
             and
             demurs
             ;
             
               For
               if
               the
               word
               spoken
               by
               Angels
               were
               stedfast
               ,
               and
               every
               transgression
               and
               disobedience
               received
               a
               just
               recompence
               of
               reward
               ;
               how
               shall
               we
               escape
               if
               we
               neglect
               so
               great
               Salvation
               ?
            
             Heb.
             2.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
             The
             question
             is
             put
             ,
             but
             no
             answer
             made
             ;
             
               How
               shall
               we
               escape
            
             ?
             The
             wisdom
             of
             Men
             and
             Angels
             cannot
             tell
             how
             to
             enforce
             this
             Exhortation
             ;
             I
             shall
             present
             you
             with
             Ten
             weighty
             Considerations
             upon
             the
             matter
             ,
             which
             the
             Lord
             follow
             home
             ,
             by
             the
             blessing
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             upon
             all
             your
             Hearts
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               CONSIDERATION
               .
            
             
               
                 Consider
                 how
                 invaluable
                 a
                 mercy
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 yet
                 within
                 the
                 reach
                 of
                 offered
                 Grace
                 .
              
               The
               mercies
               that
               stand
               in
               offer
               before
               you
               ,
               this
               day
               ,
               were
               
               never
               set
               before
               the
               Angels
               that
               fell
               ;
               no
               Mediator
               was
               ever
               appointed
               for
               them
               .
               Oh
               astonishing
               mercy
               !
               that
               those
               Vessels
               of
               Gold
               should
               be
               cast
               into
               everlasting
               Fire
               ,
               and
               such
               Clay
               Vessels
               as
               we
               are
               ,
               thus
               put
               into
               a
               capacity
               of
               greater
               happiness
               than
               ever
               they
               fell
               from
               :
               Nay
               ,
               the
               mercy
               that
               stands
               before
               you
               is
               not
               only
               denied
               to
               the
               Angels
               that
               fell
               ,
               but
               to
               the
               greatest
               part
               of
               your
               fellow
               Creatures
               ,
               of
               the
               same
               rank
               and
               dignity
               with
               you
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 147.
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 He
                 sheweth
                 his
                 Word
                 to
              
               Jacob
               ,
               
                 his
                 Statutes
                 and
                 his
                 Iudgments
                 unto
              
               Israel
               ;
               
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 dealt
                 so
                 with
                 any
                 Nation
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 for
                 his
                 Iudgments
                 they
                 have
                 not
                 known
                 them
                 ;
                 praise
                 ye
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               A
               mercy
               deservedly
               celebrated
               with
               a
               Joyful
               Allelujah
               .
               What
               vast
               Tracts
               are
               there
               in
               the
               habitable
               World
               ,
               where
               the
               name
               of
               Christ
               is
               unknown
               !
               T
               is
               your
               special
               mercy
               to
               be
               born
               in
               a
               Land
               of
               Bibles
               ,
               and
               Ministers
               ;
               where
               it
               is
               as
               difficult
               for
               you
               to
               avoid
               and
               shun
               the
               Light
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               for
               others
               to
               behold
               and
               enjoy
               it
               .
            
          
           
             
               II.
               CONSIDERATION
               .
            
             
               
                 Consider
                 the
                 nature
                 ,
                 weight
                 ,
                 and
                 worth
                 of
                 the
                 mercies
                 which
                 are
                 this
                 day
                 freely
                 offered
                 you
                 .
              
               Certainly
               they
               are
               mercies
               of
               the
               first
               Rank
               ,
               the
               most
               ponderous
               ,
               precious
               ,
               and
               necessary
               among
               all
               the
               mercies
               of
               God.
               Christ
               the
               first
               born
               of
               mercies
               ,
               and
               in
               him
               pardon
               ,
               peace
               ,
               and
               eternal
               Salvation
               are
               set
               before
               you
               ;
               it
               were
               astonishing
               to
               see
               a
               starving
               Man
               refusing
               offered
               bread
               ,
               or
               a
               condemned
               Man
               a
               gracious
               pardon
               .
               Lord
               what
               compositions
               of
               sloath
               and
               stupidity
               are
               we
               that
               we
               should
               need
               so
               many
               intreaties
               to
               be
               happy
               !
            
          
           
             
             
               III.
               CONSIDERATION
               .
            
             
               
                 Consider
                 who
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 makes
                 these
                 gracious
                 tenders
                 of
                 pardon
                 ,
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 to
                 you
                 ;
                 even
                 that
                 God
                 whom
                 you
                 have
                 so
                 deeply
                 wronged
                 ,
                 whose
                 Laws
                 you
                 have
                 violated
                 ,
                 whose
                 mercies
                 you
                 have
                 spurned
                 ,
                 and
                 whose
                 wrath
                 you
                 have
                 justly
                 incensed
                 .
              
               His
               patience
               groans
               under
               the
               burden
               of
               your
               daily
               provocations
               ;
               he
               loses
               nothing
               if
               you
               be
               damned
               ,
               and
               receives
               no
               benefit
               if
               you
               be
               saved
               ;
               yet
               the
               first
               motions
               of
               Mercy
               and
               Salvation
               to
               you
               ,
               freely
               arise
               out
               of
               his
               Grace
               and
               good
               pleasure
               .
               God
               intreats
               you
               to
               be
               reconciled
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               5.
               20.
               
               The
               blessed
               Lord
               Jesus
               ,
               whose
               blood
               thy
               sins
               have
               shed
               ,
               now
               freely
               offers
               that
               blood
               for
               thy
               Reconciliation
               ,
               Justification
               ,
               and
               Salvation
               ,
               if
               thou
               wilt
               but
               sincerely
               accept
               him
               ere
               it
               be
               too
               late
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               CONSIDERATION
               .
            
             
               
                 Reflect
                 seriously
                 upon
                 your
                 own
                 vileness
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 such
                 gracious
                 offers
                 of
                 Peace
                 and
                 Mercy
                 are
                 made
                 .
              
               Thy
               sins
               have
               set
               thee
               at
               as
               great
               a
               distance
               ,
               from
               the
               hopes
               and
               expectations
               of
               pardon
               ,
               as
               any
               sinner
               in
               the
               World.
               Consider
               Man
               ,
               what
               thou
               hast
               been
               ,
               what
               thou
               hast
               done
               ,
               and
               what
               vast
               heaps
               of
               guilt
               thou
               hast
               contracted
               by
               a
               life
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               yet
               that
               unto
               thee
               Pardon
               and
               Peace
               should
               be
               offered
               in
               Christ
               ,
               after
               such
               a
               life
               of
               Rebellion
               ,
               how
               astonishing
               is
               the
               mercy
               !
               The
               Lord
               is
               contented
               to
               pass
               by
               all
               thy
               former
               Rebellions
               ,
               thy
               deep
               died
               Transgressions
               ,
               and
               to
               sign
               an
               Act
               of
               Oblivion
               for
               all
               that
               is
               past
               ,
               if
               
               now
               at
               last
               thy
               Heart
               relent
               for
               Sin
               ,
               and
               thy
               Will
               bow
               in
               obedience
               to
               the
               gr●at
               commands
               and
               call
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               Isa.
               55.
               2.
               
               &
               1.
               18.
               
            
          
           
             
               V.
               CONSIDERATION
               .
            
             
               
                 Consider
                 how
                 many
                 offers
                 of
                 mercy
                 you
                 have
                 already
                 refused
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 every
                 refusal
                 is
                 recorded
                 against
                 you
                 .
              
               How
               long
               you
               have
               tried
               and
               even
               tired
               the
               patience
               of
               God
               already
               ,
               and
               that
               this
               may
               be
               the
               last
               overture
               of
               Grace
               that
               ever
               God
               will
               make
               to
               your
               Souls
               .
               Certainly
               there
               is
               an
               offer
               that
               will
               be
               the
               last
               offer
               ,
               a
               striving
               of
               the
               Spirit
               which
               will
               be
               his
               last
               striving
               ;
               and
               after
               that
               no
               more
               offers
               without
               you
               ,
               no
               more
               motions
               or
               strivings
               within
               you
               for
               evermore
               .
               The
               Treaty
               is
               then
               ended
               ,
               and
               your
               last
               neglect
               or
               rejection
               of
               Christ
               recorded
               against
               the
               day
               of
               your
               account
               ;
               and
               what
               if
               this
               should
               prove
               to
               be
               that
               last
               tender
               of
               Grace
               which
               must
               conclude
               the
               Treaty
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               you
               ,
               what
               undone
               wretches
               must
               you
               then
               be
               ,
               with
               whom
               so
               gracious
               a
               Treaty
               breaks
               off
               upon
               such
               dreadful
               terms
               !
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               CONSIDERATION
               .
            
             
               
                 Consider
                 well
                 the
                 reasonable
                 ,
                 mild
                 ,
                 and
                 gracious
                 nature
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 terms
                 ,
                 on
                 which
                 Life
                 and
                 Pardon
                 are
                 offered
                 to
                 you
                 .
              
               The
               Gospel
               requires
               nothing
               of
               you
               but
               Repentance
               and
               Faith
               ,
               Acts
               20.
               21.
               
               Can
               you
               think
               it
               hard
               when
               a
               Prince
               pardons
               a
               Rebel
               to
               require
               him
               to
               fall
               upon
               his
               Knees
               ,
               and
               stretch
               forth
               a
               willing
               and
               thankful
               Hand
               to
               receive
               his
               Pardon
               ?
               Your
               Repentance
               
               and
               Faith
               are
               much
               of
               the
               same
               nature
               .
               Here
               is
               no
               legal
               satisfaction
               required
               at
               your
               Hands
               ,
               no
               reparation
               of
               the
               injured
               Law
               ,
               by
               your
               doings
               or
               sufferings
               ,
               but
               an
               hearty
               sorrow
               for
               sins
               committed
               ,
               sincere
               purposes
               and
               endeavours
               after
               new
               obedience
               ,
               and
               a
               hearty
               thankful
               acceptation
               of
               Christ
               your
               Saviour
               ;
               and
               for
               your
               encouragement
               herein
               ,
               his
               Spirit
               stands
               ready
               to
               furnish
               you
               with
               Powers
               and
               Abilities
               ,
               
                 Prov.
                 1.
                 23.
                 
                 Turn
                 ye
                 at
                 my
                 reproof
                 ,
                 behold
                 I
                 will
                 pour
                 out
                 my
                 Spirit
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 make
                 known
                 my
                 Words
                 unto
                 you
              
               ;
               and
               
                 Isa.
                 26.
                 20.
                 
                 Lord
                 thou
                 hast
                 wrought
                 all
                 our
                 Works
                 in
                 us
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
               CONSIDERATION
               .
            
             
               Again
               ,
               
                 consider
                 how
                 your
                 way
                 to
                 Christ
                 by
                 Repentance
                 and
                 Faith
                 ,
                 is
                 beaten
                 before
                 you
                 by
                 thousands
                 of
                 sinners
                 for
                 your
                 encouragement
                 .
              
               You
               are
               not
               the
               first
               that
               ever
               adventured
               your
               Souls
               in
               this
               path
               :
               multitudes
               are
               gone
               before
               you
               ,
               and
               that
               under
               as
               much
               guilt
               ,
               fear
               and
               discouragement
               as
               you
               that
               come
               after
               can
               pretend
               unto
               ;
               and
               not
               a
               man
               among
               them
               repulsed
               or
               discouraged
               ;
               here
               they
               have
               found
               rest
               and
               peace
               to
               their
               weary
               Souls
               ;
               
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 3.
                 
                 Acts
              
               13.
               39.
               
               Here
               the
               greatest
               of
               sinners
               have
               been
               set
               forth
               for
               an
               ensample
               to
               you
               that
               should
               afterwards
               believe
               on
               his
               Name
               ;
               1
               Tim.
               1.
               16.
               
               You
               see
               if
               you
               will
               not
               ,
               others
               will
               joyfully
               accept
               the
               offers
               of
               Christ
               ;
               what
               discouragements
               have
               you
               that
               they
               had
               not
               ?
               Or
               what
               greater
               incouragements
               had
               they
               which
               God
               hath
               not
               given
               you
               this
               day
               ?
               Therefore
               they
               shall
               be
               your
               Judges
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               VIII
               .
               CONSIDERATION
               .
            
             
               
                 Consider
                 the
                 great
                 hazard
                 of
                 these
                 precious
                 seasons
                 you
                 now
                 enjoy
                 .
              
               Opportunity
               is
               the
               golden
               spot
               of
               time
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               
                 tempus
                 ●abi●e
              
               ,
               a
               very
               slippery
               and
               uncertain
               thing
               ;
               great
               and
               manifold
               are
               the
               hazards
               and
               contingencies
               attending
               it
               .
               Your
               life
               is
               immediately
               uncertain
               ,
               your
               breath
               continually
               going
               in
               your
               nostrils
               ,
               and
               that
               which
               is
               every
               moment
               going
               ,
               will
               be
               gone
               at
               last
               .
               The
               Gospel
               is
               as
               uncertain
               as
               your
               life
               ;
               God
               hath
               made
               no
               such
               settlement
               of
               it
               but
               that
               he
               may
               a●
               pleasure
               remove
               it
               ,
               and
               will
               certainly
               do
               so
               ,
               if
               we
               thus
               trifle
               under
               it
               ;
               't
               is
               but
               a
               Candlestick
               ,
               though
               a
               golden
               one
               ,
               Rev.
               2.
               5.
               and
               that
               you
               all
               know
               is
               a
               moveable
               thing
               ;
               and
               not
               only
               your
               life
               and
               the
               means
               of
               your
               eternal
               life
               ,
               I
               mean
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               are
               uncertain
               things
               ;
               but
               even
               the
               motions
               and
               strivings
               of
               the
               Spirit
               with
               your
               Souls
               are
               as
               uncertain
               as
               either
               ,
               
                 Phil.
                 12.
                 13.
                 
                 Work
                 out
                 your
                 own
                 salvation
                 with
                 fear
                 and
                 trembling
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 God
                 that
                 worketh
                 in
                 you
                 both
                 to
                 will
                 and
                 to
                 do
                 of
                 his
                 good
                 pleasure
                 .
              
               That
               God
               now
               works
               with
               you
               is
               matter
               of
               great
               incouragement
               to
               your
               work
               ;
               but
               that
               he
               works
               at
               his
               own
               pleasure
               ,
               as
               a
               free
               arbitrary
               agent
               who
               can
               cease
               when
               he
               pleases
               ,
               and
               never
               give
               one
               knock
               at
               your
               hearts
               more
               ,
               should
               make
               you
               work
               with
               fear
               and
               trembling
               .
            
          
           
             
               IX
               .
               CONSIDERATION
               .
            
             
               Think
               what
               a
               fearful
               aggravation
               it
               will
               be
               ,
               both
               of
               your
               sin
               and
               misery
               ,
               to
               perish
               in
               the
               fight
               and
               presence
               
               of
               an
               offered
               remedy
               ;
               to
               sink
               into
               Hell
               betwixt
               the
               outstretched
               Arms
               of
               a
               compassionate
               Redeemer
               ,
               that
               would
               have
               gathered
               you
               but
               you
               would
               not
               .
            
             
               Heathens
               ,
               yea
               Devils
               will
               upbraid
               you
               in
               Hell
               for
               such
               unaccountable
               folly
               ,
               and
               desperate
               madness
               :
               Heathens
               will
               say
               ,
               alas
               ,
               we
               had
               but
               the
               dim
               Moon-light
               of
               Nature
               ,
               which
               did
               indeed
               discover
               sin
               ,
               but
               not
               Christ
               the
               Remedy
               .
               Ah
               ,
               had
               your
               Preachers
               and
               your
               Bibles
               been
               sent
               among
               us
               ,
               how
               glady
               would
               we
               have
               embraced
               them
               !
               Surely
               ,
               saith
               God
               to
               
                 Ezechiel
                 ,
                 had
                 I
                 sent
                 thee
                 to
                 them
                 they
                 would
                 have
                 harkned
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
              
               Ezek.
               3.
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               Matth.
               11.
               21.
               
               The
               very
               Devils
               will
               upbraid
               you
               ;
               Oh
               ,
               if
               God
               had
               sent
               a
               Mediator
               in
               our
               Nature
               ,
               we
               had
               never
               rejected
               him
               as
               you
               have
               done
               ;
               but
               he
               took
               not
               on
               him
               the
               nature
               of
               Angels
               .
            
          
           
             
               X.
               CONSIDERATION
               .
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               
                 How
                 clear
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 sure
                 ,
                 will
                 your
                 condemnation
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 great
                 day
                 against
                 whom
                 such
                 a
                 cloud
                 of
                 Witnesses
                 will
                 appear
                 !
              
               Oh
               ,
               how
               manifest
               will
               the
               righteousness
               of
               God
               be
               !
               Men
               and
               Angels
               shall
               applaud
               the
               Sentence
               ,
               and
               your
               own
               Consciences
               shall
               acknowledge
               the
               equity
               of
               it
               .
               You
               that
               are
               Christless
               now
               ,
               will
               be
               speechless
               then
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 22.
                 12.
                 
                 Knowing
                 therefore
                 the
                 terrors
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 perswade
                 men
                 ,
              
               2
               Cor.
               5.
               11.
               as
               one
               that
               trembles
               to
               think
               of
               being
               Summoned
               as
               a
               Witness
               against
               any
               of
               your
               Souls
               .
               Oh
               ,
               that
               I
               might
               be
               your
               rejoycing
               ,
               and
               you
               mine
               in
               the
               day
               of
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               !
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           SERMON
           II.
           
        
         
           
             
               Revel
               .
               3.
               20.
               
            
             Behold
             [
             I
             ]
             stand
             at
             the
             door
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           Having
           in
           the
           former
           Sermon
           pondered
           Christs
           solemn
           Preface
           to
           his
           earnest
           Suit
           ;
           the
           next
           thing
           that
           comes
           under
           our
           consideration
           ,
           is
           
             the
             Person
             soliciting
          
           ,
           and
           pleading
           for
           admission
           into
           the
           Heart
           of
           sinners
           ,
           which
           is
           Christ
           himself
           .
        
         
           
             Behold
             I
             stand
          
           .
           The
           only
           difficulty
           here
           is
           rightly
           to
           apprehend
           the
           manner
           of
           Christs
           presence
           in
           Gospel
           administrations
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           manifest
           the
           person
           of
           Christ
           was
           at
           this
           time
           in
           Heaven
           ;
           his
           Bodily
           presence
           was
           removed
           from
           this
           lower
           World
           above
           Sixty
           years
           before
           this
           Epistle
           was
           Written
           to
           the
           Laodiceans
           .
           Iohn's
           banishment
           into
           Patmos
           ,
           is
           by
           Eusebius
           ,
           out
           of
           Irenaeus
           and
           
             Clemens
             Alexandrinus
          
           ,
           placed
           in
           the
           Fourteenth
           Year
           of
           the
           Emperor
           Domitian
           ,
           and
           under
           his
           Second
           Persecution
           ,
           which
           was
           about
           the
           Ninety
           seventh
           Year
           from
           the
           Birth
           of
           Christ.
           
        
         
           Yet
           here
           ,
           he
           saith
           ,
           
             behold
             I
             stand
          
           ,
           not
           my
           Messengers
           and
           Ministers
           only
           ,
           but
           I
           by
           my
           Spiritual
           presence
           among
           you
           ,
           I
           your
           Sovereign
           Lord
           
           and
           Owner
           ,
           who
           have
           all
           Right
           and
           Authority
           by
           Creation
           and
           Redemption
           ,
           to
           possess
           and
           dispose
           of
           your
           Souls
           ;
           't
           is
           I
           that
           stand
           at
           the
           Door
           and
           knock
           ,
           I
           by
           my
           Spirit
           ,
           solliciting
           and
           moving
           by
           the
           Ministry
           of
           Men.
           You
           see
           none
           but
           Men
           ;
           but
           believe
           it
           ,
           I
           am
           really
           and
           truly
           ,
           though
           Spiritually
           and
           Invisibly
           present
           in
           all
           those
           administrations
           ,
           all
           those
           knocks
           ,
           motions
           and
           solicitations
           are
           truly
           mine
           ,
           they
           are
           my
           acts
           ,
           and
           I
           own
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           I
           would
           have
           you
           conceive
           and
           apprehend
           them
           .
           Hence
           the
           Second
           Note
           is
           this
           ,
        
         
           
             DOCT.
             
          
           
             That
             Iesus
             Christ
             is
             truly
             present
             with
             men
             in
             his
             Ordinances
             ,
             and
             hath
             to
             do
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             they
             with
             him
             ;
             though
             he
             be
             not
             visible
             to
             their
             carnal
             Eyes
             .
          
           
             Thus
             runs
             the
             promise
             ,
             
               Matth.
               18.
               20.
               
               Where
               two
               or
               three
               are
               gathered
               together
               in
               my
               Name
               ,
               there
               am
               I
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               them
               .
            
             The
             midle
             place
             was
             the
             Seat
             of
             the
             President
             in
             the
             Jewish
             assemblies
             ,
             where
             he
             might
             equally
             hear
             and
             be
             heard
             of
             all
             .
             So
             will
             I
             be
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             Assemblies
             of
             the
             Faithful
             ,
             met
             together
             in
             my
             Name
             and
             Authority
             ,
             to
             bless
             ,
             guide
             and
             protect
             them
             .
             Hence
             the
             Church
             is
             called
             the
             place
             of
             his
             Feet
             ,
             Isa.
             16.
             13.
             
             a
             manifest
             allusion
             to
             the
             Ark
             ,
             called
             Gods
             Footstool
             ,
             Psal.
             99.
             5.
             and
             agreeably
             hereunto
             ,
             Christ
             is
             said
             to
             walk
             among
             the
             Seven
             golden
             Candlesticks
             ,
             Revel
             .
             2.
             1.
             
             There
             are
             the
             Spiritual
             walks
             of
             Christ
             ,
             there
             his
             converses
             and
             communion
             with
             Men
             :
             And
             this
             presence
             of
             Christ
             was
             not
             the
             peculiar
             privileges
             of
             the
             first
             Churches
             ,
             but
             is
             common
             to
             all
             the
             
             Churches
             of
             the
             Saints
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             appears
             by
             that
             glorious
             promise
             comfortably
             so
             extended
             with
             the
             Church
             from
             first
             to
             last
             ;
             
               Matth.
               28.
               ult
               .
               Lo
               ,
               I
               am
               with
               you
               always
               to
               the
               end
               of
               the
               World.
            
             This
             promise
             is
             the
             ground
             and
             reason
             of
             all
             our
             Faith
             ,
             and
             expectations
             of
             benefit
             from
             Ordinances
             ;
             and
             the
             Subjects
             of
             it
             are
             not
             here
             considered
             Personally
             ,
             but
             Officially
             ,
             to
             you
             and
             all
             that
             succeed
             you
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             Work
             and
             Office
             ;
             not
             to
             you
             only
             as
             Extraordinary
             ,
             but
             to
             all
             the
             succeeding
             Ordinary
             standing
             Officers
             in
             my
             Church
             .
             As
             for
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             neither
             their
             Persons
             ,
             nor
             extraordinary
             Office
             was
             to
             continue
             long
             ,
             but
             this
             Promise
             was
             to
             continue
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             Nor
             is
             this
             Promise
             made
             absolutely
             ,
             but
             conditionally
             ;
             the
             connection
             of
             the
             Promise
             ,
             with
             the
             Command
             ,
             enforces
             this
             qualified
             sense
             ;
             as
             
               2
               Chron.
               15.
               2.
               
               The
               Lord
               is
               with
               you
               ,
               whilst
               you
               are
               with
               him
               .
            
             Ignorant
             ,
             idle
             ,
             unqualified
             persons
             ,
             cannot
             claim
             the
             benefit
             of
             this
             gracious
             grant
             .
          
           
             Once
             more
             ,
             this
             Promise
             is
             made
             ot
             every
             hour
             and
             minute
             of
             time
             .
             I
             am
             with
             you
             ,
             
               all
               the
               days
            
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             in
             the
             
               Greek
               Text
            
             ;
             in
             dark
             and
             dangerous
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             peaceable
             and
             incouraging
             days
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             closed
             up
             with
             a
             solemn
             
               Amen
               ,
               So
               be
               it
            
             ,
             or
             ,
             So
             it
             shall
             be
             .
          
           
             To
             open
             this
             Point
             distinctly
             ,
             we
             are
             to
             consider
             that
             there
             is
             a
             threefold
             presence
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 Corporeal
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Represented
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Spiritual
                 .
              
            
          
           
           
             First
             ,
             There
             is
             a
             Corporeal
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             the
             Church
             once
             enjoyed
             on
             Earth
             ,
             when
             he
             went
             in
             and
             out
             amongst
             his
             People
             ,
             Acts
             1.
             21.
             
             When
             their
             Eyes
             saw
             him
             ,
             and
             their
             Hands
             handled
             him
             ,
             1
             Iohn
             1.
             1.
             
             This
             presence
             was
             a
             singular
             consolation
             to
             the
             Disciples
             ,
             and
             therefore
             they
             were
             greatly
             dejected
             when
             it
             was
             to
             be
             removed
             from
             them
             .
             But
             after
             Redemption-Work
             was
             finished
             on
             Earth
             ,
             this
             Bodily
             Presence
             was
             no
             longer
             necessary
             to
             be
             continued
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             but
             more
             expedient
             to
             be
             removed
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             Iohn
             16.
             7.
             as
             indeed
             it
             was
             ,
             and
             must
             there
             abide
             until
             the
             time
             of
             the
             restitution
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             Acts
             3.
             21.
             
             And
             in
             this
             respect
             he
             tells
             the
             Disciples
             ,
             
               Iohn
               16.
               28.
               leave
               the
               World
               and
               go
               to
               my
               Father
               .
            
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             There
             is
             a
             Represented
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             in
             Ordinances
             .
             As
             the
             Person
             of
             a
             King
             is
             represented
             in
             another
             Country
             by
             his
             Ambassadors
             ,
             so
             is
             Christ
             in
             this
             World
             by
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             2
             cor
             .
             5.
             26.
             
             
               We
               then
               are
               Ambassadors
               for
               God
               ,
               as
               though
               God
               did
               beseech
               you
               by
               us
               ,
               we
               pray
               you
               in
               Christs
               stead
               ,
               be
               ye
               reconciled
               to
               God.
            
             Christ
             is
             about
             other
             work
             for
             us
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             but
             we
             stand
             in
             his
             stead
             on
             Earth
             .
             And
             this
             speaks
             the
             great
             Dignity
             of
             the
             Ministerial
             Office
             ;
             whatever
             abuses
             or
             contempts
             are
             cast
             on
             them
             ,
             they
             reflect
             upon
             Christ
             ,
             
               Luke
               10.
               16.
               
               He
               that
               despiseth
               you
               despiseth
               me
               .
            
             It
             also
             teacheth
             us
             whence
             the
             validity
             of
             Gospel
             administrations
             is
             ;
             Christ
             ratifies
             and
             confirms
             them
             with
             his
             own
             Authority
             .
             It
             also
             instructs
             us
             how
             Wise
             ,
             Spiritual
             ,
             and
             Holy
             ,
             Ministers
             should
             be
             ,
             who
             represent
             Christ
             to
             the
             Word
             .
             A
             Drunkard
             ,
             a
             Persecutor
             ,
             
             a
             sensual
             Worldling
             ,
             is
             but
             an
             ill
             representative
             of
             the
             blessed
             and
             holy
             Jesus
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Beside
             and
             above
             the
             two
             former
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             Spiritual
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             in
             the
             Churches
             ,
             and
             Ordinances
             ;
             and
             this
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             by
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             who
             is
             his
             Vicegerent
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             considered
             as
             that
             from
             which
             all
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             derive
             ,
          
           
             
               1.
               
               Their
               Beauty
               and
               Glory
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Their
               Power
               and
               Efficacy
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Their
               awful
               Solemnity
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Their
               Continuance
               and
               Stability
               .
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             From
             the
             presence
             of
             Christ
             by
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             Ordinances
             and
             Churches
             derive
             their
             beauty
             and
             glory
             ,
             
               Psal.
               27.
               4.
               
               To
               see
               thy
               power
               and
               thy
               glory
               ,
               so
               as
               I
               have
               seen
               thee
               in
               the
               Sanctuary
               .
            
             Look
             as
             the
             beauty
             of
             the
             Body
             is
             a
             result
             from
             the
             Soul
             that
             animates
             it
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             Soul
             is
             gone
             ,
             the
             beauty
             of
             the
             Body
             is
             gone
             also
             ;
             so
             the
             beauty
             and
             glory
             of
             all
             Ordinances
             comes
             and
             goes
             with
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             which
             is
             the
             very
             Soul
             of
             them
             .
             The
             Churches
             are
             indeed
             golden
             Candlesticks
             ,
             but
             the
             Candlestick
             hath
             no
             light
             but
             what
             the
             Candle
             gives
             it
             ;
             hence
             that
             magnificent
             description
             of
             the
             new
             Temple
             is
             closed
             up
             in
             this
             expression
             ,
             
               Ezek.
               48.
               ult
               .
               The
               name
               of
               that
               City
               shall
               be
               ,
               The
               Lord
               is
               there
               .
            
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             From
             this
             Spiritual
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             ,
             all
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             derive
             all
             that
             Power
             and
             Efficacy
             which
             is
             by
             them
             exerted
             upon
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             ;
             either
             in
             their
             Conversion
             or
             Edification
             .
             This
             power
             is
             not
             inherent
             in
             them
             ,
             nor
             do
             they
             act
             as
             natural
             ,
             necessary
             
             agents
             ,
             but
             as
             instituted
             means
             ,
             which
             are
             successful
             or
             unsuccessful
             ,
             according
             as
             Christ
             by
             his
             Spirit
             co-operates
             with
             them
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               3.
               7.
               
               He
               that
               plants
               is
               nothing
               ,
               neither
               he
               that
               watereth
               ,
               but
               God
               that
               giveth
               the
               increase
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             they
             are
             nothing
             to
             the
             purpose
             ,
             nothing
             to
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             Mens
             Salvation
             without
             the
             concurrence
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ.
             For
             when
             the
             Apostle
             makes
             himself
             and
             Apollos
             ,
             with
             all
             other
             Ministers
             ,
             nothing
             ,
             we
             must
             understand
             him
             speaking
             not
             absolutely
             ,
             but
             comparatively
             ,
             and
             relatively
             ;
             they
             are
             necessary
             in
             their
             places
             ,
             and
             sufficient
             in
             their
             kind
             ,
             for
             what
             they
             are
             appointed
             to
             ,
             else
             it
             would
             be
             a
             reflection
             upon
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             that
             instituted
             them
             ;
             but
             singly
             in
             themselves
             ,
             and
             disjunctively
             considered
             ,
             they
             are
             nothing
             ;
             as
             a
             Trumpet
             or
             wind
             Instrument
             is
             nothing
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             end
             and
             use
             ,
             except
             breath
             be
             inspired
             into
             it
             ,
             and
             that
             breath
             modulated
             by
             the
             art
             and
             skill
             of
             the
             inspirer
             ;
             like
             Ezekiets
             Wheels
             that
             move
             not
             but
             as
             the
             Spirit
             that
             was
             in
             them
             moved
             and
             directed
             their
             motions
             .
             If
             Ordinances
             wrought
             upon
             Souls
             naturally
             ,
             and
             necessarily
             as
             the
             fire
             burneth
             ,
             then
             they
             could
             not
             fail
             of
             success
             upon
             all
             that
             come
             under
             them
             :
             But
             it
             is
             with
             them
             as
             with
             the
             Waters
             of
             the
             Pool
             of
             Bethesda
             ,
             whose
             healing
             vertue
             was
             only
             found
             at
             that
             season
             when
             the
             Angel
             descended
             and
             troubled
             them
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             This
             Spiritual
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             ,
             gives
             the
             Ordinances
             of
             the
             Gospel
             that
             awful
             solemnity
             which
             is
             due
             upon
             that
             account
             to
             them
             .
             The
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             in
             them
             commands
             reverence
             from
             all
             that
             are
             about
             him
             .
             
               God
               is
               greatly
               to
               be
               feared
               in
               the
               Assemblies
               of
               his
               Saints
               ,
               and
               to
               
               be
               had
               in
               reverence
               of
               all
               that
               are
               round
               about
               him
               .
            
             Hence
             is
             that
             solemn
             caution
             or
             threatning
             ,
             
               Levit.
               26.
               23
               ,
               24.
               
               If
               you
               walk
               contrary
               unto
               me
               ,
               then
               will
               I
               also
               walk
               contrary
               unto
               you
            
             ;
             the
             Hebrew
             word
             in
             that
             Text
             signifies
             to
             walk
             rashly
             or
             at
             an
             adventure
             with
             God
             ,
             
               sine
               personae
               discrimine
            
             ,
             without
             considering
             with
             whom
             we
             have
             to
             do
             ,
             and
             what
             an
             awful
             Majesty
             we
             stand
             before
             .
             And
             the
             punishment
             is
             suitable
             to
             the
             sin
             ;
             I
             also
             will
             walk
             at
             an
             adventure
             with
             you
             ,
             making
             no
             discrimination
             in
             my
             Judgments
             betwixt
             your
             persons
             and
             the
             persons
             of
             the
             worst
             of
             Men.
             Oh
             that
             this
             were
             duly
             considered
             by
             all
             that
             have
             to
             do
             with
             God
             in
             Gospel
             institutions
             !
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             'T
             is
             the
             Spiritual
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             in
             his
             Churches
             and
             Ordinances
             that
             gives
             them
             their
             Continuance
             and
             Stability
             ;
             when
             ever
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             departs
             from
             them
             it
             will
             not
             be
             long
             before
             they
             depart
             from
             us
             ;
             or
             if
             they
             should
             not
             ,
             their
             continuance
             will
             be
             little
             to
             our
             advantage
             .
             When
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Lord
             once
             dismounted
             from
             betwixt
             the
             Cherubims
             ,
             when
             that
             sad
             voice
             was
             heard
             in
             the
             Temple
             ,
             
               migremus
               hinc
            
             ,
             let
             us
             go
             hence
             ,
             how
             soon
             was
             both
             City
             and
             Temple
             made
             a
             desolation
             !
             And
             truly
             Christ's
             Presence
             is
             not
             so
             fixed
             to
             any
             Place
             ,
             or
             any
             Ordinances
             ,
             but
             the
             sins
             of
             the
             people
             may
             banish
             it
             away
             ,
             Rev.
             2.
             5.
             
             Who
             will
             tarry
             in
             any
             place
             longer
             than
             he
             is
             welcom
             ,
             if
             he
             have
             any
             where
             else
             to
             go
             ?
          
           
             But
             more
             particularly
             ,
             let
             us
             here
             discuss
             these
             two
             points
             ,
          
           
             I.
             How
             it
             appears
             Christ
             is
             thus
             Spiritually
             Present
             with
             his
             Churches
             and
             Ordinances
             ?
          
           
             II.
             Why
             it
             is
             necessary
             he
             should
             be
             so
             ?
          
           
           
             First
             ,
             By
             what
             evidences
             doth
             it
             manifestly
             appear
             that
             there
             is
             such
             a
             presence
             of
             Christ
             with
             his
             Churches
             and
             Ordinances
             ?
             And
             this
             will
             appear
             by
             two
             undeniable
             evidences
             thereof
             .
          
           
             
               1.
               
               By
               their
               wonderful
               Preservations
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               From
               their
               supernatural
               Effects
               .
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             From
             their
             wonderful
             Preservations
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             wholly
             unaccountable
             ,
             and
             unconceiveable
             ,
             how
             the
             Churches
             ,
             Ministers
             and
             Ordinances
             ,
             should
             be
             supported
             and
             preserved
             without
             it
             ,
             amidst
             such
             Hosts
             of
             potent
             and
             enraged
             Enemies
             .
             If
             Christ
             were
             not
             among
             them
             they
             had
             certainly
             been
             swallowed
             up
             long
             ago
             .
             'T
             is
             he
             that
             holds
             the
             Stars
             in
             his
             right
             hand
             ▪
             Rev.
             2.
             1.
             
             His
             walks
             among
             the
             seven
             golden
             Candlesticks
             is
             their
             best
             security
             .
             The
             burning
             bush
             ,
             Exod.
             3.
             3.
             is
             a
             rare
             emblem
             to
             open
             this
             Mystery
             ;
             the
             bush
             burned
             with
             fire
             ,
             but
             was
             not
             consumed
             .
             The
             bush
             was
             a
             resemblance
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             the
             flames
             upon
             it
             was
             their
             terrible
             Persecution
             ;
             the
             wonder
             that
             no
             ashes
             appeared
             ,
             as
             the
             effects
             of
             those
             terrible
             flames
             ,
             the
             reason
             thereof
             was
             ,
             God
             was
             in
             the
             bush
             ;
             Jesus
             Christ
             was
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             his
             people
             .
          
           
             By
             vertue
             of
             this
             Presence
             we
             are
             here
             this
             day
             ,
             in
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             Gospel
             Liberties
             ;
             no
             Society
             of
             Men
             in
             the
             World
             have
             such
             security
             as
             the
             Church
             hath
             upon
             this
             account
             .
             The
             mightiest
             Monarchies
             have
             been
             over-turned
             ,
             no
             Policies
             nor
             humane
             Power
             could
             preserve
             them
             ;
             but
             the
             Church
             and
             Ordinances
             are
             still
             preserved
             ,
             and
             shall
             ever
             be
             by
             vertue
             of
             that
             gracious
             
             Promise
             ,
             
               Ier.
               30.
               11.
               
               For
               I
               am
               with
               thee
               ,
               saith
               the
               Lord
               ,
               to
               save
               thee
               :
               though
               I
               make
               a
               full
               end
               of
               all
               Nations
               whither
               I
               have
               scattered
               thee
               ,
               yet
               will
               I
               not
               make
               a
               full
               end
               of
               thee
               .
            
          
           
             The
             Babilonian
             ,
             Persian
             ,
             Grecian
             ,
             Monarchies
             have
             destroyed
             and
             ruined
             one
             another
             ,
             
               
                 —
                 Sic
                 Medus
                 ademit
              
               
                 Assyrio
                 ,
                 Syroque
                 tulit
                 moderamina
                 Perses
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             but
             still
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             lifts
             up
             its
             Head
             ,
             and
             beholds
             their
             ruins
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             This
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             in
             and
             with
             his
             Ordinances
             is
             undeniably
             evinced
             ,
             from
             their
             Supernatural
             effects
             upon
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             ;
             
               2
               Cor.
               10.
               4.
               
               The
               weapons
               of
               our
               warfare
               are
               not
               carnal
               ,
               but
               mighty
               through
               God
               to
               the
               pulling
               down
               of
               strong
               holds
               .
            
             'T
             is
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             that
             gives
             them
             their
             success
             and
             efficacy
             :
             The
             Sword
             of
             the
             Gospel
             hath
             its
             point
             and
             edge
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             impossible
             the
             Heart
             of
             a
             stupid
             hardned
             sinner
             should
             ever
             be
             prickt
             or
             wounded
             by
             it
             ,
             if
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             did
             not
             manage
             it
             .
             When
             sinners
             fall
             down
             convinced
             under
             the
             authority
             of
             the
             Word
             ,
             they
             feel
             ,
             and
             readily
             acknowledge
             ,
             that
             God
             is
             in
             it
             of
             a
             truth
             ,
             I
             
               Cor.
               14.
               25.
               
               Ruffinus
            
             reports
             ,
             that
             at
             the
             Council
             of
             Nice
             ,
             a
             godly
             man
             ,
             of
             no
             great
             learning
             ,
             was
             the
             instrument
             of
             converting
             a
             learned
             Philosopher
             ,
             whom
             the
             Bishops
             with
             all
             their
             Arguments
             could
             not
             perswade
             ;
             of
             which
             the
             Philosopher
             himself
             gave
             this
             remarkable
             account
             ,
             
               Whilst
               you
               reasoned
               with
               me
               ,
               said
               he
               ,
               against
               words
               ,
               I
               opposed
               words
               ,
               and
               what
               was
               spoken
               ,
               I
               overthrew
               by
               the
               art
               of
               speaking
               ;
               but
               when
               ,
               in
               stead
               of
               words
               ,
               power
               came
               out
               of
               the
               
               mouth
               of
               the
               speaker
               ,
               words
               could
               no
               longer
               withstand
               truth
               ,
               nor
               Man
               resist
               the
               power
               of
               God.
               
            
          
           
             And
             this
             indeed
             is
             the
             true
             and
             just
             account
             of
             all
             those
             marvellous
             and
             gracious
             changes
             made
             upon
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             by
             the
             Preaching
             of
             the
             Gospel
             :
             Can
             the
             vanishing
             breath
             of
             a
             dying
             Man
             ,
             think
             you
             ,
             inspire
             Spiritual
             and
             Eternal
             Life
             into
             the
             Souls
             of
             other
             Men
             ?
             Can
             he
             search
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             break
             the
             Heart
             ,
             and
             bow
             the
             Will
             at
             this
             rate
             ?
             No
             ,
             no
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             Power
             and
             Operation
             of
             Christ
             ;
             
             and
             of
             that
             Presence
             we
             must
             say
             ,
             saith
             a
             Reverend
             Author
             ,
             as
             Martha
             did
             to
             her
             Saviour
             ,
             concerning
             the
             Death
             of
             her
             Brother
             Lazarus
             ,
             John
             11.
             21.
             
             
               Lord
               if
               thou
               hadst
               been
               here
               my
               Brother
               had
               not
               dyed
               .
            
             So
             ,
             say
             I
             ,
             if
             that
             Presence
             and
             Power
             of
             Christ
             were
             felt
             by
             all
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             certainly
             experienced
             and
             felt
             by
             many
             ,
             they
             had
             not
             remained
             in
             the
             state
             of
             Spiritual
             Death
             as
             they
             do
             .
             But
             though
             there
             be
             thousands
             under
             Ordinances
             that
             never
             felt
             this
             Power
             of
             Christ
             upon
             them
             ,
             yet
             blessed
             be
             God
             there
             are
             also
             multitudes
             of
             Witnesses
             and
             Evidences
             of
             this
             Truth
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             a
             Real
             ,
             Spiritual
             ,
             Energetical
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             in
             his
             own
             appointments
             ;
             which
             was
             the
             first
             thing
             to
             be
             evinced
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             second
             thing
             requiring
             Explication
             ,
             is
             the
             Uses
             and
             Ends
             which
             makes
             such
             a
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             necessary
             .
             And
             they
             are
          
           
             1.
             
             To
             Preserve
             and
             Support
             his
             Ministers
             and
             Churches
             amidst
             such
             Hosts
             of
             potent
             and
             enraged
             Enemies
             :
             This
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             is
             as
             a
             wall
             of
             Fire
             round
             about
             them
             .
             It
             was
             the
             Divine
             Presence
             with
             Ieremiah
             that
             was
             as
             a
             Life-Guard
             to
             him
             ,
             against
             the
             rage
             of
             the
             Princes
             
             and
             Nobles
             of
             Israel
             ,
             Jer.
             15.
             20
             ,
             21.
             
             
               I
               will
               make
               thee
               unto
               this
               People
               a
               fenced
               brazen
               Wall
               ,
               and
               they
               shall
               fight
               against
               thee
               ,
               but
               they
               shall
               not
               prevail
               against
               thee
               ,
               for
               I
               am
               with
               thee
               to
               save
               thee
               and
               to
               deliver
               thee
               ,
               saith
               the
               Lord
               :
               And
               I
               will
               deliver
               thee
               out
               of
               the
               hand
               of
               the
               wicked
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               redeem
               thee
               out
               of
               the
               hand
               of
               the
               terrible
               .
            
          
           
             It
             was
             easier
             for
             the
             
               Roman
               Army
            
             to
             scale
             the
             Walls
             ,
             and
             batter
             down
             the
             Towers
             of
             Ierusalem
             ,
             than
             for
             all
             the
             Enemies
             in
             Ierusalem
             to
             destroy
             this
             Prophet
             of
             God
             thus
             immur'd
             by
             the
             Divine
             Presence
             .
             Athanasius
             and
             Luther
             had
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             Empire
             ingaged
             against
             them
             ,
             yet
             the
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             was
             their
             security
             .
             The
             Witnesses
             could
             not
             be
             slain
             till
             they
             had
             finished
             their
             Testimony
             ,
             Rev.
             11.
             7.
             
             To
             this
             Presence
             alone
             the
             faithful
             Witnesses
             of
             Christ
             owe
             their
             marvellous
             preservation
             at
             this
             day
             ;
             had
             not
             Christ
             said
             ,
             
               Lo
               ,
               I
               am
               with
               you
               ,
            
             you
             had
             not
             said
             at
             this
             day
             ,
             
               behold
               our
               Ministers
               are
               still
               with
               us
               .
            
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             is
             necessary
             to
             assist
             and
             enable
             his
             Ministers
             in
             their
             Work
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             a
             Work
             quite
             above
             their
             own
             strength
             ;
             it
             is
             well
             we
             are
             Workers-together
             with
             God
             ,
             else
             we
             should
             soon
             faint
             under
             our
             Labours
             .
             When
             Moses
             objected
             ,
             
               I
               am
               not
               eloquent
            
             ,
             the
             Lord
             told
             him
             ,
             
               I
               will
               be
               with
               thy
               Mouth
               ,
               Exod.
            
             4.
             10.
             
             When
             God
             guides
             the
             Tongue
             how
             powerful
             and
             persuasive
             must
             the
             Language
             be
             !
             When
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             illiterate
             men
             ,
             were
             sent
             out
             to
             convert
             the
             World
             ,
             Christ
             promised
             to
             give
             them
             
               a
               Mouth
               and
               Wisdom
               ,
               Luke
            
             21.
             15.
             
             a
             Mouth
             to
             speak
             ,
             and
             Wisdom
             to
             guide
             that
             Mouth
             ;
             and
             then
             their
             words
             were
             demonstrations
             ,
             all
             their
             adversaries
             could
             not
             resist
             that
             Spirit
             and
             
             Power
             by
             which
             they
             spake
             .
             Empires
             and
             Kingdoms
             full
             of
             Enemies
             ,
             received
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             but
             the
             reason
             of
             this
             wonderful
             success
             is
             given
             us
             ,
             in
             
               Mark
               16.
               20.
               
               They
               went
               out
               and
               Preached
               every
               where
               ,
               the
               Lord
               working
               with
               them
               .
            
             'T
             is
             sweet
             and
             prosperous
             working
             in
             fellowship
             with
             Christ
             :
             The
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             gives
             a
             manifold
             assistance
             to
             his
             Ministers
             in
             their
             Work
             ;
             't
             is
             he
             that
             guides
             and
             directs
             their
             minds
             in
             the
             choice
             of
             those
             Subjects
             wherein
             they
             labour
             with
             such
             success
             to
             their
             Hearers
             .
             He
             dictates
             the
             Matter
             ,
             influences
             their
             Affections
             ,
             guides
             their
             Lips
             ,
             follows
             home
             their
             Doctrine
             with
             success
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             a
             special
             Use
             and
             End
             of
             Christs
             Presence
             with
             his
             Ministers
             and
             Ordinances
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             The
             Spiritual
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             is
             necessary
             for
             the
             preparation
             and
             opening
             of
             the
             peoples
             Hearts
             to
             receive
             and
             embrace
             the
             Gospel
             to
             Salvation
             ;
             not
             an
             Heart
             will
             open
             to
             receive
             Christ
             till
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             unlock
             them
             .
             Paul
             and
             Timothy
             were
             extraordinarily
             called
             to
             Preach
             the
             Gospel
             at
             Macedonia
             ,
             there
             Lydia
             was
             converted
             ;
             but
             how
             ?
             Not
             by
             their
             Skill
             or
             Eloquence
             ,
             but
             the
             Spirits
             influence
             ,
             
               Acts
               16.
               14.
               
               The
               Lord
               opened
               the
               Heart
               of
               Lydia
               .
            
             The
             Church
             could
             not
             be
             propagated
             without
             Conversion
             ;
             Conversion
             could
             never
             be
             wrought
             without
             Christs
             Influence
             and
             Spiritual
             Presence
             .
             So
             that
             this
             Presence
             is
             of
             absolute
             necessity
             ;
             the
             Church
             cannot
             subsist
             ,
             nor
             the
             great
             ends
             of
             Ordinances
             attained
             without
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             The
             first
             Inference
             .
          
           
             
               Is
               Christ
               really
               Present
               in
               all
               Gospel
               Administrations
               ,
               how
               awfully
               Solemn
               then
               is
               every
               part
               of
               Gospel
               
               Worship
               ?
               We
               having
               to
               do
               with
               Christ
               himself
               ,
               and
               not
               with
               Men
               only
               ,
               in
               Gospel
               Ordinances
               .
            
             Happy
             were
             it
             ,
             if
             ,
             under
             this
             Consideration
             ,
             all
             our
             People
             did
             receive
             the
             Word
             we
             Preach
             ,
             as
             the
             Thessalonians
             did
             ,
             not
             as
             the
             Word
             of
             Man
             ,
             but
             as
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             1
             Thes.
             2.
             13.
             then
             it
             would
             Work
             effectually
             in
             us
             as
             it
             did
             in
             them
             .
             But
             alas
             !
             We
             have
             loose
             and
             low
             apprehensions
             of
             the
             Word
             ;
             we
             come
             to
             Judge
             the
             Gifts
             of
             the
             Speaker
             ,
             not
             to
             have
             our
             Minds
             informed
             ,
             our
             Consciences
             searched
             ,
             our
             Lusts
             mortified
             ,
             and
             our
             Lives
             regulated
             .
             But
             oh
             ,
             that
             Men
             would
             realize
             the
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             in
             Ordinances
             ,
             and
             seriously
             consider
             that
             Word
             of
             his
             ,
             Rev.
             2.
             23.
             
             
               All
               the
               Churches
               shall
               know
               that
               I
               am
               he
               which
               searcheth
               the
               Reins
               and
               Hearts
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               give
               to
               every
               one
               of
               you
               according
               to
               your
               Works
               .
            
          
           
             How
             would
             it
             compose
             vain
             and
             wandering
             Hearts
             unto
             holy
             seriousness
             !
             Oh
             ,
             if
             Men
             would
             but
             consider
             that
             they
             are
             before
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             as
             Cornelius
             and
             his
             Family
             did
             ,
             Acts
             10.
             33.
             
             
               We
               are
               all
               here
               present
               before
               God
               ,
               to
               hear
               all
               things
               that
               are
               commanded
               thee
               of
               God.
            
             If
             they
             would
             consider
             the
             Word
             as
             the
             executioner
             of
             Gods
             eternal
             Decrees
             which
             returns
             not
             in
             vain
             ,
             but
             accomplishes
             that
             whereunto
             God
             sends
             it
             ,
             Isa.
             55.
             11.
             and
             eventually
             proves
             the
             savour
             of
             Life
             or
             Death
             eternal
             to
             them
             that
             sit
             under
             it
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             2.
             16.
             
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             were
             it
             but
             considered
             as
             the
             Rule
             by
             which
             its
             hearers
             shall
             be
             judged
             in
             the
             great
             Day
             ,
             Ioh.
             12.
             48.
             then
             how
             would
             Men
             tremble
             at
             the
             Word
             ?
             What
             mighty
             effects
             would
             it
             have
             upon
             their
             Hearts
             ?
             How
             would
             it
             run
             and
             be
             glorified
             ?
             But
             alas
             ,
             as
             Iob
             speaks
             ,
             Iob
             9.
             11.
             
             
               He
               goeth
               by
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               see
               him
               not
               ;
               he
               passeth
               
               on
               also
               ,
               but
               I
               perceive
               him
               not
               .
            
             Few
             realize
             the
             Spiritual
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             in
             Ordinances
             .
          
        
         
           
             Second
             Inference
             .
          
           
             If
             Christ
             be
             really
             present
             with
             his
             Churches
             and
             Ordinances
             ,
             
               how
               vain
               are
               all
               the
               attempts
               of
               Enemies
               to
               subvert
               and
               destroy
               them
               ?
            
             That
             promise
             ,
             
               Matth.
               28.
               ult
            
             .
             supposes
             the
             continuance
             of
             a
             Gospel
             Church
             and
             Ministry
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             else
             there
             would
             be
             a
             Promise
             without
             a
             Subject
             ;
             as
             
               de
               Iure
            
             ,
             there
             ought
             to
             be
             a
             Church
             ,
             so
             
               de
               facto
            
             ,
             there
             shall
             be
             a
             Church
             with
             Ministers
             and
             Ordinances
             ,
             let
             Satan
             and
             Antichrist
             do
             their
             worst
             .
             I
             do
             not
             say
             this
             Promise
             secures
             this
             or
             that
             particular
             Church
             or
             Nation
             ,
             for
             the
             presence
             of
             Christ
             is
             moveable
             from
             one
             place
             to
             another
             ,
             but
             still
             the
             Church
             is
             safe
             .
             And
             there
             are
             three
             things
             that
             secure
             it
             against
             all
             hazards
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             The
             invaluable
             Treasures
             God
             hath
             lodged
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             viz.
             his
             Truths
             ,
             his
             Worship
             ,
             and
             his
             Elect
             ;
             such
             a
             precious
             Cargo
             secures
             the
             Vessel
             that
             carries
             it
             ,
             what
             ever
             Storms
             or
             Tempests
             may
             befal
             it
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             Covenant
             and
             Promise
             of
             God
             ,
             with
             the
             Church
             ,
             is
             its
             abundant
             security
             ,
             Matth.
             16.
             18.
             
             
               Vpon
               this
               Rock
               will
               I
               build
               my
               Church
               ,
               and
               the
               Gates
               of
               Hell
               shall
               not
               prevail
               against
               it
               .
            
             The
             faithfulness
             of
             God
             is
             pawned
             for
             his
             Peoples
             security
             .
             If
             the
             Church
             fail
             God's
             faithfulness
             must
             fail
             with
             it
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             But
             above
             all
             ,
             the
             Presence
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             it
             ,
             puts
             it
             out
             of
             all
             danger
             of
             miscarrying
             .
             In
             that
             Promise
             ,
             
               Lo
               ,
               I
               am
               with
               
               you
               alway
               ,
            
             are
             found
             all
             munitions
             and
             fortifications
             whatsoever
             :
             Here
             we
             have
             his
             Eye
             of
             Providence
             ,
             his
             Hand
             of
             Power
             ,
             and
             whatsoever
             else
             is
             needful
             to
             support
             and
             secure
             it
             .
             God
             accounts
             his
             Presence
             our
             safety
             ,
             Isa.
             41.
             10.
             
             The
             Enemies
             of
             God
             and
             his
             People
             account
             it
             so
             too
             ,
             Exod.
             14.
             25.
             and
             shall
             it
             not
             be
             so
             in
             our
             own
             account
             ?
             Provoke
             not
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             to
             withdraw
             his
             Presence
             ,
             and
             fear
             not
             the
             consultations
             and
             oppositions
             of
             Hell
             or
             Earth
             .
          
        
         
           
             Third
             Inference
             .
          
           
             
               From
               this
               Spiritual
               Presence
               of
               Christ
               all
               his
               faithful
               Ministers
               should
               draw
               incouragement
               amidst
               the
               manifold
               difficulties
               and
               discouragements
               ,
               they
               dayly
               encounter
               ,
               in
               his
               Work
               and
               Service
               .
            
             Christ
             is
             with
             them
             ,
             they
             Work
             in
             Fellowship
             with
             him
             ,
             let
             them
             not
             be
             dismaid
             .
          
           
             The
             difficulties
             and
             discouragements
             the
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             meet
             with
             are
             great
             and
             many
             ;
             and
             the
             more
             faithful
             and
             successful
             any
             of
             them
             are
             in
             their
             Masters
             Work
             ,
             the
             fiercer
             opposition
             they
             must
             expect
             :
             Besides
             all
             the
             discouragements
             rising
             out
             of
             their
             own
             Hearts
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             a
             few
             ,
             they
             must
             encounter
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             The
             opposition
             of
             Enemies
             from
             abroad
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             obstinacy
             and
             stubornness
             of
             the
             Hearts
             they
             work
             upon
             ;
             Satan
             is
             a
             jealous
             Prince
             ,
             and
             will
             raise
             all
             manner
             of
             outcries
             and
             oppositions
             against
             those
             heavenly
             Heraulds
             ,
             that
             come
             to
             Proclaim
             a
             new
             Prince
             in
             his
             Dominions
             ,
             and
             withdraw
             his
             miserable
             Subjects
             from
             their
             cursed
             Allegiance
             to
             him
             .
             What
             is
             it
             to
             Preach
             the
             Gospel
             (
             said
             Luther
             )
             but
             to
             derive
             
             the
             fury
             of
             the
             World
             upon
             the
             Head
             of
             that
             Preacher
             ?
             But
             this
             would
             be
             easily
             supportable
             ,
             did
             our
             Work
             but
             prosper
             upon
             the
             hearts
             of
             our
             hearers
             ;
             but
             this
             alas
             ,
             is
             the
             killing
             consideration
             of
             all
             ;
             we
             know
             the
             worth
             of
             Souls
             ,
             and
             how
             great
             a
             service
             it
             is
             to
             save
             them
             from
             death
             ,
             Iames
             5.
             20.
             
             We
             also
             know
             the
             terrors
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             which
             excite
             our
             utmost
             endeavours
             to
             perswade
             men
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             11.
             
             We
             feel
             the
             compassions
             of
             Christ
             stirring
             in
             our
             own
             bowels
             ,
             which
             makes
             us
             long
             after
             their
             Salvation
             ,
             Phil.
             1.
             8.
             
             We
             preach
             ,
             we
             pray
             ,
             yea
             ,
             we
             travail
             again
             as
             it
             were
             in
             birth
             until
             Christ
             be
             formed
             in
             them
             ,
             Gal.
             4.
             19.
             
             And
             when
             we
             have
             done
             all
             ,
             we
             find
             their
             Hearts
             as
             Iron
             and
             Brass
             ,
             Ier.
             6.
             28.
             
             We
             mourn
             in
             secret
             when
             we
             cannot
             prevail
             ,
             and
             oft
             times
             our
             Hands
             hang
             down
             with
             discouragement
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             ready
             to
             say
             with
             the
             
               Prophet
               ,
               We
               will
               speak
               no
               more
               in
               his
               name
               ,
            
             Jer.
             20.
             9.
             
             But
             here
             is
             our
             relief
             ,
             under
             all
             discouragements
             from
             abroad
             and
             at
             home
             ;
             the
             Work
             is
             Christs
             ,
             the
             Power
             is
             his
             ,
             he
             is
             with
             us
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             Workers
             together
             with
             him
             .
             There
             was
             a
             time
             when
             Three
             thousand
             Souls
             were
             born
             to
             Christ
             at
             one
             Sermon
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             now
             Three
             thousand
             Sermons
             may
             be
             preacht
             and
             not
             a
             Soul
             Converted
             :
             Yet
             let
             us
             not
             be
             discouraged
             ,
             a
             time
             of
             eminent
             Conversions
             is
             Promised
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             expected
             in
             these
             latter
             days
             ,
             Ezek.
             47.
             9.
             when
             the
             living
             waters
             of
             the
             Gospel
             shall
             make
             every
             thing
             to
             live
             whither
             they
             come
             .
             And
             when
             the
             Fishers
             (
             
               i.
               e.
            
             )
             the
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             shall
             not
             fish
             with
             Angles
             as
             now
             they
             do
             ,
             taking
             now
             one
             ,
             then
             another
             single
             Convert
             ,
             but
             shall
             spread
             forth
             their
             Nets
             ,
             but
             inclose
             multitudes
             at
             a
             draught
             ;
             
               When
               they
               
               Shall
               flee
               as
               a
               Cloud
               ,
               and
               as
               the
               Doves
               to
               their
               Windows
               .
            
             God
             now
             opens
             a
             door
             of
             opportunity
             beyond
             expectation
             ;
             Oh
             that
             the
             Hearts
             of
             Ministers
             and
             People
             were
             suitably
             enlarged
             ,
             and
             the
             People
             made
             willing
             in
             the
             day
             of
             his
             Power
             .
          
        
         
           
             Fourth
             Inference
             .
          
           
             Hence
             we
             also
             infer
             the
             great
             dignity
             of
             the
             ministerial
             Office
             ,
             and
             the
             suitable
             respect
             and
             honour
             due
             to
             all
             Christs
             faithful
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             The
             Lord
             Jesus
             himself
             is
             represented
             by
             them
             ,
             they
             stand
             in
             his
             stead
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             20.
             his
             authority
             is
             clothed
             upon
             them
             ;
             the
             honours
             and
             dishonours
             given
             them
             ,
             redounds
             to
             the
             person
             of
             Christ
             ,
             Luke
             10.
             16.
             
             The
             Galathians
             received
             Paul
             as
             an
             Angel
             of
             Gold
             ,
             even
             as
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             Gal.
             4.
             14.
             
          
           
             Yet
             how
             have
             their
             Persons
             and
             Office
             been
             vilified
             and
             despised
             in
             this
             degenerate
             age
             !
             How
             many
             Learned
             ,
             Pious
             ,
             Laborious
             ,
             Peaceful
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             have
             in
             this
             age
             ,
             been
             hunted
             up
             and
             down
             the
             World
             as
             wild
             Beasts
             ,
             been
             made
             the
             filth
             and
             off-scouring
             of
             all
             things
             unto
             this
             day
             ,
             I
             Cor.
             4.
             13.
             
             The
             Word
             signifies
             that
             dirt
             and
             filth
             which
             Scavengers
             rake
             together
             in
             the
             Streets
             ,
             to
             be
             carried
             to
             the
             Dunghil
             .
             No
             doubt
             but
             Satan
             drives
             a
             great
             design
             in
             this
             to
             invalidate
             their
             Ministry
             ,
             discourage
             their
             Labours
             ,
             and
             break
             their
             Hearts
             :
             but
             Jesus
             Christ
             will
             support
             us
             under
             all
             these
             abuses
             ,
             wipe
             off
             the
             dirt
             thrown
             at
             us
             ,
             for
             his
             Name
             sake
             ,
             and
             reserve
             some
             of
             us
             for
             better
             days
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             Fifth
             Inference
             .
          
           
             
               Is
               Christ
               Present
               in
               his
               Ordinances
               ,
               what
               a
               strong
               engagement
               then
               lyes
               upon
               you
               all
               ,
               to
               attend
               and
               wait
               assiduously
               upon
               the
               Ministry
               of
               the
               Word
               ,
               and
               to
               bring
               all
               yours
               ,
               that
               are
               capable
               ,
               there
               to
               wait
               upon
               Christ
               with
               you
               ?
            
             We
             read
             in
             the
             days
             of
             Christs
             flesh
             ,
             when
             he
             performed
             his
             miraculous
             Cures
             upon
             the
             Sick
             ,
             what
             thronging
             there
             was
             after
             him
             ;
             how
             Parents
             brought
             their
             Children
             ,
             Masters
             their
             Servants
             ,
             pressing
             in
             multitudes
             ,
             untyling
             the
             House
             to
             let
             down
             their
             Sick
             to
             him
             ,
             Luke
             12.
             1.
             
             Ah
             ,
             shall
             Men
             be
             so
             earnest
             for
             a
             Cure
             for
             their
             Bodies
             ,
             and
             so
             indifferent
             for
             their
             Souls
             ?
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             is
             not
             tied
             by
             any
             necessity
             to
             act
             always
             with
             the
             World
             ;
             he
             acts
             as
             an
             arbitrary
             Agent
             ,
             
               Iohn
               13.
               8.
               
               The
               Wind
               bloweth
               where
               it
               listeth
               :
            
             but
             it
             is
             engagement
             enough
             to
             wait
             continually
             upon
             his
             Ordinances
             ,
             that
             he
             sometimes
             graciously
             and
             effectually
             concurreth
             with
             them
             .
             'T
             is
             good
             to
             lye
             in
             the
             way
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             a
             blessing
             pronounced
             upon
             them
             that
             wait
             continually
             at
             his
             Gates
             ,
             Prov.
             8.
             34.
             
             Oh
             therefore
             neglect
             no
             season
             within
             your
             reach
             ,
             who
             knows
             but
             that
             may
             be
             the
             season
             of
             Life
             to
             thy
             Soul
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Sixth
             Inference
             .
          
           
             
               What
               an
               unspeakable
               loss
               is
               the
               loss
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               seeing
               the
               Presence
               of
               Christ
               comes
               and
               goes
               with
               it
               ?
            
             When
             the
             Gospel
             departs
             ,
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             departs
             with
             it
             from
             among
             Men
             ;
             no
             more
             conversions
             ,
             in
             Gods
             ordinary
             way
             ,
             are
             then
             to
             be
             
             expected
             :
             well
             therefore
             might
             the
             Lord
             say
             ,
             in
             
               Hosea
               9.
               12.
               
               Wo
               to
               them
               when
               I
               depart
               from
               them
               .
            
             The
             Spirit
             may
             in
             some
             sense
             depart
             whilst
             the
             Ordinances
             are
             left
             standing
             for
             a
             time
             among
             the
             People
             ,
             but
             then
             expect
             no
             such
             blessings
             or
             benefits
             from
             them
             .
             But
             when
             God
             takes
             away
             Ordinances
             and
             Spirit
             too
             ,
             wo
             indeed
             to
             that
             People
             ;
             and
             are
             there
             not
             Sins
             amongst
             us
             presaging
             such
             a
             Judgment
             ?
             Oh
             England
             reflect
             upon
             thy
             barrenness
             under
             it
             ;
             where
             be
             the
             fruits
             answerable
             to
             such
             precious
             means
             ?
             The
             Gospel
             is
             a
             golden
             Lamp
             ,
             the
             graces
             of
             the
             Spirit
             communicated
             by
             it
             are
             golden
             Oyl
             ;
             as
             in
             that
             stately
             vision
             ,
             Zach.
             4.
             will
             God
             maintain
             such
             a
             lamp
             fed
             with
             such
             precious
             Oyl
             for
             men
             to
             trifle
             and
             play
             by
             ?
          
           
             And
             no
             less
             ominous
             and
             portentous
             -
             is
             that
             bitter
             enmity
             to
             the
             Gospel
             and
             the
             serious
             professors
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             (
             I
             cannot
             speak
             without
             horror
             )
             is
             every
             where
             found
             among
             us
             ;
             this
             great
             hatred
             brings
             on
             the
             days
             of
             visitation
             ,
             and
             the
             days
             of
             recompence
             with
             a
             swift
             and
             dreadful
             motion
             upon
             any
             people
             ,
             Hosea
             9.
             7.
             
          
        
         
           
             Seventh
             Inference
             .
          
           
             
               If
               Christ
               be
               present
               by
               way
               of
               Spirit
               and
               energy
               in
               his
               Ordinances
               ,
               then
               there
               is
               no
               reason
               to
               despair
               of
               the
               Conversion
               and
               Salvation
               of
               the
               greatest
               of
               sinners
               that
               yet
               lye
               dead
               under
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             What
             though
             their
             Hearts
             be
             hard
             ,
             their
             Understandings
             dark
             ,
             and
             their
             Wills
             never
             so
             perverse
             and
             obstinate
             ,
             all
             must
             give
             way
             and
             open
             in
             the
             day
             of
             Christs
             power
             ,
             when
             his
             Spirit
             joyns
             himself
             with
             the
             Word
             .
             This
             makes
             it
             an
             irresistable
             
             Word
             ;
             't
             is
             glorious
             to
             observe
             the
             hearts
             of
             Publicans
             and
             Harlots
             opening
             and
             yielding
             to
             the
             voice
             of
             Christ
             ,
             Matth.
             21.
             31.
             
             What
             were
             those
             three
             thousand
             persons
             prickt
             at
             the
             Heart
             by
             Peters
             Sermon
             ,
             Acts
             2.
             36.
             but
             the
             very
             Men
             that
             with
             wicked
             Hands
             had
             crucified
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             ?
             And
             what
             were
             the
             converted
             Corinthians
             ,
             but
             Idolaters
             turned
             from
             dumb
             Idols
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               12.
               2.
               
               Whoremongers
               ,
               Adulterers
               ,
               Effeminate
               ,
            
             &c.
             1
             Cor.
             6.
             11.
             
             God
             hath
             his
             elect
             among
             the
             vilest
             of
             Men
             :
             The
             Gospel
             will
             find
             them
             out
             ,
             and
             draw
             them
             home
             to
             Christ
             ,
             when
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             animates
             and
             blesseth
             it
             .
             Well
             might
             the
             Apostle
             therefore
             say
             ,
             that
             the
             Gospel
             preached
             with
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             sent
             down
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             is
             an
             object
             worthy
             for
             Angels
             to
             behold
             with
             admiration
             ,
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             12.
             
             What
             though
             Satan
             have
             strongly
             fortified
             their
             Souls
             against
             Christ
             ,
             with
             ignorance
             ,
             prejudice
             and
             enmity
             ;
             yet
             the
             weapons
             of
             our
             warfare
             are
             mighty
             through
             God
             to
             pull
             down
             these
             strong
             holds
             .
             Despair
             not
             therefore
             of
             your
             carnal
             and
             dead
             hearted
             relations
             ,
             bring
             them
             to
             the
             Gospel
             upon
             the
             encouragement
             of
             these
             words
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               Ioh.
               5.
               25.
               
               The
               hour
               cometh
               ,
               yea
               and
               now
               is
               ,
               that
               the
               dead
               shall
               hear
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               they
               that
               hear
               it
               shall
               live
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Eighth
             Inference
             .
          
           
             
               Is
               Christ
               Spiritually
               present
               in
               his
               Ordinances
               ,
               oh
               then
               what
               an
               indeared
               affection
               should
               every
               gracious
               Soul
               bear
               to
               the
               Ordinances
               of
               God!
            
             They
             are
             the
             walks
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             Spirit
             ;
             the
             appointed
             times
             and
             places
             for
             your
             meeting
             and
             Communion
             
             with
             him
             ;
             there
             your
             Souls
             first
             met
             with
             Christ
             ,
             there
             you
             began
             your
             acquaintance
             with
             him
             ;
             there
             you
             have
             had
             many
             sweet
             converses
             with
             him
             since
             that
             day
             ;
             they
             were
             the
             seed
             of
             your
             regeneration
             ,
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             23.
             
             The
             bread
             of
             life
             by
             which
             your
             Souls
             have
             been
             sustained
             ever
             since
             ,
             and
             therefore
             to
             be
             more
             esteemed
             by
             you
             than
             your
             necessary
             food
             ,
             Iob
             23.
             12.
             
             Here
             you
             have
             found
             the
             richest
             Cordials
             to
             revive
             and
             recover
             your
             drooping
             Spirits
             ,
             when
             ready
             to
             sink
             away
             in
             a
             faint
             fit
             under
             sin
             within
             you
             and
             afflictions
             upon
             you
             ,
             Psal.
             119.
             50.
             
             No
             wonder
             Davids
             Soul
             even
             fainted
             for
             the
             Courts
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             Hezekiah
             desired
             a
             sign
             on
             his
             sick
             bed
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             go
             up
             to
             the
             House
             of
             the
             Lord.
             Here
             are
             the
             choicest
             comforts
             of
             the
             Saints
             upon
             Earth
             ;
             all
             our
             fresh
             springs
             are
             in
             
               Zion
               ,
               Psal.
            
             87.
             7.
             
             What
             a
             dungeon
             ,
             what
             a
             barren
             Wilderness
             were
             this
             World
             without
             them
             !
             Prize
             the
             Ordinances
             ,
             love
             the
             Ordinances
             ,
             wait
             assiduously
             upon
             the
             Ordinances
             ,
             and
             pray
             for
             the
             liberty
             and
             efficacy
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             set
             no
             more
             in
             your
             days
             ,
             nor
             in
             the
             days
             of
             your
             posterity
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           SERMON
           III.
           
        
         
           
             
               Revel
               .
               3.
               20.
               
            
             Behold
             I
             [
             Stand
             ]
             at
             the
             door
             and
             knock
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           HAving
           finished
           Christs
           solemn
           Preface
           ,
           and
           cleared
           the
           manner
           of
           his
           Presence
           in
           his
           Churches
           and
           Ordinances
           :
           I
           now
           come
           to
           a
           third
           Observation
           ,
           which
           is
           necessarily
           implied
           in
           these
           words
           ,
           
             Behold
             I
             stand
             at
             the
             door
             and
             knock
          
           ;
           and
           that
           sad
           Truth
           therein
           implied
           is
           this
           ,
        
         
           
             DOCTRIN
             .
          
           
             That
             the
             Hearts
             of
             Men
             are
             naturally
             lockt
             up
             and
             fast
             barr'd
             against
             Iesus
             Christ
             their
             only
             Saviour
             .
          
           
             If
             it
             were
             not
             so
             ,
             what
             need
             were
             there
             of
             all
             that
             pains
             and
             patience
             ,
             used
             and
             exercised
             by
             Christ
             ,
             in
             waiting
             patiently
             ,
             and
             knocking
             importunately
             ,
             for
             entrance
             into
             the
             Hearts
             of
             Men
             ?
             To
             keep
             a
             clear
             method
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             three
             things
             must
             be
             stated
             in
             the
             Doctrinal
             part
             ,
             
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 How
                 it
                 appears
                 the
                 Hearts
                 of
                 Men
                 are
                 thus
                 shut
                 up
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 What
                 are
                 those
                 Locks
                 and
                 Bars
                 that
                 shut
                 them
                 up
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 no
                 Power
                 of
                 Man
                 can
                 remove
                 these
                 Bars
                 .
              
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             That
             all
             Hearts
             are
             naturally
             shut
             and
             made
             fast
             against
             Christ
             ,
             is
             a
             sad
             but
             certain
             truth
             ;
             we
             read
             ,
             
               Iohn
               1.
               11
               ,
               12.
               
               He
               came
               unto
               his
               own
               ,
               and
               his
               own
               received
               him
               not
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             He
             came
             unto
             his
             own
             People
             from
             whose
             stock
             he
             sprang
             up
             ;
             a
             People
             to
             whom
             he
             had
             been
             prefigured
             ,
             in
             all
             the
             Sacrifices
             and
             Types
             of
             the
             Law
             ;
             and
             in
             whom
             they
             might
             all
             clearly
             discern
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             them
             all
             .
             His
             Doctrines
             and
             his
             Miracles
             plainly
             told
             them
             who
             he
             was
             ,
             and
             whence
             he
             came
             ;
             yet
             few
             discerned
             or
             received
             him
             as
             the
             Son
             of
             God.
             Christ
             found
             the
             Doors
             of
             Mens
             Hearts
             generally
             shut
             against
             him
             ,
             save
             only
             a
             few
             whose
             Hearts
             were
             opened
             by
             the
             Almighty
             Power
             of
             God
             ,
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Faith
             ,
             vers
             .
             12.
             these
             indeed
             received
             him
             ,
             but
             all
             the
             rest
             excluded
             and
             denied
             entrance
             to
             the
             Son
             of
             God.
             So
             again
             ,
             in
             Iohn
             5.
             from
             33.
             to
             40.
             
             Christ
             reasons
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             gives
             undeniable
             demonstrations
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             the
             Messiah
             come
             to
             save
             them
             ;
             proves
             it
             from
             the
             testimony
             of
             
               Iohn
               vers
               .
               33.
               
               Ye
               sent
               unto
            
             John
             ,
             
               and
               he
               bare
               witness
               unto
               the
               Truth
            
             ;
             Tells
             them
             the
             design
             of
             his
             coming
             among
             them
             was
             their
             Salvation
             ,
             vers
             .
             34.
             shews
             them
             the
             great
             Seal
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             his
             uncontroulable
             Miracles
             ,
             
               vess
               .
               36.
               
               The
               Works
               that
               I
               do
               ,
               bear
               witness
               of
               me
               ,
               that
               the
               Father
               hath
               sent
               me
               :
            
             And
             if
             that
             were
             not
             enough
             ,
             he
             reminds
             them
             of
             the
             
             immediate
             testimony
             given
             of
             him
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             
               vers
               .
               37.
               
               The
               Father
               himself
               which
               hath
               sent
               me
               ,
               bath
               born
               witness
               of
               me
               .
            
             He
             did
             so
             at
             his
             
               Baptism
               ,
               Matth.
               3.
               17.
               
               And
               lo
               a
               voice
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               saying
               ,
               This
               is
               my
               beloved
               Son
               in
               whom
               I
               am
               well
               pleased
               .
            
             And
             so
             again
             ,
             at
             his
             transfiguration
             upon
             the
             holy
             Mount
             ,
             
               Math.
               17.
               5.
               
               While
               be
               yet
               spake
               ,
               behold
               a
               bright
               cloud
               overshadowed
               them
               ;
               and
               behold
               a
               voice
               out
               of
               the
               cloud
               ,
               which
               said
               ,
               This
               is
               my
               beloved
               Son
               in
               whom
               I
               am
               well
               pleased
               ,
               hear
               ye
               him
               .
            
             He
             bids
             them
             search
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             and
             critically
             examine
             his
             perfect
             correspondence
             to
             them
             ,
             vers
             .
             39.
             
             Enough
             one
             would
             think
             to
             open
             the
             door
             of
             every
             Mans
             understanding
             and
             Heart
             to
             receive
             him
             with
             fullest
             satisfaction
             :
             and
             yet
             after
             all
             behold
             the
             unreasonable
             obstinacy
             and
             resistance
             of
             their
             Hearts
             against
             him
             ,
             
               vers
               .
               40.
               
               Ye
               will
               not
               come
               unto
               me
               that
               you
               might
               have
               life
               .
            
          
           
             Not
             a
             Soul
             will
             open
             ,
             with
             all
             the
             reasons
             and
             demonstrations
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             till
             the
             Almighty
             power
             of
             God
             be
             pur
             forth
             to
             that
             end
             .
             If
             another
             come
             in
             his
             own
             name
             (
             saith
             he
             ,
             vers
             .
             43.
             )
             
               Him
               will
               ye
               receive
            
             ;
             Any
             body
             rather
             than
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             :
             Every
             cheat
             can
             impose
             upon
             you
             easily
             ,
             't
             is
             to
             me
             only
             your
             Hearts
             have
             such
             strong
             aversations
             .
             Now
             there
             is
             a
             twosold
             shutting
             up
             of
             the
             Heart
             against
             Jesus
             Christ.
             
          
           
             
               1.
               
               Natural
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Judicial
               .
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             Natural
             ,
             every
             Soul
             comes
             into
             this
             World
             shut
             up
             and
             fast
             closed
             against
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             .
             The
             very
             Will
             of
             Man
             which
             is
             the
             freest
             and
             most
             arbitrary
             faculty
             ,
             come●
             into
             the
             
             World
             barr'd
             and
             bolted
             against
             Christ
             ,
             
               Rom.
               8.
               7.
               
               The
               carnal
               mind
               is
               enmity
               against
               God
               ,
               for
               it
               is
               not
               subject
               unto
               the
               Law
               of
               God
               ,
               neither
               indeed
               can
               be
               .
            
             Phil.
             2.
             13.
             
             
               'T
               is
               God
               that
               worketh
               in
               you
               both
               to
               will
               and
               to
               do
               of
               his
               own
               good
               pleasure
               .
            
             This
             is
             a
             dismal
             effect
             of
             the
             fall
             ,
             who
             feels
             not
             strong
             aversations
             ,
             violent
             rebellions
             ,
             and
             obstinate
             resistances
             in
             his
             own
             Heart
             when
             moving
             towards
             Christ
             in
             the
             first
             weak
             and
             trembling
             acts
             of
             Faith
             ?
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             There
             is
             a
             Iudicial
             shutting
             up
             of
             the
             Heart
             against
             Christ.
             This
             is
             a
             sore
             and
             tremendous
             stroke
             of
             God
             ,
             punishing
             former
             rebellions
             ,
             
               Psal.
               81.
               11
               ,
               12.
               
               Israel
               would
               have
               none
               of
               me
               ,
               so
               I
               gave
               them
               up
               to
               their
               own
               hearts
               lusts
               .
            
             This
             looks
             like
             a
             prelude
             of
             Damnation
             ,
             a
             very
             near
             preparation
             to
             ruine
             .
             
               Israel
               would
               have
               none
               of
               me
               ,
            
             there
             's
             the
             natural
             shutting
             up
             of
             the
             Heart
             ,
             
               So
               I
               gave
               them
               up
            
             ,
             there
             's
             the
             judicial
             shutting
             up
             of
             the
             Heart
             ;
             they
             would
             not
             hear
             ,
             they
             shall
             not
             hear
             .
             Oh
             fearful
             Judgment
             !
             Thus
             the
             Lord
             gave
             up
             the
             Heathens
             ,
             Rom.
             1.
             26.
             they
             had
             abused
             their
             natural
             light
             ,
             and
             now
             their
             minds
             are
             judicially
             darkned
             ;
             given
             up
             to
             a
             sottish
             and
             injudicious
             mind
             ,
             not
             able
             to
             distinguish
             Duty
             from
             sin
             ,
             Safety
             from
             danger
             ;
             a
             mind
             that
             should
             elect
             the
             worst
             things
             ,
             and
             reprobate
             the
             best
             .
             This
             was
             the
             reprobate
             mind
             unto
             which
             God
             gave
             them
             up
             ;
             What
             sadder
             word
             can
             the
             Lord
             speak
             than
             this
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             
               take
               him
               Devil
            
             ?
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             those
             that
             God
             shuts
             up
             he
             can
             open
             ,
             and
             those
             whom
             Justice
             shuts
             up
             ,
             Mercy
             can
             set
             free
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             beyond
             all
             the
             power
             of
             Angels
             and
             Men
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             
               Iob
               12.
               14.
               
               He
               shutteth
               up
               a
               Man
               and
               there
               can
               be
               no
               opening
               .
            
             These
             two
             closures
             
             of
             the
             Heart
             ,
             are
             not
             always
             found
             together
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             subject
             ,
             and
             blessed
             be
             God
             they
             are
             not
             .
             Christ
             meets
             with
             many
             a
             repulse
             ,
             and
             indures
             with
             much
             patience
             the
             gainsayings
             of
             sinners
             ,
             before
             he
             pronounce
             that
             dreadful
             sentence
             upon
             them
             ,
             
               Isa.
               6.
               9
               ,
               10.
               
               Go
               and
               tell
               this
               people
               ,
               hear
               ye
               indeed
               ,
               but
               understand
               not
               ;
               and
               see
               ye
               indeed
               ,
               but
               perceive
               not
               :
               Make
               the
               heart
               of
               this
               people
               fat
               ,
            
             &
             C.
             
          
           
             But
             when
             it
             comes
             to
             this
             once
             ,
             dreadful
             is
             the
             case
             of
             such
             Souls
             ;
             and
             none
             are
             in
             greater
             danger
             of
             this
             Spiritual
             Judicial
             stroak
             of
             God
             ,
             than
             those
             that
             have
             sat
             long
             under
             the
             light
             ,
             rebelling
             against
             it
             .
             That
             's
             the
             first
             thing
             ,
             The
             Hearts
             of
             Men
             by
             nature
             are
             lockt
             and
             shut
             up
             against
             Christ.
             
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             In
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             Let
             us
             examine
             what
             those
             Locks
             and
             Bars
             are
             which
             oppose
             and
             forbid
             Christs
             entrance
             into
             the
             Hearts
             of
             poor
             sinners
             .
             And
             they
             will
             be
             found
             to
             be
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 Ignorance
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Unbelief
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Pride
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Custom
                 in
                 sin
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 Presumption
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 Prejudices
                 against
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 holiness
                 .
              
            
             Bars
             enough
             to
             secure
             the
             Soul
             in
             Satans
             possession
             ,
             and
             frustrate
             all
             the
             designs
             of
             Mercy
             ,
             except
             an
             Almighty
             power
             from
             Heaven
             break
             them
             asunder
             .
          
           
             
             
               First
               Bar.
               
            
             
               The
               first
               Bar
               making
               fast
               the
               Soul
               of
               Man
               against
               Christ
               ,
               is
               Ignorance
               ,
               that
               
                 obex
                 infernalis
              
               ,
               that
               hellish
               Bolt
               ,
               which
               effectually
               keeps
               Christ
               out
               of
               the
               Soul.
               
            
             
               If
               Knowledge
               be
               the
               Key
               that
               opens
               the
               Heart
               to
               Christ
               ,
               as
               its
               plain
               it
               is
               ,
               from
               Luke
               11.
               52.
               where
               Christ
               denounceth
               a
               wo
               to
               them
               that
               took
               away
               
                 the
                 Key
                 of
                 Knowledge
              
               ;
               then
               Ignorance
               must
               needs
               be
               the
               shutter
               that
               makes
               fast
               the
               door
               of
               the
               Heart
               against
               Christ.
               Upon
               this
               ground
               Christ
               told
               the
               Woman
               of
               
                 Samaria
                 ,
                 Iohn
              
               4.
               10.
               that
               her
               Infideli●y
               grew
               upon
               the
               root
               of
               her
               Ignorance
               ,
               
                 If
                 thou
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 saith
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 Give
                 me
                 to
                 drink
                 ,
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 have
                 asked
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 given
                 thee
                 living
                 water
                 .
              
               Ah
               sinners
               ,
               did
               you
               but
               know
               what
               a
               Christ
               he
               is
               that
               is
               offered
               to
               your
               Souls
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               did
               you
               see
               his
               beauty
               ,
               fulness
               ,
               and
               suitablness
               ,
               and
               feel
               your
               own
               necessities
               of
               him
               ,
               all
               the
               World
               could
               not
               keep
               you
               from
               him
               :
               You
               would
               break
               through
               all
               reproaches
               ,
               all
               sufferings
               ,
               all
               self-denials
               ,
               to
               come
               into
               the
               enjoyment
               of
               him
               .
               But
               alas
               ,
               it
               is
               with
               you
               as
               it
               was
               with
               those
               ,
               
                 Cant.
                 5.
                 9.
                 
                 What
                 is
                 thy
                 beloved
              
               (
               say
               they
               to
               the
               Spouse
               )
               
                 more
                 than
                 another
                 beloved
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 dost
                 so
                 charge
                 us
                 ?
              
               Unknown
               excellencies
               attract
               not
               :
               Ignorance
               is
               Satans
               Scepter
               ,
               which
               he
               sways
               over
               all
               his
               Kingdom
               of
               darkness
               ,
               and
               holds
               his
               Vassals
               in
               miserable
               bondage
               to
               him
               .
               Hence
               the
               Devils
               are
               called
               ,
               
                 The
                 rulers
                 of
                 the
                 darkness
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 Ephes.
              
               6.
               12.
               
               Alas
               ,
               were
               the
               Eyes
               of
               sinners
               but
               opened
               to
               see
               their
               woful
               
               state
               ,
               and
               their
               remedy
               in
               Christ
               ,
               he
               could
               never
               hold
               them
               in
               subjection
               one
               day
               longer
               ;
               they
               would
               break
               away
               from
               under
               his
               cruel
               Government
               ,
               and
               run
               over
               by
               Thousands
               to
               Christ
               ;
               for
               so
               they
               do
               as
               soon
               as
               ever
               God
               opens
               their
               Eyes
               ;
               in
               the
               same
               hour
               they
               are
               turned
               from
               darkness
               to
               light
               ,
               they
               are
               also
               turned
               from
               the
               power
               of
               Satan
               to
               God
               ,
               Acts
               28.
               16.
               
               Oh
               ,
               that
               you
               did
               but
               know
               the
               worth
               of
               your
               Souls
               ,
               the
               dreadful
               danger
               they
               are
               in
               ,
               and
               the
               fearf●l
               wrath
               that
               hangs
               over
               them
               ;
               the
               willingness
               and
               ability
               of
               Christ
               to
               save
               them
               ,
               you
               could
               not
               sleep
               one
               night
               longer
               in
               the
               state
               you
               are
               :
               The
               next
               cry
               would
               be
               ,
               
                 what
                 shall
                 I
                 do
                 to
                 be
                 saved
                 ?
              
               Who
               will
               shew
               me
               the
               way
               to
               Christ
               ?
               Help
               Ministers
               ,
               help
               Christians
               ,
               yea
               ,
               help
               Lord
               ;
               these
               would
               be
               the
               laments
               and
               cries
               of
               them
               that
               are
               now
               secure
               and
               quiet
               ;
               but
               the
               God
               of
               this
               World
               hath
               blinded
               the
               Eyes
               of
               them
               that
               believe
               not
               .
               No
               cries
               for
               a
               Phisitian
               ,
               because
               no
               sense
               how
               their
               Souls
               are
               stabbed
               by
               sins
               of
               commission
               ,
               and
               starved
               by
               sins
               of
               omission
               .
               Oh
               ,
               that
               the
               great
               Physitian
               would
               once
               apply
               his
               excellent
               eye-salve
               to
               your
               understandings
               which
               are
               yet
               darkned
               with
               gross
               ignorance
               both
               of
               your
               misery
               and
               remedy
               .
            
          
           
             
               The
               Second
               Bar.
               
            
             
               The
               Second
               Bar
               or
               Lock
               that
               shuts
               Christ
               out
               of
               Mens
               Souls
               ,
               is
               the
               sin
               of
               Vnbelief
               ;
               this
               is
               one
               of
               the
               strongest
               holds
               of
               Satan
               wherein
               he
               trusteth
               ;
               this
               is
               a
               sin
               that
               not
               only
               locks
               up
               the
               Heart
               of
               a
               sinner
               ,
               but
               also
               binds
               up
               the
               Hand
               of
               a
               Saviour
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 13.
                 58.
                 
                 He
                 could
                 do
                 no
                 mighty
                 works
                 there
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 their
                 unbelief
                 .
              
            
             
             
               It
               obstructed
               his
               miraculous
               Works
               when
               he
               was
               on
               Earth
               ,
               and
               it
               obstructs
               his
               gracious
               Works
               now
               he
               is
               in
               Heaven
               .
               A
               Saviour
               is
               come
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               poor
               Unbeliever
               ,
               thy
               Soul
               can
               neither
               have
               Union
               nor
               Communion
               with
               him
               till
               this
               Bar
               of
               thy
               unbelief
               be
               removed
               .
               The
               Gospel
               is
               come
               among
               us
               with
               mighty
               Arguments
               to
               convince
               ,
               and
               powerful
               Motives
               to
               perswade
               ,
               but
               little
               saving
               effect
               follows
               ;
               its
               main
               design
               is
               to
               many
               frustrated
               ,
               and
               all
               this
               through
               unbelief
               shutting
               up
               and
               hardning
               Mens
               hearts
               under
               it
               .
               The
               Word
               preached
               did
               not
               profit
               them
               because
               of
               their
               unbelief
               ,
               Heb.
               4.
               2.
               
               Ah
               cursed
               Bar
               !
               Which
               shuts
               up
               thy
               Heart
               ,
               shuts
               out
               thy
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               will
               effectually
               shut
               thee
               out
               of
               Heaven
               except
               the
               Almighty
               power
               of
               God
               break
               it
               asunder
               :
               
                 They
                 could
                 not
                 enter
                 in
                 because
                 of
                 unbelief
                 .
              
               The
               ruin
               of
               Souls
               is
               laid
               at
               the
               Door
               of
               unbelief
               ;
               t
               is
               the
               damning
               sin
               ,
               Mark
               16.
               16.
               and
               truly
               called
               so
               ,
               because
               no
               other
               sin
               could
               damn
               but
               in
               the
               vertue
               of
               this
               sin
               .
               That
               's
               the
               Second
               Bar
               to
               Christ.
               
            
          
           
             
               Third
               Bar.
               
            
             
               The
               Third
               Bar
               denying
               entrance
               to
               Christ
               into
               the
               hearts
               of
               sinners
               is
               Pride
               ,
               and
               stoutness
               of
               Spirit
               .
               The
               natural
               Heart
               is
               a
               proud
               Heart
               ;
               it
               lives
               upon
               its
               own
               stock
               ,
               it
               cannot
               stoop
               to
               a
               sincere
               and
               universal
               renunciation
               of
               its
               own
               righteousness
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 10.
                 3.
                 
                 Being
                 ignorant
                 of
                 the
                 righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 going
                 about
                 to
                 establish
                 their
                 own
                 righteousness
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 they
                 have
                 not
                 submitted
                 to
                 the
                 righteousness
                 of
                 God.
              
               Pride
               stiffens
               the
               Will
               that
               it
               cannot
               stoop
               or
               condescend
               to
               declare
               
               their
               own
               emptiness
               ,
               discover
               their
               own
               shame
               ,
               and
               live
               wholly
               upon
               the
               righteousness
               of
               another
               .
               Proud
               nature
               had
               as
               live
               be
               damned
               as
               deny
               it self
               in
               such
               appoint
               as
               this
               is
               ;
               this
               makes
               Faith
               so
               exceeding
               difficult
               ,
               because
               it
               involves
               such
               deep
               points
               of
               self-denial
               in
               it
               ;
               to
               give
               up
               all
               to
               Christ
               ,
               to
               draw
               all
               from
               Christ
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               willing
               to
               part
               with
               all
               for
               Christ
               ,
               what
               Will
               can
               be
               brought
               to
               a
               deliberate
               consent
               to
               such
               things
               as
               these
               ,
               unless
               an
               omnipotent
               Power
               bow
               it
               ?
               'T
               is
               natural
               to
               Men
               rather
               to
               eat
               a
               brown
               crust
               ,
               or
               wear
               a
               course
               ragged
               garment
               which
               they
               can
               call
               their
               own
               ,
               than
               to
               feed
               upon
               the
               richest
               dainties
               ,
               or
               wear
               the
               costliest
               garments
               which
               they
               must
               receive
               as
               an
               alms
               or
               gift
               from
               another
               .
               Oh
               ,
               how
               hard
               is
               it
               to
               subdue
               this
               pride
               of
               the
               Heart
               ,
               even
               after
               light
               and
               conviction
               is
               come
               into
               the
               Soul
               ,
               to
               convince
               Men
               of
               their
               undone
               condition
               ,
               and
               the
               absolute
               necessity
               of
               an
               other
               and
               higher
               righteousness
               than
               their
               own
               ?
               When
               Souls
               are
               in
               a
               treaty
               with
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               match
               is
               almost
               made
               ;
               this
               is
               the
               sin
               that
               makes
               the
               last
               opposition
               .
               Feign
               would
               they
               come
               to
               Christ
               ,
               ten
               thousand
               Worlds
               for
               a
               Christ
               ;
               but
               yet
               they
               think
               they
               must
               not
               approach
               him
               without
               some
               qualifications
               which
               are
               yet
               wanting
               .
               But
               Soul
               ,
               if
               ever
               Christ
               and
               thou
               conclude
               the
               match
               ,
               thou
               must
               deny
               Self
               even
               in
               this
               ,
               the
               most
               refined
               form
               and
               interest
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               come
               as
               Abraham
               did
               ,
               naked
               and
               empty
               handed
               to
               him
               that
               justifieth
               the
               ungodly
               .
               Down
               with
               this
               House-Idol
               thy self
               ,
               thy
               righteous
               self
               ,
               trimmed
               up
               like
               another
               Agag
               with
               such
               specious
               pretences
               of
               humility
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               Fourth
               Bar.
               
            
             
               The
               fourth
               Bar
               forbiding
               Christs
               entrance
               into
               the
               Soul
               is
               
                 custom
                 in
                 sin
              
               .
               Sin
               hath
               so
               fixed
               it self
               ,
               by
               long
               continuance
               in
               the
               Soul
               ,
               the
               Soul
               is
               so
               setled
               and
               confirmed
               in
               its
               course
               ,
               that
               all
               arguments
               and
               perswasions
               to
               change
               our
               way
               are
               swept
               away
               by
               the
               power
               of
               custom
               ,
               as
               straws
               and
               feathers
               are
               by
               the
               rapid
               course
               of
               a
               mighty
               torrent
               ,
               
                 Ier.
                 13.
                 23.
                 
                 Can
                 the
                 Aethiopian
                 change
                 his
                 skin
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Leopard
                 his
                 spots
                 ?
                 then
                 may
                 ye
                 also
                 do
                 good
                 that
                 are
                 accustomed
                 to
                 do
                 evil
                 .
              
               Soap
               and
               Nitre
               may
               as
               soon
               make
               a
               Blackmoor
               white
               ,
               or
               fetch
               the
               spots
               out
               of
               the
               Leopards
               skin
               (
               which
               are
               not
               accidental
               ,
               but
               connate
               )
               as
               the
               reasonings
               of
               Men
               can
               prevail
               to
               remove
               the
               mighty
               power
               of
               customary
               sin
               .
               Physitians
               find
               it
               a
               hard
               thing
               to
               Cure
               a
               Cakexia
               or
               ill
               habit
               of
               Body
               ;
               'T
               is
               a
               grave
               and
               serious
               note
               of
               
                 Seneca
                 ,
                 A
                 teneris
                 assuescere
                 ,
                 multum
                 est
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               a
               great
               matter
               to
               be
               accustomed
               this
               way
               or
               that
               from
               our
               childhood
               ;
               every
               repeated
               act
               of
               sin
               confirms
               and
               strenghtens
               the
               habit
               ;
               and
               hence
               it
               is
               that
               we
               see
               so
               few
               Conversions
               in
               old
               Age.
               It
               was
               a
               wonder
               in
               the
               Primitive
               times
               that
               
                 Marcus
                 Caius
                 Victorius
              
               imbraced
               Christianity
               in
               the
               sixtieth
               year
               of
               his
               age
               ;
               take
               an
               habituated
               Drunkard
               ,
               a
               self-righteous
               Moralist
               ,
               lay
               before
               them
               the
               necessity
               of
               a
               change
               ,
               and
               you
               shall
               find
               it
               as
               easie
               to
               stop
               the
               course
               of
               a
               River
               with
               the
               breath
               of
               your
               Mouth
               ,
               as
               to
               stop
               them
               in
               an
               accustomed
               course
               of
               sinning
               .
               That
               's
               the
               fourth
               Bar
               to
               Christ.
               
            
          
           
             
             
               Fifth
               Bar.
               
            
             
               The
               Fifth
               Bar
               opposing
               and
               resisting
               Christs
               entrance
               into
               the
               Soul
               is
               the
               sin
               of
               Presumption
               ;
               this
               is
               the
               sin
               that
               parts
               Christ
               and
               thousands
               of
               Souls
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               presuming
               ,
               they
               hope
               ,
               and
               hoping
               ,
               they
               perish
               ;
               when
               Men
               presume
               their
               condition
               is
               safe
               already
               ,
               their
               Souls
               never
               make
               out
               after
               a
               Saviour
               .
               This
               was
               the
               ruine
               of
               Laodicea
               ,
               Rev.
               3.
               17.
               
               
                 Because
                 thou
                 sayest
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 rich
                 ,
                 and
                 increased
                 with
                 goods
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 need
                 of
                 nothing
                 ,
                 and
                 knowest
                 not
                 that
                 thou
                 art
                 wretched
                 ,
                 and
                 miserable
                 ,
                 and
                 poor
                 ,
                 and
                 blind
                 ,
                 and
                 naked
                 .
              
               This
               damning
               presumption
               is
               discovered
               in
               three
               things
               ,
               (
               1
               )
               Many
               think
               they
               have
               that
               grace
               which
               they
               have
               not
               ,
               mistaking
               the
               Similar
               for
               the
               saving
               Works
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ;
               a
               fatal
               mistake
               never
               rectified
               with
               many
               thousands
               till
               it
               be
               too
               late
               .
               (
               2
               )
               They
               presume
               to
               find
               that
               mercy
               in
               God
               ,
               which
               they
               will
               never
               find
               ;
               for
               all
               the
               saving
               mercies
               of
               God
               are
               dispensed
               to
               Men
               through
               Christ
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Regeneration
               and
               Faith
               ,
               Iude
               vers
               .
               21.
               
               (
               3
               )
               They
               presume
               upon
               that
               time
               for
               Repentance
               and
               Faith
               hereafter
               ,
               which
               their
               Eyes
               shall
               never
               see
               .
               And
               thus
               presumption
               locks
               up
               the
               Heart
               against
               Christ
               ,
               and
               leaves
               sinners
               perishing
               in
               the
               presence
               of
               a
               Saviour
               .
               They
               make
               a
               bridge
               of
               their
               own
               shadow
               and
               so
               perish
               in
               the
               Waters
               .
            
          
           
             
               Sixth
               Bar.
               
            
             
               The
               Sixth
               and
               last
               sin
               barring
               up
               the
               Heart
               against
               Christ
               ,
               is
               a
               strong
               prejudice
               against
               holyness
               ,
               and
               the
               strict
               duties
               of
               Religion
               .
               Thus
               in
               the
               very
               infancy
               of
               Christianity
               the
               World
               was
               scared
               and
               driven
               off
               from
               Religion
               by
               the
               common
               prejudices
               that
               lay
               upon
               the
               Professors
               
               of
               it
               ,
               
                 Acts
                 ,
                 28.
                 22.
                 
                 As
                 concerning
                 this
                 Sect
                 we
                 know
                 that
                 every
                 where
                 it
                 is
                 spoken
                 against
                 .
              
            
             
               Thus
               
                 Iustin
                 Martyr
              
               complains
               ,
               that
               Christians
               were
               every
               where
               condemned
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               by
               common
               same
               ;
               and
               upon
               this
               account
               Christ
               pronounces
               a
               wo
               upon
               the
               World
               because
               of
               offences
               ,
               Matth.
               18.
               7.
               
               Alas
               !
               it
               will
               be
               the
               ruine
               of
               Thousands
               ;
               some
               have
               suckt
               in
               such
               prejudicate
               Opinions
               and
               vile
               Notions
               of
               Religio●
               ,
               and
               its
               Professors
               ,
               as
               makes
               them
               irreconcilable
               enemies
               to
               it
               .
               Satan
               hath
               drest
               it
               up
               in
               their
               fancies
               in
               such
               an
               odious
               form
               and
               representation
               that
               makes
               them
               loath
               both
               name
               and
               thing
               .
               These
               prejudices
               are
               drawn
               from
               various
               things
               ;
               sometimes
               from
               the
               necessary
               duties
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               which
               are
               laid
               as
               crimes
               upon
               the
               people
               of
               God
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 69.
                 10.
                 
                 When
                 I
                 wept
                 and
                 chastned
                 my
                 Soul
                 with
                 fasting
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 to
                 my
                 reproach
                 .
              
               Sometimes
               the
               groundless
               and
               malicious
               slanders
               and
               inventions
               of
               the
               enemies
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               are
               the
               occasions
               of
               real
               prejudices
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               
                 Ier.
                 18.
                 18.
                 
                 Come
                 let
                 us
                 devise
                 devices
                 against
              
               Jeremiah
               ,
               
                 and
                 let
                 us
                 smite
                 him
                 with
                 the
                 Tongue
                 .
              
               Sometimes
               the
               innocent
               and
               serious
               Professors
               of
               godliness
               are
               censured
               and
               condemned
               for
               hypocritical
               professors
               sakes
               ,
               who
               never
               heartily
               espoused
               Religion
               .
               And
               lastly
               ,
               the
               ways
               of
               holiness
               suffer
               for
               the
               slips
               and
               infirmities
               of
               weak
               Christians
               ;
               who
               commonly
               give
               too
               many
               occasions
               to
               disgust
               the
               World
               against
               the
               ways
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               By
               these
               things
               multitudes
               are
               kept
               off
               from
               attendance
               upon
               the
               means
               of
               Grace
               ,
               and
               multitudes
               more
               have
               their
               Hearts
               shut
               up
               from
               receiving
               any
               saving
               benefit
               under
               them
               .
            
             
               These
               are
               the
               common
               Bars
               and
               Locks
               by
               
               which
               the
               strong
               Man
               armed
               secures
               his
               possession
               in
               the
               Souls
               of
               sinners
               ;
               and
               these
               Bars
               are
               too
               strong
               for
               any
               power
               beneath
               the
               Almighty
               power
               and
               Arm
               of
               God
               to
               remove
               or
               break
               ;
               t
               is
               said
               ,
               Acts
               14.
               27.
               
               That
               the
               Lord
               opened
               a
               door
               of
               Faith
               to
               the
               Gentiles
               :
               The
               Arm
               of
               the
               Lord
               must
               be
               revealed
               or
               none
               will
               open
               to
               Christ
               by
               Faith
               ,
               Isa.
               53.
               1.
               
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               iron
               Bar
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               that
               thundering
               terrible
               Law
               ,
               cannot
               force
               open
               the
               Heart
               of
               an
               unbeliever
               ;
               all
               the
               dreadful
               curses
               flying
               out
               of
               its
               fiery
               mouth
               ,
               make
               no
               more
               impression
               than
               a
               Tennis
               ball
               against
               a
               wall
               of
               Marble
               ,
               Deut.
               29.
               19.
               
               You
               read
               of
               them
               that
               hear
               the
               words
               of
               this
               Curse
               ,
               yet
               bless
               themselves
               in
               their
               Heart
               ,
               saying
               ,
               they
               shall
               have
               peace
               though
               they
               walk
               in
               the
               imagination
               of
               their
               Hearts
               ,
               to
               add
               Drunkenness
               to
               Thirst.
               
            
             
               They
               play
               with
               Hell
               and
               Eternal
               Torments
               ,
               rush
               into
               iniquity
               as
               the
               Horse
               rusheth
               into
               the
               Battle
               ,
               act
               as
               men
               in
               love
               with
               their
               own
               Death
               ,
               as
               those
               that
               are
               at
               an
               agreement
               with
               Hell.
               Oh
               the
               besotting
               ,
               hardning
               ,
               infatuating
               power
               of
               sin
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Golden
               Key
               of
               free
               Grace
               cannot
               in
               it self
               remove
               these
               Bars
               ,
               and
               open
               mens
               Hearts
               to
               Christ
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 11.
                 17.
                 
                 We
                 have
                 piped
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 ye
                 have
                 not
                 danced
                 .
              
               The
               melodious
               and
               delicious
               Airs
               of
               Grace
               ,
               Mercy
               ,
               Peace
               and
               Pardon
               ,
               affect
               not
               the
               dead
               Hearts
               of
               unbelievers
               :
               Like
               deaf
               Adders
               they
               stop
               their
               Ears
               at
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               Charmer
               ,
               charm
               he
               never
               so
               wisely
               .
               These
               Gospel
               melodies
               only
               dispose
               them
               to
               a
               more
               quiet
               sleep
               in
               sin
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               No
               works
               of
               Providence
               are
               in
               themselves
               sufficient
               to
               open
               the
               Hearts
               of
               Men
               to
               
               Christ.
               1.
               
               The
               Judgments
               of
               God
               cannot
               do
               it
               ;
               thousands
               have
               been
               made
               sick
               with
               smiteing
               ,
               that
               yet
               cannot
               be
               made
               sick
               for
               sin
               .
               
                 I
                 have
                 consumed
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 refused
                 to
                 receive
                 correction
                 ;
                 they
                 have
                 made
                 their
                 Faces
                 harder
                 then
                 a
                 Rock
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 refused
                 to
                 return
                 ,
              
               Jer.
               5.
               3.
               
               Messengers
               of
               Judgment
               are
               abroad
               ,
               smiting
               some
               in
               their
               Estates
               ,
               scattering
               in
               one
               day
               the
               labour
               of
               many
               years
               ;
               and
               therein
               giving
               a
               warning
               blow
               at
               the
               Conscience
               to
               make
               sure
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               World
               to
               come
               ,
               since
               their
               comfort
               and
               happiness
               is
               scattered
               in
               this
               World.
               Some
               are
               smitten
               in
               their
               dearest
               relations
               ,
               Death
               knocks
               at
               their
               doors
               and
               carries
               out
               the
               delight
               of
               their
               Eyes
               ,
               and
               with
               the
               same
               admonisheth
               their
               Souls
               to
               place
               their
               happiness
               in
               more
               durable
               comforts
               :
               Some
               are
               smitten
               in
               their
               Bodies
               with
               Diseases
               ,
               giving
               warning
               of
               the
               near
               approach
               of
               their
               latter
               end
               ,
               and
               bidding
               them
               prepare
               for
               another
               habitation
               ;
               but
               all
               in
               vain
               .
               2ly
               ,
               No
               mercies
               of
               God
               are
               in
               themselves
               sufficient
               to
               open
               the
               obstinate
               Hearts
               of
               sinners
               to
               Christ.
               God
               hath
               heapt
               up
               mercies
               by
               multitudes
               upon
               many
               of
               you
               ,
               all
               these
               mercies
               of
               God
               lead
               you
               to
               repentance
               ,
               Rom.
               2.
               4
               ,
               5.
               
               They
               take
               you
               in
               a
               friendly
               way
               by
               the
               Hand
               ,
               and
               thus
               talk
               with
               you
               ,
               Ah
               ,
               sinner
               !
               how
               canst
               thou
               grieve
               !
               and
               dishonour
               that
               God
               that
               thus
               feedeth
               ,
               clotheth
               and
               comforteth
               thee
               on
               every
               side
               ?
               Do
               you
               thus
               requite
               the
               Lord
               ,
               O
               foolish
               people
               and
               unwise
               ?
               Yet
               all
               will
               not
               do
               ,
               neither
               Judgments
               nor
               Mercies
               can
               affright
               or
               allure
               the
               carnal
               Heart
               to
               Jesus
               Christ.
               T
               is
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               his
               Almighty
               power
               alone
               that
               opens
               these
               everlasting
               Gates
               ,
               and
               makes
               these
               strong
               Bars
               give
               way
               and
               fly
               at
               his
               voice
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             I.
             Inference
             .
          
           
             
               Behold
               here
               the
               dismal
               state
               of
               nature
               ,
               the
               woful
               condition
               of
               all
               unregenerate
               Souls
               ;
               Christ
               the
               Redeemer
               shut
               out
               ,
               Sin
               and
               Satan
               shut
               in
               .
            
             This
             is
             the
             horrid
             state
             of
             nature
             shut
             up
             in
             unbelief
             ,
             Rom.
             4.
             32.
             
             Ah
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             what
             a
             condition
             is
             this
             !
             We
             should
             certainly
             account
             it
             an
             unspeakable
             misery
             to
             be
             shut
             into
             a
             House
             haunted
             by
             the
             Devil
             ,
             where
             we
             should
             be
             continually
             scared
             and
             frighted
             with
             dreadful
             noises
             and
             apparitions
             ;
             but
             alas
             ,
             what
             is
             an
             apparition
             of
             the
             Devil
             without
             us
             ,
             to
             the
             inhabitation
             of
             the
             Devil
             within
             us
             ?
             Nay
             what
             is
             the
             possession
             of
             a
             Body
             ,
             to
             Satans
             possession
             of
             the
             Soul
             ?
             Yet
             this
             is
             the
             very
             case
             of
             the
             unregenerate
             ,
             Luke
             11.
             21.
             
             The
             strong
             Man
             armed
             keepeth
             the
             Palace
             ,
             till
             Christ
             dispossess
             him
             by
             Sovereign
             victorious
             Grace
             .
             Poor
             wretch
             ,
             canst
             thou
             start
             at
             a
             supposed
             vision
             of
             a
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             not
             tremble
             to
             think
             that
             thy
             Soul
             is
             the
             habitation
             of
             Devils
             ?
             There
             is
             a
             twofold
             misery
             lying
             upon
             all
             Christless
             unregenerated
             persons
             ;
             Satan
             is
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 Their
                 Ruler
                 in
                 this
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Their
                 Tormenter
                 in
                 that
                 to
                 come
                 .
              
            
          
           
             1.
             
             He
             is
             their
             Ruler
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             the
             Spirit
             that
             now
             worketh
             in
             the
             Children
             of
             disobedience
             ,
             Ephes.
             2.
             3.
             
             Look
             as
             the
             holy
             Spirit
             of
             God
             dwells
             and
             rules
             in
             sanctified
             Souls
             ,
             walks
             in
             them
             as
             in
             hallowed
             Temples
             ,
             guiding
             and
             comforting
             the
             Souls
             of
             the
             Saints
             ;
             so
             Satan
             dwells
             in
             unregenerate
             Hearts
             ,
             actuating
             their
             lusts
             ,
             inflaming
             
             them
             with
             his
             temptations
             ,
             using
             their
             faculties
             and
             members
             as
             instruments
             of
             unrighteousness
             .
             And
             then
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             He
             will
             be
             their
             Tormenter
             in
             the
             World
             to
             come
             :
             He
             that
             Tempts
             now
             ,
             will
             Torment
             then
             ,
             
               Matth.
               25.
               41.
               
               Depart
               from
               me
               ye
               cursed
               into
               everlasting
               fire
               prepared
               for
               the
               Devil
               and
               his
               Angels
               .
            
             Flee
             therefore
             and
             escape
             for
             your
             lives
             ,
             sleep
             not
             quietly
             another
             Night
             in
             so
             dismal
             and
             dreadful
             estate
             .
             
               If
               the
               Son
               make
               you
               free
               ,
               then
               are
               you
               free
               indeed
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             II.
             Inference
             .
          
           
             What
             a
             glorious
             and
             admirable
             effect
             of
             Sovereign
             omnipotent
             grace
             is
             the
             effectual
             conversion
             of
             a
             sinner
             unto
             God!
             
          
           
             If
             every
             Heart
             by
             nature
             be
             secured
             for
             Satan
             under
             so
             many
             Locks
             and
             Bars
             ,
             then
             the
             opening
             of
             any
             Heart
             to
             Christ
             is
             deservedly
             marvellous
             in
             our
             Eyes
             :
             You
             all
             acknowledge
             that
             the
             opening
             of
             the
             Graves
             at
             the
             Resurrection
             will
             be
             a
             glorious
             display
             of
             Almighty
             power
             ,
             and
             so
             it
             will
             ;
             it
             will
             be
             a
             wonderful
             thing
             to
             behold
             the
             Graves
             opened
             and
             the
             dead
             raised
             at
             the
             voice
             of
             the
             Arch-angel
             and
             the
             trump
             of
             God
             ;
             but
             yet
             give
             me
             leave
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             the
             opening
             of
             thy
             Heart
             ,
             poor
             sinner
             ,
             to
             receive
             Christ
             ,
             is
             a
             more
             glorious
             work
             than
             that
             of
             raising
             the
             dead
             :
             It
             is
             therefore
             deservedly
             put
             into
             the
             first
             rank
             of
             the
             great
             mysteries
             of
             godliness
             ,
             that
             Christ
             is
             believed
             on
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             1
             Tim.
             3.
             16.
             
             He
             that
             well
             views
             and
             considers
             Christ
             ,
             may
             justly
             wonder
             that
             all
             the
             Hearts
             in
             the
             enlightned
             World
             do
             not
             stand
             
             wide
             open
             to
             embrace
             him
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             shall
             consider
             the
             frame
             and
             temper
             of
             the
             natural
             Heart
             ,
             and
             how
             strongly
             Satan
             hath
             intrenched
             and
             fortified
             himself
             in
             it
             ,
             may
             justly
             wonder
             to
             hear
             of
             a
             work
             of
             Conversion
             in
             an
             age
             .
             Oh
             Brethren
             consider
             the
             marvels
             of
             Conversion
             ,
             the
             wonderful
             works
             of
             God
             upon
             the
             Soul
             that
             opens
             unto
             Christ
             by
             Faith.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             There
             's
             a
             new
             Eye
             created
             in
             the
             mind
             ,
             
               The
               Son
               of
               God
               is
               come
               and
               hath
               given
               us
               an
               understanding
               that
               we
               may
               know
               him
               that
               is
               true
               ,
            
             1
             John
             5.
             20.
             
             Oh
             that
             Eye
             !
             That
             precious
             Eye
             of
             Faith
             which
             shews
             the
             Soul
             as
             it
             were
             a
             new
             World
             ,
             a
             World
             of
             new
             and
             ravishing
             objects
             ,
             Eph.
             5.
             8.
             
             All
             the
             Angels
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             Libraries
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             cannot
             create
             such
             an
             Eye
             ,
             give
             such
             an
             Illumination
             ;
             t
             is
             only
             he
             that
             
               commanded
               the
               light
               to
               shine
               out
               of
               the
               darkness
               ,
               that
               thus
               shineth
               into
               our
               Hearts
               to
               give
               the
               light
               of
               the
               knowledge
               of
               the
               glory
               of
               God
               in
               the
               face
               of
               Iesus
               Christ
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             4.
             6.
             
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             And
             what
             a
             glorious
             supernatural
             Work
             is
             the
             conviction
             of
             the
             Conscience
             by
             the
             powerful
             stroak
             of
             the
             saving
             beams
             of
             light
             upon
             it
             ?
             Now
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             that
             lay
             in
             a
             dead
             sleep
             ,
             begins
             to
             startle
             and
             look
             about
             it
             with
             fear
             and
             horror
             .
             Life
             and
             sense
             is
             got
             into
             it
             ,
             and
             now
             it
             cries
             ,
             ah
             ,
             sick
             ,
             sick
             ,
             sick
             at
             the
             Heart
             for
             sin
             ,
             sick
             for
             a
             Saviour
             .
          
           
             3ly
             ,
             And
             no
             less
             marvelous
             an
             effect
             of
             the
             Almighty
             power
             is
             the
             bowing
             of
             the
             stuborn
             Will
             so
             efficaciously
             ,
             so
             congruously
             ,
             and
             so
             determinately
             and
             fixedly
             to
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             .
          
           
             The
             Will
             is
             efficaciously
             determined
             so
             as
             no
             power
             of
             Hell
             or
             Nature
             can
             resist
             or
             frustrate
             ,
             
             that
             Mighty
             power
             which
             worketh
             effectually
             in
             all
             them
             that
             believe
             ,
             1
             Thes.
             2.
             13.
             
             Yet
             it
             works
             not
             by
             way
             of
             compulsion
             ,
             but
             in
             a
             way
             congruous
             and
             agreeable
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             Will
             ,
             
               Hosea
               11.
               4.
               
               I
               drew
               them
               with
               the
               cords
               of
               a
               Man
               ,
               with
               the
               bands
               of
               love
               .
            
             Satan
             bids
             for
             the
             Soul
             ,
             Christ
             infinitely
             outbids
             all
             his
             offers
             ;
             Eternal
             ,
             Spiritual
             ,
             and
             unsearchable
             Riches
             ,
             instead
             of
             sensitive
             ,
             perishing
             enjoyments
             ,
             which
             determin
             the
             choice
             of
             the
             Will
             in
             its
             own
             natural
             method
             ,
             by
             the
             sight
             of
             the
             excelling
             glory
             of
             Spiritual
             things
             .
             And
             thus
             the
             mighty
             supernatural
             power
             of
             God
             opens
             that
             Heart
             which
             Satan
             had
             secured
             so
             many
             ways
             against
             Christ.
             
          
        
         
           
             III.
             Inference
             .
          
           
             
               Hence
               it
               also
               follows
               ,
               that
               Man
               hath
               no
               free
               will
               of
               his
               own
               to
               supernatural
               good
               .
            
             The
             Will
             cannot
             by
             its
             own
             power
             open
             it self
             to
             receive
             Christ
             by
             faith
             .
             When
             it
             doth
             open
             to
             him
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             
               virtute
               innata
               ,
               sed
               illata
            
             ,
             not
             by
             its
             natural
             power
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             power
             of
             God
             upon
             it
             .
             The
             admirers
             of
             Nature
             talk
             much
             of
             the
             Sovereignty
             ,
             Virginity
             ,
             and
             Liberty
             of
             the
             Will
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             alone
             had
             escaped
             the
             fall
             ,
             and
             that
             no
             more
             but
             a
             moral
             swasion
             is
             needed
             to
             open
             it
             to
             Christ
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             that
             God
             need
             do
             no
             more
             to
             save
             Men
             than
             the
             Devil
             doth
             to
             damn
             them
             .
             But
             if
             ever
             God
             make
             you
             sensible
             what
             the
             work
             of
             ●aving
             Conversion
             is
             ,
             you
             will
             quickly
             find
             that
             your
             Will
             is
             lame
             ,
             its
             freedom
             to
             Spiritual
             things
             gone
             ;
             you
             will
             cry
             out
             of
             a
             wounded
             Will
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             of
             a
             dark
             Head
             ,
             and
             a
             hard
             Heart
             .
             You
             will
             quickly
             find
             ,
             
               That
               it
               is
               God
               alone
               that
               worketh
               in
               you
               both
               
               to
               will
               and
               to
               do
               of
               his
               own
               good
               pleasure
               ,
            
             Phil.
             2.
             13.
             
             That
             the
             birth
             of
             the
             new
             Creature
             is
             not
             of
             the
             Will
             of
             Man
             ,
             but
             of
             God
             ,
             Iohn
             1.
             13.
             
          
        
         
           
             IV.
             Inference
             .
          
           
             
               Learn
               hence
               the
               necessity
               of
               Conversion
               in
               order
               to
               Salvation
               .
            
             Christ
             and
             Heaven
             are
             shut
             up
             against
             you
             till
             your
             hearts
             be
             savingly
             opened
             unto
             him
             .
             
               Verily
               ,
               verily
               ,
               I
               say
               unto
               you
               ,
               you
               must
               be
               born
               again
               ,
               Iohn
            
             3.
             5.
             
             O
             sinner
             ,
             that
             hard
             Heart
             of
             thine
             must
             be
             humbled
             ;
             thy
             stubborn
             and
             refractory
             Will
             must
             be
             bowed
             ;
             all
             the
             powers
             of
             thy
             Soul
             must
             be
             unlockt
             ,
             and
             opened
             unto
             Christ
             ;
             he
             must
             come
             into
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             or
             thou
             canst
             never
             see
             the
             face
             of
             God
             in
             peace
             .
             
               It
               is
               Christ
               in
               you
               that
               is
               the
               hope
               of
               glory
               ,
               Col.
            
             1.
             27.
             
             Till
             thy
             Heart
             be
             opened
             ,
             Christ
             with
             all
             the
             hopes
             of
             glory
             stand
             without
             thee
             .
             And
             if
             hopes
             from
             the
             death
             of
             Christ
             without
             us
             ,
             without
             the
             application
             of
             his
             person
             ,
             be
             enough
             to
             save
             Men
             ,
             then
             why
             are
             any
             damned
             ?
             Consult
             1
             
               Cor.
               1.
               30.
               
               Adams
            
             sin
             damns
             none
             but
             only
             such
             as
             are
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             Christs
             righteousness
             saves
             none
             but
             those
             only
             that
             are
             by
             faith
             in
             him
             ;
             the
             eternal
             purposes
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             the
             meritorious
             death
             of
             the
             Son
             ,
             puts
             no
             Man
             into
             the
             state
             of
             Salvation
             and
             happiness
             till
             both
             be
             brought
             home
             by
             the
             Spirits
             powerful
             application
             in
             the
             work
             of
             saving
             conversion
             .
             T
             is
             good
             news
             ,
             good
             indeed
             ,
             that
             Christ
             died
             for
             sinners
             ;
             t
             is
             good
             news
             that
             Christ
             is
             brought
             to
             our
             very
             doors
             in
             the
             tenders
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             Spirit
             knocks
             at
             the
             door
             of
             our
             Hearts
             by
             many
             convictions
             and
             perswasions
             to
             open
             to
             him
             and
             enjoy
             the
             unspeakable
             benefits
             
             of
             his
             death
             :
             these
             things
             bring
             us
             nigh
             to
             Christ
             ,
             the
             next
             door
             to
             Salvation
             ,
             and
             yet
             all
             this
             may
             be
             eventually
             but
             a
             dreadful
             aggravation
             of
             our
             damnation
             ,
             and
             will
             certainly
             be
             so
             to
             them
             whose
             Hearts
             are
             but
             almost
             opened
             to
             Christ.
             
          
        
         
           
             V.
             Inference
             .
          
           
             
               See
               hence
               the
               necessity
               of
               fervent
               prayer
               to
               accompany
               the
               preaching
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             Without
             the
             Spirit
             and
             power
             of
             God
             accompanying
             the
             Word
             ,
             no
             Heart
             can
             ever
             be
             opened
             to
             Christ
             :
             Alas
             ,
             such
             Bars
             as
             these
             are
             too
             strong
             for
             the
             breath
             of
             Man
             to
             break
             .
             Let
             Ministers
             pray
             ,
             and
             the
             People
             pray
             ,
             that
             the
             Gospel
             may
             be
             preached
             
               with
               the
               holy
               Ghost
               sent
               down
               from
               Heaven
               ,
            
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             12.
             
             It
             greatly
             concerns
             us
             that
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             to
             wrestle
             with
             God
             upon
             our
             knees
             to
             accompany
             us
             in
             the
             dispensation
             of
             it
             unto
             the
             People
             ;
             to
             steep
             that
             seed
             we
             sow
             among
             you
             in
             tears
             and
             prayers
             before
             you
             hear
             it
             ;
             and
             I
             beseech
             you
             Brethren
             let
             us
             not
             strive
             alone
             ,
             joyn
             your
             cries
             to
             Heaven
             with
             ours
             ,
             for
             the
             blessing
             of
             the
             Spirit
             upon
             the
             Word
             .
             How
             doth
             Paul
             beg
             of
             the
             People
             as
             a
             beggar
             would
             beg
             for
             an
             alms
             at
             the
             door
             ,
             for
             their
             assistance
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             
               Rom.
               15.
               30.
               
               I
               beseech
               you
               brethren
               for
               the
               Lord
               Iesus
               Christ
               sake
               ,
               and
               for
               the
               love
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               that
               ye
               strive
               together
               with
               me
               in
               your
               prayers
               to
               God
               for
               me
               .
            
          
           
             For
             want
             of
             such
             wrestlings
             with
             God
             in
             prayer
             ,
             there
             is
             so
             little
             efficacy
             in
             Ordinances
             .
             Martha
             told
             her
             Saviour
             ,
             
               Iohn
               11.
               21.
               
               Lord
               if
               thou
               hadst
               been
               here
               my
               brother
               had
               not
               died
            
             ;
             and
             I
             may
             tell
             you
             that
             if
             the
             Spirit
             had
             been
             here
             your
             
             Souls
             had
             not
             remained
             dead
             under
             the
             Word
             as
             they
             do
             this
             day
             .
             Oh
             when
             the
             Sabbath
             draws
             near
             ,
             let
             fervent
             cries
             ascend
             from
             every
             Family
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             Lord
             pour
             out
             thy
             Spirit
             with
             thy
             Word
             ;
             make
             it
             mighty
             through
             thy
             Power
             to
             open
             these
             Gates
             of
             Iron
             ,
             and
             break
             asunder
             these
             Bars
             of
             Brass
             .
          
        
         
           
             Second
             Vse
             of
             Exhortation
             .
          
           
             Seeing
             the
             Case
             stands
             thus
             ,
             that
             all
             Hearts
             by
             nature
             are
             barr'd
             and
             shut
             up
             against
             Christ
             ;
             let
             every
             Soul
             do
             what
             it
             can
             ,
             and
             strive
             to
             its
             uttermost
             to
             get
             the
             Heart
             and
             Will
             opened
             to
             Christ
             :
             
               Strive
               to
               enter
               in
               at
               the
               straight
               gate
            
             ;
             Christ
             is
             at
             the
             Door
             ,
             Oh
             strive
             with
             your selves
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             with
             God
             ,
             now
             to
             get
             it
             opened
             ;
             now
             that
             Salvation
             is
             come
             so
             near
             to
             your
             Souls
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
             
             But
             have
             you
             not
             told
             us
             that
             no
             sinner
             can
             open
             his
             own
             Heart
             ,
             nor
             bow
             his
             own
             Will
             to
             Christ
             ?
          
           
             Answ.
             
             True
             he
             cannot
             convert
             himself
             ,
             but
             yet
             he
             may
             do
             many
             things
             in
             order
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             which
             have
             a
             remote
             tendency
             towards
             it
             ,
             which
             he
             doth
             not
             do
             ;
             and
             so
             he
             perisheth
             not
             ,
             though
             he
             cannot
             ,
             but
             because
             he
             will
             not
             .
          
           
             Divers
             things
             may
             be
             done
             by
             poor
             sinners
             with
             their
             own
             Hearts
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             done
             ;
             and
             though
             in
             themselves
             they
             are
             insufficient
             ,
             yet
             being
             the
             way
             and
             method
             in
             and
             by
             which
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             usually
             works
             ,
             we
             are
             bound
             to
             do
             them
             .
             As
             for
             Example
             ,
             (
             1.
             )
             Though
             it
             be
             not
             in
             your
             power
             to
             open
             your
             Hearts
             to
             Christ
             ▪
             yet
             it
             is
             in
             your
             power
             to
             forbear
             the
             external
             acts
             of
             sin
             ,
             which
             fasten
             your
             Hearts
             the
             more
             
             against
             Christ
             :
             Who
             forceth
             thine
             Hands
             to
             steal
             ,
             thy
             Tongue
             to
             swear
             or
             lye
             ,
             who
             forces
             the
             cup
             of
             excess
             down
             thy
             Throat
             ?
             (
             2ly
             .
             )
             Though
             you
             cannot
             open
             your
             Hearts
             under
             the
             Word
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             in
             your
             power
             to
             wait
             and
             attend
             upon
             the
             external
             Duties
             and
             Ordinances
             of
             the
             Gospel
             :
             Why
             cannot
             those
             Feet
             carry
             thee
             to
             the
             Assemblies
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             an
             Ale-house
             ?
             (
             3ly
             .
             )
             And
             though
             you
             cannot
             let
             the
             Word
             effectually
             into
             your
             Hearts
             ,
             yet
             certainly
             you
             can
             apply
             your
             minds
             with
             more
             attention
             and
             consideration
             to
             it
             than
             you
             do
             :
             Who
             forces
             thine
             Eyes
             to
             wander
             ,
             or
             closes
             them
             with
             sleep
             ,
             when
             the
             awful
             matters
             of
             eternal
             Life
             and
             Death
             ,
             are
             founding
             in
             thine
             Ears
             ?
             (
             4ly
             .
             )
             Though
             you
             cannot
             open
             your
             Hearts
             to
             embrace
             Christ
             ,
             yet
             certainly
             you
             can
             reflect
             upon
             your selves
             when
             the
             obvious
             characters
             of
             a
             Christless
             state
             are
             plainly
             held
             forth
             before
             your
             Eyes
             ;
             God
             hath
             given
             you
             a
             self-reflecting
             power
             ;
             
               The
               spirit
               of
               a
               Man
               knoweth
               the
               things
               of
               a
               Man
               ,
               1
               Cor.
            
             2.
             11.
             
             When
             you
             hear
             of
             Convictions
             of
             sin
             ,
             compunctions
             of
             Heart
             for
             sin
             ,
             deep
             concernments
             of
             the
             Soul
             about
             its
             eternal
             state
             ,
             hungerings
             and
             thirstings
             after
             Christ
             ,
             restless
             and
             anxious
             Days
             and
             Nights
             about
             Salvation
             ,
             others
             have
             felt
             ;
             you
             can
             certainly
             turn
             in
             upon
             your selves
             ,
             and
             examine
             whether
             ever
             it
             were
             so
             with
             you
             ;
             and
             if
             not
             ,
             methinks
             it
             were
             not
             hard
             to
             aggravate
             your
             own
             misery
             to
             take
             your
             poor
             Souls
             aside
             ,
             and
             bemoan
             them
             ,
             saying
             ,
             Ah
             my
             poor
             Soul
             ,
             canst
             thou
             endure
             everlasting
             burnings
             ?
             What
             will
             become
             of
             thee
             if
             Christ
             pass
             thee
             by
             ,
             and
             his
             Spirit
             strive
             no
             more
             with
             thee
             ?
             Why
             can't
             you
             throw
             your selves
             at
             the
             
             Feet
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             cry
             for
             mercy
             ?
             Prayer
             is
             a
             part
             of
             natural
             Worship
             ,
             distress
             usually
             puts
             Men
             upon
             it
             that
             yet
             have
             no
             Grace
             ,
             Ionah
             1.
             5.
             
             Do
             but
             this
             towards
             the
             opening
             and
             saving
             of
             your
             own
             Souls
             ,
             which
             though
             it
             be
             not
             in
             it self
             sufficient
             ,
             nor
             puts
             God
             under
             any
             meritorious
             obligation
             or
             necessity
             ,
             to
             add
             the
             rest
             ;
             yet
             it
             puts
             you
             into
             the
             way
             of
             the
             Spirit
             :
             And
             is
             not
             thy
             Soul
             sinner
             worth
             as
             much
             as
             this
             comes
             too
             ?
             Have
             you
             not
             taken
             a
             great
             deal
             more
             pains
             than
             this
             for
             the
             trifles
             of
             this
             World
             ?
             And
             will
             it
             not
             be
             a
             dreadful
             aggravation
             of
             sin
             and
             misery
             to
             all
             eternity
             that
             you
             perished
             so
             easily
             ?
             Dont
             you
             see
             many
             striving
             round
             about
             you
             for
             Christ
             and
             Salvation
             ,
             whilst
             you
             sit
             still
             with
             folded
             Arms
             as
             if
             you
             had
             nothing
             to
             do
             for
             another
             World
             ?
             
               The
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               suffereth
               violence
               ,
               and
               the
               violent
               take
               it
               by
               force
               ,
            
             Matth.
             11.
             12.
             
          
           
             Why
             should
             other
             Mens
             Souls
             be
             dearer
             to
             them
             than
             yours
             unto
             you
             ?
             What
             discouragements
             have
             you
             ,
             which
             other
             Men
             have
             not
             ?
             Or
             what
             encouragements
             have
             they
             ,
             which
             you
             have
             not
             ?
             Say
             not
             ,
             
             we
             have
             no
             assurance
             our
             pains
             shall
             prosper
             ,
             or
             our
             strivings
             be
             made
             effectual
             to
             Conversion
             ;
             if
             there
             were
             any
             promise
             in
             the
             Gospel
             that
             such
             endeavours
             should
             be
             seconded
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             made
             available
             to
             Salvation
             ;
             then
             we
             would
             strive
             as
             long
             as
             breath
             and
             life
             should
             last
             ;
             but
             all
             this
             may
             be
             to
             no
             purpose
             ,
             we
             may
             be
             Christ-less
             ,
             and
             hope-less
             when
             all
             is
             done
             .
          
           
             But
             yet
             remember
             it
             is
             possible
             God
             may
             bless
             these
             weak
             endeavours
             and
             come
             in
             by
             his
             Almighty
             Spirit
             with
             them
             :
             
             Nay
             ,
             it
             is
             highly
             probable
             
             that
             he
             will
             do
             so
             ,
             and
             is
             a
             strong
             probability
             nothing
             with
             you
             ?
             Do
             you
             use
             to
             do
             no
             actions
             about
             your
             civil
             callings
             without
             an
             assurance
             of
             success
             ?
             When
             the
             Merchant
             adventures
             his
             Life
             or
             Estate
             at
             Sea
             is
             he
             sure
             of
             a
             good
             return
             ?
             Or
             doth
             he
             not
             adventure
             upon
             the
             meer
             hopes
             and
             probabilities
             of
             a
             gainful
             voyage
             ?
             When
             the
             Husbandman
             plows
             his
             Lands
             ,
             empties
             both
             his
             bags
             and
             purse
             upon
             it
             ,
             is
             he
             sure
             of
             a
             good
             harvest
             ?
             May
             not
             a
             blast
             come
             that
             shall
             defeat
             all
             his
             hopes
             ?
             Yet
             he
             plowe●h
             and
             soweth
             in
             hope
             ;
             and
             ordinarily
             God
             maketh
             him
             partaker
             of
             his
             hope
             ;
             but
             without
             such
             industry
             his
             expectations
             would
             be
             vain
             .
             Away
             then
             with
             vain
             excuses
             ,
             up
             and
             be
             doing
             in
             the
             use
             of
             all
             appointed
             means
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             be
             with
             you
             .
          
        
         
           
             Third
             Vse
             for
             Tryal
             .
          
           
             Before
             I
             dismiss
             this
             Point
             let
             us
             try
             our selves
             by
             it
             ,
             whether
             God
             have
             opened
             our
             Hearts
             to
             Christ
             ;
             broken
             these
             Bars
             of
             Ignorance
             ,
             Unbelief
             ,
             Custom
             ,
             Prejudice
             ,
             &c.
             and
             the
             Will
             stand
             wide
             open
             to
             receive
             Christ
             Jesus
             the
             Lord.
             
          
           
             This
             is
             a
             solemn
             Use
             ,
             the
             consequence
             of
             it
             great
             ;
             Oh
             ,
             that
             our
             faithfulness
             and
             seriousness
             in
             the
             trial
             might
             be
             answerable
             .
             Try
             your selves
             by
             these
             following
             marks
             ,
          
           
             
               I.
               Mark.
               
            
             
               If
               your
               Eyes
               be
               not
               opened
               to
               see
               sin
               in
               its
               vileness
               ,
               and
               Christ
               in
               his
               glory
               ,
               suitableness
               ,
               and
               necessity
               ;
               then
               sure
               your
               Hearts
               were
               never
               
               yet
               effectually
               opened
               by
               the
               Gospel
               .
               I
               confess
               Mens
               Eyes
               may
               be
               opened
               to
               see
               sin
               ,
               and
               yet
               their
               Hearts
               at
               the
               same
               time
               shut
               up
               by
               unbelief
               against
               Christ
               ;
               but
               no
               Mans
               Heart
               can
               be
               opened
               to
               Christ
               whilst
               his
               Eyes
               are
               shut
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 6.
                 40.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 sent
                 me
                 ,
                 that
                 every
                 one
                 which
                 seeth
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 believeth
                 on
                 him
                 may
                 have
                 everlasting
                 life
                 .
              
               The
               work
               of
               Faith
               is
               always
               wrought
               in
               the
               light
               of
               Conviction
               ;
               the
               cure
               of
               the
               Heart
               begins
               at
               the
               Eye
               of
               the
               Mind
               ,
               Acts
               26.
               18.
               
               
                 To
                 open
                 their
                 Eyes
                 and
                 turn
                 them
                 from
                 darkness
                 to
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Satan
                 to
                 God.
              
               God
               opens
               Mens
               Hearts
               by
               shining
               into
               them
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               4.
               6.
               
               If
               therefore
               any
               Mans
               Eyes
               be
               still
               blinded
               with
               Ignorance
               ,
               Prejudice
               ,
               &c.
               so
               that
               he
               apprehends
               not
               his
               own
               guilt
               and
               misery
               ,
               nor
               sees
               the
               worth
               and
               necessity
               of
               a
               Saviour
               ;
               that
               Mans
               Heart
               is
               still
               under
               Satans
               Lock
               and
               Bar
               ,
               sin
               is
               shut
               in
               and
               Christ
               is
               shut
               out
               of
               that
               Mans
               Soul.
               
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Mark.
               
            
             
               No
               Heart
               opens
               to
               Christ
               by
               Faith
               till
               it
               be
               first
               prickt
               and
               wounded
               by
               Compunction
               and
               Humiliation
               ;
               this
               Heart-wounding
               work
               is
               always
               antecedent
               to
               the
               work
               of
               Faith.
               I
               doubt
               not
               but
               your
               thoughts
               fore-run
               my
               Discourse
               to
               that
               famous
               Scripture
               ,
               Acts
               2.
               37.
               where
               Peter
               preaching
               to
               those
               that
               had
               crucified
               Christ
               ,
               and
               bringing
               up
               his
               Discourse
               close
               to
               their
               Consciences
               ,
               in
               the
               application
               of
               that
               Sermon
               ,
               convincing
               them
               not
               only
               what
               an
               horrid
               and
               atrocious
               crime
               the
               crucifying
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               was
               in
               it self
               ;
               but
               also
               charging
               it
               home
               upon
               them
               ,
               
               
                 Whom
                 you
                 have
                 taken
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 wicked
                 Hands
                 have
                 crucified
                 and
                 slain
                 :
                 When
                 they
                 heard
                 this
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 pricked
                 at
                 the
                 Heart
                 ;
                 and
                 cried
                 out
                 ,
                 Men
                 and
                 Brethren
                 what
                 shall
                 we
                 do
                 ?
              
               Upon
               this
               outcry
               three
               thousand
               Souls
               opened
               in
               one
               hour
               to
               Christ
               ▪
               Now
               consider
               whether
               your
               Hearts
               have
               been
               thus
               prickt
               and
               wounded
               ?
               Hath
               sorrow
               for
               sin
               pierced
               thy
               Soul
               ?
               Vain
               sinner
               ,
               that
               frothy
               Heart
               of
               thine
               must
               be
               made
               to
               bleed
               ,
               under
               Compunctions
               for
               sin
               ,
               or
               there
               will
               be
               no
               room
               for
               Christ
               in
               it
               .
               Come
               Souls
               ,
               t
               is
               in
               vain
               to
               flatter
               your selves
               in
               your
               own
               Eyes
               ;
               reflect
               upon
               the
               frames
               of
               your
               Hearts
               ,
               call
               back
               the
               days
               that
               are
               past
               ,
               and
               say
               ,
               When
               was
               the
               Time
               ,
               and
               where
               was
               the
               Place
               when
               thou
               layest
               at
               the
               Foot
               of
               God
               sobbing
               and
               mourning
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               thy
               Sins
               ?
               Did
               ever
               God
               hear
               such
               a
               cry
               as
               this
               from
               thy
               Soul
               ?
               
                 Ah
                 ,
                 Lord
                 my
                 Soul
                 is
                 distressed
                 ,
                 I
                 rowle
                 hither
                 and
                 thither
                 for
                 ease
                 and
                 comfort
                 ,
                 but
                 find
                 none
                 :
                 O
                 the
                 insupportable
                 weight
                 of
                 guilt
                 !
                 Oh
                 the
                 bitterness
                 of
                 sin
                 !
                 My
                 Soul
                 fails
                 under
                 it
                 ,
                 Lord
                 undertake
                 for
                 me
                 .
              
               I
               do
               not
               say
               ,
               The
               degrees
               of
               Compunction
               and
               Humiliation
               are
               equal
               in
               all
               Converts
               ,
               neither
               their
               sins
               nor
               abilities
               to
               bear
               sorrows
               for
               them
               are
               equal
               ;
               but
               this
               I
               say
               ,
               Thy
               Heart
               must
               ake
               for
               sin
               ,
               or
               it
               will
               never
               open
               to
               Christ
               ;
               he
               binds
               up
               none
               but
               broken
               Hearts
               ,
               Isa.
               61.
               1.
               
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Mark.
               
            
             
               If
               Christ
               be
               come
               into
               thy
               Heart
               ,
               then
               the
               love
               and
               delight
               of
               every
               sin
               is
               gone
               out
               of
               thy
               Heart
               .
               Christ
               and
               the
               love
               of
               sin
               cannot
               dwell
               together
               ;
               what
               Christ
               said
               to
               the
               Soldiers
               that
               
               apprehended
               him
               ,
               in
               the
               Garden
               ,
               the
               like
               he
               saith
               to
               every
               Soul
               that
               comes
               to
               apprehend
               him
               by
               Faith
               ,
               
                 If
                 you
                 seek
                 me
                 ,
                 let
                 these
                 go
                 their
                 way
              
               ;
               away
               with
               the
               sin
               thou
               most
               delightest
               in
               ,
               Christ
               cannot
               come
               in
               till
               these
               be
               gone
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 55.
                 6
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 Seek
                 ye
                 the
                 Lord
                 while
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 found
                 ,
                 call
                 ye
                 upon
                 him
                 while
                 he
                 is
                 near
                 ;
                 let
                 the
                 wicked
                 forsake
                 his
                 way
                 and
                 the
                 unrighteous
                 Man
                 his
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 him
                 return
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 mercy
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 will
                 abundantly
                 pardon
                 .
              
               Here
               be
               the
               terms
               of
               your
               Acceptation
               and
               Salvation
               plainly
               laid
               down
               ,
               forsake
               thy
               ways
               and
               thoughts
               ;
               the
               way
               notes
               the
               external
               acts
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               the
               thoughts
               the
               internal
               acts
               ;
               both
               of
               contrivance
               ,
               and
               delight
               in
               sin
               ,
               both
               these
               must
               be
               forsaken
               ;
               and
               that
               's
               not
               all
               ,
               for
               this
               makes
               up
               but
               a
               negative
               holyness
               ,
               
                 Let
                 him
                 return
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 mercy
                 .
              
               It
               is
               in
               vain
               for
               Men
               to
               make
               the
               door
               of
               Salvation
               wider
               than
               God
               hath
               made
               it
               ;
               we
               cannot
               bring
               down
               Christs
               terms
               lower
               than
               he
               hath
               set
               them
               ;
               if
               we
               will
               not
               come
               up
               to
               them
               ,
               Christ
               and
               we
               must
               part
               .
               And
               this
               makes
               the
               great
               struggle
               ,
               the
               sharp
               debate
               ,
               in
               the
               Souls
               of
               Converts
               .
               Oh
               ,
               t
               is
               hard
               to
               give
               up
               pleasant
               and
               profitable
               lusts
               ;
               but
               away
               they
               must
               go
               ,
               a
               Bill
               of
               Divorce
               must
               be
               signed
               for
               them
               ,
               or
               you
               cannot
               be
               espoused
               to
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               .
               This
               will
               be
               found
               to
               be
               a
               harder
               tug
               than
               to
               part
               with
               all
               externals
               for
               Christ
               sake
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Mark.
               
            
             
               No
               Heart
               can
               open
               truly
               to
               Christ
               that
               is
               not
               made
               willing
               upon
               due
               deliberation
               to
               receive
               him
               ,
               with
               his
               cross
               of
               sufferings
               ,
               and
               his
               yoak
               
               of
               obedience
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 16.
                 24.
                 
                 Matth.
              
               11.
               29.
               
            
             
               An
               exception
               against
               either
               of
               these
               is
               an
               effectual
               Bar
               to
               thy
               Union
               with
               Christ
               ;
               he
               looks
               upon
               that
               Soul
               as
               not
               worthy
               of
               him
               ,
               that
               puts
               in
               such
               an
               exception
               ,
               Matth.
               10.
               38.
               
               If
               thou
               judgest
               not
               Christ
               worth
               all
               sufferings
               ,
               all
               losses
               ,
               all
               reproaches
               ,
               he
               judges
               thee
               unworthy
               to
               bear
               the
               name
               of
               his
               Disciple
               .
               So
               for
               the
               duties
               of
               Obedience
               ,
               called
               his
               yoke
               ,
               he
               that
               will
               not
               receive
               Christs
               yoke
               ,
               can
               never
               receive
               his
               Person
               ,
               nor
               any
               benefit
               by
               his
               Blood.
               
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Mark.
               
            
             
               Every
               Heart
               that
               opens
               sincerely
               ,
               and
               Evangelically
               to
               Christ
               ,
               opens
               to
               him
               in
               deep
               humility
               and
               sense
               of
               its
               emptiness
               and
               unworthiness
               ;
               all
               self-righteousness
               is
               given
               up
               as
               dung
               and
               dross
               ;
               thus
               Abraham
               came
               unto
               him
               ,
               as
               to
               one
               that
               justifieth
               the
               ungodly
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 5.
                 
                 Now
                 unto
                 him
                 that
                 worketh
                 not
                 ,
                 but
                 believeth
                 on
                 him
                 that
                 justifieth
                 the
                 ungodly
                 ,
                 his
                 faith
                 is
                 accounted
                 for
                 righteousness
                 .
              
               Yea
               ,
               here
               's
               the
               true
               way
               of
               Justification
               indeed
               ;
               where
               the
               imputed
               righteousness
               of
               Christ
               comes
               ,
               all
               self-righteousness
               vanishes
               before
               it
               .
               By
               him
               that
               worketh
               not
               ,
               understand
               not
               an
               idle
               ,
               lazy
               believer
               ,
               that
               takes
               no
               care
               of
               the
               duties
               of
               obedience
               ;
               no
               ,
               no
               ,
               an
               idle
               Faith
               can
               never
               be
               a
               saving
               Faith
               ;
               but
               the
               meaning
               is
               ,
               he
               worketh
               not
               in
               a
               Law
               sense
               ,
               to
               the
               ends
               and
               intentions
               of
               the
               first
               Covenant
               ;
               to
               make
               up
               a
               righteousness
               to
               himself
               by
               his
               own
               working
               ,
               to
               cover
               himself-with
               a
               robe
               of
               righteousness
               of
               his
               own
               spinning
               ,
               and
               weaving
               ;
               a
               home-made
               Cloth
               ;
               no
               ,
               not
               a
               rag
               of
               that
               .
               Thou
               must
               receive
               Christ
               
               into
               an
               empty
               ,
               naked
               ,
               unworthy
               Soul
               ,
               or
               not
               receive
               him
               at
               all
               .
               Blessed
               Paul
               heartily
               rejected
               all
               his
               own
               righteousness
               ,
               cast
               down
               that
               House-Idol
               to
               the
               ground
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               be
               found
               in
               the
               imputed
               righteousness
               of
               Christ
               ,
               Phil.
               3.
               8.
               cast
               that
               Idol
               out
               of
               door
               ,
               it
               stands
               in
               the
               way
               of
               a
               better
               righteousness
               .
               There
               be
               diverse
               ways
               wherein
               sinners
               maintain
               their
               own
               righteousness
               to
               their
               own
               ruin
               ;
               there
               is
               a
               gross
               and
               more
               refined
               self-righteousness
               ;
               the
               one
               more
               palpable
               and
               easily
               liable
               to
               conviction
               ,
               the
               other
               much
               harder
               to
               be
               discovered
               and
               cured
               .
               Ask
               some
               Men
               upon
               what
               their
               hopes
               of
               Salvation
               are
               grounded
               ?
               And
               they
               will
               tell
               you
               ,
               they
               are
               just
               in
               their
               dealings
               with
               Men
               ,
               and
               constant
               in
               their
               prayers
               to
               God
               ,
               that
               's
               all
               ,
               and
               therefore
               they
               doubt
               not
               of
               their
               Salvation
               :
               Thus
               they
               substitute
               a
               righteousness
               of
               their
               own
               in
               the
               room
               of
               Christ's
               blood
               ,
               and
               are
               their
               own
               destroyers
               by
               seeking
               this
               way
               to
               be
               their
               own
               Saviours
               :
               But
               then
               there
               is
               a
               more
               refined
               way
               of
               self-righteousness
               ,
               drest
               up
               with
               such
               pretences
               of
               humility
               ,
               that
               Men
               are
               hardly
               to
               be
               convinced
               of
               it
               .
               I
               pitty
               many
               poor
               Souls
               upon
               this
               account
               ,
               who
               stand
               off
               from
               Christ
               ,
               dare
               not
               believe
               ,
               because
               they
               want
               such
               and
               such
               qualifications
               to
               fit
               them
               for
               Christ.
               O
               saith
               one
               ,
               could
               I
               find
               so
               much
               brokenness
               of
               Heart
               for
               sin
               ,
               so
               much
               reformation
               and
               power
               over
               corruptions
               ,
               then
               I
               could
               come
               to
               Christ
               ;
               the
               meaning
               of
               which
               is
               this
               ,
               if
               I
               could
               bring
               a
               price
               in
               my
               Hand
               to
               purchase
               him
               ,
               then
               I
               should
               be
               in
               couraged
               to
               go
               unto
               him
               .
               Here
               now
               lyes
               horrible
               pride
               covered
               over
               with
               a
               vail
               of
               great
               humility
               :
               Poor
               sinner
               either
               〈◊〉
               naked
               
               and
               empty-handed
               ,
               according
               to
               
                 Isa.
                 55.
                 1.
                 
                 Rom.
              
               4.
               5.
               or
               expect
               a
               repulse
               ;
               for
               Christ
               is
               not
               the
               Sale
               ,
               but
               the
               Gift
               of
               God.
               
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               Mark.
               
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               Whatever
               Soul
               opens
               savingly
               to
               Christ
               ,
               it
               opens
               finally
               and
               everlastingly
               to
               him
               ;
               the
               Heart
               once
               opened
               to
               Christ
               ,
               must
               stand
               open
               for
               ever
               to
               him
               ,
               never
               to
               shut
               out
               Christ
               any
               more
               :
               And
               here
               is
               a
               very
               observable
               difference
               betwixt
               a
               Man
               that
               comes
               to
               Christ
               in
               a
               suddain
               fright
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               parts
               with
               him
               again
               when
               that
               fright
               is
               over
               ;
               and
               a
               Man
               that
               receiveth
               Christ
               not
               to
               sojourn
               ,
               but
               to
               dwell
               in
               his
               Heart
               by
               Faith
               ,
               Eph.
               3.
               17.
               when
               Christ
               comes
               into
               the
               Heart
               ,
               he
               saith
               ,
               Here
               will
               I
               dwell
               for
               ever
               ;
               and
               Lord
               ,
               saith
               the
               Soul
               ,
               So
               I
               receive
               thee
               ;
               this
               is
               the
               day
               of
               union
               ,
               O
               let
               me
               never
               know
               a
               day
               of
               separation
               ;
               let
               it
               never
               be
               in
               the
               power
               of
               Life
               or
               Death
               ,
               Angels
               ,
               Principalities
               ,
               or
               Powers
               ,
               things
               present
               or
               to
               come
               ,
               to
               make
               a
               separation
               between
               thee
               and
               me
               .
               Soul
               ,
               saith
               Christ
               ,
               thou
               shalt
               be
               mine
               whilst
               I
               am
               in
               Heaven
               ;
               and
               Lord
               ,
               saith
               the
               Soul
               ,
               I
               will
               be
               thine
               whilst
               I
               am
               on
               Earth
               .
               I
               will
               never
               leave
               thee
               nor
               forsake
               thee
               saith
               Christ
               ;
               Oh
               my
               Lord
               ,
               saith
               the
               Soul
               ,
               hold
               me
               fast
               in
               thy
               Hand
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               never
               leave
               nor
               forsake
               thee
               ;
               my
               Estate
               ,
               Liberty
               ,
               and
               Life
               ,
               may
               and
               must
               go
               ;
               but
               it
               is
               in
               the
               fixed
               purpose
               of
               my
               Heart
               never
               ,
               never
               ,
               to
               let
               thee
               go
               .
               The
               espousals
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               the
               Soul
               are
               for
               ever
               ,
               
                 Hos.
                 2.
                 19.
                 
                 I
                 will
                 betroth
                 thee
                 unto
                 me
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 yea
                 for
                 ever
              
               ;
               and
               here
               lyes
               another
               great
               difference
               betwixt
               the
               Hipocrite
               that
               takes
               Christ
               with
               a
               
               politick
               reserve
               ,
               that
               will
               venture
               with
               Christ
               at
               Sea
               no
               farther
               than
               he
               can
               see
               the
               shore
               ;
               and
               the
               upright
               Heart
               that
               imbarks
               it self
               with
               Christ
               without
               reserves
               ,
               come
               what
               will
               ;
               that
               saith
               to
               him
               ,
               as
               Ittai
               to
               David
               ,
               when
               perswaded
               to
               go
               back
               in
               a
               time
               of
               danger
               ;
               nay
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               where
               my
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               is
               ,
               whether
               it
               be
               in
               Liberty
               or
               in
               Prison
               ,
               in
               Life
               or
               in
               Death
               ,
               there
               also
               will
               I
               be
               .
               Flesh
               may
               perswade
               to
               a
               retreat
               ,
               nay
               saith
               the
               Soul
               ,
               I
               cannot
               retreat
               ;
               but
               where-ever
               the
               truths
               of
               Christ
               ,
               the
               interest
               and
               glory
               of
               Christ
               are
               ,
               there
               also
               must
               I
               be
               ;
               for
               upon
               these
               terms
               I
               first
               received
               him
               ,
               and
               opened
               the
               door
               of
               my
               Heart
               to
               him
               .
               These
               things
               are
               no
               surprises
               to
               me
               ,
               Christ
               and
               I
               have
               debated
               them
               long
               ago
               ;
               he
               delt
               fairly
               with
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               must
               deal
               faithfully
               with
               him
               .
            
             
               Now
               Brethren
               ,
               view
               over
               these
               six
               Tryals
               ;
               Have
               your
               Eyes
               been
               opened
               to
               see
               sin
               in
               its
               vileness
               ,
               Christ
               in
               his
               beauty
               and
               necessity
               ?
               Have
               your
               Hearts
               been
               prick'd
               and
               wounded
               with
               compunction
               and
               sorrow
               for
               sin
               ?
               Are
               the
               loves
               and
               delights
               of
               sin
               gone
               out
               of
               your
               Souls
               ?
               Have
               you
               no
               exceptions
               either
               to
               the
               cross
               or
               yoke
               of
               Christ
               ?
               Have
               you
               given
               up
               all
               your
               own
               righteousness
               ,
               whether
               gross
               or
               refined
               ,
               for
               dung
               and
               dross
               ,
               and
               received
               Christ
               for
               ever
               ?
               Then
               thy
               Heart
               is
               savingly
               opened
               to
               him
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Fourth
             Use.
             
          
           
             The
             last
             Use
             that
             closeth
             this
             Point
             will
             be
             Consolation
             ,
             to
             all
             those
             whose
             Hearts
             the
             Lord
             hath
             thus
             opened
             to
             receive
             Christ
             at
             his
             knocks
             and
             calls
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           
           
             Hath
             God
             indeed
             opened
             any
             of
             your
             Hearts
             ,
             and
             made
             you
             sincerely
             willing
             to
             receive
             Christ
             ;
             then
             there
             are
             ten
             sweet
             Consolations
             like
             so
             many
             boxes
             of
             precious
             oyntment
             to
             be
             poured
             forth
             in
             the
             close
             of
             this
             discourse
             upon
             every
             such
             Soul.
             And
          
           
             
               I.
               Consolation
               .
            
             
               The
               first
               shall
               be
               this
               ,
               the
               opening
               of
               any
               Mans
               Heart
               to
               receive
               Christ
               ,
               is
               a
               clear
               solid
               Scripture
               evidence
               of
               the
               Lords
               eternal
               love
               to
               ,
               and
               setting
               apart
               that
               Man
               for
               himself
               from
               all
               eternity
               .
               I
               do
               not
               say
               that
               every
               Man
               whose
               Heart
               is
               opened
               by
               Faith
               ,
               is
               thereupon
               immediately
               assured
               and
               satisfied
               that
               God
               hath
               chosen
               him
               to
               Salvation
               ;
               but
               whether
               he
               apprehend
               it
               or
               no
               ,
               the
               thing
               in
               it self
               is
               certain
               and
               real
               ,
               consult
               
                 1.
                 
                 Thes.
                 1.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 Knowing
                 brethren
                 ,
                 beloved
                 ,
                 your
                 election
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 our
                 Gospel
                 came
                 not
                 to
                 you
                 in
                 word
                 only
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 in
                 power
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Their
               election
               of
               God
               was
               the
               thing
               to
               be
               proved
               ;
               but
               alas
               ,
               might
               they
               say
               ,
               who
               can
               know
               that
               but
               God
               alone
               ?
               It
               is
               among
               the
               Divine
               secrets
               ;
               yes
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               we
               know
               it
               ,
               and
               by
               this
               we
               know
               it
               ,
               for
               our
               Gospel
               came
               not
               unto
               you
               in
               an
               empty
               sound
               ,
               but
               in
               mighty
               efficacy
               ,
               effectually
               opening
               your
               Hearts
               to
               believe
               .
               A
               more
               clear
               and
               certain
               evidence
               of
               your
               Election
               cannot
               be
               given
               in
               this
               World
               ;
               look
               again
               into
               
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 30.
                 
                 Moreover
                 whom
                 he
                 did
                 predestinate
                 ,
                 them
                 he
                 also
                 called
                 ;
                 and
                 whom
                 he
                 called
                 ,
                 them
                 he
                 also
                 justified
                 ;
                 and
                 whom
                 he
                 justified
                 ,
                 them
                 he
                 also
                 glorified
                 .
              
            
             
               There
               are
               two
               great
               and
               ravishing
               Truths
               cleared
               in
               this
               Scripture
               ;
               the
               one
               is
               this
               ,
               That
               
               the
               whole
               number
               of
               the
               called
               upon
               Earth
               is
               taken
               out
               of
               such
               as
               were
               predestinated
               to
               Life
               before
               the
               World
               was
               .
               The
               other
               is
               this
               ,
               That
               as
               the
               whole
               number
               of
               the
               glorified
               Saints
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               is
               made
               up
               of
               Souls
               called
               and
               justified
               upon
               Earth
               :
               so
               the
               called
               Soul
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               Soul
               that
               savingly
               opens
               to
               Christ
               by
               Faith
               ,
               may
               from
               that
               work
               of
               the
               Spirit
               upon
               him
               ,
               solidly
               reason
               backward
               to
               Gods
               electing
               love
               ,
               before
               all
               time
               ;
               and
               forward
               ,
               to
               his
               glorification
               with
               God
               ,
               when
               time
               shall
               be
               no
               more
               .
            
             
               Oh
               ,
               how
               strong
               is
               the
               Consolation
               flowing
               out
               of
               this
               glorious
               work
               of
               the
               Spirit
               upon
               our
               Hearts
               .
               That
               's
               one
               thing
               .
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Consolation
               .
            
             
               The
               opening
               of
               the
               Heart
               to
               receive
               Christ
               is
               the
               peculiar
               effect
               of
               the
               Divine
               and
               Almighty
               Power
               of
               God
               ;
               the
               Arm
               of
               an
               Angel
               is
               too
               weak
               to
               break
               those
               strong
               bars
               before
               mentioned
               .
               Therefore
               the
               exceeding
               greatness
               of
               his
               Power
               is
               applied
               unto
               this
               work
               of
               believing
               ,
               
                 Ephes.
                 1.
                 19.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 exceeding
                 greatness
                 of
                 his
                 Power
                 toward
                 us
                 ,
                 who
                 believe
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 working
                 of
                 his
                 mighty
                 Power
                 which
                 he
                 wrought
                 in
                 Christ
                 when
                 he
                 raised
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 .
              
               Here
               is
               Power
               ,
               the
               Power
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               greatness
               of
               his
               Power
               ,
               the
               exceeding
               greatness
               of
               his
               Power
               ,
               the
               very
               same
               Power
               which
               wrought
               in
               Christ
               when
               he
               raised
               him
               from
               the
               dead
               ;
               and
               all
               this
               no
               more
               than
               needs
               to
               make
               the
               Heart
               of
               Man
               open
               by
               Faith
               to
               receive
               Christ
               ;
               the
               only
               Key
               that
               fits
               the
               cross
               Wards
               of
               Mans
               Will
               ,
               and
               effectually
               opens
               his
               Heart
               ,
               is
               in
               the
               Hand
               of
               Christ
               ,
               
               
                 Revel
                 .
                 3.
                 7.
                 
                 He
                 hath
                 the
                 key
                 of
              
               David
               ,
               
                 he
                 ope●●th
                 and
                 no
                 Man
                 shutteth
                 .
              
            
             
               How
               long
               have
               some
               of
               you
               ●at
               under
               able
               Ministers
               ,
               searching
               Sermons
               ,
               and
               ro●●ing
               Providences
               ,
               yet
               all
               to
               no
               purpose
               ,
               till
               this
               Almighty
               Power
               came
               with
               the
               Word
               and
               then
               the
               work
               was
               done
               .
               
                 The
                 people
                 shall
                 be
                 willing
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 thy
                 power
                 ,
                 Psal.
              
               110.
               3.
               
               What
               a
               glorious
               Power
               was
               that
               which
               opened
               Christ
               grave
               ,
               when
               he
               lay
               in
               the
               Heart
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
               with
               a
               mighty
               Stone
               rouled
               upon
               his
               Sepulcher
               ?
               And
               how
               mighty
               a
               Power
               is
               that
               which
               breaks
               asunder
               all
               those
               Bars
               which
               kept
               thy
               Soul
               in
               the
               State
               of
               sin
               and
               death
               ?
               None
               feel
               this
               Power
               but
               those
               only
               whom
               God
               intendeth
               for
               Salvation
               ;
               and
               having
               once
               wrought
               this
               ,
               it
               is
               engaged
               to
               go
               through
               with
               all
               the
               rest
               which
               yet
               remaineth
               to
               be
               done
               ,
               to
               perfect
               thy
               Salvation
               .
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Consolation
               .
            
             
               The
               opening
               of
               thy
               Heart
               to
               Christ
               is
               not
               only
               an
               effect
               of
               Almighty
               Power
               ,
               but
               such
               an
               effect
               of
               it
               ,
               without
               which
               all
               that
               Christ
               had
               done
               and
               suffered
               had
               been
               of
               no
               avail
               to
               thy
               Salvation
               ;
               neither
               the
               eternal
               Decrees
               of
               God
               ,
               nor
               the
               meritorious
               sufferings
               of
               Christ
               ,
               are
               effectual
               to
               any
               Mans
               Salvation
               ,
               until
               this
               work
               of
               the
               Spirit
               be
               wronght
               upon
               his
               Heart
               .
               The
               offering
               up
               of
               Christ
               is
               in
               its
               kind
               and
               place
               ●ufficient
               to
               purchase
               our
               Redemption
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               the
               receiving
               of
               Christ
               by
               Faith
               that
               brings
               home
               Salvation
               to
               our
               Souls
               ;
               where
               there
               be
               many
               con-causes
               to
               produce
               one
               effect
               ,
               that
               effect
               is
               not
               produced
               until
               the
               last
               cause
               have
               wrought
               .
               
               Thus
               't
               is
               here
               ,
               the
               moving
               cause
               ,
               viz.
               the
               free-grace
               of
               God
               hath
               wrought
               ,
               and
               the
               meritorious
               cause
               ,
               the
               death
               of
               Christ
               hath
               also
               wrought
               ;
               but
               still
               the
               Heart
               even
               of
               an
               elect
               Man
               remaineth
               under
               guilt
               and
               condemnation
               ,
               until
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               applying
               cause
               ,
               have
               also
               wrought
               this
               blessed
               effect
               we
               now
               speak
               of
               .
               It
               is
               Christ
               in
               us
               (
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               )
               in
               union
               with
               our
               Souls
               which
               is
               to
               us
               the
               hope
               of
               glory
               ,
               
                 1
                 Col.
                 27.
                 1
                 
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 30.
                 
              
               Behold
               then
               ,
               the
               last
               stroak
               given
               in
               this
               opening
               of
               the
               Heart
               by
               Faith
               ;
               herein
               electing
               Love
               hath
               brought
               home
               Christ
               with
               all
               the
               purchases
               and
               benefits
               of
               his
               death
               into
               the
               actual
               possession
               of
               thy
               Soul.
               
            
             
               Oh
               ,
               how
               transporting
               and
               ravishing
               a
               consideration
               is
               this
               !
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Consolation
               .
            
             
               In
               this
               work
               the
               opening
               of
               the
               Heart
               by
               Faith
               ,
               the
               great
               design
               and
               main
               intention
               of
               the
               Gospel
               is
               also
               answered
               and
               accomplished
               .
               You
               behold
               in
               the
               Church
               a
               glorious
               frame
               of
               Ordinances
               set
               up
               by
               Divine
               Institution
               ,
               Ministers
               appointed
               to
               preach
               Sermons
               ,
               Sacraments
               ,
               Prayers
               ,
               Singing
               ,
               variety
               of
               Ordinances
               set
               up
               ,
               excellent
               gifts
               given
               to
               Men
               as
               the
               fruit
               of
               Christs
               ascension
               into
               Heaven
               .
               Now
               what
               was
               the
               design
               of
               God
               in
               the
               institution
               of
               all
               these
               things
               ,
               but
               that
               by
               them
               as
               instruments
               in
               his
               Hand
               ,
               our
               ignorant
               ,
               dead
               ,
               unbelieving
               Hearts
               might
               be
               opened
               unto
               Christ
               ,
               in
               acts
               of
               Repentance
               and
               Faith
               ,
               and
               built
               up
               to
               a
               perfect
               Man
               ?
               Ministers
               are
               sent
               
                 to
                 open
                 your
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 turn
                 you
                 from
                 darkness
                 to
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Satan
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 Acts
              
               26.
               18.
               
               They
               are
               not
               sent
               by
               Christ
               into
               this
               World
               to
               get
               a
               living
               ,
               to
               drive
               so
               poor
               a
               Trade
               as
               that
               for
               themselves
               ,
               but
               to
               bring
               you
               to
               Faith
               ,
               
                 1
                 Cor.
              
               3.
               5.
               
               When
               Gods
               elect
               are
               thus
               brought
               in
               and
               built
               up
               in
               Christ
               ,
               you
               shall
               see
               this
               glorious
               frame
               of
               Ordinances
               taken
               down
               ;
               there
               will
               be
               no
               more
               Preaching
               nor
               Hearing
               ,
               the
               end
               of
               all
               these
               things
               being
               accomplished
               ,
               
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 24.
                 
                 Then
                 cometh
                 the
                 end
                 when
                 he
                 shall
                 have
                 delivered
                 up
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Now
               the
               consideration
               of
               the
               accomplishment
               of
               the
               great
               and
               principal
               design
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               thus
               far
               upon
               thy
               Heart
               ,
               is
               matter
               of
               transporting
               joy
               ;
               Ministers
               may
               and
               must
               dye
               ,
               Ordinances
               may
               be
               removed
               ,
               but
               this
               blessed
               effect
               of
               them
               upon
               thy
               Soul
               shall
               never
               dye
               .
               God
               will
               perfect
               what
               he
               hath
               begun
               ;
               that
               's
               the
               Fourth
               Consolation
               .
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Consolation
               .
            
             
               And
               then
               Fifthly
               ,
               That
               day
               wherein
               thy
               Heart
               is
               savingly
               opened
               to
               receive
               Christ
               ,
               that
               very
               day
               is
               Salvation
               come
               to
               thy
               Soul.
               When
               Zacheus
               his
               Heart
               was
               opened
               to
               Christ
               ,
               he
               tells
               him
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 19.
                 9.
                 
                 This
                 day
                 is
                 Salvation
                 come
                 to
                 thy
                 House
                 .
              
               Salvation
               was
               come
               into
               the
               World
               before
               thou
               wast
               born
               ,
               yea
               Salvation
               was
               come
               to
               thy
               doors
               in
               the
               tenders
               of
               the
               Gospel
               before
               ,
               but
               it
               never
               came
               into
               thy
               Soul
               till
               the
               day
               wherein
               thy
               Heart
               opened
               to
               Christ
               by
               Faith
               ;
               and
               is
               not
               this
               matter
               of
               singular
               consolation
               ?
               If
               Salvation
               be
               not
               ,
               what
               is
               ?
               No
               wonder
               that
               the
               Eunuch
               went
               home
               rejoycing
               when
               he
               had
               received
               Christ
               by
               Faith
               ,
               Acts
               8.
               39.
               
               That
               the
               Iaylor
               rejoyced
               with
               
               all
               his
               House
               ,
               Acts
               16.
               34.
               
               Neither
               blame
               ,
               nor
               wonder
               at
               Men
               for
               rejoycing
               ,
               for
               't
               is
               the
               day
               of
               their
               Salvation
               ,
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               their
               Salvation
               is
               not
               finished
               that
               day
               ,
               there
               be
               many
               things
               yet
               to
               be
               done
               and
               suffered
               by
               them
               before
               the
               compleating
               of
               it
               ;
               but
               it
               is
               begun
               that
               day
               ,
               the
               foundation
               is
               layed
               in
               the
               Soul
               that
               day
               ,
               and
               the
               Top-stone
               shall
               be
               set
               up
               with
               shouting
               in
               due
               time
               ,
               crying
               Grace
               ,
               Grace
               ,
               unto
               it
               .
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               Consolation
               .
            
             
               The
               opening
               of
               a
               sinners
               Heart
               to
               Christ
               makes
               joy
               in
               Heaven
               ;
               a
               triumph
               in
               the
               City
               of
               our
               God
               above
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 15.
                 7.
                 
                 I
                 say
                 unto
                 you
                 likewise
                 that
                 joy
                 shall
                 be
                 in
                 Heaven
                 over
                 one
                 sinner
                 that
                 repenteth
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 over
                 ninety
                 and
                 nine
                 just
                 persons
                 which
                 need
                 no
                 repentance
                 .
              
            
             
               As
               when
               a
               young
               Prince
               is
               born
               ,
               all
               the
               Kingdom
               rejoyceth
               ,
               the
               Conduits
               run
               with
               Wine
               ,
               all
               demonstrations
               of
               joy
               and
               thankfulness
               in
               every
               City
               and
               Town
               ;
               't
               is
               much
               more
               so
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               when
               a
               Soul
               is
               born
               to
               Christ
               under
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               't
               is
               a
               satisfaction
               to
               the
               Heart
               of
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               who
               now
               beholds
               more
               of
               the
               travel
               of
               his
               Soul
               ,
               and
               to
               all
               the
               Angels
               and
               Saints
               that
               another
               Soul
               is
               espoused
               to
               him
               .
            
             
               Beloved
               ,
               when
               the
               Gospel
               is
               effectually
               brought
               home
               by
               the
               Spirit
               to
               the
               Heart
               of
               a
               sinner
               ,
               and
               wounds
               him
               for
               sin
               ,
               sends
               him
               home
               crying
               ,
               oh
               sick
               ,
               sick
               ;
               sick
               for
               sin
               ,
               and
               sick
               for
               Christ
               ;
               the
               news
               thereof
               is
               presently
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               sets
               the
               whole
               City
               of
               God
               a
               rejoycing
               .
               Christ
               never
               rejoyced
               over
               thee
               before
               ,
               thou
               hast
               wounded
               him
               and
               grieved
               him
               a
               thosand
               times
               ,
               but
               he
               
               never
               rejoyced
               in
               thee
               till
               now
               ;
               and
               that
               which
               gives
               joy
               to
               Christ
               may
               well
               be
               matter
               of
               Joy
               to
               thee
               ;
               that
               's
               the
               Sixth
               Consolation
               .
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
               Consolation
               .
            
             
               And
               then
               Seventhly
               ,
               That
               day
               thy
               Heart
               is
               unlockt
               ,
               unbarr'd
               ,
               and
               savingly
               opened
               by
               Faith
               ,
               that
               very
               day
               an
               intimate
               ,
               spiritual
               ,
               and
               ever
               lasting
               union
               is
               made
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               thy
               Soul
               ;
               from
               that
               day
               Christ
               is
               thine
               and
               thou
               art
               his
               .
               Christ
               is
               a
               great
               and
               glorious
               person
               ,
               but
               how
               great
               and
               glorious
               soever
               he
               be
               ,
               the
               small
               and
               feeble
               Arms
               of
               thy
               Faith
               may
               surround
               and
               embrace
               him
               ;
               and
               thou
               maist
               say
               with
               the
               Church
               ,
               
                 My
                 beloved
                 is
                 mine
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 his
              
               ;
               for
               mark
               what
               he
               faith
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               
                 If
                 any
                 Man
                 open
                 to
                 me
                 I
                 will
                 come
                 in
                 to
                 him
                 .
              
               That
               Soul
               shall
               be
               my
               habitation
               ,
               there
               will
               I
               dwell
               for
               ever
               ,
               that
               Christ
               may
               dwell
               in
               your
               Hearts
               by
               Faith
               ;
               what
               Soul
               feels
               not
               it self
               advanced
               by
               this
               union
               with
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ?
               Hereby
               the
               Believer
               becomes
               a
               Member
               of
               his
               Body
               ,
               Flesh
               and
               Bones
               ;
               this
               is
               an
               honour
               bestowed
               upon
               thy
               Soul
               above
               and
               beyond
               all
               that
               honour
               that
               ever
               God
               bestowed
               upon
               any
               Angel
               in
               Heaven
               ;
               to
               them
               Christ
               is
               an
               Head
               by
               way
               of
               Dominion
               ,
               but
               to
               thee
               by
               way
               of
               vital
               influence
               .
               Angels
               are
               as
               the
               Barons
               and
               Nobles
               of
               his
               Kingdom
               ,
               but
               the
               Believer
               his
               Spouse
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Angels
               of
               Heaven
               ministring
               Spirits
               unto
               such
               .
               That
               's
               the
               seventh
               Consolation
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               VIII
               .
               Consolation
               .
            
             
               And
               then
               in
               the
               Eighth
               place
               ,
               The
               opening
               of
               thy
               Heart
               to
               Christ
               brings
               thee
               not
               only
               into
               union
               with
               his
               Person
               ,
               but
               into
               a
               state
               of
               sweet
               ,
               Soul
               enriching
               ,
               communion
               with
               him
               .
               So
               he
               speaketh
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               
                 If
                 any
                 Man
                 open
                 the
                 door
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 sup
                 with
                 him
                 and
                 he
                 with
                 me
                 .
              
               Poor
               Soul
               ,
               thou
               hast
               lived
               many
               years
               in
               the
               World
               and
               never
               hadst
               any
               communion
               with
               God
               till
               this
               day
               .
               Christ
               and
               thy
               Soul
               have
               been
               strangers
               till
               now
               .
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               thou
               hast
               had
               communion
               with
               Ordinances
               ,
               and
               communion
               with
               Saints
               ,
               but
               for
               communion
               with
               Christ
               thou
               couldst
               know
               nothing
               of
               it
               till
               thou
               receivedst
               him
               into
               thy
               Soul
               by
               Faith.
               Now
               thou
               maist
               say
               ,
               
                 Truly
                 my
                 fellowship
                 is
                 with
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 his
                 Son
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 1
                 John
                 1.
                 3.
                 
              
            
             
               And
               thenceforth
               ,
               thy
               communion
               with
               Men
               is
               pleasant
               and
               desirable
               .
            
          
           
             
               IX
               .
               Consolation
               .
            
             
               The
               opening
               of
               a
               Mans
               Soul
               to
               Christ
               by
               Faith
               is
               a
               special
               and
               Peculiar
               mercy
               which
               falls
               to
               the
               share
               but
               of
               a
               very
               few
               .
               God
               hath
               done
               that
               for
               thee
               which
               he
               hath
               denied
               to
               Millions
               ;
               
                 Who
                 hath
                 believed
                 our
                 report
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 whom
                 is
                 the
                 Arm
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 revealed
                 ,
                 (
                 i.
                 e.
                 )
              
               to
               how
               small
               a
               remnant
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               Isa.
               53.
               1.
               
               And
               the
               Apostle
               puts
               the
               work
               of
               Faith
               among
               the
               great
               mysteries
               of
               Godliness
               ;
               among
               the
               wonders
               of
               Religion
               ,
               1
               
                 Tim.
                 3.
                 16.
                 
                 Preached
                 unto
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 believed
                 on
                 in
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
            
             
             
               The
               found
               of
               the
               Gospel
               is
               gone
               forth
               into
               the
               World
               ;
               
                 Many
                 are
                 called
                 ,
                 but
                 few
                 are
                 chosen
                 :
                 There
                 were
                 many
                 Widows
                 in
              
               Israel
               ,
               
                 in
                 the
                 days
                 of
              
               Elias
               ,
               
                 but
                 to
                 none
                 of
                 them
                 was
              
               Elias
               
                 sent
                 ,
                 save
                 unto
              
               Sarepta
               ,
               
                 a
                 City
                 of
              
               Sidon
               ,
               
                 unto
                 a
                 Woman
                 that
                 was
                 a
                 Widow
                 ,
              
               Luke
               4.
               25
               ,
               26.
               
               To
               allude
               to
               this
               ,
               there
               were
               many
               hundreds
               that
               sat
               under
               the
               same
               Sermon
               ,
               which
               opened
               thy
               Heart
               to
               Christ
               ,
               but
               it
               may
               be
               unto
               none
               of
               them
               was
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               sent
               that
               day
               ,
               to
               open
               their
               Hearts
               by
               Faith
               ,
               but
               unto
               thee
               ;
               thou
               wilt
               freely
               acknowledge
               thy self
               as
               unlikely
               and
               unworthy
               as
               the
               vilest
               sinner
               there
               .
               Oh
               ,
               astonishing
               mercy
               !
            
          
           
             
               X.
               Consolation
               .
            
             
               And
               then
               lastly
               ,
               In
               the
               same
               day
               thy
               Heart
               opens
               by
               Faith
               to
               Christ
               ,
               all
               the
               treasures
               of
               Christ
               are
               unlockt
               and
               opened
               to
               thee
               .
               In
               the
               same
               hour
               God
               turns
               the
               key
               of
               Regeneration
               to
               open
               thy
               Soul
               ,
               the
               key
               of
               Free-grace
               is
               also
               turned
               to
               open
               unto
               thee
               the
               unsearchable
               riches
               of
               Christ
               :
               then
               the
               righteousness
               of
               Christ
               becomes
               thine
               to
               Justifie
               thee
               ,
               the
               wisdom
               of
               Christ
               to
               guide
               thee
               ,
               the
               holiness
               of
               Christ
               to
               sanctifie
               thee
               ;
               in
               a
               word
               ,
               he
               is
               that
               day
               ,
               made
               of
               God
               unto
               thee
               ,
               
                 wisdom
                 and
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 Sanctification
                 and
                 redemption
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 30.
                 
                 All
                 is
                 yours
                 ,
                 for
                 you
                 are
                 Christs
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 is
                 Gods
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 ult
                 .
              
               And
               thus
               I
               have
               shewn
               you
               some
               of
               those
               great
               things
               God
               doth
               for
               those
               Souls
               that
               will
               but
               do
               this
               one
               thing
               for
               him
               ,
               Viz.
               open
               their
               Hearts
               to
               receive
               Christ
               upon
               the
               tenders
               and
               terms
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           SERMON
           IV.
           
        
         
           
             
               Revel
               .
               3.
               20.
               
            
             Behold
             I
             [
             stand
             ]
             at
             the
             door
             and
             knock
             ,
             &c
          
        
         
           THE
           verb
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           here
           rendred
           
             I
             stand
          
           ,
           is
           of
           the
           
             praeter
             tense
          
           ,
           and
           would
           strictly
           be
           rendred
           
             I
             have
             stood
          
           ,
           but
           being
           joyned
           with
           a
           verb
           of
           the
           
             present
             tense
          
           ,
           is
           here
           rendred
           
             I
             do
             stand
          
           ,
           a
           frequent
           Hebraism
           in
           Scripture
           ;
           and
           it
           notes
           the
           continued
           patience
           and
           long
           suffering
           of
           Christ.
           I
           have
           stood
           and
           still
           do
           stand
           ,
           exercising
           wonderful
           patience
           towards
           obstinate
           sinners
           .
           Which
           gives
           us
           this
           fourth
           Observation
           ,
        
         
           
             IV.
             DOCT.
             
          
           
             That
             great
             and
             admirable
             is
             the
             patience
             of
             Christ
             in
             waiting
             upon
             trifling
             and
             obstinate
             sinners
             .
          
           
             Thus
             Wisdom
             (
             
               i.
               e.
            
             )
             Christ
             expresses
             himself
             ,
             
               Prov.
               1.
               24.
               
               I
               have
               called
               and
               ye
               refused
               ,
               I
               have
               stretched
               out
               my
               Hand
               and
               no
               Man
               regarded
               .
            
             Here
             you
             have
             not
             only
             Christs
             ●arnest
             calls
             ,
             but
             suitable
             gestures
             also
             ,
             to
             gain
             attention
             .
             The
             
             stretching
             out
             of
             the
             Hand
             was
             a
             signal
             given
             to
             procure
             attention
             ,
             Acts
             21.
             40.
             yet
             none
             regards
             ;
             and
             this
             the
             Lord
             doth
             not
             once
             or
             twice
             ,
             but
             all
             the
             day
             long
             ,
             
               Isa.
               65.
               2.
            
             shewing
             forth
             all
             long-suffering
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostle
             speaks
             ,
             
               1
               Tim.
               1.
               16.
            
             
             In
             the
             opening
             of
             this
             Point
             I
             will
             shew
             you
             ,
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 What
                 Divine
                 Patience
                 is
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Wherein
                 it
                 is
                 evidenced
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Why
                 it
                 is
                 exercised
                 to
                 wards
                 sinners
                 .
              
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             Of
             the
             nature
             of
             Divine
             Patience
             ,
             it
             is
             an
             ability
             in
             God
             not
             only
             to
             delay
             the
             execution
             of
             his
             wrath
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             towards
             some
             ,
             but
             to
             delay
             it
             in
             order
             to
             the
             eternal
             Salvation
             of
             others
             .
             Let
             me
             speak
             to
             the
             parts
             of
             this
             description
             of
             Divine
             Patience
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             It
             is
             an
             ability
             or
             power
             in
             God
             ,
             not
             the
             effect
             of
             Impotence
             ,
             or
             want
             of
             opportunity
             :
             All
             sinners
             are
             continually
             within
             the
             reach
             of
             the
             Arm
             of
             his
             Justice
             ,
             and
             he
             can
             strike
             when
             and
             where
             he
             will.
             Esan
             had
             a
             revengeful
             mind
             against
             Iacob
             ,
             but
             wanted
             opportunity
             ,
             and
             therefore
             was
             forc't
             to
             delay
             the
             execution
             of
             his
             conceived
             wrath
             ,
             until
             the
             days
             for
             mourning
             for
             his
             Father
             were
             come
             ;
             and
             then
             faith
             he
             ,
             
               I
               will
               slay
               my
               Brother
            
             Jacob
             ,
             
               Gen.
               27.
               41.
            
             
             But
             in
             God
             it
             is
             a
             glorious
             effect
             of
             power
             ,
             
               Nahum
               1.
               3.
               
               The
               Lord
               is
               slow
               to
               anger
               ,
               and
               great
               in
               power
               .
            
          
           
             The
             greatness
             of
             his
             patience
             flows
             from
             the
             greatness
             of
             his
             power
             :
             so
             the
             Apostle
             speaks
             ,
             
               Rom.
               9.
               22.
               
               What
               if
               God
               willing
               to
               shew
               his
               wrath
               and
               to
               make
               his
               power
               known
               ,
               endured
               with
               much
               long-suffering
               the
               vessels
               of
               wrath
               fitted
            
             or
             made
             up
             
               to
               destruction
            
             .
             And
             therefore
             when
             Moses
             prays
             for
             the
             exercise
             of
             Divine
             Patience
             towards
             the
             provoking
             Israelites
             ,
             he
             doth
             it
             in
             this
             form
             ,
             
             
               Numb
               .
               14.
               17
               ,
               18.
               
               And
               now
               I
               beseech
               thee
               let
               the
               power
               of
               my
               Lord
               be
               great
               ,
               according
               as
               thou
               hast
               spoken
               ,
               saying
               ,
               The
               Lord
               is
               long-suffering
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             He
             could
             exercise
             this
             Almighty
             power
             upon
             thee
             ,
             and
             crush
             thee
             by
             it
             as
             a
             Moth
             is
             crushed
             ;
             but
             behold
             he
             exercises
             it
             upon
             himself
             in
             stopping
             the
             propensions
             of
             his
             own
             Justice
             ,
             which
             daily
             solicit
             him
             to
             cut
             thee
             off
             ;
             t
             is
             the
             power
             of
             God
             over
             his
             wrath
             ,
             bridling
             ,
             and
             restraining
             it
             from
             day
             to
             day
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             This
             Patience
             is
             exercised
             towards
             such
             as
             perish
             ,
             in
             a
             temporary
             delay
             of
             their
             damnation
             ;
             and
             though
             this
             be
             but
             a
             meer
             suspension
             of
             his
             wrath
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             a
             glorious
             act
             of
             Patience
             in
             him
             ;
             as
             that
             forecited
             Text
             ,
             
               Rom.
               9.
            
             22.
             shews
             ;
             is
             it
             nothing
             for
             a
             sinner
             condemned
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             born
             ,
             to
             be
             reprieved
             so
             many
             years
             out
             of
             Hell
             ?
             Thou
             hast
             been
             provoking
             him
             dayly
             and
             hourly
             ,
             to
             cut
             thee
             off
             and
             send
             thee
             to
             thy
             own
             place
             ;
             and
             yet
             to
             be
             on
             this
             side
             the
             ever
             lasting
             burnings
             ,
             this
             is
             wholly
             owing
             to
             the
             riches
             of
             his
             forbearance
             .
             Ah
             ,
             how
             is
             God
             to
             be
             admired
             in
             this
             his
             glorious
             power
             over
             his
             own
             wrath
             !
             When
             we
             look
             abroad
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             see
             every
             where
             sinners
             ripe
             for
             destruction
             ,
             daring
             the
             God
             of
             Heaven
             to
             his
             face
             ,
             yet
             forborn
             ,
             how
             admirable
             is
             this
             Power
             of
             God!
             
          
           
             3.
             
             God
             doth
             not
             only
             exercise
             this
             Power
             in
             a
             temporary
             suspension
             of
             his
             wrath
             against
             some
             ,
             who
             alas
             ,
             must
             feel
             it
             at
             last
             ;
             
             but
             he
             delays
             the
             execution
             of
             his
             wrath
             in
             a
             design
             of
             mercy
             towards
             others
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             never
             feel
             it
             .
             Thus
             he
             bears
             with
             his
             own
             Elect
             ,
             all
             the
             years
             of
             their
             lives
             wherein
             they
             lay
             in
             the
             state
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             
             went
             on
             in
             a
             course
             of
             rebellion
             against
             God
             ;
             and
             this
             long-suffering
             of
             God
             towards
             them
             proves
             their
             Salvation
             ,
             as
             you
             have
             it
             in
             
               2
               Pet.
               3.
               15.
               
               And
               account
               that
               the
               long-suffering
               of
               our
               Lord
               is
               Salvation
               .
            
             What
             's
             the
             meaning
             of
             that
             ?
             Ah!
             Christian
             ,
             thou
             maist
             easily
             know
             the
             meaning
             of
             it
             ,
             without
             turning
             over
             many
             Commentaries
             ,
             thou
             art
             now
             in
             Christ
             ,
             safely
             escaped
             out
             of
             the
             danger
             of
             wrath
             to
             come
             ;
             but
             thou
             owest
             this
             thy
             Salvation
             to
             the
             patience
             and
             long-suffering
             of
             God
             towards
             thee
             .
             For
             what
             if
             he
             had
             cut
             thee
             off
             in
             the
             days
             of
             thy
             ignorance
             ,
             and
             rebellion
             against
             him
             (
             and
             thou
             knowest
             thou
             didst
             give
             him
             Millions
             of
             provocations
             so
             to
             do
             ,
             )
             Where
             hadst
             thou
             now
             been
             ?
             Thou
             hadst
             never
             seen
             Christ
             ,
             nor
             the
             least
             dawning
             hope
             of
             Salvation
             by
             him
             .
             Remember
             ,
             how
             oft
             you
             lay
             in
             those
             days
             upon
             beds
             of
             sickness
             ,
             upon
             the
             brink
             of
             the
             grave
             ;
             what
             was
             it
             that
             saved
             thee
             from
             eternal
             wrath
             but
             this
             admirable
             Patience
             of
             Christ
             ?
             Well
             therefore
             may
             the
             Apostle
             say
             ,
             
               Account
               the
               long-suffering
               of
               God
               to
               be
               Salvation
               .
            
          
           
             This
             Patience
             of
             God
             seems
             to
             be
             a
             branch
             springing
             out
             of
             his
             mercy
             and
             goodness
             ;
             only
             it
             differs
             from
             mercy
             in
             this
             ,
             that
             Man
             as
             miserable
             is
             the
             object
             of
             Mercy
             ;
             but
             Man
             as
             criminal
             is
             the
             object
             of
             Patience
             .
             Thus
             briefly
             of
             the
             Nature
             of
             Divine
             Patience
             ,
             a
             power
             of
             God
             over
             his
             own
             wrath
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             suspend
             it
             for
             a
             time
             towards
             them
             that
             perish
             ;
             but
             to
             delay
             the
             execution
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             a
             design
             of
             Salvation
             towards
             others
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Next
             we
             come
             to
             shew
             the
             various
             evidences
             of
             this
             Divine
             Patience
             ,
             or
             wherein
             it
             
             appears
             in
             its
             glorious
             manifestations
             towards
             provoking
             sinners
             ;
             and
             there
             are
             seven
             full
             evidences
             and
             discoveries
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             should
             make
             the
             Hearts
             of
             sinners
             melt
             within
             them
             whilst
             they
             are
             sounding
             in
             their
             Ears
             .
             Ah
             ,
             methinks
             such
             things
             as
             these
             should
             melt
             down
             your
             hard
             Hearts
             before
             the
             Lord.
             
          
           
             
               I.
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               And
               the
               first
               Evidence
               of
               the
               riches
               of
               his
               Patience
               shall
               be
               taken
               from
               the
               multitude
               of
               sins
               that
               Men
               and
               Women
               are
               guilty
               of
               before
               him
               ,
               the
               least
               of
               which
               is
               a
               burden
               too
               heavy
               for
               any
               creature
               to
               bear
               ;
               the
               Psalmist
               faith
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 40.
                 12.
                 
                 Innumerable
                 evils
                 have
                 compassed
                 me
                 about
                 .
              
               It
               was
               true
               ,
               as
               applied
               to
               the
               person
               of
               David
               ;
               and
               though
               it
               be
               there
               applied
               to
               the
               person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               yet
               not
               one
               of
               them
               were
               his
               own
               sins
               ,
               but
               ours
               ;
               called
               his
               ,
               by
               Gods
               reckoning
               or
               imputing
               them
               to
               him
               .
               Men
               can
               number
               vast
               Sums
               ,
               Millions
               of
               Millions
               ,
               but
               no
               Man
               can
               number
               his
               own
               sins
               ,
               they
               pass
               all
               account
               .
               There
               is
               not
               a
               member
               of
               the
               Body
               though
               never
               so
               small
               but
               hath
               been
               the
               instrument
               of
               innumerable
               evils
               .
               For
               instance
               ,
               the
               Tongue
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               is
               
                 a
                 World
                 of
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 Iames
                 3.
                 6.
              
               and
               if
               there
               be
               
                 a
                 World
              
               of
               sin
               in
               one
               member
               ,
               what
               then
               are
               the
               sins
               of
               all
               ?
               How
               many
               idle
               ,
               frothy
               ,
               vain
               words
               hath
               thy
               Tongue
               uttered
               ?
               And
               yet
               for
               them
               Christ
               saith
               ,
               
                 Men
                 shall
                 give
                 an
                 account
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Iudgment
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 12.
                 36.
                 
              
               And
               what
               have
               the
               sins
               of
               thy
               thoughts
               been
               ,
               
                 The
                 thought
                 of
                 foolishness
                 is
                 sin
                 ,
              
               saith
               
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 24.
                 9.
              
               
               O
               who
               can
               understand
               his
               errors
               ?
               Yet
               the
               Patience
               of
               God
               hath
               
               not
               crackt
               and
               broken
               under
               such
               innumerable
               evils
               .
               O
               glorious
               Patience
               !
               Well
               may
               it
               be
               ushered
               in
               in
               the
               Text
               with
               a
               term
               of
               admiration
               ,
               
                 Behold
                 ,
                 I
                 stand
              
               .
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               The
               second
               Evidence
               of
               the
               Divine
               Patience
               ,
               shall
               be
               taken
               from
               the
               heynous
               nature
               of
               some
               sins
               above
               others
               ,
               whereby
               sinners
               fly
               ,
               as
               it
               were
               ,
               in
               the
               very
               Face
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               yet
               he
               bears
               with
               much
               long-suffering
               ,
               le
               ts
               not
               loose
               his
               Hand
               to
               cut
               them
               off
               .
               All
               sins
               are
               not
               of
               one
               size
               ,
               some
               have
               a
               slighter
               tincture
               ,
               and
               some
               a
               deeper
               ,
               called
               upon
               that
               account
               ,
               Scarlet
               and
               Crimson
               sins
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 1.
                 18.
              
               double
               dyed
               abominations
               ,
               sins
               in
               Grain
               ;
               such
               are
               sins
               against
               knowledge
               ,
               sins
               committed
               after
               Convictions
               and
               Covenants
               ,
               and
               rebukes
               of
               Providence
               .
               I
               do
               not
               only
               speak
               of
               outward
               gross
               acts
               of
               sin
               ,
               for
               as
               the
               School-men
               well
               determine
               ,
               though
               outwards
               sins
               are
               sins
               of
               greater
               infamy
               ,
               yet
               inward
               sins
               may
               be
               sins
               of
               greater
               guilt
               :
               Even
               those
               sins
               that
               never
               took
               air
               to
               defame
               thee
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               but
               whatever
               they
               be
               (
               Reader
               )
               whether
               outward
               or
               inward
               ,
               thy
               Conscience
               is
               privy
               to
               them
               ,
               and
               thy
               Soul
               may
               stand
               amazed
               at
               the
               Patience
               of
               God
               in
               forbearing
               thee
               all
               this
               while
               under
               such
               Provocations
               ,
               and
               horrid
               Rebellions
               against
               him
               ;
               especially
               considering
               how
               many
               there
               be
               this
               day
               in
               Hell
               that
               never
               provoked
               God
               by
               sinning
               with
               such
               a
               high
               Hand
               as
               thou
               hast
               done
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               III.
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               It
               is
               yet
               a
               greater
               Evidence
               of
               the
               Patience
               of
               God
               in
               bearing
               with
               ,
               and
               forbearing
               us
               ,
               under
               the
               guilt
               of
               that
               special
               sin
               ,
               viz.
               The
               slighting
               and
               neglecting
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               :
               Here
               's
               a
               sin
               that
               goes
               to
               the
               very
               Heart
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               he
               can
               bear
               any
               other
               sin
               rather
               than
               that
               ;
               and
               yet
               this
               hath
               Christ
               born
               from
               every
               Soul
               of
               you
               ,
               You
               are
               the
               Men
               and
               Women
               that
               have
               sputned
               at
               the
               yearning
               bowels
               of
               his
               Mercies
               ,
               slighted
               his
               Grace
               ,
               trampled
               his
               precious
               Blood
               under
               Foot
               ,
               and
               yet
               hath
               he
               forborn
               you
               unto
               this
               day
               ;
               read
               
                 Matth.
                 22.
                 5
              
               and
               let
               thy
               Conscience
               answer
               ,
               whether
               thou
               art
               not
               equally
               deep
               in
               the
               guilt
               of
               making
               light
               of
               Christ
               with
               those
               wretches
               upon
               whom
               it
               is
               there
               charged
               ?
               Christ
               hath
               suffered
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               in
               thy
               room
               ,
               brought
               home
               Salvation
               in
               Gospel
               offers
               to
               thy
               door
               ;
               and
               then
               to
               be
               slighted
               !
               no
               Patience
               but
               his
               own
               could
               bear
               it
               .
               Every
               Sermon
               and
               Prayer
               you
               have
               fat
               under
               ,
               with
               a
               dead
               Heart
               ;
               every
               motion
               of
               his
               Spirit
               which
               you
               have
               quencht
               ,
               what
               is
               this
               but
               the
               making
               light
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               great
               Salvation
               ?
               Here
               the
               deepest
               project
               of
               infinite
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               the
               richest
               gift
               of
               free-grace
               ,
               wherein
               God
               commends
               his
               love
               to
               Men
               ,
               are
               vilely
               undervalued
               as
               small
               things
               ;
               and
               thus
               have
               you
               done
               days
               without
               number
               ;
               and
               yet
               his
               Hand
               is
               not
               stretched
               out
               ,
               to
               cut
               thee
               off
               in
               thy
               Rebellion
               ;
               
                 Who
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 like
                 unto
                 thee
                 !
              
               What
               Patience
               like
               the
               Patience
               of
               Christ
               !
            
          
           
             
             
               IV.
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               Fourthly
               ,
               The
               length
               of
               time
               ,
               the
               Patience
               of
               Christ
               hath
               endured
               thee
               ,
               speaks
               the
               perfection
               and
               riches
               of
               his
               Patience
               towards
               thee
               .
            
             
               Consider
               sinner
               ,
               what
               Age
               thou
               art
               of
               ,
               how
               many
               Years
               thou
               canst
               Number
               ,
               and
               that
               all
               this
               hath
               been
               a
               time
               of
               Patience
               ,
               for
               thou
               wast
               a
               transgressor
               from
               the
               Womb
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 48.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
              
               yet
               for
               his
               Name
               sake
               hath
               he
               deferr'd
               his
               anger
               ,
               and
               hath
               not
               cut
               thee
               off
               .
               How
               soon
               did
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               break
               forth
               upon
               the
               Angels
               when
               they
               had
               sinned
               in
               Heaven
               ?
               And
               how
               long
               hath
               it
               born
               with
               thee
               ,
               whilst
               thou
               hast
               been
               provoking
               him
               on
               Earth
               ?
               Was
               there
               ever
               Patience
               like
               the
               Patience
               of
               God!
               Many
               thousands
               have
               been
               sent
               away
               to
               Hell
               fince
               thy
               day
               ,
               but
               thou
               art
               yet
               spared
               ;
               Oh
               that
               the
               long-suffering
               of
               God
               might
               be
               Salvation
               to
               thee
               !
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               Fifthly
               ,
               T
               is
               a
               great
               Evidence
               of
               the
               power
               of
               Divine
               Patience
               that
               may
               be
               drawn
               from
               the
               grievousness
               of
               our
               sins
               to
               God
               ,
               during
               the
               whole
               time
               of
               his
               forbearance
               :
               T
               is
               true
               there
               is
               no
               proper
               passion
               in
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               ;
               no
               real
               perturbation
               ,
               his
               anger
               is
               a
               mild
               and
               holy
               flame
               ,
               yet
               the
               contrariety
               of
               sin
               to
               the
               holyness
               of
               his
               Nature
               is
               what
               makes
               his
               patience
               miraculous
               in
               the
               Eyes
               of
               Men
               :
               The
               Scripture
               speaking
               in
               a
               condescending
               Language
               to
               the
               understanding
               of
               the
               creature
               ,
               represents
               God
               as
               wounded
               to
               the
               Heart
               by
               the
               sins
               of
               Men
               ;
               so
               in
               
                 Ezek.
                 6.
                 9.
                 
                 I
                 
                 am
                 broken
                 with
                 their
                 whorish
                 Heart
                 which
                 hath
                 departed
                 from
                 me
                 ;
                 and
                 Amos
                 2.
                 13.
                 
                 Behold
                 I
                 am
                 pressed
                 under
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 cart
                 is
                 pressed
                 that
                 is
                 full
                 of
                 sheaves
                 ,
              
               when
               the
               Axel-tree
               is
               ready
               to
               crack
               under
               the
               load
               ;
               and
               2
               
                 Chron.
                 36.
                 16
                 't
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 The
                 wrath
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 arose
                 against
                 his
                 people
                 till
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 remedy
              
               ;
               his
               Patience
               would
               bear
               no
               longer
               ,
               and
               therefore
               when
               he
               executes
               his
               wrath
               upon
               provoking
               sinners
               ,
               that
               execution
               is
               represented
               in
               the
               nature
               of
               an
               ease
               or
               relief
               to
               his
               burdened
               Patience
               and
               Justice
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 I.
                 24.
                 
                 Ah
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 ease
                 me
                 of
                 my
                 enemies
                 ,
                 and
                 avenge
                 me
                 of
                 my
                 adversaries
                 .
              
               Yet
               observe
               ,
               it
               comes
               in
               with
               an
               
                 (
                 ah
              
               )
               with
               a
               kind
               of
               regret
               and
               reluctancy
               ;
               so
               in
               
                 Isa.
                 1●
                 .
                 25.
                 
                 Yet
                 a
                 very
                 little
                 while
                 and
                 the
                 indignation
                 shall
                 cease
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 anger
                 in
                 their
                 destruction
                 .
              
               God
               could
               have
               given
               ease
               and
               rest
               this
               way
               ,
               to
               his
               anger
               long
               ago
               ,
               but
               he
               chuses
               rather
               still
               to
               bear
               with
               thee
               ,
               than
               on
               these
               terms
               to
               ease
               himself
               of
               thee
               .
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               Sixthly
               ,
               The
               vast
               expences
               of
               his
               riches
               and
               bounty
               upon
               us
               ,
               during
               the
               whole
               time
               of
               his
               for
               bearance
               and
               patience
               towards
               us
               ,
               speaks
               him
               unconceivable
               and
               infinite
               in
               his
               long-suffering
               towards
               us
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 Despisest
                 thou
                 the
                 riches
                 of
                 his
                 goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 forbearance
                 and
                 long-suffering
                 ,
                 not
                 knowing
                 that
                 the
                 goodness
                 of
                 God
                 leadeth
                 thee
                 to
                 repentance
                 ?
                 q.
                 d.
              
               Vile
               sinner
               ,
               canst
               thou
               compute
               the
               treasures
               of
               bounty
               and
               goodness
               ,
               thou
               hast
               been
               riotously
               spending
               and
               wasting
               all
               this
               while
               ?
               Dost
               thou
               know
               what
               vast
               sums
               Christ
               hath
               spent
               upon
               thee
               to
               preserve
               thee
               so
               long
               
               out
               of
               Hell
               ?
               There
               be
               two
               Treasures
               spending
               upon
               sinners
               all
               the
               time
               of
               Gods
               forbearance
               of
               them
               ;
               there
               's
               the
               precious
               Treasure
               of
               thy
               Time
               wasted
               ,
               and
               the
               invaluable
               streams
               of
               Gospel
               Grace
               running
               all
               this
               while
               at
               the
               waste
               Spout
               ;
               thy
               Time
               is
               precious
               ,
               the
               Whole
               of
               thy
               Time
               ,
               which
               is
               betwixt
               thee
               and
               Eternity
               ,
               is
               but
               little
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               thereof
               has
               been
               wasted
               in
               sin
               ,
               and
               cast
               away
               upon
               vanity
               ;
               but
               that
               's
               not
               all
               ,
               the
               Treasures
               of
               Gospel
               Grace
               have
               been
               wasting
               all
               this
               while
               upon
               thee
               :
               In
               
                 Zach.
                 4.
                 12.
              
               it
               is
               compared
               to
               Golden
               Oyl
               ,
               maintaining
               the
               Lamps
               of
               Ordinances
               ;
               so
               it
               is
               set
               forth
               to
               us
               in
               that
               stately
               Emblem
               ,
               Who
               would
               maintain
               a
               Lamp
               with
               Golden
               Oyl
               for
               wanton
               Children
               to
               play
               by
               ?
               yet
               this
               hath
               God
               done
               while
               thy
               soul
               hath
               dallied
               and
               trifled
               with
               him
               .
               The
               Witnesses
               or
               Ministers
               of
               Christ
               ,
               in
               
                 Rev.
                 11.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
              
               are
               compared
               to
               those
               Olive-Trees
               that
               drop
               their
               precious
               Oyl
               ,
               their
               Gifts
               ,
               Graces
               ,
               yea
               and
               their
               natural
               Spirits
               with
               them
               ,
               into
               this
               Lamp
               to
               keep
               it
               burning
               ;
               all
               this
               while
               the
               Blood
               of
               Christ
               hath
               been
               running
               in
               vain
               ,
               the
               Ministers
               of
               Christ
               preaching
               and
               beseeching
               in
               vain
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
               striving
               with
               you
               in
               vain
               .
               You
               burn
               away
               Golden
               Oyl
               ,
               and
               yet
               your
               Lamp
               is
               not
               gone
               out
               .
               Oh
               ,
               Marvelous
               Patience
               !
               Oh
               the
               riches
               of
               Gods
               Forbearance
               !
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               The
               riches
               of
               Divine
               Patience
               towards
               you
               ,
               are
               greatly
               heightned
               and
               aggravated
               by
               the
               quick
               dispatch
               the
               Lord
               hath
               made
               of
               other
               sinners
               ,
               whilst
               he
               hath
               spared
               and
               pashover
               
               you
               .
               This
               comparative
               consideration
               calls
               upon
               you
               in
               the
               Apostles
               language
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 22.
                 
                 Behold
                 the
                 goodness
                 and
                 severity
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 on
                 them
                 which
                 felt
                 severity
                 ,
                 but
                 towards
                 thee
                 ,
                 goodness
                 ;
                 if
                 thou
                 continue
                 in
                 his
                 goodness
                 ,
                 otherwise
                 thou
                 also
                 shalt
                 be
                 cut
                 off
                 .
              
               Some
               sinners
               have
               been
               cut
               off
               in
               the
               beginning
               of
               their
               days
               ,
               many
               in
               the
               very
               acts
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               those
               not
               greater
               than
               thy
               sins
               ;
               they
               are
               gone
               to
               their
               own
               place
               ,
               and
               thou
               still
               left
               for
               a
               Monument
               of
               the
               Patience
               and
               Forbearance
               of
               God.
               The
               sin
               of
               Achan
               was
               not
               a
               greater
               sin
               ,
               than
               thy
               Coveteousness
               ,
               and
               the
               Earthliness
               of
               thy
               Heart
               is
               :
               The
               sin
               of
               Nadab
               and
               Abihu
               in
               offering
               up
               strange
               fire
               ,
               than
               thy
               superstition
               ,
               and
               offering
               up
               uncommanded
               Services
               to
               God
               ;
               yet
               the
               Hand
               of
               God
               fell
               upon
               them
               ,
               and
               smote
               them
               dead
               in
               the
               place
               ;
               in
               the
               day
               and
               place
               wherein
               they
               sinned
               they
               perisht
               ;
               they
               were
               taken
               away
               in
               their
               iniquities
               ,
               but
               thou
               reserved
               .
               Oh
               ,
               that
               it
               might
               be
               for
               an
               instance
               and
               example
               of
               the
               riches
               of
               Divine
               Patience
               ,
               which
               may
               at
               last
               lead
               thee
               to
               repentance
               .
            
             
               Thus
               I
               have
               given
               you
               seven
               Evidences
               of
               the
               wonderful
               Patience
               of
               Christ
               ,
               who
               hath
               stood
               ,
               and
               still
               doth
               stand
               at
               the
               door
               and
               knock
               .
               Next
               we
               will
               enquire
               into
               the
               grounds
               and
               reasons
               of
               this
               marvelous
               Patience
               of
               Christ
               ,
               this
               astonishing
               long-suffering
               of
               God
               towards
               sinners
               ;
               and
               there
               are
               divers
               obvious
               reasons
               of
               the
               long-suffering
               of
               God
               towards
               Men.
               
            
             
               First
               ,
               
               The
               exercise
               of
               his
               Patience
               is
               a
               standing
               testimony
               of
               his
               reconcilable
               and
               merciful
               nature
               towards
               sinful
               Man.
               This
               he
               shewed
               forth
               in
               his
               Patience
               toward
               Paul
               ;
               a
               great
               example
               of
               his
               merciful
               Nature
               for
               a
               pattern
               to
               
               them
               that
               should
               hereafter
               believe
               on
               him
               ,
               1
               
                 Tim.
                 1.
                 16.
              
               
               The
               long-suffering
               of
               God
               is
               a
               special
               part
               of
               his
               manifestative
               glory
               ;
               and
               therefore
               when
               Moses
               desired
               a
               sight
               of
               his
               glory
               ,
               
                 Exod.
                 34.
                 6.
              
               he
               proclaims
               his
               Name
               ,
               
                 The
                 Lord
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 God
                 merciful
                 and
                 gracious
                 ,
                 long-suffering
                 and
                 abundant
                 in
                 goodness
                 and
                 truth
                 .
              
               He
               would
               have
               poor
               sinners
               look
               towards
               him
               as
               an
               atoneable
               Deity
               ,
               a
               God
               willing
               to
               be
               reconciled
               ,
               a
               God
               that
               retaineth
               not
               his
               anger
               for
               ever
               ;
               but
               if
               poor
               sinners
               will
               take
               hold
               of
               his
               strength
               ,
               
               and
               make
               peace
               with
               him
               ,
               they
               may
               have
               peace
               .
               This
               long-suffering
               is
               an
               attribute
               very
               expressive
               of
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               ;
               he
               is
               willing
               sinners
               should
               know
               whatever
               their
               provocations
               have
               been
               ,
               there
               is
               room
               for
               pardon
               and
               peace
               ,
               if
               they
               will
               yet
               come
               in
               to
               accept
               the
               terms
               .
               This
               patience
               is
               a
               Diadem
               belonging
               to
               the
               
                 Imperial
                 Crown
              
               of
               Heaven
               ;
               the
               Lord
               glories
               in
               it
               as
               what
               is
               peculiar
               to
               himself
               ,
               
                 Hos.
                 11.
                 9.
                 
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 execute
                 the
                 fierceness
                 of
                 my
                 anger
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 Man.
                 q.
                 d.
              
               Had
               I
               been
               as
               Man
               ,
               the
               holyest
               ,
               meekest
               ,
               and
               mortifiedst
               man
               upon
               Earth
               ,
               I
               had
               consumed
               them
               long
               ago
               ;
               but
               I
               am
               god
               ,
               and
               not
               Man
               ,
               my
               Patience
               is
               above
               all
               created
               Patience
               ;
               no
               Husband
               can
               bear
               with
               his
               Wife
               ,
               no
               Parent
               with
               his
               Child
               ,
               as
               God
               hath
               born
               with
               you
               ;
               that
               's
               one
               reason
               of
               Christs
               waiting
               upon
               trifling
               sinners
               ,
               to
               give
               proof
               of
               his
               gracious
               ,
               merciful
               ,
               and
               reconcilable
               nature
               towards
               the
               wrost
               of
               sinners
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               
               The
               Lord
               exercises
               this
               admirable
               Patience
               towards
               sinners
               with
               design
               thereby
               to
               lead
               them
               to
               repentance
               ;
               that
               's
               the
               direct
               aim
               and
               intention
               of
               it
               .
               The
               Lord
               desires
               and
               delights
               
               to
               see
               ingenuous
               relentings
               and
               brokenness
               of
               Heart
               for
               sin
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               nothing
               like
               his
               Forbearance
               and
               Patience
               promotes
               such
               an
               Evangelical
               Repentance
               .
               All
               the
               terrors
               of
               the
               Law
               will
               not
               break
               the
               Heart
               of
               a
               sinner
               ,
               as
               the
               Patience
               and
               Long-suffering
               of
               God
               will
               do
               ;
               therefore
               it
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 4.
                 
                 That
                 the
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Forbearance
                 and
                 Long-suffering
                 of
                 God
                 leads
                 Men
                 to
                 Repentance
              
               ;
               these
               are
               fitted
               to
               work
               upon
               all
               these
               principles
               of
               humanity
               ,
               which
               incline
               Men
               to
               Repentance
               ;
               Reason
               ,
               Conscience
               ,
               Gratitude
               ,
               feel
               the
               influences
               of
               the
               goodness
               of
               God
               herein
               ,
               and
               melt
               under
               it
               ;
               Sauls
               Heart
               relented
               in
               this
               case
               ,
               
                 1
                 Sam.
                 24.
                 17.
                 
                 Is
                 this
                 thy
                 voice
                 my
                 Son
              
               David
               ?
               and
               Saul
               
                 lift
                 up
                 his
                 voice
                 and
                 wept
                 :
                 And
                 he
                 said
                 to
              
               David
               ,
               
                 Thou
                 art
                 more
                 righteous
                 than
                 I
                 ,
                 for
                 thou
                 hast
                 rewarded
                 me
                 good
                 ,
                 where
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 rewarded
                 thee
                 evil
                 .
              
               Thus
               the
               Goodness
               and
               Forbearance
               of
               God
               ,
               doth
               as
               it
               were
               take
               sinner
               by
               the
               Hand
               ,
               leads
               him
               into
               a
               corner
               ,
               and
               saith
               ,
               Come
               ,
               let
               thou
               and
               I
               talk
               together
               ;
               thus
               and
               thus
               Vile
               hast
               thou
               been
               ,
               and
               thus
               and
               thus
               Long-suffering
               and
               Merciful
               have
               I
               been
               to
               thee
               ;
               thy
               Heart
               hath
               been
               full
               of
               sin
               ,
               the
               Heart
               of
               thy
               God
               hath
               been
               gull
               of
               pity
               and
               mercy
               .
               This
               puts
               the
               sinner
               into
               Tears
               ,
               breaks
               his
               Heart
               in
               pieces
               ;
               if
               any
               thing
               in
               the
               World
               will
               melt
               a
               hard
               Heart
               ,
               this
               will
               do
               it
               .
               Oh
               ,
               how
               good
               hath
               God
               been
               to
               me
               !
               How
               have
               I
               tryed
               his
               Patience
               to
               the
               uttermost
               ,
               and
               still
               he
               waiteth
               to
               be
               gracious
               ,
               and
               is
               exalted
               that
               he
               may
               have
               compassion
               ;
               the
               Sobs
               and
               Tears
               ,
               the
               ingenuous
               Thaws
               and
               Relentings
               of
               a
               sinners
               Heart
               under
               the
               apprehensions
               of
               the
               sparing
               Mercy
               and
               Goodness
               of
               God
               is
               the
               Musick
               of
               Heaven
               .
            
             
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               
               The
               Lord
               excercises
               this
               long-suffering
               towards
               sinners
               to
               clear
               his
               Justice
               in
               the
               damnation
               of
               all
               the
               obstinate
               refusers
               of
               Chirst
               and
               Marcy
               .
               Christ
               waits
               at
               our
               doors
               now
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               be
               clear
               in
               his
               sentence
               against
               us
               hereafter
               .
               This
               Patience
               of
               Christ
               takes
               away
               all
               Apologies
               and
               Pleas
               out
               of
               the
               Mouths
               of
               impenitent
               sinners
               ;
               the
               more
               Christ's
               Patience
               hath
               been
               ,
               the
               less
               defence
               or
               plea
               they
               will
               have
               for
               themselves
               .
            
             
               Think
               with
               thy self
               sinner
               ,
               what
               wilt
               thou
               answer
               in
               the
               great
               day
               ,
               when
               Christ
               shall
               say
               ,
               Did
               not
               I
               stand
               at
               thy
               door
               from
               day
               to
               day
               ,
               from
               Sabbath
               to
               Sabbath
               ,
               from
               year
               to
               year
               ,
               calling
               ,
               woing
               ,
               perswading
               thee
               to
               be
               reconciled
               ,
               and
               accept
               Pardon
               and
               Mercy
               in
               the
               proper
               season
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               thou
               wouldst
               not
               ?
               
                 Rev.
                 2.
                 21.
                 
                 I
                 gave
                 her
                 space
                 to
                 repent
                 ,
                 and
                 she
                 repented
                 not
                 .
              
               Well
               ,
               the
               Lord
               gives
               you
               time
               now
               ,
               a
               space
               of
               repentance
               ,
               such
               a
               space
               as
               millions
               of
               Souls
               gone
               out
               of
               Time
               into
               a
               miserable
               Eternity
               never
               had
               ,
               With
               whomsoever
               Christ
               hath
               been
               quick
               and
               severe
               ,
               to
               be
               sure
               he
               hath
               not
               been
               so
               with
               you
               .
               This
               time
               of
               Christ's
               Patience
               will
               be
               evidence
               enough
               to
               clear
               Christ
               and
               condemn
               you
               :
               Men
               and
               Angels
               shall
               applaud
               the
               sentence
               as
               dreadful
               as
               it
               is
               ,
               and
               say
               ,
               Righteous
               art
               thou
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               in
               Judging
               thus
               .
            
             
               Fourthly
               ,
               
               The
               Lord
               draws
               forth
               and
               exercises
               his
               admirable
               Patience
               towards
               sinners
               for
               the
               continuation
               and
               propagation
               of
               the
               Church
               .
               The
               Church
               must
               be
               continued
               and
               propagated
               from
               Age
               to
               Age
               ,
               and
               if
               God
               should
               be
               quick
               in
               cutting
               off
               sinners
               ▪
               as
               soon
               as
               ever
               they
               provoke
               him
               ,
               whence
               shoul
               the
               elect
               of
               God
               rise
               in
               this
               
               World
               ?
               There
               are
               thousands
               of
               God's
               Elect
               in
               the
               Loins
               of
               God's
               Enemies
               .
               Many
               that
               will
               heartily
               embrace
               Christ
               must
               rise
               from
               such
               as
               reject
               him
               .
            
             
               Now
               if
               God
               should
               cut
               off
               these
               in
               the
               beginning
               of
               their
               provocations
               ,
               how
               should
               the
               Church
               be
               continued
               ?
               Where
               had
               good
               Abijah
               and
               Hezekiah
               been
               ,
               if
               wicked
               Ieroboam
               and
               Ahaz
               had
               been
               cut
               off
               in
               their
               first
               transgressions
               ?
               The
               Lord
               suffers
               many
               a
               wicked
               Parent
               to
               stand
               for
               a
               time
               under
               his
               Patience
               ,
               because
               Children
               are
               to
               spring
               from
               them
               who
               will
               obey
               and
               embrace
               brace
               that
               Christ
               whom
               their
               wicked
               Parents
               rejected
               :
               Yea
               ,
               the
               Wicked
               do
               not
               only
               propagate
               the
               Church
               ,
               but
               are
               useful
               to
               preserve
               and
               defend
               it
               ;
               as
               the
               useless
               chass
               is
               a
               defence
               to
               the
               Wheat
               ,
               
                 Rev.
                 12.
                 16.
                 
                 The
                 Earth
                 shall
                 help
                 the
                 Woman
                 .
              
            
             
               Fifthly
               ,
               
               To
               Conclude
               ,
               the
               Lord
               excerciseth
               this
               long-suffering
               towards
               sinners
               in
               a
               gracious
               condescension
               to
               the
               Prayers
               of
               his
               People
               .
               
                 Were
                 it
                 not
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 had
                 left
                 a
                 small
                 remnant
                 ,
                 we
                 had
                 been
                 as
              
               Sodom
               ,
               
                 we
                 had
                 been
                 like
                 unto
              
               Gomorah
               ,
               Isa.
               1.
               9.
               
            
             
               The
               Prayers
               and
               Intercessions
               of
               the
               Saints
               are
               a
               skreen
               betwixt
               wicked
               Men
               and
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               for
               a
               time
               ,
               
                 Iob
                 22.
                 30.
              
               
               The
               innocent
               preserve
               the
               Island
               .
               The
               World
               stands
               by
               the
               Prayers
               of
               the
               Saints
               ;
               what
               multitudes
               of
               rebellious
               ,
               Christ-despising
               sinners
               swarm
               this
               day
               in
               every
               part
               of
               this
               Nation
               ?
               Such
               as
               declare
               by
               their
               open
               practice
               they
               will
               not
               have
               Christ
               to
               reign
               over
               them
               :
               Who
               contemn
               his
               offers
               ,
               despise
               his
               Messengers
               ;
               but
               blessed
               be
               God
               ,
               yea
               and
               let
               them
               bless
               him
               too
               ,
               that
               there
               are
               others
               mourning
               to
               the
               Lord
               for
               them
               ,
               beseeching
               his
               forbearance
               
               towards
               them
               .
               Little
               do
               the
               wicked
               know
               how
               much
               they
               are
               beholding
               to
               the
               Prayers
               of
               the
               Saints
               .
               These
               and
               such
               like
               Reasons
               prevail
               with
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               to
               stand
               in
               waiting
               ,
               patient
               posture
               ,
               at
               the
               doors
               of
               sinners
               .
               Ah.
               how
               loath
               is
               he
               to
               give
               them
               up
               !
               We
               now
               proceed
               to
               the
               Uses
               of
               this
               Point
               ,
               by
               way
               of
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Information
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Exhortation
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   Consolation
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           
             I.
             Vse
             .
          
           
             And
             first
             ,
             this
             Point
             will
             be
             very
             fruitful
             for
             Information
             of
             our
             Understandings
             in
             divers
             great
             and
             useful
             Points
             ,
             both
             Doctrinal
             and
             Practical
             ,
             wherein
             every
             Soul
             among
             you
             is
             deeply
             concerned
             ;
             and
             therefore
             I
             beseech
             you
             let
             them
             be
             heard
             and
             pondred
             with
             an
             answerable
             attention
             and
             seriousness
             of
             Spirit
             ;
             and
             the
             first
             Inference
             shall
             be
             this
             ,
          
           
             
               I.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               If
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               do
               exercise
               such
               admirable
               Patience
               towards
               sinners
               ,
               
                 Then
                 hou
                 much
                 better
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 poor
                 sinners
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 Hands
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 Hand
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 and
                 holiest
                 Man
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ?
              
               O
               sinner
               ,
               t
               is
               better
               for
               thee
               to
               fall
               into
               the
               Hands
               of
               the
               Meek
               and
               Merciful
               Jesus
               ,
               than
               into
               the
               Hand
               of
               the
               dearest
               Friend
               thou
               hast
               upon
               Earth
               ;
               no
               Creature
               can
               bear
               what
               Christ
               hears
               ;
               no
               Patience
               like
               the
               Patience
               of
               Christ
               ;
               t
               is
               said
               of
               
                 Moses
                 ,
                 Numb
                 .
                 11.
                 12
                 
                 Now
                 the
                 Man
              
               
               Moses
               
                 was
                 meek
                 above
                 all
                 the
                 Men
                 upon
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 .
              
               There
               was
               never
               such
               a
               Man
               born
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               for
               Patience
               ,
               Meekness
               ,
               and
               Long-suffering
               ,
               as
               Moses
               was
               ;
               and
               yet
               for
               all
               that
               ,
               this
               mirror
               of
               Meekness
               could
               not
               bear
               the
               Provocations
               of
               Israel
               ;
               You
               Rebels
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               must
               I
               draw
               Water
               for
               you
               out
               of
               the
               Rock
               ?
               Thus
               was
               his
               Spirit
               russled
               with
               the
               provocations
               of
               Israel
               ,
               and
               this
               lost
               him
               the
               Land
               of
               
                 Canaan
                 .
                 Ionah
              
               was
               a
               good
               Man
               ,
               a
               Prophet
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               yet
               because
               the
               Lord
               would
               not
               be
               so
               quick
               and
               severe
               with
               
                 Niniveh
                 ,
                 as
                 Ionah
              
               would
               have
               had
               him
               ,
               In
               what
               uncomly
               Language
               doth
               his
               angry
               Soul
               return
               upon
               his
               God
               ?
               
                 Ionah
                 4.
                 2.
                 
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
              
               saith
               he
               ,
               
                 was
                 not
                 this
                 my
                 saying
                 when
                 I
                 was
                 yet
                 in
                 my
                 Country
                 ?
                 Therefore
                 I
                 sled
                 before
                 unto
              
               Tarshish
               ,
               
                 for
                 I
                 knew
                 thou
                 wert
                 a
                 gracious
                 God
                 and
                 merciful
                 ,
                 slow
                 to
                 anger
                 and
                 of
                 great
                 kindness
                 ,
                 and
                 repentest
                 thee
                 of
                 the
                 evil
                 ;
                 therefore
                 now
                 ,
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 take
                 I
                 beseech
                 thee
                 my
                 life
                 from
                 me
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 better
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 dye
                 than
                 to
                 live
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               Ah
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               I
               knew
               it
               would
               come
               to
               this
               ,
               I
               knew
               thy
               gracious
               nature
               ,
               how
               inclinable
               thou
               art
               to
               mercy
               ,
               and
               that
               upon
               the
               first
               appearance
               of
               their
               repentance
               ,
               thou
               wouldst
               repent
               of
               the
               evil
               ,
               and
               so
               free-grace
               would
               make
               me
               as
               a
               lyer
               among
               them
               .
            
             
               Nay
               ,
               give
               me
               leave
               to
               speak
               a
               higher
               word
               than
               all
               this
               ,
               and
               let
               it
               not
               seem
               strange
               that
               the
               Patience
               of
               the
               glorified
               Saints
               in
               Heaven
               is
               nothing
               to
               the
               Patience
               of
               Christ
               towards
               provoking
               sinners
               upon
               Earth
               .
               Those
               glorified
               Souls
               that
               be
               above
               ,
               though
               they
               have
               Patience
               ,
               among
               other
               Graces
               ,
               perfected
               in
               its
               kind
               ,
               yet
               still
               it
               is
               but
               Created
               ,
               finite
               Patience
               ,
               and
               it
               cannot
               bear
               what
               Christ's
               Patience
               bears
               ;
               take
               an
               instance
               
               of
               it
               out
               of
               
                 Rev.
                 6.
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 I
                 saw
                 under
                 the
                 Altar
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 were
                 slain
                 for
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 testimony
                 which
                 the
                 held
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 cried
                 with
                 a
                 loud
                 voice
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 How
                 long
                 ,
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 holy
                 and
                 true
                 ,
                 Dost
                 thou
                 not
                 judge
                 and
                 avenge
                 our
                 Blood
                 on
                 them
                 that
                 dwell
                 on
                 the
                 Earth
                 ?
                 And
                 it
                 was
                 said
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 That
                 they
                 Should
                 rest
                 for
                 a
                 little
                 season
                 .
              
               Here
               you
               see
               glorified
               Souls
               less
               able
               to
               bear
               the
               slow
               pace
               of
               Justice
               towards
               their
               Enemies
               ,
               than
               Christ
               was
               .
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               here
               was
               no
               sinful
               impatience
               ,
               but
               yet
               a
               patience
               short
               of
               Christs
               infinite
               Patience
               .
               Ah
               ,
               if
               you
               were
               to
               depend
               upon
               the
               Patience
               of
               any
               creature
               in
               Heaven
               or
               Earth
               ,
               you
               had
               worn
               it
               out
               long
               ago
               .
               I
               will
               not
               execute
               the
               fierceness
               of
               my
               anger
               ,
               for
               I
               am
               God
               and
               not
               Man.
               Ah
               ,
               't
               is
               well
               we
               have
               to
               do
               with
               a
               God
               ;
               if
               a
               Man
               find
               his
               enemy
               will
               he
               let
               him
               go
               well
               away
               ?
               1
               Sam.
               24.
               19.
               
               No
               ,
               no
               ,
               he
               will
               reckon
               before
               he
               part
               with
               him
               .
               Sinner
               ,
               the
               Lord
               finds
               thee
               dayly
               in
               thy
               sins
               ,
               and
               yet
               lets
               thee
               go
               ;
               yet
               beware
               thou
               try
               not
               his
               Patience
               too
               far
               ,
               lest
               vengeance
               overtake
               thee
               at
               last
               ,
               and
               pay
               the
               justice
               of
               God
               with
               all
               the
               arrearages
               due
               to
               his
               Patience
               .
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               Hence
               it
               follows
               ,
               that
               convinced
               and
               broken
               hearted
               sinners
               need
               not
               be
               discouraged
               in
               going
               to
               Iesus
               Christ
               for
               mircy
               ,
               seeing
               he
               exercises
               such
               wonderful
               Patince
               towards
               obstinate
               and
               refusing
               sinners
               .
            
             
               This
               inference
               breaths
               pure
               Gospel
               ;
               it
               is
               a
               Cordial
               to
               chear
               the
               Heart
               that
               is
               moving
               towards
               Christ
               ,
               with
               fear
               and
               trembling
               .
               'T
               is
               a
               great
               artifice
               of
               the
               Devil
               to
               daunt
               and
               discourage
               
               courage
               poor
               convinced
               sinners
               ,
               by
               telling
               them
               there
               is
               no
               hope
               of
               mercy
               for
               them
               ▪
               that
               they
               shall
               find
               the
               Arms
               of
               Mercy
               closed
               ,
               the
               Bowels
               of
               Compassion
               shut
               up
               ;
               that
               the
               Time
               of
               Mercy
               is
               now
               past
               ,
               they
               come
               too
               late
               .
               O
               how
               busie
               is
               Satan
               with
               such
               suggestions
               as
               these
               in
               many
               of
               your
               Souls
               ?
               But
               I
               am
               come
               to
               tell
               you
               this
               day
               that
               these
               are
               but
               the
               artifices
               of
               the
               Enemy
               ;
               you
               are
               going
               to
               the
               Fountain
               of
               Mercy
               ,
               Patience
               ,
               Goodness
               and
               Long-suffering
               ;
               go
               on
               ,
               and
               you
               shall
               find
               abundantly
               more
               than
               you
               expect
               .
               He
               will
               not
               cast
               off
               a
               Soul
               that
               comes
               Mourning
               and
               Panting
               towards
               him
               ,
               and
               is
               willing
               to
               subscribe
               the
               Gospel
               articles
               of
               Reconciliation
               :
               No
               ,
               he
               will
               not
               shut
               out
               such
               a
               Soul
               whatever
               its
               rebellions
               and
               provocations
               have
               been
               .
               Sinner
               ,
               thou
               art
               going
               to
               the
               meek
               and
               merciful
               Jesus
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 11.
                 28.
                 
                 Come
                 unto
                 me
                 all
                 ye
                 that
                 labour
                 and
                 are
                 heavy-laden
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 give
                 you
                 rest
                 ;
                 take
                 my
                 yoke
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 learn
                 of
                 me
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 meek
                 and
                 lowly
                 .
              
               You
               are
               going
               to
               Meekness
               and
               Mercy
               it self
               ;
               he
               is
               the
               Lamb
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               is
               his
               name
               ;
               go
               on
               then
               poor
               trembling
               sinner
               ,
               dont
               stand
               any
               longer
               at
               shall
               I
               ?
               Shall
               I
               ?
               with
               Christ
               ;
               but
               make
               a
               bold
               but
               necessary
               adventure
               of
               Faith
               ;
               try
               him
               once
               ,
               and
               then
               report
               what
               you
               find
               im
               to
               be
               :
               Certainly
               if
               he
               exercises
               such
               Patience
               towards
               the
               Vessels
               of
               wrath
               ,
               whilst
               they
               are
               sitting
               to
               destruction
               ;
               as
               he
               doth
               Rom.
               9.
               22
               he
               will
               not
               want
               Patience
               for
               a
               Yessel
               of
               Mercy
               ,
               preparing
               by
               Humiliation
               and
               Faith
               for
               Christ
               and
               Glory
               .
               Doth
               he
               forbear
               those
               that
               stand
               out
               in
               defiance
               ,
               and
               will
               he
               fall
               upon
               those
               that
               are
               mourning
               to
               him
               upon
               the
               Knee
               of
               submission
               ?
               Shall
               a
               damnede
               wretch
               ,
               that
               is
               preparing
               
               for
               Hell
               find
               so
               much
               forbearance
               ,
               and
               a
               poor
               broken
               hearted
               sinner
               none
               ?
               It
               cannot
               be
               .
               If
               Jesus
               Christ
               forbare
               thee
               when
               thy
               Heart
               was
               as
               hard
               as
               a
               Rock
               and
               could
               not
               yield
               one
               Tear
               ,
               one
               Sigh
               for
               sin
               ,
               will
               he
               execute
               his
               Wrath
               upon
               thee
               ,
               will
               he
               shew
               thee
               no
               Mercy
               ,
               when
               thy
               Heart
               is
               broken
               all
               to
               pieces
               with
               sorrow
               ,
               and
               filled
               with
               loathing
               and
               detestation
               against
               sin
               and
               thy self
               for
               sin
               ?
               Did
               he
               forbear
               thee
               when
               sin
               was
               thy
               delight
               ?
               And
               will
               he
               destroy
               thee
               now
               it
               is
               thy
               burden
               ?
               It
               cannot
               be
               .
            
             
               Moreover
               ,
               if
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               had
               not
               a
               mind
               to
               shew
               Mercy
               to
               thy
               poor
               Soul
               :
               Now
               ,
               now
               ,
               that
               thine
               Eyes
               are
               opened
               and
               thy
               heart
               touched
               to
               the
               quick
               ,
               why
               hath
               he
               forborn
               the
               execution
               of
               his
               wrath
               so
               long
               ?
               He
               might
               have
               taken
               his
               own
               time
               to
               cut
               you
               off
               when
               he
               would
               ,
               he
               might
               have
               made
               any
               day
               the
               execution
               day
               :
               But
               sure
               among
               all
               the
               days
               of
               thy
               life
               ,
               the
               day
               of
               thy
               Humiliation
               ,
               the
               day
               of
               thy
               Faith
               ,
               is
               not
               like
               to
               prove
               that
               day
               .
            
             
               Again
               ,
               as
               great
               and
               vile
               sinners
               as
               thy self
               have
               adventured
               upon
               the
               Grace
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               sound
               it
               infinitly
               beyond
               their
               expectation
               .
               These
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               hath
               set
               forth
               as
               incouraging
               examples
               to
               all
               the
               broken
               hearted
               sinners
               that
               are
               coming
               after
               ;
               that
               they
               seeing
               how
               it
               hath
               fared
               with
               their
               forerunners
               to
               Christ
               ,
               might
               be
               incouraged
               to
               come
               on
               with
               the
               more
               confidence
               ,
               
                 1
                 Tim
                 ,
                 1.
                 16.
                 
                 But
                 I
                 obtained
                 mercy
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 me
                 first
                 Christ
                 might
                 shew
                 forth
                 all
                 long-suffering
                 for
                 a
                 pattern
                 for
                 them
                 that
                 should
                 hereafter
                 believe
                 on
                 him
                 to
                 life
                 everlasting
                 .
              
               Well
               then
               ,
               shut
               your
               Ears
               against
               all
               the
               whispers
               of
               Satan
               ,
               entertain
               no
               evil
               reports
               of
               Christ
               ;
               the
               Devil
               loves
               to
               draw
               a
               false
               
               picture
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               represent
               him
               in
               the
               most
               discouraging
               form
               to
               poor
               trembling
               sinners
               ,
               but
               you
               will
               not
               find
               him
               so
               .
               What
               can
               Christ
               say
               more
               to
               convince
               and
               satisfie
               Souls
               than
               he
               hath
               done
               ?
               He
               hath
               left
               the
               bosom
               of
               the
               Father
               ,
               he
               hath
               taken
               union
               with
               thy
               Nature
               ,
               he
               hath
               poured
               out
               his
               Soul
               unto
               Death
               ;
               he
               hath
               told
               us
               ,
               
                 Those
                 that
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 in
                 no
                 wise
                 cast
                 out
                 .
              
               Thousands
               are
               gone
               before
               us
               in
               the
               paths
               of
               Repentance
               and
               Faith
               ,
               and
               found
               it
               according
               to
               his
               Word
               ;
               you
               have
               been
               spared
               all
               your
               Life
               ,
               to
               this
               day
               of
               Mercy
               ,
               O
               do
               not
               stand
               off
               now
               upon
               such
               weak
               objections
               .
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               
                 The
                 long-suffering
                 of
                 Christ
                 toward
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 instructeth
                 and
                 teacheth
                 his
                 Ministers
                 to
                 imitate
                 their
                 Lord
                 in
                 a
                 Christ-like
                 Patience
                 and
                 Long-suffering
                 .
              
               Christ
               is
               our
               pattern
               of
               Patience
               ,
               if
               he
               wait
               ,
               much
               more
               may
               we
               ;
               we
               think
               it
               much
               to
               stand
               from
               Sabbath
               to
               Sabbath
               ,
               Woing
               ,
               Pleading
               and
               Inviting
               ,
               and
               are
               apt
               to
               be
               discouraged
               when
               we
               see
               no
               fruit
               follw
               .
               The
               want
               of
               success
               is
               apt
               to
               cast
               us
               under
               Ieremiahs
               temptation
               ,
               
                 To
                 speak
                 no
                 more
                 in
                 his
                 Name
              
               ;
               and
               to
               lament
               with
               
                 Isaiah
                 ,
                 That
                 we
                 have
                 laboured
                 in
                 vain
              
               ;
               't
               is
               a
               hard
               case
               to
               Study
               ,
               Pray
               and
               Preach
               ,
               and
               see
               all
               our
               labours
               return
               in
               vain
               .
               'T
               is
               not
               so
               much
               the
               expending
               as
               the
               returning
               of
               our
               labours
               upon
               us
               in
               vain
               ,
               that
               discourageth
               our
               Hearts
               .
               Ministers
               would
               not
               dye
               so
               fast
               ,
               
               saith
               one
               of
               them
               ,
               nor
               be
               gray-headed
               so
               soon
               ,
               did
               they
               see
               the
               fruit
               of
               their
               labours
               upon
               their
               people
               .
               But
               let
               us
               look
               to
               our
               pattern
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               
                 Behold
                 I
                 stand
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 and
                 
                 knock
                 .
              
               If
               the
               Master
               wait
               ,
               let
               not
               the
               Servants
               be
               weary
               ;
               
                 The
                 Servant
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 must
                 not
                 strive
                 ,
                 but
                 be
                 patient
                 towards
                 all
                 ;
                 wasting
                 ,
                 if
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 give
                 them
                 repentance
                 ,
                 2
                 Tim.
                 4.
                 24.
                 
              
            
             
               Though
               the
               beginnings
               be
               small
               ,
               our
               latter-end
               may
               greatly
               increase
               ;
               though
               we
               now
               fish
               with
               Angles
               ,
               and
               take
               but
               now
               one
               ,
               and
               then
               another
               ;
               the
               time
               may
               come
               ,
               and
               we
               hope
               is
               at
               the
               door
               ,
               when
               we
               shall
               spread
               our
               Nets
               ,
               and
               inclose
               multitudes
               .
               Aretius
               a
               pious
               Divine
               comforted
               himself
               thus
               ,
               under
               the
               insuccessfulness
               of
               his
               Labours
               ,
               
                 Dabit
                 posterior
                 aetas
                 tractabiliores
                 fortasse
                 animas
                 ,
                 mitiora
                 pectora
                 quam
                 nostra
                 habent
                 tempora
                 .
              
               Future
               days
               will
               afford
               more
               tractable
               Spirits
               ,
               and
               easier
               tempers
               of
               Mind
               ,
               than
               our
               present
               times
               afford
               .
               Beside
               ,
               the
               fruit
               of
               our
               labours
               may
               spring
               up
               to
               a
               blessed
               harvest
               when
               we
               are
               gone
               ,
               Iohn
               4.
               37.
               
               One
               Man
               soweth
               and
               another
               reapeth
               ;
               but
               if
               not
               ,
               our
               reward
               will
               not
               be
               measured
               by
               the
               success
               ,
               but
               the
               sincerity
               of
               our
               designs
               and
               labours
               .
               Our
               zeal
               for
               conversion
               of
               Souls
               to
               Christ
               will
               be
               accepted
               ,
               but
               our
               discouragement
               in
               his
               service
               will
               certainly
               displease
               him
               .
               If
               Israel
               be
               not
               gathered
               ,
               yet
               shall
               we
               be
               glorious
               in
               the
               Eyes
               of
               the
               Lord.
               However
               ,
               let
               this
               be
               a
               caution
               to
               you
               ,
               that
               hear
               us
               ,
               that
               you
               cast
               not
               our
               Souls
               under
               such
               discouragements
               .
               If
               I
               may
               speak
               ,
               the
               sense
               of
               others
               ,
               from
               my
               own
               experience
               ,
               then
               I
               can
               assure
               you
               ,
               that
               the
               fixedness
               of
               your
               Hearts
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               your
               untractableness
               to
               the
               calls
               of
               God
               ,
               are
               a
               greater
               burden
               and
               discouragement
               to
               us
               than
               all
               the
               sufferings
               we
               have
               met
               withal
               from
               the
               World
               ;
               yet
               are
               we
               
               contented
               to
               Pray
               in
               hope
               ,
               and
               Preach
               in
               hope
               ,
               incouraging
               our selves
               (
               the
               Lord
               grant
               it
               be
               not
               without
               ground
               )
               that
               a
               crop
               shall
               yet
               spring
               up
               ,
               which
               shall
               make
               the
               Harvest-men
               laugh
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               From
               the
               Patience
               and
               Long-suffering
               of
               Christ
               ,
               we
               may
               learn
               the
               invaluable
               preciousness
               of
               Souls
               ,
               and
               the
               high
               esteem
               Christ
               hath
               for
               them
               .
            
             
               Though
               your
               Souls
               be
               cheap
               in
               your
               own
               Eyes
               ,
               and
               you
               are
               contented
               to
               sell
               them
               for
               a
               trifle
               ,
               for
               a
               little
               sensual
               pleasure
               and
               ease
               ;
               some
               of
               you
               will
               hazard
               them
               for
               a
               Shilling
               ,
               yet
               certainly
               Jesus
               Christ
               hath
               an
               high
               asteem
               of
               them
               ,
               else
               he
               would
               never
               stand
               knocking
               with
               such
               importunity
               ,
               and
               waiting
               with
               such
               wonderful
               patience
               ,
               for
               the
               Salvation
               of
               them
               .
               Christ
               knows
               their
               worth
               though
               you
               do
               not
               ,
               he
               accounts
               ,
               and
               so
               should
               you
               ,
               one
               of
               your
               Souls
               more
               worth
               than
               the
               whole
               World
               ,
               Matth.
               16.
               26.
               
               The
               Soul
               of
               the
               poorest
               Child
               ,
               or
               meanest
               Servant
               ,
               that
               hears
               me
               this
               day
               ,
               is
               of
               greater
               value
               in
               Christ's
               Eye
               than
               the
               whole
               World
               ;
               and
               he
               hath
               given
               three
               great
               evidences
               of
               it
               ,
               (
               1.
               )
               That
               he
               thought
               it
               worth
               his
               Heart
               Blood
               to
               redeem
               and
               save
               it
               ,
               1
               
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 19.
                 
                 You
                 were
                 not
                 redeemed
                 with
                 Silver
                 and
                 Gold
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 the
                 precious
                 Blood
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God.
              
               Had
               they
               not
               been
               precious
               in
               his
               Eyes
               he
               would
               never
               have
               shed
               his
               most
               precious
               Blood
               to
               ransom
               them
               .
               (
               2.
               )
               Were
               they
               not
               highly
               valuable
               in
               his
               Eyes
               he
               would
               never
               wait
               with
               such
               unwearied
               Patience
               to
               save
               them
               as
               he
               doth
               .
               He
               hath
               born
               Thousands
               of
               repulses
               ,
               and
               unreasonable
               denials
               from
               you
               :
               Sinner
               ,
               
               Christ
               hath
               knockt
               at
               thy
               door
               in
               many
               a
               Sermon
               ,
               in
               many
               a
               Prayer
               ,
               in
               many
               a
               sickness
               ,
               in
               all
               which
               thou
               hast
               put
               him
               off
               ,
               denyed
               him
               or
               delayed
               him
               ;
               yet
               still
               he
               continues
               knocking
               and
               waiting
               .
               Thou
               couldst
               not
               have
               made
               the
               poorest
               Beggar
               in
               the
               World
               wait
               at
               thy
               door
               ,
               so
               long
               as
               thy
               Redeemer
               hath
               been
               made
               to
               wait
               ,
               and
               yet
               he
               is
               not
               gone
               .
               At
               this
               day
               his
               voice
               sounds
               in
               thine
               ears
               ,
               
                 Behold
                 I
                 stand
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 and
                 knock
                 .
              
               Here
               's
               clear
               demonstration
               of
               the
               preciousness
               of
               thy
               Soul
               in
               the
               Redeemer's
               Eyes
               .
               And
               then
               Lastly
               ,
               When
               Christ
               ends
               the
               Treaty
               ,
               and
               gives
               up
               the
               Souls
               of
               Men
               for
               lost
               ,
               and
               unperswadable
               ,
               with
               what
               regret
               and
               sorrow
               doth
               he
               part
               with
               them
               !
               Never
               did
               one
               Friend
               part
               from
               another
               with
               such
               demonstrations
               of
               sorrow
               as
               Christ
               parteth
               with
               the
               Souls
               of
               sinners
               .
               The
               Bowels
               of
               his
               compassion
               roul
               together
               ;
               for
               the
               knows
               what
               is
               coming
               upon
               them
               ,
               and
               what
               that
               eternal
               misery
               is
               into
               which
               their
               wilful
               rejection
               of
               him
               will
               cast
               them
               :
               In
               Luke
               19.
               22.
               you
               find
               the
               Redeemers
               tears
               wept
               over
               obstinate
               
                 Ierusalend
                 ,
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 came
                 nigh
                 to
                 the
                 City
                 ,
                 he
                 wept
                 over
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 said
                 ,
                 O
              
               Jerusalem
               ,
               Jerusalem
               ,
               
                 that
                 thou
                 hadst
                 known
                 at
                 least
                 in
                 this
                 thy
                 day
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 belong
                 to
                 thy
                 peace
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 they
                 are
                 did
                 from
                 thine
                 Eyes
                 .
              
               Like
               unto
               this
               is
               that
               expression
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 1.
                 24.
                 
                 Ah
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 ease
                 me
                 of
                 mine
                 enemies
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               Though
               it
               be
               an
               ease
               to
               his
               Justice
               ,
               yet
               he
               cannot
               give
               them
               up
               without
               an
               ah
               ,
               an
               interjection
               of
               sorrow
               ;
               so
               in
               
                 Hosea
                 11.
                 8.
                 
                 How
                 shall
                 I
                 give
                 thee
                 up
              
               Ephraim
               ?
               
                 How
                 shall
                 I
                 deliver
                 thee
              
               Judah
               ?
               I
               must
               do
               it
               ,
               but
               how
               shall
               I
               go
               about
               it
               ?
               All
               these
               expressions
               shew
               the
               great
               value
               God
               hath
               for
               your
               Souls
               ;
               and
               did
               you
               know
               it
               also
               ,
               certainly
               
               you
               would
               not
               make
               Christ
               wait
               one
               hour
               longer
               .
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               
                 Hence
                 it
                 follows
                 ,
                 That
                 greater
                 is
                 the
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 severer
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 condemnation
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 perish
                 under
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 than
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 People
                 in
                 the
                 World.
              
               Let
               me
               speak
               freely
               to
               you
               that
               hear
               me
               this
               day
               ,
               Jesus
               Christ
               hath
               spent
               more
               of
               the
               riches
               of
               his
               Patience
               upon
               you
               in
               one
               year
               ,
               yea
               ,
               in
               this
               very
               day
               ,
               than
               he
               hath
               spent
               upon
               the
               heathen
               World
               in
               all
               the
               days
               of
               their
               lives
               ;
               they
               never
               heard
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               great
               Salvation
               ;
               they
               have
               had
               no
               calls
               to
               Faith
               and
               Repentance
               ,
               as
               you
               have
               had
               ;
               dont
               think
               God
               hath
               dealt
               at
               this
               rate
               with
               other
               Nations
               .
               You
               have
               his
               Sabbaths
               ,
               Ministers
               ,
               Calls
               ,
               he
               hath
               not
               dealt
               so
               with
               other
               Nations
               ;
               and
               as
               for
               these
               things
               they
               have
               not
               known
               them
               ,
               Psal.
               147.
               19.
               
               God
               hath
               dealt
               in
               a
               peculiar
               way
               with
               us
               ,
               and
               these
               special
               favours
               will
               make
               dreadful
               accounts
               :
               He
               told
               the
               Iews
               among
               whom
               he
               had
               preacht
               and
               wrought
               his
               Miracles
               ,
               
                 It
                 would
                 be
                 more
                 tolerable
                 for
              
               Sodom
               and
               Gomorah
               ,
               
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Iudgment
                 ,
                 than
                 for
                 them
              
               ;
               and
               in
               his
               Name
               I
               will
               tell
               you
               this
               day
               ,
               that
               Barbarous
               Indians
               and
               Americans
               will
               have
               a
               milder
               Hell
               than
               you
               ;
               
                 Mitius
                 ardent
              
               ,
               and
               as
               the
               Lord
               told
               Ezechiel
               chap.
               3.
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               
                 Thou
                 art
                 not
                 sent
                 to
                 a
                 People
                 of
                 a
                 strange
                 Speech
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 an
                 hard
                 Language
                 ,
                 whose
                 words
                 thou
                 canst
                 not
                 understand
                 ;
                 surely
                 had
                 I
                 sent
                 thee
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 have
                 harkned
                 unto
                 thee
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 house
                 of
              
               Israel
               
                 will
                 not
                 harken
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 harken
                 unto
                 me
                 :
                 For
                 all
                 the
                 house
                 of
              
               Israel
               
                 are
                 impudent
                 and
                 hard
                 hearted
              
               .
            
             
             
               Ah
               ,
               Brethren
               't
               is
               a
               sad
               Truth
               that
               the
               Ministers
               of
               Christ
               have
               found
               more
               fruit
               of
               their
               Labours
               among
               the
               
                 Salvage
                 Americans
              
               ,
               than
               in
               England
               ,
               a
               People
               born
               and
               bred
               up
               under
               the
               Gospel
               .
               Had
               heathenish
               People
               your
               Sabbaths
               ,
               your
               Ministers
               and
               Bibles
               ,
               they
               would
               not
               deal
               by
               Christ
               as
               you
               have
               done
               :
               But
               look
               you
               to
               it
               ,
               for
               certainly
               the
               severity
               of
               his
               Justice
               will
               at
               last
               recompence
               the
               expence
               of
               his
               Patience
               :
               There
               are
               two
               Glasses
               turned
               up
               this
               day
               ,
               and
               both
               almost
               run
               down
               ;
               the
               Glass
               of
               the
               Gospel
               running
               down
               on
               Earth
               ,
               and
               the
               Glass
               of
               Christ's
               Patience
               running
               down
               in
               Heaven
               .
               Be
               sure
               of
               it
               ,
               that
               for
               every
               sand
               of
               Mercy
               ,
               every
               drop
               of
               Love
               that
               runs
               down
               in
               vain
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               a
               drop
               of
               wrath
               runs
               into
               the
               vial
               of
               wrath
               which
               is
               fitting
               in
               Heaven
               .
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               
                 If
                 Christ
                 have
                 exercised
                 such
                 admirable
                 Patience
                 ,
                 and
                 Long-suffering
                 towards
                 you
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 could
                 gain
                 entrance
                 into
                 your
                 Hearts
                 ;
                 then
                 you
                 have
                 all
                 the
                 reason
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 exercise
                 your
                 Patience
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 account
                 all
                 long-suffering
                 to
                 be
                 your
                 unquestionable
                 duty
                 .
              
               Christ
               was
               not
               weary
               in
               waiting
               upon
               you
               ,
               be
               not
               you
               weary
               in
               waiting
               upon
               him
               or
               for
               him
               .
               Now
               there
               are
               three
               things
               wherein
               the
               People
               of
               God
               will
               have
               much
               occasion
               to
               exercise
               their
               Patience
               with
               respect
               to
               Christ
               ,
               (
               1.
               )
               You
               will
               need
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               Patience
               to
               wait
               for
               the
               returns
               and
               answers
               of
               your
               Prayers
               ;
               you
               knock
               and
               wait
               ,
               at
               the
               door
               of
               Mercy
               ,
               and
               no
               answer
               comes
               ;
               hereupon
               discouragement
               and
               weariness
               seizeth
               your
               Spirits
               .
               Possibly
               
               some
               of
               you
               have
               Prayers
               many
               years
               agone
               upon
               the
               file
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               some
               upon
               Spiritual
               accounts
               ,
               and
               some
               upon
               Temporal
               ;
               and
               because
               the
               answer
               is
               not
               dispatcht
               ,
               your
               Eyes
               are
               ready
               to
               fail
               with
               waiting
               ,
               for
               the
               Lord
               may
               bear
               long
               with
               his
               own
               Elect
               ,
               Luke
               18.
               7.
               
               The
               seed
               of
               Prayer
               lyes
               under
               the
               clods
               ,
               and
               will
               at
               last
               spring
               up
               ,
               
                 for
                 he
                 never
                 said
                 to
                 the
                 seed
                 of
              
               Jacob
               ,
               
                 Seek
                 me
                 in
                 vain
              
               ;
               none
               seek
               God
               in
               vain
               but
               those
               that
               seek
               him
               vainly
               .
               Now
               you
               should
               not
               be
               too
               quick
               and
               short
               breathed
               in
               waithing
               upon
               God
               ,
               for
               the
               returns
               of
               Prayer
               ,
               considering
               how
               long
               you
               made
               Christ
               wait
               upon
               you
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               You
               will
               have
               occasion
               to
               exercise
               your
               Patience
               in
               bearing
               the
               burden
               of
               reproaches
               ,
               and
               sufferings
               for
               Christ
               ;
               
                 For
                 to
                 you
                 it
                 is
                 given
                 in
                 the
                 behalf
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 to
                 suffer
                 for
                 his
                 sake
                 ,
              
               Phil.
               1.
               29.
               
               Sufferings
               you
               see
               are
               the
               Gifts
               of
               Christ
               ,
               the
               Comforts
               of
               sufferings
               is
               his
               Gift
               ,
               and
               so
               are
               the
               abilities
               to
               suffer-also
               ;
               and
               that
               which
               will
               encrease
               your
               suffering-ability
               ,
               will
               be
               the
               confideration
               of
               Christ's
               long-suffering
               towards
               you
               ,
               and
               the
               hard
               things
               he
               endured
               for
               you
               and
               from
               you
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               You
               will
               have
               occasion
               to
               exercise
               your
               Patience
               for
               the
               day
               of
               your
               compleat
               Redemption
               and
               Salvation
               .
               If
               you
               love
               Christ
               fervently
               ,
               the
               time
               of
               your
               separation
               from
               him
               will
               be
               born
               difficultly
               ;
               vehement
               love
               needs
               the
               allay
               of
               Patience
               ,
               
                 2
                 Thes.
                 3.
                 5.
                 
                 The
                 Lord
                 direct
                 your
                 Hearts
                 into
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 into
                 the
                 patient
                 waiting
                 for
                 Christ.
              
               Others
               need
               much
               Patience
               to
               dye
               ,
               but
               such
               will
               need
               as
               much
               Patience
               to
               live
               ;
               but
               whatever
               the
               exercises
               of
               your
               Patience
               shall
               be
               ,
               whether
               in
               waiting
               for
               the
               returns
               of
               your
               
               Prayers
               ,
               in
               bearing
               the
               cross
               and
               sufferings
               of
               Christ
               ,
               or
               in
               waiting
               for
               the
               day
               of
               your
               compleat
               Redemption
               and
               enjoyment
               of
               Christ
               :
               This
               single
               consideration
               ,
               that
               Christ
               stood
               and
               waited
               so
               long
               upon
               you
               ,
               is
               enough
               to
               fortisie
               your
               Patience
               against
               all
               the
               difficulties
               it
               shall
               encounter
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
               Inference
               .
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               If
               Christ
               thus
               patiently
               wait
               upon
               trifling
               and
               obstinate
               sinners
               ,
               then
               let
               no
               godly
               person
               be
               discouraged
               because
               their
               unregenerate
               Relations
               have
               not
               yet
               made
               their
               first
               step
               towards
               Christ
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Repentance
               and
               saving
               Faith.
               
            
             
               It
               may
               be
               you
               have
               layed
               up
               a
               great
               stock
               of
               Prayers
               for
               them
               ,
               the
               believing
               Husband
               hath
               prayed
               for
               his
               unbelieving
               Wife
               ,
               and
               the
               believing
               Wife
               for
               her
               unbelieving
               Husband
               ;
               godly
               Parents
               for
               their
               ungodly
               Children
               ,
               and
               the
               gracious
               Child
               for
               his
               ungodly
               Parents
               ;
               and
               yet
               no
               returns
               of
               Prayer
               appear
               .
               Many
               cries
               are
               gone
               up
               to
               Heaven
               like
               that
               of
               
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 17.
                 18.
                 
                 O
                 that
              
               Ishmael
               
                 might
                 live
                 before
                 thee
              
               .
               Well
               ,
               be
               not
               discouraged
               ,
               Christ
               is
               contented
               to
               wait
               ,
               and
               therefore
               well
               may
               you
               .
               Those
               cries
               of
               Parents
               ,
               Lord
               my
               poor
               Child
               is
               in
               the
               state
               of
               Nature
               ,
               look
               in
               mercy
               upon
               him
               ,
               open
               his
               Eyes
               ,
               break
               his
               Heart
               for
               sin
               ,
               draw
               his
               Will
               to
               Christ
               ;
               these
               cries
               may
               not
               be
               lost
               ,
               though
               the
               fruit
               of
               them
               yet
               appear
               not
               ;
               consider
               how
               long
               Christ
               waited
               upon
               you
               .
               There
               be
               three
               things
               that
               encourage
               hope
               ,
               (
               1.
               )
               That
               your
               Hearts
               and
               theirs
               were
               of
               the
               same
               natural
               complection
               and
               temper
               ;
               and
               the
               same
               power
               which
               opened
               your
               
               Hearts
               can
               open
               theirs
               ;
               thy
               understanding
               was
               once
               as
               dark
               ,
               thy
               Heart
               as
               hard
               ,
               and
               thy
               Will
               as
               inflexible
               as
               thy
               carnal
               Relations
               now
               are
               .
               The
               same
               Hand
               tha
               opened
               thy
               Heart
               ,
               can
               open
               theirs
               .
               Dont
               think
               Christ
               had
               an
               easier
               task
               to
               win
               thy
               Heart
               ,
               than
               he
               will
               have
               to
               win
               theirs
               .
               Almighty
               Power
               wrought
               upon
               you
               ,
               and
               the
               same
               Power
               can
               work
               effectually
               upon
               them
               ;
               the
               Lord's
               Hand
               is
               not
               shortned
               .
               (
               2ly
               .
               )
               You
               have
               reason
               to
               wait
               ,
               for
               as
               much
               as
               it
               is
               probable
               you
               your selves
               have
               put
               stumbling-blocks
               into
               the
               way
               of
               their
               Souls
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               hindred
               the
               returns
               of
               your
               own
               Prayers
               for
               the
               conversion
               of
               your
               carnal
               Relatives
               .
               Oh
               Christians
               ,
               there
               is
               more
               due
               to
               them
               than
               your
               Prayers
               ,
               Prayers
               must
               be
               backt
               with
               examples
               ;
               had
               they
               not
               only
               heard
               your
               cries
               to
               God
               for
               them
               ,
               but
               seen
               your
               suitable
               encouraging
               pattern
               set
               before
               them
               also
               ;
               you
               and
               yours
               might
               have
               rejoyced
               together
               long
               ago
               .
               But
               (
               3ly
               .
               )
               consider
               that
               God
               many
               times
               makes
               the
               fruit
               of
               such
               Prayers
               to
               spring
               up
               after
               those
               that
               sowed
               them
               are
               dead
               and
               gone
               .
               The
               Lord
               may
               give
               life
               to
               your
               Prayers
               when
               you
               are
               dead
               :
               Certainly
               your
               Prayers
               dye
               not
               with
               you
               .
               'T
               is
               the
               opinion
               of
               some
               that
               
               Paul's
               conversion
               was
               the
               return
               of
               
               Stephen's
               Prayer
               ,
               
                 Lord
                 lay
                 not
                 this
                 sin
                 to
                 their
                 charge
                 .
                 Stephen
              
               died
               ,
               but
               his
               Prayers
               lived
               ,
               and
               were
               answered
               upon
               one
               that
               stood
               by
               and
               consented
               to
               his
               death
               :
               But
               however
               it
               be
               ,
               wait
               on
               ;
               if
               your
               Prayers
               come
               not
               into
               their
               bosoms
               ,
               they
               will
               certainly
               return
               into
               your
               own
               .
               Here
               's
               duty
               discharged
               ,
               love
               to
               Christ
               and
               their
               Souls
               manifested
               ;
               which
               will
               be
               your
               comfort
               howsoever
               God
               disposes
               the
               event
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             II.
             Vse
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             Doctrine
             of
             Christ's
             Patience
             puts
             a
             great
             and
             serious
             Exhortation
             into
             my
             Mouth
             this
             day
             ,
             to
             press
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             Duties
             upon
             you
             that
             ever
             I
             pressed
             in
             the
             whole
             course
             of
             my
             Ministry
             among
             you
             :
             And
             could
             I
             deliver
             this
             Exhortation
             to
             you
             upon
             my
             Knees
             ,
             with
             Tears
             of
             Blood
             mingled
             with
             my
             words
             ,
             might
             that
             prevail
             ,
             I
             would
             surely
             do
             it
             .
             My
             Exhortation
             is
             ,
             to
             all
             that
             are
             in
             an
             unregenerate
             state
             ,
             that
             they
             presume
             not
             to
             try
             the
             Patience
             of
             Christ
             any
             longer
             .
             If
             you
             have
             any
             regard
             to
             your
             eternal
             Happiness
             ,
             exercise
             not
             his
             Patience
             beyond
             this
             hour
             .
             Oh
             that
             this
             hour
             might
             put
             an
             end
             to
             Christ's
             waiting
             ,
             and
             your
             danger
             !
             Hitherto
             you
             have
             wearied
             Men
             ,
             but
             will
             you
             weary
             God
             also
             ?
             Christ
             hath
             called
             ,
             but
             you
             have
             resused
             ;
             he
             hath
             stretched
             out
             his
             Hands
             but
             you
             have
             not
             regarded
             .
             Your
             thoughts
             have
             been
             wandering
             after
             vanity
             ,
             whilst
             the
             voice
             of
             the
             Gospel
             hath
             been
             sounding
             in
             your
             Ears
             ;
             some
             of
             you
             have
             been
             sottish
             and
             uncapable
             to
             apprehend
             spiritual
             Truths
             ;
             others
             of
             you
             sensual
             ,
             given
             up
             to
             the
             pleasures
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             abandoning
             all
             serious
             thoughts
             about
             the
             World
             to
             come
             .
             Some
             of
             you
             have
             been
             buried
             alive
             in
             the
             cares
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             others
             setled
             upon
             a
             dead
             formality
             in
             Religion
             ;
             and
             to
             this
             day
             Christ
             hath
             called
             upon
             you
             in
             vain
             .
             Now
             that
             which
             I
             exhort
             you
             to
             ,
             is
             that
             you
             venture
             not
             to
             try
             the
             Patience
             of
             Christ
             one
             day
             longer
             ;
             if
             you
             have
             any
             regard
             to
             the
             everlasting
             happiness
             of
             your
             Souls
             ,
             come
             not
             
             under
             the
             guilt
             and
             danger
             of
             one
             denial
             or
             delay
             more
             ;
             if
             you
             ask
             me
             why
             ?
             Why
             may
             we
             not
             venture
             a
             little
             longer
             ?
             Christ
             hath
             born
             all
             this
             while
             ,
             and
             will
             he
             not
             bear
             a
             little
             longer
             ?
             May
             we
             not
             take
             a
             little
             more
             pleasure
             in
             sin
             ?
             May
             we
             not
             hazard
             one
             Sermon
             ,
             or
             Sabbath
             more
             ,
             and
             yet
             not
             perish
             ?
             I
             answer
             ,
             No.
             If
             your
             Souls
             be
             precious
             in
             your
             Eyes
             let
             there
             be
             no
             more
             denials
             nor
             delays
             to
             Christ's
             suit
             .
             For
             (
             1.
             )
             how
             patient
             and
             long-suffering
             soever
             Christ
             hath
             been
             ,
             yet
             there
             will
             be
             an
             end
             of
             the
             day
             of
             his
             Patience
             ;
             a
             time
             when
             he
             will
             wait
             no
             longer
             ,
             when
             his
             Spirit
             shall
             strive
             no
             more
             with
             you
             .
             There
             is
             a
             knock
             of
             Christ
             at
             the
             Heart
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             the
             last
             knock
             that
             ever
             he
             will
             give
             ;
             and
             after
             that
             no
             more
             knocks
             .
             A
             time
             when
             the
             Master
             of
             the
             house
             will
             rise
             up
             and
             the
             door
             be
             shut
             .
             You
             have
             had
             to
             do
             with
             a
             meek
             and
             patient
             Christ
             hitherto
             ;
             but
             believe
             it
             sinners
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             day
             called
             ,
             
               the
               day
               of
               the
               wrath
               of
               the
               Lamb
               ,
            
             and
             that
             day
             is
             dreadful
             ,
             Rev.
             6.
             16.
             where
             you
             find
             sinners
             ,
             crying
             
               to
               the
               Rocks
               and
               Mountains
               to
               fall
               upon
               them
               ,
               and
               hide
               them
               from
               the
               wrath
               of
               the
               Lamb.
            
             O
             if
             his
             wrath
             be
             once
             kindled
             though
             but
             a
             little
             ,
             
               blessed
               are
               they
               that
               trust
               in
               him
               ,
            
             that
             have
             finished
             their
             agreement
             with
             him
             .
             The
             day
             of
             Christ's
             Patience
             towards
             Ierusalem
             was
             a
             long
             day
             ,
             but
             it
             had
             an
             end
             ,
             Matth.
             23.
             37.
             and
             it
             ended
             in
             their
             desolation
             ;
             therefore
             try
             the
             Patience
             of
             Christ
             no
             further
             ;
             you
             know
             not
             the
             limits
             of
             it
             ,
             it
             may
             end
             with
             your
             next
             refusal
             ,
             and
             then
             where
             are
             you
             ?
             (
             2ly
             .
             )
             The
             longer
             Christ
             hath
             exercised
             his
             Patience
             already
             towards
             you
             ,
             the
             more
             terribly
             will
             he
             avenge
             the
             abuse
             of
             it
             in
             Hell
             upon
             you
             .
             'T
             is
             past
             doubt
             with
             me
             
             that
             there
             are
             different
             degrees
             of
             Torment
             in
             Hell
             ;
             the
             Scriptures
             are
             plainly
             and
             clearly
             for
             it
             .
             Now
             among
             all
             the
             aggravations
             of
             the
             Torments
             of
             Hell
             ,
             none
             can
             be
             greater
             than
             the
             reflections
             of
             damned
             Souls
             upon
             the
             abused
             Patience
             and
             Grace
             of
             Christ.
             Those
             that
             had
             the
             best
             means
             ,
             the
             loudest
             calls
             ,
             and
             the
             longest
             day
             under
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             will
             certainly
             have
             the
             hottest
             place
             in
             Hell
             ,
             if
             the
             goodness
             and
             long-suffering
             of
             Christ
             do
             not
             now
             lead
             them
             to
             Repentance
             ;
             the
             cries
             of
             such
             Souls
             will
             be
             heard
             above
             the
             cries
             of
             all
             the
             other
             miserable
             wretches
             that
             are
             cast
             away
             .
             
               'T
               will
               be
               more
               tolerable
               for
            
             Sodom
             and
             Gomorrah
             ,
             
               than
               for
            
             Capernaum
             ,
             Matth.
             11.
             23.
             
          
           
             Oh
             ,
             Friends
             ,
             you
             little
             know
             the
             smart
             reflections
             of
             Conscience
             in
             Hell
             ,
             upon
             such
             hours
             as
             you
             now
             enjoy
             ;
             such
             wooing
             ,
             charming
             voices
             and
             allurements
             ,
             to
             Christ
             as
             you
             now
             hear
             .
             There
             are
             many
             thousands
             of
             Souls
             in
             Hell
             ,
             that
             came
             thither
             out
             of
             the
             dark
             heathenish
             parts
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             where
             they
             never
             heard
             of
             Christ
             ;
             but
             your
             misery
             will
             be
             far
             beyond
             theirs
             ;
             your
             reflections
             more
             sharp
             and
             bitter
             :
             Therefore
             delay
             no
             longer
             ,
             lest
             you
             perish
             with
             peculiar
             aggravations
             of
             misery
             .
             (
             3ly
             .
             )
             Try
             the
             Patience
             of
             Christ
             no
             further
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             for
             as
             much
             as
             you
             see
             every
             day
             the
             Patience
             of
             Christ
             ending
             towards
             others
             .
             Patience
             coming
             down
             ,
             and
             Justice
             ascending
             the
             Stage
             ,
             to
             triumph
             over
             the
             abusers
             of
             Mercy
             .
             You
             dont
             only
             read
             in
             Scripture
             of
             the
             finishing
             and
             ending
             of
             God's
             Patience
             with
             Men
             ,
             but
             you
             may
             see
             it
             every
             day
             with
             your
             own
             Eyes
             .
             If
             you
             look
             into
             Scripture
             ,
             You
             may
             find
             the
             Patience
             of
             God
             ended
             towards
             multitudes
             of
             Sinners
             ,
             who
             possibly
             had
             the
             same
             
             presumptions
             ,
             and
             vain
             hopes
             for
             the
             continuance
             of
             it
             that
             you
             now
             have
             :
             If
             you
             look
             into
             1
             Pet.
             3.
             19
             ,
             20.
             you
             shall
             there
             find
             that
             
               Christ
               went
               and
               preached
               to
               the
               Spirits
               in
               prison
               ,
               which
               sometimes
               were
               disobedient
               ;
               when
               once
               the
               long-suffering
               of
               God
               waited
               in
               the
               days
               of
            
             Noah
             .
             The
             meaning
             of
             it
             is
             this
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             days
             before
             the
             Flood
             ,
             Christ
             by
             his
             Spirit
             strove
             with
             disobedient
             and
             rebellious
             sinners
             ,
             in
             the
             Ministry
             of
             Noah
             ,
             who
             then
             were
             living
             Men
             and
             Women
             ,
             as
             now
             we
             are
             ,
             but
             now
             are
             Spirits
             in
             prison
             ,
             (
             
               i.
               e.
            
             )
             damned
             Souls
             in
             Hell
             ,
             for
             their
             disobedience
             :
             And
             truly
             ,
             Brethren
             ,
             you
             may
             frequently
             behold
             the
             glass
             of
             Patience
             run
             down
             ,
             the
             very
             last
             sand
             in
             it
             spent
             upon
             others
             .
             Whenever
             you
             see
             a
             wicked
             Christless
             Man
             or
             Woman
             dye
             ,
             you
             see
             the
             end
             of
             God's
             Patience
             with
             that
             Man
             or
             Woman
             ,
             and
             all
             this
             for
             a
             warning
             to
             you
             ,
             that
             you
             adventure
             not
             to
             trifle
             and
             dally
             with
             it
             as
             they
             did
             .
             (
             4ly
             .
             )
             Lastly
             ,
             Do
             not
             try
             God's
             Patience
             any
             longer
             (
             if
             you
             love
             your
             Souls
             )
             for
             this
             Reason
             ,
             because
             when
             Men
             grow
             bold
             ,
             and
             incourage
             themselves
             in
             sin
             ,
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             God's
             forbearance
             and
             long-suffering
             towards
             them
             ;
             there
             cannot
             be
             a
             more
             certain
             sign
             that
             his
             Patience
             is
             very
             near
             its
             end
             towards
             that
             Soul.
             'T
             is
             time
             for
             God
             to
             put
             an
             end
             to
             his
             Patience
             when
             it
             is
             made
             an
             encouragement
             to
             sin
             .
             God
             cannot
             suffer
             so
             vile
             an
             abuse
             of
             his
             glorious
             Patience
             ,
             nor
             endure
             to
             see
             it
             turned
             into
             wantonness
             :
             This
             quickly
             brings
             up
             sin
             to
             its
             finishing
             act
             and
             perfection
             ,
             and
             then
             Patience
             is
             just
             upon
             finishing
             also
             .
             That
             Patience
             is
             thus
             abused
             ,
             appears
             from
             Eccles.
             8.
             11.
             and
             when
             it
             is
             so
             abused
             look
             for
             a
             suddain
             change
             .
             O
             ,
             therefore
             ,
             beware
             
             of
             provoking
             God
             ,
             for
             now
             the
             day
             of
             Patience
             is
             certainly
             near
             its
             end
             with
             such
             sinners
             ,
             
               Prov.
               1.
               24
               ,
               25
               ,
               26.
               
               Because
               I
               have
               called●
               and
               ye
               refused
               ,
               I
               have
               stre●ched
               out
               my
               Hand
               and
               no
               Man
               regarded
               :
               But
               ye
               have
               set
               at
               nought
               all
               my
               counsel
               ,
               and
               would
               none
               of
               my
               reproof
               :
               I
               also
               will
               laugh
               at
               your
               calamity
               ,
               and
               mock
               when
               your
               fear
               cometh
               .
               When
               your
               fear
               cometh
               as
               desolation
               ,
               and
               your
               destruction
               cometh
               as
               a
               whirlwind
               .
            
             Ah
             ,
             when
             sinners
             scolt
             and
             mock
             at
             the
             threatnings
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             bear
             themselves
             up
             ,
             upon
             his
             Patience
             ,
             as
             that
             which
             will
             never
             crack
             under
             them
             ;
             then
             look
             out
             for
             a
             whirlwind
             ,
             a
             suddain
             Tempest
             of
             wrath
             which
             shall
             hurry
             such
             Souls
             into
             Hell.
             Then
             misery
             comes
             like
             a
             storm
             blowing
             furiously
             from
             all
             quarters
             .
             Well
             ,
             the
             Heavens
             are
             yet
             clear
             over
             you
             ,
             but
             a
             storm
             is
             nigh
             ,
             and
             may
             be
             certainly
             presaged
             from
             such
             vite
             abuses
             of
             the
             glorious
             Patience
             of
             Christ
             towards
             you
             .
             That
             's
             the
             first
             Exhortation
             ,
             try
             not
             the
             Patience
             of
             Christ
             by
             any
             further
             delays
          
           
             
               II.
               Exhortation
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Admire
               Christ's
               Patience
               and
               forbearance
               of
               you
               until
               now
               ,
               that
               he
               hath
               not
               cut
               you
               off
               in
               your
               sin
               ,
               but
               lengthned
               out
               his
               Patience
               unto
               this
               day
               ,
               and
               brought
               about
               your
               Salvation
               by
               his
               long-suffering
               towards
               you
               .
               Here
               now
               I
               must
               change
               my
               voice
               and
               turn
               it
               unto
               those
               whose
               Hearts
               the
               Lord
               hath
               opened
               :
               Stand
               amazed
               at
               the
               riches
               of
               his
               Grace
               towards
               you
               and
               see
               that
               you
               account
               this
               long-suffering
               of
               God
               to
               be
               your
               Salvation
               ;
               for
               in
               plain
               Truth
               it
               is
               so
               :
               your
               Salvation
               was
               bound
               up
               in
               Christ's
               
               forbearance
               ;
               if
               Christ
               had
               not
               born
               as
               he
               did
               ,
               you
               had
               not
               been
               where
               you
               are
               .
               I
               could
               heartily
               wish
               that
               all
               the
               time
               you
               can
               redeem
               from
               the
               necessary
               employments
               you
               have
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               may
               now
               be
               spent
               in
               an
               humble
               ,
               thankful
               admiration
               of
               this
               admirable
               Grace
               and
               Patience
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               answerable
               duties
               to
               the
               intentions
               and
               ends
               thereof
               .
               To
               this
               end
               I
               shall
               subjoyn
               divers
               weighty
               Considerations
               ,
               which
               ,
               methinks
               ,
               should
               melt
               every
               Heart
               wherein
               the
               lest
               drachm
               of
               saving
               Grace
               is
               found
               .
            
             
               Bethink
               your selves
               of
               the
               great
               and
               manifold
               provocations
               you
               have
               given
               the
               ▪
               
               Lord
               to
               put
               an
               end
               to
               all
               further
               Patience
               towards
               you
               ;
               not
               only
               in
               the
               days
               of
               your
               vanity
               and
               unregeneracy
               ,
               but
               enen
               since
               your
               reconciliation
               to
               him
               .
               Do
               you
               not
               believe
               thousands
               of
               sinners
               are
               now
               in
               the
               depths
               of
               Hell
               ,
               who
               never
               provoked
               the
               Lord
               at
               an
               higher
               rate
               than
               you
               have
               done
               ?
               Were
               you
               not
               herded
               once
               among
               the
               vilest
               of
               sinners
               ,
               
                 1
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 11.
                 
                 And
                 such
                 were
                 some
                 of
                 you
              
               ;
               as
               vile
               as
               the
               vilest
               among
               them
               ;
               yet
               you
               are
               washed
               in
               the
               Blood
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               your
               companions
               roaring
               in
               the
               lowest
               Hell
               ;
               or
               if
               your
               lives
               were
               more
               clean
               ,
               sure
               your
               Hearts
               and
               Natures
               were
               as
               filthy
               as
               theirs
               .
               And
               certainly
               your
               sins
               since
               the
               time
               of
               Reconciliation
               have
               had
               special
               aggravations
               in
               them
               ,
               enough
               to
               put
               an
               end
               to
               all
               further
               mercies
               towards
               you
               .
               Light
               and
               Love
               have
               aggravated
               these
               sins
               ,
               and
               yet
               the
               Lord
               will
               not
               cast
               you
               off
               .
            
             
               How
               often
               have
               you
               been
               upon
               the
               very
               brink
               of
               Hell
               ,
               
               in
               the
               days
               of
               your
               unregeneracy
               ?
               Every
               sickness
               ,
               and
               every
               danger
               of
               life
               which
               you
               escaped
               in
               those
               days
               ,
               was
               a
               marvelous
               escape
               
               from
               the
               everlasting
               wrath
               of
               God.
               Had
               thy
               Disease
               prevailed
               one
               degree
               further
               ,
               thou
               hadst
               been
               past
               hope
               ;
               and
               out
               of
               the
               reach
               of
               Mercies
               Arm
               now
               .
               Doubtless
               some
               of
               you
               can
               remember
               when
               in
               such
               and
               such
               a
               Disease
               you
               were
               like
               a
               Ship
               riding
               in
               a
               furious
               storm
               by
               one
               Cable
               ,
               and
               two
               or
               three
               of
               the
               strands
               of
               that
               Cable
               were
               snapt
               asunder
               .
               So
               it
               hath
               been
               with
               you
               ,
               the
               thread
               of
               life
               how
               weak
               soever
               ,
               hath
               held
               till
               the
               bonds
               of
               union
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               your
               Souls
               are
               fastned
               ,
               and
               the
               eternal
               hazard
               over
               .
               This
               is
               admirable
               Grace
               .
            
             
               How
               often
               hath
               Death
               come
               up
               into
               your
               Windows
               ,
               entred
               into
               your
               Houses
               ,
               
               fetcht
               off
               your
               nearest
               Relations
               ;
               but
               had
               no
               commission
               to
               carry
               you
               out
               with
               them
               ;
               because
               the
               Lord
               had
               a
               design
               of
               Mercy
               upon
               your
               Souls
               .
            
             
               This
               cannot
               but
               affect
               a
               gracious
               Heart
               ,
               that
               God
               should
               smite
               so
               near
               ,
               and
               yet
               spare
               you
               .
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               
               This
               is
               affecting
               ,
               yea
               very
               transporting
               ;
               that
               God
               hath
               not
               only
               given
               you
               time
               beyond
               others
               ,
               but
               in
               that
               time
               the
               precious
               opportunities
               and
               means
               of
               your
               Salvation
               ,
               both
               external
               and
               internal
               ;
               there
               's
               the
               very
               marrow
               and
               kernel
               of
               the
               Mercy
               ;
               had
               God
               lengthned
               out
               his
               Patience
               for
               a
               while
               ,
               but
               given
               you
               no
               means
               of
               Salvation
               ;
               or
               afforded
               you
               the
               means
               ,
               but
               denied
               you
               the
               blessing
               and
               efficacy
               of
               them
               ;
               at
               the
               most
               it
               could
               have
               been
               but
               a
               reprieve
               from
               Hell
               :
               but
               for
               the
               Lord
               to
               give
               you
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               with
               the
               Gospel
               to
               send
               down
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               to
               perswade
               and
               open
               thy
               Heart
               to
               Christ
               ;
               here
               is
               the
               riches
               of
               his
               goodness
               as
               well
               as
               forbearance
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               III.
               Exhortation
               .
            
             
               This
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Patience
               of
               Christ
               exhorts
               all
               that
               have
               felt
               it
               ,
               to
               exercise
               a
               Christ-like
               Patience
               towards
               others
               ;
               as
               you
               have
               found
               the
               benefit
               of
               Divine
               Patience
               your selves
               ,
               see
               that
               you
               exercise
               the
               meekness
               and
               long-suffering
               of
               Christians
               towards
               those
               that
               have
               wronged
               and
               injured
               you
               .
               Who
               should
               shew
               Patience
               more
               than
               those
               that
               have
               found
               it
               ?
               Dont
               be
               severe
               ,
               short
               and
               quick
               with
               others
               who
               have
               lived
               your selves
               so
               many
               years
               upon
               the
               long-suffering
               of
               God.
               We
               are
               poor
               short-spirited
               Creatures
               ,
               quick
               to
               revenge
               injuries
               ,
               but
               oh
               ,
               had
               God
               been
               so
               to
               us
               ,
               miserable
               had
               our
               condition
               been
               .
               Christ
               hath
               made
               this
               duty
               the
               very
               scope
               of
               that
               excellent
               parable
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 18.
              
               from
               the
               
                 25
                 verse
              
               onward
               ,
               where
               the
               King
               takes
               an
               account
               of
               his
               Servants
               ,
               reckoning
               with
               them
               one
               by
               one
               ,
               and
               amongst
               them
               finds
               one
               which
               owed
               him
               Ten
               thousand
               Talents
               ,
               and
               having
               not
               to
               pay
               ,
               commands
               him
               his
               Wife
               and
               Children
               ,
               and
               all
               he
               had
               to
               be
               sold
               ,
               and
               payment
               to
               be
               made
               ;
               but
               the
               Servant
               falling
               down
               ,
               and
               begging
               Patience
               ,
               his
               Lord
               was
               moved
               with
               compassion
               ,
               and
               loosed
               him
               ,
               and
               not
               only
               forbore
               but
               forgave
               the
               debt
               ;
               one
               would
               think
               the
               Heart
               of
               this
               Man
               should
               have
               been
               a
               fountain
               of
               compassion
               towards
               others
               ;
               but
               see
               the
               deep
               corruption
               of
               Nature
               ,
               the
               same
               Servant
               finding
               one
               of
               his
               fellow-servants
               which
               owed
               him
               but
               an
               Hundred
               pence
               ,
               laid
               Hands
               on
               him
               and
               took
               him
               by
               the
               Throat
               .
               Alas
               ,
               the
               wrongs
               done
               to
               us
               are
               but
               trif●les
               ,
               compared
               with
               our
               injuries
               done
               to
               God
               ;
               where
               
               others
               have
               wronged
               you
               once
               ,
               you
               have
               wronged
               God
               a
               thousand
               times
               .
               Methinks
               the
               Patience
               of
               Christ
               towards
               you
               should
               melt
               your
               Hearts
               into
               an
               ingenuous
               easiness
               to
               forgive
               others
               ;
               especially
               considering
               that
               an
               unforgiving
               Spirit
               is
               a
               dreadful
               sign
               of
               an
               unforgiven
               person
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Exhortation
               .
            
             
               Burden
               not
               the
               Patience
               of
               Christ
               after
               your
               admission
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               reconciliation
               to
               him
               ;
               let
               it
               suffice
               that
               you
               tried
               his
               Patience
               long
               enough
               before
               ,
               give
               him
               no
               new
               exercises
               now
               he
               is
               come
               to
               dwell
               in
               and
               with
               you
               for
               ever
               .
               There
               be
               two
               ways
               wherein
               God
               's
               own
               People
               do
               greatly
               provoke
               him
               after
               their
               Reconciliation
               .
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   By
                   slugishness
                   to
                   Duty
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   By
                   sinning
                   against
                   Light.
                   
                
              
            
             
               1.
               
               By
               slugishness
               and
               deadness
               of
               Spirit
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               Duty
               and
               Obedience
               ;
               turning
               a
               deaf
               ear
               to
               the
               calls
               and
               motions
               of
               Christ's
               Spirit
               exciting
               them
               to
               the
               sweet
               and
               pleasant
               Duties
               of
               Religion
               .
               We
               have
               a
               sad
               instance
               of
               this
               in
               the
               Spouse
               ,
               
                 Cant.
                 5.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 my
                 beloved
                 that
                 knocketh
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 Open
                 to
                 me
                 my
                 Sister
                 ,
                 my
                 Love
                 ,
                 my
                 Dove
                 ,
                 my
                 Vndefiled
                 ;
                 for
                 my
                 Head
                 is
                 filled
                 with
                 dew
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Locks
                 with
                 the
                 drops
                 of
                 the
                 night
                 .
              
               One
               would
               think
               that
               Christ
               might
               have
               opened
               the
               Heart
               of
               his
               own
               Spouse
               with
               less
               solicitation
               ,
               and
               importunate
               Arguments
               than
               he
               here
               useth
               ;
               what
               Wife
               could
               shut
               the
               door
               upon
               her
               own
               dear
               Husband
               ,
               and
               bar
               him
               out
               of
               his
               own
               
               house
               ?
               And
               yet
               see
               the
               lazy
               excuse
               she
               makes
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 I
                 have
                 put
                 off
                 my
                 coat
                 ,
                 how
                 shall
                 I
                 put
                 it
                 on
                 ?
                 I
                 have
                 washed
                 my
                 Feet
                 ,
                 how
                 shall
                 I
                 defile
                 them
                 ?
              
            
             
               Oh
               ,
               the
               slugishness
               of
               Flesh
               ,
               even
               in
               Regenerate
               persons
               !
               Those
               that
               have
               opened
               the
               door
               to
               Christ
               by
               Regeneration
               ,
               even
               they
               do
               often
               shut
               the
               door
               against
               Christ
               in
               the
               hours
               and
               seasons
               of
               Communion
               with
               him
               .
               Strange
               ,
               that
               such
               a
               suiter
               as
               Christ
               should
               be
               put
               by
               ,
               moving
               and
               calling
               to
               such
               heavenly
               pleasant
               exercises
               as
               Communion
               with
               him
               is
               ;
               but
               flesh
               will
               be
               flesh
               even
               in
               the
               most
               Spiritual
               Christians
               ;
               little
               do
               we
               know
               what
               a
               grief
               this
               is
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               loss
               to
               us
               .
            
             
               2ly
               .
               Many
               grieve
               Christ's
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               sorely
               try
               his
               Patience
               ,
               even
               after
               Reconciliation
               ,
               by
               sinning
               against
               Light
               and
               Love
               ;
               that
               caution
               ,
               
                 Ephes.
                 4.
                 30.
              
               is
               not
               without
               weighty
               cause
               ,
               
                 and
                 grieve
                 not
                 the
                 holy
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 which
                 you
                 are
                 sealed
                 to
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Redemption
                 .
              
            
             
               Do
               we
               thus
               requite
               the
               Lord
               ?
               is
               this
               the
               return
               we
               will
               make
               him
               for
               all
               his
               admirable
               kindness
               and
               unparallel'd
               Love
               towards
               us
               ?
               Certainly
               ,
               Christ
               can
               put
               up
               a
               thousand
               injuries
               from
               his
               Enemies
               ,
               easier
               than
               such
               affronts
               from
               his
               own
               People
               ;
               did
               you
               not
               promise
               him
               better
               obedience
               ?
               Did
               you
               not
               engage
               to
               more
               holiness
               and
               watchfulness
               ,
               in
               the
               day
               that
               you
               sued
               out
               your
               pardon
               ,
               and
               made
               up
               your
               peace
               with
               him
               ?
               Are
               all
               those
               Vows
               and
               Covenants
               forgotten
               ?
               If
               you
               have
               forgotten
               them
               God
               hath
               not
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               V.
               Exhortation
               .
            
             
               Improve
               the
               time
               that
               remains
               in
               this
               World
               with
               double
               diligence
               ,
               because
               you
               made
               Christ
               wait
               so
               long
               ,
               and
               cast
               a
               way
               so
               great
               a
               part
               of
               your
               life
               ,
               before
               you
               opened
               your
               Hearts
               to
               re-receive
               him
               .
               The
               morning
               of
               your
               life
               which
               was
               certainly
               the
               freshest
               and
               freest
               part
               of
               it
               ,
               was
               no
               better
               than
               time
               lost
               with
               many
               of
               us
               ;
               all
               the
               days
               of
               your
               unregeneracy
               Christ
               was
               shut
               out
               ,
               and
               vanity
               shut
               into
               your
               Hearts
               :
               You
               never
               began
               to
               live
               till
               Christ
               gave
               you
               life
               ,
               and
               that
               was
               late
               in
               the
               day
               with
               many
               of
               you
               .
               How
               should
               this
               provoke
               to
               extraordinary
               diligence
               in
               those
               few
               remains
               of
               time
               we
               have
               yet
               to
               enjoy
               ?
               It
               was
               
               Austin's
               lamentation
               ,
               
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 it
                 repents
                 me
                 ,
              
               saith
               he
               ,
               
                 that
                 I
                 loved
                 thee
                 so
                 late
                 .
              
               This
               consideration
               excited
               Paul
               to
               extraordinary
               diligence
               for
               Christ.
               It
               made
               him
               fly
               up
               and
               down
               the
               World
               ,
               as
               a
               Seraphim
               ,
               in
               a
               flame
               of
               holy
               zeal
               for
               Christ.
               Those
               that
               have
               much
               to
               write
               ,
               and
               are
               almost
               come
               to
               the
               end
               of
               their
               paper
               ,
               had
               need
               write
               close
               .
               Friends
               ,
               you
               have
               something
               to
               do
               for
               God
               upon
               Earth
               ,
               which
               you
               cannot
               do
               for
               him
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 38.
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
              
               
               You
               that
               have
               carnal
               Relations
               have
               something
               to
               do
               for
               them
               here
               ,
               which
               you
               cannot
               do
               in
               Heaven
               .
               You
               can
               now
               Counsel
               ,
               Exhort
               ,
               and
               Pray
               ,
               in
               order
               to
               their
               Conversion
               and
               Salvation
               ;
               but
               when
               you
               are
               gone
               down
               to
               the
               Grave
               ,
               these
               opportunities
               of
               service
               are
               cut
               off
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               VI.
               Exhortation
               .
            
             
               Let
               us
               all
               be
               ashamed
               and
               humbled
               for
               the
               baseness
               of
               our
               Hearts
               and
               Natures
               ,
               which
               made
               Christ
               wait
               at
               the
               door
               so
               long
               ,
               before
               we
               opened
               to
               him
               .
               O
               what
               wretched
               Hearts
               have
               we
               !
               That
               were
               no
               more
               affected
               with
               the
               groans
               of
               Christ's
               Heart
               ,
               than
               with
               the
               groans
               of
               a
               Beast
               ,
               no
               nor
               so
               much
               neither
               ,
               if
               that
               Beast
               were
               our
               own
               .
               Oh
               ,
               the
               vileness
               of
               Nature
               to
               make
               the
               Prince
               of
               the
               King
               's
               of
               the
               Earth
               bringing
               Pardon
               and
               Salvation
               with
               him
               ,
               to
               stand
               so
               long
               unanswered
               ;
               let
               who
               will
               cry
               up
               the
               goodness
               of
               Nature
               ,
               I
               am
               sure
               we
               have
               reason
               to
               look
               upon
               the
               vileness
               of
               it
               with
               amazement
               and
               horror
               .
               You
               could
               not
               have
               found
               in
               your
               Hearts
               to
               have
               made
               the
               poorest
               beggar
               wait
               so
               long
               at
               your
               door
               ,
               as
               you
               have
               made
               Christ
               to
               wait
               upon
               you
               .
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
               Exhortation
               .
            
             
               Seventhly
               ,
               and
               Lastly
               ,
               Let
               us
               all
               bless
               and
               admire
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               for
               the
               continuation
               of
               his
               Patience
               ,
               not
               to
               our selves
               only
               ,
               but
               to
               that
               whole
               sinful
               Nation
               in
               which
               we
               live
               .
               We
               thought
               the
               Treaty
               of
               Peace
               had
               been
               ended
               with
               us
               ;
               many
               good
               Men
               looking
               upon
               the
               iniquities
               and
               abominations
               of
               these
               times
               ,
               considering
               the
               vanities
               and
               backsliding
               of
               Professors
               ,
               the
               Heaven-daring
               provocations
               of
               this
               Atheistical
               age
               ,
               concluded
               in
               their
               own
               Hearts
               ,
               that
               God
               would
               make
               England
               another
               Shiloh
               .
               Many
               faithful
               Ministers
               of
               Christ
               said
               within
               themselves
               God
               hath
               no
               more
               Work
               for
               us
               to
               do
               ,
               
               and
               we
               shall
               have
               no
               more
               opportunities
               to
               work
               for
               God.
               When
               lo
               ,
               beyond
               the
               thoughts
               of
               all
               Hearts
               ,
               the
               merciful
               and
               long-suffering
               Redeemer
               makes
               one
               return
               more
               to
               these
               Nations
               ,
               renews
               the
               Treaty
               ,
               and
               with
               compassions
               rolled
               together
               ,
               speaks
               to
               us
               this
               day
               ,
               as
               to
               Ephraim
               of
               old
               ,
               How
               shall
               I
               deliver
               thee
               ?
               Look
               upon
               this
               day
               ,
               this
               unexpected
               day
               of
               Mercy
               ,
               as
               the
               fruit
               and
               acquisition
               of
               the
               intercession
               of
               your
               great
               Advocate
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               answerable
               to
               that
               
                 Luke
                 13.
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
              
               Well
               God
               hath
               put
               us
               upon
               one
               Tryal
               more
               ,
               if
               now
               we
               bring
               forth
               fruit
               ,
               well
               ,
               if
               not
               the
               ax
               lyes
               at
               the
               root
               of
               the
               Tree
               .
               Once
               more
               ,
               Christ
               knocks
               at
               our
               doors
               ,
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               Bridegroom
               is
               heard
               ;
               those
               sweet
               voices
               ,
               
                 Come
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 Open
                 to
                 me
              
               ;
               your
               opening
               to
               Christ
               now
               ,
               will
               be
               unto
               you
               as
               the
               Valley
               of
               Achor
               ,
               for
               a
               door
               of
               hope
               .
               But
               what
               if
               all
               this
               should
               be
               turned
               into
               wantonness
               and
               formality
               ?
               what
               if
               your
               obstinacy
               and
               infidelity
               should
               wear
               out
               the
               remains
               of
               that
               little
               strength
               and
               time
               left
               you
               ,
               and
               that
               former
               Labours
               and
               Sorrows
               have
               left
               your
               Ministers
               ?
               Then
               
                 actum
                 est
                 de
                 nobis
              
               ,
               we
               are
               gone
               for
               ever
               ;
               then
               farewel
               Gospel
               ,
               Ministers
               ,
               Reformation
               ,
               and
               all
               ,
               because
               we
               knew
               not
               the
               time
               of
               our
               Visitation
               .
               What
               was
               the
               dismal
               doom
               of
               God
               upon
               the
               fruitless
               Vineyard
               ?
               
                 Isa.
                 5.
                 5.
                 
                 I
                 will
                 take
                 away
                 the
                 hedge
                 thereof
                 and
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 eaten
                 up
                 ;
                 and
                 break
                 down
                 the
                 wall
                 thereof
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 troden
                 down
                 ;
                 I
                 will
                 also
                 command
                 the
                 Clouds
                 that
                 they
                 rain
                 not
                 upon
                 it
                 .
              
               The
               hedge
               ,
               and
               the
               wall
               are
               the
               Spiritual
               and
               Providential
               presence
               of
               God
               ;
               these
               are
               the
               defence
               and
               safety
               of
               his
               People
               ;
               the
               Clouds
               ,
               and
               the
               Rain
               are
               the
               sweet
               influences
               of
               Gospel
               Ordinances
               .
               If
               the
               
               hedge
               be
               broken
               down
               ,
               God's
               pleasant
               Plants
               will
               soon
               be
               eaten
               up
               ;
               and
               if
               the
               Clouds
               rain
               not
               upon
               them
               ,
               their
               Root
               will
               be
               rottenness
               ,
               and
               their
               Blossom
               will
               go
               up
               as
               dust
               .
               Our
               Churches
               will
               soon
               become
               as
               the
               Mountains
               of
               Gilboa
               ;
               therefore
               see
               that
               you
               know
               and
               improve
               the
               time
               of
               your
               Visitation
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             III.
             Vse
             of
             Consolation
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             wind
             up
             this
             Fourth
             Doctrin
             ,
             in
             two
             or
             three
             words
             of
             Consolation
             ,
             to
             those
             that
             have
             answered
             ,
             and
             are
             now
             preparing
             to
             answer
             the
             design
             and
             end
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             in
             all
             his
             Patience
             towards
             them
             ,
             by
             the
             compliance
             of
             their
             Hearts
             with
             his
             great
             design
             and
             end
             therein
             .
             O
             blessed
             be
             God
             ,
             and
             let
             his
             high-praises
             be
             for
             ever
             in
             our
             Mouths
             ,
             that
             at
             last
             Christ
             is
             like
             to
             obtain
             his
             end
             upon
             some
             of
             us
             ,
             and
             that
             all
             do
             not
             receive
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             in
             vain
             .
             And
             there
             be
             three
             Considerations
             able
             to
             wind
             up
             your
             Hearts
             to
             the
             height
             of
             Praise
             ,
             if
             the
             Lord
             have
             now
             made
             them
             indeed
             willing
             to
             open
             to
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Consideration
               .
            
             
               The
               Faith
               and
               Obedience
               of
               your
               Hearts
               makes
               it
               evident
               ,
               that
               the
               Lords
               waiting
               upon
               you
               hitherto
               ,
               hath
               been
               in
               pursuance
               of
               his
               design
               of
               Electing
               Love.
               What
               was
               the
               reason
               God
               would
               not
               take
               you
               away
               by
               death
               ,
               though
               you
               passed
               so
               often
               upon
               the
               very
               brink
               of
               it
               ,
               in
               the
               days
               of
               your
               unregeneracy
               ?
               And
               what
               think
               you
               was
               the
               very
               reason
               of
               the
               revocation
               of
               
               your
               Gospel-liberties
               when
               they
               were
               quite
               out
               of
               sight
               ,
               and
               almost
               out
               of
               hope
               ;
               why
               surely
               this
               was
               the
               reason
               ,
               that
               you
               ,
               and
               such
               as
               you
               are
               ,
               might
               be
               brought
               to
               Christ
               at
               last
               .
               Therefore
               ,
               though
               the
               Lord
               let
               you
               run
               on
               so
               long
               in
               sin
               ,
               yet
               still
               he
               continued
               your
               Life
               ,
               and
               the
               means
               of
               your
               Salvation
               ,
               because
               he
               had
               a
               design
               of
               Mercy
               and
               Grace
               upon
               you
               .
               And
               now
               the
               time
               of
               Mercy
               ,
               even
               the
               set
               time
               is
               come
               ,
               
                 Praise
                 ye
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Consideration
               .
            
             
               You
               now
               also
               see
               the
               Sovereignty
               and
               freeness
               of
               Divine
               Grace
               in
               your
               vocation
               ;
               your
               Hearts
               resisted
               all
               along
               the
               most
               powerful
               means
               ,
               and
               importunate
               calls
               of
               Christ
               ;
               and
               would
               have
               resisted
               still
               ,
               had
               not
               Free
               and
               Sovereign
               Grace
               over-poured
               them
               when
               the
               time
               of
               Love
               was
               come
               .
               Ah
               ,
               it
               was
               not
               the
               tractableness
               of
               thine
               own
               Will
               ,
               the
               easie
               temper
               of
               thy
               Heart
               to
               be
               wrought
               upon
               ,
               the
               Lord
               let
               thee
               stand
               long
               enough
               in
               the
               state
               of
               Nature
               to
               discover
               that
               ;
               there
               was
               nothing
               in
               Nature
               but
               obstinacy
               and
               enmity
               .
               Thou
               didst
               hear
               as
               many
               powerful
               Sermons
               ,
               melting
               Prayers
               ;
               and
               didst
               see
               as
               many
               awakning
               Providences
               before
               thy
               Heart
               was
               opened
               to
               Christ
               ,
               as
               thou
               hast
               since
               ;
               yet
               thy
               Heart
               never
               opened
               till
               now
               ;
               and
               why
               did
               it
               open
               now
               ?
               Because
               now
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               joyned
               himself
               to
               the
               Word
               ;
               victorious
               Grace
               went
               forth
               in
               the
               Word
               to
               break
               the
               hardness
               and
               conquer
               the
               rebellions
               of
               thy
               Heart
               .
               The
               Gospel
               was
               now
               preached
               (
               as
               the
               Apostle
               speaks
               )
               
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 12.
                 
                 With
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 sent
                 down
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 
                 which
                 things
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 the
                 Angels
                 desire
                 to
                 look
                 into
                 .
              
               Ah
               ,
               Friends
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               glorious
               sight
               worthy
               of
               Angelical
               observation
               and
               admiration
               to
               behold
               the
               effects
               of
               the
               Gospel
               preacht
               ,
               with
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               sent
               down
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               to
               see
               when
               the
               Spirit
               comes
               along
               with
               the
               Word
               ,
               the
               blind
               Eyes
               of
               sinners
               opened
               ,
               and
               they
               brought
               into
               a
               new
               World
               of
               ravishing
               objects
               ;
               to
               behold
               Fountains
               of
               Tears
               flowing
               for
               sin
               ,
               out
               of
               Hearts
               lately
               as
               hard
               as
               the
               Rocks
               ;
               to
               see
               all
               the
               Bars
               of
               Ignorance
               ,
               Prejudice
               ,
               Custom
               ,
               and
               Unbelief
               ,
               fly
               open
               at
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               to
               see
               Rebels
               against
               Christ
               laying
               down
               their
               Arms
               at
               his
               Feet
               ,
               come
               upon
               the
               Knee
               of
               submission
               ,
               crying
               ,
               
                 Lord
                 I
                 will
                 rebel
                 no
                 more
              
               ;
               to
               see
               the
               proud
               Heart
               centered
               and
               wrapt
               up
               in
               its
               own
               righteousness
               ,
               now
               striping
               it self
               naked
               ,
               loading
               it self
               with
               all
               shame
               and
               reproach
               ;
               and
               made
               willing
               that
               its
               own
               shame
               should
               go
               to
               the
               Redeemer's
               glory
               .
               These
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               are
               sights
               which
               Angels
               desire
               to
               look
               into
               .
            
             
               Certainly
               your
               Hearts
               were
               more
               tender
               ,
               and
               your
               Wills
               more
               apt
               to
               yield
               and
               bend
               in
               the
               days
               of
               your
               youth
               ,
               than
               they
               were
               now
               when
               sin
               had
               so
               hardned
               them
               ,
               and
               long
               continued
               custom
               riveted
               and
               fixed
               them
               ;
               yet
               then
               they
               did
               not
               ,
               and
               now
               they
               do
               yield
               to
               the
               calls
               and
               invitations
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
               Ascribe
               all
               to
               Sovereign
               Grace
               ,
               and
               say
               ,
               
                 Not
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 not
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 thy
                 Name
                 give
                 the
                 glory
                 .
              
               The
               observation
               and
               experience
               of
               our
               own
               Hearts
               will
               furnish
               us
               with
               arguments
               enough
               to
               resist
               all
               ●emptations
               of
               self-glorying
               and
               conceit
               .
            
             
             
               Certainly
               you
               were
               born
               not
               of
               Flesh
               ,
               nor
               of
               Blood
               ,
               nor
               of
               the
               will
               of
               Man
               ,
               but
               of
               God.
               
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Consideration
               .
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               This
               is
               a
               comfortable
               Consideration
               ,
               that
               he
               that
               waited
               upon
               you
               so
               long
               ,
               and
               won
               your
               Hearts
               at
               last
               ,
               will
               not
               forsake
               you
               ,
               now
               that
               hath
               gained
               you
               at
               the
               expence
               of
               so
               much
               pains
               and
               patience
               .
               Poor
               Souls
               ,
               I
               question
               not
               but
               there
               are
               many
               fears
               and
               jealousies
               within
               you
               ,
               that
               all
               this
               will
               come
               to
               nothing
               ,
               and
               you
               shall
               perish
               at
               last
               .
               Divers
               things
               foment
               these
               Jealousies
               within
               your
               Hearts
               ;
               the
               weakness
               of
               your
               own
               Graces
               ,
               which
               alas
               ,
               are
               but
               in
               their
               infancy
               :
               the
               sense
               you
               have
               of
               your
               own
               corruptions
               ,
               and
               the
               great
               strength
               they
               still
               retain
               .
               The
               subtilty
               of
               Satan
               ,
               who
               imploys
               all
               his
               policies
               to
               reduce
               you
               ;
               sometimes
               roaring
               after
               his
               escaped
               prey
               with
               hideous
               injections
               ,
               which
               make
               your
               Souls
               to
               tremble
               ;
               sometimes
               the
               discourageing
               apprehensions
               of
               the
               difficulties
               of
               Religion
               ;
               how
               far
               the
               spirituality
               of
               active
               obedience
               ,
               and
               the
               difficulty
               of
               passive
               obedience
               is
               above
               your
               strength
               ;
               sometimes
               feeling
               within
               your selves
               sad
               alterations
               ,
               by
               the
               hidings
               of
               God's
               face
               ,
               and
               with-drawment
               of
               sweet
               and
               sensible
               Communion
               with
               him
               .
               These
               ,
               and
               such
               like
               things
               as
               these
               ,
               cause
               many
               a
               qualm
               to
               come
               over
               your
               Hearts
               ;
               but
               chear
               up
               ,
               Christ
               will
               not
               lose
               at
               last
               what
               he
               pursued
               so
               long
               ;
               he
               that
               waited
               so
               many
               years
               for
               thy
               Soul
               ,
               will
               never
               cast
               it
               away
               now
               he
               hath
               seated
               himself
               in
               the
               possession
               of
               it
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           SERMON
           V.
           
        
         
           
             
               Revel
               .
               3.
               20.
               
            
             Behold
             I
             stand
             at
             the
             door
             [
             and
             knock
             ,
             ]
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           former
           Point
           we
           have
           seen
           the
           Redeemers
           posture
           ,
           a
           posture
           of
           condescending
           humility
           ,
           rather
           the
           posture
           of
           a
           Servant
           than
           the
           Lord
           of
           all
           .
           
             Behold
             I
             stand
             at
             the
             door
          
           ;
           we
           now
           come
           to
           consider
           his
           action
           ,
           or
           motion
           for
           entrance
           ,
           I
           stand
           
             and
             knock
          
           ;
           this
           metaphorical
           action
           of
           knocking
           signifies
           nothing
           else
           but
           the
           motions
           made
           by
           Christ
           for
           entrance
           into
           the
           Souls
           of
           sinners
           ;
           and
           affords
           us
           this
           fifth
           Observation
           .
        
         
           
             V.
             DOCT.
             
          
           
             That
             every
             conviction
             of
             Conscience
             and
             motion
             upon
             the
             Affections
             of
             sinners
             ,
             is
             a
             knock
             of
             Christ
             from
             Heaven
             for
             entrance
             into
             their
             Souls
             .
          
           
             This
             action
             of
             knocking
             is
             ascribed
             sometimes
             to
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             is
             expressive
             of
             its
             desires
             to
             come
             into
             the
             gracious
             Presence
             and
             Communion
             of
             God
             ;
             so
             
               Matth.
               7.
               7.
               
               To
               him
               that
               knocks
               it
               shall
               
               be
               opened
               (
               i.
               e.
               )
            
             to
             him
             that
             seeks
             by
             importunate
             Prayer
             ,
             Fellowship
             and
             Communion
             with
             the
             Lord
             ;
             but
             here
             it
             is
             applied
             to
             Christ
             ,
             and
             is
             expressive
             of
             his
             importunate
             desire
             to
             come
             into
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             the
             Souls
             of
             sinners
             .
             Here
             I
             shall
             open
             to
             you
             the
             following
             particulars
             ,
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 doors
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 at
                 which
                 Christ
                 knocks
                 ?
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 What
                 his
                 knocking
                 at
                 these
                 doors
                 implies
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 By
                 what
                 instruments
                 he
                 knocks
                 at
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 In
                 what
                 manner
                 he
                 performs
                 this
                 action
                 .
              
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             What
             are
             the
             doors
             of
             the
             Soul
             at
             which
             Christ
             knocks
             ?
             You
             all
             know
             that
             the
             term
             Christ
             here
             useth
             cannot
             be
             proper
             ,
             but
             metaphorical
             ;
             't
             is
             a
             Figurative
             speech
             ,
             the
             door
             is
             that
             part
             which
             is
             introductive
             into
             the
             House
             ,
             and
             whatsoever
             is
             introductive
             into
             the
             Soul
             ,
             that
             is
             the
             door
             of
             the
             Soul.
             Now
             in
             the
             Soul
             of
             Man
             there
             are
             many
             powers
             and
             faculties
             that
             have
             this
             use
             ,
             and
             are
             of
             an
             introductive
             nature
             to
             let
             things
             into
             the
             Soul
             of
             Man.
             Some
             are
             more
             outward
             ,
             as
             we
             may
             speak
             comparatively
             ,
             and
             some
             more
             inward
             ,
             as
             the
             doors
             of
             our
             houses
             are
             .
          
           
             Christ
             knocks
             orderly
             at
             them
             all
             ,
             one
             after
             another
             ,
             for
             the
             operations
             of
             the
             Spirit
             disturb
             not
             the
             order
             of
             Nature
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             first
             door
             that
             opens
             and
             lets
             into
             the
             Soul
             is
             the
             Vnderstanding
             ;
             nothing
             passes
             into
             the
             Soul
             ,
             but
             it
             must
             first
             come
             through
             this
             door
             of
             the
             Understanding
             ;
             nothing
             can
             touch
             the
             Heart
             or
             move
             the
             affections
             ,
             but
             what
             hath
             first
             toucht
             the
             Understanding
             .
             Hence
             we
             read
             so
             often
             in
             
             Scripture
             of
             the
             opening
             of
             the
             Understanding
             ;
             that
             being
             as
             it
             were
             the
             fore-door
             of
             the
             Soul.
             
          
           
             2ly
             .
             Within
             this
             is
             the
             Royal-gate
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             
               viz.
               The
               will
               of
               Man
            
             ,
             that
             noble
             and
             imperial
             Power
             ;
             many
             things
             may
             pass
             into
             the
             Mind
             or
             Understanding
             of
             a
             Man
             ,
             and
             yet
             be
             able
             to
             get
             no
             further
             ,
             the
             door
             of
             the
             Will
             may
             be
             shut
             against
             them
             .
             There
             were
             many
             precious
             Truths
             of
             God
             let
             into
             the
             Understandings
             of
             the
             Heathens
             by
             the
             light
             of
             Nature
             ,
             but
             could
             never
             get
             further
             ,
             their
             Hearts
             and
             Wills
             were
             lockt
             and
             shut
             up
             against
             them
             ;
             as
             you
             may
             see
             ,
             
               Rom.
               1.
               18.
               
               They
               held
               the
               Truths
               of
               God
               in
               Vnrighteousness
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             they
             bound
             and
             imprisoned
             those
             common
             notices
             the
             Law
             of
             Nature
             imprest
             upon
             their
             Minds
             concerning
             the
             Being
             and
             Nature
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             duties
             of
             both
             Tables
             .
             These
             Truths
             could
             get
             no
             further
             into
             their
             Souls
             ,
             and
             which
             is
             of
             sad
             and
             dreadful
             consideration
             ,
             Christ
             himself
             stands
             betwixt
             these
             two
             doors
             in
             the
             Souls
             of
             many
             persons
             ;
             he
             is
             got
             into
             their
             Understandings
             and
             Consciences
             ,
             they
             are
             convinced
             of
             the
             possibility
             and
             necessity
             of
             obtaining
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             but
             still
             the
             door
             of
             their
             Will
             is
             barr'd
             against
             him
             ,
             which
             drew
             from
             him
             that
             sad
             complaint
             ,
             
               Iohn
               5.
               40.
               
               You
               will
               not
               come
               unto
               me
               that
               you
               might
               have
               life
               .
            
             When
             this
             door
             of
             the
             Will
             is
             once
             effectually
             opened
             ,
             then
             all
             the
             inner
             doors
             of
             the
             affections
             are
             quickly
             set
             open
             to
             receive
             and
             welcom
             him
             .
             Desires
             ,
             joy
             ,
             delight
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             rest
             stand
             open
             to
             him
             .
             These
             are
             the
             doors
             at
             which
             the
             Redeemer
             knocks
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Next
             we
             must
             consider
             what
             is
             ment
             by
             Christ's
             knocking
             at
             these
             doors
             ,
             and
             what
             
             that
             action
             implies
             .
             In
             the
             general
             ,
             knocking
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             an
             action
             significative
             ,
             of
             the
             desires
             of
             one
             that
             is
             without
             to
             come
             in
             ;
             't
             is
             a
             sign
             appointed
             to
             that
             end
             :
             And
             what
             is
             Christs
             knocking
             but
             a
             signification
             to
             the
             Soul
             of
             his
             earnest
             desires
             to
             come
             into
             it
             ;
             a
             notice
             given
             to
             the
             Soul
             of
             Christ's
             willingness
             to
             possess
             it
             for
             his
             own
             habitation
             ?
             And
             it
             is
             as
             much
             as
             if
             Christ
             should
             say
             ,
             Soul
             ,
             thou
             art
             the
             House
             that
             was
             built
             by
             my
             Hand
             ,
             purchased
             and
             redeemed
             by
             my
             Blood
             ;
             I
             have
             an
             unquestionable
             right
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             now
             demand
             entrance
             .
             More
             particularly
             ,
             there
             are
             divers
             great
             things
             implied
             in
             this
             gracious
             act
             of
             Christ's
             knocking
             at
             the
             door
             of
             the
             Soul.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             It
             implies
             the
             special
             favour
             and
             distinguishing
             grace
             and
             goodness
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             stand
             and
             knock
             at
             our
             doors
             ,
             when
             he
             passes
             by
             so
             great
             a
             part
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             never
             giving
             one
             such
             knock
             or
             call
             at
             other
             Mens
             doors
             ;
             it
             is
             certainly
             a
             most
             glorious
             and
             admirable
             condescension
             and
             favour
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             whereever
             it
             is
             successful
             ,
             it
             speaks
             a
             Man
             highly
             favoured
             of
             God.
             Oh
             that
             when
             Christ
             passes
             by
             the
             Souls
             of
             Thousands
             ,
             and
             Millions
             ,
             that
             would
             certainly
             afford
             him
             as
             comfortable
             an
             habitation
             as
             our
             Souls
             can
             do
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             give
             one
             effectual
             knock
             ,
             or
             call
             at
             their
             doors
             all
             the
             days
             of
             their
             life
             ;
             that
             he
             will
             please
             to
             turn
             aside
             to
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             and
             wait
             ,
             and
             knock
             there
             for
             entrance
             ;
             I
             say
             ,
             here
             is
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             acts
             of
             favour
             that
             can
             be
             shewn
             to
             the
             Soul
             of
             a
             sinner
             .
             How
             many
             Souls
             be
             there
             in
             the
             World
             equal
             in
             natural
             Dignity
             to
             yours
             ,
             and
             of
             sweeter
             natural
             Tempers
             ,
             whom
             yet
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             lets
             alone
             in
             
             the
             quiet
             possession
             of
             Satan
             ,
             
               Luke
               11.
               21.
            
             
             There
             is
             a
             deep
             silence
             and
             stilness
             in
             their
             Consciences
             ,
             no
             stirrings
             nor
             disturbances
             by
             Convictions
             ,
             but
             through
             a
             dreadful
             Judgment
             of
             God
             are
             left
             in
             a
             deep
             sleep
             ;
             and
             if
             their
             Consciences
             at
             any
             time
             begin
             to
             grumble
             ,
             how
             soon
             are
             they
             husht
             and
             quieted
             again
             by
             Satan
             ?
             What
             the
             condition
             of
             the
             World
             was
             in
             former
             Ages
             ,
             we
             may
             see
             in
             
               Acts
               14.
               16.
               
               Who
               in
               times
               past
               suffered
               all
               Nations
               to
               walk
               in
               their
               own
               ways
               .
            
             O
             't
             is
             the
             greatest
             Mercy
             in
             the
             World
             for
             the
             sleepy
             Conscience
             of
             a
             sinner
             to
             be
             roused
             by
             Convictions
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             introductive
             to
             all
             other
             Spiritual
             Mercies
             .
             I
             confess
             this
             act
             of
             Grace
             is
             little
             apprehended
             by
             the
             Sons
             and
             Daughters
             of
             Men
             ;
             much
             rather
             would
             poor
             sinners
             be
             let
             alone
             than
             be
             thus
             disturbed
             by
             troublesom
             convictions
             ;
             and
             when
             Christ
             disturbs
             their
             rest
             ,
             how
             do
             they
             startle
             at
             the
             knocks
             of
             his
             Word
             and
             Spirit
             ?
             How
             angry
             be
             they
             that
             they
             cannot
             be
             let
             alone
             to
             enjoy
             their
             quiet
             sleep
             in
             sin
             till
             the
             flames
             of
             Hell
             awaken
             them
             ?
             Mr.
             Fenner
             ,
             that
             great
             and
             eminent
             Instrument
             of
             God
             in
             this
             Work
             ,
             tells
             us
             ,
             in
             one
             of
             his
             Sermons
             ,
             how
             it
             fared
             with
             a
             certain
             Man
             that
             came
             to
             hear
             him
             Preach
             :
             It
             seems
             the
             Word
             had
             got
             entrance
             into
             his
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             gave
             it
             a
             terrible
             Allarum
             ,
             and
             as
             he
             was
             going
             home
             ,
             some
             that
             followed
             him
             ,
             heard
             him
             thus
             blaming
             and
             bemoaning
             himself
             ,
             
               O
               what
               a
               fool
               ,
               what
               a
               beast
               was
               I
               to
               come
               under
               this
               Sermon
               to
               day
               ?
               I
               shall
               never
               have
               peace
               and
               quietness
               any
               more
               .
            
             And
             what
             is
             the
             reason
             that
             smooth
             and
             general
             Preaching
             is
             so
             much
             applauded
             and
             affected
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             And
             close
             convincing
             Doctrin
             so
             much
             shunned
             and
             hated
             ;
             
             but
             this
             ,
             that
             sinners
             are
             very
             loath
             to
             be
             disquieted
             and
             have
             their
             Consciences
             throughly
             awakned
             .
             Well
             ,
             whatever
             your
             apprehensions
             be
             ,
             certainly
             it
             is
             an
             unspeakable
             Mercy
             for
             Christ
             to
             knock
             and
             disquiet
             the
             Souls
             of
             sinners
             by
             his
             calls
             .
             That
             's
             the
             first
             thing
             .
          
           
             2ly
             .
             The
             next
             thing
             implied
             in
             this
             action
             of
             Christ
             is
             this
             ,
             That
             the
             first
             motions
             towards
             the
             recovery
             and
             Salvation
             of
             sinners
             begin
             not
             in
             themselves
             ,
             but
             in
             Christ.
             We
             never
             knock
             at
             Heavens
             door
             by
             Prayer
             till
             Christ
             hath
             first
             knockt
             at
             our
             doors
             by
             his
             Spirit
             :
             Did
             not
             Christ
             move
             first
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             no
             motions
             after
             him
             in
             our
             Hearts
             ;
             we
             move
             towards
             him
             ,
             because
             he
             hath
             first
             moved
             upon
             our
             Souls
             .
             Christ
             might
             sit
             long
             enough
             unsought
             and
             undesired
             ,
             did
             he
             not
             make
             the
             first
             motion
             .
             All
             our
             motions
             are
             secondary
             and
             consequential
             motions
             ,
             
               Isa.
               65.
               1.
               
               I
               am
               found
               of
               them
               that
               sought
               me
               not
               .
            
             As
             we
             love
             him
             because
             he
             first
             loved
             us
             ,
             so
             we
             seek
             after
             him
             ,
             because
             he
             first
             sought
             us
             .
             Alas
             ,
             poor
             sinners
             are
             as
             well
             satisfied
             as
             any
             people
             in
             the
             World
             can
             be
             ,
             to
             lye
             fast
             asleep
             in
             the
             Devil
             's
             Arms.
             When
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             goes
             forth
             with
             the
             Word
             of
             Conviction
             ,
             he
             finds
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             in
             the
             very
             same
             posture
             which
             the
             Angels
             ,
             that
             had
             surveyed
             the
             World
             ,
             reported
             the
             whole
             Earth
             to
             be
             in
             ,
             
               Zach.
               1.
               11.
               
               Behold
               all
               the
               Earth
               sitteth
               still
               ,
               and
               is
               at
               rest
               .
            
             Every
             Man
             setled
             and
             satisfied
             in
             his
             own
             way
             ;
             what
             a
             strange
             stilness
             ,
             and
             midnight
             silence
             is
             there
             amongst
             sinners
             ?
             Not
             a
             sigh
             ,
             not
             a
             cry
             to
             be
             heard
             for
             sin
             :
             So
             the
             
               Psalmist
               ,
               Psal.
               14.
               2.
            
             represents
             the
             case
             of
             sinners
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               looked
               down
               from
               Heaven
               upon
               the
               Children
               of
               Men
               ,
               to
               see
               if
               
               there
               were
               any
               that
               did
               understand
               and
               seek
               God.
               They
               are
               all
               gone
               aside
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             There
             is
             one
             thing
             that
             is
             admirably
             strange
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             that
             even
             those
             Men
             and
             Women
             whose
             Rattles
             of
             earthly
             pleasures
             and
             delights
             ,
             which
             brought
             them
             into
             this
             sleep
             and
             security
             ,
             are
             taken
             away
             from
             them
             by
             the
             Hand
             of
             Providence
             ,
             I
             mean
             their
             Estates
             ,
             Health
             ,
             Children
             ,
             &c.
             yet
             they
             awake
             not
             ;
             there
             are
             no
             stirrings
             after
             God.
             O
             what
             a
             dead
             sleep
             hath
             sin
             cast
             the
             Souls
             of
             sinners
             into
             !
             You
             have
             a
             notable
             Scripture
             to
             this
             purpose
             ,
             in
             
               Iob
               35.
               9.
               10.
            
             they
             are
             the
             words
             of
             Elihu
             ,
             concerning
             Men
             and
             Women
             under
             grievous
             oppression
             ;
             persons
             squeezed
             and
             ground
             by
             the
             cruel
             Hands
             of
             wicked
             Men
             ,
             
               by
               reason
               of
               the
               multitude
               of
               oppressions
               they
               make
               the
               oppressed
               to
               cry
               ;
               they
               cry
               out
               by
               reason
               of
               the
               Arm
               of
               the
               Mighty
               ,
               but
               none
               saith
               ,
               where
               is
               God
               my
               Maker
               who
               giveth
               songs
               in
               the
               night
               ?
            
             i.
             e.
             Succour
             ,
             Comfort
             and
             Refreshment
             to
             the
             afflicted
             .
          
           
             Here
             are
             Men
             turned
             out
             of
             their
             Estates
             ,
             thrown
             into
             Prisons
             ,
             cast
             upon
             all
             extremities
             and
             miseries
             ,
             and
             what
             do
             these
             poor
             creatures
             do
             ?
             Why
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             they
             cry
             by
             reason
             of
             their
             oppression
             .
             O
             my
             Father
             ,
             or
             my
             Mother
             ,
             my
             Wife
             ,
             my
             Child
             ,
             my
             Estate
             ,
             my
             Liberty
             ,
             but
             none
             saith
             where
             is
             my
             God
             ?
             O
             my
             sin
             ,
             or
             my
             misery
             by
             reason
             of
             sin
             ;
             
               where
               is
               he
               that
               giveth
               Songs
               in
               the
               night
               ?
            
             The
             People
             of
             God
             when
             they
             lye
             musing
             upon
             their
             beds
             under
             affliction
             ,
             they
             have
             their
             
               Songs
               in
               the
               Night
            
             ,
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             multitude
             of
             their
             troubled
             thoughts
             within
             them
             ,
             the
             Comforts
             of
             God
             delight
             their
             Souls
             .
             Those
             are
             their
             Songs
             in
             the
             Night
             ,
             but
             no
             such
             word
             or
             thought
             in
             carnal
             Men
             ;
             how
             plain
             is
             it
             ,
             
             that
             all
             the
             first
             motions
             of
             Salvation
             have
             their
             first
             spring
             and
             rise
             in
             God
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             us
             .
             That
             's
             the
             Second
             thing
             implied
             in
             Christ's
             knocking
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Christ
             knocking
             at
             the
             door
             of
             the
             Heart
             ,
             implies
             the
             method
             of
             the
             Spirit
             in
             Conversion
             ;
             to
             be
             congruous
             and
             agreeable
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             Man's
             Soul
             ;
             mark
             Christ's
             expression
             in
             the
             Text
             ,
             he
             doth
             not
             say
             ,
             
               Behold
               I
               come
               to
               the
               door
            
             and
             break
             it
             open
             by
             violence
             ;
             no
             ,
             Christ
             makes
             no
             forcible
             Entries
             whether
             sinners
             will
             or
             no
             ;
             he
             will
             come
             in
             by
             consent
             of
             the
             Will
             or
             not
             at
             all
             .
             I
             stand
             and
             knock
             ,
             if
             any
             Man
             open
             the
             door
             ,
             I
             will
             come
             in
             to
             him
             .
             There
             is
             a
             great
             difference
             between
             a
             friendly
             admission
             by
             consent
             ,
             and
             a
             forcible
             entrance
             ;
             in
             a
             forcible
             entrance
             bars
             of
             Iron
             are
             brought
             to
             break
             open
             the
             door
             ;
             but
             in
             a
             friendly
             admission
             one
             knocks
             and
             the
             other
             opens
             :
             Forcible
             actions
             are
             unsuitable
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             Will
             ,
             whose
             motions
             are
             free
             and
             spontaneous
             ;
             therefore
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             
               Psal.
               110.
               3.
               
               The
               people
               shall
               be
               willing
               in
               the
               day
               of
               thy
               power
               .
            
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             the
             Power
             of
             God
             is
             upon
             the
             Will
             of
             Man
             in
             the
             day
             of
             his
             Conversion
             ,
             or
             else
             it
             would
             never
             open
             to
             Christ
             ;
             but
             yet
             that
             Power
             of
             God
             doth
             not
             act
             against
             the
             freedom
             of
             Man's
             Will
             ,
             by
             co-action
             and
             force
             ;
             no
             ,
             but
             of
             unwilling
             he
             makes
             it
             willing
             ;
             taking
             away
             the
             obstinacy
             and
             reluctancy
             of
             the
             Will
             by
             the
             efficacy
             of
             his
             Grace
             ,
             which
             some
             Divines
             call
             
               victrix
               delectatio
            
             ,
             a
             sweet
             and
             pleasant
             victory
             ;
             and
             so
             the
             door
             of
             the
             Will
             still
             opens
             freely
             ,
             
               Hosea
               11.
               4.
               
               I
               drew
               them
               with
               the
               cords
               of
               a
               Man
               ,
               with
               the
               bands
               of
               Love.
               I
               drew
               them
               ,
            
             there
             's
             Almighty
             Power
             ;
             but
             how
             did
             this
             Power
             draw
             them
             ?
             With
             the
             cords
             of
             a
             Man
             ,
             
               i.
               e.
            
             with
             rational
             
             arguments
             ,
             convincing
             the
             Judgment
             .
             Beasts
             are
             driven
             and
             forced
             ,
             but
             Men
             are
             drawn
             by
             reason
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             move
             without
             it
             if
             they
             act
             like
             themselves
             ;
             it
             must
             be
             confessed
             ,
             that
             when
             the
             day
             of
             God's
             Power
             is
             come
             ,
             for
             the
             bringing
             home
             of
             a
             poor
             sinner
             to
             Christ
             ,
             he
             cannot
             resist
             the
             Power
             of
             God's
             Spirit
             that
             draws
             him
             effectually
             ;
             
               Every
               one
               that
               hath
               heard
               and
               learned
               of
               the
               Father
               ,
               cometh
               unto
               me
            
             ;
             yet
             still
             the
             Soul
             comes
             freely
             by
             the
             consent
             of
             his
             Will
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             the
             method
             of
             Christ
             in
             drawing
             Souls
             to
             him
             .
             There
             is
             in
             the
             day
             of
             a
             sinners
             Conversion
             a
             kid
             ,
             an
             offer
             made
             for
             the
             Will
             both
             by
             Satan
             and
             Christ.
             Satan
             bids
             Riches
             ,
             Honours
             ,
             and
             Pleasures
             ,
             with
             ease
             and
             quietness
             to
             the
             flesh
             in
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             them
             ;
             abide
             where
             thou
             art
             saith
             Satan
             ,
             remain
             with
             me
             and
             thou
             shalt
             escape
             all
             the
             Persecutions
             ,
             losses
             and
             troubles
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             which
             Conscience
             entangles
             other
             Men
             in
             ;
             thou
             shalt
             draw
             thy
             life
             through
             peace
             and
             pleasure
             to
             thy
             dying
             day
             .
             O
             saith
             the
             flesh
             this
             is
             a
             good
             motion
             ,
             what
             can
             be
             better
             for
             me
             ?
             But
             then
             saith
             Christ
             ,
             dost
             thou
             not
             consider
             that
             all
             these
             enjoyments
             will
             quickly
             be
             at
             an
             end
             ,
             and
             what
             shall
             become
             of
             thee
             then
             ?
             Behold
             I
             offer
             thee
             the
             free
             ,
             full
             ,
             and
             final
             pardon
             of
             thy
             sins
             ;
             Peace
             and
             reconciliation
             with
             God
             ,
             treasures
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             all
             these
             shall
             be
             thine
             ,
             with
             Troubles
             ,
             Reproaches
             and
             Persecutions
             in
             this
             World.
             The
             Understanding
             and
             Conscience
             of
             a
             sinner
             being
             convinced
             of
             the
             vanity
             of
             earthly
             things
             ,
             and
             the
             indispensable
             necessity
             of
             pardon
             and
             peace
             with
             God
             :
             I
             say
             ,
             when
             a
             convinced
             Judgment
             hath
             duly
             ballanced
             these
             things
             ,
             and
             laid
             them
             before
             the
             Will
             ,
             and
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             
             put
             forth
             his
             Power
             in
             the
             renovation
             of
             it
             ;
             it
             moves
             towards
             Christ
             freely
             ,
             and
             yet
             cannot
             according
             to
             its
             natural
             order
             act
             otherwise
             than
             it
             doth
             .
             And
             doubtless
             this
             is
             the
             true
             meaning
             of
             that
             expression
             ,
             so
             often
             mistaken
             and
             abused
             ,
             in
             
               Luke
               14.
               23.
               
               Compel
               them
               to
               come
               in
               .
            
             What!
             by
             forcing
             Men
             against
             the
             light
             of
             their
             Consciences
             ?
             No
             ,
             no
             ,
             to
             the
             shame
             of
             many
             Protestants
             let
             us
             hear
             the
             Gloss
             of
             Stella
             a
             Popish
             Commentator
             upon
             the
             place
             .
             Christ
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               compels
               Men
               to
               come
               in
               by
               shewing
               to
               their
               Will
               such
               an
               excelling
               good
               ,
               as
               it
               cannot
               but
               embrace
            
             ;
             for
             
               volunt
               as
               natur
               aliter
               fertur
               in
               bonum
               .
            
             The
             Will
             is
             naturally
             carried
             to
             the
             choice
             of
             the
             best
             good
             .
             And
             thus
             the
             Spirit
             works
             upon
             the
             Soul
             harmoniously
             and
             agreeably
             to
             its
             own
             Nature
             .
             That
             's
             the
             Third
             thing
             implied
             in
             Christ's
             knocking
             .
          
           
             Fouthly
             ,
             Christ's
             knocking
             at
             the
             door
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             manifestly
             implies
             the
             immediate
             access
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             unto
             the
             Soul
             of
             Man
             ;
             that
             he
             can
             come
             to
             the
             very
             innermost
             door
             of
             the
             Soul
             at
             his
             pleasure
             ,
             and
             make
             what
             impressions
             upon
             it
             he
             pleaseth
             .
             As
             for
             other
             instruments
             used
             in
             this
             Work
             ,
             they
             have
             no
             such
             privilege
             or
             Power
             ;
             Ministers
             can
             but
             knock
             at
             the
             external
             door
             of
             the
             senses
             .
             Thine
             Eyes
             shall
             see
             thy
             Teachers
             ,
             we
             can
             see
             their
             persons
             and
             hear
             their
             voices
             ;
             we
             can
             reason
             with
             sinners
             and
             plead
             with
             their
             Souls
             ;
             but
             awaken
             them
             we
             cannot
             ,
             open
             their
             Hearts
             we
             cannot
             .
             We
             can
             only
             lodge
             our
             message
             in
             their
             Ears
             ,
             and
             leave
             it
             to
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             to
             make
             it
             effectual
             .
             This
             is
             a
             Royalty
             belonging
             unto
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             incommunicable
             to
             Angels
             or
             Men.
             If
             an
             Angel
             from
             Heaven
             were
             the
             Preacher
             ,
             he
             could
             not
             give
             one
             immediate
             
             stroak
             to
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             much
             less
             can
             Man
             ;
             we
             have
             no
             dominion
             over
             your
             Consciences
             :
             The
             keys
             of
             the
             doors
             of
             your
             Souls
             hang
             not
             at
             our
             girdles
             ,
             but
             are
             in
             the
             Hands
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               Revel
               .
               3.
               7.
               
               He
               hath
               the
               key
               of
            
             David
             ,
             
               he
               openeth
               and
               no
               Man
               shutteth
               ;
               and
               he
               shutteth
               and
               no
               Man
               openeth
               .
            
             The
             Consciences
             and
             all
             the
             faculties
             lye
             naked
             and
             open
             to
             the
             stroak
             of
             God's
             Spirit
             ;
             he
             can
             wound
             them
             and
             heal
             them
             ,
             and
             make
             what
             impressions
             he
             pleaseth
             upon
             them
             .
             Learn
             hence
             what
             need
             there
             is
             both
             for
             Ministers
             and
             People
             before
             they
             enter
             upon
             the
             solemn
             Ordinances
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             lift
             up
             their
             Hearts
             by
             Prayer
             for
             the
             blessing
             and
             Power
             of
             the
             Spirit
             upon
             them
             .
             Lord
             send
             forth
             thy
             Spirit
             ,
             pour
             it
             forth
             upon
             ,
             and
             with
             thy
             Word
             .
             Ah
             ,
             how
             many
             Sermons
             have
             we
             Preach'd
             and
             you
             heard
             ,
             and
             yet
             there
             is
             no
             opening
             ?
             These
             are
             the
             four
             things
             implied
             in
             Christ's
             knocking
             at
             the
             door
             ,
             viz.
             Condescending
             Grace
             ;
             All
             first
             motions
             begin
             in
             God
             ;
             The
             motions
             of
             his
             Spirit
             are
             congruous
             and
             agreeable
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             Soul
             ;
             And
             that
             his
             Spirit
             can
             have
             immedate
             access
             to
             the
             innermost
             faculties
             and
             Powers
             of
             the
             Soul
             at
             his
             pleasure
             .
             Now
             in
             the
             next
             place
             let
             us
             consider
             ,
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             By
             what
             Instruments
             Christ
             knocks
             at
             the
             Doors
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             Judgment
             ,
             Conscience
             and
             Will
             of
             a
             sinner
             .
             And
             these
             are
             two
             ,
             viz.
             
          
           
             
               By
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   His
                   Word
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   His
                   Providence
                   .
                
              
            
          
           
             Here
             my
             Work
             will
             be
             to
             shew
             you
             how
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             makes
             use
             both
             of
             the
             Word
             and
             Works
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             rouse
             and
             open
             the
             Consciences
             
             and
             Hearts
             of
             Sinners
             .
             These
             are
             the
             two
             Hammers
             or
             instruments
             of
             the
             Spirit
             by
             which
             he
             knocks
             at
             the
             door
             of
             the
             Heart
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Word
             ,
             written
             or
             preached
             ,
             but
             especially
             preached
             ;
             to
             this
             Christ
             gives
             the
             preference
             ,
             to
             all
             other
             instruments
             imployed
             about
             this
             Work
             ;
             and
             answerably
             the
             Word
             is
             called
             God's
             Hammer
             ,
             
               Ier.
               23.
               29.
               
               Is
               not
               my
               Word
               like
               fire
               ,
               and
               as
               the
               Hammer
               which
               breaketh
               the
               rocks
               in
               pieces
               ?
            
             By
             this
             Hammer
             Christ
             raps
             at
             the
             door
             of
             a
             sinners
             Soul
             ,
             to
             give
             warning
             that
             he
             is
             there
             .
             The
             Spirit
             of
             God
             can
             open
             the
             Heart
             immediately
             if
             he
             pleaseth
             ;
             but
             he
             will
             honour
             his
             Word
             in
             this
             Work.
             And
             therefore
             ,
             when
             Lydias
             Heart
             was
             to
             be
             opened
             ,
             Paul
             ,
             the
             great
             Gospel
             Preacher
             ,
             must
             be
             invited
             even
             by
             an
             Angel
             to
             come
             over
             to
             Macedonia
             ,
             and
             assist
             in
             that
             blessed
             Work
             ,
             
               Acts
               16.
               9.
               
               Lydia
            
             was
             to
             be
             converted
             ,
             her
             Heart
             must
             be
             opened
             to
             Christ
             ;
             the
             Angel
             could
             not
             do
             it
             ,
             but
             calls
             for
             the
             help
             of
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             Gods
             appointed
             Instrument
             to
             carry
             on
             that
             Work.
             
               I
               have
               made
               thee
            
             (
             saith
             God
             to
             
               Paul
               )
               a
               Minister
               and
               a
               witness
               to
               open
               their
               Eyes
               ,
               and
               turn
               them
               from
               darkness
               to
               light
               ,
               and
               from
               the
               power
               of
               Satan
               to
               God
               ,
            
             Acts
             26.
             18.
             
             Now
             ,
             there
             be
             three
             ways
             in
             which
             the
             Spirit
             uses
             the
             Word
             as
             his
             Hammer
             in
             knocking
             at
             the
             door
             of
             the
             Soul.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             He
             knocks
             by
             the
             particular
             convictions
             of
             of
             the
             Word
             upon
             the
             Conscience
             ;
             this
             knock
             by
             conviction
             rings
             and
             sounds
             through
             all
             the
             rooms
             and
             chambers
             of
             the
             Soul
             ;
             particular
             and
             effectual
             conviction
             wounds
             to
             the
             very
             centre
             of
             the
             Soul.
             Ah
             ,
             when
             the
             Word
             shall
             come
             whom
             by
             the
             Spirits
             particular
             application
             ,
             like
             
             that
             of
             Nathans
             to
             
               David
               ,
               Thou
               art
               the
               Man
            
             ;
             then
             all
             the
             powers
             of
             the
             Soul
             are
             rouzed
             and
             allarmed
             ;
             now
             it
             pierces
             as
             a
             two-edged
             Sword
             ,
             Heb.
             4.
             12.
             divides
             the
             Soul
             and
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             superiour
             and
             inferiour
             Faculties
             of
             it
             :
             Cuts
             down
             by
             the
             back-bone
             ,
             lays
             open
             the
             secret
             guilt
             ,
             and
             innermost
             thoughts
             of
             a
             Man's
             Heart
             ,
             before
             which
             the
             sinner
             cannot
             stand
             .
             The
             secrets
             of
             his
             Heart
             are
             made
             manifest
             and
             falling
             down
             on
             his
             Face
             ,
             he
             must
             acknowledg
             that
             God
             is
             in
             the
             Word
             ,
             of
             a
             Truth
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             14.
             24.
             
             O
             these
             convictions
             of
             the
             Word
             ,
             are
             such
             a
             rap
             ,
             such
             a
             knock
             at
             the
             door
             of
             the
             Conscience
             as
             will
             never
             be
             forgotten
             ;
             no
             not
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             to
             all
             Eternity
             .
          
           
             2ly
             .
             Christ
             knocks
             in
             the
             Word
             by
             its
             terrible
             comminations
             and
             awful
             threatnings
             ,
             menacing
             the
             Soul
             that
             opens
             not
             ,
             with
             eternal
             ruine
             ;
             these
             are
             dreadful
             knocks
             ;
             O
             sinner
             ,
             saith
             Christ
             ,
             wilt
             thou
             not
             open
             ?
             Shall
             all
             the
             tenders
             of
             my
             Grace
             made
             to
             thee
             be
             in
             vain
             ?
             Know
             then
             that
             this
             thy
             obstinacy
             shall
             be
             thy
             damnation
             .
             Thus
             the
             Word
             denounces
             ruine
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             great
             and
             terrible
             God
             to
             all
             wilful
             impenitents
             and
             obstinate
             unbelievers
             ,
             
               Iohn
               3.
               36.
               
               He
               that
               believeth
               not
               the
               Son
               ,
               shall
               not
               see
               life
               ;
               but
               the
               wrath
               ef
               God
               abideth
               on
               him
               .
            
             O
             dreadful
             sound
             ,
             like
             unto
             which
             is
             that
             ,
             
               Iohn
               8.
               24.
               
               If
               ye
               believe
               not
               that
               I
               am
               he
               ,
               ye
               shall
               dye
               in
               your
               sins
               .
               q.
               d.
            
             Thy
             Mittimu●
             for
             Hell
             shall
             be
             made
             and
             signed
             ;
             will
             you
             not
             come
             to
             me
             that
             you
             might
             have
             life
             ?
             then
             I
             will
             foretel
             what
             death
             you
             shall
             dye
             ,
             you
             shall
             even
             
               dye
               in
               your
               sins
            
             .
             Oh
             ,
             it
             were
             better
             for
             thee
             to
             dye
             like
             a
             Dog
             in
             a
             ditch
             ,
             than
             to
             dye
             in
             thy
             sins
             .
             These
             are
             loud
             knocks
             of
             the
             Word
             ,
             terrible
             sounds
             ,
             yet
             no
             more
             than
             needs
             to
             startle
             
             the
             drousie
             Consciences
             of
             sinners
             .
             And
             then
             ,
          
           
             3ly
             .
             The
             Spirit
             knocks
             by
             the
             gracious
             invitations
             of
             the
             Word
             ,
             the
             sweet
             allurements
             and
             gracious
             insinuations
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             without
             this
             no
             Heart
             would
             ever
             open
             to
             Christ.
             It
             is
             not
             frost
             and
             snow
             ,
             storms
             and
             thunder
             ,
             but
             the
             gentle
             distilling
             dews
             ,
             and
             cherishing
             Sun-beams
             ,
             that
             make
             the
             flowers
             open
             in
             the
             Spring
             .
             The
             terrors
             of
             the
             Law
             may
             be
             preparative
             ,
             but
             the
             grace
             of
             the
             Gospel
             is
             that
             which
             effectually
             opens
             the
             sinners
             Heart
             .
             The
             obdurate
             flint
             will
             sooner
             fly
             when
             smitten
             upon
             the
             soft
             pillow
             ,
             than
             upon
             the
             anvil
             .
             Now
             the
             Gospel
             abounds
             with
             alluring
             invitations
             to
             draw
             the
             Will
             and
             open
             the
             Heart
             of
             a
             sinner
             ;
             such
             is
             that
             ,
             
               Matth.
               11.
               28.
               
               Come
               unto
               me
               all
               ye
               that
               labour
               ,
               and
               are
               heavy
               laden
               ;
               and
               I
               will
               give
               you
               rest
               .
            
             O
             what
             a
             charming
             voice
             is
             here
             !
             He
             that
             considers
             it
             may
             well
             wonder
             what
             Heart
             in
             the
             World
             can
             resist
             it
             ;
             like
             unto
             this
             is
             that
             in
             
               Isa.
               55.
               1.
               
               Ho
               ,
               every
               one
               that
               thirsteth
               ,
               come
               ye
               to
               the
               waters
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               hath
               no
               money
               let
               him
               come
               ;
               yea
               ,
               let
               him
               come
               and
               buy
               Wine
               and
               Milk
               without
               money
               and
               without
               price
               .
               q.
               d.
            
             Come
             sinner
             ,
             come
             ;
             though
             thou
             have
             no
             qualifications
             ,
             no
             worthiness
             ,
             nor
             righteousness
             of
             thy
             own
             ;
             though
             thou
             be
             but
             a
             heap
             of
             sin
             and
             vileness
             ,
             yet
             come
             ;
             my
             grace
             is
             a
             gift
             ,
             not
             a
             sale
             ;
             and
             such
             is
             that
             in
             
               Iohn
               7.
               37.
               
               In
               the
               last
               day
               ,
               the
               great
               day
               of
               the
               feast
               ,
               Iesus
               stood
               up
               and
               cried
               ,
               If
               any
               Man
               thirst
               ,
               let
               him
               come
               to
               me
               and
               drink
               .
               q.
               d.
            
             My
             grace
             is
             no
             sealed
             Fountain
             ,
             't
             is
             free
             and
             open
             to
             the
             greatest
             of
             sinners
             ,
             if
             they
             thirst
             ,
             they
             are
             invited
             to
             come
             and
             drink
             .
             This
             is
             that
             Oyl
             of
             Gospel
             grace
             which
             makes
             the
             Key
             turn
             so
             pleasantly
             and
             effectually
             amongst
             all
             the
             cross
             
             wards
             of
             Man's
             Will.
             And
             thus
             you
             see
             how
             the
             Word
             preached
             becomes
             an
             instrument
             in
             the
             Spirit
             's
             Hand
             ,
             to
             open
             the
             door
             of
             a
             sinners
             Heart
             ,
             at
             which
             it
             knocks
             by
             its
             mighty
             Convictions
             ,
             dreadful
             Threats
             ,
             and
             gracious
             Invitations
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             We
             next
             come
             to
             the
             Second
             Hammer
             by
             which
             the
             Spirit
             knocks
             at
             the
             sinners
             Heart
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             the
             providential
             Works
             of
             God.
             These
             in
             subserviency
             to
             the
             Word
             ,
             are
             of
             excellent
             use
             to
             awaken
             sinners
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             open
             their
             Hearts
             to
             Christ.
             God
             hath
             magnified
             his
             Word
             above
             all
             his
             Name
             ;
             yet
             there
             are
             some
             of
             the
             providential
             Works
             of
             God
             greatly
             serviceable
             in
             this
             case
             ;
             the
             Word
             sanctifies
             Providences
             ,
             and
             Providences
             assist
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             work
             .
             Now
             there
             are
             two
             sorts
             of
             Providential
             Dispensations
             which
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             makes
             use
             of
             to
             gain
             entrance
             for
             him
             into
             the
             Hearts
             of
             Men.
             
          
           
             
               Viz.
               
            
             
               1.
               
               Judgments
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Mercies
               .
            
          
           
             1.
             
             Judgments
             and
             Afflictions
             ,
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             many
             times
             works
             not
             till
             some
             stroak
             of
             God
             come
             to
             quicken
             and
             assist
             it
             ;
             thus
             did
             the
             Lord
             open
             the
             Heart
             of
             that
             Monster
             of
             wickedness
             Manasseh
             ,
             the
             Word
             would
             not
             work
             alone
             ,
             but
             a
             smart
             rod
             quickned
             its
             operation
             ,
             
               2
               Chron.
               33.
               10
               ,
               11
               ,
               12.
               
               And
               the
               Lord
               spake
               to
            
             Manasseh
             ,
             
               and
               to
               his
               people
               ;
               but
               they
               would
               not
               hearken
               .
               Wherefore
               the
               Lord
               brought
               upon
               them
               the
               Captains
               of
               the
               host
               of
               the
               King
               of
            
             Assyria
             ,
             
               which
               took
            
             Manasseh
             
               among
               the
               thorns
               ,
               and
               bound
               him
               with
               fetters
               ,
               and
               
               carried
               him
               to
            
             Babylon
             .
             
               And
               when
               he
               was
               in
               affliction
               ,
               he
               besought
               the
               Lord
               his
               God
               ,
               and
               humbled
               himself
               greatly
               before
               the
               God
               of
               his
               Fathers
               .
            
          
           
             Thus
             the
             Heart
             of
             this
             Man
             relented
             under
             the
             Word
             assisted
             by
             the
             Rod.
             Ah
             ,
             't
             is
             good
             that
             God
             take
             such
             a
             course
             with
             some
             sinners
             ,
             else
             the
             Word
             would
             do
             them
             no
             good
             ;
             and
             to
             this
             purpose
             is
             that
             in
             
               Iob
               36.
               8
               ,
               9
               ,
               10.
               
               And
               if
               they
               be
               bound
               in
               fetters
               ,
               and
               holden
               in
               cords
               of
               affliction
               ;
               then
               he
               sheweth
               them
               their
               work
               and
               their
               transgression
               ,
               that
               they
               have
               exceeded
               ;
               and
               openeth
               their
               Ears
               to
               discipline
               .
            
             This
             is
             that
             rough
             course
             ,
             the
             obstinacy
             of
             Men's
             Hearts
             makes
             necessary
             for
             their
             recovery
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             very
             observable
             that
             some
             words
             of
             God
             have
             lain
             dead
             in
             some
             sinners
             Hearts
             for
             years
             together
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             have
             begun
             to
             work
             under
             some
             smart
             and
             close
             Rod.
             Alas
             ,
             while
             all
             things
             are
             pleasant
             and
             prosperous
             about
             us
             ,
             the
             Word
             hath
             but
             little
             operation
             and
             effect
             ,
             
               Ier.
               22.
               21
               ,
               22.
               
               I
               spake
               unto
               thee
               in
               thy
               prosperity
               ,
               but
               thou
               saidst
               I
               will
               not
               hear
               :
               this
               hath
               been
               thy
               manner
               from
               thy
               youth
               ,
               that
               thou
               obeyedst
               not
               my
               voice
               .
               The
               wind
               shall
               eat
               up
               all
               thy
               pastures
               ,
               and
               thy
               lovers
               shall
               go
               into
               captivity
               ;
               surely
               then
               shalt
               thou
               be
               ashamed
               and
               confounded
               for
               all
               thy
               wickedness
               .
               q.
               d.
            
             Your
             Eyes
             are
             so
             dazled
             with
             the
             beautiful
             Flowers
             ,
             and
             your
             Ears
             so
             charmed
             with
             the
             Syren
             Songs
             and
             Lullabies
             of
             earthly
             delights
             ,
             that
             my
             Word
             can
             take
             no
             place
             upon
             you
             .
             Let
             an
             East-wind
             blow
             ,
             and
             wither
             up
             these
             Flowers
             ;
             then
             the
             Word
             shall
             work
             and
             Conscience
             rescent
             the
             concernments
             of
             Eternity
             ;
             this
             course
             God
             is
             feign
             to
             take
             with
             many
             of
             you
             ;
             here
             you
             sit
             from
             Sabbath
             to
             Sabbath
             under
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             nothing
             
             takes
             place
             upon
             your
             Hearts
             .
             Will
             you
             not
             hear
             the
             voice
             of
             my
             VVord
             ?
             go
             Death
             ,
             saith
             God
             ,
             and
             smite
             that
             Man's
             Child
             dead
             ,
             I
             will
             try
             what
             that
             will
             do
             ;
             go
             Poverty
             ,
             and
             blast
             his
             Estate
             ,
             and
             see
             what
             that
             will
             do
             ;
             go
             Sickness
             ,
             and
             smite
             his
             Body
             ,
             and
             shake
             him
             over
             the
             Graves
             mouth
             ,
             I
             will
             see
             what
             that
             will
             do
             .
             Thus
             God
             sends
             to
             sinners
             ,
             as
             Absolom
             sent
             to
             Ioab
             ,
             who
             refused
             to
             come
             near
             him
             ,
             till
             he
             set
             fire
             to
             his
             field
             of
             Corn
             ,
             and
             then
             away
             comes
             
               Ioab
               ,
               2
               Sam.
            
             14.
             29
             ,
             30
             ,
             31.
             
             And
             thus
             the
             Lord
             opened
             the
             Heart
             of
             the
             Iaylor
             ,
             by
             putting
             him
             into
             a
             fright
             ,
             a
             panick
             fear
             of
             Death
             ,
             Acts
             16.
             27.
             
             And
             thus
             doth
             the
             Lord
             devise
             means
             to
             bring
             back
             his
             banished
             .
          
           
             II.
             As
             God
             makes
             use
             of
             the
             Hammer
             of
             Judgments
             ,
             so
             he
             makes
             use
             also
             of
             Mercies
             to
             make
             way
             for
             Christ
             into
             the
             Hearts
             of
             Men.
             Every
             Mercy
             is
             a
             call
             ,
             a
             knock
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             truly
             if
             there
             be
             any
             ingenuity
             left
             unextinguished
             in
             the
             Heart
             ,
             one
             would
             think
             Mercy
             should
             prevail
             more
             than
             all
             the
             Judgments
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             
               Rom.
               2.
               4.
               
               Knowest
               thou
               not
               that
               the
               goodness
               of
               God
               leadeth
               thee
               to
               repentance
               ?
               q.
               d.
            
             Dost
             thou
             not
             see
             the
             Hand
             of
             Mercy
             stretched
             out
             to
             lead
             thee
             into
             a
             corner
             ,
             there
             to
             mourn
             over
             thy
             sins
             committed
             against
             so
             gracious
             and
             merciful
             a
             God
             ?
             By
             every
             Mercy
             you
             receive
             ,
             Christ
             doth
             as
             it
             were
             ●ee
             you
             to
             open
             your
             Hearts
             to
             him
             ;
             they
             are
             so
             many
             gifts
             sent
             from
             Heaven
             to
             make
             way
             for
             Christ
             into
             your
             Hearts
             .
             It
             would
             be
             an
             endless
             task
             to
             enumerate
             all
             the
             Mercies
             bestowed
             to
             this
             end
             upon
             the
             unregenerate
             ;
             but
             surely
             this
             is
             the
             errand
             of
             them
             all
             ;
             and
             the
             Lord
             takes
             it
             very
             ill
             when
             his
             end
             is
             not
             answered
             in
             them
             ;
             hence
             
             is
             that
             complaint
             ,
             
               Ier.
               5.
               24.
               
               Neither
               say
               they
               in
               their
               Heart
               ,
               Let
               us
               now
               fear
               the
               Lord
               our
               God
               ,
               that
               giveth
               us
               rain
               ,
               both
               the
               former
               and
               the
               latter
               in
               his
               season
               .
            
             Some
             of
             you
             have
             been
             marvelously
             preserved
             in
             times
             of
             common
             Contagion
             and
             Death
             ,
             when
             thousands
             have
             fallen
             at
             your
             right-hand
             and
             left
             :
             then
             have
             you
             been
             preserved
             or
             recovered
             ,
             according
             to
             that
             ,
             
               Exod.
               15.
               26.
               
               I
               will
               put
               none
               of
               those
               Diseases
               upon
               thee
               ,
               for
               I
               am
               the
               Lord
               that
               healeth
               thee
               .
            
             I
             am
             
               Iehovah
               Rophe
            
             ,
             the
             Lord
             the
             Phisitian
             ;
             many
             of
             you
             have
             been
             at
             the
             Graves
             mouth
             ,
             in
             many
             Diseases
             ;
             others
             upon
             the
             Deeps
             ,
             yet
             the
             Hand
             of
             Mercy
             pulled
             you
             back
             and
             suffered
             you
             not
             to
             drop
             into
             the
             Grave
             and
             Hell
             in
             the
             same
             moment
             .
             O
             what
             a
             knock
             was
             here
             given
             by
             the
             Hand
             of
             Mercy
             at
             thy
             hard
             Heart
             !
             Certainly
             if
             Men
             would
             but
             observe
             ,
             they
             might
             see
             a
             strange
             ,
             marvellous
             working
             and
             moulding
             of
             things
             by
             the
             Hand
             of
             providence
             ,
             for
             the
             production
             of
             thousands
             of
             Mercies
             for
             them
             ;
             and
             if
             Mercy
             would
             do
             the
             work
             ,
             and
             win
             you
             over
             to
             Christ
             ,
             many
             rods
             had
             been
             spared
             ,
             which
             your
             obstinacy
             hath
             made
             necessary
             .
             O
             ungrateful
             sinners
             !
             Doth
             your
             Redeemer
             thus
             woo
             and
             fee
             you
             by
             so
             many
             gifts
             of
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             yet
             will
             you
             shut
             him
             out
             ?
             
               Do
               ye
               thus
               requite
               the
               Lord
               ,
               O
               foolish
               people
               and
               unwise
               ?
            
             For
             which
             of
             all
             his
             benefits
             do
             your
             ungrateful
             Souls
             shut
             the
             door
             upon
             him
             ?
          
           
             III.
             You
             see
             what
             Christ's
             knocking
             at
             the
             Soul
             of
             a
             sinner
             implies
             ,
             and
             by
             what
             instruments
             it
             is
             performed
             .
             In
             the
             last
             place
             ,
             we
             will
             consider
             the
             manner
             how
             this
             action
             is
             performed
             ,
             in
             the
             Ten
             following
             Particulars
             ,
             wherein
             much
             of
             the
             mistery
             of
             Conversion
             will
             be
             opened
             ;
             
             the
             Lord
             grant
             your
             experience
             may
             answer
             them
             .
             VVe
             cannot
             indeed
             exactly
             describe
             and
             mark
             all
             the
             footsteps
             of
             the
             Spirit
             in
             this
             VVork
             upon
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             ;
             yet
             these
             things
             seem
             eminently
             observable
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             knocks
             of
             Christ
             at
             the
             sinners
             Heart
             are
             silent
             and
             secret
             to
             all
             persons
             in
             the
             VVorld
             except
             the
             Soul
             it self
             ,
             at
             whose
             door
             he
             knocks
             ;
             here
             be
             many
             hundreds
             of
             you
             this
             day
             under
             the
             VVord
             ;
             if
             the
             Lord
             shall
             this
             day
             knock
             by
             Conviction
             at
             any
             Man's
             Heart
             ,
             none
             will
             hear
             that
             knock
             ,
             but
             that
             Man
             only
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             a
             knock
             without
             sound
             or
             noise
             to
             any
             but
             the
             particular
             Soul
             concerned
             in
             it
             .
             It
             was
             fore-prophesied
             of
             our
             Redeemer
             ,
             and
             of
             this
             very
             act
             of
             his
             ,
             
               Isa.
               4.
               2.
               2.
               
               He
               shall
               not
               cry
               ,
               nor
               lift
               up
               ,
               nor
               cause
               his
               voice
               to
               be
               heard
               in
               the
               Street
               .
            
             The
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             cometh
             not
             into
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             with
             publick
             observation
             ;
             you
             read
             in
             1
             
               Cor.
               2.
               11.
               
               No
               Man
               knoweth
               the
               things
               of
               a
               Man
               ,
               saving
               the
               Spirit
               of
               a
               Man
               that
               is
               in
               him
               .
            
             None
             knows
             what
             Convictions
             another
             Man's
             Conscience
             feels
             ,
             until
             he
             himself
             shall
             discover
             them
             ;
             you
             hear
             the
             same
             sound
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             but
             you
             hear
             not
             the
             inward
             stroaks
             it
             gives
             to
             another
             Man's
             Conscience
             .
             Christ's
             approaches
             to
             the
             Soul
             make
             no
             noise
             ;
             little
             do
             we
             know
             what
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             whispers
             in
             the
             Ear
             of
             him
             that
             sits
             next
             us
             .
             'T
             is
             said
             of
             the
             inward
             comforts
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             
               I
               will
               give
               him
               the
               hidden
               Manna
               which
               no
               Man
               knows
               but
               he
               that
               eateth
               of
               it
               .
            
             This
             is
             true
             also
             of
             inward
             terrors
             and
             troubles
             .
             Christ's
             knocks
             by
             Conviction
             are
             but
             a
             secret
             whisper
             of
             his
             Spirit
             in
             the
             Ear
             of
             a
             sinner
             ,
             saying
             ,
             Thou
             art
             the
             Man
             ,
             this
             is
             thy
             case
             .
             That
             is
             the
             first
             thing
             in
             the
             
             manner
             of
             Christ's
             knocking
             ,
             't
             is
             a
             silent
             knock
             without
             publick
             sound
             .
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             These
             silent
             inward
             knocks
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             ,
             though
             they
             are
             heard
             by
             none
             but
             the
             Soul
             it self
             ,
             yet
             do
             they
             greatly
             differ
             as
             to
             the
             terror
             ,
             or
             mildness
             of
             them
             in
             different
             subjects
             .
             Some
             hear
             them
             with
             more
             terror
             and
             astonishment
             ,
             others
             in
             a
             mild
             and
             gentle
             manner
             ,
             when
             the
             Lord
             knockt
             at
             the
             Iaylors
             Conscience
             ,
             Acts
             16.
             29
             ,
             30.
             it
             was
             a
             terrible
             stroak
             ;
             he
             called
             for
             a
             light
             ,
             and
             sprang
             in
             like
             a
             Man
             distracted
             ;
             and
             trembling
             and
             astonied
             fell
             down
             at
             the
             Apostles
             feet
             ,
             crying
             ,
             
               Sirs
               ,
               what
               must
               I
               do
               to
               be
               saved
               ?
            
             Here
             was
             a
             terrible
             knock
             indeed
             ,
             which
             almost
             affrighted
             his
             Soul
             out
             of
             his
             Body
             ;
             it
             is
             as
             if
             he
             had
             said
             ,
             Tell
             me
             ,
             for
             the
             Lord's
             sake
             ,
             and
             tell
             me
             quickly
             ,
             whether
             there
             be
             any
             way
             of
             Salvation
             ,
             and
             where
             it
             lies
             ,
             for
             I
             am
             a
             lost
             Man
             ,
             an
             undone
             Soul.
             But
             when
             the
             Lord
             opened
             the
             Heart
             of
             Lydia
             ,
             there
             were
             no
             such
             terrors
             ,
             the
             Lord
             spake
             to
             her
             in
             a
             more
             mild
             and
             gentle
             voice
             ;
             as
             you
             see
             verse
             14.
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             varies
             his
             method
             according
             to
             the
             temper
             of
             the
             Soul
             he
             worketh
             on
             .
             Knotty
             pieces
             need
             greater
             wedges
             and
             harder
             blows
             to
             rive
             them
             asunder
             ;
             and
             as
             he
             directs
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             Iude
             22.
             to
             make
             a
             difference
             ,
             to
             deal
             tenderly
             and
             compassionately
             with
             some
             ;
             but
             others
             ,
             to
             save
             with
             fear
             ;
             so
             he
             himself
             observeth
             like
             different
             methods
             .
          
           
             3ly
             ,
             Some
             knocks
             of
             Christ
             are
             succesful
             ,
             and
             obtain
             the
             desired
             effect
             .
             He
             knocks
             and
             the
             Soul
             opens
             ;
             but
             others
             are
             insuccessful
             ,
             he
             knocks
             once
             ,
             and
             again
             by
             Convictions
             ,
             which
             may
             cause
             the
             Conscience
             for
             the
             present
             to
             startle
             a
             little
             ,
             but
             there
             is
             no
             opening
             to
             Christ
             by
             Faith.
             O
             
             friends
             this
             is
             of
             dreadful
             consideration
             ,
             
               Prov.
               1.
               24.
               
               I
               called
               ,
               and
               you
               refused
               ;
               I
               stretched
               out
               my
               Hand
               ,
               and
               no
               Man
               regarded
               .
            
             There
             's
             a
             call
             without
             an
             answer
             ,
             a
             knock
             ,
             and
             no
             opening
             ;
             and
             these
             things
             are
             very
             common
             ,
             especially
             among
             the
             unconverted
             ,
             that
             live
             under
             a
             lively
             Gospel
             rouzing
             Ministry
             ;
             of
             this
             Christ
             complains
             ,
             
               Matth.
               11.
               16
               ,
               17.
               
               Whereunto
               shall
               I
               liken
               this
               generation
               ?
               They
               are
               like
               unto
               Children
               sitting
               in
               the
               market-place
               ,
               and
               calling
               to
               their
               fellows
               ,
               saying
               ,
               We
               have
               piped
               unto
               you
               ,
               and
               you
               have
               not
               daunced
               :
               We
               have
               mourned
               unto
               you
               ,
               but
               you
               have
               not
               lamented
               .
               q.
               d.
            
             Neither
             the
             delicious
             airs
             and
             melody
             of
             Gospel
             grace
             ,
             nor
             the
             mournful
             and
             dreadful
             threats
             of
             damnation
             to
             unbelievers
             avail
             any
             thing
             to
             open
             your
             Hearts
             to
             embrace
             me
             ;
             no
             voices
             from
             mount
             Gerezim
             ,
             or
             mount
             Ebal
             will
             prevail
             with
             you
             .
             Ah
             ,
             how
             many
             sad
             witnesses
             unto
             this
             truth
             have
             I
             now
             before
             mine
             Eyes
             !
             But
             God
             forbid
             it
             should
             be
             thus
             all
             round
             .
             No
             ,
             no
             ,
             there
             be
             some
             Souls
             who
             hear
             ,
             and
             open
             ;
             even
             every
             one
             that
             hath
             heard
             and
             learned
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             Iohn
             6.
             45.
             
             When
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             puts
             forth
             his
             Power
             with
             the
             Word
             ,
             then
             ,
             and
             not
             till
             then
             it
             becomes
             successful
             .
          
           
             4ly
             ,
             Sometimes
             Christ
             knocks
             with
             a
             thick
             succession
             of
             Convictions
             ,
             a
             quick
             repetition
             of
             his
             calls
             .
             Some
             men
             have
             had
             thousands
             of
             Convictions
             in
             a
             few
             years
             ;
             for
             in
             this
             case
             the
             Lord
             saith
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             
               Exod.
               4.
               8.
               
               If
               they
               will
               not
               harken
               to
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               first
               sign
               ,
               yet
               they
               may
               believe
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               latter
               sign
               .
            
             And
             yet
             sometimes
             neither
             the
             former
             nor
             the
             latter
             avail
             any
             thing
             .
             
               How
               oft
               would
               I
               have
               gathered
               thy
               Children
               ,
               and
               ye
               woul
               not
               ,
               Matth.
            
             23.
             37.
             
             How
             often
             ?
             Intimating
             
             the
             many
             calls
             Christ
             gave
             Ierusalem
             to
             come
             unto
             him
             ,
             yet
             all
             in
             vain
             .
             Obstinate
             sinners
             ,
             Christ
             hath
             been
             knocking
             and
             calling
             at
             some
             of
             your
             Consciences
             from
             your
             very
             Child-hood
             ;
             thousands
             of
             Convictions
             have
             been
             tryed
             upon
             some
             of
             you
             ,
             and
             yet
             to
             this
             day
             your
             Souls
             are
             shut
             fast
             against
             him
             .
             The
             Lord
             hath
             waited
             from
             year
             to
             year
             for
             your
             answer
             ,
             by
             this
             signifying
             how
             loath
             he
             is
             to
             part
             with
             you
             ;
             such
             a
             time
             thou
             wast
             upon
             a
             sick-bed
             nigh
             unto
             Death
             ;
             at
             such
             a
             time
             under
             such
             a
             Sermon
             ,
             and
             then
             Christ
             knockt
             at
             thy
             Soul
             ;
             if
             all
             this
             be
             in
             vain
             ,
             so
             many
             Convictions
             as
             you
             have
             stifled
             ,
             so
             many
             fagots
             you
             carry
             with
             you
             to
             Hell
             to
             increase
             your
             flames
             and
             torments
             ;
             yet
             commonly
             those
             quick
             repetitions
             and
             redoublings
             of
             the
             stroaks
             of
             Convictions
             end
             well
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             a
             good
             sign
             when
             one
             Conviction
             revives
             another
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             keeps
             the
             Soul
             still
             waking
             .
             But
             O
             take
             heed
             ,
             and
             try
             not
             his
             Patience
             too
             long
             ,
             lest
             the
             next
             stroak
             be
             more
             dreadful
             than
             all
             the
             former
             ;
             not
             to
             open
             your
             Hearts
             ,
             but
             smite
             dead
             your
             hopes
             for
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             5ly
             ,
             Sometimes
             Christ
             knocks
             intermittingly
             ,
             knocking
             and
             stopping
             ,
             a
             call
             and
             silence
             ,
             and
             that
             at
             a
             considerable
             time
             and
             distance
             ;
             a
             conviction
             this
             day
             ,
             and
             it
             may
             be
             not
             another
             in
             many
             Months
             .
             There
             be
             some
             aged
             sinners
             that
             have
             not
             had
             more
             than
             one
             or
             two
             remarkable
             rouzings
             of
             Conscience
             in
             fifty
             or
             sixty
             years
             time
             ,
             and
             then
             no
             more
             .
             Dont
             think
             that
             the
             Lord
             will
             make
             his
             Spirit
             always
             strive
             with
             Men
             ,
             Gen
             6.
             3.
             no
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             time
             when
             God
             saith
             to
             the
             Word
             ,
             convict
             the
             Conscience
             of
             that
             Man
             or
             Woman
             no
             more
             ,
             not
             a
             stroak
             more
             by
             way
             
             of
             Conviction
             ,
             but
             henceforth
             be
             thou
             for
             Obduration
             ,
             not
             to
             open
             but
             to
             shut
             him
             up
             ,
             Isa.
             6.
             10.
             
             Reader
             ,
             bethink
             thy self
             ,
             how
             long
             was
             it
             since
             thy
             Conscience
             was
             rouzed
             and
             awakened
             ?
             O
             saith
             one
             ,
             seven
             or
             ten
             years
             ago
             I
             heard
             such
             a
             Sermon
             ,
             which
             tore
             my
             Conscience
             to
             pieces
             ,
             I
             fell
             under
             such
             a
             sad
             providence
             which
             rouzed
             and
             awakened
             ,
             all
             my
             fears
             ,
             but
             since
             that
             time
             all
             hath
             been
             still
             and
             quiet
             ;
             the
             Lord
             give
             a
             second
             awakning
             lest
             you
             awake
             with
             the
             flames
             of
             God's
             wrath
             about
             you
             .
             I
             observe
             it
             is
             usual
             when
             God
             works
             upon
             any
             very
             early
             ,
             he
             knocks
             thus
             intermittingly
             ;
             now
             the
             Conscience
             is
             active
             and
             full
             of
             trouble
             ,
             then
             the
             vanities
             of
             Youth
             extinguish
             these
             Convictions
             again
             ;
             but
             the
             Lord
             follows
             his
             design
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             the
             Conviction
             settles
             and
             ends
             in
             Conversion
             .
          
           
             6ly
             ,
             Christ
             sometimes
             knocks
             with
             both
             Hands
             at
             once
             ,
             with
             the
             Word
             and
             with
             the
             Rod
             together
             ;
             the
             latter
             in
             subserviency
             to
             the
             former
             ;
             and
             if
             ever
             the
             Soul
             be
             like
             to
             open
             ,
             it
             will
             open
             then
             ,
             when
             Ordinances
             and
             Afflictions
             work
             together
             :
             The
             Word
             smites
             the
             Conscience
             with
             Conviction
             ,
             and
             at
             or
             about
             the
             same
             time
             ,
             providence
             smites
             the
             outward-man
             with
             some
             affliction
             ,
             to
             make
             the
             Word
             work
             effectually
             ;
             or
             under
             some
             smart
             affliction
             ,
             a
             suitable
             word
             is
             seasonably
             directed
             to
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             thus
             
               Iuncta
               Iuvant
            
             ,
             the
             one
             assisteth
             the
             other
             ,
             and
             both
             together
             produce
             the
             desired
             effect
             :
             Thus
             the
             Lord
             wrought
             upon
             the
             
               Thessalonians
               ,
               1
               Thes.
               1.
               6.
               
               And
               ye
               became
               followers
               of
               us
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               having
               received
               the
               Word
               in
               much
               affliction
               .
            
             A
             Child
             dies
             ,
             an
             Estate
             is
             lost
             ,
             or
             a
             Sickness
             seizeth
             ,
             at
             the
             time
             when
             Conscience
             is
             prepared
             by
             a
             
             Conviction
             from
             the
             Word
             ,
             or
             Afflictions
             have
             prepared
             it
             for
             the
             Word
             .
             The
             Rod
             upon
             the
             Back
             ,
             helps
             the
             Word
             to
             work
             upon
             the
             Heart
             ;
             and
             if
             both
             these
             working
             in
             fellowship
             will
             not
             do
             the
             work
             ,
             there
             is
             little
             hope
             that
             any
             thing
             will
             do
             it
             .
          
           
             7ly
             ,
             Every
             knock
             of
             Christ
             disturbs
             the
             sinful
             rest
             of
             the
             Soul
             ;
             it
             rouzeth
             guilt
             in
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             puts
             the
             inner-man
             into
             great
             distress
             and
             trouble
             ;
             before
             Christ
             comes
             and
             knocks
             at
             the
             door
             of
             the
             Heart
             all
             is
             still
             and
             quiet
             within
             ;
             the
             Soul
             is
             in
             a
             quiet
             sleep
             of
             sinful
             security
             ,
             no
             fears
             ,
             or
             troubles
             molest
             its
             rest
             ,
             
               Luke
               11.
               21.
               
               When
               a
               strongman
               armed
               keepeth
               his
               Palace
               ,
               his
               goods
               are
               in
               peace
               :
               But
               when
               a
               stronger
               than
               he
               shall
               come
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               overcome
               him
               ,
               he
               taketh
               from
               him
               all
               his
               armour
               wherein
               he
               trusted
               .
            
             The
             armour
             which
             Satan
             puts
             into
             the
             Hands
             of
             sinners
             to
             defend
             themselves
             against
             the
             Convictive
             stroaks
             of
             the
             Word
             ,
             are
             the
             general
             Mercy
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             outward
             Duties
             of
             Religion
             ,
             partial
             Reformations
             ,
             &c.
             
             But
             when
             Christ
             comes
             by
             effectual
             Conviction
             ,
             he
             disarms
             the
             sinner
             of
             all
             these
             pleas
             ,
             and
             then
             the
             Soul
             sees
             what
             broken
             Reeds
             it
             leaned
             upon
             .
             
               When
               the
               Commandment
               came
            
             ,
             (
             saith
             
               Paul
               )
               sin
               revived
               ,
               and
               I
               dyed
               ,
            
             Rom.
             7.
             9.
             
               i.
               e.
            
             all
             my
             vain
             hopes
             expired
             ;
             no
             artifice
             of
             Satan
             can
             any
             longer
             quiet
             the
             sinners
             Conscience
             ;
             he
             apprehends
             himself
             in
             a
             miserable
             condition
             ,
             meditates
             an
             escape
             ;
             farewel
             now
             to
             sound
             and
             quiet
             sleep
             ;
             no
             peace
             till
             out
             of
             danger
             .
          
           
             8ly
             ,
             Every
             effectual
             knock
             of
             Christ
             gives
             an
             allarm
             to
             Hell
             ,
             and
             puts
             Satan
             to
             all
             his
             shifts
             and
             arts
             to
             secure
             the
             possession
             of
             the
             convinced
             
             sinner
             .
             The
             Devil
             is
             a
             jealous
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             when
             his
             interest
             is
             in
             danger
             ,
             he
             bestirs
             himself
             to
             purpose
             ;
             the
             time
             of
             Conviction
             is
             an
             hour
             of
             temptation
             .
             
               We
               wrestle
               not
               with
               flesh
               and
               blood
               ,
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             )
             
               but
               against
               Principalities
               ,
               against
               Powers
               ,
               against
               the
               Rulers
               of
               the
               darkness
               of
               this
               World
               ,
               against
               Spiritual
               wickedness
            
             (
             or
             wicked
             Spirits
             )
             
               in
               high-places
            
             ,
             or
             about
             heavenlies
             ,
             Eph.
             6.
             12.
             
             The
             strife
             betwixt
             Satan
             and
             the
             Soul
             is
             now
             for
             no
             less
             than
             the
             prize
             of
             eternal
             Life
             ;
             't
             is
             now
             for
             all
             ,
             or
             none
             ;
             for
             life
             or
             death
             ,
             for
             Heaven
             or
             Hell
             ;
             the
             powers
             of
             Hell
             are
             now
             all
             in
             Arms
             to
             destroy
             Convictions
             ,
             and
             secure
             the
             possession
             of
             the
             Soul
             against
             Christ
             ;
             as
             when
             a
             Granado
             falls
             into
             a
             Garison
             ,
             the
             first
             care
             of
             the
             Defendants
             is
             ,
             to
             stifle
             and
             choak
             it
             before
             it
             break
             .
             Whilst
             Christ
             is
             speaking
             by
             his
             Spirit
             in
             one
             Ear
             ,
             the
             Devil
             is
             whispering
             in
             the
             other
             ;
             and
             the
             things
             he
             whispers
             to
             quench
             Convictions
             are
             usually
             such
             as
             these
             ;
             It
             is
             time
             enough
             yet
             ,
             what
             need
             such
             hast
             ?
             Enjoy
             thy
             pleasures
             a
             little
             longer
             ,
             thou
             maist
             come
             to
             Christ
             and
             be
             saved
             at
             last
             ;
             if
             that
             will
             not
             do
             ,
             then
             he
             changeth
             his
             voice
             ,
             to
             what
             purpose
             wilt
             thou
             go
             to
             Christ
             ?
             'T
             is
             now
             too
             late
             ;
             the
             time
             of
             Grace
             is
             over
             ;
             hadst
             thou
             come
             to
             him
             in
             thy
             youth
             ,
             and
             obeyed
             his
             first
             call
             ,
             it
             had
             been
             somewhat
             ,
             but
             now
             it
             is
             ●o
             no
             purpose
             :
             If
             this
             will
             not
             quiet
             the
             Soul
             ,
             then
             he
             saith
             ,
             Thy
             sins
             are
             too
             great
             to
             be
             pardoned
             ,
             there
             's
             no
             hope
             for
             such
             a
             prodigious
             sinner
             as
             thou
             art
             .
             If
             the
             Lord
             help
             the
             Soul
             to
             overcome
             this
             ,
             by
             discovering
             to
             it
             the
             riches
             of
             mercy
             ,
             pardoning
             the
             greatest
             of
             sinners
             ;
             then
             he
             represents
             the
             multitudes
             which
             are
             in
             the
             same
             case
             with
             the
             convinced
             sinner
             ;
             come
             ,
             fear
             
             not
             ,
             if
             it
             go
             ill
             with
             thee
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             as
             bad
             for
             millions
             of
             Men
             and
             Women
             ;
             if
             thou
             go
             to
             Hell
             ,
             thousands
             will
             go
             with
             thee
             ;
             but
             if
             the
             Soul
             be
             loath
             to
             be
             damned
             for
             company
             ,
             then
             he
             bids
             it
             look
             upon
             the
             train
             of
             troubles
             and
             afflictions
             that
             come
             along
             with
             Christ
             ,
             and
             will
             certainly
             follow
             him
             ,
             if
             the
             door
             be
             opened
             to
             let
             him
             in
             ;
             if
             Christ
             come
             in
             reproaches
             ,
             losses
             and
             sufferings
             will
             certainly
             come
             in
             with
             him
             ;
             troops
             of
             miseries
             and
             calamities
             follow
             him
             ;
             himself
             hath
             told
             thee
             so
             ,
             and
             art
             thou
             mad
             to
             ruine
             all
             thy
             comforts
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             plunge
             thy self
             into
             a
             Sea
             of
             trouble
             ,
             for
             what
             thine
             Eyes
             never
             saw
             ?
             But
             if
             the
             Soul
             reply
             ,
             These
             are
             more
             tollerable
             than
             damnation
             ;
             better
             my
             flesh
             suffer
             for
             a
             time
             than
             my
             Soul
             be
             cast
             away
             for
             ever
             ;
             then
             he
             represents
             the
             insuperable
             difficulties
             of
             Religion
             ;
             what
             a
             hard
             thing
             it
             is
             to
             be
             saved
             ;
             how
             many
             painful
             duties
             and
             acts
             of
             mortification
             the
             Soul
             must
             pass
             through
             .
             Thus
             you
             see
             what
             an
             allarm
             Conviction
             gives
             to
             the
             powers
             of
             Hell.
             
          
           
             9ly
             ,
             Every
             effectual
             knock
             of
             Christ
             is
             followed
             on
             ,
             and
             new
             Convictions
             revive
             old
             ,
             and
             former
             ones
             ;
             and
             the
             Lord
             never
             leaves
             knocking
             till
             the
             door
             be
             opened
             ;
             if
             one
             Sermon
             will
             not
             do
             ,
             another
             shall
             ;
             if
             one
             wound
             be
             plaistered
             ,
             and
             healed
             by
             the
             art
             of
             Satan
             ,
             a
             fresh
             wound
             shall
             be
             made
             ;
             if
             a
             former
             Conviction
             vanish
             ,
             the
             next
             shall
             be
             sealed
             upon
             the
             Soul
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             sealeth
             a
             Conviction
             upon
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             raze
             it
             out
             who
             can
             .
             And
             here
             's
             the
             difference
             betwixt
             special
             and
             common
             Convictions
             ;
             common
             Convictions
             come
             and
             go
             ,
             they
             put
             the
             Soul
             in
             a
             fright
             for
             a
             day
             or
             a
             
             month
             ,
             and
             then
             trouble
             it
             no
             more
             for
             ever
             ;
             but
             special
             Convictions
             will
             be
             continued
             ,
             one
             thing
             backs
             another
             ,
             for
             Christ
             is
             in
             pursuit
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             will
             give
             it
             chase
             till
             at
             last
             he
             overtake
             and
             come
             up
             with
             it
             .
          
           
             10ly
             ,
             In
             the
             last
             place
             ,
             All
             the
             knocks
             of
             Christ
             cease
             and
             end
             when
             the
             sinners
             day
             of
             grace
             is
             ended
             .
             This
             is
             of
             dreadful
             consideration
             ,
             when
             the
             time
             of
             Mercy
             is
             over
             ,
             no
             more
             strivings
             of
             the
             Spirit
             with
             a
             Man
             after
             that
             .
             Christ
             saith
             to
             the
             drousie
             sinner
             ,
             as
             he
             spake
             to
             the
             drousie
             Disciples
             in
             the
             Garden
             ,
             
               Sleep
               on
               now
               ,
               and
               take
               your
               rest
               .
            
             So
             here
             ,
             I
             called
             thee
             in
             such
             a
             Sermon
             ,
             but
             thou
             heardest
             not
             ;
             by
             such
             a
             providence
             ,
             but
             thou
             obeyedst
             not
             ;
             sleep
             on
             now
             ,
             and
             take
             thy
             rest
             :
             
               My
               people
               would
               not
               hearken
               to
               my
               voice
               ,
               and
            
             Israel
             
               would
               none
               of
               me
               ;
               So
               I
               gave
               them
               up
               to
               their
               own
               Hearts
               lust
               ,
               to
               walk
               in
               their
               own
               counsels
               ,
            
             Psal.
             81.
             11
             ,
             12.
             
               q.
               d.
            
             I
             have
             done
             with
             them
             ,
             the
             treaty
             is
             ended
             ,
             I
             will
             make
             no
             more
             essays
             towards
             their
             Conversion
             and
             Salvation
             .
             So
             
               I
               gave
               them
               up
            
             .
             Methinks
             it
             sounds
             as
             much
             as
             this
             ,
             Take
             him
             Sin
             ,
             Take
             him
             Devil
             ,
             I
             will
             have
             no
             more
             to
             do
             with
             him
             .
             So
             Hosea
             4.
             17.
             
             Ephraim
             
               is
               joyned
               to
               idols
               ,
               let
               him
               alone
               .
            
             His
             Heart
             is
             glued
             fast
             to
             sin
             ,
             he
             is
             enamoured
             upon
             other
             Lovers
             ,
             let
             him
             a
             lone
             .
             O
             beloved
             ,
             't
             is
             a
             dreadful
             thing
             for
             God
             to
             say
             ,
             let
             this
             Man
             alone
             in
             his
             formality
             ,
             and
             that
             Man
             in
             his
             carnal
             security
             :
             Let
             not
             this
             be
             misapplied
             by
             poor
             trembling
             Souls
             under
             Conviction
             .
             I
             know
             the
             fear
             of
             this
             Judgment
             is
             upon
             their
             Hearts
             ,
             nothing
             makes
             them
             tremble
             more
             than
             lest
             the
             day
             of
             Grace
             be
             ended
             with
             them
             .
             But
             there
             is
             no
             ground
             for
             this
             fear
             whilst
             the
             Spirit
             continues
             Convincing
             ,
             and
             the
             
             Soul
             trembling
             ,
             lest
             his
             Convictions
             should
             prove
             ineffectual
             .
             Thus
             much
             of
             the
             nature
             ,
             instruments
             ,
             and
             manner
             of
             Christ's
             knocking
             at
             the
             door
             of
             a
             sinners
             Heart
             .
             Our
             way
             is
             now
             opened
             to
             a
             fruitful
             Application
             of
             this
             Point
             ,
             which
             will
             wind
             up
             in
             divers
             necessary
             Uses
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Vse
               for
               Information
               .
            
             
               And
               first
               ,
               The
               Point
               before
               us
               will
               be
               useful
               for
               Information
               ,
               in
               the
               following
               Inferences
               and
               Deductions
               .
            
             
               
                 I.
                 Inference
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Into
                   how
                   deep
                   a
                   sleep
                   hath
                   sin
                   cast
                   the
                   Souls
                   of
                   sinners
                   ,
                   that
                   Christ
                   must
                   stand
                   so
                   long
                   ,
                   and
                   give
                   such
                   loud
                   repeated
                   knocks
                   ,
                   before
                   it
                   will
                   awake
                   and
                   open
                   to
                   him
                   ?
                
                 There
                 is
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 a
                 deep
                 sleep
                 fallen
                 upon
                 Men
                 ,
                 like
                 that
                 into
                 which
                 God
                 cast
                 Adam
                 .
                 God
                 speaketh
                 once
                 ,
                 yea
                 twice
                 ,
                 but
                 Man
                 regards
                 it
                 not
                 ;
                 't
                 is
                 the
                 hardest
                 thing
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 rouze
                 and
                 awaken
                 a
                 Man
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 carnal
                 security
                 .
                 Look
                 over
                 Satans
                 Kingdom
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 find
                 a
                 general
                 stilness
                 and
                 quietness
                 among
                 his
                 Subjects
                 .
                 There
                 's
                 no
                 trouble
                 for
                 Sin
                 ,
                 no
                 strivings
                 after
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 no
                 cryings
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   What
                   shall
                   we
                   do
                   to
                   be
                   saved
                   ?
                
                 Go
                 into
                 the
                 crouds
                 of
                 carnal
                 Men
                 and
                 Women
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 find
                 them
                 all
                 intent
                 and
                 busie
                 about
                 other
                 matters
                 .
                 How
                 long
                 shall
                 you
                 be
                 in
                 their
                 company
                 ,
                 before
                 you
                 hear
                 one
                 groan
                 for
                 sin
                 ?
                 Or
                 see
                 one
                 tear
                 slide
                 from
                 their
                 Eyes
                 on
                 that
                 account
                 ?
                 Oh
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 marvelous
                 thing
                 is
                 here
                 !
                 Do
                 not
                 their
                 Consciences
                 know
                 the
                 guilt
                 that
                 lyes
                 upon
                 them
                 ?
                 Are
                 they
                 
                 not
                 aware
                 of
                 a
                 day
                 of
                 reckoning
                 which
                 approacheth
                 ?
                 Yes
                 ,
                 yes
                 ,
                 these
                 things
                 are
                 not
                 hid
                 from
                 their
                 Consciences
                 ;
                 What
                 art
                 then
                 is
                 used
                 to
                 keep
                 them
                 so
                 still
                 and
                 quiet
                 ?
                 Why
                 ,
                 there
                 are
                 divers
                 Rattles
                 to
                 still
                 the
                 Consciences
                 of
                 sinners
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 do
                 it
                 effectually
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 five
                 causes
                 and
                 occasions
                 of
                 this
                 wonderful
                 stilness
                 in
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 sinners
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Ignorance
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 regenerating
                 Grace
                 ;
                 taking
                 that
                 for
                 regeneration
                 which
                 is
                 none
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 thus
                 did
                 the
                 
                   Iews
                   ,
                   Ioh.
                
                 8.
                 55.
                 confidently
                 affirm
                 God
                 to
                 be
                 their
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 they
                 did
                 not
                 know
                 him
                 .
                 How
                 many
                 proor
                 ignorant
                 creatures
                 think
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 any
                 other
                 Work
                 of
                 regeneration
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 passed
                 upon
                 them
                 in
                 Baptism
                 ?
                 They
                 were
                 born
                 and
                 Baptized
                 Christians
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 's
                 enough
                 they
                 think
                 to
                 save
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   Matth.
                   3.
                   9.
                   
                   We
                   have
                
                 Abraham
                 
                   to
                   our
                   Father
                
                 ;
                 they
                 thought
                 it
                 sufficient
                 that
                 
                 Abraham's
                 blood
                 ran
                 in
                 their
                 Veins
                 ,
                 though
                 there
                 were
                 not
                 a
                 spark
                 of
                 
                 Abraham's
                 faith
                 kindled
                 in
                 their
                 Souls
                 :
                 the
                 Lord
                 forgive
                 the
                 sin
                 of
                 those
                 Men
                 that
                 lead
                 poor
                 Souls
                 into
                 such
                 fatal
                 mistakes
                 .
                 O
                 if
                 Men
                 were
                 but
                 aware
                 of
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 a
                 greater
                 and
                 further
                 Work
                 to
                 pass
                 upon
                 their
                 Souls
                 than
                 their
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 common
                 powerless
                 profession
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Similar
                 Works
                 which
                 appear
                 upon
                 formal
                 Hypocrites
                 ,
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 would
                 ring
                 with
                 their
                 cries
                 .
                 But
                 ignorance
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 and
                 necessity
                 of
                 special
                 regenerating
                 Grace
                 ,
                 like
                 a
                 Dose
                 of
                 Opium
                 casts
                 the
                 Consciences
                 of
                 many
                 into
                 this
                 deep
                 sleep
                 .
              
               
                 2ly
                 .
                 Freedom
                 from
                 grosser
                 sins
                 and
                 pollutions
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 stills
                 and
                 quiets
                 the
                 Consciences
                 of
                 thousands
                 ;
                 they
                 have
                 had
                 a
                 civil
                 ,
                 sober
                 and
                 
                 fair
                 Education
                 ,
                 and
                 though
                 there
                 be
                 no
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 Regeneration
                 ;
                 yet
                 what
                 Saints
                 do
                 they
                 seem
                 to
                 themselves
                 being
                 adorned
                 with
                 sobriety
                 and
                 civility
                 !
                 This
                 stilled
                 the
                 Conscience
                 of
                 the
                 Pharisee
                 ,
                 Luke
                 18.
                 11.
                 
                 
                   God
                   I
                   thank
                   thee
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   not
                   as
                   other
                   Men
                   are
                   ,
                   extortioners
                   ,
                   unjust
                   ,
                   adulterers
                   ,
                   or
                   even
                   as
                   this
                   Publican
                   .
                
                 Thus
                 like
                 delicate
                 Agag
                 they
                 spruce
                 up
                 themselves
                 with
                 moral
                 homilitical
                 vertues
                 ,
                 wherein
                 many
                 thousand
                 Heathens
                 were
                 more
                 gay
                 than
                 themselves
                 ;
                 but
                 Justice
                 will
                 hew
                 them
                 to
                 pieces
                 as
                 Agag
                 was
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 their
                 moral
                 ornaments
                 and
                 endowments
                 .
              
               
                 3ly
                 ,
                 The
                 strict
                 performance
                 of
                 the
                 external
                 duties
                 of
                 Religion
                 quiets
                 the
                 Consciences
                 of
                 many
                 ;
                 they
                 question
                 not
                 but
                 those
                 that
                 do
                 so
                 well
                 shall
                 fare
                 well
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 God
                 will
                 never
                 damn
                 Men
                 and
                 Women
                 that
                 keep
                 their
                 Church
                 and
                 say
                 their
                 Prayers
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 .
                 Thus
                 the
                 carnal
                 Jews
                 deluded
                 themselves
                 ,
                 crying
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Temple
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   The
                   Temple
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ;
                 as
                 malefactors
                 in
                 some
                 of
                 our
                 Neighbouring
                 Kingdoms
                 ,
                 fly
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 from
                 the
                 Hand
                 of
                 Justice
                 ,
                 so
                 do
                 these
                 ;
                 but
                 God
                 will
                 pluck
                 them
                 from
                 the
                 Horns
                 of
                 the
                 Altar
                 and
                 convince
                 them
                 that
                 the
                 empty
                 name
                 of
                 Religion
                 is
                 no
                 security
                 from
                 damnation
                 .
              
               
                 4ly
                 ,
                 Many
                 Consciences
                 are
                 still'd
                 and
                 quieted
                 in
                 a
                 natural
                 sinful
                 state
                 ,
                 by
                 misinterpreting
                 the
                 voices
                 of
                 Providence
                 ;
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 God
                 prospers
                 your
                 Earthly
                 affairs
                 ;
                 succeeds
                 and
                 smiles
                 upon
                 your
                 undertakings
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 you
                 conclude
                 must
                 be
                 a
                 Token
                 of
                 his
                 love
                 and
                 favour
                 :
                 But
                 alas
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 mistake
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 give
                 you
                 better
                 evidences
                 of
                 his
                 love
                 than
                 these
                 ;
                 for
                 who
                 prosper
                 more
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 than
                 wicked
                 Men
                 ?
                 And
                 who
                 are
                 more
                 crost
                 than
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 
                 Read
                 Iob
                 21.
                 and
                 Psal.
                 73.
                 and
                 compare
                 both
                 with
                 Eccles.
                 9.
                 1.
                 and
                 you
                 will
                 quickly
                 find
                 the
                 vanity
                 of
                 all
                 hopes
                 built
                 upon
                 such
                 a
                 foundation
                 .
              
               
                 However
                 by
                 such
                 things
                 as
                 these
                 are
                 ,
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 blinds
                 the
                 Eyes
                 of
                 multitudes
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 II.
                 Inference
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 every
                 conviction
                 be
                 a
                 knock
                 of
                 Christ.
                 ,
                 how
                 deeply
                 are
                 all
                 Souls
                 concerned
                 in
                 the
                 success
                 and
                 issue
                 of
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Conviction
                 is
                 an
                 Embrio
                 of
                 the
                 new
                 Creature
                 ;
                 if
                 it
                 go
                 out
                 its
                 full
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 to
                 a
                 perfect
                 new
                 Birth
                 ,
                 it
                 brings
                 forth
                 Salvation
                 to
                 your
                 Souls
                 ;
                 if
                 it
                 miscarry
                 finally
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 finally
                 lost
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 of
                 infinite
                 concernment
                 therefore
                 to
                 every
                 Man
                 and
                 Woman
                 to
                 be
                 tender
                 over
                 those
                 Convictions
                 their
                 Consciences
                 go
                 big
                 with
                 all
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 Conviction
                 and
                 Conversion
                 are
                 two
                 things
                 ;
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 Conviction
                 without
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 though
                 there
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 Conversion
                 without
                 Conviction
                 .
                 The
                 blossoms
                 upon
                 the
                 Trees
                 in
                 the
                 Spring
                 of
                 the
                 Year
                 ,
                 cannot
                 properly
                 be
                 called
                 Fruit
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 rather
                 the
                 rudiments
                 of
                 Fruit
                 ,
                 or
                 something
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 Fruit
                 :
                 if
                 they
                 open
                 kindly
                 and
                 knit
                 or
                 set
                 firmly
                 ,
                 perfect
                 Fruit
                 follows
                 them
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 a
                 blast
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 frosty
                 Morning
                 kill
                 them
                 ,
                 no
                 Fruit
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 expected
                 .
                 Thus
                 it
                 is
                 here
                 ,
                 great
                 care
                 therefore
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 about
                 the
                 preservation
                 and
                 success
                 of
                 Convictions
                 ,
                 both
                 by
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     The
                     Soul
                     it self
                     that
                     is
                     under
                     them
                     ,
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     And
                     by
                     all
                     others
                     that
                     are
                     concerned
                     about
                     them
                     .
                  
                
              
               
               
                 1.
                 
                 What
                 care
                 should
                 the
                 Soul
                 it self
                 have
                 upon
                 whom
                 Convictions
                 are
                 wrought
                 :
                 Have
                 a
                 care
                 ,
                 Friends
                 ,
                 how
                 you
                 quench
                 them
                 ,
                 divert
                 or
                 hinder
                 the
                 operations
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 lest
                 you
                 hinder
                 ,
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 in
                 you
                 lies
                 ,
                 the
                 very
                 conception
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 your
                 Soul
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 I
                 remember
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 in
                 
                   Exod.
                   21.
                   22.
                   
                   If
                   M●n
                   strive
                   and
                   hurt
                   a
                   Woman
                   with
                   Child
                   ,
                   and
                   mischief
                   follow
                   ;
                   life
                   shall
                   be
                   given
                   for
                   life
                   .
                
                 The
                 life
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 is
                 bound
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 your
                 Convictions
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 it
                 is
                 hard
                 for
                 Men
                 and
                 Women
                 to
                 dwell
                 with
                 their
                 own
                 Convictions
                 ;
                 guilt
                 and
                 wrath
                 are
                 sad
                 Subjects
                 for
                 Men's
                 thoughts
                 to
                 dwell
                 upon
                 ;
                 but
                 yet
                 't
                 is
                 far
                 better
                 to
                 dwell
                 with
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 wrath
                 here
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 lye
                 sweltering
                 under
                 them
                 in
                 Hell
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 You
                 may
                 be
                 rid
                 of
                 your
                 Convictions
                 and
                 your
                 Salvation
                 together
                 ;
                 be
                 not
                 too
                 eager
                 after
                 peace
                 ,
                 a
                 good
                 Trouble
                 is
                 better
                 than
                 a
                 false
                 Peace
                 .
                 And
                 upon
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 ,
                 beware
                 that
                 your
                 Convictions
                 and
                 Troubles
                 turn
                 not
                 into
                 discouragements
                 to
                 Faith
                 ;
                 this
                 will
                 cross
                 the
                 proper
                 intention
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 They
                 are
                 Christ's
                 knocks
                 for
                 entrance
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 never
                 intended
                 to
                 be
                 bars
                 or
                 stumbling
                 blocks
                 in
                 your
                 way
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 not
                 stops
                 ,
                 but
                 steps
                 in
                 your
                 way
                 to
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 2ly
                 ,
                 Let
                 all
                 others
                 that
                 are
                 concerned
                 about
                 convinced
                 Souls
                 beware
                 what
                 Counsels
                 they
                 give
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 rules
                 they
                 prescribe
                 ;
                 lest
                 they
                 render
                 them
                 abortive
                 ,
                 and
                 destroy
                 all
                 in
                 the
                 bud
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 two
                 errors
                 ,
                 too
                 commonly
                 committed
                 ,
                 one
                 
                   in
                   excess
                
                 ,
                 perswading
                 Souls
                 under
                 trouble
                 of
                 Conscience
                 that
                 there
                 's
                 no
                 coming
                 for
                 them
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 unless
                 they
                 be
                 so
                 and
                 so
                 prepared
                 ;
                 humbled
                 ,
                 just
                 at
                 such
                 a
                 degree
                 ;
                 this
                 is
                 dangerous
                 counsel
                 ,
                 
                 it
                 over-heats
                 the
                 troubles
                 of
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 keeps
                 the
                 Soul
                 from
                 its
                 proper
                 present
                 duty
                 and
                 remedy
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 Paul
                 and
                 Silas
                 took
                 no
                 such
                 course
                 with
                 the
                 convinced
                 Jaylor
                 ,
                 nor
                 Peter
                 with
                 the
                 three
                 thousand
                 wounded
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 Acts
                 2.
                 
                 Nor
                 do
                 I
                 find
                 where
                 God
                 hath
                 stated
                 the
                 time
                 and
                 degree
                 of
                 Spiritual
                 Troubles
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 there
                 must
                 be
                 no
                 adresses
                 to
                 Christ
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 until
                 they
                 have
                 suffered
                 them
                 so
                 long
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 such
                 an
                 height
                 :
                 If
                 they
                 have
                 imbittered
                 sin
                 to
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 it
                 see
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 a
                 Saviour
                 ;
                 I
                 think
                 they
                 cannot
                 move
                 too
                 soon
                 after
                 Christ
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Faith.
                 Let
                 not
                 Men
                 set
                 bounds
                 where
                 God
                 sets
                 none
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 is
                 another
                 error
                 committed
                 
                   in
                   defect
                
                 ,
                 when
                 Promises
                 and
                 Comforts
                 are
                 presently
                 applied
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 Faith
                 is
                 known
                 ,
                 or
                 one
                 act
                 of
                 recumbency
                 put
                 forth
                 towards
                 Christ
                 :
                 These
                 hasty
                 comforts
                 come
                 to
                 nothing
                 ;
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 ,
                 they
                 cannot
                 stand
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 a
                 dangerous
                 thing
                 to
                 apply
                 Gospel
                 cordials
                 ,
                 and
                 pour
                 out
                 the
                 precious
                 ointment
                 of
                 the
                 Promises
                 upon
                 them
                 that
                 were
                 never
                 Heart-sick
                 for
                 sin
                 ;
                 When
                 upon
                 every
                 sleight
                 trouble
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 but
                 as
                 an
                 early
                 dew
                 ,
                 the
                 peculiar
                 consolations
                 of
                 penitent
                 and
                 believing
                 Souls
                 are
                 hand-over-head
                 applied
                 to
                 them
                 :
                 How
                 many
                 such
                 unskilful
                 Empericks
                 are
                 there
                 in
                 every
                 place
                 ?
                 Such
                 as
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Ieremy
                 complains
                 of
                 ,
                 
                   They
                   have
                   healed
                   the
                   hurt
                   of
                   the
                   Daughter
                   of
                   my
                   People
                   slightly
                   ,
                   crying
                   ,
                   Peace
                   ,
                   peace
                   ,
                   where
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   peace
                   .
                
                 Remember
                 the
                 foundation
                 is
                 now
                 laying
                 for
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 deep
                 consideration
                 ;
                 Men
                 and
                 Women
                 must
                 ponder
                 the
                 terms
                 ,
                 and
                 count
                 the
                 cost
                 ,
                 and
                 deliberately
                 accept
                 and
                 close
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 before
                 
                 the
                 Consolations
                 of
                 the
                 Promises
                 can
                 be
                 regularly
                 administred
                 to
                 them
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 III.
                 Inference
                 .
              
               
                 
                   What
                   a
                   singular
                   blessing
                   is
                   a
                   rouzing
                   faithful
                   Ministry
                   among
                   the
                   people
                   ?
                
                 By
                 such
                 a
                 Ministry
                 Christ
                 knocks
                 powerfully
                 ;
                 this
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 blessings
                 God
                 can
                 bestow
                 upon
                 a
                 people
                 ,
                 next
                 to
                 the
                 saving
                 effects
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 when
                 he
                 sends
                 among
                 them
                 Powerful
                 ,
                 Judicious
                 ,
                 Preachers
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 under
                 whose
                 Ministry
                 their
                 Consciences
                 cannot
                 sleep
                 quietly
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 the
                 proper
                 Instruments
                 Christ
                 knocks
                 at
                 Men's
                 Hearts
                 by
                 :
                 and
                 as
                 for
                 those
                 Prophets
                 that
                 sow
                 pillows
                 for
                 drowsie
                 sinners
                 to
                 sleep
                 quietly
                 upon
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 owns
                 them
                 not
                 for
                 his
                 ,
                 
                   Lam.
                   2.
                   14.
                   
                   Thy
                   Prophets
                
                 (
                 not
                 mine
                 but
                 thine
                 )
                 
                   have
                   seen
                   vain
                   and
                   foolish
                   things
                   for
                   thee
                   ,
                   they
                   have
                   not
                   discovered
                   thine
                   iniquity
                   .
                
              
               
                 'T
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 those
                 Ministers
                 that
                 give
                 Men
                 no
                 rest
                 nor
                 quietness
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 must
                 expect
                 but
                 little
                 rest
                 and
                 quietness
                 themselves
                 .
                 What
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 Ministers
                 to
                 preach
                 home
                 to
                 the
                 Consciences
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 pull
                 down
                 the
                 rage
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 upon
                 their
                 own
                 Heads
                 ?
                 But
                 certainly
                 you
                 will
                 have
                 cause
                 to
                 bless
                 God
                 to
                 Eternity
                 for
                 casting
                 your
                 lot
                 under
                 such
                 a
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Lord
                 accounts
                 such
                 a
                 mercy
                 sufficient
                 to
                 recompense
                 any
                 outward
                 affliction
                 that
                 lyes
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 30.
                 20.
                 
                 You
                 fare
                 richly
                 under
                 such
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 though
                 the
                 Lord
                 should
                 feed
                 you
                 with
                 the
                 bread
                 of
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 you
                 the
                 waters
                 of
                 Adversity
                 to
                 drink
                 ;
                 this
                 makes
                 amends
                 for
                 all
                 ,
                 
                   Thine
                   Eyes
                   shall
                   behold
                   thy
                   Teachers
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   driven
                   no
                   more
                   into
                   corners
                   .
                
                 O
                 blessed
                 be
                 God
                 that
                 
                 Englands
                 corners
                 are
                 this
                 day
                 emptied
                 ,
                 that
                 its
                 Pulpits
                 may
                 be
                 filled
                 with
                 laborious
                 faithful
                 Ministers
                 .
                 O
                 that
                 the
                 knocks
                 of
                 Christ
                 might
                 this
                 day
                 be
                 heard
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Cities
                 ,
                 Towns
                 ,
                 and
                 Villages
                 of
                 this
                 Nation
                 !
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 come
                 nigh
                 unto
                 us
                 ;
                 this
                 mercy
                 is
                 invaluable
                 ;
                 pray
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 would
                 continue
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 all
                 your
                 Ministers
                 and
                 Means
                 ,
                 whether
                 more
                 publick
                 or
                 private
                 ,
                 successful
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 IV.
                 Inference
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 then
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 let
                 all
                 Men
                 beware
                 of
                 those
                 things
                 that
                 deafen
                 their
                 Ears
                 ,
                 and
                 drown
                 the
                 sound
                 of
                 Christs
                 knocks
                 and
                 calls
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 pernicious
                 Enemies
                 to
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 Men
                 are
                 all
                 those
                 persons
                 and
                 things
                 that
                 turn
                 away
                 Men's
                 Ears
                 from
                 attending
                 to
                 the
                 knocks
                 and
                 calls
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 ?
                 Such
                 are
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 Prophane
                 wicked
                 Men
                 ,
                 who
                 like
                 Elimas
                 the
                 Sorcerer
                 ,
                 make
                 it
                 their
                 buisness
                 by
                 wicked
                 insinuations
                 ,
                 flouts
                 and
                 jeers
                 ,
                 to
                 turn
                 away
                 Men's
                 Ears
                 from
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 
                   Acts
                   13.
                   10.
                   
                   O
                   full
                   of
                   all
                   subtilty
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   mischief
                   ,
                   thou
                   child
                   of
                   the
                   Devil
                   ,
                   thou
                   enemy
                   of
                   all
                   righteousness
                   ;
                   wilt
                   thou
                   not
                   cease
                   to
                   pervert
                   the
                   right
                   ways
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ?
                
                 All
                 opposition
                 of
                 godliness
                 hath
                 a
                 spice
                 of
                 Devilishness
                 ;
                 and
                 no
                 Child
                 more
                 resembles
                 his
                 Father
                 than
                 a
                 scoffing
                 Enemy
                 resembles
                 his
                 Father
                 the
                 Devil
                 .
                 But
                 blessed
                 be
                 God
                 for
                 that
                 good
                 Providence
                 which
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 great
                 measure
                 ,
                 hath
                 stopt
                 the
                 Mouths
                 both
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 and
                 his
                 Children
                 this
                 day
                 .
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 Take
                 heed
                 of
                 carnal
                 and
                 ungodly
                 Relations
                 which
                 discourage
                 and
                 threaten
                 their
                 Children
                 ,
                 Servants
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 depend
                 on
                 them
                 ,
                 from
                 attending
                 upon
                 
                 on
                 the
                 means
                 ,
                 or
                 giving
                 way
                 to
                 the
                 Convictions
                 which
                 God
                 by
                 them
                 hath
                 set
                 on
                 upon
                 their
                 Hearts
                 .
                 Cruel
                 Parents
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 rather
                 see
                 their
                 Children
                 turned
                 into
                 their
                 Graves
                 than
                 turning
                 to
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 serious
                 godliness
                 .
                 O
                 that
                 any
                 should
                 dare
                 to
                 quench
                 the
                 beginnings
                 of
                 Spiritual
                 life
                 in
                 those
                 to
                 whom
                 they
                 were
                 instruments
                 to
                 convey
                 natural
                 life
                 .
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 Take
                 heed
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 its
                 distracting
                 cares
                 and
                 charming
                 pleasures
                 ;
                 What
                 a
                 din
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 confused
                 buz
                 and
                 noise
                 do
                 these
                 things
                 make
                 in
                 the
                 Ears
                 of
                 Men
                 !
                 
                   Mark
                   4.
                   19.
                   
                   The
                   cares
                   of
                   this
                   World
                   choak
                   the
                   Word
                   and
                   it
                   becometh
                   unfruitful
                   .
                
                 Tell
                 not
                 them
                 of
                 getting
                 Christ
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 study
                 how
                 to
                 get
                 bread
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 some
                 of
                 those
                 distracting
                 and
                 diverting
                 sounds
                 which
                 drown
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ's
                 knocks
                 and
                 calls
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 As
                 you
                 value
                 your
                 Souls
                 beware
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Vse
               for
               Exhortation
               .
            
             
               Christ
               is
               now
               come
               near
               us
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               
                 Behold
                 he
                 stands
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 and
                 knocks
                 :
              
               And
               I
               am
               here
               this
               day
               to
               demand
               your
               answer
               ,
               and
               in
               his
               name
               I
               do
               solemnly
               demand
               it
               ;
               What
               shall
               I
               return
               to
               him
               that
               sent
               me
               ?
               What
               sayst
               thou
               sinner
               ?
               Wilt
               thou
               open
               to
               Christ
               ,
               or
               wilt
               thou
               shut
               him
               out
               ;
               And
               with
               him
               thy
               own
               Pardon
               ,
               Peace
               and
               Salvation
               ?
               Once
               more
               let
               me
               try
               the
               force
               of
               a
               few
               more
               arguments
               upon
               your
               Hearts
               ,
               and
               refute
               your
               vain
               pleas
               to
               the
               contrary
               ;
               methinks
               no
               Heart
               should
               be
               able
               to
               resist
               such
               Motives
               and
               rational
               Perswasions
               as
               these
               following
               will
               be
               found
               to
               be
               .
            
             
             
               First
               ,
               You
               are
               in
               exream
               need
               of
               Christ
               ;
               
               you
               want
               him
               more
               than
               Bread
               or
               Breath
               ;
               many
               things
               are
               convenient
               for
               your
               Bodies
               ,
               but
               Christ
               is
               the
               one
               thing
               necessary
               for
               your
               Souls
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 10.
                 9.
                 
                 One
                 thing
                 is
                 necessary
                 .
              
               Necessity
               is
               an
               Engine
               that
               will
               open
               any
               thing
               in
               the
               World
               that
               can
               be
               opened
               ;
               necessity
               will
               make
               all
               fly
               before
               it
               .
               Now
               there
               is
               a
               plain
               ,
               present
               ,
               absolute
               necessity
               lying
               upon
               every
               one
               of
               you
               to
               open
               your
               Hearts
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               that
               without
               delay
               .
               Necessity
               goes
               before
               the
               face
               of
               Christ
               to
               open
               the
               way
               for
               him
               into
               the
               Heart
               ;
               thou
               must
               have
               him
               ,
               or
               be
               lost
               for
               ever
               .
               Christ
               and
               Faith
               are
               not
               among
               the
               
                 may
                 bees
              
               ,
               but
               the
               
                 must
                 bees
              
               ,
               to
               the
               happiness
               of
               thy
               Soul.
               A
               Man
               may
               be
               poor
               ,
               and
               happy
               ;
               reproached
               ,
               and
               blessed
               ;
               but
               he
               cannot
               be
               Christless
               ,
               and
               safe
               ;
               nor
               Christless
               ,
               and
               comfortable
               ;
               you
               must
               have
               Christ
               ,
               or
               you
               cannot
               have
               life
               ,
               Iohn
               3.
               36.
               
               You
               must
               have
               Christ
               or
               you
               can
               have
               no
               hope
               ,
               Col.
               1.
               27.
               
               Christ
               and
               life
               ,
               Christ
               and
               hope
               go
               together
               ;
               no
               Christ
               no
               life
               ,
               no
               Christ
               no
               hope
               ;
               sinner
               ,
               thou
               must
               have
               Christ
               ,
               or
               thou
               canst
               have
               no
               pardon
               ;
               for
               Christ
               and
               pardon
               are
               undivided
               ,
               Ephes.
               1.
               7.
               
               In
               a
               word
               ,
               you
               must
               have
               Christ
               or
               you
               can
               have
               no
               Salvation
               ,
               Acts
               4.
               12.
               
               Well
               then
               ,
               if
               thou
               canst
               have
               no
               life
               ,
               nor
               hope
               ;
               no
               pardon
               ,
               nor
               Salvation
               without
               Christ
               ;
               then
               a
               plain
               necessity
               goes
               before
               Christ
               to
               open
               his
               way
               into
               thine
               Heart
               ;
               methinks
               ,
               thou
               shouldst
               now
               say
               ,
               Then
               will
               I
               open
               to
               Christ
               whatever
               the
               terms
               be
               .
               Come
               sufferings
               ,
               losses
               ,
               reproaches
               ,
               yea
               death
               it self
               ,
               all
               is
               one
               ;
               Christ
               I
               must
               have
               ,
               and
               Christ
               I
               will
               have
               ;
               necessity
               is
               layed
               upon
               me
               ,
               and
               my
               Heart
               is
               opened
               to
               Christ
               by
               it
               ;
               wo
               to
               me
               for
               ever
               if
               I
               miss
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
             
               Secondly
               ,
               
               The
               Lord
               Jesus
               is
               this
               day
               come
               nigh
               to
               every
               one
               of
               your
               Souls
               .
               I
               may
               say
               to
               you
               as
               Christ
               did
               to
               them
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 10.
                 9.
                 
                 The
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 come
                 nigh
                 unto
                 you
                 .
              
               The
               Lord
               grant
               he
               be
               not
               as
               nigh
               to
               some
               of
               you
               as
               ever
               he
               shall
               be
               ;
               for
               he
               must
               come
               nearer
               or
               else
               you
               are
               lost
               for
               ever
               .
               It
               is
               not
               Christ
               among
               you
               in
               the
               Means
               of
               Grace
               ,
               but
               Christ
               within
               you
               by
               the
               Work
               of
               Grace
               ,
               which
               must
               be
               unto
               you
               the
               hope
               of
               Glory
               ,
               
                 Colos.
                 1.
                 27.
              
               
               He
               is
               not
               only
               among
               you
               in
               respect
               of
               external
               Means
               ,
               but
               he
               is
               come
               into
               your
               Understandings
               and
               Consciences
               .
               Yea
               ,
               some
               motions
               of
               his
               you
               may
               feel
               upon
               your
               affections
               ,
               there
               wants
               but
               a
               little
               more
               to
               make
               you
               eternally
               Happy
               .
               O
               what
               would
               one
               effectual
               touch
               upon
               your
               Wills
               be
               worth
               now
               !
               The
               Head-Work
               is
               done
               ,
               but
               O
               that
               the
               Heart-Work
               were
               done
               too
               .
               You
               are
               
                 almost
                 saved
              
               ,
               but
               to
               be
               almost
               saved
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               wholly
               and
               eternally
               Lost
               ,
               if
               it
               go
               no
               further
               .
               'T
               is
               a
               sad
               thing
               for
               a
               Man
               that
               hath
               one
               Foot
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               to
               slide
               from
               thence
               into
               Hell.
               'T
               is
               sad
               to
               be
               Shipwreckt
               at
               the
               Harbours
               mouth
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               
               Jesus
               Christ
               hath
               an
               unquestionable
               right
               to
               enter
               into
               and
               possess
               every
               one
               of
               your
               Souls
               .
               Satan
               is
               but
               an
               Usurper
               ,
               Christ
               is
               your
               lawful
               Owner
               and
               Proprietor
               ;
               thy
               Soul
               ,
               sinner
               ,
               hath
               not
               so
               full
               a
               Title
               to
               thy
               Body
               ,
               as
               Christ
               hath
               to
               thy
               Soul.
               Satan
               keeps
               Christ
               out
               of
               his
               right
               .
               Christ
               knocks
               at
               the
               door
               of
               his
               own
               House
               ;
               he
               built
               it
               and
               therefore
               may
               well
               claim
               admission
               into
               it
               ;
               it
               is
               his
               own
               Creature
               ,
               
                 Col.
                 1.
                 16.
                 
                 By
                 him
                 were
                 all
                 things
                 made
                 ,
                 whether
                 they
                 be
                 visible
                 or
                 
                 invisible
              
               ;
               Bodies
               or
               Souls
               .
               The
               invisible
               part
               ,
               thy
               Soul
               ,
               is
               his
               Workmanship
               ,
               a
               stately
               Structure
               of
               his
               own
               raising
               .
               He
               hath
               also
               a
               right
               by
               Redemption
               ,
               Christ
               hath
               bought
               thy
               Soul
               and
               that
               at
               the
               invaluable
               price
               of
               his
               own
               Blood.
               Who
               then
               can
               dispute
               the
               right
               of
               Christ
               to
               enter
               in
               to
               his
               own
               House
               ?
               But
               alas
               !
               he
               cometh
               to
               his
               own
               ,
               but
               his
               own
               receive
               him
               not
               .
            
             
               Fourthly
               ,
               
               Open
               the
               door
               to
               Christ
               ,
               for
               a
               train
               of
               blessings
               and
               mercies
               comes
               in
               with
               him
               ;
               a
               troop
               of
               privileges
               follow
               him
               :
               In
               the
               same
               day
               and
               hour
               that
               Christ
               comes
               into
               thine
               Heart
               by
               a
               full
               consent
               and
               deliberate
               choice
               ,
               a
               pardon
               comes
               with
               him
               of
               all
               the
               sins
               that
               ever
               thou
               committedst
               in
               Thought
               ,
               Word
               ,
               or
               Action
               .
               Will
               such
               a
               pardon
               be
               welcome
               to
               thy
               Soul
               ?
               Then
               let
               Christ
               be
               welcome
               ;
               
               for
               where
               Christ
               comes
               ,
               pardon
               comes
               ;
               if
               you
               open
               to
               Christ
               ,
               you
               open
               to
               peace
               ;
               and
               who
               would
               shut
               the
               door
               of
               his
               Soul
               against
               Peace
               ?
               If
               peace
               be
               welcome
               ,
               let
               Christ
               be
               welcome
               ;
               for
               peace
               follows
               faith
               in
               Christ
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 1
                 
              
               :
               Where
               Christ
               comes
               ,
               liberty
               comes
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 8.
                 36.
                 
                 If
                 the
                 Son
                 therefore
                 shall
                 make
                 you
                 free
                 ,
                 then
                 are
                 you
                 free
                 indeed
                 .
              
               Are
               you
               in
               love
               with
               Bonds
               and
               Fetters
               ?
               Satans
               Laws
               are
               written
               in
               Blood
               :
               Christs
               yoak
               is
               easie
               ,
               and
               his
               commands
               not
               grievous
               .
               If
               you
               love
               liberty
               ,
               love
               Christ.
               In
               a
               word
               ,
               where
               Christ
               comes
               ,
               Salvation
               comes
               ;
               
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 Author
                 of
                 eternal
                 Salvation
                 to
                 all
                 them
                 that
                 obey
                 him
                 .
              
               If
               therefore
               you
               love
               Pardon
               ,
               Peace
               ,
               Liberty
               ,
               and
               Salvation
               ,
               shut
               not
               the
               door
               against
               Christ
               ;
               for
               all
               these
               follow
               him
               where-ever
               he
               goes
               .
            
             
             
               Fifthly
               ,
               
               Christ
               this
               day
               solemnly
               demands
               entrance
               into
               thy
               Soul
               ,
               he
               begs
               thee
               to
               open
               to
               him
               ,
               
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 20.
              
               
               He
               commands
               thee
               to
               open
               to
               him
               ,
               
                 1
                 Iohn
                 3.
                 23.
              
               
               He
               denounceth
               eternal
               Damnation
               to
               those
               that
               refuse
               him
               entrance
               .
               Now
               consider
               well
               ,
               here
               is
               entrance
               demanded
               under
               pain
               of
               the
               eternal
               Wrath
               of
               God
               ;
               this
               demand
               is
               filed
               and
               recorded
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               at
               your
               own
               peril
               be
               it
               if
               you
               shut
               the
               door
               against
               him
               ;
               only
               this
               I
               will
               say
               in
               my
               Redeemers
               behalf
               ,
               if
               you
               refuse
               ,
               bear
               witness
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               this
               day
               ,
               that
               Christ
               solemnly
               demanded
               entrance
               into
               thy
               Soul
               and
               was
               refused
               ;
               bear
               witness
               ,
               that
               the
               door
               was
               shut
               against
               the
               only
               Redeemer
               ,
               who
               intreated
               ,
               commanded
               and
               threatned
               eternal
               Damnation
               to
               the
               rejecters
               of
               him
               .
               O
               methinks
               that
               Scripture
               ,
               
                 Prov.
                 1.
                 24.
                 25.
              
               is
               able
               to
               strike
               terror
               into
               the
               very
               center
               of
               that
               Soul
               that
               refuses
               the
               offers
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               Sixthly
               ,
               
               And
               so
               I
               have
               done
               my
               Masters
               errand
               ;
               if
               you
               now
               refuse
               the
               knock
               of
               Christ
               at
               your
               Hearts
               ,
               he
               may
               never
               knock
               more
               ;
               and
               where
               are
               you
               then
               ?
               There
               is
               a
               knock
               which
               will
               be
               the
               last
               knock
               ,
               a
               call
               which
               will
               be
               his
               last
               call
               ;
               and
               after
               that
               no
               more
               knocks
               or
               calls
               ,
               but
               an
               eternal
               Silence
               as
               to
               any
               overture
               of
               Mercy
               or
               Grace
               .
            
             
               But
               if
               I
               do
               open
               to
               Christ
               he
               will
               never
               come
               into
               such
               a
               filthy
               polluted
               sinful
               Soul
               as
               mine
               is
               ?
               
            
             
               Who
               saith
               so
               ?
               
               Who
               dare
               affirm
               so
               impudent
               a
               falshood
               in
               the
               very
               face
               of
               the
               Text
               ?
               
                 If
                 any
                 Man
                 open
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 come
                 in
                 to
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
             
               If
               I
               open
               to
               Christ
               ,
               
               I
               must
               bid
               farewel
               to
               ease
               and
               rest
               in
               this
               World
               ;
               reproaches
               ,
               sufferings
               ,
               losses
               follow
               him
               .
            
             
               If
               Christ
               ,
               
               Pardon
               ,
               and
               Salvation
               ,
               be
               not
               worth
               the
               enduring
               and
               suffering
               these
               small
               things
               ,
               sure
               thou
               valuest
               Christ
               and
               thy
               Soul
               at
               a
               low
               rate
               .
               Oh
               ,
               who
               can
               sufficiently
               bewail
               the
               ignorance
               and
               folly
               of
               Unbelievers
               ,
               that
               will
               fell
               their
               Souls
               and
               hopes
               of
               Heaven
               for
               such
               trifles
               !
               And
               if
               Christ
               and
               thy
               Soul
               must
               part
               upon
               these
               terms
               ,
               then
               hear
               me
               sinner
               ,
               and
               let
               it
               sink
               into
               thy
               Heart
               ;
               thy
               Damnation
               will
               be
               both
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Just
                   and
                   Righteous
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Unavoydable
                   and
                   sure
                   .
                
              
            
             
               1.
               
               Thy
               Damnation
               will
               be
               Just
               ;
               for
               thou
               hadst
               thy
               own
               choice
               ,
               and
               deliberately
               preferredst
               the
               insignificant
               trifles
               of
               this
               World
               before
               Christ
               and
               Salvation
               .
               It
               was
               plainly
               told
               thee
               what
               the
               issue
               of
               thy
               rejecting
               Christ
               would
               be
               ,
               and
               yet
               after
               sufficient
               warning
               ,
               thou
               adventuredst
               upon
               it
               ;
               whatever
               other
               sinners
               will
               plead
               I
               know
               not
               ,
               but
               as
               for
               thee
               thou
               must
               be
               speechless
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 22.
                 12.
              
               
               If
               thou
               dye
               Christless
               thou
               must
               appear
               at
               his
               Bar
               speechless
               ;
               and
               the
               day
               of
               Judgment
               will
               be
               the
               day
               of
               the
               revelation
               of
               the
               righteous
               Judgment
               of
               God
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 5.
              
               
            
             
               2ly
               ,
               It
               will
               also
               be
               Unavoidable
               ,
               for
               there
               is
               no
               other
               way
               to
               Salvation
               but
               this
               ,
               
                 Acts
                 4.
                 12.
              
               
               No
               Christ
               ,
               no
               Heaven
               ;
               no
               Faith
               ,
               no
               Christ
               ;
               
                 How
                 shall
                 we
                 escape
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 neglect
                 so
                 great
                 Salvation
                 ?
                 Heb.
                 2.
                 3.
                 
              
               Mercy
               it self
               cannot
               save
               thee
               out
               of
               
               Christ
               ,
               for
               all
               the
               saving
               Mercy
               of
               God
               is
               dispensed
               to
               Men
               through
               him
               ,
               Iude
               vers
               .
               21.
               
               'T
               is
               to
               no
               purpose
               to
               cry
               Mercy
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               Mercy
               ,
               when
               Christ
               ,
               in
               whom
               all
               the
               Mercies
               of
               God
               are
               dispensed
               to
               Men
               ,
               is
               rejected
               by
               thee
               .
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Vse
               for
               Consolation
               .
            
             
               This
               Point
               winds
               up
               in
               Consolation
               to
               all
               such
               ,
               as
               hearing
               the
               knocks
               of
               Christ
               ,
               have
               opened
               ,
               or
               are
               now
               resolved
               to
               open
               their
               Hearts
               unto
               him
               ;
               and
               that
               nothing
               henceforth
               shall
               keep
               Christ
               and
               their
               Souls
               asunder
               .
               To
               such
               I
               shall
               address
               the
               following
               grounds
               of
               Comfort
               :
            
             
               
                 I.
                 Consolation
                 .
              
               
                 An
                 opening
                 Heart
                 to
                 Christ
                 is
                 a
                 work
                 wholly
                 and
                 altogether
                 Supernatural
                 ;
                 A
                 special
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 never
                 found
                 upon
                 any
                 but
                 an
                 elect
                 Soul.
                 There
                 are
                 common
                 gifts
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 Knowledge
                 ,
                 vanishing
                 Convictions
                 ,
                 &c.
                 but
                 the
                 opening
                 of
                 the
                 Heart
                 by
                 Faith
                 is
                 the
                 special
                 ,
                 saving
                 ,
                 and
                 peculiar
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 
                   Iohn
                   6.
                   29.
                   
                   This
                   is
                   the
                   work
                   of
                   God
                   that
                   ye
                   believe
                   .
                
                 Yea
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 effect
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 Power
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 exceeding
                 greatness
                 of
                 his
                 Power
                 is
                 exerted
                 in
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 
                   Eph.
                   1.
                   19.
                
                 it
                 rises
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 Nature
                 ,
                 as
                 common
                 gifts
                 do
                 ;
                 but
                 of
                 this
                 it
                 is
                 expresly
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   Eph.
                   2.
                   8.
                   
                   It
                   is
                   not
                   of
                   your selves
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   the
                   gift
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Where
                 this
                 work
                 is
                 effectually
                 wrought
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 reason
                 as
                 solidly
                 ,
                 as
                 comfortably
                 from
                 it
                 ;
                 both
                 backward
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 electing
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 forward
                 ,
                 to
                 our
                 eternal
                 glorification
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   Rom.
                   8.
                   30.
                
                 
              
            
             
               
               
                 II.
                 Consolation
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 opening
                 of
                 thy
                 Heart
                 to
                 Christ
                 by
                 saving
                 Faith
                 ,
                 gives
                 thee
                 interest
                 in
                 Christ
                 the
                 very
                 same
                 hour
                 ;
                 the
                 relation
                 is
                 then
                 constituted
                 ,
                 the
                 conjugal
                 tye
                 or
                 bond
                 is
                 fastned
                 betwixt
                 him
                 and
                 thy
                 Soul
                 ,
                 
                   Iohn
                   1.
                   12.
                   
                   To
                   as
                   many
                   as
                   received
                   him
                   to
                   them
                   gave
                   he
                   power
                   (
                   viz.
                
                 right
                 or
                 privilege
                 )
                 
                   to
                   become
                   the
                   Sons
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   even
                   to
                   as
                   many
                   as
                   believed
                   on
                   his
                   Name
                   .
                
                 You
                 neither
                 need
                 nor
                 may
                 expect
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 messenger
                 or
                 voice
                 from
                 Heaven
                 to
                 tell
                 you
                 that
                 Christ
                 is
                 yours
                 and
                 you
                 are
                 his
                 ;
                 you
                 have
                 a
                 better
                 foundation
                 in
                 this
                 Word
                 and
                 Work
                 of
                 Faith
                 ;
                 for
                 my
                 part
                 if
                 God
                 will
                 give
                 me
                 the
                 clear
                 and
                 satisfying
                 experience
                 of
                 this
                 Work
                 upon
                 my
                 Heart
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 never
                 desire
                 more
                 satisfaction
                 on
                 this
                 side
                 Heaven
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 but
                 the
                 Devil
                 may
                 counterfeit
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 voice
                 ,
                 and
                 cheat
                 the
                 Soul
                 by
                 a
                 lying
                 Oracle
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 I
                 really
                 feel
                 my
                 Heart
                 and
                 Will
                 sincerely
                 opening
                 to
                 Christ
                 upon
                 Gospel
                 terms
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 deceit
                 in
                 that
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 III.
                 Consolation
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 opening
                 of
                 thy
                 Heart
                 to
                 Christ
                 by
                 Faith
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 good
                 assurance
                 that
                 Heaven
                 shall
                 be
                 opened
                 to
                 thy
                 Soul
                 hereafter
                 :
                 Heaven
                 is
                 shut
                 against
                 none
                 but
                 those
                 that
                 shut
                 their
                 Hearts
                 against
                 Christ
                 by
                 Unbelief
                 .
                 Will
                 you
                 bar
                 Christ
                 out
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 by
                 Ignorance
                 and
                 Unbelief
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 cry
                 Lord
                 open
                 to
                 us
                 ?
                 No
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 open
                 to
                 none
                 but
                 them
                 that
                 open
                 to
                 Christ.
                 Et●rnity
                 it self
                 shall
                 but
                 suffice
                 to
                 bless
                 God
                 for
                 this
                 
                 opening
                 act
                 of
                 Faith
                 ;
                 
                   He
                   that
                   believeth
                   shall
                   be
                   saved
                   ,
                
                 Mark
                 16.
                 16.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 IV.
                 Consolation
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 opening
                 of
                 thy
                 Soul
                 to
                 Christ
                 by
                 Faith
                 makes
                 it
                 Christs
                 habitation
                 for
                 ever
                 ;
                 in
                 that
                 hour
                 outgoes
                 sin
                 and
                 Satan
                 ,
                 and
                 incomes
                 Christ
                 and
                 Grace
                 :
                 
                   If
                   any
                   Man
                   open
                   unto
                   me
                   I
                   will
                   come
                   in
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 Text
                 ;
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 Soul
                 Christ
                 saith
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 said
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 
                   Psalm
                   132.
                   13
                   ,
                   14.
                   
                   The
                   Lord
                   hath
                   desired
                   it
                   for
                   his
                   Habitation
                   .
                   This
                   is
                   my
                   rest
                   for
                   ever
                   :
                   here
                   will
                   I
                   dwell
                   for
                   I
                   have
                   desired
                   it
                   .
                
                 Thy
                 Soul
                 now
                 becomes
                 an
                 hallowed
                 Temple
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   dwell
                   in
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   walk
                   in
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   be
                   their
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   my
                   people
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 16.
                 
                 O
                 what
                 an
                 Heaven
                 upon
                 Earth
                 is
                 here
                 !
                 Christ
                 dwelling
                 in
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 ;
                 as
                 Gods
                 dwelling
                 in
                 the
                 Temple
                 was
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 V.
                 Consolation
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 the
                 op●●ing
                 of
                 the
                 Heart
                 to
                 Christ
                 is
                 that
                 work
                 which
                 answers
                 the
                 great
                 design
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 hath
                 God
                 set
                 up
                 Ordinances
                 and
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 yea
                 wherefore
                 is
                 the
                 Spirit
                 sent
                 forth
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 open
                 the
                 Hearts
                 of
                 sinners
                 to
                 Christ
                 by
                 Faith
                 ?
                 When
                 this
                 is
                 done
                 ,
                 the
                 main
                 end
                 and
                 intention
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 is
                 attained
                 and
                 answered
                 ;
                 the
                 union
                 is
                 effected
                 betwixt
                 Christ
                 and
                 the
                 Soul
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 now
                 put
                 out
                 of
                 hazard
                 .
                 The
                 whole
                 Work
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 after
                 that
                 is
                 but
                 to
                 build
                 up
                 ,
                 confirm
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 comfort
                 the
                 Soul
                 ;
                 ripen
                 it
                 s
                 implanted
                 Graces
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 it
                 meet
                 for
                 glory
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 thus
                 through
                 the
                 assistance
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 I
                 have
                 finished
                 the
                 fifth
                 Observation
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   every
                   Conviction
                   of
                   Conscience
                   ,
                   and
                   motion
                   upon
                   the
                   Affections
                   ,
                   is
                   a
                   knock
                   or
                   call
                   of
                   Christ
                   for
                   entrance
                   into
                   the
                   sinners
                   Heart
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           SERMON
           VI.
           
        
         
           
             
               Revel
               .
               3.
               20.
               
            
             Behold
             I
             stand
             at
             the
             door
             and
             knock
             ,
             &c.
             
             [
             I
             stand
             and
             knock
             ]
          
        
         
           HEre
           's
           pains
           and
           patience
           ,
           all
           means
           used
           by
           Christ
           to
           gain
           entrance
           into
           the
           Souls
           of
           sinners
           .
           It
           speaks
           the
           earnestness
           of
           his
           suit
           ,
           and
           vehemency
           of
           his
           desire
           to
           be
           in
           union
           with
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men.
           The
           sixth
           Observation
           therefore
           will
           be
           this
           ,
        
         
           
             VI.
             DOCT.
             
          
           
             That
             Iesus
             Christ
             is
             an
             earnest
             suitor
             for
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             the
             Souls
             of
             sinners
             .
          
           
             This
             Point
             lyes
             directly
             and
             fully
             in
             the
             very
             Eye
             and
             intention
             of
             the
             Text.
             In
             the
             opening
             of
             it
             two
             things
             must
             be
             spoken
             to
             in
             the
             Doctrinal
             part
             ,
             viz.
             
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 demonstration
                 of
                 this
                 Truth
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 so
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 marvelous
                 and
                 admirable
                 grace
                 and
                 condescension
                 of
                 Christ
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 .
              
            
          
           
           
             First
             ,
             For
             Demonstration
             of
             this
             Truth
             ,
             That
             Christ
             is
             an
             earnest
             suiter
             for
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             the
             Souls
             of
             sinners
             .
             I
             shall
             draw
             down
             the
             Demonstration
             of
             this
             Truth
             from
             a
             view
             and
             consideration
             of
             the
             dispositions
             ,
             carriages
             ,
             and
             actions
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             towards
             poor
             sinners
             from
             first
             to
             last
             :
             And
             when
             you
             have
             compared
             them
             all
             together
             ,
             and
             by
             them
             seen
             the
             temper
             of
             his
             Heart
             ,
             how
             great
             and
             clear
             a
             light
             will
             shine
             upon
             this
             Point
             !
             That
             his
             Heart
             hath
             still
             enclined
             towards
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             sinful
             Man
             will
             evidently
             appear
             by
             considering
             him
             in
             a
             fourfold
             state
             ,
             and
             time
             .
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 Before
                 his
                 Incarnation
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 his
                 Flesh.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 At
                 his
                 Death
                 .
                 And
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 At
                 ,
                 and
                 since
                 his
                 Ascension
                 into
                 Heaven
                 .
              
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             Consider
             him
             before
             his
             Incarnation
             ,
             
             and
             you
             will
             find
             too
             things
             in
             that
             state
             which
             plainly
             speak
             his
             desires
             after
             union
             with
             us
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             In
             the
             Covenant
             of
             Redemption
             he
             made
             with
             God
             concerning
             us
             before
             this
             World
             had
             a
             being
             ;
             for
             such
             Covenants
             and
             Promises
             did
             really
             pass
             betwixt
             him
             and
             the
             Father
             before
             all
             time
             ,
             or
             else
             I
             know
             not
             how
             to
             understand
             that
             Scripture
             ,
             
               Tit.
               1.
               2.
               
               In
               hope
               of
               eternal
               Life
               ,
               which
               God
               that
               cannot
               lye
               ,
               promised
               before
               the
               World
               began
               .
            
             To
             whom
             could
             that
             Promise
             be
             made
             ,
             but
             unto
             Christ
             ,
             which
             bears
             date
             before
             the
             Creation
             ?
             what
             else
             can
             this
             mean
             but
             the
             Covenant
             of
             Redemption
             ,
             made
             betwixt
             the
             Father
             and
             the
             Son
             ;
             the
             terms
             whereof
             are
             set
             down
             ,
             in
             
               Isa.
               53.
               10
               ,
               11.
            
             where
             you
             find
             what
             Christ
             was
             to
             do
             ,
             
               Viz.
               To
               put
               
               his
               Soul
               an
               offering
               for
               sin
               ?
            
             And
             what
             should
             be
             his
             reward
             for
             pouring
             out
             his
             Soul
             unto
             Death
             ,
             
               viz.
               To
               see
               his
               Seed
               ,
               to
               see
               the
               travail
               of
               his
               Soul
               ,
            
             even
             a
             Church
             purchased
             with
             his
             own
             Blood
             ?
             Whether
             this
             be
             not
             a
             great
             demonstration
             of
             the
             propension
             and
             inclination
             of
             Christs
             Heart
             and
             Desire
             towards
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             poor
             sinners
             ,
             let
             all
             Men
             judge
             .
             O
             what
             a
             value
             did
             Christ
             set
             upon
             our
             Souls
             ,
             that
             upon
             such
             costly
             terms
             he
             would
             consent
             to
             redeem
             them
             ?
             Unto
             this
             agreement
             God
             the
             Father
             held
             him
             ,
             
               Rom.
               8.
               32.
               
               God
               spared
               not
               his
               own
               Son.
            
             And
             this
             very
             covenant
             Christ
             pleaded
             with
             the
             Father
             ,
             
               Iohn
               17.
               6.
               
               I
               have
               manifested
               thy
               Name
               to
               the
               Men
               which
               thou
               gavest
               me
               out
               of
               the
               World
               ;
               thine
               they
               were
               ,
               and
               thou
               gavest
               them
               me
               .
            
             This
             plainly
             shews
             the
             vehement
             desire
             of
             Christs
             Heart
             to
             be
             in
             union
             with
             Men
             ;
             according
             to
             that
             ,
             
               Prov.
               8.
               31.
               
               Rejoycing
               in
               the
               habitable
               parts
               of
               his
               Earth
               ,
               and
               my
               delights
               were
               with
               the
               Sons
               of
               Men.
            
             Blessed
             Jesus
             !
             nothing
             but
             the
             strength
             of
             thine
             own
             desire
             and
             love
             could
             ever
             have
             drawn
             thee
             out
             of
             that
             Bosom
             of
             delights
             to
             suffer
             so
             many
             things
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             poor
             sinners
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             
             Let
             us
             consider
             Christs
             temper
             and
             disposition
             towards
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             sinners
             ,
             within
             time
             ;
             and
             every
             thing
             done
             by
             Christ
             carries
             and
             confirms
             this
             Conclusion
             :
             
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 His
                 Assumption
                 of
                 our
                 Nature
                 plainly
                 speaks
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 His
                 whole
                 Life
                 upon
                 Earth
                 evidently
                 discovers
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 His
                 Doctrin
                 is
                 a
                 clear
                 proof
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 His
                 Joy
                 at
                 the
                 Conversion
                 of
                 Souls
                 proves
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 His
                 Sorrows
                 for
                 Mens
                 unbelief
                 evidence
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 His
                 indefatigable
                 Labours
                 plainly
                 shew
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 His
                 admirable
                 Encouragements
                 to
                 coming
                 sinners
                 .
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 His
                 dreadful
                 Menaces
                 to
                 obstinate
                 sinners
                 .
              
               
                 9.
                 
                 His
                 sending
                 and
                 encouraging
                 Ministers
                 to
                 draw
                 and
                 gather
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 himself
                 .
              
            
          
           
             All
             these
             things
             which
             were
             transacted
             in
             the
             Life
             of
             Christ
             ,
             plainly
             demonstrate
             how
             greatly
             and
             earnestly
             his
             Heart
             did
             propend
             and
             incline
             towards
             this
             desirable
             union
             with
             the
             Sons
             of
             Men.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Christs
             Assumption
             of
             our
             Nature
             manifesteth
             his
             desire
             after
             union
             with
             us
             .
             Herein
             he
             gave
             two
             incomparable
             proofs
             of
             his
             transcendent
             love
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             desire
             after
             us
             .
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 In
                 passing
                 by
                 a
                 more
                 excellent
                 Nature
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 In
                 marying
                 our
                 Nature
                 to
                 himself
                 .
              
            
          
           
             1.
             
             He
             passed
             by
             a
             superiour
             and
             more
             excellent
             Nature
             ,
             
               Heb.
               2.
               16.
               
               Verily
               he
               took
               not
               on
               him
               the
               Nature
               of
               Angels
               .
            
             Angels
             were
             excellent
             
             Creatures
             ,
             but
             behold
             ,
             vessels
             of
             Gold
             cast
             into
             the
             fire
             ,
             and
             Earthen
             potsherds
             fitted
             for
             glory
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             the
             Angels
             that
             kept
             their
             integrity
             are
             Members
             of
             Christs
             Kingdom
             ;
             he
             is
             an
             Head
             to
             them
             by
             way
             of
             Dominion
             ,
             but
             unto
             us
             by
             way
             of
             Vital
             union
             .
             Christ
             takes
             the
             believer
             into
             a
             nearer
             union
             with
             himself
             than
             any
             Angel
             in
             Heaven
             ;
             but
             for
             the
             multitudes
             of
             apostate
             Angels
             ,
             he
             never
             designed
             their
             recovery
             ,
             but
             left
             them
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             before
             ,
             bound
             in
             chains
             of
             darkness
             unto
             the
             Judgment
             of
             the
             great
             Day
             ,
             Iude
             vers
             .
             6.
             
             This
             preterition
             of
             Christ
             ,
             heightens
             his
             love
             to
             poor
             Man.
             
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             In
             marying
             our
             Nature
             to
             himself
             ,
             and
             that
             after
             sin
             had
             blasted
             its
             beauty
             ,
             and
             let
             in
             so
             many
             direful
             calamities
             upon
             it
             ,
             
               Rom.
               8.
               3.
               
               He
               was
               found
               in
               the
               likeness
               of
               sinful
               flesh
               .
               i.
               e.
            
             Flesh
             subject
             to
             weariness
             ,
             pains
             and
             death
             ,
             which
             though
             there
             be
             no
             sin
             in
             them
             ,
             yet
             are
             the
             effects
             and
             consequences
             of
             sin
             :
             Such
             a
             Nature
             he
             assumed
             into
             a
             Personal
             union
             with
             himself
             ,
             not
             to
             experience
             any
             new
             pleasure
             in
             it
             ,
             but
             to
             capacitate
             himself
             to
             suffer
             and
             satisfie
             for
             us
             ;
             and
             therein
             to
             give
             a
             convincing
             proof
             of
             the
             strength
             of
             his
             love
             and
             vehemency
             of
             his
             desire
             to
             us
             .
             His
             personal
             union
             with
             our
             Nature
             shews
             his
             desire
             after
             a
             mystical
             union
             with
             our
             Persons
             .
             He
             would
             never
             have
             been
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             ,
             but
             to
             make
             us
             the
             Sons
             and
             Daughters
             of
             the
             living
             God
             ;
             He
             came
             in
             our
             likeness
             that
             we
             by
             Sanctification
             might
             be
             made
             in
             his
             likeness
             :
             Behold
             how
             near
             Christ
             comes
             to
             us
             by
             his
             Incarnation
             !
             O
             what
             a
             stoop
             did
             he
             make
             therein
             to
             recover
             us
             !
             Rather
             than
             lose
             us
             he
             was
             contented
             to
             lose
             his
             manifestative
             glory
             for
             a
             time
             ;
             for
             his
             
             Incarnation
             made
             him
             of
             no
             reputation
             ,
             Phil.
             2.
             7.
             
             Behold
             the
             desires
             of
             a
             Saviour
             after
             union
             with
             sinners
             !
          
           
             II.
             The
             whole
             Life
             of
             Christ
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             was
             an
             evident
             proof
             and
             demonstration
             of
             the
             desiers
             of
             his
             Heart
             to
             be
             in
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             us
             ,
             
               Iohn
               17.
               19.
               
               For
               their
               sakes
               I
               sanctifie
               my self
               .
            
             The
             Life
             of
             Christ
             was
             wholly
             set
             apart
             for
             us
             ;
             therefore
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             
               Isa.
               9.
               6.
               
               Vnto
               us
               a
               Child
               is
               born
               ,
               unto
               us
               a
               Son
               is
               given
               .
            
             What
             was
             the
             errand
             and
             buisness
             upon
             which
             Christ
             came
             into
             this
             World
             ,
             but
             to
             seek
             and
             to
             save
             that
             which
             was
             lost
             ?
          
           
             All
             the
             Miracles
             he
             wrought
             on
             Earth
             were
             so
             many
             works
             of
             Mercy
             ;
             he
             could
             have
             wrought
             his
             Miracles
             to
             have
             destroyed
             and
             ruined
             such
             as
             received
             him
             not
             ;
             but
             his
             Almighty
             Power
             was
             imployed
             to
             heal
             and
             save
             the
             Bodies
             of
             Men
             that
             thereby
             he
             might
             win
             their
             Souls
             unto
             him
             ,
             
               Acts
               10.
               38.
               
               God
               anointed
               Iesus
               of
            
             Nazareth
             
               with
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               and
               with
               Power
               ;
               who
               went
               about
               doing
               good
               ,
               and
               healing
               all
               that
               were
               oppressed
               of
               the
               Devil
               :
               for
               God
               was
               with
               him
               .
            
             When
             the
             Apostles
             desired
             a
             Commission
             from
             him
             to
             fetch
             fire
             from
             Heaven
             to
             destroy
             the
             Samaritans
             ,
             he
             rebuked
             them
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               Ye
               know
               not
               what
               manner
               of
               Spirit
               ye
               are
               of
               ,
               for
               the
               Son
               of
               Man
               came
               not
               to
               destroy
               Mens
               lives
               ,
               but
               to
               save
               them
               ,
            
             Luke
             9.
             54
             ,
             55
             ,
             56.
             
             The
             whole
             Life
             of
             Christ
             in
             this
             World
             was
             nothing
             else
             but
             a
             woing
             ,
             drawing
             motive
             to
             the
             Hearts
             of
             sinners
             ;
             he
             rejected
             not
             the
             vilest
             of
             sinners
             ,
             Luke
             7.
             39.
             
             He
             rejected
             none
             that
             came
             unto
             him
             ;
             he
             would
             not
             have
             little
             Children
             forbid
             to
             be
             brought
             unto
             him
             ,
             Mark
             10.
             13.
             
             What
             his
             winning
             carriage
             should
             be
             ,
             was
             long
             before
             predicted
             
             by
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             
               Isa.
               42.
               3.
               
               A
               bruised
               Reed
               shall
               he
               not
               break
               ,
               and
               smoaking
               Flax
               shall
               he
               not
               quench
               .
               Lentulus
               ,
            
             the
             Proconsul
             ,
             in
             his
             Epistle
             ,
             
               ad
               S.
               P.
               Q.
               R.
            
             having
             Graphically
             described
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             ,
             gives
             this
             account
             of
             his
             carriage
             and
             deportment
             ;
             
               In
               his
               reproofs
               he
               was
               terrible
               ,
               in
               his
               admonitions
               fair
               and
               amiable
               ,
               chearful
               without
               levity
               ;
               he
               was
               never
               seen
               to
               laugh
               ,
               but
               often
               to
               weep
               ;
               his
               words
               grave
               ,
               few
               ,
               and
               modest
               ,
            
             &c.
             
          
           
             Christ
             was
             in
             the
             World
             as
             a
             load-stone
             drawing
             all
             Men
             to
             him
             ;
             his
             deportment
             was
             every
             way
             suitable
             to
             his
             Commission
             ,
             which
             was
             
               to
               preach
               good
               tydings
               to
               the
               Meek
               ,
               to
               bind
               up
               the
               broken
               Hearted
               ;
               to
               proclaim
               liberty
               to
               the
               captives
               ,
               and
               the
               opening
               of
               the
               prison
               to
               them
               that
               are
               bound
               ,
            
             Isa.
             61.
             1.
             
          
           
             III.
             As
             his
             Life
             so
             his
             Doctrin
             was
             a
             woing
             and
             inviting
             Doctrin
             ;
             a
             most
             pathetical
             invitation
             unto
             sinners
             ,
             
               Never
               Man
               spake
               as
               he
               spake
            
             ;
             whenever
             he
             opened
             his
             Lips
             ,
             Heaven
             opened
             ;
             the
             very
             Heart
             of
             God
             was
             opened
             in
             it
             to
             sinners
             ;
             the
             whole
             stream
             and
             current
             of
             his
             Doctrin
             was
             one
             continued
             powerful
             perswasive
             to
             draw
             sinners
             to
             him
             .
             This
             was
             his
             Language
             ,
             
               Come
               unto
               me
               all
               ye
               that
               labour
               and
               are
               heavy
               laden
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               give
               you
               rest
               ,
            
             Matth.
             11.
             28.
             
             
               In
               the
               last
               day
               ,
               the
               great
               day
               of
               the
               feast
               ,
               Iesus
               stood
               up
               and
               cryed
               ,
               If
               any
               Man
               thirst
               ,
               let
               him
               come
               to
               me
               and
               drink
               ,
            
             John
             7.
             37.
             
             Himself
             resembles
             it
             to
             the
             clucking
             of
             a
             Hen
             to
             gather
             her
             Chickins
             under
             her
             wings
             ,
             Luke
             13.
             34.
             
             O
             Jerusalem
             ,
             Jerusalem
             ,
             
               how
               often
               would
               I
               have
               gathered
               thy
               Children
               together
               ,
               as
               a
               Hen
               doth
               gather
               her
               brood
               under
               her
               wings
               !
            
             Certainly
             ,
             t●e
             whole
             stream
             of
             the
             Gospel
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             the
             charming
             
             voice
             of
             the
             Heavenly
             Bridegroom
             .
          
           
             IV.
             The
             Joy
             he
             always
             exprest
             for
             the
             success
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             speaks
             him
             to
             be
             an
             earnest
             suiter
             for
             the
             Hearts
             of
             Sinners
             .
             'T
             is
             very
             remarkable
             that
             all
             the
             Evangelists
             who
             have
             recorded
             the
             life
             of
             Christ
             ,
             never
             mention
             one
             laugh
             or
             smile
             that
             ever
             came
             from
             him
             .
             
               For
               he
               was
               a
               Man
               of
               sorrows
               ,
            
             yet
             once
             you
             read
             
               that
               he
               rejoiced
               in
               Spirit
            
             ;
             and
             you
             shall
             see
             the
             occasion
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             
               Luke
               10.
               21.
               
               In
               that
               hour
               Iesus
               rejoiced
               in
               Spirit
               .
            
             And
             what
             was
             it
             that
             gladed
             his
             Heart
             ,
             but
             the
             report
             brought
             him
             by
             the
             Seventy
             ,
             who
             returned
             with
             joy
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               Lord
               ,
               even
               the
               Devils
               are
               subject
               to
               us
               through
               thy
               Name
            
             ;
             and
             he
             said
             unto
             them
             ,
             
               I
               beheld
               Satan
               as
               lightning
               fall
               from
               Heaven
               ,
            
             vers
             .
             17
             ,
             18.
             
             Satans
             Kingdom
             was
             going
             down
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             mysteries
             of
             Salvation
             revealed
             unto
             Babes
             ;
             this
             made
             his
             holy
             Heart
             leap
             with
             Joy
             within
             him
             ,
             to
             behold
             the
             success
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             destroying
             Satans
             Kingdom
             ,
             and
             the
             poorest
             ,
             meanest
             among
             Men
             ,
             inlightned
             and
             converted
             by
             it
             .
             This
             was
             a
             Cordial
             to
             his
             very
             Soul
             ,
             and
             speaks
             the
             earnestness
             of
             his
             desire
             after
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             sinners
             .
          
           
             V.
             His
             Sorrows
             and
             Mournings
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             the
             obstinacy
             and
             unbelief
             of
             sinners
             speaks
             the
             vehemency
             of
             his
             desire
             after
             union
             with
             them
             ;
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             
               Mark
               3.
               5.
               
               When
               he
               had
               looked
               round
               about
               on
               them
               with
               anger
               ,
               being
               grieved
               for
               the
               hardness
               of
               their
               Hearts
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             You
             see
             from
             hence
             ,
             that
             an
             hard
             Heart
             is
             a
             grief
             to
             Jesus
             Christ
             ;
             O
             how
             tenderly
             did
             Christ
             resent
             it
             ,
             when
             Ierusalem
             rejected
             him
             !
             'T
             is
             said
             ,
             Luke
             19.
             41.
             
             That
             
               when
               Iesus
               came
               nigh
               to
               the
               City
               he
               wept
               ,
               over
               it
               .
            
             The
             Redeemers
             tears
             wept
             over
             obstinate
             
             Ierusalem
             ,
             spake
             the
             zeal
             and
             servency
             of
             his
             affection
             to
             their
             Salvation
             ;
             how
             loath
             is
             Christ
             to
             give
             up
             sinners
             ;
             what
             a
             mournful
             voice
             is
             that
             ,
             in
             
               Iohn
               5.
               40.
               
               And
               you
               will
               not
               come
               unto
               me
               that
               you
               might
               have
               life
               .
            
             How
             feign
             would
             I
             give
             you
             life
             ,
             but
             you
             will
             rather
             dye
             than
             come
             unto
             me
             for
             it
             ?
             what
             can
             Christ
             do
             more
             ,
             to
             express
             his
             willingness
             ?
             All
             the
             sorrows
             that
             ever
             toucht
             the
             Heart
             of
             Christ
             from
             Men
             were
             upon
             this
             account
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             not
             yield
             to
             his
             calls
             and
             invitations
             .
          
           
             VI.
             This
             appears
             to
             be
             the
             great
             design
             of
             Christ
             ,
             by
             the
             unwearied
             labours
             he
             underwent
             Day
             and
             Night
             to
             accomplish
             it
             ;
             many
             weary
             Journies
             Christ
             took
             ,
             many
             Sermons
             and
             Prayers
             he
             Preached
             and
             poured
             out
             ,
             and
             all
             upon
             this
             design
             to
             open
             the
             Hearts
             of
             sinners
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             win
             the
             consent
             of
             their
             Wills
             to
             become
             his
             ;
             this
             was
             the
             Work
             which
             he
             preferred
             to
             his
             necessary
             food
             ,
             
               Iohn
               4.
               34.
               
               My
               meat
               is
               to
               do
               the
               will
               of
               him
               that
               sent
               me
               ,
               and
               to
               finish
               his
               work
               .
               q.
               d.
            
             My
             bringing
             home
             the
             Elect
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             saving
             them
             from
             wrath
             to
             come
             ,
             't
             is
             more
             to
             me
             than
             meat
             and
             drink
             ;
             so
             vehement
             and
             intense
             were
             his
             desires
             after
             the
             winning
             of
             sinners
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             lose
             no
             occasion
             to
             accomplish
             it
             ,
             If
             he
             were
             never
             so
             weary
             with
             his
             travels
             and
             labours
             ,
             yet
             if
             any
             occasion
             offered
             to
             save
             a
             lost
             Soul
             ,
             he
             would
             be
             sure
             to
             improve
             it
             ;
             you
             have
             an
             instance
             of
             this
             ,
             in
             
               Iohn
               4.
               6.
               
               Then
               cometh
               he
               to
               a
               City
               of
            
             Samaria
             ,
             called
             Sychar
             ,
             
               &c.
               now
            
             Jacobs
             
               well
               was
               there
               .
               Iesus
               therefore
               being
               wearied
               with
               his
               Iourney
               ,
               sat
               thus
               on
               the
               well
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             Christ
             was
             weary
             with
             his
             Journy
             and
             sat
             on
             the
             Well
             for
             a
             little
             rest
             and
             refreshment
             ,
             in
             the
             heat
             of
             the
             day
             ;
             
             at
             the
             same
             time
             comes
             a
             Woman
             of
             Samaria
             to
             draw
             water
             ,
             a
             great
             sinner
             she
             was
             ;
             Christ
             compassionately
             beholding
             this
             miserable
             object
             ,
             forgets
             his
             own
             weariness
             ,
             presently
             falls
             a
             Preaching
             Repentance
             to
             this
             sinner
             ,
             and
             opens
             her
             Heart
             ;
             a
             greater
             refreshment
             to
             him
             than
             that
             Well
             could
             afford
             him
             ,
             by
             giving
             him
             a
             seat
             to
             sit
             on
             ,
             or
             water
             to
             drink
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             The
             great
             and
             admirable
             Encouragements
             Christ
             always
             gave
             to
             coming
             and
             willing
             Souls
             ,
             plainly
             speaks
             the
             earnest
             desire
             of
             his
             Heart
             after
             union
             with
             them
             ;
             never
             were
             the
             like
             Encouragements
             given
             ,
             that
             Christ
             gave
             ,
             to
             draw
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             to
             him
             .
             'T
             is
             remarkable
             in
             what
             general
             terms
             and
             forms
             of
             expression
             he
             delivered
             them
             ,
             that
             none
             might
             be
             discouraged
             ;
             but
             come
             on
             in
             hope
             towards
             him
             :
             
               Come
               unto
               me
               all
               ye
               that
               labour
               ,
            
             Matth.
             11.
             28.
             
             
               If
               any
               Man
               thirst
               ,
               Iohn
            
             7.
             37.
             
             All
             along
             the
             terms
             of
             invitation
             are
             exceeding
             large
             ,
             which
             speak
             the
             desires
             of
             his
             Heart
             to
             be
             so
             also
             ;
             and
             his
             practice
             was
             answerable
             to
             his
             invitations
             ;
             his
             mercies
             and
             compassions
             never
             failed
             when
             the
             vilest
             of
             sinners
             came
             to
             him
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Repentance
             and
             Faith
             ;
             you
             read
             ,
             in
             Luke
             7.
             41
             ,
             42.
             that
             when
             Christ
             sat
             at
             meat
             in
             the
             House
             of
             Simon
             the
             Pharisee
             ,
             there
             came
             in
             a
             poor
             convinced
             sinner
             who
             had
             guilt
             enough
             upon
             her
             ,
             to
             sink
             Ten
             thousand
             Souls
             to
             the
             bottom
             of
             Hell
             ;
             this
             poor
             wretch
             comes
             with
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             humility
             unto
             Christ
             ;
             not
             presuming
             to
             come
             before
             his
             Face
             ,
             but
             falls
             down
             behind
             him
             ,
             kisseth
             his
             Feet
             ,
             washes
             them
             with
             Tears
             ,
             wipes
             them
             with
             the
             hair
             of
             her
             Head
             ;
             all
             demonstrations
             of
             a
             broken
             Heart
             :
             And
             how
             did
             the
             
               merciful
               Iesus
            
             welcome
             this
             poor
             
             sinner
             ?
             Seals
             her
             pardon
             ,
             commends
             the
             fervour
             of
             her
             affection
             ,
             and
             sends
             her
             away
             a
             joyful
             Soul
             ;
             herein
             making
             good
             that
             gracious
             promise
             ,
             
               Iohn
               6.
               37.
               
               He
               that
               cometh
               unto
               me
               I
               will
               in
               no
               wise
               cast
               out
               .
            
          
           
             VIII
             .
             The
             dreadful
             Threatnings
             of
             Christ
             against
             all
             that
             refuse
             him
             ,
             and
             shut
             the
             doors
             of
             their
             Hearts
             against
             him
             ,
             speak
             his
             vehement
             desires
             to
             prevent
             the
             loss
             and
             ruin
             of
             Souls
             .
             The
             threats
             of
             Christ
             are
             not
             intended
             to
             discourage
             any
             from
             coming
             to
             him
             ,
             to
             fright
             away
             Souls
             from
             him
             ;
             no
             ,
             no
             ,
             that
             's
             not
             their
             intention
             ;
             but
             to
             bring
             them
             under
             a
             blessed
             necessity
             of
             compliance
             with
             his
             terms
             .
             O
             the
             dreadful
             threatnings
             which
             ,
             like
             claps
             of
             Thunder
             ,
             brake
             from
             the
             Mouth
             of
             Christ
             against
             all
             that
             should
             refuse
             or
             delay
             to
             come
             unto
             him
             .
             
               If
               you
               believe
               not
               ,
               you
               shall
               dye
               in
               your
               sins
               :
               He
               that
               believeth
               not
               ,
               shall
               not
               see
               life
               ,
            
             John
             3.
             36.
             
             What
             a
             terrible
             Thunder
             clap
             is
             that
             against
             all
             Unbelievers
             ?
             So
             
               Mark
               16.
               16.
               
               He
               that
               believeth
               not
               ,
               shall
               be
               damned
               .
            
             All
             these
             ,
             and
             many
             more
             ,
             are
             warning
             pieces
             shot
             off
             from
             Heaven
             to
             prevent
             the
             ruin
             and
             damnation
             of
             Men
             ;
             the
             very
             threatnings
             of
             the
             Gospel
             carry
             a
             design
             of
             Mercy
             in
             them
             ;
             damnation
             is
             threatned
             that
             it
             may
             be
             prevented
             .
          
           
             IX
             .
             And
             then
             in
             the
             last
             place
             ,
             herein
             appears
             the
             earnestness
             of
             Christ
             after
             union
             with
             sinners
             ,
             that
             when
             he
             could
             be
             no
             longer
             a
             Preacher
             to
             this
             World
             in
             his
             own
             Person
             ,
             he
             ordained
             a
             succession
             of
             Ministers
             in
             his
             Bodily
             absence
             from
             us
             ,
             to
             gather
             and
             build
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             to
             continue
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             to
             carry
             on
             the
             suit
             that
             Christ
             had
             begun
             ,
             as
             long
             as
             there
             was
             
             one
             elect
             Soul
             in
             the
             World
             lying
             in
             the
             state
             of
             Sin
             and
             Nature
             .
          
           
             Reader
             ,
             Christ
             could
             not
             always
             abide
             here
             ,
             he
             must
             dye
             ,
             or
             we
             could
             not
             live
             ;
             he
             must
             rise
             again
             ,
             or
             we
             could
             not
             be
             justified
             ;
             our
             buisness
             call'd
             him
             to
             another
             Place
             and
             State
             :
             Now
             when
             Christ
             was
             to
             ascend
             to
             Heaven
             what
             doth
             he
             do
             ?
             Why
             ,
             he
             chuseth
             and
             calleth
             Men
             ,
             Men
             made
             of
             the
             same
             clay
             with
             our selves
             ,
             whose
             presence
             and
             appearance
             should
             not
             affright
             or
             discourage
             us
             ;
             who
             should
             treat
             with
             us
             in
             a
             familiar
             way
             about
             the
             great
             concerns
             of
             our
             Salvation
             in
             his
             Name
             and
             stead
             ,
             
               2
               Cor.
               5.
               20.
               
               We
               then
               are
               Ambassadors
               for
               Christ
               ,
               as
               though
               God
               did
               beseech
               you
               ;
               we
               pray
               you
               in
               Christ's
               stead
               ,
               be
               ye
               reconciled
               to
               God.
            
             He
             did
             not
             commissionate
             Angels
             to
             be
             his
             Legates
             ;
             their
             presence
             would
             confound
             and
             terrifie
             us
             ;
             but
             Men
             cast
             into
             the
             same
             mould
             with
             your selves
             ,
             who
             may
             say
             to
             you
             as
             Elihu
             said
             to
             
               Iob
               ,
               Iob
               33.
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               Behold
               ,
               I
               am
               according
               to
               thy
               wish
               in
               Gods
               stead
               :
               I
               also
               am
               formed
               out
               of
               the
               clay
               .
               Behold
               ,
               my
               terrour
               shall
               not
               make
               thee
               afraid
               ,
               neither
               shall
               my
               Hand
               be
               heavy
               upon
               thee
               .
            
             Upon
             these
             Commission
             Officers
             of
             Christ
             he
             poured
             forth
             excellent
             gifts
             in
             great
             diversity
             ,
             and
             useful
             variety
             ,
             to
             fit
             the
             capacities
             and
             various
             dispositions
             of
             Mens
             Souls
             ;
             
               When
               he
               ascended
               up
               on
               high
               ,
               he
               gave
               gifts
               unto
               Men
            
             ;
             this
             Ministerial
             Office
             is
             by
             him
             established
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             
               Till
               we
               all
               come
               in
               the
               unity
               of
               the
               faith
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               knowledge
               of
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               to
               a
               perfect
               Man
               ,
               unto
               the
               measure
               of
               the
               stature
               of
               the
               fulness
               of
               Christ
               ,
            
             Ephes.
             4.
             11
             ,
             12
             ,
             13.
             
             Unto
             these
             his
             Ministers
             he
             gives
             the
             highest
             encouragements
             to
             quicken
             them
             to
             their
             labour
             ;
             if
             one
             do
             but
             one
             part
             of
             the
             work
             ,
             and
             another
             the
             other
             ;
             
             one
             soweth
             ,
             and
             another
             reapeth
             ;
             he
             tells
             them
             both
             ,
             
               He
               that
               reapeth
               receiveth
               wages
               ,
               and
               gathereth
               fruit
               unto
               life
               eternal
               :
               that
               both
               he
               that
               soweth
               ,
               and
               he
               that
               reapeth
               may
               rejoice
               togther
               ,
            
             John
             4.
             36.
             
             He
             tells
             them
             ,
             that
             every
             Soul
             they
             win
             to
             him
             shall
             be
             as
             a
             Jewel
             in
             their
             Crown
             of
             glory
             ,
             
               Dan.
               12.
               3.
               
               And
               they
               that
               be
               wise
               ,
               shall
               shine
               as
               the
               brightness
               of
               the
               Firmament
               ,
               and
               they
               that
               turn
               many
               to
               righteousness
               ,
               as
               the
               Stars
               for
               ever
               and
               ever
               .
            
             What
             is
             Christs
             intention
             in
             all
             these
             incouragements
             to
             his
             Ministers
             ?
             Surely
             it
             is
             as
             if
             he
             should
             say
             to
             his
             Servants
             ,
             Study
             hard
             ,
             Pray
             earnestly
             ,
             Plead
             with
             sinners
             affectionately
             ;
             every
             Soul
             you
             win
             to
             me
             shall
             make
             an
             addition
             to
             your
             glory
             in
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             Weigh
             now
             the
             force
             of
             this
             second
             Demonstration
             from
             the
             Life
             of
             Christ
             ;
             will
             you
             have
             a
             proof
             of
             Christs
             earnest
             suit
             to
             gain
             the
             Hearts
             of
             sinners
             ?
             his
             whole
             Life
             upon
             Earth
             was
             a
             great
             proof
             of
             it
             ;
             his
             Doctrin
             ,
             so
             full
             of
             pathetical
             invitations
             ,
             proves
             it
             ;
             the
             Joy
             of
             his
             Heart
             at
             the
             success
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             his
             Tears
             and
             Sorrows
             for
             the
             obstinacy
             of
             unbelievers
             ;
             his
             Labours
             and
             Travels
             to
             gather
             sinners
             to
             him
             ;
             his
             admirable
             Encouragements
             put
             into
             general
             invitations
             ;
             his
             dreadful
             Threatnings
             to
             all
             that
             reject
             his
             motions
             ;
             his
             commissionating
             and
             qualifying
             ,
             continuing
             and
             encouraging
             his
             Ministers
             to
             carry
             on
             this
             suit
             in
             his
             Name
             :
             All
             these
             things
             make
             up
             a
             full
             Demonstration
             that
             Jesus
             Christ
             is
             an
             earnest
             suiter
             for
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             the
             Soul
             of
             sinners
             ;
             which
             was
             the
             thing
             to
             be
             proved
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             
             The
             Death
             of
             Christ
             is
             the
             fullest
             Demonstration
             that
             ever
             was
             ,
             or
             can
             be
             given
             of
             
             his
             love
             to
             sinners
             ,
             and
             desire
             after
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             him
             .
             His
             Doctrin
             and
             Life
             discovered
             much
             ,
             but
             his
             Death
             and
             Sufferings
             abundantly
             more
             ;
             in
             his
             Doctrin
             he
             spent
             his
             Breath
             ,
             but
             upon
             the
             Cross
             he
             spent
             his
             Blood.
             Here
             he
             comes
             a
             suiting
             to
             the
             Souls
             of
             sinners
             in
             his
             Scarlet
             robes
             ,
             his
             Red
             garments
             ;
             garments
             dipt
             in
             his
             own
             Blood
             :
             You
             may
             now
             propound
             the
             same
             admiring
             question
             the
             Church
             propounded
             ,
             
               Isa.
               63.
               1
               ,
               2.
               
               Who
               is
               this
               that
               cometh
               from
            
             Edom
             ,
             
               with
               dyed
               garments
               from
            
             Bozrah
             ?
             
               This
               that
               is
               glorious
               in
               his
               apparel
               ,
               travelling
               in
               the
               greatness
               of
               his
               strength
               ?
               Wherefore
               art
               thou
               red
               in
               thine
               apparel
               ,
               and
               thy
               garments
               like
               him
               that
               treadeth
               in
               the
               Wine-fat
               ?
            
             Wilt
             thou
             know
             sinner
             why
             he
             cometh
             to
             thee
             in
             Red
             garments
             ?
             It
             is
             to
             give
             thee
             such
             a
             Demonstration
             of
             his
             love
             as
             may
             draw
             forth
             all
             the
             love
             of
             thy
             Heart
             to
             him
             ;
             by
             this
             Blood
             he
             hath
             bought
             and
             purchased
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             for
             a
             Spouse
             for
             himself
             ,
             Acts
             20.
             28.
             
             Now
             there
             are
             two
             things
             in
             the
             Death
             of
             Christ
             evidential
             of
             the
             fervency
             of
             his
             desires
             after
             us
             .
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 greatness
                 of
                 the
                 sufferings
                 which
                 he
                 endured
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Use
                 and
                 End
                 to
                 which
                 they
                 were
                 designed
                 .
              
            
          
           
             Both
             these
             shew
             how
             the
             Heart
             of
             Christ
             is
             heated
             with
             the
             vehemency
             of
             his
             own
             desires
             after
             union
             with
             our
             poor
             Souls
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             greatness
             of
             the
             sufferings
             of
             Christ
             discover
             the
             ardency
             of
             his
             affection
             .
             Christs
             sufferings
             are
             two-fold
             .
          
           
             
             
               1.
               
               External
               ,
               in
               his
               Body
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Internal
               ,
               in
               his
               Soul.
               
            
          
           
             Both
             together
             making
             up
             the
             fulness
             of
             his
             Sufferings
             :
             When
             you
             shall
             hear
             what
             Christ
             hath
             endured
             in
             both
             kinds
             to
             purchase
             you
             to
             himself
             ,
             then
             you
             may
             guess
             what
             value
             he
             put
             upon
             you
             ,
             what
             desire
             he
             hath
             after
             you
             .
             Now
             (
             1.
             )
             as
             to
             the
             external
             Sufferings
             of
             Christ
             in
             his
             Body
             they
             were
             exceeding
             great
             ,
             for
             the
             Death
             he
             died
             was
             not
             a
             Natural
             but
             a
             Violent
             Death
             ;
             indeed
             he
             could
             not
             dye
             a
             Natural
             Death
             ,
             for
             there
             was
             no
             sin
             in
             his
             Nature
             to
             open
             a
             door
             to
             Death
             that
             way
             :
             His
             Body
             was
             intended
             for
             a
             Sacrifice
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             Sacrifice
             it
             dyed
             ;
             therefore
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             
               1
               Pet.
               3.
               18.
               
               He
               was
               put
               to
               Death
               in
               the
               Flesh
            
             ;
             his
             Soul
             and
             Body
             were
             violently
             rent
             asunder
             in
             the
             fulness
             and
             perfection
             of
             his
             strength
             and
             vigour
             ;
             and
             this
             violent
             Death
             was
             also
             a
             cursed
             Death
             ;
             He
             was
             made
             a
             Curse
             for
             us
             ,
             
               For
               it
               is
               written
               ,
               Cursed
               is
               every
               one
               that
               hangeth
               on
               a
               tree
               ,
            
             Gal.
             3.
             13.
             
             A
             ceremonial
             Curse
             was
             affixed
             to
             the
             Death
             of
             the
             Cross
             ;
             
               He
               that
               is
               hanged
               is
               accursed
               of
               God
               ,
            
             saith
             the
             Law
             :
             The
             intention
             of
             that
             Death
             was
             to
             shew
             the
             person
             that
             dyed
             ,
             to
             be
             so
             vile
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             not
             worthy
             to
             touch
             Heaven
             or
             Earth
             ,
             and
             therefore
             was
             hanged
             betwixt
             both
             .
             Moreover
             ,
             this
             violent
             Death
             Christ
             dyed
             was
             a
             most
             painful
             Death
             ;
             full
             of
             Torture
             ,
             and
             very
             Slow
             and
             Lingering
             ;
             the
             Cross
             was
             a
             Rack
             to
             the
             Body
             of
             Christ
             :
             
               I
               may
               tell
               all
               my
               bones
               ,
            
             saith
             he
             ,
             
               they
               look
               and
               stare
               upon
               me
               ,
            
             Psal.
             22.
             17.
             
             But
             yet
             (
             2.
             )
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             his
             Body
             were
             but
             the
             Body
             
             of
             his
             Sufferings
             ;
             it
             were
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             his
             Soul
             ,
             that
             were
             the
             very
             Soul
             of
             his
             Sufferings
             .
             These
             inward
             Sufferings
             of
             Christ
             may
             likewise
             be
             considered
             two
             ways
             .
             (
             1.
             )
             In
             his
             bitter
             propassions
             in
             the
             Garden
             ;
             O
             what
             Agonies
             and
             Conflicts
             ,
             what
             sharp
             Encounters
             and
             Distresses
             did
             his
             Soul
             there
             meet
             with
             ,
             from
             the
             Wrath
             of
             God
             there
             endured
             for
             your
             sakes
             !
             Once
             and
             again
             he
             cried
             out
             Abba
             Father
             ,
             all
             things
             are
             possible
             ,
             let
             this
             Cup
             pass
             ;
             Father
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             possible
             ,
             let
             this
             Cup
             pass
             ;
             thrice
             he
             returned
             to
             the
             same
             place
             rowling
             himself
             on
             the
             ground
             .
             The
             Sufferings
             of
             his
             Soul
             cast
             his
             blessed
             Body
             into
             a
             bloody
             Agony
             .
             
               His
               sweat
               was
               as
               it
               were
               great
               drops
               of
               Blood
               falling
               to
               the
               ground
               ,
            
             Luke
             22.
             43
             ,
             44.
             
             (
             2.
             )
             In
             the
             fulness
             of
             his
             Passions
             on
             the
             Cross
             ,
             there
             was
             his
             blessed
             Soul
             for
             a
             time
             deserted
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             sensible
             communications
             of
             Joy
             and
             Comfort
             from
             him
             ;
             which
             occasioned
             that
             bitter
             out-cry
             ,
             
               Matth.
               27.
               46.
               
               My
               God
               ,
               my
               God
               ,
               why
               hast
               thou
               for
               saken
               me
               ?
            
             Never
             was
             there
             such
             a
             cry
             heard
             since
             the
             Heavens
             were
             spread
             over
             the
             Earth
             ;
             never
             had
             Christ
             seen
             one
             frown
             in
             his
             Fathers
             Face
             from
             Eternity
             before
             this
             time
             ;
             but
             now
             the
             smiling
             Face
             of
             God
             was
             hid
             ,
             and
             a
             strong
             impression
             of
             his
             Wrath
             made
             upon
             him
             .
             And
             now
             ,
             Brethren
             ,
             you
             see
             what
             Christ
             hath
             endured
             both
             in
             his
             Body
             and
             in
             his
             Soul
             ,
             and
             all
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             Sinners
             :
             What
             think
             you
             now
             ,
             is
             not
             Christ
             an
             earnest
             Suiter
             ?
             Doth
             not
             all
             this
             fully
             and
             plainly
             speak
             the
             ardours
             of
             his
             Love
             ,
             the
             fervencies
             of
             his
             desires
             after
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             us
             ?
             If
             this
             do
             not
             ,
             then
             nothing
             can
             demonstrate
             Love
             and
             Desire
             .
             That
             's
             the
             first
             thing
             the
             greatness
             of
             the
             Sufferings
             which
             he
             endured
             .
          
           
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Let
             us
             next
             consider
             the
             Use
             and
             Intention
             of
             these
             Sufferings
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             how
             this
             also
             demonstrates
             the
             earnestness
             of
             his
             desires
             after
             Conjugal
             union
             with
             us
             .
             Now
             there
             was
             a
             double
             Use
             and
             End
             of
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             Christ.
             
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 To
                 make
                 us
                 free
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 be
                 capable
                 of
                 Espousals
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 To
                 win
                 our
                 Affections
                 by
                 the
                 argument
                 of
                 his
                 Sufferings
                 .
              
            
          
           
             I.
             One
             End
             of
             Christs
             death
             was
             to
             purchase
             our
             Freedom
             ,
             that
             we
             might
             be
             capable
             of
             being
             Espoused
             to
             him
             ;
             for
             you
             must
             know
             that
             we
             were
             not
             in
             a
             capacity
             whilst
             under
             the
             curse
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             to
             be
             married
             unto
             Christ
             ;
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             Rom.
             7.
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             compares
             the
             Law
             to
             a
             Husband
             ,
             to
             whom
             the
             Wife
             is
             bound
             as
             long
             as
             he
             liveth
             ,
             and
             not
             capable
             of
             a
             second
             marriage
             until
             her
             Husband
             be
             dead
             .
             The
             Death
             of
             Christ
             was
             the
             Death
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             as
             a
             Covenant
             of
             Works
             holding
             us
             under
             the
             bond
             of
             a
             Curse
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             so
             it
             gave
             us
             a
             manumission
             or
             freedom
             from
             that
             bond
             ,
             and
             a
             capacity
             of
             espousals
             to
             Christ
             ,
             as
             
               vers
               .
               4.
               
               Wherefore
               my
               brethren
               ,
               ye
               also
               are
               become
               dead
               to
               the
               Law
               by
               the
               Body
               of
               Christ
               ,
               that
               ye
               should
               be
               married
               to
               another
               ,
               even
               to
               him
               who
               is
               raised
               from
               the
               dead
               .
            
             A
             Slave
             to
             another
             is
             not
             capable
             of
             being
             disposed
             in
             marriage
             ,
             until
             made
             Free
             ;
             you
             were
             in
             bondage
             to
             the
             Law
             ,
             the
             slaves
             of
             of
             Sin
             and
             Satan
             :
             Christ
             bought
             out
             your
             liberty
             (
             for
             his
             Blood
             is
             call'd
             a
             ransom
             ,
             Matth.
             20.
             28.
             
             )
             and
             so
             put
             you
             into
             a
             capacity
             of
             being
             espoused
             unto
             himself
             ;
             here
             you
             see
             Christ
             loved
             you
             not
             
             for
             any
             advantage
             he
             could
             have
             by
             you
             ,
             for
             you
             had
             nothing
             to
             bring
             him
             ;
             nay
             ,
             he
             must
             purchase
             you
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             his
             own
             Blood
             ,
             before
             he
             can
             be
             united
             to
             you
             .
             O
             incomparable
             love
             !
             O
             fervent
             desires
             !
          
           
             II.
             Another
             design
             and
             end
             of
             the
             Death
             of
             Christ
             was
             to
             win
             and
             gain
             our
             Hearts
             and
             Affections
             to
             himself
             ,
             by
             the
             argument
             of
             his
             Death
             ;
             this
             himself
             hath
             declared
             to
             be
             the
             very
             end
             and
             intention
             of
             it
             ,
             
               Ioh.
               12.
               32.
               
               And
               I
               if
               I
               be
               lifted
               up
               from
               the
               Earth
               will
               draw
               all
               Men
               unto
               me
               ;
               this
               ,
               he
               said
               ,
               signifying
               what
               Death
               he
               should
               dye
               .
            
             Christ
             endured
             all
             that
             you
             have
             heard
             ,
             and
             infinitely
             more
             than
             the
             Tongue
             or
             Pen
             of
             Man
             can
             express
             ;
             and
             all
             to
             draw
             thy
             Soul
             and
             win
             thy
             consent
             to
             come
             unto
             him
             :
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             by
             his
             sufferings
             casts
             a
             threefold
             cord
             over
             the
             Souls
             of
             Sinners
             ,
             to
             draw
             them
             to
             himself
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Death
             of
             Christ
             obtains
             compleat
             righteousness
             for
             guilty
             sinners
             ;
             and
             if
             any
             thing
             in
             the
             World
             will
             draw
             the
             Heart
             of
             a
             sinner
             ,
             this
             will
             ;
             the
             anxious
             search
             ,
             and
             enquiry
             of
             a
             convinced
             sinner
             ,
             is
             after
             a
             perfect
             righteousness
             to
             justifie
             him
             before
             God.
             O
             that
             's
             it
             the
             sinner
             wants
             !
             Conscience
             saith
             ,
             thou
             hast
             broken
             all
             the
             Laws
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             art
             therefore
             a
             Law
             condemned
             wretch
             ;
             the
             sentence
             of
             the
             Law
             casts
             thee
             for
             Hell
             ;
             Now
             what
             would
             a
             poor
             sinner
             give
             for
             a
             release
             from
             this
             sentence
             of
             the
             Law
             ?
             O
             ten
             thousand
             Worlds
             for
             a
             Pardon
             !
             Why
             here
             it
             is
             ,
             saith
             Christ
             ,
             Come
             unto
             me
             and
             thou
             shalt
             receive
             a
             free
             ,
             full
             ,
             and
             final
             pardon
             ;
             my
             Blood
             cleanseth
             from
             all
             sin
             ;
             my
             righteousness
             answers
             all
             the
             demands
             of
             the
             Law.
             I
             have
             
             taken
             away
             the
             Hand-writing
             that
             was
             against
             thee
             ,
             and
             nayled
             it
             to
             my
             Cross
             ,
             Col.
             2.
             14.
             
             Come
             unto
             me
             and
             take
             up
             thy
             Bonds
             ,
             thy
             cancelled
             Bonds
             ;
             come
             unto
             me
             and
             that
             dreadful
             attribute
             of
             Divine
             Justice
             shall
             never
             scare
             or
             fright
             thy
             Conscience
             any
             more
             ;
             nay
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             build
             thy
             hope
             upon
             it
             ;
             you
             read
             ,
             
               Rom.
               3.
               25.
               
               That
               God
               hath
               set
               forth
               Christ
               to
               be
               a
               propitiation
               through
               Faith
               in
               his
               Blood
               ,
               to
               declare
               his
               righteousness
               for
               the
               remission
               of
               sins
               that
               are
               past
               ,
               through
               the
               forbearance
               of
               God
               :
               To
               declare
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               at
               this
               time
               his
               righteousness
               ;
               that
               he
               might
               be
               just
               ,
               and
               the
               justifier
               of
               him
               that
               believeth
               in
               Iesus
               .
            
             Here
             you
             see
             the
             justification
             and
             pardon
             of
             a
             sinner
             built
             upon
             that
             very
             Attribute
             which
             was
             so
             frightful
             and
             dreadful
             to
             him
             before
             .
             Well
             then
             ,
             poor
             sinner
             ,
             is
             there
             guilt
             upon
             thy
             Conscience
             ?
             And
             doth
             thy
             Soul
             shake
             and
             quiver
             to
             think
             how
             it
             shall
             stand
             before
             the
             Just
             and
             Terrible
             God
             in
             the
             great
             Day
             ?
             Hearken
             to
             the
             voice
             of
             Christ
             crucified
             ,
             who
             calls
             thee
             to
             him
             to
             receive
             thy
             discharge
             ,
             which
             if
             thou
             refuse
             ,
             the
             Law
             still
             stands
             in
             its
             full
             force
             and
             vertue
             against
             thy
             Soul.
             This
             is
             one
             cord
             Christ
             casts
             from
             the
             Cross
             ,
             over
             the
             Souls
             of
             guilty
             sinners
             to
             draw
             them
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             The
             Death
             of
             Christ
             purchases
             and
             procures
             perfect
             cleansing
             from
             the
             filth
             and
             pollution
             of
             sin
             ,
             to
             wash
             the
             defiled
             Souls
             of
             sinners
             from
             all
             their
             uncleanness
             .
             For
             
               this
               is
               he
               that
               came
               by
               water
               and
               by
               blood
               ;
               not
               by
               blood
               only
               ,
               but
               by
               water
               also
               ,
            
             1
             Joh.
             5.
             6.
             
             He
             comes
             by
             way
             of
             Sanctification
             as
             well
             as
             by
             way
             of
             Justification
             .
             Lord
             ,
             saith
             a
             convinced
             sinner
             ,
             what
             an
             unclean
             Nature
             ,
             Heart
             and
             Life
             have
             I
             ?
             O
             I
             am
             nothing
             
             but
             a
             heap
             of
             uncleanness
             ,
             an
             abhorence
             to
             God
             and
             my self
             ;
             how
             shall
             such
             an
             Heart
             as
             mine
             ,
             such
             an
             Augean
             Stable
             be
             cleansed
             ?
             Come
             unto
             me
             ,
             saith
             Christ
             ,
             I
             came
             by
             Water
             as
             well
             as
             Blood
             ;
             in
             me
             thou
             shalt
             find
             a
             Fountain
             for
             Sanctification
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Justification
             ;
             come
             unto
             me
             ,
             and
             my
             Spirit
             shall
             undertake
             the
             cleansing
             of
             thy
             Heart
             ;
             he
             shall
             take
             away
             the
             pollutions
             of
             sin
             perfectly
             ,
             so
             that
             it
             shall
             be
             presented
             to
             God
             without
             spot
             .
          
           
             3ly
             ,
             And
             lastly
             ,
             The
             transcendent
             love
             of
             Christ
             shines
             out
             in
             its
             full
             strength
             upon
             the
             Souls
             of
             sinners
             from
             the
             Cross
             ;
             and
             there
             's
             nothing
             like
             love
             to
             draw
             love
             ;
             when
             Christ
             was
             lifted
             up
             upon
             the
             Cross
             ,
             he
             gave
             such
             a
             glorious
             demonstration
             of
             the
             strength
             of
             his
             love
             to
             sinners
             ,
             as
             one
             would
             think
             should
             draw
             love
             from
             the
             hardest
             Heart
             that
             ever
             lodged
             in
             a
             sinners
             Breast
             .
             
               Herein
               is
               love
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             )
             
               not
               that
               we
               loved
               God
               ,
               but
               that
               he
               loved
               us
               ;
               and
               sent
               his
               Son
               to
               be
               the
               propitiation
               for
               our
               sins
               ,
            
             1
             Joh.
             4.
             10.
             
               q.
               d.
            
             Here
             's
             the
             triumph
             ,
             the
             riches
             and
             glory
             of
             Divine
             Love
             ,
             never
             was
             such
             love
             manifested
             in
             the
             World.
             There
             's
             much
             of
             Gods
             love
             in
             Temporal
             Providences
             ,
             but
             all
             's
             nothing
             to
             this
             ,
             this
             is
             love
             in
             its
             highest
             Elevation
             ;
             Love
             in
             its
             Meridian
             Glory
             ;
             before
             it
             was
             none
             like
             it
             ,
             and
             after
             it
             shall
             none
             appear
             like
             unto
             it
             .
             And
             thus
             you
             see
             Christ
             from
             the
             Cross
             casting
             forth
             a
             threefold
             cord
             (
             which
             is
             not
             easily
             broken
             )
             to
             draw
             the
             Hearts
             of
             sinners
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             to
             Conclude
             ,
             
             What
             mighty
             Demonstrations
             of
             the
             desires
             of
             his
             Heart
             towards
             us
             ,
             did
             our
             Redeemer
             give
             at
             ,
             and
             since
             his
             Ascension
             into
             Heaven
             ?
             As
             the
             whole
             Life
             of
             Christ
             
             upon
             Earth
             was
             a
             perswasive
             Argument
             to
             draw
             sinners
             to
             him
             ,
             so
             his
             Ascension
             to
             Heaven
             hath
             many
             things
             in
             it
             which
             are
             mighty
             attractives
             to
             the
             Hearts
             of
             Men.
             I
             will
             only
             mention
             two
             ,
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 gifts
                 he
                 bestowed
                 at
                 his
                 Ascension
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 ends
                 and
                 designs
                 of
                 his
                 Ascension
                 .
              
            
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             The
             gifts
             he
             bestowed
             on
             Men
             at
             his
             Ascension
             ;
             for
             this
             very
             end
             and
             purpose
             ;
             whereof
             the
             Psalmist
             gives
             this
             account
             ,
             
               Psal.
               68.
               18.
               
               Thou
               hast
               ascended
               on
               high
               ,
               thou
               hast
               received
               gifts
               for
               Men
               ;
               yea
               ,
               for
               the
               rebellious
               also
               ,
               that
               the
               Lord
               God
               might
               dwell
               among
               them
               .
            
             He
             alludes
             to
             the
             
               Roman
               Conquerors
            
             ,
             who
             in
             the
             day
             of
             their
             triumph
             did
             
               Spargere
               missilia
            
             ,
             scatter
             their
             largesses
             among
             the
             people
             .
             Thus
             Christ
             at
             his
             Ascension
             shed
             forth
             the
             gifts
             of
             the
             Spirit
             in
             various
             kinds
             ,
             qualifying
             Men
             for
             the
             Work
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ;
             to
             enable
             them
             to
             plead
             with
             your
             Souls
             ,
             and
             carry
             on
             his
             suit
             ,
             when
             he
             should
             be
             in
             Heaven
             .
             These
             gifts
             were
             extraordinary
             in
             the
             first
             Age
             ;
             as
             the
             gift
             of
             Tongues
             ,
             and
             Miracles
             ,
             &c.
             and
             ordinary
             ,
             to
             continue
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             Eph.
             4.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
             To
             some
             he
             gives
             depth
             of
             Learning
             and
             Judgment
             ,
             to
             others
             a
             mighty
             Pathos
             ,
             a
             melting
             influence
             upon
             the
             Affections
             ;
             but
             all
             designed
             to
             win
             over
             your
             Hearts
             to
             Christ.
             This
             shews
             what
             care
             he
             took
             ,
             and
             what
             provision
             he
             answerably
             made
             ,
             for
             the
             success
             of
             his
             great
             design
             ,
             to
             draw
             the
             Hearts
             of
             sinners
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             (
             2ly
             ,
             )
             The
             ends
             of
             his
             Ascension
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             declared
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             plainly
             speak
             the
             vehemency
             of
             Christs
             desire
             to
             draw
             Souls
             to
             him
             .
             Now
             the
             declared
             ends
             of
             his
             Ascension
             were
             (
             1
             )
             to
             
             make
             way
             for
             the
             Spirits
             coming
             ,
             to
             Convince
             ,
             Convert
             ,
             and
             Comfort
             the
             Souls
             of
             all
             that
             come
             unto
             him
             ,
             
               Iohn
               16.
               7.
               
               Nevertheless
               I
               tell
               yon
               the
               truth
               ,
               It
               is
               expedient
               for
               you
               that
               I
               go
               away
               ;
               for
               if
               I
               go
               not
               away
               the
               Comforter
               will
               not
               come
               to
               you
               ;
               but
               if
               I
               depart
               I
               will
               send
               him
               unto
               you
               .
               And
               when
               he
               is
               come
               he
               will
               reprove
               the
               World
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               of
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               of
               judgment
               .
            
             Without
             the
             Conviction
             of
             these
             things
             no
             Man
             can
             come
             to
             Christ
             ;
             and
             no
             such
             Convictions
             can
             be
             wrought
             upon
             the
             Conscience
             of
             any
             Man
             without
             the
             Spirit
             ;
             and
             the
             Spirit
             could
             not
             come
             to
             effect
             these
             things
             upon
             Mens
             Hearts
             if
             Christ
             had
             not
             ascended
             ,
             
               Iohn
               7.
               39.
               
               But
               this
               spake
               he
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               which
               they
               that
               believe
               on
               him
               should
               receive
               :
               for
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               was
               not
               yet
               given
               ,
               because
               that
               Iesus
               was
               not
               yet
               glorified
               .
            
             Thus
             Christ
             provided
             for
             the
             carrying
             on
             of
             his
             great
             design
             upon
             your
             Hearts
             when
             he
             was
             entring
             into
             his
             own
             Glory
             :
             The
             thoughts
             of
             that
             Glory
             made
             him
             not
             to
             forget
             his
             great
             design
             upon
             Earth
             .
             (
             2
             )
             Another
             end
             of
             Christs
             Ascension
             was
             to
             make
             Intercession
             with
             the
             Father
             for
             all
             and
             every
             Soul
             that
             should
             come
             unto
             him
             ;
             that
             their
             future
             sins
             might
             make
             no
             breach
             of
             the
             bond
             of
             the
             Covenant
             betwixt
             God
             and
             them
             .
             A
             Privilege
             able
             to
             draw
             the
             Hearts
             of
             all
             sinners
             to
             him
             ,
             
               1
               Iohn
            
             2.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             
               My
               little
               Children
               ,
               these
               things
               write
               I
               unto
               you
               ,
               that
               ye
               sin
               not
               :
            
             Mark
             it
             ,
             the
             intercession
             of
             Christ
             must
             incourage
             and
             embolden
             no
             Man
             to
             sin
             ;
             that
             would
             be
             a
             vile
             abuse
             of
             the
             Grace
             of
             God.
             
               But
               if
               any
               Man
               sin
               ,
               we
               have
               an
               Advocate
               with
               the
               Father
               Iesus
               Christ
               the
               righteous
               ,
               and
               he
               is
               the
               propitiation
               for
               our
               sins
               .
               i.
               e.
            
             If
             sin
             surprize
             and
             deceive
             any
             gracious
             Soul
             ,
             the
             bent
             of
             whose
             
             Heart
             is
             against
             it
             ,
             let
             him
             not
             be
             discouraged
             he
             hath
             a
             potent
             Advocate
             ascended
             into
             the
             Heavens
             to
             continue
             the
             peace
             betwixt
             God
             and
             that
             Soul.
             O
             what
             an
             encouragement
             is
             here
             to
             gain
             the
             consent
             of
             a
             sinners
             Heart
             to
             embrace
             Jesus
             Christ
             !
             (
             3
             )
             Another
             declared
             end
             of
             Christs
             Ascension
             was
             to
             lead
             captivity
             captive
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             forecited
             place
             ,
             Psal.
             68.
             17.
             that
             is
             ,
             to
             captivate
             and
             triumph
             over
             Satan
             as
             a
             conquered
             Enemy
             ;
             who
             led
             us
             captive
             in
             the
             days
             of
             our
             vanity
             :
             He
             conquered
             Satan
             upon
             the
             Cross
             ,
             Col.
             2.
             15.
             but
             he
             triumphed
             over
             him
             at
             his
             Ascension
             :
             And
             without
             such
             a
             conquest
             and
             triumph
             no
             Soul
             could
             come
             to
             Christ.
             (
             4
             )
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             Christ
             ascended
             into
             Heaven
             to
             prepare
             Mansions
             of
             rest
             and
             glory
             for
             every
             Soul
             that
             should
             embrace
             him
             ,
             in
             the
             way
             of
             repentance
             and
             faith
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             
               Iohn
               14.
               2
               
               In
               my
               Fathers
               house
               are
               many
               mansions
               ,
               if
               it
               were
               not
               so
               I
               would
               have
               told
               you
               ;
               I
               go
               to
               prepare
               a
               place
               for
               you
               .
               q.
               d.
            
             It
             satisfies
             me
             not
             to
             enjoy
             my
             glory
             in
             Heaven
             alone
             ,
             all
             that
             come
             unto
             me
             by
             Faith
             shall
             be
             with
             me
             where
             I
             am
             ;
             let
             them
             know
             for
             their
             encouragement
             that
             the
             glory
             which
             God
             hath
             given
             me
             ,
             I
             have
             given
             them
             ,
             Iohn
             17.
             22.
             
             All
             these
             things
             loudly
             speak
             the
             fervent
             desires
             of
             Christs
             Soul
             after
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             poor
             Sinners
             ;
             which
             was
             the
             thing
             to
             be
             demonstrated
             .
          
           
             (
             2ly
             ,
             )
             Having
             proved
             the
             Point
             that
             Christ
             is
             an
             earnest
             Suiter
             for
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             the
             Souls
             of
             sinners
             ;
             we
             next
             come
             to
             shew
             the
             marvellous
             and
             admirable
             Grace
             ,
             and
             Condecension
             of
             Christ
             that
             it
             should
             be
             so
             .
             And
             this
             will
             appear
             five
             ways
             ,
             to
             the
             astonishment
             of
             every
             considering
             Soul.
             
          
           
           
             1.
             
             Though
             Christ
             be
             thus
             intent
             and
             earnest
             in
             his
             suit
             for
             your
             consent
             ,
             yet
             he
             gaineth
             nothing
             by
             you
             when
             you
             do
             consent
             ;
             the
             gain
             is
             to
             your selves
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             him
             ;
             
               He
               is
               over
               all
               God
               blessed
               for
               ever
               ,
            
             Rom.
             9.
             5.
             above
             all
             accessions
             from
             the
             Creature
             :
             What
             doth
             the
             Sun
             gain
             by
             enlightning
             and
             animating
             the
             lower
             World
             ?
             Or
             what
             doth
             a
             Fountain
             gain
             when
             Men
             drink
             and
             are
             refreshed
             by
             its
             Waters
             ?
             If
             any
             Soul
             that
             heareth
             me
             ,
             this
             day
             ,
             should
             presently
             resolve
             henceforth
             to
             break
             asunder
             all
             the
             tyes
             and
             engagements
             betwixt
             him
             and
             sin
             ,
             to
             subscribe
             the
             Articles
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             to
             give
             away
             himself
             Soul
             and
             Body
             to
             Christ
             ,
             to
             live
             henceforth
             as
             an
             hallowed
             dedicated
             Creature
             to
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             ;
             this
             indeed
             would
             turn
             to
             the
             infinite
             and
             everlasting
             advantage
             of
             such
             a
             Soul
             ,
             but
             yet
             Christ
             cannot
             be
             profited
             thereby
             .
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             And
             that
             which
             still
             encreaseth
             the
             wonder
             is
             this
             ,
             that
             though
             Christ
             makes
             no
             gain
             or
             profit
             by
             our
             Conversion
             ,
             yet
             hath
             he
             impoverished
             himself
             to
             gain
             such
             unprofitable
             Creatures
             as
             we
             are
             to
             him
             .
             He
             hath
             made
             himself
             poor
             to
             make
             us
             rich
             ;
             so
             speaks
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             in
             2
             
               Cor.
               8.
               9.
               
               For
               ye
               know
               the
               grace
               of
               our
               Lord
               Iesus
               Christ
               ,
               that
               though
               he
               was
               rich
               ,
               yet
               for
               your
               sakes
               he
               became
               poor
               ,
               that
               ye
               through
               his
               poverty
               might
               be
               rich
               .
            
             He
             expends
             his
             riches
             ,
             makes
             no
             advantage
             unto
             himself
             ;
             his
             incarnation
             impoverished
             his
             reputation
             ,
             Phil.
             2.
             7.
             
             How
             poor
             was
             Christ
             when
             he
             said
             ,
             
               Psal.
               22.
               6.
               
               But
               I
               am
               a
               worm
               ,
               and
               no
               man
               ;
               a
               r●proach
               of
               Men
               and
               despised
               of
               the
               people
               ?
            
             How
             poor
             in
             temporal
             comforts
             ,
             when
             he
             said
             ,
             
               Matth.
               8.
               20.
               
               The
               Foxes
               have
               holes
               ,
               and
               the
               Birds
               of
               the
               air
               have
               nests
               ;
               but
               the
               Son
               of
               Man
               hath
               not
               where
               to
               lay
               his
               
               Head.
            
             Yea
             ,
             how
             poor
             was
             he
             in
             Spiritual
             Comforts
             ,
             when
             that
             astonishing
             outcry
             brake
             from
             him
             upon
             the
             Cross
             ,
             
               Matth.
               27.
               46.
               
               My
               God
               ,
               my
               God
               ,
               why
               hast
               thou
               forsaken
               me
               ?
            
             O
             let
             it
             astonish
             us
             that
             Christ
             should
             earnestly
             desire
             union
             with
             our
             Souls
             upon
             terms
             of
             such
             deep
             self-denial
             to
             himself
             .
          
           
             3ly
             ,
             Though
             Christ
             gain
             nothing
             by
             you
             ,
             and
             impoverished
             himself
             for
             you
             ;
             yet
             doth
             he
             endure
             many
             vile
             repulses
             ,
             delays
             and
             denials
             of
             his
             Suit
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             leave
             it
             for
             all
             that
             .
             O
             astonishing
             grace
             !
             One
             would
             think
             that
             the
             least
             delay
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             a
             refusal
             of
             an
             overture
             from
             Christ
             ,
             upon
             such
             terms
             as
             you
             have
             heard
             ,
             should
             make
             his
             indignation
             presently
             to
             smoak
             against
             such
             a
             Soul
             ;
             and
             that
             he
             should
             say
             ,
             Thou
             hast
             refused
             my
             offer
             ,
             so
             full
             of
             self-denying
             and
             condescending
             grace
             ,
             never
             shall
             another
             offer
             be
             made
             to
             so
             unworthy
             a
             Soul
             ;
             and
             yet
             you
             see
             he
             is
             contented
             to
             wait
             as
             well
             as
             knock
             ,
             
               Behold
               I
               stand
               at
               the
               door
               and
               knock
               .
            
          
           
             4ly
             ,
             Herein
             the
             admirable
             Grace
             of
             this
             heavenly
             suiter
             appears
             ,
             that
             Jesus
             Christ
             passeth
             by
             millions
             of
             Creatures
             of
             more
             excellent
             Gifts
             and
             Temperaments
             ,
             and
             never
             makes
             them
             one
             offer
             of
             himself
             ;
             never
             turneth
             aside
             to
             give
             one
             knock
             at
             their
             door
             ;
             but
             comes
             to
             thee
             the
             vilest
             and
             bafest
             of
             Creatures
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             be
             gone
             from
             thy
             door
             without
             his
             errands
             end
             .
          
           
             Knowest
             thou
             not
             sinner
             ,
             that
             among
             the
             unsanctified
             there
             are
             to
             be
             found
             multitudes
             of
             Men
             and
             Women
             of
             more
             raised
             and
             excellent
             Parts
             ,
             nimble
             Wits
             ,
             strong
             Memory
             ,
             solid
             Judgments
             ;
             yea
             ,
             Men
             and
             Women
             of
             cleaner
             Conversations
             ,
             strict
             Morality
             ,
             adorned
             with
             excellent
             
             homilitical
             Vertues
             ,
             capable
             ,
             if
             called
             ,
             to
             do
             him
             abundantly
             more
             service
             than
             thou
             canst
             ;
             yet
             these
             are
             past
             by
             ,
             and
             he
             becomes
             a
             Suiter
             to
             such
             a
             poor
             worthless
             thing
             as
             thou
             art
             ;
             yea
             ,
             and
             rejoyces
             in
             his
             choice
             ,
             
               Matth.
               11.
               24.
               
               I
               thank
               thee
               ,
               Father
               ,
               Lord
               of
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               ,
               because
               thou
               hast
               hidden
               these
               things
               from
               the
               wise
               and
               prudent
               ,
               and
               hast
               revealed
               them
               unto
               babes
               .
            
             Here
             is
             the
             triumph
             of
             Free-grace
             .
          
           
             5ly
             ,
             And
             then
             in
             the
             last
             place
             ,
             this
             justly
             increaseth
             the
             wonder
             ,
             That
             ever
             Jesus
             Christ
             should
             desire
             and
             delight
             to
             dwell
             in
             such
             an
             unclean
             Heart
             as
             thine
             ,
             which
             from
             the
             beginning
             hath
             been
             the
             Seat
             and
             Throne
             of
             Satan
             ,
             full
             of
             all
             uncleanness
             and
             abominations
             .
             O
             that
             ever
             Christ
             should
             make
             an
             overture
             of
             love
             to
             such
             a
             polluted
             Soul
             !
             That
             he
             should
             chose
             to
             erect
             his
             Throne
             where
             Satans
             seat
             was
             !
             Look
             into
             thine
             Heart
             sinner
             ,
             and
             think
             what
             can
             Christ
             see
             here
             to
             be
             desired
             ?
             Thou
             knowest
             thy
             Heart
             hath
             been
             a
             sink
             of
             sin
             ,
             thy
             Conscience
             ,
             like
             the
             common
             shoar
             ,
             into
             which
             all
             the
             filth
             of
             thy
             life
             hath
             been
             cast
             ;
             yet
             Christ
             passeth
             by
             thee
             ,
             as
             thou
             liest
             in
             thy
             blood
             and
             filthyness
             ,
             and
             casteth
             love
             upon
             thee
             ,
             and
             desire
             towards
             thee
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             Ezek.
             16.
             6
             ,
             8.
             
             All
             these
             things
             put
             together
             make
             it
             justly
             admirable
             and
             astonishing
             in
             our
             Eyes
             ,
             that
             ever
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Lord
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             should
             become
             an
             earnest
             Suiter
             for
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             the
             Souls
             of
             sinners
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             I.
             Vse
             for
             Information
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               If
               Christ
               be
               such
               an
               earnest
               Suiter
               for
               union
               and
               communion
               with
               the
               Souls
               of
               sinners
               ,
               then
               it
               follows
               ,
               
                 That
                 sinners
                 can
                 justly
                 charge
                 their
                 damnation
                 upon
                 none
                 but
                 themselves
                 .
              
               Your
               blood
               must
               be
               upon
               your
               own
               Heads
               ;
               Salvation
               by
               Christ
               is
               not
               only
               freely
               offered
               ,
               but
               you
               are
               with
               great
               importunity
               perswaded
               to
               accept
               it
               .
               Christ
               offers
               you
               life
               ,
               you
               chuse
               rather
               to
               dye
               than
               accept
               it
               upon
               his
               terms
               ;
               where
               now
               can
               your
               damnation
               be
               charged
               ,
               but
               upon
               your
               own
               wilful
               obstinacy
               ,
               
                 Hos.
                 13.
                 9.
                 
                 O
                 Israel
                 ,
                 thy
                 destruction
                 is
                 of
                 thy self
                 .
              
               Thou
               art
               the
               Author
               of
               thine
               own
               ruin
               ,
               
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 gathered
                 thy
                 Children
                 ,
                 saith
                 Christ
                 to
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 but
                 thou
                 wouldest
                 not
              
               ;
               your
               ruin
               therefore
               lies
               upon
               your selves
               ,
               and
               upon
               none
               beside
               ;
               indeed
               if
               the
               Ministers
               of
               Christ
               be
               negligent
               in
               their
               duty
               ,
               they
               may
               come
               in
               as
               accessories
               to
               your
               destruction
               ;
               but
               that
               's
               a
               poor
               relief
               to
               you
               ;
               as
               for
               my self
               ,
               I
               hope
               ,
               I
               may
               with
               Paul
               take
               God
               to
               record
               ,
               this
               day
               ,
               that
               I
               am
               free
               from
               the
               blood
               of
               all
               Men
               ;
               now
               ,
               consider
               what
               a
               dismal
               aggravation
               of
               your
               destruction
               this
               will
               be
               ,
               that
               you
               perished
               by
               your
               own
               Hands
               ;
               this
               cuts
               off
               all
               plea
               and
               apology
               .
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               
                 Hence
                 it
                 also
                 follows
                 that
                 distressed
                 sinners
                 have
                 no
                 reason
                 to
                 question
                 Christs
                 willingness
                 to
                 receive
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 their
                 Hearts
                 are
                 made
                 willing
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 .
              
               
               It
               were
               no
               less
               than
               a
               blasphemous
               imputation
               of
               insincerity
               to
               Christ
               himself
               to
               question
               his
               willingness
               to
               receive
               broken-hearted
               sinners
               ,
               after
               so
               many
               protestations
               as
               he
               hath
               made
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               of
               his
               zeal
               and
               earnestness
               for
               their
               Salvation
               ;
               that
               Scripture
               ,
               Iohn
               6.
               37.
               puts
               it
               out
               of
               doubt
               ,
               
                 He
                 that
                 cometh
                 unto
                 me
                 I
                 will
                 in
                 no
                 wise
                 cast
                 out
                 .
              
               I
               know
               guilt
               breeds
               many
               fears
               and
               jealousies
               in
               the
               Hearts
               of
               sinners
               ;
               will
               Christ
               ever
               accept
               ,
               and
               receive
               such
               a
               one
               as
               I
               ?
               Try
               him
               Soul
               ,
               he
               hath
               said
               he
               will
               ;
               let
               him
               have
               but
               the
               deliberate
               consent
               of
               thy
               Heart
               to
               his
               terms
               ,
               and
               then
               if
               thou
               be
               rejected
               ,
               thou
               wilt
               be
               the
               first
               Soul
               in
               the
               World
               that
               ever
               met
               with
               a
               repulse
               from
               him
               .
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               
                 By
                 Christs
                 earnest
                 Suit
                 for
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 sinners
                 you
                 may
                 estimate
                 the
                 invaluable
                 worth
                 and
                 precious
                 Nature
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 of
                 Man.
              
               Were
               not
               the
               Soul
               a
               Creature
               of
               great
               value
               ,
               Jesus
               Christ
               would
               never
               be
               so
               deeply
               concerned
               about
               the
               winning
               and
               saving
               of
               it
               .
               Sinners
               have
               a
               vile
               esteem
               of
               their
               own
               Souls
               ,
               they
               will
               sell
               them
               for
               nought
               ,
               but
               Christ
               knows
               their
               true
               worth
               ,
               and
               his
               solicitude
               to
               save
               them
               is
               answerable
               to
               his
               estimation
               of
               them
               ;
               he
               counts
               when
               he
               hath
               gained
               a
               Soul
               he
               hath
               gained
               a
               Treasure
               .
               Therefore
               he
               pleads
               ,
               woos
               ,
               and
               waits
               so
               earnestly
               and
               assiduously
               for
               the
               Salvation
               of
               them
               .
               Two
               things
               speak
               the
               great
               value
               of
               the
               Soul
               of
               Man.
               
            
             
               
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 marriagable
                 Creature
                 to
                 Christ
                 now
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 capable
                 of
                 Glory
                 with
                 Christ
                 hereafter
                 .
              
            
             
               I.
               It
               is
               a
               marriagable
               Creature
               to
               Christ
               now
               ,
               capable
               of
               espousals
               to
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ;
               upon
               which
               account
               it
               is
               Christ
               so
               earnestly
               seeks
               its
               love
               ,
               and
               sues
               for
               its
               consent
               :
               Now
               this
               is
               a
               dignity
               beyond
               all
               other
               Creatures
               in
               Heaven
               or
               Earth
               ;
               no
               Angel
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               no
               other
               Creature
               but
               the
               Soul
               of
               Man
               on
               Earth
               ,
               is
               capable
               of
               espousals
               unto
               Christ
               ;
               't
               is
               a
               dignity
               above
               that
               of
               Angels
               ,
               for
               Christ
               took
               not
               on
               him
               their
               Nature
               ,
               and
               the
               Hypostatical
               union
               is
               the
               ground
               and
               foundation
               of
               the
               Mystical
               union
               .
               They
               are
               Members
               indeed
               of
               Christs
               Kingdom
               ,
               and
               he
               is
               to
               them
               a
               Head
               of
               dominion
               ;
               but
               this
               honour
               was
               never
               conferred
               upon
               Angels
               to
               be
               Members
               of
               his
               Body
               ,
               Flesh
               and
               Bones
               ,
               as
               the
               Saints
               are
               ,
               Ephes.
               5.
               30.
               
            
             
               II.
               As
               the
               Soul
               is
               capable
               of
               espousals
               to
               Christ
               on
               Earth
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               capable
               of
               glory
               with
               Christ
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               throughout
               eternity
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 17.
                 24.
                 
                 Father
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 that
                 they
                 also
                 whom
                 thou
                 hast
                 given
                 me
                 ,
                 be
                 with
                 me
                 where
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 behold
                 the
                 glory
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 given
                 me
                 .
              
               It
               hath
               a
               natural
               capacity
               of
               enjoying
               eternal
               Blessedness
               ,
               which
               the
               Souls
               of
               other
               Creatures
               have
               not
               .
               And
               this
               will
               be
               the
               aggravation
               of
               Hell
               torments
               ,
               that
               Men
               capable
               of
               the
               highest
               happiness
               should
               as
               it
               were
               receive
               that
               capacity
               in
               vain
               ;
               but
               that
               which
               constitutes
               an
               actual
               right
               to
               the
               everlasting
               enjoyment
               of
               Christ
               in
               glory
               ,
               
               is
               the
               Souls
               espousals
               to
               him
               here
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Grace
               .
               Upon
               these
               two
               accounts
               it
               is
               that
               Christ
               puts
               such
               a
               price
               upon
               them
               .
               Courts
               their
               love
               so
               passionately
               ,
               laments
               their
               loss
               so
               pathetically
               ;
               and
               encourages
               his
               Ministers
               to
               all
               diligence
               in
               perswading
               and
               woing
               them
               for
               him
               with
               such
               abundant
               rewards
               ,
               
                 Dan.
                 12.
                 3.
              
               
               Know
               then
               your
               own
               worth
               and
               dignity
               ;
               neither
               pawn
               nor
               sell
               so
               precious
               a
               thing
               as
               thy
               Soul
               ,
               for
               any
               thing
               Satan
               can
               set
               before
               thee
               by
               way
               of
               exchange
               for
               it
               ;
               
                 What
                 shall
                 a
                 Man
                 give
                 in
                 exchange
                 for
                 his
                 Soul
                 ?
              
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               Is
               Christ
               such
               an
               earnest
               Suiter
               for
               union
               with
               sinners
               ,
               then
               certainly
               they
               are
               the
               enemies
               of
               Christ
               and
               the
               Souls
               of
               Men
               ,
               that
               any
               way
               endeavour
               to
               hinder
               or
               break
               off
               the
               match
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               them
               .
            
             
               Some
               there
               are
               that
               labour
               to
               create
               jealousies
               and
               beget
               distastes
               ,
               and
               prejudices
               in
               the
               Souls
               of
               Men
               against
               Christ
               and
               his
               ways
               ;
               Men
               that
               bring
               up
               an
               evil
               report
               upon
               Christ
               ,
               and
               strict
               Religion
               ;
               as
               that
               which
               will
               begger
               them
               and
               expose
               them
               to
               all
               the
               miseries
               of
               the
               World
               :
               Who
               ,
               instigated
               by
               Satan
               ,
               whisper
               such
               stories
               into
               the
               Souls
               Ear
               whom
               Christ
               is
               woing
               for
               himself
               ;
               that
               the
               severity
               of
               Religion
               will
               certainly
               extinguish
               all
               their
               joys
               and
               pleasures
               ;
               they
               shall
               never
               laugh
               more
               ,
               never
               be
               merry
               more
               .
               Beside
               ,
               it
               will
               expose
               all
               their
               comforts
               upon
               Earth
               to
               hazard
               ,
               their
               Estates
               and
               Lives
               must
               fall
               a
               prey
               to
               their
               Enemies
               ;
               and
               this
               is
               the
               Estate
               which
               Christ
               will
               Jointer
               them
               if
               they
               
               consent
               to
               his
               terms
               :
               And
               that
               this
               is
               no
               groundless
               jealousie
               of
               their
               own
               ,
               but
               that
               Christ
               himself
               hath
               openly
               declared
               as
               much
               ;
               
                 That
                 he
                 that
                 will
                 come
                 after
                 him
                 ,
                 must
                 hate
                 Father
                 and
                 Mother
                 ,
                 Wife
                 and
                 Children
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 own
                 Life
                 also
                 .
              
               This
               is
               what
               they
               must
               expect
               as
               the
               fruit
               of
               their
               consent
               to
               Christs
               proposals
               .
               But
               O
               what
               will
               these
               Men
               have
               to
               answer
               ,
               and
               how
               will
               they
               stand
               before
               Christ
               another
               day
               ,
               who
               are
               such
               professed
               enemies
               to
               his
               Cross
               ,
               and
               set
               themselves
               so
               directly
               in
               opposition
               to
               the
               great
               design
               Christ
               is
               driving
               on
               in
               the
               World
               !
               Is
               it
               not
               enough
               that
               you
               will
               not
               enter
               your selves
               ,
               but
               you
               will
               hinder
               them
               that
               would
               ?
               
                 Matth.
                 23.
                 13.
              
               
               Thus
               carnal
               Parents
               discourage
               their
               Children
               ,
               one
               Relation
               another
               .
               But
               to
               help
               Souls
               under
               this
               discouragement
               ,
               I
               will
               leave
               only
               this
               one
               Caveat
               with
               them
               ,
               
                 That
                 such
                 seeming
                 Friends
                 are
                 their
                 real
                 mortal
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 their
                 Words
                 are
                 poison
                 to
                 your
                 Souls
                 :
              
               Satan
               hath
               feed
               them
               to
               do
               his
               Work
               ;
               hired
               their
               Tongues
               for
               his
               Service
               :
               But
               if
               the
               serious
               cares
               of
               Salvation
               and
               servent
               love
               of
               Christ
               be
               in
               thy
               Heart
               ,
               thou
               wilt
               resolve
               as
               Ierom
               did
               ,
               
                 If
                 my
                 Father
                 who
                 beg
                 at
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Mother
                 who
                 bare
                 me
                 ,
                 should
                 hang-about
                 my
                 Neck
                 with
                 tears
                 and
                 entreaties
                 ,
                 to
                 keep
                 me
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 fling
                 off
                 my
                 Father
                 and
                 tread
                 upon
                 my
                 Mother
                 that
                 bear
                 me
                 ,
                 to
                 go
                 to
                 Christ.
                 
              
            
             
               To
               this
               Head
               also
               belong
               all
               those
               scandals
               and
               offences
               which
               loose
               and
               careless
               Professors
               cast
               in
               the
               way
               ,
               to
               discourage
               others
               from
               coming
               unto
               Christ
               ;
               
                 Wo
                 to
                 the
                 World
              
               (
               saith
               Christ
               )
               
                 because
                 of
                 offences
              
               ,
               Matth.
               18.
               7.
               
               Wo
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               this
               will
               be
               their
               ruin
               and
               undoing
               ;
               by
               this
               means
               such
               prejudices
               will
               be
               begotten
               in
               their
               Souls
               
               against
               Christ
               and
               Religion
               ,
               as
               they
               will
               never
               be
               able
               to
               free
               themselves
               from
               ;
               
                 But
                 wo
                 to
                 them
                 by
                 by
                 whom
                 such
                 offence
                 cometh
                 ;
                 it
                 were
                 better
                 a
                 milstone
                 were
                 hanged
                 about
                 their
                 Necks
                 and
                 they
                 cast
                 into
                 the
                 bottom
                 of
                 the
                 Sea.
              
               Christians
               look
               carefully
               to
               your
               Conversations
               ,
               for
               besides
               the
               evil
               effects
               of
               sin
               upon
               your selves
               ,
               you
               see
               the
               mischievous
               effects
               of
               it
               upon
               others
               ;
               and
               thus
               we
               may
               sense
               those
               words
               ,
               
                 Cant.
                 2.
                 7.
                 
                 I
                 charge
                 you
                 ,
                 O
                 ye
                 Daughters
                 of
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Roes
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 Hinds
                 of
                 the
                 field
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 stir
                 not
                 up
                 nor
                 awake
                 my
                 love
                 till
                 he
                 please
                 .
                 Roes
                 ,
              
               and
               Hinds
               ,
               are
               timerous
               Creatures
               ,
               the
               least
               crack
               of
               a
               stick
               will
               startle
               and
               fright
               them
               away
               ;
               such
               are
               comers
               on
               toward
               Christ
               ,
               young
               beginners
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               Religion
               ;
               how
               small
               a
               matter
               may
               damp
               and
               discourage
               them
               ?
               O
               friends
               ,
               you
               have
               sins
               enough
               of
               your
               own
               ,
               bring
               not
               the
               sin
               and
               ruin
               of
               other
               Men
               upon
               your
               account
               also
               .
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               To
               Conclude
               ,
               
                 How
                 great
                 is
                 the
                 blindness
                 and
                 ignorance
                 of
                 sinners
                 ,
                 that
                 need
                 so
                 much
                 entreaty
                 and
                 importunity
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 happy
                 ?
              
               'T
               is
               your
               ignorance
               ,
               sinners
               ,
               that
               makes
               all
               the
               Gospel
               importunity
               necessary
               ;
               did
               you
               know
               your
               own
               misery
               ,
               and
               see
               Christ
               in
               his
               necessity
               ,
               suitableness
               ,
               and
               excellency
               ,
               all
               these
               perswasions
               might
               be
               spared
               ;
               nay
               ,
               you
               your selves
               would
               become
               importunate
               Suiters
               for
               Christ
               ;
               you
               would
               not
               need
               to
               be
               twice
               offered
               ;
               there
               is
               a
               Conscience
               in
               every
               Man
               and
               Woman
               set
               there
               on
               purpose
               by
               the
               Lord
               to
               give
               them
               an
               Allarm
               ;
               but
               the
               Allarm
               goes
               not
               off
               for
               want
               of
               a
               spring
               ,
               to
               wi●
               ,
               the
               
               knowledge
               of
               our
               sin
               and
               misery
               .
               Ah
               Soul
               ,
               didst
               thou
               but
               know
               who
               it
               is
               that
               Suits
               for
               thy
               love
               ,
               what
               the
               benefits
               of
               union
               with
               Christ
               are
               ?
               thou
               wouldst
               answer
               his
               first
               call
               in
               such
               Language
               as
               this
               .
               Lord
               Jesus
               ,
               write
               down
               thine
               own
               terms
               ;
               be
               they
               what
               they
               will
               ,
               I
               am
               ready
               to
               subscribe
               them
               with
               the
               fullest
               consent
               of
               Heart
               and
               Will
               ;
               and
               then
               how
               soon
               would
               the
               match
               be
               made
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               you
               !
               Yea
               ,
               you
               would
               watch
               for
               and
               hang
               on
               half
               a
               word
               of
               encouragement
               from
               Christs
               Mouth
               ,
               as
               Benhadads
               Servants
               did
               on
               that
               word
               of
               
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 my
                 brother
              
               Benhadad
               ,
               
                 1
                 Kings
              
               20.
               32
               ,
               33.
               
               There
               is
               no
               need
               of
               Rhetorick
               to
               perswade
               a
               condemned
               Malefactor
               to
               accept
               his
               pardon
               ;
               an
               hungry
               Man
               to
               sit
               down
               at
               a
               full
               Table
               ;
               but
               alas
               ,
               sin
               is
               not
               felt
               ,
               Christ
               is
               not
               known
               ,
               therefore
               the
               one
               is
               not
               bewailed
               ,
               nor
               the
               other
               desired
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             II.
             Vse
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             the
             Point
             naturally
             leads
             us
             to
             a
             Use
             of
             Exhortation
             ,
             to
             perswade
             sinners
             to
             embrace
             Christs
             motion
             ;
             subscribe
             his
             terms
             ,
             and
             huckle
             no
             more
             with
             him
             ,
             but
             end
             the
             treaty
             in
             a
             cordial
             present
             consent
             ;
             and
             so
             close
             up
             the
             match
             betwixt
             him
             and
             your
             own
             Souls
             ;
             how
             long
             sinner
             wilt
             thou
             be
             at
             shall
             I
             ,
             shall
             I
             ?
             And
             thy
             Will
             hang
             undetermined
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             sin
             ?
             Bivious
             and
             unresolved
             in
             so
             great
             and
             deep
             a
             concernment
             ?
             O
             that
             Christs
             next
             overture
             might
             bring
             the
             matter
             to
             an
             Issue
             ;
             why
             will
             you
             trifle
             and
             dally
             with
             him
             at
             this
             rate
             ?
             There
             is
             indeed
             a
             Treaty
             on
             foot
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             you
             ,
             but
             you
             may
             perish
             for
             all
             that
             ;
             there
             's
             no
             
             conclusion
             or
             agreement
             made
             ,
             Christ
             and
             you
             may
             yet
             part
             .
             The
             Lord
             help
             you
             therefore
             to
             ponder
             ,
             and
             deliberate
             with
             all
             speed
             and
             seriousness
             the
             terms
             propounded
             by
             Christ
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             to
             count
             the
             cost
             ,
             and
             yet
             not
             always
             to
             be
             deliberating
             neither
             ,
             but
             to
             bring
             matters
             to
             an
             Issue
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             all
             the
             convenient
             speed
             you
             can
             ;
             in
             order
             whereunto
             lay
             two
             things
             before
             you
             ,
             weigh
             and
             seriously
             ponder
             them
             ,
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 advantages
                 you
                 will
                 gain
                 by
                 Christ
                 ?
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 you
                 can
                 lose
                 by
                 your
                 consent
                 to
                 his
                 terms
                 ?
                 and
                 then
                 bring
                 your
                 thoughts
                 to
                 an
                 Issue
                 .
              
            
          
           
             I.
             Ponder
             well
             the
             advantages
             you
             will
             gain
             by
             Christ
             ;
             these
             are
             so
             great
             and
             manifold
             that
             it
             is
             impossible
             for
             me
             to
             enumerate
             or
             value
             them
             ,
             it
             shall
             suffice
             in
             this
             place
             to
             shew
             you
             one
             of
             those
             bunches
             of
             the
             Grapes
             of
             Eshcol
             ;
             that
             by
             it
             you
             may
             estimate
             the
             riches
             and
             fertility
             of
             that
             good
             Land
             ,
             setled
             upon
             you
             by
             Christ
             as
             a
             Dowry
             or
             Joynture
             ;
             and
             these
             are
             four
             ,
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 payment
                 of
                 all
                 your
                 debts
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 ▪
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 An
                 Honour
                 above
                 Angels
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 An
                 eternal
                 inheritance
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 A
                 glorious
                 and
                 joyful
                 presentation
                 of
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 Father
                 in
                 the
                 great
                 day
                 ,
                 by
                 Christ
                 as
                 his
                 Spouse
                 and
                 Wife
                 .
              
            
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             same
             day
             and
             hour
             you
             give
             your
             cordial
             consent
             to
             take
             Christ
             upon
             Gospel
             terms
             ,
             that
             is
             to
             say
             ,
             Christ
             with
             his
             yoak
             of
             obedience
             ,
             
             and
             Christ
             with
             his
             Cross
             of
             Sufferings
             ,
             all
             your
             debts
             to
             the
             Law
             are
             discharged
             and
             paid
             ;
             what
             have
             you
             been
             doing
             ever
             since
             you
             came
             into
             the
             World
             but
             runing
             upon
             score
             to
             God
             ,
             deeper
             ,
             and
             deeper
             every
             day
             ?
             O
             what
             a
             vast
             sum
             owest
             thou
             to
             his
             Justice
             ?
             And
             not
             able
             to
             pay
             one
             farthing
             .
             If
             thou
             consent
             not
             to
             Christs
             offer
             ,
             the
             Bailiff
             and
             Executioner
             ,
             Death
             and
             the
             Devil
             ,
             will
             shortly
             be
             upon
             thy
             back
             ,
             and
             hurry
             thee
             away
             to
             that
             prison
             from
             whence
             thou
             shalt
             not
             come
             out
             until
             thou
             have
             paid
             the
             last
             farthing
             ,
             Matth.
             5.
             25
             ,
             26.
             
             If
             thou
             consent
             to
             Christs
             terms
             thy
             debts
             are
             paid
             upon
             thy
             marriage
             day
             ;
             thy
             bonds
             cancelled
             ,
             and
             thy
             discharge
             in
             Heaven
             sealed
             ,
             
               Rom.
               8.
               1.
               
               There
               is
               therefore
               now
               no
               condemnation
               to
               them
               that
               are
               in
               Christ
            
             ;
             and
             the
             reason
             is
             given
             ,
             
               vers
               .
               4.
            
             in
             this
             ,
             
               That
               the
               righteousness
               of
               the
               Law
               is
               fulfill'd
               in
               us
               that
               believe
               .
            
             But
             how
             in
             us
             ?
             Certainly
             the
             meaning
             is
             not
             that
             the
             
               To
               credere
            
             ,
             the
             act
             of
             Faith
             doth
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             ,
             a
             work
             of
             ours
             ,
             satisfie
             the
             demand
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             and
             fulfil
             its
             righteousness
             ;
             no
             ,
             but
             it
             apprehends
             the
             righteousness
             of
             Christ
             ,
             applies
             it
             ,
             and
             makes
             it
             ours
             ,
             and
             so
             
               the
               righteousuess
               of
               the
               Law
               is
               fulfilled
               in
               us
               that
               believe
               .
            
             Is
             it
             an
             ease
             ,
             is
             it
             a
             comfort
             to
             be
             out
             of
             debt
             ?
             Then
             embrace
             the
             offer
             of
             Christ
             ,
             for
             after
             thy
             espousals
             to
             him
             ,
             the
             Law
             cannot
             touch
             thee
             by
             any
             act
             of
             condemnation
             ;
             it
             goes
             to
             the
             Husband
             Christ
             ,
             thou
             art
             discharged
             .
             Well
             then
             ,
             resolve
             what
             to
             do
             ;
             shall
             the
             debt
             run
             on
             and
             increase
             till
             Justice
             come
             to
             levy
             it
             upon
             you
             in
             Hell
             Torments
             ?
             Or
             will
             you
             accept
             of
             Christ
             and
             the
             riches
             of
             righteousness
             that
             are
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             so
             be
             fully
             and
             finally
             acquited
             from
             all
             your
             debts
             at
             once
             ,
             and
             so
             be
             able
             to
             lye
             down
             in
             
             peace
             ,
             and
             enjoy
             your
             lives
             without
             slavish
             fear
             ?
             He
             that
             ows
             nothing
             ,
             fears
             no
             Bayliffs
             ,
             but
             may
             (
             as
             we
             use
             to
             say
             )
             whet
             his
             Knife
             upon
             the
             Counter
             threshold
             .
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             Your
             consent
             to
             Christs
             terms
             will
             advance
             you
             to
             an
             Honour
             above
             and
             beyond
             the
             Honour
             of
             Angels
             :
             'T
             is
             said
             ,
             That
             the
             Children
             of
             the
             Resurrection
             shall
             be
             equal
             unto
             Angels
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             most
             sure
             that
             in
             some
             respect
             their
             union
             with
             Christ
             advances
             them
             far
             above
             Angels
             ;
             for
             the
             Apostle
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               Heb.
               1.
               14.
               
               They
               are
               ministring
               Spirits
               sent
               forth
               for
               the
               good
               of
               them
               that
               shall
               be
               he●rs
               of
               Salvation
               .
            
             As
             the
             great
             Peers
             and
             Nobles
             in
             a
             Kingdom
             ,
             count
             it
             no
             dishonour
             to
             perform
             their
             service
             to
             the
             Heir
             apparent
             .
             The
             Ministry
             of
             Angels
             is
             a
             mystery
             which
             we
             little
             understand
             ,
             but
             by
             it
             we
             receive
             great
             and
             manifold
             advantages
             ,
             and
             it
             certainly
             puts
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             Honour
             upon
             all
             the
             Members
             of
             Christ.
             
          
           
             3ly
             ,
             Christ
             will
             not
             only
             pay
             all
             your
             debts
             ,
             and
             exalt
             you
             to
             a
             dignity
             above
             Angels
             ;
             but
             in
             that
             day
             wherein
             you
             cordially
             consent
             to
             his
             terms
             ,
             he
             will
             intitle
             you
             to
             the
             most
             glorious
             inheritance
             purchased
             by
             his
             Blood
             ;
             
               You
               shall
               be
               heirs
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               joynt
               heirs
               with
               Christ
               ,
            
             Rom.
             8
             ▪
             17.
             
             O
             what
             an
             inducement
             is
             here
             to
             close
             the
             match
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             our
             Souls
             !
             If
             I
             consent
             to
             take
             Christ
             upon
             Gospel
             terms
             ,
             I
             shall
             thereby
             be
             intitled
             to
             all
             the
             glory
             that
             is
             in
             Heaven
             ;
             it
             shall
             be
             mine
             as
             truly
             as
             it
             is
             Christs
             :
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             the
             glory
             of
             Christ
             will
             in
             some
             respects
             far
             surpass
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             Saints
             ;
             he
             will
             shine
             among
             them
             as
             the
             Sun
             compared
             with
             the
             Stars
             ;
             but
             yet
             the
             glory
             which
             God
             gave
             him
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             communicable
             glory
             ,
             shall
             be
             
             truly
             theirs
             as
             it
             is
             his
             ,
             Iohn
             17.
             22.
             
             The
             glory
             which
             thou
             gavest
             me
             ,
             I
             have
             given
             them
             .
             
               Tell
               my
               Brethren
               (
               saith
               he
               )
            
             Iohn
             20.
             17.
             
             I
             ascend
             unto
             my
             Father
             ,
             and
             your
             Father
             ;
             to
             my
             God
             ,
             and
             your
             God.
             This
             you
             shall
             gain
             also
             by
             closing
             this
             Treaty
             with
             an
             hearty
             consent
             to
             Christs
             terms
             and
             proposals
             .
          
           
             4ly
             ,
             If
             you
             will
             consider
             and
             consent
             you
             shall
             be
             presented
             by
             him
             to
             the
             Father
             ,
             pure
             and
             spotless
             ,
             with
             exceeding
             joy
             and
             gladness
             in
             the
             great
             day
             .
             This
             will
             be
             such
             a
             presentation
             of
             your
             persons
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             will
             make
             your
             Hearts
             leap
             for
             joy
             ,
             to
             read
             what
             the
             Scriptures
             speak
             about
             it
             .
             This
             methinks
             should
             induce
             every
             Soul
             ,
             without
             further
             delay
             ,
             to
             present
             himself
             ,
             Soul
             and
             Body
             ,
             chearfully
             and
             willingly
             to
             Jesus
             Christ.
             For
             (
             1.
             )
             Christ
             will
             bring
             you
             in
             the
             great
             day
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
             in
             the
             shining
             beauty
             of
             perfect
             holyness
             ,
             not
             a
             spot
             or
             wrinkle
             upon
             your
             Souls
             ,
             
               Ephes.
               5.
               27.
            
             
             The
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             perfectly
             washes
             off
             every
             spot
             of
             guilt
             ,
             for
             then
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             hath
             perfectly
             cleansed
             the
             Soul
             from
             all
             the
             desilement
             and
             filth
             of
             sin
             ;
             so
             that
             it
             shall
             come
             to
             God
             a
             pure
             and
             beautiful
             Creature
             out
             of
             Christs
             Hand
             .
             (
             2.
             )
             This
             presentation
             will
             be
             made
             with
             greatest
             honour
             and
             solemnity
             ;
             we
             little
             think
             in
             what
             state
             and
             triumph
             Christ
             intends
             to
             bring
             the
             poorest
             believer
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
             
               Psal.
               45.
               14
               ,
               15.
               
               With
               joy
               and
               gladness
               shall
               they
               be
               brought
               ,
               &c.
               So
               Iude
               vers
               .
               24.
               
               They
               shall
               be
               presented
               faultless
               ,
               before
               the
               presence
               of
               his
               glory
               with
               exceeding
               joy
               .
            
             Joy
             running
             over
             ;
             Joy
             upon
             all
             Hands
             ;
             God
             himself
             will
             rejoyce
             that
             ever
             he
             created
             such
             a
             Soul
             ,
             as
             hath
             sincerely
             bestowed
             it self
             upon
             Christ.
             Jesus
             Christ
             will
             
             rejoyce
             that
             ever
             he
             shed
             his
             Blood
             for
             that
             Soul
             ,
             that
             now
             places
             his
             sole
             righteousness
             therein
             ;
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             will
             rejoyce
             ,
             that
             ever
             he
             came
             with
             a
             commission
             from
             the
             Father
             ,
             and
             the
             Son
             ,
             to
             draw
             such
             a
             Soul
             to
             Christ
             ,
             who
             hath
             obeyed
             his
             voice
             ;
             the
             Angels
             will
             rejoyce
             with
             joy
             unspeakable
             ,
             
               Luke
               15.
               10.
               
               There
               is
               joy
               in
               the
               presence
               of
               the
               Angels
               of
               God
               over
               one
               sinner
               that
               repenteth
               .
            
             If
             the
             consent
             of
             any
             of
             your
             Souls
             shall
             be
             this
             day
             gained
             to
             Christ
             ,
             if
             the
             Word
             you
             have
             heard
             this
             day
             shall
             send
             any
             poor
             Soul
             hence
             to
             his
             Closet
             ,
             or
             into
             a
             Corner
             ,
             there
             to
             make
             his
             Covenant
             with
             Christ
             ,
             (
             for
             that
             's
             the
             way
             of
             making
             up
             the
             match
             with
             Christ
             )
             in
             that
             hour
             the
             news
             of
             it
             will
             be
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             excite
             joy
             among
             the
             Angels
             of
             God
             ;
             lay
             these
             and
             many
             other
             Privileges
             together
             ,
             which
             I
             want
             time
             to
             mention
             ,
             but
             the
             Scriptures
             will
             abundantly
             furnish
             you
             with
             them
             ;
             and
             then
             consider
             what
             a
             rich
             bargain
             ,
             what
             an
             advantageous
             match
             Jesus
             Christ
             is
             for
             your
             Souls
             .
          
           
             II.
             Upon
             the
             other-side
             cast
             up
             the
             account
             what
             you
             may
             lose
             by
             your
             consent
             to
             be
             Christs
             ;
             and
             whether
             those
             losses
             be
             sufficient
             to
             ballance
             or
             preponderate
             the
             gain
             that
             comes
             by
             such
             a
             consent
             ;
             that
             so
             your
             choice
             of
             Christ
             may
             be
             a
             deliberate
             and
             full
             choice
             ,
             and
             you
             may
             never
             repent
             afterwards
             of
             the
             choice
             you
             have
             made
             :
             It
             is
             a
             rule
             in
             the
             Civil
             Law
             ,
             
               Non
               consentit
               qui
               non
               sentit
            
             ;
             he
             cannot
             consent
             ,
             that
             doth
             not
             think
             ,
             understand
             ,
             and
             deliberate
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             the
             reason
             of
             so
             much
             flinching
             from
             Christ
             ,
             and
             shameful
             apostacy
             in
             times
             of
             Persecution
             ;
             Men
             did
             not
             think
             of
             such
             sufferings
             and
             losses
             ,
             they
             are
             meer
             surprisals
             to
             them
             ;
             to
             forelay
             all
             such
             occasions
             
             of
             offence
             ;
             our
             Lord
             deals
             candidly
             and
             openly
             with
             us
             ,
             and
             tells
             us
             before
             Hand
             what
             are
             the
             worst
             things
             that
             may
             besal
             us
             for
             his
             sake
             ,
             
               Iohn
               16.
               1
               ,
               2.
               
               These
               things
               have
               I
               spoken
               unto
               you
               ,
               that
               you
               should
               not
               be
               offended
               ;
               they
               shall
               put
               you
               out
               of
               the
               Synagogues
               .
               Yea
               ,
               the
               time
               cometh
               that
               whosoever
               killeth
               you
               will
               think
               he
               doth
               God
               service
               .
            
             But
             ,
             
               vers
               .
               4.
            
             he
             adds
             ,
             
               These
               things
               I
               have
               told
               you
               ,
               that
               when
               the
               time
               shall
               come
               ,
               ye
               may
               remember
               that
               I
               told
               you
               of
               them
               .
               q.
               d.
            
             Remember
             your selves
             in
             times
             of
             Persecution
             ,
             that
             all
             these
             things
             were
             propounded
             ,
             considered
             ,
             and
             consented
             to
             ;
             they
             were
             the
             very
             terms
             you
             subscribed
             to
             me
             ;
             had
             you
             not
             liked
             them
             ,
             you
             might
             at
             the
             everlasting
             damage
             and
             ruin
             of
             your
             immortal
             Souls
             have
             refused
             and
             rejected
             them
             .
             Now
             ,
             the
             things
             you
             are
             to
             ballance
             with
             the
             gain
             of
             Christ
             ,
             must
             by
             you
             be'sorted
             into
             two
             Ranks
             .
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 Things
                 that
                 must
                 be
                 parted
                 with
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Things
                 that
                 may
                 be
                 parted
                 with
                 for
                 Christ.
                 
              
            
          
           
             I.
             The
             things
             that
             you
             must
             part
             with
             ,
             viz.
             your
             Lusts
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             vicions
             pleasures
             you
             have
             had
             in
             them
             ;
             how
             much
             profit
             or
             pleasure
             soever
             they
             have
             brought
             you
             in
             ,
             away
             they
             must
             go
             ;
             they
             must
             be
             devoted
             to
             destruction
             ,
             and
             mortification
             ,
             or
             you
             can
             have
             no
             interest
             in
             Christ
             :
             You
             must
             shake
             Hands
             for
             ever
             with
             all
             your
             sinful
             courses
             and
             companions
             ,
             
               Rom.
               6.
               16.
               
               His
               Servants
               you
               are
               to
               whom
               you
               obey
               .
            
             Be
             they
             as
             pleasant
             and
             profitable
             ,
             as
             your
             right
             Hand
             or
             Eye
             ,
             they
             must
             be
             pluckt
             out
             ,
             and
             cut
             off
             ,
             Matth.
             5.
             29
             ,
             30.
             
             Doth
             this
             sound
             harsh
             and
             unpleasant
             to
             your
             Ears
             ?
             Doth
             this
             cause
             the
             demur
             ?
             O
             
             consider
             ,
             what
             it
             is
             to
             part
             with
             sin
             ;
             it
             is
             but
             to
             part
             with
             the
             Disease
             of
             your
             Souls
             ,
             and
             the
             instruments
             of
             your
             everlasting
             ruin
             ;
             which
             of
             you
             would
             not
             be
             glad
             to
             part
             with
             a
             Fever
             ,
             the
             Stone
             ,
             or
             Dropsie
             ?
             What
             is
             Passion
             ,
             but
             the
             Fever
             of
             the
             Soul
             ?
             What
             is
             a
             hard
             Heart
             ,
             but
             a
             Stone
             ?
             What
             is
             Covetousness
             ,
             and
             Earthly-mindedness
             ,
             but
             the
             insatiable
             Dropsie
             of
             the
             Soul
             ?
             Now
             if
             Men
             would
             be
             glad
             to
             be
             rid
             of
             such
             dreadful
             Diseases
             in
             their
             Bodies
             ,
             and
             be
             restored
             to
             Soundness
             ,
             Ease
             and
             Health
             ;
             how
             much
             more
             should
             you
             be
             glad
             to
             be
             rid
             of
             your
             Corruptions
             ,
             and
             have
             the
             rectitude
             ,
             ease
             and
             pleasure
             of
             your
             Soul
             restored
             again
             ?
             Yea
             ,
             instead
             of
             those
             impure
             ,
             vicious
             ,
             bruitish
             pleasures
             you
             have
             taken
             in
             sin
             ;
             you
             shall
             enjoy
             the
             pure
             ,
             divine
             ,
             suitable
             ,
             and
             everlasting
             pleasures
             of
             holiness
             .
             Consider
             now
             ,
             and
             accordingly
             make
             your
             choice
             ,
             whether
             you
             will
             take
             the
             pleasures
             of
             sin
             ,
             which
             are
             but
             for
             a
             season
             ,
             in
             exchange
             for
             the
             everlasting
             joys
             which
             are
             at
             Gods
             right
             Hand
             for
             ever
             .
          
           
             II.
             There
             are
             other
             things
             which
             you
             may
             be
             called
             to
             part
             with
             ,
             and
             give
             up
             for
             Christ
             ;
             it
             is
             uncertain
             whether
             God
             may
             actually
             call
             you
             to
             part
             with
             your
             Liberties
             ,
             Estates
             ,
             Relations
             ,
             and
             Lives
             for
             Christ.
             Many
             are
             never
             actually
             called
             forth
             to
             such
             sufferings
             ;
             but
             because
             many
             are
             ,
             and
             every
             one
             of
             you
             may
             be
             so
             called
             ,
             you
             must
             reallize
             them
             ,
             ponder
             them
             ,
             and
             subscribe
             those
             very
             terms
             ,
             making
             full
             account
             of
             these
             things
             as
             if
             they
             were
             now
             before
             you
             ,
             
               Luke
               9.
               23.
            
             
             For
             so
             Christ
             hath
             propounded
             them
             ;
             but
             then
             with
             all
             ,
             weigh
             these
             troubles
             with
             the
             gain
             and
             advantages
             you
             shall
             have
             by
             them
             ,
             and
             not
             
             singly
             and
             alone
             by
             themselves
             ;
             for
             so
             Christ
             hath
             presented
             them
             to
             you
             ,
             
               Matth.
               19.
               28.
               
               And
               every
               one
               that
               hath
               forsaken
               Houses
               ,
               or
               Brethren
               ,
               or
               Sisters
               ,
               or
               Father
               ,
               or
               Mother
               ,
               or
               Wife
               ,
               or
               Children
               ,
               or
               Lands
               ,
               for
               my
               Name
               sake
               ,
               shall
               receive
               an
               hundred
               fold
               ,
               and
               shall
               inherit
               everlasting
               Life
               .
            
          
           
             Now
             ,
             if
             you
             think
             such
             gainful
             troubles
             ,
             such
             Soul-enriching
             losses
             ,
             be
             worth
             accepting
             for
             Christs
             sake
             ;
             then
             close
             the
             match
             with
             Christ
             ,
             and
             bring
             the
             matter
             to
             a
             conclusion
             :
             Do
             not
             befool
             your selves
             with
             a
             fond
             and
             groundless
             presumption
             that
             these
             things
             will
             never
             befal
             you
             .
             I
             fear
             many
             flatter
             themselves
             with
             such
             vain
             hopes
             ;
             the
             Lord
             knows
             how
             soon
             these
             suppositions
             ,
             at
             a
             distance
             ,
             may
             be
             turned
             into
             realities
             before
             your
             Eyes
             :
             You
             have
             much
             reason
             to
             expect
             them
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             to
             embrace
             them
             ,
             when
             ever
             Christ
             shall
             call
             you
             to
             them
             .
             This
             is
             the
             great
             Work
             you
             have
             now
             to
             do
             ;
             and
             really
             you
             cannot
             safely
             demur
             any
             longer
             ;
             this
             matter
             must
             come
             to
             a
             conclusion
             ,
             and
             the
             sooner
             the
             better
             .
             For
             you
             know
             (
             1.
             )
             that
             your
             Lives
             are
             immediately
             uncertain
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             an
             unaccountable
             madness
             to
             let
             the
             great
             concern
             of
             your
             Salvation
             lye
             one
             day
             or
             night
             at
             hazard
             ;
             your
             breath
             is
             continually
             coming
             and
             going
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             is
             going
             ,
             must
             at
             last
             be
             gone
             ,
             Iames
             4.
             14.
             
             You
             Souls
             hang
             over
             everlasting
             dangers
             by
             the
             single
             thread
             of
             that
             feeble
             breath
             which
             plays
             in
             your
             Nostrils
             ,
             and
             every
             Disease
             ,
             like
             the
             flame
             of
             a
             Candle
             ,
             held
             under
             that
             thread
             ;
             and
             can
             it
             either
             be
             safe
             or
             comfortable
             ,
             to
             delay
             so
             great
             a
             Work
             as
             this
             ,
             upon
             which
             all
             your
             expectations
             and
             eternal
             Blessedness
             depends
             ?
             (
             2.
             )
             Not
             only
             your
             Lives
             are
             hazardous
             and
             uncertain
             ,
             
             but
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             opportunities
             and
             means
             of
             your
             Conversion
             ,
             are
             as
             uncertain
             as
             they
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             be
             it
             acknowledged
             ,
             we
             now
             enjoy
             the
             freedom
             and
             fulness
             of
             Gospel
             mercies
             ;
             but
             where
             hath
             God
             made
             any
             such
             settlement
             of
             these
             blessings
             upon
             you
             as
             puts
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             them
             out
             of
             hazard
             ?
             The
             rain
             is
             over
             ,
             but
             yet
             the
             clouds
             may
             return
             after
             the
             rain
             ;
             we
             are
             upon
             our
             good
             behaviour
             ,
             if
             it
             bring
             forth
             the
             fruits
             of
             your
             Conversion
             ,
             well
             ,
             if
             not
             ,
             the
             Ax
             lieth
             at
             the
             root
             of
             the
             trees
             ,
             Matth.
             3.
             10.
             
             And
             if
             God
             remove
             the
             Gospel
             from
             among
             us
             ,
             (
             as
             our
             delays
             and
             triflings
             provoke
             him
             to
             do
             )
             then
             the
             Treaty
             is
             ended
             ,
             and
             there
             's
             little
             probability
             that
             any
             thing
             further
             will
             be
             done
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             you
             ,
             Luke
             13.
             25.
             
             (
             3.
             )
             Bring
             this
             matter
             to
             an
             issue
             ,
             with
             all
             due
             speed
             ,
             because
             you
             are
             not
             capable
             to
             give
             one
             sound
             reason
             for
             a
             moments
             delay
             of
             so
             great
             and
             weighty
             a
             concernment
             ;
             can
             you
             be
             safe
             too
             soon
             ?
             Can
             you
             be
             happy
             too
             soon
             ?
             Certainly
             you
             cannot
             be
             out
             of
             the
             danger
             of
             Hell
             too
             soon
             ;
             and
             therefore
             why
             should
             not
             your
             close
             with
             Christ
             upon
             the
             terms
             propounded
             ,
             be
             your
             very
             next
             work
             ?
             For
             certainly
             if
             the
             buisness
             ,
             the
             main
             work
             and
             buisness
             of
             every
             Mans
             life
             ,
             be
             to
             fly
             from
             the
             wrath
             to
             come
             ,
             as
             indeed
             it
             is
             ,
             Mat.
             3.
             7.
             and
             to
             fly
             for
             refuge
             to
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             as
             indeed
             it
             is
             ,
             Heb.
             6.
             18.
             
             Then
             certainly
             ,
             all
             delays
             are
             highly
             dangerous
             in
             such
             a
             buisness
             as
             this
             ;
             the
             Manslayer
             ,
             when
             flying
             to
             the
             refuge
             City
             before
             the
             avenger
             of
             Blood
             ,
             when
             his
             Heart
             was
             hot
             within
             him
             ,
             did
             not
             think
             he
             could
             recover
             the
             City
             too
             soon
             ;
             and
             now
             set
             all
             your
             own
             reason
             to
             work
             
             upon
             this
             matter
             ;
             put
             the
             case
             as
             really
             it
             is
             ,
             I
             am
             fleeing
             from
             wrath
             to
             come
             ;
             the
             Justice
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             curses
             of
             the
             Law
             are
             closely
             pursuing
             me
             ;
             is
             it
             reasonable
             that
             I
             now
             sit
             down
             in
             the
             way
             to
             gather
             flowers
             or
             play
             with
             trifles
             ?
             For
             such
             are
             all
             our
             other
             concernments
             in
             this
             World
             compared
             with
             our
             Salvation
             .
             (
             4.
             )
             Bring
             this
             Treaty
             to
             an
             issue
             with
             all
             due
             speed
             ,
             because
             most
             Souls
             that
             perish
             ,
             perish
             by
             delays
             ;
             Men
             think
             they
             have
             time
             enough
             before
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             to
             morrow
             will
             be
             as
             to
             day
             ,
             and
             so
             Satan
             gets
             part
             by
             part
             ,
             what
             he
             had
             not
             confidence
             to
             demand
             in
             the
             whole
             lump
             .
             Most
             that
             perish
             under
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             had
             convictions
             upon
             their
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             vain
             purposes
             in
             their
             Hearts
             ;
             but
             not
             〈◊〉
             them
             to
             a
             speedy
             execution
             ,
             that
             was
             their
             undoing
             ,
             
               Iames
               1.
               24.
               
               He
               beholdeth
               himself
               and
               goeth
               his
               way
               ,
               and
               straight
               way
               forgetteth
               what
               manner
               of
               person
               he
               was
               .
            
             It
             is
             an
             allusion
             to
             a
             Man
             that
             looks
             in
             the
             morning
             into
             a
             Glass
             ,
             where
             he
             discerns
             a
             spot
             upon
             his
             Face
             ,
             and
             resolves
             with
             himself
             ,
             anon
             to
             wash
             it
             off
             ;
             but
             some
             diversion
             or
             other
             falls
             in
             ,
             other
             matters
             take
             up
             his
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             so
             the
             spot
             remains
             all
             day
             ,
             and
             he
             carries
             it
             with
             him
             to
             bed
             at
             night
             .
             O
             these
             delays
             are
             the
             undoing
             of
             millions
             .
             (
             5.
             )
             Delay
             not
             to
             close
             this
             Treaty
             with
             Christ
             ,
             because
             all
             delay
             increases
             the
             difficulty
             ,
             and
             the
             longer
             you
             neglect
             ,
             the
             more
             will
             your
             Hearts
             be
             hardned
             by
             the
             deceitfulness
             of
             sin
             ,
             
               Heb.
               3.
               13.
            
             
             Continuance
             in
             sin
             ,
             and
             quenching
             of
             convictions
             ,
             do
             sensibly
             harden
             the
             Heart
             ,
             and
             stiffen
             the
             Will
             :
             Under
             the
             first
             convictions
             the
             Heart
             is
             tender
             ,
             the
             affections
             flowing
             ,
             O
             if
             this
             advantage
             were
             apprehended
             ,
             and
             pursued
             ,
             how
             soon
             might
             the
             
             work
             come
             to
             a
             comfortable
             conclusion
             !
             but
             after
             a
             while
             those
             Soul-affecting
             words
             ,
             Sin
             ,
             Christ
             ,
             Heaven
             ,
             Hell
             ,
             Death
             ,
             and
             Eternity
             will
             become
             words
             of
             a
             common
             sound
             .
             (
             6.
             )
             And
             lastly
             ,
             Beware
             of
             delays
             in
             this
             matter
             because
             you
             can
             never
             expect
             a
             fitter
             ,
             and
             fairer
             opportunity
             and
             season
             for
             the
             dispatch
             of
             this
             great
             concernment
             than
             by
             the
             special
             indulgence
             of
             Heaven
             you
             enjoy
             this
             day
             ,
             
               2
               Cor.
               6.
               1
               ,
               2.
               
               Now
               is
               the
               accepted
               time
               ,
               now
               is
               the
               day
               of
               Salvation
               .
            
             You
             have
             now
             the
             Wind
             and
             Tide
             with
             you
             ,
             if
             you
             will
             not
             weigh
             Anchor
             now
             ,
             you
             may
             lye
             Wind-bound
             to
             your
             dying
             day
             ;
             what
             advantages
             can
             you
             reasonably
             expect
             ,
             which
             God
             hath
             not
             furnished
             you
             with
             at
             this
             day
             ?
             You
             have
             the
             means
             of
             Grace
             among
             you
             ,
             you
             have
             liberty
             and
             freedom
             to
             attend
             on
             those
             means
             without
             fear
             .
             Say
             not
             ,
             I
             have
             such
             ,
             or
             such
             troubles
             and
             encumbrances
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             for
             you
             must
             never
             expect
             to
             be
             without
             them
             ,
             except
             you
             only
             shall
             find
             the
             World
             another
             thing
             than
             all
             others
             find
             it
             ;
             have
             you
             health
             ?
             O
             what
             a
             precious
             season
             and
             advantage
             is
             that
             !
             Art
             thou
             sick
             ?
             O
             what
             a
             spur
             is
             that
             !
             What
             is
             to
             be
             done
             must
             be
             done
             quickly
             .
          
        
         
           
             III.
             Vse
             for
             Direction
             .
          
           
             But
             it
             may
             be
             some
             Souls
             will
             plead
             ignorance
             that
             they
             know
             not
             how
             to
             manage
             and
             transact
             so
             great
             a
             concernment
             with
             Christ
             ,
             and
             therefore
             set
             not
             about
             it
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             very
             likely
             there
             may
             be
             much
             truth
             in
             that
             plea.
             For
             the
             help
             ,
             and
             assistance
             of
             such
             Souls
             ,
             I
             will
             gather
             up
             the
             sum
             of
             what
             hath
             been
             ,
             and
             ought
             to
             be
             further
             spoken
             about
             this
             matter
             ,
             in
             the
             following
             Directions
             ;
             
             so
             that
             nothing
             but
             your
             unwillingness
             ,
             and
             slothfulness
             ,
             shall
             remain
             to
             hinder
             you
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Direction
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               If
               ever
               you
               bring
               the
               Treaty
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               your
               Souls
               to
               an
               happy
               issue
               and
               conclusion
               ,
               you
               must
               ,
               as
               before
               was
               noted
               ,
               sit
               down
               and
               count
               the
               cost
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 14.
                 28.
              
               
               't
               will
               be
               in
               vain
               else
               to
               engage
               your selves
               in
               the
               profession
               of
               Religion
               ;
               it
               is
               not
               Christs
               design
               to
               draw
               you
               under
               a
               rash
               inconsiderate
               engagement
               ,
               and
               so
               to
               reap
               more
               dishonour
               by
               your
               apostacy
               and
               hypocrisie
               than
               ever
               he
               shall
               have
               glory
               by
               your
               Profession
               .
               No
               ,
               he
               would
               have
               you
               to
               foresee
               and
               seriously
               bethink
               your selves
               of
               all
               the
               outward
               troubles
               and
               inconveniencies
               you
               may
               afterwards
               meet
               with
               for
               his
               sake
               .
               You
               are
               to
               embark
               your selves
               with
               Christ
               and
               abide
               with
               him
               in
               storms
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               halcyon
               days
               ;
               you
               must
               follow
               the
               Lamb
               whether
               soever
               he
               goeth
               ,
               Rev.
               14.
               4.
               
               There
               's
               no
               retreating
               after
               engagement
               to
               Christ
               ;
               
                 If
                 any
                 Man
                 draw
                 back
                 ,
                 my
                 Soul
                 shall
                 have
                 no
                 pleasure
                 in
                 him
                 ,
              
               Heb.
               10.
               38.
               
               'T
               is
               eternal
               death
               by
               that
               martial
               Law
               of
               Heaven
               to
               run
               from
               Christs
               colours
               in
               the
               day
               of
               battle
               .
               Well
               then
               ,
               retire
               thy self
               into
               the
               innermost
               closet
               of
               thy
               Soul
               ;
               sit
               quiet
               and
               patiently
               there
               till
               thou
               hast
               debated
               this
               matter
               fully
               with
               thine
               own
               thoughts
               ;
               and
               hast
               ballanced
               the
               good
               and
               the
               evil
               ,
               the
               profits
               and
               losses
               of
               Religion
               ;
               for
               want
               of
               this
               the
               Church
               is
               filled
               with
               hypocrites
               ,
               and
               Hell
               with
               inconsiderate
               and
               rash
               Professors
               ;
               the
               more
               we
               deliberate
               ,
               the
               better
               we
               shall
               conclude
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               II.
               Direction
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Having
               debated
               the
               matter
               over
               and
               over
               in
               thy
               most
               sedate
               and
               serious
               thoughts
               ,
               let
               not
               Satan
               discourage
               thee
               from
               casting
               thy
               Soul
               at
               Christs
               Feet
               with
               an
               hearty
               consent
               to
               all
               his
               terms
               ,
               for
               want
               of
               such
               and
               such
               qualifications
               as
               thou
               canst
               not
               find
               in
               thine
               own
               Soul
               :
               'T
               is
               usual
               for
               Satan
               to
               suggest
               at
               this
               time
               ,
               the
               want
               of
               greater
               sorrow
               and
               humiliation
               for
               sin
               ;
               that
               the
               Soul
               hath
               not
               layen
               long
               enough
               under
               the
               humbling
               work
               of
               the
               Law
               ;
               that
               the
               aggravations
               of
               its
               sins
               have
               been
               such
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               no
               hope
               of
               acceptance
               ;
               free
               thy
               Soul
               from
               these
               snares
               of
               Satan
               ,
               by
               the
               consideration
               of
               this
               unquestionable
               truth
               ;
               That
               Christ
               expects
               from
               thee
               no
               more
               humiliation
               than
               what
               produceth
               such
               a
               hearty
               deliberate
               consent
               ,
               as
               thy
               Will
               is
               now
               to
               give
               ;
               and
               such
               a
               consent
               once
               gained
               ,
               no
               aggravation
               of
               sin
               is
               pleadable
               against
               the
               duty
               of
               believing
               .
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Direction
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               Distrust
               not
               the
               sincerity
               of
               Christ
               in
               those
               gracious
               offers
               he
               makes
               unto
               coming
               Souls
               .
               Be
               satisfied
               ,
               he
               speaks
               his
               very
               Heart
               in
               them
               to
               thee
               ;
               the
               Devil
               labours
               to
               sow
               jealousies
               and
               beget
               suspicions
               in
               the
               Hearts
               of
               poor
               convinced
               sinners
               ,
               that
               they
               will
               not
               find
               such
               a
               welcom
               entertainment
               with
               Christ
               as
               he
               seems
               to
               promise
               them
               ,
               in
               those
               encouraging
               Scriptures
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 11.
                 28
                 ,
                 29.
                 
                 Iohn
              
               6.
               37.
               
               But
               that
               something
               else
               lies
               hid
               in
               those
               Scriptures
               ,
               as
               a
               
               mystery
               which
               they
               understand
               not
               ;
               and
               so
               by
               shaking
               the
               assenting
               act
               ,
               labours
               to
               hinder
               the
               accepting
               act
               of
               Faith
               ;
               this
               is
               a
               case
               as
               common
               as
               it
               is
               sad
               ;
               the
               Lord
               help
               poor
               Souls
               to
               avoid
               this
               snare
               ,
               lest
               in
               stead
               of
               honoring
               Christ
               by
               a
               resolved
               adherence
               to
               him
               ,
               they
               make
               him
               a
               lyer
               and
               impute
               insincerity
               to
               the
               God
               of
               truth
               .
               
                 For
                 he
                 that
                 believeth
                 not
                 ,
                 hath
                 made
                 him
                 a
                 lyer
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Direction
               .
            
             
               Fourthly
               ,
               Look
               up
               to
               God
               for
               power
               to
               enable
               you
               to
               come
               to
               Christ
               in
               this
               supernatural
               and
               difficult
               work
               of
               Faith.
               Dont
               think
               Faith
               is
               of
               the
               growth
               of
               thine
               own
               Heart
               ;
               
                 No
                 Man
                 can
                 come
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
              
               saith
               Christ
               ,
               
                 except
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 which
                 hath
                 sent
                 me
                 ,
                 draw
                 him
                 .
              
               There
               is
               a
               legal
               Spirit
               working
               under
               Evangelical
               pretences
               in
               many
               Souls
               ;
               they
               look
               within
               them
               to
               find
               that
               which
               is
               quite
               above
               them
               ;
               the
               Apostle
               points
               you
               to
               the
               fountain
               of
               Faith
               ,
               in
               
                 Eph.
                 2.
                 8.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 of
                 your selves
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 God.
              
               'T
               is
               one
               of
               the
               greatest
               difficulties
               in
               the
               World
               to
               believe
               :
               For
               if
               the
               power
               of
               God
               must
               be
               owned
               as
               the
               cause
               of
               every
               new
               degree
               of
               Faith
               ,
               in
               the
               greatest
               believers
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               as
               is
               plain
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 17.
                 5.
                 
                 The
                 Apostles
                 said
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Increase
                 our
                 Faith.
              
               How
               much
               more
               is
               the
               production
               of
               Faith
               it self
               ,
               and
               the
               first
               vital
               act
               thereof
               ,
               to
               be
               ascribed
               to
               the
               Almighty
               Power
               of
               God
               ?
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Direction
               .
            
             
               Fifthly
               ,
               Keeping
               thine
               Eye
               of
               Expectation
               upon
               that
               Almighty
               Power
               ,
               pray
               and
               plead
               with
               
               the
               Lord
               assiduously
               ,
               and
               importunately
               for
               the
               exerting
               of
               that
               Power
               upon
               thy
               Soul
               ;
               and
               give
               not
               over
               thy
               Suit
               till
               thou
               feel
               that
               Power
               coming
               upon
               thee
               :
               The
               time
               of
               believing
               is
               a
               time
               of
               earnest
               pleading
               ,
               thine
               own
               danger
               and
               necessity
               ;
               and
               the
               Spirit
               of
               the
               Lord
               improving
               them
               ,
               will
               abundantly
               furnish
               thee
               with
               Pleas
               ,
               and
               Arguments
               to
               enforce
               this
               Suit.
               Such
               as
               these
               ,
               (
               1.
               )
               Lord
               ,
               I
               have
               thy
               call
               and
               invitation
               ,
               yea
               ,
               I
               have
               thy
               command
               to
               encourage
               me
               to
               believe
               ;
               it
               is
               not
               presumption
               therefore
               in
               thy
               poor
               Creature
               to
               come
               after
               thou
               hast
               invited
               and
               commanded
               me
               ;
               hadst
               thou
               not
               encouraged
               me
               ,
               I
               durst
               not
               have
               moved
               towards
               thee
               ;
               Lord
               ,
               whose
               Word
               is
               it
               ,
               1
               Ioh.
               3.
               23.
               is
               it
               not
               thine
               own
               ?
               This
               makes
               my
               Faith
               an
               act
               of
               obedience
               .
               (
               2.
               )
               Yea
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               I
               have
               thy
               promise
               as
               well
               as
               thy
               command
               ,
               made
               upon
               no
               other
               condition
               but
               my
               coming
               to
               thee
               ;
               blessed
               Jesus
               ,
               hast
               not
               thou
               said
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 6.
                 37.
                 
                 Him
                 that
                 cometh
                 unto
                 me
                 I
                 will
                 in
                 no
                 wise
                 cast
                 out
                 ?
              
               An
               invitation
               is
               much
               ,
               but
               thy
               promise
               is
               more
               .
               (
               3.
               )
               O
               my
               God
               I
               have
               not
               only
               thy
               command
               making
               it
               my
               duty
               to
               believe
               ,
               and
               thy
               promise
               to
               encourage
               me
               to
               that
               duty
               ,
               but
               I
               have
               the
               examples
               of
               other
               sinners
               that
               came
               unto
               thee
               long
               ago
               ,
               and
               thou
               didst
               not
               reject
               them
               ;
               nor
               do
               I
               abuse
               those
               examples
               in
               drawing
               incouragement
               from
               them
               ,
               for
               it
               was
               thy
               very
               design
               in
               recording
               them
               ,
               that
               they
               might
               be
               so
               many
               patterns
               to
               all
               that
               should
               hereafter
               believe
               on
               thee
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               1.
               16.
               
               (
               4.
               )
               O
               my
               God
               I
               am
               shut
               up
               under
               a
               plain
               necessity
               ,
               I
               have
               no
               other
               way
               to
               take
               ,
               thus
               stands
               the
               case
               with
               me
               ,
               I
               am
               beaten
               off
               from
               all
               other
               refuges
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               help
               for
               me
               in
               Angels
               nor
               Men
               ,
               in
               
               duties
               or
               self-righteousness
               ,
               in
               thee
               only
               my
               Soul
               can
               find
               rest
               .
               I
               am
               shut
               up
               to
               thee
               as
               to
               the
               only
               door
               of
               hope
               ,
               Gal.
               3.
               23.
               here
               I
               must
               speed
               or
               perish
               ;
               my
               Soul
               is
               burthened
               and
               wearied
               ,
               I
               know
               not
               how
               to
               dispose
               of
               it
               ,
               but
               into
               thy
               Hands
               ;
               nor
               where
               to
               lay
               the
               burden
               of
               my
               guilt
               but
               upon
               thee
               ;
               if
               I
               miss
               here
               ,
               I
               am
               gone
               for
               ever
               .
               (
               5.
               )
               Lord
               I
               am
               willing
               to
               renounce
               and
               abandon
               all
               other
               hopes
               ,
               refuges
               and
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               to
               stick
               to
               ,
               and
               rely
               upon
               thee
               only
               .
               Duties
               cannot
               justifie
               me
               ,
               tears
               cannot
               wash
               me
               ,
               reformation
               cannot
               save
               me
               ;
               nothing
               but
               thy
               righteousness
               can
               answer
               my
               end
               :
               I
               come
               to
               thee
               a
               poor
               naked
               Creature
               ,
               saying
               as
               the
               Church
               ,
               
                 Hos.
                 14.
                 3.
                 
                 Asshur
                 shall
                 not
                 save
                 us
                 ,
                 &c.
                 for
                 in
                 thee
                 do
                 the
                 fatherless
                 find
                 mercy
                 .
              
               Thus
               plead
               it
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               still
               remember
               you
               are
               pleading
               for
               Life
               ,
               yea
               ,
               for
               your
               eternal
               Life
               .
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               Direction
               .
            
             
               Sixthly
               ,
               Labour
               to
               make
               a
               resolved
               adventure
               upon
               Christ
               amidst
               all
               those
               encouragements
               ,
               let
               the
               issue
               be
               what
               it
               will
               ;
               resolve
               to
               venture
               though
               you
               have
               not
               the
               least
               degree
               of
               assurance
               that
               you
               shall
               be
               accepted
               and
               pardoned
               .
               This
               is
               that
               brave
               and
               noble
               act
               of
               Faith
               which
               carries
               the
               Soul
               to
               Christ
               ,
               much
               as
               Hester
               came
               to
               the
               King
               ,
               
                 Yet
                 will
                 I
                 go
                 in
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 I
                 perish
                 ,
                 I.
                 perish
                 ,
                 Hest.
                 4.
                 16.
                 
              
               It
               pities
               me
               to
               think
               how
               the
               saving
               act
               of
               Faith
               is
               grosely
               mistaken
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               the
               generality
               think
               it
               is
               enough
               for
               them
               to
               believe
               that
               Christ
               died
               for
               sinners
               ,
               and
               therefore
               for
               them
               as
               well
               as
               any
               other
               ;
               but
               you
               see
               Faith
               is
               another
               matter
               :
               O
               there
               are
               great
               
               difficulties
               and
               mighty
               wrestlings
               in
               the
               Work
               of
               Believing
               ;
               't
               is
               a
               great
               matter
               for
               a
               poor
               convinced
               sinner
               ,
               in
               the
               face
               of
               so
               much
               guilt
               and
               vi●e●ess
               ,
               and
               amidst
               such
               manifold
               damps
               and
               discouragements
               from
               Satan
               ,
               to
               cast
               and
               adventure
               himself
               upon
               Christ
               ,
               and
               that
               upon
               such
               self-denying
               terms
               ;
               but
               the
               pinch
               of
               necessity
               will
               bring
               the
               Soul
               to
               this
               ,
               for
               now
               it
               reasons
               with
               it self
               as
               the
               Lepers
               did
               ,
               
                 2
                 Kings
                 7.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
              
               If
               we
               go
               to
               the
               Camp
               of
               the
               Assyrians
               we
               can
               but
               dye
               ,
               and
               if
               we
               abide
               here
               we
               must
               certainly
               dye
               ;
               thus
               here
               ,
               if
               I
               sit
               still
               in
               the
               state
               of
               Nature
               and
               still
               continue
               demurring
               and
               delaying
               ,
               my
               damnation
               is
               unavoidable
               ,
               to
               Hell
               I
               must
               go
               ▪
               and
               if
               I
               cast
               my self
               upon
               Christ
               ,
               I
               can
               but
               be
               rejected
               ;
               but
               he
               hath
               said
               ,
               
                 He
                 will
                 not
                 cast
                 out
                 those
                 that
                 come
                 unto
                 him
              
               ;
               in
               this
               way
               of
               Faith
               there
               is
               a
               possibility
               of
               Salvation
               ,
               yea
               ,
               there
               dawns
               from
               it
               a
               strong
               probability
               ;
               this
               therefore
               is
               my
               only
               way
               ,
               
                 To
                 him
                 I
                 will
                 go
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 I
                 perish
                 ,
                 I
                 perish
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
               Direction
               .
            
             
               Seventhly
               ,
               Never
               measure
               the
               grace
               of
               God
               ,
               nor
               the
               mercy
               of
               Christ
               ,
               by
               the
               rule
               of
               your
               own
               narrow
               conceptions
               and
               apprehensions
               of
               him
               ;
               but
               believe
               them
               to
               be
               far
               greater
               than
               your
               contracted
               and
               narrow
               understanding
               represents
               them
               to
               you
               :
               Our
               casting
               of
               the
               pardoning
               power
               and
               mercy
               of
               God
               into
               the
               mould
               of
               our
               own
               thoughts
               ,
               disfigures
               and
               alters
               them
               ,
               so
               that
               they
               look
               not
               like
               themselves
               ,
               but
               with
               a
               very
               discouraging
               aspect
               upon
               our
               Souls
               ;
               by
               this
               Satan
               keeps
               off
               many
               a
               Soul
               from
               coming
               to
               Christ
               ;
               the
               Lord
               knows
               how
               to
               forgive
               thee
               ,
               
               though
               thou
               scarce
               knowest
               how
               to
               forgive
               thy self
               ,
               for
               the
               injuries
               thou
               hast
               done
               against
               him
               ;
               that
               's
               a
               very
               considerable
               Scripture
               to
               this
               purpose
               ,
               in
               
                 Isa.
                 55.
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 Let
                 the
                 wicked
                 for
                 sake
                 his
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 unrighteous
                 Man
                 his
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 him
                 return
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 mercy
                 upon
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 will
                 abundantly
                 pardon
                 .
                 For
                 my
                 thoughts
                 are
                 not
                 your
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 neither
                 are
                 your
                 ways
                 my
                 ways
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord.
                 For
                 as
                 the
                 Heavens
                 are
                 higher
                 than
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 so
                 are
                 my
                 ways
                 higher
                 than
                 your
                 ways
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 thoughts
                 than
                 your
                 thoughts
                 .
              
               Man
               lies
               under
               a
               double
               misery
               ,
               one
               by
               reason
               of
               Affliction
               ,
               another
               by
               reason
               of
               Transgression
               ;
               concerning
               both
               these
               ,
               Gods
               thoughts
               are
               not
               as
               ours
               ,
               but
               far
               above
               what
               we
               can
               think
               ;
               either
               (
               1.
               )
               with
               simple
               cogitation
               
                 (
                 i.
                 e.
              
               )
               we
               cannot
               think
               such
               thoughts
               to
               others
               ,
               under
               misery
               in
               themselves
               ,
               or
               under
               transgression
               against
               us
               ,
               as
               God
               doth
               towards
               as
               .
               Or
               (
               2.
               )
               by
               way
               of
               reflexive
               comprehension
               ,
               
                 (
                 i.
                 e.
              
               )
               we
               cannot
               conceive
               what
               those
               thoughts
               of
               God
               are
               towards
               us
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               under
               misery
               or
               sin
               just
               as
               he
               thinks
               them
               ;
               still
               his
               thoughts
               will
               be
               above
               ours
               ,
               as
               the
               Heavens
               are
               above
               the
               Earth
               ;
               such
               is
               the
               altitude
               of
               Heaven
               above
               the
               Earth
               ,
               that
               the
               vast
               body
               of
               the
               whole
               Earth
               is
               but
               a
               small
               inconsiderable
               point
               to
               it
               ;
               the
               highest
               Cedars
               ,
               Mountains
               ,
               Clouds
               ,
               cannot
               reach
               it
               ;
               Gods
               thoughts
               are
               infinite
               ,
               ours
               finite
               ;
               his
               thoughts
               are
               continued
               ,
               ours
               interrupted
               and
               at
               a
               stand
               ;
               his
               are
               immutable
               ,
               ours
               changable
               ;
               his
               are
               intuitive
               ,
               ours
               discursive
               :
               therefore
               never
               measure
               his
               by
               your
               own
               ;
               the
               thoughts
               of
               pardoning
               Grace
               in
               him
               ,
               are
               rich
               ,
               plenteous
               ,
               and
               glorious
               ;
               but
               when
               our
               unbelieving
               Hearts
               have
               practised
               
               upon
               them
               ,
               they
               are
               quite
               another
               thing
               .
               Thou
               saist
               how
               can
               such
               a
               Wretch
               as
               I
               obtain
               mercy
               ?
               Thou
               knowest
               not
               ,
               but
               the
               Lord
               knoweth
               .
               O
               if
               we
               could
               take
               in
               such
               a
               proper
               Idea
               ,
               and
               apprehension
               of
               the
               mercy
               and
               goodness
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               he
               hath
               given
               of
               them
               himself
               ,
               in
               
                 Exod.
                 34.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
              
               this
               would
               bring
               you
               to
               Christ
               with
               much
               incouragement
               .
            
          
           
             
               VIII
               .
               Direction
               .
            
             
               Eighthly
               ,
               Be
               not
               discouraged
               in
               the
               work
               of
               Faith
               ,
               though
               no
               peace
               or
               comfort
               should
               come
               in
               by
               the
               first
               act
               of
               it
               :
               Nay
               ,
               though
               there
               should
               be
               an
               increase
               of
               trouble
               for
               the
               present
               ;
               the
               first
               saving
               act
               of
               Faith
               certainly
               puts
               you
               into
               a
               state
               of
               peace
               ,
               but
               it
               may
               not
               presently
               produce
               the
               sense
               of
               peace
               ;
               you
               may
               after
               you
               have
               believed
               and
               really
               closed
               with
               Christ
               ,
               meet
               with
               some
               discouragements
               ,
               which
               may
               make
               you
               question
               whether
               Christ
               have
               received
               you
               or
               no
               ?
               Whether
               he
               have
               any
               love
               for
               your
               Souls
               or
               no
               ?
               Yet
               held
               on
               ,
               whether
               comfort
               come
               or
               come
               not
               ;
               though
               Christ
               and
               comfort
               are
               inseparable
               ,
               yet
               Christ
               and
               the
               sense
               of
               comfort
               are
               not
               so
               ;
               think
               not
               that
               all
               your
               troubles
               shall
               be
               over
               as
               soon
               as
               ever
               you
               believe
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 3.
                 
                 We
                 which
                 have
                 believed
                 do
                 enter
                 into
                 rest
                 :
              
               That
               Scripture
               speaks
               of
               a
               state
               of
               rest
               ,
               and
               not
               of
               the
               present
               or
               continued
               sense
               of
               rest
               ;
               the
               Woman
               of
               Canaan
               ,
               in
               
                 Matth.
                 15.
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
              
               did
               really
               believe
               in
               Christ
               ,
               yet
               met
               with
               sore
               tryals
               under
               the
               first
               act
               of
               her
               Faith
               ;
               yet
               this
               took
               her
               not
               off
               from
               the
               work
               of
               Faith
               ,
               but
               rather
               quickned
               and
               inflamed
               her
               the
               more
               ;
               
               she
               was
               glad
               of
               a
               word
               from
               Christ
               ,
               and
               she
               expected
               deeds
               .
               O
               but
               the
               words
               were
               discourageing
               ,
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 meet
                 to
                 take
                 the
                 Childrens
                 bread
                 and
                 give
                 it
                 to
                 Dogs
              
               ;
               yet
               this
               beats
               not
               off
               her
               Faith
               ,
               the
               Dog
               belongs
               to
               the
               Family
               ,
               and
               crumbs
               to
               the
               Dog.
               
                 O
                 Woman
              
               ,
               saith
               Christ
               ,
               
                 great
                 is
                 thy
                 Faith.
              
               If
               you
               resolve
               for
               Christ
               ,
               you
               must
               not
               be
               discouraged
               ;
               a
               resolute
               Faith
               overcomes
               all
               difficulties
               .
               You
               pray
               ,
               you
               believe
               ,
               and
               yet
               no
               comfort
               ;
               well
               ,
               the
               vision
               of
               Peace
               is
               for
               an
               appointed
               time
               ,
               at
               the
               end
               it
               will
               speak
               and
               not
               lye
               .
            
          
           
             
               IX
               .
               Direction
               .
            
             
               Ninthly
               ,
               In
               your
               treating
               with
               Christ
               have
               a
               care
               of
               all
               secret
               reserves
               ,
               that
               will
               spoil
               the
               bargain
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               you
               ;
               
                 If
                 I
                 regard
                 iniquity
                 in
                 my
                 Heart
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 hear
                 my
                 prayer
                 ,
              
               saith
               David
               :
               If
               there
               be
               but
               a
               reserve
               of
               one
               lust
               ,
               that
               reserve
               will
               break
               off
               the
               Treaty
               ;
               be
               honest
               with
               Christ
               ,
               and
               say
               not
               of
               any
               sin
               ,
               
                 the
                 Lord
                 be
                 merciful
                 to
                 me
                 in
                 this
              
               ;
               and
               be
               sure
               there
               be
               no
               secret
               purpose
               or
               reserve
               in
               thy
               Heart
               for
               a
               retreat
               in
               time
               of
               danger
               ;
               but
               imbark
               thy self
               with
               Christ
               for
               Storms
               and
               Tempests
               ,
               Troubles
               and
               Afflictions
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               Peace
               and
               Prosper●ty
               .
               Christ
               bestows
               himself
               wholly
               upon
               you
               ,
               and
               he
               expects
               the
               same
               from
               you
               ;
               give
               up
               all
               ,
               or
               you
               will
               get
               nothing
               from
               him
            
          
           
             
               X.
               Direction
               .
            
             
               Tenthly
               ,
               Close
               up
               your
               Treaty
               with
               Christ
               by
               a
               solemn
               Covenant
               with
               him
               ;
               ingage
               your
               
               selves
               to
               be
               the
               Lords
               ,
               
               
                 One
                 shall
                 say
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 Lords
                 ,
                 and
                 another
                 shall
                 subscribe
                 with
                 his
                 Hand
                 to
                 the
                 Holy
                 One
                 of
              
               Israel
               .
               Here
               you
               have
               two
               things
               to
               do
               ,
               (
               1.
               )
               To
               give
               your selves
               up
               to
               Christ
               ,
               according
               to
               that
               expression
               ,
               
                 2
                 Cor.
                 8.
                 5.
                 
                 You
                 gave
                 your selves
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
              
               Make
               over
               Soul
               and
               Body
               ,
               Time
               and
               Talents
               ,
               henceforth
               to
               be
               dedicated
               things
               to
               his
               Service
               .
               (
               2.
               )
               Take
               Christ
               in
               both
               his
               Natures
               ,
               and
               in
               all
               his
               Offices
               to
               be
               yours
               ;
               and
               to
               this
               Covenant
               you
               are
               to
               stand
               to
               the
               last
               breath
               ,
               whatever
               times
               or
               troubles
               shall
               come
               ,
               this
               consent
               of
               thy
               Heart
               to
               be
               Christs
               ,
               this
               choice
               of
               thy
               Will
               in
               taking
               him
               for
               thine
               ,
               is
               but
               the
               eccho
               of
               Christs
               choice
               of
               thee
               ,
               and
               I
               would
               rather
               have
               such
               an
               evidence
               of
               my
               interest
               in
               him
               ,
               than
               a
               voice
               from
               Heaven
               to
               assure
               me
               that
               Christ
               is
               mine
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           SERMON
           VII
           .
        
         
           
             
               Revel
               .
               3.
               20.
               
            
             Behold
             ,
             I
             stand
             at
             the
             door
             and
             knock
             ,
             [
             if
             any
             Man
             ]
             hear
             my
             voice
             and
             open
             the
             door
             ,
             I
             will
             come
             in
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             will
             sup
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             he
             with
             me
             .
          
        
         
           If
           any
           Man.
           
        
         
           THIS
           expression
           extends
           the
           gracious
           offer
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
           and
           brings
           it
           home
           to
           every
           hearer
           .
           'T
           is
           a
           Proclamation
           with
           a
           
             Si
             quis
             ,
             If
             any
             Man
             ,
          
           as
           if
           Christ
           should
           say
           ,
           I
           will
           have
           this
           offer
           of
           my
           Grace
           to
           go
           round
           to
           every
           particular
           person
           ;
           if
           thou
           ,
           or
           thou
           ,
           or
           thou
           ,
           the
           greatest
           ,
           the
           vilest
           of
           sinners
           ,
           of
           what
           quality
           or
           condition
           soever
           ,
           old
           or
           young
           ,
           prophane
           or
           hypocritical
           ,
           wilt
           hear
           my
           voice
           and
           open
           to
           me
           ,
           I
           will
           come
           in
           to
           their
           Souls
           :
           And
           hereby
           all
           objections
           are
           obviated
           ;
           as
           for
           Example
           ,
           I
           am
           the
           greatest
           of
           sinners
           ,
           saith
           one
           ;
           I
           have
           been
           a
           self
           couzening
           hypocrite
           ,
           saith
           another
           ;
           I
           have
           resisted
           Grace
           too
           long
           ,
           and
           doubt
           the
           time
           of
           Mercy
           is
           past
           ,
           saith
           a
           third
           :
           the
           ground
           of
           all
           these
           ,
           and
           a
           thousand
           more
           objections
           ,
           is
           
           taken
           away
           by
           the
           gracious
           extent
           of
           Christs
           offer
           in
           the
           Text
           :
           For
           who
           is
           he
           that
           can
           limit
           where
           Christ
           doth
           not
           ?
           This
           gives
           us
           a
           Seventh
           profitable
           and
           comfortable
           Observation
           ,
           which
           is
           this
           ,
        
         
           
             VII
             .
             DOCT.
             
          
           
             That
             Iesus
             Christ
             will
             not
             refuse
             to
             come
             in
             to
             the
             Soul
             of
             the
             vilest
             sinner
             ,
             
             when
             once
             it
             is
             made
             heartily
             willing
             to
             open
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             
               If
               any
               Man
               open
               ,
               I
               will
               come
               in
               to
               him
               .
            
             It
             is
             not
             unworthiness
             ,
             but
             unwillingness
             that
             Bars
             any
             Man
             from
             Christ
             :
             thousands
             have
             mist
             of
             Christ
             by
             their
             unwillingness
             ,
             but
             Christ
             never
             put
             off
             one
             Soul
             upon
             account
             of
             its
             unworthiness
             ;
             Christ
             is
             not
             the
             Sale
             ,
             but
             the
             Gift
             of
             God
             ;
             you
             come
             not
             to
             make
             a
             bargain
             ,
             but
             to
             receive
             a
             free
             gift
             :
             Faith
             is
             a
             marriage
             with
             Christ
             ,
             wherein
             nothing
             but
             your
             Hearty
             consent
             is
             expected
             ;
             so
             runs
             the
             strain
             of
             the
             whole
             Scriptures
             ,
             
               Isa.
               55.
               1.
               
               Ho
               ,
               every
               one
               that
               thirsteth
               ,
               come
               ye
               to
               the
               waters
               ,
               and
               he
               that
               hath
               no
               money
               ,
               (
               i.
               e.
            
             no
             merit
             ,
             no
             worthiness
             of
             his
             own
             )
             
               let
               him
               come
            
             .
             Behold
             the
             free
             grace
             of
             Christ
             to
             the
             vilest
             and
             unworthiest
             of
             sinners
             ,
             so
             
               Revel
               .
               22.
               17.
               
               Let
               him
               that
               is
               athirst
               come
               ,
               and
               whosoever
               will
               ,
               let
               him
               〈◊〉
               ,
               and
               take
               the
               water
               of
               Life
               freely
            
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             very
             phrase
             of
             my
             Text
             he
             speaks
             again
             ,
             
               Iohn
               7.
               37.
               
               If
               any
               Man
               thirst
               ,
               let
               him
               come
               to
               me
               and
               drink
               .
            
             'T
             is
             very
             observable
             ,
             throughout
             the
             whole
             Gospel
             ,
             that
             Christ
             never
             made
             any
             objection
             against
             any
             Soul
             that
             came
             to
             him
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             its
             sinfulness
             and
             unworthiness
             ;
             but
             all
             the
             complaints
             of
             
             Christ
             are
             still
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             their
             unwillingness
             ;
             so
             in
             his
             complaint
             over
             
               Ierusalem
               ,
               Luke
               13.
               34.
               
               I
               would
               ,
               but
               you
               would
               not
            
             ;
             so
             again
             ,
             
               Iohn
               5.
               40.
               
               You
               will
               not
               come
               unto
               me
               ,
               that
               you
               might
               have
               life
               .
            
             The
             complaint
             is
             still
             upon
             their
             unwillingness
             .
             In
             the
             stating
             of
             this
             Point
             ,
             I
             shall
             Doctrinally
             discourse
             these
             two
             things
             ,
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 What
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 truly
                 willing
                 to
                 receive
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 How
                 it
                 appears
                 that
                 they
                 who
                 are
                 so
                 ,
                 shall
                 certainly
                 be
                 received
                 and
                 graciously
                 accepted
                 of
                 him
                 .
              
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             What
             it
             is
             to
             be
             truly
             willing
             to
             receive
             Jesus
             Christ.
             For
             this
             is
             meant
             by
             opening
             to
             him
             ;
             now
             this
             implies
             and
             involves
             in
             it
             many
             great
             and
             weighty
             things
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             It
             implies
             and
             necessarily
             includes
             the
             right
             understanding
             and
             true
             apprehension
             of
             Gospel
             Terms
             and
             Articles
             :
             these
             must
             be
             known
             ,
             pondered
             and
             duly
             considered
             ,
             before
             the
             Will
             can
             savingly
             open
             in
             an
             act
             of
             consent
             to
             Christs
             offer
             .
             I
             desire
             this
             may
             be
             especially
             observed
             ,
             because
             multitudes
             are
             mistaken
             and
             deceived
             about
             this
             thing
             ;
             he
             that
             doth
             not
             consider
             doth
             not
             consent
             ;
             you
             must
             exercise
             your
             understandings
             upon
             the
             Terms
             and
             Articles
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             or
             else
             your
             consent
             is
             rash
             ,
             blindfold
             and
             unstable
             ,
             this
             in
             
               Luke
               14.
               31.
            
             is
             call'd
             consulting
             ;
             the
             consent
             of
             Faith
             is
             the
             result
             of
             many
             previous
             consultations
             and
             debates
             in
             the
             mind
             ;
             the
             Soul
             that
             comes
             to
             Christ
             must
             take
             up
             Religion
             in
             his
             most
             sedate
             and
             serious
             thoughts
             ;
             turn
             both
             sides
             of
             it
             ,
             the
             dark
             as
             well
             as
             the
             bright
             side
             
             of
             Religion
             to
             the
             Eye
             of
             his
             mind
             ;
             ballance
             all
             the
             conveniencies
             and
             inconveniencies
             ,
             losses
             as
             well
             as
             gains
             .
             If
             I
             open
             to
             Christ
             ,
             this
             I
             shall
             gain
             ,
             but
             that
             I
             must
             lose
             ;
             I
             cannot
             separate
             Christ
             from
             sufferings
             ,
             Christ
             will
             separate
             me
             from
             my
             sins
             ;
             if
             I
             seek
             him
             ,
             I
             must
             let
             them
             go
             ;
             if
             I
             profess
             Christ
             ,
             providence
             will
             one
             time
             or
             other
             bring
             me
             to
             this
             Dilemma
             ,
             either
             Christ
             or
             Earthly
             comforts
             must
             go
             ;
             't
             is
             necessary
             therefore
             that
             I
             now
             propound
             to
             my self
             what
             providence
             may
             ,
             one
             time
             or
             other
             ,
             propound
             to
             me
             ;
             he
             hath
             set
             down
             his
             terms
             ,
             
               Matth.
               16.
               24.
               
               If
               any
               Man
               will
               come
               after
               me
               ,
               let
               him
               deny
               himself
               ,
               and
               take
               up
               his
               cross
               and
               follow
               me
               .
            
             This
             self-denial
             deserves
             serious
             consideration
             ;
             for
             Christ
             extends
             it
             to
             natural
             Self
             ,
             righteous
             Self
             ,
             and
             civil
             Self
             ;
             and
             requires
             that
             I
             give
             up
             my
             Life
             ,
             my
             Liberty
             ,
             my
             Estate
             and
             Relations
             ,
             my
             own
             Righteousness
             ,
             as
             hard
             to
             be
             parted
             with
             as
             any
             of
             the
             former
             .
             I
             must
             take
             up
             my
             Cross
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             sufferings
             and
             troubles
             God
             shall
             appoint
             for
             me
             ,
             and
             which
             I
             cannot
             avoid
             or
             escape
             without
             sin
             ;
             and
             I
             must
             follow
             Christ
             ,
             follow
             him
             whither
             soever
             he
             goes
             .
             I
             know
             not
             what
             Religion
             may
             cost
             me
             before
             I
             dye
             ;
             all
             this
             it
             hath
             cost
             others
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             no
             bringing
             down
             Christs
             terms
             lower
             than
             he
             hath
             laid
             them
             .
             I
             must
             come
             up
             to
             them
             ,
             they
             will
             not
             come
             down
             to
             me
             ;
             if
             I
             like
             them
             not
             as
             Christ
             hath
             left
             them
             ,
             the
             Treaty
             between
             him
             and
             me
             is
             ended
             ,
             
               Matth.
               10.
               37
               ,
               38.
               
               He
               that
               loveth
               Father
               or
               Mother
               ,
               more
               than
               me
               ,
               is
               not
               worthy
               of
               me
               :
               And
               he
               that
               loveth
               Son
               or
               Daughter
               ,
               more
               than
               me
               ,
               is
               not
               worthy
               of
               me
               :
               And
               he
               that
               taketh
               not
               his
               Cross
               ,
               and
               followeth
               after
               me
               ,
               is
               not
               worthy
               of
               me
               .
            
             Where
             by
             worthiness
             
             we
             are
             not
             to
             understand
             the
             meritoriousness
             of
             these
             Acts
             ;
             but
             the
             necessary
             qualification
             of
             the
             Will
             ,
             and
             due
             qualification
             of
             a
             comer
             unto
             Christ
             ;
             these
             previous
             consultations
             ,
             and
             debates
             in
             the
             Mind
             ,
             prepare
             and
             enable
             the
             Will
             to
             make
             a
             serious
             and
             well
             advised
             choice
             of
             of
             Christ
             ;
             and
             for
             want
             of
             this
             there
             are
             such
             swarms
             of
             Hypocrites
             and
             Apostates
             in
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             It
             implies
             such
             a
             sence
             of
             misery
             in
             us
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             necessity
             and
             excellency
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             determines
             the
             Will
             to
             the
             choice
             of
             him
             ,
             notwithstanding
             all
             those
             difficuties
             and
             troubles
             which
             have
             fallen
             ,
             or
             can
             fall
             under
             consideration
             and
             debate
             in
             the
             Mind
             ;
             when
             the
             Soul
             sees
             that
             in
             Christ
             which
             preponderates
             all
             sufferings
             ,
             all
             losses
             ,
             all
             reproaches
             ,
             &c.
             and
             then
             determins
             I
             will
             have
             Christ
             though
             I
             sacrifice
             all
             that
             is
             dear
             to
             me
             in
             the
             World
             for
             him
             ;
             this
             is
             to
             be
             truly
             willing
             to
             open
             to
             Christ.
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             the
             enjoyments
             of
             this
             World
             are
             understood
             by
             Christians
             as
             much
             as
             other
             Men
             ;
             they
             have
             a
             feeling
             sence
             of
             the
             sweetness
             and
             comfort
             of
             Earthly
             enjoyments
             ;
             their
             Souls
             have
             as
             much
             affection
             to
             the
             Body
             as
             other
             Men
             ;
             they
             understand
             the
             charming
             language
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             their
             dear
             Relations
             in
             it
             as
             well
             as
             others
             ;
             only
             they
             see
             a
             greater
             necessity
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             a
             greater
             worth
             in
             Christ
             ,
             than
             they
             do
             in
             these
             things
             ;
             you
             read
             ,
             Lam.
             1.
             11.
             that
             in
             the
             famine
             of
             Ierusalem
             they
             gave
             their
             pleasant
             things
             ,
             for
             meat
             to
             relieve
             their
             Soul
             ;
             Jewels
             ,
             Bracelets
             ,
             Gold
             ,
             Silver
             ,
             any
             thing
             for
             Bread
             ;
             they
             understood
             the
             worth
             of
             those
             things
             ,
             knew
             the
             price
             and
             cost
             of
             them
             ;
             but
             away
             they
             go
             to
             preserve
             
             Life
             .
             So
             't
             is
             here
             ,
             no
             earthly
             enjoyment
             of
             what
             value
             soever
             it
             be
             ,
             hath
             such
             an
             excellency
             in
             it
             ,
             such
             an
             absolute
             necessity
             of
             enjoying
             it
             as
             Christ
             hath
             .
          
           
             But
             ,
             O
             saith
             the
             poor
             Soul
             ,
             
             who
             can
             do
             this
             ?
             I
             am
             willing
             to
             have
             Christ
             ,
             and
             to
             come
             up
             to
             every
             term
             he
             hath
             laid
             down
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             I
             am
             willing
             to
             part
             with
             every
             sin
             ,
             and
             to
             endure
             any
             suffering
             for
             Christ
             ;
             but
             ,
             Oh
             ,
             I
             tremble
             to
             think
             ,
             if
             it
             should
             come
             to
             a
             Prison
             ,
             to
             a
             Stake
             ,
             to
             an
             actual
             separation
             from
             all
             the
             Comforts
             and
             Relations
             I
             have
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             what
             I
             shall
             do
             for
             strength
             to
             go
             through
             such
             hard
             and
             difficult
             work
             as
             this
             ?
             Here
             's
             the
             great
             rub
             in
             the
             way
             of
             many
             Souls
             ,
             they
             find
             a
             willingness
             ,
             but
             fear
             the
             want
             of
             strength
             .
          
           
             Ans.
             How
             or
             where
             you
             shall
             find
             strength
             to
             endure
             and
             suffer
             these
             things
             for
             Christ
             ,
             
             is
             not
             the
             question
             now
             before
             you
             .
             God
             will
             take
             care
             for
             that
             ,
             and
             it
             shall
             be
             given
             you
             in
             that
             hour
             ,
             and
             so
             others
             have
             found
             ,
             who
             have
             had
             the
             very
             same
             fears
             you
             have
             .
             I
             say
             ,
             the
             question
             is
             not
             whether
             you
             be
             able
             ,
             but
             whether
             you
             be
             heartily
             willing
             .
             Christ
             asks
             but
             your
             Will
             ,
             he
             will
             provide
             Ability
             ;
             the
             greatest
             Believer
             in
             the
             World
             cannot
             say
             I
             am
             able
             ,
             to
             suffer
             this
             or
             that
             for
             Christ
             ;
             but
             the
             least
             Believer
             in
             the
             World
             must
             say
             I
             am
             willing
             ,
             the
             Lord
             assisting
             me
             ,
             to
             endure
             and
             suffer
             all
             things
             for
             his
             sake
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             the
             Second
             thing
             included
             in
             opening
             to
             Christ.
             
          
           
             3ly
             ,
             The
             Third
             thing
             which
             perfects
             ,
             and
             consummates
             the
             whole
             act
             ,
             is
             an
             entire
             choice
             of
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             upon
             all
             those
             terms
             prescribed
             by
             him
             ;
             the
             entireness
             of
             the
             choice
             ,
             without
             
             halfing
             or
             dividing
             ,
             excepting
             or
             reserving
             ,
             makes
             the
             consent
             full
             and
             effectual
             .
             There
             is
             a
             twofold
             consent
             of
             the
             Will
             to
             Christ.
             
             
               
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 One
                 partial
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 exception
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 The
                 other
                 entire
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 any
                 reservation
                 .
              
            
          
           
             I.
             There
             is
             a
             partial
             consent
             which
             is
             always
             hypocritical
             ,
             defective
             ,
             lame
             ,
             and
             ineffectual
             ;
             thus
             the
             hypocrite
             consents
             to
             the
             offer
             of
             Christ
             ,
             he
             is
             really
             willing
             to
             have
             the
             pardons
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             glory
             purchased
             by
             Christ
             ;
             but
             to
             part
             with
             his
             beloved
             lusts
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             up
             his
             earthly
             enjoyments
             ,
             that
             his
             Will
             cannot
             consent
             to
             .
          
           
             II.
             There
             is
             a
             full
             and
             entire
             consent
             of
             the
             Will
             ,
             called
             ,
             
               a
               believing
               with
               all
               the
               Heart
               ,
               Acts
            
             8.
             37.
             
             Now
             this
             integrity
             and
             fulness
             of
             the
             Wills
             choice
             ,
             is
             that
             which
             closes
             the
             match
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             frees
             a
             Man
             from
             the
             danger
             of
             hypocrisie
             .
             And
             there
             are
             three
             things
             which
             make
             the
             consent
             to
             ,
             and
             choice
             of
             Christ
             ,
             compleat
             and
             full
             .
          
           
             
               1.
               
               When
               we
               give
               up
               all
               we
               are
               and
               have
               ,
               to
               him
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               When
               we
               derive
               and
               draw
               all
               we
               want
               ,
               from
               him
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               When
               we
               are
               ready
               to
               deny
               any
               thing
               for
               his
               sake
               .
            
          
           
             1.
             
             We
             do
             then
             heartily
             consent
             to
             be
             Christs
             ,
             when
             we
             give
             up
             all
             we
             are
             and
             have
             ,
             to
             him
             ;
             so
             that
             after
             this
             choice
             of
             Christ
             we
             look
             upon
             our selves
             thenceforth
             as
             none
             of
             our
             own
             ;
             but
             bought
             with
             a
             price
             ,
             to
             glorifie
             God
             in
             our
             Body
             and
             Soul
             ,
             which
             are
             his
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             6.
             19
             ,
             20.
             
             Soul
             
             and
             Body
             is
             all
             that
             we
             are
             ,
             and
             both
             these
             parts
             of
             our selves
             do
             now
             pass
             ,
             by
             an
             act
             of
             our
             own
             consent
             ,
             into
             the
             Redeemers
             right
             ;
             we
             are
             not
             to
             have
             the
             dispose
             of
             them
             ,
             that
             belongs
             to
             him
             that
             purchased
             them
             :
             You
             know
             in
             all
             purchases
             property
             is
             altered
             ;
             you
             did
             live
             as
             your
             own
             ,
             followed
             your
             own
             Wills
             ,
             Lusts
             ,
             Passions
             ;
             were
             under
             the
             dominion
             and
             at
             the
             beck
             of
             every
             Lust
             ;
             but
             now
             the
             case
             is
             altered
             ,
             
               Titus
               3.
               3.
               
               We
               our selves
               were
               sometimes
               foolish
               ,
               disobedient
               ,
               deceived
               ,
               serving
               divers
               lusts
               and
               pleasures
               :
            
             So
             many
             Lusts
             ,
             so
             many
             Lords
             ;
             but
             now
             the
             case
             is
             altered
             ,
             we
             have
             given
             our selves
             to
             Christ
             ,
             no
             more
             to
             be
             swayed
             this
             way
             or
             that
             ,
             against
             his
             Word
             ,
             and
             the
             voice
             of
             our
             own
             Conscience
             :
             Thus
             our
             Souls
             and
             Bodies
             are
             his
             ,
             hallowed
             ,
             dedicated
             things
             to
             Christ
             ;
             Temples
             for
             God
             to
             dwell
             in
             ,
             and
             then
             all
             other
             things
             follow
             of
             course
             ;
             if
             I
             am
             the
             Lords
             ,
             then
             my
             time
             ,
             my
             talents
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             I
             have
             is
             his
             .
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             As
             we
             must
             give
             up
             all
             to
             Christ
             ,
             so
             we
             must
             derive
             and
             draw
             all
             we
             want
             from
             him
             ;
             else
             your
             choice
             of
             Christ
             is
             not
             entire
             and
             full
             :
             God
             hath
             stored
             up
             in
             Christ
             all
             that
             you
             want
             ,
             a
             suitable
             and
             full
             supply
             for
             every
             need
             ;
             and
             made
             it
             all
             communicable
             to
             you
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               1.
               30.
               
               Who
               of
               God
               is
               made
               unto
               us
               ,
               wisdom
               and
               righteousness
               ,
               sanctification
               ,
               and
               redemption
               .
            
             All
             the
             believers
             fresh
             springs
             are
             in
             Christ
             :
             Have
             I
             any
             difficult
             buisness
             to
             do
             that
             requires
             counsel
             ?
             Then
             I
             must
             repair
             to
             Christ
             the
             Fountain
             of
             Wisdom
             :
             Am
             I
             under
             any
             guilt
             ?
             Then
             I
             must
             repair
             to
             Christ
             for
             righteousness
             :
             Is
             my
             Soul
             defiled
             by
             corruption
             ?
             Then
             must
             I
             go
             to
             Christ
             for
             Sanctification
             :
             Do
             I
             groan
             under
             troubles
             of
             Soul
             
             or
             Body
             ,
             temptations
             ,
             afflictions
             ?
             &c.
             then
             must
             I
             relieve
             my self
             by
             the
             Faith
             and
             Hope
             of
             that
             compleat
             Redemption
             ,
             and
             final
             deliverance
             procured
             by
             Christ
             from
             all
             these
             :
             if
             you
             consent
             to
             be
             Christs
             you
             must
             not
             look
             for
             Justification
             ,
             partly
             upon
             his
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             partly
             upon
             your
             own
             Graces
             and
             Duties
             ;
             but
             must
             make
             mention
             of
             his
             Righteousness
             ,
             even
             of
             his
             only
             .
             If
             there
             be
             but
             one
             Conduit
             in
             a
             Town
             ,
             and
             not
             a
             drop
             of
             Water
             to
             be
             had
             elsewhere
             ,
             then
             all
             the
             Inhabitants
             of
             that
             Town
             repair
             thither
             for
             Water
             .
             In
             the
             whole
             City
             of
             God
             there
             is
             but
             one
             Conduit
             ,
             one
             Fountain
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             Christ
             ;
             there
             's
             not
             a
             drop
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             Holiness
             ,
             Strength
             ,
             or
             Comfort
             to
             be
             had
             else
             where
             :
             Then
             do
             we
             fetch
             all
             from
             Christ
             ,
             when
             we
             live
             upon
             him
             ,
             as
             the
             new
             born
             Infant
             doth
             upon
             the
             Mothers
             Breast
             .
          
           
             3ly
             ,
             Then
             is
             our
             consent
             to
             ,
             and
             choice
             of
             Christ
             intire
             and
             full
             ,
             when
             we
             are
             ready
             to
             deny
             ,
             give
             up
             ,
             and
             part
             with
             any
             thing
             we
             have
             for
             his
             sake
             ;
             reckoning
             nothing
             to
             be
             lost
             to
             us
             ,
             which
             goes
             to
             the
             glory
             of
             Christ
             ;
             how
             dear
             soever
             our
             Liberties
             ,
             Estates
             ,
             or
             Lives
             are
             to
             us
             ,
             if
             the
             Lord
             have
             need
             of
             them
             ,
             we
             must
             let
             them
             go
             ;
             thus
             you
             read
             ,
             
               Rev.
               12.
               11.
               
               They
               loved
               not
               their
               lives
               unto
               the
               death
               .
            
             These
             three
             things
             shew
             saving
             Faith
             to
             be
             another
             manner
             of
             thing
             than
             the
             World
             generally
             understands
             it
             to
             be
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             impossible
             for
             any
             Mans
             Will
             to
             open
             to
             ,
             and
             receive
             Christ
             upon
             terms
             of
             such
             deep
             self-denial
             as
             these
             ;
             until
             there
             be
             ,
             
               
               
                 1.
                 
                 A
                 Conviction
                 of
                 our
                 sin
                 and
                 misery
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 A
                 Discovery
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 his
                 glory
                 and
                 necessity
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 drawing
                 Power
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 upon
                 the
                 Soul.
                 
              
            
          
           
             1.
             
             Conviction
             of
             our
             sin
             and
             misery
             makes
             these
             terms
             of
             Religion
             acceptable
             ;
             poor
             sinners
             stand
             huckling
             with
             Christ
             ,
             excepting
             and
             objecting
             against
             his
             terms
             until
             the
             Lord
             have
             shaken
             them
             by
             Conviction
             over
             Hell
             ,
             made
             them
             to
             see
             the
             dreadful
             danger
             they
             are
             in
             ;
             and
             then
             the
             next
             cry
             is
             ,
             
               Men
               and
               Brethren
               what
               shall
               we
               do
               ,
               Acts
               2.
               37.
               q.
               d.
            
             Prescribe
             any
             means
             ,
             impose
             upon
             us
             the
             greatest
             difficulties
             ,
             we
             are
             willing
             to
             comply
             with
             them
             .
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             Nor
             will
             Souls
             ever
             comply
             with
             these
             terms
             of
             the
             Gospel
             until
             a
             discovery
             have
             been
             made
             to
             them
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             in
             his
             glory
             and
             necessity
             ;
             when
             a
             Man
             feels
             his
             wants
             ,
             and
             sees
             a
             compleat
             remedy
             ,
             his
             Will
             then
             complies
             and
             bows
             ,
             readily
             and
             freely
             ;
             the
             convinced
             sinner
             sees
             a
             full
             and
             suitable
             supply
             in
             Christ
             for
             all
             his
             wants
             ;
             a
             compleat
             Saviour
             in
             whom
             there
             is
             nothing
             defective
             ,
             but
             in
             all
             respects
             according
             to
             the
             wish
             of
             a
             sinners
             heart
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             1.
             24.
             
          
           
             3ly
             ,
             To
             all
             this
             must
             be
             superadded
             the
             powerful
             drawings
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ;
             in
             the
             vertue
             whereof
             the
             Will
             comes
             home
             to
             Christ
             ,
             
               Iohn
               6.
               44.
               
               No
               Man
               can
               come
               unto
               me
               ,
               except
               the
               Father
               which
               hath
               sent
               me
               ,
               draw
               him
               .
            
             When
             these
             things
             are
             past
             upon
             the
             Soul
             ,
             then
             it
             hears
             Christs
             voice
             ,
             his
             powerful
             call
             ,
             which
             breaks
             asunder
             all
             the
             ties
             and
             bonds
             betwixt
             a
             Man
             and
             his
             Lusts
             ;
             a
             Man
             
             and
             his
             Earthly
             enjoyments
             ;
             and
             without
             these
             things
             the
             Will
             is
             unperswadable
             to
             comply
             with
             the
             difficulties
             and
             severities
             of
             Religion
             .
             This
             is
             the
             first
             thing
             ,
             what
             the
             opening
             of
             the
             door
             ,
             or
             consent
             of
             the
             Will
             to
             receive
             Christ
             is
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             next
             thing
             to
             be
             opened
             in
             its
             order
             ,
             is
             ,
             How
             it
             appears
             that
             Jesus
             Christ
             will
             not
             refuse
             to
             come
             into
             the
             Soul
             of
             any
             sinner
             ,
             be
             his
             sins
             or
             unworthiness
             never
             so
             great
             ;
             when
             once
             he
             is
             made
             heartily
             willing
             thus
             to
             embrace
             and
             receive
             Christ
             upon
             his
             own
             terms
             ?
             O
             sinner
             ,
             what
             good
             tydings
             are
             these
             to
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             that
             Christ
             will
             not
             disdain
             to
             be
             in
             union
             and
             communion
             with
             thee
             ,
             as
             vile
             as
             thou
             art
             ,
             if
             thy
             Will
             thus
             stand
             open
             to
             him
             !
             The
             tydings
             are
             sweet
             ,
             and
             I
             hope
             thou
             wilt
             find
             them
             as
             sure
             ,
             and
             certain
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             sweet
             and
             comfortable
             ;
             when
             thou
             shalt
             have
             seriously
             perused
             and
             pondered
             the
             following
             Evidences
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               The
               truth
               of
               this
               sweet
               assertion
               clearly
               evidenceth
               it self
               from
               the
               form
               and
               manner
               of
               Gospel
               invitations
               ;
               they
               are
               designedly
               put
               into
               large
               ,
               general
               ,
               free
               ,
               and
               most
               extensive
               terms
               ,
               to
               assure
               sinners
               that
               Christ
               will
               not
               be
               shy
               of
               the
               worst
               sinner
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               thus
               made
               willing
               to
               embrace
               him
               ;
               they
               are
               so
               framed
               on
               purpose
               to
               anticipate
               or
               take
               away
               all
               objections
               from
               sinners
               .
               No
               other
               condition
               is
               put
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               but
               this
               only
               ,
               Art
               thou
               heartily
               willing
               to
               take
               Christ
               upon
               his
               own
               terms
               ?
               The
               offers
               of
               Christ
               are
               extended
               to
               all
               that
               thirst
               and
               desire
               after
               him
               ,
               Iohn
               7.
               37.
               
               To
               the
               greatest
               of
               sinners
               ,
               
               upon
               this
               only
               condition
               ,
               that
               they
               be
               willing
               and
               obedient
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 1.
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 
                 Go
                 Preach
                 the
                 Gospel
                 to
                 every
                 Creature
                 :
                 He
                 that
                 believeth
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
                 Mark
              
               16.
               15
               ,
               16.
               
               'T
               is
               extended
               to
               all
               Nations
               ,
               
                 For
                 in
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 there
                 is
                 neither
                 Greek
                 nor
                 Iew
                 ,
                 Circumcision
                 nor
                 Vncircumcision
                 ,
                 Barbarian
                 ,
                 Scythian
                 ,
                 Bond
                 or
                 Free
                 ,
              
               Col.
               3.
               11.
               
               If
               there
               be
               any
               poor
               Soul
               of
               any
               quality
               or
               condition
               whatsoever
               ,
               under
               the
               cope
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               whose
               Will
               is
               wrought
               up
               to
               an
               hearty
               compliance
               with
               the
               terms
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               Christ
               will
               not
               be
               shy
               of
               coming
               into
               that
               Soul
               ,
               though
               it
               have
               been
               never
               so
               vile
               and
               abominable
               ;
               the
               Heart
               of
               a
               
                 Mary
                 Magdalen
              
               ,
               which
               had
               been
               an
               Habitation
               of
               Devils
               ;
               the
               Soul
               of
               a
               Saul
               ,
               a
               Bloody
               raging
               Persecutor
               ,
               will
               make
               as
               delightful
               Habitations
               for
               Christ
               ,
               as
               the
               Soul
               of
               the
               most
               civilized
               person
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               when
               once
               the
               Will
               is
               thus
               opened
               .
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               The
               truth
               of
               this
               assertion
               further
               appears
               ,
               from
               the
               incouraging
               Promises
               made
               by
               Christ
               unto
               all
               who
               are
               thus
               made
               willing
               to
               come
               unto
               him
               :
               All
               the
               Promises
               ,
               with
               one
               Mouth
               ,
               assure
               the
               willing
               sinner
               of
               a
               welcom
               with
               Christ
               ;
               so
               doth
               that
               glorious
               Promise
               to
               which
               so
               many
               thousand
               Souls
               have
               been
               beholding
               ,
               for
               encouragement
               and
               help
               ,
               at
               their
               first
               coming
               to
               Christ
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 6.
                 37
                 ,
                 38.
                 
                 All
                 that
                 the
                 Father
                 hath
                 given
                 me
                 ,
                 shall
                 come
                 to
                 me
                 ;
                 and
                 him
                 that
                 cometh
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 in
                 no
                 wise
                 cast
                 out
                 .
                 For
                 I
                 came
                 down
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 do
                 mine
                 own
                 will
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 sent
                 me
                 .
              
               Note
               here
               ,
               (
               1.
               )
               That
               this
               is
               not
               a
               Promise
               made
               to
               them
               that
               are
               already
               in
               Christ
               ,
               that
               
               they
               shall
               never
               be
               cast
               out
               by
               Apostacy
               ,
               or
               final
               desertion
               ;
               but
               it
               is
               a
               Promise
               made
               to
               coming
               Souls
               ,
               to
               such
               as
               are
               moving
               towards
               Christ
               under
               great
               discouragements
               ,
               fears
               ,
               and
               tremblings
               ;
               when
               a
               poor
               sinner
               looks
               to
               Christ
               ,
               sees
               his
               fulness
               and
               suitableness
               ;
               and
               feels
               the
               pinching
               need
               and
               want
               of
               him
               ;
               Oh
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               that
               I
               had
               an
               interest
               in
               him
               ,
               though
               I
               should
               beg
               my
               Bread
               in
               desolate
               places
               !
               But
               looking
               into
               his
               own
               Heart
               ,
               and
               seeing
               such
               an
               heap
               of
               guilt
               and
               unworthiness
               there
               ,
               then
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               how
               can
               I
               think
               that
               ever
               Jesus
               Christ
               will
               come
               into
               such
               a
               Heart
               as
               this
               ?
               These
               are
               the
               persons
               upon
               whom
               this
               Promise
               casts
               an
               encouraging
               aspect
               .
               (
               2.
               )
               And
               because
               the
               fears
               of
               such
               poor
               Creatures
               are
               double
               to
               the
               fears
               that
               others
               have
               ,
               Christ
               hath
               put
               a
               double
               negative
               into
               this
               Promise
               ,
               for
               the
               Souls
               encouragement
               ;
               
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 ,
                 not
                 ,
                 in
                 no
                 case
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 any
                 Hand
                 cast
                 out
                 ,
                 such
                 a
                 Soul
                 as
                 this
                 .
              
               (
               3.
               )
               And
               to
               put
               all
               out
               of
               doubt
               ,
               he
               doth
               not
               only
               assure
               the
               Soul
               that
               he
               will
               not
               ,
               but
               condescends
               to
               gives
               it
               the
               reason
               why
               he
               will
               not
               cast
               it
               out
               ;
               for
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 38.
                 
                 I
                 came
                 down
                 from
                 Heaven
                 not
                 to
                 do
                 mine
                 own
                 Will
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Will
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 sent
                 me
                 .
              
               As
               if
               he
               should
               say
               ,
               This
               was
               the
               very
               errand
               upon
               which
               I
               came
               from
               Heaven
               ;
               it
               was
               my
               great
               business
               to
               receive
               all
               that
               were
               made
               willing
               to
               embrace
               me
               ;
               for
               this
               I
               had
               my
               Fathers
               Commission
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 61.
                 1.
                 
                 To
                 preach
                 good
                 tydings
                 to
                 the
                 meek
                 ▪
                 and
                 to
                 bind
                 up
                 the
                 broaken
                 Hearted
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 comfort
                 all
                 them
                 that
                 mourn
                 .
              
               I
               cannot
               be
               faithful
               to
               the
               trust
               committed
               to
               me
               by
               my
               Father
               ,
               should
               I
               shut
               the
               door
               upon
               such
               Souls
               :
               How
               can
               Christ
               comfort
               the
               Soul
               that
               mourns
               ,
               but
               by
               opening
               his
               Arms
               of
               mercy
               to
               receive
               
               it
               ?
               If
               Christ
               should
               say
               to
               a
               convinced
               mourning
               sinner
               ,
               hold
               thy
               peace
               Soul
               ,
               I
               will
               give
               thee
               Riches
               ,
               Honors
               ,
               and
               Pleasures
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               but
               as
               for
               me
               thou
               canst
               not
               have
               union
               with
               me
               ;
               I
               say
               ,
               this
               would
               never
               comfort
               the
               Heart
               of
               a
               convinced
               sinner
               ;
               't
               is
               Christ
               ,
               and
               none
               but
               Christ
               can
               quiet
               it
               .
               Like
               unto
               this
               is
               that
               Testimony
               and
               Promise
               ,
               made
               on
               purpose
               ,
               for
               the
               incouragement
               of
               willing
               Souls
               ,
               Acts
               10.
               43.
               
               
                 To
                 him
                 give
                 all
                 the
                 Prophets
                 witness
                 ,
                 that
                 through
                 his
                 Name
                 ,
                 whosoever
                 believeth
                 in
                 him
                 shall
                 receive
                 remission
                 of
                 sins
                 .
              
               This
               you
               see
               is
               a
               truth
               confirmed
               by
               the
               Testimony
               of
               all
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               who
               foretold
               what
               his
               gracious
               readiness
               to
               receive
               poor
               broken
               Hearted
               sinners
               should
               be
               ;
               and
               sure
               they
               neither
               did
               ,
               nor
               could
               conspire
               to
               deceive
               the
               World
               :
               These
               gracious
               Assurances
               and
               Promises
               cut
               off
               all
               pleas
               against
               Faith
               ,
               from
               the
               greatness
               of
               sin
               ;
               and
               why
               should
               we
               except
               ,
               where
               God
               hath
               not
               excepted
               ?
               Had
               Christ
               said
               ,
               all
               sinners
               of
               such
               a
               size
               and
               degree
               may
               come
               unto
               me
               ,
               but
               let
               all
               others
               stand
               back
               ,
               the
               case
               had
               been
               otherwise
               ;
               but
               this
               Promise
               assures
               us
               ,
               all
               that
               are
               sincerely
               willing
               shall
               be
               truly
               welcom
               to
               Jesus
               Christ.
               Moreover
               ,
               these
               universal
               Promises
               take
               away
               all
               fear
               and
               doubt
               of
               presumption
               in
               coming
               to
               Christ.
               That
               's
               the
               case
               of
               many
               a
               poor
               Soul
               ;
               I
               am
               affraid
               ,
               I
               am
               running
               out
               of
               despair
               into
               presumption
               ;
               I
               doubt
               I
               am
               an
               unbidden
               ,
               and
               therefore
               shall
               be
               an
               unwelcom
               guest
               to
               Christ.
               All
               this
               is
               prevented
               and
               cut
               off
               by
               those
               sweet
               universal
               Terms
               ,
               inserted
               on
               purpose
               ,
               in
               these
               Promises
               for
               our
               encouragement
               .
               That
               's
               the
               Second
               Evidence
               of
               this
               Truth
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               III.
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               The
               willingness
               of
               Christ
               to
               receive
               the
               willing
               Soul
               ,
               how
               many
               ,
               and
               great
               ,
               soever
               its
               sins
               and
               unworthiness
               be
               ,
               appears
               from
               the
               
                 actual
                 grants
              
               of
               Pardon
               and
               Mercy
               ,
               even
               to
               the
               vilest
               sinners
               that
               ever
               were
               upon
               the
               Earth
               ,
               when
               they
               thus
               came
               unto
               him
               .
               Here
               you
               see
               how
               the
               Waters
               of
               Free
               Grace
               rise
               higher
               and
               higher
               ;
               an
               Invitation
               is
               much
               ,
               a
               Promise
               of
               welcom
               is
               more
               ;
               but
               the
               actual
               grants
               of
               Mercy
               is
               most
               satisfying
               of
               all
               .
               Come
               on
               poor
               trembling
               Soul
               ,
               dont
               be
               discouraged
               ,
               stretch
               out
               the
               small
               weak
               Arms
               of
               thy
               Faith
               to
               that
               great
               and
               gracious
               Redeemer
               ;
               open
               thy
               Heart
               wide
               to
               receive
               him
               ,
               he
               will
               not
               refuse
               to
               come
               in
               ;
               he
               hath
               sealed
               thousands
               of
               pardons
               to
               as
               vile
               Wretches
               as
               thy self
               ;
               he
               never
               yet
               shut
               the
               door
               of
               Mercy
               upon
               a
               willing
               ,
               hungering
               Soul.
               It
               is
               a
               great
               matter
               to
               have
               the
               Way
               beaten
               ,
               and
               the
               Ice
               broken
               before
               thee
               ,
               in
               thy
               way
               to
               Christ.
               If
               thou
               wert
               the
               first
               sinner
               that
               had
               cast
               his
               Soul
               upon
               Christ
               ,
               I
               confess
               I
               should
               want
               this
               encouragement
               I
               am
               now
               giving
               thee
               ;
               but
               when
               so
               many
               have
               gone
               before
               thee
               ,
               and
               all
               found
               a
               welcom
               beyond
               their
               expectation
               ,
               What
               incouragement
               doth
               this
               breath
               into
               thy
               trembling
               discouraged
               Heart
               ,
               to
               go
               on
               and
               venture
               thy self
               upon
               Christ
               as
               they
               did
               ?
               what
               an
               Example
               have
               we
               in
               
                 Manasseh
                 ,
                 2
                 Chron.
                 33.
                 from
                 vers
                 .
                 3.
                 to
              
               12.
               
               An
               Idolater
               ,
               one
               that
               used
               Enchantments
               and
               Divinations
               ,
               familiar
               Spirits
               ,
               shed
               innocent
               Blood
               in
               the
               Streets
               of
               Ierusalem
               ?
               a
               Man
               might
               rake
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               hardly
               bring
               ●o
               sight
               a
               viler
               Wretch
               ,
               a
               greater
               Monster
               in
               sin
               
               and
               wickedness
               ;
               yet
               his
               Heart
               being
               broken
               ,
               and
               his
               Will
               bowed
               ,
               this
               Man
               found
               Mercy
               .
               How
               great
               a
               sinner
               was
               Mary
               ,
               that
               came
               to
               Christ
               in
               the
               House
               of
               Simon
               the
               
                 Pharisee
                 ,
                 Luke
              
               7.
               39.
               
               So
               notorious
               a
               sinner
               ,
               that
               Simon
               took
               offence
               at
               Christ
               ,
               for
               suffering
               so
               vile
               Wretch
               to
               come
               into
               his
               presence
               .
               
                 If
                 this
                 Man
                 were
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
              
               saith
               he
               ,
               
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 known
                 who
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 manner
                 of
                 Woman
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 toucheth
                 him
                 ;
                 for
                 she
                 is
                 a
                 sinner
                 .
              
               Yet
               Maries
               Heart
               being
               broken
               for
               sin
               ,
               and
               made
               willing
               to
               accept
               of
               a
               Saviour
               ;
               what
               a
               gracious
               demonstration
               of
               welcom
               did
               Christ
               give
               her
               ,
               and
               to
               all
               other
               sinners
               a
               singular
               encouragement
               in
               her
               Example
               ?
               Once
               more
               ,
               you
               have
               an
               eminent
               Example
               of
               the
               abundant
               welcom
               of
               another
               sinner
               to
               Christ
               ,
               who
               owned
               himself
               for
               the
               greatest
               of
               Sinners
               ,
               a
               Persecuter
               ,
               a
               Blasphemer
               ▪
               Injurious
               ;
               but
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               
                 I
                 obtained
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 1
                 Tim.
              
               1.
               16.
               
               And
               the
               Example
               of
               his
               gracious
               Entertainment
               with
               Christ
               ,
               is
               recorded
               on
               purpose
               for
               an
               encouragement
               unto
               all
               that
               should
               hereafter
               believe
               .
               How
               many
               thousands
               are
               there
               now
               in
               Hell
               that
               never
               stood
               guilty
               of
               greater
               enormeties
               than
               the
               Corinthians
               did
               ;
               Fornicators
               ,
               Idolaters
               ,
               Adulterers
               ,
               Thieves
               ,
               Covetous
               ,
               Drunkards
               ,
               Revilers
               ,
               Extortioners
               ,
               such
               were
               some
               of
               them
               ;
               yet
               Sanctified
               ,
               Washed
               ,
               Justified
               ,
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               Spirit
               of
               our
               God.
               If
               ever
               Christ
               would
               have
               shut
               the
               door
               of
               Mercy
               upon
               any
               ;
               if
               ever
               he
               would
               have
               been
               coy
               and
               shy
               of
               coming
               into
               any
               Souls
               ,
               certainly
               these
               were
               the
               Souls
               he
               would
               have
               disdained
               to
               come
               near
               .
               O
               what
               a
               demonstration
               is
               here
               of
               that
               comfortable
               Point
               before
               us
               !
               That
               Christ
               will
               not
               refuse
               to
               come
               into
               the
               Soul
               of
               the
               
               vilest
               Sinner
               when
               ones
               it
               is
               made
               Heartily
               willing
               to
               open
               to
               him
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               A
               further
               Evidence
               of
               this
               comfortable
               Truth
               shall
               be
               taken
               from
               the
               
                 Scripture
                 resemblances
              
               of
               the
               abundant
               Grace
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               riches
               of
               Mercy
               in
               Christ
               towards
               all
               broken
               Hearted
               and
               willing
               Sinners
               .
               There
               are
               some
               chosen
               resemblances
               and
               excellent
               Emblems
               ,
               which
               bring
               down
               the
               Grace
               of
               God
               before
               the
               very
               Eyes
               of
               Men
               ;
               amongst
               which
               I
               will
               single
               out
               three
               glorious
               Resemblances
               of
               Free
               Grace
               ,
               chosen
               by
               his
               Wisdom
               ,
               on
               purpose
               for
               the
               incouragement
               of
               poor
               drooping
               Sinners
               .
               A
               Resemblance
               from
               the
               Heavens
               ,
               a
               Resemblance
               from
               the
               Sun
               ,
               and
               a
               Resemblance
               from
               the
               Sea
               ;
               all
               such
               as
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               Men
               and
               Angels
               could
               never
               have
               chosen
               for
               such
               a
               purpose
               as
               this
               is
               .
            
             
               I.
               A
               Resemblance
               from
               the
               Heavens
               ,
               those
               vast
               extended
               Heavens
               that
               cover
               and
               compass
               this
               Earth
               ;
               what
               an
               inconsiderable
               spot
               is
               the
               whole
               Terrestrial
               Globe
               ,
               to
               those
               high
               and
               all-surrounding
               Heavens
               ?
               and
               yet
               these
               Heavens
               are
               not
               at
               so
               vast
               a
               distance
               above
               the
               Earth
               ,
               as
               the
               pardoning
               Grace
               of
               God
               is
               above
               the
               guilt
               ,
               yea
               ,
               and
               the
               very
               thoughts
               of
               poor
               Sinners
               .
               For
               of
               the
               pardoning
               Grace
               of
               God
               to
               penitent
               and
               willing
               Souls
               ,
               that
               precious
               Scripture
               speaks
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 55.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 Let
                 the
                 wicked
                 for
                 sake
                 his
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 unrighteous
                 Man
                 his
                 thoughts
                 ;
                 and
                 let
                 him
                 return
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 mercy
                 upon
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 will
                 abundantly
                 pardon
                 .
              
               O
               saith
               the
               Soul
               ,
               I
               cannot
               think
               God
               will
               ever
               have
               Mercy
               
               on
               such
               a
               Wretch
               as
               I
               ,
               why
               saith
               he
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 8.
                 
                 My
                 thoughts
                 are
                 not
                 your
                 thoughts
                 ,
              
               and
               't
               is
               well
               they
               are
               not
               ;
               
                 but
                 as
                 the
                 Heavens
                 are
                 higher
                 than
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 so
                 are
                 my
                 thoughts
                 higher
                 than
                 your
                 thoughts
                 .
              
               You
               cannot
               take
               the
               height
               ,
               nor
               sound
               the
               depth
               of
               my
               pardoning
               Grace
               .
               That
               's
               one
               Emblem
               ,
               from
               the
               unconceivable
               height
               of
               the
               Heavens
               above
               the
               Earth
               .
            
             
               II.
               Another
               is
               taken
               from
               the
               Sun
               in
               the
               Heavens
               ,
               a
               Creature
               of
               admirable
               Power
               and
               Vertue
               ;
               you
               know
               that
               anon
               this
               part
               of
               the
               World
               will
               be
               the
               Throne
               of
               Darkness
               ,
               the
               Sable
               curtains
               of
               the
               Night
               will
               be
               spread
               over
               all
               the
               beauties
               of
               this
               part
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
               and
               it
               may
               be
               in
               the
               Morning
               a
               thick
               Fog
               or
               Mist
               will
               cover
               it
               ;
               thick
               and
               dark
               Clouds
               may
               darken
               the
               Heavens
               ,
               but
               behold
               this
               glorious
               Creature
               the
               Sun
               chasing
               before
               him
               the
               darkness
               of
               the
               Night
               ,
               breaking
               up
               the
               Mists
               and
               Fogs
               of
               the
               Morning
               ,
               scattering
               the
               dark
               and
               thick
               Clouds
               of
               Heaven
               ;
               they
               are
               all
               gone
               and
               there
               is
               no
               appearance
               of
               them
               .
               Just
               so
               saith
               God
               ,
               shall
               it
               be
               with
               thy
               sins
               ,
               and
               thy
               Cloudy
               fears
               arising
               out
               of
               sin
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 44.
                 22.
                 
                 I
                 have
                 blotted
                 out
                 as
                 a
                 thick
                 Cloud
                 thy
                 transgressions
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 a
                 Cloud
                 thy
                 sins
                 .
              
               Thy
               Soul
               is
               beclouded
               ,
               thy
               fears
               have
               bemisted
               thee
               ;
               so
               that
               thou
               canst
               not
               see
               the
               grounds
               of
               thine
               encouragement
               ;
               but
               my
               Grace
               shall
               arise
               upon
               thee
               ,
               like
               the
               Sun
               in
               the
               Heavens
               ,
               and
               scatter
               all
               these
               dismal
               Clouds
               both
               of
               guilt
               and
               fear
               ,
               and
               make
               a
               clear
               Heaven
               over
               thee
               ,
               and
               a
               clear
               Soul
               within
               thee
               .
               
                 Vnto
                 you
                 that
                 fear
                 my
                 Name
                 ,
                 shall
                 the
                 Sun
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 arise
                 with
                 healing
                 under
                 his
                 wings
                 ,
              
               Mal.
               4.
               2.
               
            
             
             
               III.
               Another
               Resemblance
               you
               have
               from
               the
               Sea
               ,
               the
               great
               Abyss
               ,
               that
               vast
               Congregation
               of
               Waters
               ,
               whose
               depth
               no
               line
               can
               fadom
               ;
               Veer
               out
               as
               much
               Line
               as
               you
               will
               ,
               you
               cannot
               touch
               the
               bottom
               .
               To
               this
               unfathomable
               Ocean
               the
               pardoning
               Grace
               of
               God
               is
               also
               resembled
               ,
               Mich.
               7.
               18
               ,
               19.
               
               
                 Who
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 like
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 pardoneth
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 and
                 passeth
                 by
                 the
                 transgression
                 of
                 the
                 remnant
                 of
                 his
                 heritage
                 ?
                 he
                 retaineth
                 not
                 his
                 anger
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 delighteth
                 in
                 mercy
                 .
                 He
                 will
                 turn
                 again
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 compassion
                 upon
                 us
                 ;
                 he
                 will
                 subdue
                 our
                 iniquities
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 wilt
                 cast
                 all
                 their
                 sins
                 into
                 the
                 depths
                 of
                 the
                 Sea.
              
               If
               the
               loftiest
               Pyramid
               ,
               or
               highest
               Mountain
               were
               cast
               into
               the
               depth
               of
               the
               Sea
               ,
               it
               would
               never
               be
               seen
               more
               by
               the
               Eyes
               of
               Men.
               God
               hath
               on
               purpose
               chosen
               this
               Emblem
               of
               his
               Grace
               to
               obviate
               that
               common
               discouragement
               of
               Satan
               taken
               from
               the
               greatness
               and
               aggravation
               of
               sin
               ;
               and
               in
               that
               case
               thou
               art
               to
               make
               use
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               bless
               the
               Lord
               for
               them
               ;
               he
               never
               designed
               them
               for
               encouragements
               to
               sin
               ,
               but
               for
               encouragements
               to
               repentance
               and
               Faith.
               That
               's
               the
               Fourth
               Evidence
               of
               the
               Truth
               before
               us
               .
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               The
               Truth
               of
               this
               Conclusion
               will
               also
               evidently
               appear
               ,
               from
               the
               innate
               characters
               and
               properties
               of
               the
               Grace
               and
               pardoning
               Mercy
               of
               God
               towards
               penitent
               and
               hungring
               Sinners
               .
               Now
               there
               are
               three
               glorious
               Characters
               of
               Divine
               Grace
               ,
               which
               do
               all
               assure
               such
               sinners
               welcom
               to
               Christ
               ,
               whatever
               they
               have
               been
               or
               done
               ;
               the
               Grace
               of
               God
               ,
               shines
               forth
               
               in
               Scripture
               in
               three
               illustrious
               Characters
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 As
                 superabounding
                 Grace
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 As
                 Free
                 Grace
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 As
                 Grace
                 exercised
                 with
                 delight
                 .
              
            
             
               First
               ,
               It
               is
               superabounding
               Grace
               ;
               Waters
               do
               not
               so
               abound
               in
               the
               Ocean
               ,
               nor
               Light
               in
               the
               Sun
               ,
               as
               Grace
               and
               compassion
               do
               in
               the
               bowels
               of
               God
               towards
               broken
               Hearted
               and
               hungry
               sinners
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 55.
                 6.
                 
                 Let
                 him
                 return
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 mercy
                 upon
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 will
                 abundantly
                 pardon
                 .
              
               The
               compassions
               of
               our
               God
               inserted
               that
               word
               on
               purpose
               to
               relieve
               poor
               Souls
               fainting
               under
               the
               sense
               of
               their
               abounding
               iniquities
               .
               Here
               's
               abundant
               Pardon
               ,
               for
               abounding
               Guilt
               ;
               and
               yet
               left
               a
               desponding
               sinner
               should
               not
               find
               enough
               here
               to
               quiet
               his
               fears
               ;
               the
               Lord
               goes
               yet
               farther
               in
               the
               expression
               of
               his
               Grace
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 20.
                 
                 Where
                 sin
                 abounded
                 ,
                 Grace
                 did
                 much
                 more
                 abound
                 .
              
               It
               overflowed
               all
               the
               bounds
               ,
               it
               rose
               quite
               above
               the
               high-water
               Mark
               of
               sin
               and
               guilt
               ;
               but
               these
               overflowings
               of
               Grace
               run
               only
               through
               that
               channel
               of
               all
               Grace
               ,
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               to
               broken
               Hearted
               and
               obedient
               Sinners
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               The
               Grace
               of
               God
               to
               such
               Souls
               is
               free
               ,
               every
               way
               free
               ;
               it
               is
               the
               very
               design
               of
               the
               Gospel
               to
               exhibit
               it
               in
               this
               its
               glory
               .
               It
               costs
               you
               nothing
               but
               acceptance
               ,
               its
               free
               without
               merit
               ,
               yea
               ,
               free
               against
               merit
               ;
               you
               can
               deserve
               nothing
               of
               God
               ,
               therefore
               his
               Grace
               is
               free
               without
               merit
               ;
               yea
               ,
               you
               have
               deserved
               Hell
               ,
               as
               often
               as
               you
               have
               sinned
               against
               him
               ,
               and
               so
               it
               is
               free
               against
               merit
               .
               If
               a
               pardon
               were
               to
               be
               purchased
               
               by
               us
               ,
               we
               want
               a
               stock
               for
               such
               a
               purchase
               ;
               neither
               can
               we
               borrow
               from
               Men
               or
               Angels
               a
               sufficient
               sum
               for
               such
               a
               purchase
               :
               Blessed
               be
               God
               ,
               therefore
               ,
               that
               it
               flows
               freely
               to
               us
               without
               money
               and
               without
               price
               ,
               Isa.
               55.
               2.
               
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               Grace
               glories
               in
               another
               property
               also
               ;
               which
               is
               very
               encouraging
               to
               the
               Soul
               of
               a
               drooping
               sinner
               ,
               viz.
               that
               it
               is
               the
               darling
               attribute
               which
               God
               greatly
               delights
               to
               exercise
               .
               The
               tender
               Mother
               draws
               not
               out
               her
               aking
               Breast
               ,
               with
               such
               delight
               to
               her
               hungry
               crying
               Child
               ,
               as
               the
               Lord
               doth
               his
               Mercy
               and
               Compassion
               ,
               to
               broken
               Hearted
               and
               hungry
               Sinners
               ;
               in
               this
               attribute
               ,
               and
               in
               this
               property
               of
               it
               ,
               his
               people
               therefore
               admire
               him
               ,
               
                 Mich.
                 7.
                 18.
                 
                 Who
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 like
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 pardoneth
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 and
                 passeth
                 by
                 the
                 transgression
                 of
                 the
                 remnant
                 of
                 his
                 heritage
                 ?
                 He
                 retaineth
                 not
                 his
                 anger
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 delighteth
                 in
                 mercy
                 .
              
               You
               cannot
               put
               Jesus
               Christ
               upon
               a
               more
               delightful
               imployment
               ,
               than
               to
               bind
               up
               the
               Wounds
               ,
               and
               set
               the
               broken
               Bones
               of
               poor
               convinced
               humbled
               Sinners
               .
               Let
               every
               such
               Soul
               come
               to
               Christ
               and
               welcom
               ,
               for
               he
               greatly
               delights
               in
               such
               imployments
               .
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               Such
               sinners
               need
               not
               doubt
               a
               welcom
               reception
               with
               Christ
               ;
               for
               should
               he
               reject
               and
               turn
               back
               such
               as
               these
               ,
               then
               none
               can
               have
               the
               benefit
               of
               his
               Blood
               ;
               and
               consequently
               it
               must
               be
               shed
               in
               vain
               ,
               as
               Water
               spilt
               upon
               the
               ground
               .
               The
               Blood
               of
               Christ
               is
               invaluably
               precious
               ,
               and
               it
               cannot
               be
               lost
               ;
               it
               were
               a
               desperate
               impeachment
               of
               the
               Wisdom
               and
               Goodness
               of
               God
               to
               
               think
               so
               ;
               yet
               so
               it
               must
               be
               ,
               if
               broken
               Hearted
               and
               willing
               Souls
               be
               rejected
               and
               turned
               back
               from
               him
               .
               There
               are
               but
               two
               sorts
               of
               Sinners
               in
               all
               the
               World
               ,
               viz.
               hardned
               and
               broken
               Hearted
               Sinners
               ;
               willing
               and
               unwilling
               Sinners
               .
               The
               whole
               World
               falls
               into
               these
               two
               ranks
               ;
               as
               for
               impenitent
               ,
               hardned
               ,
               and
               obstinate
               sinners
               ,
               't
               is
               certain
               they
               can
               have
               no
               benefit
               by
               the
               Blood
               of
               Christ
               ;
               they
               shall
               dye
               in
               their
               sins
               ;
               the
               Gospel
               cuts
               them
               off
               (
               so
               continuing
               )
               from
               all
               expectation
               of
               pardon
               and
               mercy
               .
               Now
               there
               is
               but
               one
               sort
               of
               Sinners
               more
               left
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               they
               are
               convinced
               and
               humbled
               Sinners
               ,
               who
               are
               made
               heartily
               willing
               to
               receive
               Christ
               upon
               his
               own
               terms
               ;
               who
               stretch
               forth
               the
               Hands
               of
               their
               desires
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               pant
               after
               an
               interest
               in
               him
               .
               Should
               Christ
               reject
               these
               also
               ,
               who
               then
               shall
               receive
               the
               benefit
               of
               his
               Blood
               ?
               Did
               Christ
               dye
               in
               vain
               ?
               Or
               can
               the
               Counsels
               of
               Heaven
               prove
               abortive
               ?
               No
               ,
               no
               ;
               fear
               not
               therefore
               ,
               to
               go
               to
               Christ
               thou
               broken
               Hearted
               Sinner
               ,
               thou
               poor
               panting
               ,
               longing
               Soul
               ;
               fear
               not
               ,
               he
               will
               not
               cast
               thee
               out
               .
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
               Evidence
               .
            
             
               Moreover
               ,
               for
               the
               encouragement
               of
               all
               such
               Souls
               ,
               mercy
               and
               pardon
               are
               designed
               by
               ,
               bestowed
               upon
               the
               greatest
               and
               vilest
               of
               sinners
               ,
               to
               enhance
               and
               raise
               the
               glory
               of
               Free
               Grace
               to
               the
               highest
               pitch
               .
               God
               picks
               out
               such
               Sinners
               as
               you
               are
               ,
               on
               purpose
               to
               illustrate
               the
               glory
               of
               his
               Grace
               in
               and
               upon
               you
               ;
               he
               knows
               you
               to
               whom
               so
               much
               is
               forgiven
               ,
               you
               will
               love
               much
               ,
               Luke
               7.
               47.
               
               You
               that
               have
               done
               so
               much
               against
               
               his
               Name
               and
               Glory
               ,
               will
               excel
               others
               in
               zeal
               and
               obedience
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               15.
               9
               ,
               10.
               
               You
               will
               go
               beyond
               others
               in
               service
               for
               God
               ,
               as
               you
               have
               done
               in
               sinning
               against
               him
               .
               All
               these
               things
               laid
               together
               make
               up
               a
               full
               demonstration
               of
               the
               Point
               ,
               
                 That
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 will
                 not
                 refuse
                 to
                 come
                 into
                 the
                 Soul
                 of
                 the
                 vilest
                 Sinner
                 ,
                 when
                 once
                 it
                 is
                 made
                 heartily
                 willing
                 to
                 open
                 unto
                 him
                 .
              
               Which
               was
               the
               thing
               to
               be
               proved
               ;
               and
               now
               our
               way
               is
               open
               to
               the
               Application
               of
               the
               Point
               ,
               which
               will
               be
               exceeding
               useful
               for
               Information
               ,
               Exhortation
               and
               Consolation
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             I.
             Vse
             for
             Information
             .
          
           
             Learn
             hence
             ,
             
             what
             an
             invaluable
             Mercy
             it
             is
             to
             enjoy
             the
             Gospel
             in
             its
             light
             and
             liberty
             ,
             which
             is
             so
             great
             a
             relief
             to
             the
             distressed
             Consciences
             of
             sinners
             .
          
           
             Here
             only
             that
             Balm
             is
             to
             be
             found
             ,
             that
             heals
             your
             spiritual
             Wounds
             .
             The
             Gospel
             hath
             been
             a
             low
             prized
             commodity
             in
             England
             ,
             the
             Lord
             pardon
             the
             guilt
             thereof
             to
             us
             .
             Ah
             ,
             Brethren
             ,
             if
             you
             were
             in
             the
             Heathen
             World
             ,
             with
             your
             sick
             and
             wounded
             Consciences
             ,
             what
             would
             you
             do
             ?
             There
             are
             no
             Bibles
             ,
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             Promises
             ;
             not
             a
             breath
             of
             Christ
             ,
             or
             the
             Blood
             of
             sprinkling
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             true
             and
             proper
             remedies
             of
             sick
             Souls
             ;
             that
             's
             a
             pitiful
             cry
             ,
             
               Mich.
               6.
               6.
               
               Wherewith
               shall
               I
               come
               before
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               how
               my self
               before
               the
               high
               God
               ?
               Shall
               I
               come
               before
               him
               with
               burnt-offerings
               ,
               with
               Calves
               of
               a
               year
               old
               ?
               Will
               the
               Lord
               be
               pleased
               with
               thousands
               of
               Rams
               ,
               or
               ten
               thousand
               Rivers
               of
               Oyl
               ?
               Shall
               I
               give
               my
               first-born
               for
               my
               transgression
               ;
               the
               fruit
               of
               my
               Body
               for
               the
               sin
               of
               my
               Soul
               ?
            
             Behold
             here
             the
             anguish
             of
             a
             
             destressed
             ,
             sin-burdened
             Conscience
             ;
             it
             would
             give
             up
             any
             thing
             in
             the
             World
             for
             peace
             and
             ease
             ;
             they
             would
             cast
             their
             Children
             ,
             their
             dearest
             Children
             ,
             their
             first-born
             ,
             into
             the
             burning
             flames
             ,
             if
             that
             might
             be
             an
             atonement
             for
             their
             ●ins
             .
             O
             the
             efficacy
             of
             Conscience
             !
             And
             the
             misery
             of
             an
             unrelieved
             Conscience
             !
             But
             the
             Gospel
             which
             you
             enjoy
             leads
             you
             to
             the
             Fountain
             of
             pardon
             and
             peace
             ,
             
               I●a
               .
               53.
               5.
               
               By
               his
               stripes
               we
               are
               healed
               .
            
             The
             voice
             of
             the
             Gospel
             is
             peace
             ,
             peace
             to
             every
             one
             that
             believeth
             ;
             a
             rational
             peace
             ,
             founded
             upon
             the
             full
             satisfaction
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               Ephes.
               1.
               7.
               
               In
               whom
               we
               have
               redemption
               through
               his
               Blood
               ,
               even
               the
               forgiveness
               of
               sins
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               riches
               of
               his
               Grace
               .
            
             Here
             you
             see
             Justice
             and
             Mercy
             kissing
             each
             other
             ;
             God
             satisfied
             ,
             and
             the
             Sinner
             justified
             ;
             for
             Conscience
             demands
             as
             much
             to
             satisfie
             it
             ,
             as
             God
             demands
             to
             satisfie
             him
             ;
             if
             God
             be
             satisfied
             ,
             Conscience
             is
             satisfied
             .
             
               O
               blessed
               are
               the
               people
               that
               hear
               this
               joyful
               sound
               ,
            
             Psal.
             89.
             15.
             
             And
             doubtless
             it
             is
             a
             joyful
             sound
             to
             every
             convinced
             humbled
             Soul
             ;
             
               Beautiful
               upon
               the
               Mountains
               are
               the
               Feet
               of
               them
               that
               bring
               good
               tydings
               ,
               that
               publish
               peace
               .
            
             It
             is
             a
             Gospel
             worthy
             of
             all
             acceptation
             ,
             1
             Tim.
             1.
             15.
             it
             brings
             with
             it
             a
             fulness
             of
             blessings
             among
             the
             People
             .
             O
             England
             !
             O
             Dartmouth
             !
             Provoke
             not
             thy
             God
             to
             extinguish
             this
             blessed
             light
             .
             Great
             is
             our
             wantonness
             ,
             and
             ominous
             is
             our
             barrenness
             and
             ingratitude
             ;
             
               Yet
               a
               little
               while
               the
               light
               is
               with
               you
               ,
               walk
               whilst
               ye
               have
               the
               light
               ,
               lest
               darkness
               come
               upon
               you
               :
               for
               he
               that
               walketh
               in
               darkness
               knoweth
               not
               whither
               he
               goeth
               ,
            
             John
             12.
             35.
             
             Should
             God
             blow
             out
             this
             light
             ,
             whither
             will
             you
             go
             ?
             Who
             shall
             pour
             in
             Balm
             to
             your
             distressed
             bleeding
             Consciences
             '
          
           
             
             
               II.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               
                 Hence
                 in
                 like
                 manner
                 it
                 follows
                 ,
              
               
               
                 that
                 the
                 greatness
                 ,
                 heinousness
                 of
                 past
                 sins
                 is
                 no
                 bar
                 to
                 believing
                 and
                 accepting
                 Christ
                 upon
                 Gospel
                 terms
                 .
              
               Let
               no
               sinner
               be
               dismaid
               by
               the
               atrocity
               ,
               and
               heynousness
               of
               sins
               past
               ,
               from
               coming
               unto
               Jesus
               Christ
               for
               remission
               and
               peace
               .
               I
               am
               awar
               what
               mischievous
               use
               Satan
               makes
               of
               former
               sins
               ,
               to
               discourage
               Souls
               from
               the
               work
               of
               Faith
               ,
               by
               heaping
               them
               together
               ,
               he
               raiseth
               up
               a
               Mountain
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               the
               distressed
               Soul
               ;
               but
               behold
               this
               day
               Christ
               leaping
               over
               these
               Mountains
               ,
               and
               skiping
               over
               these
               Hills
               .
               Could
               this
               objection
               be
               rouled
               out
               of
               the
               way
               ,
               sinners
               would
               go
               on
               in
               hope
               ;
               but
               certainly
               if
               God
               have
               given
               thee
               a
               broken
               Heart
               ,
               and
               a
               willing
               Mind
               ,
               the
               greatness
               of
               thy
               sin
               need
               not
               discourage
               thee
               from
               believing
               .
               For
               (
               1.
               )
               thou
               hast
               sufficient
               encouragement
               ,
               from
               the
               sufficiency
               of
               the
               causes
               of
               pardon
               ,
               whatever
               thy
               particular
               enormities
               have
               been
               ;
               there
               is
               a
               sufficiency
               in
               the
               impulsive
               cause
               ,
               the
               Free
               Grace
               and
               Mercy
               of
               God
               ,
               Exod.
               34.
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 Micah
                 7.
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 
                 Isa.
              
               55.
               7
               ,
               8
               ,
               9.
               
               It
               is
               well
               there
               is
               Mercy
               enough
               in
               God
               to
               heal
               and
               cover
               all
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               no
               less
               sufficiency
               in
               the
               meritorious
               cause
               of
               pardon
               ,
               the
               Blood
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               which
               taketh
               away
               all
               sin
               ,
               1
               Iohn
               1.
               7.
               1
               
               Iohn
               29.
               
               And
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               so
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               Divine
               Blood
               ,
               Acts
               20.
               28.
               
               Neither
               is
               there
               any
               defect
               in
               the
               applying
               cause
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               hath
               already
               begun
               to
               work
               upon
               thy
               Heart
               ,
               and
               is
               able
               to
               break
               it
               and
               bow
               it
               ,
               and
               bring
               it
               home
               fully
               to
               Christ
               ;
               and
               to
               compleat
               the
               work
               
               of
               Faith
               upon
               thee
               with
               power
               ;
               thou
               complainest
               ,
               thou
               canst
               not
               mourn
               ,
               nor
               believe
               as
               thou
               wouldst
               ;
               but
               he
               wants
               no
               ability
               to
               supply
               all
               the
               defects
               of
               thy
               repentance
               and
               faith
               .
               Well
               then
               ,
               if
               the
               mercy
               of
               God
               be
               sufficient
               to
               pardon
               the
               sin
               of
               a
               Creature
               ;
               if
               the
               Blood
               of
               Christ
               ,
               the
               Treasures
               and
               Revenues
               of
               a
               King
               be
               able
               to
               pay
               the
               debts
               of
               a
               Beggar
               ;
               if
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               works
               by
               an
               Almighty
               Power
               ,
               be
               able
               to
               convince
               thee
               of
               righteousness
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               sin
               ,
               Iohn
               16.
               9.
               
               I
               say
               ,
               if
               all
               the
               three
               causes
               of
               forgiveness
               be
               sufficient
               ,
               every
               one
               in
               its
               kind
               ;
               the
               first
               to
               move
               ;
               the
               second
               to
               purchase
               ;
               and
               the
               third
               to
               apply
               ;
               what
               hinders
               but
               thy
               trembling
               Conscience
               should
               go
               to
               Christ
               ;
               and
               thy
               discouraged
               Soul
               move
               onward
               ,
               with
               hope
               ,
               in
               the
               way
               of
               believing
               ,
               whatever
               thy
               former
               enormities
               have
               been
               ?
               (
               2.
               )
               If
               God
               raises
               glory
               to
               his
               Name
               ,
               out
               of
               the
               greatness
               of
               the
               sins
               he
               pardoneth
               ,
               then
               the
               greatness
               of
               sin
               can
               be
               no
               discouragement
               to
               believing
               ;
               but
               so
               God
               doth
               ,
               he
               raiseth
               the
               glory
               of
               his
               Name
               from
               the
               multitude
               and
               magnitude
               of
               the
               sins
               he
               pardoneth
               ,
               
                 Ier.
                 33.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 I
                 will
                 cleanse
                 them
                 from
                 all
                 their
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 have
                 sinned
                 against
                 me
                 ;
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 pardon
                 all
                 their
                 iniquities
                 whereby
                 they
                 have
                 sinned
                 ,
                 and
                 whereby
                 they
                 have
                 transgressed
                 against
                 me
                 :
                 And
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 to
                 me
                 a
                 name
                 of
                 joy
                 ,
                 a
                 praise
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 honour
                 before
                 all
                 the
                 Nations
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 ;
                 which
                 shall
                 hear
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 I
                 do
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 they
                 shall
                 fear
                 and
                 tremble
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 prosperity
                 that
                 I
                 procure
                 unto
                 it
                 .
              
               As
               a
               cure
               performed
               upon
               a
               Man
               labouring
               under
               a
               desperate
               Disease
               ;
               it
               magnifies
               the
               Physitian
               ,
               and
               spreads
               his
               Name
               far
               and
               near
               .
               The
               Devil
               envies
               God
               
               this
               glory
               ,
               and
               thy
               Soul
               this
               comfort
               ;
               and
               therefore
               scares
               thee
               off
               from
               Christ
               ,
               by
               the
               aggravations
               of
               thy
               sins
               .
               David
               was
               willing
               to
               give
               God
               the
               glory
               of
               pardoning
               his
               great
               iniquities
               ,
               and
               with
               that
               very
               argument
               moves
               him
               for
               a
               pardon
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 25.
                 11.
                 
                 Pardon
                 mine
                 iniquitie
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 great
                 .
              
               You
               see
               there
               are
               strange
               ways
               of
               arguing
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               which
               are
               not
               in
               use
               among
               Men
               ;
               this
               is
               one
               ,
               
                 Lord
                 pardon
                 my
                 sin
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 great
              
               ;
               he
               doth
               not
               say
               ,
               
                 Lord
                 pardon
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 is
              
               but
               a
               small
               offence
               ;
               no
               ,
               but
               pardon
               it
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               great
               ;
               and
               the
               greater
               it
               is
               ,
               the
               greater
               Glory
               wilt
               thou
               have
               in
               pardoning
               it
               :
               And
               then
               there
               is
               another
               way
               of
               arguing
               for
               pardon
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               which
               is
               peculiar
               ;
               and
               that
               is
               to
               argue
               from
               former
               pardons
               unto
               new
               pardons
               ;
               when
               Men
               beg
               their
               pardon
               one
               of
               another
               ,
               they
               use
               to
               say
               ,
               I
               never
               wronged
               you
               before
               ,
               and
               therefore
               forgive
               me
               now
               ;
               but
               here
               it
               is
               quite
               otherwise
               ;
               Lord
               thou
               hast
               signed
               thousand
               of
               pardons
               heretofore
               ,
               therefore
               pardon
               me
               again
               ;
               such
               is
               that
               plea
               ,
               
                 Numb
                 .
                 14.
                 19.
                 
                 Pardon
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 thee
                 ,
                 the
                 iniquity
                 of
                 this
                 people
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 greatness
                 of
                 thy
                 mercy
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 thou
                 hast
                 forgiven
                 them
                 from
              
               Egypt
               
                 even
                 until
                 now
              
               .
               (
               3.
               )
               As
               great
               sins
               ,
               as
               those
               that
               now
               stare
               in
               the
               Face
               of
               thy
               Conscience
               ,
               have
               been
               actually
               forgiven
               to
               Men
               ,
               upon
               their
               humiliation
               and
               closing
               with
               Christ.
               Poor
               sinners
               ,
               under
               trouble
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               are
               apt
               to
               think
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               sin
               like
               theirs
               .
               God
               forbid
               I
               should
               diminish
               and
               extenuate
               sin
               ,
               but
               certain
               I
               am
               that
               Free
               Grace
               hath
               pardoned
               as
               great
               Sinners
               as
               thou
               art
               ,
               upon
               their
               repentance
               and
               faith
               :
               What
               think
               you
               ,
               had
               you
               had
               a
               Hand
               in
               putting
               Christ
               to
               Death
               ,
               would
               not
               that
               sin
               have
               
               been
               as
               dreadful
               as
               any
               that
               now
               discourages
               you
               ?
               Yea
               ,
               certainly
               ,
               you
               would
               have
               thought
               that
               an
               unpardonable
               sin
               ;
               and
               yet
               behold
               that
               very
               sin
               was
               no
               bar
               to
               their
               pardon
               ,
               when
               once
               they
               were
               pricked
               at
               the
               Heart
               and
               made
               willing
               to
               come
               to
               Christ
               ,
               Acts
               2.
               36
               ,
               37
               ,
               38.
               
               (
               4.
               )
               If
               it
               be
               the
               design
               and
               policy
               of
               Satan
               to
               object
               the
               greatness
               of
               your
               sins
               ,
               to
               prevent
               the
               pardoning
               of
               them
               ;
               then
               certainly
               't
               is
               neither
               your
               duty
               nor
               interest
               to
               plead
               it
               to
               the
               same
               end
               the
               Devil
               doth
               ,
               to
               lay
               a
               confederacy
               ,
               and
               joyn
               with
               your
               mortal
               enemy
               in
               a
               plot
               against
               the
               honour
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               Salvation
               of
               your
               own
               Souls
               ;
               take
               heed
               what
               you
               do
               ,
               seal
               not
               Satans
               conclusions
               ;
               do
               you
               think
               it
               is
               a
               small
               matter
               to
               be
               confederate
               with
               the
               Devil
               ?
               Certainly
               this
               is
               his
               design
               ,
               he
               magnifies
               your
               sins
               ,
               on
               purpose
               to
               discourage
               you
               from
               faith
               ;
               while
               you
               were
               secure
               and
               carnal
               ,
               the
               Devil
               never
               aggravated
               ,
               but
               diminished
               your
               sins
               to
               you
               ;
               but
               now
               the
               Lord
               hath
               opened
               your
               Eyes
               ,
               and
               you
               are
               come
               near
               to
               the
               door
               of
               hope
               ,
               mercy
               ,
               and
               pardon
               ;
               now
               he
               magnifies
               them
               ;
               hoping
               thereby
               to
               ham-string
               and
               lame
               thy
               faith
               ,
               that
               it
               shall
               not
               be
               able
               to
               carry
               thee
               to
               Christ.
               (
               5.
               )
               If
               thy
               sin
               be
               really
               unpardonable
               ,
               then
               God
               hath
               somewhere
               excepted
               it
               in
               the
               Gospel
               grant
               .
               He
               hath
               somewhere
               said
               ,
               The
               Man
               that
               hath
               committed
               this
               sin
               ,
               or
               continued
               so
               many
               years
               in
               sin
               ,
               shall
               never
               be
               forgiven
               :
               but
               now
               in
               the
               whole
               Gospel
               there
               is
               but
               one
               sin
               that
               is
               absolutely
               excepted
               from
               the
               possibility
               of
               pardon
               ,
               and
               that
               such
               a
               sin
               as
               thy
               sorrows
               and
               desires
               after
               Christ
               ,
               do
               fully
               acquit
               ,
               and
               clear
               thee
               from
               the
               guilt
               of
               ;
               this
               sin
               indeed
               is
               excepted
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 12.
                 31.
                 
                 But
                 the
                 sin
                 
                 against
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 shall
                 never
                 be
                 forgiven
                 .
              
               This
               is
               that
               which
               the
               Scripture
               calls
               a
               sin
               unto
               death
               .
               Let
               Apostate
               Professors
               ,
               transformed
               into
               Persecutors
               ,
               Scoffers
               ,
               and
               Haters
               of
               godliness
               and
               the
               Professors
               of
               it
               ,
               look
               to
               themselves
               ;
               the
               dreadful
               symptoms
               of
               this
               sin
               seem
               to
               appear
               upon
               such
               .
               But
               the
               humbled
               ,
               thirsty
               Soul
               after
               Christ
               ,
               stands
               clear
               of
               the
               guilt
               of
               that
               sin
               .
               (
               5.
               )
               If
               there
               were
               no
               forgiveness
               with
               God
               for
               great
               sinners
               ,
               then
               great
               sinners
               had
               never
               been
               invited
               to
               come
               to
               Christ.
               The
               invitations
               of
               the
               Gospel
               are
               no
               mockeries
               ,
               but
               things
               of
               most
               awful
               solemnity
               .
               Now
               such
               sinners
               are
               called
               and
               invited
               under
               the
               encouragement
               of
               a
               pardon
               ;
               consult
               
                 Isa.
                 1.
                 from
                 vers
                 .
                 10.
                 to
                 17.
              
               and
               see
               the
               horrid
               aggravations
               of
               that
               peoples
               sins
               ;
               and
               yet
               at
               vers
               .
               17
               ,
               18.
               you
               may
               read
               the
               gracious
               invitations
               of
               God
               ,
               with
               conditional
               promises
               of
               a
               plenary
               remission
               ;
               so
               in
               
                 Ier.
                 3.
                 from
                 1.
                 to
              
               13.
               what
               a
               sad
               Catalogue
               of
               sins
               ,
               with
               their
               horrid
               aggravations
               ,
               do
               you
               find
               there
               ?
               and
               yet
               it
               said
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 12.
                 
                 Go
                 and
                 proclaim
                 these
                 words
                 towards
                 the
                 North
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 Return
                 thou
                 backsliding
              
               Israel
               ,
               
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 cause
                 mine
                 anger
                 to
                 fall
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 merciful
                 .
              
               (
               6.
               )
               If
               thy
               sins
               had
               not
               been
               capable
               of
               remission
               ,
               God
               would
               never
               have
               given
               thee
               conviction
               and
               compunction
               for
               sin
               ;
               nor
               have
               drawn
               forth
               the
               desires
               of
               thy
               Heart
               in
               this
               manner
               after
               Christ.
               He
               hath
               tact
               remission
               to
               repentance
               ,
               Acts
               5.
               31.
               
               a
               blessing
               to
               gracious
               desires
               and
               hungerings
               ,
               Matth.
               5.
               6.
               
               There
               is
               therefore
               hope
               that
               when
               God
               hath
               given
               the
               one
               ,
               he
               will
               not
               long
               withhold
               the
               other
               .
               This
               very
               wounding
               of
               thy
               Heart
               by
               compunction
               ,
               and
               drawing
               forth
               thy
               Will
               by
               inclination
               ,
               shew
               that
               
               remission
               is
               not
               only
               possible
               ,
               but
               even
               at
               the
               door
               .
               (
               7.
               )
               And
               lastly
               ,
               Let
               this
               be
               thine
               encouragement
               ,
               (
               whatever
               Satan
               ,
               or
               thine
               own
               Heart
               ,
               suggests
               to
               discourage
               thee
               )
               that
               great
               Sinners
               are
               moving
               in
               the
               way
               of
               repentance
               and
               faith
               ,
               to
               a
               great
               Saviour
               ,
               who
               hath
               merit
               enough
               in
               his
               Blood
               ,
               and
               mercy
               enough
               in
               his
               Bowels
               ,
               to
               save
               to
               the
               uttermost
               all
               that
               come
               unto
               God
               by
               him
               ,
               Heb.
               7.
               25.
               
               The
               Lord
               open
               to
               the
               Eyes
               of
               your
               Faith
               ,
               that
               rich
               Exchequer
               of
               Free
               Grace
               ,
               Exod.
               34.
               6
               ,
               7.
               and
               give
               you
               a
               sight
               of
               that
               plenteous
               Redemption
               ,
               and
               forgiveness
               that
               is
               with
               God
               ,
               Psal.
               130.
               4
               ,
               7.
               that
               you
               may
               not
               at
               once
               cast
               reproach
               upon
               the
               most
               glorious
               Attribute
               of
               God
               ;
               impeach
               the
               precious
               Blood
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               stab
               your
               own
               Soul
               with
               a
               death-wound
               of
               desperation
               ;
               which
               is
               that
               the
               Devil
               designs
               ,
               and
               the
               whole
               strain
               of
               the
               Gospel
               designs
               to
               prevent
               .
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               
                 If
                 the
                 vilest
                 of
                 sinners
                 stand
                 as
                 fair
                 for
                 pardon
                 and
                 mercy
                 upon
                 their
                 closing
                 with
                 Christ
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
              
               
               
                 as
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 sinners
                 do
                 ;
                 then
                 certainly
                 the
                 pardon
                 and
                 salvation
                 of
                 sinners
                 is
                 not
                 built
                 upon
                 any
                 righteousness
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 purely
                 and
                 only
                 upon
                 the
                 Free
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Iesus
                 Christ.
              
               Dont
               think
               God
               hath
               set
               the
               Blood
               of
               Christ
               to
               sale
               ,
               and
               that
               those
               only
               are
               capable
               of
               the
               benefits
               of
               it
               ,
               who
               have
               lived
               the
               strictest
               and
               soberest
               lives
               .
               No
               ,
               no
               ;
               though
               sobriety
               ,
               morality
               ,
               and
               strictness
               in
               Religious
               Duties
               be
               things
               commanded
               ,
               and
               commended
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               yet
               no
               Man
               by
               these
               things
               can
               purchase
               a
               pardon
               for
               the
               least
               sin
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 if
                 by
                 grace
                 ,
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 of
                 Works
                 ,
                 
                 otherwise
                 grace
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 grace
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 of
                 works
                 ,
                 then
                 is
                 it
                 no
                 more
                 grace
                 ;
                 otherwise
                 work
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 work
                 .
              
               See
               how
               these
               exclude
               one
               another
               ,
               thus
               
                 Titus
                 3.
                 5.
                 
                 Not
                 by
                 works
                 of
                 righteousness
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 but
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 mercy
                 he
                 saved
                 us
                 .
              
               No
               Man
               can
               satisfie
               God
               by
               any
               thing
               himself
               can
               do
               or
               suffer
               ;
               not
               by
               doing
               ,
               for
               all
               we
               do
               is
               mixt
               with
               sin
               ,
               Iob
               14.
               4.
               and
               that
               which
               is
               sinful
               can
               be
               no
               attonement
               for
               sin
               ;
               all
               we
               do
               or
               can
               do
               ,
               is
               due
               debt
               to
               God
               ,
               Luke
               17.
               10.
               and
               one
               debt
               cannot
               satisfie
               for
               another
               .
               Nor
               yet
               by
               suffering
               ,
               for
               the
               sufferings
               awarded
               by
               the
               Law
               are
               everlasting
               ;
               and
               to
               be
               ever
               satisfying
               ,
               is
               never
               to
               satisfie
               :
               So
               then
               by
               the
               works
               of
               the
               Law
               shall
               no
               flesh
               living
               be
               justified
               in
               his
               sight
               .
               The
               Saints
               in
               all
               generations
               have
               fled
               to
               mercy
               for
               remission
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 130.
                 ult
              
               .
               the
               two
               debtors
               ,
               Luke
               7.
               43
               ,
               44
               ,
               45.
               though
               there
               were
               a
               vast
               difference
               in
               the
               debts
               ;
               yet
               of
               the
               lesser
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               of
               the
               greater
               ,
               it
               s
               said
               they
               had
               nothing
               to
               pay
               ;
               nothing
               but
               the
               satisfaction
               of
               Christ
               can
               quit
               your
               scores
               with
               God.
               
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               
                 If
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 Christ
                 be
                 thus
                 free
                 to
                 the
                 greatest
                 of
                 sinners
                 ,
              
               
               
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 both
                 our
                 sin
                 and
                 folly
                 to
                 stand
                 off
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 draw
                 back
                 from
                 believing
                 ,
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 such
                 and
                 such
                 qualifications
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 yet
                 find
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 wro●ght
                 in
                 our
                 Hearts
                 .
              
               Poor
               convinced
               Souls
               think
               ,
               O
               if
               they
               had
               more
               humility
               ,
               tenderness
               ,
               love
               to
               God
               ,
               spirituality
               of
               mind
               ,
               this
               would
               ●e
               some
               encouragment
               to
               believe
               ▪
               but
               because
               they
               have
               no
               such
               ornaments
               to
               dress
               up
               their
               Souls
               withal
               ,
               they
               are
               not
               fit
               to
               go
               to
               
               Christ.
               Now
               to
               remove
               this
               great
               mistake
               ,
               let
               two
               things
               be
               considered
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               That
               such
               a
               conceit
               as
               this
               crosses
               the
               very
               stream
               of
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               ,
               where
               nothing
               is
               sold
               ,
               but
               all
               freely
               given
               ;
               this
               is
               the
               very
               Spirit
               of
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Works
               ,
               fain
               we
               would
               find
               something
               in
               our selves
               to
               bring
               to
               God
               ,
               to
               Procure
               his
               favour
               and
               acceptance
               ;
               but
               the
               Gospel
               tells
               us
               we
               must
               come
               naked
               ,
               and
               empty
               handed
               ;
               to
               be
               justified
               freely
               by
               his
               grace
               ,
               Rom.
               2.
               24.
               
               We
               must
               be
               justified
               as
               Abraham
               was
               ;
               who
               believed
               in
               him
               that
               justifieth
               the
               ungodly
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 5.
                 
                 But
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 worketh
                 not
                 ,
                 but
                 believeth
                 on
                 him
                 that
                 justifieth
                 the
                 ungodly
                 ,
                 his
                 faith
                 is
                 counted
                 for
                 righteousness
                 .
              
               The
               meaning
               is
               ,
               to
               him
               that
               worketh
               not
               in
               a
               law
               sense
               ,
               to
               procure
               pardon
               and
               acceptance
               by
               and
               for
               working
               .
               Go
               then
               poor
               sinner
               unto
               God
               through
               Christ
               ,
               and
               tell
               him
               thou
               hast
               nothing
               to
               bring
               him
               ;
               thou
               comest
               not
               to
               bring
               but
               to
               receive
               .
               Lord
               ,
               I
               am
               a
               vile
               sinner
               ,
               I
               have
               nothing
               to
               plead
               but
               thy
               mercy
               ,
               and
               Christs
               merit
               .
               This
               is
               the
               Spirit
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               2ly
               ,
               By
               standing
               off
               from
               Faith
               for
               want
               of
               these
               qualifications
               ,
               you
               invert
               the
               setled
               order
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               by
               puting
               consequents
               in
               the
               place
               of
               antecedents
               ,
               and
               antecedents
               in
               the
               places
               of
               consequents
               ;
               it
               is
               as
               if
               a
               Man
               should
               say
               ,
               If
               I
               were
               cured
               of
               such
               and
               such
               Diseases
               ,
               then
               I
               would
               go
               to
               the
               Phisitian
               ;
               alas
               ,
               could
               you
               otherwise
               procure
               the
               healing
               of
               your
               corruptions
               ,
               or
               the
               gracious
               qualifications
               you
               speak
               of
               ,
               you
               would
               have
               no
               need
               to
               go
               to
               Christ
               at
               all
               ;
               nothing
               is
               required
               of
               us
               in
               our
               coming
               to
               Christ
               ,
               but
               such
               a
               sense
               of
               ,
               and
               sorrow
               for
               ●in
               ,
               as
               makes
               us
               heartily
               willing
               to
               accept
               Christ
               ,
               
               and
               subscribe
               the
               terms
               on
               which
               he
               is
               offered
               in
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               Behold
               the
               admirable
               condescension
               of
               Christ
               ,
               
               that
               he
               will
               come
               into
               the
               Heart
               of
               the
               vilest
               sinner
               ,
               and
               not
               disdain
               to
               take
               his
               abode
               in
               that
               Soul
               which
               hath
               been
               the
               seat
               of
               Satan
               ,
               where
               he
               hath
               ruled
               ,
               and
               every
               unclean
               lust
               hath
               been
               harbour'd
               !
            
             
               There
               are
               two
               things
               wherein
               the
               admirable
               condescension
               of
               Christ
               appears
               .
               (
               1.
               )
               In
               taking
               union
               with
               our
               Nature
               after
               sin
               had
               blasted
               the
               beauty
               of
               it
               ;
               this
               was
               a
               marvelous
               stoop
               indeed
               ,
               and
               justly
               admired
               by
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 7.
                 
                 He
                 made
                 himself
                 of
                 no
                 reputation
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 made
                 in
                 the
                 likeness
                 of
                 Men.
              
               Yea
               ,
               
                 God
                 sent
                 his
                 own
                 Son
                 in
                 the
                 likeness
                 of
                 sinful
                 flesh
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               8.
               3.
               
               But
               (
               2ly
               ,
               )
               't
               is
               justly
               admirable
               in
               our
               Eyes
               ,
               that
               Christ
               should
               also
               take
               union
               with
               our
               persons
               ;
               and
               take
               his
               habitation
               and
               abode
               in
               our
               Hearts
               ,
               after
               Satan
               and
               sin
               had
               so
               long
               inhabited
               and
               defiled
               them
               ;
               that
               he
               should
               accept
               those
               Members
               as
               instruments
               of
               his
               service
               ;
               that
               very
               Tongue
               to
               praise
               him
               that
               had
               blasphemed
               him
               ,
               &c.
               yet
               so
               he
               is
               willing
               to
               do
               ,
               and
               commands
               us
               to
               deliver
               them
               up
               to
               him
               ,
               
                 Rom
                 ,
                 6.
                 19.
                 
                 As
                 ye
                 have
                 yielded
                 your
                 members
                 servants
                 to
                 uncleanness
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 iniquity
                 unto
                 iniquity
                 ;
                 even
                 so
                 now
                 yield
                 your
                 members
                 servants
                 to
                 righteousness
                 unto
                 holiness
                 .
              
               One
               would
               have
               thought
               Jesus
               Christ
               should
               have
               said
               ,
               Vile
               wretch
               ,
               Satan
               hath
               had
               the
               use
               and
               service
               of
               thy
               Soul
               and
               Body
               from
               thy
               beginning
               to
               this
               day
               ;
               thy
               Memory
               hath
               been
               his
               Storehouse
               ,
               thy
               Mouth
               his
               Shop
               ,
               thy
               Will
               his
               Throne
               ,
               and
               all
               thy
               Members
               
               his
               Tools
               and
               Instruments
               to
               sin
               against
               me
               ;
               thou
               hast
               been
               a
               Creature
               dedicated
               to
               Satan
               ,
               and
               to
               him
               thou
               shalt
               go
               .
               No
               ,
               but
               the
               merciful
               Lord
               declares
               his
               willingness
               ,
               if
               thou
               wilt
               open
               thy
               Soul
               to
               receive
               him
               ,
               to
               cleanse
               it
               by
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               make
               it
               his
               Temple
               to
               dwell
               in
               .
               O
               admirable
               grace
               !
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               
               How
               just
               and
               inevitable
               will
               their
               damnation
               be
               ,
               who
               consent
               not
               to
               the
               necessary
               and
               reasonable
               terms
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               only
               point
               on
               which
               Christ
               and
               their
               Souls
               part
               for
               ever
               ?
            
             
               The
               terms
               required
               by
               the
               Gospel
               are
               every
               way
               equal
               and
               reasonable
               ;
               if
               a
               gracious
               Prince
               will
               bestow
               a
               Pardon
               upon
               a
               Traitor
               upon
               this
               condition
               ,
               that
               he
               lay
               down
               his
               Arms
               ,
               acknowledge
               his
               Of●ence
               ,
               and
               list
               himself
               in
               his
               Princes
               Service
               ,
               and
               he
               shall
               refuse
               so
               to
               do
               ,
               how
               just
               and
               unpitied
               will
               his
               destruction
               be
               ?
               and
               what
               else
               doth
               God
               require
               of
               thee
               ,
               but
               only
               this
               ,
               
                 Let
                 the
                 wicked
                 forsake
                 his
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 unrighteous
                 Man
                 his
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 him
                 return
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 mercy
                 upon
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 will
                 abundantly
                 pardon
                 ,
              
               Isa.
               55.
               7.
               
               And
               as
               the
               damnation
               of
               such
               is
               just
               ,
               so
               it
               will
               be
               inevitable
               ;
               for
               if
               there
               be
               no
               way
               to
               glory
               but
               by
               Christ
               ,
               as
               you
               know
               there
               is
               not
               ,
               
                 Acts
                 4.
                 12.
                 
                 Neither
                 is
                 there
                 salvation
                 in
                 any
                 other
                 .
              
               And
               if
               there
               be
               no
               way
               to
               Christ
               but
               by
               our
               accepting
               him
               upon
               these
               very
               terms
               ;
               as
               it
               plainly
               appears
               ,
               from
               Luke
               14.
               26.
               there
               is
               not
               :
               what
               then
               remains
               but
               inevitable
               damnation
               to
               all
               that
               come
               not
               up
               to
               the
               terms
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ?
               If
               you
               think
               not
               Christ
               a
               good
               
               bargain
               with
               all
               the
               sufferings
               ,
               losses
               and
               reproaches
               that
               attend
               him
               ;
               your
               Mouths
               will
               be
               stopt
               ,
               no
               plea
               will
               be
               left
               you
               in
               the
               great
               Day
               .
               You
               refused
               a
               fair
               offer
               when
               it
               was
               seasonably
               and
               graciously
               made
               you
               by
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               now
               you
               must
               expect
               no
               more
               such
               offers
               to
               Eternity
               ;
               thy
               Blood
               sinner
               ,
               be
               upon
               thine
               own
               Head
               ;
               the
               freeness
               and
               Importunity
               of
               the
               tenders
               of
               Grace
               ,
               will
               then
               only
               seem
               to
               illustrate
               and
               clear
               the
               righteousness
               of
               God
               in
               thy
               condemnation
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             II.
             Vse
             for
             Exhortation
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             The
             point
             naturally
             leads
             me
             to
             a
             vehement
             perswasive
             unto
             all
             sinners
             of
             what
             rank
             or
             size
             soever
             they
             be
             ,
             to
             hearken
             to
             the
             voice
             of
             Christ
             ,
             who
             takes
             them
             all
             within
             the
             compass
             of
             his
             gracious
             invitation
             in
             the
             Text
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               If
               any
               Man
               open
               I
               will
               come
               in
               .
            
             Let
             all
             sorts
             of
             sinners
             bless
             God
             for
             the
             extensiveness
             of
             this
             invitation
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             find
             themselves
             by
             it
             as
             yet
             within
             the
             reach
             and
             compass
             of
             the
             Arms
             of
             a
             merciful
             Redeemer
             .
             And
             that
             there
             is
             nothing
             wanting
             to
             secure
             their
             Salvation
             ,
             but
             the
             hearty
             consent
             of
             their
             Wills
             to
             the
             reasonable
             and
             necessary
             terms
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
             Look
             over
             the
             whole
             Book
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             you
             shall
             there
             find
             but
             one
             case
             absolutely
             excepted
             from
             the
             possibility
             of
             forgiveness
             ;
             but
             one
             wound
             absolutely
             incurable
             ,
             of
             which
             Christ
             speaks
             ,
             Matth.
             12.
             31
             ,
             32.
             
             And
             what
             may
             be
             the
             reason
             that
             this
             only
             i●
             an
             incurable
             wound
             ?
             certainly
             it
             cannot
             be
             ,
             because
             the
             malignity
             of
             this
             sin
             exceeds
             the
             meritorious
             and
             pardoning
             vertue
             of
             the
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             ;
             but
             rather
             because
             there
             is
             no
             sacrifice
             
             appointed
             by
             the
             Lord
             for
             it
             .
             God
             never
             designed
             that
             the
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             should
             be
             an
             expiatory
             Sacrifice
             for
             that
             sin
             ;
             as
             the
             Apostle
             plainly
             speaks
             ,
             Heb.
             6.
             4
             ,
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7.
             
             All
             other
             sins
             and
             blasphemies
             shall
             be
             forgiven
             unto
             Men
             ,
             saith
             Christ
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             they
             are
             capable
             of
             forgiveness
             upon
             sincere
             and
             actual
             repentance
             and
             faith
             ;
             yea
             ,
             they
             have
             been
             actually
             pardoned
             unto
             many
             ;
             now
             the
             greater
             any
             Mans
             sins
             hath
             been
             ,
             the
             greater
             need
             he
             hath
             to
             hasten
             to
             Christ
             for
             pardon
             :
             There
             are
             some
             of
             you
             greater
             sinners
             than
             others
             ;
             for
             though
             no
             sin
             be
             venial
             ,
             light
             and
             trivial
             in
             it self
             ;
             yet
             compared
             one
             with
             another
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             vast
             difference
             found
             betwixt
             them
             in
             the
             weight
             and
             aggravations
             of
             them
             .
             Now
             I
             will
             labour
             to
             shew
             you
             by
             what
             rules
             Men
             are
             to
             estimate
             the
             greatness
             and
             aggravation
             of
             sin
             ;
             and
             then
             to
             convince
             you
             that
             the
             greatest
             of
             sinners
             stand
             yet
             fair
             for
             mercy
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             lesser
             ;
             and
             sometimes
             much
             fairer
             :
             
               Publicans
               and
               Harlots
               go
               into
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               before
               you
               ,
            
             saith
             Christ
             ,
             Matth.
             21.
             31.
             
             Now
             the
             rules
             to
             estimate
             the
             aggravations
             and
             greatness
             of
             sin
             by
             ,
             are
             these
             ,
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             There
             be
             sins
             of
             infirmity
             ,
             committed
             out
             of
             weakness
             ,
             and
             there
             are
             crying
             sins
             in
             the
             Ears
             of
             the
             Lord
             ;
             of
             the
             former
             sort
             ,
             sins
             of
             infirmity
             ,
             you
             read
             Gal.
             6.
             1.
             where
             it
             is
             called
             an
             overtaking
             in
             a
             fault
             ;
             here
             's
             no
             premeditation
             ,
             nor
             deliberate
             consent
             ,
             but
             a
             surprize
             ;
             these
             go
             not
             to
             the
             account
             of
             gross
             and
             heynous
             enormities
             ,
             called
             in
             Scripture
             crying
             sins
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             the
             sin
             of
             oppression
             ,
             
               Hab.
               2.
               10
               ,
               11.
               
               The
               stones
               shall
               cry
               out
               of
               the
               wall
               ,
               aud
               the
               beam
               out
               of
               the
               timber
               shall
               answer
               it
               .
            
             The
             meaning
             is
             ,
             that
             the
             injustice
             
             and
             oppression
             which
             Men
             have
             used
             in
             raising
             their
             own
             Houses
             ,
             shall
             cry
             in
             the
             Ears
             of
             the
             Lord
             for
             vengance
             .
             The
             Stone
             in
             the
             Wall
             shall
             say
             ,
             I
             was
             digged
             out
             of
             the
             Quarry
             ,
             hewen
             ,
             and
             layed
             here
             ,
             by
             the
             unrewarded
             labours
             of
             the
             poor
             Mason
             ;
             and
             the
             Timber
             out
             of
             the
             Beam
             shall
             say
             ,
             I
             was
             hewn
             ,
             squared
             and
             placed
             here
             ,
             by
             the
             unrewarded
             Hands
             of
             the
             poor
             Carpenter
             .
             This
             is
             a
             crying
             sin
             ;
             so
             also
             is
             the
             sin
             of
             Murder
             ,
             when
             our
             Hands
             have
             been
             defiled
             with
             innocent
             Blood
             ;
             this
             makes
             a
             dismal
             cry
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             
               Gen.
               4.
               10.
               
               The
               voice
               of
               thy
               Brothers
               blood
               cryeth
               unto
               me
               from
               the
               ground
               .
            
             A
             sin
             that
             makes
             an
             horrid
             outcry
             in
             both
             Worlds
             at
             once
             ;
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             sinners
             Conscience
             .
             Such
             also
             is
             the
             sin
             of
             unnatural
             lusts
             ;
             the
             sin
             of
             Sodom
             made
             a
             cry
             which
             came
             up
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             
               Gen.
               18.
               20.
               
               Because
               the
               cry
               of
            
             Sodom
             and
             Gomorrah
             
               is
               great
               ,
               and
               their
               sin
               is
               very
               grievous
               .
            
             Compare
             these
             sins
             with
             the
             sins
             of
             common
             infirmity
             ,
             which
             come
             by
             way
             of
             involuntary
             surprize
             ,
             and
             what
             vast
             odds
             will
             be
             found
             in
             the
             weight
             and
             aggravations
             of
             them
             ?
          
           
             (
             2ly
             ,
             )
             You
             find
             in
             Scripture
             a
             great
             difference
             put
             betwixt
             sins
             committed
             against
             the
             clear
             shining
             light
             of
             Knowledge
             in
             the
             sinners
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             sins
             of
             Ignorance
             which
             are
             committed
             for
             want
             of
             Knowledge
             :
             Christ
             himself
             puts
             a
             great
             difference
             betwixt
             them
             ,
             
               Luke
               12.
               47
               ,
               48.
            
             and
             so
             doth
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             
               Iames
               4.
               17.
               
               To
               him
               that
               knoweth
               to
               do
               good
               ,
               and
               doth
               it
               not
               ,
               to
               him
               it
               is
               sin
               .
            
             Sin
             with
             a
             witness
             .
          
           
             (
             3ly
             ,
             )
             There
             are
             single
             acts
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             continued
             or
             repeated
             acts
             of
             sin
             .
             Sins
             committed
             after
             Conviction
             ,
             Promises
             ,
             and
             Resolutions
             .
             Now
             
             there
             is
             not
             so
             much
             of
             guilt
             in
             a
             single
             act
             of
             sin
             ,
             as
             there
             is
             in
             a
             repeated
             and
             continued
             course
             of
             sin
             ,
             called
             
               Deut.
               29.
               19.
               
               Adding
               of
               drunkenness
               to
               thirst
               ,
            
             and
             
               Isa.
               30.
               1.
               
               Adding
               sin
               to
               sin
               .
            
             For
             as
             it
             is
             in
             numbring
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             in
             sinning
             ;
             if
             the
             first
             figure
             be
             one
             ,
             the
             second
             is
             ten
             ,
             the
             third
             an
             hundred
             ,
             the
             fourth
             a
             thousand
             ;
             and
             every
             addition
             makes
             a
             greater
             multiplication
             .
             O
             what
             a
             dreadful
             reckoning
             will
             here
             be
             for
             the
             Consciences
             of
             poor
             sinners
             !
          
           
             (
             4ly
             ,
             )
             Contrivers
             and
             studiers
             of
             sin
             are
             always
             in
             Scripture
             placed
             in
             the
             first
             rank
             of
             sinners
             .
             The
             best
             servant
             God
             hath
             in
             the
             World
             may
             be
             surprized
             by
             the
             deceitfulness
             of
             sin
             ,
             against
             the
             gracious
             bent
             and
             resolution
             of
             his
             Soul
             ;
             but
             the
             contrivance
             and
             plotting
             of
             sin
             is
             quite
             another
             thing
             ;
             therefore
             it
             is
             said
             of
             the
             wicked
             ,
             
               Iob
               15.
               35.
               
               They
               conceive
               mischief
               ,
               and
               bring
               forth
               vanity
               ,
               and
               their
               belly
               prepareth
               deceit
               .
            
             That
             is
             ,
             sin
             like
             the
             Foetus
             in
             the
             Womb
             ,
             hath
             its
             time
             of
             conception
             ,
             growth
             ,
             and
             birth
             ;
             and
             all
             this
             by
             the
             deliberate
             consent
             of
             the
             naughty
             Heart
             ,
             and
             Will
             ,
             which
             fosters
             and
             cherishes
             it
             .
          
           
             (
             5ly
             ,
             )
             There
             are
             ring-leaders
             in
             sin
             ,
             and
             single
             personal
             sins
             which
             spread
             no
             farther
             than
             our selves
             ;
             a
             ring-leader
             in
             sin
             is
             in
             Scripture
             reckoned
             amongst
             the
             greatest
             of
             sinners
             ;
             so
             
               Revel
               .
               2.
               14.
               
               Thou
               hast
               them
               that
               held
               the
               Doctrin
               of
            
             Balaam
             ,
             
               who
               taught
            
             Balac
             
               to
               cast
               a
               stumbling
               block
               before
               the
               Children
               of
            
             Israel
             ;
             thus
             Ieroboam
             the
             son
             of
             Nebat
             made
             Israel
             to
             sin
             .
             There
             is
             the
             same
             difference
             betwixt
             these
             and
             single
             personal
             sins
             ,
             as
             there
             is
             betwixt
             a
             chain
             shot
             ,
             and
             a
             single
             bullet
             :
             Mind
             this
             ,
             you
             that
             have
             
             induced
             others
             to
             sin
             by
             your
             counsel
             or
             example
             .
          
           
             (
             6ly
             ,
             )
             There
             are
             sins
             in
             which
             men
             glory
             and
             take
             pleasure
             ,
             and
             sins
             for
             which
             men
             groan
             and
             mourn
             .
             Now
             the
             more
             pleasure
             any
             man
             takes
             in
             sin
             ,
             the
             greater
             doth
             the
             sin
             arise
             in
             its
             aggravation
             .
             We
             read
             of
             some
             ,
             
               Iob
               20.
               12.
            
             in
             whose
             mouths
             
               wickedness
               is
               sweet
               ,
               and
               they
               hide
               it
               under
               their
               tongue
               :
            
             that
             is
             ,
             they
             draw
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             contemplative
             delight
             before
             and
             after
             the
             commission
             of
             sin
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             in
             the
             commission
             of
             it
             .
             'T
             is
             bad
             enough
             to
             sin
             and
             sigh
             ,
             to
             sin
             and
             weep
             ;
             but
             to
             sin
             and
             boast
             ,
             to
             sin
             and
             make
             a
             mock
             of
             sin
             ,
             what
             a
             prodigious
             way
             of
             sinning
             is
             this
             ?
             O
             Sinner
             ,
             what
             an
             heart
             hast
             thou
             ,
             that
             canst
             play
             and
             sport
             with
             that
             which
             grieves
             God
             ,
             crucified
             Christ
             ,
             and
             with
             without
             deep
             and
             sound
             Repentance
             will
             damn
             thine
             own
             Soul
             !
          
           
             (
             7ly
             ,
             )
             The
             more
             Bonds
             of
             Restraint
             any
             man
             breaks
             asunder
             to
             commit
             sin
             ,
             the
             greater
             ,
             and
             more
             aggravated
             always
             that
             sin
             is
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God.
             There
             be
             some
             persons
             upon
             whom
             God
             hath
             laid
             more
             bonds
             of
             restraint
             to
             keep
             back
             their
             souls
             from
             iniquity
             ,
             than
             he
             hath
             upon
             others
             .
             The
             more
             mercies
             he
             hath
             bestowed
             upon
             you
             ,
             the
             more
             restraints
             from
             sin
             .
             So
             many
             mercies
             ,
             so
             many
             tyes
             ,
             Ier.
             2.
             5
             ,
             6.
             especially
             spiritual
             mercies
             ;
             as
             light
             in
             your
             minds
             ,
             pardons
             sealed
             to
             your
             consciences
             ,
             love
             manifested
             to
             your
             souls
             .
             Such
             also
             are
             your
             own
             Vows
             ,
             Promises
             and
             Resolutions
             ;
             
               Ier.
               2.
               20.
               
               Thou
               saidst
               ,
               I
               will
               no
               more
               transgress
               .
            
             Didst
             not
             thou
             promise
             me
             ,
             saith
             God
             ,
             more
             care
             and
             circumspection
             for
             time
             to
             come
             ?
             And
             such
             are
             all
             the
             Examples
             and
             Warnings
             God
             hath
             given
             us
             ,
             by
             his
             Judgments
             
             upon
             others
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             10.
             11.
             
             These
             things
             put
             an
             Accent
             upon
             sin
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             out
             of
             measure
             sinful
             .
          
           
             And
             now
             my
             Friends
             ,
             what
             have
             have
             I
             been
             driving
             at
             all
             this
             while
             ,
             in
             opening
             the
             greatness
             and
             aggravations
             of
             sin
             ?
             The
             design
             of
             all
             this
             is
             to
             shew
             you
             the
             indispensible
             need
             of
             Repentance
             and
             Faith
             to
             carry
             you
             to
             Christ.
             
          
           
             But
             I
             am
             the
             person
             upon
             whom
             these
             crying
             aggravated
             sins
             are
             found
             .
             
             you
             tell
             me
             of
             going
             to
             Christ
             ;
             alas
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             hope
             of
             mercy
             for
             such
             a
             wretch
             as
             I
             am
             .
             There
             it
             sticks
             .
             Poor
             sinners
             think
             't
             is
             to
             no
             purpose
             ,
             they
             had
             as
             good
             go
             on
             in
             sin
             ,
             for
             they
             conclude
             there
             's
             no
             hope
             for
             them
             .
          
           
             Come
             sinners
             ,
             give
             me
             leave
             to
             tell
             you
             ,
             you
             have
             a
             Text
             before
             you
             ,
             that
             the
             clears
             the
             way
             of
             your
             duty
             and
             salvation
             at
             once
             .
             
             
               If
               any
               man
            
             ,
             be
             he
             what
             he
             will
             ,
             be
             his
             sins
             never
             so
             great
             ,
             yet
             if
             
               he
               hear
               my
               voice
               ,
               and
               open
               the
               door
               ,
               I
               will
               come
               into
               him
               ,
            
             saith
             Christ.
             There
             is
             mercy
             in
             Jesus
             Christ
             for
             thee
             who
             art
             guilty
             of
             crying
             sins
             :
             For
             thee
             ,
             that
             hast
             added
             sinned
             against
             light
             and
             knowledge
             ;
             For
             thee
             ,
             that
             hast
             drunkenness
             to
             thirst
             :
             For
             thee
             ,
             that
             hast
             contrived
             sin
             with
             deliberation
             :
             For
             thee
             ,
             that
             hast
             induced
             others
             to
             sin
             by
             counsel
             or
             example
             :
             For
             thee
             ,
             that
             hast
             taken
             pleasure
             in
             iniquity
             ,
             and
             made
             a
             sport
             of
             sin
             :
             Yea
             ,
             and
             for
             thee
             also
             ,
             that
             hast
             broken
             asunder
             the
             bonds
             of
             mercies
             ,
             vows
             and
             warnings
             ,
             provided
             thou
             wilt
             now
             hear
             the
             voice
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             thy
             Will
             open
             to
             him
             with
             an
             hearty
             firm
             consent
             ,
             Isa.
             55.
             4.
             
             You
             are
             great
             and
             heinous
             sinners
             ,
             but
             I
             shew
             this
             day
             a
             Great
             and
             Almighty
             Saviour
             :
             One
             that
             is
             able
             to
             save
             to
             the
             utmost
             all
             
             that
             come
             unto
             God
             by
             him
             .
             Hebr.
             7.
             25.
             
             There
             is
             a
             Sacrifice
             laid
             out
             and
             appointed
             for
             these
             sins
             .
             O
             bless
             God
             for
             that
             .
             They
             are
             no
             where
             excepted
             from
             the
             possibility
             of
             forgiveness
             .
             Nothing
             but
             the
             impenitency
             of
             thy
             heart
             ,
             and
             obstinacy
             of
             thy
             Will
             ,
             can
             bar
             thee
             from
             a
             full
             and
             final
             pardon
             .
             Jesus
             Christ
             can
             save
             thee
             to
             the
             uttermost
             .
             Say
             not
             within
             thy self
             ,
             Can
             the
             virtue
             of
             his
             Blood
             extend
             it self
             to
             the
             remission
             of
             this
             or
             that
             sin
             ?
             He
             can
             save
             to
             the
             uttermost
             .
             Look
             round
             about
             thee
             to
             the
             uttermost
             Horizon
             of
             all
             thy
             guilt
             ,
             and
             Christ
             can
             save
             thee
             to
             the
             uttermost
             ,
             that
             the
             Eye
             of
             thy
             Conscience
             can
             discern
             ,
             yea
             and
             beyond
             it
             too
             ;
             but
             then
             thou
             must
             come
             unto
             him
             .
             You
             speak
             of
             the
             greatness
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             you
             have
             cause
             to
             have
             sad
             thoughts
             about
             it
             ;
             but
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             you
             consider
             not
             ,
             that
             your
             Unbelief
             ,
             by
             which
             you
             stand
             off
             from
             Christ
             your
             only
             Remedy
             ,
             is
             certainly
             the
             greatest
             of
             all
             the
             sins
             that
             ever
             you
             stood
             guilty
             of
             against
             the
             Lord.
             This
             is
             the
             sin
             that
             binds
             the
             guilt
             of
             all
             your
             other
             sins
             upon
             you
             .
             Let
             me
             therefore
             address
             my self
             ,
             (
             1
             )
             To
             you
             who
             cry
             out
             of
             the
             greatness
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             that
             discourages
             you
             from
             going
             to
             Christ
             :
             (
             2
             )
             To
             lesser
             sinners
             ,
             who
             because
             they
             are
             clear
             of
             great
             Enormities
             ,
             see
             not
             their
             need
             of
             Christ.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             This
             Exhortation
             speaketh
             to
             you
             whose
             Consciences
             are
             ●eared
             with
             the
             horrid
             and
             hideous
             aggravations
             of
             your
             sins
             ,
             by
             reason
             whereof
             your
             own
             misgiving
             hearts
             ,
             assisted
             by
             the
             policy
             of
             Satan
             ,
             discourage
             you
             from
             all
             Attempts
             to
             gain
             Christ
             and
             Pardon
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Repentance
             and
             Faith.
             Let
             me
             at
             this
             time
             hint
             three
             or
             four
             Considerations
             to
             you
             by
             way
             of
             Encouragement
             .
          
           
           
             (
             1
             )
             The
             sparing
             goodness
             of
             God
             till
             now
             ,
             gives
             some
             encouragement
             that
             God
             may
             have
             a
             reserve
             of
             mercy
             for
             so
             great
             and
             vile
             a
             sinner
             as
             thou
             art
             .
             O
             what
             a
             mercy
             is
             it
             that
             thy
             life
             hath
             been
             spared
             hitherto
             !
             Many
             of
             thy
             Companions
             in
             sin
             are
             beyond
             hope
             and
             mercy
             ,
             whilst
             thou
             art
             left
             .
             I
             confess
             this
             is
             no
             sure
             sign
             of
             Gods
             gracious
             intention
             to
             thee
             ,
             unless
             the
             goodness
             and
             forbearance
             of
             God
             did
             lead
             thee
             to
             Repentance
             ;
             then
             the
             gracious
             intention
             of
             God
             in
             prolonging
             thy
             life
             would
             evidently
             appear
             .
             But
             however
             ,
             it
             is
             in
             it self
             a
             very
             great
             mercy
             ,
             because
             without
             it
             no
             spiritual
             mercy
             could
             be
             expected
             .
          
           
             (
             2ly
             ,
             )
             'T
             is
             matter
             of
             encouragement
             and
             hope
             ,
             That
             though
             your
             Disease
             be
             dreadful
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             not
             desperate
             and
             incurable
             .
             The
             Text
             takes
             it
             within
             the
             compass
             of
             mercy
             :
             O
             bless
             God
             for
             that
             ,
             
               If
               any
               man
            
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             (
             3ly
             ,
             )
             As
             great
             sinners
             as
             you
             have
             been
             have
             found
             mercy
             ,
             1
             Tim.
             1.
             16.
             and
             God
             would
             have
             it
             to
             be
             recorded
             for
             your
             encouragement
             .
             If
             now
             the
             Lord
             shall
             make
             thy
             heart
             to
             break
             ,
             and
             thy
             Will
             to
             bowe
             ,
             whatever
             thy
             sins
             have
             been
             ,
             they
             shall
             not
             bar
             thee
             from
             mercy
             and
             forgiveness
             .
             But
             if
             thou
             resolve
             to
             go
             on
             in
             sin
             ,
             or
             sit
             down
             desponding
             or
             discouraged
             ,
             and
             wilt
             not
             come
             in
             at
             the
             Invitation
             and
             Call
             of
             Christ
             ,
             then
             thy
             wound
             is
             incurable
             indeed
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             but
             one
             way
             with
             thee
             ,
             thy
             Mittimus
             is
             already
             made
             for
             Hell
             ;
             and
             that
             Scripture
             in
             1
             Cor.
             6.
             9.
             will
             tell
             thee
             whither
             thou
             art
             going
             .
             But
             God
             forbid
             that
             this
             should
             be
             the
             Issue
             of
             Christs
             gracious
             invitations
             to
             thee
             ,
             and
             forbearance
             of
             thee
             .
             Seeing
             mercy
             is
             tendred
             to
             any
             man
             that
             will
             
             accept
             it
             upon
             Christ's
             terms
             ,
             exclude
             not
             thy self
             when
             he
             hath
             not
             excluded
             thee
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             I
             will
             close
             up
             this
             Use
             of
             Exhortation
             to
             another
             sort
             of
             persons
             who
             are
             not
             of
             the
             notorious
             ,
             infamous
             rank
             of
             profane
             Sinners
             ,
             but
             their
             lives
             have
             been
             drawn
             more
             smoothly
             through
             a
             course
             of
             Civility
             .
             These
             have
             as
             great
             need
             to
             be
             prest
             to
             Repentance
             and
             Faith
             as
             the
             most
             notorious
             Sinners
             in
             the
             world
             .
             These
             are
             a
             Generation
             that
             bless
             themselves
             in
             their
             own
             eyes
             ,
             and
             thank
             God
             with
             the
             
               Pharisee
               ,
               Luke
               18.
               11.
               
               That
               they
               are
               not
               as
               other
               men
               .
            
             They
             acknowledge
             Conversion
             to
             be
             the
             duty
             of
             the
             profane
             ;
             that
             such
             Sinners
             as
             I
             last
             dealt
             with
             ,
             stand
             in
             apparent
             need
             of
             it
             :
             But
             as
             for
             themselves
             ,
             they
             scarce
             know
             where
             to
             find
             matter
             for
             Repentance
             ,
             nor
             do
             they
             feel
             any
             need
             of
             Christ.
             Now
             I
             would
             lay
             three
             Considerations
             before
             such
             persons
             ,
             to
             convince
             them
             that
             their
             Case
             is
             as
             sad
             and
             hazardous
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             in
             some
             respect
             more
             hazardous
             than
             the
             state
             of
             the
             most
             notorious
             Sinners
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             that
             a
             Change
             must
             also
             pass
             upon
             them
             ,
             or
             else
             
               it
               had
               been
               good
               for
               them
               they
               had
               never
               been
               born
               .
            
          
           
             I.
             Consideration
             .
             Let
             the
             civilized
             part
             of
             the
             world
             lay
             this
             thought
             close
             to
             their
             hearts
             ,
             That
             though
             their
             sins
             be
             not
             so
             gross
             and
             horrid
             to
             appearance
             as
             other
             mens
             are
             ,
             yet
             continued
             in
             ,
             they
             will
             prove
             as
             mortal
             and
             destructive
             ,
             as
             those
             greater
             Abominations
             of
             other
             men
             .
             No
             sin
             absolutely
             considered
             is
             small
             .
             Every
             sin
             is
             mortal
             and
             damning
             without
             Christ
             ;
             
               Rom.
               6.
               ult
               .
               The
               wages
               of
               sin
               is
               death
               .
            
             'T
             is
             no
             great
             odds
             ,
             if
             a
             man
             be
             killed
             ,
             whether
             it
             were
             by
             a
             broad
             Sword
             ,
             or
             by
             a
             small
             Penknife
             .
             The
             least
             sin
             violates
             the
             
             whole
             Law
             ,
             
               Iames
               2.
               10.
               
               He
               that
               offendeth
               in
               one
               point
               is
               guilty
               of
               all
               .
            
             The
             least
             transgression
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             pulls
             down
             the
             guilt
             and
             curse
             of
             the
             whole
             Law
             upon
             the
             Sinners
             head
             .
             And
             this
             is
             your
             misery
             that
             are
             out
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             stand
             under
             the
             rigorous
             terms
             of
             the
             first
             Covenant
             .
             Moreover
             ,
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             is
             violated
             grosly
             ,
             and
             externally
             ,
             or
             spiritually
             ,
             and
             more
             internally
             .
             Thus
             every
             unchast
             thought
             is
             Adultery
             :
             And
             the
             very
             inward
             burnings
             of
             Malice
             and
             Anger
             in
             the
             heart
             is
             Murther
             .
             Now
             if
             the
             Lord
             shall
             bring
             the
             spiritual
             sense
             of
             the
             Law
             home
             to
             your
             Consciences
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             to
             
             Paul's
             ,
             Rom.
             7.
             9.
             
             You
             will
             certainly
             give
             up
             that
             plea
             ,
             that
             you
             have
             not
             so
             much
             need
             of
             conversion
             as
             other
             Sinners
             have
             .
             There
             are
             sins
             of
             greater
             infamy
             ,
             and
             sins
             of
             deeper
             guilt
             .
             There
             may
             be
             more
             guilt
             in
             those
             sins
             that
             are
             stifled
             in
             thy
             heart
             ,
             and
             never
             defamed
             thee
             ,
             than
             there
             may
             be
             in
             some
             sins
             that
             make
             a
             louder
             noise
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             II.
             Consideration
             .
             You
             are
             guilty
             of
             one
             sin
             (
             how
             civil
             and
             blameless
             soever
             your
             lives
             are
             )
             which
             is
             certainly
             more
             great
             and
             heinous
             than
             any
             outward
             act
             of
             sin
             can
             ordinarily
             be
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             ,
             your
             trusting
             to
             your
             own
             Righteousness
             ,
             as
             the
             Pharisees
             did
             ,
             
               Luke
               18.
               9.
               
               He
               spake
               this
               Parable
               unto
               certain
               which
               trusted
               in
               themselves
               that
               they
               were
               righteous
               ,
               and
               despised
               others
               .
            
             Here
             's
             an
             Idol
             of
             Jealousie
             set
             up
             in
             the
             room
             of
             Christ
             :
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             this
             sin
             makes
             not
             so
             loud
             a
             noise
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             raises
             not
             such
             a
             dust
             ,
             as
             the
             sins
             of
             prophane
             ones
             do
             .
             But
             certainly
             it
             is
             as
             abominable
             in
             the
             eyes
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             the
             sins
             that
             stink
             so
             much
             in
             the
             nostrils
             of
             Nature
             .
             Civilized
             persons
             thus
             trusting
             to
             
             their
             own
             civility
             ,
             and
             neglecting
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             will
             be
             one
             day
             put
             into
             the
             Van
             of
             that
             wretched
             Crue
             that
             are
             going
             to
             Hell
             ;
             a
             
               portion
               with
               unbelievers
            
             ,
             as
             the
             Scripture
             speaks
             .
          
           
             III.
             Consideration
             .
             Lastly
             ,
             It
             hath
             been
             always
             found
             a
             more
             rare
             and
             difficult
             thing
             ,
             to
             convince
             and
             bring
             home
             to
             Christ
             the
             civilized
             part
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             than
             it
             is
             to
             convince
             and
             work
             upon
             the
             prophane
             part
             of
             it
             ,
             
               Matth.
               21.
               31.
               
               Publicans
               and
               Harlots
               go
               into
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               before
               you
               .
               Publicans
            
             were
             reckoned
             the
             vilest
             sort
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             Harlots
             the
             worst
             sort
             of
             women
             ;
             yet
             either
             of
             these
             were
             easier
             to
             be
             brought
             to
             Christ
             ,
             than
             self-righteous
             Pharisees
             .
             Well
             then
             ,
             away
             with
             your
             vain
             and
             idle
             pretensions
             ,
             that
             your
             Case
             is
             safer
             and
             better
             than
             others
             .
             By
             what
             hath
             been
             said
             ,
             it
             evidently
             appears
             that
             you
             stand
             in
             as
             much
             need
             of
             Christ
             as
             the
             most
             infamous
             Sinners
             in
             the
             world
             do
             .
          
        
         
           
             III.
             Vse
             .
          
           
             This
             point
             winds
             up
             in
             encouragement
             to
             every
             willing
             and
             obedient
             soul
             whom
             the
             Lord
             shall
             perswade
             to
             comply
             with
             the
             Call
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             whatever
             his
             former
             Rebellions
             have
             been
             .
             There
             are
             some
             whose
             hearts
             the
             Lord
             hath
             touched
             with
             a
             deep
             sense
             of
             their
             sin
             and
             misery
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             all-sufficient
             remedy
             that
             is
             in
             Christ
             ;
             but
             the
             sense
             of
             former
             rebellions
             appals
             and
             daunts
             them
             ,
             they
             cannot
             hope
             for
             acceptance
             with
             him
             .
             Here
             's
             good
             news
             for
             such
             souls
             ;
             Christ
             is
             at
             the
             door
             ,
             and
             former
             Rebellions
             are
             no
             barr
             to
             him
             ,
             provided
             there
             be
             now
             a
             hearty
             compliance
             with
             his
             voice
             ,
             
               I
               will
               come
               in
               to
               him
               .
            
             A
             glorious
             promise
             ,
             comprising
             five
             inestimable
             benefits
             or
             mercies
             in
             
             it
             .
             (
             1.
             )
             This
             is
             the
             most
             glorious
             work
             of
             God
             that
             ever
             was
             wrought
             ,
             or
             can
             be
             wrought
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             upon
             the
             heart
             of
             a
             poor
             sinner
             ,
             to
             open
             it
             by
             Repentance
             and
             Faith
             ,
             and
             put
             Christ
             into
             the
             full
             possession
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             The
             power
             of
             all
             the
             Angels
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             Ministers
             on
             Earth
             ,
             Duties
             and
             Ordinances
             cannot
             effect
             this
             ;
             this
             is
             the
             peculiar
             work
             of
             God
             ,
             1.
             
             
               Cor.
               1.
               30.
               
               But
               of
               him
               are
               ye
               in
               Christ
               Iesus
               .
            
             Look
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             the
             marvellous
             work
             of
             God
             to
             unite
             our
             Nature
             unto
             Christ
             by
             an
             Hypostatical
             Union
             ;
             so
             it
             is
             no
             less
             a
             marvellous
             work
             of
             God
             to
             unite
             our
             persons
             to
             Christ
             by
             a
             Mystical
             Union
             ,
             to
             prepare
             the
             soul
             as
             an
             habitation
             for
             Christ
             ,
             and
             give
             him
             the
             possession
             of
             it
             .
             (
             2.
             )
             This
             Coming
             of
             Christ
             into
             the
             Soul
             is
             the
             very
             foundation
             of
             all
             our
             Hopes
             for
             Glory
             ;
             till
             this
             be
             done
             ,
             we
             are
             without
             hope
             .
             But
             in
             the
             same
             hour
             Christ
             comes
             in
             to
             the
             Soul
             ,
             a
             solid
             Foundation
             of
             the
             hopes
             of
             Glory
             is
             laid
             in
             that
             Soul
             ,
             Col.
             1.
             27.
             
             
               Which
               is
               Christ
               in
               you
               the
               hope
               of
               Glory
               .
            
             I
             know
             the
             unregenerate
             World
             is
             full
             of
             hope
             ,
             but
             their
             hopes
             are
             built
             upon
             that
             Sand.
             Union
             with
             Christ
             is
             the
             steady
             foundation
             on
             which
             the
             hopes
             of
             Heaven
             are
             laid
             .
             (
             3.
             )
             
               I
               will
               come
               in
               to
               him
               ,
            
             that
             is
             ,
             to
             dwell
             in
             his
             soul
             for
             ever
             ,
             never
             to
             leave
             him
             more
             :
             Therefore
             (
             Eph.
             3.
             17.
             
             )
             he
             is
             said
             to
             
               dwell
               in
               our
               hearts
               by
               faith
            
             ;
             not
             sojourn
             for
             a
             night
             ,
             but
             abide
             there
             for
             ever
             :
             Nothing
             can
             seperate
             Christ
             and
             that
             Soul
             ,
             Rom.
             8.
             35.
             
             Thy
             Soul
             shall
             never
             be
             an
             habitation
             for
             Satan
             any
             more
             .
             When
             Christ
             comes
             in
             ,
             he
             saith
             ,
             as
             of
             the
             Temple
             ,
             
               Here
               will
               I
               dwell
               for
               ever
               .
            
             (
             4.
             )
             This
             Coming
             in
             of
             Christ
             intitles
             the
             Soul
             to
             all
             Spiritual
             Priviledges
             ;
             1
             
               Iohn
               5.
               12.
               
               He
               that
               hath
               the
               Son
               hath
               
               life
               :
            
             and
             1
             
               Cor.
               3.
               ult
               .
               All
               is
               yours
               ,
               for
               ye
               are
               Christs
               .
            
             (
             5.
             )
             This
             is
             the
             highest
             honour
             that
             ever
             God
             put
             upon
             a
             Creature
             .
             I
             will
             come
             in
             to
             him
             .
             O
             how
             should
             the
             Soul
             feel
             it self
             advanced
             by
             such
             an
             honour
             as
             this
             !
             What
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             living
             Temple
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             !
             for
             Christ
             to
             dwell
             and
             walk
             in
             thy
             Soul
             !
             as
             it
             is
             2
             Cor.
             6.
             16.
             
             I
             tell
             you
             this
             is
             an
             honour
             beyond
             and
             above
             the
             honour
             done
             to
             Angels
             .
          
           
             And
             how
             near
             art
             thou
             to
             all
             these
             blessed
             Priviledges
             in
             the
             day
             that
             thy
             heart
             is
             wounded
             for
             sin
             ,
             thy
             thoughts
             become
             solicitous
             about
             union
             with
             Christ
             ,
             and
             thy
             Will
             begins
             to
             bowe
             ,
             and
             yield
             ,
             after
             a
             serious
             debate
             of
             the
             terms
             of
             the
             Gospel
             in
             thy
             most
             solemn
             thoughts
             !
             Now
             is
             the
             door
             half-open
             ,
             and
             Christ
             ready
             to
             make
             his
             first
             entrance
             into
             thy
             Soul.
             God
             forbid
             any
             thing
             should
             now
             hinder
             the
             compleating
             of
             so
             great
             a
             Work.
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
           SERMON
           VIII
           .
        
         
           
             
               Revel
               .
               3.
               20.
               
            
             Behold
             ,
             I
             stand
             at
             the
             door
             and
             knock
             ,
             if
             any
             Man
             [
             hear
             my
             voice
             ]
             and
             open
             the
             door
             ,
             I
             will
             come
             into
             him
             ,
             and
             will
             sup
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             he
             with
             me
             .
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           former
           Sermon
           Christs
           free
           and
           general
           invitation
           to
           sinners
           hath
           been
           considered
           ;
           in
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           take
           into
           consideration
           the
           principal
           means
           or
           instrument
           by
           which
           the
           Heart
           of
           a
           sinner
           is
           opened
           to
           receive
           Christ
           ;
           and
           that
           is
           not
           by
           the
           native
           power
           of
           his
           own
           Will
           ,
           nor
           by
           the
           alone
           efficacy
           of
           the
           Gospel
           preached
           ,
           but
           by
           
             the
             voice
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           which
           opens
           the
           Will
           ,
           and
           makes
           the
           perswasions
           of
           the
           Gospel
           effectual
           .
           
             If
             any
             Man
             hear
             my
             voice
             .
          
        
         
           Hearing
           is
           either
           External
           ,
           or
           Internal
           ;
           for
           the
           Soul
           hath
           its
           Ears
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Body
           .
           
             He
             that
             hath
             an
             Ear
             let
             him
             hear
             ,
             what
             the
             Spirit
             saith
             unto
             the
             Churches
             ,
          
           Rev.
           2.
           17.
           
           (
           
             i.
             e.
          
           )
           He
           that
           hath
           a
           
             Spiritual
             Ear
          
           ,
           to
           perceive
           and
           judge
           the
           voice
           of
           the
           Spirit
           by
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           a
           sore
           Judgment
           when
           God
           denies
           such
           an
           Ear
           to
           the
           Soul
           ,
           
             Isa.
             6.
             9.
             
             Go
             
             tell
             this
             people
             ,
             hear
             ye
             indeed
             ,
             but
             understand
             not
             .
          
           Spiritual
           hearing
           is
           the
           Work
           of
           the
           inner
           Man.
           And
           though
           we
           have
           many
           Auditors
           ,
           yet
           in
           this
           sense
           no
           more
           hearers
           than
           believers
           ;
           words
           of
           sense
           do
           in
           Scripture
           connote
           affections
           .
           This
           hearing
           of
           Christs
           voice
           implies
           not
           only
           the
           receiving
           of
           the
           sound
           of
           the
           Gospel
           into
           the
           external
           organ
           ;
           but
           it
           notes
           the
           work
           of
           the
           understanding
           ,
           which
           by
           the
           Ear
           trieth
           words
           ,
           as
           the
           Mouth
           tasteth
           meat
           ,
           Iob
           12.
           11.
           
           And
           the
           work
           of
           the
           affections
           ;
           which
           receive
           the
           truth
           in
           love
           ,
           2
           Thes.
           2.
           10.
           
           It
           also
           implies
           the
           obedience
           of
           the
           Soul
           to
           what
           we
           hear
           .
           We
           cannot
           be
           said
           in
           this
           sense
           to
           hear
           ,
           what
           we
           obey
           not
           .
           Our
           minds
           may
           be
           delighted
           with
           the
           pleasant
           air
           and
           melody
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           yet
           it
           is
           all
           one
           as
           if
           we
           heard
           it
           not
           ,
           when
           obedience
           doth
           not
           follow
           hearing
           ,
           
             Ezek.
             33.
             32.
             
             Thou
             art
             unto
             them
             a
             very
             lovely
             son
             ,
          
           &c.
           
             for
             they
             hear
             thy
             words
             ,
             but
             they
             do
             them
             not
          
           ;
           but
           in
           this
           place
           it
           especially
           signifies
           the
           
             vital
             sound
             of
             Christs
             efficacious
             internal
             voice
             ,
          
           which
           is
           the
           principle
           of
           Spiritual
           Life
           to
           the
           Souls
           of
           dead
           sinners
           ;
           according
           to
           that
           expression
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             Iohn
             5.
             25.
             
             Verily
             ,
             verily
             ,
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             the
             hour
             is
             coming
             ,
             and
             now
             is
             ;
             when
             the
             dead
             shall
             hear
             the
             voice
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             hear
             shall
             live
             .
          
        
         
           From
           hence
           the
           Eighth
           Observation
           will
           be
           this
           ,
        
         
           
             VIII
             .
             DOCT.
             
          
           
             That
             no
             Mans
             Will
             savingly
             and
             effectually
             opens
             to
             receive
             Christ
             ,
             
             till
             the
             Spiritual
             quickning
             Voice
             of
             Christ
             be
             first
             heard
             by
             the
             Soul.
             
          
           
           
             Now
             touching
             this
             Almighty
             Spiritual
             voice
             of
             Christ
             ,
             by
             which
             the
             Hearts
             of
             sinners
             are
             effectually
             opened
             ;
             Six
             things
             must
             be
             opened
             in
             order
             .
          
           
             
               1.
               
               The
               divers
               sorts
               and
               kinds
               of
               Christs
               voice
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               general
               Nature
               of
               this
               internal
               voice
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               innate
               characters
               and
               special
               properties
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               The
               objects
               to
               whom
               it
               is
               directed
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               The
               motives
               inducing
               Christ
               to
               speak
               to
               one
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               another
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               The
               special
               effects
               wrought
               and
               sealed
               by
               it
               upon
               every
               Soul
               that
               hears
               it
               .
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             We
             will
             speak
             of
             the
             divers
             sorts
             and
             kinds
             of
             Christs
             voices
             .
             I
             am
             here
             only
             concerned
             about
             two
             ,
             viz.
             
          
           
             
               1.
               
               His
               External
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               His
               Internal
               voice
               .
            
          
           
             1.
             
             There
             is
             an
             
               External
               voice
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             which
             we
             may
             call
             his
             Ministerial
             voice
             in
             the
             Preaching
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             the
             Scriptures
             are
             his
             Word
             ,
             and
             Ministers
             his
             Mouth
             ,
             Ier.
             15.
             19.
             
             He
             that
             heareth
             them
             ,
             heareth
             Christ.
             
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             There
             is
             also
             an
             
               Internal
               energetical
               voice
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             consisting
             not
             in
             sound
             ,
             but
             power
             :
             And
             betwixt
             these
             two
             ,
             there
             are
             two
             remarkable
             differences
             .
             (
             1.
             )
             The
             External
             or
             Ministerial
             voice
             of
             Christ
             ,
             is
             but
             the
             Organ
             or
             Instrument
             of
             conveying
             his
             Internal
             and
             Efficacious
             voice
             to
             the
             Soul
             ;
             in
             the
             former
             he
             speaks
             to
             the
             Ear
             ,
             and
             in
             ,
             or
             by
             that
             ●ound
             conveys
             his
             
             Spiritual
             voice
             to
             the
             Heart
             .
             (
             2ly
             ,
             )
             The
             External
             voice
             is
             evermore
             ineffectual
             and
             successless
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             not
             animated
             by
             this
             Internal
             Spiritual
             voice
             ;
             it
             was
             marvellous
             to
             see
             the
             walls
             of
             Iericho
             falling
             to
             the
             ground
             at
             the
             sound
             of
             Rams-horns
             ;
             there
             was
             certainly
             more
             than
             the
             force
             of
             an
             external
             blast
             ,
             to
             produce
             such
             an
             effect
             ;
             but
             more
             marvellous
             it
             is
             ,
             to
             see
             at
             the
             sound
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             not
             only
             the
             weapons
             of
             iniquity
             falling
             out
             of
             sinners
             Hands
             ,
             but
             the
             very
             enmity
             it self
             out
             of
             their
             Hearts
             .
             Here
             you
             see
             is
             a
             voice
             in
             a
             voice
             ,
             an
             Internal
             efficacy
             in
             the
             External
             sound
             ;
             without
             which
             the
             Gospel
             makes
             no
             saving
             impression
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             This
             Spiritual
             voice
             of
             Christ
             must
             be
             considered
             in
             its
             general
             Nature
             ,
             which
             implies
             two
             things
             in
             it
             ,
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 Almighty
                 Efficacy
                 ,
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Great
                 Facilty
                 .
              
            
          
           
             I.
             Almighty
             Efficacy
             ,
             to
             quicken
             and
             open
             the
             Heart
             with
             a
             word
             .
             O
             what
             manner
             of
             voice
             is
             this
             ,
             which
             carries
             such
             a
             vital
             power
             along
             with
             it
             !
             In
             all
             the
             mighty
             works
             of
             Christ
             ,
             his
             power
             was
             still
             put
             forth
             in
             some
             voice
             ,
             as
             at
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             Lazarus
             ,
             John
             11.
             43.
             
             
               He
               cryed
               with
               a
               loud
               voice
               ,
               Lazarus
               come
               forth
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               was
               dead
               came
               forth
               .
            
             So
             in
             the
             curing
             of
             the
             deaf
             Man
             ,
             
               Mark
               7.
               34.
               
               He
               saith
               unto
               him
            
             Ephphathai
             ,
             
               and
               straight
               way
               his
               Ears
               were
               opened
               .
            
             Thus
             in
             the
             exerting
             of
             his
             Almighty
             glorious
             power
             in
             quickning
             ,
             a
             Soul
             Spiritually
             dead
             ,
             and
             opening
             the
             Heart
             that
             was
             lockt
             up
             by
             ignorance
             and
             unbelief
             ;
             an
             Internal
             Almighty
             Efficacy
             passeth
             
             from
             Christ
             ,
             along
             with
             the
             voice
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             to
             effect
             this
             glorious
             work
             upon
             the
             Soul
             ;
             an
             Emblem
             where
             of
             we
             have
             in
             
               Ezek.
               37.
               9
               ,
               10.
               
               Then
               said
               he
               unto
               me
               ,
               Prophesie
               unto
               the
               wind
               ,
               prophesie
               ,
               Son
               of
               Man
               to
               the
               wind
               ,
               saith
               the
               Lord
               God
               ;
               Come
               from
               the
               four
               winds
               ,
               O
               breath
               ,
               and
               breath
               upon
               these
               slain
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               live
               .
               So
               I
               prophesied
               as
               he
               commanded
               me
               ,
               and
               the
               breath
               came
               into
               them
               ,
               and
               they
               lived
               and
               stood
               up
               upon
               their
               Feet
               ,
               an
               exceeding
               great
               Army
               .
            
             The
             animating
             vital
             breath
             which
             quickned
             the
             dead
             ,
             came
             in
             or
             with
             the
             four
             winds
             of
             Heaven
             ;
             as
             this
             Almighty
             power
             of
             Christ
             doth
             with
             the
             sound
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             and
             before
             it
             the
             Heart
             opens
             ,
             the
             Will
             bows
             ,
             
               Psal.
               110.
               3.
            
             
             Man
             can
             no
             longer
             oppose
             the
             power
             of
             God
             ;
             Man
             and
             Man
             stand
             upon
             equal
             ground
             ;
             the
             power
             of
             Man
             can
             repel
             the
             power
             of
             a
             fellow
             creature
             ;
             but
             when
             the
             power
             of
             Christ
             comes
             along
             with
             the
             voice
             of
             Man
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             more
             power
             to
             resist
             .
             *
             This
             voice
             of
             Christ
             then
             ,
             of
             which
             the
             Text
             speaks
             ,
             
             is
             an
             Almighty
             impression
             made
             upon
             the
             Soul
             of
             a
             sinner
             from
             Heaven
             ;
             which
             is
             to
             that
             Soul
             in
             stead
             of
             a
             voice
             ;
             and
             as
             fully
             expressive
             of
             Gods
             mind
             concerning
             it
             ,
             as
             any
             Articulate
             voice
             in
             the
             World
             can
             be
             .
             It
             is
             a
             beam
             of
             light
             shining
             immediately
             from
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             into
             the
             Soul
             of
             a
             sinner
             ;
             as
             plainly
             and
             evidently
             discovering
             both
             its
             danger
             and
             duty
             ,
             as
             if
             a
             voice
             from
             Heaven
             had
             declared
             them
             ▪
             thus
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             
               Isa.
               8.
               11.
            
             
             The
             Lord
             spake
             to
             Isaiah
             with
             a
             strong
             Hand
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             by
             a
             mighty
             impression
             upon
             the
             Prophets
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             was
             as
             a
             voice
             to
             him
             ;
             thus
             here
             ,
             the
             Lord
             not
             only
             directs
             a
             suitable
             word
             to
             a
             sinners
             condition
             ;
             but
             also
             impresses
             it
             with
             such
             a
             strong
             
             Hand
             upon
             his
             Heart
             ,
             as
             leaves
             no
             doubt
             behind
             it
             ,
             but
             that
             it
             was
             the
             Lord
             himself
             that
             spake
             to
             his
             Soul
             ;
             this
             is
             Christs
             way
             of
             speaking
             by
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             to
             the
             inner
             Spiritual
             Ear
             of
             the
             Soul
             ;
             not
             by
             Oraculous
             voices
             ,
             which
             I
             take
             to
             be
             but
             the
             suppositions
             of
             an
             overtroubled
             fancy
             ;
             but
             by
             an
             efficacious
             impression
             upon
             the
             Heart
             .
             As
             to
             Oraculous
             voices
             ,
             we
             may
             sooner
             meet
             Satanical
             delusions
             ,
             than
             Divine
             illuminations
             in
             that
             way
             .
             The
             Learned
             Gerson
             speaks
             of
             a
             good
             Man
             who
             being
             in
             Prayer
             seemed
             to
             hear
             such
             a
             voice
             as
             this
             ;
             
               I
               am
               come
               in
               person
               to
               visit
               thee
               ,
               for
               thou
               art
               worthy
            
             ;
             but
             he
             justly
             suspecting
             a
             delusion
             of
             Satan
             ,
             shut
             his
             Eyes
             and
             said
             ,
             
               Nolo
               hic
               videre
               Christum
            
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               I
               will
               not
               see
               Christ
               here
               ,
               it
               shall
               suffice
               me
               to
               see
               him
               in
               glory
               .
            
             I
             am
             sure
             Christs
             voice
             in
             the
             written
             Word
             is
             more
             sure
             than
             a
             voice
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             2
             
               Pet.
               l.
               1.
               9.
            
             
             This
             inward
             Spiritual
             impression
             is
             Christs
             effectual
             call
             from
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             a
             voice
             
               sine
               strepitu
               Syllabarum
            
             ,
             without
             sound
             or
             syllable
             .
          
           
             II.
             As
             this
             voice
             of
             Christ
             implies
             Almighty
             efficacy
             ,
             so
             it
             implies
             in
             like
             manner
             the
             facility
             of
             conversion
             unto
             Christ
             ;
             he
             can
             do
             it
             easily
             with
             a
             word
             of
             his
             Mouth
             ;
             as
             in
             the
             bodily
             cures
             performed
             by
             him
             in
             the
             days
             of
             his
             flesh
             ,
             how
             suddainly
             and
             easily
             did
             Christ
             effect
             them
             ?
             
               Speak
               the
               word
               only
            
             ,
             said
             the
             
               Centurion
               ,
               and
               my
               servant
               shall
               be
               healed
               .
            
             Thus
             let
             the
             Spirit
             but
             speak
             internally
             to
             the
             deadest
             Soul
             and
             it
             lives
             .
             Elijah
             did
             but
             cast
             his
             mantle
             upon
             Elisha
             ,
             as
             he
             was
             plowing
             in
             the
             Field
             ,
             and
             he
             presently
             entreats
             the
             Prophet
             to
             give
             him
             leave
             to
             go
             home
             and
             bid
             his
             friends
             farewel
             ,
             and
             he
             would
             follow
             him
             ;
             thus
             it
             is
             here
             ,
             let
             a
             beam
             of
             saving
             light
             shine
             
             from
             the
             Spirit
             into
             a
             Mans
             Heart
             ,
             let
             an
             effectual
             impression
             be
             made
             upon
             his
             Soul
             ,
             and
             he
             is
             presently
             made
             willing
             to
             quit
             and
             give
             up
             his
             dearest
             lusts
             and
             interests
             ,
             and
             to
             imbrace
             Christ
             upon
             the
             severest
             terms
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
             Conversion
             is
             too
             difficult
             a
             work
             for
             Angels
             or
             Men
             to
             effect
             in
             their
             own
             strength
             ;
             but
             Christ
             can
             do
             it
             with
             a
             word
             .
             And
             thus
             much
             of
             the
             general
             nature
             of
             Christs
             Spiritual
             Internal
             voice
             ;
             but
             all
             this
             gives
             us
             but
             a
             remote
             imperfect
             knowledge
             of
             it
             :
             Therefore
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             I
             shall
             endeavour
             to
             open
             the
             innate
             characters
             and
             special
             properties
             of
             this
             Internal
             Spiritual
             voice
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             must
             be
             heard
             ,
             or
             there
             can
             be
             no
             opening
             the
             door
             of
             the
             Heart
             to
             receive
             him
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Character
               .
            
             
               And
               the
               first
               Character
               is
               this
               ,
               It
               is
               a
               secret
               and
               a
               still
               voice
               ;
               whereby
               somewhat
               is
               as
               it
               were
               whispered
               into
               the
               Ear
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               making
               a
               particular
               application
               of
               what
               is
               spoken
               Externally
               to
               the
               Ear
               ,
               much
               like
               that
               of
               Nathan
               to
               
                 David
                 ,
                 Thou
                 art
                 the
                 Man.
              
               This
               still
               voice
               sounds
               throughout
               the
               whole
               Soul
               ,
               yet
               none
               hear
               it
               but
               the
               Soul
               concerned
               in
               it
               ;
               it
               is
               said
               ,
               1
               
                 Sam.
                 9.
                 15.
                 
                 The
                 Lord
                 told
              
               Samuel
               
                 in
                 his
                 Ear
                 ,
                 the
                 night
                 before
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               That
               is
               ,
               he
               whispered
               the
               secret
               into
               the
               Prophets
               mind
               ;
               so
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
               whispers
               a
               word
               into
               the
               Ear
               of
               a
               sinner
               which
               makes
               his
               Heart
               to
               tremble
               ;
               after
               this
               manner
               ,
               
                 This
                 is
                 thy
                 very
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ;
                 this
                 is
                 thy
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 now
                 opened
                 by
                 the
                 Gospel
                 in
                 thine
                 Ears
                 .
              
               This
               is
               a
               voice
               without
               sound
               or
               noise
               to
               any
               others
               ,
               but
               
               very
               intelligible
               to
               the
               Soul
               unto
               whom
               it
               is
               ●poken
               .
               You
               read
               in
               1
               Kings
               19.
               11
               ,
               12.
               when
               Elijah
               stood
               upon
               the
               Mount
               before
               the
               Lord
               ,
               there
               came
               
                 a
                 great
                 and
                 strong
                 wind
                 which
                 rent
                 the
                 Mountains
                 ,
                 and
                 brake
                 in
                 pieces
                 the
                 Rocks
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Lord
                 was
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 wind
                 ;
                 and
                 after
                 the
                 wind
                 an
                 earthquake
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Lord
                 was
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 earthquake
                 ;
                 and
                 after
                 the
                 earthquake
                 a
                 fire
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Lord
                 was
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 fire
                 ;
                 and
                 after
                 the
                 fire
                 a
                 still
                 small
                 voice
                 ;
                 And
                 it
                 was
                 so
                 ,
                 when
              
               Elijah
               
                 heard
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 wrapped
                 his
                 face
                 in
                 his
                 mantle
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               So
               it
               is
               here
               .
               Dreadful
               things
               are
               thundred
               against
               men
               by
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               the
               Terrours
               of
               the
               Lord
               are
               made
               known
               ,
               Hell
               and
               Damnation
               are
               set
               before
               the
               eyes
               of
               Sinners
               ;
               but
               until
               the
               Lord
               come
               in
               the
               still
               voice
               of
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               apply
               those
               things
               to
               the
               Conscience
               ,
               the
               Sinner
               never
               covers
               his
               face
               with
               shame
               and
               confusion
               ,
               nor
               goes
               aside
               to
               mourn
               and
               lament
               his
               misery
               .
               This
               voice
               of
               God
               sounds
               to
               the
               very
               Centre
               of
               the
               Soul.
               As
               for
               the
               outward
               voice
               of
               the
               Gospel
               alone
               ,
               it
               signifies
               little
               ,
               
                 in
                 hearing
                 men
                 hear
                 not
              
               ,
               Matth.
               13.
               13.
               
               They
               have
               the
               voice
               of
               Man
               ,
               but
               not
               the
               voice
               of
               God
               :
               They
               hear
               the
               sound
               ,
               but
               feel
               not
               the
               power
               of
               the
               Word
               .
               What
               is
               spoken
               externally
               ,
               dyes
               in
               the
               ear
               that
               hears
               it
               :
               But
               this
               still
               voice
               of
               the
               Spirit
               by
               secret
               passages
               makes
               its
               way
               to
               the
               heart
               ,
               and
               none
               knows
               what
               God
               speaks
               but
               the
               Soul
               to
               whom
               he
               speaks
               .
               That
               is
               the
               first
               Character
               .
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Character
               .
            
             
               The
               internal
               spiritnal
               voice
               of
               Christ
               is
               a
               personal
               and
               particular
               voice
               ,
               speaking
               distinctly
               ,
               
               and
               particularly
               to
               the
               case
               and
               state
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               as
               if
               it
               were
               by
               name
               .
               Ministers
               do
               and
               must
               speak
               in
               general
               ;
               they
               draw
               the
               Bow
               of
               the
               Gospel
               at
               an
               adventure
               ,
               not
               knowing
               to
               whom
               God
               will
               direct
               the
               Arrow
               ;
               but
               the
               Spirit
               guides
               it
               to
               the
               Mark.
               He
               applies
               general
               Truths
               unto
               particular
               persons
               ,
               so
               as
               the
               Soul
               to
               whom
               he
               directs
               it
               ,
               is
               fully
               convinced
               and
               satisfied
               the
               Lord
               intends
               and
               means
               it
               ,
               in
               such
               a
               convictive
               and
               threatning
               Expression
               .
               O
               ,
               saith
               the
               Soul
               ,
               hath
               the
               Lord
               singled
               me
               out
               in
               special
               ?
               this
               is
               my
               very
               state
               and
               case
               .
               You
               read
               Iohn
               10.
               5.
               that
               
                 Christ
                 calleth
                 his
                 sheep
                 by
                 name
                 .
              
               How
               doth
               he
               call
               them
               by
               name
               ?
               but
               by
               speaking
               directly
               and
               particularly
               to
               their
               Condition
               and
               Case
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               called
               them
               by
               their
               particular
               Names
               .
               He
               doth
               not
               now
               in
               an
               extraordinary
               way
               ,
               as
               of
               old
               ,
               call
               
                 Samuel
                 ,
                 Samuel
              
               ;
               or
               
                 Saul
                 ,
                 Saul
              
               ;
               but
               he
               sends
               a
               Beam
               of
               convincing
               light
               into
               the
               Conscience
               ,
               plainly
               discovering
               this
               or
               that
               to
               be
               our
               sin
               ,
               danger
               ,
               or
               duty
               ;
               and
               so
               as
               to
               the
               effect
               ,
               it
               is
               all
               one
               as
               if
               God
               named
               him
               :
               And
               truly
               ,
               till
               it
               comes
               to
               this
               ,
               the
               Word
               hath
               no
               saving
               operation
               upon
               the
               Soul.
               A
               man
               may
               hear
               ten
               thousand
               general
               Truths
               ,
               assent
               to
               them
               ,
               and
               never
               be
               the
               better
               for
               them
               .
               How
               still
               and
               quiet
               was
               
               David's
               Conscience
               ,
               till
               Nathan
               struck
               the
               nail
               upon
               the
               head
               ,
               by
               an
               home
               personal
               application
               ,
               and
               then
               his
               Conscience
               startled
               ?
               Thus
               God
               singles
               out
               one
               man
               or
               woman
               from
               among
               a
               thousand
               in
               the
               Congregation
               ,
               speaks
               to
               the
               heart
               ,
               rips
               up
               the
               secure
               Conscience
               ;
               the
               rest
               hear
               the
               same
               words
               ,
               but
               feel
               not
               the
               same
               efficacy
               .
               And
               truly
               ,
               't
               is
               a
               choice
               mercy
               when
               God
               shall
               please
               thus
               to
               single
               out
               one
               person
               from
               among
               many
               after
               this
               manner
               
               to
               speak
               to
               his
               heart
               .
               As
               Christ
               said
               in
               
                 Luke
                 4.
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                 Many
                 widows
                 were
                 in
              
               Israel
               
                 in
                 the
                 days
                 of
              
               Elias
               ,
               
                 &c.
                 but
                 to
                 none
                 of
                 them
                 was
              
               Elias
               
                 sent
                 save
                 unto
              
               Sarepta
               
                 a
                 City
                 of
              
               Sydon
               ,
               
                 unto
                 a
                 woman
                 that
                 was
                 a
                 widow
              
               ;
               so
               here
               ,
               Multitudes
               sate
               with
               you
               under
               the
               same
               Prayer
               or
               Sermon
               ,
               but
               unto
               none
               of
               them
               at
               that
               time
               was
               the
               Spirit
               sent
               ,
               to
               make
               a
               particular
               convictive
               application
               thereof
               ,
               but
               unto
               thee
               .
               In
               this
               the
               peculiar
               goodness
               of
               God
               shines
               out
               ,
               and
               should
               for
               ever
               be
               admired
               in
               the
               eyes
               of
               that
               Soul.
               
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Character
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               This
               spiritual
               internal
               voice
               of
               Christ
               is
               distinguishable
               by
               the
               Soul
               that
               hears
               it
               from
               all
               other
               voices
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 10.
                 4.
                 
                 The
                 Sheep
                 know
                 his
                 voice
                 .
              
               As
               in
               the
               style
               of
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               weight
               and
               majesty
               which
               distinguishes
               it
               from
               all
               human
               composures
               ;
               so
               in
               this
               voice
               of
               Christ
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               Majesty
               ,
               a
               peculiar
               Efficacy
               ,
               a
               divine
               and
               awful
               Authority
               ,
               by
               which
               the
               Soul
               distinguishes
               it
               from
               all
               human
               voices
               .
               It
               was
               said
               of
               Christ
               in
               the
               days
               of
               his
               flesh
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 7.
                 46.
                 
                 Never
                 man
                 spake
                 like
                 this
                 man.
              
               The
               same
               may
               we
               say
               of
               his
               spiritual
               voice
               ,
               the
               Soul
               never
               heard
               such
               a
               voice
               before
               ;
               it
               seals
               the
               truth
               upon
               the
               heart
               so
               firmly
               ,
               that
               no
               Objections
               are
               left
               against
               it
               .
               It
               was
               not
               so
               when
               we
               heard
               the
               voice
               of
               man.
               And
               there
               are
               two
               things
               in
               this
               inward
               voice
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               apparently
               difference
               it
               from
               all
               human
               voices
               .
               (
               1.
               )
               A
               marvellous
               light
               comes
               into
               the
               Soul
               with
               it
               ,
               which
               discovers
               all
               the
               secrets
               of
               the
               heart
               .
               God
               shines
               into
               the
               heart
               the
               same
               time
               he
               speaks
               unto
               it
               ,
               
                 2
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 6.
              
               and
               now
               the
               
               secrets
               of
               the
               heart
               are
               manifest
               ,
               and
               God
               is
               acknowledged
               to
               be
               in
               that
               Word
               of
               Truth
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               14.
               25.
               
            
             
               (
               2ly
               ,
               )
               A
               marvellous
               Power
               accompanieth
               this
               voice
               ,
               to
               make
               a
               deep
               and
               firm
               impression
               of
               what
               is
               spoken
               upon
               the
               Soul
               :
               and
               this
               Power
               is
               an
               innate
               Character
               of
               the
               voice
               of
               God
               ,
               whereby
               the
               Soul
               receives
               it
               as
               his
               ,
               with
               much
               assurance
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               speaks
               ,
               1
               
                 Thess.
                 1.
                 5.
                 
                 Our
                 Gospel
                 came
                 not
                 to
                 you
                 in
                 Word
                 only
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 in
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 much
                 Assurance
                 .
              
               They
               could
               not
               be
               more
               certain
               of
               any
               thing
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               than
               they
               were
               of
               this
               ,
               That
               it
               was
               the
               Lord
               that
               spake
               to
               them
               in
               that
               Word
               .
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               at
               the
               first
               instant
               the
               Soul
               may
               be
               amazed
               ,
               and
               at
               a
               loss
               ,
               as
               Peter
               when
               he
               was
               delivered
               out
               of
               Prison
               ,
               Acts
               12
               ▪
               11.
               thought
               at
               first
               he
               had
               seen
               a
               Vision
               ;
               but
               when
               he
               was
               come
               to
               himself
               ,
               Now
               ,
               said
               he
               ,
               
                 I
                 know
                 of
                 a
                 surety
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 sent
                 his
                 Angel
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Thus
               it
               is
               with
               the
               Soul
               ,
               it
               is
               amazed
               ,
               and
               doubts
               what
               manner
               of
               Call
               or
               Power
               this
               is
               ;
               sure
               it
               is
               ,
               it
               never
               heard
               such
               a
               voice
               ,
               nor
               ever
               felt
               any
               thing
               like
               this
               before
               :
               But
               the
               matter
               is
               quickly
               cleared
               up
               when
               the
               Soul
               hath
               reflected
               duly
               upon
               it
               ,
               and
               finds
               (
               as
               it
               quickly
               doth
               )
               such
               a
               wonderful
               change
               of
               the
               frame
               and
               temper
               of
               the
               heart
               following
               upon
               it
               .
               I
               now
               speak
               not
               of
               those
               into
               whom
               Grace
               is
               distilled
               in
               the
               way
               of
               godly
               Education
               in
               their
               tender
               years
               ,
               but
               of
               adult
               persons
               ,
               and
               especially
               such
               as
               have
               been
               grosser
               Sinners
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Character
               .
            
             
               This
               spiritual
               internal
               voice
               of
               Christ
               is
               a
               surprizing
               
               voice
               ,
               altogether
               unexpected
               by
               the
               Soul
               that
               hears
               it
               ;
               
                 I
                 am
                 found
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 sought
                 me
                 not
                 ,
                 Isai.
              
               65.
               1.
               
               Little
               do
               we
               foresee
               the
               designs
               God
               hath
               upon
               us
               in
               bringing
               us
               to
               such
               a
               place
               ,
               and
               under
               such
               a
               Sermon
               ,
               at
               such
               ,
               or
               such
               a
               time
               ;
               even
               as
               little
               as
               Saul
               thought
               of
               a
               Kingdom
               when
               he
               was
               seeking
               his
               Fathers
               Asses
               .
               'T
               is
               much
               with
               us
               as
               it
               was
               with
               the
               Apostles
               when
               Christ
               called
               them
               ;
               little
               did
               Matthew
               think
               when
               he
               sate
               at
               the
               Receipt
               of
               Customs
               ,
               or
               Saul
               think
               when
               posting
               unto
               Damascus
               upon
               the
               Devils
               errand
               ,
               that
               Christ
               and
               Salvation
               had
               then
               been
               so
               near
               them
               .
               Some
               have
               come
               to
               scoff
               and
               deride
               the
               Messengers
               and
               Truths
               of
               God
               ;
               others
               to
               gratifie
               their
               curiosity
               ,
               and
               many
               in
               a
               customary
               course
               ,
               not
               knowing
               where
               else
               with
               peace
               to
               themselves
               ,
               or
               reputation
               with
               others
               ,
               to
               spend
               that
               hour
               :
               But
               God's
               thoughts
               were
               not
               theirs
               ;
               the
               time
               of
               mercy
               was
               now
               come
               ,
               and
               whatever
               sinful
               or
               low
               ends
               brought
               them
               thither
               ,
               the
               Lord's
               design
               was
               then
               and
               there
               to
               manifest
               himself
               to
               them
               .
               It
               is
               with
               such
               Souls
               ,
               in
               some
               respect
               ,
               as
               it
               was
               with
               the
               Spouse
               ,
               Cant.
               6.
               12.
               to
               whose
               expression
               I
               may
               here
               allude
               ,
               
                 Or
                 ever
                 I
                 was
                 aware
                 my
                 Soul
                 made
                 me
                 as
                 the
                 Chariots
                 of
              
               Aminadab
               .
               I
               went
               to
               the
               Congregation
               for
               Company
               ,
               I
               was
               fitting
               under
               the
               Word
               with
               a
               careless
               wandring
               heart
               ,
               as
               at
               other
               times
               ;
               when
               lo
               ,
               above
               all
               the
               thoughts
               of
               my
               heart
               ,
               an
               Arrow
               of
               Conviction
               was
               suddenly
               shot
               into
               my
               Conscience
               ,
               which
               so
               startled
               ,
               wounded
               ,
               and
               disquieted
               it
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               now
               beyond
               the
               power
               of
               any
               but
               Christ
               himself
               to
               settle
               and
               satisfie
               it
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               V.
               Character
               .
            
             
               Fifthly
               ,
               This
               spiritual
               internal
               voice
               of
               Christ
               is
               energetical
               ,
               great
               and
               mighty
               in
               power
               ,
               piercing
               the
               heart
               ,
               cleaving
               as
               it
               were
               the
               very
               reins
               ;
               full
               of
               efficacy
               to
               the
               Soul
               that
               hears
               it
               .
               The
               power
               of
               God
               comes
               along
               with
               this
               voice
               of
               God.
               You
               read
               
                 Hebr.
                 4.
                 12.
                 
                 The
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 quick
                 and
                 powerful
                 ,
                 and
                 sharper
                 than
                 any
                 two-edged
                 Sword
                 ;
                 piercing
                 even
                 to
                 the
                 dividing
                 asunder
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 and
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Ioynts
                 and
                 Marrow
                 .
              
               Now
               this
               efficacy
               is
               not
               inherent
               in
               the
               Word
               it self
               ,
               it
               works
               not
               thus
               as
               a
               natural
               Agent
               ,
               then
               all
               would
               feel
               this
               power
               that
               come
               within
               the
               sound
               of
               it
               .
               No
               ,
               this
               comes
               from
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
               ,
               speaking
               in
               it
               to
               the
               Sinners
               Conscience
               ;
               when
               it
               is
               the
               administration
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               then
               it
               becomes
               thus
               efficacious
               .
               You
               read
               in
               Psalm
               29.
               from
               v.
               3.
               to
               10.
               of
               the
               wonderful
               efficacy
               of
               God's
               providential
               voice
               ;
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               powerful
               ;
               
                 The
                 voice
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 full
                 of
                 majesty
                 ;
                 it
                 breaks
                 the
                 Cedars
                 ,
                 divides
                 the
                 flames
                 of
                 fire
                 ,
                 shakes
                 the
                 wilderness
                 ,
                 maketh
                 the
                 Hynds
                 to
                 calve
                 .
              
               This
               the
               providential
               voice
               of
               God
               in
               the
               winds
               ,
               thunders
               ,
               and
               lightnings
               can
               do
               ;
               but
               alas
               ,
               what
               's
               this
               to
               the
               efficacy
               of
               his
               spiritual
               voice
               ?
               What
               is
               the
               breaking
               of
               the
               Cedars
               of
               Lebanon
               to
               the
               breaking
               of
               the
               heart
               of
               a
               Sinner
               ?
               what
               is
               the
               shaking
               of
               the
               Trees
               in
               the
               wilderness
               ,
               to
               the
               fears
               of
               wrath
               to
               come
               ,
               which
               shake
               the
               Souls
               of
               convinced
               Sinners
               ,
               and
               make
               their
               very
               hearts
               to
               tremble
               ?
               Acts
               16.
               30.
               
               What
               is
               the
               dividing
               of
               the
               flames
               of
               fire
               ,
               to
               the
               dividing
               of
               a
               Soul
               from
               its
               beloved
               Lusts
               ?
               
                 The
                 weapons
                 of
                 our
                 warfare
              
               (
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               )
               
               
                 are
                 mighty
                 through
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 pulling
                 down
                 of
                 strong
                 holds
                 ,
                 casting
                 down
                 imaginations
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 high
                 thing
                 that
                 exalteth
                 it self
                 against
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 bringing
                 into
                 captivity
                 every
                 thought
                 to
                 the
                 obedience
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
              
               10.
               4
               ,
               5.
               
               Here
               be
               the
               glorious
               effects
               of
               this
               voice
               ,
               which
               plainly
               discover
               from
               whom
               it
               comes
               .
               The
               voice
               of
               God
               is
               no
               less
               to
               be
               admired
               in
               its
               magni●icent
               effects
               ,
               in
               the
               new
               Creation
               ,
               than
               in
               the
               first
               Creation
               ,
               with
               which
               the
               Apostles
               compares
               it
               2
               Cor.
               4.
               6.
               
               
                 God
                 that
                 commanded
                 the
                 light
                 to
                 shine
                 out
                 of
                 darkness
                 ,
                 hath
                 shined
                 into
                 our
                 hearts
                 .
              
               It
               was
               marvellous
               to
               see
               ,
               at
               the
               word
               of
               Christ
               ,
               Lazarus
               ,
               that
               was
               dead
               in
               his
               Grave
               ,
               to
               come
               forth
               bound
               in
               his
               Grave-cloths
               ;
               and
               no
               less
               to
               see
               a
               Soul
               dead
               in
               sin
               ,
               bound
               in
               the
               bonds
               of
               corruption
               ,
               at
               a
               word
               of
               Christ
               to
               arise
               ,
               and
               come
               forth
               with
               spiritual
               life
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 5.
                 25.
                 
                 The
                 dead
                 shall
                 hear
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 that
                 hear
                 it
                 shall
                 live
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               Character
               .
            
             
               This
               spiritual
               voice
               of
               Christ
               is
               so
               convictive
               to
               the
               Conscience
               of
               a
               Sinner
               ,
               that
               it
               puts
               a
               final
               end
               to
               all
               shifts
               and
               evasions
               .
               Whilst
               Man
               only
               spake
               ,
               the
               Soul
               had
               a
               thousand
               shifts
               to
               evade
               and
               put
               off
               what
               was
               spoken
               ;
               but
               now
               all
               Disputes
               and
               Debates
               are
               at
               an
               end
               .
               No
               more
               Subterfuges
               and
               cunning
               Evasions
               now
               .
               The
               Spirit
               ,
               when
               he
               cometh
               ,
               
                 he
                 shall
                 convince
                 the
                 World
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
              
               John
               16.
               8.
               
               The
               word
               signifies
               to
               convince
               by
               demonstration
               ;
               and
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               shew
               a
               thing
               to
               be
               impossible
               to
               be
               otherwise
               than
               we
               represent
               it
               to
               be
               .
               Formerly
               when
               the
               Terrours
               of
               God
               were
               threatned
               against
               sin
               ,
               the
               shuffling
               heart
               was
               wont
               to
               say
               ,
               This
               concerns
               
               me
               no
               more
               than
               others
               ;
               if
               it
               go
               ill
               with
               me
               ,
               it
               will
               go
               ill
               with
               thousands
               as
               well
               as
               me
               .
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               this
               is
               my
               Evil
               ,
               and
               who
               is
               without
               them
               ?
               I
               have
               some
               evils
               in
               me
               ,
               but
               yet
               I
               have
               some
               good
               too
               .
               But
               no
               sooner
               doth
               the
               Spirit
               speak
               conviction
               to
               the
               Conscience
               ,
               but
               all
               these
               pleas
               are
               out
               of
               doors
               .
               It
               may
               be
               the
               state
               of
               the
               Sinner's
               Soul
               was
               doubtful
               to
               him
               before
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               not
               so
               now
               .
               It
               had
               some
               fears
               of
               Hell
               ,
               but
               ballanced
               with
               some
               vain
               hopes
               of
               Heaven
               .
               But
               now
               the
               Debate
               is
               ended
               ,
               the
               great
               Question
               determined
               ,
               Whatever
               I
               am
               ,
               or
               have
               ,
               whatever
               Duties
               I
               have
               done
               ,
               and
               whatsoever
               sins
               I
               have
               avoided
               ,
               I
               see
               I
               am
               not
               regenerated
               ,
               I
               am
               in
               my
               natural
               Christless
               state
               ,
               and
               except
               I
               be
               changed
               I
               must
               be
               damned
               .
               This
               was
               the
               effect
               of
               Christs
               convictive
               voice
               unto
               Paul
               ,
               Rom.
               7.
               9.
               
               
                 I
                 was
                 alive
                 without
                 the
                 Law
                 once
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 the
                 Commandment
                 came
                 ,
                 sin
                 revived
                 and
                 I
                 died
                 .
              
               He
               had
               read
               the
               Law
               many
               a
               time
               ,
               and
               had
               the
               litteral
               knowledge
               of
               it
               ;
               but
               under
               these
               things
               his
               vain
               hopes
               lived
               and
               flourish'd
               ,
               until
               the
               spiritual
               sense
               of
               the
               Law
               came
               home
               to
               his
               heart
               by
               the
               teaching
               and
               voice
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               then
               his
               vain
               hopes
               gave
               up
               the
               ghost
               ,
               and
               his
               sin
               and
               guilt
               stared
               in
               the
               face
               of
               his
               Conscience
               .
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
               Character
               .
            
             
               The
               voice
               of
               Christ
               whereof
               we
               now
               speak
               is
               generally
               and
               ordinarily
               conveyed
               to
               the
               Souls
               of
               men
               through
               the
               
                 Word
                 preached
              
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               
                 chosen
                 Organ
              
               or
               Instrument
               of
               its
               Conveyance
               .
               We
               cannot
               absolutely
               and
               universally
               affirm
               that
               Christ
               always
               speaks
               to
               men
               this
               way
               ,
               but
               certainly
               this
               
               is
               his
               standing
               and
               ordinary
               course
               ,
               1
               
                 Thess.
                 1.
                 5.
                 
                 Our
                 Gospel
                 came
                 not
                 to
                 you
                 in
                 word
                 only
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 power
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
              
               Our
               Gospel
               ,
               because
               preached
               and
               ministred
               by
               us
               ;
               but
               had
               that
               been
               all
               ,
               it
               had
               come
               to
               you
               in
               word
               only
               ,
               as
               it
               doth
               to
               many
               thousand
               others
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               who
               hear
               and
               feel
               nothing
               in
               it
               more
               than
               what
               is
               human
               ;
               but
               unto
               you
               it
               came
               in
               power
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               our
               words
               were
               the
               Vehicle
               or
               Organ
               through
               which
               the
               vital
               power
               of
               the
               Spirit
               was
               conveyed
               into
               your
               Souls
               .
               Providences
               have
               their
               voices
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               the
               Word
               ;
               and
               sometimes
               the
               voice
               of
               Christ
               hath
               accompanied
               the
               voice
               of
               Providence
               ,
               to
               the
               conversion
               of
               mens
               Souls
               ;
               but
               this
               is
               more
               rare
               and
               unusual
               :
               The
               established
               and
               ordinary
               way
               of
               Christ's
               speaking
               to
               the
               hearts
               of
               Sinners
               is
               by
               the
               Word
               ,
               and
               especially
               the
               Word
               preached
               ,
               which
               upon
               that
               very
               account
               and
               consideration
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               the
               Organ
               of
               conveying
               the
               voice
               and
               power
               of
               Christ
               to
               the
               Soul
               ,
               is
               therefore
               called
               
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 salvation
                 ,
                 Rom.
              
               1.
               16.
               
               This
               Instrument
               the
               Lord
               generally
               〈◊〉
               and
               honours
               for
               the
               conveyance
               of
               spi●itual
               life
               into
               the
               Souls
               of
               men
               ,
               though
               it
               be
               despised
               and
               contemned
               in
               the
               world
               .
               
                 The
                 preaching
                 of
                 the
                 Cross
                 is
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 perish
                 foolishness
                 ,
                 but
                 unto
                 us
                 which
                 are
                 saved
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
              
               1.
               18.
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               the
               chosen
               Instrument
               by
               which
               the
               saving
               power
               of
               God
               communicates
               it self
               to
               the
               Souls
               of
               men
               :
               And
               although
               God
               may
               exert
               his
               saving
               power
               through
               Providences
               ,
               yet
               we
               seldom
               or
               never
               find
               he
               doth
               so
               where
               the
               Word
               may
               be
               had
               ,
               but
               is
               despised
               and
               neglected
               .
               And
               truly
               herein
               God
               consults
               our
               peace
               and
               satisfaction
               ;
               for
               suppose
               he
               should
               make
               use
               of
               another
               medium
               ,
               
               as
               a
               voice
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               &c.
               and
               after
               Calling
               ,
               (
               which
               is
               an
               usual
               case
               )
               the
               called
               Soul
               should
               question
               all
               ,
               and
               say
               ,
               How
               do
               I
               know
               b●t
               all
               this
               may
               be
               a
               Delusion
               ?
               may
               not
               Satan
               impose
               upon
               poor
               Mortals
               ;
               and
               this
               voice
               from
               Heaven
               be
               a
               counterfeit
               voice
               ?
               my
               Eternal
               estate
               depends
               upon
               it
               ,
               and
               I
               had
               need
               to
               be
               sure
               it
               was
               the
               very
               voice
               of
               God
               himself
               .
               In
               such
               a
               case
               as
               this
               it
               would
               be
               hard
               to
               give
               such
               clear
               distinguishing
               Characters
               as
               might
               be
               to
               the
               satisfaction
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               and
               clearly
               difference
               the
               one
               from
               the
               other
               .
               But
               now
               when
               God
               makes
               the
               Word
               his
               Instrument
               in
               this
               matter
               ,
               it
               yield
               abundantly
               more
               satisfaction
               ,
               
                 we
                 have
                 a
                 more
                 sure
                 Word
                 of
                 Prophesie
                 ,
              
               surer
               than
               a
               voice
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               2
               P●t
               .
               1.
               19.
               
               And
               though
               Paul
               was
               converted
               by
               a
               voice
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               yet
               the
               Lord
               sends
               him
               to
               A●anias
               to
               preach
               the
               Gospel
               to
               him
               ,
               Acts
               9.
               17.
               
               The
               Lord
               will
               honour
               his
               Word
               .
               Providences
               may
               make
               way
               ,
               and
               prepare
               the
               heart
               ,
               but
               the
               Word
               is
               the
               Instrument
               by
               which
               the
               Lord
               puts
               forth
               his
               power
               ordinarily
               to
               salvation
               .
            
          
           
             
               VIII
               .
               Character
               .
            
             
               The
               voice
               of
               Christ
               leaves
               
                 abiding
                 effects
                 and
                 lasting
                 impressions
              
               upon
               the
               Soul
               that
               hears
               it
               .
               The
               words
               of
               men
               are
               scattered
               into
               the
               wind
               ,
               but
               the
               effects
               of
               Christ's
               voice
               are
               durable
               and
               lasting
               things
               ;
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 93.
                 
                 I
                 will
                 never
                 forget
                 thy
                 Word
                 ,
                 for
                 by
                 it
                 thou
                 hast
                 quickned
                 me
                 .
              
               How
               many
               hundred
               Sermons
               have
               we
               heard
               ,
               and
               all
               those
               excellent
               Truths
               vanished
               away
               as
               a
               Dream
               ?
               Oh
               ,
               but
               if
               ever
               thou
               heardest
               Christ
               speaking
               to
               thy
               heart
               in
               any
               Sermon
               ,
               or
               Prayer
               ;
               to
               be
               sure
               that
               will
               stick
               
               by
               thee
               for
               ever
               :
               His
               words
               are
               sealed
               upon
               the
               Soul
               for
               ever
               ,
               they
               are
               written
               in
               the
               heart
               ,
               Ier.
               31.
               33.
               
               What
               Iob
               wished
               concerning
               his
               words
               ,
               that
               is
               really
               perform'd
               in
               the
               words
               of
               Christ
               ,
               
                 they
                 are
                 written
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 Rock
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
               We
               have
               slippery
               Memories
               ,
               but
               the
               weakest
               Memory
               will
               and
               must
               retain
               the
               words
               of
               Christ
               ,
               spoken
               to
               the
               heart
               by
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               for
               they
               are
               sealed
               upon
               it
               .
               
                 Iob
                 33.
                 16.
                 
                 He
                 sealeth
                 their
                 instructions
                 ,
              
               and
               this
               secures
               them
               .
               Thus
               you
               have
               the
               innate
               Characters
               of
               Christ's
               voice
               .
            
             
               Fourthly
               ,
               I
               shall
               next
               speak
               unto
               the
               personal
               Objects
               unto
               whom
               Christ
               ordinarily
               directs
               this
               his
               internal
               ,
               efficacious
               ,
               and
               saving
               Voice
               or
               Call.
               And
               although
               it
               be
               true
               that
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
               is
               a
               free
               Agent
               ,
               acting
               with
               the
               greatest
               liberty
               ,
               and
               calleth
               whom
               he
               will
               ,
               according
               to
               that
               ,
               Iohn
               3.
               8.
               
               
                 The
                 wind
                 bloweth
                 where
                 it
                 listeth
                 .
              
               And
               it
               is
               true
               
                 de
                 facto
              
               ,
               That
               Christ
               hath
               made
               some
               of
               all
               sorts
               and
               ranks
               of
               men
               to
               hear
               his
               voice
               ;
               yet
               if
               we
               consider
               the
               way
               he
               commonly
               takes
               ,
               we
               shall
               find
               that
               it
               is
               very
               rare
               and
               seldom
               that
               Christ
               directs
               this
               saving
               voice
               or
               call
               of
               his
               to
               the
               great
               and
               wise
               of
               this
               world
               ,
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 26.
                 
                 You
                 see
                 your
                 Calling
                 ,
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 how
                 that
                 not
                 many
                 wise
                 men
                 after
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 not
                 many
                 mighty
                 ,
                 not
                 many
                 noble
                 are
                 called
                 .
              
               He
               saith
               not
               any
               ,
               but
               not
               many
               .
               Some
               Christ
               doth
               call
               ,
               Lest
               (
               as
               one
               notes
               )
               
                 the
                 world
                 should
                 think
                 that
                 Christians
                 were
                 deceived
                 through
                 their
                 simplicity
                 and
                 weakness
                 .
              
               One
               rich
               Ioseph
               of
               Arimathea
               ;
               one
               honourable
               Ni●odemus
               ,
               but
               not
               many
               .
               Men
               of
               the
               greatest
               fame
               and
               renown
               in
               the
               world
               have
               been
               the
               greatest
               and
               fiercest
               Enemies
               against
               Christ.
               Gallen
               the
               chief
               Physician
               ,
               Porphyry
               the
               chief
               
                 Aristotelian
                 ,
                 Plotinus
              
               the
               chief
               
                 Platonist
                 ,
                 Lybanus
              
               and
               
               Lucian
               the
               chief
               Orators
               ,
               were
               all
               the
               professed
               Enemies
               of
               Christ.
               Two
               things
               make
               a
               man
               great
               in
               the
               eye
               of
               the
               world
               ;
               The
               external
               endowments
               of
               Providence
               ,
               heaping
               up
               Riches
               and
               Honours
               upon
               the
               outward
               man
               ;
               and
               internal
               gifts
               and
               endowments
               of
               the
               mind
               ,
               adorning
               the
               inward
               man
               ,
               as
               strong
               Reason
               ,
               sharpness
               of
               Wit
               ,
               &c.
               when
               both
               these
               meet
               (
               as
               many
               times
               they
               do
               )
               in
               one
               and
               the
               same
               person
               ,
               they
               make
               him
               great
               in
               the
               eye
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               usually
               in
               his
               own
               eyes
               too
               ;
               yea
               ,
               too
               great
               to
               stoop
               to
               the
               simplicity
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               the
               humbling
               self-denying
               terms
               thereof
               .
               These
               the
               Lord
               usually
               passes
               by
               ,
               and
               directs
               his
               voice
               to
               the
               poor
               ;
               the
               poor
               receive
               the
               Gospel
               :
               
                 God
                 hath
                 chosen
                 the
                 poor
                 of
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 rich
                 in
                 faith
                 ,
                 and
                 Heirs
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 ,
              
               James
               2.
               5.
               
               And
               this
               choice
               of
               God
               Christ
               blesseth
               him
               for
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 11.
                 25.
                 
                 I
                 thank
                 thee
                 ,
                 O
                 father
                 ,
                 Lord
                 of
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 ,
                 because
                 thou
                 hast
                 hid
                 these
                 things
                 from
                 the
                 wise
                 and
                 prudent
                 ,
                 and
                 hast
                 revealed
                 them
                 unto
                 babes
                 ;
                 even
                 so
                 Father
                 ,
                 for
                 so
                 it
                 seemeth
                 good
                 in
                 thy
                 sight
                 .
              
               And
               indeed
               the
               wisdom
               of
               God
               deserves
               our
               admiration
               in
               this
               dispensation
               .
               For
               (
               1.
               )
               hereby
               the
               freeness
               of
               his
               Grace
               is
               vindicated
               .
               None
               can
               now
               pretend
               that
               any
               earthly
               excellency
               commends
               any
               man
               to
               God
               ,
               or
               that
               the
               favour
               of
               Heaven
               is
               engaged
               by
               the
               same
               motives
               that
               the
               respects
               of
               this
               world
               are
               :
               For
               now
               you
               see
               the
               truth
               of
               that
               Scripture
               ,
               Iob
               34.
               19.
               before
               your
               eyes
               ,
               
                 He
                 accepteth
                 not
                 the
                 persons
                 of
                 Princes
                 ,
                 nor
                 regardeth
                 the
                 rich
                 more
                 than
                 the
                 poor
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 are
                 all
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 his
                 hands
                 .
              
               Earthly
               Riches
               and
               Honours
               ,
               as
               empty
               things
               as
               they
               are
               ,
               yet
               are
               too
               much
               idoliz'd
               by
               men
               :
               What
               would
               they
               be
               ,
               could
               they
               procure
               our
               favour
               and
               acceptance
               
               with
               the
               Lord
               ?
               (
               2ly
               ,
               )
               By
               such
               a
               choice
               as
               this
               the
               Lord
               plainly
               shews
               us
               ,
               That
               Religion
               needs
               not
               worldly
               props
               to
               support
               it
               .
               As
               at
               first
               it
               was
               spread
               by
               the
               power
               of
               God
               in
               the
               world
               by
               poor
               contemptible
               men
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               still
               upheld
               without
               human
               policy
               or
               riches
               .
               The
               church
               is
               called
               
                 the
                 Congregation
                 of
                 the
                 poor
                 ,
                 Psal.
              
               74.
               20.
               
               The
               Lord
               will
               have
               us
               know
               that
               he
               is
               able
               to
               maintain
               and
               carry
               on
               his
               counsels
               in
               the
               world
               without
               the
               wealth
               of
               rich
               men
               ,
               the
               authority
               of
               great
               men
               ,
               or
               the
               policies
               of
               wise
               men
               ;
               he
               needs
               them
               not
               .
               (
               3ly
               ,
               )
               By
               this
               choice
               he
               pours
               contempt
               upon
               those
               things
               which
               are
               most
               admired
               among
               men
               :
               So
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 27.
                 
                 God
                 hath
                 chosen
                 the
                 foolish
                 things
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 to
                 confound
                 the
                 wise
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 weak
                 things
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 to
                 confound
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 mighty
                 .
              
               And
               certainly
               ,
               shame
               and
               confusion
               of
               face
               will
               cover
               the
               great
               ones
               of
               this
               world
               ,
               in
               the
               world
               to
               come
               :
               when
               they
               shall
               see
               those
               poor
               Christians
               ,
               whom
               they
               contemned
               and
               scorned
               upon
               earth
               ,
               as
               not
               worthy
               to
               come
               into
               their
               presence
               ,
               to
               be
               so
               infinitely
               preferred
               before
               them
               in
               the
               favour
               of
               God.
               In
               a
               word
               ,
               this
               efficacious
               spiritual
               voice
               of
               Christ
               is
               directed
               but
               to
               a
               few
               ,
               even
               of
               the
               many
               that
               sit
               within
               the
               sound
               and
               call
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               Matth.
               22.
               14.
               
               
                 Many
                 are
                 called
                 ,
                 but
                 few
                 are
                 chosen
                 .
              
               Christ's
               flock
               is
               a
               little
               flock
               .
               There
               be
               many
               
                 Birds
                 of
                 prey
              
               ,
               to
               one
               
                 Bird
                 of
                 Paradice
              
               :
               Many
               common
               Pebles
               ,
               to
               one
               Saphir
               or
               Diamond
               .
               'T
               is
               not
               for
               us
               to
               dispute
               the
               Reason
               ,
               but
               to
               adore
               the
               Soveraignty
               of
               God
               in
               this
               matter
               .
               And
               of
               those
               few
               whom
               he
               calleth
               ,
               the
               greatest
               part
               are
               of
               the
               lower
               rank
               and
               order
               of
               men
               .
               The
               glitter
               and
               dazel
               of
               this
               world
               blinds
               the
               eyes
               of
               the
               greatest
               .
               Extremity
               
               of
               pinching
               wants
               ,
               diverts
               the
               mind
               of
               the
               very
               lowest
               ;
               but
               betwixt
               these
               two
               extreams
               there
               is
               a
               third
               sort
               of
               persons
               whom
               the
               Lord
               most
               usually
               calls
               .
            
             
               Fifthly
               ,
               If
               it
               be
               queried
               why
               the
               voice
               and
               call
               of
               Christ
               should
               be
               directed
               to
               this
               person
               rather
               than
               to
               that
               ?
               Certainly
               it
               is
               not
               from
               any
               dignity
               or
               excellency
               outward
               ,
               or
               inward
               ,
               that
               Christ
               sees
               in
               one
               above
               another
               ;
               for
               all
               are
               shut
               up
               under
               the
               same
               common
               sin
               and
               misery
               of
               the
               fall
               ;
               and
               therefore
               the
               Apostle
               told
               the
               Ephesians
               ,
               who
               had
               heard
               and
               answered
               the
               voice
               of
               Christ
               ;
               
                 That
                 they
                 were
                 by
                 nature
                 children
                 of
                 wrath
                 even
                 as
                 others
                 ,
              
               Eph.
               2.
               3.
               
               If
               it
               were
               not
               so
               ,
               Man
               would
               have
               something
               to
               glory
               in
               before
               God
               ;
               but
               Christ
               resolves
               this
               whole
               dispensation
               into
               its
               proper
               cause
               ,
               the
               good
               pleasure
               of
               the
               Divine
               Will
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 11.
                 26.
                 
                 Even
                 so
                 Father
                 ,
                 for
                 so
                 it
                 seemed
                 good
                 in
                 thy
                 sight
                 .
              
               This
               good
               pleasure
               of
               the
               Will
               of
               God
               sometimes
               orders
               those
               to
               hear
               the
               voice
               of
               his
               Son
               ,
               that
               seem
               to
               stand
               at
               a
               far
               greater
               distance
               and
               improbability
               to
               hear
               it
               than
               others
               do
               .
               'T
               is
               said
               of
               the
               Ephesians
               ,
               that
               they
               were
               a
               far
               off
               ,
               Eph.
               2.
               13.
               yet
               they
               heard
               the
               voice
               of
               Christ
               ;
               when
               that
               discreet
               Scribe
               ,
               Mark
               12.
               34.
               who
               was
               not
               far
               from
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               
                 Agrippa
                 ,
                 Acts
              
               26.
               28.
               who
               almost
               or
               within
               a
               very
               little
               was
               perswaded
               to
               be
               a
               Christian
               ,
               never
               heard
               it
               ;
               therefore
               it
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 8.
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 Many
                 shall
                 come
                 from
                 the
                 East
                 and
                 West
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 sit
                 down
                 with
              
               Abraham
               ,
               and
               Isaac
               ,
               and
               Jacob
               ,
               
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 children
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 shall
                 be
                 cast
                 out
                 into
                 outer
                 darkness
                 .
              
               O
               marvelous
               dispensation
               !
               Many
               a
               poor
               Soul
               under
               the
               greatest
               disadvantages
               ,
               a
               
               poor
               Servant
               that
               hath
               but
               little
               time
               and
               multitudes
               of
               encumbrances
               ,
               yet
               such
               a
               one
               is
               often
               called
               effectually
               by
               this
               voice
               of
               Christ
               ;
               when
               those
               that
               enjoy
               multitudes
               of
               opportunities
               and
               have
               abundance
               of
               time
               lying
               upon
               their
               Hands
               ,
               which
               they
               know
               not
               what
               to
               do
               with
               ;
               who
               have
               the
               choicest
               Books
               at
               command
               ,
               yet
               hear
               nothing
               ;
               feel
               nothing
               amidst
               all
               these
               advantages
               to
               any
               purpose
               ;
               all
               this
               is
               wholly
               to
               be
               resolved
               into
               the
               good
               pleasure
               of
               the
               Will
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               Sixthly
               ,
               In
               the
               next
               place
               ,
               let
               us
               view
               the
               effects
               of
               this
               voice
               of
               Christ
               upon
               the
               Souls
               of
               Men
               ,
               and
               we
               shall
               find
               divers
               remarkable
               effects
               wrought
               upon
               the
               Heart
               by
               it
               .
            
             
               
                 I.
                 Effect
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 the
                 first
                 Effect
                 of
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 is
                 Conviction
                 upon
                 the
                 Conscience
                 ;
                 Conviction
                 both
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 misery
                 ,
                 
                   Iohn
                   16.
                   9.
                   
                   The
                   Spirit
                   when
                   he
                   cometh
                   ,
                   shall
                   convince
                   the
                   World
                   of
                   sin
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 voice
                 of
                 terror
                 ,
                 it
                 strikes
                 dead
                 the
                 vain
                 hopes
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 9.
                 
                 Now
                 the
                 Soul
                 that
                 was
                 before
                 secure
                 and
                 quiet
                 ,
                 becomes
                 the
                 seat
                 of
                 trouble
                 and
                 anxiety
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 general
                 Conviction
                 of
                 sin
                 before
                 ,
                 they
                 knew
                 that
                 all
                 are
                 sinners
                 ;
                 that
                 they
                 denied
                 not
                 ;
                 but
                 alas
                 ,
                 this
                 general
                 Conviction
                 is
                 quite
                 another
                 thing
                 to
                 what
                 the
                 Soul
                 feels
                 now
                 ;
                 now
                 it
                 can
                 shift
                 and
                 wave
                 the
                 matter
                 no
                 longer
                 .
                 This
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 
                   shews
                   them
                   their
                   iniquities
                   ,
                   and
                   how
                   they
                   have
                   exceeded
                   ,
                
                 as
                 the
                 expression
                 is
                 ,
                 Iob
                 36.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 exceeded
                 in
                 number
                 ,
                 and
                 exceeded
                 in
                 heinousness
                 of
                 aggravation
                 :
                 A
                 general
                 Conviction
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 affects
                 a
                 Man
                 no
                 more
                 than
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 a
                 painted
                 Lion
                 
                 upon
                 a
                 Sign-post
                 ;
                 but
                 when
                 a
                 particular
                 Conviction
                 is
                 set
                 on
                 upon
                 the
                 Conscience
                 by
                 this
                 special
                 inward
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 sm
                 is
                 now
                 like
                 a
                 living
                 Lion
                 meeting
                 a
                 Man
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 roaring
                 dreadfully
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 Effect
                 of
                 Christs
                 voice
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 introductive
                 unto
                 the
              
            
             
               
                 II.
                 Effect
                 .
              
               
                 Which
                 is
                 ,
                 humiliation
                 ,
                 and
                 contrition
                 of
                 Heart
                 for
                 sin
                 ;
                 those
                 threats
                 of
                 Scripture
                 against
                 sin
                 and
                 sinners
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 sleighted
                 ,
                 are
                 now
                 trembled
                 at
                 ;
                 those
                 
                   Iews
                   ,
                   Acts
                
                 2.
                 37.
                 to
                 whose
                 Hearts
                 Christ
                 spake
                 in
                 Peters
                 Sermon
                 ,
                 as
                 soon
                 as
                 ever
                 they
                 heard
                 his
                 voice
                 ,
                 sounding
                 Conviction
                 in
                 their
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 presently
                 
                   pricked
                   at
                   the
                   Heart
                
                 ;
                 no
                 Sword
                 ,
                 or
                 Poyniard
                 can
                 make
                 such
                 a
                 wound
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 a
                 poor
                 creature
                 into
                 such
                 pain
                 as
                 a
                 sight
                 of
                 sin
                 will
                 do
                 ;
                 therefore
                 Zach.
                 12.
                 10.
                 they
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 mourn
                 for
                 Christ
                 as
                 for
                 an
                 only
                 Son.
                 Now
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 glorious
                 prerogative
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 reach
                 and
                 wound
                 the
                 Heart
                 with
                 a
                 word
                 :
                 The
                 voice
                 of
                 Man
                 cannot
                 do
                 it
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 a
                 Man
                 lies
                 naked
                 and
                 open
                 both
                 to
                 be
                 wounded
                 and
                 healed
                 by
                 a
                 word
                 from
                 the
                 Mouth
                 of
                 Christ.
                 No
                 sooner
                 hath
                 a
                 poor
                 sinner
                 heard
                 the
                 awful
                 voice
                 of
                 Conviction
                 spoken
                 to
                 his
                 Conscience
                 by
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 feels
                 himself
                 sick
                 at
                 Heart
                 ;
                 home
                 he
                 goes
                 from
                 that
                 Sermon
                 ,
                 by
                 which
                 Christ
                 spake
                 effectual
                 Conviction
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 crying
                 ,
                 O
                 sick
                 ,
                 sick
                 ;
                 my
                 Soul
                 is
                 distressed
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 indeed
                 a
                 great
                 difference
                 in
                 the
                 depth
                 and
                 degrees
                 of
                 this
                 contrition
                 and
                 humiliation
                 ;
                 it
                 soaks
                 deeper
                 into
                 some
                 Hearts
                 than
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 holds
                 
                 them
                 longer
                 under
                 it
                 ;
                 but
                 certain
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 whoever
                 hath
                 heard
                 the
                 convincing
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 he
                 feels
                 so
                 much
                 sorrow
                 for
                 sin
                 as
                 for
                 ever
                 separates
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 III.
                 Effect
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 This
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 rouzes
                 and
                 awakens
                 the
                 careless
                 and
                 sluggish
                 mind
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 greatest
                 solicitude
                 and
                 thoughtfulness
                 after
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 and
                 escape
                 from
                 the
                 danger
                 that
                 hangs
                 over
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   Acts
                   16.
                   30.
                   
                   Trembling
                   and
                   astonished
                   ,
                   he
                   cried
                   out
                   ,
                   Sirs
                   ,
                   what
                   must
                   I
                   do
                   to
                   be
                   saved
                   ?
                
                 All
                 the
                 powers
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 run
                 into
                 solicitude
                 and
                 care
                 about
                 deliverance
                 .
                 You
                 shall
                 generally
                 observe
                 in
                 convinced
                 and
                 humbled
                 sinners
                 ,
                 three
                 evident
                 signs
                 of
                 extraordinary
                 solicitude
                 about
                 Salvation
                 .
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 strong
                 intention
                 of
                 their
                 minds
                 and
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 they
                 stand
                 night
                 and
                 day
                 like
                 a
                 Bow
                 at
                 the
                 full
                 bent
                 ;
                 their
                 thoughts
                 are
                 still
                 poring
                 upon
                 this
                 matter
                 ;
                 their
                 sleep
                 departs
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 sin
                 and
                 danger
                 is
                 ever
                 before
                 them
                 .
                 (
                 2ly
                 ,
                 )
                 It
                 appears
                 by
                 their
                 searching
                 inquisitiveness
                 about
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 escape
                 ;
                 the
                 question
                 they
                 still
                 carry
                 with
                 them
                 from
                 company
                 to
                 company
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 meet
                 with
                 any
                 whom
                 they
                 judge
                 able
                 to
                 resolve
                 or
                 direct
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 this
                 ;
                 What
                 course
                 shall
                 I
                 take
                 ?
                 What
                 shall
                 I
                 do
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 any
                 hope
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 one
                 as
                 I
                 ?
                 Did
                 you
                 ever
                 know
                 a
                 Soul
                 in
                 my
                 condition
                 ?
                 (
                 3ly
                 ,
                 )
                 It
                 appears
                 by
                 the
                 little
                 notice
                 they
                 take
                 at
                 this
                 time
                 of
                 their
                 outward
                 troubles
                 and
                 afflictions
                 ;
                 which
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 are
                 strong
                 and
                 sharp
                 enough
                 to
                 overwhelm
                 them
                 at
                 another
                 time
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 they
                 take
                 little
                 notice
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Sin
                 lies
                 so
                 heavy
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 makes
                 heavy
                 afflictions
                 lye
                 light
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 IV.
                 Effect
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 fourth
                 Effect
                 of
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 is
                 encouragement
                 and
                 hope
                 ,
                 puting
                 the
                 Soul
                 upon
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 means
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 the
                 attainment
                 of
                 Christ
                 and
                 Salvation
                 ;
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 inviting
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 a
                 convicting
                 voice
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 remarkable
                 difference
                 betwixt
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 and
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 Satan
                 ;
                 with
                 respect
                 to
                 sin
                 .
                 Satan
                 labours
                 to
                 cut
                 off
                 all
                 hope
                 ,
                 and
                 strike
                 the
                 Soul
                 dead
                 under
                 despair
                 of
                 mercy
                 ;
                 as
                 well
                 knowing
                 that
                 if
                 he
                 can
                 cut
                 off
                 hope
                 ,
                 all
                 emotions
                 and
                 endeavours
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 after
                 Christ
                 are
                 effectually
                 stopt
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 a
                 dead
                 stand
                 ;
                 but
                 how
                 much
                 convincing
                 terrors
                 soever
                 there
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 always
                 something
                 left
                 behind
                 it
                 upon
                 the
                 Heart
                 to
                 breed
                 and
                 support
                 hope
                 .
                 And
                 truly
                 the
                 Soul
                 amidst
                 these
                 sad
                 circumstances
                 hath
                 great
                 need
                 of
                 some
                 encouragement
                 ;
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 usually
                 after
                 sharp
                 convictions
                 ,
                 sets
                 on
                 upon
                 the
                 Soul
                 such
                 a
                 word
                 as
                 that
                 ,
                 
                   Iohn
                   6.
                   37.
                   
                   Him
                   that
                   cometh
                   to
                   me
                   I
                   will
                   in
                   no
                   wise
                   cast
                   out
                   ;
                   for
                   I
                   came
                   down
                   from
                   Heaven
                   not
                   to
                   do
                   mine
                   own
                   will
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   will
                   of
                   him
                   that
                   sent
                   me
                   .
                
                 Wherein
                 Christ
                 offers
                 the
                 most
                 rational
                 satisfaction
                 ,
                 and
                 greatest
                 encouragement
                 imaginable
                 ;
                 that
                 a
                 poor
                 convinced
                 sinner
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 be
                 made
                 willing
                 ,
                 shall
                 certainly
                 find
                 an
                 hearty
                 welcom
                 and
                 acceptation
                 with
                 Christ.
                 For
                 mark
                 how
                 he
                 argues
                 it
                 on
                 purpose
                 for
                 the
                 satisfaction
                 of
                 such
                 Souls
                 ;
                 
                   I
                   came
                   not
                   down
                   from
                   Heaven
                   to
                   do
                   mine
                   own
                   Will
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   Will
                   of
                   him
                   that
                   sent
                   me
                   .
                
                 The
                 force
                 of
                 the
                 encouragement
                 lyes
                 here
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   and
                   my
                   Father
                   are
                   one
                
                 ;
                 one
                 in
                 Will
                 ,
                 and
                 one
                 in
                 Design
                 ;
                 our
                 Wills
                 
                 never
                 did
                 ,
                 nor
                 possibly
                 can
                 jar
                 and
                 clash
                 one
                 with
                 another
                 ;
                 that
                 would
                 be
                 utterly
                 repugnant
                 to
                 the
                 perfect
                 unity
                 that
                 is
                 betwixt
                 us
                 .
                 Now
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   came
                   down
                   from
                   Heaven
                   not
                   only
                   to
                   do
                   my
                   own
                   Will
                
                 (
                 which
                 must
                 necessarily
                 be
                 supposed
                 to
                 be
                 intently
                 set
                 ,
                 and
                 strongly
                 enclined
                 to
                 receive
                 and
                 save
                 all
                 convinced
                 and
                 willing
                 sinners
                 ,
                 this
                 being
                 the
                 very
                 end
                 of
                 my
                 Incarnation
                 and
                 Death
                 )
                 
                   but
                   also
                   to
                   do
                   the
                   Will
                   of
                   my
                   Father
                
                 ;
                 who
                 hath
                 sent
                 me
                 to
                 bind
                 up
                 the
                 broken
                 hearted
                 ,
                 and
                 anointed
                 me
                 to
                 preach
                 good
                 tydings
                 to
                 the
                 meek
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 61.
                 1.
                 and
                 therefore
                 no
                 such
                 Soul
                 can
                 rationally
                 doubt
                 of
                 a
                 welcom
                 reception
                 with
                 me
                 .
                 And
                 because
                 the
                 fears
                 and
                 jealousies
                 of
                 a
                 convinced
                 Conscience
                 are
                 great
                 and
                 many
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Devil
                 sets
                 in
                 with
                 them
                 to
                 aggravate
                 them
                 beyond
                 the
                 hopes
                 of
                 mercy
                 ;
                 therefore
                 it
                 is
                 usual
                 with
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 at
                 such
                 a
                 time
                 as
                 this
                 ,
                 to
                 direct
                 the
                 convinced
                 and
                 trembling
                 sinner
                 to
                 such
                 a
                 Scripture
                 as
                 that
                 ,
                 
                   Heb.
                   7.
                   25.
                   
                   Wherefore
                   he
                   is
                   able
                   also
                   to
                   save
                   them
                   to
                   the
                   uttermost
                   that
                   come
                   unto
                   God
                   by
                   him
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 Making
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 Christs
                 saving
                 power
                 to
                 shine
                 with
                 a
                 chearful
                 beam
                 into
                 the
                 dark
                 and
                 distressed
                 Soul
                 of
                 a
                 sinnner
                 ,
                 from
                 such
                 a
                 word
                 as
                 that
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 V.
                 Effect
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 fifth
                 Effect
                 or
                 consequent
                 of
                 Christs
                 powerful
                 voice
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 
                   attractive
                   efficacy
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   sweet
                   allicion
                
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 that
                 power
                 and
                 efficacy
                 which
                 it
                 communicates
                 to
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 Iohn
                 6.
                 44
                 ,
                 45.
                 
                 
                   No
                   Man
                   can
                   come
                   to
                   me
                   except
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   which
                   hath
                   sent
                   me
                   ,
                   draw
                   him
                   .
                   Every
                   Man
                   therefore
                   that
                   hath
                   heard
                   and
                   learned
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                   cometh
                   unto
                   me
                   .
                
                 Mark
                 it
                 ,
                 this
                 voice
                 speedily
                 puts
                 the
                 Soul
                 
                 into
                 motion
                 after
                 Christ
                 ;
                 coming
                 follows
                 hearing
                 :
                 When
                 once
                 the
                 Soul
                 hath
                 heard
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 away
                 it
                 comes
                 from
                 all
                 the
                 engagements
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ;
                 all
                 bonds
                 and
                 ties
                 betwixt
                 the
                 Soul
                 and
                 sin
                 break
                 asunder
                 and
                 give
                 way
                 ;
                 nothing
                 can
                 hold
                 it
                 from
                 Christ.
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 strange
                 restlesness
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Man
                 ,
                 nothing
                 but
                 Christ
                 can
                 centre
                 and
                 quiet
                 it
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 VI.
                 Effect
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 then
                 lastly
                 ,
                 The
                 last
                 Effect
                 of
                 Christs
                 voice
                 or
                 call
                 
                   is
                   sweet
                   rest
                   and
                   consolation
                   to
                   the
                   inner
                   Man.
                
                 When
                 once
                 the
                 Soul
                 is
                 come
                 home
                 to
                 Christ
                 by
                 the
                 efficacy
                 of
                 this
                 heavenly
                 call
                 or
                 voice
                 ,
                 it
                 enters
                 into
                 peace
                 ,
                 
                   Heb.
                   4.
                   3.
                   
                   We
                   which
                   have
                   believed
                   do
                   enter
                   into
                   rest
                
                 ;
                 not
                 only
                 shall
                 ,
                 but
                 do
                 enter
                 into
                 rest
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 first
                 Effect
                 of
                 Christs
                 voice
                 was
                 terror
                 and
                 great
                 trouble
                 to
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 last
                 Effect
                 is
                 peace
                 ;
                 it
                 puts
                 the
                 Soul
                 into
                 the
                 most
                 excellent
                 position
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 for
                 comfort
                 and
                 joy
                 ;
                 it
                 never
                 stood
                 upon
                 such
                 ground
                 before
                 ;
                 for
                 this
                 vocation
                 ,
                 stands
                 betwixt
                 predestination
                 ,
                 and
                 glorification
                 ,
                 
                   Rom.
                   8.
                   30.
                   
                   Moreover
                   ,
                   whom
                   he
                   did
                   predestinate
                   ,
                   them
                   he
                   also
                   called
                   ;
                   and
                   whom
                   he
                   called
                   ,
                   them
                   he
                   also
                   justified
                   ;
                   and
                   whom
                   he
                   justified
                   ,
                   them
                   he
                   also
                   glorified
                   .
                
                 See
                 here
                 into
                 what
                 a
                 blessed
                 Mount
                 of
                 vision
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 calleth
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 sinners
                 ?
                 where
                 let
                 the
                 Soul
                 look
                 backward
                 ,
                 or
                 forward
                 ,
                 from
                 eternity
                 to
                 eternity
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 a
                 vision
                 of
                 peace
                 before
                 its
                 Eyes
                 .
                 This
                 call
                 of
                 God
                 points
                 it
                 backward
                 to
                 Gods
                 eternal
                 choice
                 ,
                 which
                 by
                 this
                 very
                 call
                 it
                 is
                 now
                 manifest
                 he
                 made
                 of
                 that
                 Soul
                 before
                 the
                 World
                 was
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 also
                 points
                 forward
                 ,
                 to
                 
                 that
                 eternal
                 glory
                 unto
                 which
                 God
                 is
                 leading
                 it
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 the
                 Effects
                 of
                 this
                 Almighty
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 these
                 the
                 special
                 instructions
                 sealed
                 by
                 it
                 upon
                 the
                 Hearts
                 of
                 Men.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 now
                 ,
                 this
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 not
                 heard
                 at
                 all
                 times
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 some
                 special
                 season
                 or
                 hour
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 calls
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   Iohn
                   5.
                   25.
                   
                   The
                   hour
                   cometh
                   when
                   the
                   dead
                   shall
                   hear
                   the
                   voice
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God.
                
                 And
                 elsewhere
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 called
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   accepted
                   Time
                   ,
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   Salvation
                   ,
                   2
                   Cor.
                
                 6.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 conjunction
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Christ
                 with
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 or
                 Providences
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 but
                 especially
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 makes
                 this
                 blessed
                 hour
                 .
                 The
                 Word
                 alone
                 ,
                 though
                 never
                 so
                 excellently
                 preacht
                 ,
                 conduces
                 no
                 more
                 to
                 the
                 Conviction
                 and
                 Salvation
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 Waters
                 of
                 Bethesda
                 did
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Angel
                 came
                 not
                 down
                 to
                 trouble
                 them
                 ,
                 Iohn
                 5.
                 4.
                 
                 But
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 pours
                 out
                 his
                 Spirit
                 with
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 that
                 promise
                 ,
                 
                   Prov.
                   1.
                   23.
                   
                   I
                   will
                   pour
                   out
                   my
                   Spirit
                   upon
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   make
                   known
                   my
                   Words
                   unto
                   you
                
                 ;
                 then
                 Christ
                 speaks
                 to
                 the
                 Heart
                 ;
                 this
                 great
                 conjunction
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 and
                 Spirit
                 makes
                 that
                 blessed
                 nick
                 ,
                 and
                 season
                 of
                 Salvation
                 .
                 The
                 time
                 of
                 love
                 ,
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 life
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 heard
                 with
                 effect
                 ;
                 the
                 Ordinances
                 impregnated
                 with
                 convincing
                 and
                 converting
                 efficacy
                 .
                 There
                 was
                 an
                 abundant
                 effusion
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 Age
                 of
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 was
                 heard
                 by
                 multitudes
                 of
                 Souls
                 at
                 once
                 :
                 There
                 hath
                 since
                 been
                 a
                 restraint
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 comparatively
                 speaking
                 ,
                 whereas
                 three
                 thousand
                 Souls
                 were
                 then
                 converted
                 at
                 one
                 Sermon
                 ;
                 possibly
                 ,
                 three
                 thousand
                 Sermons
                 have
                 since
                 been
                 preached
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 one
                 Soul
                 effectually
                 
                 called
                 .
                 This
                 hath
                 made
                 the
                 Church
                 like
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 a
                 Land
                 of
                 drouth
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 't
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 remain
                 ,
                 
                   until
                   the
                   Spirit
                   be
                   poured
                   upon
                   us
                   from
                   on
                   high
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   wilderness
                   be
                   a
                   fruitful
                   field
                
                 ;
                 according
                 to
                 that
                 promise
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 32.
                 15.
                 
                 And
                 such
                 a
                 time
                 we
                 expect
                 ,
                 Lord
                 hasten
                 it
                 ;
                 when
                 the
                 waters
                 of
                 the
                 Ordinances
                 shall
                 be
                 healed
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   every
                   thing
                   that
                   liveth
                   ,
                   which
                   moveth
                   ,
                   whithersoever
                   the
                   River
                   shall
                   come
                   ,
                   shall
                   live
                   .
                   And
                   fishers
                   shall
                   stand
                   upon
                   it
                   from
                
                 Engedi
                 ,
                 
                   even
                   unto
                
                 Eneglaim
                 ,
                 
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   a
                   place
                   to
                   spread
                   forth
                   nets
                   ,
                   their
                   fish
                   shall
                   be
                   according
                   to
                   their
                   kinds
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   fish
                   of
                   the
                   great
                   Sea
                   ,
                   exceeding
                   many
                   ,
                   Ezek.
                
                 47.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 Then
                 Ministers
                 shall
                 no
                 longer
                 fish
                 with
                 Angles
                 ,
                 catching
                 now
                 one
                 ,
                 then
                 another
                 ;
                 but
                 shall
                 spread
                 forth
                 their
                 nets
                 ,
                 and
                 inclose
                 whole
                 shoals
                 ,
                 multitudes
                 of
                 Converts
                 ;
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 there
                 are
                 some
                 signal
                 periods
                 ,
                 and
                 happy
                 seasons
                 ,
                 wherein
                 Christ
                 uttereth
                 his
                 Almighty
                 voice
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ;
                 but
                 that
                 season
                 is
                 utterly
                 unforeknown
                 to
                 Man
                 ;
                 we
                 cannot
                 say
                 when
                 it
                 will
                 come
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 to
                 wait
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Man
                 did
                 at
                 the
                 pool
                 of
                 Bethesda
                 .
                 Ministers
                 must
                 preach
                 in
                 hope
                 ,
                 wait
                 in
                 hope
                 ,
                 if
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 God
                 will
                 give
                 the
                 people
                 repentance
                 ,
                 2
                 Tim.
                 2.
                 25.
                 
                 We
                 are
                 often
                 mistaken
                 in
                 our
                 conjectures
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 made
                 the
                 best
                 preparations
                 ,
                 and
                 find
                 a
                 more
                 than
                 ordinary
                 enlargedness
                 of
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 conclude
                 certainly
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 blessed
                 hour
                 wherein
                 Christ
                 will
                 speak
                 to
                 the
                 Heart
                 as
                 we
                 do
                 to
                 the
                 Ear
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 oft-times
                 find
                 our selves
                 mistaken
                 ,
                 yet
                 we
                 must
                 wait
                 in
                 hope
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 must
                 our
                 people
                 .
                 Such
                 a
                 happy
                 time
                 may
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 it
                 doth
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 day
                 for
                 ever
                 to
                 be
                 remembred
                 ;
                 because
                 then
                 the
                 first
                 actual
                 application
                 of
                 Christ
                 will
                 be
                 made
                 to
                 your
                 Souls
                 ;
                 
                 without
                 which
                 all
                 that
                 the
                 Father
                 had
                 done
                 in
                 Election
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Son
                 in
                 his
                 meritorious
                 Redemption
                 ,
                 had
                 been
                 of
                 no
                 benefit
                 or
                 advantage
                 to
                 your
                 Souls
                 :
                 And
                 therefore
                 you
                 shall
                 find
                 that
                 this
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 stands
                 betwixt
                 both
                 those
                 works
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 them
                 both
                 effectual
                 to
                 our
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 
                   1
                   Pet.
                   1.
                   2.
                
                 
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 blessed
                 hour
                 upon
                 which
                 your
                 eternal
                 blessedness
                 depends
                 ;
                 eternity
                 will
                 be
                 taken
                 up
                 in
                 blessing
                 God
                 for
                 this
                 hour
                 ;
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 celebrated
                 for
                 ever
                 in
                 your
                 praises
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 come
                 .
                 O
                 what
                 an
                 influence
                 hath
                 this
                 hour
                 into
                 all
                 eternity
                 !
                 The
                 hearing
                 of
                 this
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 effectually
                 opens
                 the
                 Cabinet
                 counsels
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 brings
                 to
                 light
                 the
                 eternal
                 counsels
                 of
                 God
                 concerning
                 you
                 ,
                 1
                 Thes.
                 1.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Knowing
                   brethren
                
                 ,
                 beloved
                 ,
                 
                   your
                   election
                   of
                   God
                   :
                   for
                   our
                   Gospel
                   came
                   not
                   to
                   you
                   in
                   word
                   only
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   in
                   power
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   .
                
                 This
                 gives
                 greater
                 assurance
                 of
                 the
                 eternal
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 a
                 Mans
                 Soul
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 sweetest
                 smile
                 of
                 providence
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 oraculous
                 voice
                 from
                 Heaven
                 can
                 do
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 your
                 Spiritual
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 Iohn
                 5.
                 25.
                 
                 A
                 greater
                 and
                 more
                 glorious
                 Resurrection
                 by
                 far
                 than
                 that
                 of
                 your
                 bodies
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 day
                 ;
                 ●o
                 much
                 greater
                 as
                 the
                 value
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 is
                 above
                 your
                 Bodies
                 .
                 As
                 also
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 blessedness
                 of
                 your
                 Corporeal
                 Resurrection
                 depends
                 upon
                 this
                 your
                 Spiritual
                 Resurrection
                 by
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ.
                 Dreadful
                 will
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 be
                 at
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 of
                 your
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 except
                 you
                 first
                 hear
                 this
                 vital
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 quickning
                 your
                 Souls
                 on
                 Earth
                 with
                 spiritual
                 life
                 .
                 To
                 conclude
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 Aera
                 or
                 head
                 of
                 account
                 from
                 which
                 you
                 are
                 to
                 reckon
                 and
                 date
                 all
                 your
                 spiritual
                 sanctified
                 mercies
                 ;
                 
                 for
                 as
                 the
                 Lord
                 said
                 unto
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 
                   Hag.
                   2.
                   19.
                   
                   From
                   henceforth
                   will
                   I
                   bless
                   you
                   .
                
                 So
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 from
                 this
                 hour
                 wherein
                 you
                 have
                 heard
                 and
                 obeyed
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 will
                 I
                 bless
                 you
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 Spiritual
                 blessings
                 in
                 heavenly
                 places
                 in
                 him
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             I.
             Vse
             for
             Lamentation
             .
          
           
             This
             Point
             presents
             us
             with
             abundant
             matter
             of
             Lamentation
             and
             mourning
             over
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             those
             that
             sit
             under
             the
             sound
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             but
             yet
             as
             Christ
             speaks
             of
             the
             Jews
             ,
             
             Iohn
             ●
             .
             37.
             
               who
               have
               not
               heard
               the
               voice
               of
               God
               at
               any
               time
            
             ;
             the
             Ministerial
             voice
             of
             Christ
             they
             hear
             dayly
             ;
             but
             this
             Efficacious
             Internal
             voice
             ,
             which
             makes
             the
             Ministerial
             voice
             ,
             the
             Word
             of
             Life
             and
             Power
             ,
             they
             have
             not
             heard
             .
             The
             Gospel
             ,
             to
             the
             most
             of
             our
             hearers
             ,
             is
             but
             an
             empty
             sound
             ;
             this
             is
             a
             sad
             symptom
             ,
             2
             
               Cor.
               4.
               3.
               
               If
               our
               Gospel
               be
               hid
               ,
               it
               is
               hid
               to
               them
               that
               are
               lost
               ;
               in
               whom
               the
               God
               of
               this
               World
               hath
               blinded
               the
               minds
               of
               them
               that
               believe
               not
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             This
             hiding
             of
             the
             Gospel
             is
             not
             opposed
             to
             the
             external
             administration
             of
             it
             ,
             nor
             yet
             to
             the
             understanding
             of
             the
             true
             sense
             and
             meaning
             of
             the
             truths
             delivered
             by
             it
             ;
             but
             only
             to
             that
             
               internal
               efficacy
            
             which
             is
             here
             called
             the
             hearing
             of
             Christs
             voice
             .
             Our
             people
             are
             generally
             well
             satisfied
             when
             they
             have
             heard
             a
             Sermon
             ,
             much
             more
             if
             they
             can
             remember
             something
             of
             it
             ;
             though
             the
             Lord
             hath
             not
             spoken
             one
             truth
             they
             have
             heard
             ,
             home
             to
             their
             Hearts
             .
             Now
             this
             is
             a
             sad
             case
             ,
             and
             God
             grant
             it
             be
             not
             that
             very
             judgment
             threatned
             ,
             
               Isa.
               6.
               9.
               
               Hear
               ye
               indeed
               ,
               but
               understand
               not
               ;
               and
               see
               ye
               indeed
               ,
               but
               
               perceive
               not
               .
            
             So
             that
             hearing
             the
             meer
             voice
             of
             Man
             ,
             without
             feeling
             the
             power
             of
             God
             ,
             is
             all
             one
             as
             if
             we
             heard
             not
             .
             Reflect
             sadly
             upon
             this
             ,
             you
             that
             sit
             as
             unconcerned
             under
             the
             Word
             as
             the
             Seats
             you
             sit
             upon
             .
             God
             speaketh
             once
             ,
             yea
             ,
             twice
             ,
             but
             man
             perceiveth
             it
             not
             .
             Well
             ,
             the
             eternal
             Decrees
             and
             Counsels
             of
             God
             are
             now
             executing
             upon
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             under
             the
             Gospel
             .
             As
             many
             as
             are
             ordained
             to
             eternal
             Life
             ,
             shall
             believe
             and
             feel
             the
             power
             of
             Gods
             truths
             upon
             their
             Hearts
             ,
             Acts
             13.
             48.
             
             And
             methinks
             it
             should
             be
             of
             a
             startling
             consideration
             ,
             when
             you
             shall
             see
             others
             struck
             to
             the
             Heart
             ,
             cast
             into
             fears
             and
             tremblings
             ,
             by
             the
             same
             Word
             that
             doth
             not
             in
             the
             least
             touch
             your
             Hearts
             .
             It
             may
             be
             you
             think
             this
             is
             but
             fancy
             and
             melancholy
             ;
             that
             very
             thought
             is
             an
             artifice
             of
             Satan
             to
             blind
             your
             Eyes
             .
             I
             am
             sure
             Christ
             makes
             another
             use
             of
             it
             ,
             when
             he
             told
             the
             secure
             and
             self-righteous
             Jews
             ,
             Matth.
             21.
             32.
             
             John
             
               came
               unto
               you
               in
               the
               way
               of
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               ye
               believed
               him
               not
               ;
               but
               the
               Publicans
               and
               Harlots
               believed
               him
               :
               and
               ye
               when
               ye
               had
               seen
               it
               ,
               repented
               not
               afterward
               that
               ye
               might
               believe
               him
               .
               q.
               d.
            
             What
             shift
             did
             you
             make
             to
             quiet
             your
             Consciences
             ,
             when
             you
             saw
             other
             poor
             sinners
             so
             humbled
             ,
             and
             bronght
             to
             Faith
             under
             
             Iohn's
             Ministry
             ?
             'T
             is
             strange
             there
             should
             be
             no
             reflections
             in
             your
             Consciences
             upon
             your
             own
             state
             and
             condition
             ;
             but
             thus
             it
             must
             be
             ,
             one
             shall
             be
             taken
             ,
             and
             another
             left
             ;
             to
             some
             it
             shall
             be
             the
             savour
             of
             life
             unto
             life
             ,
             and
             to
             others
             the
             savour
             of
             death
             unto
             death
             .
             O
             who
             can
             look
             over
             so
             great
             a
             part
             of
             a
             Congregation
             ,
             without
             melting
             bowels
             of
             compassion
             ?
             Considering
             that
             unto
             this
             day
             the
             Lord
             hath
             not
             given
             
             them
             Eyes
             to
             see
             ,
             nor
             Ears
             to
             hear
             :
             They
             have
             heard
             multitudes
             of
             Sermons
             ;
             they
             have
             heard
             also
             what
             effects
             they
             have
             had
             upon
             other
             Mens
             Hearts
             ,
             but
             none
             upon
             theirs
             .
             O
             that
             such
             poor
             Souls
             would
             cry
             to
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             in
             such
             Language
             as
             that
             ,
             
               Cant.
               8.
               13.
               
               The
               companions
               hearken
               to
               thy
               voice
               ,
               cause
               me
               to
               hear
               it
               .
            
             Lord
             let
             me
             not
             sit
             under
             the
             Word
             any
             longer
             ,
             deaf
             to
             the
             voice
             of
             thy
             Spirit
             in
             it
             .
             Open
             and
             unstop
             the
             Ears
             of
             my
             Soul
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             hear
             thy
             voice
             and
             feel
             thy
             power
             ;
             otherwise
             ,
             the
             external
             ministerial
             voice
             will
             be
             ineffectual
             to
             my
             Salvation
             .
             'T
             will
             be
             but
             a
             Rattle
             to
             still
             and
             quiet
             my
             Conscience
             for
             a
             little
             while
             ,
             and
             a
             dreadful
             aggravation
             of
             my
             misery
             in
             the
             issue
             .
          
        
         
           
             II.
             Vse
             of
             Information
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             Point
             before
             us
             presents
             five
             other
             Truths
             with
             equal
             clearness
             to
             ous
             Eyes
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               first
               Place
               ,
               hence
               it
               follows
               ,
               That
               we
               have
               this
               day
               before
               our
               Eyes
               a
               great
               Seal
               and
               confirmation
               of
               the
               truth
               of
               the
               Scriptures
               .
               No
               miracles
               can
               seal
               it
               firmer
               than
               the
               events
               of
               it
               do
               ,
               which
               are
               visible
               to
               all
               that
               will
               observe
               them
               .
               What
               you
               read
               in
               the
               Word
               ,
               you
               may
               see
               every
               day
               fulfill'd
               before
               your
               Eyes
               ;
               you
               read
               ,
               2
               
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 We
                 are
                 unto
                 God
                 a
                 sweet
                 savour
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 in
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 saved
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 them
                 that
                 perish
                 .
                 To
                 the
                 one
                 we
                 are
                 the
                 savour
                 of
                 death
                 unto
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 other
                 the
                 savour
                 of
                 life
                 unto
                 life
                 .
              
               And
               again
               ,
               Acts
               28.
               24.
               it
               is
               observed
               ,
               that
               when
               
               Paul
               in
               his
               lodgings
               had
               expounded
               and
               testified
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               to
               the
               people
               ,
               and
               per●wading
               them
               to
               believe
               from
               morning
               till-evening
               ;
               it
               is
               observed
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               that
               
                 some
                 believed
                 〈◊〉
                 things
                 that
                 were
                 spoken
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 believed
                 not
                 .
              
               Here
               you
               see
               the
               different
               ,
               yea
               ,
               contrary
               events
               of
               the
               preaching
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               Scripture
               account
               of
               it
               ;
               it
               quickens
               some
               ,
               and
               kills
               others
               ;
               it
               brings
               some
               to
               Faith
               ,
               and
               leaves
               others
               still
               fixed
               in
               unbelief
               .
               Compare
               this
               account
               with
               what
               is
               daily
               before
               your
               Eyes
               ;
               do
               you
               not
               see
               Souls
               differently
               influenced
               to
               contrary
               effects
               under
               the
               same
               word
               ?
               One
               melting
               and
               tender
               ,
               another
               hardned
               ,
               and
               wholly
               unconcerned
               ?
               Tell
               me
               ,
               you
               that
               are
               apt
               to
               ascribe
               all
               to
               nature
               ,
               how
               comes
               it
               to
               pass
               that
               men
               exercising
               reason
               alike
               ,
               men
               that
               have
               the
               same
               inbred
               fears
               and
               hopes
               of
               things
               eternal
               ,
               who
               have
               the
               same
               passions
               and
               affections
               ,
               and
               are
               in
               the
               self
               same
               condition
               and
               state
               with
               others
               ;
               yet
               one
               Mans
               Heart
               shall
               be
               wounded
               and
               go
               away
               trembling
               from
               under
               the
               self
               same
               word
               ,
               which
               affects
               the
               other
               no
               more
               than
               if
               it
               had
               been
               preached
               among
               the
               Tombs
               to
               the
               dead
               that
               lye
               there
               ?
               Say
               not
               ,
               some
               have
               more
               courage
               than
               others
               ,
               or
               clearer
               understandings
               ,
               for
               it
               is
               most
               certain
               the
               Word
               hath
               convinced
               as
               rational
               and
               courageous
               persons
               as
               those
               upon
               whom
               it
               hath
               had
               no
               such
               effect
               .
               I
               doubt
               not
               but
               the
               Jaylor
               that
               was
               cast
               into
               such
               tremblings
               and
               astonishment
               ,
               Acts
               16.
               30.
               was
               as
               stout
               and
               rugged
               a
               person
               as
               any
               to
               whom
               Paul
               usually
               preached
               ;
               his
               very
               office
               bespake
               him
               such
               a
               Man
               ;
               wonder
               not
               what
               it
               is
               that
               makes
               Men
               fright
               at
               such
               a
               sound
               ,
               which
               you
               hear
               as
               well
               as
               they
               ,
               but
               it
               .
               
               affects
               you
               not
               :
               The
               Lord
               speaks
               in
               that
               voice
               to
               their
               Hearts
               ,
               but
               not
               to
               yours
               ;
               and
               so
               it
               must
               be
               according
               to
               the
               account
               the
               Scripture
               gives
               us
               of
               the
               contrary
               events
               of
               the
               Gospel
               upon
               them
               that
               hear
               it
               ;
               which
               is
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               a
               fair
               and
               firm
               Seal
               of
               the
               truth
               of
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               and
               highly
               worth
               the
               due
               observation
               of
               all
               Men.
               
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               What
               dignity
               hath
               God
               stampt
               on
               Gospel
               Ordinances
               ,
               in
               making
               them
               the
               organs
               and
               mediums
               through
               and
               by
               which
               Christ
               speaks
               life
               to
               dead
               Souls
               !
               This
               greatly
               exalts
               the
               dignity
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               deservedly
               endears
               it
               to
               all
               our
               Souls
               .
               I
               deny
               not
               but
               God
               can
               convey
               Spiritual
               life
               immediately
               without
               them
               ;
               but
               though
               he
               hath
               not
               tyed
               up
               himself
               ,
               yet
               he
               hath
               tyed
               us
               up
               to
               a
               diligent
               and
               constant
               attendance
               upon
               them
               ;
               and
               that
               with
               the
               deepest
               respect
               and
               reverence
               to
               them
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 10.
                 16.
                 
                 He
                 that
                 heareth
                 you
                 ,
                 heareth
                 me
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 despiseth
                 you
                 ,
                 despiseth
                 me
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 despiseth
                 me
                 ,
                 despiseth
                 him
                 that
                 sent
                 me
                 .
              
               Behold
               ,
               how
               the
               sin
               is
               graduated
               ,
               and
               aggravated
               to
               the
               hight
               of
               sinfulness
               .
               The
               contempt
               of
               the
               Gospel
               runs
               much
               higher
               than
               Men
               are
               aware
               of
               .
               We
               think
               it
               no
               great
               matter
               to
               neglect
               or
               contemn
               a
               messenger
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ;
               but
               that
               contempt
               flies
               in
               the
               very
               face
               and
               authority
               of
               Christ
               ,
               who
               gave
               them
               their
               Commissions
               ;
               yea
               ,
               in
               the
               very
               face
               of
               God
               the
               Father
               ,
               who
               gave
               Christ
               his
               Commission
               .
               Christ
               speaks
               in
               and
               by
               his
               Ministers
               ,
               they
               are
               as
               his
               mouth
               ,
               Ier.
               15.
               19.
               
               Moreover
               ,
               the
               sin
               sticks
               at
               
               our
               own
               Souls
               ,
               and
               we
               injure
               them
               as
               well
               as
               Christ
               :
               For
               the
               Word
               preached
               is
               his
               appointed
               Instrument
               to
               convey
               spiritual
               life
               ,
               the
               best
               of
               Blessings
               to
               our
               Souls
               .
               Upon
               which
               account
               it
               is
               called
               
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 Phil.
              
               2.
               16.
               and
               
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 salvation
                 ,
                 Rom.
              
               1.
               16.
               
               We
               then
               militate
               against
               our
               life
               and
               salvation
               when
               we
               despise
               and
               neglect
               the
               Ordinances
               of
               God.
               'T
               is
               good
               for
               men
               to
               lye
               under
               them
               ,
               and
               continually
               wait
               on
               them
               ;
               who
               knows
               when
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               will
               breathe
               life
               to
               your
               Souls
               through
               them
               ?
               What
               if
               yet
               you
               have
               found
               no
               such
               benefit
               from
               them
               ?
               the
               very
               next
               opportunity
               may
               be
               the
               time
               of
               life
               ,
               the
               appointed
               season
               of
               your
               salvation
               .
               Bring
               your
               carnal
               Relations
               to
               them
               ,
               as
               they
               did
               their
               sick
               and
               diseased
               Friends
               in
               the
               days
               when
               Christ
               was
               on
               Earth
               ,
               laying
               them
               in
               the
               way
               he
               was
               to
               pass
               .
               Christ
               will
               honour
               his
               Ordinances
               ;
               see
               that
               dou
               don't
               despise
               them
               .
               I
               think
               no
               Age
               was
               ever
               deeper
               drencht
               in
               the
               guilt
               of
               this
               sin
               than
               the
               present
               Age
               is
               .
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               What
               a
               fearful
               Judgment
               is
               the
               removing
               the
               Gospel
               from
               a
               Nation
               ,
               seeing
               it
               is
               in
               and
               by
               the
               Gospel
               Christ
               speaketh
               life
               to
               the
               Souls
               of
               men
               !
            
             
               The
               Spirit
               of
               God
               and
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               usually
               come
               and
               go
               together
               :
               when
               therefore
               these
               are
               gone
               ,
               no
               more
               Conversions
               are
               to
               be
               expected
               .
               Dreadful
               is
               the
               case
               of
               that
               people
               ,
               
                 Prov.
                 29.
                 18.
                 
                 Where
                 no
                 Vision
                 is
                 the
                 people
                 perish
                 .
              
               Those
               are
               direful
               Menaces
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 8.
                 16.
                 
                 Bind
                 up
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 seal
                 up
                 the
                 Testimony
                 among
                 my
                 Disciples
                 .
              
               And
               Rev.
               2.
               5.
               
               
                 I
                 will
                 remove
                 thy
                 Candlestick
                 out
                 of
                 its
                 place
                 .
              
               Better
               
               the
               Sun
               were
               taken
               out
               of
               the
               Heavens
               ,
               than
               the
               Gospel
               out
               of
               the
               Church
               .
               O
               England
               !
               provoke
               not
               thy
               God
               to
               execute
               upon
               thee
               the
               Judgment
               here
               threatned
               .
               Think
               not
               God
               hath
               made
               such
               a
               Settlement
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               that
               it
               shall
               never
               be
               removed
               ,
               however
               you
               use
               it
               .
               Your
               advocate
               in
               Heaven
               hath
               obtained
               it
               for
               you
               for
               a
               time
               upon
               trial
               ;
               if
               you
               bring
               forth
               fruit
               well
               ,
               you
               and
               the
               Generations
               to
               come
               shall
               be
               happy
               in
               it
               :
               if
               not
               ,
               this
               blessed
               Tree
               which
               hath
               brought
               forth
               so
               many
               Mercies
               to
               you
               and
               yours
               ,
               must
               and
               will
               be
               cut
               down
               ,
               Luke
               13.
               8.
               yea
               ,
               and
               even
               now
               
                 is
                 the
                 ax
                 laid
                 at
                 the
                 root
                 of
                 the
                 Tree
                 ,
              
               Matth.
               3.
               10.
               
               'T
               is
               an
               allusion
               to
               a
               Carpenter
               that
               throws
               down
               the
               Ax
               and
               Saws
               at
               the
               root
               of
               the
               Tree
               he
               intends
               to
               cut
               down
               .
               The
               only
               ground
               of
               hope
               which
               remains
               with
               us
               this
               day
               ,
               is
               ,
               that
               there
               are
               some
               Buds
               appearing
               ,
               some
               Fruits
               putting
               forth
               ,
               and
               if
               there
               be
               a
               blessing
               in
               the
               Bud
               ,
               the
               Lord
               will
               spare
               it
               ,
               according
               to
               Isa.
               65.
               8.
               
               But
               these
               hopes
               are
               balanced
               with
               many
               sad
               symptoms
               ,
               which
               may
               make
               us
               tremble
               to
               think
               what
               God
               is
               about
               to
               do
               with
               such
               a
               sinful
               Nation
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               Those
               that
               have
               heard
               Christ's
               voice
               and
               call
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               have
               no
               reason
               to
               be
               discouraged
               from
               going
               to
               Christ
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Faith.
               Christ's
               Call
               is
               a
               sufficient
               warrant
               to
               believe
               .
               Many
               poor
               Souls
               are
               stagger'd
               in
               their
               work
               of
               Faith
               ,
               by
               the
               fear
               of
               Presumption
               ;
               an
               ugly
               Objection
               which
               they
               know
               not
               how
               to
               clear
               themselves
               of
               :
               But
               certainly
               ,
               this
               above
               all
               Considerations
               in
               the
               world
               enervates
               this
               Objection
               of
               
               Presumption
               .
               Then
               men
               presume
               when
               they
               act
               without
               a
               Call
               or
               Warrant
               ;
               but
               if
               Christ
               have
               spoken
               to
               your
               hearts
               by
               the
               voice
               of
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               you
               have
               the
               best
               warrant
               in
               the
               world
               to
               go
               to
               him
               .
               What
               though
               you
               know
               not
               the
               Issue
               ?
               yet
               your
               Obedience
               is
               due
               to
               his
               Call.
               
                 By
                 faith
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 called
                 to
                 go
                 out
                 into
                 a
                 place
                 which
                 he
                 should
                 after
                 receive
                 for
                 an
                 Inheritance
                 ,
                 obeyed
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 went
                 out
                 not
                 knowing
                 whither
                 he
                 went
                 ,
              
               Heb●
               .
               11.
               8.
               
               So
               must
               you
               .
               It
               is
               not
               necessary
               to
               your
               going
               to
               Christ
               ,
               that
               you
               must
               be
               ascertained
               before
               hand
               what
               the
               Event
               and
               Issue
               thereof
               shall
               be
               :
               Your
               believing
               is
               an
               act
               of
               Obedience
               to
               the
               voice
               of
               Christ
               that
               calls
               you
               .
               When
               therefore
               Satan
               shall
               object
               ,
               What
               ,
               such
               a
               wretched
               Soul
               as
               thou
               go
               to
               Christ
               !
               canst
               thou
               imagine
               to
               find
               entertainment
               with
               him
               whom
               thou
               hast
               so
               abused
               and
               deeply
               wronged
               ?
               Thy
               answer
               should
               be
               ready
               ,
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               I
               have
               been
               a
               vile
               wretch
               ,
               and
               have
               deeply
               wronged
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               ;
               but
               Christ
               hath
               spoken
               to
               my
               heart
               ,
               
                 he
                 hath
                 called
                 me
              
               ,
               and
               therefore
               it
               can
               be
               no
               presumption
               in
               me
               to
               go
               at
               his
               Call
               ;
               but
               contrariwise
               it
               would
               be
               flat
               Rebellion
               against
               his
               Soveraign
               Command
               to
               refuse
               to
               believe
               ,
               and
               come
               unto
               him
               ;
               yea
               ,
               it
               would
               be
               a
               greater
               sin
               than
               any
               of
               my
               former
               sins
               have
               been
               .
               Beside
               ,
               had
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               no
               intention
               of
               mercy
               (
               as
               thou
               maliciously
               insinuatest
               )
               towards
               my
               Soul
               ,
               he
               would
               never
               have
               spoken
               to
               my
               heart
               by
               conviction
               and
               perswasion
               ,
               as
               he
               hath
               done
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               V.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               If
               no
               Soul
               can
               open
               to
               Christ
               until
               it
               hear
               his
               powerful
               spiritual
               voice
               ,
               
                 then
                 the
                 change
                 made
                 upon
                 men
                 by
                 conversion
                 is
                 wholly
                 supernatural
                 .
              
            
             
               The
               rise
               of
               Faith
               is
               from
               this
               power
               of
               Christ
               ,
               not
               from
               the
               nature
               of
               Man
               ,
               Iohn
               1.
               13.
               
               Proud
               Nature
               arrogates
               this
               power
               and
               honour
               to
               it self
               ,
               but
               without
               any
               ground
               ;
               for
               though
               some
               things
               may
               be
               done
               by
               men
               in
               their
               natural
               state
               ,
               which
               have
               a
               remote
               tendency
               to
               conversion
               and
               spiritual
               life
               ,
               yet
               it
               can
               never
               open
               to
               Christ
               savingly
               without
               a
               power
               communicated
               from
               himself
               .
               There
               is
               a
               total
               impotence
               in
               Nature
               to
               produce
               such
               an
               effect
               as
               this
               .
               The
               Scripture
               speaks
               it
               roundly
               ;
               telling
               us
               ,
               
                 The
                 Natural
                 man
                 cannot
              
               (
               of
               himself
               )
               
                 know
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
              
               2.
               14.
               
               
                 Cannot
                 believe
              
               ;
               for
               Faith
               is
               not
               of
               our selves
               ,
               it
               is
               the
               gift
               of
               God
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 6.
                 44.
                 
                 Cannot
                 obey
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               8.
               7.
               
               
                 The
                 carnal
                 Mind
                 is
                 not
                 subject
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 neither
                 indeed
                 can
                 be
                 .
              
               Cannot
               
                 speak
                 a
                 good
                 word
              
               ,
               Matth.
               12.
               34.
               
               Cannot
               
                 think
                 a
                 good
                 thought
              
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               3.
               5.
               
               What
               a
               poor
               impotent
               thing
               then
               is
               the
               Natural
               man
               ?
               who
               can
               neither
               believe
               ,
               nor
               obey
               ,
               speak
               a
               good
               word
               ,
               or
               think
               a
               good
               thought
               by
               any
               natural
               power
               of
               his
               own
               .
            
             
               Say
               not
               't
               is
               against
               Reason
               for
               God
               to
               require
               men
               to
               do
               what
               they
               cannot
               ,
               and
               then
               damn
               them
               for
               not
               doing
               it
               .
               For
               (
               1.
               )
               though
               man
               hath
               lost
               his
               ability
               to
               obey
               ,
               yet
               God
               hath
               not
               lost
               his
               right
               to
               command
               :
               for
               at
               that
               rate
               any
               man
               might
               shake
               off
               the
               yoke
               of
               God's
               Soveraignty
               by
               disabling
               himself
               through
               his
               own
               sin
               ,
               for
               the
               duties
               of
               Obedience
               .
               (
               2.
               )
               Though
               man
               hath
               not
               a
               sufficient
               .
               
               power
               ,
               yet
               there
               is
               in
               him
               an
               intolerable
               pride
               ,
               which
               puffs
               him
               up
               with
               a
               conceit
               that
               he
               hath
               what
               he
               hath
               not
               ,
               and
               can
               do
               what
               he
               cannot
               The
               Command
               is
               therefore
               of
               great
               use
               to
               check
               this
               pride
               ,
               and
               convince
               man
               of
               his
               impotency
               ,
               Rev.
               3.
               17.
               
               (
               3.
               )
               Every
               man
               can
               do
               more
               than
               he
               doth
               towards
               his
               own
               Conversion
               .
               And
               therefore
               it
               is
               good
               for
               men
               to
               be
               urged
               by
               the
               Commands
               to
               all
               those
               Duties
               ,
               in
               the
               use
               and
               observance
               whereof
               Christ
               ordinarily
               comes
               into
               the
               Soul
               by
               a
               supernatural
               power
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             II.
             Vse
             for
             Exhortation
             .
          
           
             This
             Point
             gives
             a
             loud
             Call
             to
             all
             that
             are
             within
             the
             sound
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             especially
             to
             such
             as
             begin
             to
             feel
             some
             power
             accompanying
             the
             Word
             to
             their
             hearts
             ,
             diligently
             to
             hearken
             to
             the
             voice
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             obey
             his
             first
             Call
             without
             further
             delay
             ,
             
               Rev.
               2.
               7.
               
               He
               that
               hath
               an
               ear
               to
               hear
               let
               him
               hear
               .
            
             'T
             is
             a
             dreadful
             and
             dangerous
             thing
             to
             turn
             away
             the
             Ear
             from
             him
             that
             speaks
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             
               Hebr.
               12.
               25.
               
               See
               that
               ye
               refuse
               not
               him
               that
               speaketh
               ,
               for
               if
               they
               escaped
               not
               that
               refused
               him
               that
               spake
               on
               earth
               ,
               much
               more
               shall
               not
               we
               escape
               ,
               if
               we
               turn
               away
               from
               him
               that
               speaks
               from
               Heaven
               .
            
             See
             that
             ye
             refuse
             not
             ;
             the
             Caution
             implies
             the
             Matter
             to
             be
             very
             weighty
             ,
             and
             a
             neglect
             or
             refusal
             in
             this
             matter
             to
             be
             highly
             dangerous
             .
             Turn
             not
             away
             your
             Ear
             ,
             be
             not
             guilty
             of
             the
             least
             aversation
             ,
             sleight
             ,
             or
             neglect
             in
             so
             great
             and
             important
             a
             Concern
             .
             And
             truly
             this
             Caution
             is
             no
             more
             than
             needs
             ;
             for
             Satan
             is
             never
             more
             busie
             with
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             ,
             than
             when
             Christ
             gives
             them
             their
             first
             Call
             to
             himself
             .
          
           
           
             O
             what
             a
             thick
             succession
             of
             Discouragements
             do
             impetuously
             assault
             the
             Soul
             at
             this
             time
             !
             Art
             thou
             young
             ?
             then
             he
             insinuates
             that
             it
             is
             too
             soon
             for
             thee
             to
             mind
             the
             serious
             things
             of
             Religion
             .
             This
             will
             extinguish
             all
             thy
             pleasure
             in
             a
             dull
             melancholy
             ;
             thou
             maist
             have
             time
             enough
             hereafter
             to
             mind
             these
             matters
             .
             This
             Temptation
             Augustine
             confesseth
             kept
             him
             off
             many
             years
             from
             Christ.
             But
             certainly
             ,
             if
             thou
             art
             old
             enough
             to
             be
             damned
             ,
             thou
             art
             not
             too
             young
             to
             mind
             Christ
             and
             Salvation
             .
             There
             are
             Graves
             just
             of
             thy
             length
             ,
             and
             abundance
             of
             young
             Sprigs
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             old
             Loggs
             ,
             burning
             in
             Hell
             flames
             .
             Besides
             ,
             all
             those
             godly
             young
             ones
             which
             turned
             to
             the
             Lord
             betime
             ,
             as
             
               Iosiah
               ,
               Abijah
               ,
               Timothy
            
             ,
             and
             many
             more
             ,
             will
             be
             your
             Judges
             ,
             and
             condemn
             you
             in
             the
             great
             day
             .
             Never
             any
             repented
             that
             they
             opened
             to
             Christ
             too
             soon
             :
             Thousands
             have
             repented
             that
             they
             kept
             him
             out
             so
             long
             .
             Art
             thou
             old
             ?
             then
             he
             scares
             thee
             with
             the
             manifold
             sins
             of
             thy
             youth
             ,
             and
             rouls
             them
             as
             blocks
             in
             thy
             way
             to
             Christ.
             And
             whether
             young
             or
             old
             ,
             he
             will
             be
             sure
             to
             present
             the
             Sufferings
             ,
             Reproaches
             ,
             and
             Persecutions
             of
             Godliness
             to
             discourage
             thee
             from
             hearkning
             to
             the
             voice
             of
             Christ.
             But
             what
             are
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             Christ
             here
             ,
             to
             those
             Sufferings
             from
             Christ
             hereafter
             ?
             what
             are
             the
             pains
             of
             Mortification
             ,
             to
             the
             pains
             of
             Damnation
             ?
             Besides
             ,
             all
             the
             Promises
             of
             Christ
             ,
             promises
             of
             strength
             ,
             comfort
             ,
             success
             ,
             &c.
             go
             along
             with
             the
             Command
             of
             Christ
             to
             believe
             ,
             and
             shall
             surely
             be
             performed
             to
             the
             obedient
             Soul.
             See
             therefore
             that
             thou
             refuse
             not
             his
             voice
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             III.
             Vse
             for
             Trial.
             
          
           
             But
             you
             will
             say
             ,
             All
             that
             hear
             this
             spiritual
             voice
             of
             Christ
             are
             said
             to
             live
             ,
             Iohn
             5.
             25.
             
             Now
             I
             am
             much
             in
             the
             dark
             ,
             whether
             ever
             this
             vital
             voice
             of
             Christ
             hath
             founded
             unto
             my
             Soul.
             Alas
             ,
             I
             feel
             little
             ,
             if
             any
             thing
             ,
             of
             the
             spiritual
             life
             in
             my
             Soul.
             
             I
             am
             dead
             and
             dark
             .
             
               By
               what
               means
               doth
               the
               Life
               of
               Christ
               discover
               it self
               in
               the
               Souls
               of
               Men
               ?
            
          
           
             I
             Answer
             ,
             
             There
             are
             divers
             Signs
             of
             spiritual
             life
             ,
             and
             blessed
             is
             the
             Soul
             that
             finds
             them
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             
             There
             is
             a
             spiritual
             sense
             and
             feeling
             flowing
             from
             ,
             and
             accompanying
             the
             spiritual
             life
             .
             I
             speak
             not
             only
             of
             the
             sense
             and
             feeling
             of
             comfort
             ;
             for
             many
             a
             Soul
             that
             is
             in
             Christ
             ,
             feels
             little
             of
             that
             ;
             but
             certainly
             there
             is
             a
             sense
             and
             feeling
             of
             the
             burthensomness
             of
             sin
             ,
             Rom.
             7.
             24.
             
             And
             't
             is
             well
             that
             we
             can
             feel
             that
             ;
             for
             there
             are
             Multitudes
             in
             the
             world
             that
             are
             past
             feeling
             ,
             Is●
             6.
             9.
             10.
             
             'T
             is
             a
             sign
             Christ
             hath
             spoken
             to
             thy
             heart
             ,
             if
             sorrows
             for
             sin
             begin
             to
             load
             it
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             
             Spiritual
             Motions
             towards
             Christ
             are
             a
             sign
             of
             spiritual
             life
             ;
             at
             least
             that
             God
             is
             about
             that
             quickening
             work
             of
             Faith
             upon
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             
               Iohn
               6.
               45.
               
               Every
               man
               that
               bath
               beard
               and
               learned
               of
               the
               Father
               cometh
               unto
               me
               .
            
             The
             effectual
             voice
             of
             God
             sets
             the
             Soul
             in
             motion
             towards
             Christ
             ;
             the
             Will
             is
             moving
             after
             him
             ;
             the
             Desires
             are
             panting
             for
             him
             .
             The
             voice
             of
             God
             makes
             the
             Soul
             that
             hears
             it
             ,
             restless
             .
             As
             for
             others
             ,
             their
             Wills
             are
             fix'd
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             moving
             of
             them
             ,
             Iohn
             
             5.
             40.
             
             Now
             consider
             how
             it
             is
             with
             thee
             ,
             Reader
             :
             Art
             thou
             one
             that
             art
             weighing
             and
             pondering
             the
             terms
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ?
             strugling
             through
             discouragements
             and
             temptations
             to
             come
             to
             Christ
             upon
             his
             own
             terms
             ,
             lifting
             up
             thy
             heart
             to
             him
             for
             power
             to
             believe
             ,
             crying
             with
             the
             Sponse
             ,
             
               Draw
               me
               ,
               I
               will
               run
               after
               thee
               ?
            
             This
             is
             a
             comfortable
             sign
             Christ
             hath
             spoken
             to
             thy
             heart
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             
             A
             Spirit
             of
             Prayer
             is
             an
             Evidence
             of
             spiritual
             life
             ,
             as
             the
             effect
             of
             Christ's
             voice
             to
             thy
             Soul.
             Assoon
             as
             ever
             Christ
             had
             spoken
             effectually
             unto
             
             Paul's
             heart
             ,
             the
             first
             effect
             that
             appeared
             in
             him
             as
             a
             sign
             of
             spiritual
             life
             ,
             was
             Prayerbreath
             ,
             
               Acts
               9.
               11.
               
               Behold
               ,
               he
               prayeth
               .
            
             God
             hath
             no
             still-●orn
             Children
             .
             Measure
             thy self
             by
             this
             Rule
             :
             Time
             was
             when
             thou
             couldst
             say
             a
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             wast
             very
             well
             satisfied
             with
             it
             ,
             whether
             thou
             hadst
             any
             Communion
             with
             God
             in
             it
             ,
             or
             no
             ;
             but
             is
             it
             so
             still
             ?
             Is
             there
             not
             an
             holy
             restlesness
             of
             spirit
             after
             God
             since
             the
             time
             that
             his
             Word
             came
             home
             to
             thy
             heart
             ?
             Surely
             thou
             eanst
             remember
             when
             it
             was
             not
             with
             thee
             as
             it
             is
             now
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             There
             is
             a
             spiritual
             relish
             ,
             
             a
             divine
             gust
             resulting
             from
             the
             spiritual
             life
             ,
             which
             is
             also
             evidential
             of
             it
             ;
             
               Omnis
               vita
               gustu
               ducitur
            
             .
             If
             God
             have
             spoken
             life
             to
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             there
             will
             be
             in
             it
             an
             agreeable
             pleasure
             and
             delight
             in
             spiritual
             things
             ,
             
               Psal.
               63.
               5.
               
               My
               Soul
               shall
               be
               satisfied
               as
               with
               marrow
               and
               fatness
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             Now
             thy
             thoughts
             can
             feed
             with
             pleasure
             upon
             spiritual
             things
             ,
             which
             they
             nauseated
             before
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             Spiritual
             aversations
             ,
             
             as
             well
             as
             spiritual
             
             inclinations
             ,
             speak
             spiritual
             life
             .
             Every
             Creature
             hath
             an
             aversation
             to
             that
             which
             is
             noxious
             and
             destructive
             to
             it
             .
             Now
             there
             is
             nothing
             so
             destructive
             and
             dangerous
             to
             the
             spiritual
             life
             as
             sin
             ;
             that
             's
             the
             deadly
             poison
             which
             the
             renewed
             Soul
             dreads
             ,
             
               Psal.
               19.
               13.
               
               Keep
               back
               thy
               servant
               also
               from
               presumptuous
               sins
               .
            
             It
             cries
             out
             as
             a
             man
             that
             finds
             himself
             upon
             the
             brink
             of
             a
             Pit
             ,
             or
             edge
             of
             a
             Precipice
             ;
             
               Keep
               back
               thy
               Servant
            
             .
             Such
             aversations
             to
             sin
             and
             tremblings
             under
             temptations
             tending
             thereunto
             ,
             are
             comfortable
             Sign
             Christ
             hath
             spoken
             life
             to
             thy
             Soul.
             
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             Heavenly
             tendencies
             and
             propensions
             after
             God
             are
             an
             excellent
             Sign
             thy
             Soul
             hath
             heard
             his
             voice
             ,
             and
             been
             quickned
             with
             spiritual
             life
             by
             it
             .
             Sanctification
             is
             a
             Well
             of
             water
             springing
             up
             into
             everlasting
             life
             ,
             Iohn
             4.
             24.
             
             If
             thou
             hast
             seen
             the
             beauty
             ,
             felt
             the
             power
             ,
             and
             heard
             the
             voice
             of
             Christ
             ,
             thy
             soul
             ,
             like
             an
             uncentred
             Body
             ,
             will
             be
             still
             propending
             ,
             gravitating
             ,
             and
             inclining
             Christ-ward
             .
             When
             thou
             hast
             once
             heard
             his
             effectual
             Call
             ,
             
               Matth.
               11.
               28.
               
               Come
               unto
               me
               ,
            
             thy
             Soul
             will
             be
             continually
             echoing
             with
             the
             Spouse
             ,
             
               Rev.
               22.
               17.
               
               Come
               Lord
               Iesus
               .
               The
               Spirit
               and
               the
               Bride
               say
               come
               ,
               and
               let
               him
               that
               heareth
               ,
               say
               Come
               .
            
             A
             sweeter
             Sign
             of
             thy
             hearing
             Christ's
             voice
             can
             hardly
             be
             found
             in
             the
             Soul
             of
             man
             ,
             than
             restless
             longing
             to
             be
             with
             Christ
             in
             a
             state
             of
             perfect
             freedom
             from
             sin
             ,
             and
             full
             fruition
             of
             the
             beloved
             and
             blessed
             Jesus
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           SERMON
           IX
           .
        
         
           
             
               Revel
               .
               3.
               20.
               
            
             —
             If
             any
             Man
             hear
             my
             voice
             [
             and
             open
             the
             door
             ,
             ]
          
        
         
           THE
           powerful
           voice
           of
           Christ
           is
           the
           Key
           that
           opens
           the
           door
           of
           the
           Soul
           to
           receive
           him
           .
           The
           opening
           of
           the
           heart
           to
           receive
           Christ
           is
           the
           main
           design
           aimed
           at
           in
           all
           the
           external
           and
           internal
           administrations
           of
           the
           Gospel
           and
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           The
           Gospel
           hath
           two
           great
           Designs
           and
           Intentions
           .
           One
           is
           ,
           To
           open
           the
           heart
           of
           God
           to
           men
           ,
           and
           to
           shew
           them
           the
           everlasting
           counsels
           of
           Grace
           and
           Peace
           which
           were
           hid
           in
           God
           from
           Ages
           and
           Generations
           past
           ;
           that
           all
           men
           may
           now
           see
           what
           God
           had
           been
           designing
           and
           contriving
           for
           their
           happiness
           in
           Christ
           before
           the
           world
           was
           ;
           
             Ephes.
             3.
             9.
             
             To
             make
             all
             men
             see
             what
             is
             the
             fellowship
             of
             the
             Mystery
             which
             from
             the
             beginning
             of
             the
             world
             hath
             been
             hid
             in
             God
             ,
             who
             created
             all
             things
             by
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             to
             the
             intent
             that
             now
             unto
             the
             Principalities
             and
             Powers
             in
             heavenly
             places
             might
             be
             known
             by
             the
             Church
             the
             manifold
             wisdom
             of
             God.
          
           The
           next
           Intention
           and
           Aim
           of
           the
           Gospel
           is
           to
           set
           open
           the
           
           heart
           of
           man
           to
           receive
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           without
           which
           all
           the
           glorious
           discoveries
           of
           the
           eternal
           Counsels
           and
           gracious
           Contrivances
           of
           God
           for
           and
           about
           us
           ,
           would
           signifie
           nothing
           to
           our
           real
           advantage
           .
           Christ
           standing
           ,
           knocking
           ,
           and
           speaking
           by
           his
           Spirit
           (
           of
           which
           we
           have
           before
           treated
           )
           receive
           their
           Success
           ,
           and
           attain
           their
           End
           ,
           when
           the
           heart
           opens
           it self
           by
           Faith
           to
           receive
           him
           ,
           and
           not
           till
           then
           .
           Hence
           note
           ,
        
         
           
             IX
             .
             DOCT.
             
          
           
             That
             the
             opening
             of
             the
             heart
             to
             receive
             Christ
             by
             Faith
             ,
             
             is
             the
             great
             design
             and
             aim
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             the
             Mark
             to
             which
             all
             the
             Arrows
             in
             the
             Gospel
             Quiver
             are
             levelled
             ;
             the
             Centre
             unto
             which
             those
             blessed
             Lines
             are
             drawn
             ,
             
               Iohn
               20.
               31.
               
               These
               things
               are
               written
               that
               you
               might
               believe
               ,
               and
               believing
               might
               have
               life
               through
               his
               Name
               .
            
             All
             those
             precious
             Truths
             that
             are
             written
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             are
             to
             bring
             you
             to
             Faith.
             The
             great
             aim
             of
             the
             Spirit
             in
             his
             Illuminations
             ,
             Convictions
             ,
             Humiliations
             ,
             &c.
             are
             the
             very
             same
             thing
             ,
             
               Iohn
               6.
               29.
               
               This
               is
               the
               work
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               you
               believe
               .
            
             'T
             is
             not
             only
             
               Opus
               Deo
               dignum
            
             ,
             a
             work
             worthy
             of
             such
             an
             Author
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             that
             on
             which
             God's
             eye
             is
             fixed
             in
             his
             workings
             upon
             us
             ;
             the
             end
             and
             aim
             of
             his
             work
             .
          
           
             Great
             persons
             have
             great
             designs
             .
             This
             is
             the
             glorious
             project
             of
             the
             great
             God
             ,
             and
             every
             Person
             in
             the
             Godhead
             is
             engaged
             and
             concerned
             in
             it
             .
             (
             1.
             )
             The
             Father
             hath
             his
             hand
             in
             this
             work
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             hand
             as
             without
             it
             no
             heart
             could
             ever
             open
             
             or
             move
             in
             the
             least
             towards
             Christ
             ,
             
               Iohn
               6.
               44.
               
               No
               man
               can
               come
               unto
               me
            
             (
             saith
             Christ
             )
             
               except
               my
               Father
               ,
               which
               hath
               sent
               me
               ,
               draw
               him
               .
            
             None
             but
             he
             that
             raised
             up
             Christ
             from
             the
             dead
             ,
             can
             raise
             up
             a
             dead
             heart
             unto
             saving
             Faith
             in
             him
             .
             (
             2.
             )
             The
             sons
             hand
             is
             in
             this
             work
             ,
             he
             is
             not
             only
             the
             Object
             but
             the
             Author
             of
             our
             Faith
             ,
             1
             
               Iohn
               5.
               20.
               
               We
               know
               that
               the
               son
               of
               God
               is
               come
               ,
               and
               hath
               given
               us
               an
               understanding
               that
               we
               may
               know
               him
               that
               is
               true
               ,
               and
               we
               are
               in
               him
               that
               is
               true
               ,
               even
               in
               his
               Son
               Iesus
               Christ.
               This
               is
               the
               true
               God
               and
               eternal
               life
               .
            
             (
             3
             )
             And
             then
             for
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             he
             comes
             from
             Heaven
             designedly
             and
             expresly
             to
             convince
             Sinners
             of
             their
             need
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             beget
             Faith
             in
             them
             ,
             
               Iohn
               16.
               9.
            
             
             So
             that
             this
             appears
             to
             be
             the
             great
             design
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             the
             drist
             and
             level
             both
             of
             the
             Word
             and
             Works
             of
             God.
             Touching
             this
             design
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             I
             shall
             here
             speak
             ,
             indeavouring
             to
             open
             this
             great
             and
             glorious
             project
             of
             Heaven
             in
             the
             ensuing
             Properties
             of
             it
             ;
             which
             are
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Greatness
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Difficulty
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 Instruments
                 imployed
                 in
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 The
                 Scope
                 and
                 aim
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
              
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             Of
             the
             Greatness
             of
             this
             design
             of
             God
             ;
             we
             little
             understand
             what
             a
             marvellous
             thing
             is
             done
             in
             the
             Earth
             ,
             when
             the
             heart
             of
             a
             Sinner
             is
             brought
             to
             close
             with
             Christ
             by
             Faith.
             It
             would
             transport
             us
             with
             admiration
             ,
             did
             we
             throughly
             consider
             it
             .
             Well
             may
             the
             Apostle
             place
             it
             in
             the
             first
             rank
             of
             all
             the
             glorious
             and
             wonderful
             works
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             he
             doth
             1
             
               Tim.
               3.
               16.
               
               Great
               is
               the
               mystery
               of
               godliness
               ,
               God
               was
               manifest
               in
               the
               fl●sh
               ,
               justified
               
               in
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               seen
               of
               Angels
               ,
               preached
               unto
               the
               Gentiles
               ,
               believed
               on
               in
               the
               World.
            
             Observe
             with
             what
             works
             of
             wonder
             Faith
             is
             here
             ranked
             and
             associated
             .
             It
             is
             an
             astonishing
             work
             of
             God
             that
             ever
             God
             should
             be
             manifested
             in
             flesh
             ,
             that
             he
             that
             thunders
             in
             the
             Clouds
             should
             be
             heard
             crying
             in
             a
             Cradle
             ;
             that
             he
             who
             is
             over
             all
             ,
             God
             blessed
             for
             ever
             ,
             should
             become
             a
             man.
             It
             is
             astonishing
             ,
             that
             when
             he
             was
             taken
             down
             dead
             from
             the
             Cross
             ,
             laid
             in
             the
             Sepulchre
             ,
             and
             the
             Stone
             sealed
             upon
             it
             ;
             he
             should
             rise
             on
             the
             third
             day
             from
             the
             dead
             by
             his
             own
             power
             .
             That
             ever
             the
             Gospel
             should
             be
             preached
             to
             such
             a
             miserable
             and
             sorlorn
             people
             as
             the
             Gentiles
             were
             ,
             the
             scorn
             and
             contempt
             of
             the
             Jews
             .
             And
             no
             less
             marvellous
             is
             it
             to
             see
             the
             hearts
             of
             such
             poor
             Creatures
             glued
             so
             fast
             to
             Idolatry
             ;
             so
             perfectly
             dead
             in
             sin
             ,
             to
             open
             to
             Christ
             upon
             such
             self-denying
             terms
             ,
             as
             to
             let
             go
             all
             they
             had
             in
             the
             world
             for
             a
             blessed
             Inheritance
             which
             they
             never
             saw
             .
             And
             were
             not
             this
             a
             marvellous
             work
             of
             God
             indeed
             ,
             there
             would
             never
             be
             such
             joy
             and
             triumph
             in
             Heaven
             among
             the
             holy
             Angels
             ,
             as
             there
             is
             upon
             the
             opening
             of
             every
             Sinners
             heart
             to
             Christ
             ,
             
               Luke
               15.
               7.
            
             the
             whole
             City
             of
             God
             is
             moved
             with
             it
             .
             Heaven
             rings
             again
             with
             the
             joyful
             tydings
             ;
             as
             soon
             as
             ever
             the
             Will
             begins
             to
             bowe
             and
             open
             to
             Christ
             ,
             the
             news
             is
             quickly
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Angels
             of
             God
             rejoyce
             at
             the
             tydings
             .
             As
             when
             a
             young
             Prince
             is
             born
             ,
             the
             Conduits
             run
             with
             Wine
             ,
             there
             is
             Joy
             in
             every
             City
             throughout
             the
             Kingdom
             :
             So
             also
             there
             is
             in
             Heaven
             when
             Christ
             hath
             gotten
             a
             new
             habitation
             in
             the
             Soul
             of
             any
             Sinner
             upon
             Earth
             .
             Moreover
             ,
             the
             greatness
             of
             this
             design
             appears
             from
             the
             great
             Rewards
             promised
             by
             the
             
             Lord
             to
             every
             Servant
             of
             his
             who
             hath
             but
             the
             least
             hand
             to
             help
             it
             on
             .
             God
             would
             never
             reward
             the
             Instruments
             so
             richly
             ,
             if
             the
             success
             of
             the
             work
             were
             not
             of
             great
             value
             in
             his
             eyes
             .
             The
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             may
             be
             ill
             rewarded
             by
             men
             ,
             perfecuted
             and
             reproached
             for
             their
             labour
             ;
             but
             God
             will
             bountifully
             repay
             their
             pains
             and
             faithfulness
             ,
             
               Dan.
               12.
               3.
               
               They
               that
               turn
               many
               unto
               righteousness
               shall
               shine
               as
               the
               Stars
               ,
               and
               as
               the
               brightness
               of
               the
               firmament
               for
               ever
               and
               ever
               .
            
             All
             these
             things
             be
             speak
             it
             a
             very
             great
             and
             important
             design
             upon
             which
             the
             heart
             of
             God
             is
             much
             set
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             And
             then
             in
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             an
             exceeding
             great
             and
             important
             design
             and
             work
             of
             God
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             a
             very
             
               hard
               and
               difficult
               work
            
             in
             it self
             ;
             a
             work
             whose
             difficulties
             surmounts
             the
             abilities
             of
             Angels
             .
             It
             is
             certainly
             a
             work
             carried
             on
             by
             the
             mighty
             power
             of
             God
             ,
             through
             the
             greatest
             oppositions
             imaginable
             .
             And
             therefore
             it
             is
             noted
             ,
             
               Rev.
               3.
               7.
            
             that
             it
             is
             the
             peculiar
             Prerogative
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             who
             only
             hath
             the
             Key
             of
             the
             house
             of
             David
             ,
             to
             open
             the
             heart
             of
             a
             Sinner
             by
             Faith.
             Men
             think
             it
             is
             an
             easie
             thing
             to
             believe
             ;
             but
             if
             you
             consult
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             you
             will
             quickly
             be
             informed
             how
             grosly
             you
             mistake
             the
             nature
             of
             this
             work
             .
             In
             
               Col.
               2.
               12.
            
             the
             believing
             Soul
             is
             said
             to
             
               rise
               with
               Christ
               ,
               through
               the
               faith
               of
               the
               operation
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               raised
               him
               from
               the
               dead
               .
            
             In
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             Christ
             ,
             there
             was
             a
             glorious
             operation
             of
             the
             power
             of
             God
             indeed
             ;
             you
             know
             it
             astonished
             the
             world
             to
             hear
             of
             it
             .
             The
             very
             same
             power
             that
             wrought
             that
             ,
             must
             also
             be
             put
             sorth
             to
             work
             this
             ,
             or
             else
             it
             would
             never
             be
             wrought
             .
             So
             again
             ,
             
               Eph.
               2.
               8.
               
               By
               Grace
               are
               ye
               saved
               through
               faith
               ,
               and
               that
               not
               of
               your selves
               ,
               
               it
               is
               the
               gift
               of
               God
            
             ;
             not
             of
             your selves
             .
             You
             are
             no
             more
             able
             to
             believe
             in
             Christ
             ,
             than
             you
             were
             to
             raise
             him
             from
             the
             dead
             :
             No
             more
             able
             to
             come
             one
             step
             towards
             him
             by
             Faith
             in
             your
             own
             power
             ,
             than
             Lazarus
             was
             able
             to
             unbind
             himself
             in
             the
             Grave
             ,
             and
             come
             forth
             .
             Yea
             ,
             in
             
               Eph.
               1.
               18
               ,
               19
               ,
               20.
            
             the
             work
             of
             believing
             is
             ascribed
             unto
             the
             exceeding
             greatness
             of
             the
             power
             of
             God
             ,
             Nothing
             but
             power
             can
             do
             it
             ;
             no
             other
             power
             but
             the
             Almighty
             power
             of
             God
             can
             do
             it
             :
             It
             exceeds
             the
             power
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             yea
             of
             Angels
             .
             Three
             things
             will
             evince
             the
             difficulty
             of
             this
             work
             ,
             Viz.
             
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Nature
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Subject
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 Enemies
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             The
             Nature
             of
             the
             work
             of
             Faith
             which
             is
             wholly
             supernatural
             ;
             it
             is
             no
             less
             than
             the
             gaining
             over
             the
             hearty
             and
             full
             consent
             of
             the
             Will
             to
             take
             Jesus
             Christ
             with
             his
             yoke
             of
             Obedience
             ,
             
               Matth.
               11.
               29.
            
             and
             with
             his
             Cross
             of
             Sufferings
             ,
             
               Matth.
               16.
               24.
            
             
             And
             how
             far
             these
             will
             carry
             a
             man
             into
             outward
             dangers
             ,
             losses
             ,
             torments
             ,
             and
             sufferings
             ,
             who
             can
             tell
             ?
             and
             all
             this
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             an
             unseen
             happiness
             and
             glory
             ;
             dearest
             Lusts
             and
             Corruptions
             must
             be
             mortified
             ,
             sweetest
             Pleasures
             and
             Profits
             in
             the
             World
             abandoned
             and
             forsaken
             ,
             all
             Reproaches
             ,
             Losses
             ,
             Pains
             and
             Penalties
             the
             Devil
             and
             the
             World
             can
             lay
             upon
             us
             for
             Christs
             sake
             ,
             must
             be
             embraced
             and
             wellcomed
             ;
             and
             can
             it
             be
             supposed
             that
             any
             power
             beneath
             the
             Almighty
             Power
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             any
             voice
             except
             the
             efficacious
             voice
             of
             Christ
             ,
             can
             
             prevail
             with
             the
             Will
             to
             give
             its
             firm
             explicite
             consent
             to
             such
             difficult
             and
             self-denying
             terms
             as
             these
             ?
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Consider
             the
             Subject
             wrought
             upon
             ,
             viz.
             the
             dead
             ,
             hard
             ,
             obstinate
             heart
             of
             a
             blind
             perverse
             sinner
             ,
             an
             heart
             harder
             by
             Nature
             than
             the
             nether
             Millstone
             .
             It
             is
             as
             easie
             to
             melt
             the
             most
             obdurate
             Rock
             into
             a
             sweet
             Syrup
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             to
             melt
             the
             heart
             of
             a
             Sinner
             into
             penitential
             forrows
             for
             sin
             .
             What!
             to
             bring
             a
             dead
             heart
             to
             life
             .
             To
             make
             that
             man
             bitterly
             bewail
             the
             sins
             that
             were
             his
             pleasure
             and
             delight
             ,
             more
             than
             ever
             he
             bewailed
             the
             death
             of
             the
             nearest
             and
             dearest
             Relation
             in
             the
             world
             !
             To
             make
             a
             proud
             heart
             renounce
             its
             own
             self-righteousness
             ,
             which
             it
             so
             dotes
             upon
             ,
             and
             take
             all
             shame
             and
             reproach
             to
             it self
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             sin
             !
             This
             is
             wonderful
             .
             You
             would
             think
             it
             a
             strange
             thing
             to
             see
             the
             course
             of
             the
             Tyde
             stopt
             with
             the
             breath
             of
             a
             man
             ;
             but
             O
             what
             a
             marvellous
             thing
             is
             here
             ,
             that
             at
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             Gospel
             by
             a
             poor
             worm
             ,
             the
             Lord
             should
             turn
             the
             Tyde
             of
             the
             Will
             ,
             and
             thus
             work
             about
             the
             Soul
             to
             a
             ready
             compliance
             with
             his
             most
             self-denying
             terms
             and
             proposals
             !
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             And
             that
             which
             farther
             encreaseth
             the
             difficulty
             of
             believing
             is
             the
             fierce
             and
             obstinate
             opposition
             made
             by
             the
             Enemies
             of
             Faith
             :
             All
             the
             powers
             of
             Hell
             and
             Earth
             ,
             Devils
             and
             Men
             without
             us
             ,
             are
             confederate
             and
             in
             league
             with
             the
             Corruptions
             within
             us
             ,
             to
             res●●t
             and
             hinder
             this
             work
             of
             believing
             .
             Never
             is
             the
             Devil
             more
             busie
             than
             when
             Christ
             and
             the
             Soul
             are
             treating
             about
             Union
             .
             Oh
             the
             Discouragements
             ,
             Objections
             and
             Difficulties
             that
             are
             rowled
             into
             the
             way
             of
             Faith
             !
             One
             while
             it
             is
             the
             highest
             
             Presumption
             ;
             another
             while
             it
             is
             impossible
             and
             utterly
             too
             late
             :
             Sometimes
             blasphemous
             injections
             ,
             like
             fiery
             Darts
             ,
             are
             shot
             reeking
             hot
             out
             of
             Hell
             into
             the
             Soul
             :
             Otherwhile
             the
             invincible
             difficulties
             of
             Religion
             are
             objected
             ,
             all
             Losses
             ,
             Torments
             ,
             &c.
             opposed
             unto
             this
             work
             :
             The
             Tempter
             casts
             himself
             into
             a
             thousand
             shapes
             to
             hinder
             the
             Souls
             passage
             out
             of
             Nature
             unto
             Christ.
             Sometimes
             objecting
             the
             greatness
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             the
             lapse
             and
             loss
             of
             the
             proper
             season
             and
             opportunity
             of
             mercy
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             want
             of
             due
             qualifications
             to
             come
             to
             Christ.
             Thus
             ,
             and
             many
             other
             ways
             ,
             he
             endeavours
             to
             rap
             off
             the
             fingers
             of
             Faith
             from
             taking
             hold
             of
             Christ.
             And
             as
             every
             Devil
             in
             Hell
             opposes
             this
             work
             ,
             so
             every
             Carnal
             interest
             we
             have
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             is
             an
             Enemy
             to
             Faith.
             We
             have
             Enemies
             enough
             within
             us
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             without
             us
             ,
             both
             conspiring
             together
             to
             obstruct
             this
             work
             :
             All
             things
             increase
             the
             difficulty
             of
             believing
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             We
             are
             next
             to
             speak
             of
             the
             instruments
             imployed
             in
             this
             great
             design
             ;
             and
             these
             are
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 Principal
                 ,
                 or
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Subordinate
                 .
              
            
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             The
             
               Principal
               instrument
            
             in
             whose
             efficacy
             the
             Heart
             is
             opened
             ,
             is
             
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
            
             ;
             without
             whom
             it
             is
             impossible
             the
             design
             should
             ever
             prosper
             ;
             neither
             Ordinances
             ,
             Providences
             ,
             or
             Ministers
             can
             successfully
             manage
             it
             without
             him
             .
             If
             the
             Lord
             will
             make
             use
             of
             any
             Man
             for
             the
             Conversion
             and
             Salvation
             of
             anothers
             Soul
             ,
             he
             may
             rejoyce
             in
             it
             ;
             but
             withal
             must
             say
             as
             Peter
             to
             the
             Jews
             ,
             
               Acts
               3.
               12.
               
               Why
               look
               ye
               so
               earnestly
               on
               us
               ,
               as
               though
               by
               our
               own
               power
               ,
               or
               holiness
               we
               had
               
               made
               this
               man
               to
               walk
               ?
            
             So
             may
             the
             ablest
             Minister
             in
             the
             World
             say
             ,
             when
             God
             blesses
             his
             labours
             to
             the
             conversion
             of
             any
             Soul
             ;
             look
             not
             upon
             me
             ,
             as
             though
             by
             the
             strength
             of
             my
             reason
             ,
             or
             power
             of
             my
             gifts
             ,
             I
             had
             opened
             thy
             Soul
             to
             Christ
             ;
             this
             is
             the
             work
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
             ,
             in
             whose
             hand
             I
             am
             an
             instrument
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               3.
               7.
               
               He
               that
               plants
               is
               nothing
               ,
               and
               he
               that
               waters
               is
               nothing
               .
            
             Nothing
             in
             himself
             ,
             the
             very
             first
             stroak
             of
             conviction
             which
             is
             introductive
             to
             the
             whole
             work
             of
             conversion
             is
             justly
             ascribed
             to
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             
               Iob.
               16.
               9.
               
               The
               Spirit
               when
               be
               cometh
               shall
               convince
               the
               world
               of
               sin
               .
            
             He
             is
             the
             Lord
             of
             all
             sanctifying
             and
             gracious
             influences
             ;
             Ordinances
             are
             but
             as
             the
             sayls
             of
             a
             Ship
             ,
             Ministers
             as
             the
             Seamen
             that
             manage
             those
             sayls
             ;
             the
             Anchor
             may
             be
             weighed
             ,
             the
             sayls
             spread
             ,
             but
             when
             all
             is
             done
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             sayling
             ,
             till
             a
             gale
             come
             .
             We
             preach
             ,
             and
             pray
             ,
             and
             you
             hear
             ;
             but
             there
             is
             no
             motion
             Christward
             ,
             until
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             (
             comparded
             to
             the
             wind
             ,
             Iohn
             3.
             8.
             
             )
             blow
             upon
             them
             ;
             till
             he
             illuminate
             the
             understanding
             with
             divine
             light
             ,
             and
             bow
             the
             Will
             by
             an
             Almighty
             power
             ;
             there
             can
             be
             no
             Spiritual
             motion
             Heaven-ward
             .
             Now
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             is
             a
             free
             agent
             ,
             tyed
             to
             means
             ,
             time
             or
             instruments
             ;
             but
             as
             at
             a
             certain
             time
             an
             Angel
             came
             down
             upon
             the
             waters
             of
             Bethesda
             and
             put
             a
             healing
             virtue
             into
             them
             ;
             so
             it
             is
             here
             :
             Therefore
             never
             come
             to
             any
             Gospel
             Ordinance
             ,
             without
             an
             Eye
             to
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             on
             whom
             all
             their
             blessing
             and
             efficacy
             depends
             .
             Oh
             ,
             lift
             up
             your
             Hearts
             for
             his
             blessing
             upon
             the
             means
             ,
             as
             ever
             you
             expect
             saving
             benefits
             from
             them
             .
          
           
             (
             2ly
             ,
             )
             The
             Subordinate
             instrumental
             means
             by
             which
             this
             blessed
             design
             is
             effectually
             managed
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             is
             the
             Gospel-ministry
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               
               3.
               5.
               
               Who
               then
               is
            
             Paul
             ,
             
               and
               who
               is
            
             Apollo
             ,
             
               but
               Ministers
               by
               whom
               ye
               believed
               ?
            
             This
             is
             the
             ordinary
             stated
             method
             of
             begetting
             Faith
             ,
             and
             though
             God
             hath
             not
             tyed
             himself
             to
             this
             or
             that
             Minister
             ,
             time
             ,
             or
             place
             ;
             yet
             he
             hath
             tyed
             us
             to
             a
             diligent
             and
             constant
             attendance
             upon
             them
             ,
             
               Rom.
               10.
               14.
               
               How
               then
               shall
               they
               call
               on
               him
               in
               whom
               they
               have
               not
               believed
               ?
               and
               how
               shall
               they
               believe
               in
               him
               of
               whom
               they
               have
               not
               heard
               ?
               and
               how
               shall
               they
               hear
               without
               a
               preacher
               ?
            
             I
             confess
             it
             seems
             a
             very
             unlikely
             means
             ,
             a
             weak
             and
             foolish
             method
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             dictate
             of
             corrupt
             humane
             wisdom
             ;
             yet
             by
             the
             foolishness
             of
             preaching
             ,
             it
             pleases
             God
             to
             save
             them
             that
             believe
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             1.
             21.
             
             That
             which
             the
             wisdom
             of
             Man
             derides
             ,
             God
             makes
             effectual
             unto
             Salvation
             .
             And
             oh
             how
             many
             are
             there
             that
             will
             have
             cause
             to
             bless
             God
             to
             all
             eternity
             for
             gifting
             and
             sending
             such
             Ministers
             among
             them
             ,
             whose
             Doctrin
             the
             Lord
             blessed
             unto
             the
             conversion
             of
             their
             Souls
             !
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             In
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             let
             us
             consider
             the
             scope
             and
             intention
             of
             this
             great
             design
             ,
             wherein
             these
             instruments
             are
             employed
             :
             There
             are
             no
             great
             designs
             in
             the
             World
             but
             aim
             at
             some
             end
             to
             be
             accomplished
             by
             them
             .
             Now
             there
             are
             two
             things
             in
             the
             Eye
             and
             intention
             of
             this
             design
             ,
             which
             are
             worthy
             of
             it
             ;
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             The
             
               exaltation
               of
               his
               own
               grace
            
             ,
             and
             the
             riches
             of
             his
             goodness
             before
             Angels
             and
             Men
             to
             all
             eternity
             .
             The
             Name
             of
             God
             is
             never
             made
             so
             glorious
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             by
             bringing
             over
             the
             Hearts
             of
             Men
             and
             Women
             to
             believe
             .
             God
             reaps
             more
             glory
             from
             the
             faith
             of
             a
             poor
             creature
             that
             comes
             to
             Christ
             empty
             and
             weary
             ,
             than
             he
             doth
             from
             the
             other
             works
             of
             his
             Hands
             :
             He
             hath
             not
             the
             like
             glory
             from
             the
             Sun
             ,
             Moon
             ,
             
             and
             Stars
             ;
             as
             from
             such
             poor
             creatures
             ,
             whose
             Hearts
             open
             to
             Jesus
             Christ
             under
             the
             Gospel
             call
             .
             Thus
             they
             are
             fitted
             to
             manifest
             the
             glory
             of
             his
             grace
             ,
             
               Eph.
               1.
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               To
               the
               praise
               of
               the
               glory
               of
               his
               grace
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             God
             will
             have
             his
             rich
             and
             glorious
             grace
             praised
             and
             admired
             by
             Angels
             and
             Men
             for
             evermore
             ;
             and
             every
             converted
             Soul
             is
             as
             it
             were
             a
             monument
             erected
             unto
             the
             praise
             of
             his
             grace
             .
             Heaven
             will
             ring
             with
             praises
             for
             ever
             ,
             that
             the
             great
             God
             would
             humble
             himself
             to
             come
             into
             the
             Heart
             of
             a
             vile
             sinner
             ,
             and
             dwell
             and
             walk
             therein
             ,
             as
             the
             expression
             is
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             6.
             16.
             
             O
             this
             is
             admirable
             ,
             that
             the
             high
             and
             lofty
             one
             ,
             who
             inhabits
             eternity
             ,
             will
             take
             up
             his
             dwelling
             place
             in
             a
             poor
             contrite
             sinner
             ,
             that
             trembles
             at
             his
             Word
             ,
             Isa.
             57.
             15.
             
          
           
             (
             2ly
             ,
             )
             The
             eternal
             Salvation
             and
             blessedness
             of
             the
             Soul
             so
             opened
             to
             Christ
             ,
             is
             also
             the
             design
             and
             aim
             of
             this
             work
             of
             opening
             the
             Heart
             ,
             Luke
             19.
             9.
             
             When
             the
             Soul
             of
             Zacheus
             was
             opened
             by
             faith
             ,
             
               This
               day
            
             ,
             saith
             Christ
             ,
             
               is
               salvation
               come
               to
               this
               house
               .
            
             You
             do
             not
             only
             believe
             to
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             Salvation
             of
             your
             own
             Souls
             ,
             Heb.
             10.
             39.
             
             The
             opening
             of
             our
             Hearts
             to
             Christ
             now
             ,
             is
             in
             order
             to
             the
             opening
             of
             Heaven
             to
             us
             hereafter
             .
             This
             is
             both
             the
             
               finis
               operis
               &
               operantis
            
             ,
             the
             end
             of
             the
             work
             ,
             and
             intention
             of
             the
             worker
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               1.
               21.
               
               It
               pleased
               God
               by
               the
               foolishness
               of
               preaching
               ,
               to
               save
               them
               that
               do
               believe
               .
            
             It
             presently
             puts
             them
             into
             a
             state
             of
             Salvation
             ,
             though
             they
             be
             not
             yet
             actually
             and
             compleatly
             saved
             .
             There
             is
             a
             necessary
             connection
             betwixt
             Conversion
             and
             Salvation
             ;
             though
             betwixt
             Conversion
             and
             compleat
             Salvation
             there
             may
             be
             many
             groaning
             hours
             ,
             sick
             and
             sad
             days
             and
             
             nights
             ;
             but
             full
             deliverance
             from
             sin
             and
             misery
             is
             secured
             to
             the
             Soul
             in
             the
             work
             of
             Faith
             ,
             Col.
             1.
             27.
             
             
               Christ
               in
               you
               is
               the
               hope
               of
               glory
               .
            
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             Thus
             you
             see
             this
             great
             and
             glorious
             design
             projected
             and
             managed
             ;
             and
             that
             this
             is
             the
             very
             scope
             ,
             aim
             ,
             and
             intention
             of
             the
             whole
             Gospel
             ,
             even
             the
             opening
             the
             Hearts
             of
             sinners
             unto
             Christ
             by
             faith
             ,
             will
             evidently
             appear
             by
             considering
             the
             several
             parts
             of
             the
             Gospel
             which
             have
             a
             direct
             aspect
             upon
             this
             design
             ;
             and
             the
             declared
             end
             of
             the
             Spirit
             who
             is
             sent
             forth
             to
             make
             it
             effectual
             to
             this
             very
             end
             and
             purpose
             .
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             To
             this
             the
             commands
             of
             the
             Gospel
             look
             ;
             it
             lyes
             full
             in
             the
             Eye
             of
             the
             preceptive
             part
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             1
             
               Iob.
               3.
               23.
               
               And
               this
               is
               his
               commandment
               ,
               that
               we
               should
               believe
               on
               the
               Name
               of
               his
               Son
               Iesus
               Christ.
            
             And
             it
             is
             a
             very
             great
             encouragement
             (
             if
             rightly
             considered
             )
             that
             faith
             is
             constituted
             a
             duty
             by
             a
             plain
             Gospel
             precept
             ;
             for
             this
             cuts
             off
             that
             vain
             pretence
             and
             plea
             of
             presumption
             ;
             What
             ,
             such
             a
             vile
             wretch
             as
             thou
             (
             saith
             Satan
             )
             presume
             to
             believe
             in
             Christ
             !
             But
             this
             cuts
             off
             the
             plea.
             Here
             's
             a
             command
             from
             the
             highest
             Sovereignty
             ,
             the
             contempt
             whereof
             Men
             shall
             answer
             at
             their
             utmost
             peril
             .
          
           
             (
             2ly
             ,
             )
             This
             also
             is
             the
             declared
             end
             and
             scope
             of
             the
             Gospel
             
               promises
               and
               threatnings
            
             ,
             whereby
             the
             Souls
             of
             sinners
             are
             assaulted
             on
             both
             sides
             :
             As
             for
             Promises
             ,
             how
             are
             all
             the
             sacred
             pages
             of
             the
             Bible
             adorned
             with
             them
             ,
             as
             the
             Firmament
             with
             radiant
             Stars
             !
             Amongst
             which
             that
             in
             the
             Text
             seems
             to
             excel
             in
             glory
             ,
             
               If
               any
               Man
               open
               to
               me
               ,
               I
               will
               come
               in
               to
               him
               .
            
             Like
             unto
             which
             ,
             is
             that
             
               Iohn
               6.
               35
               ,
               37.
               
               I
               am
               the
               bread
               of
               life
               ,
               he
               that
               cometh
               to
               me
               shall
               never
               hunger
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               believeth
               on
               me
               
               shall
               never
               thirst
               ;
               him
               that
               cometh
               to
               me
               ,
               I
               will
               in
               no
               wise
               cast
               out
               .
            
             Such
             rich
             and
             excellent
             encouragements
             to
             faith
             had
             never
             been
             put
             into
             the
             promises
             ,
             but
             for
             faiths
             sake
             ;
             and
             then
             for
             Gospel
             threatnings
             ,
             though
             they
             have
             a
             dreadful
             sound
             ,
             yet
             they
             have
             a
             gracious
             design
             ;
             what
             a
             terrible
             thunder-clap
             is
             that
             ,
             
               Iohn
               3.
               36.
               
               He
               that
               believeth
               not
               the
               Son
               ,
               shall
               not
               see
               life
               ;
               but
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               abideth
               on
               him
               ?
            
             To
             which
             another
             Threatning
             echoes
             with
             a
             like
             terrible
             voice
             ,
             
               Mark
               16.
               16.
               
               He
               that
               believeth
               not
               shall
               be
               damned
               .
            
             There
             be
             dreadful
             things
             ,
             you
             see
             ,
             threatned
             in
             the
             Gospel
             against
             unbelievers
             ;
             but
             what
             is
             the
             intention
             of
             those
             threatnings
             ,
             but
             to
             scare
             Men
             out
             of
             their
             unbelief
             ,
             and
             carnal
             security
             unto
             Christ
             ?
             And
             thus
             both
             the
             promises
             and
             the
             threatnings
             ,
             though
             of
             far
             different
             natures
             ,
             conspire
             and
             meet
             in
             the
             self
             same
             design
             ,
             even
             to
             open
             the
             Heart
             to
             Christ
             by
             faith
             .
          
           
             (
             3ly
             ,
             )
             For
             the
             sake
             of
             this
             design
             all
             Gospel
             Ordinances
             and
             Officers
             are
             instituted
             and
             appointed
             ,
             maintained
             ,
             and
             continued
             in
             the
             World
             unto
             this
             day
             :
             Why
             did
             Christ
             at
             his
             Triumphant
             ascension
             shed
             forth
             such
             variety
             of
             gifts
             upon
             Men
             ,
             but
             that
             God
             might
             dwell
             among
             them
             ?
             
               Psal.
               68.
               18.
               
               Thou
               hast
               ascended
               on
               high
               ,
               thou
               hast
               led
               captivity
               captive
               ;
               thou
               hast
               received
               gifts
               for
               Men
               ;
               yea
               ,
               for
               the
               rebellious
               also
               ,
               that
               the
               Lord
               God
               might
               dwell
               among
               them
               .
            
             The
             whole
             frame
             of
             Gospel
             ordinances
             is
             declaredly
             set
             up
             for
             this
             purpose
             ,
             to
             bring
             Men
             to
             Christ
             ,
             and
             build
             them
             up
             in
             Christ
             ,
             Eph.
             4.
             12
             :
          
           
             (
             4ly
             ,
             )
             All
             the
             Scripture
             records
             of
             converted
             sinners
             ,
             whose
             Hearts
             God
             hath
             in
             any
             age
             opened
             ,
             were
             made
             for
             this
             very
             purpose
             to
             encourage
             
             other
             Souls
             by
             their
             examples
             to
             believe
             in
             ,
             or
             open
             unto
             Christ
             as
             they
             did
             .
             For
             this
             purpose
             that
             famous
             and
             memorable
             conversion
             of
             Paul
             was
             graciously
             recorded
             ,
             1
             
               Tim.
               1.
               16.
               
               Howbeit
               ,
               for
               this
               cause
               I
               obtained
               mercy
               ,
               that
               in
               me
               first
               ,
               Iesus
               Christ
               might
               shew
               forth
               all
               long-suffering
               ,
               for
               a
               pattern
               to
               them
               that
               should
               hereafter
               believe
               on
               him
               to
               life
               everlasting
               .
            
             Never
             was
             any
             Mans
             Heart
             bolted
             and
             made
             fast
             with
             stronger
             prejudices
             against
             Christ
             ,
             than
             this
             Mans
             was
             ;
             yet
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             opened
             it
             :
             O
             how
             flexible
             was
             his
             will
             !
             
               Lord
               what
               wilt
               thou
               have
               me
               to
               do
               ?
            
             This
             gives
             great
             encouragement
             to
             other
             sinners
             to
             come
             in
             to
             Christ
             as
             he
             did
             ;
             and
             therefore
             when
             Men
             shall
             see
             other
             sinners
             receiving
             Christ
             ,
             and
             themselves
             continue
             still
             obstinate
             ,
             and
             unbelieving
             ;
             those
             very
             examples
             which
             God
             hath
             set
             before
             their
             Eyes
             put
             a
             dreadful
             aggravation
             upon
             their
             unbelief
             ;
             as
             you
             may
             see
             ,
             
               Matth.
               21.
               32.
               
               Iohn
               came
               unto
               you
               in
               the
               way
               of
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               ye
               believed
               him
               not
               ;
               but
               the
               publicans
               and
               harlots
               believed
               him
               ;
               and
               ye
               when
               ye
               had
               seen
               it
               ,
               repented
               not
               afterward
               ,
               that
               you
               might
               believe
               him
               .
               q.
               d.
            
             Though
             you
             saw
             Publicans
             ,
             reputed
             the
             worst
             of
             Men
             ,
             and
             Harlots
             ,
             the
             worst
             of
             Women
             ,
             convinced
             ,
             humbled
             and
             brought
             unto
             faith
             ;
             yet
             these
             fights
             no
             way
             affected
             your
             Souls
             ;
             you
             never
             had
             one
             such
             reflection
             as
             this
             ,
             Lord
             have
             not
             I
             as
             much
             need
             to
             fly
             from
             the
             wrath
             to
             come
             ,
             and
             mind
             the
             Salvation
             of
             my
             own
             Soul
             as
             these
             ?
             Will
             it
             not
             be
             a
             dreadful
             aggravation
             of
             my
             misery
             that
             such
             as
             these
             should
             obtain
             Christ
             and
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             I
             shut
             out
             ?
          
           
             (
             5ly
             ,
             )
             To
             conclude
             ,
             The
             opening
             of
             the
             Heart
             to
             Christ
             is
             the
             very
             end
             and
             errand
             of
             the
             
             
               Spirit
               of
               God
            
             ,
             upon
             whose
             concurrence
             and
             blessing
             the
             success
             of
             all
             Ordinances
             depend
             ;
             upon
             this
             design
             he
             is
             sent
             expresly
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             to
             open
             the
             understanding
             and
             consciences
             of
             sinners
             by
             conviction
             ,
             Iohn
             16.
             9.
             
             For
             it
             is
             not
             in
             the
             power
             of
             the
             Word
             alone
             to
             produce
             this
             effect
             ;
             thousands
             of
             excellent
             Sermons
             may
             be
             preacht
             ,
             and
             not
             one
             Heart
             opened
             by
             conviction
             .
             He
             is
             expresly
             sent
             to
             this
             end
             and
             purpose
             .
             What
             remains
             ,
             is
             the
             Application
             of
             this
             Point
             .
          
        
         
           
             I.
             Vse
             of
             Information
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             opening
             of
             the
             Heart
             to
             Christ
             ,
             be
             the
             great
             and
             direct
             intention
             and
             end
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             
             
               How
               are
               they
               deceived
               that
               bless
               themselves
               in
               the
               attainment
               of
               some
               lesser
               ends
               and
               intentions
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               whilst
               the
               great
               end
               ,
               (
               the
               effectual
               perswasion
               of
               the
               Will
               to
               Christ
               )
               is
               not
               at
               all
               effected
               upon
               them
               !
            
             There
             are
             some
             collateral
             stroaks
             ,
             some
             by
             effects
             ,
             as
             I
             may
             call
             them
             ,
             which
             the
             Gospel
             hath
             upon
             Men.
             It
             would
             pity
             a
             wise
             considerate
             Man
             to
             see
             how
             poor
             Souls
             hug
             themselves
             with
             a
             conceited
             happiness
             in
             these
             lesser
             things
             ,
             whilst
             they
             still
             stick
             fast
             in
             the
             state
             of
             unregeneracy
             .
             I
             would
             seign
             undeceive
             such
             mistaken
             wretches
             ,
             who
             bow
             down
             under
             the
             power
             of
             self-deceit
             ;
             and
             that
             in
             so
             great
             and
             important
             a
             Point
             ,
             in
             which
             their
             eternal
             Salvation
             is
             concorned
             .
             There
             be
             two
             things
             which
             are
             excoeding
             apt
             to
             deceive
             Men
             in
             this
             matter
             ,
             viz.
             
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 Partial
                 convictions
                 on
                 the
                 Understanding
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Transe
                 it
                 motions
                 upon
                 the
                 Affections
                 .
              
            
          
           
           
             In
             these
             two
             things
             multitudes
             deceive
             themselves
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             whole
             design
             of
             the
             Gospel
             were
             accomplished
             upon
             them
             therein
             .
             (
             1.
             )
             Partial
             Convictions
             upon
             the
             Understanding
             ;
             light
             and
             knowledge
             breaking
             into
             the
             mind
             ,
             producing
             orthodoxy
             of
             Judgment
             ;
             this
             seems
             to
             be
             the
             effectual
             opening
             of
             the
             Understanding
             to
             Christ
             ,
             though
             alas
             ,
             to
             this
             day
             they
             never
             saw
             sin
             in
             its
             vileness
             ,
             much
             less
             their
             own
             special
             sin
             ;
             nor
             Christ
             in
             his
             suitableness
             and
             necessity
             .
             People
             that
             live
             under
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             can
             hardly
             avoid
             the
             improvement
             of
             their
             Understandings
             by
             the
             light
             that
             shines
             upon
             them
             :
             Knowledge
             grows
             ,
             Parts
             thrive
             ;
             these
             inable
             them
             to
             discourse
             and
             desend
             the
             Points
             of
             Religion
             excellently
             .
             Yea
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             from
             the
             strength
             of
             these
             Gifts
             ,
             they
             can
             pray
             with
             commendable
             variety
             and
             largeness
             of
             expression
             :
             these
             things
             beget
             applause
             from
             Men
             ,
             and
             confidence
             in
             your selves
             ,
             whilst
             all
             the
             while
             ,
             no
             saving
             influences
             are
             shed
             down
             to
             quicken
             ,
             change
             ,
             and
             spiritualize
             the
             Heart
             .
             (
             2.
             )
             There
             are
             transcient
             motions
             and
             touches
             of
             the
             Gospel
             upon
             the
             affections
             ,
             which
             give
             some
             Men
             their
             melting
             pangs
             and
             moods
             ,
             now
             and
             then
             under
             the
             Word
             ,
             though
             it
             never
             settles
             into
             a
             spiritual
             frame
             ,
             an
             habitual
             heavenliness
             of
             temper
             ;
             of
             such
             the
             Apostle
             speaks
             ,
             Heb.
             6.
             5.
             
             And
             this
             is
             the
             more
             dangerous
             ,
             because
             they
             now
             seem
             to
             have
             attained
             all
             that
             is
             essential
             to
             Religion
             ,
             or
             necessary
             to
             Salvation
             .
             For
             when
             unto
             the
             light
             of
             their
             understandings
             ,
             there
             shall
             be
             added
             melting
             affections
             ;
             
             a
             Man
             now
             seems
             to
             be
             compleat
             in
             all
             that
             the
             Gospel
             requires
             unto
             the
             being
             and
             constitution
             of
             a
             Christian
             ,
             as
             a
             great
             Divine
             speaks
             ;
             for
             thus
             poor
             Souls
             
             are
             apt
             to
             reason
             ;
             If
             I
             had
             only
             light
             in
             my
             mind
             ,
             and
             never
             found
             any
             meltings
             of
             my
             affections
             ,
             I
             might
             suspect
             my self
             justly
             to
             be
             a
             hypocrite
             :
             but
             there
             are
             times
             when
             my
             affections
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             my
             understanding
             seem
             to
             feel
             the
             power
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
             And
             yet
             these
             things
             may
             be
             where
             the
             Heart
             never
             effectually
             opens
             to
             Christ
             ;
             all
             this
             may
             be
             but
             a
             morning
             dew
             ,
             an
             early
             cloud
             that
             vanishes
             away
             ,
             as
             is
             plain
             in
             
             Iohn's
             hearers
             ,
             Iohn
             5.
             35.
             and
             in
             
             Paul's
             hearers
             ,
             Gal.
             41.
             14
             ,
             15.
             
             For
             except
             the
             convictions
             upon
             the
             understanding
             be
             particular
             ,
             and
             effectual
             ,
             and
             the
             motions
             upon
             the
             affections
             setled
             to
             a
             heavenly
             habit
             and
             temper
             ;
             the
             Man
             is
             but
             where
             he
             was
             before
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             real
             state
             and
             condition
             of
             his
             Soul.
             Were
             thy
             understanding
             so
             convinced
             of
             the
             evil
             nature
             and
             dreadful
             consequences
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             thy
             Affections
             and
             Will
             thereupon
             so
             effectually
             determined
             to
             choose
             and
             embrace
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             upon
             a
             considerate
             and
             thorough
             examination
             of
             his
             own
             Terms
             and
             Articles
             propounded
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             then
             thou
             mightest
             conclude
             the
             great
             design
             of
             it
             were
             accomplished
             upon
             thy
             Soul
             ;
             but
             to
             rest
             in
             general
             convictions
             ,
             and
             transient
             affections
             without
             this
             ,
             is
             but
             to
             mock
             and
             deceive
             thy
             own
             Soul.
             Alas
             ,
             this
             comes
             not
             home
             to
             the
             main
             end
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
        
         
           
             II.
             Inference
             .
          
           
             Learn
             from
             hence
             ,
             the
             prodigious
             stubornness
             and
             hardness
             of
             the
             Hearts
             of
             Men
             living
             dayly
             under
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             
             which
             still
             resist
             it
             ,
             though
             it
             bear
             upon
             them
             in
             part
             of
             it
             .
          
           
           
             You
             have
             heard
             how
             all
             its
             
               commands
               ,
               promises
               ,
               threatnings
            
             and
             examples
             ,
             bear
             directly
             and
             joyntly
             upon
             the
             Hearts
             of
             sinners
             ,
             to
             get
             open
             the
             Will
             to
             Christ.
             And
             yet
             how
             few
             are
             there
             comparatively
             that
             obey
             and
             answer
             this
             great
             design
             of
             it
             !
             All
             these
             are
             like
             Heavens
             great
             Artillery
             planted
             against
             the
             unbelief
             and
             stubornness
             of
             the
             Hearts
             of
             Men
             ,
             to
             batter
             down
             their
             carnal
             reasonings
             ,
             overthrow
             their
             vain
             hopes
             ,
             and
             open
             a
             fair
             passage
             for
             Christ
             into
             their
             Soul
             ,
             2
             
               Cor.
               10.
               4
               ,
               5.
               
               For
               the
               weapons
               of
               our
               warfare
               are
               niot
               carnal
               ,
               but
               mighty
               through
               God
               ;
               to
               the
               pulling
               down
               of
               strong
               holds
               ,
               casting
               down
               imaginations
               ,
               and
               every
               high
               thing
               that
               exalts
               it self
               against
               the
               knowledge
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               bringing
               into
               captivity
               every
               thought
               to
               the
               obedience
               of
               Christ.
            
             If
             a
             mount
             be
             raised
             ,
             and
             many
             Canon
             planted
             thereon
             ,
             and
             all
             play'd
             against
             the
             wall
             of
             a
             Fort
             ,
             thousands
             of
             shots
             made
             ,
             and
             yet
             no
             breach
             ,
             not
             one
             stone
             moved
             out
             of
             its
             place
             ;
             you
             will
             say
             that
             's
             a
             strong
             Wall
             indeed
             .
             Beloved
             ,
             God
             hath
             as
             I
             may
             say
             ,
             raised
             a
             Mount
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             planted
             the
             great
             Ordinance
             of
             Heaven
             upon
             it
             ;
             discharged
             many
             dreadful
             vollies
             of
             threatnings
             ,
             nay
             he
             hath
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             come
             under
             the
             walls
             of
             the
             unbelieving
             Soul
             ,
             with
             terms
             of
             grace
             and
             mercy
             ,
             and
             yet
             no
             opening
             ;
             O
             prodigious
             obstinacy
             !
             
               We
               have
               piped
               unto
               you
               ,
               but
               ye
               have
               not
               danced
               ;
               we
               have
               mourned
               unto
               you
               ,
               but
               ye
               have
               not
               lamented
               ,
            
             Matth.
             11.
             17.
             
             Neither
             the
             sweet
             Airs
             of
             Gospel
             Grace
             ,
             nor
             the
             dreadful
             thunders
             of
             the
             Law
             make
             any
             impression
             upon
             you
             .
             O
             what
             an
             obdurate
             Rock
             is
             the
             Heart
             by
             nature
             !
             Certainly
             ,
             every
             Christian
             may
             see
             enough
             in
             others
             ,
             and
             find
             enough
             in
             himself
             ;
             without
             the
             help
             of
             
             other
             Books
             ,
             to
             confute
             the
             Arminian
             Doctrian
             which
             so
             extolls
             and
             flatters
             the
             nature
             of
             man.
             It
             is
             as
             possible
             to
             make
             an
             impression
             with
             your
             finger
             upon
             a
             wall
             of
             brass
             ,
             as
             for
             the
             best
             Sermon
             in
             the
             world
             in
             its
             own
             strength
             ,
             to
             make
             an
             effectual
             saving
             impression
             upon
             a
             sinners
             Will.
             
          
        
         
           
             III.
             Inference
             .
          
           
             Is
             it
             the
             great
             design
             of
             the
             Gospel
             to
             open
             the
             hearts
             of
             men
             to
             Christ
             ,
             
               then
               wonder
               not
               that
               it
               meets
               with
               such
               strong
               and
               fierce
               opposition
               from
               Satan
               wherever
               it
               is
               sincerely
               and
               powerfully
               preached
               .
            
             As
             for
             general
             and
             formal
             preaching
             ,
             which
             comes
             not
             to
             the
             quick
             ,
             the
             Devil
             is
             not
             so
             much
             concerned
             about
             it
             ;
             he
             knows
             it
             will
             do
             him
             no
             great
             damage
             ;
             nay
             ,
             it
             fastens
             and
             secures
             his
             interest
             in
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             .
             But
             wherever
             the
             Gospel
             comes
             with
             spirit
             and
             power
             ,
             laying
             the
             Ax
             to
             the
             Root
             ,
             shewing
             men
             the
             vanity
             of
             their
             ungrounded
             hopes
             ,
             pressing
             the
             necessity
             of
             Regeneration
             and
             Faith
             ,
             this
             preaching
             quickly
             gives
             an
             alarm
             to
             Hell
             ,
             and
             raises
             all
             manner
             of
             opposition
             against
             it
             .
             
               What
               is
               it
               to
               preach
               the
               Gospel
               ,
            
             said
             
               Luther
               ,
               but
               to
               derive
               the
               rage
               and
               fury
               of
               the
               whole
               world
               upon
               us
               ?
            
             Satan
             is
             the
             God
             of
             this
             world
             ,
             all
             men
             by
             Nature
             are
             his
             born
             Subjects
             :
             No
             Prince
             on
             earth
             is
             more
             jealous
             of
             the
             revolt
             of
             his
             Subjects
             than
             he
             ;
             and
             its
             time
             for
             him
             to
             bestir
             himself
             when
             the
             Gospel
             comes
             to
             dethrone
             him
             ,
             as
             it
             doth
             in
             the
             faithful
             preaching
             of
             it
             ,
             
               Iohn
               12.
               31.
               
               Now
               is
               the
               Judgment
               of
               this
               world
               ,
               now
               shall
               the
               Prince
               of
               this
               world
               be
               cast
               out
               .
            
             Now
             he
             falls
             as
             Lightning
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             
               Luke
               10.
               18.
            
             
             Now
             Sinners
             are
             made
             sensible
             of
             the
             cruel
             tyranny
             and
             bondage
             of
             Satan's
             Government
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             glorious
             
             liberty
             offered
             to
             them
             by
             Jesus
             Christ.
             Satan
             suspecting
             the
             Issue
             of
             these
             things
             ,
             bestirs
             himself
             to
             purpose
             .
             O
             what
             showers
             of
             Calumnies
             ,
             and
             storms
             of
             Persecution
             doth
             he
             pour
             upon
             the
             Names
             and
             Persons
             of
             Christ's
             faithful
             Ambassadours
             !
             certainly
             he
             owes
             Christ's
             Ministers
             a
             spight
             ,
             and
             they
             shall
             know
             and
             feel
             it
             ,
             if
             ever
             he
             get
             them
             within
             the
             compass
             of
             his
             Chain
             .
             But
             let
             this
             discourage
             none
             imployed
             in
             this
             glorious
             design
             ;
             the
             Lord
             is
             with
             them
             to
             protect
             their
             persons
             ,
             and
             reward
             their
             diligence
             .
          
        
         
           
             IV.
             Inference
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             opening
             of
             the
             heart
             be
             the
             main
             design
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             
             
               then
               Christ
               and
               Faith
               ought
               to
               be
               the
               principal
               Subjects
               that
               Ministers
               should
               insist
               on
               among
               their
               people
               .
            
          
           
             There
             are
             many
             other
             useful
             Doctrins
             ,
             which
             may
             and
             ought
             to
             be
             opened
             and
             prest
             in
             their
             time
             and
             place
             .
             Moral
             duties
             ,
             &c.
             have
             their
             excellencies
             ;
             but
             Christ
             and
             Faith
             are
             the
             great
             things
             we
             are
             to
             preach
             .
             Let
             men
             be
             once
             brought
             to
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             rest
             will
             follow
             ;
             but
             to
             begin
             and
             end
             with
             Morality
             will
             never
             make
             men
             Gospel
             Christians
             .
             Grace
             teaches
             
               Morality
               ,
               Titus
               2.
               11.
            
             but
             Morality
             without
             Grace
             saves
             no
             man.
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             it
             hath
             been
             a
             grand
             Artifice
             of
             the
             Devil
             to
             confound
             Grace
             with
             Morality
             ;
             and
             make
             men
             believe
             that
             nothing
             more
             is
             requir'd
             unto
             mens
             salvation
             but
             a
             
               civil
               sober
               conversation
            
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             so
             lay
             by
             the
             principal
             part
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             which
             opens
             and
             presses
             the
             necessity
             of
             Regeneration
             ,
             Repentance
             ,
             and
             Faith
             in
             the
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             :
             Such
             preaching
             as
             this
             answers
             
             not
             the
             end
             and
             design
             of
             Christ
             in
             the
             conversion
             of
             Souls
             ;
             such
             toothless
             preaching
             disturbs
             not
             the
             Consciences
             of
             men
             ;
             the
             Lord
             help
             all
             his
             Ambassadours
             to
             mind
             the
             Example
             and
             Charge
             of
             their
             Redeemer
             ,
             and
             laying
             aside
             all
             carnal
             interest
             ,
             to
             apply
             themselves
             faithfully
             unto
             the
             Souls
             and
             Consciences
             of
             their
             hearers
             ,
             
               not
               as
               men-pleasers
               ,
               but
               as
               the
               servants
               of
               Christ.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             II.
             Vse
             of
             Conviction
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             This
             Doctrin
             is
             of
             excellent
             Use
             to
             convince
             men
             of
             the
             dreadful
             damning
             nature
             of
             the
             sin
             of
             Unbelief
             :
             A
             sin
             which
             defeats
             and
             frustrates
             the
             main
             design
             of
             the
             blessed
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             on
             the
             Unbelievers
             Soul.
             
          
           
             This
             is
             the
             sin
             that
             keeps
             the
             heart
             fast
             shut
             against
             him
             .
             As
             Faith
             is
             the
             
               radical
               Grace
            
             ,
             so
             Unbelief
             is
             the
             
               radical
               Sin.
            
             What
             shall
             I
             say
             of
             it
             ?
             it
             is
             the
             
               Traytors
               Gate
            
             through
             which
             those
             Souls
             pass
             ,
             that
             are
             to
             perish
             for
             ever
             .
             The
             Gospel
             can
             do
             you
             no
             good
             ,
             the
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             can
             yield
             you
             no
             saving
             benefit
             ,
             whilst
             your
             Souls
             remain
             under
             the
             dominion
             and
             power
             of
             this
             sin
             .
             When
             we
             consider
             the
             mighty
             Arguments
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             we
             may
             wonder
             that
             all
             that
             hear
             them
             are
             not
             immediately
             perswaded
             to
             Christ
             by
             them
             .
             And
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             when
             we
             consider
             the
             mighty
             power
             of
             Unbelief
             ,
             how
             strongly
             it
             holds
             the
             Soul
             in
             bondage
             to
             sin
             ;
             we
             may
             admire
             that
             any
             Soul
             is
             brought
             over
             to
             Christ
             by
             the
             Gospel
             .
             It
             was
             not
             without
             cause
             that
             the
             Apostle
             puts
             faith
             in
             Christ
             among
             the
             great
             Mysteries
             and
             Wonders
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             1
             
               Tim.
               3.
               16.
            
             
             Now
             the
             intrinsick
             evil
             and
             fearful
             consequences
             of
             this
             sin
             
             of
             Unbelief
             will
             appear
             in
             these
             following
             particulars
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Unbelief
             fixes
             the
             guilt
             of
             all
             other
             sins
             on
             the
             person
             of
             the
             Unbeliever
             ;
             it
             binds
             them
             all
             fast
             upon
             his
             Soul
             ,
             
               Iohn
               8.
               24.
               
               For
               if
               ye
               believe
               not
               that
               I
               am
               he
               ,
               ye
               shall
               dye
               in
               your
               sins
               .
            
             Dye
             in
             thy
             sins
             man
             !
             it
             were
             better
             for
             thee
             to
             dye
             in
             a
             Ditch
             .
             What
             more
             terrible
             can
             God
             threaten
             ,
             or
             man
             feel
             ?
             This
             is
             the
             sin
             that
             makes
             
               the
               death
               of
               Christ
               of
               none
               effect
               to
               us
               ,
            
             Gal.
             5.
             4.
             
             There
             is
             indeed
             a
             soveraign
             virtue
             in
             the
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             to
             pardon
             sin
             ,
             but
             thy
             Soul
             cannot
             have
             the
             benefit
             of
             it
             while
             it
             remains
             under
             the
             dominion
             of
             this
             sin
             .
             As
             it
             was
             said
             of
             the
             miraculous
             works
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               He
               could
               do
               no
               mighty
               works
               there
               ,
               because
               of
               their
               unbelief
               ,
            
             Matth.
             13.
             58.
             so
             none
             of
             his
             spiritual
             works
             ,
             no
             ordinances
             can
             do
             thy
             Soul
             good
             till
             the
             Lord
             break
             the
             power
             of
             this
             sin
             ,
             
               Hebr.
               4.
               2.
               
               The
               word
               preached
               did
               not
               profit
               them
               ,
               not
               being
               mixed
               in
               faith
               in
               them
               that
               heard
               it
               .
            
             If
             a
             man
             were
             dangerously
             sick
             ,
             or
             wounded
             ,
             the
             richest
             Cordial
             or
             most
             soveraign
             Plaister
             in
             the
             world
             can
             never
             recover
             him
             ,
             unless
             received
             and
             applyed
             .
             Unbelief
             spills
             the
             most
             soveraign
             Cordials
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             as
             Water
             upon
             the
             ground
             .
             The
             greatest
             sins
             that
             ever
             thou
             committedst
             might
             be
             pardoned
             ,
             did
             not
             this
             sin
             lye
             in
             the
             way
             ;
             were
             this
             gone
             ,
             all
             the
             rest
             were
             gone
             too
             ;
             but
             whilst
             Unbelief
             remains
             ,
             they
             also
             remain
             upon
             thee
             .
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             Of
             all
             the
             sins
             that
             are
             upon
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             most
             difficult
             sin
             to
             be
             removed
             and
             cured
             :
             Other
             sins
             lye
             more
             open
             to
             conviction
             ,
             but
             this
             hath
             the
             most
             specious
             pretences
             to
             countenance
             and
             defend
             it
             .
             Men
             commit
             this
             sin
             out
             of
             a
             fear
             of
             sin
             .
             They
             will
             not
             believe
             ,
             lest
             
             they
             should
             presume
             .
             They
             dare
             not
             believe
             because
             they
             are
             not
             qualified
             .
             The
             strength
             of
             other
             sins
             meets
             in
             this
             sin
             of
             Unbelief
             :
             it
             is
             the
             strongest
             Fort
             wherein
             Satan
             trusteth
             .
             Take
             an
             Adulterer
             ,
             or
             a
             profane
             Swearer
             ,
             and
             you
             have
             a
             fair
             open
             way
             to
             convince
             him
             of
             his
             sin
             :
             shew
             him
             the
             Command
             he
             hath
             violated
             ,
             and
             he
             hath
             nothing
             to
             say
             in
             his
             own
             defence
             :
             but
             the
             Unbeliever
             hath
             a
             thousand
             plausible
             defences
             .
          
           
             3ly
             ,
             This
             is
             the
             great
             damning
             sin
             of
             the
             world
             .
             I
             do
             not
             say
             but
             all
             other
             sins
             deserve
             damnation
             ,
             (
             for
             
               the
               wages
               of
               sin
               is
               death
               )
            
             but
             this
             is
             the
             sin
             in
             the
             virtue
             whereof
             other
             sins
             damn
             and
             ruin
             the
             Soul.
             
               This
               is
               the
               Condemnation
            
             ,
             John
             3.
             19.
             
             And
             as
             it
             is
             a
             damning
             sin
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             a
             sin
             which
             damns
             with
             aggravated
             damnation
             ,
             2
             
               Thess.
               1.
               8.
            
             
             O
             then
             let
             us
             mourn
             over
             ,
             and
             tremble
             at
             this
             dreadful
             sin
             ,
             which
             opposes
             and
             so
             often
             frustrates
             the
             great
             design
             and
             main
             end
             of
             the
             whole
             Gospel
             .
          
        
         
           
             IV.
             Vse
             for
             Exhortation
             .
          
           
             Is
             it
             the
             main
             scope
             of
             the
             Gospel
             to
             bring
             men
             to
             Christ
             by
             Faith
             ,
             
               then
               be
               perswaded
               heartily
               to
               comply
               with
               this
               great
               design
               of
               the
               Father
               ,
               Son
               ,
               and
               Spirit
               ,
               Ministers
               ,
               Ordinances
               ,
               and
               Providences
               ,
               in
               opening
               your
               hearts
               to
               receive
               Christ
               this
               day
               by
               Faith
               unfeigned
               .
            
          
           
             And
             oh
             that
             I
             could
             suitably
             press
             this
             great
             Point
             ,
             which
             falls
             in
             so
             directly
             with
             the
             main
             stream
             and
             scope
             of
             the
             whole
             Gospel
             :
             And
             oh
             ,
             that
             whilst
             I
             am
             pressing
             it
             ,
             you
             would
             list
             up
             an
             hearty
             cry
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             
               Lord
               give
               me
               faith
               ,
               whatever
               else
               thou
               deny
               me
               ;
               open
               my
               heart
               to
               Christ
               under
               the
               Gospel
               Calls
               .
            
             I
             do
             not
             only
             press
             you
             to
             a
             
             general
             and
             common
             assent
             to
             the
             Truths
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             
               that
               Christ
               is
               come
               in
               the
               flesh
               ,
               and
               laid
               down
               his
               life
               for
               sinners
            
             ;
             but
             unto
             
               an
               hearty
               Evangelical
               consent
               to
               receive
               him
               upon
               Gospel
               terms
               ;
               to
               close
               with
               him
               in
               all
               his
               Offices
               ,
               subjecting
               heart
               and
               life
               unto
               his
               Authority
               ,
               living
               entirely
               upon
               him
               for
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               to
               him
               by
               holiness
               .
            
             The
             value
             of
             such
             a
             Faith
             as
             this
             ,
             is
             above
             all
             estimation
             .
             For
             (
             1.
             )
             this
             is
             the
             Grace
             which
             God
             hath
             dignified
             ,
             and
             crowned
             with
             Glory
             and
             Honour
             above
             all
             its
             fellow
             Graces
             .
             It
             s
             singular
             Praises
             and
             Encomiums
             are
             in
             all
             the
             Scriptures
             .
             This
             is
             called
             
               precious
               faith
               ,
               2
               Pet.
               1.
               1.
               
               Soul
               enriching
               faith
               ,
               Iames
               2.
               5.
               
            
             That
             's
             a
             miserable
             poor
             Soul
             indeed
             that
             is
             destitute
             of
             it
             ,
             whatever
             the
             Largesses
             of
             Providence
             have
             been
             to
             him
             .
             And
             he
             is
             truly
             rich
             ,
             to
             whom
             God
             hath
             given
             Faith
             ,
             whatever
             he
             hath
             denied
             him
             of
             the
             comforts
             of
             this
             life
             .
             This
             Christ
             calls
             the
             work
             of
             God
             ,
             
               Iohn
               6.
               29.
               
               This
               is
               the
               work
               of
               God
               that
               you
               believe
               .
            
             Why
             ?
             so
             are
             all
             other
             things
             that
             your
             eyes
             behold
             ,
             they
             are
             the
             works
             of
             God
             ;
             the
             Earth
             ,
             the
             Sea
             ,
             the
             Sun
             ,
             Moon
             and
             Stars
             ,
             they
             are
             his
             handy-work
             .
             True
             ,
             they
             are
             so
             ;
             but
             this
             is
             
               the
               work
            
             ,
             the
             most
             eminent
             ,
             glorious
             ,
             and
             admirable
             work
             of
             God
             ,
             
               sine
               pari
            
             ,
             excelling
             all
             his
             other
             works
             which
             your
             eyes
             behold
             .
             And
             (
             2.
             )
             that
             which
             exalts
             and
             dignifies
             it
             ,
             not
             only
             above
             all
             the
             works
             of
             God's
             hands
             ,
             but
             even
             above
             its
             fellow
             Graces
             ,
             the
             works
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             is
             that
             high
             Office
             unto
             which
             it
             is
             appointed
             in
             the
             justification
             of
             a
             Sinner
             .
             God
             hath
             singled
             out
             this
             Grace
             from
             among
             all
             the
             other
             Graces
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             instrument
             of
             receiving
             and
             applying
             the
             righteousness
             of
             Christ
             for
             the
             justification
             of
             a
             guilty
             Soul
             ,
             
               Rom.
               5.
               1.
            
             
             You
             are
             never
             said
             to
             be
             
             justified
             by
             love
             ,
             hope
             ,
             or
             desire
             ,
             but
             by
             faith
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             all
             other
             Graces
             are
             supposed
             in
             the
             person
             justified
             ,
             but
             none
             apprehends
             and
             applies
             the
             righteousness
             of
             Christ
             for
             justification
             ,
             but
             this
             only
             .
             And
             the
             justifying
             act
             of
             faith
             being
             a
             receiving
             act
             ,
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             is
             therein
             secured
             ,
             
               therefore
               it
               is
               of
               Faith
               that
               it
               might
               be
               by
               Grace
               .
            
             (
             3.
             )
             The
             Grace
             of
             Faith
             ,
             which
             I
             am
             recommending
             to
             you
             this
             day
             ,
             is
             not
             only
             the
             instrument
             of
             your
             Justification
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             also
             the
             bond
             of
             your
             union
             with
             Christ
             ,
             
               Eph.
               3.
               17.
               
               That
               Christ
               may
               dwell
               in
               your
               hearts
               by
               Faith.
            
             'T
             is
             the
             uniting
             Grace
             ,
             the
             Marriage
             Knot
             ,
             't
             is
             that
             which
             gives
             interest
             in
             ,
             and
             title
             to
             the
             person
             and
             benefits
             of
             Christ.
             The
             great
             thing
             upon
             which
             the
             eyes
             of
             all
             the
             awakened
             world
             are
             intently
             and
             solicitously
             fixed
             .
             Whatever
             apprehensions
             you
             have
             of
             an
             interest
             in
             Christ
             ,
             and
             whatever
             his
             benefits
             be
             worth
             in
             your
             eyes
             ;
             neither
             himself
             ,
             or
             them
             can
             ever
             be
             obtained
             without
             Faith.
             O
             Brethren
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             day
             coming
             ,
             when
             they
             that
             now
             sleight
             and
             neglect
             this
             interest
             and
             concern
             of
             their
             Souls
             ,
             would
             gladly
             part
             with
             ten
             thousand
             worlds
             for
             a
             good
             title
             to
             Christ
             ,
             could
             it
             be
             purchased
             therewith
             :
             But
             it
             is
             Faith
             ,
             and
             nothing
             without
             Faith
             ,
             that
             intitles
             you
             to
             Christ
             ,
             and
             to
             his
             benefits
             .
             (
             4.
             )
             That
             which
             should
             yet
             more
             endear
             this
             Grace
             of
             Faith
             to
             you
             is
             this
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             the
             hand
             which
             receives
             your
             pardon
             from
             the
             hand
             of
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Messenger
             that
             brings
             a
             sealed
             Pardon
             to
             a
             trembling
             Sinner
             ,
             
               Acts
               10.
               43.
               
               And
               by
               him
               all
               that
               believe
               are
               justified
               from
               all
               things
               ,
               from
               which
               they
               could
               not
               be
               justified
               by
               the
               Law
               of
            
             Moses
             .
             Cleared
             of
             all
             those
             sins
             from
             which
             the
             Law
             could
             never
             clear
             them
             ,
             nor
             any
             Repentance
             ,
             Restitution
             ,
             
             or
             Obedience
             of
             their
             own
             without
             Faith
             ,
             O
             what
             a
             welcom
             Messenger
             is
             Faith
             ,
             and
             what
             joyful
             tydings
             doth
             it
             bring
             !
             you
             would
             say
             so
             ,
             if
             ever
             you
             had
             felt
             the
             efficacy
             of
             the
             Law
             upon
             your
             Consciences
             ;
             if
             ever
             you
             had
             lain
             ,
             as
             some
             sinners
             have
             ,
             with
             a
             cold
             sweating
             horrour
             upon
             your
             panting
             bosoms
             ,
             under
             the
             apprehensions
             of
             the
             wrath
             God.
             This
             fruit
             of
             Faith
             is
             rather
             to
             be
             admired
             than
             exprest
             ,
             
               Psal.
               32.
               1.
            
             
             (
             5.
             )
             Faith
             is
             not
             only
             the
             Messenger
             that
             brings
             you
             a
             Pardon
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             ,
             as
             I
             may
             say
             ,
             that
             heavenly
             Herauld
             that
             publishes
             Peace
             in
             the
             Soul
             of
             a
             Sinner
             .
             O
             Peace
             ,
             how
             sweet
             a
             word
             art
             thou
             !
             how
             welcom
             to
             a
             poor
             condemned
             Sinner
             !
             
               Beautiful
               upon
               the
               Mountains
               are
               the
               feet
               of
               them
               that
               publish
               peace
               .
            
             Now
             't
             is
             faith
             that
             brings
             this
             blessed
             News
             ,
             and
             publishes
             it
             in
             the
             Soul
             ,
             without
             which
             all
             the
             publishers
             of
             peace
             without
             us
             ,
             can
             administer
             but
             little
             support
             ,
             
               Rom.
               5.
               1.
            
             
             Faith
             brings
             the
             Soul
             out
             of
             the
             Storms
             and
             Tempests
             with
             which
             it
             was
             tossed
             ,
             into
             a
             sweet
             Rest
             and
             Calm
             ,
             
               Hebr.
               4.
               3.
               
               We
               which
               have
               believed
               do
               enter
               into
               Rest.
            
             Is
             the
             quiet
             Harbour
             welcom
             to
             poor
             weather-beaten
             Seamen
             after
             they
             have
             past
             furious
             storms
             and
             many
             fears
             upon
             the
             raging
             Sea
             ?
             O
             how
             welcom
             then
             must
             Peace
             be
             to
             that
             Soul
             that
             hath
             been
             tossed
             upon
             the
             tempestuous
             Ocean
             of
             its
             own
             fears
             and
             terrours
             ,
             blown
             up
             and
             incensed
             by
             the
             terrible
             blasts
             of
             the
             Law
             and
             Conscience
             ?
             It
             was
             a
             comfortable
             sight
             to
             Noah
             and
             his
             Family
             to
             see
             an
             
               Olive
               leaf
            
             in
             the
             mouth
             of
             the
             Dove
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             knew
             the
             waters
             were
             abated
             .
             But
             oh
             ,
             what
             is
             it
             to
             hear
             such
             a
             voice
             as
             this
             from
             the
             mouth
             of
             Faith
             !
             
               Fury
               is
               not
               in
               me
            
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ;
             his
             anger
             is
             turned
             away
             ,
             and
             he
             
             comforteth
             thee
             .
             Fear
             not
             thou
             poor
             tempestuous
             Soul
             ,
             the
             God
             of
             Peace
             is
             thy
             God.
             (
             6.
             )
             Faith
             doth
             not
             only
             bring
             the
             tempestuous
             Soul
             into
             a
             Calm
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             the
             Grace
             also
             which
             opens
             to
             the
             Soul
             a
             door
             of
             access
             into
             the
             gracious
             presence
             of
             God
             ;
             without
             it
             there
             is
             no
             coming
             to
             him
             acceptably
             ,
             
               Hebr.
               11.
               6.
               
               He
               that
               cometh
               unto
               God
               must
               believe
               .
            
             This
             liberty
             and
             access
             to
             God
             is
             indeed
             the
             purchase
             of
             the
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             ;
             he
             procur'd
             it
             at
             a
             great
             Sum
             ;
             But
             Faith
             is
             the
             Grace
             that
             brings
             the
             Soul
             actually
             into
             the
             presence
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             there
             helps
             it
             to
             open
             and
             ease
             its
             griefs
             ;
             and
             with
             liberty
             of
             Speech
             to
             discover
             all
             its
             grievances
             ,
             fears
             ,
             and
             burthens
             to
             the
             Lord.
             And
             truly
             ,
             this
             world
             were
             not
             worth
             the
             living
             in
             ,
             without
             such
             a
             blessed
             vent
             to
             our
             troubles
             as
             this
             is
             .
             The
             Believer
             only
             hath
             gotten
             the
             key
             that
             opens
             the
             door
             of
             access
             unto
             God
             ;
             if
             he
             have
             any
             sins
             ,
             wants
             ,
             burthens
             ,
             affictions
             ,
             temptations
             ,
             &c.
             here
             he
             can
             ease
             them
             .
             Ah
             Christian
             ,
             the
             time
             may
             come
             when
             thy
             heart
             may
             be
             filled
             with
             sorrows
             to
             the
             brim
             ,
             and
             there
             may
             not
             be
             found
             a
             person
             of
             thy
             acquaintance
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             whom
             thou
             canst
             turn
             to
             ease
             thy
             sorrows
             ,
             or
             give
             vent
             to
             thy
             troubles
             :
             Now
             blessed
             be
             God
             for
             Faith.
             O
             the
             ease
             one
             act
             of
             Faith
             gives
             a
             troubled
             Soul
             ,
             which
             is
             like
             Bottles
             full
             of
             new
             Wine
             ,
             and
             must
             either
             vent
             or
             break
             !
             well
             may
             it
             be
             said
             ,
             
               The
               Iust
               shall
               live
               by
               Faith
            
             ;
             how
             can
             we
             imagine
             we
             should
             live
             without
             it
             ?
             Certainly
             our
             Afflictions
             and
             Temptations
             would
             swallow
             us
             up
             ,
             were
             it
             not
             for
             the
             sweet
             assiduous
             reliefs
             that
             come
             in
             by
             Faith.
             (
             7.
             )
             And
             yet
             farther
             to
             enflame
             your
             desires
             after
             Faith
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             Grace
             that
             gives
             you
             the
             Soul
             reviving
             sights
             of
             the
             
             invisible
             world
             ,
             without
             which
             this
             world
             would
             be
             a
             dungeon
             to
             us
             ,
             
               Heb.
               11.
               1.
            
             
             'T
             is
             not
             only
             the
             substance
             of
             things
             hoped
             for
             ,
             but
             the
             evidence
             of
             things
             not
             seen
             .
             O'tis
             a
             precious
             Eye
             ,
             how
             transporting
             are
             those
             visions
             of
             faith
             ,
             1
             
               Pet.
               1.
               8.
               
               Whom
               having
               not
               seen
               we
               love
               ,
               whom
               though
               now
               we
               see
               him
               not
               ,
               yet
               believing
               we
               rejoyce
               ,
               with
               joy
               unspeakable
               and
               full
               of
               glory
               .
            
             We
             that
             preach
             of
             Heaven
             to
             you
             ,
             cannot
             shew
             you
             the
             glorious
             person
             of
             Christ
             there
             ;
             nor
             the
             Thrones
             ,
             Crowns
             ,
             and
             Palms
             that
             are
             above
             ;
             but
             faith
             can
             make
             these
             things
             visible
             .
             That
             's
             an
             Eye
             that
             can
             penetrate
             the
             Clouds
             ,
             and
             shew
             you
             him
             that
             is
             invissible
             ,
             
               Heb.
               11.
               27.
            
             
             (
             8.
             )
             The
             grace
             of
             faith
             ,
             which
             I
             am
             recommending
             to
             you
             this
             day
             ,
             is
             instrumentally
             the
             livelyhood
             of
             your
             Souls
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             
               Hab.
               2.
               4.
               
               The
               just
               shall
               live
               by
               his
               faith
               .
            
             When
             God
             gives
             a
             Soul
             faith
             ,
             he
             gives
             it
             him
             for
             a
             livelyhood
             ,
             and
             expects
             he
             should
             keep
             house
             upon
             it
             ,
             while
             he
             is
             in
             this
             World
             ;
             and
             God
             reckons
             he
             hath
             made
             plentiful
             provision
             for
             your
             Souls
             ,
             when
             he
             hath
             given
             them
             faith
             ,
             and
             furnished
             out
             such
             variety
             of
             precious
             promises
             for
             your
             faith
             to
             feed
             upon
             .
             
               Abraham
               ,
               Moses
               ,
               David
            
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Saints
             kept
             house
             upon
             no
             other
             provision
             but
             what
             faith
             brought
             in
             ,
             and
             at
             what
             a
             high
             and
             excellent
             rate
             did
             they
             live
             ?
             Here
             Man
             eateth
             Angels
             food
             .
             'T
             is
             a
             store-house
             of
             Provision
             ,
             't
             is
             a
             shop
             of
             
               Cordials
               ,
               I
               had
               fainted
               ,
               unless
               I
               had
               believed
               ,
            
             Psal.
             27.
             13.
             
             A
             believer
             lives
             the
             highest
             life
             of
             all
             Men
             upon
             earth
             ;
             and
             as
             the
             believers
             Soul
             is
             dayly
             fed
             by
             faith
             ,
             so
             all
             the
             other
             graces
             in
             his
             Soul
             are
             maintained
             and
             dayly
             supported
             by
             the
             provisions
             faith
             brings
             them
             in
             .
             The
             other
             graces
             (
             as
             one
             saith
             )
             like
             the
             
             young
             birds
             in
             the
             nest
             ,
             live
             upon
             that
             provision
             this
             grace
             of
             faith
             gathers
             for
             them
             ,
             and
             puts
             into
             their
             mouths
             .
             Take
             away
             faith
             ,
             and
             you
             quickly
             starve
             the
             Soul
             of
             a
             Christian
             ;
             will
             not
             all
             this
             engage
             your
             desires
             after
             faith
             ?
             Why
             then
             (
             9.
             )
             consider
             this
             is
             the
             grace
             whereby
             we
             dye
             safely
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             live
             comfortably
             ;
             as
             you
             cannot
             live
             comfortably
             without
             it
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             so
             neither
             can
             you
             dye
             safely
             or
             comfortably
             without
             it
             when
             you
             go
             out
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             
               Heb.
               11.
               13.
               
               These
               all
               dyed
               in
               faith
               ,
               not
               having
               received
               the
               promises
               ;
               but
               having
               seen
               them
               a
               far
               off
               ,
               and
               were
               perswaded
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               embraced
               them
               .
            
             Mark
             here
             ,
             how
             these
             excellent
             persons
             died
             ;
             they
             all
             died
             embracing
             the
             promises
             in
             the
             arms
             of
             their
             faith
             .
             An
             allusion
             to
             two
             dear
             friends
             ,
             hugging
             one
             another
             at
             their
             parting
             .
             O
             precious
             promises
             ,
             saith
             the
             dying
             believer
             ;
             of
             what
             unspeakable
             use
             and
             benefit
             have
             you
             been
             to
             me
             all
             the
             days
             of
             my
             pilgrimage
             !
             You
             are
             they
             to
             whom
             I
             was
             wont
             to
             turn
             in
             all
             my
             troubles
             and
             distresses
             ;
             but
             I
             am
             now
             going
             into
             the
             life
             of
             immediate
             Vision
             ,
             farewel
             blessed
             Promises
             ,
             Scriptures
             ,
             Ordinances
             and
             Communion
             of
             imperfect
             Saints
             ;
             I
             shall
             walk
             no
             more
             by
             faith
             ,
             but
             by
             sight
             .
             (
             10.
             )
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             and
             that
             a
             great
             word
             to
             ;
             this
             is
             the
             grace
             that
             saves
             you
             ,
             
               Eph.
               2.
               8.
               
               By
               grace
               are
               you
               saved
               ,
               through
               faith
               .
            
             Your
             salvation
             is
             the
             fruit
             of
             free
             grace
             ;
             but
             grace
             it self
             will
             not
             save
             you
             in
             any
             other
             method
             ,
             but
             that
             of
             believing
             .
             The
             grace
             of
             God
             runs
             down
             through
             the
             channel
             of
             faith
             ;
             faith
             is
             the
             grace
             that
             espouses
             your
             Souls
             to
             Christ
             here
             ,
             and
             accompanies
             it
             every
             step
             of
             the
             way
             until
             it
             come
             to
             his
             full
             enjoyment
             in
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             then
             
             is
             swallowed
             up
             in
             vision
             .
             It
             embarques
             you
             with
             Christ
             ,
             and
             Pilots
             you
             through
             the
             dangerous
             Seas
             ,
             till
             you
             drop
             Anchor
             in
             the
             Haven
             of
             everlasting
             rest
             and
             safety
             ;
             where
             you
             receive
             the
             end
             of
             your
             faith
             ,
             the
             salvation
             of
             your
             Souls
             O
             then
             in
             consideration
             of
             the
             incomparable
             worth
             ,
             and
             absolute
             necessity
             of
             this
             precious
             grace
             ;
             make
             it
             your
             great
             study
             ,
             make
             it
             your
             constant
             cry
             to
             Heaven
             night
             and
             day
             ;
             Lord
             give
             me
             a
             believing
             Heart
             ,
             an
             opening
             Heart
             to
             Jesus
             Christ.
             If
             you
             fail
             of
             this
             ,
             you
             come
             short
             of
             the
             great
             end
             and
             design
             of
             the
             whole
             Gospel
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             bring
             you
             to
             faith
             ,
             and
             by
             faith
             to
             Heaven
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           SERMON
           X.
           
        
         
           
             
               Revel
               .
               3.
               20.
               
            
             —
             If
             any
             Man
             hear
             my
             voice
             ,
             and
             open
             the
             door
             ,
             [
             I
             will
             come
             in
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             sup
             with
             him
             .
             ]
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           former
           Sermons
           we
           have
           considered
           Christs
           suit
           ,
           for
           a
           sinners
           Heart
           ;
           we
           now
           come
           to
           the
           powerful
           Arguments
           and
           Motives
           used
           by
           him
           to
           obtain
           his
           suit
           ,
           which
           are
           two
           ,
           
             
               1.
               
               Union
               ,
               I
               will
               come
               in
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               sup
               with
               him
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Communion
               ,
               and
               he
               with
               me
               .
            
          
        
         
           These
           are
           strong
           and
           mighty
           arguments
           ,
           and
           encouragements
           ,
           able
           one
           would
           think
           to
           open
           any
           Heart
           in
           the
           World
           to
           Christ
           ;
           and
           yet
           considering
           how
           fast
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men
           are
           glued
           to
           their
           lusts
           ,
           fixed
           and
           riveted
           in
           their
           sins
           until
           the
           Spirit
           come
           upon
           them
           with
           powerful
           convictions
           :
           and
           when
           under
           conviction
           ,
           what
           mighty
           discouragements
           they
           labour
           under
           from
           their
           former
           sinfulness
           and
           present
           unworthiness
           ;
           all
           this
           is
           little
           enough
           to
           bring
           them
           to
           faith
           :
           nay
           ,
           in
           it self
           utterly
           insufficient
           without
           the
           Almighty
           power
           second
           and
           set
           them
           home
           with
           
           effect
           on
           the
           Heart
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           not
           meer
           
             moral
             suasion
          
           will
           do
           the
           work
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           Christ
           will
           not
           make
           a
           forcible
           entrance
           into
           the
           Soul
           ,
           he
           will
           come
           in
           by
           the
           consent
           of
           the
           Will
           ;
           but
           the
           Will
           consents
           not
           ,
           till
           it
           feel
           the
           power
           of
           God
           upon
           it
           ,
           Psal.
           110.
           3.
           
           Almighty
           power
           opens
           the
           Heart
           ,
           and
           determins
           the
           Will
           ,
           but
           still
           in
           a
           way
           congruous
           to
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           Will
           ,
           
             Hos.
             11.
             4.
             
             I
             drew
             them
             with
             the
             cords
             of
             a
             man
             ,
             with
             the
             bands
             of
             love
             .
          
           When
           under
           the
           influence
           of
           this
           power
           the
           Soul
           opens
           unto
           Christ
           ,
           he
           will
           come
           in
           ,
           take
           that
           Soul
           for
           his
           everlasting
           habitation
           ;
           refresh
           and
           feast
           it
           with
           the
           sweetest
           consolations
           and
           privileges
           ,
           purchased
           by
           his
           Blood
           ;
           whence
           the
           Tenth
           Observation
           is
           ,
        
         
           
             DOCT.
             X.
             
          
           
             That
             Christ
             will
             certainly
             come
             into
             the
             Soul
             that
             opens
             to
             him
             ;
             
             and
             will
             not
             come
             empty
             handed
             ,
             but
             will
             bring
             rich
             entertainment
             with
             him
             ;
             I
             will
             come
             in
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             sup
             with
             him
             .
          
           
             When
             the
             prodigal
             (
             the
             Emblem
             of
             a
             convert
             )
             returned
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
             
               Luke
               15.
               22.
            
             his
             Father
             not
             only
             received
             but
             adorned
             ,
             and
             feasted
             him
             .
             In
             opening
             this
             Point
             ,
             I
             shall
             shew
             
               
                 First
                 ,
                 What
                 Christs
                 coming
                 in
                 to
                 the
                 Soul
                 intends
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 How
                 it
                 appears
                 Christ
                 will
                 come
                 in
                 to
                 the
                 opening
                 Soul.
                 
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 What
                 that
                 rich
                 entertainment
                 is
                 he
                 brings
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 Why
                 he
                 thus
                 entertainsthe
                 Soul
                 that
                 receives
                 him
                 and
                 opens
                 to
                 him
                 .
              
            
          
           
           
             First
             ,
             
               What
               Christs
               coming
               in
               to
               the
               Soul
               intends
            
             ;
             and
             in
             general
             ,
             I
             must
             say
             ,
             this
             is
             a
             great
             mystery
             ,
             which
             will
             not
             be
             fully
             understood
             ,
             till
             we
             come
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             
               Iohn
               14.
               20.
               
               At
               that
               day
               you
               shall
               know
               that
               I
               am
               in
               my
               Father
               ,
               and
               you
               in
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               in
               you
               .
            
             Then
             the
             
               essential
               union
            
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             Father
             ,
             and
             the
             
               mystical
               union
            
             between
             believers
             and
             Christ
             will
             be
             more
             clearly
             understood
             ,
             than
             we
             are
             capable
             to
             understand
             them
             in
             this
             imperfect
             state
             :
             yet
             for
             present
             so
             much
             is
             discovered
             as
             may
             justly
             astonish
             poor
             sinners
             at
             the
             marvelous
             condescension
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             to
             them
             .
             More
             particularly
             ,
             this
             expression
             ,
             
               I
               will
               come
               in
               to
               him
               ,
            
             imports
             no
             less
             than
             his
             uniting
             such
             a
             Soul
             to
             himself
             ;
             for
             he
             comes
             in
             with
             a
             design
             to
             dwell
             in
             that
             Soul
             by
             faith
             ,
             
               Eph.
               3.
               17.
            
             to
             make
             such
             a
             man
             a
             mystical
             member
             of
             his
             body
             ,
             flesh
             ,
             and
             bones
             ,
             
               Eph.
               5.
               30.
            
             which
             is
             the
             highest
             honour
             the
             Soul
             of
             man
             is
             capable
             of
             ;
             indeed
             ,
             this
             coming
             of
             Christ
             into
             the
             Soul
             of
             a
             sinner
             ,
             doth
             not
             make
             him
             one
             person
             with
             Christ
             ,
             that
             is
             the
             singular
             honour
             to
             which
             our
             nature
             is
             advanced
             by
             the
             
               Hypostatical
               Vnion
            
             ;
             but
             this
             makes
             a
             person
             mystically
             one
             with
             Christ
             ,
             and
             though
             it
             be
             beneath
             the
             
               Hypostatical
               Vnion
            
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             more
             than
             a
             meer
             
               Foederal
               Vnion
            
             .
             Christs
             coming
             into
             the
             Soul
             signifies
             more
             than
             his
             coming
             into
             Covenant
             with
             it
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             the
             taking
             of
             such
             a
             person
             into
             a
             mystical
             Union
             with
             himself
             by
             the
             imparting
             of
             his
             Spirit
             unto
             him
             ;
             as
             the
             vital
             sap
             of
             the
             stock
             coming
             into
             the
             grass
             ,
             makes
             it
             one
             with
             the
             stock
             ,
             
               Iohn
               15.
               5.
            
             
             So
             the
             coming
             of
             Christs
             Spirit
             into
             the
             Soul
             makes
             it
             a
             member
             of
             his
             mystical
             body
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             a
             glorious
             supernatural
             work
             of
             God
             ,
             
             1
             Cor.
             1.
             30.
             most
             honorable
             ,
             most
             comfortable
             ,
             and
             for
             ever
             sure
             and
             indissoluble
             ;
             
             as
             I
             have
             elsewhere
             more
             fully
             shewed
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             In
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             I
             shall
             evidence
             the
             truth
             and
             certainty
             of
             this
             most
             comfortable
             point
             ,
             that
             Christ
             will
             come
             in
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             singular
             refreshments
             and
             comforts
             ,
             to
             every
             Soul
             that
             hears
             his
             voice
             ,
             and
             opens
             to
             him
             .
             No
             present
             unworthyness
             ,
             or
             former
             rebellions
             shall
             bar
             out
             Christ
             ,
             or
             obstruct
             his
             entrance
             into
             such
             a
             Soul.
             Whatever
             thou
             hast
             been
             ,
             or
             done
             ;
             all
             that
             notwithstanding
             ,
             Christ
             will
             come
             into
             thee
             ,
             and
             dwell
             with
             thee
             ;
             and
             make
             thy
             Soul
             an
             habitation
             for
             himself
             through
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             
               Eph.
               2.
               22.
            
             
             I
             say
             ,
             let
             thy
             Heart
             but
             open
             to
             him
             and
             he
             will
             both
             fill
             and
             feast
             thee
             ,
             with
             
               a
               non
               obstante
            
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             thy
             former
             miscarriages
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             it
             is
             the
             common
             discouragement
             that
             multitudes
             of
             convinced
             humbled
             sinners
             lye
             under
             ,
             who
             seeing
             so
             much
             vileness
             in
             their
             natures
             ,
             and
             practices
             ;
             cannot
             be
             perswaded
             that
             ever
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             will
             cast
             an
             Eye
             of
             favour
             on
             them
             ;
             much
             less
             ,
             take
             up
             his
             abode
             in
             them
             .
             What
             ,
             dwell
             in
             such
             a
             Heart
             as
             mine
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             an
             habitation
             of
             Devils
             ,
             a
             sink
             ,
             a
             puddle
             of
             sin
             from
             my
             beginning
             !
             This
             is
             hard
             to
             be
             believed
             ;
             but
             sinner
             ,
             thou
             hast
             the
             word
             of
             a
             King
             from
             Heaven
             for
             it
             ;
             a
             word
             whose
             credit
             was
             never
             crackt
             or
             stained
             from
             the
             first
             moment
             it
             was
             spoken
             ;
             that
             whatever
             thy
             former
             or
             present
             vileness
             or
             unworthiness
             hath
             been
             ,
             or
             is
             ;
             he
             will
             not
             be
             shy
             of
             such
             a
             Soul
             as
             thou
             art
             ,
             if
             thou
             be
             but
             willing
             to
             open
             to
             him
             ;
             thy
             great
             unworthiness
             shall
             be
             no
             bar
             to
             his
             union
             with
             thee
             ,
             
               If
               any
               man
               open
               ,
               I
               will
               come
               in
               to
               him
               ,
               &c.
            
             For
             ,
          
           
           
             First
             ,
             If
             personal
             unworthiness
             were
             sufficient
             to
             bar
             Christ
             out
             of
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             it
             would
             equally
             bar
             him
             out
             of
             all
             the
             Souls
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             for
             all
             are
             unworthy
             as
             well
             as
             thy self
             .
             Where-ever
             Christ
             finds
             sinfulness
             ,
             he
             finds
             unworthiness
             ;
             and
             to
             be
             sure
             he
             finds
             this
             where-ever
             he
             comes
             .
             Christ
             never
             expected
             to
             find
             worthiness
             in
             thee
             ,
             but
             it
             highly
             pleases
             him
             to
             find
             thee
             under
             a
             becoming
             sense
             of
             thy
             personal
             unworthiness
             ,
             
               Ier.
               3.
               13.
               
               Only
               acknowledge
               thine
               iniquity
               ,
               that
               thou
               hast
               transgrest
               against
               the
               Lord
               thy
               God
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             The
             returning
             prodigal
             acknowledged
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
             
               I
               am
               not
               worthy
               to
               be
               called
               thy
               Son
               ,
            
             Luke
             15.
             18
             ,
             19.
             
             But
             this
             did
             not
             bar
             his
             access
             to
             ,
             or
             hinder
             his
             acceptance
             by
             his
             Father
             .
             All
             that
             come
             to
             God
             to
             be
             justified
             ,
             must
             see
             and
             confess
             their
             own
             vileness
             ,
             and
             come
             to
             him
             as
             one
             that
             justifieth
             the
             ungodly
             ,
             
               Rom.
               4.
               5.
            
             
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Thy
             former
             vileness
             and
             present
             unworthiness
             can
             be
             no
             bar
             to
             Christs
             entrance
             ,
             because
             it
             can
             be
             no
             surprize
             to
             him
             .
             He
             knew
             thou
             wast
             an
             unworthy
             Soul
             when
             he
             made
             the
             first
             overture
             of
             grace
             and
             reconciliation
             to
             thee
             ;
             and
             if
             thy
             unworthiness
             hindred
             not
             the
             beginning
             of
             his
             treaty
             with
             thee
             ,
             it
             shall
             not
             hinder
             the
             closing
             and
             finishing
             act
             thereof
             in
             his
             union
             with
             thee
             .
             
               I
               knew
               that
               thou
               wast
               a
               transgressor
               from
               the
               womb
               ,
            
             Isa.
             48.
             8.
             
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Christ
             never
             yet
             came
             into
             any
             Soul
             where
             Satan
             had
             not
             the
             possession
             before
             him
             .
             Every
             Soul
             in
             which
             Christ
             now
             dwels
             ,
             was
             once
             in
             Satans
             power
             and
             possession
             ,
             
               Acts
               26.
               18.
               
               To
               turn
               them
               from
               darkness
               to
               light
               ,
               and
               from
               the
               power
               of
               Satan
               to
               God.
               So
               Luke
               11.
               21
               ,
               22.
               
               When
               a
               strong
               man
               armed
               keepeth
               his
               pallace
               ,
               his
               goods
               are
               in
               peace
               .
               
               But
               when
               a
               stronger
               than
               he
               shall
               come
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               overcome
               him
               ;
               he
               taketh
               from
               him
               all
               his
               armour
               wherein
               he
               trusted
               ,
               and
               divideth
               his
               spoil
               .
            
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             Thy
             present
             vileness
             and
             unworthiness
             can
             be
             no
             bar
             to
             Christs
             entrance
             into
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             because
             Christ
             never
             yet
             objected
             to
             any
             man
             his
             unworthiness
             ,
             but
             his
             unwillingness
             to
             come
             unto
             him
             ,
             
               Iohn
               5.
               40.
               
               You
               will
               not
               come
               unto
               me
               ,
               that
               you
               might
               have
               life
               .
            
             And
             again
             ,
             
               Matth.
               23.
               37.
               
               How
               oft
               would
               I
               have
               gathered
               thy
               Children
               ,
               and
               ye
               would
               not
               ?
            
             Indeed
             ,
             you
             find
             something
             like
             a
             repulse
             from
             Christ
             to
             that
             poor
             
               Canaanitess
               ,
               Mat.
               15.
               24
               ,
               26.
               
               Lord
               help
               me
               ,
            
             said
             that
             poor
             distressed
             Soul
             ;
             
               but
               he
               answered
               and
               said
               ,
               It
               is
               not
               meet
               to
               take
               the
               childrens
               bread
               ,
               and
               cast
               it
               to
               dogs
               .
            
             However
             harshly
             and
             discouragingly
             these
             words
             sound
             ,
             yet
             certainly
             it
             was
             none
             of
             Christs
             intent
             to
             damp
             and
             discourage
             her
             faith
             ,
             but
             to
             draw
             it
             forth
             to
             a
             more
             excellent
             and
             intense
             degree
             ;
             which
             effect
             it
             obtained
             ,
             
               vers
               .
               27.
            
             
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             Neither
             would
             Christ
             have
             made
             the
             tenders
             of
             mercy
             so
             large
             and
             indefinite
             ,
             had
             he
             intended
             to
             have
             shut
             out
             any
             Soul
             upon
             the
             single
             account
             of
             personal
             unworthiness
             ,
             provided
             it
             be
             but
             willing
             to
             come
             unto
             him
             .
             Cast
             thine
             Eye
             ,
             poor
             discouraged
             Soul
             ,
             upon
             Christs
             invitations
             and
             proclamations
             of
             grace
             and
             mercy
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             see
             if
             thou
             canst
             find
             any
             thing
             beside
             unwillingness
             ,
             as
             a
             bar
             betwixt
             thee
             and
             mercy
             ;
             harken
             to
             that
             voice
             of
             mercy
             ,
             
               Isa.
               55.
               1.
               
               Ho
               ,
               every
               one
               that
               thirsteth
               ,
               come
               ye
               to
               the
               waters
               ,
               and
               he
               that
               hath
               no
               money
               ,
               come
               ye
               ,
               buy
               and
               eat
               ;
               come
               ,
               buy
               wine
               and
               milk
               without
               money
               ,
               and
               without
               price
               .
               (
               i.
               e.
               )
            
             without
             personal
             desert
             ,
             or
             worthiness
             :
             So
             again
             ,
             
               Rev.
               22.
               17.
               
               The
               Spirit
               and
               
               the
               bride
               say
               come
               ,
               and
               let
               him
               that
               is
               athirst
               come
               ;
               and
               whosoever
               will
               ,
               let
               him
               take
               the
               water
               of
               life
               freely
               .
            
             Here
             you
             see
             personal
             vileness
             and
             unworthiness
             is
             no
             obstacle
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Christ.
             Once
             more
             ,
             see
             
               Iohn
               7.
               37.
               
               In
               the
               last
               day
               ,
               that
               great
               day
               of
               the
               feast
               ,
               Iesus
               stood
               and
               cried
               ,
               saying
               ,
               If
               any
               man
               thirst
               ,
               let
               him
               come
               to
               me
               and
               drink
               .
            
             Thus
             you
             see
             what
             Christs
             coming
             into
             the
             Soul
             is
             ,
             and
             what
             evidences
             there
             are
             ,
             that
             when
             once
             the
             Soul
             is
             made
             truly
             willing
             ,
             Christ
             will
             certainly
             come
             into
             it
             ;
             and
             no
             former
             vileness
             or
             present
             unworthiness
             shall
             be
             a
             bar
             to
             obstruct
             his
             entrance
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             In
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             I
             shall
             shew
             you
             ,
             That
             when
             Christ
             comes
             into
             the
             Soul
             he
             will
             not
             come
             empty
             handed
             .
             'T
             is
             Christs
             
               marriage
               day
            
             ,
             and
             he
             will
             make
             it
             a
             good
             day
             ;
             a
             festival
             day
             ;
             bringing
             such
             comforts
             along
             with
             him
             ,
             as
             the
             Soul
             never
             tasted
             before
             ;
             he
             spreads
             as
             it
             were
             a
             Table
             ,
             furnishes
             it
             with
             the
             delicates
             of
             Heaven
             :
             
               I
               will
               sup
               with
               him
            
             ,
             saith
             the
             Text
             :
             What
             those
             Spiritual
             mercies
             are
             which
             Christ
             brings
             a
             long
             with
             him
             to
             the
             opening
             willing
             Soul
             ,
             comes
             next
             in
             order
             to
             be
             spoken
             to
             .
             And
          
           
             1.
             
             When
             Christ
             comes
             into
             the
             Soul
             of
             a
             sinner
             ,
             he
             brings
             a
             Pardon
             with
             him
             ,
             a
             full
             ,
             a
             free
             ,
             and
             a
             final
             pardon
             of
             all
             the
             sins
             that
             ever
             that
             Soul
             committed
             .
             This
             is
             a
             feast
             of
             it self
             ;
             good
             cheer
             indeed
             :
             Christ
             thought
             it
             to
             be
             so
             when
             he
             told
             the
             poor
             Palsey-man
             ,
             
               Matth.
               9.
               2.
               
               Son
               be
               of
               good
               cheer
               ,
               thy
               sins
               are
               forgiven
               thee
               .
            
             He
             doth
             not
             say
             ,
             Be
             of
             good
             cheer
             ,
             thy
             Palsey
             is
             cured
             ,
             thy
             body
             recovered
             from
             the
             grave
             ;
             but
             
               be
               of
               good
               cheer
               ,
               thy
               sins
               are
               pardoned
               .
            
             O
             how
             sweetly
             may
             the
             pardoned
             Soul
             feed
             upon
             this
             !
             
             And
             this
             is
             not
             any
             peculiar
             mercy
             ,
             designed
             for
             some
             special
             favorites
             ,
             but
             what
             is
             common
             to
             all
             believers
             ,
             
               Acts
               13.
               43.
               
               By
               him
               all
               that
               believe
               ,
               are
               justified
               from
               all
               things
               .
            
             Christ
             and
             pardon
             come
             together
             ;
             and
             without
             a
             pardon
             no
             other
             mercy
             would
             relish
             ;
             no
             feast
             ,
             no
             musick
             ,
             no
             money
             ,
             or
             honour
             ,
             have
             any
             favour
             or
             comfort
             with
             them
             to
             a
             condemned
             man
             ;
             but
             the
             comfort
             of
             a
             pardon
             reaches
             to
             the
             very
             Heart
             ,
             
               Isa.
               40.
               1
               ,
               2.
               
               Comfort
               ye
               ,
               comfort
               ye
               my
               people
               ,
               saith
               the
               Lord
               ;
               Speak
               comfortably
               to
            
             Jerusalem
             ,
             or
             as
             in
             the
             Hebrew
             ,
             
               Speak
               to
               the
               heart
               of
            
             Jerusalem
             .
             But
             what
             are
             the
             ingredients
             of
             that
             cordial
             that
             will
             comfort
             Ierusalems
             Heart
             ?
             Why
             ,
             
               Say
               unto
               her
               that
               her
               iniquities
               are
               pardoned
            
             ;
             that
             carries
             along
             with
             it
             the
             Spirit
             of
             all
             consolation
             .
          
           
             And
             there
             are
             four
             things
             in
             the
             pardon
             of
             sin
             that
             make
             it
             the
             sweetest
             mercy
             that
             ever
             the
             Soul
             tasted
             ;
             comfort
             which
             is
             impossible
             to
             be
             communicated
             to
             another
             ,
             with
             the
             same
             sense
             that
             the
             pardoned
             Soul
             hath
             of
             it
             ,
             
               Rev.
               2.
               17.
            
             
          
           
             First
             ,
             That
             which
             makes
             the
             pardon
             of
             sin
             ravishingly
             sweet
             ,
             is
             the
             trouble
             that
             went
             before
             it
             .
             The
             labourings
             and
             restless
             tossings
             of
             the
             troubled
             Soul
             ,
             which
             were
             antecedent
             to
             this
             pardon
             ,
             make
             the
             ease
             and
             peace
             that
             follows
             by
             it
             incomparably
             sweet
             .
             As
             the
             bitterness
             of
             Hell
             was
             tasted
             in
             the
             sorrows
             of
             sin
             ,
             so
             the
             sweetness
             of
             Heaven
             is
             tasted
             in
             the
             pardon
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             nature
             of
             the
             mercy
             it self
             is
             incomparably
             sweet
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             a
             mercy
             of
             the
             first
             rank
             .
             Pardon
             is
             ●uch
             a
             mercy
             as
             admits
             no
             comfort
             to
             come
             before
             it
             ,
             nor
             any
             just
             cause
             of
             discouragement
             can
             follow
             after
             it
             .
             If
             God
             have
             not
             spoken
             pardon
             to
             the
             Soul
             ,
             it
             can
             have
             no
             
             fetled
             ground
             for
             joy
             ,
             
               Ezek.
               33.
               10.
            
             
             And
             if
             he
             have
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             just
             ground
             for
             dejection
             ,
             whatever
             the
             troubles
             be
             that
             lye
             upon
             it
             ,
             
               Isa.
               33.
               24.
               
               The
               inhabitants
               shall
               not
               say
               ,
               I
               am
               sick
               :
               the
               people
               that
               dwell
               therein
               shall
               be
               forgiven
               their
               iniquities
               .
            
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             The
             third
             thing
             that
             makes
             this
             mercy
             delicious
             ,
             and
             ravishingly
             sweet
             to
             the
             Soul
             ;
             are
             the
             properties
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             are
             four
             .
             (
             1.
             )
             God
             writes
             upon
             thy
             pardon
             frank
             ;
             't
             is
             a
             free
             mercy
             ,
             which
             cost
             thee
             nothing
             ,
             
               Rom.
               3.
               24.
               
               Being
               justified
               freely
               by
               his
               grace
               .
               Thou
               hast
               bought
               me
               no
               sweet
               Cane
               with
               money
               ,
               yet
               I
               ,
               even
               I
               am
               be
               that
               blotteth
               out
               thy
               transgression
               ,
               for
               my
               own
               names
               sake
               .
            
             (
             2.
             )
             God
             writes
             upon
             thy
             pardon
             full
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             free
             ,
             the
             pardon
             extends
             to
             all
             the
             sins
             that
             ever
             thou
             committedst
             ,
             
               Acts
               13.
               43.
               
               By
               him
               all
               that
               believe
               ,
               are
               justified
               from
               all
               things
               .
            
             The
             sins
             of
             thy
             nature
             ,
             and
             practice
             ;
             the
             sins
             of
             thy
             youth
             ,
             and
             age
             ;
             great
             sins
             ,
             and
             lesser
             sins
             ,
             are
             all
             comprehended
             within
             thy
             pardon
             .
             Thou
             art
             acquitted
             not
             from
             one
             ,
             but
             from
             all
             !
             Certainly
             ,
             the
             joy
             of
             Heaven
             must
             come
             down
             in
             the
             mercy
             of
             remission
             .
             O
             what
             a
             feast
             of
             fat
             things
             with
             marrow
             ,
             is
             this
             single
             mercy
             ;
             a
             pardon
             free
             without
             price
             ,
             full
             without
             exception
             !
             And
             then
             (
             3.
             )
             its
             final
             ,
             without
             revocation
             ;
             the
             pardoned
             Soul
             never
             more
             comes
             into
             condemnation
             :
             
               Thine
               iniquities
               are
               removed
               from
               thee
               as
               far
               as
               the
               East
               is
               from
               the
               West
            
             ;
             as
             those
             two
             opposite
             points
             of
             Heaven
             can
             never
             meet
             ,
             so
             the
             pardoned
             Soul
             and
             its
             pardoned
             Sins
             can
             never
             more
             meet
             unto
             condemnation
             ,
             
               Psal.
               103.
               12.
               
               (
               4.
               )
            
             God
             writes
             upon
             the
             pardon
             another
             word
             ,
             as
             sweet
             as
             any
             of
             the
             rest
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             sure
             .
             'T
             is
             a
             standing
             mercy
             
             never
             to
             be
             recall'd
             ,
             vacated
             or
             annulled
             ,
             Rom.
             8.
             33
             ,
             34
             ,
             35.
             
             The
             challenge
             is
             sent
             to
             Hell
             and
             Earth
             ,
             Men
             and
             Devils
             ;
             
               Who
               shall
               lay
               any
               thing
               to
               the
               charge
               of
               Gods
               elect
               ?
               'T
               is
               God
               that
               justifies
               ,
               who
               is
               he
               that
               condemneth
               ?
               It
               is
               Christ
               that
               died
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             Who
             can
             arrest
             when
             the
             Creditor
             dischargeth
             ?
             Who
             can
             sue
             the
             bond
             ,
             when
             the
             debt
             is
             paid
             ?
             
               'T
               is
               Christ
               that
               died
            
             .
             The
             Table
             is
             spread
             ,
             and
             the
             first
             mercy
             served
             in
             ,
             is
             the
             pardon
             of
             sin
             .
             
               Eat
               ,
               O
               friends
               ,
               drink
               ,
               yea
               ,
               drink
               abundantly
               O
               beloved
               .
            
             Now
             the
             labouring
             Conscience
             that
             rowled
             and
             tossed
             upon
             the
             waves
             of
             a
             thousand
             fears
             ,
             may
             drop
             Anchor
             and
             ride
             quiet
             in
             the
             pacifique
             Sea
             of
             a
             pardoned
             State.
             What
             joy
             must
             stream
             through
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             when
             the
             sweetness
             of
             that
             Scripture
             ,
             Rom.
             8.
             1.
             shall
             be
             pressed
             into
             thy
             cup
             of
             Consolation
             !
             The
             pardoned
             Soul
             may
             speak
             and
             think
             of
             Death
             and
             Judgment
             without
             consternation
             ;
             yea
             ,
             may
             look
             upon
             it
             
               as
               a
               time
               of
               refreshing
               from
               the
               presence
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             Acts
             3.
             19.
             
             This
             is
             heavenly
             Manna
             ,
             the
             sweetness
             of
             it
             swallows
             up
             all
             expression
             ,
             all
             conceptions
             ;
             no
             words
             ,
             no
             thoughts
             ,
             can
             comprehend
             the
             riches
             of
             this
             mercy
             .
          
           
             II.
             And
             yet
             this
             is
             not
             all
             ,
             behold
             another
             mercy
             in
             consequence
             unto
             this
             ,
             brought
             in
             to
             refresh
             and
             cheer
             the
             consenting
             Soul
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             peace
             with
             God.
             Pardon
             and
             peace
             go
             together
             ,
             
               Rom.
               5.
               1.
               
               Being
               justified
               by
               faith
               ,
               we
               have
               peace
               with
               God.
            
             Peace
             is
             a
             word
             of
             a
             vast
             comprehension
             ;
             peace
             in
             the
             language
             of
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ,
             comprehends
             all
             Temporal
             good
             things
             ,
             1
             
               Sam.
               25.
               6.
            
             
             And
             peace
             in
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             comprehends
             all
             Spiritual
             mercies
             ,
             2
             Thes.
             3.
             16.
             the
             blessings
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             
             are
             wrapt
             up
             in
             this
             word
             .
             The
             Soul
             that
             opens
             to
             Christ
             hath
             peace
             of
             reconciliation
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             the
             enmity
             that
             was
             betwixt
             God
             and
             that
             Soul
             is
             taken
             away
             through
             the
             blood
             of
             Christ
             ,
             Isa.
             12.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             
               O
               Lord
               ,
               I
               will
               praise
               thee
               ;
               though
               thou
               wast
               angry
               with
               me
               ,
               thine
               anger
               is
               turned
               away
               ,
               and
               thou
               comfortest
               me
               .
            
             This
             must
             be
             an
             invaluable
             mercy
             ,
             for
             the
             purchase
             of
             it
             cost
             the
             blood
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               Isa.
               53.
               5.
               
               The
               chastisement
               of
               our
               peace
               was
               upon
               him
               .
            
             He
             made
             peace
             by
             the
             blood
             of
             his
             Cross
             ,
             Col.
             1.
             20.
             and
             this
             peace
             of
             reconciliation
             is
             setled
             by
             Christ
             upon
             a
             firm
             foundation
             .
             His
             blood
             gives
             it
             a
             more
             firm
             and
             steady
             basis
             and
             foundation
             than
             that
             of
             the
             Hills
             and
             Mountains
             ,
             Isa.
             54.
             10.
             
             And
             that
             which
             makes
             it
             so
             firm
             and
             sure
             ,
             is
             the
             Advocateship
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             1
             
               Iohn
               2.
               1.
               2.
               
               If
               any
               man
               sin
               ,
               we
               have
               an
               Advocate
               with
               the
               Father
               .
            
             There
             is
             also
             peace
             in
             the
             believers
             Conscience
             ,
             peace
             as
             it
             were
             by
             Proclamation
             from
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             built
             upon
             the
             peace
             of
             Reconciliation
             .
             We
             cannot
             have
             the
             the
             sense
             of
             peace
             ,
             till
             we
             are
             brought
             into
             a
             state
             of
             peace
             ;
             the
             latter
             is
             the
             result
             of
             the
             former
             .
             And
             this
             is
             a
             special
             part
             of
             that
             supper
             Christ
             provides
             to
             entertain
             the
             Soul
             that
             receives
             it
             .
             How
             sweet
             this
             is
             ,
             is
             better
             felt
             than
             spoken
             .
             A
             dreadful
             sound
             was
             lately
             in
             the
             Ears
             of
             the
             Law-condemned
             sinner
             ;
             but
             now
             his
             Heart
             is
             the
             seat
             of
             peace
             .
             And
             this
             peace
             is
             (
             1.
             )
             the
             Souls
             gard
             against
             all
             inward
             and
             outward
             terrors
             ,
             
               Phil.
               4.
               7.
               
               The
               peace
               of
               God
               shall
               keep
            
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             or
             as
             the
             word
             is
             ,
             
               guard
               your
               hearts
               and
               minds
            
             .
             The
             persons
             of
             Princes
             are
             secured
             by
             guards
             of
             armed
             and
             valiant
             Men
             ,
             who
             watch
             while
             they
             sleep
             .
             Thus
             Solomon
             had
             his
             royal
             
             guard
             ,
             because
             of
             fear
             in
             the
             night
             ,
             Cant.
             3.
             7
             ,
             8.
             
             This
             peace
             of
             God
             ,
             Christian
             ,
             is
             thy
             life-guard
             ,
             and
             secures
             thee
             better
             than
             Solomons
             threescore
             valiant
             men
             ,
             that
             were
             about
             him
             .
             Time
             was
             when
             thou
             wast
             affraid
             to
             sleep
             ,
             for
             fear
             thou
             shouldst
             awake
             in
             Hell
             :
             Now
             thou
             maist
             say
             with
             
               David
               ,
               I
               will
               both
               lay
               me
               down
               and
               sleep
               ,
               for
               thou
               Lord
               makest
               me
               to
               dwell
               in
               safety
               .
            
             Now
             ,
             come
             life
             ,
             come
             death
             ;
             the
             Soul
             is
             safe
             ,
             the
             peace
             of
             God
             is
             its
             royal
             guard
             .
             (
             2.
             )
             This
             peace
             is
             ease
             as
             well
             as
             safety
             to
             the
             Soul
             ;
             'T
             is
             heart-ease
             ;
             no
             sooner
             doth
             God
             speak
             peace
             to
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             but
             the
             Soul
             finds
             it self
             at
             ease
             and
             rest
             ,
             
               Heb.
               4.
               3.
               
               We
               which
               have
               believed
               ,
               do
               enter
               into
               rest
               .
            
             It
             is
             with
             such
             a
             Soul
             as
             it
             was
             with
             the
             
               Dove
               ,
               Noah
            
             sent
             out
             of
             the
             Ark
             ;
             that
             poor
             creature
             wandred
             in
             the
             Air
             ,
             as
             long
             as
             her
             wings
             could
             carry
             her
             ;
             had
             her
             strength
             fail'd
             ,
             there
             was
             nothing
             but
             the
             waters
             to
             receive
             her
             .
             O
             how
             sweet
             was
             rest
             in
             the
             Ark
             ?
             (
             3.
             )
             This
             peace
             is
             news
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             the
             sweetest
             tydings
             that
             ever
             blest
             the
             sinners
             Ear
             ,
             next
             unto
             Christ
             ,
             
               Heb.
               12.
               24.
               
               The
               blood
               of
               Christ
               speaketh
               better
               things
               than
               that
               of
            
             Abel
             .
             And
             you
             are
             come
             to
             this
             blood
             of
             sprinkling
             ,
             the
             same
             day
             and
             hour
             that
             Christ
             is
             come
             into
             your
             Souls
             .
             This
             is
             the
             voice
             of
             that
             blood
             ,
             
               Thou
               hast
               sinned
               ,
               I
               have
               satisfied
               ;
               Thou
               hast
               kindled
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               ,
               And
               I
               have
               quencht
               it
               .
            
             The
             Angels
             of
             Heaven
             cannot
             feed
             higher
             ;
             their
             joys
             are
             not
             more
             delicious
             than
             those
             prepared
             for
             believers
             are
             ,
             whereof
             this
             is
             a
             foretast
             ;
             whatever
             circumstances
             of
             trouble
             a
             man
             be
             in
             ,
             this
             effectually
             relieves
             him
             .
             Paul
             and
             Silas
             were
             in
             sad
             circumstances
             ,
             shut
             up
             in
             the
             inner-prison
             ,
             their
             feet
             made
             fast
             in
             the
             stocks
             ,
             their
             cruel
             
             keeper
             at
             the
             door
             ,
             their
             execution
             designed
             in
             a
             few
             days
             :
             God
             did
             but
             set
             this
             dish
             upon
             the
             Table
             before
             the
             prisoners
             ,
             and
             they
             could
             not
             forbear
             to
             sing
             at
             the
             feast
             ,
             
               Acts
               16.
               25.
               
               At
               midnight
               they
               sang
               ,
            
             &c.
             
          
           
             III.
             After
             these
             two
             royal
             dishes
             ,
             Pardon
             ,
             and
             Peace
             ,
             a
             third
             will
             come
             in
             ,
             
               viz.
               Ioy
               in
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
            
             ;
             this
             is
             somewhat
             beyond
             peace
             ,
             't
             is
             the
             very
             quintessence
             and
             Spirit
             of
             all
             Consolation
             .
             The
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             is
             said
             to
             consist
             in
             it
             ,
             
               Rom.
               14.
               17.
            
             
             't
             is
             somewhat
             near
             to
             the
             joy
             of
             the
             glorified
             ,
             
               1
               Pet.
            
             1.
             8.
             
             't
             is
             Heaven
             upon
             Earth
             .
             All
             believers
             do
             not
             immediately
             attain
             it
             ,
             but
             one
             time
             or
             other
             God
             usually
             gives
             them
             a
             taste
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             when
             he
             doth
             ,
             it
             is
             as
             it
             were
             a
             short
             Salvation
             .
             O
             who
             can
             tell
             what
             that
             is
             which
             the
             Apostle
             calls
             ,
             
               The
               shedding
               abroad
               of
               the
               love
               of
               God
               into
               the
               Heart
               ,
               by
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               which
               is
               given
               to
               us
               !
            
             Rom.
             5.
             5.
             
             It
             is
             a
             joy
             which
             wants
             an
             Epithet
             to
             express
             the
             sweetness
             of
             it
             ,
             1
             
               Pet.
               1.
               8.
               
               Ioy
               unspeakable
               and
               full
               of
               glory
               .
            
             It
             hath
             the
             very
             scent
             and
             taste
             of
             Heaven
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             but
             a
             gradual
             difference
             betwixt
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             joy
             of
             Heaven
             .
             This
             joy
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             is
             a
             spiritual
             cheeriness
             ,
             streaming
             through
             the
             Soul
             of
             a
             believer
             upon
             the
             Spirits
             testimony
             ,
             which
             clears
             his
             interest
             in
             Christ
             ,
             and
             glory
             .
             No
             sooner
             doth
             the
             Spirit
             shed
             forth
             the
             love
             of
             God
             into
             the
             believers
             Heart
             ,
             but
             it
             streams
             and
             overflows
             with
             joy
             .
             Joy
             is
             no
             more
             under
             that
             Souls
             command
             ;
             and
             this
             will
             evidently
             appear
             ,
             if
             you
             consider
             the
             matter
             of
             it
             ;
             it
             arises
             from
             the
             light
             of
             Gods
             countenance
             ,
             
               Psal.
               4.
               6
               ,
               7.
            
             the
             heavenly
             
               1
               Pet.
               1.
               8.
               
               Whom
               having
               not
               seen
               we
               love
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             The
             Soul
             is
             transported
             with
             joy
             ,
             ravished
             
             with
             the
             glory
             and
             excellency
             of
             Christ.
             Didst
             thou
             ever
             see
             this
             Christ
             whom
             thy
             Soul
             is
             so
             ravished
             with
             ?
             No
             ,
             I
             have
             not
             seen
             him
             ,
             yet
             my
             Soul
             is
             transported
             with
             so
             much
             love
             to
             him
             ;
             
               Whom
               having
               not
               seen
               ,
               we
               love
               .
            
             But
             if
             thou
             never
             sawest
             him
             ,
             how
             comes
             thy
             Soul
             to
             be
             so
             delighted
             and
             ravished
             with
             him
             ?
             why
             ,
             though
             I
             never
             saw
             him
             by
             the
             Eye
             of
             sense
             ,
             yet
             I
             do
             see
             him
             by
             the
             Eye
             of
             faith
             ;
             and
             by
             that
             sight
             my
             Soul
             is
             flooded
             with
             spiritual
             joy
             .
             
               Believing
               we
               rejoyce
            
             .
             But
             what
             manner
             of
             joy
             is
             that
             which
             you
             taste
             ?
             why
             ,
             no
             Tongue
             can
             express
             that
             ,
             
               for
               it
               is
               joy
               unspeakable
            
             .
             But
             how
             are
             Christ
             and
             Heaven
             turned
             into
             such
             ravishing
             joys
             to
             the
             Soul
             ?
             why
             ,
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             gives
             the
             believing
             Soul
             not
             only
             a
             light
             to
             discern
             the
             transcendent
             excellency
             of
             these
             spiritual
             objects
             ;
             but
             a
             sight
             of
             his
             interest
             in
             them
             also
             .
             This
             is
             my
             Christ
             ,
             and
             this
             the
             glory
             prepared
             for
             me
             ;
             without
             interest
             ,
             Heaven
             it self
             cannot
             be
             turned
             into
             joy
             .
             
               My
               Soul
               rejoyceth
               in
               God
               my
               Saviour
               ,
               Luke
               1.
               47.
               
            
             We
             read
             ,
             Luke
             13.
             28.
             of
             some
             that
             shall
             have
             a
             sight
             of
             
               Abraham
               ,
               Isaac
            
             ,
             and
             Iacob
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Prophets
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             yet
             a
             sight
             without
             joy
             ;
             a
             dreadful
             sight
             to
             them
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             a
             joint
             interest
             with
             them
             in
             that
             glory
             .
             They
             shall
             see
             ,
             and
             yet
             wail
             and
             weep
             ,
             and
             gnash
             their
             teeth
             :
             But
             an
             interest
             sealed
             gives
             joy
             unspeakable
             .
             Now
             as
             to
             the
             excellency
             of
             this
             joy
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             found
             to
             be
             the
             pleasant
             light
             of
             the
             Soul
             ;
             light
             and
             joy
             are
             Synonimous
             terms
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             Psal.
             97.
             11.
             
             'T
             is
             as
             the
             cheerful
             light
             of
             the
             Morning
             after
             a
             sad
             and
             dismal
             Night
             .
             You
             that
             have
             sat
             in
             darkness
             and
             the
             shadow
             of
             death
             ,
             you
             that
             have
             sat
             mourning
             in
             
             the
             dark
             without
             one
             glimpse
             of
             a
             promise
             ,
             you
             that
             have
             convers'd
             with
             nothing
             but
             dismal
             thoughts
             of
             Hell
             and
             Wrath
             ;
             O
             I
             shall
             be
             cast
             away
             for
             ever
             !
             What
             will
             you
             say
             when
             after
             all
             this
             darkness
             ,
             the
             Day-star
             shall
             arise
             in
             your
             hearts
             ,
             the
             joy
             of
             Heaven
             shall
             beam
             upon
             your
             Souls
             ?
             Will
             not
             this
             be
             a
             glorious
             reward
             for
             all
             your
             self-denyal
             for
             Christ
             ?
             and
             fully
             recompense
             for
             the
             frowns
             of
             carnal
             relations
             for
             giving
             entertainment
             to
             Christ
             ?
             This
             joy
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             if
             there
             were
             no
             other
             Heaven
             ,
             is
             an
             abundant
             recompense
             .
             This
             joy
             of
             the
             Lord
             shall
             be
             your
             strength
             ,
             Neh.
             8.
             10.
             
             Let
             God
             but
             give
             a
             man
             or
             woman
             a
             little
             of
             this
             Joy
             into
             his
             heart
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             presently
             feel
             himself
             strengthened
             by
             it
             ,
             either
             to
             do
             or
             to
             suffer
             the
             will
             of
             God.
             Now
             he
             can
             pray
             with
             enlargement
             ,
             hear
             with
             comfort
             ,
             meditate
             with
             delight
             ;
             and
             if
             God
             call
             him
             to
             suffer
             ,
             this
             Joy
             shall
             strengthen
             him
             to
             bear
             it
             .
             This
             was
             it
             that
             made
             the
             Martyrs
             go
             singing
             to
             the
             stake
             .
             This
             therefore
             transcends
             all
             the
             joys
             of
             this
             lower
             world
             :
             There
             are
             sinful
             pleasures
             ,
             men
             find
             in
             the
             fulfilling
             their
             lusts
             :
             There
             are
             sensitive
             joys
             that
             men
             find
             in
             the
             good
             creatures
             of
             God
             ,
             filling
             their
             hearts
             with
             food
             and
             gladness
             :
             There
             are
             also
             delusive
             joys
             ,
             false
             comforts
             that
             Hypocrites
             find
             in
             their
             ungrounded
             hopes
             of
             Heaven
             .
             The
             joys
             of
             the
             Sensualist
             are
             bruitish
             ,
             the
             joys
             of
             the
             Hypocrite
             are
             ensnaring
             and
             vanishing
             ;
             but
             the
             joys
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             are
             solid
             ,
             sweet
             ,
             and
             leading
             to
             the
             fulness
             of
             everlasting
             joy
             .
             This
             is
             the
             third
             heavenly
             dainty
             you
             may
             expect
             to
             feed
             on
             ,
             if
             you
             open
             your
             hearts
             to
             receive
             Christ
             by
             Faith
             ,
             else
             you
             have
             all
             the
             consolation
             that
             ever
             you
             must
             expect
             .
          
           
           
             IV.
             We
             read
             in
             Scripture
             of
             the
             
               Sealings
               of
               the
               Spirit
            
             ,
             a
             choice
             and
             blessed
             Priviledg
             of
             Believers
             consequent
             upon
             believing
             ,
             
               Eph.
               1.
               13.
               
               In
               whom
               after
               that
               ye
               believed
               ,
               ye
               were
               sealed
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             This
             then
             may
             be
             expected
             ,
             by
             every
             Soul
             that
             opens
             to
             Christ
             ,
             how
             rich
             soever
             the
             comforts
             of
             it
             be
             .
             The
             Spirit
             indeed
             seals
             not
             before
             Faith
             ,
             for
             then
             he
             should
             set
             his
             Seal
             to
             a
             Blank
             ;
             but
             he
             usually
             seals
             after
             believing
             ,
             and
             that
             as
             the
             Spirit
             of
             promise
             .
             Note
             here
             ,
             the
             Agent
             or
             Person
             sealing
             ,
             
               the
               Spirit
            
             ,
             he
             knows
             the
             counsels
             ,
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             purposes
             of
             God
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             2.
             10
             ,
             11.
             
             He
             also
             is
             authorized
             to
             this
             work
             ;
             and
             being
             the
             Spirit
             of
             truth
             ,
             he
             cannot
             deceive
             us
             .
             There
             is
             a
             twofold
             Seal
             spoken
             of
             in
             Scripture
             ;
             one
             referring
             to
             God's
             eternal
             foreknowledge
             and
             choice
             of
             men
             ,
             2
             
               Tim.
               2.
               19.
               
               Nevertheless
               the
               foundation
               of
               God
               standeth
               sure
               ,
               having
               this
               seal
               ,
               the
               Lord
               knoweth
               who
               are
               his
               ,
               (
               i.
               e.
               )
            
             the
             Lord
             perfectly
             knows
             every
             Soul
             that
             belongs
             to
             him
             ,
             through
             the
             world
             .
             But
             now
             what
             comfort
             is
             this
             to
             a
             poor
             Believer
             ,
             that
             God
             knows
             who
             are
             his
             ?
             Therefore
             there
             is
             another
             sealing
             referring
             to
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             as
             his
             act
             upon
             Believers
             ,
             to
             make
             them
             know
             that
             they
             are
             his
             .
             The
             first
             is
             general
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               knoweth
               who
               are
               is
               :
            
             But
             this
             is
             particular
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               knoweth
               thee
               to
               be
               his
               .
            
             This
             is
             joyful
             news
             indeed
             :
             the
             former
             makes
             it
             sure
             in
             it self
             ,
             the
             latter
             makes
             it
             sure
             to
             us
             .
             Now
             this
             is
             a
             most
             glorious
             priviledge
             ,
             a
             work
             of
             the
             Spirit
             which
             hath
             a
             most
             ravishing
             delicious
             sweetness
             in
             it
             ;
             and
             that
             which
             makes
             it
             so
             ,
             is
             (
             1
             )
             The
             weightiness
             of
             the
             matter
             sealed
             to
             ,
             which
             is
             no
             less
             than
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             eternal
             Inheritance
             purchased
             by
             his
             Blood.
             This
             Seal
             secures
             our
             Title
             
             to
             Christ
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             eternal
             glory
             :
             We
             are
             
               sealed
               to
               the
               day
               of
               redemption
               .
            
             The
             sealed
             Believer
             can
             say
             ,
             Christ
             ,
             how
             great
             ,
             how
             glorious
             soever
             he
             be
             ,
             is
             my
             Christ
             ;
             the
             Covenant
             of
             Grace
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             invaluable
             promises
             contained
             in
             it
             are
             mine
             .
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             The
             rest
             and
             quietness
             which
             follows
             it
             ,
             makes
             it
             an
             invaluable
             mercy
             ;
             this
             brings
             the
             anxious
             solicitous
             Mind
             and
             Conscience
             to
             rest
             and
             peace
             .
             O
             what
             a
             mercy
             is
             it
             to
             have
             all
             those
             knots
             untied
             ,
             those
             objections
             answer'd
             ,
             those
             fears
             banished
             ,
             under
             which
             the
             doubting
             Soul
             so
             long
             laboured
             ,
             and
             which
             kept
             it
             so
             many
             nights
             waking
             and
             restless
             !
             God
             only
             knows
             at
             what
             rate
             some
             poor
             Creatures
             live
             under
             the
             scarings
             of
             their
             own
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             frequent
             fears
             of
             Hell
             :
             And
             what
             an
             inconceivable
             mercy
             it
             would
             be
             to
             them
             to
             be
             delivered
             at
             once
             from
             their
             dangers
             and
             fears
             ,
             which
             hold
             them
             under
             a
             Spirit
             of
             Bondage
             ?
             Open
             to
             Christ
             ,
             and
             thou
             art
             in
             the
             way
             to
             such
             a
             deliverance
             ,
             
               Come
               unto
               me
               and
               I
               will
               give
               you
               rest
               ,
            
             saith
             Christ
             ,
             Matth.
             11.
             28
             ,
             29.
             
          
           
             (
             3.
             )
             This
             sealing
             of
             the
             Spirit
             which
             follows
             upon
             believing
             ,
             will
             
               establish
               the
               Soul
               in
               Christ
            
             ,
             confirm
             it
             and
             settle
             it
             in
             the
             ways
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             is
             an
             unspeakable
             priviledge
             ,
             2
             
               Cor.
               1.
               22.
               
               Now
               he
               which
               establisheth
               us
               with
               you
               in
               Christ
               is
               God
               ,
               who
               also
               hath
               sealed
               us
               .
            
             Mark
             how
             establishment
             follows
             sealing
             .
             New
             temptations
             may
             come
             ,
             great
             persecutions
             and
             sore
             afflictions
             may
             come
             ;
             but
             how
             well
             is
             that
             Soul
             provided
             for
             them
             all
             ,
             that
             hath
             the
             sealings
             of
             the
             Spirit
             unto
             the
             day
             of
             redemption
             ?
             Yea
             ,
             though
             the
             Soul
             that
             was
             sealed
             should
             for
             the
             present
             be
             under
             
             new
             darkness
             ,
             new
             temptations
             and
             fears
             ;
             yet
             former
             sealing
             will
             give
             establishment
             and
             relief
             ,
             when
             the
             thoughts
             run
             back
             to
             the
             sealing
             day
             ,
             and
             a
             man
             remembers
             how
             clear
             God
             once
             made
             his
             title
             to
             Christ
             ,
             Well
             then
             ,
             open
             to
             Christ
             ,
             if
             ever
             you
             expect
             to
             be
             sealed
             to
             salvation
             .
             If
             you
             continue
             to
             despise
             and
             reject
             the
             tenders
             of
             Christ
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             whilst
             others
             that
             embrace
             him
             are
             
               sealed
               to
               redemption
            
             :
             Your
             unbelief
             and
             final
             rejection
             of
             Christ
             will
             seal
             you
             up
             to
             the
             
               day
               of
               damnation
            
             .
          
           
             V.
             And
             lastly
             ,
             we
             read
             likewise
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             of
             the
             
               Earnest
               of
               the
               Spirit
            
             .
             This
             is
             three
             times
             mentioned
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             
               Eph.
               1.
               14.
               
               Which
               is
               the
               earnest
               of
               our
               inheritance
               until
               the
               redemption
               of
               the
               purchasad
               possession
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             1.
             22.
             where
             it
             is
             joyned
             with
             the
             former
             priviledge
             of
             sealing
             ,
             
               Who
               hath
               also
               sealed
               us
               ,
               and
               given
               the
               earnest
               of
               the
               Spirit
               in
               our
               Hearts
               .
            
             And
             again
             ,
             2
             
               Cor.
               5.
               5.
               
               He
               that
               hath
               wrought
               us
               for
               the
               self
               same
               thing
               is
               God
               ,
               who
               also
               hath
               given
               unto
               us
               the
               earnest
               of
               the
               Spirit
               .
            
             The
             word
             is
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             originally
             a
             Syriak
             word
             :
             The
             Greeks
             are
             supposed
             to
             get
             it
             from
             the
             
               Phonician
               Merchants
            
             ,
             with
             whom
             they
             traded
             ;
             and
             it
             notes
             a
             part
             paid
             in
             hand
             to
             confirm
             a
             bargain
             for
             the
             whole
             .
             There
             are
             two
             things
             in
             an
             earnest
             .
             (
             1
             )
             It
             is
             part
             of
             the
             sum
             or
             inheritance
             :
             If
             it
             were
             a
             contract
             for
             a
             sum
             of
             mony
             ,
             then
             it
             was
             a
             small
             part
             of
             a
             greater
             parcel
             :
             If
             for
             an
             Inheritance
             ,
             then
             the
             earnest
             is
             a
             taking
             a
             part
             of
             the
             Inheritance
             ,
             as
             a
             twig
             or
             turf
             ,
             part
             of
             the
             whole
             .
             Now
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             chooses
             this
             word
             on
             purpose
             to
             signifie
             two
             great
             things
             to
             his
             People
             by
             it
             .
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             That
             those
             comforts
             communicated
             by
             
             the
             Spirit
             to
             Believers
             are
             of
             the
             same
             kind
             with
             the
             Joys
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             though
             in
             a
             far
             inferiour
             degree
             ,
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             8.
             called
             there
             
               Ioy
               unspeakable
               and
               full
               of
               glory
               ,
            
             and
             Rom.
             8.
             23.
             called
             there
             ,
             
               The
               first-fruits
               of
               the
               Spirit
            
             .
             The
             First-Fruits
             and
             the
             Crop
             or
             Harvest
             are
             one
             in
             kind
             .
             Surely
             there
             is
             something
             of
             Heaven
             as
             well
             as
             Hell
             tasted
             by
             men
             in
             this
             world
             :
             Hell
             is
             begun
             here
             in
             the
             terrors
             of
             some
             mens
             Consciences
             ;
             and
             Heaven
             also
             is
             begun
             here
             in
             the
             absolution
             ,
             peace
             and
             comfort
             of
             other
             mens
             Consciences
             .
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             As
             an
             earnest
             is
             part
             of
             the
             sum
             or
             inheritance
             ,
             so
             the
             use
             and
             end
             of
             it
             is
             confirmation
             and
             security
             ;
             as
             much
             as
             to
             say
             ,
             Take
             this
             in
             part
             till
             the
             whole
             be
             paid
             :
             yea
             ,
             take
             it
             for
             thy
             security
             that
             the
             whole
             shall
             be
             paid
             .
             Believers
             have
             a
             double
             pledge
             or
             earnest
             for
             Heaven
             ;
             one
             in
             the
             person
             of
             Christ
             ,
             who
             is
             entred
             into
             that
             glory
             for
             them
             ,
             Iohn
             14.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
             The
             other
             in
             the
             joys
             and
             comforts
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             they
             feel
             and
             taste
             in
             themselves
             .
             These
             are
             two
             great
             securities
             ,
             and
             the
             design
             of
             God
             in
             giving
             us
             these
             earnests
             and
             foretasts
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             are
             not
             only
             to
             settle
             our
             minds
             ,
             but
             to
             whet
             our
             industry
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             long
             the
             more
             earnestly
             ,
             and
             labour
             the
             more
             diligently
             for
             the
             full
             possession
             .
             The
             Lord
             sees
             how
             apt
             we
             are
             to
             flag
             in
             the
             pursuit
             of
             Heavenly
             Glory
             :
             and
             therefore
             gives
             his
             People
             a
             taste
             ,
             an
             earnest
             of
             it
             ,
             to
             excite
             their
             diligence
             in
             the
             pursuits
             of
             it
             .
             God
             deals
             with
             his
             People
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             as
             with
             Israel
             ;
             they
             had
             been
             forty
             years
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             many
             sore
             temptations
             they
             had
             there
             encountred
             ;
             at
             last
             they
             were
             come
             upon
             the
             very
             borders
             of
             Canaan
             ;
             but
             then
             their
             hearts
             began
             to
             faint
             ;
             there
             were
             
             
               Anakims
               ,
               Gyants
            
             in
             the
             Land
             ,
             poor
             Israel
             feared
             they
             should
             not
             stand
             before
             them
             ;
             but
             Ioshua
             sends
             Spies
             into
             the
             Land
             ,
             who
             returning
             ,
             bring
             the
             first-fruits
             of
             Canaan
             to
             them
             ,
             whereby
             they
             saw
             what
             a
             goodly
             Country
             it
             was
             ;
             and
             then
             the
             fear
             of
             the
             Anakims
             began
             to
             vanish
             ,
             and
             a
             spirit
             of
             Courage
             to
             revive
             in
             the
             People
             .
             Thus
             it
             is
             even
             with
             the
             Borderers
             upon
             Heaven
             ;
             tho'
             we
             be
             near
             that
             blessed
             Land
             of
             promise
             ,
             yet
             our
             hearts
             are
             apt
             to
             faint
             upon
             a
             prospect
             of
             those
             great
             sufferings
             without
             us
             ,
             and
             those
             conflicts
             with
             corruptions
             we
             feel
             within
             us
             :
             But
             one
             taste
             of
             the
             first
             fruits
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             like
             those
             grapes
             of
             Eshcol
             ,
             revive
             our
             Spirits
             ,
             rouze
             our
             Zeal
             ,
             and
             quicken
             our
             pursuits
             of
             blessedness
             .
             For
             these
             reasons
             God
             will
             not
             have
             all
             of
             Heaven
             reserved
             till
             we
             come
             thither
             .
             And
             now
             tell
             me
             ,
             you
             that
             have
             tasted
             these
             first-fruits
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             (
             1
             )
             Is
             there
             not
             something
             in
             faith
             of
             that
             
               glorified
               Eye
            
             ,
             by
             which
             the
             pure
             in
             heart
             do
             see
             God
             in
             Heaven
             ?
             Matth.
             5.
             8.
             
             O
             that
             eye
             of
             Faith
             !
             that
             precious
             eye
             !
             which
             comes
             as
             near
             to
             the
             glorified
             eye
             ,
             as
             any
             thing
             in
             this
             imperfect
             state
             can
             come
             ,
             1
             
               Pet.
               1.
               8.
               
               Whom
               having
               not
               seen
               ye
               love
               ,
               in
               whom
               though
               now
               ye
               see
               him
               not
               ,
               yet
               believing
               ye
               rejoyce
               ,
               with
               joy
               unspeakable
               and
               full
               of
               glory
               .
            
             (
             2
             )
             Is
             there
             not
             something
             of
             that
             glorified
             love
             to
             be
             felt
             in
             an
             inferiour
             degree
             by
             the
             Saints
             in
             this
             world
             ?
             What
             else
             can
             we
             make
             of
             that
             transport
             of
             the
             Spouse
             ,
             
               Cant.
               2.
               5.
               
               Stay
               me
               with
               flagons
               ,
               comfort
               me
               with
               apples
               ,
               for
               I
               am
               sick
               of
               love
               ?
            
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             our
             love
             to
             God
             in
             Heaven
             is
             much
             more
             servent
             ,
             pure
             ,
             and
             constant
             ;
             yet
             these
             high-raised
             acts
             of
             spiritual
             love
             have
             a
             tast
             and
             relish
             of
             it
             .
             (
             3
             )
             Is
             there
             not
             something
             here
             of
             
             that
             
               heavenly
               delight
            
             wherewith
             the
             glorified
             delight
             in
             God
             ?
             As
             the
             visions
             of
             God
             are
             begun
             on
             earth
             ,
             so
             the
             heavenly
             delights
             are
             begun
             here
             also
             .
             Some
             drops
             of
             that
             delight
             are
             let
             fall
             here
             ,
             
               Psal.
               94.
               19.
               
               In
               the
               multitude
               of
               the
               thoughts
               I
               had
               within
               me
               ,
               thy
               comforts
               delight
               my
               Soul.
            
             David's
             heart
             ,
             't
             is
             like
             ,
             had
             been
             full
             of
             sorrow
             and
             trouble
             ;
             a
             sea
             of
             gall
             and
             wormwood
             had
             overflowed
             his
             Soul
             :
             God
             le
             ts
             fall
             but
             a
             drop
             or
             two
             of
             heavenly
             delight
             ,
             and
             all
             is
             turned
             into
             sweetness
             and
             comfort
             .
             (
             4
             )
             Is
             there
             not
             something
             here
             of
             that
             transformation
             of
             the
             Soul
             into
             the
             image
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             is
             compleat
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             a
             special
             part
             of
             the
             glory
             thereof
             ?
             'T
             is
             said
             in
             1
             
               Iohn
               3.
               2.
               
               We
               shall
               be
               like
               him
               ,
               for
               me
               shall
               see
               him
               as
               he
               is
               .
            
             This
             is
             Heaven
             ,
             this
             is
             glory
             ,
             to
             have
             the
             Soul
             moulded
             into
             full
             conformity
             with
             God
             ;
             something
             thereof
             is
             experienced
             in
             this
             world
             :
             O
             that
             we
             had
             more
             !
             2
             
               Cor.
               3.
               18.
               
               But
               we
               all
               with
               open
               face
               ,
               beholding
               as
               in
               a
               glass
               the
               glory
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               are
               changed
               into
               the
               same
               image
               ,
               from
               glory
               to
               glory
               as
               by
               the
               Spirit
               of
               the
               Lord.
            
             (
             5
             )
             Is
             there
             not
             something
             felt
             here
             of
             the
             ravishing
             sweetness
             of
             God's
             presence
             in
             Ordinances
             and
             Duties
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             faint
             shadow
             at
             least
             ,
             of
             the
             joys
             of
             his
             glorious
             presence
             in
             Heaven
             ?
             there
             is
             certainly
             a
             felt
             presence
             of
             God
             ,
             a
             sensible
             nearness
             unto
             God
             at
             some
             times
             ,
             and
             in
             some
             duties
             of
             Religion
             ,
             wherein
             his
             name
             is
             as
             an
             oyntment
             poured
             forth
             ,
             Cant.
             1.
             3.
             something
             that
             is
             felt
             beyond
             and
             above
             all
             the
             comforts
             of
             this
             world
             .
             (
             6
             )
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             the
             joys
             of
             Heaven
             are
             unspeakable
             Joys
             ;
             no
             words
             can
             make
             known
             to
             others
             what
             they
             are
             .
             When
             Paul
             was
             caught
             up
             into
             Paradice
             ,
             he
             heard
             unspeakable
             words
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             12.
             4.
             
             
             And
             are
             there
             not
             times
             even
             in
             this
             life
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Saints
             do
             feel
             that
             which
             no
             words
             can
             express
             ?
             1
             
               Pet.
               1.
               8.
               
               Rev.
            
             2.
             17.
             
          
           
             Now
             ,
             if
             such
             earnests
             of
             the
             Spirit
             do
             follow
             after
             believing
             ;
             if
             opening
             the
             Soul
             to
             Christ
             do
             bring
             it
             into
             these
             Suburbs
             of
             Heaven
             ;
             who
             then
             would
             not
             receive
             Christ
             into
             his
             Soul
             ,
             and
             such
             an
             heaven
             upon
             earth
             with
             him
             ?
             And
             thus
             I
             have
             shewed
             you
             what
             some
             of
             those
             heavenly
             rarities
             are
             with
             which
             Christ
             entertains
             Believers
             upon
             earth
             ,
             the
             fulness
             and
             perfection
             whereof
             is
             reserved
             for
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             hereby
             secured
             to
             the
             opening
             or
             believing
             Soul
             :
             which
             was
             the
             first
             thing
             to
             be
             discovered
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             .
             Next
             we
             shall
             enquire
             into
             the
             reasons
             why
             Christ
             thus
             entertains
             ,
             feasts
             and
             refreshes
             the
             Soul
             that
             receives
             him
             .
             And
          
           
             First
             ,
             
             This
             he
             doth
             to
             express
             the
             great
             joy
             and
             satisfaction
             his
             Soul
             hath
             in
             the
             faith
             and
             obedience
             of
             poor
             Sinners
             .
             We
             read
             ,
             Isa.
             53.
             11.
             of
             the
             hard
             travel
             of
             Christs
             Soul
             ,
             and
             the
             great
             satisfaction
             he
             hath
             in
             the
             fruit
             and
             issue
             thereof
             :
             
               He
               shall
               see
               of
               the
               travel
               of
               his
               Soul
               ,
               and
               shall
               be
               satisfied
               .
            
             O
             what
             pleasure
             and
             satisfaction
             doth
             it
             give
             him
             to
             behold
             the
             eternal
             counsels
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             sore
             travels
             of
             his
             Soul
             brought
             to
             such
             a
             birth
             !
             there
             is
             no
             pleasure
             like
             it
             ,
             to
             the
             Soul
             of
             Christ
             in
             this
             world
             .
             As
             it
             is
             abundant
             satisfaction
             to
             a
             man
             to
             behold
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             a
             design
             upon
             which
             he
             hath
             laid
             out
             many
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             much
             cost
             ,
             at
             last
             happily
             finished
             :
             Or
             as
             it
             is
             to
             a
             Woman
             that
             hath
             had
             a
             hard
             labour
             ,
             a
             sore
             travel
             for
             a
             Child
             ,
             to
             behold
             the
             fruit
             of
             her
             Womb
             ,
             to
             embrace
             and
             smile
             
             upon
             that
             Child
             she
             travail'd
             for
             .
             So
             and
             much
             more
             than
             so
             it
             is
             to
             Christ
             ;
             and
             therefore
             as
             the
             Father
             of
             the
             Prodigal
             manifested
             the
             Joy
             of
             his
             heart
             for
             the
             return
             of
             his
             Son
             ,
             (
             who
             was
             to
             him
             as
             dead
             and
             lost
             )
             by
             a
             feast
             and
             musick
             :
             So
             doth
             Christ
             here
             answerably
             manifest
             the
             content
             and
             satisfaction
             of
             his
             Soul
             ,
             by
             entertaining
             the
             Believer
             with
             these
             royal
             dainties
             of
             Heaven
             :
             't
             is
             the
             Souls
             welcom
             home
             to
             Christ.
             
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             
             This
             Christ
             doth
             to
             relieve
             and
             refresh
             poor
             distressed
             Souls
             ,
             who
             have
             endured
             so
             many
             fears
             and
             sorrows
             from
             the
             time
             of
             their
             first
             conviction
             ,
             until
             this
             day
             of
             their
             union
             with
             Christ
             by
             Faith.
             The
             way
             of
             faith
             is
             a
             very
             humbling
             way
             ;
             there
             's
             much
             cutting
             work
             in
             antecedent
             convictions
             and
             humiliations
             ,
             sad
             nights
             and
             sick
             days
             with
             many
             poor
             Souls
             ;
             and
             these
             things
             bring
             them
             very
             low
             :
             They
             see
             the
             Law
             broken
             by
             sin
             ,
             wrath
             hanging
             over
             them
             in
             the
             threatnings
             ,
             the
             bitter
             tast
             thereof
             they
             have
             in
             their
             consciences
             ;
             they
             have
             dwelt
             with
             fears
             and
             horrors
             a
             long
             time
             ,
             and
             they
             need
             succour
             and
             support
             ,
             which
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             is
             now
             resolved
             to
             give
             them
             ,
             lest
             the
             spirit
             fail
             before
             him
             ,
             Isa.
             57.
             16.
             
             He
             delights
             to
             comfort
             them
             that
             are
             cast
             down
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             7.
             6.
             
             Christ
             is
             of
             a
             compassionate
             nature
             ,
             he
             is
             as
             ready
             as
             able
             to
             succour
             them
             that
             are
             tempted
             ,
             Heb.
             2.
             18.
             
             That
             word
             which
             we
             render
             Succour
             ,
             signifies
             to
             run
             in
             by
             way
             of
             help
             ,
             at
             the
             cry
             of
             one
             that
             is
             in
             distress
             .
             Many
             emphatical
             cries
             have
             gone
             up
             to
             Heaven
             from
             the
             distressed
             sin-sick
             Soul
             ;
             these
             the
             compassionate
             Jesus
             hears
             ,
             and
             now
             comes
             in
             seasonably
             to
             succour
             and
             refresh
             it
             :
             He
             hath
             
             rich
             Cordials
             for
             fainting
             hours
             :
             the
             Soul
             hath
             had
             a
             bitter
             break-fast
             ,
             and
             therefore
             Christ
             will
             give
             it
             a
             comfortable
             
               Supper
               ,
               I
               will
               come
               in
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               sup
               with
               him
               .
            
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             
             Those
             that
             open
             their
             hearts
             to
             Christ
             must
             expect
             to
             meet
             great
             troubles
             ,
             sufferings
             ,
             and
             temptations
             in
             that
             new
             course
             whereinto
             they
             are
             entred
             :
             Their
             way
             to
             Heaven
             lies
             through
             much
             tribulation
             ;
             all
             our
             troubles
             are
             not
             over
             when
             we
             are
             got
             into
             Christ
             ;
             nay
             ,
             then
             commonly
             our
             greatest
             outward
             troubles
             begin
             ,
             
               Heb.
               10.
               32.
               
               After
               ye
               believed
               ,
               ye
               endured
               a
               great
               fight
               of
               affliction
               :
            
             Carnal
             relations
             now
             scoff
             ,
             frown
             ,
             and
             cast
             off
             ;
             the
             world
             hates
             them
             ,
             and
             marks
             them
             out
             for
             persecution
             :
             Now
             that
             poor
             Christians
             may
             not
             utterly
             be
             discouraged
             ,
             when
             they
             meet
             with
             those
             troubles
             in
             the
             way
             of
             their
             duty
             ;
             Christ
             will
             chear
             and
             hearten
             them
             by
             these
             spiritual
             refreshments
             :
             This
             is
             a
             stock
             laid
             in
             for
             a
             rainy
             day
             :
             Christ
             himself
             had
             a
             voice
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             
               Matth.
               17.
               5.
               
               This
               is
               my
               beloved
               Son
               ,
            
             a
             little
             before
             his
             great
             combat
             ,
             much
             more
             do
             his
             poor
             people
             need
             such
             consolations
             to
             support
             and
             encourage
             them
             .
             The
             wise
             God
             foresees
             ,
             and
             by
             this
             provision
             forelays
             the
             troubles
             they
             are
             to
             meet
             with
             :
             An
             hour
             of
             Sealing
             fortifies
             the
             Soul
             for
             an
             hour
             of
             Suffering
             .
             It
             hath
             been
             the
             observation
             of
             some
             Christians
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             felt
             more
             than
             ordinary
             comforts
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             that
             some
             great
             tryal
             hath
             been
             near
             them
             ;
             and
             the
             event
             hath
             confirmed
             it
             .
             Whatever
             comforts
             Christ
             gives
             his
             people
             at
             their
             first
             entrance
             into
             his
             Service
             ,
             they
             will
             have
             need
             enough
             of
             them
             all
             before
             they
             finish
             their
             
             course
             .
             To
             these
             first
             sealings
             they
             will
             need
             often
             to
             run
             back
             ,
             and
             have
             frequent
             recourse
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             all
             little
             enough
             to
             support
             them
             in
             after-tryals
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             
             Christ
             comes
             in
             to
             the
             opening
             Soul
             with
             such
             divine
             Cordials
             and
             refreshments
             ,
             to
             defeat
             and
             countermine
             the
             plot
             of
             Satan
             ,
             who
             hath
             so
             often
             ,
             and
             so
             lately
             ,
             been
             discouraging
             them
             ,
             by
             representing
             the
             ways
             of
             Christ
             as
             sad
             ,
             melancholy
             ways
             ;
             telling
             them
             ,
             they
             shall
             never
             laugh
             more
             ,
             never
             be
             merry
             more
             ,
             after
             they
             have
             embraced
             and
             espoused
             the
             ways
             of
             holiness
             ,
             
               Spiritus
               Calvinianus
               ,
               est
               spiritus
               melancholicus
               .
            
             Well
             their
             own
             experiences
             shall
             now
             confute
             it
             ,
             for
             they
             now
             taste
             that
             pleasure
             in
             Christ
             ,
             in
             faith
             ,
             and
             obedience
             ,
             which
             they
             never
             tasted
             in
             the
             ways
             of
             sin
             ;
             thus
             that
             scandalous
             libel
             of
             the
             Devil
             is
             experimentally
             confuted
             .
             They
             find
             they
             were
             never
             truly
             merry
             till
             now
             ,
             Luke
             15.
             24.
             
             All
             true
             mirth
             commences
             from
             our
             closing
             with
             Christ
             ;
             
               and
               they
               began
               to
               be
               merry
               .
            
          
           
             Now
             these
             spiritual
             refreshments
             are
             by
             Christ
             here
             called
             
               a
               Supper
            
             ,
             because
             the
             Supper
             among
             the
             Jews
             was
             their
             best
             meal
             ,
             Luke
             14.
             17.
             and
             because
             it
             is
             the
             last
             meal
             .
             This
             is
             not
             only
             the
             best
             meal
             that
             ever
             a
             believer
             made
             ,
             but
             upon
             these
             spiritual
             comforts
             (
             though
             much
             more
             refined
             and
             perfect
             )
             they
             are
             to
             feed
             for
             ever
             in
             Heaven
             .
             O
             Christian
             ,
             well
             maist
             thou
             be
             contented
             with
             thine
             outward
             lot
             of
             providence
             ,
             however
             it
             shall
             fall
             in
             this
             World
             with
             respect
             to
             thy
             outward-man
             ;
             Will
             a
             King
             from
             Heaven
             come
             and
             sup
             with
             thee
             ?
             Doth
             he
             feed
             thy
             Soul
             with
             pardon
             ,
             peace
             and
             joy
             in
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ?
             
             Seals
             an
             earnest
             of
             future
             glory
             ?
             then
             thou
             livest
             at
             an
             higher
             and
             nobler
             rate
             than
             any
             of
             thy
             carnal
             neighbours
             do
             .
             
               Blessed
               be
               the
               God
               and
               Father
               of
               our
               Lord
               Iesus
               Christ
               ,
               who
               hath
               blessed
               us
               with
               all
               spiritual
               blessings
               in
               heavenly
               places
               in
               Christ
               ,
            
             Eph.
             1.
             3.
             
             The
             same
             person
             that
             thus
             blesses
             God
             with
             an
             Heart
             over-flowing
             with
             joy
             and
             comfort
             ,
             endured
             as
             many
             Persecutions
             ,
             felt
             as
             many
             wants
             and
             straighs
             as
             any
             man.
             What
             ●f
             Providence
             do
             but
             meanly
             cloath
             your
             Bodies
             ,
             so
             that
             you
             cannot
             ruffle
             it
             out
             in
             that
             splendor
             and
             gallantry
             others
             do
             ?
             yet
             mayst
             thou
             say
             with
             the
             Church
             ,
             
               I
               will
               greatly
               rejoice
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               my
               Soul
               shall
               be
               joyful
               in
               my
               God
               ;
               for
               he
               hath
               clothed
               me
               with
               the
               garments
               of
               Salvation
               ;
               he
               hath
               covered
               me
               with
               the
               robe
               of
               righteousness
               ,
               as
               a
               bridegroom
               decketh
               himself
               with
               ornaments
               ,
               and
               as
               a
               bride
               adorneth
               her self
               with
               Iewels
               ,
            
             Isa.
             61.
             10.
             
             What
             if
             thou
             fare
             not
             deliciously
             as
             the
             great
             ones
             of
             this
             World
             do
             ?
             yet
             if
             Christ
             will
             give
             thee
             to
             eat
             of
             the
             
               hidden
               manna
            
             which
             he
             promiseth
             ,
             Rev.
             2.
             17.
             
             Art
             thou
             not
             better
             clothed
             and
             fed
             than
             any
             of
             the
             Grandees
             or
             Nobles
             of
             the
             World
             ?
             This
             takes
             away
             all
             grounds
             of
             complaint
             ;
             it
             may
             be
             you
             will
             say
             ,
             O
             but
             we
             have
             Bodies
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Souls
             ;
             if
             God
             had
             created
             us
             Angels
             ,
             that
             we
             could
             live
             without
             material
             food
             it
             were
             another
             case
             .
             I
             reply
             ,
             Christ
             never
             thus
             intended
             to
             feast
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             and
             starve
             thy
             Body
             :
             he
             that
             feeds
             thy
             Soul
             with
             bread
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             will
             take
             care
             for
             all
             necessary
             provisions
             on
             Earth
             ,
             Isa.
             41.
             17.
             
             You
             have
             sought
             and
             found
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             righteousness
             ;
             fear
             not
             but
             all
             other
             things
             shall
             be
             added
             to
             you
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             I.
             Vse
             for
             Information
             .
          
           
             The
             Point
             before
             us
             is
             full
             of
             Uses
             ;
             I
             shall
             begin
             with
             Information
             ,
             in
             the
             following
             Inferences
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               Hence
               learn
               ,
               
               
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 vile
                 and
                 groundless
                 slander
                 upon
                 Religion
                 ,
                 to
                 say
                 or
                 insinuate
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 deprives
                 men
                 of
                 the
                 comfort
                 and
                 joy
                 of
                 life
                 .
              
            
             
               The
               Devil
               in
               design
               to
               discourage
               men
               from
               the
               ways
               of
               God
               ,
               puts
               a
               frightful
               mask
               upon
               the
               beautiful
               face
               of
               Religion
               ,
               pretending
               there
               is
               no
               pleasure
               or
               joy
               to
               be
               expected
               therein
               ;
               but
               this
               is
               abundantly
               confuted
               and
               refelled
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               
                 I
                 will
                 come
                 in
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 sup
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 Solomon
              
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 Eccles.
                 10.
                 19.
                 
                 A
                 feast
                 is
                 made
                 for
                 laughter
                 .
              
               I
               am
               sure
               that
               Soul
               that
               sits
               with
               Christ
               at
               such
               a
               feast
               as
               hath
               been
               described
               above
               ,
               hath
               the
               best
               reason
               of
               any
               man
               in
               the
               World
               to
               be
               merry
               .
               Religion
               indeed
               denies
               us
               all
               sinful
               pleasure
               ,
               but
               it
               abounds
               with
               all
               spiritual
               pleasure
               .
               No
               rational
               solid
               mirth
               can
               come
               before
               Christ
               ;
               the
               unsanctified
               rejoyce
               in
               things
               of
               nought
               ,
               and
               their
               joy
               will
               be
               soon
               ended
               ;
               they
               are
               hastning
               to
               that
               place
               where
               they
               will
               find
               that
               to
               be
               verified
               of
               the
               wages
               of
               sin
               ,
               which
               they
               now
               falsely
               impute
               to
               the
               wages
               of
               holiness
               ;
               they
               shall
               never
               rejoyce
               more
               ,
               never
               be
               merry
               more
               :
               But
               believers
               shall
               find
               that
               Scripture
               attested
               by
               their
               dayly
               experience
               ,
               
                 Prov.
                 3.
                 17.
                 
                 All
                 her
                 ways
                 are
                 ways
                 of
                 pleasantness
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 her
                 paths
                 are
                 peace
                 .
              
               And
               that
               there
               are
               such
               pleasures
               in
               
               the
               ways
               of
               God
               as
               they
               never
               experienced
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               sin
               ;
               for
               is
               it
               a
               solid
               ground
               of
               comfort
               to
               a
               man
               to
               be
               out
               of
               debt
               ,
               and
               all
               fears
               of
               arrests
               ?
               And
               is
               it
               not
               much
               greater
               to
               have
               our
               debts
               paid
               to
               God
               by
               Christ
               our
               Surety
               ?
               
                 Matth.
                 9.
                 2.
                 
                 Be
                 of
                 good
                 cheer
                 ,
                 thy
                 sins
                 are
                 forgiven
                 thee
                 .
              
               Is
               it
               matter
               of
               joy
               to
               have
               a
               sufficiency
               of
               all
               things
               for
               the
               supply
               of
               every
               want
               ?
               he
               that
               is
               in
               Christ
               hath
               so
               ,
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 All
                 are
                 yours
                 ,
                 and
                 ye
                 are
                 Christs
                 .
              
               Is
               it
               a
               joyful
               life
               to
               be
               a
               borderer
               upon
               Heaven
               ,
               to
               confine
               upon
               blessedness
               it self
               ?
               Then
               it
               is
               a
               joyful
               life
               to
               be
               in
               Christ
               ,
               for
               they
               that
               are
               so
               ,
               may
               rejoyce
               in
               the
               hopes
               of
               glory
               ,
               Rom.
               5.
               2.
               
               Is
               it
               matter
               of
               all
               joy
               to
               have
               the
               Comforter
               himself
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               Spirit
               of
               all
               Consolation
               ,
               taking
               up
               his
               residence
               in
               thy
               Heart
               ,
               cheering
               ,
               comforting
               ,
               and
               refreshing
               it
               with
               such
               Cordials
               as
               are
               unknown
               things
               in
               all
               the
               unbelieving
               World
               ?
               Then
               certainly
               the
               life
               of
               a
               Christian
               ,
               and
               the
               ways
               of
               holiness
               ,
               must
               be
               most
               pleasant
               and
               comfortable
               ;
               and
               therefore
               let
               none
               that
               are
               looking
               towards
               Christ
               be
               discouraged
               in
               their
               way
               ,
               by
               the
               slanderous
               reproaches
               designedly
               cast
               upon
               Religion
               for
               that
               end
               .
               Christ
               and
               comfort
               dwell
               together
               .
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               Hence
               in
               like
               manner
               it
               follows
               ,
               
               That
               Christians
               usually
               meet
               the
               greatest
               difficulties
               at
               their
               first
               entrance
               into
               Religion
               .
            
             
               The
               first
               work
               of
               Religion
               is
               cutting
               work
               ,
               wounding
               work
               ,
               groaning
               and
               weeping
               work
               ;
               thus
               Religion
               usually
               begins
               ,
               
                 Acts
                 2.
                 37.
                 
                 Acts
              
               16.
               29.
               
               Now
               the
               Soul
               seems
               to
               be
               struck
               dead
               in
               the
               
               giving
               up
               of
               all
               its
               former
               vain
               hopes
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 9.
                 
                 When
                 the
                 commandment
                 came
                 ,
                 sin
                 revived
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 dyed
              
               ;
               but
               afterward
               comes
               pardon
               ,
               peace
               ,
               joy
               in
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               .
               They
               that
               go
               forth
               weeping
               ,
               bearing
               precious
               seed
               ,
               now
               come
               back
               rejoycing
               ,
               bringing
               their
               sheaves
               with
               them
               ,
               Psal.
               126.
               6.
               
               Now
               that
               blessing
               takes
               place
               upon
               the
               Soul
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 5.
                 4.
                 
                 Blessed
                 are
                 they
                 that
                 mourn
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 conforted
                 .
                 Light
                 is
                 sowen
                 for
                 the
                 righteous
                 ,
                 and
                 joy
                 for
                 the
                 upright
                 in
                 Heart
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               quite
               contrary
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               sin
               ;
               all
               the
               pleasures
               of
               sin
               come
               first
               ,
               the
               terrors
               and
               gripes
               of
               Conscience
               come
               after
               .
               Sin
               comes
               with
               smiles
               in
               its
               face
               ,
               but
               a
               sting
               in
               its
               tail
               .
               Pleasures
               lead
               the
               van
               ,
               Hell
               and
               destruction
               bring
               up
               the
               rear
               ,
               Job
               20.
               12
               ,
               13
               ,
               14.
               
               
                 Though
                 wickedness
                 be
                 sweet
                 in
                 his
                 mouth
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 hide
                 it
                 under
                 his
                 tongue
                 ;
                 yet
                 his
                 meat
                 in
                 his
                 bowels
                 is
                 turned
                 into
                 the
                 gall
                 of
                 Asps
                 within
                 him
                 .
              
               But
               here
               conviction
               and
               humiliation
               come
               first
               ,
               these
               prepare
               the
               way
               for
               Christ
               ;
               and
               after
               him
               comes
               rest
               and
               peace
               .
               
                 Their
                 sorrow
                 is
                 turned
                 into
                 joy
                 ,
                 John
                 16.
                 120.
                 
              
            
             
               But
               is
               this
               always
               true
               ?
               Do
               not
               the
               worst
               things
               of
               Religion
               many
               times
               come
               last
               ?
               
               How
               many
               Christians
               go
               out
               of
               the
               world
               in
               a
               bloody
               winding
               sheet
               ?
            
             
               Whatever
               the
               after-sufferings
               of
               Christians
               may
               be
               ,
               
               the
               worst
               is
               past
               when
               they
               are
               once
               in
               Christ.
               Great
               and
               sharp
               sufferings
               they
               may
               endure
               ,
               but
               the
               Lord
               sweetens
               them
               with
               answerable
               consolations
               ,
               2
               
                 Cor.
                 7.
                 4.
                 
                 I
                 am
                 filled
                 with
                 comfort
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 exceeding
                 joyful
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 tribulation
                 .
              
               The
               lowest
               ebbs
               ,
               are
               followed
               with
               the
               highest
               tydes
               ;
               the
               greatest
               troubles
               need
               not
               give
               an
               interruption
               to
               their
               peace
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               III.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               
               
                 Hence
                 it
                 follows
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 man
                 can
                 be
                 owner
                 of
                 any
                 true
                 comfort
                 till
                 he
                 be
                 in
                 Christ.
                 
              
            
             
               Comfort
               and
               refreshment
               in
               the
               natural
               order
               follow
               faith
               ;
               't
               is
               the
               vainest
               imagination
               in
               the
               World
               to
               expect
               solid
               Spiritual
               comfort
               before
               union
               with
               Christ
               ;
               you
               may
               as
               well
               expect
               an
               harvest
               before
               a
               seed-time
               .
               I
               do
               confess
               there
               are
               two
               sorts
               of
               comforts
               found
               in
               the
               World
               without
               Christ.
               (
               1.
               )
               Men
               may
               have
               sensitive
               and
               sinful
               comforts
               and
               delights
               without
               Christ
               ;
               these
               are
               common
               in
               the
               unregenerate
               World
               ;
               where
               you
               may
               dayly
               see
               rich
               men
               taking
               comfort
               in
               their
               riches
               ;
               voluptuous
               men
               in
               their
               pleasures
               ,
               
                 Iam.
                 5.
                 5.
                 
                 You
                 have
                 lived
                 in
                 pleasures
                 upon
                 Earth
                 .
              
               But
               these
               are
               the
               pleasures
               common
               to
               bruits
               ,
               and
               beneath
               the
               noble
               immortal
               spirit
               of
               a
               Man.
               (
               2.
               )
               Hypocrites
               have
               their
               delights
               and
               comforts
               ,
               in
               a
               false
               imaginary
               happiness
               which
               they
               fancy
               to
               themselves
               ;
               but
               this
               is
               a
               vanishing
               shadow
               :
               they
               take
               comfort
               from
               their
               groundless
               hopes
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               whither
               they
               shall
               never
               come
               ;
               't
               is
               a
               feast
               in
               a
               dream
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 44.
                 20.
              
               
               Thus
               they
               make
               a
               bridge
               of
               their
               own
               shadow
               ,
               and
               are
               drowned
               in
               the
               waters
               .
               Such
               sensitive
               and
               false
               comforts
               and
               pleasures
               Men
               may
               have
               ;
               but
               no
               true
               solid
               scriptural
               joy
               takes
               place
               in
               any
               mans
               Heart
               before
               Christ
               come
               into
               it
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               Guess
               from
               hence
               what
               Heaven
               is
               ,
               
               if
               there
               be
               such
               a
               feast
               to
               the
               Soul
               in
               the
               very
               foretasts
               of
               it
               .
            
             
             
               If
               a
               relish
               ,
               a
               taste
               of
               Heaven
               in
               the
               earnest
               thereof
               be
               so
               transporting
               and
               ravishing
               ,
               what
               then
               is
               the
               full
               fruition
               of
               God!
               If
               these
               be
               unutterable
               ,
               what
               must
               that
               be
               !
               Give
               me
               leave
               to
               say
               ,
               Whatever
               the
               comforts
               and
               joys
               of
               any
               believer
               in
               this
               World
               may
               be
               ,
               yet
               Heaven
               will
               be
               a
               surprize
               to
               him
               when
               he
               comes
               thither
               .
               The
               joys
               of
               Gods
               presence
               are
               other
               manner
               of
               things
               than
               our
               present
               comforts
               are
               ;
               though
               these
               be
               of
               the
               same
               kind
               with
               them
               ,
               yet
               in
               a
               far
               inferiour
               degree
               .
               There
               is
               a
               fix-fold
               difference
               betwixt
               the
               Spiritual
               comforts
               of
               believers
               on
               Earth
               ,
               and
               the
               joys
               that
               are
               above
               .
               They
               differ
               ,
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   In
                   Quantity
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   In
                   Constancy
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   In
                   Purity
                   .
                
                 
                   4.
                   
                   In
                   Efficacy
                   .
                
                 
                   5.
                   
                   In
                   the
                   Society
                   .
                
                 
                   6.
                   
                   In
                   the
                   Durability
                   of
                   them
                   .
                
              
            
             
               First
               ,
               They
               differ
               in
               
                 quantity
                 ;
                 Here
                 we
                 know
                 but
                 in
                 part
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 perfect
                 is
                 come
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 part
                 shall
                 be
                 done
                 away
                 ,
              
               1
               Cor.
               13.
               9
               ,
               10.
               
               When
               the
               Scripture
               speaks
               of
               the
               comforts
               communicated
               to
               Saints
               on
               Earth
               it
               usually
               expresses
               them
               in
               some
               diminutive
               terms
               or
               other
               ,
               calling
               them
               first-fruits
               ,
               earnests
               ,
               and
               the
               like
               ;
               and
               indeed
               it
               is
               necessary
               we
               should
               receive
               them
               here
               with
               such
               alloys
               ,
               and
               in
               remiss
               degrees
               ,
               because
               the
               imperfection
               and
               weakness
               of
               our
               present
               state
               will
               not
               bear
               them
               in
               their
               plenitude
               and
               perfection
               .
               Here
               the
               joy
               of
               the
               Lord
               enters
               into
               us
               ,
               but
               there
               we
               are
               said
               ,
               
                 to
                 enter
                 into
                 that
                 joy
              
               ,
               Matth.
               25.
               21.
               
               'T
               is
               too
               great
               to
               enter
               into
               
               us
               ,
               therefore
               we
               enter
               into
               ,
               and
               are
               swallowed
               up
               in
               it
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               They
               differ
               in
               Constancy
               ;
               the
               best
               comforts
               upon
               Earth
               are
               found
               to
               be
               intermitting
               comforts
               ;
               a
               Sun-blast
               and
               a
               Cloud
               ;
               a
               good
               day
               and
               a
               bad
               ;
               you
               know
               houskeepers
               feed
               upon
               two
               sorts
               of
               meat
               ,
               dayly-bread
               ,
               and
               dainties
               ;
               rarities
               come
               not
               every
               day
               to
               the
               Table
               .
               The
               dayly-bread
               upon
               which
               believers
               live
               ,
               is
               the
               recumbence
               ,
               and
               affiance
               of
               faith
               ;
               as
               for
               assurance
               and
               joy
               ,
               those
               come
               but
               now
               and
               then
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               They
               differ
               in
               Purity
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               Constancy
               ;
               here
               we
               have
               the
               comforts
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               but
               we
               mingle
               sin
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               usually
               the
               sin
               of
               Spiritual
               pride
               ,
               which
               spoils
               all
               .
               Yea
               ,
               many
               times
               the
               Lord
               suffers
               Satan
               to
               mingle
               his
               temptations
               and
               injections
               with
               them
               ,
               lest
               we
               should
               be
               exalted
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               12.
               7.
               
               But
               above
               ,
               the
               comforts
               of
               the
               Saints
               are
               as
               the
               pure
               water
               of
               life
               ,
               clear
               as
               Cristal
               ,
               Rev.
               22.
               1.
               
            
             
               Fourthly
               ,
               They
               differ
               in
               Efficacy
               as
               well
               as
               in
               Purity
               .
               The
               highest
               comforts
               of
               the
               Spirit
               here
               are
               not
               perfectly
               transformative
               of
               our
               Souls
               into
               the
               image
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               they
               are
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               
                 1
                 Iohn
                 3.
                 3.
                 
                 We
                 shall
                 be
                 like
                 him
                 ,
                 for
                 we
                 shall
                 see
                 him
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 .
              
               Here
               ,
               after
               we
               are
               comforted
               by
               him
               ,
               we
               grieve
               the
               comforter
               himself
               by
               sin
               ;
               neither
               do
               the
               comforts
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               in
               this
               state
               ,
               produce
               the
               fruits
               of
               obedience
               in
               their
               perfect
               maturity
               ,
               as
               they
               do
               above
               ;
               there
               is
               the
               same
               difference
               in
               in
               point
               of
               efficacy
               as
               there
               is
               betwixt
               the
               influence
               of
               the
               Sun
               beams
               in
               the
               winter-months
               ,
               and
               those
               in
               May
               ,
               and
               Iune
               .
            
             
               Fifthly
               ,
               There
               is
               a
               great
               difference
               in
               respect
               of
               Society
               .
               Here
               the
               believer
               ,
               for
               the
               most
               part
               ,
               
               eats
               his
               pleasant
               morsels
               alone
               ;
               one
               Christian
               eats
               ,
               and
               another
               hungers
               ;
               but
               in
               Heaven
               they
               all
               feast
               and
               feed
               together
               at
               one
               Table
               ,
               Matth.
               8.
               11.
               
               
                 They
                 shall
                 sit
                 down
                 with
              
               Abraham
               ,
               Isaac
               ,
               and
               Jacob
               ,
               
                 in
                 the
                 kingdom
                 of
                 God.
              
               O
               what
               is
               it
               to
               rejoyce
               in
               the
               fellowship
               of
               Patriarchs
               ,
               Prophets
               ,
               and
               Apostles
               ,
               where
               the
               joy
               of
               one
               is
               the
               joy
               of
               all
               !
            
             
               Sixthly
               ,
               They
               differ
               also
               in
               Durability
               ;
               sin
               here
               puts
               a
               stop
               to
               our
               comforts
               ,
               but
               in
               Heaven
               as
               there
               is
               no
               comma
               ,
               so
               there
               shall
               never
               be
               a
               full
               point
               ,
               or
               period
               :
               Everlasting
               joy
               shall
               be
               upon
               their
               heads
               :
               There
               's
               an
               eternal
               feast
               ,
               no
               taking
               away
               the
               cloth
               ,
               no
               rising
               from
               that
               feast
               ,
               2
               Thes.
               2.
               16.
               
               'T
               is
               everlasting
               consolation
               :
               
                 We
                 shall
                 be
                 ever
                 with
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             II.
             Vse
             .
          
           
             This
             point
             puts
             serious
             matter
             of
             Exhortation
             into
             my
             mouth
             .
             The
             Lord
             direct
             it
             to
             the
             Hearts
             of
             all
             ,
             whether
             they
             be
             in
             Christ
             ,
             or
             out
             of
             Christ.
             
          
           
             First
             ,
             To
             those
             that
             are
             out
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             yet
             be
             perswaded
             to
             open
             their
             Hearts
             and
             consent
             to
             his
             terms
             .
             O
             what
             a
             spiritual
             infatuation
             is
             here
             !
             What
             ,
             shut
             the
             door
             of
             thy
             Heart
             against
             Christ
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             delights
             and
             comforts
             of
             this
             and
             the
             coming
             World
             !
             What
             madness
             is
             this
             !
             Hear
             me
             thou
             poor
             deluded
             sinner
             ,
             that
             wilt
             not
             be
             perswaded
             to
             part
             with
             thy
             sinful
             sensual
             delights
             in
             exchange
             for
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             peace
             ,
             comfort
             ,
             and
             joy
             that
             follow
             him
             :
             I
             have
             a
             few
             things
             to
             speak
             on
             Christs
             behalf
             at
             this
             time
             ;
             O
             that
             they
             might
             prevail
             ,
             O
             that
             by
             
             them
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             might
             perswade
             thy
             Spirit
             ,
             thou
             poor
             unregenerate
             creature
             !
             Let
             me
             offer
             four
             or
             five
             Considerations
             or
             Pleas
             on
             Christs
             behalf
             ;
             if
             haply
             they
             may
             prevail
             and
             make
             way
             for
             his
             entertainment
             in
             thy
             Soul.
             And
          
           
             I.
             
             Let
             me
             plead
             thine
             own
             necessity
             with
             thee
             ;
             a
             mighty
             argument
             ,
             which
             in
             other
             cases
             useth
             to
             make
             its
             way
             through
             all
             oppositions
             ,
             and
             make
             all
             difficulties
             fly
             before
             it
             ;
             thou
             art
             a
             poor
             ,
             necessitous
             ,
             pining
             ,
             famishing
             Soul
             ;
             however
             thy
             body
             be
             accommodated
             ,
             thou
             hast
             not
             one
             bit
             of
             spiritual
             bread
             for
             thy
             famishing
             Soul
             to
             live
             upon
             .
             Christ
             is
             the
             bread
             that
             cometh
             down
             from
             Heaven
             ;
             the
             starving
             
               Prodigal
               ,
               Luke
               15.
               v.
            
             16
             ,
             17.
             is
             the
             lively
             Emblem
             of
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             he
             fed
             upon
             husks
             ,
             and
             thou
             feedest
             upon
             that
             which
             is
             not
             bread
             ,
             Isa.
             55.
             2.
             
             Thou
             art
             wretched
             and
             miserable
             ,
             poor
             ,
             blind
             ,
             and
             naked
             ,
             Rev.
             3.
             17.
             
             Thy
             body
             hath
             often
             been
             fill'd
             and
             refresht
             with
             the
             good
             creatures
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             thy
             Soul
             never
             tasted
             one
             bit
             of
             spiritual
             bread
             ,
             since
             it
             came
             into
             thy
             body
             ;
             it
             never
             smackt
             the
             sweetness
             of
             a
             pardon
             ,
             the
             deliciousness
             of
             a
             promise
             ,
             the
             joy
             and
             comfort
             of
             Christ
             ;
             the
             choicest
             food
             that
             ever
             thou
             tastedsts
             was
             such
             as
             thy
             Soul
             cannot
             live
             upon
             .
          
           
             II.
             
             Christ
             is
             at
             the
             door
             of
             thy
             Soul
             with
             plenty
             and
             variety
             of
             heavenly
             comforts
             ,
             costly
             dainties
             purchased
             by
             his
             blood
             ;
             if
             thou
             wilt
             but
             open
             to
             him
             ,
             
               Thou
               shalt
               be
               abundantly
               satisfied
               with
               the
               fatness
               of
               his
               house
               ,
               and
               drink
               the
               rivers
               of
               pleasure
               ,
            
             Psal.
             36.
             7
             ,
             8.
             
             
               He
               that
               believeth
               ,
               as
               the
               Scripture
               
               hath
               said
               ,
               out
               of
               his
               belly
               shall
               flow
               rivers
               of
               living
               water
               ,
            
             John
             7.
             38.
             meaning
             the
             graces
             and
             comforts
             of
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             III.
             
             If
             Christ
             be
             put
             off
             and
             refused
             now
             ,
             you
             may
             never
             taste
             of
             those
             invaluable
             mercies
             for
             ever
             ,
             
               Luke
               14.
               24.
               
               For
               I
               say
               unto
               you
               ,
               That
               none
               of
               those
               men
               which
               were
               bidden
               shall
               taste
               of
               my
               supper
               .
            
             They
             were
             bidden
             ,
             invited
             to
             this
             feast
             ,
             and
             so
             are
             you
             ;
             they
             refused
             to
             come
             ,
             God
             grant
             you
             may
             not
             ;
             for
             methinks
             this
             sentence
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               Those
               men
               which
               were
               bidden
               shall
               not
               taste
               of
               my
               supper
            
             ;
             is
             like
             the
             sentence
             upon
             a
             malefactor
             that
             is
             to
             be
             hanged
             in
             chains
             ,
             and
             whom
             the
             Law
             permits
             none
             to
             relieve
             .
             O'twill
             bed
             readful
             to
             see
             the
             Saints
             sitting
             at
             the
             Royal
             feast
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             your selves
             shut
             out
             ;
             as
             a
             company
             of
             starving
             beggars
             standing
             in
             the
             Streets
             ,
             and
             about
             the
             doors
             where
             the
             marriage
             supper
             is
             kept
             ;
             they
             see
             the
             lights
             ,
             they
             behold
             the
             rich
             dishes
             carried
             up
             ,
             they
             hear
             the
             mirth
             and
             musick
             of
             the
             guests
             ,
             but
             not
             a
             bit
             comes
             to
             their
             share
             .
          
           
             IV.
             
             The
             refusal
             of
             Christs
             invitation
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             the
             greatest
             of
             all
             sins
             ,
             so
             it
             will
             be
             avenged
             with
             the
             forest
             wrath
             and
             greatest
             punishment
             ;
             't
             is
             said
             of
             those
             guests
             that
             were
             bidden
             ,
             Matth.
             22.
             5.
             that
             they
             made
             light
             of
             it
             ,
             but
             it
             fell
             heavy
             upon
             them
             ,
             
               vers
               .
               7.
               
               He
               was
               wroth
               ,
               and
               sent
               forth
               his
               armies
               ,
               and
               destroyed
               those
               murderers
               ,
               and
               burnt
               up
               their
               City
               .
            
             Have
             a
             care
             of
             making
             light
             of
             Christ.
             
          
           
             V.
             
             What
             light
             and
             vain
             things
             are
             all
             those
             pleasures
             of
             sin
             ,
             for
             the
             sake
             whereof
             you
             deprive
             
             your
             Souls
             of
             the
             everlasting
             comforts
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ?
             Deluded
             Soul
             ,
             't
             is
             not
             the
             intent
             of
             Christ
             to
             rob
             thee
             of
             thy
             comfort
             ,
             but
             to
             exchange
             thy
             sinful
             for
             spiritual
             delights
             ,
             to
             thy
             unspeakable
             advantage
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             you
             shall
             have
             no
             more
             pleasure
             in
             sin
             ,
             but
             in
             stead
             of
             that
             ,
             you
             shall
             have
             peace
             with
             God
             ,
             joy
             in
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             and
             solid
             comfort
             for
             evermore
             ;
             what
             are
             the
             sensitive
             or
             sinful
             pleasures
             of
             this
             World
             ?
             You
             have
             the
             total
             sum
             of
             them
             ,
             in
             1
             
               Iohn
               2.
               16
               ,
               17.
               
               All
               that
               is
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               the
               lust
               of
               the
               flesh
               ,
               the
               lust
               of
               the
               eyes
               ,
               and
               the
               pride
               of
               life
               ,
               is
               not
               of
               the
               Father
               ,
               but
               is
               of
               the
               world
               .
               And
               the
               world
               passeth
               away
               ,
               and
               the
               lust
               thereof
               ;
               but
               he
               that
               doth
               the
               will
               of
               God
               abideth
               for
               ever
               .
            
          
           
             But
             how
             may
             a
             poor
             unregenerate
             Soul
             be
             prevailed
             with
             to
             make
             such
             a
             blessed
             exchange
             ,
             
             to
             part
             with
             the
             pleasures
             of
             sin
             ,
             in
             exchange
             for
             the
             comforts
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ?
          
           
             Beside
             all
             that
             hath
             been
             offered
             before
             ,
             
             let
             me
             briefly
             add
             these
             three
             following
             Directions
             and
             Counsels
             to
             such
             a
             Soul.
             
          
           
             First
             ,
             Labour
             to
             see
             and
             feel
             thy
             need
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             then
             thou
             wilt
             quickly
             be
             willing
             to
             give
             up
             all
             the
             pleasures
             of
             sin
             for
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             him
             .
             What
             makes
             men
             so
             tenacious
             of
             their
             lusts
             ,
             so
             hard
             to
             be
             persuaded
             to
             give
             up
             their
             sinful
             pleasures
             ,
             but
             this
             ,
             that
             they
             never
             felt
             the
             need
             of
             a
             Saviour
             !
             Oh
             sinner
             ,
             didst
             thou
             but
             feel
             thy
             need
             of
             Christ
             ,
             wert
             thou
             but
             an
             hungry
             and
             thirsty
             for
             him
             ;
             thou
             wouldst
             never
             stand
             upon
             such
             trifles
             for
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             him
             .
             We
             read
             ,
             in
             the
             famine
             of
             Jerusalem
             ,
             how
             they
             parted
             with
             their
             pleasant
             things
             for
             bread
             to
             relieve
             their
             Souls
             ;
             Jewels
             ,
             Rings
             ,
             Bracelets
             ,
             things
             which
             
             cost
             dear
             ,
             and
             were
             highly
             valued
             at
             another
             time
             ,
             now
             were
             willingly
             parted
             with
             for
             bread
             .
             Christ
             is
             more
             necessary
             to
             thee
             than
             thy
             necessary
             bread
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Consider
             the
             spiritual
             and
             immortal
             nature
             of
             thine
             own
             Soul
             ,
             which
             cannot
             live
             upon
             material
             things
             ,
             and
             must
             over-live
             all
             temporary
             things
             .
             Now
             if
             thy
             Soul
             cannot
             live
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             must
             certainly
             over-live
             them
             ;
             what
             a
             miserable
             condition
             will
             it
             unavoidably
             fall
             into
             ,
             when
             all
             these
             sensual
             and
             sinful
             enjoyments
             are
             vanished
             and
             gone
             ,
             as
             thou
             knowest
             they
             shortly
             will
             be
             ,
             1
             
               Iohn
               2.
               17.
               
               These
               things
               pass
               away
            
             ;
             and
             then
             hath
             thy
             Soul
             nothing
             to
             live
             upon
             to
             all
             eternity
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Hearken
             to
             the
             reports
             and
             experiences
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             who
             have
             tried
             both
             sorts
             of
             pleasures
             ,
             which
             you
             never
             did
             :
             They
             have
             tried
             the
             pleasures
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             they
             have
             tasted
             the
             pleasures
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             so
             are
             best
             able
             to
             make
             a
             true
             judgment
             upon
             both
             ;
             and
             they
             have
             accordingly
             determined
             ,
             
               That
               one
               glimps
               of
               the
               light
               of
               Gods
               countenance
               ,
               puts
               more
               gladness
               into
               their
               hearts
               ,
               than
               in
               the
               time
               that
               their
               corn
               and
               their
               wine
               increased
               ,
            
             Psal.
             4.
             7.
             
             Nay
             ,
             the
             wisest
             Christians
             upon
             tryal
             of
             both
             have
             rightly
             determined
             ,
             
               That
               the
               worst
               things
               in
               Religion
               are
               infinitly
               to
               be
               preferr'd
               to
               the
               best
               things
               belonging
               to
               sin
            
             ;
             the
             very
             sufferings
             and
             afflictions
             of
             the
             people
             of
             God
             ,
             have
             been
             pronounced
             better
             
               than
               the
               pleasures
               of
               sin
               for
               a
               season
               ,
            
             Heb.
             11.
             25.
             
             Could
             you
             but
             see
             with
             their
             Eyes
             ,
             and
             were
             you
             but
             capable
             of
             making
             a
             right
             judgment
             as
             they
             did
             ;
             there
             needed
             not
             a
             word
             more
             to
             be
             said
             to
             perswade
             you
             to
             let
             go
             your
             most
             pleasant
             and
             profitable
             lusts
             in
             exchange
             
             for
             Christ
             and
             his
             beneficial
             comfortable
             sufferings
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             point
             affords
             variety
             of
             Counsels
             and
             Exhortations
             to
             the
             Regenerate
             ,
             who
             have
             opened
             their
             Wills
             to
             Christ
             ,
             and
             are
             thereupon
             admitted
             into
             this
             comfortable
             state
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             found
             ;
             in
             experience
             ,
             a
             difficult
             thing
             for
             Souls
             after
             conversion
             to
             bear
             and
             duly
             manage
             their
             own
             comforts
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             to
             bear
             and
             rightly
             manage
             their
             troubles
             at
             conversion
             .
             My
             buisiness
             here
             is
             to
             advise
             Souls
             ,
             under
             their
             first
             comforts
             and
             sealings
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             how
             to
             manage
             and
             improve
             their
             spiritual
             comforts
             that
             they
             may
             abide
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             be
             growing
             things
             continually
             in
             their
             Souls
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Advice
               .
            
             
               
                 And
                 first
              
               ,
               See
               that
               you
               humbly
               admire
               and
               adore
               the
               condescending
               goodness
               of
               God
               to
               you
               ,
               in
               all
               the
               comforts
               of
               the
               Spirit
               which
               refresh
               you
               .
            
             
               Oh
               ,
               that
               ever
               God
               should
               comfort
               such
               a
               Soul
               as
               thine
               ,
               that
               hath
               so
               often
               grieved
               him
               !
               That
               Christ
               should
               be
               a
               joy
               to
               thee
               ,
               who
               hast
               been
               a
               sorrow
               unto
               him
               !
               If
               you
               look
               into
               Eph.
               1.
               3.
               you
               will
               find
               the
               Spirit
               of
               the
               Apostle
               there
               fill'd
               with
               the
               sense
               and
               admiration
               of
               this
               mercy
               ;
               which
               breaks
               forth
               into
               this
               rapturous
               expression
               ,
               
                 Blessed
                 be
                 the
                 God
                 and
                 Father
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 blessed
                 us
                 with
                 all
                 spiritual
                 blessings
                 in
                 heavenly
                 places
              
               (
               or
               things
               )
               
                 in
                 Christ.
              
               Some
               there
               are
               that
               never
               enjoy
               an
               ordinary
               degree
               of
               earthly
               comforts
               ,
               
                 Iob
                 30.
                 3
                 ,
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
              
               others
               enjoy
               abundance
               of
               earthly
               comforts
               ,
               but
               no
               spiritual
               comforts
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 17.
                 14.
              
               
               Some
               there
               are
               for
               whom
               
               God
               intends
               everlasting
               consolations
               in
               the
               World
               to
               come
               ;
               but
               are
               kept
               low
               as
               to
               spiritual
               comforts
               in
               this
               Wold
               ,
               Psal.
               88.
               15.
               
               O
               what
               cause
               have
               you
               to
               admire
               the
               bounty
               of
               God
               to
               you
               ,
               for
               whom
               there
               is
               not
               only
               fulness
               of
               joys
               prepared
               in
               Heaven
               ;
               but
               such
               precious
               foretasts
               and
               earnest
               of
               it
               communicated
               in
               the
               way
               thither
               .
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Advice
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Cleave
               fast
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               those
               sweet
               and
               comfortable
               duties
               of
               Religion
               wherein
               you
               have
               found
               and
               tasted
               the
               best
               comforts
               that
               ever
               your
               Souls
               were
               acquainted
               with
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               one
               thing
               God
               aims
               at
               in
               the
               communication
               of
               these
               spiritual
               refreshments
               ,
               to
               glue
               your
               Souls
               fast
               by
               them
               to
               the
               ways
               of
               holiness
               .
               The
               Lord
               knows
               temptations
               will
               befal
               you
               ,
               discouragements
               enough
               you
               shall
               be
               sure
               to
               meet
               with
               ;
               but
               these
               enjoyments
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               you
               have
               met
               with
               in
               Prayer
               and
               Hearing
               ,
               in
               Meditations
               ,
               Sacraments
               ,
               &c.
               should
               engage
               your
               Hearts
               for
               ever
               to
               the
               ways
               of
               obedience
               .
               You
               never
               found
               that
               sweetness
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               sin
               ,
               which
               you
               have
               found
               in
               repentance
               and
               faith
               .
               When
               a
               temptation
               comes
               baited
               with
               sinful
               pleasures
               ,
               say
               as
               the
               Olive-tree
               and
               the
               Vine
               in
               Iothams
               parable
               ,
               Iudges
               9.
               9
               ,
               10
               ,
               11.
               
               Shall
               I
               leave
               such
               Soul
               refreshing
               comforts
               as
               these
               for
               the
               insipid
               pleasures
               of
               sin
               ?
               God
               forbid
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               III.
               Advice
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               Be
               communicative
               of
               the
               spiritual
               comforts
               you
               enjoy
               ,
               for
               the
               benefit
               and
               refreshment
               of
               others
               .
            
             
               The
               Lord
               never
               intended
               you
               should
               engross
               the
               comforts
               of
               his
               Spirit
               to
               your selves
               ,
               nor
               eat
               your
               pleasant
               morsels
               alone
               ,
               2
               
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 4.
                 
                 He
                 comforts
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 comfort
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 any
                 trouble
                 ;
                 by
                 the
                 comfort
                 wherewith
                 we
                 our selves
                 are
                 comforted
                 of
                 God.
              
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               Religion
               lays
               not
               all
               open
               ,
               nor
               yet
               doth
               it
               conceal
               and
               hide
               all
               .
               There
               needs
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               wisdom
               ,
               humility
               and
               caution
               ,
               to
               secure
               us
               from
               pride
               and
               vanity
               in
               Spirit
               ,
               whilst
               we
               communicate
               our
               comforts
               to
               others
               ;
               as
               Ostentation
               ,
               so
               also
               Impropriation
               of
               our
               comforts
               are
               against
               Scripture
               law
               ;
               he
               may
               be
               justly
               suspected
               that
               opens
               all
               ,
               and
               so
               may
               he
               too
               that
               conceals
               all
               .
               Spiritual
               comforts
               are
               not
               diminisht
               ,
               but
               improved
               by
               a
               wise
               and
               humble
               communication
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Advice
               .
            
             
               Fourthly
               ,
               Be
               much
               in
               renewing
               the
               acts
               and
               exercises
               of
               faith
               ;
               be
               frequent
               in
               that
               work
               .
            
             
               Your
               first
               faith
               hath
               brought
               in
               your
               first
               comfort
               ,
               your
               renewing
               and
               repeating
               those
               precious
               acts
               of
               faith
               will
               bring
               you
               in
               greater
               stores
               of
               comfort
               than
               you
               yet
               enjoy
               .
               We
               are
               not
               to
               look
               upon
               faith
               as
               a
               single
               ,
               but
               a
               continued
               act
               ,
               1
               
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 4.
                 
                 To
                 whom
                 coming
                 as
                 unto
                 a
                 living
                 stone
                 .
              
               Thy
               Soul
               Christian
               is
               to
               be
               in
               a
               continual
               motion
               towards
               Christ
               ;
               the
               more
               you
               believe
               ,
               
               the
               more
               you
               will
               rejoyce
               .
               You
               see
               the
               door
               through
               which
               comfort
               comes
               into
               your
               Souls
               .
               Joy
               is
               the
               daughter
               of
               faith
               ,
               Rom.
               15.
               13.
               your
               present
               comfort
               is
               the
               first
               birth
               of
               faith
               ;
               but
               there
               are
               many
               comforts
               more
               in
               the
               womb
               of
               faith
               ,
               which
               will
               yet
               be
               born
               to
               your
               Souls
               if
               unbelief
               cause
               not
               a
               miscarriage
               .
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Advice
               .
            
             
               Fifthly
               ,
               Take
               heed
               you
               be
               not
               a
               grief
               to
               Christ
               who
               hath
               already
               brought
               so
               much
               comfort
               to
               you
               .
            
             
               'T
               will
               be
               a
               sad
               requital
               ,
               if
               after
               he
               hath
               given
               you
               the
               joys
               of
               Heaven
               to
               drink
               ,
               you
               should
               give
               him
               that
               which
               is
               as
               Worm-wood
               and
               Gall
               ;
               the
               Lord
               write
               that
               caution
               upon
               thy
               Soul
               ,
               Reader
               ,
               
                 Eph.
                 4.
                 30.
                 and
                 grieve
                 not
                 the
                 holy
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 whereby
                 you
                 are
                 sealed
                 to
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Redemption
                 .
              
               The
               argument
               of
               the
               Apostle
               in
               this
               place
               ,
               strongly
               infers
               caution
               from
               comfort
               .
               Christ
               hath
               been
               all
               joy
               ,
               all
               peace
               ,
               rest
               and
               comfort
               to
               you
               ;
               take
               heed
               you
               be
               not
               a
               grief
               and
               shame
               to
               him
               .
               The
               intermissions
               of
               thy
               duties
               ,
               the
               falling
               and
               flatting
               of
               thy
               affections
               in
               duties
               ,
               thy
               rash
               adventures
               upon
               sin
               ,
               will
               be
               a
               grief
               to
               the
               Heart
               of
               Christ
               ,
               who
               hath
               filled
               thy
               Heart
               with
               so
               much
               comfort
               ;
               and
               if
               you
               grieve
               him
               ,
               you
               cannot
               expect
               he
               should
               comfort
               you
               .
               A
               little
               sin
               may
               rob
               you
               of
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               comfort
               .
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               Advice
               .
            
             
               Sixthly
               ,
               Be
               not
               staggard
               or
               dejected
               ,
               if
               the
               first
               comforts
               Christ
               gives
               you
               should
               afterwards
               abate
               ,
               〈◊〉
               be
               taken
               away
               for
               a
               time
               .
            
             
             
               This
               is
               a
               very
               common
               thing
               in
               the
               experience
               of
               most
               Christians
               .
               You
               must
               not
               think
               your
               first
               comforts
               are
               such
               fixed
               setled
               things
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               no
               hazard
               of
               losing
               them
               .
               Alas
               ,
               nothing
               is
               more
               volatile
               than
               the
               joys
               of
               a
               Christian
               ;
               you
               will
               be
               apt
               to
               lose
               your
               first
               love
               ,
               Rev.
               2.
               4.
               and
               if
               you
               lose
               your
               first
               love
               ,
               no
               wonder
               that
               you
               lose
               your
               first
               comforts
               ;
               yet
               if
               it
               should
               so
               fall
               out
               ,
               be
               not
               cast
               down
               ,
               and
               discouraged
               ;
               Christ
               is
               not
               gone
               ,
               though
               comfort
               be
               gone
               ;
               and
               though
               comfort
               be
               gone
               ,
               't
               is
               not
               gone
               for
               ever
               ;
               renew
               thy
               repentance
               ,
               faith
               and
               obedience
               ,
               and
               try
               if
               God
               will
               not
               renew
               thy
               comfort
               .
               There
               is
               a
               former
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               a
               latter
               spring
               of
               joy
               ;
               God
               will
               make
               thy
               comforts
               spring
               again
               .
               Beside
               ,
               thy
               Iustification
               is
               steadfast
               ,
               though
               thy
               Consolation
               be
               not
               so
               ;
               there
               are
               two
               things
               belong
               to
               a
               Christian
               ,
               one
               to
               his
               being
               ,
               
                 viz.
                 union
              
               with
               Christ
               ;
               another
               to
               his
               well
               being
               ,
               
                 viz.
                 comfort
                 from
                 Christ
              
               :
               The
               latter
               is
               uncertain
               and
               contingent
               ,
               the
               former
               fixed
               and
               stedfast
               .
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
               Advice
               .
            
             
               Seventhly
               ,
               Be
               filled
               with
               compassion
               to
               others
               who
               want
               those
               comforts
               you
               enjoy
               ,
               especially
               such
               as
               God
               hath
               knit
               to
               you
               in
               the
               bonds
               of
               natural
               relation
               .
            
             
               Art
               thou
               a
               Father
               or
               a
               Mother
               to
               whom
               God
               hath
               given
               those
               comforts
               ,
               and
               Soul
               refreshments
               that
               have
               been
               opened
               in
               this
               discourse
               ?
               And
               hast
               thou
               no
               compassion
               for
               thy
               poor
               Children
               ,
               who
               never
               yet
               tasted
               one
               drop
               of
               these
               spiritual
               consolations
               ?
               Certainly
               ,
               it
               will
               do
               a
               man
               little
               good
               ,
               to
               be
               feasted
               abroad
               ,
               whilst
               his
               
               Wife
               and
               Children
               are
               starving
               at
               home
               ;
               say
               to
               them
               ,
               as
               Paul
               in
               another
               case
               ,
               
                 Would
                 to
                 God
                 you
                 were
                 all
                 as
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 except
                 these
                 corruptions
                 .
              
               Religion
               breeds
               bowels
               of
               compassion
               .
               O
               tell
               them
               what
               sweetness
               there
               is
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               godliness
               :
               Counsel
               ,
               plead
               and
               pray
               ,
               that
               those
               that
               are
               yours
               may
               also
               be
               Christs
               .
            
          
           
             
               VIII
               .
               Advice
               .
            
             
               Eighthly
               ,
               As
               ever
               you
               expect
               the
               continuance
               or
               enlargement
               of
               your
               comforts
               ,
               See
               that
               you
               walk
               circumspectly
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               as
               much
               as
               all
               your
               comfort
               is
               worth
               to
               give
               way
               to
               a
               little
               carelesness
               ;
               that
               's
               a
               remarkable
               expression
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 85.
                 8.
                 
                 I
                 will
                 harken
                 what
                 God
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 speak
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 will
                 speak
                 peace
                 to
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 his
                 Saints
                 ;
                 but
                 let
                 not
                 them
                 return
                 again
                 to
                 folly
                 .
              
               Sin
               ,
               in
               this
               Text
               ,
               is
               fitly
               called
               by
               the
               name
               of
               folly
               ,
               for
               indeed
               it
               is
               the
               greatest
               folly
               and
               madness
               in
               the
               World
               to
               forfeit
               and
               devest
               our selves
               of
               such
               sweet
               peace
               and
               comfort
               by
               returning
               unto
               sin
               ,
               which
               hath
               cost
               us
               so
               much
               sorrow
               and
               trouble
               before
               .
               Are
               you
               willing
               to
               be
               in
               your
               former
               darkness
               and
               fears
               ,
               tears
               and
               troubles
               ,
               to
               exchange
               the
               pleasant
               light
               you
               now
               enjoy
               ,
               for
               the
               horrors
               you
               have
               formerly
               felt
               ?
               This
               you
               must
               do
               if
               you
               return
               again
               to
               folly
               .
            
          
           
             
               IX
               .
               Advice
               .
            
             
               Ninthly
               ,
               Long
               for
               Heaven
               ,
               where
               the
               fulness
               of
               those
               joys
               is
               ,
               whereof
               these
               you
               taste
               are
               but
               the
               earnests
               and
               first-fruits
               .
            
             
             
               One
               design
               of
               God
               in
               giving
               them
               ,
               is
               to
               set
               us
               a
               longing
               after
               Heaven
               ;
               to
               help
               our
               conceptions
               ,
               and
               raise
               our
               affections
               ;
               if
               these
               be
               so
               sweet
               ,
               what
               must
               they
               be
               ?
               
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 23.
                 
                 We
                 which
                 have
                 the
                 first-fruits
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 even
                 we
                 our selves
                 ,
                 groan
                 within
                 our selves
                 ;
                 waiting
                 for
                 the
                 adoption
                 ,
                 to
                 wit
                 ,
                 the
                 redemption
                 of
                 our
                 body
                 .
              
               We
               are
               not
               sit
               down
               satisfied
               ,
               and
               say
               we
               have
               enough
               in
               these
               first-fruits
               ;
               but
               they
               are
               given
               to
               set
               us
               agroaning
               after
               fulness
               of
               those
               enjoyments
               .
               This
               answers
               Gods
               end
               in
               giving
               them
               .
            
          
           
             
               X.
               Advice
               .
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               Improve
               every
               spiritual
               comfort
               you
               have
               from
               Christ
               ,
               unto
               greater
               chearfulness
               in
               the
               paths
               of
               obedience
               to
               Christ.
               
            
             
               This
               is
               another
               end
               for
               which
               God
               communicates
               them
               ,
               that
               our
               Souls
               being
               refreshed
               by
               them
               ,
               we
               might
               pluck
               up
               our
               feet
               the
               more
               nimbly
               in
               the
               paths
               of
               duty
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 32.
                 
                 Then
                 will
                 I
                 run
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 thy
                 commandments
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 shalt
                 enlarge
                 my
                 heart
                 .
              
               Now
               God
               expects
               that
               you
               pray
               more
               frequently
               ,
               meditate
               more
               delightfully
               ,
               and
               perform
               every
               duty
               more
               cheerfully
               :
               And
               this
               is
               the
               way
               to
               perpetuate
               your
               comforts
               .
               How
               many
               Christians
               go
               on
               droopingly
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               duty
               for
               want
               of
               those
               encouragements
               you
               enjoy
               ?
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           SERMON
           XI
           .
        
         
           
             
               Revel
               .
               3.
               20.
               
            
             —
             I
             will
             sup
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             he
             with
             me
             .
          
        
         
           WE
           have
           heard
           the
           first
           encouragement
           or
           argument
           of
           Christ
           ,
           to
           perswade
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Sinners
           to
           open
           to
           him
           ,
           
             viz.
             That
             he
             will
             come
             in
             to
             them
             ,
          
           and
           that
           not
           empty
           handed
           ;
           
             He
             will
             also
             Sup
             with
             them
          
           ;
           and
           to
           make
           the
           encouragement
           compleat
           and
           full
           ,
           he
           here
           adds
           ,
           
             And
             he
             with
             me
          
           .
           This
           last
           clause
           sets
           forth
           that
           Spiritual-soul-refreshing-communion
           which
           is
           betwixt
           Christ
           and
           believers
           ;
           begun
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           compleated
           and
           perfected
           in
           the
           World
           to
           come
           .
           Hence
           our
           tenth
           Observation
           is
           ,
        
         
           
             XI
             .
             DOCT.
             
          
           
             That
             there
             is
             a
             mutual
             ,
             sweet
             and
             intimate
             communion
             betwixt
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             believers
             in
             this
             World.
             
          
           
             Communion
             with
             Christ
             is
             frequent
             in
             the
             lips
             of
             many
             men
             ,
             but
             an
             hidden
             mystery
             to
             the
             Souls
             of
             most
             men
             .
             This
             Atheistical
             age
             scoffs
             ,
             and
             
             ridicules
             it
             ,
             as
             Enthusiasm
             ,
             and
             Fanaticism
             ;
             but
             the
             Saints
             find
             that
             reality
             ,
             and
             incomparable
             sweetness
             in
             it
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             not
             part
             with
             it
             for
             Ten
             thousand
             Worlds
             .
             When
             the
             Roman
             Soldiers
             entred
             the
             Temple
             at
             Ierusalem
             ,
             and
             found
             no
             Image
             there
             ,
             as
             they
             used
             to
             have
             in
             their
             own
             Idolatrous
             Temples
             ;
             they
             gave
             out
             in
             a
             Jeer
             ,
             that
             the
             Jews
             worshiped
             the
             Clouds
             .
             Thus
             prophane
             Atheists
             scoff
             at
             the
             most
             solemn
             ,
             awful
             and
             sweetest
             part
             of
             internal
             Religion
             ,
             as
             a
             meer
             fancy
             ;
             but
             the
             thing
             is
             real
             ,
             sure
             ,
             and
             sensible
             ;
             if
             there
             be
             truth
             in
             any
             thing
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             there
             is
             truth
             in
             this
             ,
             That
             there
             are
             real
             intercourses
             betwixt
             the
             visible
             and
             invisible
             World
             ;
             betwixt
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             Souls
             of
             believers
             ,
             which
             we
             here
             call
             communion
             ,
             1
             
               Iohn
               1.
               3.
               
               Truly
               our
               fellowship
               is
               with
               the
               Father
               ,
               and
               with
               his
               Son
               Christ
               Iesus
               .
            
             'T
             is
             really
             and
             truly
             so
             ,
             we
             impose
             not
             upon
             the
             World
             ,
             we
             tell
             you
             no
             more
             than
             we
             have
             felt
             .
             The
             life
             of
             Enoch
             is
             call'd
             
               his
               walking
               with
               God
               ,
               Gen.
               5.
               24.
               
            
             O
             sweet
             and
             pleasant
             walk
             !
             All
             pleasures
             ,
             all
             joys
             ,
             are
             in
             that
             walk
             with
             God.
             
               Blessed
               are
               the
               people
               that
               hear
               the
               joyful
               sound
               ,
               they
               shall
               walk
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               in
               the
               light
               of
               thy
               countenance
               ,
            
             Psal.
             89.
             15.
             
             The
             joyful
             sound
             there
             spoken
             of
             ,
             was
             the
             sound
             of
             the
             trumpet
             ,
             which
             called
             the
             people
             to
             the
             solemn
             Assemblies
             ,
             where
             they
             walked
             in
             the
             light
             of
             Gods
             countenance
             ,
             the
             sweet
             manifestations
             of
             his
             favour
             ;
             and
             because
             the
             World
             is
             so
             apt
             to
             suspect
             the
             reality
             and
             certainty
             of
             this
             Doctrin
             ,
             the
             Apostle
             again
             asserts
             it
             ,
             
               Phil.
               3.
               20.
               
               Truly
               our
               conversation
               is
               in
               Heaven
               .
            
             We
             breath
             below
             ,
             but
             we
             live
             above
             ;
             we
             walk
             on
             Earth
             ,
             but
             our
             conversation
             is
             in
             Heaven
             .
             To
             open
             this
             Point
             
             three
             things
             must
             come
             under
             consideration
             ,
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 What
                 Communion
                 with
                 Christ
                 is
                 ?
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 there
                 is
                 such
                 a
                 Communion
                 betwixt
                 him
                 and
                 believers
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 excellency
                 of
                 this
                 Communion
                 .
              
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             What
             Communion
             with
             Christ
             is
             in
             the
             general
             nature
             of
             it
             .
             To
             open
             this
             it
             must
             be
             considered
             that
             there
             is
             a
             twofold
             Communion
             .
          
           
             
               1.
               
               A
               state
               of
               Communion
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Actual
               Communion
               .
            
          
           
             The
             first
             is
             fundamental
             to
             the
             second
             ;
             we
             can
             have
             no
             actual
             Communion
             with
             the
             Father
             ,
             Son
             or
             Spirit
             till
             we
             be
             first
             brought
             into
             a
             state
             of
             Communion
             .
             This
             state
             of
             Communion
             is
             in
             Scripture
             called
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             our
             fellowship
             or
             partnership
             with
             Christ.
             Such
             a
             Fellowship
             as
             Merchants
             have
             in
             one
             and
             the
             same
             Ship
             and
             Cargo
             ;
             where
             one
             hath
             more
             and
             another
             less
             ,
             but
             however
             a
             joint
             though
             unequal
             interest
             ;
             one
             lives
             in
             one
             Kingdom
             ,
             another
             in
             another
             Kingdom
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             joyntly
             interested
             in
             the
             same
             Goods
             .
             This
             comparison
             must
             not
             be
             stretcht
             beyond
             its
             intention
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             shew
             nothing
             but
             this
             ,
             that
             Christ
             and
             believers
             are
             co-partners
             ,
             or
             co-heirs
             in
             the
             same
             inheritance
             ;
             hence
             they
             are
             called
             ,
             Psal.
             45.
             7.
             his
             fellows
             ;
             
               God
               even
               thy
               God
               hath
               anointed
               thee
               with
               the
               oyl
               of
               gladness
               above
               thy
               fellows
            
             ;
             and
             again
             ,
             
               Rom.
               8.
               17.
               
               If
               children
               ,
               then
               heirs
               ;
               heirs
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               joint
               heirs
               with
               Christ.
            
             Christ
             states
             his
             people
             ,
             gives
             then
             a
             right
             and
             title
             not
             only
             to
             himself
             ,
             but
             to
             those
             good
             things
             purchased
             
             by
             him
             ;
             yea
             ,
             and
             the
             very
             glory
             he
             now
             enjoys
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             
               Iohn
               17.
               22.
               
               The
               glory
               which
               thou
               gavest
               me
               ,
               I
               have
               given
               them
               .
            
          
           
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             there
             are
             some
             things
             in
             Christ
             which
             are
             peculiar
             to
             himself
             ,
             and
             incommunicable
             to
             any
             creature
             ,
             as
             his
             eternity
             ,
             consubstantiality
             with
             his
             Father
             ,
             &c.
             neither
             have
             we
             fellowship
             in
             his
             mediatorial
             Works
             ;
             we
             have
             the
             fruits
             and
             benefits
             of
             them
             ,
             but
             no
             partnership
             with
             him
             in
             the
             glory
             and
             honour
             of
             them
             ;
             that
             is
             peculiarly
             his
             own
             :
             and
             though
             it
             be
             said
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             that
             believers
             
               are
               righteous
               as
               he
               is
               righteous
               ,
            
             yet
             the
             meaning
             is
             not
             that
             they
             can
             Justifie
             others
             ,
             as
             Christ
             doth
             ;
             no
             ,
             they
             are
             Justified
             by
             him
             ,
             but
             cannot
             communicate
             righteousness
             to
             others
             as
             Christ
             doth
             to
             them
             .
             But
             there
             are
             other
             things
             wherein
             there
             is
             a
             partnership
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             his
             people
             ;
             among
             others
             ,
             they
             partake
             with
             him
             in
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Sanctification
             on
             Earth
             ,
             and
             glory
             in
             Heaven
             :
             The
             same
             Spirit
             of
             holiness
             which
             dwells
             in
             Christ
             without
             measure
             ,
             is
             communicated
             by
             him
             to
             the
             Saints
             in
             measure
             ,
             1
             
               Iohn
               4.
               13.
               
               He
               hath
               given
               us
               of
               his
               Spirit
               .
            
             And
             as
             Christ
             communicates
             his
             Spirit
             to
             the
             Saints
             ,
             so
             he
             communicates
             the
             glory
             of
             Heaven
             to
             them
             ;
             not
             that
             they
             shall
             be
             as
             glorious
             in
             Heaven
             as
             Christ
             is
             ,
             no
             ,
             no
             ;
             he
             will
             be
             known
             among
             the
             Saints
             in
             glory
             ,
             as
             the
             Sun
             is
             known
             from
             the
             lesser
             Stars
             .
             Thus
             briefly
             of
             the
             state
             of
             communion
             which
             is
             called
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             
               our
               being
               made
               nigh
            
             ,
             Eph.
             2.
             13.
             and
             indeed
             we
             must
             be
             made
             nigh
             ,
             before
             we
             can
             actually
             draw
             nigh
             .
             We
             must
             be
             put
             into
             a
             state
             of
             fellowship
             ,
             before
             ever
             we
             can
             have
             actual
             communion
             with
             God.
             
          
           
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Beside
             this
             state
             of
             Communion
             ,
             there
             is
             also
             an
             actual
             Communion
             ,
             which
             the
             Saints
             have
             in
             this
             World
             with
             the
             Father
             and
             Son
             in
             the
             duties
             of
             Religion
             .
             This
             is
             that
             I
             am
             here
             ingaged
             to
             open
             :
             This
             is
             our
             supping
             with
             Christ
             ,
             and
             his
             with
             us
             ;
             and
             for
             clearness
             sake
             I
             shall
             open
             it
             both
             ,
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 Negatively
                 ,
                 What
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Positively
                 ,
                 What
                 it
                 is
                 .
              
            
          
           
             I.
             Negatively
             ,
             What
             it
             is
             not
             ;
             for
             I
             find
             persons
             are
             hugely
             apt
             to
             mistake
             in
             this
             matter
             ,
             taking
             that
             for
             Communion
             with
             God
             which
             is
             not
             so
             ;
             and
             here
             let
             it
             be
             noted
             ,
          
           
             First
             ,
             That
             Communion
             with
             God
             doth
             not
             consist
             in
             the
             bare
             performance
             of
             Religious
             duties
             .
             I
             do
             not
             say
             that
             Men
             may
             have
             Communion
             with
             God
             in
             this
             World
             without
             duties
             ,
             't
             is
             a
             delusion
             of
             Satan
             to
             think
             so
             ;
             but
             this
             is
             what
             I
             say
             ,
             that
             Communion
             with
             God
             consisteth
             not
             in
             the
             mere
             performances
             of
             Duties
             .
             Communion
             and
             duties
             of
             Religion
             are
             two
             things
             separable
             one
             from
             the
             other
             .
             Men
             may
             multiply
             duties
             ,
             and
             yet
             be
             strangers
             to
             Communion
             with
             God
             in
             them
             ;
             even
             humiliation
             and
             fasting
             days
             may
             be
             kept
             by
             Souls
             that
             are
             estranged
             from
             Communion
             with
             the
             Lord
             ,
             
               Zach.
               7.
               5.
               
               Speak
               unto
               all
               the
               people
               of
               the
               Land
               ,
               and
               unto
               the
               Priests
               saying
               ,
               When
               ye
               fasted
               and
               mourned
               in
               the
               fifth
               ,
               and
               seventh
               month
               ;
               even
               these
               seventy
               years
               ,
               did
               ye
               at
               all
               fast
               unto
               me
               ,
               even
               unto
               me
               ?
               q.
               d.
            
             Had
             your
             Souls
             pure
             intentions
             and
             respects
             in
             those
             duties
             to
             my
             glory
             ?
             Had
             you
             special
             Communion
             with
             me
             ,
             or
             I
             with
             you
             in
             those
             duties
             ?
             Did
             you
             ever
             
             feel
             your
             Souls
             in
             these
             days
             wounded
             for
             sin
             ?
             Or
             did
             you
             not
             fast
             out
             of
             custom
             ,
             and
             mourn
             for
             company
             ?
             God
             may
             be
             near
             in
             Mens
             mouths
             ,
             and
             at
             the
             same
             time
             far
             from
             their
             reins
             ,
             Ier.
             12.
             2.
             
             Religious
             words
             may
             flow
             out
             of
             Mens
             lips
             ,
             when
             not
             one
             drop
             of
             Religion
             touches
             their
             reins
             and
             hearts
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             secret
             inward
             powers
             of
             their
             Souls
             ;
             you
             cannot
             therefore
             safely
             depend
             upon
             this
             ,
             Christ
             rejects
             this
             plea
             ,
             Matth.
             7.
             22.
             
             Get
             a
             better
             evidence
             of
             Communion
             with
             God
             than
             this
             ,
             or
             you
             will
             certainly
             come
             short
             of
             your
             expectation
             .
             
               I
               know
               you
               not
            
             ,
             saith
             Christ
             ;
             there
             was
             never
             any
             Spiritual
             acquaintance
             betwixt
             your
             Souls
             and
             me
             ;
             I
             know
             you
             not
             in
             a
             way
             of
             approbation
             .
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             Neither
             do
             all
             stirrings
             and
             workings
             of
             the
             affections
             in
             duties
             ,
             infallibly
             evidence
             and
             prove
             Communion
             betwixt
             God
             and
             that
             Soul
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             possible
             ,
             yea
             ,
             common
             ,
             to
             have
             the
             affections
             raised
             in
             a
             natural
             way
             ,
             and
             by
             external
             motives
             in
             the
             duties
             of
             Religion
             ;
             this
             you
             see
             in
             that
             Example
             ,
             
               Ezck.
               33.
               32.
               
               And
               lo
               thou
               art
               unto
               them
               as
               a
               very
               lovely
               song
               ,
               of
               one
               that
               hath
               a
               pleasant
               voice
               ;
               and
               can
               play
               well
               on
               an
               instrument
               :
               for
               they
               hear
               thy
               words
               ,
               but
               they
               do
               them
               not
               .
            
             The
             sweet
             modulation
             of
             the
             Prophets
             voice
             ,
             was
             like
             the
             skilful
             touch
             of
             a
             rare
             musical
             Instrument
             ,
             which
             in
             a
             natural
             way
             moved
             and
             excited
             their
             affections
             :
             thus
             Iohns
             hearers
             rejoyced
             in
             his
             Ministry
             for
             a
             season
             .
             I
             confess
             ,
             this
             is
             very
             apt
             to
             cast
             Souls
             into
             a
             mistake
             of
             their
             condition
             .
             They
             distinguish
             not
             betwixt
             the
             influences
             that
             come
             upon
             their
             affections
             from
             without
             ,
             from
             extrinsick
             things
             ,
             and
             those
             that
             are
             purely
             inward
             ,
             Divine
             ,
             and
             Spiritual
             .
             But
             then
             ,
          
           
           
             II.
             To
             shew
             you
             positively
             what
             Communion
             with
             God
             is
             .
             Here
             we
             must
             consider
             two
             things
             .
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 What
                 things
                 it
                 presupposes
                 in
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Wherein
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 it
                 consists
                 .
              
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             There
             are
             divers
             things
             pre-required
             and
             presupposed
             unto
             all
             actual
             Communion
             with
             God
             in
             Duties
             ;
             and
             where
             these
             things
             are
             wanting
             men
             can
             have
             no
             communion
             with
             God.
             You
             may
             have
             Communion
             with
             his
             People
             ,
             and
             Communion
             with
             his
             Ordinances
             ,
             but
             not
             Communion
             with
             God
             and
             Christ
             in
             them
             .
             And
             these
             pre-requisites
             are
             three
             ,
          
           
             I.
             
               Vnion
               with
               Christ
            
             is
             fundamentally
             necessary
             to
             all
             Communion
             with
             him
             .
             All
             Communion
             is
             founded
             in
             Union
             ;
             and
             where
             there
             is
             no
             Union
             there
             can
             be
             no
             Communion
             .
             
               You
               know
            
             (
             saith
             an
             excellent
             Person
             )
             
               the
               member
               receives
               nothing
               from
               the
               head
               ,
            
             
             
               unless
               it
               be
               united
               to
               it
               ;
               nor
               the
               branch
               from
               the
               root
               .
               All
               is
               yours
               ,
               and
               ye
               are
               Christs
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               3.
               23.
               
               Here
               's
               a
               vast
               possession
               ,
               but
               all
               founded
               upon
               Vnion
               ;
               as
               all
               Communion
               is
               founded
               upon
               Vnion
               ,
               so
               all
               Vnion
               terminates
               in
               Communion
               ;
               and
               the
               closer
               the
               Vnion
               ,
               the
               fuller
               is
               the
               Communion
               .
            
          
           
             Before
             our
             Union
             with
             Christ
             ,
             we
             are
             strangers
             unto
             God
             ,
             Eph.
             2.
             
             I3
             .
             
               We
               live
               without
               God
               in
               the
               World
            
             ;
             't
             is
             in
             Christ
             that
             we
             are
             made
             nigh
             ;
             't
             is
             in
             the
             beloved
             we
             are
             made
             accepted
             .
             Whilst
             we
             are
             in
             the
             state
             of
             alienation
             from
             Christ
             ,
             we
             have
             no
             more
             to
             do
             with
             the
             communications
             of
             joy
             and
             peace
             ,
             with
             the
             seals
             and
             earnests
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             than
             a
             
               Native
               Indian
            
             hath
             with
             the
             privileges
             of
             
               London
               .
               If
               any
               man
               open
               to
               me
               ,
            
             saith
             Christ
             ,
             
               I
               will
               come
               in
               to
               him
               and
               sup
               with
               him
               ,
               and
               he
               with
               me
               .
            
          
           
           
             II.
             Communion
             with
             God
             presupposes
             the
             habits
             of
             grace
             implanted
             in
             the
             Soul
             by
             sanctification
             ;
             a
             found
             and
             sincere
             change
             of
             Heart
             .
             No
             sanctification
             ,
             no
             communion
             ,
             1
             
               Iohn
               1.
               6.
               
               If
               we
               say
               we
               have
               fellowship
               with
               him
               ,
               and
               walk
               in
               darkness
               we
               lye
               ,
               and
               do
               not
               the
               truth
               .
            
             The
             Apostle
             gives
             the
             lye
             to
             such
             bold
             pretenders
             :
             
               The
               Lord
               is
               nigh
               to
               all
               that
               call
               upon
               him
               ,
               unto
               all
               that
               call
               upon
               him
               in
               truth
               :
            
             That
             latter
             clause
             restrains
             all
             spiritual
             communion
             unto
             upright
             Souls
             .
             
               For
               an
               Hypocrite
               shall
               not
               come
               before
               him
               ,
            
             Job
             13.
             16.
             
          
           
             III.
             Communion
             with
             God
             doth
             not
             only
             suppose
             grace
             implanted
             ,
             but
             also
             implanted
             grace
             excited
             ;
             grace
             in
             act
             :
             For
             a
             man
             may
             have
             the
             habits
             of
             faith
             ,
             love
             and
             delight
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             yet
             be
             without
             actual
             communion
             with
             God
             ;
             for
             by
             this
             grace
             is
             awakned
             and
             put
             into
             act
             .
             A
             believer
             when
             he
             is
             asleep
             ,
             and
             acts
             no
             grace
             ,
             is
             in
             a
             state
             of
             communion
             with
             God
             ;
             but
             if
             he
             will
             have
             actual
             communion
             ,
             his
             faith
             ,
             love
             ,
             and
             delight
             must
             be
             awakned
             ;
             they
             must
             not
             lye
             asleep
             in
             the
             habit
             .
             
               Thou
               saidst
               ,
               seek
               my
               face
               ,
               my
               heart
               said
               unto
               thee
               ,
               thy
               face
               Lord
               will
               I
               seek
               ,
            
             Psal.
             27.
             8.
             
             It
             was
             in
             order
             to
             actual
             communion
             with
             Christ
             that
             the
             Church
             so
             earnestly
             begs
             fresh
             influences
             of
             the
             Spirit
             to
             excite
             her
             graces
             into
             act
             ,
             Cant.
             4.
             
             I6
             .
             
               Awake
               O
               North-wind
               ,
               and
               come
               thou
               South
               ,
               blow
               upon
               my
               garden
               ,
               that
               the
               spices
               thereof
               may
               flow
               out
               .
               Let
               my
               beloved
               come
               into
               his
               garden
               ,
               and
               eat
               his
               pleasant
               fruits
               .
            
             And
             though
             believers
             are
             not
             so
             to
             wait
             for
             influences
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             as
             mean
             time
             to
             neglect
             all
             proper
             outward
             means
             of
             exciting
             their
             own
             graces
             ,
             engaging
             their
             Hearts
             to
             approach
             unto
             God
             ,
             Ier.
             30.
             21.
             
             Yet
             certainly
             it
             is
             the
             work
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
             ,
             
             and
             without
             him
             we
             can
             do
             nothing
             to
             any
             purpose
             .
             The
             Seaman
             may
             trim
             the
             Sayls
             ,
             wey
             the
             Anchor
             ,
             put
             all
             into
             a
             sayling
             posture
             ;
             but
             till
             a
             gale
             come
             from
             Heaven
             there
             is
             little
             or
             no
             motion
             .
             The
             same
             Spirit
             that
             plants
             the
             habits
             ,
             is
             he
             also
             that
             excites
             the
             acts
             of
             grace
             .
             These
             three
             things
             therefore
             are
             pre-requisites
             unto
             all
             communion
             with
             God.
             
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Next
             let
             us
             consider
             wherein
             this
             Heavenly
             privilege
             of
             communion
             with
             God
             doth
             consist
             ;
             and
             more
             generally
             it
             will
             be
             found
             to
             lye
             in
             a
             spiritual
             correspondency
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             the
             Soul.
             God
             lets
             forth
             influences
             upon
             our
             Souls
             ,
             and
             we
             by
             the
             assistance
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             make
             returns
             again
             unto
             God.
             Communion
             is
             a
             mutual
             action
             ,
             so
             in
             the
             Text
             ,
             
               I
               will
               sup
               with
               him
               ,
               and
               he
               with
               me
               .
            
             We
             cry
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             God
             answers
             that
             cry
             ,
             by
             the
             incomes
             of
             Spiritual
             grace
             upon
             the
             Soul
             ,
             Psal.
             I38
             .
             3.
             
             
               In
               the
               day
               that
               I
               cryed
               thou
               answeredst
               me
               ,
               and
               strengthnedst
               me
               with
               strength
               in
               my
               Soul.
            
             More
             particularly
             ,
             there
             are
             many
             ways
             or
             methods
             wherein
             Men
             have
             this
             Spiritual
             correspondence
             or
             communion
             with
             God
             ,
             viz.
             
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 contemplation
                 of
                 his
                 Attributes
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 exercises
                 of
                 our
                 grace
                 in
                 Religious
                 duties
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 In
                 his
                 various
                 Providences
                 .
                 In
                 all
                 these
                 the
                 Saints
                 have
                 communion
                 with
                 them
                 .
              
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             There
             is
             a
             sweet
             and
             sensible
             communion
             betwixt
             God
             and
             his
             people
             
               in
               the
               contemplation
               of
               the
               divine
               Attributes
               ,
            
             and
             the
             impressions
             God
             makes
             by
             them
             ,
             upon
             our
             Souls
             whilst
             we
             medi●ate
             on
             them
             ,
             As
             for
             instance
             ,
          
           
           
             (
             1.
             )
             Sometimes
             the
             Lord
             discovers
             and
             manifests
             to
             the
             Souls
             of
             his
             people
             his
             
               immense
               greatness
            
             ;
             the
             manifestation
             of
             which
             Attribute
             makes
             an
             awful
             humbling
             impression
             upon
             the
             Soul
             ;
             makes
             them
             seem
             as
             nothing
             to
             themselves
             .
             Thus
             when
             Abraham
             that
             great
             believer
             considered
             the
             greatness
             of
             that
             God
             with
             whom
             he
             had
             to
             do
             ;
             that
             sight
             of
             God
             seemed
             to
             reduce
             him
             to
             his
             first
             principles
             ,
             to
             crumble
             him
             as
             it
             were
             into
             dust
             and
             ashes
             again
             ,
             Gen.
             18.
             27.
             
             
               I
               that
               am
               but
               dust
               and
               ashes
               have
               taken
               upon
               me
               to
               speak
               unto
               God.
            
             He
             now
             looks
             upon
             himself
             as
             an
             heap
             of
             vileness
             and
             unworthiness
             ;
             so
             David
             ,
             Psal.
             8.
             12.
             
             
               When
               I
               consider
               thy
               Heavens
               ,
               the
               work
               of
               thy
               hands
               ;
               the
               Moon
               and
               the
               Stars
               which
               thou
               hast
               made
               ,
            
             (
             from
             whence
             he
             inferr'd
             the
             greatness
             of
             the
             Creator
             )
             
               Lord
               what
               is
               man
               ,
               that
               thou
               art
               mindful
               of
               him
               ?
               q.
               d.
            
             When
             I
             consider
             what
             a
             great
             God
             the
             Creator
             of
             the
             World
             is
             ,
             I
             am
             justly
             astonished
             that
             ever
             he
             should
             set
             his
             Heart
             upon
             so
             vile
             a
             thing
             as
             Man.
             When
             men
             compare
             themselves
             among
             themselves
             ,
             and
             measure
             themselves
             by
             themselves
             ,
             their
             Spirits
             are
             apt
             to
             swell
             with
             pride
             ;
             but
             would
             they
             look
             up
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             these
             holy
             men
             did
             ,
             they
             would
             admire
             his
             condescension
             .
             And
             this
             is
             communion
             with
             God
             in
             the
             meditation
             of
             his
             immense
             greatness
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             representations
             and
             meditations
             of
             the
             
               purity
               and
               holyness
               of
               God
            
             ,
             working
             shame
             and
             deep
             abasement
             in
             the
             Soul
             ,
             for
             the
             pollutions
             and
             sinful
             filthiness
             that
             is
             in
             it
             .
             This
             is
             communion
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             an
             excellent
             way
             of
             fellowship
             with
             him
             .
             Thus
             when
             a
             representation
             of
             God
             in
             his
             holyness
             was
             made
             unto
             
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             
               Isa.
               6.
               3
               ,
               4
               ,
               5.
               
            
             There
             were
             the
             Seraphims
             ,
             covering
             their
             faces
             with
             their
             wings
             ;
             and
             crying
             one
             to
             another
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               Holy
               ,
               holy
               ,
               holy
               is
               the
               Lord
               God
               Almighty
               ;
               the
               Earth
               is
               full
               of
               his
               glory
               .
            
             The
             effect
             this
             produced
             ,
             or
             the
             return
             made
             by
             the
             Prophet
             to
             this
             manifestation
             of
             God
             in
             his
             holiness
             ,
             was
             deep
             abasement
             of
             soul
             for
             his
             unsuitableness
             to
             so
             holy
             a
             God
             ,
             
               vers
               .
               5.
               
               Then
            
             ,
             said
             I
             ,
             
               wo
               is
               me
               ,
               for
               I
               am
               undone
               ,
               because
               I
               am
               a
               man
               of
               unclean
               lips
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             And
             this
             is
             real
             communion
             with
             God
             in
             his
             holiness
             :
             Thus
             Iob
             who
             had
             stifly
             defended
             his
             own
             integrity
             against
             men
             ,
             yet
             when
             God
             enters
             the
             lists
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             he
             saw
             what
             a
             great
             and
             holy
             God
             he
             had
             to
             do
             with
             ;
             cryed
             out
             ,
             
               Iob
               40.
               4
               ,
               5.
               
               Behold
               ,
               I
               am
               vile
               ,
               what
               shall
               I
               answer
               thee
               ?
               I
               will
               lay
               my
               hand
               upon
               my
               mouth
               .
               Once
               have
               I
               spoken
               ,
               but
               I
               will
               not
               answer
               ;
               yea
               ,
               twice
               ,
               but
               I
               will
               proceed
               no
               further
               .
            
             q.
             d.
             I
             have
             done
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             I
             have
             done
             ;
             I
             could
             answer
             men
             ,
             but
             I
             cannot
             answer
             thee
             ;
             thou
             art
             holy
             but
             I
             am
             vile
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             There
             are
             sometimes
             representations
             of
             the
             
               goodness
               and
               mercy
               of
               God
            
             made
             unto
             the
             Souls
             of
             his
             people
             .
             When
             these
             produce
             an
             ingenuous
             thaw
             and
             melting
             of
             the
             Heart
             into
             an
             humble
             ,
             thankful
             admiration
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             an
             answerable
             care
             of
             pleasing
             him
             in
             the
             ways
             of
             obedience
             ;
             then
             have
             men
             communion
             with
             God
             in
             his
             goodness
             :
             The
             goodness
             of
             God
             runs
             down
             to
             men
             in
             a
             double
             channel
             ;
             his
             goodness
             to
             their
             bodies
             ,
             in
             external
             providences
             ;
             his
             goodness
             to
             their
             Souls
             ,
             in
             spiritual
             mercies
             .
             When
             the
             goodness
             of
             God
             either
             way
             draws
             forth
             the
             love
             ,
             and
             gratitude
             of
             the
             Soul
             to
             the
             God
             of
             our
             mercies
             ;
             then
             have
             we
             real
             communion
             
             with
             him
             :
             Thus
             
               Iacob
               ,
               Gen.
               32.
               9
               ,
               10.
               
               And
            
             Jacob
             
               said
               ,
               O
               God
               of
               my
               Father
            
             Abraham
             ,
             
               and
               God
               of
               my
               Father
            
             Isaac
             ;
             
               which
               saidst
               unto
               me
               ,
               Return
               unto
               thy
               Country
               ,
               and
               to
               thy
               kindred
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               deal
               well
               with
               thee
               .
               I
               am
               not
               worthy
               of
               the
               least
               of
               all
               the
               mercies
               ,
               and
               of
               all
               the
               truth
               which
               thou
               hast
               shewed
               unto
               thy
               servant
               ;
               for
               with
               my
               staff
               I
               passed
               over
               this
            
             Jordan
             ,
             
               and
               now
               I
               am
               become
               two
               ●ands
               .
            
             Ah
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             I
             see
             a
             multitude
             of
             mercies
             round
             about
             me
             ,
             and
             the
             least
             of
             them
             is
             greater
             than
             I
             :
             So
             
               David
               ,
               1
               Chron.
            
             I7
             .
             I6
             ,
             I7
             .
             And
             David
             the
             King
             came
             and
             sat
             before
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             said
             ,
             Who
             am
             I
             ,
             O
             Lord
             God
             ,
             and
             what
             is
             mine
             house
             ,
             that
             thou
             hast
             brought
             me
             hitherto
             ?
             And
             yet
             this
             was
             a
             small
             thing
             in
             thine
             eyes
             ,
             O
             God
             ,
             &c.
             what
             can
             David
             speak
             more
             to
             thee
             ?
             You
             see
             in
             these
             instances
             what
             effects
             the
             goodness
             of
             God
             even
             in
             inferiour
             outward
             mercies
             ,
             useth
             to
             produce
             in
             sanctified
             hearts
             .
             But
             then
             ,
             if
             you
             come
             to
             spiritual
             mercies
             ,
             and
             ponder
             the
             goodness
             of
             God
             to
             your
             Souls
             ,
             in
             pardoning
             ,
             accepting
             ,
             and
             saving
             such
             vile
             sinful
             creatures
             as
             you
             have
             been
             ;
             this
             much
             more
             affects
             the
             heart
             ,
             and
             overwhelms
             it
             with
             an
             holy
             astonishment
             ;
             as
             you
             see
             in
             
               Paul
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               1.
               16.
               
               The
               grace
               of
               our
               Lord
               was
               abundant
               .
               I
               was
               a
               persecutor
               ,
               a
               blasphemer
               ,
               yet
               I
               obtained
               mercy
               .
            
             So
             Mary
             ,
             that
             notorious
             sinner
             ,
             when
             pardoning
             grace
             appeared
             to
             her
             ,
             into
             what
             a
             flood
             of
             tears
             ,
             into
             what
             transports
             of
             love
             did
             the
             sight
             of
             mercy
             cast
             her
             Soul
             !
             She
             wept
             and
             washt
             her
             Saviours
             feet
             with
             tears
             of
             joy
             and
             thankfulness
             ,
             Luke
             7.
             44.
             
             No
             terrors
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             no
             frights
             of
             Hell
             ,
             thaw
             the
             heart
             like
             the
             apprehensions
             of
             pardoning
             mercy
             .
          
           
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             Sometimes
             there
             are
             special
             representations
             of
             the
             
               veracity
               and
               faithfulness
               of
               God
            
             ,
             made
             unto
             his
             people
             ,
             begetting
             trust
             and
             holy
             confidence
             in
             their
             Souls
             ;
             and
             when
             they
             do
             so
             ,
             then
             have
             men
             communion
             with
             God
             in
             his
             faithfulness
             ,
             Thus
             
               Heb.
               13.
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               I
               will
               never
               leave
               thee
               nor
               forsake
               thee
               .
            
             There
             is
             a
             discovery
             of
             the
             faithfulness
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             what
             follows
             upon
             this
             ?
             See
             
               vers
               .
               6.
               
               So
               that
               we
               may
               boldly
               say
               ,
               The
               Lord
               is
               our
               God
               ;
               we
               will
               not
               fear
               what
               man
               can
               do
               unto
               us
               .
            
             Here
             's
             faithfulness
             in
             God
             producing
             trust
             and
             confidence
             in
             the
             believer
             .
             This
             is
             that
             reciprocation
             ,
             that
             sweet
             fellowship
             and
             communion
             betwixt
             God
             and
             a
             believer
             with
             respect
             to
             his
             fidelity
             .
             
               Behold
               ,
               God
               is
               my
               salvation
               ,
               I
               will
               trust
               and
               not
               be
               afraid
               ,
               Isa.
               I2
               .
               2.
               
            
             And
             truly
             ,
             friend
             ,
             this
             is
             what
             the
             Lord
             justly
             expects
             from
             thee
             ,
             even
             thy
             trust
             and
             confidence
             in
             him
             ,
             thy
             steady
             dependance
             on
             him
             ,
             in
             return
             to
             all
             the
             discoveries
             of
             his
             faithfulness
             to
             thee
             ,
             both
             in
             his
             Word
             and
             Providences
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             There
             are
             manifestations
             of
             the
             
               anger
               and
               displeasure
               of
               God
            
             ,
             by
             the
             hiding
             of
             his
             face
             from
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             frowns
             of
             his
             providence
             ,
             when
             these
             produce
             repentance
             ,
             and
             deep
             humiliation
             for
             sin
             ;
             an
             unquietness
             ,
             a
             restlesness
             of
             Spirit
             till
             he
             restore
             his
             favour
             ,
             and
             manifest
             ,
             his
             reconciliation
             to
             the
             Soul
             ;
             even
             here
             also
             is
             real
             communion
             betwixt
             God
             and
             the
             Soul
             ,
             Psal.
             30.
             7.
             
             
               Thou
               hidest
               thy
               face
               ,
               and
               I
               was
               troubled
               .
            
             Nor
             will
             a
             gracious
             Soul
             rest
             there
             ,
             but
             will
             take
             pains
             to
             sue
             out
             a
             fresh
             pardon
             ,
             
               Psal.
               51.
               8.
               
               Make
               me
               to
               hear
               joy
               and
               gladness
               ,
               that
               the
               bones
               which
               thou
               hast
               broken
               ,
               may
               rejoyce
               ;
               restore
               unto
               me
               the
               joys
               of
               thy
               salvation
               ,
            
             vers
             .
             12.
             
          
           
           
             I
             cannot
             here
             omit
             to
             detect
             a
             great
             mistake
             here
             ,
             even
             amongst
             Gods
             own
             people
             ;
             many
             of
             them
             understand
             not
             what
             communion
             there
             should
             be
             with
             God
             ,
             under
             the
             manifestations
             of
             his
             displeasure
             for
             sin
             ;
             they
             know
             that
             the
             affectionate
             meltings
             of
             their
             Souls
             into
             love
             ,
             praise
             ,
             &c.
             to
             be
             communion
             with
             God
             ;
             but
             that
             the
             shame
             ,
             grief
             and
             sorrow
             ,
             produced
             in
             them
             by
             the
             manifestations
             of
             Gods
             displeasure
             ;
             I
             say
             ,
             that
             even
             in
             these
             things
             there
             may
             be
             communion
             with
             God
             they
             understand
             not
             .
             But
             let
             me
             tell
             thee
             ,
             that
             even
             such
             things
             as
             these
             are
             the
             choice
             fruits
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Adoption
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             them
             thy
             Soul
             hath
             as
             real
             and
             beneficial
             communion
             with
             God
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             greatest
             transports
             of
             Spiritual
             joy
             and
             comfort
             .
             O'tis
             a
             blessed
             frame
             to
             be
             before
             the
             Lord
             ,
             as
             Ezra
             was
             ,
             after
             conviction
             of
             thy
             loosness
             ,
             carelesness
             ,
             and
             Spiritual
             defilements
             ,
             the
             consequents
             of
             those
             sins
             ;
             saying
             with
             him
             ,
             
               O
               my
               God
               I
               am
               ashamed
               ,
               and
               even
               blush
               to
               lift
               up
               my
               face
               unto
               thee
               ,
               Ezra
               9.
               6.
               
            
             Shame
             and
             blushing
             are
             as
             excellent
             signs
             of
             communion
             with
             God
             ,
             as
             the
             sweetest
             smiles
             .
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             There
             are
             representations
             and
             special
             contemplations
             of
             the
             
               omniscience
               of
               God
            
             ,
             producing
             sincerity
             ,
             comfort
             in
             appeals
             ,
             and
             recourse
             to
             it
             in
             doubts
             of
             our
             own
             uprightness
             .
             And
             this
             also
             is
             a
             choice
             and
             excellent
             method
             of
             communion
             with
             God.
             (
             1.
             )
             When
             the
             omniscience
             of
             God
             strongly
             obliges
             the
             Soul
             to
             sincerity
             and
             uprightness
             ,
             as
             it
             did
             
               David
               ,
               Psal.
            
             139.
             11
             ,
             12.
             compared
             with
             
               Psal.
               18.
               23.
               
               I
               was
               also
               upright
               before
               him
               .
            
             The
             consideration
             that
             he
             was
             always
             before
             the
             Eye
             of
             God
             ,
             was
             his
             preservative
             
             from
             iniquity
             ,
             yea
             ,
             from
             his
             own
             iniquity
             .
             (
             2.
             )
             When
             it
             produceth
             comforts
             in
             appeals
             to
             it
             ,
             as
             it
             did
             in
             
               Hezekiah
               ,
               2
               Kings
               20.
               3.
               
               Remember
               now
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               that
               I
               have
               walked
               before
               thee
               in
               truth
               ,
               and
               with
               a
               perfect
               heart
               .
            
             So
             Iob
             10.
             7.
             he
             also
             appeals
             to
             this
             attribute
             ,
             
               Thou
               knowest
               that
               I
               am
               not
               wicked
               .
            
             So
             did
             Ieremiah
             ,
             Chap.
             12.
             3.
             
             
               But
               thou
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               knowest
               me
               ,
               thou
               hast
               seen
               me
               ,
               and
               tryed
               my
               heart
               towards
               thee
               .
            
             (
             3.
             )
             When
             we
             have
             recourse
             to
             it
             ,
             under
             doubts
             and
             fears
             of
             our
             own
             uprightness
             .
             Thus
             did
             David
             ,
             Psal.
             139.
             23.
             
             
               Search
               me
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
               and
               try
               my
               heart
               ;
               prove
               me
               ,
               and
               see
               my
               reins
               ;
               see
               if
               there
               be
               any
               way
               of
               wickedness
               in
               me
               .
            
             In
             all
             these
             attributes
             of
             God
             ,
             Christians
             have
             real
             and
             sweet
             communion
             with
             him
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             first
             thing
             to
             be
             opened
             :
             Communion
             with
             God
             in
             the
             meditation
             of
             his
             attributes
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             next
             method
             of
             communion
             with
             God
             ,
             is
             
               in
               the
               exercise
               of
               our
               graces
               in
               the
               various
               duties
               of
               Religion
            
             ;
             In
             Prayer
             ,
             Hearing
             ,
             Sacraments
             ,
             &c.
             in
             all
             which
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             influences
             the
             graces
             of
             his
             people
             ,
             and
             they
             return
             the
             fruits
             thereof
             in
             some
             measure
             to
             him
             .
             As
             God
             hath
             planted
             various
             graces
             in
             regenerate
             Souls
             ,
             so
             he
             hath
             appointed
             various
             duties
             to
             exercise
             and
             draw
             forth
             those
             graces
             ;
             and
             when
             they
             do
             so
             ,
             then
             have
             his
             people
             sweet
             actual
             communion
             with
             him
             .
             And
          
           
             1.
             
             To
             begin
             with
             the
             first
             grace
             that
             shews
             it self
             in
             the
             Soul
             of
             a
             Christian
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             repentance
             and
             sorrow
             for
             sin
             .
             In
             the
             exercise
             of
             this
             grace
             of
             repentance
             the
             Soul
             pours
             out
             it self
             before
             the
             Lord
             ,
             with
             much
             bitterness
             and
             brokenness
             of
             Heart
             ;
             casts
             forth
             its
             sorrows
             ,
             which
             
             sorrows
             are
             as
             so
             much
             seed
             sown
             ,
             and
             in
             return
             thereto
             the
             Lord
             usually
             sends
             an
             answer
             of
             peace
             ,
             
               Psal.
               32.
               4
               ,
               5.
               
               I
               said
               ,
               I
               will
               confess
               my
               transgression
               ,
               and
               thou
               forgavest
               the
               iniquity
               of
               my
               sin
               .
            
             Here
             's
             a
             voice
             of
             sorrow
             sent
             up
             ,
             and
             a
             voice
             of
             peace
             coming
             down
             ;
             which
             is
             real
             communion
             betwixt
             God
             and
             Man
             in
             the
             exercises
             of
             repentace
             .
          
           
             2ly
             ,
             As
             there
             are
             seasons
             in
             duty
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Saints
             exercise
             their
             repentance
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             returns
             peace
             ;
             so
             likewise
             the
             Lord
             helps
             them
             in
             their
             duties
             to
             act
             their
             faith
             ,
             in
             return
             whereunto
             they
             find
             from
             the
             Lord
             inward
             support
             ,
             rest
             and
             refreshment
             ,
             
               Psal.
               27.
               13.
               
               I
               had
               fainted
               unless
               I
               had
               believed
               .
            
             And
             oft-times
             an
             assurance
             of
             the
             mercies
             they
             have
             acted
             their
             faith
             about
             ,
             1
             
               Iohn
               5.
               
               I4
            
             .
          
           
             3ly
             ,
             The
             Lord
             many
             times
             draws
             forth
             eminent
             degrees
             of
             our
             love
             to
             him
             ,
             in
             the
             course
             of
             our
             duties
             ;
             the
             heart
             is
             filled
             with
             love
             to
             Christ.
             The
             strength
             of
             the
             Soul
             is
             drawn
             forth
             to
             Christ
             in
             love
             ;
             and
             this
             the
             Lord
             repays
             in
             kind
             ,
             love
             for
             love
             ,
             
               Iohn
               14.
               21.
               
               He
               that
               loveth
               me
               ,
               my
               Father
               will
               love
               him
               ;
               and
               we
               will
               come
               and
               make
               our
               abode
               with
               him
               .
            
             Here
             is
             sweet
             communion
             with
             God
             in
             the
             exercises
             of
             love
             .
             O
             what
             a
             rich
             trade
             do
             Christians
             drive
             this
             way
             in
             their
             duties
             and
             exercises
             of
             graces
             !
          
           
             4ly
             ,
             To
             mention
             no
             more
             ,
             in
             the
             duties
             of
             
               Passive
               Obedience
            
             ,
             Christians
             are
             enabled
             to
             exercise
             their
             patience
             ,
             meekness
             ,
             and
             long
             suffering
             for
             Christ
             ;
             in
             return
             to
             which
             ,
             the
             Lord
             gives
             them
             the
             singular
             consolations
             of
             his
             Spirit
             .
             Double
             returns
             of
             joy
             ;
             
               The
               Spirit
               of
               glory
               and
               of
               God
               resteth
               upon
               them
               ,
            
             1
             Pet.
             4.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
             The
             Lord
             
             strengthens
             them
             with
             passive
             fortitude
             ,
             with
             all
             might
             in
             the
             inner-man
             ,
             unto
             all
             long-suffering
             ;
             but
             the
             reward
             of
             that
             long-suffering
             is
             joyfulness
             ,
             Col.
             1.
             11.
             
             This
             is
             the
             trade
             they
             drive
             with
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Beside
             communion
             with
             God
             in
             the
             contemplation
             of
             his
             attributes
             ,
             and
             graces
             exercised
             in
             the
             course
             of
             duties
             ;
             there
             is
             another
             method
             of
             communion
             with
             God
             in
             the
             way
             of
             his
             Providences
             ;
             for
             therein
             also
             his
             people
             walk
             with
             him
             :
             To
             give
             a
             taste
             of
             this
             ,
             let
             us
             consider
             Providence
             in
             a
             fourfold
             aspect
             upon
             the
             people
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             There
             are
             
               afflictive
               providences
            
             ,
             rods
             and
             rebukes
             ,
             wherewith
             the
             Lord
             chastens
             his
             children
             ;
             this
             is
             the
             discipline
             of
             his
             house
             ,
             in
             answer
             whereunto
             gracious
             Souls
             return
             meek
             and
             childlike
             submission
             ;
             a
             fruit
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Adoption
             ;
             they
             are
             brought
             to
             accept
             the
             punishment
             of
             their
             iniquities
             .
             And
             herein
             lies
             communion
             with
             God
             under
             the
             rod
             ;
             this
             return
             to
             the
             rod
             may
             not
             be
             presently
             made
             ;
             for
             there
             is
             much
             stubborness
             unmortified
             in
             the
             best
             hearts
             ,
             Heb.
             I2
             .
             7.
             but
             this
             is
             the
             fruit
             it
             shall
             yield
             ,
             and
             when
             it
             doth
             ,
             there
             is
             real
             communion
             between
             God
             and
             the
             afflicted
             Soul.
             Let
             not
             Christians
             mistake
             themselves
             ,
             if
             when
             God
             is
             smiting
             they
             are
             humbling
             ,
             searching
             ,
             and
             blessing
             God
             for
             the
             discoveries
             of
             sin
             made
             by
             their
             afflictions
             ;
             admiring
             his
             wisdom
             ,
             in
             timing
             ,
             moderating
             ,
             and
             chusing
             the
             rod
             ;
             kissing
             it
             with
             a
             childlike
             submission
             ,
             and
             saying
             it
             is
             good
             for
             me
             that
             I
             have
             been
             afflicted
             ;
             that
             Soul
             hath
             real
             communion
             with
             God
             ,
             though
             it
             may
             be
             for
             a
             time
             without
             joy
             .
          
           
           
             2ly
             ,
             There
             are
             times
             wherein
             
               providence
               straightens
            
             the
             people
             of
             God
             ;
             when
             the
             waters
             of
             comfort
             ebb
             ,
             and
             run
             very
             low
             ;
             wants
             pinch
             ;
             if
             then
             the
             Soul
             returns
             filial
             dependance
             upon
             fatherly
             care
             ,
             saying
             with
             David
             ,
             Psal.
             23.
             1.
             
             
               The
               Lord
               is
               my
               shepherd
               ,
               I
               shall
               not
               want
               :
            
             It
             belongs
             to
             him
             to
             provide
             ,
             and
             to
             me
             to
             depend
             :
             I
             will
             trust
             my
             Fathers
             care
             and
             love
             .
             Here
             now
             is
             sweet
             communion
             with
             God
             under
             pinching
             wants
             .
             The
             wants
             of
             the
             Body
             enrich
             the
             Soul
             :
             Outward
             straightnings
             are
             the
             occasions
             of
             inward
             enlargments
             .
             O
             see
             from
             hence
             how
             good
             it
             is
             to
             have
             an
             interest
             in
             God
             as
             a
             Father
             ,
             whatever
             changes
             of
             providence
             may
             come
             upon
             you
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             There
             are
             seasons
             wherein
             the
             Lord
             exposes
             his
             people
             to
             eminent
             and
             visible
             dangers
             ;
             when
             to
             the
             Eye
             of
             sense
             there
             is
             no
             way
             of
             escape
             .
             Now
             when
             this
             produceth
             trust
             in
             God
             ,
             and
             resignation
             to
             the
             pleasure
             of
             his
             Will
             ;
             here
             is
             communion
             with
             God
             in
             times
             of
             distress
             and
             difficulty
             ;
             thus
             David
             ,
             Psal.
             56.
             3.
             
             
               At
               what
               time
               I
               am
               afraid
               ,
               I
               will
               trust
               in
               thee
               .
            
             q.
             d.
             Father
             ,
             I
             see
             a
             storm
             rising
             ,
             thy
             poor
             child
             comes
             under
             his
             Fathers
             roof
             for
             she●●er
             ;
             for
             whether
             should
             a
             distressed
             Child
             go
             ,
             but
             to
             his
             Father
             ?
             And
             then
             as
             to
             the
             issues
             and
             events
             of
             doubtful
             providences
             ,
             when
             the
             Soul
             resigns
             and
             leaves
             it self
             to
             the
             wise
             disposal
             of
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             David
             ,
             in
             2
             
               Sam.
               15.
               25
               ,
               26.
               
               Here
               am
               I
               ,
               let
               him
               do
               with
               me
               as
               seemeth
               good
               in
               his
               sight
               .
            
             This
             is
             real
             and
             sweet
             communion
             with
             God
             in
             his
             providences
             .
             And
             so
             much
             for
             the
             nature
             of
             communion
             with
             God.
             
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             In
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             I
             shall
             evidence
             the
             reality
             of
             communion
             with
             God
             ;
             and
             
             prove
             it
             to
             be
             no
             fancy
             .
             I
             confess
             it
             grieves
             me
             to
             be
             put
             upon
             the
             proof
             of
             this
             ,
             but
             the
             Atheism
             ,
             and
             prophaness
             of
             the
             age
             we
             live
             in
             seems
             to
             make
             it
             necessary
             ;
             for
             many
             men
             will
             allow
             nothing
             for
             certain
             but
             what
             falls
             under
             the
             cognisance
             of
             ●ense
             .
             And
             oh
             ,
             that
             they
             had
             their
             Spiritual
             senses
             exercised
             ,
             then
             they
             would
             sensibly
             discern
             the
             reality
             of
             these
             things
             :
             but
             to
             put
             the
             matter
             out
             of
             question
             ,
             I
             shall
             evidence
             the
             truth
             and
             reality
             of
             the
             Saints
             communion
             with
             God
             divers
             ways
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             
             From
             the
             Saints
             union
             with
             Christ
             ;
             if
             there
             be
             a
             union
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             believers
             ,
             then
             of
             necessity
             there
             must
             be
             a
             communion
             between
             them
             also
             .
             Now
             the
             whole
             Word
             of
             God
             which
             you
             profess
             to
             be
             the
             rule
             of
             your
             faith
             ,
             plainly
             asserts
             this
             union
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             believers
             ;
             a
             union
             like
             that
             betwixt
             the
             branches
             and
             the
             root
             ,
             Iohn
             15.
             4
             ,
             5.
             or
             that
             betwixt
             the
             head
             and
             the
             members
             ,
             
               Eph
               ▪
            
             4.
             16.
             
             Now
             if
             Christ
             be
             to
             believers
             as
             the
             root
             to
             the
             branches
             ,
             and
             as
             the
             head
             to
             the
             members
             ;
             then
             of
             necessity
             there
             must
             be
             a
             communion
             between
             them
             :
             for
             if
             there
             were
             not
             a
             communion
             ,
             there
             could
             be
             no
             communications
             ,
             and
             if
             no
             communications
             no
             life
             .
             For
             it
             is
             by
             the
             communication
             of
             vital
             fap
             and
             spirits
             ,
             from
             the
             root
             and
             from
             the
             head
             ,
             that
             the
             branches
             and
             members
             subsist
             and
             live
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             
             There
             is
             a
             cohabitation
             of
             Christ
             with
             believers
             ;
             he
             dwells
             with
             them
             ,
             yea
             ,
             he
             dwells
             in
             the●●
             2
             
               Cor.
               6.
               16.
               
               I
               will
               dwell
               in
               them
               ,
               and
               walk
               in
               the●●
               .
            
             The
             Soul
             of
             a
             believer
             is
             the
             
             Temple
             of
             Christ
             ,
             yea
             ,
             his
             living
             Temple
             ,
             1
             
               Pet.
               2.
               5.
            
             
             And
             if
             Christ
             dwell
             with
             them
             ,
             yea
             ,
             if
             he
             dwell
             in
             them
             and
             walk
             in
             them
             ,
             then
             certainly
             there
             must
             be
             communion
             betwixt
             him
             and
             them
             ;
             if
             they
             live
             together
             ,
             they
             must
             converse
             together
             .
             A
             man
             indeed
             may
             dwell
             in
             his
             house
             ,
             and
             yet
             cannot
             be
             said
             to
             have
             communion
             with
             it
             ;
             but
             the
             Saints
             are
             a
             living
             house
             ,
             they
             are
             the
             living
             .
             Temples
             of
             Christ
             ;
             and
             he
             cannot
             dwell
             in
             such
             Temples
             capable
             of
             communion
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             yet
             have
             no
             communion
             with
             them
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             
             The
             reality
             of
             communion
             betwixt
             God
             and
             the
             Saints
             is
             undeniably
             evinced
             from
             all
             the
             Spiritual
             relations
             into
             which
             God
             hath
             taken
             them
             .
             Every
             believer
             is
             the
             Child
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Spouse
             of
             Christ.
             God
             is
             the
             believer
             Father
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             is
             the
             Lambs
             Wife
             .
             Christ
             calls
             the
             believer
             not
             only
             his
             Servant
             ,
             but
             Friend
             ;
             hence
             forth
             I
             call
             you
             not
             Servants
             but
             Friends
             ,
             &c.
             
             Now
             ,
             if
             God
             be
             the
             believers
             Father
             ,
             and
             the
             believer
             be
             Gods
             own
             Child
             ,
             certainly
             there
             must
             be
             communion
             between
             them
             .
             If
             Christ
             be
             the
             believers
             Husband
             ,
             and
             the
             believer
             be
             Christs
             Spouse
             ,
             there
             must
             be
             communion
             between
             him
             and
             them
             .
             What
             ,
             no
             communion
             between
             the
             Father
             and
             his
             Children
             ,
             the
             Husband
             and
             the
             Wife
             ?
             We
             must
             either
             renounce
             and
             deny
             all
             such
             relations
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             therein
             renounce
             our
             Bibles
             ;
             or
             else
             yield
             the
             conclusion
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             a
             real
             communion
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             believers
             .
          
           
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             The
             reality
             of
             communion
             with
             God
             evidently
             appears
             from
             the
             institution
             ,
             
             and
             appointment
             of
             so
             many
             Ordinances
             ,
             and
             duties
             of
             Religion
             ,
             on
             purpose
             to
             maintain
             dayly
             communion
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             his
             People
             .
             As
             to
             instance
             but
             in
             that
             one
             institution
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             a
             duty
             appointed
             on
             purpose
             for
             the
             Souls
             meeting
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             communion
             with
             him
             ,
             Iames
             4.
             8.
             
             
               Draw
               nigh
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               he
               will
               draw
               nigh
               to
               you
               .
            
             Now
             to
             what
             purpose
             can
             it
             be
             conceived
             such
             an
             Ordinance
             is
             appointed
             for
             the
             Souls
             drawing
             nigh
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             God
             to
             it
             ;
             if
             there
             be
             no
             such
             thing
             as
             communion
             to
             be
             enjoyed
             with
             him
             ?
             If
             communion
             with
             God
             were
             a
             meer
             Phantome
             ,
             as
             the
             carnal
             World
             thinks
             it
             to
             be
             ,
             what
             encouragement
             have
             the
             Saints
             to
             bow
             their
             knees
             to
             the
             God
             and
             Father
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ?
             But
             surely
             there
             is
             an
             access
             to
             God
             in
             prayer
             ,
             
               Ephes.
               3.
               12.
               
               In
               whom
               we
               have
               boldness
               and
               access
               with
               confidenc●
               .
            
             Access
             to
             what
             ?
             If
             God
             be
             not
             there
             ,
             and
             that
             there
             can
             be
             no
             communion
             with
             him
             ,
             what
             means
             that
             access
             ?
             
               I
               will
               meet
               you
               ,
               saith
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               commune
               with
               you
               in
               every
               place
               where
               I
               record
               my
               name
               ,
            
             Exod.
             25.
             22.
             
             Certainly
             duties
             had
             never
             been
             appointed
             ,
             but
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             Gods
             communing
             with
             us
             ,
             and
             ours
             with
             him
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             This
             is
             yet
             further
             evidenced
             from
             the
             mutual
             desires
             both
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
             and
             his
             people
             to
             be
             in
             sweet
             and
             intimate
             communion
             one
             with
             the
             other
             .
             The
             Scripture
             speaks
             much
             of
             the
             Saints
             vehement
             desires
             of
             communion
             with
             Christ
             ,
             and
             of
             Christs
             desires
             after
             communion
             with
             the
             Saints
             ,
             and
             of
             both
             jointly
             .
             The
             Saints
             
             desires
             after
             communion
             with
             him
             ,
             are
             frequent
             in
             all
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             see
             
               Psal.
               63.
               1
               ,
               2
               ,
               3.
               
               Psal.
               42.
               1.
               
               Psal.
            
             119.
             20.
             and
             the
             like
             throughout
             the
             New
             Testament
             .
             And
             Christ
             is
             no
             less
             desirous
             ,
             yea
             ,
             he
             is
             much
             more
             desirous
             of
             communion
             with
             us
             than
             we
             are
             with
             him
             .
             Consider
             that
             expression
             of
             his
             to
             the
             Spouse
             ,
             in
             
               Cant.
               8.
               13.
               
               O
               thou
               that
               dwellest
               in
               the
               Gardens
               ,
               the
               companions
               h●rken
               to
               thy
               voice
               ,
               cause
               me
               to
               hear
               it
               .
            
             As
             if
             he
             should
             say
             ,
             O
             my
             people
             ,
             you
             frequently
             converse
             one
             with
             another
             ,
             you
             talk
             dayly
             together
             ;
             why
             shall
             not
             you
             and
             I
             converse
             one
             with
             another
             ?
             You
             speak
             often
             to
             men
             ,
             O
             that
             you
             would
             speak
             more
             frequently
             to
             me
             !
             
               Let
               me
               see
               thy
               countenance
               ,
               let
               me
               hear
               thy
               voice
               ;
               for
               thy
               voice
               is
               sweet
               ,
               and
               thy
               countenance
               comly
               .
            
             And
             then
             these
             desires
             are
             mutually
             exprest
             one
             to
             another
             ,
             
               Rev.
               22.
               20.
               
               Surely
            
             (
             saith
             Christ
             )
             
               I
               come
               quickly
               ,
               Amen
               ,
               even
               so
               come
               Lord
               Iesus
               ,
            
             saith
             the
             Church
             :
             Now
             if
             there
             be
             such
             vehement
             mutual
             desires
             after
             communion
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             his
             people
             in
             this
             World
             ;
             then
             certainly
             there
             is
             such
             a
             thing
             as
             real
             communion
             between
             them
             ,
             or
             else
             both
             must
             live
             a
             very
             restless
             and
             dissatisfied
             life
             .
          
           
             Sixthly
             ,
             The
             mutual
             complaints
             that
             are
             found
             on
             both
             sides
             of
             the
             interruption
             of
             communion
             ,
             
             plainly
             proves
             there
             is
             such
             a
             thing
             .
             If
             God
             complain
             of
             his
             people
             for
             their
             estrangements
             from
             him
             ,
             and
             the
             Saints
             complain
             to
             God
             about
             his
             silence
             to
             them
             ;
             and
             the
             hidings
             of
             his
             face
             from
             them
             :
             Surely
             then
             there
             must
             be
             a
             communion
             between
             them
             ,
             or
             else
             there
             could
             be
             no
             ground
             of
             complaints
             for
             the
             interruptions
             of
             it
             .
             But
             it
             is
             manifest
             God
             doth
             complain
             
             of
             his
             people
             for
             their
             estrangments
             from
             him
             ,
             
               Ier.
               2.
               5.
               
               Thus
               saith
               the
               Lord
               ,
               I
               remember
               thee
               the
               kindness
               of
               thy
               youth
               ,
               and
               the
               love
               of
               thy
               espousals
               .
               What
               iniquity
               have
               your
               Fathers
               found
               in
               me
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               gone
               far
               from
               me
               ?
            
             As
             if
             he
             should
             say
             ,
             You
             and
             I
             have
             been
             better
             acquainted
             in
             days
             past
             ;
             what
             cause
             have
             I
             given
             for
             your
             estrangments
             from
             me
             ?
             And
             thus
             Christ
             in
             like
             manner
             complains
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Ephesus
             ,
             after
             he
             had
             commended
             many
             things
             in
             her
             ,
             yet
             one
             thing
             grieves
             and
             troubles
             him
             ,
             
               Rev.
               2.
               4.
               
               Nevertheless
               I
               have
               somewhat
               against
               thee
               ,
               because
               thou
               hast
               left
               thy
               first
               love
               .
            
             And
             then
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             when
             the
             Lord
             hids
             his
             face
             and
             seems
             to
             estrange
             himself
             from
             his
             people
             ;
             what
             sad
             laments
             and
             moans
             do
             they
             make
             about
             it
             ?
             As
             an
             affliction
             they
             know
             not
             how
             to
             bear
             .
             Thus
             Heman
             ,
             Psal.
             88.
             14.
             
             
               Lord
               ,
               why
               castests
               thou
               off
               my
               Soul
               ?
               Why
               hidest
               thou
               thy
               face
               from
               me
               ?
            
             So
             
               Psal.
               27.
               9.
               
               Hide
               not
               thy
               face
               from
               me
               ,
               put
               not
               thy
               servant
               away
               in
               anger
               .
            
             This
             is
             what
             they
             cannot
             bear
             .
          
           
             Seventhly
             ,
             
             The
             reality
             of
             communion
             with
             God
             is
             made
             visible
             to
             others
             ,
             in
             the
             sensible
             effects
             of
             it
             upon
             the
             Saints
             that
             enjoy
             it
             .
             There
             are
             visible
             signs
             and
             tokens
             of
             it
             appearing
             to
             the
             conviction
             of
             others
             .
             Thus
             that
             marvelous
             change
             that
             appeared
             upon
             the
             very
             countenance
             of
             Hannah
             after
             she
             had
             poured
             her
             heart
             in
             prayer
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             had
             answered
             her
             ,
             it
             is
             noted
             ,
             1
             
               Sam.
               1.
               18.
               
               She
               went
               away
               and
               her
               countenance
               was
               no
               more
               sad
               .
            
             You
             might
             have
             read
             in
             her
             face
             ,
             that
             God
             had
             spoken
             peace
             and
             satisfaction
             to
             her
             heart
             .
             Thus
             when
             the
             Disciples
             had
             been
             with
             Christ
             ,
             the
             mark
             of
             communion
             
             with
             him
             was
             visible
             to
             others
             ,
             Acts
             4.
             13.
             
             Now
             when
             they
             saw
             the
             boldness
             of
             Peter
             and
             John
             ,
             they
             marvelled
             ;
             and
             took
             knowledg
             of
             them
             that
             they
             had
             been
             with
             Iesus
             .
             'T
             is
             sweet
             ,
             Christian
             ,
             when
             the
             heavenly
             cheariness
             ,
             and
             spirituality
             of
             thy
             converses
             with
             men
             ,
             shall
             convince
             others
             that
             thou
             hast
             been
             with
             Jesus
             .
          
           
             Eighthly
             ,
             
             We
             may
             prove
             the
             reality
             of
             communion
             with
             God
             ,
             from
             the
             impossibility
             of
             sustaining
             those
             troubles
             the
             Saints
             do
             without
             it
             .
             If
             prayers
             did
             not
             go
             up
             ,
             and
             answers
             come
             down
             ,
             there
             were
             no
             living
             for
             a
             Christian
             in
             this
             World.
             Prayer
             is
             the
             out-let
             of
             the
             Saints
             sorrows
             ,
             and
             the
             in-let
             of
             their
             supports
             and
             comforts
             ,
             Rom.
             8.
             26.
             
             Say
             not
             other
             men
             have
             their
             troubles
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Saints
             ,
             and
             yet
             they
             make
             a
             shift
             to
             bear
             them
             without
             the
             help
             of
             communion
             with
             God.
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             carnal
             men
             have
             their
             troubles
             ,
             and
             those
             troubles
             are
             often
             too
             heavy
             for
             them
             .
             
               The
               sorrows
               of
               the
               world
               work
               death
            
             ;
             but
             carnal
             men
             have
             no
             such
             troubles
             as
             the
             Saints
             have
             ;
             for
             they
             have
             their
             inward
             Spiritual
             troubles
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             their
             outward
             troubles
             .
             And
             inward
             troubles
             are
             the
             sinking
             troubles
             ;
             but
             this
             way
             the
             strength
             of
             God
             comes
             in
             to
             succor
             them
             :
             and
             except
             they
             had
             a
             God
             to
             go
             to
             ,
             and
             fetch
             comfort
             from
             ,
             they
             could
             never
             bear
             them
             ,
             
               Psal.
               27.
               13.
               
               I
               had
               fainted
               unless
               ●
               had
               believed
               .
               Paul
            
             had
             sunk
             under
             the
             buffetings
             of
             Satan
             ,
             unless
             he
             had
             gone
             once
             and
             again
             to
             his
             God
             ,
             and
             received
             this
             answer
             ,
             
               My
               grace
               is
               sufficient
               for
               thee
            
             ;
             2
             Cor.
             12.
             9.
             
          
           
           
             Ninthly
             ,
             We
             conclude
             the
             reality
             of
             communion
             with
             God
             ,
             
             from
             the
             end
             of
             the
             Saints
             vocation
             .
             We
             read
             frequently
             in
             Scripture
             of
             effectual
             calling
             ;
             now
             what
             is
             that
             to
             which
             God
             calls
             his
             people
             out
             of
             the
             state
             of
             nature
             ,
             but
             unto
             fellowship
             and
             communion
             with
             Jesus
             Christ
             ?
             1
             
               Cor.
               1.
               9.
               
               God
               is
               faithful
               ,
               by
               whom
               ye
               are
               called
               unto
               the
               fellowship
               of
               his
               son
               Iesus
               Christ
               our
               Lord.
            
             They
             are
             called
             ,
             you
             see
             ,
             in
             to
             a
             life
             of
             communion
             with
             Christ
             ;
             therefore
             certainly
             there
             is
             such
             a
             communion
             :
             else
             the
             Saints
             are
             called
             to
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             a
             fancy
             ,
             instead
             of
             a
             privilege
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             greatest
             reproach
             that
             can
             be
             cast
             upon
             the
             faithful
             God
             that
             called
             them
             .
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             the
             characters
             and
             descriptions
             given
             to
             the
             Saints
             in
             Scripture
             evidently
             prove
             their
             life
             of
             communion
             with
             God.
             The
             Men
             of
             this
             World
             are
             manifestly
             distinguished
             from
             the
             people
             of
             God
             in
             Scripture
             ;
             they
             are
             called
             ,
             
               The
               Children
               of
               this
               World
            
             ;
             the
             Saints
             ,
             
               The
               Children
               of
               light
            
             ,
             Luke
             16.
             8.
             
             They
             are
             said
             to
             be
             
               after
               the
               flesh
            
             ,
             Saints
             to
             be
             
               after
               the
               Spirit
            
             ,
             Rom.
             8.
             5.
             they
             
               mind
               earthly
               things
            
             ,
             but
             the
             Saints
             
               conversation
               is
               in
               Heaven
            
             ,
             Phil.
             3.
             19
             ,
             20.
             
             By
             all
             which
             it
             undeniably
             appears
             that
             there
             is
             a
             reality
             in
             the
             Doctrin
             of
             communion
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             his
             people
             .
             We
             are
             not
             imposed
             upon
             ,
             't
             is
             no
             cunningly
             devised
             fable
             ;
             but
             a
             thing
             whose
             foundation
             is
             as
             sure
             as
             its
             nature
             is
             sweet
             .
          
           
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             In
             the
             last
             place
             ,
             I
             shall
             shew
             you
             the
             transcendent
             excellency
             of
             this
             life
             of
             communion
             with
             God
             ;
             it
             is
             the
             life
             of
             our
             Life
             ,
             the
             joy
             of
             our
             Hearts
             ,
             a
             Heaven
             upon
             Earth
             ;
             as
             will
             appear
             by
             the
             Twenty
             Excellencies
             thereof
             following
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               the
               Assimilating
               instrument
               whereby
               the
               Soul
               is
               moulded
               and
               fashioned
               after
               the
               image
               of
               God.
               This
               is
               the
               Excellency
               of
               communion
               with
               God
               ,
               to
               make
               the
               Soul
               like
               him
               .
               There
               is
               a
               twofold
               assimilation
               ,
               or
               conformity
               of
               the
               Soul
               to
               God
               ,
               the
               one
               perfect
               and
               compleat
               ,
               the
               other
               inchoate
               and
               in
               part
               .
               Perfect
               assimilation
               is
               the
               privilege
               of
               the
               perfect
               state
               ,
               resulting
               from
               the
               immediate
               vision
               and
               perfect
               communion
               the
               Soul
               hath
               with
               God
               in
               glory
               ,
               1
               Iohn
               3
               ▪
               2
               ▪
               
                 When
                 he
                 shall
                 appear
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 like
                 him
                 ,
                 for
                 we
                 shall
                 see
                 him
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 .
              
               Perfect
               vision
               produceth
               perfect
               assimilation
               ;
               but
               the
               Souls
               assimilation
               or
               imperfect
               conformity
               to
               God
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               is
               wrought
               and
               gradually
               carried
               on
               by
               dayly
               communion
               with
               him
               .
               And
               as
               our
               communion
               with
               God
               here
               ,
               grows
               up
               more
               and
               more
               into
               spirituality
               and
               power
               ,
               so
               in
               an
               answerable
               degree
               doth
               our
               conformity
               to
               him
               advance
               ,
               2
               
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 18.
                 
                 But
                 we
                 all
                 with
                 open
                 face
                 ,
                 beholding
                 as
                 in
                 a
                 glass
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 are
                 changed
                 into
                 the
                 same
                 image
                 ,
                 from
                 glory
                 to
                 glory
                 ,
                 as
                 by
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               All
               sorts
               of
               communion
               among
               men
               have
               an
               assimilating
               efficacy
               ;
               he
               that
               walks
               in
               vain
               company
               ,
               is
               made
               vainer
               than
               he
               was
               before
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               walks
               in
               spiritual
               heavenly
               company
               will
               be
               ordinarily
               
               more
               serious
               than
               he
               was
               before
               ;
               but
               nothing
               so
               transforms
               the
               Spirit
               of
               a
               man
               ,
               as
               communion
               with
               God
               doth
               .
               Those
               are
               most
               like
               unto
               God
               that
               converse
               most
               frequently
               with
               him
               .
               The
               beauty
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               upon
               those
               Souls
               ;
               it
               figures
               the
               Spirit
               of
               a
               Man
               after
               the
               Divine
               pattern
               .
               That
               's
               the
               first
               Excellency
               of
               communion
               with
               God
               ,
               it
               assimilates
               them
               to
               God.
               
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               the
               beauty
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               in
               the
               Eyes
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               all
               good
               men
               ;
               it
               makes
               the
               face
               to
               shine
               .
               No
               outward
               splendor
               attracts
               like
               this
               ;
               it
               makes
               a
               man
               the
               most
               desirable
               companion
               in
               the
               whole
               World
               ,
               1
               
                 Iohn
                 1.
                 3.
                 
                 These
                 things
                 have
                 I
                 written
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 might
                 have
                 fellowship
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 truly
                 our
                 fellowship
                 is
                 with
                 the
                 Father
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 Son
                 Iesus
                 Christ.
              
               This
               was
               the
               great
               and
               only
               inducement
               the
               Apostle
               makes
               use
               of
               to
               draw
               the
               World
               into
               fellowship
               with
               the
               Saints
               ;
               that
               their
               fellowship
               is
               with
               God.
               And
               if
               there
               were
               ten
               thousand
               other
               inducements
               ,
               yet
               none
               like
               this
               .
               You
               read
               of
               a
               blessed
               time
               ,
               Zach.
               12.
               
               When
               the
               Earth
               shall
               be
               full
               of
               holiness
               ;
               when
               the
               Iews
               that
               are
               now
               as
               a
               lost
               generation
               to
               the
               Eye
               of
               sense
               ,
               shall
               be
               called
               ,
               and
               an
               eminent
               degree
               of
               sanctification
               shall
               be
               visible
               in
               them
               ;
               and
               then
               see
               the
               effect
               of
               this
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 23.
                 
                 In
                 those
                 days
                 ten
                 men
                 shall
                 take
                 hold
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 languages
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Nations
                 ,
                 even
                 shall
                 take
                 hold
                 of
                 the
                 skirt
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 is
                 a
                 Iew
                 ;
                 saying
                 ,
                 We
                 will
                 go
                 with
                 you
                 for
                 we
                 have
                 heard
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 with
                 you
                 .
              
               This
               is
               the
               powerful
               attractive
               ,
               
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 with
                 you
              
               ;
               't
               is
               the
               effect
               of
               communion
               with
               God
               which
               makes
               the
               righteous
               
               more
               excellent
               than
               his
               neighbour
               ,
               Prov.
               12.
               26.
               what
               a
               vast
               and
               visible
               difference
               doth
               this
               make
               between
               one
               man
               and
               another
               !
               How
               heavenly
               sweet
               and
               desirable
               ,
               are
               the
               converses
               and
               company
               of
               some
               men
               !
               How
               frothy
               ,
               burdensoin
               ,
               and
               unprofitable
               is
               the
               company
               of
               others
               !
               And
               what
               makes
               the
               difference
               but
               only
               this
               ,
               the
               one
               walks
               in
               communion
               with
               God
               ,
               the
               other
               is
               alienated
               from
               the
               life
               of
               God
               ?
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               the
               Centre
               which
               rests
               the
               motions
               of
               a
               weary
               Soul
               ;
               't
               is
               the
               Rest
               and
               Refreshment
               of
               a
               man's
               Spirit
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 116.
                 7.
                 
                 Return
                 unto
                 thy
              
               rest
               ,
               
                 O
                 my
                 Soul.
              
               When
               we
               attain
               perfect
               Communion
               with
               God
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               we
               attain
               to
               perfect
               Rest
               ;
               and
               all
               the
               Rest
               the
               Spirit
               of
               man
               finds
               on
               Earth
               ,
               is
               found
               in
               Communion
               with
               God.
               Take
               a
               sanctified
               person
               who
               hath
               intermitted
               for
               some
               time
               his
               communion
               with
               the
               Lord
               ;
               and
               ask
               him
               ,
               is
               your
               Soul
               at
               rest
               and
               ease
               ?
               He
               will
               tell
               you
               no.
               The
               motions
               of
               his
               Soul
               ,
               are
               like
               those
               of
               a
               member
               out
               of
               Joynt
               ,
               neither
               comly
               ,
               nor
               easie
               .
               Let
               that
               man
               recover
               his
               spiritual
               frame
               again
               ,
               and
               with
               it
               he
               recovers
               his
               Rest
               and
               Comfort
               .
               Christians
               ,
               you
               meet
               with
               variety
               of
               troubles
               in
               this
               World
               ;
               many
               a
               sweet
               Comfort
               cut
               off
               ,
               many
               a
               hopeful
               project
               dasht
               by
               the
               hand
               of
               Providence
               ;
               and
               what
               think
               you
               is
               the
               meaning
               ,
               of
               those
               blasting
               ,
               disappointing
               Providences
               ?
               Surely
               ,
               this
               is
               their
               design
               and
               errand
               ,
               to
               disturb
               your
               false
               rest
               in
               the
               bosom
               of
               the
               Creature
               ;
               to
               pluck
               away
               those
               pillows
               you
               were
               laying
               your
               Heads
               upon
               ,
               that
               thereby
               you
               might
               be
               reduced
               
               unto
               God
               ,
               and
               recover
               your
               lost
               communion
               with
               him
               ;
               and
               say
               with
               
                 David
                 ,
                 Return
                 unto
                 thy
                 rest
                 ,
                 O
                 my
                 Soul.
              
               Sometimes
               we
               are
               setling
               our selves
               to
               rest
               in
               an
               Estate
               ,
               in
               a
               Child
               ,
               or
               the
               like
               :
               at
               this
               time
               it
               is
               usual
               with
               God
               to
               say
               ,
               Go
               Losses
               smite
               and
               blast
               such
               a
               mans
               Estate
               ,
               go
               Death
               ,
               and
               take
               away
               the
               desire
               of
               his
               Eyes
               with
               a
               stroke
               ,
               that
               my
               Child
               may
               find
               rest
               nowhere
               but
               in
               me
               .
               God
               is
               the
               Ark
               ,
               the
               Soul
               like
               the
               Dove
               ,
               Noah
               sent
               forth
               ,
               let
               it
               fly
               where
               it
               will
               ,
               it
               shall
               find
               no
               rest
               till
               it
               comes
               back
               to
               God.
               
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               the
               Desire
               of
               all
               gracious
               souls
               throughout
               the
               World.
               Wherever
               there
               is
               a
               gracious
               Soul
               ,
               the
               desires
               of
               that
               Soul
               are
               working
               after
               communion
               with
               God
               ;
               as
               Christ
               was
               called
               ,
               
                 The
                 desire
                 of
                 all
                 Nations
              
               ;
               so
               communion
               with
               him
               ,
               is
               
                 The
                 desire
                 of
                 all
                 Saints
              
               :
               and
               this
               speaks
               the
               excellency
               of
               it
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 27.
                 4.
                 
                 One
                 thing
                 have
                 I
                 desired
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 I
                 seek
                 after
                 ;
                 that
                 I
                 might
                 dwell
                 in
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 all
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 my
                 life
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 enquire
                 in
                 his
                 Temple
                 .
                 (
                 i.
                 e.
                 )
              
               To
               enjoy
               communion
               with
               him
               in
               the
               publick
               duties
               of
               his
               worship
               .
               
                 One
                 thing
                 have
                 I
                 desired
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               one
               thing
               above
               all
               other
               things
               ;
               such
               an
               one
               ,
               as
               if
               God
               shall
               give
               me
               ,
               I
               can
               comfortably
               bear
               the
               want
               of
               all
               other
               things
               .
               Let
               him
               deny
               me
               what
               he
               will
               ,
               if
               so
               be
               he
               will
               not
               deny
               me
               
                 this
                 one
                 thing
              
               ;
               this
               one
               thing
               shall
               richly
               recompence
               the
               want
               of
               all
               other
               things
               .
               Hence
               the
               desires
               of
               the
               Saints
               are
               so
               intense
               and
               fervent
               after
               this
               one
               thing
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 42.
                 1.
                 
                 My
                 Soul
                 panteth
                 after
                 thee
                 O
                 God
              
               ;
               and
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 81.
                 
                 
                 My
                 Soul
                 fainteth
                 for
                 thy
                 Salvation
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               101.
               2.
               
               
                 When
                 wilt
                 thou
                 come
                 unto
                 me
                 ?
              
               No
               duties
               can
               satisfie
               without
               it
               ;
               the
               Soul
               cannot
               bear
               the
               delays
               ,
               much
               less
               the
               denials
               of
               it
               .
               They
               reckon
               their
               lives
               worth
               nothing
               without
               it
               .
               Ministers
               may
               come
               ,
               Ordinances
               and
               Sabbaths
               may
               come
               ;
               but
               there
               's
               no
               satisfaction
               to
               the
               desires
               of
               a
               gracious
               Heart
               till
               God
               come
               too
               .
               
                 O
                 when
                 wilt
                 thou
                 come
                 unto
                 me
                 ?
              
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               As
               it
               is
               the
               Desire
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               the
               Delight
               of
               all
               the
               Children
               of
               God
               both
               in
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               ;
               as
               communion
               with
               the
               Saints
               is
               the
               delight
               of
               Christ
               ,
               
                 Cant.
                 2.
                 14.
                 
                 Let
                 me
                 hear
                 thy
                 voice
                 .
              
               And
               again
               ,
               
                 Cant.
                 8.
                 13.
                 
                 The
                 companions
                 harken
                 to
                 thy
                 voice
                 ,
                 cause
                 me
                 to
                 hear
                 it
                 .
              
               So
               communion
               with
               Christ
               is
               the
               delight
               of
               his
               people
               ,
               
                 Cant.
                 2.
                 3.
                 
                 I
                 sat
                 under
                 his
                 shadow
                 with
                 great
                 delight
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 fruit
                 was
                 sweet
                 unto
                 my
                 taste
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               the
               pleasure
               of
               Christ
               to
               see
               the
               yearning
               Countenances
               ,
               the
               blushing
               Cheeks
               ,
               the
               droping
               Eyes
               of
               his
               people
               upon
               their
               Knees
               .
               And
               it
               is
               the
               delight
               of
               the
               Saints
               to
               see
               a
               smile
               upon
               his
               Face
               ,
               to
               hear
               a
               voice
               of
               pardon
               and
               peace
               from
               his
               Lips.
               I
               must
               tell
               you
               Christians
               ,
               you
               must
               look
               for
               no
               such
               delights
               as
               these
               in
               any
               earthly
               enjoyment
               ;
               none
               better
               than
               these
               till
               you
               come
               home
               to
               glory
               .
               Communion
               with
               God
               then
               appears
               most
               excellent
               in
               as
               much
               as
               it
               is
               found
               to
               be
               the
               desire
               and
               delight
               of
               all
               gracious
               Souls
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               VI.
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               the
               Envy
               of
               Satan
               ;
               that
               which
               cuts
               and
               grates
               that
               wicked
               Spirit
               .
               O
               how
               it
               grates
               and
               galls
               that
               proud
               and
               envious
               Spirit
               ,
               to
               see
               Men
               and
               Women
               enjoying
               the
               felicity
               and
               pleasure
               of
               that
               communion
               with
               God
               ,
               from
               which
               he
               himself
               is
               fallen
               ,
               and
               cut
               off
               for
               ever
               !
               To
               see
               the
               Saints
               embosomed
               in
               delightful
               communion
               with
               Christ
               ,
               whilst
               himself
               feels
               the
               pangs
               of
               horror
               and
               despair
               !
               This
               is
               what
               he
               cannot
               endure
               to
               behold
               .
               And
               therefore
               you
               shall
               find
               in
               your
               experience
               ,
               that
               times
               of
               communion
               with
               God
               ,
               are
               usually
               buisie
               times
               of
               temptations
               from
               the
               Devil
               ,
               
                 Zach.
                 3.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 he
                 shewed
                 me
              
               Joshua
               
                 the
                 high
                 Priest
                 standing
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 Satan
                 standing
                 at
                 his
                 right-hand
                 to
                 resist
                 him
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               well
               for
               thee
               Christian
               ,
               that
               thou
               hast
               an
               Advocate
               standing
               at
               Gods
               right-hand
               to
               resist
               and
               frustrate
               his
               attempts
               upon
               thee
               ;
               otherwise
               Satan
               would
               this
               way
               destroy
               your
               communion
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               make
               that
               which
               is
               now
               your
               delight
               ,
               to
               be
               your
               terror
               .
               Many
               ways
               doth
               the
               Devil
               oppose
               the
               Saints
               communion
               with
               God.
               Sometimes
               he
               labours
               to
               divert
               them
               from
               it
               .
               This
               business
               shall
               fall
               in
               ,
               or
               that
               occasion
               fall
               out
               ,
               on
               purpose
               to
               divert
               thy
               Souls
               approach
               to
               God
               ;
               but
               if
               he
               cannot
               prevail
               there
               ,
               then
               he
               labours
               to
               distract
               your
               thoughts
               ,
               and
               break
               them
               into
               a
               thousand
               vanities
               .
               Or
               if
               he
               succeed
               not
               there
               ,
               then
               he
               attacks
               you
               in
               your
               return
               from
               duty
               ,
               with
               Spiritual
               Pride
               ,
               Security
               ,
               &c.
               
               These
               fierce
               oppositions
               of
               Hell
               discover
               the
               worth
               and
               excellency
               of
               communion
               with
               God.
               
            
          
           
             
             
               VII
               .
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               the
               End
               of
               all
               Ordinances
               and
               Duties
               of
               Religion
               ;
               God
               hath
               instituted
               every
               Ordinance
               and
               Duty
               ,
               whether
               publick
               or
               private
               ,
               to
               beget
               and
               maintain
               communion
               betwixt
               himself
               and
               our
               Souls
               .
               What
               are
               Ordinances
               ,
               Duties
               ,
               and
               Graces
               ,
               but
               perspective
               Glasses
               to
               give
               us
               a
               sight
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               help
               us
               to
               communion
               with
               him
               ?
               God
               never
               intended
               his
               Ordinances
               to
               be
               our
               rest
               ,
               but
               mediums
               and
               instruments
               of
               communion
               with
               himself
               ,
               who
               is
               our
               true
               rest
               .
               When
               we
               go
               into
               a
               Boat
               ,
               't
               is
               not
               with
               an
               intention
               to
               dwell
               and
               rest
               there
               ,
               but
               to
               Ferry
               us
               over
               the
               Water
               ,
               where
               our
               business
               lies
               .
               If
               a
               Man
               miss
               of
               communion
               with
               God
               in
               the
               best
               Ordinances
               or
               Duty
               ,
               it
               yields
               him
               little
               comfort
               .
               He
               comes
               back
               from
               it
               ,
               like
               a
               man
               that
               hath
               travelled
               a
               great
               many
               miles
               ,
               to
               meet
               a
               dear
               friend
               ,
               upon
               special
               and
               important
               business
               ;
               but
               met
               with
               disappointment
               ,
               and
               returns
               sad
               ,
               and
               dissatisfied
               .
               God
               appoints
               Ordinances
               to
               be
               meeting
               places
               with
               our
               God
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               
                 Exod.
                 25.
                 21
                 ,
                 22.
                 
                 Thou
                 shalt
                 put
                 the
                 mercy-seat
                 above
                 upon
                 the
                 Ark
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Ark
                 thou
                 shalt
                 p●●
                 the
                 testimony
                 that
                 I
                 shall
                 give
                 thee
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 I
                 will
                 meet
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 commune
                 with
                 thee
                 from
                 above
                 the
                 mercy-seat
                 ,
                 from
                 between
                 the
                 two
                 Cherubims
                 .
              
               It
               was
               not
               the
               sight
               of
               the
               
                 golden
                 Cherubims
              
               ,
               or
               of
               the
               Ark
               overlaid
               with
               pure
               gold
               ,
               that
               could
               have
               satisfied
               Moses
               ;
               had
               not
               the
               special
               presence
               of
               God
               been
               there
               ,
               and
               he
               had
               had
               communion
               with
               them
               .
               
                 O
                 God
              
               (
               saith
               
                 David
                 )
                 my
                 Soul
                 thirsteth
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 might
                 see
                 thy
                 beauty
                 and
                 thy
                 glory
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 seen
                 thee
                 in
                 the
                 
                 Sanctuary
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               63.
               1
               ,
               2.
               
               Magnificent
               structures
               ,
               artificial
               ornaments
               of
               the
               places
               of
               Worship
               ,
               are
               of
               little
               account
               with
               a
               gracious
               Soul.
               'T
               is
               the
               presence
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               communion
               with
               him
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               beauty
               and
               glory
               the
               Saints
               desire
               to
               behold
               .
            
          
           
             
               VIII
               .
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               the
               Evidence
               of
               our
               Union
               with
               Christ
               ,
               and
               interest
               in
               him
               .
               All
               Union
               with
               Christ
               must
               evidence
               its
               self
               by
               a
               life
               of
               communion
               with
               him
               ,
               or
               our
               pretensions
               to
               it
               are
               vain
               and
               groundless
               .
               There
               be
               many
               of
               you
               (
               I
               wish
               there
               were
               more
               )
               enquiring
               after
               evidences
               and
               signs
               of
               your
               union
               with
               Christ
               ;
               why
               ,
               here
               is
               an
               Evidence
               that
               can
               never
               fail
               you
               ;
               do
               you
               live
               in
               communion
               with
               him
               ?
               May
               your
               life
               be
               call'd
               a
               walking
               with
               God
               ,
               as
               Enoch's
               was
               ?
               Then
               you
               may
               be
               sure
               you
               have
               union
               with
               him
               ;
               and
               this
               is
               so
               sure
               a
               sign
               ,
               as
               death
               it self
               ,
               (
               which
               uses
               to
               discover
               the
               vanity
               of
               false
               signs
               )
               will
               never
               be
               able
               to
               destroy
               ,
               
                 2
                 Kings
                 20.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 Remember
                 now
                 ,
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
              
               (
               saith
               
                 Hezechiah
                 )
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 walked
                 before
                 thee
                 in
                 truth
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 perfect
                 Heart
                 .
              
               O
               Professors
               ,
               't
               will
               be
               a
               dreadful
               thing
               ,
               (
               whatever
               ungrounded
               hopes
               ,
               and
               false
               comforts
               you
               now
               have
               )
               to
               find
               them
               shrinking
               away
               from
               you
               as
               certainly
               they
               will
               do
               at
               death
               ,
               and
               all
               upon
               this
               account
               ;
               I
               have
               been
               a
               man
               of
               knowledge
               ,
               I
               have
               been
               frequent
               in
               the
               external
               duties
               of
               Religion
               ,
               but
               my
               heart
               was
               not
               in
               them
               ;
               I
               had
               no
               communion
               with
               the
               Lord
               in
               them
               ,
               and
               now
               God
               is
               a
               terror
               to
               my
               Soul.
               I
               am
               going
               to
               his
               awful
               bar
               ,
               and
               have
               not
               one
               sound
               evidence
               to
               
               carry
               a
               long
               with
               me
               ;
               that
               's
               a
               remarkable
               place
               ,
               
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 25.
                 
                 If
                 we
                 live
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 also
                 walk
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               let
               us
               evidence
               the
               life
               of
               grace
               in
               us
               by
               exercising
               that
               grace
               in
               a
               life
               of
               communion
               with
               God.
               When
               all
               is
               said
               ,
               this
               is
               the
               surest
               evidence
               of
               our
               union
               with
               Christ
               ,
               and
               no
               gifts
               or
               performances
               whatsoever
               can
               amount
               to
               an
               evidence
               of
               our
               union
               with
               Christ
               without
               it
               .
            
          
           
             
               IX
               .
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               Ease
               in
               all
               pains
               ;
               sweet
               and
               sensible
               ease
               to
               a
               troubled
               Soul.
               Look
               as
               the
               breathing
               of
               a
               vein
               cools
               ,
               eases
               ,
               and
               refreshes
               a
               severish
               body
               ;
               so
               the
               opening
               of
               the
               Soul
               by
               acts
               of
               communion
               with
               God
               ,
               gives
               sensible
               ease
               to
               a
               burdened
               Soul
               ;
               griefs
               are
               eased
               by
               groans
               heaven-ward
               .
               Many
               Souls
               are
               deep
               laden
               with
               their
               own
               fears
               ,
               cares
               and
               distresses
               ;
               no
               refreshment
               for
               such
               a
               Soul
               ,
               no
               such
               Anodine
               in
               the
               whole
               World
               as
               communion
               with
               God
               is
               ,
               Psal.
               32.
               1
               ,
               2
               ,
               3.
               
               How
               did
               troubles
               boyl
               in
               Davids
               Soul
               ?
               Night
               and
               day
               Gods
               hand
               was
               heavy
               on
               him
               ;
               his
               Soul
               ,
               as
               Elihu
               speaks
               ,
               was
               like
               bottles
               full
               of
               new
               Wine
               ,
               he
               must
               speak
               to
               God
               that
               he
               may
               be
               refreshed
               ;
               and
               so
               he
               did
               and
               was
               refreshed
               by
               it
               .
               
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 confess
                 my
                 transgressions
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 forgavest
                 the
                 iniquity
                 of
                 my
                 sin
                 .
              
               It
               would
               grieve
               one
               to
               see
               how
               many
               poor
               distressed
               Souls
               carry
               their
               troubles
               up
               and
               down
               the
               World
               ,
               making
               their
               complaints
               to
               one
               ,
               and
               another
               ;
               but
               no
               ease
               .
               Away
               to
               thy
               God
               poor
               Christian
               ,
               get
               thee
               into
               thy
               closet
               ,
               pour
               out
               thy
               Soul
               before
               him
               ;
               and
               that
               ease
               which
               thou
               seekest
               in
               vain
               ,
               
               elsewhere
               ,
               will
               there
               be
               found
               ,
               or
               nowhere
               .
            
          
           
             
               X.
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               Food
               to
               the
               Soul
               ;
               and
               the
               most
               delicious
               ,
               pleasant
               ,
               proper
               and
               satisfying
               food
               that
               ever
               it
               tasted
               ;
               't
               is
               hidden
               Manna
               ,
               Rev.
               2.
               17.
               
               
                 By
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 do
                 men
                 live
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 them
                 is
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 their
                 Soul
                 ,
              
               Isa.
               38.
               16.
               
               A
               regenerate
               Soul
               cannot
               live
               without
               it
               ;
               their
               bodies
               can
               live
               as
               well
               without
               bread
               or
               breath
               ,
               as
               their
               Souls
               without
               communion
               with
               God
               ;
               't
               is
               more
               than
               their
               necessary
               food
               .
               Here
               they
               find
               what
               they
               truly
               call
               marrow
               and
               fatness
               ,
               Psal.
               63.
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               O
               the
               satisfaction
               and
               support
               they
               suck
               out
               of
               spiritual
               things
               ,
               by
               thoughts
               and
               meditations
               upon
               them
               !
               
                 To
                 be
                 spiritually
                 minded
                 is
                 life
                 and
                 peace
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               8.
               6.
               
               The
               delicates
               upon
               Princes
               Tables
               are
               husks
               and
               chaff
               to
               this
               .
               Crows
               and
               Vultures
               can
               live
               upon
               the
               Carrion
               of
               this
               World
               ;
               but
               a
               renewed
               Soul
               cannot
               subsist
               long
               without
               God.
               Let
               such
               a
               Soul
               be
               diverted
               for
               a
               time
               from
               its
               usual
               refreshments
               this
               way
               ,
               and
               he
               shall
               find
               something
               within
               paining
               him
               ,
               like
               the
               sucking
               and
               drawing
               of
               an
               empty
               stomach
               ;
               't
               is
               Angels
               food
               ,
               't
               is
               that
               your
               Souls
               must
               live
               upon
               throughout
               Eternity
               ,
               and
               most
               happily
               too
               .
            
          
           
             
               XI
               .
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               the
               Guard
               of
               the
               Soul
               against
               the
               assaults
               of
               temptation
               .
               'T
               is
               like
               a
               Shield
               advanced
               against
               the
               fiery
               darts
               of
               that
               wicked
               one
               .
               Your
               safety
               and
               security
               lyes
               in
               drawing
               nigh
               to
               God
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 73.
                 27
                 ,
                 28.
                 
                 They
                 that
                 are
                 far
                 from
                 thee
                 shall
                 perish
                 .
                 
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 good
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 draw
                 near
                 to
                 God.
              
               'T
               is
               good
               indeed
               ,
               not
               only
               the
               good
               of
               comfort
               ,
               but
               the
               good
               of
               safety
               is
               in
               it
               ,
               
                 Deut.
                 33.
                 12.
                 
                 The
                 beloved
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 shall
                 dwell
                 in
                 safety
                 by
                 him
                 .
              
               You
               know
               the
               gracious
               presence
               of
               God
               is
               your
               shield
               and
               safety
               ;
               and
               if
               you
               will
               have
               the
               Lord
               thus
               present
               with
               you
               in
               all
               your
               fears
               ,
               straights
               and
               dangers
               ,
               see
               that
               you
               keep
               near
               to
               him
               in
               the
               Duties
               of
               communion
               ,
               
                 For
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 with
                 you
                 whilst
                 you
                 are
                 with
                 him
                 ,
              
               2
               Chron.
               15.
               2.
               
            
          
           
             
               XII
               .
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               the
               Honour
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               and
               the
               greatest
               honour
               that
               ever
               God
               conferr'd
               on
               any
               creature
               ;
               't
               is
               the
               glory
               of
               the
               holy
               Angels
               in
               Heaven
               to
               be
               always
               beholding
               the
               face
               of
               God
               ,
               Matth.
               18.
               10.
               
               Oh!
               that
               God
               should
               admit
               poor
               dust
               and
               ashes
               unto
               such
               a
               nearness
               to
               himself
               !
               To
               walk
               with
               a
               King
               ,
               and
               have
               frequent
               converse
               with
               him
               ,
               puts
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               honour
               upon
               a
               Subject
               ;
               but
               the
               Saints
               walk
               with
               God
               ,
               so
               did
               Enoch
               ,
               so
               do
               all
               the
               Saints
               ,
               1
               
                 John
                 1.
                 3.
                 
                 Truly
                 our
                 fellowship
                 is
                 with
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 his
                 Son
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 .
              
               They
               have
               liberty
               and
               access
               with
               confidence
               ;
               the
               Lord
               as
               it
               were
               delivers
               them
               the
               golden
               key
               of
               prayer
               ,
               by
               which
               they
               may
               come
               into
               his
               presence
               on
               all
               occasions
               ,
               with
               the
               freedom
               of
               Children
               to
               a
               Father
               .
            
          
           
             
               XIII
               .
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               the
               Instrument
               of
               mortification
               ;
               and
               the
               most
               excellent
               and
               successful
               instrument
               for
               that
               purpose
               in
               all
               the
               World
               ,
               
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 16.
                 
                 This
                 I
                 say
                 
                 then
                 ,
                 Walk
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 ye
                 shall
                 not
                 fulfil
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 the
                 flesh
                 .
              
               Walking
               in
               the
               Spirit
               is
               the
               same
               thing
               with
               walking
               in
               communion
               with
               God.
               Now
               ,
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               if
               you
               thus
               walk
               in
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               in
               the
               acting
               of
               faith
               ,
               love
               and
               obedience
               ,
               throughout
               the
               course
               of
               holy
               duties
               ,
               the
               effect
               of
               this
               will
               be
               ,
               that
               ye
               shall
               not
               fulfil
               the
               lusts
               of
               the
               flesh
               ;
               he
               doth
               not
               say
               ,
               You
               shall
               not
               feel
               the
               motions
               of
               sin
               in
               you
               ,
               or
               temptations
               to
               sin
               assaulting
               you
               ;
               but
               ,
               he
               saith
               ,
               you
               shall
               not
               fulfil
               the
               lusts
               of
               the
               flesh
               ;
               sin
               shall
               not
               have
               dominion
               over
               you
               ;
               this
               will
               let
               out
               the
               life-blood
               of
               sin
               .
               A
               temptation
               overcome
               this
               way
               ,
               is
               more
               effectually
               subdued
               than
               by
               all
               the
               vows
               ,
               resolutions
               ,
               and
               external
               means
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               as
               a
               Candle
               that
               is
               blown
               out
               with
               a
               puff
               of
               breath
               ,
               may
               be
               rekindled
               by
               another
               puff
               ;
               but
               if
               it
               be
               quencht
               in
               water
               ,
               't
               is
               not
               so
               easily
               lighted
               again
               .
               So
               it
               is
               here
               ,
               you
               never
               find
               that
               power
               or
               success
               in
               temptations
               ,
               when
               your
               hearts
               are
               up
               with
               God
               in
               the
               exercises
               of
               faith
               and
               love
               ,
               as
               you
               do
               when
               your
               hearts
               hang
               loose
               from
               him
               and
               dead
               towards
               him
               .
               The
               Schoolmen
               assign
               this
               as
               one
               reason
               why
               the
               Saints
               in
               Heaven
               are
               impeccable
               ,
               no
               sin
               can
               fasten
               upon
               them
               ,
               because
               ,
               say
               they
               ,
               they
               there
               enjoy
               the
               beatifical
               vision
               of
               God.
               This
               is
               sure
               ,
               the
               more
               communion
               any
               man
               hath
               with
               God
               on
               Earth
               ,
               the
               freer
               he
               lives
               from
               the
               power
               of
               his
               corruptions
               .
            
          
           
             
               XIV
               .
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               the
               Kernel
               of
               all
               Duties
               and
               Ordinances
               :
               Words
               ,
               gestures
               ,
               &c.
               are
               but
               the
               integuments
               ,
               husks
               ,
               and
               shells
               of
               Duties
               .
               Communion
               with
               
               God
               is
               the
               sweet
               Kernel
               ,
               the
               pleasant
               and
               nourishing
               food
               which
               lies
               within
               them
               ;
               you
               see
               the
               fruits
               of
               the
               Earth
               are
               covered
               and
               defended
               by
               husks
               ,
               shells
               ,
               and
               such
               like
               integuments
               ;
               within
               which
               lye
               the
               pleasant
               kernels
               and
               grains
               ,
               and
               that
               's
               the
               food
               .
               The
               Hypocrite
               who
               goes
               no
               farther
               than
               the
               externals
               of
               Religion
               ,
               is
               therefore
               said
               to
               feed
               of
               Ashes
               ,
               Isa.
               44.
               20.
               to
               spend
               his
               mony
               for
               that
               which
               is
               not
               bread
               ,
               and
               his
               labour
               for
               that
               which
               satisfieth
               not
               ,
               Isa.
               55.
               2.
               
               He
               feeds
               but
               upon
               husks
               ,
               in
               which
               there
               is
               little
               pleasure
               or
               nourishment
               ;
               what
               a
               poor
               house
               doth
               a
               Hypocrite
               keep
               ?
               Words
               ,
               Gestures
               ,
               Ceremonies
               of
               Religion
               will
               never
               fill
               the
               Soul
               ;
               but
               communion
               with
               God
               is
               substantial
               nourishment
               .
               
                 My
                 Soul
              
               ,
               saith
               
                 David
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 satisfied
                 as
                 with
                 marrow
                 and
                 fatness
                 ,
                 whilst
                 I
                 think
                 and
                 meditate
                 on
                 thee
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               63.
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               It
               would
               grieve
               ones
               heart
               to
               think
               what
               airy
               things
               many
               Souls
               satisfie
               themselves
               with
               ;
               feeding
               like
               Ephraim
               upon
               the
               wind
               ,
               well
               contented
               if
               they
               can
               but
               shuffle
               over
               a
               few
               heartless
               empty
               duties
               ;
               whilst
               the
               Saints
               feed
               upon
               this
               hidden
               Manna
               ,
               are
               feasted
               as
               it
               were
               with
               Angels
               food
               .
            
          
           
             
               XV.
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               the
               Light
               of
               the
               Soul
               in
               darkness
               ;
               and
               the
               pleasantest
               light
               that
               ever
               shone
               upon
               the
               Soul
               of
               Man
               :
               There
               's
               many
               a
               Soul
               which
               walketh
               in
               darkness
               ;
               some
               in
               the
               darkness
               of
               ignorance
               and
               unbelief
               ,
               the
               most
               dismal
               of
               all
               darkness
               ,
               except
               that
               in
               Hell.
               There
               are
               others
               who
               are
               Children
               of
               light
               ,
               in
               a
               state
               of
               reconciliation
               ,
               yet
               walk
               in
               the
               darkness
               of
               outward
               afflictions
               ,
               
               and
               inward
               desertions
               and
               temptations
               ;
               but
               as
               soon
               as
               ever
               the
               light
               of
               Gods
               countenance
               shines
               upon
               the
               Soul
               in
               the
               duties
               of
               communion
               with
               him
               ,
               that
               darkness
               is
               dissipated
               and
               scattered
               ;
               't
               is
               all
               light
               within
               him
               ,
               and
               round
               about
               him
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 34.
                 5.
                 
                 They
                 looked
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 enlightned
                 :
              
               they
               looked
               ,
               there
               is
               faith
               acted
               in
               Duty
               ;
               and
               were
               enlightned
               ,
               there
               's
               the
               sweet
               effect
               of
               Faith.
               The
               horrors
               and
               troubles
               of
               gracious
               Souls
               shrink
               away
               upon
               the
               rising
               of
               this
               chearful
               light
               ;
               as
               wild
               Beasts
               come
               out
               of
               their
               Dens
               in
               the
               darkness
               of
               the
               night
               ,
               and
               shrink
               back
               again
               into
               them
               when
               the
               Sun
               ariseth
               ,
               Psal.
               104.
               20
               ,
               21
               ,
               22.
               
               So
               do
               the
               fears
               ,
               and
               inward
               troubles
               of
               the
               people
               of
               God
               ,
               when
               this
               light
               shines
               upon
               their
               Souls
               .
               Nay
               ,
               more
               ,
               this
               is
               a
               light
               which
               scatters
               the
               very
               darkness
               of
               death
               it self
               .
               It
               was
               the
               saying
               of
               a
               worthy
               Divine
               of
               Germany
               ,
               upon
               his
               death-bed
               ,
               when
               his
               Eye-sight
               was
               gone
               ,
               being
               askt
               how
               it
               was
               within
               ?
               Why
               ,
               said
               he
               ,
               
                 though
                 all
                 be
                 dark
                 about
                 me
                 ,
              
               yet
               pointing
               as
               well
               as
               he
               could
               to
               his
               brest
               ,
               
                 hi●sat
                 lucis
                 ,
                 here
                 is
                 light
                 enough
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               XVI
               .
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               Liberty
               to
               the
               straightned
               Soul
               ;
               and
               the
               most
               comfortable
               and
               excellent
               liberty
               in
               the
               whole
               World.
               He
               only
               walks
               at
               liberty
               that
               walks
               with
               God
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 45.
                 
                 I
                 will
                 walk
                 at
                 liberty
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 seek
                 thy
                 precepts
                 .
              
               Wicked
               men
               cry
               out
               of
               bands
               and
               cords
               in
               Religion
               ,
               they
               look
               upon
               the
               duties
               of
               goldliness
               as
               the
               greatest
               bondage
               and
               thraldom
               in
               the
               whole
               World
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 2.
                 3.
                 
                 Let
                 us
                 break
                 their
                 bands
                 asunder
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 away
                 their
                 
                 cords
                 from
                 us
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               Away
               with
               this
               strictness
               and
               precisness
               ,
               it
               extinguishes
               the
               joy
               and
               pleasure
               of
               our
               lives
               ;
               give
               us
               our
               Cups
               instead
               of
               Bibles
               ;
               our
               prophane
               Songs
               instead
               of
               Spiritual
               Psalms
               ;
               our
               Sports
               and
               Past-times
               instead
               of
               Prayers
               and
               Sermons
               .
               Alas
               ,
               poor
               creatures
               ,
               how
               do
               they
               dance
               in
               their
               shackles
               and
               chains
               !
               When
               in
               reality
               the
               sweetest
               liberty
               is
               enjoyed
               in
               those
               Duties
               at
               which
               they
               thus
               snuff
               .
               The
               Law
               of
               Christ
               is
               the
               Law
               of
               Liberty
               ;
               the
               Soul
               of
               man
               never
               enjoys
               more
               Liberty
               ,
               than
               when
               it
               is
               bound
               with
               the
               strictest
               bands
               of
               Duty
               to
               God.
               Here
               's
               liberty
               from
               enthralling
               lusts
               ,
               and
               from
               enslaving
               fears
               .
               
                 The
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Life
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 ,
                 hath
                 made
                 me
                 free
                 from
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 Sin
                 and
                 Death
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               8.
               2.
               
               And
               here
               is
               freedom
               indeed
               ,
               
                 If
                 the
                 Son
                 make
                 you
                 free
                 ,
                 then
                 are
                 you
                 free
                 indeed
                 ,
              
               John
               8.
               36.
               
               And
               here
               is
               freedom
               from
               fears
               ,
               Luke
               1.
               74
               ,
               75.
               
               Those
               that
               will
               not
               endure
               any
               restraint
               from
               their
               lusts
               ,
               they
               will
               have
               their
               freedom
               to
               sin
               ;
               a
               freedom
               they
               shall
               have
               ,
               such
               as
               it
               is
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 6.
                 20.
                 
                 When
                 ye
                 were
                 the
                 servants
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 ye
                 were
                 free
                 from
                 righteousness
                 .
              
               Let
               none
               therefore
               be
               prejudiced
               at
               the
               ways
               of
               Duty
               ,
               and
               strict
               Godliness
               .
               
                 The
                 law
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 perfect
                 law
                 of
                 liberty
                 ,
              
               James
               1.
               25.
               
               Not
               liberty
               to
               sin
               ,
               but
               liberty
               from
               sin
               .
            
          
           
             
               XVII
               .
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               a
               Mercy
               purchased
               by
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
               for
               Believers
               ,
               and
               one
               of
               the
               principal
               Mercies
               setled
               upon
               them
               by
               the
               new
               Covenant
               grant
               .
               A
               peculiar
               mercy
               which
               none
               but
               the
               Redeemed
               of
               the
               Lord
               partake
               of
               ;
               a
               mercy
               which
               cost
               the
               
               blood
               of
               Christ
               to
               purchase
               it
               .
               I
               do
               not
               deny
               but
               there
               are
               thousands
               of
               other
               mercies
               ,
               bestowed
               upon
               the
               unregenerate
               ;
               they
               have
               Health
               ,
               Wealth
               ,
               Children
               ,
               Honours
               ,
               Pleasures
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               delights
               of
               this
               Life
               :
               but
               for
               communion
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               pleasures
               that
               result
               therefrom
               ,
               they
               are
               uncapable
               of
               these
               .
               No
               supping
               with
               Christ
               upon
               such
               excellent
               privileges
               and
               mercies
               as
               these
               ,
               till
               the
               heart
               be
               opened
               to
               him
               by
               faith
               ;
               you
               cannot
               come
               nigh
               to
               God
               ,
               until
               you
               be
               first
               made
               nigh
               by
               reconciliation
               ,
               Eph.
               2.
               13.
               
               Heb.
               10.
               19
               ,
               20
               ,
               21
               ,
               22.
               
               What
               would
               your
               lives
               ,
               Christians
               ,
               be
               worth
               to
               you
               if
               this
               mercy
               were
               cut
               off
               from
               you
               ?
               There
               would
               be
               little
               sweetness
               ,
               or
               savour
               in
               all
               your
               outward
               mercies
               ,
               were
               it
               not
               for
               this
               mercy
               that
               sweetens
               them
               all
               .
               And
               there
               is
               this
               difference
               among
               many
               others
               ,
               betwixt
               this
               mercy
               and
               all
               outward
               mercies
               .
               You
               may
               be
               cut
               off
               from
               the
               enjoyment
               of
               those
               ,
               you
               cannot
               from
               this
               ;
               no
               prison
               can
               keep
               out
               the
               Comforter
               .
               O
               bless
               God
               for
               this
               invaluable
               Mercy
               .
            
          
           
             
               XVIII
               .
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               Natural
               to
               the
               new
               Creature
               ;
               the
               inclination
               and
               instinct
               of
               the
               new
               Creature
               leadeth
               to
               Communion
               with
               God.
               'T
               is
               as
               natural
               to
               the
               new
               Creature
               to
               desire
               it
               ,
               and
               work
               after
               it
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               to
               the
               new-born
               babe
               to
               make
               to
               the
               breast
               ,
               1
               
                 Pet
                 2.
                 2
                 
                 As
                 new
                 born
                 babes
                 desire
                 the
                 sincere
                 milk
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 may
                 grow
                 thereby
                 .
              
               There
               is
               a
               law
               upon
               the
               regenerate
               part
               which
               inwardly
               ,
               and
               powerfully
               obliges
               it
               ,
               to
               acts
               of
               Duty
               and
               converse
               with
               God
               in
               them
               .
               Communion
               with
               God
               is
               a
               thing
               that
               riseth
               out
               of
               the
               
               principles
               of
               grace
               .
               You
               know
               all
               Creatures
               in
               this
               lower
               World
               act
               according
               to
               the
               Laws
               of
               Nature
               ,
               the
               Sun
               will
               rise
               ,
               and
               the
               Sea
               will
               flow
               at
               its
               appointed
               time
               ;
               and
               the
               gracious
               Soul
               will
               make
               towards
               its
               God
               in
               the
               times
               and
               seasons
               of
               Communion
               with
               him
               .
               They
               are
               not
               forced
               on
               to
               those
               Duties
               by
               the
               frights
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               the
               fears
               of
               Hell
               ,
               so
               much
               as
               by
               the
               natural
               inclination
               of
               the
               new
               Creature
               .
               Two
               things
               demonstrate
               Communion
               with
               God
               to
               be
               co-natural
               to
               the
               regenerate
               part
               ,
               called
               the
               inner-man
               ,
               and
               the
               hidden-man
               of
               the
               heart
               ,
               viz.
               (
               1.
               )
               The
               Restlesness
               of
               a
               gracious
               Soul
               without
               it
               ,
               Cant.
               3.
               2.
               
               The
               Church
               in
               the
               first
               verse
               had
               sought
               her
               beloved
               ,
               but
               found
               him
               not
               ;
               doth
               she
               sit
               down
               satisfied
               in
               his
               absence
               ?
               No
               ,
               no
               ,
               
                 I
                 will
                 rise
                 now
                 and
                 go
                 about
                 the
                 City
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 streets
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 broad
                 ways
                 ;
                 I
                 will
                 seek
                 him
                 whom
                 my
                 Soul
                 loveth
                 .
              
               (
               2.
               )
               The
               Satisfaction
               and
               Pleasure
               ,
               the
               rest
               and
               delight
               which
               the
               Soul
               finds
               and
               feels
               in
               the
               enjoyment
               of
               Communion
               with
               God
               ,
               plainly
               shews
               it
               to
               be
               agreeable
               to
               the
               new
               Nature
               ,
               Psal.
               63.
               5.
               
               
                 My
                 Soul
                 shall
                 be
                 satisfied
                 whilst
                 I
                 think
                 on
                 thee
                 .
              
               And
               when
               it
               is
               thus
               ,
               then
               Duties
               become
               easie
               ,
               and
               pleasant
               to
               the
               Soul
               ,
               1
               
                 Iohn
                 5.
                 3.
                 
                 His
                 commandments
                 are
                 not
                 grievous
                 .
              
               Yea
               ,
               and
               such
               a
               Soul
               will
               be
               constant
               and
               assiduous
               in
               those
               Duties
               .
               That
               which
               is
               natural
               ,
               is
               constant
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               pleasant
               ;
               what
               's
               the
               reason
               Hypocrites
               throw
               up
               the
               Duties
               of
               Religion
               ,
               in
               times
               of
               difficulty
               ,
               but
               because
               they
               have
               not
               an
               inward
               principle
               agreeable
               to
               them
               ?
               The
               motives
               to
               Duty
               lie
               without
               them
               ,
               not
               within
               them
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               XIX
               .
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               the
               Occupation
               and
               trade
               of
               all
               sanctified
               persons
               ,
               and
               the
               richest
               Trade
               that
               was
               ever
               driven
               by
               men
               .
               This
               way
               they
               grow
               rich
               in
               Spiritual
               Treasures
               ;
               the
               Revenues
               of
               it
               are
               better
               than
               Silver
               and
               Gold
               :
               There
               be
               many
               of
               you
               have
               Traded
               long
               for
               this
               World
               ,
               and
               it
               comes
               to
               little
               ;
               and
               had
               you
               gained
               your
               designs
               you
               had
               gained
               but
               trifles
               .
               This
               is
               the
               rich
               and
               profitable
               occupation
               ,
               
                 Phil.
                 3.
                 20.
                 
                 Our
                 conversation
                 is
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               Our
               Commerce
               and
               Trade
               lies
               that
               way
               ,
               so
               that
               word
               signifies
               .
               There
               be
               few
               Christians
               that
               have
               driven
               this
               Soul-enriching
               Trade
               ,
               any
               considerable
               time
               ,
               but
               can
               shew
               some
               Spiritual
               Treasures
               which
               they
               have
               gotten
               by
               it
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 50.
                 
                 This
                 I
                 had
                 because
                 I
                 kept
                 thy
                 precepts
                 .
              
               As
               Merchants
               can
               shew
               the
               Gold
               and
               Silver
               ,
               the
               Lands
               and
               Houses
               ,
               the
               rich
               Goods
               and
               Furniture
               ,
               which
               they
               have
               gotten
               by
               their
               succesful
               Adventures
               abroad
               ;
               and
               tell
               their
               Friends
               ,
               so
               much
               I
               got
               by
               such
               a
               Voyage
               ,
               and
               so
               much
               by
               another
               .
               So
               Christians
               have
               invaluable
               treasures
               ,
               though
               their
               humility
               conceals
               them
               ,
               which
               they
               have
               gotten
               by
               this
               heavenly
               Trade
               of
               Communion
               with
               God.
               Their
               Souls
               were
               weak
               ,
               and
               by
               Communion
               with
               God
               they
               have
               gotten
               strength
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 13
                 8.
                 3.
                 
                 I
                 cryed
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 strengthnedst
                 me
                 with
                 strength
                 in
                 my
                 Soul.
              
               They
               have
               gotten
               peace
               by
               it
               ,
               a
               treasure
               inestimable
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 165.
                 
                 Great
                 peace
                 have
                 they
                 that
                 love
                 thy
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 nothing
                 shall
                 offend
                 them
                 .
              
               They
               have
               gotten
               purity
               by
               it
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 3.
                 
                 They
                 do
                 no
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 that
                 walk
                 in
                 thy
                 ways
                 .
              
               O
               what
               rich
               returns
               are
               here
               !
               Nay
               ,
               
               they
               get
               sometimes
               full
               assurance
               by
               it
               .
               The
               riches
               of
               both
               the
               Indies
               will
               not
               purchase
               from
               a
               Christian
               the
               least
               of
               these
               mercies
               .
               These
               are
               the
               rich
               rewards
               of
               our
               pains
               in
               the
               Duties
               of
               Religion
               ;
               
                 In
                 keeping
                 thy
                 Commandments
                 there
                 is
                 great
                 reward
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               XX.
               Excellency
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               Oyl
               to
               the
               Wheels
               of
               Obedience
               ,
               which
               makes
               the
               Soul
               go
               on
               chearfully
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 32.
                 
                 Then
                 will
                 I
                 run
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 thy
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 shalt
                 enlarge
                 my
                 heart
                 .
                 Non
                 tardat
                 uncta
                 rota
                 .
              
               Oyled
               Wheels
               run
               trig
               and
               nimble
               .
               How
               prompt
               and
               ready
               for
               any
               Duty
               of
               Obedience
               ,
               is
               a
               Soul
               under
               the
               influences
               of
               Communion
               with
               God!
               Then
               as
               Isaiah
               having
               gotten
               a
               sight
               of
               God
               ,
               
                 Here
                 am
                 I
                 ,
                 Lord
                 ,
                 send
                 me
                 ,
                 Isa.
              
               6.
               8.
               
               Now
               the
               Soul
               can
               turn
               its
               hand
               to
               Duties
               ,
               
                 
                   Of
                   
                     
                       1.
                       
                       Active
                       .
                       And
                    
                     
                       2.
                       
                       Passive
                       Obedience
                       .
                    
                  
                
              
            
             
               I.
               Hereby
               the
               Soul
               is
               prepared
               and
               fitted
               for
               the
               Duties
               of
               
                 Active
                 Obedience
              
               ,
               to
               which
               it
               applies
               it self
               with
               pleasure
               and
               delight
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 43.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 Then
                 will
                 I
                 go
                 unto
                 the
                 Altar
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 unto
                 God
                 my
                 exceeding
                 joy
              
               ;
               or
               as
               it
               is
               in
               the
               Hebrew
               ,
               
                 the
                 gladness
                 of
                 my
                 joy
              
               .
               It
               goes
               to
               prayer
               as
               an
               hungry
               man
               to
               a
               feast
               ,
               or
               as
               a
               covetuous
               man
               to
               his
               treasures
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 14.
                 
                 I
                 have
                 rejoyced
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 thy
                 commandments
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 in
                 all
                 riches
                 .
              
            
             
             
               II.
               It
               prepares
               the
               Soul
               for
               
                 Passive
                 Obedience
              
               ;
               makes
               a
               man
               to
               rejoyce
               in
               his
               sufferings
               ,
               Col.
               1.
               24.
               
               'T
               will
               make
               a
               Christian
               stand
               as
               Porters
               in
               London
               do
               ,
               at
               the
               Merchants
               doors
               ,
               to
               receive
               any
               burden
               or
               load
               they
               have
               to
               lay
               upon
               their
               shoulders
               ,
               and
               thank
               them
               to
               be
               so
               employed
               :
               
                 This
                 joy
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 their
                 strength
                 ,
              
               Neh.
               8.
               10.
               
               A
               Christian
               under
               the
               chearful
               influences
               of
               near
               communion
               with
               God
               ,
               can
               with
               more
               chearfulness
               lay
               down
               his
               neck
               for
               Christ
               ,
               than
               other
               men
               can
               lay
               out
               a
               shilling
               for
               him
               .
               In
               all
               these
               Twenty
               particulars
               you
               have
               an
               account
               of
               the
               Excellency
               of
               this
               priviledge
               ;
               but
               oh
               !
               How
               short
               an
               account
               have
               I
               given
               of
               it
               !
               What
               remains
               ,
               is
               the
               Application
               of
               this
               point
               ,
               in
               a
               double
               Use
               ,
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Of
                   Information
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Of
                   Exhortation
                   .
                
              
            
             
               First
               ,
               For
               Information
               in
               the
               following
               Inferences
               .
            
          
           
             
               I.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               How
               sure
               and
               certain
               a
               thing
               is
               it
               that
               there
               is
               a
               God
               ,
               and
               a
               state
               of
               glory
               prepared
               in
               Heaven
               for
               sanctified
               Souls
               ?
            
             
               These
               things
               are
               undeniable
               ,
               God
               hath
               set
               them
               before
               our
               spiritual
               Eyes
               and
               senses
               ;
               beside
               the
               revelation
               of
               it
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               singly
               makes
               it
               infallible
               ;
               the
               Lord
               ,
               for
               our
               abundant
               satisfaction
               ,
               hath
               brought
               these
               things
               down
               to
               the
               touch
               and
               test
               of
               our
               Spiritual
               senses
               and
               experiences
               .
               You
               that
               have
               had
               so
               many
               sights
               of
               God
               by
               faith
               ,
               so
               many
               sweet
               tastes
               of
               Heaven
               
               in
               the
               Duties
               of
               Religion
               ,
               O
               what
               a
               confirmation
               and
               ●eal
               have
               you
               of
               the
               reality
               of
               invisible
               things
               !
               You
               may
               say
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               the
               joys
               above
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               did
               of
               him
               that
               purchased
               it
               ,
               1
               
                 Iohn
                 1.
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 which
                 our
                 Eyes
                 have
                 seen
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Ears
                 have
                 heard
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Hands
                 have
                 handled
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               For
               God
               hath
               set
               these
               things
               in
               some
               degree
               before
               your
               very
               Eyes
               ,
               and
               put
               the
               first
               fruits
               of
               them
               into
               your
               own
               Hands
               .
               The
               sweet
               relish
               of
               the
               joy
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               upon
               the
               very
               palate
               of
               your
               Souls
               ;
               to
               this
               Spiritual
               sense
               of
               the
               blieving
               Hebrews
               the
               Apostle
               appealed
               ,
               Heb.
               10.
               34.
               when
               he
               said
               ,
               
                 Ye
                 took
                 joyfully
                 the
                 spoiling
                 of
                 your
                 goods
                 ,
                 knowing
                 in
                 your selves
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 in
                 Heaven
                 a
                 better
                 and
                 an
                 induring
                 substance
                 .
              
               This
               knowing
               in
               our selves
               is
               more
               certain
               and
               sweet
               than
               all
               the
               traditional
               knowledge
               we
               get
               from
               the
               reports
               of
               others
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               1.
               8.
               
               
                 Whom
                 having
                 not
                 seen
                 ye
                 love
                 ,
                 whom
                 though
                 now
                 ye
                 see
                 him
                 not
                 ,
                 yet
                 believing
                 ye
                 rejoyce
                 with
                 joy
                 unspeakable
                 and
                 full
                 of
                 glory
                 .
              
               There
               is
               more
               of
               Heaven
               felt
               and
               tasted
               in
               this
               World
               than
               men
               are
               aware
               of
               ;
               't
               is
               one
               thing
               to
               hear
               of
               such
               Countries
               as
               
                 Spain
                 ,
                 Italy
                 ,
                 Smirna
              
               ,
               by
               the
               discourses
               and
               reports
               we
               heard
               of
               them
               in
               our
               childhood
               ,
               and
               another
               thing
               to
               understand
               those
               Countries
               by
               the
               rich
               commodities
               imported
               from
               them
               in
               the
               way
               of
               our
               Trade
               and
               Commerce
               .
               O
               did
               we
               but
               know
               what
               other
               Christians
               have
               felt
               and
               tasted
               ,
               we
               would
               not
               have
               such
               staggering
               thoughts
               about
               invisible
               things
               ;
               But
               the
               secret
               comforts
               of
               Religion
               are
               ,
               and
               ought
               to
               be
               for
               the
               most
               part
               inclosed
               things
               .
               Religion
               lays
               not
               all
               open
               ;
               the
               Christians
               life
               is
               a
               hidden
               life
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               II.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               If
               such
               an
               height
               of
               Communion
               with
               God
               be
               attainable
               on
               Earth
               ,
               then
               most
               Christians
               live
               below
               the
               duties
               and
               comforts
               of
               Christianity
               .
            
             
               Alas
               ,
               the
               best
               of
               us
               are
               but
               at
               the
               foot
               of
               this
               pleasant
               Mount
               Pisga
               ;
               as
               we
               are
               but
               in
               the
               infancy
               of
               our
               Graces
               ,
               so
               we
               are
               but
               in
               the
               infancy
               of
               our
               Comforts
               ;
               what
               a
               poor
               House
               is
               kept
               by
               many
               of
               Gods
               own
               Children
               ?
               Living
               between
               hopes
               and
               fears
               ,
               seldom
               tasting
               the
               riches
               and
               pleasures
               ,
               the
               joys
               and
               comforts
               of
               assurance
               ;
               and
               will
               you
               know
               the
               reasons
               of
               it
               ,
               there
               are
               Five
               things
               which
               usually
               keep
               them
               poor
               and
               low
               as
               to
               Spiritual
               Joys
               and
               Comforts
               .
               (
               1.
               )
               The
               incumbrances
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               which
               divert
               them
               from
               ,
               or
               distract
               them
               in
               their
               duties
               of
               Communion
               with
               God
               ;
               and
               so
               keep
               them
               low
               in
               their
               Spiritual
               Comforts
               :
               They
               have
               so
               much
               to
               do
               on
               Earth
               ,
               that
               they
               have
               little
               time
               for
               Heavenly
               employments
               .
               Oh
               ,
               what
               a
               noise
               and
               din
               do
               the
               trifles
               of
               this
               World
               make
               in
               the
               Heads
               and
               Hearts
               of
               many
               Christians
               !
               How
               dear
               do
               we
               pay
               for
               such
               trifles
               as
               these
               ?
               (
               2.
               )
               A
               Spirit
               of
               formality
               creeping
               in
               to
               the
               duties
               of
               Religion
               ,
               impoverishes
               the
               vital
               Spirit
               thereof
               ;
               like
               the
               wanton
               embraces
               of
               the
               Ivy
               ,
               which
               binds
               and
               starves
               the
               Tree
               it
               clasps
               about
               .
               Religion
               cannot
               thrive
               under
               formality
               ;
               and
               't
               is
               difficult
               to
               keep
               out
               formality
               in
               a
               setled
               course
               of
               Duty
               ,
               and
               much
               more
               when
               Duties
               are
               intermitted
               .
               (
               3.
               )
               The
               business
               of
               temptations
               pestering
               the
               minds
               of
               many
               Christians
               ;
               especially
               such
               as
               are
               of
               melancholy
               ;
               constitutions
               ;
               how
               
               importunate
               and
               restless
               are
               these
               temptations
               with
               some
               Christians
               ?
               They
               can
               make
               little
               comfort
               or
               advantage
               out
               of
               Duty
               by
               reason
               of
               them
               .
               (
               4.
               )
               Heart-apostacy
               ,
               inward
               decays
               of
               our
               first
               love
               ,
               is
               another
               reason
               why
               our
               Duties
               prosper
               so
               little
               ,
               
                 Rev.
                 2.
                 4.
                 
                 Thou
                 hast
                 left
                 thy
                 first
                 love
                 .
              
               You
               were
               not
               wont
               to
               serve
               God
               with
               such
               coldness
               .
               (
               5.
               )
               In
               a
               word
               ,
               Spiritual
               pride
               impoverishes
               our
               Comforts
               .
               The
               joys
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               like
               brisk
               Wines
               ,
               are
               too
               strong
               for
               our
               weak
               heads
               .
               For
               these
               causes
               many
               Christians
               are
               kept
               low
               in
               Spiritual
               comforts
               .
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               
                 How
                 sweet
                 and
                 desirable
                 is
                 the
                 society
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 !
                 it
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 desirable
                 to
                 walk
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 who
                 walk
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 1
              
               John
               1.
               3.
               
               No
               such
               companions
               as
               the
               Saints
               .
               What
               benefit
               or
               pleasure
               can
               we
               find
               in
               converses
               with
               sensual
               worldlings
               ?
               All
               we
               can
               carry
               away
               out
               of
               such
               company
               is
               guilt
               ,
               or
               grief
               .
               
                 All
                 my
                 delights
              
               ,
               saith
               
                 David
                 ,
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 excellent
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 which
                 excel
                 in
                 vertue
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               16.
               3.
               
               And
               their
               society
               would
               certainly
               be
               much
               more
               sweet
               and
               desirable
               than
               it
               is
               ,
               did
               they
               live
               more
               in
               Communion
               with
               God
               than
               they
               do
               .
               There
               was
               a
               time
               when
               the
               Communion
               of
               the
               Saints
               was
               exceeding
               lovely
               ,
               
                 Mal.
                 3.
                 16.
                 
                 Acts
              
               2.
               46
               ,
               47.
               
               The
               Lord
               restore
               it
               ,
               to
               its
               primitive
               glory
               and
               sweetness
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               IV.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               What
               an
               unspeakable
               Mercy
               is
               Conversion
               which
               lets
               the
               Soul
               into
               such
               a
               state
               of
               Spiritual
               pleasure
               ?
            
             
               Here
               's
               the
               beginning
               of
               your
               acquaintance
               with
               God
               ,
               the
               first
               taste
               of
               Spiritual
               pleasures
               ,
               of
               which
               there
               shall
               never
               be
               an
               end
               .
               All
               the
               time
               men
               have
               spent
               in
               the
               World
               in
               an
               unconverted
               state
               ,
               hath
               been
               a
               time
               of
               estrangement
               and
               alienation
               from
               God
               ;
               when
               the
               Lord
               brings
               a
               man
               to
               Chris
               ,
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Conversion
               ,
               he
               then
               begins
               his
               first
               acquaintance
               with
               God
               ,
               
                 Iob
                 22.
                 21.
                 
                 Acquaint
                 now
                 thy self
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 ●e
                 at
                 peace
                 ,
                 thereby
                 good
                 shall
                 come
                 unto
                 thee
                 .
              
               This
               is
               your
               first
               acquaintance
               with
               the
               Lord
               ,
               which
               will
               be
               a
               growing
               thing
               ;
               every
               visit
               you
               give
               him
               in
               prayer
               increaseth
               your
               acquaintance
               ,
               and
               begets
               more
               intimacy
               ,
               and
               humble
               holy
               familiarity
               ,
               betwixt
               him
               and
               you
               .
               And
               oh
               ,
               what
               a
               paradice
               of
               pleasure
               doth
               this
               let
               the
               Soul
               into
               !
               The
               life
               of
               Religion
               abounds
               with
               pleasures
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 16.
                 11.
                 
                 All
                 his
                 ways
                 are
                 ways
                 of
                 pleasantness
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 paths
                 are
                 peace
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               3.
               17.
               
               Now
               you
               know
               where
               to
               go
               and
               unload
               any
               trouble
               that
               presseth
               your
               Hearts
               ;
               whatever
               prejudices
               and
               scandals
               Satan
               and
               his
               instruments
               cast
               upon
               Religion
               ;
               this
               I
               will
               affirm
               of
               it
               ,
               that
               that
               man
               must
               necessarily
               be
               a
               stranger
               to
               true
               pleasure
               ,
               and
               empty
               of
               real
               comfort
               ,
               who
               is
               a
               stranger
               to
               Christ
               and
               the
               duties
               of
               Communion
               with
               him
               .
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               here
               's
               no
               allowance
               for
               sinful
               pleasures
               ,
               nor
               any
               want
               of
               Spiritual
               pleasures
               .
               Bless
               God
               therefore
               for
               converting
               grace
               ,
               you
               that
               have
               it
               ;
               and
               list
               up
               a
               cry
               to
               Heaven
               for
               it
               ,
               you
               that
               want
               it
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               V.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 so
                 much
                 delight
                 and
                 pleasure
                 in
                 our
                 imperfect
                 and
                 often
                 interrupted
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
                 here
                 ;
                 O
                 then
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 Heaven
                 !
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 immediate
                 visions
                 of
                 his
                 face
                 in
                 the
                 perfect
                 state
                 ?
              
               1
               Cor.
               2.
               9.
               
               
                 Eye
                 hath
                 not
                 seen
                 ,
                 nor
                 Ear
                 heard
                 ,
                 neither
                 have
                 entred
                 into
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 prepared
                 for
                 them
                 that
                 love
                 him
                 .
              
               You
               have
               heard
               glorious
               and
               ravishing
               reports
               in
               the
               Gospel
               of
               that
               blessed
               future
               state
               ,
               things
               which
               the
               Angles
               desire
               to
               look
               into
               .
               You
               have
               felt
               and
               tasted
               joys
               unspeakable
               ,
               and
               full
               of
               glory
               ,
               in
               the
               actings
               of
               your
               faith
               and
               love
               upon
               Christ
               ;
               yet
               all
               that
               you
               have
               heard
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               you
               have
               felt
               and
               tasted
               in
               the
               way
               to
               glory
               ,
               falls
               so
               short
               of
               the
               perfection
               and
               blessedness
               of
               that
               state
               ,
               that
               Heaven
               will
               and
               must
               be
               a
               great
               surprize
               to
               them
               that
               have
               now
               the
               greatest
               acquaintance
               with
               it
               .
               Though
               the
               present
               comforts
               of
               the
               Saints
               are
               sometimes
               as
               much
               as
               they
               can
               bear
               ,
               for
               they
               seem
               to
               reel
               and
               stagger
               under
               the
               weight
               of
               them
               ,
               
                 Cant.
                 2.
                 5.
                 
                 Stay
                 me
                 with
                 flagons
                 ,
                 comfort
                 me
                 with
                 apples
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 sick
                 of
                 love
                 .
              
               Yet
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               these
               high
               tides
               of
               present
               joy
               ,
               are
               but
               shallows
               to
               the
               joys
               of
               his
               immediate
               presence
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               13.
               12.
               
               And
               as
               they
               run
               not
               so
               deep
               ,
               so
               are
               they
               not
               constant
               and
               continued
               as
               they
               shall
               be
               above
               ,
               2
               
                 Thes.
                 4.
                 ult
                 .
                 Ever
                 with
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               And
               thus
               much
               for
               Information
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             I.
             Vse
             for
             Exhortation
             .
          
           
             The
             last
             improvement
             of
             this
             Point
             will
             be
             by
             way
             of
             Exhortation
             ,
             
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 To
                 Believers
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 To
                 Vnbelievers
                 .
              
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             Is
             the
             privileged
             state
             ,
             into
             which
             all
             believers
             are
             admitted
             by
             Conversion
             ?
             Then
             strive
             to
             come
             up
             to
             the
             highest
             attainment
             of
             Communion
             with
             God
             in
             this
             World
             ;
             and
             be
             not
             contented
             with
             just
             somuch
             grace
             as
             will
             secure
             you
             from
             Hell
             ;
             but
             labour
             after
             such
             an
             hight
             of
             grace
             and
             communion
             with
             God
             ,
             in
             the
             exercise
             thereof
             ,
             as
             may
             bring
             you
             into
             the
             suburbs
             of
             Heaven
             on
             Earth
             .
          
           
             Forget
             the
             things
             that
             are
             behind
             you
             ,
             as
             to
             satisfaction
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             press
             towards
             the
             mark
             ,
             for
             the
             prize
             of
             your
             high
             calling
             .
             'T
             is
             greatly
             to
             your
             loss
             that
             you
             live
             at
             such
             a
             distance
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             are
             so
             seldom
             with
             him
             .
             Think
             not
             the
             ablest
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             choicest
             Books
             ,
             will
             ever
             be
             able
             to
             satisfie
             your
             doubts
             ,
             and
             comfort
             your
             hearts
             ,
             whilst
             you
             let
             down
             your
             Communion
             with
             God
             to
             a
             so
             low
             a
             degree
             .
             O
             that
             you
             might
             be
             perswaded
             now
             to
             hearken
             obediently
             to
             three
             ,
             or
             four
             necessary
             words
             of
             Counsel
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Counsel
               .
            
             
               Make
               Communion
               with
               God
               the
               very
               level
               and
               aim
               of
               your
               Souls
               in
               all
               your
               approaches
               to
               him
               in
               the
               Ordinances
               and
               Duties
               of
               Religion
               .
               Set
               it
               upon
               the
               point
               of
               your
               compass
               ,
               let
               it
               be
               the
               very
               thing
               your
               Souls
               design
               ;
               let
               the
               desires
               and
               hopes
               of
               Communion
               with
               God
               be
               the
               thing
               that
               draws
               you
               to
               every
               Sermon
               and
               Prayer
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 27.
                 4.
                 
                 One
                 thing
                 have
                 I
                 desired
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 I
                 seek
                 after
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 see
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 enquire
                 after
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 Temple
                 .
              
               That
               was
               the
               mark
               David
               aimed
               at
               .
               And
               Mens
               success
               in
               Duty
               is
               usually
               according
               to
               the
               Spiritual
               aims
               and
               intentions
               of
               their
               Hearts
               in
               them
               ;
               both
               sincerity
               and
               comfort
               lye
               much
               in
               mens
               ends
               .
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Counsel
               .
            
             
               In
               all
               your
               approaches
               to
               God
               ,
               beg
               and
               plead
               hard
               with
               him
               for
               the
               manifestations
               of
               his
               love
               and
               further
               Communications
               of
               his
               grace
               .
               
                 Hear
                 ,
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 cry
                 with
                 my
                 voice
                 ;
                 have
                 mercy
                 also
                 upon
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 answer
                 me
                 .
                 When
                 thou
                 saidst
                 ,
                 Seek
                 ye
                 my
                 face
                 ,
                 my
                 heart
                 said
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 Thy
                 face
                 Lord
                 will
                 I
                 seek
                 .
                 Hide
                 not
                 thy
                 face
                 far
                 from
                 me
                 ,
                 put
                 not
                 thy
                 servant
                 away
                 in
                 anger
                 ,
                 Psal
              
               27.
               7
               ,
               8
               ,
               9.
               
               How
               full
               and
               thick
               of
               pleas
               and
               arguments
               for
               Communion
               with
               God
               was
               this
               prayer
               of
               David
               ?
               Lord
               ,
               I
               am
               come
               in
               obedience
               to
               thy
               command
               ,
               thou
               saidst
               ,
               
                 Seek
                 ye
                 my
                 face
              
               ,
               thou
               bidst
               me
               come
               to
               thee
               ,
               and
               wilt
               thou
               put
               away
               thy
               servant
               in
               anger
               ?
               Thou
               hast
               been
               my
               help
               ,
               I
               have
               had
               sweet
               experience
               of
               thy
               goodness
               ,
               thou
               dost
               not
               use
               to
               put
               me
               off
               ,
               and
               turn
               me
               away
               empty
               .
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Counsel
               .
            
             
               Desire
               not
               comfort
               for
               comforts
               sake
               ,
               but
               comforts
               and
               refreshments
               for
               service
               and
               obedience
               sake
               ;
               that
               by
               it
               you
               may
               be
               strengthned
               to
               go
               on
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               your
               duty
               with
               more
               chearfulness
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 32.
                 
                 Then
                 will
                 I
                 run
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 thy
                 commandments
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 shalt
                 enlarge
                 my
                 heart
                 .
              
               As
               if
               he
               should
               say
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               the
               comforts
               thou
               shalt
               give
               me
               ,
               shall
               be
               returned
               again
               in
               chearful
               
               services
               to
               thee
               .
               I
               desire
               them
               ,
               as
               Oyl
               to
               the
               Wheels
               of
               obedience
               ,
               not
               food
               for
               my
               pride
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Counsel
               .
            
             
               As
               ever
               you
               expect
               to
               be
               owners
               of
               much
               comfort
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               your
               Communion
               with
               God
               ,
               see
               that
               you
               be
               strict
               and
               circumspect
               in
               the
               course
               of
               your
               Conversations
               .
               'T
               is
               the
               loosness
               and
               carelesness
               of
               our
               hearts
               and
               lives
               ,
               which
               impoverishes
               our
               Spiritual
               comforts
               .
               A
               little
               pride
               ,
               a
               little
               carelesness
               dashes
               and
               frustrates
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               comfort
               which
               was
               very
               near
               us
               ,
               almost
               in
               our
               hands
               ;
               to
               allude
               to
               that
               ,
               
                 Hosea
                 7.
                 1.
                 
                 When
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 healed
              
               Israel
               ,
               
                 then
                 the
                 iniquity
                 of
              
               Ephraim
               
                 was
                 discovered
              
               .
               So
               here
               ,
               just
               when
               〈◊〉
               desire
               of
               thy
               heart
               was
               come
               to
               the
               door
               ,
               some
               sin
               stept
               in
               the
               way
               of
               it
               .
               
                 your
                 iniquities
              
               ,
               saith
               God
               ,
               
                 have
                 separated
                 between
                 you
                 and
                 you
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 sins
                 have
                 hid
                 his
                 face
                 from
                 you
                 ,
                 Isa.
              
               59.
               2.
               
               The
               Comforter
               ,
               the
               holy
               Spirit
               ,
               is
               sensible
               and
               tender
               ,
               he
               hath
               quick
               resentments
               of
               your
               unkindnesses
               and
               offences
               .
               As
               ever
               therefore
               you
               expect
               comfort
               from
               him
               ,
               beware
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               grieve
               him
               not
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               In
               the
               last
               place
               ,
               this
               Point
               speaks
               necessary
               counsel
               and
               advice
               to
               Vnbelievers
               ;
               to
               all
               that
               live
               estranged
               from
               the
               life
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               have
               done
               so
               from
               the
               Womb
               ,
               Psal.
               58.
               3.
               
               To
               you
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               Redeemer
               sounds
               a
               summons
               once
               more
               ,
               
                 Behold
                 I
                 stand
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 and
                 knock
                 .
              
               Oh
               ,
               that
               at
               last
               you
               might
               be
               prevailed
               with
               to
               comply
               with
               the
               merciful
               terms
               propounded
               by
               him
               .
               Will
               you
               shut
               out
               a
               Saviour
               bringing
               Salvation
               ,
               Pardon
               and
               Peace
               with
               him
               ?
               Christ
               is
               
               thy
               rightful
               owner
               ,
               and
               demands
               possession
               of
               thy
               Soul
               ,
               if
               thou
               wilt
               now
               hear
               his
               voice
               ,
               thy
               former
               refusals
               shall
               never
               be
               objected
               .
               If
               thou
               still
               reject
               his
               gracious
               offers
               ,
               mercy
               may
               never
               more
               be
               tendered
               to
               thee
               ;
               there
               is
               a
               call
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               will
               be
               the
               last
               call
               ,
               and
               after
               that
               no
               more
               .
               Take
               heed
               what
               you
               do
               ,
               if
               you
               still
               demur
               and
               delay
               ,
               your
               damnation
               is
               just
               ,
               inevitable
               and
               unexcusable
               .
               Hear
               me
               therefore
               you
               unregenerated
               Souls
               ,
               in
               what
               rank
               or
               condition
               soever
               providence
               hath
               placed
               you
               in
               this
               World
               ;
               whether
               you
               be
               rich
               or
               poor
               ,
               young
               or
               old
               ,
               Masters
               or
               Servants
               ,
               whether
               there
               be
               any
               stirrings
               of
               conviction
               in
               your
               Consciences
               or
               not
               .
               For
               however
               your
               conditions
               in
               this
               World
               differ
               from
               each
               other
               at
               present
               ,
               there
               is
               one
               common
               misery
               hanging
               over
               you
               all
               ,
               if
               you
               continue
               in
               that
               state
               of
               unbelief
               you
               are
               now
               fixed
               in
               .
            
             
               And
               first
               ,
               Harken
               to
               the
               voice
               and
               call
               of
               Christ
               ,
               you
               that
               are
               exalted
               by
               providence
               above
               your
               poorer
               neighbours
               ;
               you
               that
               have
               your
               Heads
               ,
               Hands
               and
               Hearts
               full
               of
               the
               World
               ;
               men
               of
               trade
               and
               business
               ;
               I
               have
               a
               few
               solemn
               questions
               to
               ask
               you
               this
               day
               .
            
             
               I.
               You
               have
               made
               many
               gainful
               bargains
               in
               your
               time
               ,
               but
               what
               will
               all
               profit
               you
               if
               the
               agreement
               be
               not
               made
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               your
               Souls
               ?
               Christ
               is
               that
               treasure
               which
               only
               can
               enrich
               you
               ,
               Matth.
               13.
               44.
               
               Thou
               art
               a
               poor
               and
               miserable
               wretch
               ,
               whatever
               thou
               hast
               gained
               of
               this
               World
               ,
               if
               thou
               have
               not
               gained
               Christ
               ;
               thou
               hast
               heaped
               up
               guilt
               with
               thy
               riches
               ,
               which
               will
               more
               torment
               thy
               Conscience
               hereafter
               than
               thy
               estate
               can
               yield
               thee
               comfort
               here
               .
            
             
             
               2ly
               ,
               You
               have
               made
               many
               assurances
               to
               secure
               your
               floating
               Estates
               ,
               which
               you
               call
               Policies
               ;
               but
               what
               assurance
               have
               you
               gotten
               for
               your
               Souls
               ?
               Are
               not
               they
               exposed
               to
               eternal
               hazards
               ?
               O
               impolitick
               man
               !
               To
               be
               so
               provident
               to
               secure
               trifles
               ,
               and
               so
               negligent
               in
               securing
               the
               richest
               treasure
               .
            
             
               3ly
               ,
               You
               have
               adjusted
               many
               accounts
               with
               men
               ,
               but
               who
               shall
               make
               up
               your
               accounts
               with
               God
               ,
               if
               you
               be
               Christless
               ?
               
                 What
                 shall
                 it
                 profit
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 gain
                 the
                 whole
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 lose
                 his
                 own
                 Soul
                 ?
                 Matth.
              
               16.
               26.
               
               Say
               not
               you
               have
               much
               business
               under
               your
               Hands
               ,
               and
               cannot
               allow
               time
               ;
               you
               will
               have
               space
               enough
               hereafter
               to
               reflect
               upon
               your
               folly
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               You
               that
               are
               poor
               and
               mean
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               what
               say
               you
               ,
               Will
               you
               have
               two
               Hells
               ,
               one
               here
               ,
               and
               another
               hereafter
               ?
               No
               comfort
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               nor
               hope
               for
               the
               next
               ?
               Your
               expectations
               here
               laid
               in
               the
               dust
               ,
               and
               your
               hopes
               for
               Heaven
               built
               upon
               the
               sand
               ?
               O
               ,
               if
               you
               were
               once
               in
               Christ
               ,
               how
               happy
               were
               you
               ,
               though
               you
               knew
               not
               where
               to
               fetch
               your
               next
               bread
               !
               
                 Poor
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 but
                 rich
                 in
                 faith
                 ;
                 and
                 heirs
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 promised
                 ,
              
               James
               2.
               5.
               
               O
               blessed
               state
               !
               If
               you
               had
               Christ
               ,
               you
               had
               then
               a
               right
               to
               all
               things
               ,
               I
               Cor.
               3.
               22
               ,
               23.
               
               You
               had
               then
               a
               Father
               to
               take
               care
               for
               you
               :
               but
               to
               be
               poor
               ,
               and
               Christless
               ;
               no
               comfort
               from
               this
               World
               ,
               nor
               hopes
               from
               the
               next
               ;
               this
               is
               to
               be
               truly
               miserable
               indeed
               .
               Your
               very
               straights
               and
               wants
               should
               prompt
               you
               to
               the
               great
               duty
               I
               am
               now
               pressing
               on
               you
               ;
               and
               methinks
               it
               should
               be
               
               matter
               of
               encouragement
               that
               the
               greatest
               number
               of
               Christs
               friends
               and
               followers
               came
               out
               of
               that
               rank
               and
               order
               of
               men
               to
               which
               you
               belong
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               You
               that
               are
               Seamen
               ,
               floating
               so
               often
               upon
               the
               great
               deeps
               ,
               you
               are
               reckoned
               a
               third
               sort
               of
               persons
               between
               the
               living
               and
               the
               dead
               ;
               you
               belong
               not
               to
               the
               dead
               ,
               because
               you
               yet
               breath
               ;
               and
               scarcely
               to
               the
               living
               ,
               because
               you
               are
               continually
               so
               near
               death
               :
               What
               think
               you
               friends
               ,
               have
               you
               no
               need
               of
               a
               Saviour
               ?
               Do
               you
               live
               so
               secure
               from
               the
               reach
               and
               danger
               of
               death
               ?
               Have
               your
               lives
               been
               so
               pure
               ,
               righteous
               ,
               and
               innocent
               ,
               who
               have
               been
               in
               the
               thick
               of
               temptations
               in
               the
               World
               abroad
               ?
               Ponder
               that
               Scripture
               ,
               I
               
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 Be
                 not
                 deceived
                 ,
                 neither
                 Fornicators
                 ,
                 nor
                 Idolaters
                 ,
                 nor
                 Adulterers
                 ,
                 nor
                 Effeminate
                 ,
                 nor
                 Abusers
                 of
                 themselves
                 with
                 man-kind
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               Ponder
               it
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               and
               think
               whether
               you
               have
               not
               as
               great
               and
               pressing
               a
               necessity
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               as
               any
               poor
               Souls
               under
               Heaven
               ?
               You
               have
               had
               many
               temporal
               Salvations
               from
               God
               ,
               great
               and
               eminent
               deliverances
               ,
               and
               will
               these
               satisfie
               you
               ?
               Is
               it
               enough
               that
               your
               bodies
               are
               delivered
               from
               the
               danger
               of
               the
               Sea
               ,
               though
               your
               Souls
               sink
               and
               perish
               in
               the
               Ocean
               of
               Gods
               wrath
               for
               ever
               ?
               If
               you
               will
               yet
               accept
               Christ
               upon
               his
               terms
               ,
               all
               that
               you
               have
               done
               shall
               be
               forgiven
               ,
               Isa.
               55.
               2.
               
               The
               Lord
               now
               calls
               to
               you
               in
               a
               still
               voice
               ,
               if
               you
               hear
               his
               voice
               well
               ,
               if
               not
               you
               may
               shortly
               hear
               his
               voice
               in
               the
               tempestuous
               storms
               without
               you
               ,
               and
               a
               roaring
               Conscience
               within
               you
               .
               Poor
               man
               ,
               think
               what
               an
               interest
               
               in
               Christ
               will
               be
               worth
               ,
               wert
               thou
               now
               (
               as
               shortly
               thou
               maist
               be
               )
               floating
               upon
               a
               piece
               of
               wreck
               ,
               or
               shivering
               upon
               a
               cold
               and
               desolate
               rock
               ,
               crying
               mercy
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               mercy
               :
               Well
               mercy
               is
               now
               offered
               thee
               ,
               but
               in
               vain
               wilt
               thou
               expect
               to
               find
               it
               ,
               if
               thou
               continue
               thus
               to
               despise
               and
               reject
               it
               .
            
             
               Fourthly
               ,
               You
               that
               are
               aged
               and
               full
               of
               days
               ,
               hearken
               to
               the
               voice
               of
               Christ
               ,
               God
               hath
               called
               upon
               you
               a
               long
               time
               :
               When
               you
               were
               young
               ,
               you
               said
               ,
               't
               is
               time
               enough
               yet
               ,
               we
               will
               mind
               these
               things
               when
               we
               are
               old
               ,
               and
               come
               nearer
               to
               the
               borders
               of
               Eternity
               .
               Well
               ,
               now
               you
               are
               old
               ,
               and
               just
               upon
               the
               borders
               of
               it
               ;
               will
               you
               indeed
               mind
               it
               now
               ?
               you
               have
               left
               the
               great
               concernments
               of
               your
               Souls
               to
               this
               time
               ,
               this
               short
               ,
               very
               short
               time
               :
               And
               do
               the
               temptations
               of
               your
               Youth
               take
               hold
               upon
               your
               Age
               ?
               what
               ,
               delay
               and
               put
               off
               Christ
               still
               ,
               as
               you
               were
               wont
               to
               do
               ?
               Poor
               Creatures
               ,
               you
               are
               almost
               gone
               out
               of
               time
               ,
               you
               have
               but
               a
               short
               time
               to
               deliberate
               ;
               what
               you
               do
               must
               be
               done
               quickly
               ,
               or
               it
               can
               never
               be
               done
               :
               Your
               night
               is
               even
               come
               upon
               you
               ,
               when
               no
               man
               can
               work
               .
            
             
               Fifthly
               ,
               You
               that
               are
               young
               in
               the
               Bud
               or
               Flower
               of
               your
               time
               ,
               Christ
               is
               a
               Suiter
               for
               your
               first
               Love
               ;
               he
               desires
               the
               kindness
               of
               your
               youth
               ;
               your
               Spirits
               are
               vigorous
               ,
               your
               Hearts
               tender
               ,
               your
               Affections
               flowing
               and
               impressive
               ;
               you
               are
               not
               yet
               entred
               into
               the
               incumbrances
               and
               distracting
               cares
               of
               the
               World
               ;
               hereafter
               a
               crowd
               
               and
               thick
               succession
               of
               earthly
               employments
               and
               engagements
               will
               come
               on
               ;
               sin
               will
               harden
               you
               ,
               by
               custom
               and
               continuance
               ;
               now
               is
               your
               time
               ;
               you
               are
               in
               the
               convertible
               Age
               ;
               few
               that
               pass
               the
               season
               of
               youth
               (
               comparatively
               speaking
               )
               are
               brought
               over
               to
               Christ
               afterwards
               :
               'T
               is
               a
               rarity
               ,
               the
               wonder
               of
               an
               Age
               ,
               to
               hear
               of
               the
               conversion
               of
               aged
               Sinners
               ;
               besides
               ,
               you
               are
               the
               hopes
               of
               the
               next
               Generation
               :
               Should
               you
               be
               Christ-neglecting
               and
               despising
               Souls
               ;
               how
               bad
               soever
               the
               present
               Age
               is
               ,
               the
               next
               will
               be
               worse
               .
               Say
               not
               ,
               we
               have
               time
               enough
               before
               us
               ,
               we
               will
               not
               quench
               the
               sprightly
               vigour
               of
               our
               Youth
               in
               melancholy
               thoughts
               :
               Remember
               there
               are
               Sculls
               of
               all
               sizes
               in
               Golgotha
               ;
               Graves
               of
               all
               lengths
               in
               the
               Church-yard
               :
               You
               may
               anticipate
               those
               that
               stand
               nearer
               the
               Grave
               than
               you
               seem
               to
               do
               .
               O
               you
               cannot
               be
               happy
               too
               soon
               :
               As
               young
               as
               you
               are
               ,
               did
               you
               but
               tast
               the
               Comforts
               that
               be
               in
               Christ
               ,
               nothing
               would
               grieve
               you
               more
               ,
               than
               that
               you
               knew
               him
               no
               sooner
               .
               Behold
               he
               standeth
               at
               thy
               Door
               ,
               in
               the
               morning
               of
               thy
               Age
               ,
               knocking
               this
               day
               for
               admission
               into
               thy
               Heart
               .
            
             
               Sixthly
               ,
               You
               that
               have
               had
               some
               slight
               ineffectual
               vanishing
               Convictions
               upon
               you
               formerly
               ;
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               once
               more
               renews
               his
               call
               ,
               will
               you
               now
               at
               last
               hear
               his
               voice
               ?
               'T
               is
               an
               infinite
               mercy
               to
               have
               a
               second
               call
               .
               I
               doubt
               not
               ,
               but
               there
               are
               many
               among
               you
               ,
               whilst
               you
               have
               sat
               under
               the
               Word
               ,
               have
               had
               such
               thoughts
               as
               these
               in
               your
               Hearts
               ,
               sure
               ,
               
               my
               condition
               is
               not
               right
               ,
               nor
               safe
               ;
               there
               must
               another
               manner
               of
               work
               pass
               upon
               my
               Soul
               ,
               or
               I
               am
               lost
               for
               ever
               .
               External
               duties
               of
               Religion
               I
               do
               perform
               ,
               but
               I
               am
               a
               stranger
               to
               Regeneration
               .
               Such
               inward
               convictions
               as
               these
               were
               the
               Knocks
               and
               Calls
               of
               Christ
               ,
               but
               they
               passed
               away
               and
               were
               forgotten
               ;
               your
               Convictions
               are
               dead
               ,
               and
               your
               Hearts
               the
               more
               hardned
               ;
               for
               it
               is
               in
               puting
               a
               Soul
               under
               Conviction
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               in
               puting
               Iron
               into
               the
               Fire
               ,
               and
               quenching
               it
               again
               :
               which
               hardens
               it
               the
               more
               .
               You
               have
               been
               near
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               ,
               but
               the
               more
               miserable
               for
               that
               ,
               if
               you
               be
               shut
               out
               at
               last
               .
               The
               quicknings
               of
               your
               Convictions
               is
               the
               right
               way
               to
               the
               saving
               of
               your
               Souls
               .
               The
               Lord
               make
               you
               this
               day
               to
               hear
               his
               Voice
               .
            
             
               Seventhly
               ,
               Such
               as
               have
               come
               hither
               upon
               vain
               or
               vile
               accounts
               ,
               for
               meer
               novelty
               ,
               or
               worse
               ends
               ;
               to
               catch
               advantages
               ,
               or
               reproach
               the
               truths
               of
               God.
               Scoffing
               at
               the
               most
               solemn
               and
               awful
               Voice
               of
               Christ.
               The
               Word
               that
               you
               have
               slighted
               and
               reproached
               ,
               the
               same
               shall
               Judge
               you
               in
               that
               great
               Day
               ,
               except
               the
               Lord
               give
               you
               Repentance
               unto
               Life
               ,
               and
               make
               the
               Heart
               tremble
               under
               it
               ,
               that
               hath
               scoffed
               at
               it
               .
               
                 Be
                 not
                 mockers
                 ,
                 lest
                 your
                 bands
                 be
                 made
                 strong
                 ,
              
               Isa.
               28.
               22.
               
            
             
               Eighthly
               ,
               To
               Conclude
               ,
               Let
               all
               ,
               whose
               Hearts
               the
               Lord
               hath
               opened
               this
               day
               ,
               for
               the
               enjoyment
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               the
               blessed
               instrument
               of
               their
               Salvation
               ,
               bless
               the
               Lord
               ,
               that
               
               hath
               made
               it
               a
               Key
               by
               Regeneration
               to
               open
               the
               door
               of
               Salvation
               to
               your
               Souls
               .
               And
               as
               you
               have
               received
               Christ
               Jesus
               the
               Lord
               ,
               so
               walk
               ye
               in
               him
               .
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           AN
           APPENDIX
           To
           the
           Foregoing
           TREATISE
           FROM
           ROMANS
           1.
           18.
           
        
         
           For
           the
           wrath
           of
           God
           is
           revealed
           from
           Heaven
           against
           all
           ungodliness
           ,
           
           and
           unrighteousness
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           hold
           the
           truth
           in
           unrighteousness
           .
        
         
           IN
           all
           the
           foregoing
           Sermons
           I
           have
           been
           pleading
           and
           wooing
           for
           Christ.
           And
           as
           Abrahams
           Servant
           to
           win
           the
           Damsels
           Consent
           ,
           told
           her
           what
           Treasures
           his
           Masters
           Son
           had
           ,
           so
           have
           I
           laboured
           to
           shew
           you
           some
           part
           of
           the
           unsearchable
           Riches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           if
           by
           any
           means
           I
           might
           allure
           your
           hearts
           ,
           and
           be
           instrumental
           to
           close
           the
           happy
           Match
           betwixt
           him
           and
           you
           ;
           and
           (
           as
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           )
           espouse
           you
           to
           one
           Husband
           ,
           even
           to
           Christ.
           
        
         
         
           But
           alas
           !
           How
           few
           stir
           towards
           him
           ?
           The
           most
           seem
           to
           be
           immovably
           fixed
           in
           their
           Natural
           State
           ,
           and
           sinful
           Courses
           .
           All
           our
           Arguments
           and
           Intreaties
           return
           to
           us
           again
           ,
           and
           effect
           nothing
           .
           'T
           is
           amazing
           to
           think
           what
           is
           the
           matter
           ,
           that
           Souls
           which
           have
           in
           them
           the
           inbred
           Hopes
           and
           Fears
           of
           the
           World
           to
           come
           ,
           and
           self
           reflecting
           Powers
           ;
           cannot
           for
           all
           this
           be
           prevailed
           with
           to
           quit
           the
           way
           of
           sin
           ,
           and
           to
           embrace
           the
           way
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           though
           their
           Consciences
           mean
           while
           stand
           convinced
           that
           Eternal
           Damnation
           is
           the
           issue
           and
           result
           of
           the
           one
           ;
           Life
           ,
           Peace
           and
           Eternal
           Joyes
           of
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           This
           hath
           put
           me
           upon
           a
           serious
           search
           what
           may
           be
           the
           cause
           and
           reason
           of
           this
           fixed
           and
           unreasonable
           obstinacy
           ,
           and
           in
           this
           it
           seems
           evidently
           to
           lye
           ,
           with
           most
           that
           live
           in
           an
           unregenerate
           state
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           that
           they
           put
           a
           force
           upon
           their
           own
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           do
           imprison
           and
           hold
           the
           Truth
           in
           unrighteousness
           ,
           though
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God
           be
           revealed
           from
           Heaven
           against
           all
           that
           do
           so
           .
        
         
           If
           by
           this
           Discourse
           I
           can
           but
           set
           truth
           at
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           loose
           the
           Lords
           Prisoners
           which
           lye
           bound
           in
           your
           Souls
           .
           I
           shall
           not
           doubt
           but
           the
           value
           of
           Christ
           will
           quickly
           rise
           among
           you
           ,
           and
           free
           Convictions
           will
           make
           the
           work
           of
           your
           Ministers
           much
           more
           easie
           and
           successful
           than
           they
           now
           find
           it
           .
           'T
           is
           hardly
           imaginable
           but
           the
           things
           you
           have
           heard
           must
           leave
           your
           Souls
           under
           Convictions
           ,
           but
           if
           you
           suppress
           and
           stifle
           them
           ,
           they
           produce
           nothing
           but
           aggravations
           of
           Sin
           and
           Misery
           .
           Now
           in
           order
           to
           the
           free
           and
           effectual
           working
           of
           all
           your
           Convictions
           ,
           and
           begetting
           that
           reverence
           
           which
           is
           due
           to
           them
           from
           every
           Soul
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Voice
           of
           God
           ,
           I
           have
           chosen
           this
           Scripture
           ,
           the
           scope
           and
           sense
           whereof
           I
           shall
           next
           give
           you
           .
        
         
           The
           true
           scope
           and
           aim
           of
           this
           Context
           ,
           is
           to
           prove
           the
           Justification
           of
           Sinners
           to
           be
           only
           by
           the
           imputed
           Righteousness
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Faith.
           To
           make
           this
           evident
           ,
           he
           distributes
           the
           whole
           World
           into
           Gentiles
           and
           Iews
           ;
           the
           one
           seeking
           Righteousness
           by
           the
           dim
           Light
           of
           Nature
           ,
           or
           the
           Law
           written
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ;
           the
           other
           ,
           viz.
           the
           Iews
           by
           the
           works
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           or
           External
           Conformity
           to
           the
           Law
           of
           Moses
           ,
           but
           that
           neither
           can
           find
           what
           they
           seek
           ,
           he
           distinctly
           and
           fully
           proves
           .
           He
           proves
           it
           first
           upon
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           from
           this
           verse
           to
           the
           
             17th
             .
             verse
             of
             the
             second
             Chapter
          
           ;
           and
           then
           he
           proves
           it
           upon
           the
           Iews
           also
           from
           thence
           to
           the
           end
           of
           the
           
             third
             Chapter
          
           .
           As
           for
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           he
           acknowledges
           that
           they
           had
           inbred
           Notions
           of
           God
           ,
           imprinted
           in
           their
           Nature
           ,
           they
           had
           also
           the
           Book
           of
           the
           Creatures
           before
           them
           ;
           enough
           to
           leave
           them
           without
           Excuse
           ,
           ver
           .
           20.
           they
           have
           no
           pretence
           of
           ignorance
           ,
           but
           these
           common
           Notices
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           they
           did
           not
           obey
           and
           put
           in
           practise
           ,
           but
           acted
           against
           the
           very
           Light
           and
           Dictates
           of
           their
           Natural
           Consciences
           .
           For
           which
           cause
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God
           was
           revealed
           from
           Heaven
           against
           them
           ,
           as
           the
           Text
           speaks
           .
           Wherein
           note
           ,
           
             
               1.
               
               A
               clear
               and
               dreadful
               Revelation
               of
               Divine
               Wrath.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Object
               or
               impulsive
               Cause
               thereof
               ,
               Vngodliness
               and
               Vnrighteousness
               .
            
             
               
               3.
               
               The
               special
               aggravation
               of
               this
               their
               Ungodliness
               and
               Unrighteousness
               ,
               
                 that
                 they
                 held
                 the
                 truth
                 in
                 unrighteousness
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           Here
           is
           a
           clear
           and
           dreadful
           Revelation
           of
           Divine
           Wrath
           ,
           
             the
             wrath
             of
             God
          
           (
           saith
           the
           
             Apostle
             )
             is
             revealed
             from
             Heaven
             ,
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           the
           indignation
           or
           vengeance
           of
           God.
           'T
           is
           a
           word
           of
           deep
           and
           dreadful
           signification
           ;
           the
           Damned
           that
           feel
           the
           weight
           of
           it
           ,
           have
           the
           fullest
           sense
           ot
           it
           .
           'T
           is
           said
           ,
           in
           
             Psal.
             90.
             11.
             
             Who
             knows
             the
             power
             of
             thine
             anger
             ,
             according
             to
             thy
             fear
             ,
             so
             is
             thy
             wrath
             .
          
           That
           is
           ,
           the
           fears
           of
           an
           incensed
           Deity
           are
           no
           vain
           Bug-bears
           ,
           Nor
           the
           effects
           of
           Ignorance
           and
           Superstition
           as
           Atheists
           Fancy
           ;
           but
           let
           mens
           Fears
           of
           it
           be
           what
           they
           will
           they
           shall
           find
           except
           they
           repent
           ,
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God
           to
           be
           according
           to
           ,
           yea
           and
           far
           above
           their
           Fears
           of
           it
           .
           If
           the
           Wrath
           of
           a
           King
           be
           as
           the
           Messengers
           of
           Death
           ,
           what
           then
           is
           the
           Wrath
           of
           the
           great
           and
           terrible
           God
           ?
           This
           Wrath
           is
           here
           said
           to
           be
           revealed
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           discovered
           ,
           or
           made
           manifest
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           is
           divers
           wayes
           ;
           it
           was
           revealed
           to
           them
           by
           the
           light
           of
           Nature
           ,
           their
           own
           Consciences
           gave
           them
           notice
           and
           warning
           of
           it
           .
           Thus
           it
           was
           revealed
           to
           them
           by
           an
           internal
           Testimony
           ,
           a
           Witness
           within
           them
           ,
           and
           it
           was
           also
           revealed
           to
           them
           by
           the
           Instances
           and
           Examples
           of
           strokes
           and
           punishments
           of
           Sin
           in
           all
           Ages
           by
           the
           immediate
           hand
           of
           a
           justly
           incensed
           God.
           They
           came
           not
           by
           chance
           ,
           but
           Divine
           direction
           ,
           therefore
           it
           's
           added
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           
             from
             Heave●
          
           ,
           or
           from
           God
           in
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           Here
           is
           the
           Object
           ,
           or
           impulsive
           Cause
           of
           this
           revealed
           and
           inflicted
           Wrath
           ,
           't
           is
           revealed
           
           from
           Heaven
           
             against
             all
             ungodliness
             and
             unrighteousness
             of
             men
             .
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           The
           former
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           ungodliness
           ,
           comprizeth
           all
           sins
           against
           the
           first
           Table
           ;
           the
           irreligious
           lives
           and
           practices
           of
           Men
           ,
           living
           in
           the
           neglect
           of
           the
           Duties
           of
           Religion
           :
           The
           other
           word
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           unrighteousness
           ,
           comprizeth
           all
           sins
           against
           the
           second
           Table
           ,
           acts
           of
           Fraud
           ,
           Uncleanness
           ,
           &c.
           against
           Men
           :
           And
           because
           these
           two
           general
           comprehensive
           words
           are
           branched
           out
           into
           many
           particulars
           ,
           therefore
           he
           saith
           ,
           
             the
             wrath
             of
             God
             is
             revealed
             against
             all
             ungodliness
             and
             unrighteousness
             .
          
           There
           is
           not
           one
           of
           the
           many
           sins
           into
           which
           ungodliness
           and
           unrighteousness
           are
           branched
           out
           ,
           but
           incenseth
           the
           Lords
           Wrath
           ,
           and
           though
           he
           only
           mentions
           the
           Sins
           ,
           in
           the
           Abstract
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           understand
           the
           Abstract
           put
           here
           for
           the
           Concrete
           ;
           the
           sins
           for
           the
           sinners
           that
           commit
           them
           ;
           or
           Gods
           punishing
           these
           sins
           upon
           the
           persons
           of
           the
           Sinners
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           Lastly
           ,
           We
           have
           here
           before
           us
           the
           special
           aggravation
           of
           these
           sins
           ,
           or
           that
           which
           made
           them
           much
           more
           provoking
           to
           God
           than
           otherwise
           they
           had
           been
           .
           And
           it
           was
           this
           ,
           that
           whilst
           they
           committed
           these
           Sins
           ,
           or
           omitted
           those
           Duties
           ,
           
             they
             held
             the
             truth
             in
             unrighteousness
             :
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           the
           word
           signifies
           to
           
             detain
             ,
             stop
             ,
             hinder
          
           ,
           or
           put
           a
           Remora
           in
           the
           way
           of
           that
           Truth
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           those
           common
           Notions
           they
           had
           of
           his
           Being
           ,
           Power
           ,
           Goodness
           ,
           Truth
           ,
           &c.
           as
           also
           of
           his
           Worship
           ,
           and
           the
           difference
           between
           Good
           and
           Evil.
           These
           Truths
           struggled
           in
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           as
           the
           Child
           in
           the
           Womb
           ,
           to
           come
           to
           the
           Birth
           ;
           Conscience
           instigated
           them
           to
           Duty
           ,
           and
           laboured
           to
           restrain
           them
           from
           Sin
           ,
           but
           all
           in
           vain
           ,
           they
           overbare
           their
           
           own
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           kept
           those
           Sentiments
           and
           Convictions
           Prisoners
           ,
           though
           they
           struggled
           for
           Liberty
           to
           break
           forth
           into
           Practice
           and
           Obedience
           .
           Their
           Convictions
           were
           kept
           down
           under
           the
           Dominion
           and
           Power
           of
           Corruptions
           ,
           as
           a
           Prisoner
           is
           shut
           up
           by
           his
           Keeper
           :
           Their
           Lusts
           were
           too
           hard
           for
           their
           Light.
           Thus
           you
           have
           both
           the
           Scope
           and
           Sense
           of
           the
           Text.
           The
           Point
           from
           it
           is
           this
           .
        
         
           
             DOCTRINE
             .
          
           
             That
             the
             wrath
             of
             God
             is
             dreadfully
             incensed
             against
             all
             those
             that
             live
             in
             any
             course
             of
             Sin
             ,
             against
             the
             light
             and
             dictates
             of
             their
             own
             Consciences
             .
          
           
             Sins
             of
             Ignorance
             provoke
             the
             Wrath
             of
             God
             ,
             yet
             are
             they
             not
             of
             so
             heinous
             a
             nature
             as
             sins
             against
             light
             and
             Conviction
             are
             ,
             nor
             shall
             they
             be
             punished
             so
             severely
             ,
             
               Luk.
               12.
               47.
               
               That
               servant
               which
               knew
               his
               Lords
               will
               ,
               and
               prepared
               not
               himself
               ,
               neither
               did
               according
               to
               his
               will
               ,
               shall
               be
               beaten
               with
               many
               stripes
               .
            
             It
             excuses
             
               a
               tanto
            
             in
             some
             measure
             ,
             when
             a
             man
             can
             say
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             had
             I
             known
             this
             to
             be
             a
             sin
             ,
             I
             would
             not
             have
             done
             it
             ,
             but
             when
             the
             Conscience
             is
             convinced
             ,
             and
             strives
             to
             keep
             us
             from
             such
             an
             act
             or
             course
             of
             sinful
             actions
             ,
             and
             we
             stop
             our
             Ears
             against
             its
             Voice
             and
             Warnings
             ;
             here
             is
             an
             high
             and
             horrid
             Contempt
             of
             God
             and
             his
             Law
             ,
             and
             gives
             the
             sin
             a
             Scarlet
             Dye
             or
             Tincture
             .
             Sins
             of
             Ignorance
             cannot
             compare
             with
             such
             sins
             as
             these
             ,
             
               Ioh.
               3.
               19.
               
               Ioh.
            
             15.
             22.
             
             To
             open
             this
             Point
             ,
             let
             me
             .
          
           
             
             
               1.
               
               Shew
               you
               what
               Conscience
               is
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               What
               the
               Light
               of
               Conscience
               is
               ,
               and
               what
               its
               kinds
               are
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               How
               this
               Light
               binds
               the
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               makes
               it
               strive
               in
               us
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Then
               instance
               in
               some
               Cases
               wherein
               it
               doth
               so
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               And
               Lastly
               ,
               how
               and
               why
               the
               imprisoning
               of
               these
               Convictions
               so
               dreadfully
               incenseth
               the
               Wrath
               of
               God.
               
            
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             'T
             will
             be
             needful
             to
             speak
             a
             little
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             Conscience
             in
             general
             .
             Conscience
             (
             as
             our
             Divines
             well
             expresse
             it
             )
             is
             the
             judgment
             of
             a
             man
             upon
             himself
             ,
             as
             he
             is
             Subject
             to
             the
             judgement
             of
             God.
             A
             Judgment
             it
             is
             ,
             and
             a
             practical
             Judgment
             too
             ;
             it
             belongs
             to
             the
             understanding
             faculty
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               11.
               31.
               
               If
               we
               would
               judge
               our selves
               ,
            
             &c.
             this
             self-judgment
             is
             the
             proper
             Office
             of
             the
             Conscience
             ;
             and
             to
             enable
             it
             for
             this
             its
             work
             and
             office
             ,
             there
             are
             (
             as
             is
             generally
             observed
             )
             three
             things
             belonging
             to
             every
             mans
             Conscience
             .
          
           
             (
             1
             )
             A
             Knowledge
             of
             the
             Rule
             or
             Law
             according
             to
             which
             it
             is
             to
             judge
             ,
             called
             the
             Synteresis
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             treasury
             of
             Rules
             and
             Principles
             without
             which
             Conscience
             can
             no
             more
             do
             its
             work
             ,
             than
             an
             Artificer
             that
             wants
             his
             Square
             or
             Level
             can
             do
             his
             .
          
           
             (
             2
             )
             Knowledge
             of
             the
             Facts
             or
             Matters
             to
             be
             judged
             ,
             called
             the
             Syneidesis
             .
             The
             Conscience
             of
             every
             man
             keeps
             a
             Register
             of
             his
             Actions
             ,
             Thoughts
             ,
             and
             the
             very
             Secrets
             of
             the
             Heart
             .
          
           
             (
             3
             )
             An
             Ability
             and
             delegated
             Authority
             to
             pass
             
             Judgment
             on
             our selves
             and
             Actions
             according
             to
             the
             Rule
             and
             Law
             of
             God
             ,
             called
             Crisis
             ,
             Judgment
             .
             Here
             it
             sits
             upon
             the
             Bench
             as
             Gods
             Vicegerent
             ,
             Absolving
             or
             Condemning
             as
             it
             finds
             the
             Sincerity
             or
             Hypocrisie
             of
             the
             heart
             upon
             Tryal
             .
             1
             
               Ioh.
               3.
            
             20
             ,
             21.
             
          
           
             Conscience
             therefore
             is
             an
             High
             and
             Aweful
             Power
             ,
             it
             is
             
               solo
               Deo
               minor
            
             ;
             next
             and
             immediately
             under
             God
             ▪
             our
             Judge
             ;
             riding
             as
             Ioseph
             did
             in
             the
             second
             Chariot
             ,
             and
             concerning
             Conscience
             he
             saith
             to
             every
             man
             ,
             as
             he
             once
             did
             to
             Moses
             with
             respect
             to
             
               Pharaoh
               ,
               See
               ,
               I
               have
               made
               thee
               a
               god
               to
               Pharaoh
               ,
               Exod.
            
             7.
             1.
             
             The
             Voice
             of
             Conscience
             is
             the
             Voice
             of
             God.
             What
             it
             bindeth
             or
             looseth
             on
             Earth
             ,
             
               Clave
               non
               errante
            
             ,
             is
             accordingly
             bound
             or
             loosed
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             1
             Ioh.
             3.
             21.
             the
             greatest
             deference
             and
             precise
             Obedience
             is
             due
             to
             its
             Commands
             .
             Its
             Consolations
             are
             of
             all
             the
             most
             sweet
             ,
             and
             its
             Condemnations
             (
             only
             excepting
             those
             by
             the
             mouth
             of
             Christ
             in
             the
             last
             Judgment
             )
             most
             terrible
             .
             Zuinglius
             spake
             not
             without
             ground
             when
             he
             said
             ,
             
               What
               Death
               would
               I
               not
               rather
               chuse
               ?
               what
               Punishment
               would
               I
               not
               rather
               bear
               ?
               yea
               ,
               into
               what
               profound
               Abyss
               of
               Hell
               would
               I
               not
               rather
               enter
               ,
               than
               to
               witness
               against
               my
               Conscience
               ?
            
             'T
             is
             like
             he
             had
             felt
             the
             Terrors
             of
             it
             ,
             to
             be
             more
             bitter
             than
             Death
             .
             How
             many
             have
             chosen
             strangling
             rather
             than
             life
             under
             the
             Terrors
             of
             Conscience
             ?
             Wherever
             you
             go
             ,
             Conscience
             accompanies
             you
             .
             VVhatever
             you
             say
             ,
             do
             ,
             or
             but
             think
             ,
             it
             Registers
             and
             Records
             in
             order
             to
             the
             Day
             of
             Account
             .
             VVhen
             all
             Friends
             forsake
             thee
             ,
             yea
             ,
             when
             thy
             Soul
             forsakes
             thy
             Body
             .
             Conscience
             will
             not
             ,
             cannot
             forsake
             thee
             .
             When
             thy
             Body
             is
             weakest
             and
             dullest
             ,
             thy
             Conscience
             is
             most
             vigorous
             and
             active
             .
             Never
             more
             life
             in
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             
             than
             when
             Death
             makes
             its
             nearest
             approach
             to
             the
             Body
             ;
             when
             it
             smiles
             ,
             chears
             ,
             acquits
             ,
             and
             comforts
             ,
             O
             what
             an
             Heaven
             doth
             it
             create
             within
             a
             Man
             ?
             And
             when
             it
             frowns
             ,
             condemns
             ,
             and
             terrifies
             ;
             how
             doth
             it
             becloud
             ,
             yea
             ,
             benight
             all
             the
             Pleasures
             ,
             Joyes
             and
             Delights
             of
             this
             World.
             O
             Conscience
             ,
             how
             glad
             would
             the
             damned
             be
             to
             have
             taken
             their
             last
             farewel
             of
             thee
             ,
             when
             they
             bid
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             all
             its
             Inhabitants
             farewel
             at
             Death
             !
             And
             what
             had
             become
             of
             all
             the
             Sufferers
             and
             Martyrs
             ,
             when
             shut
             up
             from
             Friends
             in
             Dungeons
             ,
             had
             it
             not
             been
             for
             thy
             chearing
             Cordials
             and
             Comforts
             ,
             thou
             there
             administredst
             to
             support
             them
             !
             'T
             is
             certainly
             the
             best
             of
             Friends
             ,
             or
             the
             worst
             of
             Enemies
             in
             the
             whole
             Creation
             .
             This
             is
             Conscience
             ,
             these
             are
             its
             Powers
             and
             Offices
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             first
             thing
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Our
             next
             enquiry
             must
             be
             into
             the
             Light
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             the
             various
             kinds
             of
             that
             Light.
             
          
           
             The
             Lord
             did
             not
             frame
             such
             an
             excellent
             Structure
             as
             the
             Soul
             of
             Man
             ,
             without
             Windows
             to
             let
             in
             light
             ;
             nor
             doth
             he
             deny
             the
             benefit
             of
             light
             to
             any
             Soul
             :
             But
             there
             is
             a
             twofold
             Light
             which
             Men
             have
             to
             inform
             and
             guide
             their
             Consciences
             .
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Light
                 of
                 Natural
                 Reason
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 common
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Light
                 of
                 Scripture
                 Revelation
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 special
                 .
              
            
          
           
             (
             1
             ,
             )
             There
             is
             the
             common
             light
             of
             Natural
             Reason
             ,
             which
             is
             connate
             ,
             called
             by
             
               Solomon
               ,
               Prov.
               20.
               27
               
               The
               Candle
               of
               the
               Lord.
               The
               Spirit
               of
               Man
               is
               the
               Candle
               of
               the
               Lord.
            
             This
             is
             affirmed
             by
             him
             that
             had
             an
             extraordinary
             portion
             of
             intellectuals
             ,
             
             a
             brighter
             lamp
             of
             Reason
             and
             Wisdom
             than
             other
             Men
             :
             And
             this
             is
             not
             only
             true
             of
             the
             Soul
             in
             general
             ,
             but
             of
             that
             special
             Power
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             is
             called
             Conscience
             ,
             which
             is
             Gods
             Spie
             ,
             and
             Mans
             Overseer
             .
             The
             Heathens
             had
             this
             Light
             shining
             in
             their
             Minds
             and
             Consciences
             :
             Some
             of
             them
             by
             the
             alone
             help
             of
             this
             Natural
             Light
             made
             wonderful
             discoveries
             of
             the
             Mysteries
             of
             Nature
             ,
             yea
             ,
             they
             found
             its
             Efficacy
             and
             Power
             great
             in
             their
             Consciences
             to
             raise
             their
             hopes
             or
             fears
             according
             to
             the
             good
             or
             evil
             they
             had
             done
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Conscia
                 mens
                 ut
                 cuique
                 sua
                 est
                 ,
                 ita
                 concipit
                 intra
              
               
                 Pectora
                 pro
                 facto
                 ,
                 spemque
                 metumque
                 suo
                 .
              
            
             
               Ovid.
               
            
          
           
             And
             to
             the
             shame
             of
             many
             that
             are
             called
             Christians
             ,
             some
             among
             them
             pay'd
             great
             Reverence
             to
             their
             own
             Consciences
          
           
             
               —
               Imprimis
               reverere
               teipsum
               ,
            
             
               Turpe
               quid
               ausurus
               ,
               te
               sine
               teste
               time
               .
            
          
           
             But
             however
             ,
             the
             generality
             of
             them
             did
             not
             so
             ,
             and
             are
             taxed
             for
             it
             in
             the
             Text
             :
             And
             besides
             ,
             this
             Light
             can
             make
             no
             discoveries
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             way
             of
             Salvation
             by
             him
             .
             The
             most
             Eagle-ey'd
             Philosophers
             among
             them
             ,
             were
             in
             the
             dark
             here
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             God
             hath
             afforded
             Men
             a
             more
             clear
             and
             excellent
             Light
             to
             shine
             into
             their
             Minds
             and
             Consciences
             ;
             even
             the
             Light
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             which
             compared
             with
             the
             Light
             of
             Natural
             Reason
             ,
             is
             as
             the
             Light
             of
             the
             Sun
             to
             the
             dim
             Moonlight
             ,
             
               Psal.
               147.
               20.
               
               He
               sheweth
               his
               word
               to
               Iacob
               ,
               his
               Statutes
               and
               
               his
               Iudgments
               to
               Israel
               ;
               he
               hath
               not
               dealt
               so
               with
               any
               Nation
               ,
               and
               for
               his
               Iudgments
               they
               have
               not
               known
               them
               ,
               Praise
               ye
               the
               Lord.
            
             Every
             Creature
             hath
             the
             Name
             of
             God
             engraven
             on
             it
             ,
             but
             he
             hath
             magnified
             his
             Word
             above
             all
             his
             Name
             ,
             Psal.
             138.
             2.
             
             God
             who
             best
             knows
             the
             rate
             and
             value
             of
             his
             own
             Mercies
             ,
             accounts
             this
             a
             singular
             favour
             and
             priviledge
             to
             any
             Nation
             .
             Without
             Revelation
             ,
             we
             could
             never
             have
             known
             the
             cause
             of
             our
             Misery
             ,
             the
             fall
             of
             Adam
             ,
             or
             the
             only
             way
             and
             means
             of
             our
             recovery
             by
             Christ
             :
             By
             this
             a
             People
             are
             lifted
             up
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             Matth.
             11.
             21.
             in
             respect
             of
             means
             and
             advantages
             of
             Salvation
             ;
             and
             consequently
             the
             contempt
             or
             neglect
             of
             such
             Light
             and
             Love
             ,
             will
             certainly
             plunge
             the
             guilty
             into
             proportionable
             misery
             .
             
               Iohn
               3.
               19.
               
               This
               is
               the
               condemnation
               that
               Light
               is
               come
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               Men
               love
               Darkness
               rather
               than
               Light.
               
            
          
           
             Moreover
             ,
             God
             doth
             not
             only
             afford
             the
             Light
             of
             Natural
             Reason
             ,
             and
             External
             Gospel
             Revelation
             to
             some
             Men
             in
             an
             eminent
             degree
             ;
             but
             to
             both
             these
             he
             superadds
             the
             internal
             illumination
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             clearest
             and
             most
             glorious
             Light
             in
             the
             whole
             World.
             
               He
               shineth
               into
               their
               hearts
               ,
               to
               give
               the
               Light
               of
               the
               Knowledge
               of
               the
               Glory
               of
               God
               ,
               in
               the
               face
               of
               Iesus
               Christ
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               4.
               6.
               
            
             These
             are
             the
             three
             sorts
             of
             Light
             that
             God
             makes
             to
             shine
             into
             the
             Soules
             and
             Consciences
             of
             Men
             ,
             to
             direct
             and
             guide
             them
             ;
             the
             first
             a
             common
             and
             general
             Light
             ,
             the
             two
             last
             the
             most
             clear
             and
             transcendent
             in
             Excellency
             ;
             especially
             that
             of
             the
             Spirit
             with
             the
             Gospel
             :
             For
             though
             the
             Sun
             be
             risen
             ,
             yet
             men
             may
             draw
             the
             Curtains
             about
             them
             ,
             and
             lie
             in
             darkness
             ,
             but
             the
             Spirit
             opens
             them
             ,
             and
             makes
             it
             shine
             in
             .
          
           
           
             (
             3.
             )
             How
             this
             Light
             shining
             into
             the
             Consciences
             of
             Men
             ,
             obligeth
             them
             to
             Obedience
             ,
             and
             how
             Mens
             Lusts
             struggle
             against
             the
             Obligations
             of
             an
             enlightned
             Conscience
             ,
             is
             the
             next
             thing
             to
             be
             spoken
             to
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             manifest
             and
             beyond
             all
             Controversie
             ,
             that
             an
             enlightned
             Conscience
             lays
             strong
             and
             indispensable
             Obligations
             and
             Engagements
             on
             the
             Soul
             to
             Obedience
             :
             For
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             is
             the
             Supream
             Law
             ,
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             15
             't
             is
             the
             Will
             of
             
               the
               only
               Potentate
               the
               King
               of
               Kings
               ,
               and
               Lord
               of
               Lords
               :
            
             And
             the
             promulgation
             and
             manifestation
             of
             it
             ,
             so
             binds
             the
             Conscience
             of
             the
             Creature
             to
             Obedience
             ,
             as
             no
             Authority
             or
             Power
             on
             Earth
             can
             loose
             those
             bands
             ;
             no
             Man
             can
             grant
             a
             supersedeas
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             or
             relieve
             the
             Soul
             so
             bound
             by
             a
             
               noli
               prosequi
            
             ;
             for
             Conscience
             as
             Gods
             Vicegerent
             in
             his
             Name
             requireth
             Obedience
             ,
             and
             the
             Man
             that
             heareth
             the
             Voice
             of
             God
             from
             the
             Mouth
             of
             his
             own
             Conscience
             ,
             presently
             thereupon
             becomes
             a
             
               Debtor
               ,
               Rom.
               1.
            
             14.
             put
             under
             a
             necessity
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             9
             16.
             
          
           
             Now
             Conscience
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             Light
             that
             shineth
             into
             it
             ,
             feeling
             it self
             under
             such
             strong
             bands
             and
             necessities
             ,
             stimulates
             and
             urgeth
             the
             Soul
             to
             Obedience
             ,
             warnes
             ,
             commands
             ,
             and
             presses
             the
             Soul
             to
             its
             duty
             ,
             against
             the
             contrary
             Interests
             and
             inclinations
             of
             the
             Flesh
             :
             And
             hence
             arise
             those
             Combats
             and
             conflicts
             in
             the
             bosoms
             of
             Men
             ;
             as
             the
             struggles
             of
             the
             Child
             in
             the
             Womb
             at
             the
             fullness
             of
             time
             causes
             the
             throws
             and
             pangs
             of
             Travail
             .
             Sometimes
             Conscience
             prevails
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             Lusts
             and
             Corruptions
             prevail
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             great
             difficulty
             ;
             for
             't
             is
             not
             alike
             easie
             to
             all
             Men
             to
             shake
             off
             ,
             or
             burst
             the
             bands
             of
             their
             own
             Consciences
             ,
             
             though
             others
             can
             do
             it
             easily
             What
             an
             hard
             tugg
             had
             Saul
             to
             conquer
             his
             own
             Conscience
             ?
             
               I
               forced
               my self
            
             ,
             saith
             he
             ,
             1
             Sam.
             13.
             12.
             
             He
             knew
             it
             belonged
             not
             to
             him
             to
             offer
             Sacrifice
             ,
             his
             Conscience
             plainly
             told
             him
             ,
             it
             would
             be
             his
             Sin
             ,
             but
             yet
             the
             fear
             of
             the
             Philistins
             being
             stronger
             than
             the
             fear
             of
             God
             ,
             he
             adventured
             upon
             it
             
               renitente
               conscientiâ
            
             ,
             against
             the
             plain
             dictates
             of
             his
             own
             Conscience
             .
             Thus
             Herod
             gives
             Sentence
             to
             put
             Iohn
             to
             death
             ,
             
               Matth.
               14.
               9.
               
               The
               King
               was
               sorry
               ,
               nevertheless
               ,
               for
               his
               Oaths
               sake
               ,
               and
               them
               which
               sate
               with
               him
               at
               meat
               ,
               he
               commanded
               it
               to
               be
               given
               her
               .
            
             His
             Honour
             weighed
             up
             all
             his
             fears
             of
             sin
             ,
             his
             own
             Word
             weighed
             more
             with
             him
             than
             Gods
             Word
             :
             
               Nemo
               ita
               perplexus
               tenetur
               inter
               duo
               vitia
               ,
               quin
               exitus
               pateat
               absque
               tertio
               :
            
             No
             man
             is
             held
             so
             perplexed
             between
             two
             Vices
             ,
             but
             he
             may
             find
             an
             issue
             ,
             without
             falling
             into
             a
             third
             .
          
           
             Pilates
             Conscience
             was
             convinced
             of
             Christ's
             Innocency
             ;
             Matth.
             27.
             18
             ,
             19.
             yet
             the
             fear
             of
             Coesar
             hurries
             him
             on
             to
             the
             greatest
             of
             wickednesses
             ,
             even
             to
             give
             Sentence
             against
             Innocent
             Blood
             ,
             yea
             ,
             the
             Blood
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God.
             Darius
             in
             like
             manner
             ,
             Dan.
             6.
             14.
             
             He
             knew
             that
             Daniel
             was
             not
             only
             an
             excellent
             Person
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             was
             entrapt
             by
             the
             Nobles
             merely
             for
             his
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             that
             to
             put
             him
             to
             Death
             ,
             was
             to
             sacrifice
             him
             to
             their
             Malice
             ,
             this
             he
             and
             his
             Conscience
             debated
             all
             the
             day
             ,
             many
             encounters
             he
             had
             with
             it
             ,
             for
             the
             Text
             saith
             ,
             He
             was
             sore
             displeased
             with
             himself
             ,
             and
             set
             his
             Heart
             on
             Daniel
             to
             deliver
             him
             ,
             and
             laboured
             until
             the
             going
             down
             of
             the
             Sun
             to
             deliver
             him
             ;
             but
             after
             a
             days
             sharp
             fight
             betwixt
             him
             and
             his
             Conscience
             ,
             Lust
             prevails
             at
             last
             against
             Light
             ,
             and
             returns
             
             Victor
             out
             of
             the
             Field
             in
             the
             Evening
             .
             So
             it
             was
             with
             poor
             Spira
             ,
             he
             seemed
             to
             hear
             as
             it
             were
             an
             inward
             Voice
             ,
             
               Don't
               write
            
             Spira
             ,
             
               don't
               write
            
             ;
             but
             the
             love
             of
             his
             Estate
             ,
             Wife
             ,
             and
             Children
             drew
             his
             Hand
             to
             the
             Paper
             ,
             though
             Conscience
             struggled
             hard
             to
             hold
             it
             back
             .
          
           
             Thus
             as
             the
             restless
             Sea
             strives
             to
             beat
             down
             ,
             or
             break
             over
             its
             bounds
             ,
             so
             do
             impetuous
             Lusts
             strive
             to
             overbear
             Light
             and
             Conviction
             ;
             
               video
               meliora
               proboque
               ,
               deteriora
               sequor
               :
            
             They
             know
             this
             or
             that
             to
             be
             a
             Sin
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             hazard
             their
             Souls
             by
             it
             ,
             but
             yet
             they
             will
             adventure
             on
             it
             ,
             and
             rush
             into
             Sin
             as
             the
             Horse
             into
             the
             Battle
             .
          
           
             (
             4.
             )
             I
             promised
             to
             give
             you
             some
             instances
             of
             the
             Conflicts
             betwixt
             Mens
             Consciences
             and
             their
             Corruptions
             ,
             wherein
             Conscience
             is
             vanquisht
             and
             overborn
             ,
             and
             by
             what
             Weapons
             the
             Victory
             over
             Conscience
             is
             obtained
             .
             Now
             the
             Convictions
             of
             Men
             are
             two-fold
             ,
             viz.
             
             
               
                 I.
                 General
                 ,
                 Respecting
                 their
                 State.
                 
              
               
                 II.
                 Particular
                 ,
                 Respecting
                 this
                 or
                 that
                 Action
                 .
              
            
          
           
             (
             I.
             )
             There
             are
             general
             Convictions
             ,
             and
             Notices
             given
             to
             some
             Men
             and
             Women
             by
             their
             Consciences
             ,
             that
             their
             Condition
             or
             State
             of
             Soul
             is
             neither
             right
             ,
             nor
             safe
             ;
             that
             they
             want
             the
             main
             thing
             which
             constitutes
             a
             Christian
             ,
             viz.
             Regeneration
             ,
             or
             a
             gracious
             change
             of
             Heart
             and
             Life
             :
             They
             hear
             and
             read
             the
             signs
             and
             effects
             of
             these
             things
             ,
             but
             their
             Conscience
             plainly
             tells
             them
             ,
             it
             cannot
             find
             them
             in
             them
             ;
             that
             they
             enjoy
             the
             External
             priviledges
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             but
             they
             belong
             not
             to
             
             them
             ,
             that
             something
             is
             still
             wanting
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             main
             thing
             too
             :
             O
             my
             Soul
             ,
             thou
             art
             not
             right
             ;
             thou
             hast
             gifts
             ,
             thou
             hast
             a
             Name
             to
             live
             ,
             but
             for
             all
             that
             thou
             art
             dead
             .
             Some
             further
             work
             must
             be
             done
             upon
             thee
             ,
             or
             thou
             art
             undone
             to
             Eternity
             :
             thou
             passest
             for
             a
             good
             Christian
             among
             Men
             ,
             but
             wo
             to
             thee
             if
             thou
             die
             in
             the
             State
             thou
             art
             .
             These
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             these
             are
             the
             whispers
             of
             some
             Mens
             Consciences
             in
             their
             Ears
             ;
             and
             yet
             they
             cannot
             yield
             themselves
             up
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             their
             Convictions
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             confess
             ,
             and
             bewail
             their
             Hypocrisie
             ,
             and
             gross
             mistakes
             ,
             and
             seek
             for
             a
             better
             foundation
             to
             build
             their
             hope
             on
             .
             Foelix
             his
             Conscience
             gave
             him
             such
             a
             terrible
             rouze
             and
             monition
             as
             this
             ,
             and
             made
             him
             to
             tremble
             whilst
             Paul
             reason'd
             with
             him
             about
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             Temperance
             ,
             and
             Judgment
             to
             come
             ,
             Acts
             24.
             25.
             it
             whispered
             in
             his
             Ear
             such
             Language
             as
             this
             ,
             O
             poor
             Soul
             ,
             how
             shall
             such
             an
             Oppressor
             ,
             such
             an
             intemperate
             wretch
             as
             thou
             art
             stand
             before
             God
             in
             this
             day
             of
             Judgment
             ,
             which
             Paul
             proves
             in
             thy
             face
             ,
             is
             certainly
             future
             ;
             for
             as
             Tacitus
             sayeth
             of
             him
             ,
             He
             was
             
               inexplebilis
               Gurges
            
             ,
             an
             insatiable
             gulph
             of
             Covetousness
             ;
             so
             it
             was
             with
             
               Agrippa
               ,
               Acts
            
             26.
             28.
             
             He
             stood
             at
             half
             bent
             ,
             dubious
             and
             unresolved
             what
             to
             do
             :
             He
             saw
             the
             Heavenly
             Doctrine
             of
             Christianity
             evidently
             confirmed
             by
             Doctrine
             and
             Miracles
             ,
             his
             Conscience
             pleaded
             hard
             with
             him
             to
             embrance
             it
             ,
             and
             had
             almost
             prevailed
             .
             Almost
             ,
             or
             within
             a
             little
             as
             the
             word
             is
             ,
             thou
             perswadest
             me
             to
             be
             a
             Christian
             ;
             but
             Agrippa
             had
             too
             much
             Wealth
             and
             Honours
             to
             deny
             and
             forsake
             for
             Christ
             ;
             the
             Love
             of
             the
             present
             World
             overbore
             both
             the
             hopes
             and
             fears
             of
             the
             World
             to
             come
             :
             And
             thus
             that
             Excellent
             Fisher
             for
             Souls
             ,
             who
             had
             throughly
             converted
             
             so
             many
             to
             Christ
             ,
             caught
             but
             a
             piece
             of
             
               Agrippa
               ,
               almost
            
             is
             a
             great
             deal
             for
             so
             great
             a
             person
             :
             The
             Gospel
             is
             a
             Drag-net
             ,
             and
             brings
             up
             all
             sorts
             ,
             whole
             Christians
             ,
             and
             half
             Christians
             .
             The
             Conscience
             is
             caught
             ,
             and
             the
             Will
             begins
             to
             incline
             ,
             but
             oh
             the
             power
             and
             prevalence
             of
             Sin
             !
             which
             like
             the
             Rudder
             ,
             commands
             all
             to
             a
             contrary
             course
             .
          
           
             If
             we
             come
             a
             little
             nearer
             ,
             and
             enquire
             what
             are
             those
             remoraes
             that
             stop
             Conscience
             in
             its
             course
             ,
             bind
             and
             imprison
             ,
             stifle
             and
             suppress
             its
             Convictions
             ,
             that
             although
             a
             Man
             strongly
             suspect
             his
             foundation
             to
             be
             but
             Sand
             ,
             his
             hopes
             for
             Heaven
             a
             strong
             delusion
             ,
             yet
             he
             will
             throw
             up
             his
             vain
             hopes
             ,
             consfess
             his
             self
             deceits
             ,
             and
             begin
             all
             anew
             :
             What
             is
             it
             which
             overbears
             Conscience
             in
             this
             cafe
             ?
             Let
             Men
             impartially
             examine
             their
             hearts
             ,
             and
             it
             will
             be
             found
             that
             these
             three
             things
             bind
             and
             imprison
             these
             Convictions
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             hold
             the
             truth
             in
             unrighteousness
             ,
             viz.
             shame
             ,
             fear
             ,
             and
             pride
             of
             Heart
             .
          
           
             (
             I.
             )
             Shame
             ,
             Men
             that
             have
             been
             Professors
             ,
             and
             of
             good
             esteem
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             are
             ashamed
             the
             World
             should
             know
             the
             Mistakes
             and
             Errors
             of
             all
             their
             life
             past
             ,
             and
             what
             deluded
             Fools
             and
             self-deceivers
             they
             have
             been
             :
             This
             is
             a
             powerful
             restraint
             upon
             Conviction
             ;
             how
             shall
             they
             look
             their
             Acquaintance
             in
             the
             face
             ?
             What
             will
             Men
             think
             and
             say
             of
             them
             ?
             How
             can
             ye
             believe
             which
             receive
             Honour
             one
             of
             another
             ?
             Saith
             Christ
             ,
             
               Iohn
               5.
               44.
               q.
               d.
            
             What
             you
             be
             Christians
             ,
             and
             yet
             not
             able
             to
             endure
             a
             censure
             ,
             or
             a
             scoff
             upon
             your
             Names
             ?
             That
             stand
             more
             upon
             your
             Reputation
             ,
             than
             your
             Salvation
             :
             How
             can
             you
             believe
             ?
          
           
           
             Oh
             what
             Madness
             and
             exalted
             Folly
             appears
             in
             this
             Case
             !
             Men
             will
             chuse
             rather
             to
             go
             on
             ,
             though
             Conscience
             tells
             them
             the
             end
             of
             that
             way
             will
             be
             Death
             ,
             than
             suffer
             the
             shame
             of
             a
             just
             and
             necessary
             retraction
             ,
             which
             yet
             indeed
             is
             not
             their
             shame
             ,
             but
             their
             Duty
             ,
             and
             Glory
             .
             You
             that
             are
             so
             tender
             of
             the
             shame
             of
             men
             ,
             how
             will
             you
             be
             able
             to
             endure
             the
             contempt
             and
             shame
             that
             shall
             be
             cast
             on
             you
             from
             God
             ,
             Angels
             and
             Men
             in
             the
             great
             Day
             ?
             
               Luk
               9
               ▪
               26.
            
             
             'T
             is
             no
             shame
             to
             acknowledge
             your
             mistake
             ,
             but
             persist
             in
             it
             after
             Conviction
             ,
             is
             shameful
             Madness
             .
          
           
             I
             knew
             an
             excellent
             Minister
             ,
             who
             proved
             an
             eminent
             Instrument
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             in
             the
             beginning
             of
             his
             Ministerial
             Course
             ,
             was
             not
             upon
             the
             right
             Foundation
             of
             Regeneration
             .
             This
             Man
             had
             rare
             Abilities
             ,
             excellent
             Natural
             and
             Acquired
             Gifts
             ,
             and
             could
             Preach
             of
             Regeneration
             ,
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Heavenly-mindedness
             ,
             though
             he
             felt
             nothing
             of
             these
             things
             in
             his
             own
             Experience
             .
             His
             Life
             was
             very
             unblameable
             ,
             and
             he
             had
             no
             mean
             Interest
             and
             esteem
             among
             good
             men
             .
             It
             pleased
             the
             Lord
             whilst
             this
             Man
             was
             studying
             an
             excellent
             Spiritual
             Point
             to
             preach
             to
             others
             ,
             his
             Conscience
             first
             preach'd
             it
             in
             his
             Study
             to
             himself
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             such
             a
             close
             and
             rousing
             Application
             ,
             as
             made
             him
             to
             tremble
             at
             it
             ;
             telling
             him
             ,
             that
             though
             he
             had
             Gifts
             above
             many
             ,
             and
             sobriety
             in
             his
             Conversation
             ;
             yet
             one
             thing
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             main
             thing
             Sanctifying
             Grace
             was
             wanting
             .
             Hereupon
             the
             pangs
             of
             the
             New
             Birth
             seized
             his
             Soul
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             made
             him
             a
             most
             inward
             ,
             searching
             ,
             experimental
             Minister
             ,
             and
             crown'd
             his
             Labours
             with
             unusual
             Success
             .
             This
             Minister
             to
             his
             dying
             day
             ,
             was
             
             not
             ashamed
             in
             all
             companies
             to
             acknowledge
             his
             mistake
             ,
             and
             bless
             God
             for
             his
             recovery
             out
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             in
             most
             of
             his
             Sermons
             ,
             he
             would
             endeavour
             to
             convince
             Professors
             of
             the
             necessity
             of
             a
             second
             Conversion
             .
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             Fear
             is
             another
             pull-back
             ,
             which
             with-holds
             men
             from
             executing
             the
             Convictions
             of
             their
             own
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             obeying
             its
             calls
             in
             this
             grand
             case
             and
             concern
             of
             the
             Soul.
             They
             are
             pretty
             easie
             and
             safe
             under
             the
             External
             Profession
             ,
             and
             Duties
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             are
             afraid
             of
             throwing
             up
             their
             vain
             hopes
             ,
             and
             engaging
             themselves
             heartily
             and
             thoroughly
             in
             Religion
             ,
             and
             there
             be
             two
             things
             scare
             them
             .
          
           
             (
             1
             )
             The
             inward
             pains
             and
             troubles
             of
             Spirit
             attending
             the
             New-Birth
             ;
             which
             they
             have
             read
             and
             heard
             of
             ,
             and
             seen
             the
             effects
             of
             in
             others
             .
             Oh
             't
             is
             a
             dreadful
             thing
             to
             lye
             under
             the
             Terrors
             that
             many
             have
             felt
             ,
             and
             so
             't
             is
             with
             them
             as
             with
             one
             that
             hath
             a
             bone
             ill
             set
             ,
             who
             if
             he
             have
             any
             ease
             ,
             will
             rather
             endure
             a
             little
             dayly
             pain
             ,
             and
             be
             content
             to
             halt
             all
             his
             Life
             ,
             than
             undergoe
             the
             pain
             of
             another
             fraction
             or
             dislocation
             in
             order
             to
             a
             perfect
             cure
             .
          
           
             (
             2
             )
             They
             are
             afraid
             of
             External
             Sufferings
             .
             The
             form
             of
             Godliness
             leaves
             men
             a
             latitude
             to
             take
             or
             leave
             according
             as
             the
             times
             favour
             or
             frown
             upon
             the
             wayes
             of
             Religion
             ,
             but
             the
             power
             of
             Godliness
             that
             will
             engage
             and
             put
             them
             beyond
             retreat
             :
             They
             must
             then
             stand
             to
             it
             ,
             come
             what
             will.
             But
             Soul
             let
             me
             tell
             thee
             if
             the
             just
             fears
             and
             apprehensions
             of
             Hell
             ,
             and
             the
             Eternal
             Wrath
             of
             God
             were
             upon
             thee
             ,
             to
             which
             thy
             Hypocrisie
             and
             formality
             will
             
             expose
             thee
             ;
             all
             these
             fears
             of
             inward
             or
             outward
             troubles
             would
             vanish
             the
             same
             Hour
             .
          
           
             (
             3.
             )
             Pride
             of
             Heart
             suffers
             not
             this
             Conviction
             of
             Conscience
             to
             work
             out
             its
             effects
             ,
             but
             holds
             this
             Truth
             in
             unrighteousness
             ,
             to
             the
             hazard
             and
             ruine
             of
             many
             Souls
             .
             Men
             that
             live
             upon
             their
             own
             Duties
             ,
             and
             Self-Righteousness
             are
             not
             easily
             brought
             to
             renounce
             all
             this
             ,
             and
             live
             upon
             the
             Righteousness
             of
             Christ
             alone
             for
             Justification
             .
             Proud
             nature
             will
             rather
             venture
             the
             hazzard
             of
             Damnation
             than
             such
             self
             denial
             ,
             Rom.
             10.
             3.
             
             As
             you
             see
             it
             common
             among
             poor
             People
             ,
             to
             live
             meanly
             on
             coarse
             Fare
             of
             their
             own
             ,
             than
             upon
             the
             Almes
             and
             bounty
             of
             another
             .
          
           
             O
             but
             if
             once
             the
             day
             of
             Gods
             Power
             be
             come
             ,
             and
             a
             man
             begins
             to
             feel
             the
             Commandment
             come
             home
             to
             his
             Conscience
             as
             Paul
             did
             ,
             Rom.
             7.
             9.
             when
             he
             comes
             to
             realize
             the
             World
             to
             come
             ,
             the
             value
             of
             his
             Soul
             ,
             and
             the
             danger
             it
             is
             in
             ;
             then
             all
             these
             Remora's
             are
             as
             easily
             swept
             away
             ,
             as
             so
             many
             straws
             by
             the
             rapid
             Course
             of
             a
             mighty
             torrent
             .
             Then
             let
             men
             say
             or
             think
             what
             they
             please
             ,
             I
             must
             not
             throw
             away
             my
             own
             Soul
             ,
             to
             maintain
             a
             vain
             Estimation
             among
             men
             .
             Let
             inward
             or
             outward
             sufferings
             be
             never
             so
             great
             ,
             't
             is
             better
             for
             me
             to
             feel
             them
             ,
             than
             to
             suffer
             the
             everlasting
             wrath
             of
             the
             great
             and
             terrible
             God.
             Let
             my
             own
             Righteousness
             be
             what
             it
             will
             ,
             all
             is
             but
             dung
             and
             dross
             to
             the
             pure
             and
             perfect
             Righteousness
             of
             Christ.
             
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             As
             this
             General
             Conviction
             with
             respect
             to
             Mens
             State
             and
             Condition
             is
             held
             in
             Unrighteousness
             ,
             and
             Men
             and
             Women
             go
             with
             grumbling
             
             Consciences
             and
             frequent
             inward
             Fears
             by
             reason
             of
             it
             :
             so
             there
             are
             many
             particular
             Convictions
             bound
             and
             imprisoned
             in
             Mens
             Souls
             .
             Particular
             Convictions
             I
             say
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             sins
             committed
             ,
             and
             known
             Duties
             omitted
             against
             both
             Tables
             of
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             ;
             called
             in
             the
             Text
             ,
             ungodliness
             and
             unrighteousness
             .
             Conscience
             labours
             and
             strives
             to
             bring
             men
             to
             confess
             ,
             bewail
             ,
             and
             reform
             them
             ,
             but
             cannot
             prevail
             ;
             contrary
             Lusts
             and
             Interests
             overpower
             them
             ,
             and
             detain
             them
             in
             unrighteousness
             .
             What
             these
             are
             ,
             and
             how
             they
             are
             with-held
             by
             those
             Lusts
             ,
             I
             shall
             give
             some
             Instances
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Instance
               .
            
             
               And
               First
               ,
               for
               Convictions
               of
               Vngodliness
               .
               There
               are
               many
               that
               call
               themselves
               Christians
               ,
               whose
               Consciences
               tell
               them
               God
               is
               to
               be
               daily
               and
               duely
               worshipped
               by
               them
               ,
               both
               in
               Family
               ,
               and
               Closet
               Prayer
               .
               It
               sets
               before
               them
               
               Iosua's
               pious
               practice
               ,
               
                 Ios.
                 24.
                 15.
                 
                 As
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 and
                 my
                 house
                 we
                 will
                 serve
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               They
               know
               God
               is
               the
               Founder
               ,
               the
               Owner
               ,
               the
               Master
               of
               their
               Families
               ;
               that
               all
               Family
               Blessings
               are
               from
               him
               ,
               and
               therefore
               he
               is
               to
               be
               owned
               ,
               acknowledged
               and
               sought
               ,
               in
               daily
               Family
               Prayers
               and
               Praises
               .
               It
               tells
               them
               the
               Curse
               of
               God
               hangs
               over
               prayerless
               Families
               ,
               Ier.
               10.
               25.
               and
               that
               they
               live
               in
               the
               inexcusable
               neglect
               of
               these
               Duties
               ,
               seldom
               worshipping
               of
               God
               with
               their
               Families
               ,
               or
               in
               their
               Closets
               ;
               and
               that
               therefore
               they
               live
               without
               God
               in
               the
               World.
               And
               dreadful
               will
               the
               account
               and
               reckoning
               be
               at
               the
               Great
               Day
               ,
               for
               their
               own
               Souls
               ,
               which
               they
               have
               starved
               for
               want
               of
               Closet
               Prayer
               ,
               and
               for
               the
               Souls
               committed
               to
               their
               charge
               ,
               which
               perish
               for
               want
               of
               Family
               
               Duties
               .
               This
               is
               the
               case
               of
               many
               who
               yet
               will
               needs
               pass
               for
               Professors
               of
               Christianity
               .
            
             
               Lord
               ,
               how
               sad
               a
               case
               is
               here
               ?
               How
               can
               men
               possibly
               live
               in
               the
               daily
               neglect
               of
               so
               great
               ,
               so
               necessary
               a
               Duty
               ?
               Certainly
               't
               is
               not
               for
               want
               of
               Light
               or
               Conviction
               ,
               the
               very
               light
               of
               Nature
               ,
               if
               we
               had
               no
               Bibles
               ,
               discovers
               these
               Duties
               .
               But
               three
               things
               hold
               this
               Truth
               of
               God
               dictated
               by
               Mens
               Consciences
               in
               Unrighteousness
               ,
               viz.
               
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   The
                   Love
                   of
                   the
                   World.
                   
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Consciousness
                   of
                   Inability
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   A
                   Disinclined
                   Heart
                   .
                
              
            
             
               First
               ,
               
                 The
                 Love
                 of
                 the
                 World
              
               choaks
               this
               Conviction
               in
               the
               Souls
               of
               some
               ;
               and
               they
               think
               it
               enough
               to
               plead
               for
               their
               Excuse
               ,
               the
               want
               of
               opportunities
               ,
               and
               many
               encumberances
               they
               have
               ,
               which
               will
               not
               allow
               them
               time
               for
               these
               Duties
               .
               The
               World
               is
               a
               severe
               Taskmaster
               ,
               and
               fills
               their
               heads
               and
               hands
               all
               the
               day
               with
               Cares
               and
               Toyles
               .
            
             
               And
               must
               the
               mouth
               of
               Conscience
               then
               be
               stopped
               with
               such
               a
               plea
               as
               this
               ?
               No
               ,
               no
               ,
               God
               and
               Conscience
               will
               not
               be
               answered
               and
               put
               off
               so
               .
               The
               greatest
               number
               of
               Persons
               in
               the
               World
               from
               whom
               God
               hath
               the
               most
               Spiritual
               and
               excellent
               Worship
               ;
               are
               of
               the
               lower
               and
               poorer
               rank
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 74.
                 20.
                 
                 Iam.
              
               2.
               5.
               
               And
               it
               s
               highly
               probable
               your
               Necessities
               had
               been
               less
               ,
               if
               your
               Prayers
               had
               been
               more
               ▪
               And
               what
               sweeter
               outlet
               and
               vent
               to
               all
               these
               troubles
               can
               you
               find
               ,
               than
               Prayer
               ?
               This
               would
               sweeten
               all
               your
               Labours
               and
               Sorrows
               in
               the
               World.
               
            
             
             
               Secondly
               ,
               
                 Consciousness
                 and
                 sense
                 of
                 Inability
                 and
                 want
                 of
                 Gifts
                 ,
              
               restrains
               this
               Conviction
               in
               others
               .
               Should
               they
               attempt
               such
               duties
               before
               others
               ,
               they
               shall
               but
               expose
               their
               own
               ignorance
               &
               shame
               .
            
             
               But
               this
               is
               a
               vain
               pretence
               of
               shake
               off
               Duty
               .
               The
               neglect
               of
               Prayer
               is
               a
               principal
               Cause
               of
               that
               inability
               you
               complain
               of
               .
               Gifts
               as
               well
               as
               Grace
               grow
               by
               Exercise
               .
               To
               him
               that
               hath
               shall
               be
               given
               ,
               and
               he
               shall
               have
               more
               abundantly
               .
               And
               besides
               ,
               't
               is
               the
               fruit
               of
               Pride
               ,
               and
               argues
               your
               eye
               to
               be
               more
               upon
               your
               own
               Honour
               than
               Gods.
               The
               Lord
               regards
               not
               Oratory
               in
               Prayer
               ;
               your
               broken
               Expressions
               ,
               yea
               ,
               your
               Groans
               and
               Sighs
               please
               him
               more
               than
               all
               the
               Eloquence
               in
               the
               VVorld
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               But
               the
               principal
               thing
               that
               restrains
               Men
               from
               obeying
               their
               Convictions
               as
               to
               Family
               and
               Closet
               Prayer
               is
               ,
               
                 A
                 disinclined
                 Heart
              
               .
               That
               's
               the
               root
               and
               true
               cause
               ,
               of
               these
               sinful
               neglects
               and
               Omissions
               .
               You
               favour
               not
               the
               sweetness
               of
               these
               things
               ,
               and
               what
               a
               man
               relishes
               no
               sweetness
               in
               ,
               or
               finds
               no
               necessity
               of
               ,
               is
               easily
               omitted
               and
               let
               pass
               .
            
             
               But
               wo
               to
               you
               that
               go
               from
               day
               to
               day
               self
               condemned
               for
               the
               neglect
               of
               so
               known
               ,
               so
               sweet
               ,
               and
               so
               necessary
               a
               Duty
               .
               If
               our
               Hearts
               condemn
               us
               ,
               God
               is
               greater
               than
               our
               hearts
               ,
               I
               Ioh.
               3.
               20.
               
               He
               that
               lives
               without
               Prayer
               ,
               is
               dead
               whilst
               he
               lives
               ;
               and
               let
               men
               talk
               what
               they
               please
               ,
               of
               secret
               Communion
               with
               God
               ;
               I
               am
               sure
               ,
               if
               Religion
               did
               thrive
               in
               the
               Closet
               ,
               it
               could
               never
               be
               banished
               out
               of
               the
               Family
               .
               The
               time
               is
               coming
               also
               when
               death
               will
               disband
               and
               break
               up
               your
               Families
               ,
               separate
               the
               VVife
               from
               the
               Husband
               ,
               the
               Child
               from
               the
               Parent
               ,
               the
               Servant
               from
               the
               Master
               ;
               and
               then
               where
               
               you
               shall
               find
               relief
               and
               comfort
               who
               have
               spent
               your
               time
               together
               so
               sinfully
               and
               vainly
               ,
               I
               cannot
               tell
               ,
               nor
               what
               account
               you
               can
               give
               to
               God
               in
               the
               great
               day
               .
               Think
               sadly
               on
               these
               things
               ,
               they
               are
               worth
               thinking
               on
               .
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Instance
               .
            
             
               A
               second
               Instance
               of
               Vngodliness
               continued
               in
               under
               the
               Convictions
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               is
               Formali●y
               in
               all
               the
               external
               duties
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               Ordinances
               of
               God.
               Have
               not
               some
               of
               your
               Consciences
               often
               and
               plainly
               told
               you
               that
               though
               you
               be
               often
               ingaged
               in
               the
               publick
               duties
               of
               Hearing
               ,
               Prayer
               ,
               &c.
               yet
               your
               hearts
               are
               not
               with
               God
               in
               those
               duties
               .
               They
               do
               not
               work
               after
               communion
               and
               fellowship
               with
               him
               therein
               .
               'T
               is
               nothing
               but
               the
               force
               of
               Education
               ,
               Custom
               ,
               and
               care
               of
               Reputation
               brings
               you
               there
               .
            
             
               Such
               a
               conviction
               as
               this
               could
               it
               work
               home
               ,
               and
               do
               its
               work
               throughly
               ,
               would
               be
               the
               salvation
               of
               thy
               Soul.
               Were
               power
               added
               to
               the
               form
               ,
               as
               Conscience
               would
               have
               it
               ,
               thou
               wert
               then
               a
               real
               Christian
               ,
               and
               out
               of
               the
               danger
               of
               Hell.
               The
               want
               of
               this
               thy
               Conscience
               sees
               will
               be
               thy
               ruin
               ,
               and
               accordingly
               gives
               thee
               plain
               warning
               of
               it
               .
               O
               what
               pity
               is
               it
               such
               a
               conviction
               as
               this
               should
               be
               held
               in
               Unrighteousness
               !
               but
               so
               it
               is
               in
               very
               many
               souls
               ,
               and
               that
               on
               several
               accounts
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               Because
               Hypocrisie
               is
               so
               odious
               and
               abominable
               a
               sin
               that
               men
               are
               loath
               to
               own
               and
               acknowledge
               it
               how
               guilty
               so
               ever
               they
               be
               of
               it
               .
               What
               ,
               dissemble
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               play
               the
               Hypocrite
               with
               him
               ;
               't
               is
               so
               black
               and
               foul
               a
               Crime
               that
               men
               cannot
               
               easily
               be
               brought
               to
               charge
               themselves
               with
               it
               ▪
               They
               may
               have
               the
               infirmities
               which
               are
               common
               to
               the
               best
               of
               men
               ,
               but
               yet
               they
               are
               no
               hypocrites
               ,
               thus
               Pride
               of
               Heart
               casts
               a
               chain
               upon
               this
               conviction
               ,
               and
               binds
               it
               that
               it
               cannot
               do
               its
               work
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               'T
               is
               a
               cheap
               and
               easie
               way
               to
               give
               God
               the
               external
               Service
               and
               Worship
               of
               the
               Body
               ,
               but
               Heart-work
               is
               hard
               work
               .
               To
               sit
               or
               kneel
               an
               hour
               or
               two
               is
               no
               great
               matter
               ,
               but
               to
               search
               ,
               humble
               ,
               and
               break
               the
               Heart
               for
               sin
               ;
               to
               work
               up
               the
               dead
               and
               earthly
               Affections
               into
               a
               spiritual
               heavenly
               frame
               ,
               this
               will
               cost
               many
               an
               hard
               tugg
               .
               'T
               is
               no
               severe
               task
               to
               sit
               before
               God
               as
               his
               people
               ,
               whilst
               the
               fancy
               and
               thoughts
               are
               left
               at
               liberty
               to
               wander
               which
               way
               they
               please
               ,
               as
               the
               thoughts
               of
               formal
               Hypocrites
               use
               to
               do
               ,
               Ezek.
               33.
               31.
               but
               to
               set
               a
               watch
               upon
               the
               heart
               ,
               to
               summon
               in
               the
               Thoughts
               to
               God
               ,
               to
               retract
               every
               wandering
               thought
               with
               a
               sigh
               ;
               this
               is
               difficult
               ,
               and
               the
               difficulty
               overpowers
               conviction
               of
               duty
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               The
               Atheisme
               of
               the
               heart
               quenches
               this
               conviction
               in
               mens
               Souls
               .
               Formality
               is
               a
               secret
               invisible
               sin
               ,
               not
               discernable
               by
               man
               ;
               the
               outside
               of
               Religion
               looks
               fair
               to
               mans
               eye
               ,
               and
               so
               long
               it
               s
               well
               enough
               ,
               as
               if
               there
               were
               not
               a
               God
               that
               trieth
               the
               hearts
               and
               the
               reins
               .
               This
               when
               a
               beam
               of
               light
               and
               conviction
               shines
               into
               the
               Soul
               ,
               a
               cloud
               of
               natural
               Atheism
               overshaddows
               and
               darkens
               it
               .
            
             
               But
               poor
               self-couzening-hypocrite
               ,
               these
               things
               must
               not
               pass
               so
               ;
               thy
               Conscience
               as
               well
               as
               the
               Word
               tell
               thee
               that
               it
               is
               not
               the
               place
               of
               Worship
               ,
               but
               the
               spirituality
               of
               it
               that
               God
               regards
               ,
               Ioh.
               4.
               23
               ,
               24.
               
               That
               they
               are
               Hypocrites
               in
               Scripture
               account
               ,
               
               who
               have
               God
               in
               their
               mouthes
               ,
               but
               he
               is
               far
               from
               their
               reins
               ,
               Ier.
               12.
               2.
               and
               that
               hypocrites
               will
               have
               the
               hottest
               place
               in
               Hell
               ,
               Matth.
               24.
               51.
               
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Instance
               .
            
             
               A
               Third
               instance
               of
               Convictions
               of
               ungodliness
               held
               in
               unrighteousness
               is
               in
               declining
               or
               denying
               to
               consfess
               the
               known
               truths
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               we
               our selves
               have
               professed
               ,
               when
               the
               confession
               of
               them
               infers
               danger
               .
            
             
               In
               times
               of
               danger
               conscience
               struggles
               hard
               with
               men
               to
               appear
               for
               the
               Truths
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               upon
               no
               account
               whatsoever
               ,
               to
               dissemble
               or
               deny
               them
               ;
               and
               enforceth
               its
               Counsels
               and
               VVarnings
               upon
               us
               with
               such
               awful
               Scriptures
               as
               these
               ,
               Luk.
               9.
               62.
               
               No
               
                 man
                 having
                 put
                 his
                 hand
                 to
                 the
                 plough
                 ,
                 and
                 looking
                 back
                 ,
                 is
                 fit
                 for
                 the
                 kingdom
                 of
                 God.
              
               And
               
                 Matth.
                 10.
                 33.
                 
                 But
                 whosoever
                 shall
                 deny
                 me
                 before
                 men
                 ,
                 him
                 will
                 I
                 also
                 deny
                 before
                 my
                 father
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 heaven
                 .
              
               In
               this
               case
               Conscience
               useth
               to
               struggle
               hard
               with
               men
               ,
               yet
               is
               many
               times
               over-born
               ,
               by
               the
               prevalent
               Temptations
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               as
            
             
               First
               ,
               By
               Carnal
               Fears
               .
               The
               fear
               of
               Suffering
               gets
               the
               ascendant
               of
               the
               fear
               of
               God.
               Men
               chuse
               rather
               to
               adventure
               their
               Souls
               upon
               Wrath
               to
               come
               ,
               than
               the
               present
               VVrath
               of
               incensed
               Enemies
               .
               They
               vainly
               hope
               to
               find
               mercy
               with
               God
               ,
               but
               expect
               none
               from
               men
               .
               Thus
               the
               fear
               of
               man
               brings
               a
               snare
               ,
               Prov.
               29.
               25.
               and
               so
               the
               voice
               of
               conscience
               is
               drowned
               ,
               by
               the
               louder
               clamours
               and
               threats
               of
               Adversaries
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               As
               the
               fear
               of
               mans
               Threatenings
               ,
               so
               
               the
               distrust
               of
               Gods
               Promises
               defeats
               the
               design
               of
               Conscience
               .
               If
               men
               believed
               the
               promises
               ,
               they
               would
               never
               be
               afraid
               of
               their
               duties
               .
               Faith
               in
               a
               promise
               would
               make
               men
               as
               bold
               as
               Lions
               .
               If
               such
               a
               word
               as
               that
               
                 Isa.
                 57.
                 11.
                 
                 Of
                 whom
                 hast
                 thou
                 been
                 afraid
                 or
                 feared
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 lyed
                 ,
                 and
                 hast
                 not
                 remembred
                 me
                 ?
              
               Men
               would
               say
               ,
               as
               Zuinglius
               did
               in
               the
               like
               case
               ,
               what
               Death
               would
               I
               not
               rather
               chuse
               to
               dye
               ?
               what
               punishment
               would
               I
               not
               rather
               undergo
               ?
               yea
               ,
               into
               what
               vault
               of
               Hell
               would
               I
               not
               rather
               chuse
               to
               be
               cast
               ,
               than
               to
               witness
               against
               my
               own
               conscience
               ?
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               The
               immoderate
               and
               inordinate
               Love
               of
               the
               VVorld
               overpowers
               conscience
               ,
               and
               drowns
               its
               voice
               in
               such
               an
               hour
               of
               Temptation
               .
               
                 So
                 Demas
              
               found
               it
               ,
               2
               Tim.
               4.
               10.
               
               O
               what
               a
               dangerous
               conflict
               is
               there
               in
               an
               hour
               of
               Temptation
               betwixt
               an
               enlightned
               head
               ,
               and
               a
               worldly
               heart
               ?
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               The
               Examples
               of
               others
               who
               comply
               ,
               and
               embrace
               the
               sinful
               termes
               of
               Liberty
               to
               escape
               the
               danger
               emboldens
               men
               to
               follow
               their
               Examples
               ,
               and
               Satan
               will
               not
               be
               wanting
               to
               improve
               their
               Examples
               .
               Don't
               you
               see
               such
               and
               such
               men
               beating
               the
               road
               before
               you
               ?
               Learned
               Men
               ,
               and
               prudent
               men
               ,
               who
               it
               may
               be
               have
               less
               heat
               ,
               but
               more
               VVisdom
               than
               you
               .
               VVhy
               will
               you
               be
               singular
               ?
               VVhy
               will
               you
               hazzard
               all
               for
               that
               others
               will
               hazzard
               nothing
               .
            
             
               But
               certainly
               such
               sins
               as
               these
               will
               cost
               you
               dear
               ,
               't
               is
               a
               dreadful
               thing
               to
               betray
               the
               Truths
               and
               Honour
               of
               God
               ,
               for
               base
               secular
               ends
               ;
               and
               you
               will
               find
               it
               so
               ,
               when
               you
               and
               your
               consciences
               shall
               debate
               it
               together
               in
               a
               calm
               hour
               .
            
             
             
               Secondly
               ,
               There
               are
               also
               sins
               of
               Vnrighteousness
               ,
               against
               the
               
                 Second
                 Table
              
               ,
               in
               which
               many
               live
               against
               the
               plain
               dictates
               and
               warnings
               of
               their
               own
               Consciences
               ,
               though
               they
               know
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               is
               revealed
               from
               Heaven
               against
               all
               unrighteousness
               of
               men
               ,
               who
               hold
               the
               Truth
               in
               unrighteousness
               .
               To
               give
               some
               Instances
               of
               this
               .
            
             
               
                 I.
                 Instance
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 first
                 let
                 me
                 Instance
                 in
                 that
                 sin
                 of
                 Defrauding
                 ,
                 and
                 going
                 beyond
                 others
                 in
                 our
                 civil
                 Commerce
                 and
                 Dealings
                 with
                 them
                 ;
                 over-reaching
                 ,
                 cozening
                 ,
                 and
                 cheating
                 the
                 ignorant
                 or
                 unwary
                 ,
                 who
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 so
                 unwary
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 did
                 they
                 not
                 repose
                 trust
                 and
                 confidence
                 in
                 your
                 deceitful
                 words
                 and
                 promises
                 .
                 Conscience
                 cannot
                 but
                 startle
                 at
                 such
                 sins
                 ,
                 the
                 very
                 Light
                 of
                 Nature
                 discovers
                 the
                 evil
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 sober
                 Heathen
                 abhor
                 it
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 that
                 live
                 under
                 the
                 Gospel
                 cannot
                 but
                 feel
                 some
                 terror
                 and
                 trembling
                 in
                 our
                 Consciences
                 when
                 we
                 read
                 such
                 a
                 severe
                 and
                 awful
                 prohibition
                 back'd
                 with
                 such
                 a
                 dreadful
                 threatening
                 as
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 1
                 
                   Thes.
                   4.
                   6.
                   
                   That
                   no
                   man
                   defraud
                   or
                   go
                   beyond
                   his
                   brother
                   in
                   any
                   matter
                   ,
                   because
                   that
                   the
                   Lord
                   is
                   the
                   Avenger
                   of
                   all
                   such
                   .
                
                 The
                 word
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 man
                 overtop
                 ,
                 viz.
                 by
                 power
                 or
                 by
                 craft
                 and
                 policy
                 .
                 To
                 this
                 sin
                 a
                 dreadful
                 threatening
                 is
                 annexed
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 the
                 Avenger
                 of
                 all
                 such
                 .
                 The
                 word
                 is
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 but
                 once
                 more
                 that
                 I
                 remember
                 used
                 in
                 the
                 New
                 Testament
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 13.
                 4.
                 and
                 is
                 there
                 applied
                 to
                 the
                 Civil
                 Magistrate
                 ,
                 he
                 must
                 see
                 Execution
                 done
                 upon
                 Malefactors
                 ,
                 but
                 here
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 himself
                 will
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 this
                 mans
                 Avenger
                 .
                 This
                 Rod
                 ,
                 or
                 rather
                 this
                 Ax
                 ,
                 Conscience
                 shews
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 gives
                 
                 warning
                 of
                 the
                 danger
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 its
                 Convictions
                 are
                 overpowered
                 and
                 bound
                 as
                 Prisoners
                 ,
                 by
              
               
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 The
                 Excessive
                 Love
                 of
                 Gain
                 ;
                 1
                 
                   Tim.
                   6.
                   9.
                   
                   But
                   they
                   that
                   will
                   be
                   rich
                   ,
                   fall
                   into
                   Temptation
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   snare
                   ;
                   and
                   into
                   many
                   foolish
                   and
                   hurtful
                   Lusts
                   ,
                   which
                   drown
                   men
                   in
                   destruction
                   and
                   perdition
                   .
                
                 When
                 a
                 resolution
                 is
                 made
                 for
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 men
                 will
                 be
                 rich
                 by
                 right
                 or
                 wrong
                 ,
                 this
                 powerfully
                 armes
                 the
                 Temptation
                 .
                 Set
                 Gain
                 before
                 such
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 break
                 through
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 convictions
                 of
                 Conscience
                 but
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 it
                 .
                 This
                 drowns
                 them
                 in
                 perdition
                 and
                 destruction
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 it
                 surely
                 ,
                 throughly
                 ,
                 and
                 fully
                 ruins
                 them
                 ;
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 dead
                 man
                 that
                 is
                 only
                 drowned
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 drowned
                 in
                 destruction
                 ,
                 yea
                 in
                 destruction
                 and
                 perdition
                 too
                 ;
                 this
                 must
                 needs
                 make
                 his
                 ruin
                 sure
                 ;
                 as
                 sure
                 as
                 words
                 can
                 make
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 all
                 such
                 persons
                 shall
                 surely
                 find
                 it
                 ,
                 who
                 persist
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 Course
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 Pinching
                 Necessities
                 and
                 Straights
                 overbear
                 Conscience
                 in
                 others
                 .
                 Necessity
                 hath
                 no
                 Ears
                 to
                 attend
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 and
                 Conscience
                 .
                 Here
                 Conscience
                 and
                 Poverty
                 struggle
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 the
                 Fear
                 of
                 God
                 be
                 not
                 exalted
                 in
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 it
                 now
                 falls
                 a
                 prey
                 to
                 Temptation
                 .
                 This
                 danger
                 wise
                 Agur
                 foresaw
                 ,
                 and
                 earnestly
                 intreated
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 a
                 competency
                 ,
                 to
                 avoid
                 the
                 snare
                 of
                 Poverty
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 30.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 Poor
                 Wretch
                 !
                 how
                 much
                 better
                 were
                 it
                 for
                 thee
                 to
                 endure
                 the
                 pains
                 of
                 a
                 griping
                 stomach
                 ,
                 than
                 those
                 of
                 a
                 griping
                 Conscience
                 ?
                 such
                 gains
                 may
                 be
                 sweet
                 in
                 thy
                 mouth
                 ,
                 but
                 bitter
                 in
                 thy
                 Bowels
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 The
                 Examples
                 of
                 others
                 who
                 daily
                 venture
                 on
                 such
                 sins
                 without
                 scruple
                 ,
                 and
                 laugh
                 at
                 such
                 squeamish
                 Consciences
                 as
                 cheque
                 at
                 such
                 things
                 :
                 this
                 emboldens
                 others
                 to
                 follow
                 them
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 50.
                 18
                 ,
                 and
                 thus
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 Conscience
                 is
                 drowned
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 Convictions
                 buried
                 for
                 a
                 time
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 will
                 Thunder
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 buried
                 convictions
                 wil
                 have
                 a
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 out
                 of
                 thy
                 power
                 to
                 silence
                 them
                 again
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 II.
                 Instance
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 truth
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 held
                 in
                 Unrighteousness
                 ,
                 when
                 mens
                 Lusts
                 will
                 not
                 suffer
                 them
                 to
                 restore
                 ,
                 what
                 they
                 have
                 sinfully
                 and
                 unjustly
                 gotten
                 into
                 their
                 hands
                 .
                 This
                 Sin
                 lies
                 boking
                 in
                 the
                 Consciences
                 of
                 some
                 men
                 ,
                 makes
                 them
                 very
                 uneasie
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 they
                 make
                 an
                 hard
                 shift
                 to
                 rub
                 along
                 under
                 these
                 regrets
                 of
                 Conscience
                 .
                 Now
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 make
                 a
                 forcible
                 entry
                 into
                 the
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 take
                 the
                 truths
                 of
                 God
                 Prisoners
                 ,
                 and
                 bind
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 cannot
                 break
                 forth
                 into
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 Restitution
                 are
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 The
                 shame
                 which
                 attends
                 and
                 follows
                 the
                 duty
                 to
                 which
                 God
                 and
                 Conscience
                 calls
                 the
                 Soul.
                 O
                 't
                 is
                 a
                 shame
                 and
                 reproach
                 they
                 think
                 ,
                 to
                 get
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 a
                 cheat
                 .
                 Loath
                 ,
                 loath
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 these
                 works
                 of
                 darkness
                 should
                 come
                 into
                 the
                 open
                 Light
                 ;
                 men
                 will
                 point
                 ,
                 and
                 hiss
                 at
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 there
                 goes
                 a
                 Thief
                 ,
                 a
                 Cheat
                 ,
                 an
                 Oppressor
                 ;
                 this
                 keeps
                 many
                 from
                 Restitution
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 dost
                 thou
                 not
                 here
                 commit
                 a
                 greater
                 Cheat
                 than
                 the
                 former
                 ?
                 Which
                 is
                 the
                 greater
                 shame
                 thinkst
                 thou
                 ?
                 to
                 commit
                 sin
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 confess
                 and
                 reform
                 it
                 ?
                 to
                 tye
                 the
                 snare
                 upon
                 thy
                 soul
                 by
                 Commission
                 ,
                 or
                 loose
                 it
                 off
                 from
                 thy
                 Conscience
                 by
                 Repentance
                 and
                 Restitution
                 ?
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 derision
                 of
                 wicked
                 men
                 ,
                 (
                 for
                 none
                 else
                 will
                 deride
                 thee
                 for
                 thy
                 duty
                 )
                 or
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 contempt
                 and
                 derision
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Angels
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 good
                 Men
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 To
                 attain
                 inward
                 peace
                 at
                 this
                 
                 hazzard
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 lie
                 under
                 the
                 continual
                 lashes
                 and
                 wounds
                 of
                 thy
                 own
                 Conscience
                 ?
              
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 Poverty
                 and
                 inability
                 is
                 sometimes
                 pleaded
                 to
                 quiet
                 the
                 troubled
                 Conscience
                 ;
                 and
                 indeed
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 just
                 and
                 very
                 frequent
                 blast
                 of
                 God
                 upon
                 ill
                 gotten
                 goods
                 .
                 The
                 curse
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 upon
                 them
                 .
                 They
                 melt
                 away
                 .
                 O
                 what
                 a
                 miserable
                 snare
                 have
                 you
                 now
                 intangled
                 your
                 souls
                 in
                 ?
                 once
                 you
                 could
                 ,
                 but
                 would
                 not
                 restore
                 ,
                 a
                 Worldly
                 heart
                 would
                 not
                 part
                 with
                 unjust
                 gains
                 ;
                 now
                 you
                 would
                 ,
                 but
                 cannot
                 .
                 Thus
                 a
                 worldly
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 empty
                 purse
                 holds
                 you
                 first
                 and
                 last
                 under
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 a
                 known
                 sin
                 .
                 A
                 lamentable
                 case
                 !
              
               
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 Vain
                 purposes
                 do
                 often
                 suppress
                 and
                 silence
                 convictions
                 ,
                 my
                 condition
                 may
                 after
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 be
                 in
                 a
                 capacity
                 hereafter
                 when
                 I
                 can
                 better
                 spare
                 it
                 than
                 at
                 present
                 .
                 Or
                 I
                 'le
                 do
                 it
                 in
                 my
                 last
                 Will
                 when
                 I
                 dye
                 ,
                 and
                 charge
                 my
                 Executors
                 with
                 it
                 .
                 Thus
                 do
                 men
                 bribe
                 their
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 to
                 get
                 a
                 little
                 quiet
                 whilst
                 they
                 continue
                 under
                 known
                 guilt
                 ,
                 and
                 cannot
                 tell
                 how
                 soon
                 death
                 shall
                 summon
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 aweful
                 Bar
                 of
                 a
                 just
                 and
                 terrible
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 Sirs
                 ,
                 As
                 you
                 value
                 your
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 is
                 more
                 ,
                 your
                 Souls
                 ;
                 release
                 the
                 Lords
                 Prisoner
                 which
                 lyes
                 bound
                 within
                 you
                 ,
                 with
                 cords
                 and
                 chains
                 of
                 Satans
                 making
                 ;
                 do
                 it
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 hope
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 peace
                 .
                 You
                 know
                 without
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 there
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 Salvation
                 ;
                 and
                 without
                 Restitution
                 ,
                 no
                 Repentance
                 :
                 For
                 how
                 can
                 you
                 repent
                 of
                 a
                 sin
                 you
                 still
                 knowingly
                 continue
                 in
                 ?
                 Repentance
                 is
                 the
                 Souls
                 turning
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 its
                 sorrow
                 for
                 sin
                 .
                 You
                 cannot
                 therefore
                 repent
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 still
                 continue
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 
                   How
                   shall
                   we
                   that
                   are
                   dead
                   
                   to
                   sin
                   ,
                   continue
                   any
                   longer
                   therein
                   ?
                   Rom.
                
                 6.
                 2.
                 
                 Trust
                 Providence
                 for
                 the
                 supply
                 of
                 your
                 wants
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 wants
                 of
                 yours
                 ,
                 in
                 ways
                 of
                 Duty
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 .
                 A
                 little
                 that
                 a
                 Righteous
                 man
                 hath
                 is
                 better
                 than
                 the
                 Riches
                 of
                 many
                 wicked
                 .
                 You
                 'l
                 have
                 more
                 comfort
                 in
                 Bread
                 and
                 Water
                 with
                 peace
                 of
                 Conscience
                 than
                 in
                 full
                 Tables
                 with
                 Gods
                 curse
                 .
                 You
                 'l
                 lye
                 more
                 at
                 ease
                 on
                 a
                 burden
                 of
                 Straw
                 ,
                 than
                 on
                 a
                 Bed
                 of
                 Down
                 with
                 a
                 grumbling
                 conscience
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 III.
                 Instance
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 many
                 lye
                 under
                 the
                 condemnations
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 consciences
                 for
                 the
                 lusts
                 of
                 Uncleanness
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 they
                 live
                 ?
                 and
                 though
                 they
                 read
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 consciences
                 apply
                 to
                 them
                 such
                 Scriptures
                 as
                 that
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Cor.
                   6.
                   9.
                   
                   Be
                   not
                   deceived
                   ,
                   neither
                   Fornicators
                   ,
                   nor
                   Idolaters
                   ,
                   nor
                   Adulterers
                   ,
                   nor
                   Effeminate
                   ,
                   nor
                   Abusers
                   of
                   themselves
                   with
                   mankind
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                   shall
                   inherit
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God
                
                 ;
                 a
                 dreadful
                 Sentence
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 ,
                 
                   Heb.
                   13.
                   4.
                   
                   Whoremongers
                   and
                   Adulterers
                   God
                   will
                   judge
                   :
                
                 Yet
                 convictions
                 are
                 overborn
                 and
                 stifled
                 by
              
               
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 The
                 Impetuous
                 Violence
                 of
                 carnal
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 which
                 permit
                 not
                 of
                 calm
                 debates
                 ;
                 but
                 hurry
                 them
                 on
                 to
                 the
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 them
                 to
                 consider
                 the
                 evil
                 and
                 dangerous
                 consequences
                 afterward
                 .
                 Thus
                 they
                 go
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   an
                   Oxe
                   to
                   the
                   slaughter
                   ,
                   or
                   as
                   a
                   fool
                   to
                   the
                   correction
                   of
                   the
                   stocks
                   ,
                   Prov.
                
                 7.
                 22.
                 
                 Lust
                 besots
                 them
                 .
                 To
                 give
                 counsel
                 now
                 ,
                 is
                 but
                 to
                 give
                 Physick
                 in
                 a
                 Paroxisme
                 ,
                 or
                 counsel
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 is
                 running
                 a
                 Race
                 ,
                 Lust
                 answers
                 conscience
                 as
                 Antipater
                 did
                 one
                 that
                 presented
                 him
                 a
                 Book
                 treating
                 of
                 
                 Happiness
                 ,
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   no
                   leisure
                   to
                   read
                   such
                   Discourses
                   .
                
              
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 Others
                 would
                 feign
                 solve
                 their
                 scruples
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 sinful
                 failings
                 of
                 good
                 men
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   Solomon
                
                 ,
                 &c.
                 not
                 considering
                 what
                 brokenness
                 of
                 Heart
                 it
                 cost
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   Psal.
                
                 51.
                 and
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 
                   sorrow
                   more
                   bitter
                   than
                   death
                   ,
                   Eccl.
                   7.
                   26.
                   
                   Laeta
                   venire
                   venus
                   ,
                   tristis
                   abire
                   solet
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 presumptuous
                 way
                 of
                 sinning
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 dreadful
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 see
                 Numb
                 .
                 15.
                 30.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 IV.
                 Instance
                 .
              
               
                 Truth
                 is
                 often
                 held
                 in
                 unrighteousness
                 by
                 sinful
                 Silence
                 ,
                 in
                 not
                 reproving
                 other
                 mens
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 making
                 them
                 our
                 own
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 sometimes
                 cast
                 into
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 ungodly
                 Men
                 ,
                 where
                 we
                 hear
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 blasphemed
                 ,
                 the
                 Truth
                 ,
                 Worship
                 ,
                 or
                 Servants
                 of
                 God
                 reproached
                 ;
                 and
                 have
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 courage
                 to
                 appear
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 others
                 have
                 to
                 appear
                 against
                 him
                 .
                 In
                 such
                 cases
                 Conscience
                 useth
                 to
                 instigate
                 men
                 to
                 their
                 duty
                 ,
                 and
                 charge
                 it
                 home
                 upon
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 authority
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 
                   Lev.
                   19.
                   17.
                   
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   hate
                   thy
                   brother
                   in
                   thy
                   heart
                   ,
                   thou
                   shalt
                   in
                   any
                   wise
                   rebuke
                   thy
                   neighbour
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   suffer
                   sin
                   upon
                   him
                   .
                
                 O
                 saith
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 thy
                 silence
                 now
                 will
                 be
                 thy
                 sin
                 .
                 This
                 poor
                 wretch
                 may
                 perish
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 a
                 seasonable
                 ,
                 plain
                 ,
                 and
                 faithful
                 rebuke
                 .
                 Thy
                 silence
                 will
                 harden
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 wickedness
                 .
                 No
                 sooner
                 doth
                 such
                 a
                 conviction
                 stir
                 in
                 the
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 but
                 many
                 things
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 lay
                 hold
                 on
                 it
                 ;
                 as
              
               
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 A
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Cowardice
                 ,
                 which
                 makes
                 us
                 afraid
                 to
                 displease
                 men
                 ;
                 and
                 chuses
                 rather
                 the
                 wrath
                 
                 of
                 God
                 should
                 fall
                 on
                 them
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 their
                 wrath
                 should
                 fall
                 on
                 us
                 .
                 We
                 dare
                 not
                 take
                 as
                 much
                 liberty
                 to
                 reprove
                 sin
                 ,
                 as
                 others
                 do
                 to
                 commit
                 it
                 .
                 They
                 glory
                 in
                 their
                 shame
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 are
                 ashamed
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 both
                 our
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 duty
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 Dependance
                 on
                 ,
                 or
                 near
                 relation
                 to
                 the
                 Person
                 sinning
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 a
                 Father
                 ,
                 an
                 Husband
                 ,
                 a
                 Superior
                 on
                 whose
                 favour
                 I
                 depend
                 ;
                 and
                 should
                 I
                 displease
                 him
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 ruine
                 my self
                 :
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 the
                 Flesh.
                 Hence
                 duty
                 is
                 neglected
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Soul
                 of
                 a
                 Friend
                 basely
                 betrayed
                 .
                 Our
                 Interest
                 preferr'd
                 to
                 Gods
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 frequently
                 lost
                 :
                 for
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 way
                 to
                 secure
                 our
                 own
                 interest
                 in
                 any
                 mans
                 heart
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 settle
                 it
                 by
                 our
                 Faithfulness
                 in
                 his
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 being
                 willing
                 to
                 hazzard
                 it
                 for
                 Gods
                 interest
                 and
                 glory
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 blesseth
                 Mens
                 Faithfulness
                 above
                 all
                 their
                 sinful
                 Carnal
                 Policies
                 ,
                 
                   Prov.
                   28.
                   23.
                   
                   He
                   that
                   rebuketh
                   a
                   man
                   ,
                   afterwards
                   shall
                   find
                   more
                   favour
                   than
                   he
                   that
                   flattereth
                   with
                   his
                   lips
                   .
                
              
               
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 Mens
                 own
                 Guilt
                 stops
                 their
                 Mouths
                 ,
                 and
                 silences
                 them
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 ashamed
                 and
                 afraid
                 to
                 reprove
                 other
                 mens
                 sins
                 ,
                 left
                 they
                 should
                 hear
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 .
                 Fear
                 of
                 Retortion
                 keeps
                 them
                 from
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 Reprehension
                 .
                 Thus
                 we
                 fall
                 into
                 a
                 new
                 sin
                 for
                 fear
                 of
                 reviving
                 an
                 old
                 one
                 .
                 
                   He
                   that
                   reproveth
                   a
                   scorner
                   ,
                   getteth
                   to
                   himself
                   shame
                   ;
                   and
                   〈◊〉
                   that
                   rebuketh
                   a
                   wicked
                   man
                   ,
                   getteth
                   himself
                   a
                   bist
                   .
                
                 Prov.
                 9.
                 7.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 our
                 Pride
                 and
                 Ignorance
                 ,
                 What
                 we
                 fear
                 might
                 turn
                 to
                 our
                 benefit
                 .
                 The
                 Reproof
                 given
                 is
                 a
                 Duty
                 discharged
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Retortion
                 
                 in
                 return
                 ,
                 a
                 fresh
                 call
                 to
                 Repentance
                 for
                 sin
                 past
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 caution
                 against
                 sin
                 to
                 come
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 V.
                 Instance
                 .
              
               
                 Another
                 Instance
                 of
                 Convictions
                 of
                 unrighteousness
                 imprisoned
                 in
                 mens
                 Souls
                 ,
                 is
                 in
                 not
                 distributing
                 to
                 the
                 necessities
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 especially
                 such
                 as
                 fear
                 God
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 our
                 hands
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 Conscience
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Scripture
                 calls
                 us
                 to
                 our
                 Duty
                 .
              
               
                 Men
                 cannot
                 be
                 ignorant
                 of
                 that
                 Text
                 ,
                 
                   Math.
                   25.
                   40
                
                 ,
                 41.
                 where
                 by
                 a
                 Synecdoche
                 ,
                 Charity
                 to
                 the
                 Saints
                 is
                 by
                 Christ
                 put
                 for
                 the
                 whole
                 of
                 Obedience
                 ;
                 and
                 mens
                 Eternal
                 States
                 are
                 cast
                 according
                 to
                 their
                 observance
                 of
                 this
                 command
                 ;
                 though
                 I
                 fear
                 few
                 ,
                 very
                 few
                 study
                 and
                 believe
                 it
                 as
                 they
                 ought
                 .
                 Thou
                 canst
                 ,
                 saith
                 Conscience
                 if
                 thou
                 wilt
                 relieve
                 such
                 or
                 such
                 a
                 poor
                 Christian
                 ,
                 and
                 therein
                 express
                 thy
                 love
                 to
                 Christ
                 ;
                 yea
                 refresh
                 the
                 bowels
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 repay
                 it
                 ;
                 if
                 thou
                 refusest
                 ,
                 
                   how
                   dwelleth
                   the
                   love
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   thee
                   ?
                   1
                   Ioh.
                
                 3.
                 17.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 Voice
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 but
                 divers
                 Lusts
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 lay
                 hold
                 on
                 and
                 bind
                 this
                 Conviction
                 also
                 ,
                 assoon
                 as
                 it
                 stirs
                 ,
                 viz.
                 
              
               
                 (
                 1
                 )
                 The
                 excessive
                 love
                 of
                 Earthly
                 things
                 .
                 The
                 World
                 is
                 got
                 so
                 deep
                 in
                 mens
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 rather
                 part
                 with
                 their
                 peace
                 ,
                 yea
                 and
                 with
                 their
                 Souls
                 too
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 part
                 with
                 it
                 .
                 Hence
                 come
                 those
                 Churlish
                 answers
                 like
                 that
                 of
                 
                   Nabal
                   ,
                   1
                   Sam.
                   25.
                   11.
                   
                   Shall
                   I
                   take
                   my
                   bread
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   water
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   flesh
                   ;
                   and
                   give
                   it
                   to
                   men
                   ,
                   whom
                   I
                   know
                   not
                   whence
                   they
                   be
                   ?
                
              
               
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 Unbelief
                 ,
                 which
                 denies
                 to
                 give
                 Honour
                 and
                 due
                 Credit
                 to
                 Christs
                 Bills
                 of
                 Exchange
                 drawn
                 upon
                 them
                 in
                 Scripture
                 and
                 presented
                 to
                 them
                 by
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 his
                 poor
                 Saints
                 .
                 They
                 refuse
                 I
                 say
                 to
                 credit
                 them
                 ,
                 though
                 Conscience
                 protest
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 Non-compliance
                 .
                 Christ
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   Mark
                   9.
                   41.
                   
                   Whosoever
                   shall
                   give
                   you
                   a
                   cup
                   of
                   cold
                   water
                   to
                   drink
                   in
                   my
                   name
                   ,
                   because
                   ye
                   belong
                   to
                   Christ
                   ,
                   verily
                   I
                   say
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                   he
                   shall
                   not
                   lose
                   his
                   reward
                   .
                
                 He
                 shall
                 gain
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 cannot
                 lose
                 ,
                 by
                 parting
                 with
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 cannot
                 keep
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 The
                 want
                 of
                 love
                 to
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 Did
                 we
                 love
                 Christ
                 in
                 sincerity
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 that
                 love
                 so
                 fervent
                 as
                 it
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 ;
                 it
                 would
                 make
                 thee
                 more
                 ready
                 to
                 lay
                 down
                 thy
                 neck
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 than
                 thou
                 now
                 art
                 to
                 lay
                 out
                 a
                 shilling
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 1
                 Ioh.
                 3.
                 16.
                 
                 'T
                 is
                 our
                 Duty
                 in
                 some
                 cases
                 to
                 spend
                 our
                 blood
                 for
                 the
                 Saints
                 .
                 So
                 it
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 primitive
                 times
                 ,
                 Behold
                 (
                 ●said
                 the
                 Christians
                 Enemies
                 )
                 how
                 they
                 love
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 willing
                 to
                 dye
                 one
                 for
                 another
                 .
                 But
                 that
                 Spirit
                 is
                 almost
                 extinguished
                 in
                 these
                 degenerate
                 dayes
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 VI.
                 Instance
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 many
                 stand
                 convinced
                 by
                 their
                 own
                 Consciences
                 what
                 a
                 sin
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 spend
                 their
                 precious
                 time
                 so
                 idly
                 and
                 vainly
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 ?
                 When
                 a
                 day
                 is
                 lost
                 in
                 vanity
                 ,
                 duties
                 neglected
                 ,
                 no
                 good
                 done
                 or
                 received
                 ;
                 at
                 night
                 Conscience
                 reckons
                 with
                 them
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 askes
                 them
                 what
                 account
                 they
                 can
                 give
                 of
                 that
                 day
                 to
                 God.
                 How
                 they
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 satisfie
                 themselves
                 to
                 lye
                 down
                 and
                 sleep
                 under
                 so
                 much
                 guilt
                 ?
                 and
                 yet
                 when
                 the
                 morrow
                 comes
                 ,
                 the
                 vanity
                 
                 of
                 their
                 hearts
                 carries
                 them
                 on
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 Course
                 again
                 the
                 next
                 day
                 ;
                 and
                 whilst
                 they
                 keep
                 themselves
                 in
                 vain
                 Company
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 quiet
                 ,
                 till
                 Conscience
                 finds
                 them
                 at
                 leisure
                 to
                 debate
                 it
                 again
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 master
                 Conviction
                 are
              
               
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 In
                 some
                 men
                 ,
                 their
                 Ignorance
                 and
                 Insensibility
                 of
                 the
                 Preciousness
                 of
                 time
                 .
                 They
                 know
                 't
                 is
                 their
                 sin
                 ,
                 to
                 spend
                 their
                 time
                 so
                 vainly
                 ,
                 but
                 little
                 consider
                 that
                 Eternity
                 it self
                 hangs
                 upon
                 this
                 little
                 Moment
                 of
                 Time
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 great
                 work
                 of
                 their
                 Salvation
                 will
                 require
                 all
                 the
                 time
                 they
                 have
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 not
                 finished
                 in
                 this
                 small
                 allottment
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 it
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 finished
                 ,
                 Ioh.
                 9.
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 The
                 Examples
                 of
                 other
                 vain
                 persons
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 as
                 Prodigal
                 of
                 their
                 precious
                 time
                 as
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 entice
                 them
                 to
                 spend
                 it
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 The
                 charming
                 power
                 of
                 sensual
                 Lusts
                 and
                 Pleasures
                 ,
                 Oh
                 how
                 pleasantly
                 doth
                 time
                 slide
                 away
                 in
                 Playes
                 ,
                 Alehouses
                 ,
                 in
                 relating
                 or
                 hearing
                 taking
                 Stories
                 ,
                 News
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 (
                 4.
                 )
                 Inconsiderateness
                 of
                 the
                 sharp
                 and
                 terrible
                 rebukes
                 of
                 Conscience
                 for
                 this
                 on
                 a
                 Death-bed
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 terrors
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Judgment
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 all
                 these
                 Instances
                 you
                 see
                 how
                 common
                 this
                 dreadful
                 evil
                 of
                 holding
                 the
                 truth
                 in
                 unrighteousness
                 is
                 ;
                 yet
                 these
                 are
                 but
                 a
                 few
                 selected
                 from
                 among
                 many
                 .
              
               
               
                 (
                 5.
                 )
                 In
                 the
                 next
                 place
                 I
                 am
                 obliged
                 to
                 shew
                 ,
                 how
                 and
                 why
                 the
                 imprisoning
                 of
                 Convictions
                 ,
                 or
                 holding
                 the
                 Truths
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Unrighteousness
                 ,
                 so
                 dreadfully
                 incenseth
                 his
                 Wrath.
                 And
                 this
                 it
                 doth
                 upon
                 several
                 accounts
                 :
              
               
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 Knowledge
                 and
                 Conviction
                 of
                 sin
                 is
                 an
                 excellent
                 means
                 ,
                 or
                 choice
                 help
                 to
                 preserve
                 Men
                 from
                 falling
                 into
                 sin
                 :
                 There
                 be
                 Thousands
                 of
                 sins
                 committed
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 which
                 had
                 never
                 been
                 committed
                 ,
                 if
                 Men
                 had
                 known
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 sins
                 ,
                 before
                 they
                 committed
                 them
                 .
                 Every
                 Sinner
                 durst
                 not
                 make
                 so
                 bold
                 with
                 his
                 Conscience
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 done
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 tells
                 us
                 the
                 reason
                 why
                 the
                 Princes
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 crucified
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 Glory
                 ,
                 was
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 knew
                 him
                 not
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 8.
                 
                 Had
                 they
                 known
                 him
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 dared
                 to
                 do
                 as
                 they
                 did
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 multitudes
                 of
                 lower
                 and
                 lesser
                 sins
                 than
                 that
                 ,
                 Satan
                 mops
                 their
                 Eyes
                 with
                 Ignorance
                 ,
                 then
                 uses
                 their
                 Hands
                 and
                 Tongues
                 in
                 Wickedness
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 Ruler
                 of
                 the
                 darkness
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 Eph.
                 6.
                 12.
                 
                 But
                 when
                 Men
                 do
                 know
                 this
                 or
                 that
                 to
                 be
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 venture
                 on
                 it
                 ,
                 here
                 an
                 excellent
                 Antidote
                 against
                 sin
                 is
                 turned
                 into
                 a
                 dreadful
                 aggravation
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 highly
                 incenses
                 the
                 Wrath
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 Knowledge
                 and
                 Conviction
                 going
                 before
                 ,
                 adds
                 presumption
                 to
                 the
                 Sin
                 that
                 follows
                 after
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 presumptuous
                 Sin
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 provoking
                 and
                 daring
                 Sin
                 ;
                 from
                 this
                 way
                 of
                 sinning
                 David
                 earnestly
                 beseeches
                 God
                 to
                 keep
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   Keep
                   back
                   thy
                   servant
                
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 
                   from
                   presumptuous
                   sins
                
                 :
                 When
                 a
                 man
                 sees
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 adventures
                 on
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 such
                 sinning
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 despising
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 A
                 Man
                 may
                 
                 break
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 whilst
                 he
                 approves
                 ,
                 reverences
                 ,
                 and
                 honours
                 it
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 but
                 here
                 the
                 Commandment
                 is
                 despised
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 told
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   2
                   Sam.
                
                 12.
                 9.
                 
                 'T
                 is
                 as
                 if
                 a
                 Man
                 should
                 say
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 the
                 Command
                 of
                 God
                 armed
                 with
                 threatnings
                 in
                 my
                 way
                 ,
                 but
                 yet
                 I
                 will
                 go
                 on
                 for
                 all
                 that
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 Knowledge
                 and
                 Conviction
                 leave
                 the
                 Conscience
                 of
                 a
                 Sinner
                 naked
                 ,
                 and
                 wholly
                 without
                 excuse
                 or
                 apologie
                 for
                 his
                 sin
                 :
                 In
                 this
                 case
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 plea
                 left
                 to
                 extenuate
                 the
                 offence
                 :
                 
                   Iohn
                   15.
                   22.
                   
                   Now
                   they
                   have
                   no
                   cloak
                   for
                   their
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 if
                 a
                 man
                 sins
                 ignorantly
                 ,
                 his
                 ignorance
                 is
                 some
                 excuse
                 for
                 his
                 sin
                 ,
                 it
                 excuses
                 it
                 at
                 least
                 
                   a
                   tanto
                
                 ,
                 as
                 Paul
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 thus
                 and
                 thus
                 I
                 did
                 ,
                 
                   but
                   I
                   did
                   it
                   ignorantly
                
                 :
                 Here
                 is
                 cloak
                 or
                 covering
                 ,
                 an
                 excuse
                 or
                 extenuation
                 of
                 the
                 sin
                 ,
                 but
                 knowledge
                 takes
                 away
                 this
                 cloak
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 the
                 sin
                 appear
                 naked
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 odious
                 deformity
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 nothing
                 left
                 to
                 hide
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 4.
                 )
                 Light
                 or
                 Knowledge
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 and
                 Will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 very
                 choice
                 and
                 excellent
                 Mercy
                 ;
                 't
                 is
                 a
                 choice
                 and
                 singular
                 favour
                 ,
                 for
                 God
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 Knowledge
                 to
                 shine
                 into
                 a
                 Mans
                 mind
                 or
                 understanding
                 :
                 'T
                 is
                 a
                 Mercy
                 withheld
                 from
                 multitudes
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 147.
                 19.
                 and
                 those
                 that
                 injoy
                 it
                 ,
                 are
                 under
                 special
                 engagements
                 to
                 bless
                 God
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 improve
                 it
                 diligently
                 and
                 thankfully
                 to
                 his
                 Service
                 and
                 Glory
                 ;
                 but
                 for
                 a
                 Man
                 to
                 arm
                 such
                 a
                 Mercy
                 as
                 this
                 against
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 fight
                 against
                 him
                 with
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 choicest
                 Mercies
                 ,
                 this
                 must
                 be
                 highly
                 provoking
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 'T
                 is
                 therefore
                 mention'd
                 as
                 an
                 high
                 aggravation
                 of
                 Solomons
                 sin
                 in
                 the
                 1
                 Kings
                 11.
                 9.
                 that
                 he
                 sinned
                 against
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   after
                   the
                   Lord
                   had
                   appeared
                   unto
                   him
                   twice
                   .
                
              
               
               
                 (
                 5.
                 )
                 This
                 way
                 of
                 sinning
                 argues
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 degree
                 of
                 hardness
                 of
                 heart
                 ;
                 'T
                 is
                 a
                 sign
                 of
                 little
                 tenderness
                 ,
                 or
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 evil
                 of
                 sin
                 :
                 Some
                 Men
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 shews
                 them
                 the
                 evil
                 of
                 sin
                 in
                 the
                 glass
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 they
                 tremble
                 at
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 it
                 :
                 So
                 did
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   Rom.
                   7.
                   13.
                   
                   When
                   the
                   Commandment
                   came
                   ,
                   sin
                   revived
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   died
                
                 ;
                 he
                 sunk
                 down
                 at
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 it
                 :
                 But
                 God
                 shews
                 thee
                 the
                 evil
                 of
                 sin
                 in
                 the
                 glass
                 of
                 his
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 makest
                 nothing
                 of
                 it
                 :
                 O
                 obdurate
                 heart
                 !
                 When
                 the
                 Rod
                 was
                 turned
                 into
                 a
                 Serpent
                 ,
                 Moses
                 fled
                 from
                 it
                 ,
                 was
                 afraid
                 to
                 touch
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 though
                 God
                 turns
                 the
                 Rod
                 into
                 a
                 Serpent
                 ,
                 and
                 discovers
                 the
                 venomous
                 Nature
                 of
                 Sin
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 thou
                 canst
                 handle
                 and
                 play
                 with
                 that
                 Serpent
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 it
                 into
                 thy
                 bosome
                 ,
                 this
                 shews
                 thy
                 heart
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 a
                 strange
                 complexion
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 6.
                 )
                 To
                 go
                 against
                 the
                 convincing
                 warning
                 voice
                 of
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 violates
                 and
                 wounds
                 a
                 Mans
                 Conscience
                 more
                 ,
                 than
                 any
                 other
                 way
                 of
                 sinning
                 doth
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 Conscience
                 is
                 so
                 wounded
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 or
                 what
                 shall
                 then
                 comfort
                 thee
                 ?
                 'T
                 is
                 a
                 true
                 Rule
                 ,
                 
                   Maxima
                   violatio
                   Conscientiae
                   ,
                   est
                   maximum
                   peccatum
                   :
                
                 The
                 more
                 any
                 sin
                 violates
                 a
                 mans
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 the
                 greater
                 that
                 sin
                 is
                 :
                 The
                 sin
                 of
                 Devils
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 dreadful
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 makes
                 it
                 so
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 horrid
                 violation
                 of
                 their
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 and
                 malicious
                 Rebellion
                 against
                 their
                 own
                 Light
                 and
                 clear
                 Knowledge
                 ,
                 
                   Iames
                   2.
                
                 19.
                 
                 They
                 know
                 and
                 sin
                 ,
                 they
                 believe
                 and
                 tremble
                 ,
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 they
                 roar
                 under
                 the
                 Tortures
                 of
                 Conscience
                 like
                 the
                 Rote
                 of
                 the
                 Sea
                 ,
                 or
                 noise
                 of
                 the
                 Rocks
                 before
                 a
                 Storm
                 .
              
               
                 O
                 then
                 ,
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 degree
                 of
                 sense
                 and
                 tenderness
                 left
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 regard
                 
                 to
                 salvation
                 ;
                 let
                 go
                 all
                 Gods
                 Prisoners
                 which
                 lye
                 bound
                 and
                 are
                 imprisoned
                 in
                 any
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 this
                 day
                 :
                 Blessed
                 be
                 God
                 some
                 have
                 done
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 at
                 ease
                 ,
                 and
                 rest
                 in
                 their
                 spirits
                 by
                 so
                 doing
                 :
                 They
                 could
                 have
                 no
                 ease
                 till
                 they
                 unbound
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 yielded
                 obedience
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 Acts
                 16.
                 38.
                 that
                 when
                 the
                 Magistrates
                 of
                 Philippi
                 understood
                 ,
                 that
                 those
                 Men
                 whom
                 they
                 had
                 bound
                 and
                 imprisoned
                 ,
                 were
                 Romans
                 ,
                 they
                 feared
                 ,
                 and
                 well
                 they
                 might
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 punishment
                 was
                 great
                 for
                 any
                 Man
                 that
                 injured
                 a
                 Citizen
                 ,
                 or
                 Freeman
                 of
                 Rome
                 ;
                 but
                 every
                 Conviction
                 you
                 imprison
                 is
                 a
                 Messenger
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 a
                 Commission
                 Officer
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 woe
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 binds
                 or
                 abuseth
                 it
                 .
                 Do
                 you
                 know
                 what
                 you
                 do
                 ?
                 Are
                 you
                 aware
                 of
                 the
                 danger
                 ?
                 Wast
                 thou
                 not
                 afraid
                 (
                 said
                 David
                 to
                 the
                 Amalakite
                 )
                 to
                 stretch
                 forth
                 thine
                 hand
                 to
                 destroy
                 the
                 Lords
                 Anointed
                 ?
                 So
                 say
                 I
                 ,
                 Art
                 thou
                 not
                 afraid
                 to
                 destroy
                 the
                 immediate
                 Messenger
                 of
                 God
                 sent
                 to
                 thy
                 Soul
                 for
                 good
                 ?
                 Conviction
                 is
                 a
                 kind
                 of
                 Embrio
                 of
                 Conversion
                 ;
                 the
                 Conversion
                 and
                 Salvation
                 of
                 thy
                 Soul
                 would
                 be
                 the
                 Fruit
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 were
                 it
                 obeyed
                 :
                 Thy
                 strivings
                 with
                 it
                 causes
                 it
                 to
                 miscarry
                 ,
                 renders
                 it
                 Abortive
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 Life
                 must
                 go
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 except
                 God
                 revive
                 and
                 recover
                 it
                 again
                 :
                 As
                 you
                 know
                 the
                 Law
                 is
                 for
                 striking
                 a
                 pregnant
                 Woman
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 21
                 ,
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 Loose
                 then
                 every
                 Man
                 the
                 Lords
                 Prisoners
                 ,
                 I
                 mean
                 your
                 restrained
                 stifled
                 Convictions
                 ,
                 stifle
                 them
                 no
                 longer
                 ,
                 you
                 see
                 what
                 a
                 dreadful
                 aggravation
                 of
                 sin
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 Wrath
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 revealed
                 from
                 Heaven
                 against
                 all
                 Ungodliness
                 and
                 Unrighteousness
                 of
                 Men
                 that
                 hold
                 the
                 truth
                 in
                 Unrighteousness
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
           
             I.
             USE
             .
             For
             Information
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               This
               will
               prove
               a
               fruitful
               Doctrine
               to
               inform
               us
               ,
               First
               ,
               
                 That
                 knowledge
                 in
                 it self
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 enough
                 to
                 secure
                 the
                 Soul
                 of
                 any
                 Man
                 from
                 Hell.
                 
              
            
             
               No
               Gifts
               ,
               no
               Knowledge
               ,
               but
               that
               only
               which
               is
               operative
               and
               influential
               upon
               the
               Heart
               and
               Life
               ,
               and
               to
               which
               we
               pay
               Obedience
               ,
               can
               secure
               any
               Man
               from
               Wrath
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 13.
                 17.
                 
                 If
                 ye
                 know
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 happy
                 are
                 ye
                 if
                 ye
                 do
                 them
                 :
              
               The
               greatest
               sins
               may
               be
               found
               in
               Conjunction
               with
               the
               greatest
               knowledge
               ,
               as
               you
               see
               in
               the
               fallen
               Angels
               :
               Light
               is
               then
               only
               a
               Blessing
               ,
               when
               guides
               the
               Soul
               into
               the
               way
               of
               Duty
               and
               Obedience
               ;
               there
               's
               many
               a
               knowing
               head
               in
               Hell
               :
               Yet
               from
               hence
               let
               no
               Man
               indulge
               himself
               in
               Ignorance
               ,
               or
               shun
               the
               means
               of
               knowledge
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               sin
               more
               freely
               ,
               and
               less
               dangerously
               ;
               for
               you
               must
               account
               with
               God
               for
               all
               that
               knowledge
               you
               might
               have
               had
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               for
               that
               you
               had
               ;
               for
               the
               means
               of
               knowledge
               he
               gave
               you
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               for
               that
               knowledge
               you
               did
               actually
               attain
               by
               them
               .
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               What
               singular
               and
               choice
               Mercy
               is
               a
               tender
               Conscience
               !
               A
               Conscience
               yielding
               Obedience
               to
               Conviction
               !
               A
               drop
               of
               such
               tenderness
               in
               the
               Conscience
               is
               better
               than
               a
               Sea
               of
               speculative
               knowledge
               in
               the
               head
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               12.
               31.
               
               Many
               poor
               Christians
               are
               ashamed
               to
               see
               themselves
               so
               out-stripped
               and
               
               excelled
               by
               others
               in
               Gifts
               ,
               and
               apt
               to
               be
               discouraged
               ,
               but
               if
               God
               have
               blessed
               thee
               with
               a
               tender
               obediential
               Heart
               to
               the
               Will
               of
               God
               ,
               so
               far
               as
               he
               is
               pleased
               to
               manifest
               it
               to
               thee
               ;
               thou
               hast
               no
               reason
               to
               be
               discouraged
               for
               want
               of
               those
               Excellent
               Gifts
               and
               parts
               others
               do
               enjoy
               :
               You
               cannot
               discourse
               floridly
               ,
               nor
               dispute
               subtilly
               ;
               but
               can
               you
               obey
               conscienciously
               ,
               and
               comply
               with
               the
               manifested
               Will
               of
               God
               tenderly
               ?
               Then
               happy
               art
               thou
               ,
               O!
               'T
               is
               far
               better
               to
               feel
               a
               Truth
               ,
               than
               meerly
               to
               know
               it
               :
               It
               was
               the
               high
               Commendation
               of
               the
               Romans
               ,
               that
               they
               obeyed
               from
               the
               Heart
               that
               form
               of
               Gospel-Doctrine
               which
               was
               delivered
               them
               ,
               Rom.
               6.
               17.
               or
               into
               which
               rather
               ,
               
               they
               were
               delivered
               ,
               as
               melted
               Metals
               are
               into
               the
               Moulds
               .
               Two
               Learned
               Divines
               travelling
               to
               the
               Council
               of
               Constance
               ,
               were
               affected
               even
               to
               Tears
               ,
               at
               the
               sight
               of
               a
               Shepherd
               in
               the
               Fields
               ,
               mourning
               and
               melting
               at
               the
               sight
               of
               a
               Toad
               ;
               and
               blessing
               God
               that
               he
               had
               not
               made
               him
               such
               a
               loathsome
               Creature
               ;
               whereupon
               they
               applyed
               Austins
               words
               to
               themselves
               ,
               
                 Surgunt
                 indocti
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               
               The
               Unlearned
               will
               rise
               and
               take
               Heaven
               from
               the
               Learned
               :
               Thy
               little
               knowledge
               made
               effectual
               by
               Obedience
               ,
               is
               more
               sanctified
               ,
               more
               sweet
               ,
               and
               more
               saving
               than
               other
               Mens
               ;
               and
               therefore
               of
               much
               greater
               value
               :
               'T
               is
               more
               sanctified
               ,
               for
               the
               Blessing
               of
               God
               is
               upon
               it
               ,
               Gal.
               6.
               16.
               
               'T
               is
               more
               sweet
               ,
               for
               you
               relish
               the
               goodness
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               discern
               the
               Truth
               of
               Gospel-Doctrines
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 103.
              
               
               'T
               is
               not
               an
               insipid
               dry
               speculation
               ,
               and
               then
               't
               is
               more
               saving
               ,
               being
               one
               of
               those
               better
               things
               that
               accompanieth
               Salvation
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               ,
               Heb.
               6.
               9.
               
            
          
           
             
             
               III.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               Learn
               hence
               in
               the
               third
               place
               ,
               
                 What
                 an
                 uncomfortable
                 Life
                 knowing
                 ,
                 but
                 unregenerate
                 Men
                 and
                 Women
                 do
                 live
                 :
                 They
                 are
                 frequently
                 in
                 Wars
                 and
                 Combats
                 with
                 their
                 own
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 46.
                 22.
                 
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 peace
                 to
                 the
                 wicked
                 ,
                 saith
                 my
                 God.
              
               They
               and
               their
               Consciences
               are
               ever
               and
               anon
               at
               Daggers
               drawing
               :
               They
               have
               little
               pleasure
               in
               Sin
               ,
               and
               none
               at
               all
               in
               Religion
               :
               They
               have
               none
               in
               Religion
               ,
               because
               they
               obey
               not
               its
               Rules
               ,
               and
               little
               in
               Sin
               ,
               because
               their
               Consciences
               are
               still
               gauling
               and
               terrifying
               them
               for
               imprisoning
               their
               Convictions
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               some
               Mens
               Consciences
               are
               seared
               as
               with
               an
               hot
               Iron
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               4.
               2.
               but
               most
               have
               grumbling
               ,
               and
               some
               have
               raging
               ,
               and
               roaring
               Consciences
               ;
               they
               seldom
               come
               under
               the
               Word
               ,
               or
               Rod
               ,
               but
               their
               Consciences
               lash
               them
               :
               And
               when
               Death
               approaches
               ,
               the
               Terrours
               of
               the
               Almighty
               do
               shake
               and
               terrifie
               them
               :
               Altogether
               to
               neglect
               Duty
               ,
               they
               dare
               not
               ,
               and
               how
               to
               escape
               a
               lash
               from
               their
               Consciences
               they
               know
               not
               .
               Feign
               they
               would
               have
               the
               pleasures
               of
               sin
               ,
               but
               then
               like
               Balaam
               they
               meet
               a
               Sword
               in
               the
               way
               ;
               they
               plunge
               themselves
               into
               Earthly
               diversions
               ,
               like
               Cain
               ,
               to
               be
               rid
               of
               a
               Fury
               within
               them
               ,
               but
               all
               will
               not
               do
               .
               Is
               this
               a
               Life
               for
               thee
               Reader
               to
               live
               ?
               No
               peace
               with
               God
               ,
               nor
               any
               with
               thy self
               ?
               No
               ,
               no
               ,
               expect
               no
               peace
               whilst
               thy
               Convictions
               lye
               bound
               and
               imprison'd
               in
               thy
               Conscience
               :
               Sin
               for
               a
               moment
               is
               sweet
               in
               thy
               mouth
               ,
               but
               it
               s
               presently
               turned
               into
               the
               Gall
               of
               Aspes
               within
               thee
               Ioh
               20.
               14.
               
               O
               that
               you
               did
               but
               know
               the
               pleasures
               of
               a
               pure
               peaceable
               Conscience
               ,
               
               ence
               ,
               and
               how
               much
               it
               excels
               all
               the
               delights
               of
               sense
               and
               sin
               !
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Inferences
               .
            
             
               Ministers
               had
               need
               often
               to
               repeat
               and
               inculcate
               the
               same
               Truths
               to
               their
               hearers
               :
               For
               the
               work
               is
               not
               half
               done
               ,
               when
               Truth
               is
               got
               into
               the
               minds
               and
               Consciences
               of
               Men.
               
            
             
               Our
               work
               sticks
               at
               the
               Heart
               ,
               more
               than
               the
               Head
               :
               The
               Understanding
               is
               many
               times
               open'd
               when
               the
               Heart
               and
               Will
               are
               lockt
               ,
               and
               fast
               barr'd
               against
               it
               :
               To
               open
               the
               passages
               betwixt
               the
               Head
               and
               Heart
               is
               the
               greatest
               difficulty
               ;
               this
               is
               the
               work
               of
               Almighty
               Power
               :
               There
               is
               knowledge
               enough
               in
               some
               Mens
               heads
               to
               save
               them
               ,
               but
               it
               hath
               not
               its
               Liberty
               :
               Restrained
               Truth
               cannot
               do
               its
               Office
               :
               T
               is
               much
               easier
               to
               convince
               the
               Mind
               ,
               than
               to
               change
               the
               Heart
               ,
               or
               bow
               the
               Will
               :
               The
               hardest
               part
               of
               the
               Ministerial
               work
               is
               to
               preach
               Truths
               into
               the
               Hearts
               and
               Lives
               of
               Men.
               This
               makes
               the
               frequent
               inculcations
               of
               the
               same
               Truths
               necessary
               and
               safe
               to
               the
               peoples
               Souls
               ,
               
                 Phil.
                 3.
                 1.
                 
                 To
                 write
                 the
                 same
                 things
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 me
                 indeed
                 is
                 not
                 grievous
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 you
                 it
                 is
                 safe
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               How
               astonishing
               and
               wonderful
               is
               the
               Power
               and
               Strength
               of
               Sin
               ,
               which
               can
               hold
               Men
               fast
               ,
               after
               their
               Eyes
               are
               open'd
               to
               see
               the
               Misery
               and
               Danger
               it
               hath
               involved
               them
               in
               .
            
             
               One
               would
               think
               if
               a
               mans
               eyes
               were
               but
               once
               
               opened
               to
               see
               the
               Moral
               Evil
               that
               is
               in
               sin
               ,
               and
               the
               Everlasting
               train
               of
               Paenal
               Evils
               that
               follow
               sin
               ;
               together
               with
               a
               way
               of
               escape
               from
               both
               ;
               it
               should
               be
               impossible
               to
               hold
               that
               sinner
               a
               day
               longer
               in
               such
               a
               state
               of
               Bondage
               ;
               the
               work
               were
               then
               as
               good
               as
               done
               ;
               but
               alass
               ,
               we
               are
               mistaken
               ;
               sin
               can
               hold
               those
               Men
               and
               Women
               fast
               ,
               that
               see
               all
               this
               .
               They
               know
               it
               is
               an
               horrid
               violation
               of
               Gods
               just
               and
               holy
               Laws
               ,
               they
               know
               it
               brings
               them
               under
               his
               Wrath
               and
               Curse
               ,
               and
               will
               damn
               them
               to
               all
               Eternity
               if
               they
               continue
               in
               it
               :
               They
               know
               Christ
               is
               able
               to
               save
               them
               to
               the
               uttermost
               that
               come
               unto
               God
               by
               him
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               is
               as
               willing
               ,
               as
               he
               is
               able
               ;
               and
               yet
               no
               Arguments
               can
               prevail
               with
               them
               to
               part
               with
               sin
               .
               Shew
               but
               a
               beast
               a
               flame
               of
               fire
               ,
               and
               you
               cannot
               drive
               him
               into
               it
               ,
               if
               he
               see
               any
               way
               to
               escape
               it
               .
               Tell
               a
               man
               this
               is
               rank
               poyson
               ,
               and
               will
               kill
               you
               ;
               and
               you
               cannot
               make
               him
               swallow
               it
               ,
               though
               wrapt
               up
               in
               Sugar
               ,
               or
               put
               into
               the
               most
               pleasant
               Vehicle
               .
               But
               let
               a
               sinner
               see
               death
               and
               destruction
               before
               him
               ,
               and
               sin
               can
               make
               him
               rush
               on
               
                 as
                 a
                 horse
                 into
                 the
                 battle
                 Ier.
              
               8.
               6.
               
               He
               goes
               as
               an
               Oxe
               to
               the
               slaughter
               .
               His
               heart
               is
               fully
               set
               in
               him
               to
               do
               evil
               ,
               Eccl.
               8.
               11.
               
               As
               one
               said
               ,
               when
               his
               Physitian
               told
               him
               ,
               
                 If
                 he
                 followed
                 such
                 a
                 course
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 in
                 a
                 little
                 time
                 lose
                 his
                 Eyes
                 ;
                 Then
                 ,
              
               said
               he
               ,
               
                 vale
                 lumen
                 amicum
                 ,
                 farewel
                 sweet
                 light
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 part
                 with
                 this
                 practise
                 .
              
               So
               t
               is
               with
               others
               ,
               rather
               than
               forego
               their
               pleasures
               ,
               and
               break
               their
               Customs
               in
               sin
               ,
               farewel
               Heaven
               ,
               Christ
               ,
               and
               all
               .
               O
               the
               enchanting
               efficacy
               of
               Sin
               !
               
                 Ier.
                 I8
                 .
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 And
                 they
                 said
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 hope
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 will
                 walk
                 after
                 our
                 own
                 devises
                 .
              
               When
               a
               man
               considers
               what
               Visions
               of
               Misery
               and
               Wrath
               Conviction
               gives
               Men
               ,
               he
               may
               wonder
               that
               all
               convinced
               men
               are
               not
               converted
               ;
               and
               on
               the
               otherside
               ,
               when
               he
               
               considers
               the
               strong
               hold
               sin
               hath
               gotten
               upon
               the
               hearts
               of
               sinners
               ,
               it
               may
               justly
               seem
               as
               great
               a
               wonder
               that
               any
               are
               converted
               :
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               Inference
               .
            
             
               How
               dreadful
               is
               the
               State
               and
               Case
               of
               Apostates
               ,
               who
               have
               had
               their
               eyes
               opened
               ,
               their
               Consciences
               awakened
               ,
               their
               Resolutions
               for
               Christ
               seemingly
               fixed
               :
               and
               yet
               after
               all
               this
               ,
               return
               again
               to
               their
               former
               course
               of
               Sin.
               
            
             
               You
               see
               Brethren
               ,
               sin
               hath
               not
               only
               power
               to
               hold
               men
               in
               Bondage
               to
               its
               Lusts
               after
               their
               eyes
               have
               been
               open'd
               ;
               but
               it
               hath
               power
               to
               recover
               and
               fetch
               back
               those
               that
               seemed
               to
               have
               clean
               escaped
               out
               of
               its
               hands
               ,
               2
               Pet.
               2.
               18
               ,
               19.
               
               The
               unclean
               Spirit
               may
               depart
               for
               a
               time
               ,
               and
               make
               his
               re-entry
               into
               the
               same
               soul
               ,
               with
               seven
               Spirits
               worse
               than
               himself
               .
               Matth.
               12.
               43.
               
               Restraints
               by
               conviction
               and
               formality
               do
               not
               wholly
               dispossess
               Satan
               ,
               he
               still
               keeps
               his
               propriety
               in
               the
               Soul
               ,
               for
               he
               calls
               it
               
                 my
                 house
              
               ,
               and
               that
               propriety
               he
               keeps
               under
               all
               those
               Convictions
               and
               partial
               Reformations
               opens
               to
               him
               and
               all
               his
               Hellish
               retinue
               a
               door
               for
               his
               return
               .
               But
               oh
               how
               doleful
               will
               the
               end
               of
               such
               Men
               be
               !
               and
               how
               just
               is
               that
               
                 Martial
                 Law
                 of
                 Heaven
              
               ,
               that
               dooms
               the
               Apostate
               to
               Eternal
               Wrath
               !
               Heb.
               10.
               38.
               
               Such
               are
               '
               twice
               dead
               ,
               and
               will
               be
               pluckt
               up
               by
               the
               Root
               ,
               Iude
               12.
               
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
               Inference
               .
            
             
               
                 To
                 conclude
                 this
                 Use
              
               ,
               How
               sure
               and
               dreadful
               will
               be
               the
               condemnation
               of
               all
               those
               in
               the
               day
               of
               the
               
               Lord
               ,
               who
               obstinately
               persist
               and
               continue
               in
               sin
               ,
               under
               the
               Convictions
               and
               Condemnations
               of
               their
               own
               consciences
               !
            
             
               Poor
               wretches
               ,
               you
               are
               condemned
               already
               ,
               Ioh.
               3.
               18.
               
               Condemned
               by
               the
               Law
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               sentence
               of
               your
               own
               Consciences
               .
               What
               thy
               own
               Conscience
               saith
               according
               to
               Gods
               Law
               ,
               God
               will
               confirm
               ,
               and
               make
               it
               good
               ,
               1
               
                 Ioh.
                 3.
                 20.
                 
                 If
                 our
                 hearts
                 condemn
                 w
                 ,
                 God
                 is
                 greater
                 than
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 knoweth
                 all
                 things
                 .
              
               His
               sentence
               will
               be
               as
               clear
               ,
               as
               it
               will
               be
               terrible
               ;
               for
               in
               the
               last
               Day
               the
               Books
               will
               be
               opened
               ;
               the
               book
               of
               Gods
               Omniscience
               ,
               and
               the
               book
               of
               thine
               own
               Conscience
               .
               Now
               the
               book
               of
               Conscience
               is
               as
               it
               were
               a
               Transcript
               or
               Counterpart
               of
               Gods
               book
               ,
               for
               thee
               to
               keep
               in
               thine
               own
               bosom
               :
               Now
               when
               Gods
               book
               and
               thy
               own
               book
               shall
               be
               compared
               ,
               and
               found
               exactly
               to
               agree
               ,
               there
               can
               be
               no
               farther
               dispute
               of
               the
               Equity
               of
               the
               account
               .
               O
               when
               God
               shall
               charge
               thee
               saying
               ,
               thou
               knewest
               this
               and
               that
               to
               be
               sin
               ,
               and
               yet
               thy
               lusts
               hurried
               thee
               on
               to
               commit
               it
               ;
               Is
               it
               not
               so
               ?
               Look
               sinner
               into
               thine
               own
               book
               ,
               and
               see
               if
               thy
               Conscience
               have
               not
               so
               charged
               it
               to
               thy
               Account
               .
               Thou
               knewest
               Prayer
               was
               thy
               duty
               ,
               when
               thou
               neglectedst
               it
               ;
               and
               over-reaching
               the
               lgnorant
               ,
               Credulous
               and
               Unwary
               ,
               was
               thy
               sin
               ,
               when
               the
               love
               of
               gain
               tempted
               thee
               to
               it
               ,
               You
               knew
               I
               had
               plainly
               told
               you
               Thest
               ,
               Uncleanness
               ,
               Drunkenness
               ,
               and
               Extortion
               ,
               would
               bar
               you
               out
               of
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Christ
               and
               of
               God
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               6.
               9
               ,
               10.
               and
               yet
               putting
               that
               to
               the
               venture
               ,
               you
               have
               lived
               in
               those
               sins
               ;
               is
               it
               not
               so
               ?
               Examine
               the
               book
               in
               your
               own
               bosom
               ,
               and
               see
               .
               The
               Lord
               make
               men
               sensible
               of
               coming
               Wrath
               ,
               for
               those
               sins
               
               they
               live
               in
               under
               light
               ,
               for
               the
               Wrath
               of
               God
               is
               revealed
               from
               Heaven
               against
               them
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             II.
             VSE
             .
          
           
             Is
             the
             Wrath
             of
             God
             revealed
             from
             Heaven
             a
             gainst
             all
             that
             hold
             the
             Truth
             in
             Unrighteousness
             ?
             Then
             let
             me
             exhort
             and
             perswade
             you
             ,
             by
             all
             the
             regard
             and
             love
             you
             have
             for
             your
             Souls
             ,
             by
             all
             the
             fears
             you
             have
             of
             the
             Incensed
             Wrath
             of
             the
             great
             and
             terrible
             God
             ;
             that
             you
             forthwith
             set
             your
             Convictions
             at
             Liberty
             ,
             and
             loose
             all
             the
             Lords
             Prisoners
             that
             lye
             bound
             within
             you
             ,
             because
             there
             is
             Wrath
             beware
             ,
             Iob
             36.
             18.
             
             O
             stifle
             the
             Voices
             of
             your
             own
             Consciences
             no
             more
             ,
             slight
             not
             the
             softest
             whisper
             ,
             or
             least
             intimation
             of
             Conscience
             ;
             reverence
             and
             obey
             its
             Voice
             .
             Motives
             pressing
             and
             perswading
             this
             are
             many
             ,
             yet
             estimate
             them
             by
             weight
             rather
             than
             by
             number
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Motive
               .
            
             
               The
               Wrath
               of
               God
               is
               revealed
               from
               Heaven
               against
               them
               that
               hold
               the
               Truth
               in
               Unrighteousness
               ,
               and
               because
               there
               is
               Wrath
               beware
               .
               Are
               you
               truly
               informed
               what
               the
               Wrath
               of
               God
               is
               ?
               
                 Who
                 knoweth
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 thine
                 anger
                 ?
                 according
                 to
                 thy
                 fear
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 thy
                 wrath
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 90.
                 v.
              
               11.
               
               O
               if
               the
               Wrath
               of
               a
               King
               (
               who
               in
               all
               his
               Glory
               is
               but
               a
               mortal
               Worm
               )
               be
               as
               the
               roaring
               of
               a
               Lyon
               ,
               and
               as
               the
               Messengers
               of
               Death
               ;
               
                 Prov.
                 20.
                 2.
                 
                 Prov.
              
               16.
               14.
               
               What
               then
               is
               the
               power
               of
               his
               Wrath
               ,
               at
               whose
               frowns
               the
               Kings
               of
               the
               Earth
               tremble
               ,
               the
               Captains
               and
               the
               Mighty
               Men
               ,
               shrink
               like
               worms
               into
               their
               holes
               !
               if
               the
               lesser
               Executions
               of
               it
               by
               
               Providence
               in
               this
               world
               ,
               be
               so
               dreadful
               ,
               that
               men
               ,
               yea
               ,
               good
               men
               have
               desired
               an
               hiding
               place
               in
               the
               Grave
               ,
               till
               it
               be
               past
               ;
               Iob
               14.
               13.
               then
               what
               is
               the
               full
               execution
               thereof
               upon
               the
               ungodly
               in
               the
               place
               of
               Torments
               !
               If
               the
               threats
               and
               denunciations
               of
               it
               against
               others
               ,
               have
               made
               an
               Habakkuk
               ,
               though
               assured
               of
               personal
               safety
               to
               quiver
               with
               his
               Lips
               ,
               and
               tremble
               in
               his
               Bowels
               ;
               as
               you
               see
               it
               did
               ,
               Hab.
               3.
               16.
               
               How
               much
               more
               should
               those
               tremble
               and
               quiver
               who
               are
               to
               be
               the
               Subjects
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               not
               the
               meer
               Heralds
               of
               it
               as
               he
               was
               !
               And
               (
               which
               is
               more
               than
               all
               )
               if
               
                 Iesus
                 Christ
              
               who
               was
               to
               feel
               it
               but
               a
               few
               Hours
               ,
               and
               had
               the
               power
               of
               the
               Godhead
               to
               support
               him
               under
               it
               ;
               did
               notwithstanding
               ,
               sweat
               as
               it
               had
               been
               great
               drops
               of
               blood
               ,
               and
               was
               sore
               amazed
               ;
               think
               with
               wthy
               self
               poor
               wretch
               ,
               how
               shall
               thy
               heart
               endure
               ,
               or
               thy
               hands
               be
               strong
               when
               thou
               hast
               to
               do
               with
               an
               incensed
               Deity
               ?
            
          
           
             
               II.
               Motive
               .
            
             
               Till
               you
               let
               your
               Convictions
               go
               ,
               Satan
               will
               not
               let
               you
               go
               He
               binds
               you
               ,
               whilst
               you
               bind
               them
               .
               Here
               is
               the
               Command
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Command
               of
               Satan
               in
               competition
               .
               Let
               go
               my
               Truths
               ,
               saith
               God
               ,
               which
               thou
               holdest
               in
               unrighteousness
               ;
               bind
               and
               suppress
               them
               saith
               Satan
               ,
               or
               they
               'll
               deprive
               thee
               of
               the
               liberty
               and
               pleasure
               of
               thy
               Life
               .
               Now
               ,
               whilst
               thou
               slightest
               the
               voice
               of
               God
               and
               Conscience
               (
               for
               the
               voice
               of
               Conscience
               is
               the
               voice
               of
               God
               )
               dost
               thou
               not
               avowedly
               declare
               thy self
               the
               bond-slave
               of
               Satan
               ?
               
                 His
                 Servants
                 ye
                 are
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 you
                 obey
                 ,
                 Rom.
              
               6.
               16.
               
               Dare
               not
               to
               make
               one
               step
               further
               in
               the
               way
               of
               known
               sin
               saith
               Conscience
               ,
               continue
               not
               at
               thy
               Peril
               in
               such
               a
               dangerous
               state
               ,
               after
               I
               have
               so
               clearly
               convinced
               
               and
               warned
               thee
               of
               it
               :
               fear
               not
               saith
               Satan
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               bad
               with
               thee
               ,
               't
               will
               be
               as
               bad
               with
               Millions
               .
               God
               will
               wound
               the
               heads
               of
               such
               as
               go
               in
               their
               Trespasses
               saith
               Scripture
               ,
               Psal.
               68.
               21.
               
               Tush
               ,
               others
               do
               so
               ,
               and
               escape
               as
               well
               as
               the
               most
               nice
               and
               tender
               ,
               saith
               Satan
               .
               Now
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               thy
               Obedience
               to
               Satans
               commands
               ,
               plainly
               declares
               thee
               ,
               all
               this
               while
               to
               be
               a
               poor
               enslaved
               Captive
               to
               him
               ,
               acted
               and
               carried
               according
               to
               the
               Prince
               of
               the
               power
               of
               the
               air
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               that
               now
               worketh
               in
               the
               Children
               of
               disobedience
               .
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Motive
               .
            
             
               Nay
               further
               ,
               until
               you
               obey
               your
               Convictions
               ,
               you
               are
               Confederates
               with
               the
               Devil
               in
               a
               desperate
               Plot
               against
               your
               own
               Souls
               .
               You
               joyn
               with
               Christs
               great
               and
               avowed
               Enemy
               to
               dishonour
               him
               ,
               and
               damn
               your selves
               .
            
             
               Two
               things
               make
               you
               Confederates
               with
               the
               Devil
               ,
               against
               your
               own
               Souls
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               Your
               Consent
               to
               this
               his
               Project
               ,
               for
               your
               Damnation
               ;
               for
               so
               your
               own
               Consciences
               out
               of
               the
               Scriptures
               inform
               you
               it
               is
               .
               Consent
               makes
               you
               a
               Party
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Your
               Concealment
               of
               this
               Plot
               brings
               you
               in
               as
               a
               Party
               with
               him
               .
               Confess
               thy
               sin
               and
               bewail
               it
               saith
               Conscience
               ,
               not
               so
               saith
               Pride
               and
               Shame
               ,
               how
               shall
               I
               look
               men
               in
               the
               face
               if
               I
               do
               so
               ?
               Don't
               you
               in
               all
               this
               believe
               Satan
               ,
               and
               make
               God
               a
               Liar
               ?
               Don't
               you
               act
               as
               men
               that
               hate
               your
               own
               Souls
               ,
               and
               love
               death
               ?
               Prov.
               8.
               36.
               
               O
               't
               is
               a
               
               dreadful
               thing
               for
               men
               to
               be
               accessary
               to
               their
               own
               Eternal
               Ruin
               ,
               and
               that
               after
               fair
               warning
               and
               notice
               given
               them
               by
               their
               own
               Consciences
               .
               Satan
               (
               be
               his
               power
               what
               it
               will
               )
               cannot
               destroy
               you
               without
               your
               own
               Consent
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Motive
               .
            
             
               Whilst
               you
               go
               on
               stifling
               your
               own
               Convictions
               ,
               and
               turning
               away
               your
               ears
               from
               its
               calls
               to
               Repentance
               and
               Reformation
               ,
               you
               cannot
               be
               pardoned
               .
               You
               are
               in
               your
               sins
               ,
               and
               the
               guilt
               of
               them
               all
               lies
               at
               your
               door
               .
               You
               may
               see
               what
               the
               Terms
               of
               Remission
               are
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 55.
                 7.
                 
                 Let
                 the
                 wicked
                 for
                 sake
                 his
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 unrighteous
                 man
                 his
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 him
                 turn
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 mercy
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 abundantly
                 pardon
                 .
              
               So
               again
               ,
               
                 Prov.
                 28.
                 13.
                 
                 He
                 that
                 hardneth
                 his
                 neck
                 shall
                 not
                 prosper
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 confesseth
                 and
                 for
                 saketh
                 shall
                 find
                 mercy
                 .
              
               You
               see
               by
               these
               ,
               and
               may
               see
               by
               many
               more
               plain
               Scripture
               Testimonies
               ,
               there
               can
               be
               no
               hope
               of
               Remission
               whilst
               you
               go
               on
               in
               this
               path
               of
               Rebellion
               ;
               concealing
               ,
               yea
               and
               persisting
               in
               your
               known
               wickedness
               .
               There
               is
               a
               necessary
               and
               inseparable
               Connection
               betwixt
               Repentance
               and
               Remission
               ,
               Acts
               5.
               31.
               and
               Luke
               24.
               47.
               
               And
               can
               you
               endure
               guilt
               to
               be
               your
               Bedfellow
               during
               Life
               ,
               and
               your
               Grave
               fellow
               after
               Death
               ?
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Motive
               .
            
             
               You
               can
               never
               have
               peace
               with
               your
               own
               Consciences
               ,
               whilst
               you
               keep
               Convictions
               Prisoners
               .
               Now
               a
               mans
               Conscience
               is
               his
               best
               Friend
               ,
               or
               his
               worst
               Enemy
               .
               Thence
               are
               the
               sweetest
               Comforts
               ,
               
               and
               thence
               are
               the
               bitterest
               Sorrows
               .
               'T
               is
               a
               dreadful
               thing
               for
               a
               man
               to
               lie
               with
               a
               cold
               sweating
               Horror
               upon
               his
               panting
               Bosom
               .
               
                 Tum
                 pallida
                 mens
                 est
                 Criminibus
                 ,
                 tacit
                 a
                 sudant
                 praecordia
                 culpâ
                 .
              
               And
               this
               (
               or
               which
               is
               worse
               )
               Obduration
               and
               Stupidity
               must
               be
               the
               case
               of
               them
               that
               hold
               the
               Truth
               in
               Unrighteousness
               .
               There
               can
               be
               no
               sounding
               a
               retreat
               to
               these
               terrors
               ,
               till
               
               Sheba's
               Head
               be
               thrown
               over
               the
               Walls
               ;
               I
               mean
               ,
               till
               that
               Sin
               your
               Conscience
               convinceth
               you
               of
               ,
               be
               delivered
               up
               .
               As
               Israel
               could
               have
               no
               peace
               ,
               till
               Achan
               was
               destroy'd
               ,
               so
               thou
               shalt
               have
               no
               peace
               ,
               whilst
               thy
               sin
               is
               covered
               ,
               and
               hid
               .
               Men
               may
               cry
               peace
               ,
               peace
               ,
               to
               themselves
               ,
               whilst
               they
               continue
               in
               sin
               ,
               Deut.
               29.
               18
               ,
               19.
               but
               the
               sharpest
               troubles
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               are
               better
               than
               such
               peace
               .
               Deliver
               up
               thy self
               Man
               ,
               if
               thou
               love
               peace
               ,
               into
               the
               hands
               of
               thy
               own
               Convictions
               ,
               and
               thou
               art
               in
               the
               true
               way
               to
               peace
               .
               Thy
               rejoycing
               must
               be
               in
               the
               Testimony
               of
               thine
               own
               Conscience
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               speakes
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               1.
               12.
               or
               thou
               rejoycest
               in
               a
               dream
               ,
               in
               a
               delusion
               ,
               in
               a
               thing
               of
               nought
               .
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               Motive
               .
            
             
               What
               dreadful
               Charges
               are
               you
               like
               to
               meet
               with
               upon
               your
               death-beds
               ,
               on
               the
               account
               of
               those
               sins
               you
               have
               lived
               in
               ,
               against
               Knowledge
               and
               Conviction
               !
               Conscience
               is
               never
               more
               active
               and
               vigorous
               than
               in
               the
               last
               hours
               and
               moments
               of
               Life
               .
               Now
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               stifled
               ,
               and
               over-ruled
               no
               longer
               .
               It
               whispered
               before
               ,
               but
               now
               it
               thunders
               .
               If
               a
               Man
               have
               a
               clear
               and
               quiet
               Conscience
               ,
               his
               Evening
               is
               clear
               ,
               and
               his
               Sun
               sets
               without
               Clouds
               ,
               See
               Psal.
               37
               37.
               
               
                 The
                 end
                 of
                 that
                 man
                 is
                 peace
                 .
              
               In
               Contemplation
               of
               this
               Felicity
               it
               was
               that
               Balaam
               uttered
               
               that
               wish
               ,
               
                 let
                 my
                 last
                 end
                 be
                 like
                 his
                 :
              
               This
               peace
               is
               the
               result
               of
               a
               Mans
               integrity
               ,
               and
               Obedience
               to
               the
               voice
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               this
               being
               the
               Evidence
               ,
               we
               can
               most
               safely
               rely
               upon
               ,
               of
               our
               Uprightness
               ,
               and
               Interest
               in
               Christ
               ,
               but
               the
               result
               of
               such
               violences
               and
               abuses
               to
               thy
               Conscience
               ,
               cannot
               be
               peace
               to
               thy
               Soul
               :
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               some
               wicked
               Men
               dye
               in
               seeming
               peace
               ,
               and
               some
               good
               Men
               in
               trouble
               ,
               but
               both
               the
               one
               and
               other
               are
               mistaken
               ;
               the
               first
               ,
               as
               to
               the
               good
               Estate
               he
               fancies
               himself
               in
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               as
               to
               his
               bad
               Estate
               ;
               and
               a
               few
               Moments
               will
               clear
               up
               the
               mistakes
               of
               both
               .
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
               Motive
               .
            
             
               Obedience
               to
               Convictions
               will
               not
               only
               produce
               peace
               at
               Death
               ,
               but
               it
               will
               give
               you
               present
               ease
               ,
               present
               relief
               and
               refreshment
               in
               hand
               :
               No
               sooner
               did
               David
               resolve
               to
               obey
               the
               voice
               of
               his
               Conscience
               ,
               in
               confessing
               his
               sin
               ;
               but
               he
               had
               sensible
               ease
               in
               his
               own
               Spirit
               ,
               Psal.
               32.
               5.
               
               So
               Isa.
               32.
               17.
               the
               fruit
               of
               Righteousness
               is
               peace
               ,
               quietness
               ,
               and
               assurance
               for
               ever
               :
               On
               the
               contrary
               ,
               you
               find
               in
               Iob
               20.
               20.
               
               Wicked
               Men
               have
               no
               quietness
               in
               their
               Bellies
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               in
               their
               Consciences
               :
               For
               Guilt
               lies
               boking
               there
               as
               a
               Thorn
               doth
               in
               the
               Flesh
               :
               And
               what
               is
               Life
               worth
               without
               ease
               ?
               To
               live
               ever
               in
               pain
               ,
               to
               live
               upon
               the
               Rack
               ,
               is
               not
               worth
               while
               to
               live
               :
               If
               then
               you
               love
               ease
               and
               quietness
               ,
               obey
               your
               Consciences
               :
               Pull
               out
               that
               Thorn
               ,
               I
               mean
               that
               Sin
               that
               sticks
               fast
               in
               thy
               Soul
               ,
               and
               akes
               in
               thy
               Conscience
               :
               Who
               would
               endure
               so
               much
               anguish
               for
               all
               the
               flattering
               pleasures
               of
               sin
               ?
            
          
           
             
             
               VIII
               .
               Motive
               .
            
             
               Convictions
               followed
               home
               and
               obeyed
               ,
               are
               the
               inlets
               to
               Christ
               and
               Eternal
               Salvation
               by
               him
               ;
               they
               are
               the
               first
               leading
               work
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               in
               order
               to
               union
               with
               Christ
               ,
               Iohn
               16.
               8.
               till
               you
               obey
               and
               yield
               up
               your selves
               to
               them
               ,
               Christ
               is
               shut
               out
               of
               your
               Souls
               ,
               he
               knocks
               ,
               but
               finds
               no
               entrance
               ,
               at
               your
               peril
               therefore
               be
               obedient
               to
               their
               calls
               :
               All
               the
               while
               you
               parly
               with
               your
               Convictions
               ,
               and
               demur
               to
               their
               demands
               ,
               Christ
               stands
               without
               ,
               offering
               himself
               graciously
               to
               you
               ,
               but
               not
               admitted
               ;
               so
               that
               no
               less
               than
               your
               Eternal
               Happiness
               or
               Misery
               depend
               on
               your
               Obedience
               ,
               or
               disobedience
               to
               the
               Voices
               and
               Calls
               of
               your
               Convictions
               .
            
          
           
             
               IX
               .
               Motive
               .
            
             
               Obey
               your
               Convictions
               ,
               Honour
               their
               Voices
               ,
               and
               restrain
               them
               not
               ;
               then
               shall
               your
               Consciences
               give
               a
               fair
               testimony
               for
               you
               at
               the
               Judgment
               seat
               of
               Christ
               :
               You
               read
               1
               
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 
                 2I
                 Of
                 the
                 answer
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 Conscience
                 towards
                 God
              
               ;
               than
               which
               nothing
               can
               be
               more
               comfortable
               :
               This
               gives
               a
               Man
               boldness
               in
               the
               day
               of
               Judgment
               ,
               1
               Iohn
               4.
               17.
               
               Believe
               it
               firs
               ,
               't
               is
               not
               your
               Baptism
               ,
               your
               Church-priviledges
               ,
               the
               Opinion
               Men
               have
               of
               you
               ;
               but
               the
               testimony
               of
               your
               Consciences
               that
               must
               be
               your
               comfort
               .
               I
               know
               Men
               are
               not
               justified
               at
               Gods
               Bar
               ,
               by
               you
               own
               Obedience
               ,
               nor
               any
               exactness
               of
               Life
               ,
               't
               is
               only
               Christ's
               Righteousness
               that
               is
               the
               Sinners
               plea
               ;
               but
               yet
               your
               Obedience
               to
               the
               Calls
               and
               Voices
               of
               God
               and
               Conscience
               ,
               are
               your
               evidence
               that
               you
               are
               in
               Christ.
               
            
          
           
             
             
               X.
               Motive
               .
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               Consider
               what
               a
               choice
               Mercy
               it
               is
               to
               be
               under
               such
               Calls
               and
               Convictions
               of
               Conscience
               as
               are
               yet
               capable
               of
               being
               obeyed
               :
               'T
               is
               not
               so
               with
               Mens
               Convictions
               after
               this
               Life
               .
               Conscience
               convinceth
               in
               Hell
               as
               well
               as
               here
               ,
               but
               all
               its
               Convictions
               there
               are
               for
               torment
               ,
               not
               recovery
               .
               Oh
               't
               is
               a
               choice
               Mercy
               your
               Convictions
               are
               yet
               Medicinal
               ,
               not
               purely
               Poenal
               ;
               that
               you
               are
               not
               
                 malo
                 obfirmati
              
               ,
               so
               fixed
               in
               the
               state
               of
               Sin
               and
               Misery
               ,
               as
               the
               damned
               are
               ;
               but
               may
               yet
               enjoy
               the
               saving
               benefit
               of
               your
               Convictions
               ,
               but
               this
               you
               will
               not
               enjoy
               long
               ,
               therefore
               I
               beseech
               you
               by
               all
               that
               is
               dear
               and
               valuable
               in
               your
               Eyes
               ;
               Reverence
               your
               Consciences
               ,
               and
               let
               go
               the
               Lords
               Prisoners
               that
               lye
               bound
               within
               you
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             III.
             USE
             .
          
           
             I
             next
             come
             to
             expotulate
             the
             matter
             with
             your
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             propound
             a
             few
             Convictive
             Queries
             to
             your
             Souls
             this
             day
             :
             I
             cannot
             but
             look
             upon
             this
             Assembly
             with
             Fear
             ,
             Jealousie
             and
             Compassion
             .
             I
             am
             afraid
             there
             be
             many
             of
             you
             in
             this
             wretched
             case
             :
             Men
             and
             Women
             that
             hold
             the
             Truths
             of
             God
             in
             Unrighteousness
             ,
             though
             the
             Wrath
             of
             God
             be
             revealed
             from
             Heaven
             against
             all
             them
             that
             do
             so
             :
             Let
             me
             Demand
             ,
          
           
             
               I.
               Demand
               .
            
             
               Do
               not
               some
               of
               you
               stand
               convinced
               by
               your
               own
               Consciences
               this
               day
               ,
               that
               your
               Hearts
               and
               
               Lives
               ,
               your
               Principles
               and
               Practises
               ,
               are
               vastly
               different
               from
               the
               People
               of
               God
               ,
               among
               whom
               you
               live
               ;
               and
               whose
               Characters
               you
               read
               in
               Scripture
               ?
               Do
               not
               your
               own
               Consciences
               tell
               you
               ,
               that
               you
               never
               took
               that
               pains
               for
               your
               Salvation
               you
               see
               them
               dayly
               to
               take
               ;
               that
               there
               be
               some
               it
               may
               be
               in
               your
               Families
               ,
               nay
               ,
               possibly
               in
               your
               Bosoms
               that
               are
               serious
               and
               heavenly
               ,
               whilst
               you
               are
               vain
               and
               earthly
               ;
               that
               are
               in
               their
               Chambers
               upon
               their
               knees
               ,
               wrestling
               with
               God
               ,
               whilst
               you
               are
               in
               your
               Beds
               ,
               or
               about
               the
               things
               of
               the
               World
               :
               And
               doth
               not
               Conscience
               sometimes
               whisper
               thus
               into
               thine
               Ear
               ,
               Soul
               thou
               art
               not
               right
               ;
               something
               is
               wanting
               to
               make
               thee
               a
               Christian
               :
               Thou
               wantest
               that
               which
               others
               have
               ;
               and
               except
               something
               further
               be
               done
               upon
               thee
               ,
               thou
               wilt
               be
               undone
               for
               ever
               :
               If
               it
               be
               so
               ,
               let
               me
               advise
               thee
               to
               hearken
               diligently
               to
               this
               voice
               of
               Conscience
               :
               Don't
               dare
               to
               adventure
               to
               the
               Judgment-seat
               of
               God
               in
               such
               a
               case
               :
               Ponder
               that
               Text
               ,
               Matth.
               21.
               32.
               and
               let
               the
               disparity
               your
               Conscience
               shews
               you
               betwixt
               your
               own
               course
               and
               others
               ,
               awaken
               you
               to
               more
               diligence
               and
               seriousness
               about
               your
               own
               Salvation
               :
               How
               can●t
               thou
               come
               from
               the
               Alehouse
               ,
               or
               thy
               vain
               Recreations
               ,
               and
               find
               a
               Wife
               ,
               or
               Child
               in
               Prayer
               ,
               and
               thy
               Conscience
               not
               smite
               thee
               ?
               It
               may
               be
               they
               have
               been
               mourning
               for
               thy
               '
               in
               s
               ,
               whilst
               thou
               haft
               been
               committing
               them
               .
               It
               may
               be
               there
               lives
               not
               far
               from
               thee
               a
               Godly
               poor
               Man
               ,
               who
               out
               of
               his
               hard
               and
               pressing
               Labours
               ,
               redeems
               more
               time
               for
               his
               Soul
               in
               a
               week
               ,
               than
               ever
               thou
               didst
               in
               thy
               Life
               .
               O
               hearken
               to
               the
               voice
               of
               thy
               Conscience
               :
               Else
               thou
               art
               he
               that
               holdest
               Truth
               in
               Unrighteousness
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               II.
               Demand
               .
            
             
               Did
               thy
               Conscience
               never
               meet
               thee
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Sin
               ,
               as
               the
               Angel
               of
               the
               Lord
               met
               Balaam
               with
               a
               drawn
               Sword
               ,
               brandishing
               the
               threatnings
               of
               God
               against
               thee
               ?
               Did
               it
               not
               say
               to
               thee
               as
               a
               Captain
               once
               said
               to
               his
               Soldiers
               about
               to
               retreate
               ,
               he
               cast
               himself
               down
               in
               their
               way
               ,
               saying
               ,
               if
               you
               go
               this
               way
               ,
               you
               shall
               go
               over
               your
               Captain
               :
               You
               shall
               trample
               him
               first
               under
               your
               feet
               :
               Stop
               Soul
               ,
               stop
               ,
               said
               thy
               Conscience
               ;
               this
               and
               that
               Word
               of
               God
               is
               against
               thee
               :
               If
               thou
               proceed
               ,
               thou
               must
               trample
               upon
               the
               Soveraign
               Authority
               of
               God
               in
               this
               or
               that
               Command
               ;
               yet
               thy
               impetuous
               Lusts
               have
               hurried
               thee
               forward
               :
               Thou
               wouldst
               not
               fairly
               debate
               the
               case
               with
               thy
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               then
               did
               not
               thy
               Conscience
               say
               to
               thee
               ,
               as
               Ruben
               spake
               to
               his
               Brethren
               ,
               
                 Gen.
                 42.
                 22.
                 
                 Spake
                 I
                 not
                 unto
                 you
                 saying
                 ,
                 do
                 not
                 sin
                 against
                 the
                 child
                 ,
                 but
                 you
                 would
                 not
                 hear
                 ;
                 therefore
                 also
                 his
                 blood
                 is
                 required
                 of
                 you
                 :
              
               If
               this
               have
               been
               your
               course
               of
               sinning
               ,
               verily
               you
               are
               the
               persons
               that
               have
               held
               the
               Truths
               of
               God
               in
               Unrighteousness
               ,
               and
               against
               you
               the
               Wrath
               of
               God
               is
               revealed
               from
               Heaven
               .
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Demand
               .
            
             
               Have
               you
               not
               seen
               the
               Wrath
               of
               God
               revealed
               from
               Heaven
               against
               other
               Sinners
               that
               have
               gone
               before
               you
               in
               the
               very
               same
               tract
               and
               course
               of
               sin
               in
               which
               you
               now
               go
               ,
               and
               yet
               you
               persist
               in
               it
               ,
               notwithstanding
               such
               dreadful
               Warnings
               ?
               Thus
               did
               Belteshazzar
               ,
               though
               he
               saw
               all
               that
               the
               God
               of
               Heaven
               had
               done
               to
               his
               Father
               ,
               Dan.
               5.
               20
               ,
               21
               ,
               22.
               
               You
               have
               seen
               great
               Estates
               scattered
               ,
               and
               their
               
               Owners
               that
               got
               them
               by
               fraud
               and
               oppression
               reduced
               to
               beggery
               ;
               and
               yet
               when
               a
               temptation
               is
               before
               you
               ,
               you
               cannot
               forbear
               to
               take
               the
               advantage
               (
               as
               you
               call
               it
               )
               to
               get
               the
               gain
               of
               oppression
               :
               You
               have
               seen
               Drunkards
               cloathed
               with
               rags
               ,
               and
               brought
               to
               miserable
               ends
               :
               Adulterers
               severely
               punished
               ,
               their
               Names
               and
               Estates
               ,
               Souls
               and
               Bodies
               blasted
               and
               wasted
               by
               a
               secret
               ,
               but
               just
               stroke
               of
               God
               :
               Have
               you
               taken
               warning
               by
               these
               strokes
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               hearkned
               to
               the
               monitions
               and
               cautions
               your
               Consciences
               have
               thereupon
               given
               you
               ?
               If
               not
               ,
               thou
               art
               the
               Man
               that
               holdest
               the
               truth
               of
               God
               in
               Unrighteousness
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Demand
               .
            
             
               Do
               not
               you
               inwardly
               hate
               ,
               and
               do
               not
               your
               hearts
               rise
               against
               necessary
               and
               due
               reproofs
               given
               you
               by
               those
               that
               love
               your
               Souls
               better
               than
               your selves
               ?
               If
               you
               hate
               a
               faithful
               Reprover
               ,
               though
               you
               know
               you
               justly
               deserve
               the
               reproof
               ,
               and
               are
               guilty
               of
               the
               sin
               he
               reproves
               ;
               if
               you
               recriminate
               ,
               or
               deny
               in
               such
               cases
               ;
               you
               are
               certainly
               so
               far
               Confederates
               with
               Satan
               against
               your
               own
               Souls
               ;
               and
               imprison
               your
               own
               Convictions
               .
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Demand
               .
            
             
               Are
               not
               some
               of
               you
               Apostatized
               from
               the
               first
               Profession
               ,
               and
               are
               not
               those
               hopeful
               blossoms
               that
               once
               appeared
               upon
               your
               Souls
               blasted
               and
               gone
               ?
               You
               had
               quick
               Convictions
               ,
               and
               melting
               Affections
               ,
               tenderness
               in
               your
               Consciences
               ,
               and
               zeal
               for
               Duties
               :
               But
               all
               is
               now
               vanished
               :
               Your
               Affections
               are
               grown
               cold
               ,
               your
               Duties
               omitted
               ,
               
               though
               Conscience
               often
               bids
               you
               remember
               from
               whence
               you
               are
               fallen
               ,
               and
               do
               your
               first
               Works
               :
               You
               are
               the
               persons
               guilty
               of
               this
               sin
               .
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               Demand
               .
            
             
               Do
               none
               of
               you
               presume
               upon
               future
               Repentance
               ,
               and
               so
               make
               bold
               with
               your
               Consciences
               for
               present
               ,
               thinking
               to
               compound
               that
               way
               with
               it
               ?
               This
               argues
               thee
               to
               be
               a
               self-condemned
               Man
               ,
               and
               one
               that
               holdest
               truth
               in
               Unrighteousness
               :
               Thy
               Sin
               is
               present
               and
               certain
               ,
               thy
               Repentance
               but
               a
               peradventure
               ,
               2
               Tim.
               2.
               25.
               
               This
               is
               an
               high
               and
               a
               daring
               way
               of
               presumptuous
               sinning
               .
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
               Demand
               .
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               Have
               none
               of
               you
               taken
               the
               Vows
               of
               God
               upon
               you
               ,
               to
               reform
               your
               course
               ,
               and
               break
               off
               your
               iniquities
               by
               Repentance
               ,
               when
               you
               have
               been
               under
               dangerous
               sickness
               on
               shore
               ,
               or
               dreadful
               tempests
               at
               Sea
               ?
               Have
               you
               not
               said
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               if
               thou
               wilt
               but
               spare
               and
               save
               me
               this
               once
               ,
               I
               will
               never
               live
               at
               the
               rate
               I
               have
               lived
               any
               more
               :
               Try
               me
               O
               Lord
               this
               once
               :
               And
               yet
               when
               that
               Affliction
               hath
               vanished
               ,
               your
               purposes
               and
               promises
               to
               God
               have
               vanished
               with
               it
               :
               You
               are
               the
               Persons
               that
               hold
               the
               known
               Truths
               of
               God
               Prisoners
               in
               your
               Souls
               ;
               and
               to
               all
               these
               seven
               sorts
               of
               Sinners
               ,
               this
               Text
               may
               justly
               be
               as
               the
               hand-writing
               upon
               the
               Wall
               once
               was
               ,
               even
               a
               
                 Mene
                 tekel
              
               ;
               that
               may
               make
               thy
               very
               loynes
               to
               shake
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             IV.
             USE
             .
          
           
             This
             Doctrine
             winds
             up
             and
             finishes
             in
             Directions
             for
             the
             prevention
             of
             such
             presumptuous
             sins
             in
             Men
             for
             time
             to
             come
             ;
             that
             truth
             may
             have
             its
             free
             course
             through
             your
             Souls
             .
          
           
             
               I.
               Direction
               .
            
             
               And
               to
               this
               end
               ,
               my
               first
               Counsel
               and
               Direction
               is
               ,
               that
               you
               fail
               not
               to
               put
               every
               Conviction
               in
               speedy
               Execution
               .
               Don't
               delay
               ,
               't
               is
               a
               very
               critical
               hour
               ,
               and
               delayes
               are
               exceeding
               hazardous
               :
               Convictions
               are
               fixed
               and
               secured
               in
               Mens
               Souls
               four
               wayes
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               
                 By
                 deep
                 and
                 serious
                 consideration
              
               ,
               Psal.
               119.
               59.
               
               I
               thought
               upon
               my
               wayes
               ,
               and
               turned
               my
               feet
               unto
               thy
               testimonies
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               By
               earnest
               Prayer
               ,
               thus
               Saul
               under
               his
               first
               Convictions
               fell
               presently
               on
               his
               knees
               ,
               
                 Acts
                 9.
                 11.
                 
                 Behold
                 be
                 prayeth
                 :
              
               The
               warm
               breath
               of
               Prayer
               foments
               and
               nourishes
               the
               sparks
               of
               Conviction
               ,
               that
               it
               be
               not
               extinct
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               By
               diligent
               attendance
               upon
               the
               Word
               ,
               the
               Word
               begets
               it
               ,
               and
               the
               Word
               can
               through
               God's
               blessing
               preserve
               it
               ,
               1
               Iam.
               23.
               24.
               
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               Present
               Execution
               ,
               falling
               without
               delay
               on
               the
               Duty
               thou
               art
               convinced
               of
               ,
               Iam.
               1.
               24.
               
               Be
               not
               forgetful
               hearers
               ,
               but
               doers
               of
               the
               work
               ;
               otherwise
               a
               Man
               is
               as
               one
               that
               looks
               into
               a
               glass
               ,
               and
               straightway
               
               forgets
               what
               manner
               of
               man
               he
               was
               .
               Take
               the
               sense
               thus
               ,
               a
               man
               looks
               into
               the
               Glass
               in
               the
               Morning
               ,
               and
               there
               perhaps
               he
               sees
               a
               spot
               on
               his
               Face
               ,
               a
               disorder
               in
               his
               Hair
               ,
               or
               Cloaths
               ;
               and
               thinks
               with
               himself
               ,
               well
               I
               will
               rectifie
               it
               anon
               ;
               but
               being
               gone
               from
               the
               place
               ,
               one
               thing
               or
               other
               diverts
               his
               mind
               ,
               he
               forgets
               what
               he
               saw
               ,
               and
               goes
               all
               the
               day
               with
               the
               spot
               on
               his
               Face
               ,
               never
               minding
               it
               any
               more
               .
               O
               brethren
               ,
               delayes
               are
               dangerous
               ,
               sin
               is
               deceitful
               ,
               Heb.
               3.
               13.
               
               Satan
               is
               subtil
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               11.
               3.
               and
               this
               way
               gains
               his
               Point
               .
               This
               Motto
               may
               be
               written
               on
               the
               Tomb-stones
               of
               most
               that
               perish
               ,
               
                 Here
                 lies
                 one
                 that
                 was
                 destroyed
                 by
                 delayes
                 .
              
               Your
               Life
               is
               immediately
               uncertain
               ,
               so
               are
               the
               strivings
               of
               the
               Spirit
               also
               .
               Besides
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               mighty
               advantage
               in
               the
               
                 primus
                 impetus
              
               ,
               the
               first
               heat
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               when
               thy
               heart
               is
               once
               up
               in
               warm
               Affections
               and
               Resolutions
               ,
               the
               work
               may
               be
               easily
               done
               ,
               as
               a
               Bell
               if
               once
               up
               goes
               easily
               ,
               but
               hard
               to
               raise
               when
               down
               .
               See
               2
               Chron.
               29.
               36.
               
               What
               advantage
               there
               is
               in
               a
               present
               warm
               frame
               !
               Beside
               ,
               the
               nature
               of
               these
               things
               is
               too
               serious
               and
               weighty
               to
               be
               post-pon'd
               and
               delay'd
               .
               You
               cannot
               get
               out
               of
               the
               danger
               of
               Hell
               ,
               or
               into
               Christ
               too
               soon
               Moreover
               ,
               every
               repetition
               of
               sin
               ,
               after
               Conviction
               greatly
               aggravates
               it
               .
               For
               it
               is
               in
               sinning
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               in
               numbering
               ;
               if
               the
               first
               be
               one
               ,
               the
               second
               is
               ten
               ,
               the
               third
               an
               hundred
               ,
               the
               fourth
               a
               thousand
               .
               And
               to
               conclude
               ,
               think
               what
               you
               will
               ,
               you
               can
               never
               have
               a
               fitter
               season
               than
               the
               present
               ,
               the
               same
               difficulties
               you
               have
               to
               day
               you
               will
               have
               to
               morrow
               ,
               and
               it
               may
               be
               greater
               .
               Fall
               presently
               therefore
               to
               execute
               your
               Convictions
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               II.
               Direction
               .
            
             
               If
               you
               would
               be
               clear
               from
               this
               great
               wickedness
               of
               holding
               the
               Truth
               in
               Unrighteousness
               ,
               then
               see
               that
               you
               reverence
               the
               Voice
               ,
               and
               stand
               in
               awe
               of
               the
               Authority
               of
               your
               own
               Consciences
               ;
               and
               resolve
               with
               
                 Iob
                 ,
                 My
                 heart
                 shall
                 not
                 reproach
                 me
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 I
                 live
                 ,
                 Iob
              
               27.
               6.
               
               There
               be
               two
               considerations
               apt
               to
               beget
               reverence
               in
               men
               to
               the
               Voice
               of
               their
               own
               Consciences
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 'T
                 is
                 our
                 best
                 Friend
                 when
                 pure
                 and
                 inviolated
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 'T
                 is
                 our
                 worst
                 Enemy
                 when
                 wounded
                 and
                 affronted
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               Conscience
               obeyed
               and
               kept
               pure
               and
               inviolate
               ,
               is
               thy
               best
               Friend
               on
               Earth
               ,
               2
               
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 12.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 our
                 rejoycing
                 ,
                 the
                 testimony
                 of
                 our
                 Consciences
                 .
              
               The
               very
               Heathen
               could
               say
               ,
               
                 
                   Nil
                   conscire
                   tibi
                   ,
                   nulla
                   pallescere
                   culpa
                   ,
                
                 
                   His
                   murus
                   ahenus
                   esto
                   .
                
              
               What
               comforted
               Hezekiah
               on
               his
               supposed
               Death-bed
               ,
               but
               the
               fair
               Testimonial
               his
               Conscience
               gave
               in
               of
               his
               Integrity
               ,
               2
               
                 King
                 2.
                 3.
                 
                 A
                 good
                 man
              
               (
               saith
               
                 Soloman
                 )
                 shall
                 be
                 satisfied
                 from
                 himself
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 backslider
                 in
                 heart
                 shall
                 be
                 filled
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 ways
                 .
              
               Mark
               the
               opposition
               ,
               Conscience
               gives
               the
               Backslider
               his
               Belly-full
               of
               Sorrow
               ,
               and
               the
               upright
               man
               his
               Heart-full
               of
               peace
               .
               He
               is
               satisfied
               from
               himself
               ,
               that
               is
               from
               his
               own
               Conscience
               ,
               which
               though
               it
               be
               not
               the
               Original
               Spring
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               the
               Conduit
               at
               which
               he
               drinks
               peace
               ,
               joy
               ,
               and
               encouragement
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               Conscience
               wounded
               and
               abused
               ,
               will
               be
               our
               worst
               Enemy
               .
               No
               Poniards
               to
               Mortal
               as
               the
               wounds
               of
               Conscience
               .
               
                 A
                 wounded
                 Spirit
                 who
                 can
                 bear
                 ?
                 Prov.
              
               18.
               14.
               
               Could
               Iudas
               bear
               it
               ?
               or
               could
               Spira
               bear
               it
               ?
               What
               's
               the
               Torment
               of
               Hell
               ,
               but
               the
               Worm
               that
               dies
               not
               ?
               and
               what
               is
               that
               Worm
               ,
               but
               the
               remorse
               of
               Conscience
               ?
               Mark
               9.
               44.
               
               O
               what
               is
               that
               fearful
               Expectation
               mentioned
               ,
               Heb.
               10.
               27.
               see
               how
               you
               like
               that
               life
               described
               Deut.
               28.
               65
               ,
               66.
               the
               primitive
               Christians
               chose
               rather
               to
               be
               cast
               to
               the
               Lyons
               ,
               than
               into
               the
               Paws
               of
               an
               enraged
               Conscience
               ,
               
                 ad
                 leones
                 ,
                 potius
                 quam
                 ad
                 Lenones
                 .
              
               Every
               little
               trouble
               will
               be
               insupportable
               to
               a
               sick
               and
               wounded
               Conscience
               ,
               as
               a
               quart
               of
               water
               would
               be
               to
               your
               Shoulder
               in
               a
               great
               leaden
               Vessel
               .
            
             
               O
               if
               men
               did
               but
               fear
               their
               own
               Consciences
               ,
               if
               they
               did
               reverence
               themselves
               ,
               as
               the
               Moralist
               speaks
               .
               If
               they
               did
               herein
               Exercise
               themselves
               to
               have
               alwayes
               a
               Conscience
               void
               of
               offence
               ,
               as
               Paul
               did
               ,
               Acts
               24.
               16.
               
               Then
               would
               you
               be
               clear
               of
               this
               great
               Sin
               of
               holding
               the
               Truth
               in
               Unrighteousness
               .
            
          
           
             
               III.
               Direction
               .
            
             
               If
               you
               would
               escape
               the
               guilt
               and
               danger
               of
               holding
               Gods
               Truths
               in
               Unrighteousness
               ,
               then
               keep
               your
               Hearts
               under
               the
               awful
               sense
               of
               the
               Day
               of
               Judgment
               ,
               when
               every
               secret
               thing
               must
               come
               into
               Judgment
               ,
               and
               Conscience
               like
               a
               Register
               book
               is
               to
               be
               opened
               and
               examined
               .
            
             
               The
               Consideration
               of
               that
               day
               gives
               your
               Consciences
               a
               sevenfold
               defensative
               against
               Sin.
               
            
             
             
               (
               1.
               )
               It
               provokes
               every
               man
               to
               get
               real
               solid
               Grace
               ,
               and
               not
               rest
               in
               an
               empty
               Profession
               ,
               Matth.
               25.
               and
               this
               secures
               us
               from
               formal
               Hypocrisie
               .
               That
               we
               be
               not
               found
               foolish
               Virgins
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               It
               excites
               us
               to
               the
               diligent
               improvement
               of
               our
               Talents
               ,
               that
               we
               be
               not
               found
               slothful
               Servants
               ,
               neglecting
               any
               duty
               ,
               God
               and
               Conscience
               calls
               us
               to
               ,
               Matth.
               25.
               21.
               
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               It
               confirms
               and
               establishes
               us
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               we
               wound
               not
               Conscience
               by
               Apostacy
               ,
               1
               Ioh.
               2.
               28.
               
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               It
               s
               a
               loud
               call
               to
               every
               man
               to
               Repentance
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               lye
               stupid
               and
               senseless
               under
               guilt
               ,
               Acts
               17.
               30
               ,
               31.
               
            
             
               (
               5.
               )
               'T
               is
               a
               powerful
               Antidote
               against
               formality
               in
               Religion
               ,
               the
               general
               and
               dangerous
               disease
               of
               Professors
               ,
               Matth.
               7.
               22
               ,
               23.
               
            
             
               (
               6.
               )
               It
               excites
               holy
               fear
               and
               watchfulness
               in
               the
               whole
               course
               of
               Life
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               1.
               17.
               
            
             
               (
               7.
               )
               It
               puts
               us
               not
               only
               to
               our
               watch
               ,
               but
               to
               our
               knees
               in
               fervent
               Prayer
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               4.
               7.
               
            
             
               And
               he
               that
               feels
               such
               effects
               as
               these
               from
               the
               consideration
               of
               that
               Day
               ,
               is
               fortified
               against
               that
               sin
               my
               Text
               warns
               of
               ;
               and
               dares
               never
               hold
               the
               Truth
               of
               God
               in
               Unrighteousness
               .
               'T
               is
               our
               regardlessness
               of
               Judgement
               to
               come
               ,
               and
               ignorance
               of
               the
               Nature
               of
               it
               ,
               which
               so
               emboldens
               us
               to
               neglect
               
               known
               Duties
               ,
               and
               commit
               known
               Sins
               ,
               Amos
               6.
               3.
               2
               
               Pet.
               3.
               3
               ,
               4.
               
               If
               our
               Thoughts
               and
               Meditations
               were
               engaged
               more
               frequently
               and
               seriously
               on
               such
               an
               aweful
               Subject
               ,
               you
               would
               rather
               chuse
               to
               dye
               ,
               than
               to
               do
               violence
               to
               your
               Consciences
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               Direction
               .
            
             
               Get
               right
               and
               true
               apprehensions
               of
               the
               Moral
               Evil
               that
               is
               in
               sin
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               Paenal
               Evil
               that
               follows
               sin
               :
               then
               no
               Temptation
               shall
               prevail
               with
               you
               to
               commit
               a
               sin
               ,
               to
               escape
               a
               present
               trouble
               ,
               or
               neglect
               a
               known
               duty
               ,
               to
               accommodate
               any
               earthly
               interest
               ,
               and
               consequently
               to
               hold
               no
               truth
               of
               God
               in
               unrighteousness
               .
               'T
               is
               fear
               of
               Loss
               and
               Sufferings
               that
               so
               often
               overbears
               Conscience
               ,
               but
               if
               men
               were
               once
               made
               throughly
               sensible
               ,
               that
               the
               least
               sin
               is
               worse
               for
               them
               than
               the
               greatest
               affliction
               or
               suffering
               ;
               the
               peace
               of
               Conscience
               would
               be
               well
               secured
               .
               And
               that
               this
               is
               really
               so
               ,
               appears
               thus
               ;
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Afflictions
               do
               not
               make
               a
               man
               vile
               in
               the
               Eyes
               of
               God.
               A
               Man
               may
               be
               under
               manifold
               Afflictions
               ,
               and
               yet
               very
               dear
               and
               precious
               in
               Gods
               Account
               ;
               Heb.
               11.
               36
               ,
               37
               ,
               38.
               but
               S
               in
               makes
               a
               man
               vile
               in
               the
               Eyes
               of
               God
               ,
               Dan.
               11.
               2.
               
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               Afflictions
               do
               not
               put
               men
               under
               the
               Curse
               of
               God
               ,
               Blessings
               and
               Afflictions
               may
               go
               together
               ;
               Psal.
               94.
               12.
               but
               Sin
               brings
               the
               Soul
               under
               the
               Curse
               ,
               Gal.
               3.
               10.
               
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               Afflictions
               make
               men
               more
               like
               unto
               God
               ,
               Heb.
               12.
               10.
               but
               Sin
               make
               us
               more
               like
               the
               Devil
               ,
               1
               
                 Ioh.
                 3.
                 8.
                 
                 Ioh.
              
               8.
               34.
               
            
             
             
               (
               4.
               )
               Afflictions
               for
               Conscience
               sake
               are
               but
               the
               Creatures
               wrath
               inflam'd
               against
               us
               ,
               but
               Sin
               is
               the
               inflamer
               of
               Gods
               Wrath
               against
               us
               ,
               as
               in
               the
               Text.
               
            
             
               (
               5.
               )
               Afflictions
               are
               but
               outward
               Evils
               upon
               the
               Body
               ,
               but
               Sin
               is
               an
               internal
               Evil
               upon
               the
               Soul.
               Prov.
               8.
               36.
               
            
             
               (
               6.
               )
               Afflictions
               for
               Duties
               sake
               have
               many
               sweet
               Promises
               annexed
               to
               them
               ,
               Matth.
               5.
               10.
               but
               Sin
               hath
               none
               .
            
             
               (
               7.
               )
               The
               effects
               of
               Sufferings
               for
               Christ
               are
               sweet
               to
               the
               Soul
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               7.
               4.
               but
               the
               fruits
               of
               Sin
               are
               bitter
               ;
               it
               yields
               nothing
               but
               shame
               and
               fear
               .
            
             
               (
               8.
               )
               Afflictions
               for
               Christ
               are
               the
               way
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               but
               Sin
               is
               the
               Road-way
               to
               Hell
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 6.
                 ult
              
               .
            
             
               (
               9.
               )
               Sufferings
               for
               Duty
               are
               but
               for
               a
               Moment
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               4.
               17.
               but
               Sufferings
               for
               sin
               ,
               will
               be
               Eternal
               ,
               Mark
               9.
               44.
               
            
             
               If
               such
               thoughts
               might
               be
               suffered
               to
               dwell
               with
               us
               ,
               how
               would
               they
               guard
               the
               Conscience
               against
               Temptations
               ,
               and
               secure
               their
               Peace
               and
               Purity
               !
            
          
           
             
               V.
               Direction
               .
            
             
               Be
               throughly
               perswaded
               of
               this
               great
               Truth
               ,
               that
               God
               takes
               great
               pleasure
               in
               uprightness
               ,
               and
               will
               own
               and
               honour
               Integrity
               amidst
               all
               the
               dangers
               that
               befall
               it
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 11.
                 7.
                 
                 Prov.
              
               11.
               20.
               when
               he
               
               would
               encourage
               Abraham
               to
               a
               Life
               of
               Integrity
               ,
               he
               engages
               his
               Almighty
               power
               for
               the
               protection
               of
               him
               in
               that
               way
               ,
               
                 Gen.
                 17.
                 1.
                 
                 I
                 am
                 God
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 walk
                 thou
                 before
                 me
                 and
                 be
                 perfect
                 .
              
               So
               Psal.
               84.
               11.
               
               
                 The
                 Lord
                 God
                 is
                 a
                 Sun
                 and
                 a
                 Shield
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 give
                 grace
                 and
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 good
                 thing
                 will
                 be
                 with-hold
                 from
                 them
                 that
                 walk
                 uprightly
                 .
              
            
             
               An
               upright
               man
               is
               the
               boast
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               Iob
               1.
               8.
               
               He
               is
               Gods
               darling
               ;
               and
               the
               reason
               is
               because
               he
               bears
               the
               Image
               of
               God
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 11.
                 7.
                 
                 The
                 upright
                 Lord
                 loveth
                 uprightness
                 :
              
               Yea
               ,
               and
               if
               Integrity
               bring
               them
               into
               trouble
               ,
               they
               may
               be
               sure
               the
               Lord
               will
               bring
               them
               out
               ;
               
                 Psal.
                 34.
                 19.
                 
                 Many
                 are
                 the
                 afflictions
                 of
                 the
                 righteous
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Lord
                 delivereth
                 them
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 .
              
               How
               safely
               then
               may
               they
               leave
               themselves
               in
               the
               hands
               of
               his
               infinite
               Wisdom
               ,
               Power
               ,
               and
               Fatherly
               Care
               ?
            
             
               Nay
               ,
               God
               is
               not
               only
               the
               Protector
               ,
               but
               he
               is
               also
               the
               Rewarder
               ,
               of
               Conscientious
               Integrity
               ,
               Psal.
               18.
               20.
               and
               that
               four
               ways
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               In
               the
               inward
               peace
               it
               yeilds
               them
               ,
               
                 Isaiah
                 32.
                 17.
                 
                 The
                 work
                 of
                 righteousness
                 shall
                 be
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 effect
                 of
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 quietness
                 and
                 assurance
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
               But
               the
               effect
               of
               sinful
               shifts
               and
               carnal
               Policies
               ,
               are
               shame
               and
               sorrow
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               In
               the
               Success
               and
               Issue
               of
               it
               ;
               it
               not
               only
               turns
               to
               Gods
               glory
               ,
               but
               it
               answers
               and
               accommodates
               our
               own
               designs
               and
               ends
               far
               better
               than
               our
               sinful
               projects
               can
               do
               ,
               Prov.
               28.
               23.
               
            
             
             
               (
               3.
               )
               Great
               is
               the
               Joy
               and
               Encouragement
               resulting
               from
               it
               in
               the
               day
               of
               Death
               ,
               2
               
                 King
                 20.
                 3.
                 
                 Psal.
              
               37.
               37.
               
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               In
               the
               World
               to
               come
               ,
               Psal.
               49.
               14.
               
               Were
               this
               duely
               considered
               ,
               and
               throughly
               believed
               ,
               men
               would
               chuse
               rather
               to
               part
               with
               life
               ,
               than
               the
               purity
               and
               peace
               of
               their
               own
               Consciences
               .
               They
               would
               suffer
               all
               wrongs
               and
               injuries
               ,
               rather
               than
               do
               Conscience
               the
               least
               injury
               .
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               Direction
               .
            
             
               Do
               not
               idolize
               the
               World
               ,
               nor
               overvalue
               the
               Trifles
               of
               this
               life
               ,
               't
               is
               the
               love
               of
               the
               World
               that
               makes
               men
               warp
               from
               the
               Rules
               of
               their
               own
               Consciences
               ,
               2
               Tim.
               4.
               10
               't
               is
               this
               that
               makes
               men
               strain
               hard
               ,
               to
               get
               loose
               from
               the
               ties
               and
               bonds
               of
               their
               own
               Consciences
               .
               The
               young
               man
               was
               convinced
               ,
               but
               the
               world
               was
               too
               hard
               for
               his
               Convictions
               ,
               Luk.
               18.
               23.
               the
               degree
               of
               his
               Sorrow
               ,
               was
               according
               to
               the
               degree
               of
               his
               Love
               to
               the
               Creature
               .
               'T
               is
               not
               the
               having
               ,
               but
               the
               overloving
               of
               the
               world
               that
               ruins
               us
               .
               'T
               is
               a
               worldly
               Heart
               which
               makes
               men
               twist
               and
               turn
               ,
               shuffle
               and
               dissemble
               at
               that
               rate
               they
               do
               in
               time
               of
               Temptation
               .
               Could
               you
               once
               dethrone
               this
               Idol
               ,
               how
               secure
               and
               safe
               would
               your
               Consciences
               be
               !
               The
               Church
               is
               described
               ,
               Rev.
               12.
               1.
               as
               clothed
               with
               the
               Sun
               ,
               and
               the
               Moon
               under
               her
               Feet
               The
               most
               zealous
               Age
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               was
               the
               Age
               of
               Poverty
               .
               Try
               these
               few
               considerations
               upon
               your
               hearts
               to
               loose
               them
               from
               the
               inordinate
               love
               of
               the
               World.
               
            
             
             
               (
               1.
               )
               What
               good
               will
               the
               World
               do
               you
               when
               you
               have
               lost
               your
               Integrity
               for
               its
               sake
               ,
               and
               peace
               is
               taken
               away
               from
               the
               inner
               man
               ?
               VVhat
               joy
               of
               the
               world
               had
               Iudas
               ,
               and
               what
               comfort
               had
               Spira
               ?
               If
               you
               part
               with
               your
               integrity
               for
               it
               ,
               God
               will
               blast
               it
               ,
               and
               it
               shall
               yield
               you
               no
               joy
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               Except
               you
               renounce
               the
               world
               ,
               you
               are
               renounced
               by
               Christ.
               Disclaim
               it
               ,
               or
               he
               will
               disclaim
               you
               ;
               Luke
               14.
               33.
               
               No
               man
               can
               be
               admitted
               into
               Christs
               Service
               ,
               but
               by
               fealing
               those
               Indentures
               with
               him
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               VVhat
               ever
               loss
               or
               dammage
               you
               shall
               sustain
               ,
               for
               Christ
               and
               Conscience
               sake
               ,
               he
               stands
               obliged
               to
               repair
               it
               to
               you
               ,
               and
               that
               with
               an
               infinite
               overplus
               ,
               Mark
               10.
               29.
               30.
               
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               In
               a
               word
               ,
               all
               the
               Riches
               ,
               Pleasures
               ,
               Honours
               ,
               and
               Liberties
               in
               the
               world
               are
               not
               able
               to
               give
               you
               that
               Joy
               and
               heart-refreshing
               Comfort
               ,
               that
               the
               acquitting
               and
               chearing
               voice
               of
               your
               own
               Consciences
               can
               do
               .
               Settle
               these
               things
               in
               your
               hearts
               ,
               as
               defensatives
               against
               this
               danger
               .
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
               Direction
               .
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               Beg
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               labour
               to
               get
               more
               Christian
               Courage
               and
               Magnanimity
               ,
               for
               want
               of
               this
               Conscience
               ,
               is
               often
               overborn
               against
               its
               own
               Light
               and
               Conviction
               .
               Christian
               magnanimity
               ,
               is
               Consciences
               security
               .
               'T
               is
               excellent
               and
               becoming
               a
               Christian
               ,
               to
               be
               able
               to
               face
               any
               thing
               but
               the
               frowns
               of
               God
               and
               his
               own
               Conscience
               .
               All
               the
               
               famous
               Champions
               of
               Truth
               ,
               and
               VVitnesses
               for
               God
               that
               came
               victorious
               out
               of
               the
               Field
               of
               Temptation
               with
               safe
               and
               unwounded
               Consciences
               ,
               were
               men
               of
               Courage
               and
               Resolution
               ;
               see
               
                 Dan.
                 3.
                 16.
                 
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 27.
                 
                 Acts
              
               21.
               13.
               and
               what
               is
               this
               Christian
               Courage
               ,
               but
               the
               fixed
               resolution
               of
               the
               Soul
               to
               Encounter
               all
               dangers
               ,
               all
               sufferings
               ,
               all
               reproaches
               ,
               pains
               and
               losses
               in
               the
               strength
               of
               assisting
               Grace
               ,
               that
               shall
               assault
               us
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               our
               duty
               ,
               and
               so
               it
               stands
               opposed
               in
               Scripture
               to
               
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Fear
                 ,
                 Heb.
              
               11.
               27.
               to
               
                 Shame
                 ,
                 Mark
              
               8.
               38.
               to
               
                 Apostacy
                 ,
                 Heb.
              
               10.
               39.
               
               He
               must
               neither
               be
               afraid
               ,
               nor
               ashamed
               ,
               nor
               lose
               one
               inch
               of
               ground
               for
               the
               sake
               of
               what
               dangers
               he
               meets
               with
               ,
               and
               that
               because
               he
               hath
               embraced
               Christianity
               upon
               those
               terms
               ,
               and
               was
               told
               of
               all
               this
               before
               ,
               Ioh.
               16.
               1.
               because
               there
               's
               no
               retreating
               but
               to
               our
               own
               ruin
               ,
               Heb.
               10.
               38.
               because
               he
               owes
               all
               this
               ,
               and
               much
               more
               than
               this
               to
               Christ
               ,
               Phil.
               1.
               29.
               because
               he
               understands
               the
               value
               of
               his
               Soul
               above
               his
               Body
               ,
               and
               of
               Eternals
               above
               and
               beyond
               all
               temporals
               ,
               Matth.
               10.
               28
               and
               in
               a
               word
               ,
               because
               he
               believes
               the
               Promises
               of
               Gods
               Assistance
               ,
               and
               rewards
               ,
               Heb
               11.
               25
               ,
               26
               ,
               27.
               
            
             
               O
               my
               Friends
               ,
               were
               our
               fears
               thus
               subdued
               ,
               and
               our
               Faith
               thus
               exalted
               ,
               how
               free
               and
               safe
               would
               Truth
               be
               in
               our
               Consciences
               .
               He
               that
               owns
               any
               Truth
               to
               live
               upon
               it
               ,
               or
               accommodate
               a
               carnal
               Interest
               by
               it
               ,
               will
               disown
               that
               Truth
               ,
               when
               it
               comes
               to
               live
               upon
               him
               ,
               let
               Conscience
               plead
               and
               say
               what
               it
               will
               ;
               but
               he
               that
               hath
               agreed
               with
               Christ
               upon
               these
               Terms
               ,
               to
               be
               content
               to
               be
               miserable
               for
               ever
               ,
               if
               there
               be
               not
               enough
               in
               Christ
               to
               make
               him
               happy
               ;
               this
               man
               will
               be
               a
               steddy
               Christian
               ,
               and
               will
               rather
               lie
               in
               the
               worst
               of
               the
               Prisons
               ,
               than
               to
               imprison
               Gods
               known
               Truths
               in
               Unrighteousness
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             The
             Conclusion
             .
          
           
             I
             have
             now
             done
             my
             Message
             .
             I
             have
             set
             before
             you
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             in
             the
             glory
             of
             his
             Free
             Grace
             ,
             and
             condescending
             Love
             to
             Sinners
             ;
             Oh
             that
             I
             had
             skill
             and
             ability
             to
             have
             done
             it
             better
             ;
             I
             have
             woed
             and
             expostulated
             with
             you
             on
             Christs
             behalf
             .
             I
             have
             laboured
             according
             to
             my
             little
             measure
             of
             strength
             ,
             to
             cast
             up
             and
             prepare
             the
             way
             by
             removing
             the
             stumbling
             Blocks
             and
             Discouragements
             out
             of
             it
             .
             This
             hath
             been
             a
             time
             of
             Conviction
             to
             many
             of
             you
             ,
             some
             have
             not
             been
             able
             to
             hold
             their
             Convictions
             any
             longer
             under
             restraints
             ,
             but
             many
             I
             fear
             do
             so
             ,
             and
             therefore
             I
             have
             in
             the
             close
             of
             all
             ,
             handled
             this
             startling
             and
             awakening
             Scripture
             among
             you
             ,
             to
             shew
             you
             what
             an
             horrid
             evil
             it
             is
             to
             detain
             Gods
             Truths
             in
             Unrighteousness
             .
             I
             have
             also
             in
             the
             Name
             and
             Authority
             of
             God
             demanded
             all
             the
             Lords
             Prisoners
             ,
             his
             suppressed
             and
             restrained
             Truths
             at
             your
             hands
             :
             If
             you
             will
             unbind
             your
             Convictions
             this
             day
             ,
             cut
             as
             under
             the
             bonds
             of
             carnal
             fear
             ,
             shame
             ,
             &c.
             with
             which
             you
             restrain
             them
             ;
             those
             Truths
             you
             shall
             so
             make
             free
             ,
             will
             make
             you
             free
             :
             If
             not
             ,
             but
             you
             will
             still
             go
             on
             stifling
             and
             suppressing
             them
             in
             your
             own
             Bosomes
             ;
             remember
             that
             there
             are
             so
             many
             VVitnesses
             prepared
             to
             give
             evidence
             against
             you
             in
             the
             Great
             Day
             .
             And
             Oh
             that
             whilst
             you
             delay
             this
             Duty
             ,
             the
             sound
             of
             this
             Text
             may
             never
             out
             of
             your
             ears
             ,
             nor
             suffer
             you
             to
             rest
             .
             
               For
               the
               wrath
               ●f
               God
               is
               revealed
               from
               heaven
               against
               all
               ungodliness
               and
               unrighteousness
               of
               men
               ,
               who
               hold
               the
               truth
               in
               unrighteousness
               .
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A39660-e660
           
             ●act
             .
             lib.
             70.
             de
             divina
             praemio
             .
             p.
             578
             ,
             579.
             
          
           
             Secundo
             .
          
           
             Lact.
             de
             justitia
             l.
             5.
             p.
             382
             ,
             383.
             
          
           
             Bernardi
             Sermo
             33
             ▪
             in
             ●antic
             .
          
           
             Casus
             Consc.
             lib.
             3
             
          
           
             p.
             116.
             
          
           
             S.
             Ford.
             Ambitio
             Sac.
             
          
           
             Animalis
             hom●
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A39660-e3730
           
             Durham
             in
             loc
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Cornu
             ,
             &
             sic
             fit
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &
             per
             synco●en
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Doct.
             ●
             .
          
           
             ●
             .
             Reason
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Reason
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A39660-e6400
           
             Mr.
             Anth.
             Burgesse
             on
             1
             Cor.
             3.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A39660-e8860
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Object
             ,
          
           
             Sol.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A39660-e12460
           
             Isa.
             48.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Reas.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             27.
             4.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Reas.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Reas.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             Reas.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             Reas.
             
          
           
             Mr.
             Lockier
             in
             Colos.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Consid.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Consid.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Consid.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             Consid.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A39660-e15850
           
             1.
             Motive
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Motive
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Motive
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Motive
             .
          
           
             Ephes.
             1.
             7.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             Motive
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             Motive
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Obj.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Obj.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A39660-e19150
           
             1.
             
             Demonst.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Demonst.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             〈◊〉
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Demonst
             ▪
             
          
           
             Isa.
             44.
             5.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A39660-e22970
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Qualiscunque
             fuerit
             peccator
             ,
             Hypocrita
             ,
             qui
             diu
             obstitit
             Evangelio
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             Doct.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Sol.
             
          
           
             ●
             ▪
             I●fer
             .
          
           
             II.
             Infer
             .
          
           
             III.
             Infer
             .
          
           
             IV.
             Infer
             .
          
           
             V.
             Infer
             .
          
           
             VI.
             Infer
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A39660-e26350
           
             8.
             
             Doct.
             
          
           
             *
             Clamor
             hic
             est
             pulsatio
             ;
             significant
             cogitata
             a
             Deo
             injecta
             ,
             ad
             monendam
             peccatoris
             conscientiam
             ;
             id
             Deus
             aliquandiu
             facit
             ,
             non
             semper
             .
          
           
             
               Pools
               Synops
            
             .
             in
             loc
             .
          
           
             Quest.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Sign
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Sign
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Sign
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Sign
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             Sign
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A39660-e30440
           
             9.
             
             Doct.
             
          
           
             I.
             Infer
             .
          
           
             Mr.
             Anthony
             Burges
             in
             his
             Spiritual
             Refining
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Infer
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Infer
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A39660-e33020
           
             10.
             
             Doct.
             
          
           
             Method
             of
             Grace
             ,
             p.
             25
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Reas.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Reas.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Reas.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             Reas.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Infer
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Infer
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Sol.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Infer
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Infer
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Plea.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Plea.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Plea.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             Plea.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             Plea.
             
          
           
             Quest.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A39660-e37630
           
             Dr.
             Iacom
             in
             Rom.
             8.
             p.
             69
             ,
             84.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Evid
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Evid
             .
          
           
             3
             Evid
             .
          
           
             4
             Evid
             .
          
           
             5
             Evid
             ,
          
           
             6
             Evid
             .
          
           
             7
             Evid
             ▪
             
          
           
             8
             Evid
             .
          
           
             9
             Evid
             .
          
           
             10
             Evid
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A39660-e43270
           
             Text.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉