A PREFACE, LECTURE, And a SERMON, Preached by that famous Servant of God, Mr. JOHN WELSH, sometimes Minister at ●ERINGRAY, Preached near to GREENOCK: ●●●●shed by a Friend to the poor Church of SCOTLAND.  
●rinted in the Year, MDCLXXXVI.   

THE PREFACE.  
MY Friends give over your speaking, and let no voice be herd hear, but the voice of the Lord, in the mouth of his Servant, I kow you are not ignorant, upon what hazard we come and preach: and upon what hazard we come and preach: and upon what hazard you come and hear, this meeting ye know is contraire to the Laws of our Land, and ye know how they are reproached, and what names they have given unto them: that they are called the randivoves of rebellione, and if ye would be furnished with ane answer in case you be called in question for this day's meeting, I will tell what all of you upon good grounds, may answer: the answer, I think you may give, is this, that our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, hath engaged our lands in a solemn sworn Covenant, with lifted up hands, to the most high God: that we should own his Governmnet, and that we should own his Gospel, and that we should give no concurrence to them that are intruded upon the congregations, where his faithful Ministers, have been thrust out, with very great trueltie, without so much as bringing before them, as to pass a sentence upon them: if they had been wrong, yet inflicted that penalty upon them, that they should desert congregations that they were entrusted with, and not only so, and to leave their houses but that they should cease to exercise that Ministry that was given them by  
Jesus Christ and by his Servants, the Lord putting it in the heart of his Servants to come and offer themselves to preach upon hazard, it was your duty to come and hear upon hazard, this is God's public Standart set up in the fields, a piece of the testimony that we have, that we desire to be found faithful in his Covenant, and that the interest of our immortal souls calls for it, because that we cannot expect the blessing, but from his sent Messengers: we have immortal souls that most be lost or saved: and these are the means by which we may be directed, how to get our souls saved. Therefore be the hazard what it will we are bound to follow their means and when done with our work wear willing then to die upon a scoffold for it, for you that are come out, we shall not pry into what hath brought you hither, that lies between God and you, and he will examine you upon it, bu●● ame afraid, that it be with many as it is recorded in the 12. Chap. of John's Gospel: 9 verse.  
I think I may say, there is a piece of curiosity, that draus many, it may be some to see such a man, that his been so much persecuted, and in such hazard, upon whom the rullers hath given so great encouragement, to any that should undertake it, what sort of person he may be, alas Sirs ye will get no thanks if this be all your errand, and if this be your errand you are fair to meet with a disappointment, and that which ye should be looking after and should be seeking for, to meet with Jesus Christ. Christ had raised a man from the dead, and the preservation of man from death is somewhat very remarkable in time, but now Sirs ye are come together, we say we shall not dive into your ends and motives that his brought you heir, but now you are come, I would ask some few questions at you, and desire you to chairg your consciences that are heir that ye would consider how you would answer them if God asked them at you.  
The Questions we are to ask at you, it may be seem very straying how we ask such Questions, I ask at your first, do you believe that there is a God, or not, why, you most give me leive to ask this Question at you, that call yourselves Christians, why, because there are many so called, that lives as they did not believe that there were a God, let the drunkard say what he will, let the swearer say what he will, he will hardly make a man that understands what believing is, believe that, that man believes, that there is a God, how is this made out? they are corrupt, they do abominable works, they seek not God: they persecut his people, Psal. 14: & 1. v. there are some that the Holy Ghost chairges with this infidelity, the fool his said in his heart there is not a God, and so it's made out as I told you before, they are corrupt they do abominable works, they seek not God, they persecut his people, and these arbrought in as evidences, that the man hath said in his heart that there is not a God, if this be the evidences of unbelieve, then sure we may chairge this upon many, & question it, do you believe that there is a God? the man that makes a sport of sin, believes he that there is a God, does the man that hears the threaten of God against sinners: and that wrath that is laying above the heads of sinners, and does not flee from the wrath that is to come: does that man believe that there is a God? no verily, he believes it not.  
There is a 2d. Quest. I would ask at you, and you will think this may be as straying, do you believe that you have immortal souls, that you have souls to live in a world to come: that there is such a piece within you, that when your body goes to the dust and rots there, yet that will be living either in Heaven or in Hell, do you believe this Sirs, if there were the saith of this fixed solidly upon the soul, then surly ye would be at some pains, to know, where your soul shall live after time, whither in everlasting happiness or in everlasting misery, that man that hath all his craire for back and belly, that man that never boved a knee to God in prayer, let never that man say that he believes that he hath ane immortal soul within him.  
3. Do you believe that there will be a day wherein God will bring, Adam, and all his posteretie, to a reckoning, for what they have done in bodies do you believe that the judge is standing at the door? do you believe that it is ordained for all men to die, & then to come to judgement, do you Believe this judgement, that, at that that day there will be such a seperatione made among the Sons of Adam, that there will be such a sentence passed upon many, as this, depairt from me ye workers of in iquitie; do you believe that this sentence shall be execut without all mercy? that there will be no reversing of it? if this were belived, could it be, but the man that had the faith of this, but they would be taking some pains to prepar for that day, the little preparatione that is a 'mong the sons of men, for that day, says that this is not believed, do you believe that there is such aplaice of torment, for the reprobat, that God hath appointed: ●●d such a plaice of joy for them that are his people, that are walking in the ways of holiness? if this were belived: would there not be more cair and pains takne to be found in him, in peace and without spot; and blemish. what shall we do for you sirs? ther are some of your faces declaires that Satan hath hardened your hearts, and sin hath hardened your hearts, that their words that are spok●e takes little effect upon you, o what may this prognosticat, to see a company of men heiring of matters, of so great importance and yet so little affected: with what they hear, we'll Sirs, there will be ane awakning, for this, and a dreafdull a wakning to many a soul, we think we have as much in our instructions, as might make our messag to have greater force and effect than it hath, we preduce the word of God, for what we say, the word of him that cannot lie and yet you do not regaird it, we produce the, strongest reasons for what we say, and your consciences cannot but be convinced, that there is reason for it, and yet it hath no effect, we have your consciences upon our side, sometimes telling you, as you may find it indeed, tath what we heard spoken by the Minister is true, and what I heard was my case and conscience most do its office, and who knows but it should have some etfect, with what we speik to you, but alas our experience makes out the contrare to us, and we have sometimes your own experience to help us to press something, that we are pressing upon you, we are telling you that when death comes that it is a time very unfit to set a bout the work of repentance, and when you have come near death and ye have found that your sickness is so great, that ye could not mind the caise of your souls, and your experience tells us this, and our experience tells you of it we would not leive it to this pas, yet we find you do so, my friends I most tell you two things, for to put you in some frame, if the Lord would tell them to you, and give you the faith of them; first I most tell you this, the Lord is this doy amongst us, he is heir in this congregation, he is going up and down among this meeting, and observing every one of you, what will he find, that ye are carrying rightly before him, alas the contraire is much to be seared, that he mark out this man heir and that woman there, and say they do not more regaird what I am speaking to them, than I were a liar to them, God is now keeping silence, and does not execut vaingance speed lie, and men may make a wrong use of it, and therefore their hearts is set in them to do, that because he does not presently execut vaingance and they think he is not still angry at sin as the minister tells us: read it sirs in the. 50 Psal.: at the close: I keeped silence but I will let you know, that ye have being in the wrong, and ye have mistaken the measure, I will reprove you and sert your sins in order before you, consider this ye that forget God leist he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you o Sirs but its ill getting wind raised, o but you are hard to work upon. We have found in some places, where the providence of God hath tristed us, that the very face of a Minister, that it would have helped the people to a frame, and the very face of the people would have helped the Minister to a frame, but we most tell you, you make us dull to see your dullness, o friends why come ye heir, are you come heir to add this to all your former guilt, that ye will come and cast alle his words behind your back, if you do sadly will your reckoning be, but heir I am as ane unworthy Servant of Jesus Christ, to declair unto you, that you will be brought  the Tribunal of God, and so will I be brought there also: we will be examined for this days preaching, and for this days hearing, and it shall be ashed at me, did you tell the people ther sin, what did they with it, made ye ane offer of Christ it is to them, did they accept of me: we most tell as it is, we most not stand upon feed o'er favour of any, we spoke but you folk did not hear, and they regarded not, what we said, we told them that there was a day coming, that thou would judge them, yet they never regarded us, no more than we had be in reading a History of David lindsey, over out of ane other book: we'll sirs, as I said be for, you shall either get a blessing to go home with you, or a curse clapped upon your haed, I cannot tell who will get the blessing but thes that hath bein wrestling for it, may Look for it, but thes that have come upon aventure, I cannot tell what they may meet with, o wretched soul, if you go away from this place, and get not some thing in they arms: if you get no hunger and thirst after Christ it will be sad: but I shall say no more by way of Prefacing. Let us pray.   

THE LECTURE In the second Chap. of Jer. at the 12. verse. We begin to read two or three Verses.  
I Shall but speak a short word upon their Verses, we shall take up their words that we have read in these three things: First, you have a heavy and a Sade chairg given in against Israel, what was that? they had forsakne the fountain of living waters and had digged unto themselves, brokne cisterns that can hold no water, there is God's chairg.  
Secondly, ye have what the Lord does in that the chairge he gives in against them, may affect them, what doth he, he crayes nnto the heavens, as they had ears to hear, he speaks to them and crayes to them, O Heavens be astonished at 'tis, O Heavens be ye horrably affrayed, that my people that had entered themselves in covenant with me, that they should have thus forsakne me, and forsakne me for that which they receive no advantage of, as it is in the former vers. Hath a Nation changed there Gods, for that which doth not prophit them.  
Then thirdly there is in the words a Lamentation that the Lord takes up, so we may take up these words, or seondly achallinge, that he gives to the enemy, what says he? how is this that ye guide my people, and how is this that my people suffer themselves to be thus guided, what is Israel a Servant, what think you, is Israel a home born slave? why than if he be a soon of mine, and if he be free borne why is he spoiled thus? why deal ye with Israel as if he were a slave? or it may be spoken by way of Lamentation, alas! how my people, how they are guided, is Israel a Servant? he is not a Servant, he is not a home borne slave, for that is the import of the Question, a strong negation, you are mistaken to think, that I will not have respect to Israel, I will cause you yet answer for the spoil of Israel; why then is he spoilled.  
And then you have this particularly laid out what it was that enemies did to Israel, the young Lions roared upon them, and yelled, and they made his land waste. His cities are brunt without inhabitant, I have seen, for all that is done to my Church I will take order with it, ye shall find that I lay claim to Israel, and then I have sad chairges and challenges to give in against them, yet I will give no thanks to them that hath spoilled my poor people, my sons that I have such respect unto.  
Then is 5. or 6. words of observations that we shall give of them and close this exercise and enter upon another. The first Obs: is this, that the Lord hath sometimes very heavy and sad verbal chairges, to give in against his Church, the Lord hath very much to charge upon his Church that he is ill pleased with, look to the 4. Chap of Hosea at the begin: ye will see there like the controversy: what is the chairg: because there is no truth mercy nor knowledge of God in the Land, 2. verse, by swearing and lying and committing adultery they break out, and blood toucheth blood, and therefore the Lord hath a contraversy with Israel, no truth, no sincenity in the Land, etc. There the chairg and 81. Psal. there a sad chairg given in against Israel from the 10. verse. I a me the Lord the Lord the God that that brought to the out of the Land of Egypt, and out of the house of Bondag, opne thy mouth wide & I will fill it, but what is the chairg, but my people would not harkne to my voice, and Israel would non of me, and Deut, 32. and 5. There a sad chairg given in against Israel, the chairg is this, they have corrupted themselves there spot is not the spot of his children, they are a pervers and a wicked generation, and here a sad chairg given in against them, they have forsakns me the fountan of living Waters, add have digged to themselves brokne cisterns that can hold no water, o! says he, this is a verbal horrible chairg that I have to give in against this Church of Israel, now this God never had more terrible chairges to give in against a Church then the Church that we live in, o but we have behaved unworthely, God planted us a noble vine, but we are become a degenerate plant unto him, God engaged us in a solemn Covenant to be for him and with lifted up hands to God, we did swear, how is that Oath keeped, how is it but the Lord may chairg us with horrible perjury, some hatht akne the Declaration, that is ane opne way of a woved perjury, and some hath takne this bond that there posterity will think shame of, if it should be reakned to them, that there fathers should have done it, o horrible chairg that such should put Christ out of Scotland I shall say no moor to this point  
The 2d obs: that I shall give you is th' is, that when the Lord is chairging his people with horrible things, he would then have his people affected with what he chairges upon them, he would not have them making light of his chalinge, therefore when hespeaks in that. 1. of Isai: to the people he eraies here o heavens what a chairg I have to give in against my people, the ox knows his over, and the as his masters cribe: but my people does not know, nor Israel does not consider, ah sinful nation says he, a seed of evil doors children, that are transgressors etc. God would have a people when he is chairging any thing upon a church that is horrid wickedness, he would have all men to be so much affected with the chairg, as that they might lay it to heart, there are some folk that will lay nether sin nor judgement to heart, God would not have folk doing so; but laying both to heart, There was in the. 42. chap: of Jsa: and 24. they did not consider who gave Jacob to the spoil, and Israel to the robbers and that it was the Lord: and that it was because they had finned against him, and he set them on fire round about yet they laid it not to heart.  
The 3. thing in the words, be astonished o heavens, and be horrible afraid, holds forth a great stupidetie to be in sinners, that is not affected with all the guilt, that is chairged upon them, o if ever there was a stupid generatione since the world began, it will be found this day, that make light of all the chairges, that is given in against them this day, I spoke to them, but were they at all ashaemed, when they did such things, no says he they were not att all ashamed. Jer: 8. and 6. I hearkened and herd but they spoke not aright, no man repent him of his wickedness, saying what have I done, every one turned to his course: as the horse rusheth to the battle, they are never so much as once brought to a serious thought, as to spear the question, what have I done?  
The 4. thing that I not is this, that when God Sumonds up folk's faults, he will find two faults and see two where men sees but one, you see heir they committed two greatievels, wha● was that some would think that that was but one evel, they have forsakne me the fountan of living waters, and they have made brokne cisterns that can hold no water, that was their faults, there was two faults, it may be looked upon as one, yet God will find it two and very gross two faults, and God will look upon it as two  long, let us look to the chairg, they have forsakne me the fountane of living waters, two things ther. 1. Christ Jesus is the Fountain of living Waters, what is that, he is the Fountan of all the refresh of his people, all the consolations of Israel: they have all there arise from him, all the comforts of his people whil under sufferings, all there arise is from. Jesus Christ, he is the Fountan of all their comfort and consolation.  
The nixt thing that I see is this, if he be the Fountane of our consolation, than we take always the wrong way, when we are under a disconsolat Estate: when we turn not to him, for our consolation, are you not going to your prayers to God to get your consolation, he is the author of all thes, and the Fountane of living Waters, and he is the arise of all thy cosolation.  
Another word that we shall say, that which they were chaged with, they turned their backs upon God, that was the Fountain of living Waters, than we come to this, Is Israel a servant, is he a home borne slave, why is he spoilled, the Lord he turns now again to his enemies I have a quarrel with my people, but for all the quarrel I have against them, I allow you not to quarrel with them. I will own Israel, you most not think that I will not own Israel, is Israel a servant to do what ye would have him to do, is he a home born slave, if so be he is not so, why is he spoilled then, I will find you guilty, and chairg you for it. I will cause you reckon for all the robries and spoil that my people meits with.  
Two Observations that I shall not from hence is, 1. the Lord is very angry and displeased, to see his people of a base servial covardly spirit, that subjects themselves to all impositions, that the enemis imposeth, what says he this is not like Israel, he should be a man of ane other spirit then that he should carry like a home borne slave, to bear the burdens that enemies lays one, o but this is sad at this time, there is ass' backs and asses dispositiones in his people's dispositione, that they bear what enemies lays upon them, it's not patience no, its stupifiednes in them, o but its sad that it should be so: when this comes a longs that there is a bond, and the man caries like a slave to the enemy to them that lay on the burthin upon the conscience, and when Cesses is laid on by our enemy, to bind a snair upon men, that thes cesses are laid upon many, for reasing up such for to thrust the Gospel out of the land, and to put down thes rebellion's meetings (as they call them) yet to see such a slavish disposition, in thes that proves themselves to be the people of God, that they should subject them selves to such burthings; why then is he spoiled: this is matter of lamentation sas if he would say to see the people so servial, I am angry at you my friends, to be of such a slavish temper and disppsitione, I am angry at you for it, and there was never a time that his people manifested a slavish temper and dispositione more, than they do in their days, and as he is angry with his people for having of it, so is he angry at the enemies for dealing so with his people, as slaves and there was never a time where in his people were dealt more with as slaves, than they have bein in our days, but I shall go no further in this excercise but sing. Psal. 94. and 4.   

A SERMON. THE TEXT. In the Song of Solomon 3d. chap, and 11. verse.  
Go forth o you Daughters of Zion, and behold King Solomon with the Crown, wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his Espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.  
IN the beginning of this chapter, we have the excercise of the spous under a deserted conditione, she seeks him upon her bed whom her soul loveth: she seeks him upon the stteats, she ariseth to seek him, she goes to the watchmen to seek him: and still she meets with disapointments, now she finds him, she gins to look we'll to him in the ninth verse, I may not stand in prefacing there we have a description of the brydgroome, of the King, of our Lord Jesus Christ, the description given of him, is this, he is called a King, and made himself a Chariot of the wood of Lebanon, he made the pillars thereof of Silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof paved with love: for the daughters of Jerusalem, there you may get a sight of Christ, in his steatly riding in this Gospel. In the last verse there is ane exhortation, to the people of God that are called here the daughters of Zio●●● and the exhortatione given to them is this, that the●● would go forth and behold king Solomon, and the●● you see kow he is adorned, with a crown, whe●● with his mother crowned him: it is that whi●● his Church crowns him with we remember their 〈◊〉 three crouns that he wears. 1. the crown that his father crowned him with, and that he wears, and that the father dignifies him with: that sets hi●● down at his right hand: a 'bove all his enemies.  
And a 2d crown that he wears, is that which his mother crowned him with (meaning the church) in the day of his espousals, in their closing with Christ, which is the day of the gladness of h●● heart.  
The 3d crown that he wears, is that crown wh●● with his enemies crowned him with, which 〈◊〉 plaited of thorns, o that crown of thorns, that 〈◊〉 was made to wear, when was he was crowned, in 〈◊〉 day of his espousals, in the day of the gladness of 〈◊〉 heart. 4. o'er 5. things I shall speik too and close t●● exercise and dismiss you.  
The first thing, is the style that Christ ge●● here, he is called King Solomon, and he gets th● style not only to be a King, but he gets this stile ●●●kne from Solomon, for ye know that Solomon w●● the rarest King, that ever was before over after hi● there was none like him.  
First he was a King that had very much pour, 〈◊〉 his enemies round about were made to subject, a● bring presents to him; he was of a great deal of w●●dom, so is our Lord Jesus Christ he is the Ki●● only wise, and he was a King that had a great d●● of glory, look but to his throne so many steps up to it, and so many lions guarding the throne, a glorions throne all lined with pure gold. he is a glorious King in thes respects and Solomon he was a very rich King, and he was such a King, that he made all his subjects to abound with wealth, he made in his day, Jerusalem the corner stones thereof to be as silver and gold.  
Now, what his desing is, by giving thes styles to King Solomon? that was Jesus Christ, he is a glorious King, the Father had appointed him, Solomon was appointed by a divine decree: to be King of Israel. So our Lord Jesus Christ, is appointed by a divine appointment to be King and head of his church. Psal. 2. I will declare the decree, thou artt my King, thou art my son, this day have I begottne the. I will give thee arod of jron, to break thy enemies, he is a King of great power and wisdom, and a King of great riches, and a King that inricheth all his subjects. Now, sirs, it's a sad matter that this King, should have met with such a meeting, from our King and our rulers: that this Crouwn should be taken of his head, and set upon the head of a poor sinful man and as it were his kingly power exauterat, and that usurped and taken by a man, this is that which we have to regreat this day, in stead of loialety to him, the most pairt of all the nations are turned rebels to him, and turned against him, & his been active to divest him of that power that he was clothed with.  
But nixt the stile given to the believer, to the Daughters of Zion, go forth ye Daughters of Zion, (that is to say) ye that are borne into the Church, and borne by the immortal seed of his word. I would have you that are the membres 〈◊〉 the Church and hath any respect and kindness 〈◊〉 King Solomon, I would have you going forth, that leaving all your enjoyments and pleasure an● Profeets, and taking a look of this King.  
And the observation I shall speak to is this, th●● it is the duty of the people of God, to be taking many looks of King Jesus what are you come he●● for sirs: Is it not to get a look of the King in thi● ordinances, is not this your end and errand, if you have not this for your errand, you will get little thanks and weelcom from him, but and if th●● by your errand to get a sight of the King, as h●● rides in the chariot of the Gospel, than you ob●● the command given to the Daughters of Jerusale●● and the Lord will not be straeng to give a looke●● himself, if you be in earnest, to go forth and behold him. There the not.  
That it is people's duty, when the Lord com●● in the chariot of the Gospel, to make ane offer 〈◊〉 himself, they should go forth and leave all th●● enjoyments, and leave all behind hem, and get 〈◊〉 sight of Christ in his ordinances, And  〈◊〉 espetialie that are mor eminent in the world, 〈◊〉 our Master's name we weelcome you, if you c●● say that is the thing ye would have done to get a sight of King Solomon, Christ in the chariot o● the Gospel, it is for that errand I come heir, to get a sight of him: that I may keep him for mane●● days, I have stepped out of all my enjoyments 〈◊〉 may be I will heir tell of it after this, yet I cair not 〈◊〉 I have gottne a sight of Christ in his ordinances, 〈◊〉 say in our Master's name you are welcome heir, an● you will get a blessing, if you have a mouth open●● to receive you shall get it, it is your duty to behold him, but say ye how will I get a sight of him, there are 4. of 5. glasses that he shines in, through which you may get a sight of him.  
First, in his word there get a sight of him get a sight of him in the preached Gospel, there get a sight of him in his Chariot, that is all paved with love.  
Nixt, get a sight of him in his atributs, you may see what are these, and you may get a sight of him in his offices, and sufferings, that he under went for sinners. Therefore, o ye Daughters of Jerusalem or Zion, ye that live in this corner, will ye come forth this day and leave your enjoyments, and take a look of him in the Chairot of his Gospel, here he is come this day to make a visit to Greenock, o if you were forced to cry out, how louly is thy Tabernacles? how louly are thy Ordinances? where thou art in the midst of them: and to be seen there.  
Now, Sirs, there are some upon the other hand, that they will not come out for fear of a fine, and for fear of their Land, Tho the Lord be craying to all sorts of men, to come forth and take a look of Christ this day: and see his garments died all red for sinners, take a look of him in his wounds and hands and feet, and take such a look of him till your heart be ravished with the sight of him, and look to him, and take a look of him till ye get a sight of your neid of him, for he is coming fnrnished with all things that will make his people happy. Come and beyold King Solomon, come this day and take a look of our King, ye that was ever beholding vanety and looking after lies, will you be persuaded to come and take a look of Jesus Chaste, o Sirs, if Heaven can be gotten by a look its sad to loss it, for he hath said look unto me ally ends of the earth and be ye● saved.  
What are you a poor blind body, take a look of him, he will give eyes to the blind, they looked to him in that 34. Psal: and were enlightened, and were not ashamed. They get light to look to him, and a sight of him will make that hard heart melt witin you, come to him and look to him, they shall look to him or upon him, whom they have pierced and mourn for him as one mourneth for his only begotne Son, o therefore look to him then, and if you would have life and light and further what is it, that you stand in need of, it's all that God calls for, it's that man that would come and take a look of him, and I think its a sad matter, that your hearts are little stirred for all that we say to you. What is Christ come in the Chariot of the Gospel, and in all these glorious properties? and have you never looked to him? o Sirs, is he saying look unto me and be ye saved for I am God.  
We see this nixt, go forth says he ye Daughters Zion, and behold King Solomon, what will you● see of him, you will see a glorious sight, a Crown that ye will take pleasure into, see him with the Crown that his mother crowned him with a glorious sight if ye would behold him.  
There are three words that I shall say. First, I shall say this, that there are some particular days in the Church: that are days of Espousals, betwixt Christ, and sinners and ends, wherein he espouseth sinners to himself.  
2. That whoever they are, that are espoused to Jesus Christ, they put the Crown upon his head, they put glory upon him, for they witness, that they believe the record, that the Father hath given of him.  
3. That a sinner is content: to be espoused to Jesus Christ and closeth with him, in a marriage Covenant, is the day of the gladness of his heart. These three words I shall speak of to you and close this exercise, considering the time we have to spair, we shall contain all in half ane hour.  
The first thing that we shall say, that there are some particular seasons, and times, that the Lord makes remarkable for espousing sinners to himself: to take it thus, that there are sometimes that he makes the Gospel to take this effect, that menre forced to yield themselves to Jesus Christ, that they can hold forth no longer they most yield to him, they cannot stand out, anay longer, there are sometimes that a sinner will stand it out against Christ: and say again and again and a thousand times though he should stretch out his arms never so often. And yet we see how many have holdne Jesus Christ coming to them and crying to them, o sinners will ye break my heart, o why will you not come to me, & get a look of me, seeing I am content to take you and marry you, black as ye are. What makes you stand out and will not yield: But there are sometimes some particular seasons, that the Lord will win in upon sinners, nile they will they, he will cause them make a bargan, and it shall be a day of esposals. It is a wonderful thing, that one preaching will work upon a heart, that a thousand preach before has not done it has not bien before, why is this? Why? God's day is come, that he will have sinners espoused to him, and he will no longer be put out, and he will put in his hand, at the handle 〈◊〉 the lock, and he will say either open the door, (〈◊〉 I will stand no longer) either open to me, or else 〈◊〉 will lay the door upon the floor: if you open it not 〈◊〉 this is sometimes that our Lord comes with ane irresistible power, that he will not have a nay saying 〈◊〉 Luck. 5. and 17. there was a day, (christ preache●● many a day to the Scribes and Pharisees) But never the better, but a remarkable day that he preached unto them, and he wrought upon them, and his power was present to heal them. So I say sinners will get many offers of the Gospel, and sit this day, and the second day, and the third day: But there is some times God will come with the power of the offer o●● the Gospel, that there shall be no more sitting, but that ye should come forward and close with the offer of the Gospel, that he makes offer of in this place, o when shall the day come to this place? O whe●● shall the day come that they shall be made a willing people in the day of his power: that you shall not b●● able to stand out longer, that ye dow not sit●● longer, that you find your hearts all ravished with his love, every Church hath there day and every person hes there day of espousals to all their nations; noble men and gentle men, and all men to come into a Covenant with the Lord, to be espoused to the Lord, so he hes come with the Gospel sometimes: some hes lived. 40. Years under the Gospel, but h●●● resisted it, but he hath come one day and come with power, that he was not able to resist it now, O Sirs when will this day of power come, O will it never come to this day with you, ye heard much of it, and many words of it, but will not the day of espousal●● come, O Sirs, let it be now, it may be you shall never have an other day, therefore let it be now.  
I come to speak to the 2d. thing that I may hastne, the great errand of the Gospel, is to espouse sinners to himself, he is coming in the Chariot of the Gospel in the 9 and 10. verses he is coming out in the Chariot, a glorious Chariot, what says he? go forth, says he, and meet him, and what sayeth he more? make up the marriage before you come home again, this is the end of the Gospel, to make up a marriage betwixt him and sinners: 2 Cor. 11: and 2. look a word to this purpose, for I am, jealous, over you, with Godly Jealousy, for I haye espoused you to one Husband: that I may present you as a chaste Virgin to Christ, saith Paul, my great desing in sending the Gospel amongst you was that I may espouse you to one Husband Jesus Christ. There is the Scope of the Gospel. Wherefore sent he the Gospel here before there was a world, and before time was, you behoved to come heir the day, and you shall heir ane other offer, and the end of his Chariot coming to Greenock, to this mountan side is to make ane offer of Christ, and that there be a marriage, and that there may be such ane union as man and wife, that there may be a mutual interest in all that you have, and that there may he mutual communications of love, one with ane other, as love betwixt man and wife, from this, day forward, the Lord hath trysted you here. Before there was a stone laid in this world, this day was determined, end you were the man and woman that were to be heir, and you were the people and this behoved to be the place, and this behoved to be the Preacher and this behoved to be the Text. And therefore seeing it is so, I come heir as Christ's Minister, to take up all your names, betwixt Christ and you, and to proclaim to you, that Christ hath a purpose of mariagee betwixt him and you, and if this be the day of marriage, and his effectual working, you will say put up my name: and you will say put up my name: and you will say I have a purpose of marriage with him, and I have a mind to take him.  
What sayeth the Lord? I am jealous over you with a Godly controversy, but I have espoused you to one Husband, a chaste Virgin, but it was my great work sayeth Paul. once to get that day, set, and and a contract subscrived, and the great marriage day so solemnised at the day of Judgement. What say ye, Sirs, is there a spouse for Christ heir? who will not take him, and believe in him, ob: O glad would I be to take him, but I know not if he will take me, let not that be your fear, there are in Heaven that were as you are that were heirs of Hell, imps of the Devil, Devil's limbs as you are wretched as ye are, sold under sin and under wteath and such as you are, but to you I say be but willing this day, and if ye give but your consent this day, if you say this day even so I take the upon the terms, that thou offers thyself, I declare in my Master's name you are wealcom, and for this end, hath he sent me to this place, as his Ambassador to you, to invite you to come, & rouse yourselves, & espouse yourselves & let it be seen, that there is a bride upon this hill side the day, that will be espoused to him, and will be his bride, and give your hand to him, and give up yourselves, and be faithful to him, and do all the duties of a louîng spouse; Now, Sirs, O! say ye, do but this little favour, clear this a little, this is a great word to be married to Christ, the Father's only Sun, how can ye instruct that this is your work, what can you say, I fear that he cast at us, we have nothing, what will he see in the shullamit, but as the Company of two Armies, what will he seein us that he may desire us yea sayeth the Lord, for as vile and abominable as you are, yet come your way I am content, to come and joune in marriage with you, upon these conditions, that ye wil● subscribe my Contract that I shall make: there are three things that we shall clear a little, and make a wordof application.  
For the first thing is this. how is this evident that Christ is content to marry sinners? know you, Sirs, what Christ did Christ he came out of Heaven to show his willingness to marry you, he took upon him the nature of sinners, the nature of Abraham and took not upon him the nature of Angels, but of Adam's seed, and a reasonnable soul he united these two in his divine nature, in one person, and married them, and makes you not to doubt of his willingness, but that he is content to marry and be espoused to you. 2. I would urge you not to let this good offer go by, have ye much debt upon you, heir a Husband that will pay all your debt for you, and will never cast it up to yond. 4, of Jeames if any man lake wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth liberaly, and upbraideth not. though he took you of the midding and you had nothing; he will upbrade no man notwithstandinh all this. Nixt thing your Husband hath goed skill of Physic, you are ane unclean and unwholesome body, so full of sores, marry him and he will make ointments and make plasters that will heal all your diseases. Psal. 103. he will heal all your diseases. 3. Marry him he is very kind Husband, O but he is kind, he will d●● offices that none other will do, he will make all the●● bed in their sickness, he will season their bed, wi●●● much of himself, a kindly Husband that is very smuch taken up with the love of his people: and 〈◊〉 they have love to him he will bear with mane●● faults of them and not cast at them, o say ye I will play the harlot, yet, sayeth he, for all that return unto me, will ane other man take in a harlot again, but yet sayeth he return unto me, sayeth the Lord, though you have played the harlot with many lovers, yet return unto me.  
Now I shall make a word of use, and this is th●● use, what say ye to it, I am come in Christ's name as his Ambassador, & this is my negotiation this day●● are you contenr to marry him, he will give you 〈◊〉 brave dury, he will give you Heaven, he wi●● give you anough: are you content to go forth an●● take a look of him, O will ye take a look of him 〈◊〉 and get a sight of him, and ye will cry forth, 〈◊〉 that he would marry you. I will give you two things for incurragement to the text.  
First, you put a Crown upon his head, if yo●● marry him, our rullers have taken the Crown of hi●● head: but will, ye put the Crowu upon his head 〈◊〉 you do it if you marry him. O are you content 〈◊〉 heir such a man hath put the Crown upon my head 〈◊〉 and hath come and believed, all my promises, and did all my commands and yielded to me, this looked to as a glad day.  
Nixt it is the gladness of his heart, this is glead news to him, let yond Minister's blood go for it, though he should be takne he hath gained some souls to me, and hath a day of espousalsto me, it is 〈◊〉 day of the gladness of my heart let the man's 〈◊〉 rune what is the matter, seeing it is such a glad day.  
You have made him many a sad heart, o will ye make him a glad heart, and let this be the day, and make the bargan and it shall be gladness of heart to him.  
I shall come and make a word of use & it is this, do not think that we are come to you this day in a light matter to you, & the showers are going round about us this day, and when he comes to offer us a day of the Gospel, the Lord hath bound up the clouds wonder fully, and this day he hath called a meeting in this place, and it's to lay out a bussines that he is much concerned with, a bussines in his heart a long love, he loved you  the mountans were, prov: 8. now this long love vented itself in the fullness of time, and Christ would no longer starie he behoved to come from heaven to earth to suitea bride and he is gone to heaven again, to prepair mainsions for his owned people and hath sent out Ministers of the Gospel, whereof I am one of the un worthiest of them all to present unto you a marriage, and make ane offer of him to you, sis I dar not leave you till you give a peremptory answer to Jesus Christ, will ye close with him, what say ye? we come to demand it, shall this be a day of espousals betwixt Jesus Christ and you, you are gathered together heir, old men I require of you, upon the aleadgance of God, come in heir old men and old women, come and make a bargain, the world and those things hath holdne you so long, therefore come now and make a bargan with Jesus Christ, shall this be a day of espousals shall this be a day of 〈◊〉 I assur you that you are not far from the kingdom 〈◊〉 heaven, I assur you as the Lord livith and as he is in heaven, it will be a world's wonder, if ever ye● get the like of this day again, therefore what is he seeking of you? o sirs he might have left Scotland and suffered our Parliaments to have takne away the Ministers of the Gospel, but he behoved to give this offer to you att this time, therefore he is craying will you marry me, his bloed is craying will you marry me, see what proof he is giving you, will you refuse Christ will you crucify him again, by giving him a new refusal, o sirs what say ye what stands in your way of this marriage let it be herd, have ye● ought to object against Jesus Christ, may he not be a match, would you have a better husband, he i● altogether loulie, and beautiful, would you have 〈◊〉 rich husband, he is the heir of heaven, he is th● heir of all things, would ye have a credible husband he is thine, he is all your credit would you have such a match, then here is it, o than what say y●● to it he hath set a day her of espousals he hath ca●led to it, would ye send him away with a glad hear● and send us away with a glad heart, and you to go● away with a glad heart, let us see it in your wall and conversatione, and in your tenderness, that yo● are edified, what will you loss him who will speil● for you if you refuse fuch a match when the Justice of God brings you to the reckoning, there was th●● man and the woman within a mile to greenock that had the offer of the Gospel, and Christ came ou● in the chariot of the Gospel to them, and they went away and made not the bargain did not give him the full consent, what shall we return for answer, I take that sun that shines and this hill that we are upon, and takes every one of your consciences, against you, and every on of us to be witnese against one ane other, and for all the wrongs that ever you did to Christ, yet Christ is content to make out ane offer to you this day, and a marriage, this is my sutting day, and may be, I never see your face again, (who knoves) o'er you me again, but I knon we shall all meet again, in the day of Judgement, I assure you Sirs, there are some heir of you, shall never hear ane other preaching some of you shall take your dead ill,  ye hear ane other preaching, o Sirs, therefore say what you will do if you would make us a glad heart this day, then turn from your swearing & and swear no more, and ye that have neglected prayer in your famelies and in secret, fall to in earnest now, over else ye shall be looked upon as neglecters of this great offer, and yet that are neglecters & slighters of the Sabbath, do so no more, what say ye off it, will you give Christ ane answer I will have no answer, but look up to God and give him your answer, what say ye? go say ye, I will have none of him, I will not forsake my lusts, and I will not forsake my drunkenness for him, stay till I come to death bed, than I will give the my consent but as the Lord liveth, he will clape a curse upon your head, if you do so, o Sirs, what mean ye, are you keeping all your tears, till you go to ●●ell, there is abundance there, will you still refuse Christ? what have you a mind to do? to close with him over not, what say ye we most give him ane answer this night of you, we most give your answer to him, that sent us to you, shall we say that their people looked not like it, and some that had their hearts leaping within them, were saying O I are 〈◊〉 to take him. o Sirs give up your neams unto the 〈◊〉 and say you are content and he will be content 〈◊〉 you, come with all your faults, and ye will find 〈◊〉 a friend, and easy to be entreated, if you con●●● this to him, shortly we shall choose, O Sirs 〈◊〉 says the Lord, know this is our errand, noth●● would be so joyful to us, as that ye would ac●●● of our Master as Eliazer said, we most come 〈◊〉 take a wife to our Master, Abraham's son, so●● come to a fitted place to the loins of Adam to se●● wife to be married to Christ O Sirs will ye put 〈◊〉 out will you not yield now, you have stoodene 〈◊〉 enough out & let it be seen that ye have made a 〈◊〉 venant with him let God hear what you say, 〈◊〉 let you tell your tale to him, he is near at 〈◊〉 head, round it unto him, he will hear you 〈◊〉 enough, and so if you do it you will make him 〈◊〉 de heart, and you will make the devil a sad he 〈◊〉 and wicked men a sad heart, and prelates a sad 〈◊〉 we will get no mor good of thes folk say they; 〈◊〉 have lost them, we will get them no more fre●●● to us, we will be friends to a persecutted caus●●● his Gospel, say to it, Sirs we are come to th●●● answer, we shall say no more, the Lord him 〈◊〉 work upon you and work you up to this fram, 〈◊〉 cane only speik to you, but no more, Paul 〈◊〉 plant and Apollo may water but the Lord mo●●● ve the increase, the Lord bliss what hath being's knee, and to his name be the praise.  
FINIS.