Come Welcome TO JESUS CHRIST OR A plain and profitable Discourse upon the Sixth of John 37 Vers. Shewing the Cause Truth and Manner of the Coming of a Sinner to Jesus Christ with his Happy Reception and Blessed Entertainment Written by J. Bunyan And they shall come which were ready to Perish Isa. 27. 13. LONDON Printed for B. Harris at the Stationers Arms in Swithings Rents in Cornhil by the Royal Exchange 1678. Come Welcome TO JESUS CHRIST John 6. 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out A Little before in this Chapter you may read That the Lord JESUS walked on the Sea to go to Capernaum having sent his Disciples before in a Ship But the Winds was contrary by which means the Ship was hindred in her Passage Now about the fourth watch of the night Jesus came Walking upon the Sea and overtook them at the sight of whom they were afraid Note When Providences are black and terrible to Gods People the Lord Jesus shews himself to them in wonderful manner the which somtimes they can as little bear as they can the things that before were terrible to them They were afraid of the Wind and the Water they were also afraid of their Lord and Saviour when He appeared to them in that State But He said be not afraid it is I. Note That the End of the appearing of the Lord Jesus unto his people though the manner of his appearing be never so terrible is to alay their fears and perplexities Then they received him into the Ship and immediately the Ship was at the Land whether it went Note When Christ is absent from his people they go on but slowly and with great difficulty but when he joyneth himself unto them Oh! how fast they stear their course how soon are they at their Journies end The people now among whom he last preached when they saw that both Jesus was gon and his Disciples they also took shipping and came to Capernaum seeking for Jesus And when they had found him they wonderingly asked him Rabbi when camest thou hither But the Lord Jesus slighting their complement answered Verily Verily ye seek me not because ye saw the Miracles but because ye did eat of the Loaves and were filled Note A People may follow Christ far for base ends as these went after him beyond Sea for Loaves a mans belly will carry him a great way in Religion yea a mans belly will make him venture far for Christ. Note again They are not feigning complements but gracious intentions that crowns the work in the eye of Christ Or thus It is not the toyl and business of professors but their love to him that makes him approve of them Note again When men shall look for friendly entertainment at Christ's Hand if their hearts be rotten even then will they meet with a check and rebuke Ye seek me not because ye saw the Miracles but because ye did eat of the Loaves and were Filled Yet observe again He doth not refuse to give even to these good counsel he bids them Labor for the meat that endureth to eternal Life O how willingly would Jesus Christ have even those Professors that come to him with pretences only come to him sincerely that they may be saved The Text you will find is after much more discourse with and about this people and it is uttered by the Lord Jesus as the conclusion of the whole and intimateth that since they were Professors in pretence only and therefore such as his soul could not delight in as such that he would content himself with a Remnant that his Father had bestowed upon him As who should say I am not like to be Honoured in your Salvation but the Father hath bestowed upon me a people and they shall come to me in Truth and in them will I be satisfied The Text therefore may be called Christ's repose in the fulfilling whereof he resteth himself content after much Labor and many Sermon spent as it were in vain As he saith by the Prophet I have Labored in vain I have spent my strength for nought and in vain Isa. 49. 4. But as there he saith my Judgment is with the Lord and my work with my God So in the Text he saith All the Father giveth me shall come to me and them that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out By these words therefore the Lord Jesus comforteth himself under the consideration of the dissimulation of some of his followers He also thus betook himself to rest under the consideration of the little effect that his Ministry had even in Capernaum Corazin and Bethsaida I thank thee O Father said he Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to babes even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight Matt. 11. 25. Luke 10. 21. The Text in the general standeth of two parts and hath special respect to the Father and the Son As also to their joynt management of the Salvation of their People All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out The first part of the Text as is evident respecteth the Father and his gift the other part the Son and his reception of that gift First For the gift of the Father there is this to be considered about it to wit The gift it self and that is a gift of certain persons to the Son The Father giveth and that gift shall come And Him that cometh The gift then is of Persons the Father giveth Persons to Jesus Christ. Secondly Next you have the Sons reception of this gift and that sheweth it self in these particulars 1. In his hearty acknowledgment of it to be a gift The Father giveth me 2. In his taking notice after a solemn manner of All and every part of the gift All that the Father giveth me 3. In his resolution to bring them to himself All the Father giveth me shall come to me 4. And in his determining that not any thing shall make him dislike them in their coming And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out These things might be spoken to at large as they are in this method presented to view but I shall chuse to speak to the words 1. By way of Explication 2. By way of Observation First By way of Explication All that the Father giveth me This word All is often used in Scripture and is to be taken more largely or more strictly even as the Truth or argument for the sake of which it is made use of will bare wherefore that we may the better understand the mind of Christ in the use of it here we must consider that it is Limited and Restrained only to those that shall be Saved to wit to those that shall come to Christ even to
thee up these Marks make thee these high heaps of the golden Grace of the Gospel set thine heart towards the high-way even the way that thou wentest when thou didst backslide turn again O Virgin of Israel turn again to these thy Cities Jer. 31. 21. And him that Cometh He saith not And him that talketh that professeth that maketh a shew a noise or the like but him that Cometh Christ will take leave to judge who among the many that make a Noise they be that indeed are coming to him It is not him that saith he comes nor him of whom others affirm that he comes but him that Christ himself shall say doth Come that is concern'd in this Text. When the Woman that had the bloody Issue came to him for Cure there were others as well as she that made a great bussle about him that touched yea thronged him Ah but Christ could distinguish this woman from them all And he looked round about upon them all to see her that had done this thing Mar. 25. 26 27 28 29 30 31 32. He was not concerned with the thronging or touchings of the rest for theirs were but accidental or at best void of that which made her touch acceptable Wherefore Christ must be Judg who they be that in Truth are coming to him Every mans way is right in his own Eyes but the Lord weigheth the Spirits It standeth therefore every one in hand to be certain of their coming to Jesus Christ for as thy coming is so shall thy Salvation be If thou comest indeed thy Salvation shall be indeed but if thou comest but in outward appearance so shall thy Salvation be But of coming see before as also afterwards in the Use and Application And him that cometh to me These words to me are also well to be heeded for by them as he secureth those that come to him so also he shews himself unconcerned with those that in their coming rest short or turn aside to others For you must know that every one that comes comes not to Jesus Christ some that come came to Moses and to his Law and then take up for Life with these Christ is not concerned with these this Promise hath not to do Christ is become of none effect unto you whosoever of you are justified by the Law ye are falen from grace Gal. 5. 3 4. Again some that came come no farther than to Gospel Ordinances and there stay they come not through them to Christ with these neither is he concerned nor will their Lord Lord avail them any thing in the great and dismal day A man may come too and also go from the place and Ordinances of Worship and yet not be remembred by Christ. So I saw the wicked buried said Solomon who had come and gone from the place of the Holy and they were forgotten in the City when they had so done this is also Vanity Eccles. 8. 10. To me These words therefore are by Jesus Christ very warily put in and serve for caution and incouragement for caution lest we take up in our coming any where short of Christ and for incouragement to those that shall in their coming come past all till they come to Jesus Christ And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Reader If thou lovest thy Soul take this Caution kindly at the hands of Jesus Christ. Thou seest thy Sickness thy Wound thy necessity of Salvation well go not to King Jareb for he cannot Heal thee nor Cure thee of thy Wound Hos. 5. 13. Take the Caution I say lest Christ insteed of being a Saviour to thee becomes a Lion a young Lion to tare thee and go away vers 14. There is a coming but not to the most High there is a coming but not with the whole Heart but as it were feignedly therefore take the Caution kindly Jer. 3. 10. Hos. 7. 16. And him that cometh To me Christ as a Saviour will stand alone because his own Arm above hath brought Salvation unto him He will not be joyned with Moses nor suffer John Baptist to be tabernacled by him I say they must vanish for Christ will stand alone Luk 9. 28 36. yea God the Father will have it so therefore they must be parted from him and a Voice from Heaven must come to bid the Disciples hear only the beloved Son Christ will not suffer any Law Ordinance Statute or Judgement to be partners with him in the salvation of the Sinner Nay he saith not And him that cometh to my Word but And him that cometh to me The words of Christ even his most blessed and free Promises such as this in the Text are not the Saviour of the World for that is Christ himself Christ himself only The Promises therefore are but to incourage the coming sinner to come to Jesus Christ and not to rest in them short of Salvation by him And him that cometh To me The man therefore that comes aright casts all things behind his back and looketh at nor hath his expectation from ought but the Son of God alone as David said My Soul wait thou only upon God for my expectation is from him He only is my Rock and my Salvation he is my Defence I shall not be moved Psal. 62. 5. His Eye is to Christ his Heart is to Christ and his expectation is from him from him only Therefore the man that comes to Christ is one that hath had deep Considerations of his own sins slighting thoughts of his own Righteousness and high thoughts of the Blood and Righteousness of Jesus Christ yea he sees as I have said more vertue in the Blood of Christ to save him than there is in all his sins to damn him He therefore setteth Christ before his Eyes there is nothing in Heaven or Earth he knows that can save his Soul and secure him from the Wrath of God but Christ that is nothing but his personal Righteousness and Blood And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out In no wise By these words there is somthing expressed and somthing implyed That which is expressed is Christ Jesus his unchangable Resolution to Save the Coming sinner I will in no wise reject him or deny him the benefit of my Death and Righteousness This word therefore is like that which he speaks of the everlasting damnation of the sinner in Hell-fire He shall by no means depart thence that is never never never come out again no not to all Eternity Mat. 5. 25. chap. 25. 46. So that as he that is condemned into Hell-fire hath no ground of hope for his deliverance thence so him that cometh to Christ hath no ground to fear he shall ever be cast in thither Thus saith the Lord If Heaven above can be measured or the Foundation of the Earth searched out beneath I will also cast away all the seed of Israel for all that they have done saith the Lord Jer. 31. 37. Thus saith the Lord
gracious words these words are like drops of honey as it is said Pleasant words are as an honey-Comb sweet to the Soul and health to the bones These are gracious words indeed even as full as a faithful and a merciful High Priest could speak them Luther saith When Christ speaketh he hath a mouth as wide as Heaven and Earth That is to speak fully to the incouragement of every sinfull him that is coming to Jesus Christ. And that his word is certain hear how himself confines it Heaven and Earth saith he shall pass away but my word shall not pass away Isa. 63. 1. Mat. 24. 35. It is also confirmed by the testimony of the Four Evangelists who gave faithful relation of his loving reception of all Sorts of coming sinners whether they were publicans harlots thieves possessed of Devils Bedlams and what not Luk. 19 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. Mat. 21. 21. Luk. 15. Chap. and Chap. 23. 41 42. Mark 19. 9. Chap. 5. 1 2 3 to 9. This then shews us First The greatness of the merits of Christ. Secondly The willingness of his heart to impute them for Life to the great if coming sinners First This shews us the greatness of the Merits of Christ for it must not be supposed that his words are bigger than his worthyness He is Strong to execute his word he can Do as well as Speak He can do exceeding abundantly more than we ask or think even to the uttermost and out side of his word Ephes. 3. 20. Now then since he concludeth Any Coming Him it must be concluded that he can save to the uttermost Sin Any coming Him He speaketh in Righteousness in very faithfulness when he began to build this blessed Gospel Fabrick the Text It was for that he had first sat down and counted the cost and for that he knew he was able to finish it What Lord Any him Any him that cometh to thee This is a Christ worth looking after this is a Christ worth coming to This then should learn us diligently to consider the Natural force of every word of God and to judge of Christ's ability to save not by our sins or by our shallow apprehensions of his Grace but by his word which is the true measure of Grace And if we do not judge thus we shall dishonor his Grace lose the benefit of his word and needlesly fright our selves into many Discouragements though coming to Jesus Christ. Him any him that cometh hath from this word of Christ to feed himself with hopes of Salvation As thou art therefore coming O thou coming sinner Judge thou whether Christ can savethee by the true Sense of his words Judge coming sinner of the Efficacy of his Blood of the perfection of his Righteousness and of the prevailancy of his intercession by his word And him saith he that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out In no wise that is for no Sin Judge therefore by his word how able he is to save thee It is said of Gods Sayings to the Children of Israel There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel all came to pass And again Not one thing hath failed of of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you all are come to pass unto you and not one thing hath failed thereof Josh. 21. 45. Chap. 23. 14. Coming sinner what promise thou findest in the word of Christ strain it whether thou canst so thou dost not corrupt it and his Blood and Merits will answer all what the word saith or any true Consequence that is drawn there-from that we may boldly venture upon As here in the Text he saith And Him that cometh indefinitetively without the least intimation of the rejection of any though never so great if he be a coming-sinner Take it then for granted that thou whoever thou art if coming art intended in these words neither shall it injure Christ at all if as Benhadad's Servants served Ahab thou shalt catch him at his word Now saith the Text The Men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him to wit any word of grace and did hastily catch it And it happened that Ahab called Benhadad his brother The men replyed therefore Thy brother Benhadad catching him at his word 1 King 20. 33. Sinner coming sinner serve Jesus Christ thus and he will take it kindly at thy hands When he in his argument called the Canaanitish woman Dog she catcht him at it and said Truth Lord yet the Dogs eat of the Crumbs that fall from their Masters Table I say she catcht him thus in his words and he took it kindly saying O woman great is thy faith be it unto thee even as thou wilt Mat. 15. 26. Catch him coming sinner catch him Secondly The other thing that I told you is shewed us from these words is this The willingness of Christ's heart to impute his merits for Life to the great if coming sinner And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out The awakned coming sinner doth not so easily question the power of Christ as his willingness to save him Lord if thou wilt thou canst said one Mar. 1. 40. He did not put the If upon his power but upon his will he concluded he could but he was not as fully of perswasion that he would But we have the same ground to believe he will as we have to believe he can and indeed ground for both is the Word of God If he was not willing why did he promise why did he say he would receive the coming sinner Jacob took him there Thou saidst says he I will surely do thee Good Gen. 32. 12. For from this promise he concluded that it followed in reason He must be willing The Text also gives some ground for us to draw the same conclusion And him that cometh to me I Will in no wise cast out Here is his willingness asserted as well as his power suggested It is worth your observation that Abraham's Faith considered rather his power than his willingness that is he drew this Conclusion I shall have a Child from the Power that was in God to fulfill the Promise to him for he concluded he was willing give him one else he would not have promised one He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith giving glory to God being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able to perform Rom. 4. 20 21. But was not his faith exercised or tryed about his willingness too No there was no shew of reason for that because he had promised it indeed had he not promised it he might Lawfully have doubted it but since he had promised it there was left no ground at all for doubting because his willingness to give a Son was demonstrated in his promising him a Son These words therefore are sufficient ground to incourage any coming sinner
Sin so the Law of Moses as it is a Perfect Holy Law hath a Voice against thee before the Face of God There is one that accuseth you even Moses's Law Jo. 5. Yea it accuseth all Men of Transgression that have sinned against it for as long as Sin is Sin there will be a Law to accuse for Sin But this Accusation shall not prevail against the Coming-Sinner because 't is Christ that dyed and that ever lives to make Intercession for them that Come to God by him Rom. 8. Heb. 7. 25. These things I say do accuse us before Christ Jesus yea and also to our own Faces if perhaps they might prevail against us But these words I will in no wise cast out secureth the Coming-Sinner from them all The Coming-Sinner is not saved because there is none comes in against him but because the Lord Jesus will not hear their Accusations will not cast out the Coming-Sinner When Shimei came down to meet King David and to ask for Pardon for his Rebellion up starts Abishai and puts in his Caveat saying Shall not Shimei dye for this This is the Case of him that comes to Christ He hath this Abishai and that Abishai that presently steps in against him saying Shall not this Rebel's Sins destroy him in Hell Read further But David answered What have I to do with you ye Sons of Zeruiah that you should this day be Adversaries to me Shall there any Man be put to Death this Day in Israel for do not I know that I am King this Day over Israel 2 Sam. 19. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22. This is Christ's Answer by the Text to all that accuse the Coming Shimeis What have I to do with you that accuse the Coming-Sinners to me I count you Adversaries that are against my shewing Mercy to them Do not I know that I am Exalted this Day to be King of Righteousness and King of Peace I will in no wise cast them out Secondly But again These Words do closely imply that the Coming-Souls are afraid that these Accusers will prevail against them as is evident because the Text is spoken for their Relief and Succour For that need not be if they that are coming were not subject to fear and despond upon this account Alas there is Guilt and the Curse lies upon the Conscience of the Coming-Sinner Besides He is Conscious to himself what a Villain what a Wretch he hath been against God and Christ. Also he now knows by woful Experience how he hath been at Satan's Beck and at the Motion of every Lust. He hath now also new Thoughts of the Holyness and Justice of God Also he feels that he cannot forbear sinning against him For the Motions of Sin which are by the Law do work in his Members to bring forth Fruit unto Death Rom. 7. But none of this needs be since we have so Good so Tender-hearted and so Faithful a Jesus to come to who will rather overthrow Heaven and Earth than suffer a little of this Text to fail And him that comes unto me I will in no wise cast out Now We have yet to enquire into two things that lie in the Words to which there hath yet been nothing said As 1. What it is to cast out 2. How it appears that Christ hath Power to Save or to Cast out For the First of these What it is to Cast out to this I will speak 1. Generally 2. More Particularly More Generally First To cast out Is to Slight and Despise and Contemn as it is said of Saul's Shield It was vilely cast away that is Slighted and Contemned Thus it is with the Sinners that come not to Jesus Christ He Slights Despises and Contemns them that is Casts them away 2 Sam. 1. 2. Secondly Things cast away are reputed as Menstruous Cloaths and as the Dirt of the Street Isa. 3. 22. Psal. 18. 42. Matth. 5. 13. Chap. 15. 17. And thus it shall be with the Men that come not to Jesus Christ they shall be counted as Menstruous and as the Dirt in the Streets Thirdly To be cast out or off it is To be abhorred not to be pityed but to be put to perpetual Shame Psal. 44. 9. Psal. 89. 38. Amos 1. 11. But more particularly To come to the Text The Casting-out here mentioned is not limited to this or the other Evil Therefore it must be extended to the most extream and utmost Misery Or thus He that cometh to Christ shall not want any thing that may make him Gospelly Happy in this World or that which is to come Nor shall he want any thing that cometh not that may make him Spiritually and Eternally Miserable But further As it is to be Generally taken so it respecteth Things that are now and also Things that shall be hereafter For the Things that are now they are either 1. More General 2. Or more Particular First More General thus It is To be cast out of the Presence and Favour of God Thus was Cain cast out Thou hast driven or cast me out this Day from thy Presence and from thy Face that is from thy Favour shall I be hid A dreadful Complaint but the Effect of a more dreadful Judgement Gen. 4. 13 14. Jer. 23. 39. I Chron. 28. 9. Secondly To be cast out is to be cast out of God's Sight God will look after them no more care for them no more nor will he watch over them any more for Good 2 King 17. 20. Jer. 7. 15. Now they that are so are left like Blind Men to wander and fall into the Pit of Hell This therefore is also a sad Judgement Therefore here is the Mercy of him that Cometh to Christ He shall not be left to wander at Uncertainties The Lord Jesus Christ will keep him as a Shepheard doth his Sheep Psal. 23. Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Thirdly To be cast out Is to be denyed a Place in God's House and to be left as Fugitives and Vagabonds to pass a little time away in this Miserable Life and after that to go down to the Dead Gal. 4. 30. Gen. 4. 13 14. Chap. 21. 10. Therefore here is the Benefit of him that Cometh to Christ He shall not be denyed a Place in God's House They shall not be left like Vagabonds in the World Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out See Prov. 14. 26. Isa. 56. 3 4 5. Ephes. 2. 19 20 21 22. 1 Cor. 3. 21 22 23. Fourthly In a word To be cast out Is to be Rejected as are the Fallen Angels For their Eternal Damnation began at their being cast down from Heaven to Hell So then Not to be cast out Is to have a Place a House and Habitation there and to have a Share in the Priviledges of Elect Angels These Words therefore I will not cast out will prove great Words one Day to them that come to Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 2. 4. Joh. 12. 31.
Eternal Hence it is called the peace of God and That passeth all understanding Fourthly The person speaking in the Text hath enough of all things truly Spiritually good to satisfie the desires of every longing Soul And Jesus stood and Cried saying If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink And to him that is athirst I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely Joh. 7. 37. Rev. 21. 6. Fifthly With the person speaking in the Text is power to perfect and defend and deliver those that come to him for safegard All power saith he in heaven and earth is given unto Me Mat. 28. 18. Thus might I multiply instances of this nature in abundance But Secondly they that in truth do come to him do therefore come to him that they may receive it at his hand They come for light they come for life they come for reconciliation with God they also come for peace they come that their Soul may be satisfied with Spiritual good and that they may be protected by him against all Spiritual and Eternal damnation and he alone is able to give them all this to the filling of their joy to the full as they also find when come to him This is evident First From the plain declaration of those that already are come to him Being Justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom also we have access with boldness into this grace wherein we stand and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Rom. 5. Secondly 'T is evident also in that while they keep their eyes upon him they never desire to change him for another or to add to themselves some other thing together with him to make up their Spiritual Joy God forbid said Paul that I should Glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yea and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ and be found in him not having mine own Righteousness which is of the Law but that which is thorough the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith Philipians 3. 7 8 9. Thirdly 'T is evident also by their earnest desires that others might be made partakers of their blessedness Brethren said Paul my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved that is that way that he expected to be saved himself as he saith also to the Galatians Brethren saith he I beseech you be as I am for I am as ye are That is I am a sinner as you are now I beseech you seek for life as I am seeking of it as who should say For there is a sufficiency in the Lord Jesus both for me and you Fourthly 'T is evident also by the Triumph that such men make over all their enemies both Bodily and Ghostly Now thanks be to God said Paul who causeth us always to triumph in Jesus Christ. And who shall separate us from the Love of Christ our Lord. And again O death where is thy sting O Grave where is thy victory The sting of death is Sin and the strength of sin is the Law but thanks be to God who giveth us the victory thorow our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 2. 14. Rom. 8. 35. 1 Cor. 15. 55 56. Fifthly 'T is evident also for that they are made by the Glory of that which they have found in him to suffer and endure what the Devil and Hell it self hath or could invent as a means to separate them from him Again Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or Sword as it is written for thy sake we are killed all the day long we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter Nay in all these things we are more than Conquerors through him that loved us For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus Rom 8. Shall come to Me. O the heart attracting glory that is in Jesus Christ when he is discovered to draw those to him that are given to him of the Father Therefore those that come of old rendered this as the cause of their coming to him And we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father Joh. 1. 14. And the reason why others come not but perish in their sins is for want of a sight of his glory 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 lest the Glorious Light of the Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them 2 Cor. 4. 3. 4. There is therefore heart-pulling glory in Jesus Christ which when discovered draws the man to him wherefore by shall-come to Me Christ may mean when his glory is discovered then they must come then they shall-come to Me. Therefore as the True Comers come with Weeping and Relenting as being sensible of their own Vileness so again it is said That the Ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with Singing and Everlasting Joy upon their Heads they shall obtain Joy and Gladness and Sorrow and Sighing shall flye away That is at the Sight of the Glory of that Grace that shews it self to them now in the Face of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Hopes that they now have of being with Him in the Heavenly Tabernacles Therefore it saith again With Gladness and Rejoycing shall they be brought they shall enter into the King's Palace Isa. 35. 10. Chap. 51. 11. Psal. 45. 15. There is therefore Heart-attracting Glory in the Lord Jesus Christ which when discovered subjects the Heart to the Word and Makes us Come to him 'T is said of Abraham That when he dwelt in Mesopotamia the God of Glory appeared unto him Act. 7. 2. saying Get thee out of thy Country And what then why away he went from his House and Friends and all the World could not stay him Now as the Psalmist sayes Who is the King of Glory He answers The Lord mighty in Battle And who was that but He that spoiled Principalities and Powers when he did Hang upon the Tree Tryumphing over them thereon And who was that but Jesus Christ even the Person speaking in the Text Therefore he said of Abraham He saw his Day Yea saith he to the Jews Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see my Day and he saw it and was Glad Psal. 24. 8. Col. 2. 14 15. Jam. 1. 1. Joh. 8. 56. Indeed the Carnal Man sayes at least in his Heart There is no Form or Comliness in
Man also was far gone He took a Man's Wife and Kill'd her Husband and endeavoured to cover all with wicked dissimulation he did this I say after God had exalted him and shewed him great favor wherefore his Transgression was greatned also by the Prophet with mighty aggravations yet he was accepted and that with gladness at the first step he took in this returning to Christ for the first step of the back-sliders return is to say sensibly and unfeignedly I have sinned But he had no sooner said this but a pardon was produced yea thrust into his bosom And Nathan said unto David the Lord hath also put away Thy sin Secondly As the person of the back-slider is mentioned by Name so also is his Sin that if possible thy Objections against thy returning to Christ may be taken out of thy way I say it is mentioned and mixed as mentioned with words of grace and favor I will heal their backsliding and love them freely Hos. 14 4. What sayest thou now back-slider Thirdly Nay further thou art not only mentioned by name and thy sin by the nature of it but thou thy self who art a returning back slider put First Among Gods Israel Return O back-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you For I am mercifull saith the Lord and will not keep anger for ever Jer. 3. 12. Secondly Thou art put among his Children among his Children to whom he is married Turn O back-sliding Children for I am married unto you vers 14. Thirdly Yea after all this as if his heart was so full of Grace for them that he was pressed untill he had uttered it before them he adds Return ye back-sliding Children and I will heal your back-slidings Fourthly Nay further the Lord hath considered that the shame of thy sin hath stopped thy mouth and made thee almost a prayer-less man and therefore he saith unto thee Take with you words and turn unto the Lord and say unto him take away all iniquity and receive us graciously See his grace that himself should put words of incouragement into the heart of a back-slider As he saith in another place I taught Ephraim to go taking him by the Arms. This is teaching him to go indeed to put words into his mouth to hold him up by the Arms by the Chin as we say Hos. 14. 1 2 3 4. Chap. 11. 3. From what hath been said I conclude even as I said before that the Him in the Text And him that cometh includeth both these sorts of Sinners and therefore both should freely come Question But where doth Jesus Christ in all the words of the New Testament Expresly speak to a returning back-slider with words of Grace and Peace For what you have urged as yet from the New Testament is nothing but Consequences drawn from this Text. Indeed it is a full Text for carnal ignorant sinners that come but to me who am a back-slider it yeeldeth but little relief Answ. First How but little incouragement from the Text when it saith I will in no wise cast out What more could have been said what is here omitted that might have been inserted to make the promise more full and free Nay take all the promises in the Bible all the freest promises with all the variety of expressions of what nature or extent soever and they can but amount to the expressions of this very promise I will in no wise cast out I will for nothing by no means upon no account however they have sinned however they have back-sliden however they have provoked cast out the coming sinner But Secondly Thou sayst where doth Jesus Christ in all the words of the New-Testament speak to a returning backslider with words of Grace and Peace that is under the name of a backslider Answ. Where there is such plenty of examples in receiving back-sliders there is the less need of Express words to that intent one promise as the Text is with those Examples that are annexed are instead of many promises And besides I reckon that the Act of receiving is of as much if not of more incouragement than is a bare promise to receive for receiving is as promise and the fulfilling of it too So that in the Old Testament thou hast the promise and in the New the fulfilling of it and that in divers examples 1 In Peter Peter denyed his Master once twice thrice and that with open oath yet Christ receives him again without any the least hesitation or stick Yea he slips stumbles falls again in down right Dissimulation and that to the hurt and fall of many others but neither of this doth Christ make a bar to his Salvation but receives him again at his return as if he knew nothing of the fault Gal. 2. Secondly The rest of the disciples even all of them backslide and leave the Lord Jesus in his greatest straights Then all the Disciples forsook him and fled they returned as he had fore-told every one to his own and left him alone but this also he passes over as a very light matter not that it was so indeed in it self but the abundance of grace that was in him did lightly role it away for after his Resurrection when at first he appeared unto them he gives them not the least check for their perfidious dealing with them but salutes them with words of Grace saying All hail be not afraid Peace be to you All Power in Heaven and Earth is given unto me True he rebuked them for their unbelief for the which thou also deservest the same for 't is unbelief that alone puts Christ and his benefits from us Mat. 26. 56. Joh. 16. 32. Mat. 28. 9 10 18. Luk. 24. 36. Mar. 16. 14. Thirdly The man that after a large profession lay with his Fathers Wife committed a high Transgression even such an one that at that day was not heard of no not among the Gentiles Wherefore this was a desperate backsliding yet at his return he was received and accepted again to Mercy 1 Cor. 5. 1 2. 2 Cor. 2. 6 7 8. Fourthly The Thief that stole was bid to steal no more not at all doubting but that Christ was ready to forgive him this Act of backsliding Ephes. 4. 28. Now all these are Examples particular instances of Christs readiness to receive the Backsliders to Mercy and observe it examples and proofs that he hath done so are to our unbelieving hearts stronger incouragements than bare Promises that so he will do But again the Lord Jesus hath added to those for the incouragement of returning Backsliders to come to him First A Call to come and he will receive them Revel 2. 1 2 3 4 5 14 15 16 20 21 22. Chap. 3. 1 2 3 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22. Wherefore New Testament Backsliders have incouragement to come Secondly A Declaration of readiness to receive them that Come as here in the Text and in many other places is plain Therefore Set
if my Covenant be not with Day and Night and if I have not appointed the Ordinances of Heaven and Earth then will I cast away the Seed of Jacob. But Heaven can not be measured not the Foundations of the Earth searched out beneath his Covenant is also with day and night and he hath appointed the Ordinances of Heaven therefore he will not cast away the Seed of Jacob who are the coming ones but will certainly save them from the dreadful Wrath to come Jer. 33. 25 26. chap. 50. 4 5. By this therefore it is manifest that it is not the greatness of sin nor thy long continuance in it no nor yet thy back-sliding nor the pollution of thy Nature that can put a bar in against or be an hinderance of the Salvation of the coming sinner For if indeed this could be then would this solemn and absolute Determination of the Lord Jesus of its self fall to the ground and be made of none effect But his Counsel shall stand and he will do all his pleasure That is his pleasure in this for this promise this irreversible conclusion ariseth of his Pleasure and he will stand to it and will fulfil it because it is his pleasure Suppose that one man had the sins or as many sins as an hundred and another should have an hundred times as many as he yet if they come this word I will in no wise cast out secures them both alike Suppose a man hath a desire to be saved and for that purpose is coming in truth to Jesus Christ but he by his debauched Life has damned many in hell why the dore of hope is by these words set as open for him as it is for him that hath not the thousandth part of his Transgressions And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Suppose a man is coming to Christ to be Saved and hath nothing but sin and an ill-spent life to bring with him Why let him come and welcome to Jesus Christ And he will in no wise cast him out Luk. 7. 41. Is not this Love that passeth knowledg is not this Love the wonderment of Angels and is not this Love worthy of all acceptation at the hands and hearts of coming sinners Secondly That which is implyed in the words is First The coming Souls hath those that continually lie at Jesus Christ to cast them Secondly The coming Souls are afraid that these will prevail with Christ to cast them off For these words are spoken to satisfie us and to stay up our Spirits against these two dangers I will in no wise cast out First For the First Coming Souls have those that continually lye at Jesus Christ to cast them off And there are three things that thus bend themselves against the coming sinner First There is the Devil that Accuser of the brethren that accuses them before God day and night Revel 12. 10. This Prince of Darkness is unwearied in this work he doth it as you see day and night that is without ceasing He continually puts in his Caveats against thee if so be he may prevail How did he ply it against that good man Job if possible he might have obtained his destruction in Hell fire He objected against him that he served not God for nought and tempted God to put forth his Hand against him urging that if he did it he would Curse him to his face and all this as God witnesseth He did without a Cause Job 1. 9 10 11. chap. 2. 4. 5. How did he ply it with Christ against Joshua the high Priest And he shewed me Joshua said the Prophet the high Priest standing before the Angel of the Lord and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him Zech. 3. To resist him that is to prevail with the Lord Jesus Christ to resist him Objecting the uncleanness and unlawful Marriage of his Sons with the Gentiles for that was the Crime that Satan laid against them Ezra 10. 18. Yea and for ought I know Joshua was also guilty of the fact but if not of that of Crimes no whit inferior for he was Cloathed with filthy Garments as he stood before the Angel neither had he one word to say in vindication of himself against all that this wicked one had to lay against him But notwithstanding that he came off well but he might for it thank a good Lord Jesus because he did not resist him but contrariwise took up his cause pleaded against the Devil excused his infirmity and put justifying Robes upon him before his Adversaries Face And the Lord said unto Satan The Lord Rebuke thee O Satan even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem Rebuke thee Is not this a Brand pluckt out of the Fire And he answered and spake to those that stood before him saying Take away the filthy Garments from him and to him he said Behold I have caused thine iniquities to pass from thee and will Cloath thee with chang of Raiment Again how did Satan ply it against Peter when he desired to have him that he might sift him as Wheat that is if possible sever all Grace from his heart and leave him nothing but flesh and filth to the end he might make the Lord Jesus loath and abhor him Simon Simon said Christ Satan hath desired to have you that he might sift you as Wheat But did he prevail against him No But I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not As who should say Simon Satan hath desired me that I would give thee up to him and not only thee but all the rest of thy Brethren for that the word you imports but I will not leave thee in his hand I have prayed for thee thy saith shall not sail I will secure thee to the Heavenly Inheritance Luk. 22. 30 31 32. Secondly As Satan so every sin of the coming-sinner comes in with a Voice against him if perhaps they may prevail with Christ to cast off the Soul When Israel was coming out of Egypt to Canaan how many times had their sins thrown them out of the mercy of God had not Moses as a Type of Christ stood in the breach to turn away his VVrath from them Psal. 106. 23. our Iniquities testify against us and would certainly prevail against us to our utter rejection and Damnation had we not an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. The sins of the old World cryed them down to Hell the sins of Sodom fetched upon them Fire from Heaven which devoured them the sins of the Egyptians cryed them down to Hell because they came not to Jesus Christ for Life Coming-sinner thy sins are no whit less than any Nay perhaps they are as big as all theirs VVhy is it then that thou livest when they are dead and that thou hast a promise of Pardon when they had not Why thou art coming to Jesus Christ and therefore sin shall not be thy ruin Thirdly As Satan and
was Anointed when on Earth to be a Saviour Luk. 3. 22. 3. He did the Works of a Saviour As First He Fulfilled the Law and became the End of it for Righteousness for them that believe in him Rom. 10. 3 4. Secondly He laid down his Life as a Saviour He gave his Life as a Saviour He gave his Life as a Ransom for many Mat. 20. 28. Mar. 10. 45. 1 Tim. 2. 6. Thirdly He hath Abolished Death Destroyed the Devil put away Sin got the Keys of Hell and Death is Ascended into Heaven is there accepted of God exalted of God and bid Sit at his Right Hand as Saviour and that because his Sacrifice for our Sins pleased God 2 Tim. 1. 10. Heb. 2. 14 15. Ephes. 4. 7 8. Joh. 16. 10 11. Acts 5. 30 31. Heb. 10. 12 13. Fourthly God hath sent out and proclaimed him as Saviour and tells the World that we have redemption through his Blood that he will Justifie us if we believe in his Blood and that he can Faithfully and Justly do it Yea God doth beseech us to be reconciled to him by his Son which could not be if he were not Anointed by him to this very End and also if his Works and undertakings were not accepted of him as considered a Saviour Rom. 3. 24 25. 2 Cor. 5. 18 19 20 21. Fifthly God hath received already Millions of Souls into his Paradice because they have received this Jesus for a Saviour and is resolved to cut him off and to cast him out of his presence that will not take him for a Saviour Heb. 12. 22 23 24 25 26. I intend brevity here therefore a word to the Second and so conculde How it appears that he hath Power to cast out This appears also by what follows First The Father for the service 〈◊〉 he hath done him as Saviour 〈◊〉 made him Lord of all even Lord 〈◊〉 Quick and Dead For to this 〈◊〉 Christ both Died and Rose and Revived that he might be Lord both of the Dead and Living Rom. 14. 9. Secondly The Father hath left it with him to quicken whom he will to wit with saving Grace and to cast out whom he will for their Rebellion against Him Joh. 5. 21. Thirdly The Father hath made him Judge of Quick and Dead hath committed all Judgment unto the Son that all Men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father Joh. 5. 22. Fourthly God will Judge the World by this Man the day is Appointed for Judgment and he is Appointed for Judge He hath Appointed a day in the which he will Judge the World in Righteousness by that Man Acts 17. 31 32. Therefore we must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ that every one may receive for the things done in the Body according to what they have done If they have closed with Him Heaven and Salvation if they have not Hell and Damnation And for these Reasons he must be Judge First Because of his Humiliation because of his Fathers Word he humbled himself and he became Obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross Therefore God hath highly Exalted him and given him a Name above every Name that at the Name of Jesus every Knee should bow both of things in Heaven and things on Earth and things under the Earth and that every Tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father This hath respect to his being Judge and his Sitting in Judgment upon Angels and Men Phil. 2. 7 8 9 10 11. Rom. 14. 10 11. Secondly That all Men might honour the Son even as they honour the Father For the Father Judgeth no Man but hath Committed all Judgment unto the Son that all Men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father Joh. 5. 22 23. Thirdly Because of his Righteous Judgment this work is fit for no Creature it is only fit for the Son of God For he will reward every Man according to his Ways Rev. 22. Fourthly Because he is the Son of Man He hath given him authority to execute Judgment also because he is the Son of Man Joh. 5. 27. Thus have I in brief passed through this Text by way of explication my next Work is to speak to it by way of Observation but I shall be also as brief in that as the Nature of the thing will admit All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Joh. 6. 37. ANd now to come to some Observations and a little briefly to speak to them and then conclude the whole The words thus Explained affords us many some of which are these First That God the Father and Christ his Son are two Distinct Persons in the God-head Secondly That by them not Excluding the Holy Ghost is contrived and determined the Salvation of some of fallen Man kind Thirdly That this contrivance resolved it self into a Covenant between these Persons in the God-head which standeth in giving on the Fathers part and Receiving on the Sons All that the Father giveth me c. Fourthly That every one that the Father hath given to Christ according to the mind of God in the Text shall certainly come to him Fifthly That coming to Jesus Christ is therefore not by the will wisdom or power of man but by the gift promise and drawing of the Father All that the Father giveth me shall come Sixthly That Jesus Christ will be careful to receive and will not in any wife reject those that come or are coming to him And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out There are besides these some other Truths implyed in the Words As Seventhly They that are coming to Jesus Christ are oft-times heartily afraid that he will not receive them Eightly Jesus Christ would not have them that in Truth are Coming to him once think that he will cast them out These Observations lie all of them in the Words and are plentifully confirmed by the Scriptures of Truth but I shall not at this time speak to them all but shall pass by the first second third fourth and sixth partly because I design brevity and partly because they are touched upon in the Explicatory part of the Text. I shall therefore begin with the Fifth Observation and so make that the first in order in the following discourse First Then Coming to Christ is not by the will wisdom or power of Man but by the gift promise and drawing of the Father This Observation standeth of two parts First that coming to Christ is not by the Will Wisdom or Power of Man Secondly But by the Gift Promise and Drawing of the Father That the Text carrieth this Truth in its bosom you will find if you look into the Explication of the first part thereof before I shall therefore here follow the Method propounded First That coming to Christ is not by the will wisdom or power of man this
37 38 39. 6. Paul came not until he saw himself lost and undone Acts 9. 3 4 5 6 7 8. 11. 7. Lastly Before the Jayler came he saw himself undone Acts 16. 29 30 31. And I tell thee It is an easier thing to perswade a Well-Man to go to the Physitian for Cure or a Man without Hurt to seek out for a Playster to Cure him than it is to perswade a Man that sees not his Soul-Disease to come to Jesus Christ. The Whole have No need of the Physitian Then Why should they go to him The full Pitcher can hold no more then Why should it go to the Fountain And if thou comest full thou comest not aright and be sure Christ will send thee Empty away But he healeth the Broken in Heart and bindeth up their Wounds Mar. 2. 17. Psal. 147. 3. Luk. 1. 53. Thirdly Art thou Coming to Jesus Christ Prethee tell me What seest thou in him to allure thee to forsake all the VVorld to come to him I say VVhat hast thou seen in him Men must see something in Jesus Christ else they will not come to him 1. VVhat Comlyness hast thou seen in his Person Thou comest not if thou seest no Form nor Comlyness in him Isa. 53. 1 2 3. 2. Until those mentioned in the Song were convinced that there was more Beauty Comlyness and Desirableness in Christ than in Ten-Thousand they did not so much as ask VVhere he was nor incline to turn aside after him Song 5. Chap. 6. There be many Things on this side Heaven that Can and Do carry away the Heart and so will do so long as thou Livest if thou shalt be kept blind and not be admitted to see the beauty of the Lord Jesus Fourthly Art thou come to the Lord Jesus what hast thou found in him since thou camest to him Peter found with him the words of eternal life Joh. 6. 68. They that Peter makes mention of found him a Living stone even such a living stone as Communicated life to them 1 Pet. 2. He saith himself they that come to him c. Shall find rest unto their Souls hast thou found rest in him for thy Soul Mat. 11. Let us go back to the times of the Old Testament First Abraham found that in him that made him Leave his Countrey for him and become for his sake a Pilgrim and stranger in the earth Gen. 12. Heb. 11. Secondly Moses found that in him that made him forsake a Crown and a Kingdome for him too Thirdly David found so much in him that he counted to be in his house one day was better than a Thousand yea to be a door keeper there-in was better in his esteem than to dwell in the Tents of wickedness Psal. 84. 10. Fourthly What did Daniel and the three Children find in him to make them run the hazzard of the Fiery Furnance and the Den of Lyons for his sake Dan. 3. chap. 6. Let 's come down to Martyrs First Stephen found that in him that made him Joyfully and quietly yeild up his life for his name Acts 7. Secondly Ignatius found that in him that made him Chuse to go through the Torments of the Devil and Hell it self rather than not to have him Acts and Mon. vol. 1. pag. 25. Thirdly What saw Romanus in Christ when he said to the rageing Emperor who threatned him with fearful Torments Thy Sentence O Emperor I Joyfully imbrace and refuse not to be Sacrificed by as Cruel Torments as thou canst invent pag. 116. Fourthly What saw Menas the Egyptian in Christ when he said under most Cruel Torments Ther eis nothing in my mind that can be compared to the Kingdome of Heaven neither is all the World if it was weighed in the ballance to be conferred with the price of one Soul who is able to separate us from the Love of Jesus Christ our Lord and I have Learned of my Lord and King not to fear them that kill the body c. pag. 117. Fifthly What did Eulalia see in Christ when she said as they was pulling her one Joynt from another Behold O Lord I will not forget thee what a pleasure is it for them O Christ that remember thy Tryumphant Victories pag. 121. Sixthly What think you did Agnes see in Christ when rejoyceingly she went to meet the Souldier that was appointed to be her Executioner I will willingly said she receive into my Paps the length of his Sword and into my Breasts will draw the force thereof even to the hilts that thus I being married to Christ my Spouse may surmount and escape all the darkness of this World pag. 122. Seventhly What do you think did Julitta see in Christ when at the Emperors telling of her that except she would worship the Gods she should neither have Protection Laws Judgements nor life She replied Fare-well life Welcome Death Fare-well Riches Wel-come poverty All that I have if it were a Thousand times more would I rather lose than to speak one wicked and blasphemous word against my Creator pag. 123. Eightly What did Marcus Arethusius see in Christ when after his enemies had cut his flesh anointed it with honey and hanged him up in a basket for flies and bees to feed on he would not give to up-hold Idolatry one half penny to save his life pag. 129. Ninethly What did Constantine see in Christ when he used to kiss the wounds of them that suffered for him pag. 135. Tenthly But what need I give thus particular instances of words and smaller actions when by their lives their blood their induring hunger sword fire pulling a sunder and all Torments that the Devil and Hell could devise for the love they bare to Christ after they were come to him What hast thou found in him sinner What! come to Christ and find nothing in him when all things that are worth looking after are in him or if any thing yet not enough to wean thee from thy sinfull delights and fleshly lusts Away away thou art not come to Jesus Christ. He that is come to Jesus Christ hath found in him that as I said that is not to be found any where else As First He that is come to Christ hath found God in him reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses to them And so God is not to be found in Heaven and earth besides 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. Secondly He that is come to Jesus Christ hath found in him a fountain of grace sufficient not only to pardon sin but to Sanctifie the Soul and to preserve it from falling in this evil World Thirdly He that is come to Jesus Christ hath found vertue in him That vertue that if he does but touch thee with his Word or thou him by Faith Life is forthwith conveyed into thy Soul It makes thee wake as one that is waked out of his sleep it awakes all the powers of thy Soul Psal. 30. 11 12. Song 6. 12. Fourthly Art thou come to Jesus Christ
thou hast found glory in him glory that Surmounts and goes beyond Thou art more glorious than the mountaines of pray Psal. 76. 4. Fifthly What shall I say thou hast found Righteousness in him Thou hast found rest peace delight Heaven glory and eternal life Sinner be advised Ask thy heart again saying Am I come to Jesus Christ For upon this one question Am I Come or am I Not Hangs Heaven and Hell as to thee If thou canst say I am come and God shall approve that saying Happy Happy Happy man art thou but if thou art not come what can make thee happy Yea what can make that man Happy that for his not coming to Jesus Christ for life must be damned in Hell The Third Use a Use of Encouragement COming Sinner I have now a word for thee be of good comfort He will in no wise cast out Of all men thou art the blessed of the Lord the the Father hath prepared his Son to be a Sacrifice for thee and Jesus Christ thy Lord is gone to prepare a place for thee Joh. 1. 29. Heb. 10. Joh. 14. What shall I say to thee thou comest to a full Christ thou canst not want any thing for Soul or body for this World or that to come but it is to be had in or by Jesus Christ As it is said of the Land that the Dannits went to possess So and with much more truth it may be said of Christ He is such an one with whom there is no want of any good thing that is in Heaven or earth A Full Christ is thy Christ. First He is full of Grace Grace is sometimes taken for love and take it so here He is full of love never any loved like Jesus Christ. Jonathans love went beyond the love of Women but the love of Christ passes knowledge It is beyond the love of all the Earth of all Creatures even of Men and Angels His love prevailed with him to lay aside his Glory to leave the Heavenly place to cloth himself with flesh to be born in a Stable to be laid in a Manger to live a poor life in the World to take upon him our sicknesses infirmities sins curse Death and the Wrath that was due to man And all this he did for a base undeserving unthankfull people yea for a people that was at Enmity with him For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly For scarcely for a righteous man will one die yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die But God commended his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us Much more then being now justified we shall be saved by his life For if when we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life Rom. 5. 6 7 8 9 10. Secondly He is full of Truth Full of grace and truth Truth that is faithfulness in keeping promise even this of the Text with all other I will in no wise cast out Hence it is said that his words be true and that he is the faithfull God that keepeth covenant And hence it is also that his promise is called Truth Thou wilt fulfill thy truth unto Jacob and thy mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworn unto our Fathers from the days of old Therefore it is said again that both himself and words are Truth I am the Truth the Scriptures of Truth thy Word is Truth thy Law is the Truth and my mouth aith he shall speak truth Joh. 14. 6. Dan. 10. 21. Joh. 17. 17. 2 Sam. 7. 28. Pro. 8. 7. Psal. 119. 142. Eccles. 12. 10. Isa. 25. 1. Mal. 2. 6. Acts 26. 25. 2 Tim. 2. 12 13. Now I say his word is truth and he is full of truth to fulfill his truth even to a Thousand Generations Coming sinner he will not deceive thee come boldly to Jesus Christ. Thirdly He is full of Wisdome He is made unto us of God Wisdome Wisdome to manage the affairs of his Church in general and the affairs of every coming sinner in particular And upon this account he is said to be head over all things 1 Cor. 1. Ephes. 1. Because he manages all things that are in the world by his Wisdom for the good of his Church all mens Actions all Satans Temptations all Gods Providences all Crosses Disappointments all things what ever are under the hand of Christ Who is the Wisdom of God and he ordereth them all for good to his Church And can Christ help it and be sure he can nothing shall happen or fall out in the world but it shall in despite of all opposition have a good tendency to his Church and people Fourthly He is full of the Spirit to communicate it to the coming Sinner he hath therefore received it without measure that he may communicate it to every member of his body according as every mans measure thereof is allotted him by the Father Wherefore he saith that he that comes to him Out of his belly shall flow rivers of Living water Joh. 3. 34. Tit. 3. 5 6. Acts 1. Joh. 7. 31 32 34 35 36 37 38. Fifthly He is indeed a store-house full of all the graces of the Spirit Of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace Here is more Faith more Love more Sincerity more Humility more of every Grace and of this even more of this he giveth to every Lowly Humble Penitent coming Sinner wherefore coming Soul thou comest not to a barren wilderness when thou comest to Jesus Christ John 1. 16. Sixthly He is full of Bowels and Compassion And they shall feel and find it so that come to him for Life He can bear with thy Weaknesses he can pity thy Ignorance he can be touched with the Feeling of thine Infirmities he can affectionately forgive thy Transgressions he can heal thy Back slidings and Love thee Freely His Compassions fail not And he will not break a bruised Reed nor quench the smoaking Flax He can pity them that no Eye pities and be afflicted in all thy Afflictions Mat. 26. 41. Heb. 5 2. Chap. 2. 18 19. Mat 9. 2. Hos. 14. 4. Ezek. 16. 5 6. Isa. 63. 9. Psal. 78. 38. Psal. 86. 15. Psal. 111. 4. Psal. 112. 4. Lam. 3. 22. Isa. 42. 3. Seventhly Coming Soul the Jesus that thou art coming to is full of Might and Terribleness for thy Advantage He can suppress all thine Enemies He is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth He can bow all Men's Designes for thy Help He can break all Snares laid for thee in the Way He can lift thee out of all Difficulties where-with thou may'st be surrounded He is Wise in Heart and Mighty in Power Every Life under Heaven is in his Hand yea the Faln Angels tremble before him And he will save thy Life Coming-Sinner 1 Cor. 1. 24. Rom. 8. 28. Mat. 28. 18. Rev. 15.
Wine-press of the Wrath of God And the Angel thrust in his Sickle into the Earth and gathered the Vine of the Earth that is them that did not come to Christ and cast them into the great Wine press of the Wrath of God Rev. 14. 19. Fourthly It is called a Lake of Fire And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire Rev. 20. 15. Fifthly It is called a Pitt Thou hast said in thy Heart I will Ascend into Heaven I will Exalt my Throne above the Stars of God I will sit also upon the Mount of the Congregation in the sides of the North Yet thou shalt be brought down to Hell to the sides of the Pitt Jsa 14. 13 14 15. Sixthly It is called a bottomless Pit out of which the smoak and the Locust came and into which the great Dragon was cast and it is called Bottomless to shew the endlesness of the fall that they will have into it that come not in the acceptable time to Jesus Christ Rev. 9. 1 2. chap. 20 3. Seventhly It is called Outer Darkness Bind him hand and foot and cast him into outer Darkness and cast ye the unprofitable Servant into outer Darkness there shall be Weeping and Nashing of Teeth Mat. 22. 13. chap. 25. 30. Eighthly It is called a Furnace of Fire As therefore the Tares are gathered and burned in the Fire so shall it be in the end of this World the Son of Man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that Offend and them that do Iniquity and shall cast them into a Furnace of Fire there shall be Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth And again So shall it be in the end of the World the Angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just and shall cast them into a Furnace of Fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of Teeth Matt. 13. 41 42 43 48 49 50. Lastly It may not be amiss if in the conclusion of this I shew in few words to what the things that torment them in this state are compared Indeed some of them have bin occasionally mentioned already as that they are compared 1. To wood that burneth 2. To Fire 3. To Fire and Brimstone But 4. It is compared to a Worm a gnawing Worm a never dying gnawing Worm They are cast into Hell where their Worm dieth not Mar. 9. 44. Fifthly It is called unquenchable Fire He will gather his Wheat into his Garner but will burn up the Chaff with unquenchable Fire Matt. 3. 12. Luk. 3. 17. Sixthly It is called everlasting destruction The Lord Jesus shall descend from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming Fire taking Vengance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Who shall be punished with Everlasting Destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the Glory of his Power 2 Thes. 1. 7 8 9. Seventhly It is called Wrath without mixture and is given them in the Cup of his Indignation If any man Worship the Beast and his Image and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the VVrath of God which is powred out without mixture in the Cup of his Indignation and he shall be tormented with Fire and Brimstone in the presence of the Holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb Rev. 14. 9 10. Eighthly It is called the second Death And death and hell were cast into the Lake of Fire this is the second Death Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection on such the second Death hath no Power Rev. 20. 14. chap. 2. v. 6. Ninthly It is called Eternal Damnation But He that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness but is in danger of Eternal Damnation Oh These three Words Everlasting Punishment Eternal Damnation And for Ever and Ever How will they gnaw and eat up all the expectation of the end of the misery of the Cast-away sinners And the smoke of their Torment ascended up for Ever and Ever and they have no rest Day nor Night c. Rev. 14. 11. Their behaviour in Hell is set forth but by four things as I know of 1. By calling for Help and Relief in Vain 2. By Weeping 3. By Wailing 4. By gnashing of Teeth And now we come to the second thing that is to be enquired into Namely How it appears that Christ hath Power to save or to Cast out For by these words I will in no wise cast out he declareth that he hath power to do both Now this enquiry admits us to search into two things 1 How it appears that he hath power to save 2 How it appears that he hath power to cast out That he hath power to save appears by that which follows First To speak only of him as he is Mediator He was Authorized to this blessed work by his Father before the World began Hence the Apostle saith He hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World that is chosen us in him to be Saved by him as Ephesians the first makes manifest Hence it is again that we are said to be Blessed in him before the Foundation of the World with all those things that effectually will produce our Salvation Read the same Chapter with 2 Tim. 1. 9. Secondly He was promised to our first Parents that he should in the fulness of time bruise the Serpents Head and as Paul expounds it redeem them that were under the law hence since that time he hath bin reckoned as slain for our Sins by which means all the Fathers under the first Testament were secured from the wrath to come hence he is called The Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World Rev. 13. 8. Gen. 3. 15. Gal. 4. 4 5. Thirdly Moses gave Testimony of him by the Types and Shaddows and Bloody Sacrifices that he commanded from the Mouth of God to be in use for the support of his peoples Faith until the time of Reformation which was the time of this Jesus his Death Heb. 9. and 10th Chapters Fourth At the time of his Birth it was Testified of him by the Angel That he should Save his People from their Sins Mat. 1. 20 21. Fifth It is Testified of him in the days of his Flesh that he had Power on Earth to forgive Sins Mark 2. 5 6 7 8 9 10. Sixth It is Testified also of him by the Apostle Peter that God hath exalted him with his own Right Hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance to Israel and forgiveness of Sins Acts 5. 30 31. Seventh In a word This is every where Testified of him both in the Old Testament and in the New And good reason that he should be acknowledged and trusted in as a Saviour 1. He came down from Heaven to be a Saviour Joh. 6. 38 39 40. 2. He