Selected quad for the lemma: heaven_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heaven_n	angel_n	earth_n	part_n	3,093	5	4.2458	3	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96661	Mount Ebal levell'd or Redemption from the curse. Wherein are discovered, 1. The wofull condition of sinners under the curse of the law. 2. The nature of the curse, what it is, with the symptomes of it, in its properties, and effects. 3. That wonderful dispensation of Christs becoming a curse for us. 4. The grace of redemption, wherein it stands, in opposition to some gross errors of the times, which darken the truth of it. 5. The excellent benefits, priviledges, comforts, and engagements to duty, which flow from it. By Elkanah Wales, M.A. preacher of the Gospel at Pudsey in York-shire.	Wales, Elkanah, 1588-1669.	1658 (1658)	Wing W294; Thomason E1923_1; ESTC R209971	189,248	382

must lye by it for ever Let us work this meditation on our hearts for our deeper humiliation 3 It presents unto us the exactness and impartialness of the justice of God against sinners in that he will let the curse fall even on the head of his onely begotten Son if he finde sin upon him Tribulation and anguish must be upon every soul of man that doth evill without respect of persons Rom. 2.9 11. An unquestionable Maxime for we see tribulation and anguish have fallen heavy upon the soul of the Man-Christ though he did no evil himself onely because he was numbred with the Transgressors and bare the sins of many by imputation We may look upon it as a miracle of Justice and stand wondring at the Lords proceedings against Christ how the curse was inflicted on him in all the punishments of it yea the most grievous and piercing that can be imagined If any might have escaped who more likely than the Son of his bosome the Son of his delights but he might not be spared Justice will not suffer it but puts in its plea and saith I expect reparation for the transgression of my righteous Law If therefore Jesus Christ hath undertaken to pay this debt for sinners let him look to it I must and will be satisfied to the uttermost farthing He is willing to be their Surety and to stand in their room let him therefore bear the whole burden I will not acquit him till he hath discharged the whole debt No no his loud crying and tears his bloody and painful sweats his fervent and heaven-piercing prayers his often renewed petitions that this cup might pass away from him not any one of these nor all these could prevail to stay the hand of Divine justice but he must take off this cup of the Curse and drink it even to the bottome Oh that our secure sinners in Sion would weigh these things sadly and take the measure of the Lords severity against sin by his dealing with his own Son and think thus If these things be done in the green tree what shall be done in the dry Luke 23.31 If he was so strict with his Son what will he be to his slave If he dealt so sharply with his darling how will he deal with his enemy If his righteous servant escape thus hardly where shall the ungodly and sinner appear Prov. 11.31 4 It commends unto us the unspeakableness of the love of the Lord Jesus to poor undone sinners Behold here the Son of God the only begotten of the Father who is the image of the invisible God the first-born of every creature the brightness of his Fathers glory and the dearly beloved of his soul who is cloathed with honour and majesty and whom all the Angels worship even he is come down from heaven hath laid aside his Majesty put off the robes of his glory and abased himself to the lower parts of the earth to become not onely a worm and a reproach of men but also a curse for Adam his wretched posterity to take off the curse of the Law from their shoulders and to stand accursed in their stead Listen and hear 〈…〉 Dien Carth. how sweetly he bespeaks the Lord on our behalf Holy Father here is a company of poor miserable debtors very bankrupts wretched malefactors which lye under thy heavy displeasure and are the children of death but I appear here as their Surety I have taken all upon me require no debt inflict no punishment on them put it all on mine accounts I will discharge all their scores I will answer whatsoever can be laid to their charge Oh incomparable love surpassing all that can be found in the creature the highest pitch whereof reacheth but to friends Joh. 15.13 that is to such as are friendly kinde beneficial to us from whom we have received such good turns as do oblige us to a return of thankfulness and yet even this love is very rare To dare to dye for a good man that is a kinde man that hath been good to us is but a peradventure So much doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 import in some places as in Mat. 20.15 Eph. 4.29 Rom. 5.7 But God commends his love to us in that while we were sinners and therefore enemies Christ dyed for us vers 8.10 So then here is unparalleld loving kindness for who would stoop thus low Who would become contemptible yea abominable for others who would bee content to lye under the extremest miseries for enemies traitors and the worst of creatures Who would entertain and imbrace a curse upon any tearms and not rather shun and avoid it yet this hath the Lord Jesus done for us Oh that we had hearts to admire this miracle of mercy Sect. 5. Use 2. Exhortation in two branches SEcondly Hence we may also draw wholesome matter of Exhortation Hath Christ undergone the Curse Was he made a Curse in our stead who lye under the curse of the Law Oh that all the sons and daughters of Adam would take this into their serious thoughts that thereby they may be excited to learn and to practise two very necessary lessons 1 Of wisdome for themselves 2 Of duty to the Lord Jesus 1 Such poor sinners as have been convinced by the former doctrine of their accursed condition should now be wise for themselves even to give free way to him to take the curse from off them that he may bear it and not to take it to themselves Art thou now sensible of thy sinfull condition Dost thou hear the Law cursing thee aloud in thy conscience And dost thou feel the sting and venome of it drinking up thy spirit Then take to thy self the boldness to send it to Christ tell it Jesus Christ hath removed the curse from thee and laid it on his own shoulders Say Indeed I am a great sinner deeply implunged in transgression mine own iniquities have prevailed against me and are gone over my head and therefore the curse doth justly lye upon me and might presse me down into the nethermost hell but the Lord Jesus blessed be his name for ever is become a curse for me he hath born it in my stead it lyes not now on me but on him If thou hast ought to say against me go to him he will answer thee to the full This might be very seasonable if well digested to such convinced humbled sinners as are of so little faith that they dare not reckon of any good by Jesus Christ Oh saith the poor broken soul Wo is me I am undone for I am a vile accursed wretch I hear indeed that the Lord Jesus is becomed a curse for sinners but as for my self I fear the news are too good to be true I cannot be perswaded that he is made a curse for me What the Son of God made a curse for me for such a base sinful worthless creature as I am It is not probable I cannot beleeve it No no I must

determinate counsel and fore-knowledge of God The hands whereby he was taken crucified and slain were wicked hands yet those hands therein did that very thing which the hand and counsel of God determined before to be done Act. 2.23 4.28 Therefore he is called the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Rev. 13.8 that is 1. In respect of Gods eternal purpose manifested by the promise made in Paradise That the seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head Gen. 3.15 And 2. Of the efficacie of his death upon all the Elect from the beginning of the world although the world was four thousand years old before he was actually slain It is observable that the Scripture ascribes the dispensation of this whole work to God the Father as the first moover and sovereign Manager of it He laid on him our iniquity Isa 53.6 He made him to be sin for us 2 Cor. 5.21 He set him forth Rom. 3.25 He sent him Rom. 8.3 Gal. 4.4 It pleased the Lord to bruise him Isa 53.10 The Lord calls on the sword Zach. 13.7 to awake and smite his Shepherd the man that is his fellow he means Jesus Christ God-man who is equal to the Father as God but inferiour to him as man appointed to be the great Shepherd of the sheep the Lords little flock But saith the Lord I will smite the Shepherd Symbol Athanas●● The application of this Prophesie we have Matth. 26.31 2 Christs voluntary condescention thereunto Joh. 14.31 having disavowed Satans power over him he professeth his own willingness and that from a principle of love to do that which his Father had commanded him Compare this with Joh. 10.18 where he saith I lay down my life of my self c. And it will appear that this was his own act to be made a Curse for us in that he did freely and of his own accord submit to his Fathers Commandment touching the laying down of his life God the Father made him perfect by sufferings Heb. 2.10 and he sanctified himself Joh. 17.19 by preparatory sufferings first and then by offering up himself even as the Priests in the Law were first sanctified by the sprinkling of blood upon them and then they offered for the sins of the people Exod. 29.20 21. He gave himself for our sins Gal. 1.4 He made himself of no reputation He took on himself the form of a servant he humbled himself and became obedient c. Phil. 2.7 8. yea although he knew before what was his Fathers will and his own duty yet by the sufferings themselves he learned obedience that is he came experimentally to know as a man what it is to obey and how hard a thing it is for the creature to grapple with the wrath of the Almighty and to submit to the pleasure of his justice in conflicts with the second death Vide Bezam Pareum Gerhardum in Locum Heb. 5.8 His willingness appears further by his setting his face stedfastly to go to Jerusalem when the time of his suffering drew near Luke 9.51 by his taking up Peter very sharply for discouraging and dis-swading him from it Matth. 16.22 23. and by his speech to him at his apprehension when he had cut off the ear of Malchus The cup which my Father hath given me shall I not drink it Joh. 18.11 3 A compact or agreement solemnly made betwixt God and Christ the Mediator which is the result of the two former Gods Commandement and Christs obedience We may present it to our understanding in this form God the Father saith to Christ the Mediator I look upon Adam and his posterity as a degenerate seed a generation of Apostates and back-sliders yea Traitors and Rebels liable to my severest wrath and utterly undone yet I cannot finde in my heart to see them all perish I have determined to shew mercy upon a considerable number of them to save them and bring them to glory If therefore thou wilt undertake for them becoming a Curse in their stead and so making satisfaction to my justice for their sins I will give them unto thee to take care of them and to bring them up to my Kingdome for the manifestation of the glory of my grace Well saith Christ I am content I will do it with all my heart and so the agreement is made This may be gathered from Psal 2.7 8 9. and Psal 40.6 7 8. Christ the Son speaks in both places In the former he publisheth the Decree or Ordinance of heaven touching himself and bringeth in the Father installing him into the Priesthood or office of Mediator for so the Apostle applieth that Text Heb. 5.5 Thou art my Son c. and also avouching this Covenant and agreement in the two main parts of it 1 The Condition which he will have performed on Christs part or what Christ must do He must ask of God that is not onely verbally by prayers and supplications beg mercy pardon righteousness and salvation for poor lost sinners but also really by fulfilling the righteousness of the Law both in doing and suffering and so by his satisfaction and merit purchasing acceptation for them at his hands 2 The Promise which he ingageth to perform on his part or what he will do himself thereupon The Son must ask and the Father will give he will give him the heathen c. that is he shall both be the Lords salvation to the ends of the earth Isa 49. ●6 M●t. 28.18 Phil. 2.10 11. and have all power given him in heaven and earth so that all knees shall bow to him and every tongue shall confess him to be Lord. In the other Text before mentioned Psal 40. Christ declares his compliance to the agreement and his subscribing the Covenant on his part when he came into the world as the Apostle explains it Heb. 10.5 c. Mine ears saith he hast thou digged or pierced Lo I come to do thy will as if he should say Oh Father thou dost ingage me to be thy servant in this great work of saving sinners Lo I come to do the work I here covenant and agree to yeeld up my self to thy disposing and to serve thee for ever It seems to be an allusion to the Masters boaring through the servants ear Exod. 21.6 we have an abridgement of this Agreement Isa 53.10 in both parts Si posuerit sacrificium pro reatu animam suam or Si posuerit sacrificium anima e●us 1 On Christs part his soul shall be made an offering for sin 2. On the Fathers part he promiseth that thereupon Christ shall see his seed he shall have a numerous spiritual posterity begetting and bringing many thousands to the obedience of his Father Yea further vers 11. So ample shall be the fruit of his sufferings that he shall be satisfied in seeing the travel of his soul he shall have abundant joy and contentment even in that which hath cost him dearest he shall justifie many poor guilty

cast filth upon it therefore I doe remand it from thee it shall no longer abide in that base unworthie soule of thine henceforth let that ugly image of sinne and hell which it seemes pleaseth thee better seize upon thee take it to thee and fils thy self with it Thus we are all alienated from the life of God Eph. 4.18 This part of the curse lyes heavie on the whole soule 1. On the Mind and understanding part which is impotent and unable to conceive the things of God and to discerne of things that differ our understandings are darkened Eph. 4.18 see 1. Cor. 2.14 2. On the Conscience which is defiled Tit. 1.15 being either sensles and so excusing when it should accuse Eph. 4.19 or when awaked wanting just matter of excusing and so unpeaceable Isa 57.21 3. On the will which is rebellious against the truth and wayes of God revealed to the mind depraved in its power of chusing can will onely that which is evil cannot will that which is good see Pro. 17.11 Jer. 5.23 Math. 23.37 4. On the affections which being the Wills Waiting-Maids are of the same temper disordered affecting evil disaffecting good running into extremitie of excesse or defect and so spoyling the conversation Thus man once made upright yet by seeking out many inventions Eccl. 7.29 is become without God in the world Eph. 2.12 ergo accursed 3. When the soule and body are parted then the wretched soule is sent down to hell to take possession of those everlasting flames As soone as ever the first death hath done its office forthwith the doome of the second death passeth upon the immortall soule and then the great Jaylour of hell layeth hold upon it and drags it into the presence of the Almighty on whom it shall look with horror and amazment Thy now sleeping conscience shall then be awakened and all thy sinnes shall be set in order before thee thou wilt not see them now but they shall then stare in thy face yea thy secret sinnes shall be set in the light of Gods countenance and thy most pleasing iniquities shall appeare before thee in their proper black hiew to gaster thy soule into finall desperation No place left for repentance the doore of mercie and the gate of heaven shall be thenceforth shut up against thee for ever thy wretched soul must take up its lodging in the lothsome prison of hell with the Divell and his Angels Luk. 16.22 23. 1 Pet. 3.19 where it shall lie filled with the wrath of God for the present astonished and swallowed up with the apprehension of the eternitie of that to come and tremblingly waiting for the great day of reckoning and the dreadfull houre when it shall be poured downe in full vials upon the whole man III. The curse which comes upon body and soule together or the whole man may be summed up in these 3 particulars also 1. The losse of his right unto and soveraignty over the creatures The Lord invested Adam in the day of his creation into a title and power * Jus 〈◊〉 pot●sta●e v● over the work of his hands especially the creatures here below he had free libertie to use them and they were given to be serviceable to him even the Sun Moone and starres to give him light the garden and all the trees of it except that one for his necessarie and comfortable sustenance and refreshing God hath given the earth to the children of men Psal 115.16 yea the Patent extended to dominion over the creatures Gen. 1.28 in which respect the Psalmist greatly admires the Lords high honouring of mankind Psal 8.4 6. c. But now by the fall Adam hath forfeited all this interest so that the creatures might justly deny us their service the Sun Moon and starres might withhold their light heat and influences from us the fire aire water c. might refuse to act or work for our good yea contrarily the creature setts it self against us in the quarrell of its Creatour as if it owed us a mischeif the Lion Bear Woolf would devoure us the beasts of the feild make head against us yea every worme will turne againe All the hosts of heaven and earth are readie even like to rebell against us This is a curse which all the sonnes and daughters of Adam feele in some measure and sometimes reacheth to the taking away of life limbe and all comforts And although the sinner enjoy the benefit of the creatures both for necessitie and delight yet that is onely by the indulgence of the most High who makes his Sun to shine and his raine to fall upon all and the choicest enjoyments are but as the Accommodations afforded to a Traitour in the Tower there 's a deadly curse lying hid in the bowels of them which will make sad work in the latter end 2. The general Judgement after death which is called the Judgement of the great day Jude 6. The Lord Jesus shall come in the clouds and shall be revealed from heaven with his mightie Angells in flameing fire 2. Thes 1.7 8. He shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel and with the trump of God 1. Thes 4.16 When the trumpet sounded at the giving of the law Exod. 20 18 Heb. 12.19.20 21. it was doubtles to set forth the terribleness of the curse which attends the Law but at this great day it shall sound farr lowder to fill the eares and hearts of sinners which have broken it with the dreadfull report of it to their conviction and confusion Jude 14.15 Their bodies shall be raised out of the dust and united to their soules and their persons shall be presented before this glorious Judge and arraigned at the barr of his great Tribunall The books shall be opened and all their foule businesses although now cast behind their backs and laid to sleep in the darkest vaults of forgetfulness shall be unmasked before the whole world Eccl. 12.14 The processe and result of the transactions of that day will be no small part of this curse when the Goats which shall stand at Christs left hand shall heare him solemnly sounding out that most dolefull sentence Depart ye cursed c. Math. 25.41 3. The full and finall Execution after Judgement As soone as ever this great work of judging the world is over and the last doome awarded then shall follow the execution thereof accordingly then shall the great black curse be poured downe upon sinners all the curses of the Law and Gospell too shall meet together as in one Sea and fall upon the soules and bodies of all impenitent ones in their perfect strength and furie and abide on them for ever this is called everlasting punishment Math. 25.46 and it stands in 2 things 1. Some that 's privative called the punishment of losse * Paenae damni an utter expulsion or banished from the blessed face and presence of God and the glorie of heaven Depart from me Math. 7.23

in hell it being the place of suffering not of doing nor from this that despair being the privation of hope as hope is not of the things which are seene Rom. 8.24 so despair is not of the things which are already felt Whence some would infer that as hope in the glorified Saints ceaseth because they have now the enjoyment of the blessedness which they expected so despair shall cease in the damned because they are possessed already of everlasting destruction But I suppose it cannot rationally be denied that the damned in hell do despair onely I say it is very probable that this despair is not properly a sin for as hope doth ever suppose and eye a promise of some good thing to come apprehending it as certain and waiting for the accomplishment so desperation hopes contrary must needs be exercised about the same object but puts forth a contrary act apprehends the promise as impossible and casts off all expectation of the accomplishment of it Now promises are confined to this life onely although the things promised for the best part of them are to be enjoyed in the life to come there are no promises made to them that are actually damned in hell of any future good and therefore as it would be no vertue in them to hope so it is no sin in them to despaire But to returne the wretched sinner in hell seeing the sentence passed against him Gods purpose fulfilled never to be reversed the gates of hell made fast upon him Luk. 16.26 and a great gulfe fixed betwixt hell and heaven which renders his escape impossible he now gives up all and reckons on nothing but the uttermost misery Now this despair is not an essential part of the second death but onely a consequent or at the most an effect occasioned by the sinners view of his irremedilesse wofull condition But this neither did nor could possibly befall the Lord Jesus he was able by the power of his God-head both to suffer and to satisfie and to overcome therefore he expected a good issue and knew that the end should be happy and that he should not be ashamed Ps 16.9.10 Acts 2.26 27 28 31. Isaiah 50. ver 6 7 c. Even as a very shallow streame would easily drowne a little childe there could be no hope of escape unlesse some man should come in due time to relieve it because it wants strength to save it selfe whereas a growne man might hope well enough to escape out of a far deeper place because by reason of his stature strength and skill he could wade or swimme out Truly the wrath of the Almighty manifested in hell is like the vast ocean or some broad deep river and therefore when the sinfull sons and daughters of Adam which are without strength are hurled into the midst of it they must needs lie downe in their confusion as altogether hopelesse of deliverance or escaping but this despaire could not seize upon Jesus Christ because although his Father took him and cast him into the sea of his wrath Isa 9.6 57.16 63.1 3 5. so that all the billowes of it went over him yet being the mighty God with whom nothing is impossible he was very able to pass thorow that sea which would have drowned all the world and to come safe to shore Thus of the first Branch Sect. 3. Shewing by whom or by what power he was made a Curse BUt then secondly we may make a further inquiry by whom or by what power he was thus made a Curse for us we finde that he was made of the seed of David according to the flesh Rom. 1.3 made of a woman and under the Law Gal. 4.4 made Surety of a better Testament Heb. 7.22 and so here made a Curse But who made him or how comes he who is the Son of God blessed for ever to be a Curse For the clearing of this I shall speak something to it 1. Negatively 2. Positively 1. Negatively It was not done 1. By any power or authority which the Law had over him in respect of himself for he did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth 1 Pet. 2.22 1 Pet. 1.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 19. Yea he was as a Lamb without blemish and without spot therefore the Law could not take hold on him it had nothing at all to lay to his charge nor could possibly fasten the least guilt upon him save onely as he stood ingaged for us it lay not against him 2. Much less was it not by any power or contrivement of the creature for then it must be either Sathan or man but 1 Sathan could not do it for although he be the Prince of the world and had an heart brim full of malice against him yet he had nothing at all in him no power or authority over him no not in the least measure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 14.30 How could he when the unclean spirits were at his command he cast them out with a word 2. Neither was man able to put him into this condition to make him a Curse no nor all the men in the world It was not the iniquity of the times into which he was fallen although it was a very evill time their very hour and the power of darkness Luke 22.53 yet that was not the proper working cause of it Neither was it the perfidiousness of Judas his houshold servant that was but a remote interveening means for the bringing of it on or raising it up to the height Nor was it the mischievous disposition and plottings of the high Priests and Jews against him he could easily have befooled and prevented them all he could for a word of his mouth have had a guard of more than twelve legions of Angels for his assistance or rescue Matth. 26.53 54. And when they came to apprehend him he did but speak a word and they went backward and fell to the ground Joh. 18.6 Neither was it lastly the timorousness of Pilate whereby he yeelded to the importunity of the Jews even against his own conscience See Mat. 27.18 24. Luke 23.4 14.22 c. And when Pilate did proudly boast of his power over him he checked him and told him roundly that all his power was no more but an inferiour delegated power meerly at the pleasure of an higher Joh. 19.10 11. So then it was not any one of these nor all these put together that could possibly bring the Son of God under the Curse they were onely subordinate instruments acting in some parts of it but he was infinitely above them all We must seek out some higher cause Therefore 2 Positively The Scripture holds forth three things very remarkable to this purpose which being taken joyntly are that soveraign power whereby Christ was made a Curse 1 The decree and appointment of God As he was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world 1 Pet. 1.20 so he was delivered to death by the

and your own soules but all too late your day will be past Happy is that man 2 Pet. 3.14 that shall then be found of him in peace without spot and blameless although his lot should be to live in beggerie and misery in this world all the dayes of his appointed time Yet alas what a wofull guilt lies on the consciences of too many Christians We all confess with our mouthes Christ's authority over us by the right of Redemption but how few of us make any proof thereof by suitable obedience The most have given up themselves to seek the interests of the flesh and the world their desires designes endeavours imployments delights contentments run wholly in the●e channels but the will service honour of Jesus Christ is not in all their thoughts He bids us be holy be sober and watch deny our selves take up our cross love our enemies have our conversation in heaven seek things above crucifie the flesh walk in newness of life grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ c. But these are strange things to many of us which challenge a part in the grace of Redemption and yet walk contrary denying Christ his right making provision for the flesh and inslaving our lives to the lusts and pleasures of this world What a number of hollow-hearted self-seeking Clyents hath Jesus Christ which follow him that they may escape wrath and the damnation of hell and injoy Gods favour and salvation in heaven and yet are never like to attain that which they expect but are even at the next door to destruction And all because they have not devoted their hearts and lives sincerely to the service of the Redeemer but fancied such a carnal salvation as will comply with the service of sin and requires no p●ins for compassing it but may be had with a wish and sno●ting on their beds and allows them sparing from the diligent study pursuit and practise of holiness in their conversation Perpend● qui talem pro nobis dedit pecuniam quale a nobis sit exasturus usuram August But as for you that love your Redeemer I beseech you lay to heart the dishonour that is done to him and look to your own soules If Jesus Christ hath disbursed so great a summe for you he may justly require some considerable profit If he hath even emptied himself to save thee from the curse what canst thou do less than devote thy self wholly to his honour I remember a story of a young man which being arraigned for some foule crime was condemned to dye The Judge looking upon him and taking some liking to him told him that he would reprieve him At which unexpected favour the young man being astonished professed that unless the Judge would take him into his service that he might wait upon him as long as he lived hee would rather chuse to dye Bee thou like minded let it not satisfie thee that Christ hath rescued thee from the curse and there an end but now take him for thy Lord let his will be thy will let the bent of thy desires and endeavours be to please him in all things breath after the highest pitch of obedience be willing to be at his disposing in the greatest difficulties 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Non tam efficient●m notat quam finem Zan. in locum and make it thy daily work to further thy Masters interests some way or other And whereinsoever thou failest or fallest short make it up by godly sorrow and faith in the Redeemer Rest not till thou canst say with St. Paul To me to live is Christ I am striving to live up to the minde and will of Christ he shall be my utmost end Phil. 1.21 In a word Christ accounts it his honour and do thou account it thine to serve him for ever See the Apostles profession 2 Cor. 5.14 15. and turn it into practise Sect. 3. The fourth Duty 4. LAbour to bring in others to the participation of the same benefit When thou art redeemed help forward the Redemption of thy poor brethren If the Lord Jesus hath taken compassion on thee and delivered thee from the curse of the Law by the actual application of his satisfaction to thy soul then it behoves thee to have compassion on thy fellow-prisoners and to use thy best endeavours that they also may be set at liberty Christ hath given himself a ransome for many Matth. 20.28 and he hath abundance both of merit and spirit to impart unto them so that if many millions of poor souls were brought in Rom. 5.17 there would be no less for thee Do thou then what lyes in thee that many may be brought to the reall possession of this benefit Oh that there were such an heart in all the Lords Redeemed to study the advancement of their Redeemers glory in furthering the salvation of captive-sinners that all if possible may be made partakers of this grace I would gladly presse this duty upon my self and you according to the several relations wherein we stand It concerns 1. Ministers of the Gospel We are Christs Heraulds sent forth to proclaime deliverance to the Captives and to perswade them to imbrace it Lev. 25 9 10 even as one part of the Priests office was by sound of Trumpet to give publick notice of the year of Jubilee and to prepare the people for the injoying the priviledges of it Our work is very important therefore it behoves us to be very faithful and diligent in it We have many under our over-sight alas too many which lye in the bond of iniquity strangers to Jesus Christ Our maine business is in reference to these that we may turn them from the power of Satan unto God and bring them to the injoyment of true spiritual liberty by Jesus Christ Wee may look upon those truely miserable soules as the ruful objects of our choisest pity and we ought by all due means especially by publick preaching and private instruction to labour their conversion and to save them from dropping into those everlasting burnings See the grave counsel of the Apostle to this purpose 2 Tim. 2.25 26. And here we must have a special eye upon those whom we perceive to be awakened to look out toward a change When the Lord sends to us any poor souls that are struck down by the Ministry unto conviction and humiliation he doth then call us to hold forth such spiritual direction and consolation as may sute best with their several conditions according to the word Mal. 2.7 Job 33.23 When the Lord appointed Cities of Refuge for the man-slayer he gave charge that a way should be prepared and the coasts of the Land divided into three parts It seems this division was in favour of the persons that every one might take the benefit of the nearest City lest the length of the way might occasion danger Deu. 19.3 6. And when the Lord promiseth to bring in his people by the cal of the Gospel