him drink did not take him in did not cloth him visit him come unto him and the like they readyly reply Lord when saw we the an hungred or at hirst or a strunger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister unto thee Matt. 25. 41. 42. 43. 44. As who should say Lord we are not conscious to our selves that this charge is worthyly laid at our door God forbid that we should have been such sinners but Lord give an instance when was it or where true there was a company of poor sorry people in the world very inconsiderable set by with no body but for thy self we professed thee we loved thee and hadst thou been with us in the world wouldest thou have worn gold wouldest thou have eaten the sweetest of the world we would have provided it for thee and therefore Lord Lord open to us But will this plea do no then shall he answer them in asmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these my brethren ye did it not to me This plea then though grounded upon ignorance which is one of the strangest pleas for neglect of duty would not give them admittance into the kingdom These shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal I might add other things by which t' will appear how they will seek to enter in as 1. They will make a stop at this gate this beautiful gate of heaven they will begin to stand without at the gate as being loath to go any further never did malefactor so unwillingly turn off the ladder when the rope was about his neck as these will turn away in that day from the gates of heaven to hell 2. They will not only make a stop at the gate but there they will knock and call this also argueth them willing to enter they will begin to stand without and to knock at the gate saying Lord Lord open to us This word Lord being doubled shews the vehemency of their desires Lord Lord open unto us The devils are coming Lord Lord the pit opens her mouth upon us Lord Lord there is nothing but but hell and damnation left us if Lord Lord thou hast not mercy upon us Lord Lord open to us 3. Their last argument for entrance is their tears when groundless considence pleading of vertues excuses and ignorance will not do when standing at the gate knowing and calling Lord Lord open to us will not do then they betake themselves to their tears tears are sometimes the most powerful arguments but they are nothing worth here Esau also sought it carefully with tears but it helped him nothing at all Heb. 12. 15. 16. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth for the gate is shut for ever mercy is gone for ever Christ hath rejected them for ever all their pleas excuses and tears will not make them able to enter into this kingdom For many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able I come now to the latter part of the words which closely shews us the reason of the rejection of these many that must be damned they will seek to enter in and shall not be able An hypocrite a false professor may go a great way they may pass thorow the first and second watch to wit may be approved of Christians and Churches but what will they do when they come at this iron gate that leadeth into the city there the workers of iniquity will fall be cast down and shall not be able to rise And shall not be able The time as I have already hinted which my Text respecteth it is the day of judgement a day when all masks and vizzards shall be taken off from all faces It is a day wherein God will bring to light the hidden things of darknesse and will make manifest the counsels of the heart 1 Cor. 4. 5. It is also the day of his wrath the day in which he will pay vengeance even a recompence to his adversaries At this day those things that now these many count sound and good will then shake like a quagmire even all their naked knowledge their feigned faith pretended love glorious shews of gravity in the face their holy-day words and specious carriages will stand them in little stead I call them holy day ones for I perceive that some professors do with religion just as people do with their best apparrel hang it against the wall all the week and put them oâ—â— on Sundays for as some scarce ever put on a Sute but when they go to a Fair or a Market so little housereligion will do with some they save religion till they go to a Meeting or till they meet with a godly chapman O poor religion O poor professor what wilt thou do at this day at the day of thy trial judgement cover thy self thou canst not go for a Christian thou canst not stand against the Judge thou canst not what wilt thou do The ungodly shall not stand in judgement nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous And shall not be able The ability here intended is not that which standeth in carnal power or fleshly subtilty but in the truth and simplicity of those things for the sake of which God giveth the kingdom of heaven to his people There are five things for the want of which this people will not be able to enter First this kingdom belongs to the elect to those for whom it was prepared from the foundation of the world Matt. 25. hence Christ saith when he comes he will send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to another Matt. 24. and hence he saith again I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains and mine elect shall inherit it and my servants shall dwell there they shall deceive if it were possible the very elect but the elect hath obtained it and the rest were blinded Rom. 11. 7. Secondly They will not be able to enter because they will want the birth right the kingdom of heaven is for the heirs and if children then heirs if born again then heirs wherefore it is said expresly except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God by this one word down goes all carnal priviledge of being born of flesh and bloud and of the will of man canst thou produce the birth-right but art thou sure thou canst for it will little profit thee to think of the blessed kingdom of heaven if thou wantest a birthright to give thee inheritance there Esau did dispise his birth-right saying what good will this birth-right do me and there are many in the world of his mind to this day tush say they they talk of being born again what good shall a man get by that they say no going to heaven without being born again but
willing he is to save poor sinners 2 Cor. 4. 2. 3. Thirdly the poor ignorant world miss of heaven because they putt off and defer coming to Christ until the time of Gods patience and grace is over some indeed are resolved never to come but some again say we will come hereafter and so it comes to pass that because God called and they did not hear so they shall cry and I will not hear saith the Lord. Zech. 7. 11. 12. 13. Fourthly the poor ignorant world miss of heaven because they have false apprehensions of Gods mercy they say in their hearts we shall have peace though we walk in the imagination of our heart to add drunkenness to thirst but what saith the word the Lord will not spare him but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousie shall smoak against that man and all the curses that are written in this book shall be upon him and God shall blot out his name from under heaven Dent. 29. 19 20 21. Fifthly the poor ignorant world miss of heaven because they make light of the Gospel that offereth mercy to them freely and because they lean upon their own good meanings and thinkings and doings Matt. 22. 1 2 3 4 5. Rom. 9. 30 31. Sixthly The poor carnal world miss of heaven because by unbelief which reigns in them they are kept for ever from being cloathed with Christs righteousness and from washing in his blood without which there is neither remission of sin nor justification But to pass these till anon I come in the next place to shew you some reasons why the professor falls short of heaven First In the general they rest in things below special grace as in awakenings that are not special in repentance that is not special in faith that is not special c. and a little to run the parallel betwixt the one and the other that if God will you may see and escape 1. Have they that shall be saved awakenings about their â—â—are by nature so have they that shall be damned they that never go to heaven may see much of sin and of the wrath of God due thereto this had Cain and Judas and yet they came short of the kingdom Gen. 4. Matt. 27. 4. The saved have convictions in order to their eternal life but the others convictions are not so the convictions of the one doth drive them sincerly to Christ the convictions of the other doth drive them to the law and the law to desperation at last 2. There are also convictions that shew a man his necessity of Christ but wanting grace to lay hold effectually on Christ they joyn the law also with the Savior and so perish or through despair of obtaining the power of grace they rest in the notions and profession of grace and so perish 3. There is a repentance that will not save a repentance to be repented of and a repentance to salvation not to be repented of 2 Cor. 7. 10. yet so great a similitude and likeness there is betwixt the one and the other that most times the wrong is taken for the right and through this mistake professors perish As 1. In saving repentance there will be an acknowledgement of sin and one that hath the other repentance may acknowledg his sins also Matt. 27. 4. 2. In saving repentance there is a crying out under sin but one that hath the other repentance may cry out under sin also Gen. 4. 13. 3. In saving repentance there will be humiliation for sin and one that hath the other repentance may humble himself also 1 King 21. 29. 4. Saving repentance is attended with self-loathing but he that hath the other repentance may have loathing of sin too 2 Pet. 2. 22. a loathing of sin because it is sin that he cannot have but a loathing of sin because iâ— is offensive to him that he may have the dog doth not loath that which troubleth his stomach because it is there but because it troubleth him when it has done troubling of him he can turn to it again and liâ—k it up as before it troubled him 5. Saving repentance is attended with prayers and tears but he that hath none but the other repentance may have prayers and tears also Gen. 27. 34 35. Heb. 12. 14 15 16. 6. In saving repentance there is fear and reverence of the word and Ministers that bring it but this may be also where there is none but the repentance that is not saving for Herod feared John knowing that he was a just man and holy and observed him when he heard him he did many things and heard him gladly Mark 6. â—0 7. Saving repentance makes a mans heart very tender of doing any thing against the word of God But Balaam could say If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord Numb 24. 13. Behold then how far a man may go in repentance and yet be short of that which is called repentance unto salvation not to be repented of 1. He may be awakened 2. he may acknowledge his sin 3. he may cry out under the burden of sin 4. he may have humility for it 5. he may loath it 6. may have prayers and tears against it 7. may delight to do many things of God 8. may be afraid of sinning against him and after all this may perish for want of saving repentance Secondly Have they that shall be saved faith why they that shall not be saved may have faith also Yea a faith in many things so like the faith that saveth that they can hardly be distinguished though they differ both in root and branch to come to particulars 1. Saving faith hath Christ for its object and so may the faith have that is not saving those very Jews of whom it is said they believed on Christ Christ tells them and that after their believing you are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father ye will do Jo. 8. from â— 30. to v 44 2. Saving faith is wrought by the word of God and so may the faith be that is not saving Luk. 3. 13. 3. Saving faith looks for justification without works and so may a faith do that is not saving Jam. 2. 18. 4. Saving faith will sanctifie and purify the heart and the faith that is not saving may work a man off from the pollutions of the world as it did Judas and Demas and others see 2 Pet. 2. 5. Saving faith will give a man tasts of the world to come and also joy by them tasts and so will the faith do that is not saving Heb. 6. 4. 5. Luk. 8. 13. 6. Saving faith will help a man if called thereto to give his body to be burned for his religion and so will the faith do to that is not saving 1 Cor. 13. 1. 2. 3. 4. 7. Saving faith will help a man to look for an inheritance in the world to come and that may
be another woman the prophet the Lord Jesus would soon finde thee out what wilt thou do poor sinner heavy tidings heavy tidings will attend thee except thou repent poor sinner 1 King 14. 2 5 6. Luk. 13. 3 5. O the dreadful state of a poor sinner of an open profane sinner every body that hath but common sense knows that this man is in the broad way to death yet he laughs at his own damnation Shall I come to particulars with thee 1. Poor unclean sinner the harlots house is the way to hell going down to the chambers of death Pro. 2. 18. chap. 5. 5. chap. 7. 27. 2. Poor swearing and theivish sinner God hath prepared the curse that every one that stealeth shall be cut off as â—n this side according to it and every one that swrareth shall be cut off on that side according to it Zech. 5. 3. 3. Poâ—r drunken sinner what shall I say to thee Wo to the drunkards of Ephreim wo them that are mighty to drink wine and men of strong drink they shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven Isa. 28. chap. 5. 11 12. 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. 4. Poor covetous worldly man Gods word saies that the covetous the Lord abhorreth that the covetous man is an idolater and that the covetous shall not inherit the kingdom of God Psal. 10. 3. Ephes. 5. 5. Joh. 2. 15. 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. 5. And thou lyar what wilt thou do All lyars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstome Revel 21. 8 27. I shall not in large poor sinner let no man deceive thee for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience Ephes. 5. 6. I will therefore give thee a short call and so leave thee Sinner awake yea I say unto thee awake sin lieth at thy door and Gods axe lieth at thy root and hell-fire is right underneath thee I say again awake Every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire Gen. 4. 7. Matt. 3. 10. Poor sinner awake eternity is coming his son they are both coming to judge the world awake art yet asleep poor sinner let me seâ— the trumpet to thine ear once again The heavens will be shortly on a burning flame the earth and the works thereof shall be burned up and then wicked men shall go into perdition dost thou hear this sinner 2 Pet. 3. Hark again the sweet morsels of sins will then be fled and gone and the bitter burning fruits of them only left what saist thou now sinner canâ—t thou drink hell fire will the wrath of God be a pleasant dish to thy taâ—t this must be thine every days meat and drink in hell sinner I will yet propound to thee Gods ponderous question and then for this time leave thee Can thine heart endure or can thy hands be strong in the day that I shall deal with thee saith the Lord Ezek. 22. 14. what saist thou wilt thou answer this question now or wilt thou take time to do it or wilt thou be desperate and venture all And let me put this text in thine ear to keep it open and so the Lord have mercy upon thee upon the wicked shall the Lord rain snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest this shall be the portion of their cup Psal. 11. 6. repent sinners Secondly my second word is to them that are upon the potters wheel concerning whom we know not as yet whether their convictions and awaknings will end in conversion or no several things I should say to you both to further your convictions and to caution you from staying any where below or short of saving grace 1. Remember that but few shall be saved and if God should count thee worthy to be one of that few what a mercy would that be Ephes. 2. 45. 2. Be thankful therefore for convictions conversion begins at conviction though all conviction doth not end in conversion It is a great mercy to be convinced that we are sinners and that we need a Saviour count it therefore a mercy and that thy convictions may end in conversion do thou 1. Take heed of stiffling of them it is the way of poor sinners to look upon convictions as things that are hurtful and therefore they use to shun the awakening ministry and to check a convincing conscience such poor sinners are much like to the wanton boy that stands at the maids elbow to blow out her candle as saâ—â— as she lights it at the fire convinced sinner God lighteth thy candle and thou put â— it out God lights it again and thou puttest it out yea how ofâ— is the candle of the wicked put out Iob. 21. 17. At laâ— God resolâ—eth he will light thy candle no more and then like the Egyptians you dwell all your days in darkness and never see light more but by the light of hell-fire wherefore give glory to God and if he awakens thy conscience quench not thy convictions do it saith the prophet before he cause darkness and before your feet â—â—â—â—ble up in the dark mountains and he turn your convictions into the shadow of death and make them gross darkness Jer. 13. 16. 1. Be willing to see the worst of thy condition 't is better to see it here then in hell for thou maiest see thy misery here or there 2. Beware of little sins they will make way for great ones and they again will make way for bigger upon which Gods wrath will follow and then may thy latter end be worse then thy beginning 2 Pet. 20. 3. Take heed of bad company and evil communications for that will corrupt good manners God saith evil company will turn thee awâ—y from following him and will tempt thee to serve other Gods devils so the anger of the Lord will be kindled against thee and destroy thee suddenly Deut. 7. 3. 4. Beware of such a thought as bids thee delay repentance for that is damnable Pro. 1. 24. Zee 7. 12. 13. 5. Beware of taking example by some poor carnal professor whose religion lies in the tip of his tongue Beware I say of the man whose head swims with notions but his life is among the unclean Job 36. 14. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise but a companion of fools shall be destroyed Pro. 13. 20. 6. Give thy self much to the word and prayer and good conference 7. Labour to see the sin that cleaveth to the best of thy performances and know that all is nothing if thou beest not found in Jesus Christ. 8. Keep in remembrance that Gods eye is upon thy heart and upon all thy wayes can any hide himself in secret places that I should not see him saith the Lord do not I fill heaven and earth saith the-Lord Jer. 23. 24. 9. Be often imeditating upon death and judgment Eccle. 11. 9 chap 12. 14. 10. Be often thinking what a dreadful end sinners that have