known The Psalmist alludes to that Providence of God in leading Israel through the red Sea when Deaths were on every hand God walked on those Waters and made a way through them for his People So Nah. 1. 3. The Lord hath his way in the Whirlwind and in the Storm and the Clouds are the dust of his Feet Those ways that men cannot stand up in are Gods usual walks in which he leads on his Work and Interest His wayes are above our wayes and In the Mount will the Lord be seen Gen. 22. 14. His Providences Ezek. 1. 16. are like a Wheel in the middle of a wheel and a skain of Silk strangely entangled When Israel was come near the Borders of the promised Land they must be turned back again into the Wilderness and wander up and down forty years in the Desarts When Sion's Mercies were come to the Birth they prov'd Abortive Strange indeed is the Womb of Divine Providence and seemingly contradictory to Humane Reason Thirdly No cross Providences can hinder Christ's Work in the World He hath purposed and will perform it Combinations of men Psal 2. 1 2. the Gates of Hell Matth. 16. 18. and the Powers of this World can no more impede the Success of Christ's Work than the Barking of Dogs can hinder the Moon 's passage to its Journey end Isa 43. 13. I will work and who shall let it Who art thou O great Mountain before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain Zach. 4. 7. He taketh up the Isles as a very slender thing Isa 40. 15. The Lord brings in his mightiness here to comfort Israel under Discouragements by reason of Difficulties in the way of their Mercy Comfort ye my People saith the Lord ver 1. Tell her her warfare is accomplished ver 2. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed ver 5. O Jerusalem that bringest good tidings lift up thy voice with strength Be not afraid of Dangers preach my Word be undaunted in my Service Behold your God ver 9. He will come and his Reward with him ver 10. He will feed his Flock like a Shepherd v. 11. He will keep up his Word and Ordinances in spight of all opposition Obj. But our Enemiâ—s are many Ans Why he hath measured all the waters of opposition in the hollow of his hand vers 12. Obj. But all our wisdom cannot see how these great things should be brought about Ans Why who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord ver 13. He wants not wisdom to accomplish his Work Obj. But Nations and Islands combine against God's Israel Answ What if they do they are no more to God than the drop of a bucket and the dust of the Balance ver 15. Therefore fear not he will perform his Promises and fulfil his Designs Quest Why what hath he promised Answ He hath promised that the stone cut out of the Mountain without hands shall become a great Mountain and break in pieces the Image of the Beast Dan. 2. 35 45. and that he will set up the Kingdom of his Son in the World ver 44. Isa 2. 2. He hath promised Peaceful times to the Church of God when the Sword shall be turned into Plow-shares Isa 2. 4. Isa 55. 13. Great shall be the peace of thy Children None shall hurt or destroy in all God's holy Mountain Isa 65. 25. Ezek. 28. 24 Isa 16. 18. Psal 72. 9. He hath promised times of Light and Knowledge Isa 11. 9. chap. 52. 8. ch 54. 13. ch 60. 19 20. He hath promised times of Holiness Isa 60. 21. ch 4. 3. ch 35. 8. Zech. 14. 20 21. He hath promised times of Union Zech. 14. 9. Zeph. 3. 9. Ezek. 37. 19. He hath promised times of Joy and Comfort to his Interest Isa 65. 13 14. ch 35. 10. ch 25. 8. He hath promised Enlargement to the Church Isa 2. 2. ch 60. 8 9 13. He hath promised Stability and Settlement Isa 54. 14. ch 60. 20. He hath promised Activity and Liveliness Isa 26. 19. Fourthly As those great and glorious things are spoken of Sion so they shall certainly be accomplished in due time Isa 60. 22. Deut. 32. 35. The Vision is but for an appointed time Hab. 2. 3. As the Things are appointed so is the Time beyond which God will not go one moment Exod. 12. 41 42. The self-same day the Jewish Doctors say it was mid-day as soon as one hundred and thirty years was out to an hour God fulfill'd his Promise Lastly God takes usually the most unlikely time to fulfill his Promises As in Abraham when his Body was dead Gen. 18. 10 11. Abraham and Sarah were sensible of an utter inability and unfitness in themselves for such a Mercy yet then was the Promise fulfilled Gen. 22. 14. So Israel were brought out of Egypt when all things made against it their Oppressions increased Exod. 2. 23. chap. 5. 7 8 19. Pharaoh resolv'd not to let them go Exod. 10. 27. and Moses charg'd to see his face no more on pain of Death chap. 10. 28. When Gods time was come to bring Israel out of Babylon they were as dry Bones and said Our hope is lost we are cut off for our parts Ezek. 37. 11 12. Psal 126. 1. Deut. 32. 36. Mic. 4. 10. Thou shalt go into Babylon and there shalt thou be delivered Before that glorious Salvation of the Jews in Shushan under Ahasuerus they were brought under a Sentence of Death the Decree was seal'd and posted away the time appointed for their destruction and no possible hopes left of reversing it Esth 3. 12. to the end compar'd with Chap. 8. So much for the Use of Consolation CHAP. VIII Containing an Vse of Exhortation to Sinners and Saints IF the Lord Jesus Christ be such a Glorious Mediator then First Let perishing Sinners be perswaded to get an Interest in him And for Motive herein consider these four or five things First The Lord Jesus will Mediate for and save none but those that are his Many common Mercies Favours and Boons he bestows on his Enemies but Salvation-blessings are the priviledges only of his People Matth. 1. 21. 2 Tim. 2. 19. Luke 1. 68. Secondly Many will lay claim to Christ who have no Interest in him Luke 13. 25. High Pretenders may be shaken off Math. 7. 22. chap. 25. 12. Some that shall think themselves something may be found nothing some that shall be thought Saints by others may yet be cast away 1 Joh. 2. 19. As Hymenaeus and Alexander 1. Tim. 1. 20. The Galathians and scattered Saints Gal. 1. 6. chap. 3. 3. 2 Pet. 1. 20. Rev. 8. 12. Nay the very Elect shall find it hard to stand Matth. 24. 24. Thirdly There is but a time in which Christ may be found Isa 55. 6. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found intimating there is a time in which he will not when the door will be shut and Christ will speak knock and call no more There is but a day of Grace
filthy heart cleansed thy covetous heart spiritualized and thy captivated Soul set free from the damning Power of Sin and Satan had'st thou but improv'd a Mediator in Heaven Know Soul if ever Life and Salvation be obtained it must be by a Mediator Thirdly Here 's a Reproof to such as make Mediators of their Duties that trust their Prayers more than Christ and lay all their hopes of obtaining on the act of seeking Indeed the Promise of having is made to asking Matth. 7. 7. but not for asking Thy Matters saith Luther do not depend on the worth of thy Self or Prayer but solely on the account of Christ Joh. 14. 13. It is Prayer in his Name And therefore saith Luther Nulla Oratio extra Christum There is no Prayer at all out of Christ 'T is the Altar that sanctifies the Gift Matt. 23. 19. Our very Righteousnesses are as filthy Rags Isa 64. 6. When you have done all you are unprofitable Servants Luke 17. 10. Not unto us O Lord not unto us but to thy Name give Glory Psal 115. 1. All acceptance with God is through Christ To trust to thy Prayers is to trample on the Blood of Christ accounting it an unholy thing and the most effectual course to provoke the Lord to a real abhorrency of thy Duties and to throw them back as Dung on thy Face CHAP. VII Shewing what Consolation flows to Believers from the Intercession of Christ IF the Lord Jesus Christ be the onely Mediator between God and Man then here 's Comfort for Believers in several Cases First To weak Believers such as need Mercy and are unable to beg it as they should Poor Soul Art thou sensible of thy urgent Necessities that thy Wants are more than can be numbred Knowest thou the Hardness Pride Filthiness and Ungratefulness of thy Heart understandest thou thy need of the Spirit of Grace and the Gifts of Grace but canst not pray for supplies so understandingly sensibly affectionately and believingly as thou oughtest and therefore fearest shalt never find an Answer or obtain any reviving comfort to thy Soul in the believing view of Christ's Intercession in Heaven Let me tell thee desponding Christian thou canst not be really poor and pray in Faith thou canst not perish for want and have a Jesus in Heaven interceding for thee Heb. 7. 25. Him the Father heareth alwayes Joh. 11. 42. If the matter depended upon thy own Oratory and Eloquence thy Case were sad but there is one in Heaven that is wise mighty merciful omniscient who minds thy case considers thy needs hears thy groans knows thy distresses and ever liveth to make Intercession for thee Object But sayes a Soul How shall I know that Christ intercedes for me who am not worthy to lye under his Table nor crawl at his Feet I fear he hath greater concernments upon his Heart than to remember me For Resolution in this look back to Chap. 4. where is shewn for whom Christ intercedes He prayes for all that believe in him Joh. 17. 15. Art thou one that believest in Christ Hast thou chosen him as thy Lord and Righteousness And is he precious to thy Soul Could'st thou be content to part with all for him Pleasures Profits and Worldly Grandeur are they nothing when they come in competition with him Canst thou not say O! None but Christ none but Christ Christ with Poverty with Disgrace with Bondage and misery is far more preferrable than Riches Repute Liberty and Mercies without him Dost thou consent to all his terms and art thou willing to take up his yoke and to learn of him to bear his Cross and follow him to leave all and come to him and that considerately and from thy whole Heart Dost thou cast and adventure thy Soul and thy All upon his Ability to save thee Believest thou all that the Scripture reporteth concerning him his Personal Excellencies and purchased Sufficiencies That he is able and willing to save all that come to God by him and will not cast out any that really come And in this hope art thou resolved to trust thy All upon him and if thou perish to perish at his Feet Then art thou that Soul for whom Christ intercedes in Heaven Luke 10. 42. Lam. 3. 24. Isa 44. 5. Esth 4. 16. Mark 9. 24. Object But I cannot pray as I ought according to the Will of God Alas how cold dead spiritless are my Prayers and will God hear me Sol. 'T is not for thy name thou art heard but for the Name of Christ as you have already heard Joh. 14. 13. Rom. 8. 26 27. We know not what to pray for as we ought Neither I Paul nor you believing Romans know how to pray as we ought If thou wantest words yet if thou hast sighs and groans thy Prayers are heard through Christ Again Thou sayest thou canst not pray according to the Will of God I Answ 1. If thy Prayers are for such things as God requires for things that concern his Glory and the good and Salvation of thy Soul and for these outward things as God sees needful for thee If thou prayest for these as God promiseth them for Spiritual blessings absolutely and for others with submission to his Wisdom and Will if thou seekest these onely in the Name of Christ and ultimately for the Glory of God with all thy Heart and with all thy Strength thou askest aright and God will grant thee Secondly God in his infinite Grace through Christ accounts those things in his People that are not as if they were Rom. 4. 17. He judges his People to be what they would be Rev. 2. 9. I know thy Works and Tribulation and Poverty but thou art rich The Lord judgeth of his People not so much by their Frames inherent Qualifications and external Performances but by their real Sincerity and unfeigned desires Psal 38. 9. Thou complainest thy Prayers be cold and dead heartless and lifeless but doth this please thee or trouble thee Is not this the burden of thy Soul that which thou mournest over prayest and strivest against Doth no Prayer content thee but what is spiritual and fervent affectionate and upright Why poor Soul chear up thy self God esteems thy Prayers such through Christ as if they were so Thirdly The Procurement of thy needed Mercies doth not depend upon thy Prayer-frames or the Modes and Measures of thy Holiness but on the Mediation of Jesus Christ Pray weigh that Scripture Joh. 14. 14 16. If you shall ask any thing in my Name I will do it And I will pray the Father Any thing that is any thing you absolutely need Any thing that is fit for you to ask and me to give I will do it He doth not say The Modes of your Prayers the measures of your Frames and Holiness shall do it but if ye ask though with broken Language and troubled Expressions Sighs and Groans I will do it You have but one Advocate with the Father I will word your Requests
an hour of Salvation O Sinner be not wise too late Fourthly It is a most dreadful tremendous thing to leave the World without an Interest in Christ to be summon'd to Judgment and have nothing to help them no Mediator to plead for them no Righteousness to cover them no Duties to accompany them no Eye to pity them Isa 57. 12. chap. 30. 13. Jer. 5. 5. This is sad indeed when all Bowels are gone and boundless Miseries to be undergone Fifthly Of all perishing Sinners such as perish under the Gospel have the most dreadful Miseries Matth. 11. 21. 22. The Heathens and Pagans Publicans and Harlots shall have a more tolerable place in Hell than such as refuse a tender'd Jesus How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Heb. 2. 3. O miserable Sinners sleight not Salvation tenders despise not Gospel calls but hasten away to this Redeemer Secondly Let the People of God be exhorted first to bless God for this Mediator Eph. 1. 3. Christ is the Fountain of Blessings the Author of Salvation the Gift of God and have you no Hosanna's for the Enjoyment of so rich a person 1 Joh. 4. 9 10. Secondly Ply hard the Throne of Grace find Work for Christ Heb. 4. 15 16. Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace make known your Requests unto God Phil. 4. 6. Consider Soul You have always need of Mercy not a Moment but you want Supplies from God for Soul and Body your Corruptions are alwayes resisting the Spirit Gal. 5. 17. never at peace with Grace but as a Bow that is bent are still pressing after their former Liberty and as Waters penn'd back are striving to force their way therefore Christians you alwayes need the Spirit 's help and fresh Supplies of Grace your Guilt is always encreasing James 3. 2. The Righteous falleth seven times a day hence daily Sacrifices were appointed because of daily Sins Heb. 7. 27. Your Temptations are continually renewed 1 Pet. 5. 8. New Tryals are daily falling on you new Difficulties are frequently occurring your Life new Troubles and Afflictions are constantly betiding you This is God's appointed way in which he will give out Mercy Ezek. 36. 37. Matth. 7. 7. 'T is true sometimes God hears before we ask but yet preventing Mercy doth not excuse from Duty and we have no ground to expect Mercy out of the way of Duty You are invested with a holy Priest-hood on purpose that you may be much employed in this Work 1 Pet. 2. 5. Your Work and Offices lies in this to offer up daily Sacrifices to God by Christ The Lord Jesus waits in Heaven to receive your Prayers 't is his Business and work in Glory to pursue your Advantages and therefore he expects to hear from you 9. Heb. 24. As an Agent that expects to hear from his Clyent and receive Intimation about his Condition as a Friend in a forreign Country that is hearkning for Letters from his Friend Christ in Heaven desires to hear from his People on Earth not that he is ignorant of them or needs to be put in Remembrance but this way are his Graces in them exercised their Love and Duty maintain'd and himself glorified Isa 30. 18. Therefore will the Lord wait that he may be gracious In the Original it is he longs and as it were greedily and enlargedly desires an Occasion to be gracious he waits in Heaven to be puâ— in Remembrance to do his People good This way is their blessed Intercourse maintained betwixt Christ in Heaven and Believers on Earth by this Christ hears from them on Earth and they from him in Heaven Cant. 2. 14. chap. 8. 13 14. Thou that dwellest in the Gardens the Companions hearken to thy Voice cause me to hear it 'T is in the Original Cause to hear me which occasions a twofold reading First Cause me to he heard they are Christs Words to his Spouse Let me be the Subject of thy Discourse to others Secondly Cause me to hear it that is let me be spoken to let me hear thy Voice in Prayer as a man desires to hear from his Wife when absent and in the next vers She eccho's back the same Request to Christ that he would hasten his Return to her that she might have his Company also by Prayer Christ and Believers have sweet Intercourse with each other Cant. 1. 7 8. chap. 2. 5. 8. The Lord Jesus is wonderfully delighted to hear from his People Cant. 2. 14. chap. 4. 11. chap. 6. 13. Return Return O Shulamite c. This word Shulamite comes either from Solomon and so her Husbands name is named on her or from Salem Peace which is Jerusalem shewing her Descent to be from Jerusalem above hence Christ desires her Company because it was pleasure to him to look upon her her Countenance was as two Armies it is in the Original Mahanaim the same word that Jacob puts on the place where God met him Gen. 32. 1. 2. As if Christ should say thy Sight is Angelical to me tho thou art impure in thy self yet thou art fair in mine Eye 'T is a mighty thriving way there 's no such course can be taken to grow rich apace in divine Treasures Prayer is the Key that opens Christ Treasury and fetches out the Riches of Heaven because such may have of God what they will Joh. 15. 7. God is always giving where gracious Souls are rightly asking God's readiness to give should be an Argument always to crave as Sir Walter Raleigh when Q. Eliz. ask'd him when he would leave off beging answered when your Majesty leaves off giving Thirdly Trust to an interceding Jesus expect all your Mercies from him Psal 5. 3. In the Morning I will direct my Prayer to thee and look up the Arabick and some other Versions have it I will prepare or stand before him and he will see me But this agrees not with the Original where 't is I will order or dispose my Prayer as a General doth his Army and will look out as a man that watches on a Tower to see what I can espy and what Answer he will give By a Metonomy it signifies to expect or look for some thing Matth. 22. 21. In his Name shall the Gentiles trust The Lord Jesus is the sure and certain Object of a Believers Trust O Christians is Christ entred into Heaven there to appear for his People O then depend upon his Intercession expect all your needed Mercies by him take up your Acquiescence in his Mediation for you rest satisfied Believers that your case is good and it shall be well with you in every Condition because Christ intercedeth for you Now to strengthen your Dependance on Christ Consider His Engagement to the Father to become your Advocate Heb. 10. 9. Joh. 6. 39. His Promise to Believers to pursue their Cause in Heaven Joh. 14. 16. And his full Accomplishments with whatever is needful to compleat this Work He is infinitely wise and knows how to
thee I will rejoyce over thee I will forget the wrongs thou hast done me I will requite thy Vnkindness with Kindness and draw thee with cords of Love with cords saith one woven and spun out of my very Heart and Bowels O miserable Caitiff embrace my Counsels listen thine Ears to Heaven gate and hear the melodious Musick that is there made by refined Spirits why wilt thou rather lye with damned howling Devils than sing Hallelujah's and the Song of the Lamb with saved Souls Accept of me and unchangeable Glory unspeakable Priviledges and Rivers of Pleasures shall be thine Thus doth the Lord Jesus woo poor perishing Souls to be happy and is not this Pity indeed Fourthly His readiness to receive them when they come to him No sooner do they open the door but he comes in Rev. 3. 20. If any man open the door I will come in unto him No sooner doth the Prodigal return but his Father meets him yea runs to meet him as if he could never come soon enough at him Luke 15 20. Mercy is upon the wing when it comes to receive returning Sinners No sooner did Ephraim repent but God repented too As soon as he said Turn thou me God said He shall be turned when he cries Thou art the Lord my God presently God Answers Is he not a pleasant Child So willing is Christ to receive returning Sinners as that he promiseth he will in no wise cast them out Joh. 6. 37. Yea if they cannot come unto him he will go and fetch them and if they cannot go he will draw them Joh. 6. 44. Fifthly His great Joy when he hath obtain'd them The Father of the Prodigal keeps a Feast and makes merry when his lost Child is found Luke 15. 23 24. Psal 104. 31. The Lord shall rejoyce in his Works and this he doth when he hath finished them Heb. 4. 4. But there is nothing the Lord Jesus Christ takes more pleasure in than in the Redemption of Souls Prov. 8. 31. He delighted in the habitable parts of the Earth This you vvill find further amplified in the Parables of the lost sheep and lost piece of Silver Luke 15. from vers 4. to 11. CHAP. XII The Improvement of the Pity of Christ by way of Terrour Encouragement and Advice ARE there such deep and large Bowels of Pity in Jesus Christ not only towards his Friends but his very Enemies Then here is First Terrour to Impenitent Sinners Ah Souls hovv fearfully great is your Sin being a plain defiance to the Mercy and pity of Christ Every Transgression of yours is a kicking the very Bovvels of Mercy and a stab at the Heart of Divine Pity O! hovv vile are your Iniquities vvhilst vvithout Christ They are no less than a despising of the Riches of the Mercy and Goodness of God which would have led you to Repentance and a treasuring up of Wrath against the day of Wrath Rom. 2. 4 5. O Sinners you run on score in abusing of the highest Mercy that ever was you provoke your best Friend against you Alas Who can help you if Mercy it self becomes your Enemy The Bowels of Christ are your last Asylum if this door be shut against you Farewel Souls and can you hope that Mercy will plead for you when rejected by you or will not God hear the Complaint of despised Mercy think you Sinners the Compassion of Christ shall come forth at the last day and say I would have saved that Soul but it would not how often would I have gathered it but it resisted Mat. 23. 37. I offered to pay it's Debts and to get him an Acquittance in the Court of Heaven but he refused it I would have ransom'd him from Death to Life and adopted him to an Inheritance in Glory but he would not I would have stamp'd the divine Nature on him and brought him into the Likeness of the Lord of Glory but he would not I would have put down his Name in the book of Life and secur'd his Title to Heaven but he would not I called he would not answer I perswaded he refused I beseeched he despised I strived he resisted and now Justice into thy hands do I deliver these rebellious Souls to be dealt with according to the Threatnings of the Gospel and Severity of the Law that my Wrongs may be avenged O! what a terrible Complaint will this be Sinners tremble then at the Thoughts of your abusing divine Mâ—rcy Vse 2. Of Encouragement to dejected Souls If there be such tender pity in the Lord Jesus O then take Courage hence to hope for Mercy these Mercies of Christ are infinite boundless and bottomless O what a stock of Mercy is in him for troubled Souls to trade upon what unfathomed Deeps are there in divine Compassions enough to serve all thy Turns and Necessities have thy Sins been many The free Gift is of many Offences to Justification Rom. 5. 6. Of the Offences of many persons be they never so many or the many Offences of one person there is vertue enough in this free Gift of the Blood of Christ for the pardoning them all if such return he saith one that had love enough to give us Christ hath Bowels enough to give us pardon believing Souls shall never dye for Debt if the Bowels of Christ hath wherewithal to pay it O! what Shifts will tender Parents make to keep their indebted Children out of Prison They will beg and borrow of others pinch themselves and spare what they can rather than their Children shall be undone and surely the Mercy of Christ must needs make the most of his Blood and Obedience of his Intercession and Satisfaction for the Pardon of his People And therefore Daniel joyns Mercies and Forgiveness together Dan. 9. 9. Is thy Unworthiness great and deservest thou nothing but Wrath from God O bear up thy Sinking Spirit on the Arm of Mercy Mercy is in vain and signifies nothing if Justice only must take place hast thou abused Mercy and sinn'd away the Favour of thy God Thou hast lost his Gift but he hath not lost his giving the Child spils his Water and goes to the Well to fill his Pitcher again there is more Mercy O troubled Soul in the deep Wells of Salvation for those that seek it Obj. But I have provoked God to withhold Mercy Ans Let me tell thee O distressed Believer there are Forgivings as well as Givings in the Bowels of Christ and I know not which are greater Are thy Wants many Be of good chear Mercy hath enough to supply them all and is as free to give as able and take this for they Encouragement Mercy never gives where there are Deservings Are thy Griefs Labours Fears Troubles and Burdens great Yet comfort thy self Misery and Mercy are a Kin Mercy lives in the â—lymate of Misery and never thrives better than in Misery's Ground to do good to miserable Creatures is Meat and Drink to Mercy John 4. 32. I have Meat to eat
that you know not of Vse 3. Of Exhortation First to perishing Sinners make use of the Mercy of Christ whilst you have it now is the acceptable time the day of Grace the Season of Visitation now the Sun shines not only in Sion but on Sodom nay it hath stood still on your Gibeon for a Season Josh 10. 12. 13. O let not Mercy go and leave you in your blood and let you lye in your Graves let not the Sun of the Gospel set on you and leave you in inner Darkness lest outer Darkness shortly seize upon you believe it Mercy seems to be near a Departure it looks as it were about to change Houses to go from Gentiles to Jews from West to East it seems near setting in England in these Western parts of the World Who knows how soon it may arise in the East O Sinners don't you lye a bed in your Security and let Mercy give you the slip O then you that are yet in your blood under Wrath in Danger of Judgment be advised to strike in with Mercy while 't is to be had Isa 55. 6. while divine Bowels yearn towards you weep over you and wait for you O turn in and close with Mercy whiles it's face is unveil'd to you it's Arms open'd to you and before it hath breath'd it's last Breath to you believe the Warnings and Treatnings of Mercy bow and stoop to the Convictions of Mercy receive the Tenders thereof obey it's Counsel and persevere it it's way be perswaded Sinners this day it may be the last time I may beseech you for Mercies sake to turn and live and Oh! how doleful will it be to out-live the day of Mercy and possibility of obtaining Salvation when the Angel of the Lord shall proclaim Time shall be no more Time was but now is past Secondly to all Souls both changed and unchanged if the Lord Jesus be so pityful to you O then be not cruel to your own Souls do not rob cheat and cozen your own Souls deprive them not of your own Mercies Jonah 2. 8. Don't consent to those ways that will rob you of all the Possibilities and Hopes of Salvation O! the sweet Comforts and Pleasures that now you loose for a few dirty Delights Prov. 3. 17. Think on the Substance the tryed Gold the rich Attire that you deprive your Souls of by refusing to hearken to the Counsel of Christ Rev. 3. 18. Don't starve your Souls by feeding on Husks while the bread of Life lies before you this is Cruelty to them indeed Luke 15. 16. 17. Do not wound rend and tare your Souls by cruel Lusts he that sins hateth his own Soul Prov. 15. 32. chap. 29. 24. Math. 16. 26. O the sad Bruises that Sin gives and the desperate Gashes it makes in the Sinners own Soul Isa 1. 6. Prov. 8. 36. Every Sin of thine O carnal wretch is a deadly blow on thy own Soul all thy carnal Pleasures thy merry jesting Words thy Swearing Lying Cheating Oppressing and Covetousness gives new Stabs to thy Heart it would be a barbarous sight to behold one unmercifully wounding another much more to see a person torturing his own Soul do not sell thy immortal Soul for a Lie for that which is not which will not profit in the day of Wrath Rom. 6. 21. Jer. 16. 19. Thus Elijah told Ahab 1 Kings 21. 20. That he sold himself to work Wickedness that is he gave himself wholly to the Service of Sin as a Servant that binds himself over to anothers Business Rom. 6. 16. Thirdly To the Children of Mercy whom the Lord Jesus hath loved and washed in his own Blood you that are chosen called justified sanctified and adopted unto Glory be exhorted First be not hard-hearted to Christ requite not his Pity with Cruelty grieve not his Spirit sadden not his Heart with your sinful and unsutable Walkings before him no Sins make greater Wounds on the Heart of Christ than the Sins of his own Children Eph. 4. 30. O be not cruel to him who is so tender of you do not feed him with Wormwood and Gall who hath feasted you with Joy and Gladness yea with his own Heart blood Secondly Put on Bowels of Pity towards others Col. 3. 12. They that are cruel to others shall find God cruel to them Jam. 2. 13. Thirdly Adventure for God in the way of Duty Psal 5. 7. Psal 23. 6. Psal 25. 10. Fourthly Then let the Consideration of Christ's Mercy comfort you under the World's Cruelty and your greatest Sufferings for Christ Psal 57. 3. Psal 32. 7. 10. Psal 59. 17. CHAP. XIII Wherein is opened the transcendent Humility of Christ ANother part of this total Sum of Christ's personal Treasure consisting in the Sweetness of his Disposition is Fourthly His Humility and Lowliness of mind This is an excellent Vertue and that which the very Heathens have esteemed at a high Rate 't is a rare thing saith Aretius and rare things are excellent Chrysostom calls it the chiefest Vertue the Salt that seasons all other Excellencies and the Beginning of all Good If any saith Austin should ask me what is the chiefest Vertue I should say Humility what is the next Humility what is the next Humility The humble Soul saith Manton is God's second Heaven Isa 57. 15 Of so great a worth is all true Humility in any especially in Persons of Height and Grandure for these to come down and humble themselves is exceeding high and noble O then what is Humility in the high and lofty one in the Lord of Glory and King of Kings and Lord of Lords yet this is part of Christ's Treasure Mat. 11. 29. Learn of me for I am meak and lowly He who best knew himself who is Truth it self and cannot lye hath declared that he is lowly and that not in Carriage and external Shew only but in Heart also O what stupendious wonder is this that so glorious a person as the only begotten Son of God should be lowly in Heart I speak not here of his divine Nature as God though in that respect he is lowly too Isa 57. 15. Though he inhabiteth the highest Heaven yet he dwelleth also in the lowest Heart yea 't is wonderful Condescension in God to behold the things that are in Heaven and Earth Psal 113. 5 6. But I treat here of Christ as Mediator God-man and so he is humble and lowly in Heart which will appear if we consider these particulars First His Humility whilst he was on Earth Secondly His Humility now he is in Heaven His Humility on Earth consists first in his Willingness being God over all and Maker of all to become man his Creature this is strange that the Son of God should be willing to be accounted yea to become the Son of man Heb. 2. 16. He did not take the Nature of Angels upon him but he took on him the Seed of Abraham so vers 14. Forasmuch then as the Children were Partakers of Flesh and
wounds it affords the sweetest Consolations Rom. 15. 4. That we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Ah! There 's no such pure Elixir drops to any as the Gospel drops 'T is the most reviving Spirits imaginable the water of Life that come through the Gospel O how reviving how chearing are these to drooping Souls The Gospel is the power of God to Salvation Rom. 1. 16. 'T is the arm of God to stay up the poor sinking Soul 'T is the Weapons of our Warfare which are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds 2 Cor. 10. 4. O Souls what cause have you then to be much affected with the Love of God in giving the Gospel get your hearts warm'd with the sense of this mercy and more appreciative thoughts of these priviledges O I know not how to commend it to you O Souls prize the Gospel rate it in your esteem above the whole World Psa 119. 167. My Soul hath kept thy Testimonies and I love them exceedingly O rest not till you can say so I love the Gospel exceedingly I prize it above gold above tryed gold 'T is better than all treasures ver 72. Sweeter says David than Hony and the Hony Comb Psa 19. 10. If the Gospel be stuff'd with such Riches who would not prize the Gospel 'T is a rich Cabinet bespangled with beauty in every letter 'T is a discovery of the manifold Wisdom of God and should not you be affected with the Gospel O testifie your valuation of the Gospel by all possible demonstrations First Shew your valuation of the Gospel by blessing God for it O send Clouds of Incense to Heaven full of praises and Hosannahs to God for the Gospel Paul blesseth God that the Phillippians had the Gospel Phil. 1. 3 5. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now As much as to say that you have enjoy'd the Gospel a great while O from your whole hearts bless God for the Gospel 1 Thes 1. 2 5. O I am afraid Christians are not enough in this duty of praising God for the Gospel It deserves solemn days of Thanksgiving Secondly Testifie your valuation of the Gospel by doing all you can to keep it with you A person that prizeth a Jewel or piece of Gold in his hand will hold it fast O Christians if you prize the Gospel you will do all you can to keep the Gospel Pro. 23. 23. Buy the Truth and sell it not Lay out any thing to enjoy the Gospel part with your Lusts part with your Treasures let all go so you may keep the Gospel But then do not sell it O the Gospel is Treasure enough count nothing too dear for it Thirdly Testifie your valuation of the Gospel By your willingness to part with all or any thing if God call you to it for the Gospel Doth God bid you pluck out a right eye cut off a right hand let it go if God call for it Doth he call for your liberty your lives for the Gospels sake let them go Acts 21. 13. O Souls be not like the Gadarens to value your Swine above the Gospel and rather let the Gospel go than part with a little of your Estates Luke 8. 37. Fourthly Christians shew your high esteem of the Gospel by your readiness to attend it at all times To run at every call of the Gospel with Mary to sit at Christs feet though other things be out of order Luke 10. 39 40. Will not you part with a little of your business and let your Plow stand still awhile to attend upon the Ministry of the Gospel O Christians shew your prizings of the Gospel by your willingness to sit down under it at all times Fifthly Shew your high esteem of the Gospel by the greatest improvements of it while you have it Sirs you cannot tell how soon it may be taken from you or you from it you see what attempts are made against the Gospel you have reason then to make the most of it while you have it Christ gives this argument to his hearers to prize it Joh. 12. 35. Yet a little while is the light with you walk while you have the light lest darkness come upon you Be sure at the best 't is but a little time you shall have it if you live out all your time under the Gospel till your glass be run every dust 't is but a little while you shall sit under the dews of this Hermon hill the time of your life is but a little while the time of your digging in this Mine is but a little while Death will draw the Curtain and set you beyond the droppings of these dews and golden Oyls O then improve the Gospel while you have it make the most of it get all the good you can from it by way of illumination instruction Correction Faith and Consolation Christians get your heads and hearts fill'd with this precious substance what you can this will be your wisdom you will find it so when you come to reckoning O fill these Chambers of your Souls with precious treasures lay up those choice fruits that may last you in your Winter Days Get the kowledge of Christ and the unsearchable Riches of Christ more and more while you may come under the news of it O draw hard at these breasts that you may get much food and nourishment for your Souls that may serve you many a day Sixthly Shew your high valuation of the Gospel by your believing in it by your loving and obeying of it Joh. 12. 36. While you have the light believe in the light Those friends we value much we trust much Souls if you value the Gospel you will believe it The Gospel tells you He that hath the Son hath life he that hath not the Son hath not life It tells you he that lives after the flesh shall dye O believe it the Gospel saies If you forsake your evil ways you shall have mercy if you hold fast your sins you shall dye It tells you you cannot come at Salvation but in Salvations wayes O believe the Gospel they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee Psa 9. 10. If you did but know the worth and truth of it you would believe it you may hang all the weight of your Souls upon the Line of the Gospel you may adventure your immortal Souls upon the promises of the Gospel It will bear all your weights then love the Gospel Love the truth and peace Zach. 8. 19. Is the Gospel such a good Messenger that brings you such good news and will you not love it O Souls love the Ministrations of the Gospel And then obey the Gospel If you love Christ indeed you will keep his Commandements Joh. 14. 23. you will obey his voice This argues your esteem of the Gospel when you follow the instructions it gives you Doth God bid you forsake your
your fellows He will make you Kings and Priests to God he will set you in Heavenly places he will seal your title to a Rich Joynture he will make sure your interest to all the Treasures of Heaven He will possesse you with grace and assure you of glory O sinners is not this argument enough to win your Souls and make you willing to accept of such a Majesty as Jesus Christ Eighthly Sinners think upon the greatness of that love tâ—e Lord Jesus Christ bears you He hath good-will towards Men towards sinners as sinners whiles in their blood he hath a love of pity for you 'T is true till you close with Christ he can have no love of acquiescense in you but he hath a love of good-will to your Souls he hath so much love for you as hath made him willing to shed his blood for you his love brought him down from the Fathers Glory made him willing to drink the dregs of a cup of wrath for you the love of Christ to Sinners hath set up a standing Ministery in the World sent forth multitudes to publish glad tidings O Sinners did you but believe this how attractive would it be upon your hearts to draw you to Christ But if none of these arguments will prevail let me adde one consideration more Lastly The effects of your refusing Jesus Christ will be dreadful if you will not accept of this proposal O think what a terrible answer Christ will send you Such shall not taste of his Supper Luke 14. 24. Not a crumb that fall from this Rich Table of Salvation-chear shall fall to the share of that wretched sinner If you will not have his Person you shall not have his purchase He hath sworn in his wrath these shall never enter into his Rest Heb. 3. 11. O sinner were there no other Hell but the loss of Heaven it were enough to break thy heart in pieces O think upon the sad Issue of thy final unbelief When thy sins get over thy head and thy guilt follows thee at thy heels When Death and Hell shall be at thy back and then to call and cry and knock at the door of mercy and not be heard O what a doleful thing will this be When armies of devils are round about thee ready to snatch thy Soul into everlasting burnings and none to relieve thee O fearful will the case of thy Soul be When thou shalt cry O for mercles sake Help Lord I am going to Hell for mercies sake help and then for the Ear of God to be deaf and thou not have one good word and the door be shut against thee O what a dolefull case will this be for tender mercy to cease is miserable But for mercy to become cruel to you O fearful case indeed when tender Bowels shall become Brass and Iron and there shall be no sounding at all in it towards thy Soul O sinner if thou wilt not accept of this Christ he will laugh at thy Calamity and mock when thy Fear cometh Pro. 1. 26. That 's terrible when God shall not only cease to pity but deride thy misery Be assur'd Soul as quiet as now thou art a day of Calamity will come there will come a time of Fears for thy poor Soul and then will mercy it self be turn'd into wrath and laugh at thy Calamity yet further sinner if thou wilt not accept of Christ then will incensed fury send forth its army of destroyers and ruine and cut off thy Soul for ever Mat. 22. 7. Then shalt thou be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of God and from the glory of his Power 2 Thes 1. 8 9. Then shall vengeance glut it self upon thy Soul and seize upon thee in flaming Fire O 't is a dreadful thing to lye at the mercy of vengeance O what will not enraged fury do to its adversaries when it hath them at its power But what will divine vengeance do O sinner when God shall arraign thee at the Bar of Judgment for kicking at the Bowels of mercy for Crowning the head of Christ with thorns and trampling his blood under feet what wilt thou do then O canst thou read this and not shake when thou shalt see Devils round about thee and flaming vengeance take hold of thee But thus it will be Then they that would not let Christ reign over them shall feel Devils rending of them Then they that fled from the Arms of mercy shall fall into the Jaws of fury Then they that shut their ears against the fervent wooings of Christ shall open their hearts to the fiery wrath of Christ Then they that would not get into the bosom of Christ shall lodge in the burnings of Hell Then the Furnace of Hell shall be heated seven times hotter for those whose hearts freezed under the warm beams of Christ's Love Oh dreadful will thy state be Sinner if thou refuse Christ Well sinner take the Counsel given thee kiss the Son Iest he be angry turn in turn in hither reach out thy arms come away to Christ say Lord Jesus I am willingly thine Sinners are you perswaded what answer shall we return to this Lord of Glory Will you be his Will you accept of this grace tendered to you before it breathe its last to you CHAP. XXVI Objections answered Counsels how to come to Christ I shall now endeavour to answer those Objections which are made by doubting Souls against their coming to Christ 1. Objection Says a Soul But will this blessed Potentate this glorious King of Kings stoop so low as to look upon such an obscure Creature such a worthless worm as I am Alas I am too mean to unloose the latchet of his shooes I am too unworthy to be the meanest Servant in his House To be a dog to his Flock And will he cast his skirt over me O do not flatter me into such vain hopes and fond dreams that such a King of Glory will look upon me I am too low for one aspect of his Eye Answ Abundant Testimony hath this Lord given of his condescending heart to sinners Dost thou think thou art too low for such a Majesty When he left his Fathers Kingdom and came down from his Eternal Glory with the Father he gave abundant proof of the humility of his heart when he did espouse thy nature sinner to himself and took upon him the form of a Servant he shewed his humble heart that he was far from contemning sinners He was the true Jacob who served a far harder bondage for thy Soul than ever Jacob did for his Rachâ—l this shews his humility His choosing such mean persons such notorious sinners for his companions in nearest Union and Communiwith himself Matthew the Publican Paul the Blasphemer Poor Fishermen of no regard upon Earth These did Christ personally chuse for his nearest Converses this shews his condescension And 't is not thy low state sinner can discourage Christ if thy heart be really willing His