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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A64959 The day of grace in which the chief of sinners may be turn'd and healed / by Nathanael Vincent. Vincent, Nathanael, 1639?-1697. 1669 (1669) Wing V406; ESTC R26347 73,032 192

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the world are blind As Moses speaks they are void of counsel neither have they any understanding in them they are not wise to consider their latter end Deut. 32. 28 29. nor the worth of that gracious season in which alone preparation can be made for it And shall we write after the Coppies which a company of fools set us Shall we follow the blind that quickly will fall into the ditch and have not eyes to see their danger 2. The most are unbelieving a froward generation children in whom there is no faith and from this root of infidelity doth spring their prodigallity of the day of Grace Did they indeed believe that death will not make an end of them but that after this is finished another life will follow either of the greatest joy or of as great sorrow and that joy or sorrow in the next world will be their lot according as the present season is or is not improved certainly they would be more sparing of that which is so precious Oh the secret paganisme that is in the hearts of multitudes they live as if Eternity were a fiction and Hell a fable but will it be thought a fable when they feel the tortures of it And what shall we tread in the steps of such Infidels No we are to follow not the unbelief but the faith of others Heb. 13. 7. Whose faith follow considering the end of the●r conversation 3. Are not many who are such spend-thrifts of this Day of Grace self-condemned How often doth Conscience reproach them for their spiritual sloth and 't is very unreasonable to go in that way which they themselves do frequently condemn themselves for Idleness is is a sin which leaves behind it a great deal of regret and dissatisfaction in the heart 't is common for the slothful to hear a voice behind them saying Time is a treasure that ought not to be thus foolishly and to no purpose wasted USE III. Of Exhortation Let me perswade all to a serious improvement of this day of their gracious visitation The Arguments to prevail are these 1. This day is continually passing Your glass is running every moment whether you sleep or wake are in company or alone are vain or serious do pray or sin it never stands still And when once your glass is run 't will never be turn'd again but taken down immediately Your dayes are but an hand-breadth and whether of this hand-breadth there be an inch remaining is a question Time is not unfitly pictur'd with wings because it flies so fast away and bald behind because you cannot catch hold of it to pull it back The best part of this day is usually at first if we seek unto the Almighty betimes Job 8. 5. we are the more sure to find him and this should engage you to a more speedy trading with this precious talent 2. You all must be reckoned with how you have husbanded this gracious season Oh what a case will the slothful soul be in when death gives him a summons and he hears that word Render an account of thy stewardship for thou mayst be no longer steward Conscience must needs very much amaze the sinner when it shall before the Judge bring in such Indictments as these against him So much of this day of savation was spent in immoderate recreations So much in carnal and ungodly company So much in eager pursuing after the deceitful riches and pleasures of this world So much in making provision for the flesh that the vile and base lusts of it might be fulfilled So much in proud and towring imaginations So much in amorous and filthy musings So much in vain and rotten communication So much in Taverns and Ale-houses and in the Harlots habitations So much in tricking and adorning the body And Christ and the soul were all the mean while neglected and forgotten Often ask thy self this question Do I spend my Day of Grace after such a manner as I may account for it at last with comfort Such thoughts would make you serious 3. Let the diligence of the earthly minded in improving the worlds day shame you out of your idleness in this day of salvation If the greedy tradesman hears of an excellent b●rg●m what madness doth he count it to neglect the season wherein he may have it He that is covetous of preferment 't is no sooner offer'd then accepted Oh say such We must catch occasion by the fore-lock we may never have the like again Alas that men should be so wise in trifles and such fools in the greatest matters Now is the time of preferment you may be advanced to the dignity of Children and Heirs of God Now is the time to grow rich towards God to lay up such a treasure ' that will never fail that none can take away from you 4. Let the apprehensions which others have of this Day of Grace be consider'd by you Here I shall bring several Speakers upon the Stage delivering what their judgments and thoughts are 1. Hearken to the awakened Soul whose eyes are newly forced open by the Spirit Surely I am more brutish then any I have not the understanding of a man Many years I have liv'd and as many I have lust in sin and folly A treasure I have been entrusted with but I have been cheated of it by a deceitful heart a deceitful world and a subtle Serpent I remember opportunities have followed thick one upon another of getting grace but none were laid hold upon There was nothing I slighted more then that which least of all deserv'd my slighting Oh that my past dayes could be again recall'd they should be spent after another fashion But instead of that what cause have I to fear that the Lord may allow no more time since that which he hath allowed hath been so unprofitably consumed 2. Hearken to the serious Christian How great a work have I to do and how short a time to do it in How vast is eternity which depends upon this moment Lord the world is not worth my time and pains in comparison of thy self and that Grace and Glory which thou hast revealed Now is the time to fly from the vengeance of eternal fire and to gain the life that 's ●verlasting and to scape the one and gain the other shall be my lifes main business 3. Hearken to a rouzed sinner just going out of the world Oh! my head doth ake my heart is sick my eyes are dim my breath is short a general trembling seises on me and all do shew that this earthly house of my tabernacle is upon the point of being dissolved And must I now be forced away O my soul to what place art thou removing Hark! I hear a dreadful sound within Conscience speaks language full of horrour Alas Is the sentence now past Cut down the tree that brought forth none but evil fruit Must I go presently to the Bar of God who have nothing but provoked him all my dayes May I not
the whole Covenant shall be made good to them if their unbelief of Gods power and truth be not an hinderance 4. Now in this Day of Grace the great High-priest stands ready to intercede for us Never any sincerely begg'd for pardon and for grace but Christ pray'd that Prayer over again and a gracious return was made to it The Spirit also is ready to help infirmities to fill our hearts with such desires as shall be surely satisfied and truly we have to do with a God who of the best things which are most needful most desirable is alwayes most liberal Now are the mollia fandi tempora the times to speak and speed but when this gracious season is gone ah then the loudest cries will be in vain God will hear Christ will intercede the Spirit help no more 4. Another priviledge of the Day of Grace is this That now the way is open to the Kingdom As you may come to the Throne of Grace so 't is possible to get into the Throne of Glory Rev. 3. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my Throne even as I overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne Our Lord doth stand as it were with a Crown of Life in his hand and sayes Believe in me and continue faithful to the death and this Crown shall be put upon your heads The Kingdom is offered and the sure way to the Kingdom is revealed Life and Immortality are brought to light by the Gospel that is such a blessed and glorious life as will never by death have a period and if you cease to do evil learn to do well and patiently continue in well-doing this eternal life shall assuredly be given you The foolish Virgins had a Day o● Grace as well as the wise The Bridegroom came and the door was open i● they had been ready they might have entred but having lost the opportunity they knocked at last but it was too late the door was shut and they were sent away with I know you not Matth. 25. We read of a Ladder that reached from earth to heaven now there is a possibility of climbing up thither But there is no Ladder that reaches from hell to heaven If this present day of salvation be lost salvation it self also will be lost for ever 5. Another priviledge of the Day of Grace is this That during this season the state of the wicked is not unalterable 'T is true the Holy Ghost expresly sayes that impenitent and unbelieving ones are condemn'd already Joh. 3. 18. Sentence of condemnation is past but it may be repealed if they at last are brought to mourn for their rejecting of a Saviour and with their hearts believe in the Name of the only begotten Son of God the consequent of this faith will be freedom from condemnation Rom. 8. 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit There was condemnation heretofore to them as well as to others but now there is none for they are in Christ and shew it by renouncing the lusts and works of the flesh and giving themselves up to the Spirits guidance They whom sin hath set at a great distance from Christ are called to come to him and while this Day of Grace lasts that word holds good I will in no wise cast out But when this day is done then 't will be I will in no wise receive The Lamb himself then will be full of wrath and that 's dreadful The Lamb can pacifie the anger of God but who can appease the Lambs anger When the only Reconciler is himself irreconcileable when the only Intercessour is inexorable when the only Saviour punisheth with everlasting destruction what hope of help remains then But as yet 't is possible for Rebels to obtain a pardon and to be made children Though thou hast sinn'd thy self near to hell yet thou hast not sinn'd thy self into hell Though sin hath abounded if thou art brought by the entring of the Law to a sence how thy offences have abounded Grace will much more abound Rom. 5. 20. The Lord hath turn'd and chang'd as bad as the worst of you and that which hath been done may be done again since his hand is as mighty to save and his Grace as free as ever I have done with the priviledges of this Day of Grace In the third place follow the properties of it which are these 1. This Day of Grace is uncertain as to its duration 't is more uncertain then the day of life for that may end before this doth Nay the Day of Grace may be past while the very means of Grace continue The acceptable time was pass'd with the Jews when the Prophet was sent to preach among them Hark what a sad Commission he had Isa 6. 9 10. Go make the heart of this people fat make their ears heavy and shut their eyes lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and convert and be healed 'T is dreadful when the Word shall make the ear more deaf and the Light the eye more blind and awakening means the heart more gross and stupid The Sons of Eli had outstood their day and yet after this their Father admonishes them and endeavours to reclaim them They were lascivious and made themselves vile and Eli said 'T is no good report I hear of you my sons ye make the Lords people to transgress If one man sin against another the Judge shall judge him but if a man sin against the Lord who shall intreat for him Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their Father because the Lord would slay them When Drunkards Sorcerers Liars Whoremongers Worldlings are reproved often and will not hearken who knows but the season of mercy may be ended and the Lord intends to slay them to damn them And if at the hearing of this they are unconcern'd there is greater cause to fear though we cannot absolutely conclude that 't is so indeed The day of grace is uncertain the means of grace may be before you are aware removed The golden Candlestick doth not stand so fast in any place as that 't is impossible it should be took away Tremble at that threatning uttered to the Church of Ephesus Rev. 2. 5. I will come unto thee quickly and remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent And although Ordinances remain a blessing may be withheld from them Thou doest not know but every call may be the last time of asking and Christ may for ever after hold his peace and therefore presently give consent to be espoused to him thou dost not know but that every motion of the Spirit may have his last striving with thee and if thou still resistest the Spirit may take his leave and say Foolish Soul go on in sin go on to hell I will not strive any more to