niggardliness unto inconsiderateness of the worth fearlesness of the loss of my pretious Soul caring more for the Body then it or others not troubled for such as are negligent poisoners murderers of theirs Not sufficiently convinced of humbled for the corruption of my nature mind conscience will affections of the evil of sin and lying under the wrath of God hiding excusing lessening of not making that narrow search after not being grieved for my sins in any proportion to their multitude and greatness as considering that wretched injustice follie and unkindness I have expressed by them loving darkness hating the light receiving the grace of God in vain turning it into wantonness crucifying the Son of God afresh tempting grieving the Holy Spirit hardly forsaking my beloved sin for thy sake who hast freely given thy only Sow for mine That carefulness that clearing of my self that indignation that fear that vehement desire that zele that revenge that watchfulness resolving striving against sin improving all advantages for avoiding and subduing it I find not that is wrought in those who sarrow after a godly sort nor applying my self with all earnestness to the onely means of pardon end reconciliation in the Gospel Time and strength would fail me to repeat how oft I am partaker of Family National Church other mens sins by setting an ill example provoking consenting to conniving at countenancing permitting sin where I might correct or hinder it hating my brother in my heart â—y suffering sin upon him Delightful societie with evil doers taking pleasure in the cause of my humiliation to see them pave their way to Hell with their own â—ands making that matter of sport which nothing but the dearest drop of the hearts â—lood of God could expiate laughing â—â—t that which makes damned souls shed â—ivers of tears they shall be damned that â—ave pleasure in unrighteousness By not â—eeking the things of Christ as my own not preferring Jerusalem above my chieâ— joy not having the care of the Church lying upon me My heart trembles noâ— for fear of the Ark nor is my soul vexeâ— from day to day with their unlawfuâ— deeds among whom I live Oh how little do I mourn for the suffering of others for the signs of Gods anger for the sins 〈◊〉 the times when do I go apart and mounâ— for Englands crying abominations or looâ— upon London a sinful Citie and weep ovâ—â— it And oh the infirmities imperfection iniquities of my holy things Oh hoâ— much carelesness unpreparedness impenitency unbelief pride hypocrisie uâ— spiritualness earthliness formalitie slightness deadness heartlesness distraction indisposition weariness want of relish attends my attendance on so great a Majestie Unanswerable walking resting 〈◊〉 the meer outside of duty when I do not eâ—joy Communion with thee in them And dare such a guilty abominable sâ—ner sit down with thee at thy table such Dog that hath so often returned to his wâ—mit go and take that which is so holy such a Swine wallowing in the mire haâ— to do with those precious pearls that hath already so often trampled them under my feet carelesly neglecting or unworthily receiving those holy misteries rather defying them then adoring thee by bringing such troops of my Saviours professed Enemies unrepented sins along with me as if I came not to commemorate but to renew his Passion to crucifie him afresh Oh I have much reason to fear I am guilty of the body and blood of the Lord by earing and drinking unworthily in that I have not hungered and thirsted after nor partaken of it so often as my necessities and opportunities required nor approached it with such a solemn Preparation Examination Humiliation and cleansing the secrets of my heart from all sin nor renewed the Covenant-Conditions Faith and Repentance nor received it with that reverent behaviour and those inward dispositions nor been so especially careful in making good my Covenant Engagements and Resolutions as becomes a worthy Communicant Oh how can such a loathsom wretch go to be entertained by thee in so near a Communion that cannot expect that am below the least good look from thy gracious eye Oh how dare such a vile miscreant presume to drink of the Cup of Blessing who have deserved such a curse from thy hand as that thou shouldest hurry me to thy Bar of Justice and not admit me to the Seals of the Covenant of Grace to be covered with shame and confusion of face while thy Children come with boldness and present themselves before thee array'd in the righteousness of thy Son whilst they are lifting up their heads with joy knowing the time of celebrating their Redemption draweth nigh I may be hiding my self in the Dens and Rocks of the Mountains saying fall on me and hide me from the face of him that sits upon the Throne Dragged away by cursed Fiends to the place of Torment with hideous scrieks to an innumerable company of Devils and Damned Souls instead of going to the house of God the assembly of his people with the voice of joy and gladness with a multitude that keep holy day While the Sun of Righteousness arises with healing in his wings unto those that fear thy name thy wrath may burn against me as fire and consume me as stubble The day of joy and gladness feasting and rejoycing sacrifice attonement to thy sincere servants may be a day of wrath and trouble darkness and gloominess distress and desolation to me while they with joy of heart are saying come let us go unto the house of the Lord oh our feet shall stand within thy Gates O Sion thy Courts O God! I the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand In stead of holding out to me the golden Scepter thou mightest break me with a Rod of Iron and dash me in pieces like a Potter's vessel while they are rejoycing and giving honour to thee at the Supper I might lie under the wrath of the Lamb lifting up mine eyes in Hell begging a drop of water to cool my tongue I might see them sit down with the King at his table and my self thrust out into that place where is nothing but weeping wailing and gnashing of teeth Thou art ready to entertain those that are bidden but I am not worthy for making light of thy provision and invitation preferring the things of the world before it thou mayest justly say I shall never tast of thy Supper or if I go it might be not for the better but for the worse I might meet with a frown instead of a smile a blow a breach a curse instead of a blessing Thou mayest in stead of bread give me a stone for the Cup of the New Testment a Cup of wrath and Trembling Thou mayst turn my heart into a stone instead of turing my heart of stone into an heart of flesh The bread of life may be to me a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to fall on me and grind me to
passing by so many offences and requirinâ— no satisfaction from us for such insufferable wrongs but transferring the punishment from us unto his own Son whoâ— love also was so great that he woulâ— bear our iniquities that we might be saved Oh how could he chuse a moâ—â— â—â—liging way of Redeeming us that hath â—us displayed the severest Justice and â—ghest Mercy the greatest hatred of sin â—â—e greatest love to sinners since by those â—equalled and unvaluable sufferings to â—hich he delivered up for us that Son â—ho is so near unto him that he is one â—ith him at once manifesting both how â—uch he hated sin which he so heavily â—nished in the person he most loved â—â—d how much he loved sinners by giâ—â—ng up what he so loved for a ransom 〈◊〉 those that were guilty of what he so â—â—ted And oh the miracle the amazing â—odigic of this Love that Heaven â—ould so condescend to Earth and that â—an should be so united to God! that â—â—od should dwell in flesh and that this â—sh should be our food That the Son of â—od should love us better then his life and 〈◊〉 the meat of Worms of Sinners of Eneâ—es that he should make himself preâ—nt to our Faith and as if he would do â—â—re then die for us desires to live for â—â—er in us and to be united to us Was â—â—er kindness like unto this was ever â—â—ch a furnace of love burning in any â—east can any heart freeze over such a fire Oh! who can abide the heat of thâ— love who can dwell in such flames aâ—â— not be consumed who can abide in 〈◊〉 great sense of this love and abide in thâ— body what instances can parallel whâ— words can be expressive what apprâ—hensions can commemorate what râ—ptures can be sufficient for the admiratioâ— of this so infinite love Be thou swâ—â— lowed up O my Soul in this depth 〈◊〉 Divine love and hate to spend thy though any more upon other things that hast suâ—â— a Saviour to take them up Oh! I shake I tremble am altogether confounded 〈◊〉 the approach of so great guest The Minister coming towards him Lord I am not wâ—â— thy that thou shouldest come under 〈◊〉 roof or to eat the crums that fall froâ— my own much less thy Table Oh wâ—â— am I that I should dare with my orignally actually desiled hands to receiâ—â— those high those holy Mysteries thâ— thou desirest to to come unto me be eâ—tertained by me what findest thou 〈◊〉 me that so much delights and invites thâ— to me art thou ignorant of my mâ—â—vile beginning and original I am not â—heruhim Seraphim or of the number of â—hat Celestial Hierarchy but dust and shes polluted dust and ashes Lord â—â—adst thou rather be at another mans â—cuse with dishonour then at thy own â—ith honour or if thou hast no respect â—o thine own honour if thou castest under â—ot all praise and renown if thou takest â—nto thee every vile sinner yet hast thou â—o regard to thy Greatness and Majesty Thou knowest my poverty my need my â—mpurity this poor place is a far unâ—eet habitation for thee Whence is this 〈◊〉 me that my Maker my Redeemer â—hould come unto mee thus favour thus â—ignifie me that thou shouldest be so â—elow thy self as to look upon so low so â—ain so miserable a thing as Man such a â—ead Dog as I am Why have I found grace in thy sight that thou shouldest take knowledge of me seeing I am a stranger Lord what am I that thou shouldest remember me be mindful of me visit me â—ast thine eye set thine heart upon me â—ome to marry thy self with me Whence â—omes it that thou who art in Heaven â—mongst them that know so well how to â—ove and serve thee shouldest vouchsafe to descend to me who know little eâ—â—â— but how to offend thee Canst thou 〈◊〉 be content to be without me Did 〈◊〉 meer love draw thee from Heaven 〈◊〉 my sake and give thy self for me to 〈◊〉 deem me from my sins and dost thou sâ—â— give thy self to me to be the strength anâ— health of my Soul As if thou couldâ— never give thy self enough or be neâ—â—â— enough mine Oh how am I astonishâ—â— at this inconceivable love oh that I weâ— able to comprehend it Oh that I had 〈◊〉 thousand hearts to correspond with iâ— oh stay my gracious Lord for the â—â—mcasure of my love till thou hast maâ—â— me able to do nothing else but love theâ— But since thou art pleased to come anâ— offer thy self to me my soul thirsteth 〈◊〉 thee I humbly stretch out my hands uâ—to thee my longing gasping desires aâ— after thee I open my heart with aâ— humble thankfulness to receive thee nâ—ver to be separated from thee for ever 〈◊〉 adhere unto thee Oh enter in and stâ—â— with me satisfie my soul with thy selâ— say This day is Salvation come unto tâ— house Oh be not now offended at thâ— loathsom sights in a soul so sick and dieaâ—eâ— â—ased so full of filth of rottenness and â—orruption into which thou art entering Do not disdain me for those many Malaâ—ies but come and cure me The Bread SEE my soul thy Saviour in the Minister and the benefits that come by â—im in the Bread and Wine believing â—hose with himself are given thee by him â—â—s really as the Elements by his Embassaâ—our saying Take eat this is my Body which is broken for you by Faith reâ—eive apply appropriate me unto thy â—elf This Bread consecrated by me is â—he Sacrament of my Body offered as an Expiatory Sacrifice for you Hereby I â—mpute my righteousness impart my loâ—ing kindness make over and give unâ—o you my whole self God and Man as Mediator in my Blood and Merits Graâ—es and Spirit Virtue and Benefits Obeâ—ience Satisfaction Expiation Doings â—nd Sufferings in all I have am or have â—urchased for you I make yours by gift â—nd you by Faith as truly as if put into your very hand and mouth Mine were the pains the sufferings of Death yours the benefit mine the stripes yours the balm mine the thorns yours the Crown These are the holes in my hands and side the blood that issued from them yours the price mine yours the purchase See here in my wounds your safety in my stripes your healing in my anguish your peace in my Cross your Triumph I came out of my Fathers bosom that thou mightest lie in Abrahams Own me for thy Lord who have thus bought thee out of slavery accept me for thy Redeemer who have paid so dearly for thee follow me in the way I have shewen thee that I may bring thee to him I have reconciled to thee Do this in and for a remembrance of me who what for whom why for what end with what mind I suffered what I have done for yon and am unto you Dear Saviour biddest thou me Remember thee How should I forget thee how can I but remember but celebrate thee But oh that I could more affectionately
more constantly more effectually remember thee With all the passionate affections of a Heart full of love to wholly in love with thee with all zealous desires to glorifie thee with all fervent longings after thee always to remember thee never to forget thee Oh that the fire of love would now kindle and burn in my Soul boil up even run over with love unto thee Oh that I had the flames of a Seraphim the voice of an Angel to sing thy praise Oh that I could go out of my self when I remember thee and never think of thee without an Extasie forget and quit all the world to live upon thee The thoughts of what thou hast done is able to break an heart of Marble with love to turn a Rock into a Fountain of tears to unloose the tongue of the dumb that they may sound forth thy loving kindness Oh after all his foregoing sufferings feest thou him not my Soul fastened to the Cross conflicting with his Fathers wrath groaning under the weight and burthen of our Sins Look how his whole Body is stretched and tentered his Hands and Feet bored through his precious Blood trickles down and how miserably the Thorns pierce his holy Head See how his Looks are changed his Cheeks pale his Bloud going his Neck too weak to support his Head which lies a dying on his bleeding Breast Look how he shakes and stirs his dying Limbs what gasps and sighs he fetches as if his Soul was strugling to get out Hear you not his dying groans the taunts of the Jews yea the groans of the Earth under the weight of his Cross See the Sun blushing under a veil of darkness to behold the Son of Righteousness under an Eclipse Can oh can my bosom hold now I see the innocent Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world a bleeding Victim on the purple Alter of Death This this my Soul might have been the day that thou mightest have been the Malefactor and have drunk the cup of the fierceness of Gods wrath but there is he that hath done it for thee He harboured no grief of his own but is acquainted with the just and deadly griefs of others he takes our sorrows on him to bestow upon us his joy he sorrows for us that hath neither cause nor likelihood to sorrow for himself What but Gods implacable vengeance could inflict What but his all-sufficient patience could endure What but mans heinous sins deserve such his sad and wrathfull dolors Ah sinful wretches 't is our doings that he suffers our evil but his smart our trespass his punishment His breast is made a large receptable for our cares his back a common prop unto our load he was delivered for our offences he was slain but not for himself he bore our grief and carried our sorrows he was wounded for our trangressions bruised for our iniquities for the transgressions of his people was he smitten Why then are we angry with rail against the Jews and complain not of find no fault with our selves greatlier guilty they were the instruments we the procurers of his sufferings their sins practis'd ours provoked his death we pity his abus'd innocency but think not of our unworthiness and desert bewail the event and redress not the cause we have as great enmity against his Image as they against his Person they grieved him in his Body we in his Spirit and make his wounds bleed afresh he takes it as heinously we should despise him now as that they persecuted him then they were but our Executioners to inflict these punishments our sins deserved and Gods justice imposed on him 'T was thy Sins O my Soul were the associates to crucifie him thy hypocrisie was the kiss that betrayed him thy pride and covetousness the Thorns that crowned him thy oppression and cruelty the nails that pierced him thy unbelief and apostacy the spear that gored him thy Idolatry superstition Juke warmness the knee that mockt him thy contempt of Religion the spittle that defiled him thy anger and bitterness the vinegar and gall that distasted him thy scarlet sins the crimson that dishonoured him my drinking iniquity like water made him drink a Cup of wrath my forsaking my Father made him forsaken of his all the members of his body were objects of such cruelty because mine instruments of iniquity Oh I am the merit of thy sorrow I am the stroke of thy grief I am the fault of thy killing I am the desert of thy death I am the offence of thy revenge I am the grievousness of thy passion I am the cause of thy torment Oh wonderful condition of censure Oh ineffable disposition of the misery the unjust sins and the just is punished the guilty transgresses and the guiltless is stricken the impious offends and the pious condemn'd what the bad deserves the good suffers what the servant perpetrates the Lord pays what man commits God undergoes Whither oh Son of God whither descends thy Humility Whither flameth thy Charity whither proceedeth thy Pity whither encreaseth thy Benignity whither reacheth thy Love whither cometh thy Compassâ—on I have been proud thou hast been humbled I have done unjustly thou art punished I have dealt heinously thou art revengefully smitten I have committed the fault thou art tortured How much do I owe thee most Blessed Redeemer how great is the price thou hast paid for me miserable Sinner Oh I blush to see my Soul so foul and loathsom that nothing less then thy precious blood serves to wash and cleanse it I am confounded to see thee in such a case for us who cared not how vile how base how miserable we were Oh how was that justice injured that could not rest appeased in Punishment but rigour how odious and intolerable is every sin which required no cheaper blood for a Sacrifice then that of the Son of God and which not suffering only but extremity must expiate how heinous was the commission since even the remission was so grievous That made such a breach between God and us as requir'd such sufferings of the Lord of Glory wretch that I am to cost my God so dear I am not worthy for which he should have suffered the least care or trouble much less the torments of Soul and Body And yet what mean I to be so treacherous unto him How have I broken his commands and my vows even since the last Communion Oh can I Kiss the nails hug the spear desire that which is the blood of him that lost his life Can I account that light which made his Soul heavy unto death Can that be my joy which made him a wan of sorrow sweet to me which was so bitter to him shall those sins not be forsaken by me that made him forsaken of God or live in me that would not suffer him to live in the world Oh can I endure my Lord should be evermore disgusted and affronted oh how is my heart provoked and incens'd against ye my
him who hath saved us and called us with an Holy Calling quickened us who were dead in trespasses and sins opened our Eyes bowed our Wills spiritualiz'd our Affections changed us from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God that we might receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by Faith in Jesus Christ To him who forgives our iniquities covers our sins justifies the ungodly healeth all our diseases imputeth not our trespasses but his Righteousness unto us redeemeth our life from death and destruction crowneth us with loving-kindness and tender mercies To him who hath adopted us and looks upon us and provides for us and deals with us as Sons Heirs of God and Coheirs with Christ Fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God To him who hath not lately begun or will suddenly cease is neither inconstant or mutable in his Affections but from everlasting continues and will to eternity persevere immutable in his intentions to do us good that hath delivered doth deliver and will deliver and never leave us nor forsake us To him whom no ingratitude undutifull carriage or disobedience of ours could one minute wholly remove or divert from his steady purpose of caring for us who regards us though we do not attend to him procures our welfare though we neglect his concerns imploys his restless thoughts extends his watchful eye exerts his powerfull arm is always mindfull and busie to do us good watches over us when we sleep remembers us when we forget our selves in whom t is infinite condescension to think of us placed so far beneath his thoughts to value us dust and dirt and inconsiderable nothings not to despise and hate us so really despicable and unworthy To him that is as merciful and gracious as liberal and munificent that not only bestows on us more gifts but pardons us more debts then we live minutes that with infinite patience endures not only our manifold infirmities imperfections but our petulant follies and obstinate perverseness careless neglects wilful miscarriages trecherous infidelities who puts up the exceeding many outrageous affronts injuries and contumelies continually offered to his supreme Majesty by us base worms whom he hath always under his feet and can crush to nothing at his pleasure To him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God his Father a note the Angels cannot sing who have many strains of praise we are unacquainted with To him that is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of his Glory with exceeding great joy To him that vouchsafes us hearts and abilities to wait upon free access unto a constant intercourse and familiar acquaintance with himself to esteem and style us his friends and children to invite us frequently and entertain us so kindly with these incomparable delightful delicacies of spiritual repast with an affection as great as our fare is costly yea to invite us often at our home and if we admit to abide and dwell with us indulging us the enjoyment of that presence wherein the life of all joy and happiness consists and to behold the light of his all-chearing countenance To him who giveth freely and upbraideth no man with former unkindnesses and neglects of his love we are heartily ashamed of who calls us neither very frequently nor over strictly to account who exacts of us no impossibity no difficult burthen or costly return being satisfied with the chearful acceptance of his favours the hearty acknowledgments of his goodness the sincere performance of such duties to which our own welfare comfort advantage rightly apprehended would otherwise abundantly dispose us To him whose Benefits to acknowâ—edge is the greatest Benefit of all to be â—nabled to thank him who deserves our â—â—eatest thanks to be sensible of whose â—eneficence to meditate on whose goodâ—ess to admire whose excellencies to â—elebrate whose praise is Heaven it self â—he life of Angels the quintessence of Joy â—he supreme pitch of Beatitude To him â—hose benefits are immensely great innuâ—â—â—â—ably many inexpressibly good and â—â—recious be Glory Majesty and Dominion â—â—w and for ever And oh thou the blessed Fountain of all â—ercy and goodness Inspire our hearts â—ith thy Heavenly Grace and thereby inâ—ble us rightly to apprehend diligently to â—onsider faithfully to remmeber worthily 〈◊〉 esteem to be thankfully affected with 〈◊〉 render all due acknowledgment praise â—â—ve and thankful obedience for this and 〈◊〉 thy great and manifold favours and â—â—nefits confer'd upon us And blessed 〈◊〉 the Lord God of Israel from everlastâ—â—g to everlasting and blessed be his Gloâ—â—ous name for ever and let the whole â—arth be filled with his Glory and let all 〈◊〉 People say Amen Going Home O How great a Lord hath my Soul entertain'd How glorious a guest doâ—â— thou now harbour How pleasant a Companion how faithful a Friend hast thoâ— now taken in How dear a Husband doâ—â— thou now enjoy Oh the inestimable benefits receiv'd in these high and holy Misteries what am I O Lord or what is iâ— me that thou shouldest do this great honour and Glory unto me and reveal 〈◊〉 thy heart and love which is secret unto others he might have prepared torment but behold priviledges for me I am unworthy to touch the threshold of thâ— house and thou hast taken me to thâ— Table not worthy to stand among thâ— servants and thou hast made me sit witâ— my Saviour not worthy to fall dowâ— before thy foot-stool and thou hast smilâ— upon come in to me and made my heaâ—â— thy Throne while others eat the breaâ— of violence and drink the wine of deceiâ— what am I that I should eat the body anâ— drink the blood of thy own Son I aâ— not worthy to eat the bread of men anâ— thou hast given me the bread of Angels What they admire I have receiv'd whom they adore I have entertain'd their mirror is my meat Christ and they are two I and my Saviour are one oh unspeakable mystery oh incomparable mercy This is he who came from Edom with dyed garments from Bozrah whom we have seen glorious in his apparel travelling in the greatness of his strength returning in triumph from the slaughter and conquest of all his and our enemies mighty to save us from our sins that were mighty to condemn And he hath on his vesture the title is conspicuous and on his thigh the place of strength King of Kings and Lord of Lords Wherefore art thou red in thy apparel and thy garments like him that treadeth the wine fat I have trodden the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of God and of the people there was none with me I have discomfited my peoples enemies and trodden them down like grapes in a wine-press their blood is sprinkled upon my garments and I have stain'd all my garments Oh I beheld his blood streaming down through the
of his Cross by â—im to reconcile all things to himself we â—â—at were sometimes Aliens and Enemies â—ow thou hast reconril'd in the body of his â—â—esh through death to present us holy unâ—â—lameable unreproveable in thy sight â—e who sometimes were far off are made â—igh by the blood of Christ for he is our â—eace our peace-maker who hath made â—oth one broken down the middle wall â—f partition betwen us by whom we have â—â—so now received the Attonement Lord I am in worse than Egyptian â—ondage a captive to Satan a slave 〈◊〉 my Lusts destitute of grace and eveâ—â— good thing But is not here a sufâ—cient price laid down for my ransom â—nd all things pertaining to life and godliâ—ess hath he not obtained eternal reâ—emption for us who came to give who â—â—ve himself a ransom for many for all Hath he not delivered redeemed bought me quite out of the hands-of Justice out of the power of Sin and Satan If while we were yet sinners Christ died for us much more then being now justified by hiâ— Blood shall we be saved from wratâ— through him For Sin he condemned siâ— in the flesh overcame death and destroyed him that had the power of death eveâ— the Devil I beg of thee and rely upon theâ—â—for supplies of my soul-pressing wants grace and peace comfort more love untâ— thee and fear of thee and. I ask no morâ— then what he hath bought for me who hatâ— not onely purchased me with his owâ— blood but all good things by the redundancy of his Merit after satisfactioâ— made unto thee for our debt I have no righteousness of my own but what is as filthy rags but thou haâ— made him to be sin for us who knew 〈◊〉 sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him we are clothed witâ— him and appear in thy sight as parts anâ— portions of himself the fulness of him thâ—â— filleth all in all Oh! impute not thâ— guilt but the merit of his blood unto mâ—â— behold me in him whom thou hast appointed between thee and sinners whose righteousness in every point answers thy Justice and whose sufferings are sufficient to satisfie the penalty of all my sins Oh ballance them against mine iniquities and the excess and proportion of virtue in his obedience against the malignity and unpleasingness of my disobedience they will so far exceed in weight and worth that thou wilt in justice rather pour forth thy mercy upon me and accept me into favour for the one then hold me still in displeasure for the other And oh thou who without grudging bore my burthen when thou stoodst at the Bar of Accusation when thou shalt sit in the seat of Judgment wilt thou stick to seal my pardon Where thy self hath paid the debt thy justice cannot deny to sign the Acquittance nor thy tender love suffer thee to condemn or reject a member of thy body a part of thy self Thou that sufferedst for me here and pleadest for me now cannot forget to be gracious to me then The Law Satan and my sins no only stop my mouth that I cannot plead my own Cause but they plead against me and cry unto thee for vengeance Buâ— is not this Blood as a visible prayer iâ— every wound as so many mouths opeâ— interceding to thee for pardon and mercy for me saying behold the travel 〈◊〉 my Soul the purchase of my blood thâ— fruit of my Agonies for him I wepâ— and sweat bled and dyed he hath sinned but I have satisfied he departeâ— for a season that thou shouldest receive him for ever not as a servant only buâ— brother unto me both in the flesh and in the Lord for mine and thy own sake therefore if thou account me thy beloved Son receive him as my self in whom thou art well-pleased if he have wronged thee or owes thee ought put it on my account I will repay it I will answer for him I Jesus have ratified and confirmed it with my own Blood his surety came not out of Prison untill he had paid the uttermost farthing Behold Oh Lord the bleeding wounds of thy own Son remember how his body was broken think upon his precious blood shed for us let us dye if he hath not made a full satisfaction we desire not to be pardoned if he hath not paid our debt But canst thou behold him and not be well-pleased with us canst thou look upon his body and blood which we present to thee and turn thy face from us Oh let us prevail in the vertue of his Sacrifice for the Graces and Blessings we need Take pity have mercy upon us for his sake whom we now desire to hold up between thy anger and our Souls and hide not thy self from us unless thou canst from him whom we bring with us unto thee While we are remembring him at his Table he is remembring us at his Father's right hand I am not only guilty but polluted sin hath as well defiled as it would damn me But oh remember who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood of virtue and Spirit to purifie me as value and merit to pacifie thee To this Fountain which thou hast set open I bring my polluted Soul and what hinders but that I may wash and be clean be purged from the filth as well as pardon'd for and saved from the guilt of all my sins for the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sins Oh how often is my Soul cast down within me my omissions and Commissions my sins and duties as I perform them discomfort me I am ashamed of and blush to see them my petitions for pardon stand in need of pardon my tears of washing my best performances are provocations and help to fill up the measure of my sins but for the Priest that offers the Altar that sanctifies all my services the sweet incense he offers with our prayers His Priesthood is for ever available and effectual for us Here is wine sweetned with the love of God perfumed with the divine nature that chears the heart of God by way of satisfaction and the heart of Man by way of pacification that makes peace in Heaven and within us and all our Sacrifices wellpleasing unto thee who dealst not with us according to our frailties but state in our Advocate who when he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the Right hand of the Majesty on high and ever lives to make intercession for us If thy grace prevented us before Repentance that we might return shall it not much more prevent Repenting sinners that we may not perish how canst thou but love them that love thee seeing thou loved us when we hated thee Oh my stony unrelenting heart how unaffected am I with my own vileness and thy goodness the evil of sin and excellency of grace the worth of my Soul and death of my Saviour but the blood of Christ is able to soften and
mollifie the most obdurate sinner Oh that I could feel the vertue and power of it dissolving this rock into a fountain of tears a relenting frame a heart of flesh My lusts and Corruptions are many and mighty too strong for me but not for thy self As in the first Adam's sin man died legally so in the second Adam's death sin died virtually He suffered to save his people from their sins that himself and not sin should have dominion over us Shall not that blood mortifie my pride worldliness inordinate affections which shall subdue the whole body of sin shall I reproach or make void his death unto my own Soul or by continuance in sin that brought so great a punishment on so great a person be a greater enemy to him then the Jews were How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein knowing this that our Old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin Oh that I may henceforth find and reckon my self to be dead unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord Oh how am I tempted and assaulted that I am sometimes ready to say I shall one day fall by my spiritual enemies but Faith gives us a share in the victories of Christ having spoyled all Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them as our enemies in on the Cross his triumphant Chariot took away from them all possibility to hurt though they assault us still we are assured of an absolute victory The accuser of the Brethren is cast down which accused them before God day and night and they overcome by the Blood of the Lamb that hath quenched the flames of divine fury and all our enemies are reconciled or subdued Ah my Lord how often doth sin and the world deadden my heart and affections towards thee O how dull how indisposed that I cannot pray with life nor be lively in thy service but this blood was shed to set Prisoners free and is the life of all our duties graces and comforts Oh that its power and efficacy may quicken and enliven me may put vivacity and activity in me that I may pray and hear receive meditate and discourse of spiritual things with freedom and liberty liveliness and chearfulness Oh that I may no more as I have too too often disbelieve or question the promises of this life or that to come For this Blood ratifies and confirms the Covenant of grace not only purchased but assures us of all good things Christ's Will and Testament wherein he hath bequeathed such precious legacies to his people is now of force for a Testament is of force after the Testator is dead Oh how ought it to affect me for the betraying of innocent Blood he was holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners in his hands no wickedness in his heart no sin no guile found in his mouth I and my brethren are guilty but for this spotless Lamb what hath he done and where there is no sin thou inflictest no punishment But he was numbred with the Transgressors surely then the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all for the transgression of my people was he smitten by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities Oh! I take thee at thy word and do believe all my sins with all thine Elects were imputed to our surety and the wages of sin inflicted on him that we might be fully acquitted and discharged I am guilty of many aggravated sins and am the greatest of sinners but with thee is plenteous redemption through Christ Jesus who shed his Blood not because we were Righteous but to make us So of infinite vertue and merit as sufficient for me as if none else were justified or saved by it He is able to save to the utmost all that come unto thee by him Oh how small how imperfect are my Graces how cold my Love how weak my Faith How faint my desires after thee but the least degree of Grace is the fruit of this Blood Oh that I may find it's efficacy perfecting that good work thou hast begun in me from strengh to strength till grace be consummated â—n Glory Through the Blood of the Eternal Covenant make me perfect in every good work to do thy will working in me that which is well-pleasing in thy sight Oh what trifles disturb my charitable affections how interrupted and inconstant my love to those who by one spirit are all baptized into one body but Christ hath reconciled us in one body by the Cross having slain the enmity thereby Oh that henceforth I may be of one heart with his Disciples and love them as he hath loved us Our God is a Consuming Fire which I cannot but dread having so much fuel about me and within me but in thy Son I see flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone who gave himself for us And shall the sentence of thy judgment disannul the merit of his sufferings of his satisfaction Didst thou not punish him that thou mightest spare us is it not as great a necessity of thy Satisfied Justice to spare the sinner as it was of thy offended Justice to punish the sin Thou art not only reconcilable but desirous to become our friend Oh how comfortable are those words of thine to my guilty Soul the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement to the Son his first coming was in the flesh when he took on him our nature his second in the spirit when he imparted unto us of his spirit his third will be in power when he shall communicate to us his glory his first was to redeem his second to comfort his third will be to reward us If we be careful not to offend he will not be extreme to mark what we do amiss He will proceed not according to the Law which requires an absolute obedience without sin and will condemn all that have been guilty of any sin but according to the Gospel which admits of repentance for the forgiveness of sin and will condemn none but the unbelieving and impenitent sinner Damnation is denounced not for breaking the Law but rejecting the Gospel He is faithful because he hath promised and just because his Son hath purchas'd forgiveness The same sentence shall be pronounced as is past already in the Gospel Whosoever be-believes in him shall not perish but have ever-everlasting life Sin hath shut us out of paradise but â—e blood of Christ hath opened the Kingâ—om of Heaven to all believers It gives us â—ere a right and hereafter an admission â—â—rough this Red Sea we enter into the â—eavenly Canaan and for this cause he 〈◊〉 the Mediator of the New Testament â—hat by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under â—he first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance And he that