THE Accepted TIME AND DAY of Salvation c. OR SINNERS Flee from the Wrath to come 2 Cor. 6. part of Verse 2. Behold now is the Accepted Time behold now is the Day of Salvation By Robert Russel 〈◊〉 Printed by Robert Sanders One of His Majesties Printers Printed for John Crosby ANNO DOM. 1700. THE Accepted Time AND Day of Salvation c. 2 Cor 6. part of Ver. 2. Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the Day of Salvation THE Occasion of these Words may be taken from the Words immediately before the Text which were the â—ord's own Words spoken by the Mouth of the Prophet Isaiah 49.8 Saying I have heard thâ—e in a time accepted and in a Day of â—alvation have I helped thee Oâ— as it is in he words before the Text in a Day of Salvation have I succoured thee And from thenâ— the Apostle takes occasion to shew theâ— when that Accepted Time and Day of Salvation is wherein God hears us and accepts us and that he doth here in the words of mâ—â— Text Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the Day of Salvation From these words I shall gather this general Observation That the only Time to make our Peacâ— with God and thereby to obtain Meâ—cy and Salvation is now this preser Season of Grace or the time present the only Acceptable Time For Bâ—â— hold now is the accepted Time Behold now is the Day of Salvation The Text affords us these two General Parts First Here is a double Note of Attention Behold Behold Secondly Here is the Subject matter to Behold that is Now is the accepted Time and now is the Day of Salvation First Here is a double Note of Attention Behold Behold Now to behold a thing is take great notice of it to observe it and mind it and we may be sure that whensoever we are called upon to behold a thinâ— it must be something of very great Concerâ— there are many things that are not worâ— beholding For if you mind it you may â—nd in the Scriptures that when any thing is mentioned that is of greater Concernment than others it is alwayes brought in with this Note Behold As James 3.12 Behold and see if there be any Sorrow like unto my Sorrow A Matter of very great Concernment So John 1.29 Behold the Lamb of GOD that taketh away the sins of the World And many others Now there cannot be a Matter of greater Concernment than this in my Text That now is the accepted Time and now is the Day of Salvation A thing which concerns our winning or losing of Heaven for ever â— thing which concerns our everlasting Peace â—r our everlasting Woe that now is the Time that if we in earnest seek for Mercy we may have it Now is the Time that if we â—eek and defire Grace Pardon and Salvation we shall be accepted but afterwards â—â—ll our praying crying and intreating will â—e in vain Now what can be more worth our beholding than this This is a Matter which concerns our selves and it is of the greatest Concernment in the VVorld therefore this requires a double Note of Attention to put us in mind of it Behold behold And so I pass Secondly from the Note Behold to the second General Head the Subject Matter to be behold and that also is double Behold now it the accepted time behold now is the day of salvation Now theâ— the Accepted Time and the Day of Salvation are two several VVords yet in Sence the are one and the same For the Accepted Time is our Day of Salvation and our Day of Salvation is the Accepted Time wherein if wâ— unfeignedly seek the LORD and turn tâ—â— him by true Repentance we shall be surâ—â—â—â—o be accepted pardoned and saved For Behold now is the accepted time behold noâ— is the day of salvation Now in my further Prosecution of thâ— Subject I shall proceed after this manner First I shall shew you That with us therâ— is such a Time as an Accepted Time and Dâ—â— of Salvation Secondly I shall shew you the Season wheâ— this Accepted Time and Day of Salvation is Thirdly The Reason of it And Lastly The Application I shall begin with the First and shew you That with us there is such a Time and Day of Salvation And that First in respect â—â— the fallen Angels who never had such Season allocced them Alas they committed but one sin against God and that but onâ—â— in Thought and yet for that one sin the were thrust out of Heaven and reserved under Chains of Darkness unto the dread fuâ—â— Judgement of the Great Day they being once sallen had never a Day of Salvation afforded them they never had one Moment of Time allotted them upon the improvement of which they might have been reserved to Mercy therefore if they should pray and cry and intreat the Lord never so earnestly that he would forgive them that one sin and restore them once more to Mercy yet they shall never be regarded Christ suffered not for them there was not one Drop of Blood shed to wash away their sin For he took not upon him the nature of Angels but the seed of Abraham Heb. 6.16 Secondly There is with us such a Time as an Accepted Time and Day of Salvation in opposition to those damned Souls that are already in Hell 'T is true the Deâ—ils being once fallen never had Mercy offered them they never had one Minute of Time afforded them to work out their Salvation whereas these damned VVretches once had Mercy offered them but they despised it they once had a Day of Salvation a Time wherein they might have been accepted Alas They had many a Call from God Time after Time many a secret motion from his Spirit They once heard many a Sermon and enjoyed many a Sabbath many an Ordinance GOD waited upon them Time after Time Year after Year whilst they continued in their Râ—â— bellion against him But alas alas they sinned away all these precious Opportunities all this Time they might have beeâ— accepted if they had turned to God in earnest But lo Now the Day of Grace is concluded the Door of Hope is for ever shaâ—â— against them now they are left in a faâ—â— more miserable Condition than the falleâ— Angels are in for they once had a Goldeâ—â— Season of Grace put into their Hands bâ—â— they wilfully lost it and trifled it away long did God wait and call upon them from one Time to another by his Spirit and bâ—â— his Messengers but they wearied out hiâ— Patience grieved his Spirit despised hâ—â— Messengers abused all his Goodness Alaâ— the Devils will never have such Consideratious as these to torment them as these damned Souls now have Thirdly There is with us such a Time an Accepted Time and Day of Salvation Opposition to what shall be with us here after if we let it slip when we come to Heâ— we shall be in the same miserable Condition that those
if â—t be rightly considered in the Day of their â—isitation GOD called upon them to turn â—om their evil ways and they turned a deaf â—ar and would not regard but afterwards when their Day of Israel was past and the Day â—f their Extremity was come then they called upon God for Mercy and God would not â—egard them it is a common Proverb amongst â—s He that will not whilst he may when he â—ould he shall have may This was the very â—ase of Esau he was a Hunting and following is fleshly Deltghts when God was a calling â—im to Repentance and then afterwards when â—e would have repented he was rejected for â—e found no place for Repentance though â—e sought it carefully with Tears Heb. 12.27 low God may call long upon wicked Men to â—rn and be saved both by his Word and by is Spirit but they will not regard but when â—is their Day of Salvation is ended and they â—ome toly upon their Death-beds O! how they will then cry out Lord pardon me Lord â—â—ve me Mercy Lord Mercy Lord some Merey â—r Christ's sake But God may justly answer â—â—em No Sinner no Mercy to be had I once fered thee Mercy but thou abusest it and seeing thou wouldst not accept of Mercy whilst it waâ— offered thee therefore now the Door of Mercy 〈◊〉 shut against thee for ever Secondly My second Use shall be for Maâ—ter of Encouragement to such who are willing to come in and accept of the Terms oâ— Mercy but yet keep off thro' many Doubâ— and Fears O says one I am afraid my Day of Salvation is past already and if so all my endeavours wâ—â—â— be in vain do what I can I shal never be accepted Answ To answer this I will give you thâ—â— one Mark whereby you may know whethâ—â— your Day of Salvation be past or no Yoâ—â— say you are afraid that your Day of Salvation is past If so that is a good Sign that it 〈◊〉 not past for those with whom their Day 〈◊〉 Grace is past they grow sensless of any suâ—â— Matter Again Do not you find sometime godly Motions stirring in you by the Spirit Do not you find in you sometimes a sorrow for sin after it is committed and a desiâ—â— to leave sin Doth not your Heart some times melt when you hear the Word preacheâ— Have you not some Desire to become a Nâ—â— Creature if so then your day of Salvation is not yet past for those with whom the Dâ—â— of Grace is past they are given over to 〈◊〉 sonfless hard and oâ—durate Heart that is nâ—â— ther moved with Mercies nor terrisied wiâ—â— Judgements and being given over to themselves they run into all kind of wickedness with reediness and as it seems this is not thy â—ase as yet so now up and close with the terms of Mercy whilst thy Day of Salvation 〈◊〉 lengthned out O but saith another it may be I am none of God's Elect and if so then all my Endeavours â—ill be to no purpose Answ Whether a Man be Elected or not â—hat is not in his Power to know and therefore â—e ought not to meddle with it but you must understand that God deerees aright for those whom God hath Elected he hath absolutely Decreed that they shall be Justified Sanctiâ—ed and Saved but those whom God hath Reprobated he hath not absolutely Decreed that they shall be Damned but hath left them to their own Choice as Adam and Eve was and therefore their Damnation is wilfull of themselves but whether you are Elected or not if I may so speak if you repent and be converted you shall be saved if not you shall be damned As many as do perish do not perish because they were not Elected but because they would not use the Means in order to their Salvation O but you will say it may be God will not give me Grace to Repent and without his Grace I can do nothing Answ Know for your Encouragement both you and every one else enjoys a Day Salvation and this Day of Salvation is Time of Assistance as well as a Time of Aâ— ceptance Mark the Promise of Christ Maâ— 7.7 Ask and ye shall have seek and ye shâ—â— find knock and it shall be opened unto you Fâ—â— every one that asketh receiveth and he thâ—â— seeketh findeth and to him that knocket it shall be opened Mark Christ speaks there nothing conce ning Election but every one whoever he bâ— that asketh seeketh and knocketh for Grace Pardon and Mercy and that in Season whill it may be had shall certainly be heard anâ— accepted But then you must be sure to see in Season for seeking out of Season never yâ—â— found Success Now if Esau had but sought Repentance in earnest when God called hiâ— to repent then GOD would have strengtâ—ned and assisted him and also accepted hiâ— but he sought for Repentance when the Season of Repentance was gone and that ruine him for ever Now mark this whatever thâ—â— Decrees of Heaven be concerning you yet you are but willing to leave your sins and dâ—â— heartily desire Grace and Mercy and earnestly seek it by Prayer and Supplication anâ— that in the Season of Grace whilst it is offerâ—â— you theu though you ean do nothing of â—ur selves yet you shal have strength and asâ—ance enough for God will help you Christ â—â—ll help you and the Spirit will help you â—â—u shal have help from Heaven and through â—e Spirit of Christs Strengthing you shal be â—abled to go through with this great Work â—â—d then you shall not only be assisted but alâ—â— accepted and rewarded But then you must â—e sure to seek out in Season in your Day of Salvation for if you seek out of Season all â—our seeking and striving will be in vain Lastly To conclude all with a Word or â—wo of Exhortation Be exhorted as you deâ—ire the Salvation of your Souls to consider â—nd improve this precious Season of Grace and Salvation in working out your Salvation before it be too late O it is most dreadful to consider that GOD hath allotted us but one smal Portion of Time to do all that ever must be done for Eternity and yet it should be squandered away in Vanity and Foolery But Friends whatever you see others do do you in earnest lay hold on this your Day of Salvation before it is gone Seek ye the Lord now whilst he may be found and call upon him whilst he is near And whilst others spend their precious Time in Feasting Riâ—ting and in the Pleasures of the Flesh do you spend your Time in Fasting Praying Repâ—â—ting and Suing out the Pardon of your Siâ—â— and making your Peace with GOD. And 〈◊〉 you thus do then at last when Time shâ—â— cease and be no longer you shall hear thâ—â— blessed Welcome proceed from the Mouthâ—â— Christ Well done thou good and faithfull Seâ—vant enter into the Joy of thy Lord. Whiâ—â— the Lord of his infinite Mercy grant to us aâ—â— Amen FINIS
damned Souls are in that are already there Consider that Man being created in a hely and righteous Estare and wâ— being fallen if God had not found out Way for our Recovery we had been lest miserable a Condition as the fallen Angels â—ere but God of his unspeakable Mercy â—â—oked in tender Love upon lost Mankind â—â—at he gave his dearly beloved Son to suffer and die for us and for his sake he hath â—fforded every one of us a Day of Grace which if we duly improve in turning to God â—n receiving of this his Son as he is offered â—â—ve shall be accepted pardoned and saved â—ut if we squander away this precious Seaâ—â—on in following Vanity and Foolery in saâ—â—fying our Lusts and pleasing our selves â—ntill the Door of Mercy be shut our Damâ—ation will be far more greater than if we never had had such an Opportunity put into â—â—ur Hands That 's the First there is with 〈◊〉 such a Time as an Accepted Time and Day of Salvation Secondly I shall next shew when this Accepted Time and Day of Salvation is that is at is now Now is the accepted time and now is the day of salvation The Apostle doth not speak it in the future Tense that soon after will be an Accepted Time though you contioue in your sins for a while in rebelling against God grieving of his Spirit and proâ—oking him to VVrath yet if you turn to God hereafter you shall be accepted no out he speaks in the Present Tense Behold â—ow is the accepted time now is the Opportunity of Grace put into your Hands when in Heaven is to be won or lost for ever aâ—â— according as you improve this present Sâ—â—â— son of Grace so must your Everlasting Estaâ—â— be in another VVorld All Mankind are a miserable Estâ—ce by Nature and it is no that the Terms of Marcy are offered you aâ—â— an Opportunity of Grace put into your hand O! for the Lords sake do not ruin your Soâ—â— for ever by neglecting so precious an Oâ—portunity Mark what our Saviour saiâ— Mat. 5.25 Agree now with thy Adveâ—â— sary quickly whilst thou art in the way wiâ—â— him lest at any time the Adversary deliverâ—â— thee to the Judge and the Judge delivâ—â— thee to the Officer and thou be cast 〈◊〉 Prison Verily I say unto thee thou shal 〈◊〉 come out thence till thou hast paid the uâ—â— most Farthing Now God is your Adveâ—â— sary for we are all by Nature Enemies God by reason of sin but yet God of 〈◊〉 tender Love hath given us Terms of Recoâ—â— ciliation agree therefore with him quickâ—â— before his Justice hath seized upon thee thou be delivered to the Officer the Devâ—â— and then thou shalt bâ— him be cast into thâ—â— Prison of Hell and there thou mustâ—ly in eâ—â— tream and intolerable Torments untill thâ—â— hast paid the utmost Farthing of Gods Juâ—tice which can never be to all Eternity therefore agree and make your Peace with â—ur God quickly whilst thou art in the way â—â—ith him for now you are in a fair way â—â—ith him to be reconciled for he offers you â—â—erms of Mercy he hath shewed you in his â—Vord by what Means you may come to â—â—ake an Agreement with him he calls uâ—â—on you by his Messengers he entreats you 〈◊〉 Christs stead to be reconciled to him 2 â—or 20. And if God so earnestly desire our 〈◊〉 conciliation with him in what a sair way â—â—re we then with God to be reconciled But â—â—ontinue in your unconverted Estate and in â—â—our Enmity against God a little longer unâ—â—â—il the season of Grace be at an endâ— and God â—â—ath shut against you the Door of Mercy then â—â—od and you will be unreconciliable for eâ—â—er then ail your Prayers and Tears and â—â—ndeavours shall never be accepted then â—â—othing remains but to the Prisen of Hell â—â—ou must be cast there to remain for ever â—â—nd ever Therefore as Eliphâ—â— said to Job â—â—o say I to you Job 22.21 Acquaint now thy â—â—â—elf with him and be at peace thereby good shall â—â—vieme unto thee For behold now is the time â—â—hat thou mayest be accepted but more â—arâ—cular to shew you when this Accepted Time â—â—â—d Day of Salvation is it is now in this â—â—â—fe for there is no making our Peace with God after Death therefore saith Solomon Eccles 9.10 Whatsoever thy hand finde to do do it with all thy might for the is no work nor device nor knowledge nâ—â— wisdom in the Grave whither thou goeâ—â— Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do whâ—ther it be to repent to close savingly wiâ—â— Christ to get Grace or to strengthen tâ—â— Graces or to secure thy Title toward Heâ—ven O! set about it with all thy might aâ—â— main for there is none of this to be doâ—â— in the Grave whether we are all hasteâ—ing then Praying Opportunities Sermâ—â— Opportunities Sacrament Opportunitieâ—â— Sabbath Opportunities will all be at an enâ—â— Now if yet you are in your unconverted 〈◊〉 state and yet under the wrath of God noâ—â— through Gods Grace you may be converted if yet you are Enemies to God you may 〈◊〉 reconciled if yet you are in your sins yâ—â—â— may be pardoned if yet you are in the 〈◊〉 state of Damnation you may be brought 〈◊〉 an Estate of Salvation But when once Deaâ—â— hath shâ—t your Eyes then your condition wâ—â—â— be unalterable for everâ— I must work the woâ—â— of him that sent me whilst it is to day I for 〈◊〉 night cometh when no Man can work But yet though the Time of this Life 〈◊〉 the Accepted Time and Day of Salvation 〈◊〉 every time of a Mans Life may not be an aâ—cepted Time with him for with some Meâ—◠〈◊〉 Day of Salvation lasteth all their Life â—â—ng and with some it doth not Therefore â—â—ell may the Prophet cry out Isa 55.6 â—â—ek ye the Lord whilst he may be found call â—â—on him whilst he is near for there may come time even in the time of this Life that the â—â—â—rd will not be found though he be sought ever so diligently As Esau because he neâ—ected the Season of his Repentance he afâ—rwards sought Repentance carefully with â—â—ears even long before the Day of his Death â—â—ut he could not find it Heb. 12.17 'T is true as long as there is Life there is â—ope there is Hope so long as a Man is on â—â—is side Hell and the time of life is comâ—only called the Day of Grace not because â—â—e Day of Grace continues all a mans Life â—â—ng but because it is bounded within the â—ompass of a mans Life Now because eveâ—y time of a mans Life may not be an accepted â—â—me I shall therefore shew you some cerâ—ain Seasons of a mans Life which if he have â—ut wildom to know them and grace to imâ—rove them he shall be sure to be accepted shall but little more than name them First The time of Youth is the accepted â—me Remember now thy Creator in the days of â—â—y Youth says Solomon
Eccles 12.1 O Friends you turn to God and in time close with â—hrist and seek for Pardon and Mercy now whilst you are Young you shall surely be â—â— cepted For saith God to his People Israâ— Jer. 2.2 I have expected the kindness of 〈◊〉 Youth Some young People I have sometime looked upon as the happiest People in tâ—â— World because we may be sure their seasâ—â— of Grace is not gone the present time the Day of Salvation the Lord give theâ— Grace to improve it To see young Bâ—â— and Girls give themselves to studying 〈◊〉 Scripture to Praying and crying after Chriâ—â— Grace and Mercy Oh! it is the rarest sigâ—â— in the world whoever the door of Mercyâ—â— shut against it shal certainly be open to the 〈◊〉 Secondly The Time of Health Streng is the accepted time In the old Law thâ—â— which was offered up in Sacrifice which wâ—â— torn bliod or lame was not accepted Tâ—â— shews that those who spend the best of the days and strength in the work of the Devâ—â— then thinks to give up themselves to Goâ— when sickness lameness and feeble old Aâ—â— comes must never look to be accepted Gâ—â— will not be turned off with the Devils leaving Thirdly The Time of the Gospel is the 〈◊〉 cepted time Praying Opportunities Seâ—mâ—â— Opportunities Sacrament Opportunities Sabbath Opportunities these are seasons Salvation for we know not how soon Gâ—â— may remove our Candleftick our of his plaâ—â—â— â—nd take from us the Means of Grace and â—â—en the Opportunities of Grace will be also 〈◊〉 an end Fourthly and Lastly The Time of Gods â—pirits working and striving in the hearts of â—â—icked Men is the accepted time and they â—â—at obey the Calls of Gods Spirit when it â—â—rives shall be sure to be accepted let it be 〈◊〉 what time soever whether it be in Youth 〈◊〉 old Age though the Spirit hath its Goâ—â—gs and Comings yet some it doth not give â—â—ver to their old Age or to their Dying day â—â—nd some it doth Gods Spirit is compared â—â—â—o Noahs Dove which Noah sent out of the â—â—rk and it returned to him again and then â—gain But when he sent the Dove out the â—â—ird time the Dove never returned to him â—â—ore so the Spirit of God hath its Goings â—â—nd Comings it comes a one time into the â—â—eart of a sinner and secretly calls upon him â—â—o repent and become a new Creature But â—his sinner it may be stifles these good moâ—â—ons quenches the Spirit and continues still â—â—n his sinfull course of Life then it may be â—he Spirit departs and after a while comes â—gain and finding the sinner the same still â—â—e departs and then comes again and again â—â—nd at last the Spirit being often resisted â—â—nd grieved he is provoked finally to depart â—â—nd never to trouble him more and then Grace is departed and he is immedily delivered up to a hard Heart and a repâ—bate Mind that shall never repent And whâ—â— once he is brought to that pass then all â—â— Sermons and all the Prayers in the VVorâ— will never do him any good O! therefore have a care of quenching and grieving â—â— Holy Spirit of God when it secretly stirs aâ—â— works in your Hearts but be carefull to 〈◊〉 bey its motions lest the Spirit being grieve withdraw it self finally and never retuâ—â— more and then your accepted time and â—â— of salvation will be at an end Now considâ— all this if you are yet in your Youth aâ—â— strength and enjoy the Ordinances of Goâ—â— and the Means of Grace and the secret Oâ—â— rations of Gods Spirit and then behold aâ—â— again Behold that now is the accepted time aâ—â— now is the day of salvation Now with us the is such a time as an accepted time and daâ— salvation and that for these two Reasons will but just name them First That thereby the Saints might haâ— occasion for ever to magnifie the free Graâ—â— of God that he hath not left them to perâ— in their miserable Estate but hath offter them Terms of Mercy and hath put an 〈◊〉 portunity of Salvation into their Hands aâ—â— hath given them Grace to improve it Secondly That thereby the wicked may be left without Excuse for there is never a damâ—ed Soul in Hell that can plead this that they never had a Day of Grace O it would be a great lessening of their Torments if they â—ould plead so Alas there was never a man â—or woman since the creation of the world â—ut hath had a Season of Grace there was â—ever none yet ever lived be their lives short â—â—r long but before they die they have Mercy â—ffered them and an acceptable Time to â—eek it in therefore the Wicked shall be â—eft without Excuse nay 't will add much â—â— their Torments to consider that they once â—ad a Season of Grace and Salvation and yet â—ilfully lost it O let every one therefore â—oth small and great behold and cousider â—hat now is the Accepted Time and now is the â—ay of Salvation THE APPLICATION THE first Use that I shall make of this shall be a Use of Terror to all such as â—nder and trisle away this Precious Season Grace and Salvation Friends you have â—ard that God's Spirit will not always strive â—â—th Man God is not bound to wait all a â—â—s Life long if God continue waiting from time to another from one Year to another from one Sabbath to another and yeâ— you turn a deaf Ear to his Calls and slight all his Warnings and will go on resolutely and presumptuously in your sins consider God will at last be weary of waiting his Patience will be at last tired out and theâ— just as you have served God in your Day 〈◊〉 Grace so God will serve you when his Dâ—â— of VVrath and Vengeance comes O read aâ—â— tremble in that dreadful place of Scripturâ— Prov. 1.2 to the end Mark there how loâ—ingly GOD expostulates with wicked Meâ— saying How long ye simple ones will ye love siâ—plicity and ye scorners delight in scorning aâ—â— ye sools hate knowledge And then see his loing Call and Invitation ver 23. Turn youâ— my reproof And also his gracious Promise behold I will pour out my Spirit into you I â—â— make known my words unto you But yet all â—â— loving Expostulation Invitation and Promâ— would prevail nothing with them they woâ—â— run on in their evil courses for all that the fore see what GOD saith to them now 24. Because I have called and ye refused I hâ—â—â— stretched out my hand and no Man regarded ye have set at naught my counsels and would of my reprooâ—s I who will laugh at your calaâ—ty and will mock when your fear cometh 〈◊〉 fear cometh as a whirlwind when destruâ—â— and anguish cometh upon them then shall all upon me but I will not answer then shal they â—eek me early but they shall not find me in that they hated knowledge and did not chuse the fear â—f the Lord. A most dreadful Text this is