children Not fashioning our selves according to the former lusts in our ignorance but as he that hath called us is holy so let us be holy in all manner of conversation 1 Pet. 1.13 14 15. O what manner of persons should we be in all holy conversation and godliness It is most reasonable that we should walk in Christ as we have received him both from the rules of ingenuity fidelity and equity 1. It is a rule of an ingenuous man that nothing be done to the prejudice of him from whom we receive nothing but the fairest expressions of favour and kindness God deals with his people in sweet expressions and carriages of condescending love bounty and good-will all his ways are mercy and faithfulness his with drawings or whatever God doth to his people it is for their good Now for any man to walk contrary to God that still goes on to discover more of the riches of his grace to him is to requite evil for good a piece of great disingenuity there is not only rebellion and disobedience but wickedness in it 2. 'T is a rule of fidelity whatever is given to a man to be disposed of upon such and such things and for such ends should be carefully imployed and laid out upon such things and for such ends according to the will of the giver A man may certainly dispose of his own as he pleases Now Christ was not given to us to live as we list or to walk in the vanity of our minds as other Gentiles Ephes. 4.17 Those that have received Christ and do not walk worthy of him do not improve him for mortifying the old man and putting on the new man and for holiness of heart and life they go against the will of him that hath bestowâ—d thâ—s gift upon them 3. 'T is a rule and principle of equity whatsoever we have received from another to occupy we should return it with all possible advantage being intrusted in anothers business an ingenious and just man will labour to advantage him in whose business he is employed as much if not more than his own If we receive this special gift and grace of God and instead of walking answerably we dishonour him by walking contrary to the grace we have received where is justice and ingenuity in this deportment As if a servant be employed in his Masters business he is to use his utmost skill and strength and put to his utmost endeavours to perform his duty exactly So we are servants and whatever we do is our duty Lâ—k 17.10 the stock we have received from another must be faithfully returned to the owner with advantage Mat. 25.27 A servant is not to mind his own advantage and profit but his masters the end why you perform duties and frequent Ordinances must not be meerly to be free from guilt and horrour and to escape Judgment and Hâ—ll that 's but as a servant that works indeed and does his masters business for his own ends but you must eat and drink work and trade pray and hear and all that you do for God and his glory For directions how we must walk in Christ You must walk in Christ as you have received him 1. You received Christ as one that hath taken upon him your nature and sanctified it Ioh. 17.19 and in this respect you should walk in him as those that are sanctified Ephes. 4 20 21 22 23 24. But ye have not so learned Christ c. 1 Thes. 4.4 As you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God so ye would abound more and more for this is the will of God even your sanctification that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour 2. As one that mediates and intercedes for you at the Throne of Grace and ye should be sure to walk in him come to God in this new and living way that your persons and services may be accepted and prayers answered 3. As one to whom you have resigned up your selves as your King and Lord ruler and governour that hath the sole ordering and disposing of you and all your affairs and ways and in this respect you should yield obedience and subjection to his commands and give up your selves wholly to him 4. As one that is your Saviour who is your strength and safety against all enemies and evils whose design and undertaking is to deliver you from the evil of sin Satan and the world in all your fears dangers temptations then you must fly unto him and relye upon him when he hath restored liberty to you captives and slaves you must walk in this liberty and make use of it not to sin but to serve him freely without fear and without distraction 5. As a guide and leader to shew you the way of life and happiness and 't is nothing but reason you should follow him and walk as he walked In a word he is your life and your all and so you should live not to your selves but to him and his praise and glorifie him in soul and body which are his that since he died for all 't is very reasonable that they which believe should not live henceforth to themselves but to him that died for them Rom. 6.22 â—3 Being made free from sin and become servants unto God ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Iesus Christ our Lord. CHRIST The Best MASTER Joh. 13.13 Ye call me Master and Lord and ye say well for so I am 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 VOS me vocantes dicitis magister aâ— domine bene dicitis sum enâ—m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per enallagen as Mark 15.34 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod ponitur Mat. 27.46 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these are put 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Grammarians speak the Nominative for the Vocative case Vel est mutata forma orationis ut hoc dicatur vos compellando me utimur his vocibus magister dominus Unless we read it with Epiphanius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Erasmus translates it Magistrum dominum for saith he it is not usual nor proper to call any thus unless he be present and they speak to him but now Christs Disciples did call him so when he was absent as Ioh. 21.7 This saith Beza is confessed but here the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which may be rendred saintatis vel vocantes me appellatis being here used it may be understood of the common speech wherewith they spoke to Christ when present The Syriack word Rabban and Maran as in Maranatha the Lord cometh 1 Cor. 16.22 soundeth something more Sacred and Divine than ordinarily 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth a teacher of Letters Manners or any Art in relation whereunto they were called Disciples or Learners 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dicitur qui pollet authoritate
wouldest thou not to thy power have done them that thou maist injoy the blessed Son of God for thine How much more then when he only saith Take Jesus Christ as thy Lord and Saviour prize and love him as thy Saviour obey and honour him as thy Lord and he shall be thine for ever do but as much for him as the covetous man does for his wealth as the ambitious man for his honour as the voluptuous man for his belly they give their highest esteem their choicest affections and their greatest service to that which they take for their God their chief good And surely Christ is more worthy hereof and will requite thee best for them 4. Consider how God offers this gift to thee his manner of dealing with thee in this is wonderful he offers Christ most really means what he speaks and most tenderly and affectionately He not only offers Christ to thee but invites thee to him what canst thou desire more in a gift or benefit than to have it heartily offered and be invited to take it He offers Christ without grudging falshood or equivocation with an open heart that he may shew how willing and cordial he is to part with this gift He invites us to take him Rev. 22.17 Let him that is a thirst come and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely Nay he shouts and calls aloud Isa. 55.1 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea come buy wine and milk without money and without price Had he once tendered Christ it had been infinite mercy but to entreat us to accept him to perswade and move us as one that would not be denied that 's admirable 2 Cor. 5.20 We are embassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God And he commands us to receive Christ his Son and makes this the chief and as it were the only thing he requires of us 1 Ioh. 3.23 and inforceth his just command with most severe threatnings Heb. 12.25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven Sometimes he expostulateth with men Wherefore do you spend your money for that which is not bread Isa. 55.2 and adds protestations of his loathness that any soul should perish Why will you dye anger is not in me why should the flame consume the stubble what could I do more what iniquity have ye found in me c He complains and laments most sadly when men neglect and slight this offered gift Why will ye not come to me that ye may have life He came to his own and they received him not John 1.11 O Ierusalem Ierusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not Matt. 23.37 Yea with very vehement passions he bewails and weeps over them that pity not themselves Luke 19.42 If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong to thy peace c. Those tears and mournings over Ierusalem for her hard heart and contempt have been and are still over thee He upbraids men with nothing so much as this and threatens no such woes in all the Scripture as against such as refuse Christ Matt. 11.20 Wo unto thee Chorazin wo unto thee Bethsaida c. Jer. 13.17 Wo unto thee O Ierusalem wilt thou not be made clean when shall it once be He is never so angry with any as with them that despise this love and refuse this offer Luke 14.21 Matt. 22.7 He was very wroth when the invited guests would not come So Mat. 21.40 with those Husbandmen that took his Son and killed him and those Citizens Luke 19.27 that would not have him reign over them are destroyed as enemies And when all this will do no good men will not be perswaded nor allured but hang off and keep at a distance he goes away as it were troubled and wishing it had been better He swears and pawns his life on it that he would not have them perish has no pleasure in their destruction Ezek. 33.11 O that they had hearkened to my commandments then had their peace been as a river and their righteousness as the waves of the sea Isa. 48.18 Psal. 81.11 But my people would not hearken to my voice Israel would none of me O that my people had hearkened unto me and Israel had walked in my ways I would soon have subdued their enemies I would have fed them with the finest of the wheat with honey out of the rock would I have satisfied them O the compassionate pangs of Gods bowels of infinite mercy towards poor sinners O quam stupenda pieatas quam mira Dei dignatio quem regare debuimus ut nos recipere dignaretur ab ipso rogamur ut ad eum venire dignemur It were one would think enough to prevail with us to accept this gift with joy and thankfulness to consider how incomparably excellent the gift it self is But God adds unspeakable benefits with him to draw us to this acceptance as life and favour with God Prov. 8.35 Whoso findeth me findeth life and obtaineth favour of the Lord. Recovery of Gods image freedom from bondage communion with God liberty of will pardon of sin power against sin deliverance from Satan peace and joy adoption of Sons Ioh. 1.12 acceptance of persons and services audience of prayers a sanctified use of comforts and crosses victory over death assurance of heaven the fair inheritance of all things fulness of joy and happiness pleasures for evermore 5. Consider why God offereth Christ unto thee for what end is he thus sollicitous about thine acceptance of this gift do not mistake me nor deceive thy self by thinking that because God out of his infinite pity to his miserable creatures is instant and urgent with them to accept of Christ therefore he hath any need of thee or seeketh his own happiness therein I tell thee if thou hadst no more need of Christ than he hath of thee thou maist let him alone No it 's purely for thy good for thy real and eternal good that he offers his Son to thee He needs thy service no more than he doth the service of the Damned or of the Devils and he knows how to make use of thee for his own glory as he doth of them if thou foolishly reject this offer of his Son to save thee Had he a work to do he needs not thy help he might have made nobler creatures than the present race of mankind to glorifie his Grace and execute his will and have left thee and all Adam's posterity to glorifie his Justice Thy righteousness will not
shall call and knock and it shall not be opened Prov. 1.24 I shall add a word of admonition and serious warning to them who have not yet nor are now resolved to accept this incomparable gift of God and that in the words of the Apostle See that ye refuse not him that speaks from heavâ—n Heb. 12.25 yea that came down from Heaven to seek and save your lost souls Now that Christ is freely offered to you by the Gospel if you set at nought his counsel and make light of his invitations and receive the Grace of God in vain it had been better for you that you had never been born or never heard the Gospel Now that God hath proclaimed terms of peace and shewed himself so unwilling that ye should perish that he gave his only begotten Son for you and to you and exacted nothing from you but acceptance that ye might have in him eternal life If you still refuse this gift and reject this counsel remaining under unbelief it doth exceedingly aggravate your sin and judgment it makes your sin above measure sinful your sin is inexcusable your condemnation unavoidable and your punishment will be intollerable Consider what you do and be wise before it be too late you exceedingly dishonour God undervalue Christ gratifie Satan Sin most inexcusably and undo your selves utterly 1. If you do not receive and improve this gift when offered in the Gospel you do exceedingly dishonour God What greater reproach is there amongst men than to refuse a gift offered freely out of love without any ground motive or occasion from the party that is to have it or deny to accept of an invitation to a great feast or fair estate if intreated and solicited to take it 'T is a sowr unmannerliness and sawcy proud presumption to prescribe on what terms they will have or when they will not be beholding to their superiors 'T is a great dishonour to God that vile sinful dust and ashes will not accept of his gracious offer of his Son If a King should come to a Prisoner condemned by the Law to death and lying in Chains and offer to set him free or put his Son in his stead c. but he so loves his bondage and hugs his chains that he will not be delivered You cast dishonour upon all the gloâ—ious Attributes of God His Truth He that receives Christ gives as much glory to the Truth of God as possibly he can he sets to his seal that God is true Iohn 3.33 But he that receives not this gift believes not God and so makes him who is truth it self a lyar because he believes not the record which God gave of his Son 1 Ioh. 5.10 O what horrid indignity is this to the most faithful God! His Mercy wherein he delights which as it is above all his works so this of bestowing Christ on men is above all his mercies It is no less than spurning at bowels of mercy Rom. 2.4 and despising of riches of goodness His Power 'T is a sad diminution of the glory of his Power and Soveraignty as if he could not do what he hath promised if we accept his offers or what he hath threatned if we refuse it Abraham on the contrary was strong in faith giving glory to God being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able to perform Rom. 4.20 His Wisdom It 's a rejecting the counsel of Heaven and contemning that unconceivable depth of wisdom that contrived a way for Mercy and Justice to meet that his Glory might be advanced and sinning and perishing man might be saved His Justice How great is the affront that sinners offer to his Justice that sinners go on to provoke him with their unbelief and wickedness and as it were dare him to punish them In a word his Infallibleness and Unchangeableness are called in question when his gracious promises are not believed and embraced men judg him a person not fit to be credited The giving of the lye is accounted the greatest injury and disgrace amongst men but especially this is a great injury to God because he stands more upon his word than upon any other part of his name Psal. 138.2 He hath magnified his word above all his name And we have more experience of God making good his word than in any other thing Thus not receiving Christ doth rob God of his declarative glory it rifles his cabinet and takes away his chiefest jewel even that glory which he saith he will not give unto another 2. You do very unworthily slight and undervalue Jesus Christ. When a gift is offered if you deny to accept it you not only dishonour him that offers it but you disparage the gift it self you disesteem it as not worthy your acceptance and is Jesus Christ so worthless and inconsiderable a gift as that thou wilt not take him at the hands of God O horrible ingratitude Be ye astonished O ye heavens for my people have committed two evils ah these two are thousands and millions they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters c. Is it not the voice of Christ in the Gospel Who will have me Who will receive me and is it not the Gospel-quarrel Ye will not come to me that ye may have life Joh. 5.40 'T is the greatest folly to set so low a rate on Christ for he is the sum and substance marrow and worth of the whole word and all the works of God the most excellent glory of all persons and things in the world 1. Survey the Word of God from end to end and you shall find that there is nothing of excellency but what is derived from or reduced unto Christ he is called by one verbum abbreviatum the contracted Word into which all words are reduced as the rivers into the Sea from this word they came unto this word they tend and within this word they are all contained 'T is observed by Ierome that the sum of all knowledg is Divinity the sum of all Divinity is the Scripture for that is sufficient to make the man of God perfect 2 Tim. 3.16 17 and every Christian wise unto Salvation The sum of the Scripture is the Gospel for that is the power of God for the salvation of them that believe Rom. 1.16 and the sum of the Gospel is Christ. For these things i. e. the Gospel were written that you might believe that Iesus Christ is the Son of God and that in believing you might have eternal life Joh. 20.31 If you consider the Old Testament it is nothing else but the vail shadow and promise of Christ observe all the Types the Tree of Life the Ark of Noah the Ladder of Iacob the Mercy-seat the brazen Serpent and all such Mystical Types and Typical figures we read of what are they else but Christ take away the substance and what is the shadow And not only so but even all the men of note Noah Isaac Ioseph Moses Aaron Ioshua Sampson David Solomon
come near Him nor his Ordinances have nothing to do with him Now will any be so stupid as to gratifie his greatest adversary to his own unspeakable prejudice Is it not horrible indignity to Christ monstrous cruelty to the soul to refuse Christ who hath done and suffered so much for him and to be led by Satan captive and blindfold into misery to slight Christs sweet invitations and yield to Satans malicious temptations Satan is that strong man that hath power over all men in nature he keeps his goods in peace in the palace of our hearts and there sports himself in carrying on the design of the souls ruin sometimes by policy sometimes by force he keeps possession Luk. 11.21 22. And wherein can a man more designedly gratifie Satan further his wicked designs and establish his kingdom yea enlarge his dominion than by siding with him against Christ who besiegeth the soul with Ordinances and Providences for Satan knows well enough that Christs rise will be his fall Christs scepter will be his destruction that when Christ a stronger than he comes he will overcome him and take from him all his armour wherein he trusted pull down his strong holds divide the spoils and deliver poor captive man out of prison and slavery O then do not so much gratifie Satan 4. If you refuse Jesus Christ offered in the Gospel you are guilty of the greatest sin and folly that can be Though for most part men think not so of it and accordingly lay it not to heart yet it is the greatest sin the sin of sins and in some sort the only sin of the world Men commonly think murder adultery theft drunkenness to be very hainous sins and so indeed they be but unbelief far worse for it is the mother of these and all other evils Take all the sins that ever were committed against any of Gods just laws and none is like to this no greater sin can be laid to ones charge than to refuse wilfully and trample under foot the Son of God Christ promises to send his Spirit the Comforter into the world and he shall convince the world of sin because they believe not on him Joh. 16.9 he means this sin alone saith Austin as if not believing in the Son of God were the only sin Indeed it is the main and master-sin O beloved little do you think who daily sit under the Ministry unwrought on by the Word of God what a grievous and fearful sin you commit and dreadful guilt you carry home with you in neglecting from day to day so great Salvation in forsaking your own mercy and in judging your selves unworthy of everlasting life when Jesus Christ this most precious gift is offered to you by chusing rather to cleave to a lust than to Christ blessed for ever and rather to wallow in the mire and mud of earthly riches and swinish pleasures than to receive this most pleasant and excellent gift rather to cast away your time in idleness pride worldliness and sensuality than in seeking after this transcendent favour rather make choice of a life made up of drunkenness whoredoms railing at godliness The greatness of this sin appears in this that it is most directly and diametrically opposite to the most fundamental Doctrine and command of the Gospel the primary and principal command of Christ is to believe in Jesus Christ 1 Ioh. 3.23 When the Jaylor being sadly convinced cryed out to the Apostles Sirs what shall I do to be saved they answered him Act. 16.31 Believe in the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Not to believe is accounted by God notorious disobedience and horrid gain saying Rom. 10. ult In the Law God strictly requires obedience to his just precepts Do this and live by doing these things thou shalt save thy self from hell but no man living being able to purchase Heaven at this rate by Christ he takes off this yoke so that if they will but believe on his Son they shall not be condemned by the Law and thus he treats men Since thou canst not fully obey my Law nor satisfie my Justice I 'le give thee my Son who shall do all for thee through whose perfect obedience thy imperfections may be remitted and healed only thou must believe in him and if thou wilt do but this one thing for thy soul all thy sins shall be pardoned thou shalt be received into favour adopted for my Son and in thy obedience to the rest of my commands I 'le accept the will for the deed though thou canst not perform such perfect obedience as thou shouldest yet if thou labour to do what thou canst I 'le help thee with strength from Heaven bear with unallowed infirmities c. 'T is a sin against light and much knowledg a sin against love and special mercies it binds all a mans other sins upon him it puts and keeps him under the guilt of all his sins Infidelitate manente maneat peccatum omne he that lives in unbelief dies in his sins it makes a mans actions though moral and spiritual be sinful be a man never so holy and devout do or suffer never so much none of these nor all nor whatever can be named or imagined God will not be pleased with them for without faith 't is impossible to please God yea 't is a sin that defiles all a mans outward enjoyments and temporal good things To them that are unbelieving nothing is pure wife children house In a word 't is the height and perfection of madness to refuse Christ Quis nisi mentis inops c. Heaven and earth may be astonished Angels and all Creatures may justly stand amazed at this prodigious sottishness and monstrous madness 5. If you refuse Christ you utterly undo your own souls for ever if ye miss of this gift ye must expect nothing but misery here and eternal damnation hereafter For there is no name under heaven by which you can be saved Whatever your formalities be how fair soever ye carry in the eye of the world let your profession be never so plausible 't is Christ alone that can save you If you will accept of the Lord Jesus Christ you are in the suburbs of Heaven there is but a thin wall between you and the land of Praises ye are within an hours sailing of the shore of the new Canaan when death digs a little hole in the wall and takes down the sails you have no more to do but set your foot down in the fairest of created Paradises but if you will not accept of Christ let me tell you the truth you are in the suburbs of Hell there is but the cutting of a small thred and you have your portion with hypocrites and unbelievers 1. By refusing Christ you do no less than put and fix your selves in the state of condemnation Let not this be accounted as a harsh censure of my own head for 't is the Scipture Ioh. 3.18 He that believeth on him is
therefore his Ordinances they are his Gallery where he loves to walk and here if any where you may find him or hear of him enquire in the way he has appointed So the Spouse Cant. 1.7 Tell me O thou whom my soul loveth where thou feedest where thou makest thy flocks to rest at noon for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions Christ presently and lovingly answers If thou know not O thou fairest among women go thy way forth q. d. up and rise and get out sit not still lamenting and crying Lord Lord but go out of your selves by the footsteps of the flock and feed thy kids besides the shepherds tents Qui Christum sine ecclesia quaerit errare fatigari potest in venire non potest saith Bed you may seek long enough c. Cant. 6. begin The Daughters of Ierusalem hearing so much of the worth beauty and excellency of Christ had an earnest desire to seek him with the Spouse therefore enquire whither is thy beloved gone O thou fairest among women whither is thy beloved turned aside that we may seek him with thee This repetition argues both the vehemency of their affections and their expedition no excuses nor delays can be admitted in this case If any that hear me be of this mind having heard so much of Christs worth observe the answer of the Spouse My beloved is gone down into his garden to the bed of spices to feed in the garden and to gather lillies His Garden is the Church there attend his motions 4. Believe and Pray and attend Ordinances with an empty hand and hungry soul let go and be stript of your selves and all other things that you may receive Christ thus the Apostle did Phil. 3.7 8 9 10 quit all interest in your selves all dependance on the creature break your league with sin renounce your own righteousness account all things dung and loss that you may gain Christ leave all for him prefer him above all the world consent to his covenant say you will have him on any terms and he is yours unless you deny your selves you cannot accept this gift the world and the things of it Sin and the flesh and your own righteousness is that self that must be denied 1. You must deny and relinquish the world and all carnal relations What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul If the heart be divided between Christ and the world there will be always a disproportion the world will have most and Christ least Do not overvalue or love the wealth of the world the young man bid fair at Christ but stuck at this Say with that Marquess Galeacius Cariac tempted by a Jesuite with a mighty sum of Money Let their Money perish with them that esteem all the gold in the world worth one days communion with Iesus Christ. Or Christ will say if you set so much by the world take it and see what it can do for you if you can spare me better than your wealth you shall be without me He that loveth houses or lands yea father or mother more than me is not worthy of me Matt. 10.37 38. Luk. â—4 26 If any man come after me and hateth not father and mother wife and children brethren and sisters yea his own life cannot be my desciple which is not to be understood simply as if the service of Christ required the violation of the Laws of God and Nature but comparatively as Ierome If my Father should be weeping on his knees before me and my Mother hanging on my neeâ— behind me and all my Brethren and Kinsfolks howl on every side I would despise all and throw them off to go to Christ when he calls me If any think this would not consist with natural affection hear what Kilian the Dutch Schoolmaster and Martyr said If the whole world were Gold and mine to dispose of I would give it to live with my Wife and Children though in Prison yet my Soul and Christ are dearer to me than all Psal. 45.10 Forget thy own people and thy fathers house c. 2. Sin must be denied and forsaken Christ and Belial purity and corruption can have no fellowship Depart from all iniquity Jesus Christ and one allowed lust cannot lodge together in the same Soul He that prefers any lust before Christ deserves to go without him but he that with indignation parts with his sins shall have the Pearl of price in their room 3. you must deny your own righteousness this is the hardest part of self-denyal yet necessary Christ came not to call the righteous but sinners the whole need not the Physitian but the sick there must be sense of sin guilt shame and nakedness as Noah's Dove So long as the prodigal could make any shift to live he returned not or the woman with the blood issue had any thing to spend she came not to Christ like the man cast from an high Tower and stuck to the Mulberry-tree and scap'd A wounded man hasts to the Chyrurgeon sick to the Physician the man pursued by the avenger of blood to the City of refuge so a poor Soul broken with the insupportable burden of his sin wrath of God curse of the Law will be willing with a witness to cast it self into the opened arms and inviting embracements of Jesus Christ bleeding on the Cross tendred in the Gospel and so made his for ever you must sell all that you have and thus buy the Pearl 5. Do all this presently speedily defer it not till to morrow now is the accepted time now is the day of salvation Seek you the Lord while he may be found Isa. 55.6 While he offers himself in the ministry of his Word while he saith seek ye my face let your heart answer thy face do I seek To day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts to day after so long a time Heb. 4.7 If you will do it at all do it betimes before the day of grace and time of repentance be expired and the door of mercy be shut As the Jewish Rabbi said of repentance Do it to day because thou knowest not thou shalt live till to morrow You know not that ever this gift shall be offered again this may be the last time to thee your life may be gone and then actum est or means removed or judicial hardness inflicted according to that dreadful threat Matt. 13.14 Hearing ye shall hear and not understand c. no judgment so terrible on this side Hell or he swear in his wrath you shall not enter into his rest God forbids his people to feed on those twilight birds the Bats signifying prolongers of repentance who think to flutter confusedly about Christ in the evening of their withered years and dream of a devout retirement in old age Now Christ stands at the door and knocks the spirit strives but the time is coming when many
such a jewel all the treasures upon earth could not bear proportion to him nor make reparation for the loss of him I know the true Believer shall never lose Christ because Christ will never suffer him to be lost but he may do that which may tend to the losing of him though through grace he shall not be actually loâ—t and he may do that which may deprive him utterly of the sense evidence and comfort of this gift though his propriety in it remain firm and sure 'T is true a Saint shall never be left so to himself or his sin as that sin shall bereave him of his jewel his Christ but may and often doth steal away the key of his cabinet his evidence and assurance Cant. 5.5 6. I opened to my beloved but my beloved had withdrawn himself and was gone Thus you see Christ sometimes withdraws himself from them that dearly love and earnestly desire him for as he is said when pleased to gratifie his people with his grace and assistance strength and deliverance to come out of heaven his dwelling place Isa 26. ult and 64.1 So he is said to return thither when he forbears to put forth and exercise his grace and to shew his mercy and loving kindness to them Hos. 5. ult Isa. 18.4 he is said to hide his face in regard of his special grace and love and in regard of intercourse and communion with his Church not totally but in part not finally and for ever but for a moment a small moment he shortens his hand in his wonted operations and ceaseth to be so intimate and familiar with his servants and seems to be a stranger to them and their condition and this he does for divers good reasons and considerations 1. Christ leaves them sometimes because they will not open to him when he knocks at the door of their hearts either they are not at leasure or busied about other matters and employments or are too much setled upon their lees sloath and security hath seized upon them Cant. 5.2 3 4. 2. He does it for tryal that he may make an experiment of his Churches love to him and faithfulness in his service to see whether his people can abide to be without him or will serve and follow him frowning as well as smileing As a Father may leave his dear Child and stand behind the door to see what it will do So God exercised Iob David Heman Asaph and others the Wife is tryed in the long absence of her Husband 3. To raise and quicken them more to love and desire him for though the absence of fuel doth diminish the fire yet commonly the absence of Lovers doth increase and heighten love and makes it more impatient and restless Cant. 5.8 This made the Spouse sick of love and her soul failed she could not bear it Isa. 26.9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night 4. To cure formality in believers and to remove all trusting to resting in or relying on any thing besides himself and that the soul may not be satisfied with any thing below himself As a Father sometimes le ts go his hold that the Child may see his dependance upon him The Children of Israel were exceedingly formalized in their Devotion they only looked at the external Sacrifices but did not frame their doings to turn unto God Hos. 5 6. Therefore he takes this course with them They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the Lord but they shall not find him He hath withdrawn himself from them i. e. they shall go after their accustomed manner of sacrifices but God hides himself because he will bring them off their formality and security So if we trust in outward Ordinances and lay too much stress upon them the time may come when we shall use them and seek God in them and not find him because of formality 5. That he may teach them to live by faith not to be too much dejected but believe that he is near to them but behind the Wall Cant. 2.8 9. He is kept off from the soul by the wall of sense and carnal reason that the soul may improve his faith in looking over this wall as Iob did Iob 19.25 26 I know that my redeemer lives c. Isa. 50.10 He will come and will not tarry 6 That his presence may be more esteemed and valued when re-injoyed there is often a remisness and abatement in love to Christ but when he is lost and found again we shall watch better over our selves and set a higher price on him than before we have need sometimes to be taught the worth of mercies by the want of them post frigora dulcior ignis when we know what it is to want his presence we learn to esteem it Post tempestatem dulcior securitas How sweet is a calm after a storm Christs favourable Aspect is more sweet and acceptable when the sun-shine thereof begins to break forth again after some black and bitter tempest of desertion Now since there is some danger of losing Christ in these respects we had need look to our selves and do all we can to retain him with us for our help I shall lay down some motives and then directions as in the first branch 1. To perswade us to this I shall use no other arguments or motives but only to tell you what Christ is to the soul and so it may see what it deprives it self of by losing him 1. Keep him for he is thy life Whoso findeth him findeth life Prov. 8.35 and 3.18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her and happy is every one that retaineth her speaking of wisdom under which notion Christ is commended to us So Prov. 4.13 Take fast hold of instruction let her not go keep her for she is thy life He saith I am thy life and the length of thy days with him is the fountain of life he is the only well-spring of life and all blessedness How sweet is life skin for skin and all that a man hath will he give for his life he 'l part with any thing every thing rather than life When many of Christs followers forsook and walked no more with him Will ye also forsake me said he to his Apostles Peter answered for himself and the rest Lord whither shall we go thou hast the words of eternal life Joh. 6.68 q. d. Lord if we leave thee we leave our life and all our comfort we forsake our own mercy and judg our selves unworthy of everlasting life had we no other reason 't is motive enough to stay with thee and keep close with thee to consider that our lives are hid in thee eternal life and consequently all that 's dear to us the quintessence of all happiness is with thee 2. Keep him for he is thy light how sad and miserable is it to walk in darkness if you let Christ go you eclipse your own light 't is night when
manner we may safely and comfortably make use of Christ. 1. Labour by all means to be acquainted with your spiritual condition know the state of your souls otherwise how canst thou make use of Christ suitably As suppose thou hast a blind eye or hard heart how canst thou make use of Christ to open the one or break the other as thou ought if thou knowest it not as the Apostle saith in another case 1 Cor. 11.26 Let a man examine himself and so let him eat c. So here examine whether thou hast received Christ whether he be thine before thou make use of him doth Christ belong to thee or not how canst thou without trembling think of him or approach to him when thou knowest not whether he will condemn or acquit thee in judgment nor whether he be fet for thy rising or thy fall whether he be the corner-stone and foundation of thy happiness or a stone of stumbling to break thee and grind thee to powder Luk. 2.34 Mat. 21.44 Take heed of usurping that which belongs not to thee do not ignorantly and presumptuously conceit thy self to improve Christ before thou hast received him try thy state to the bottom hands off prophane impenitent unbelievers unreformed sinners 2. Get a due sense of thy necessity and want of Christ learn to look upon thy self as altogether insufficient as of thy self to do any thing What man is most likely to make use of Christ what soul is in nearest capacity to improve him but he that knows he hath nothing can do nothing without him Will a man make use of a Physician that thinks he is not sick Will any intreat his neighbours hand to help him to do or lift that which he is perswaded he hath strength enough to do himself So if thou have any work to do as suppose to resist Satan subdue a corruption and presumest thou canst do it thy self thou art uncapable of making use of Christ as a King to suppress rebels will not call in foreign aid c. So think not your selves to have any sufficiency to do any thing that is good 2 Cor. 3.5 Empty your selves of self-conceitedness say not with Laodicea I am rich and increased with goods but know what Christ saith Ioh. 15.5 Non ait fine me parum potestis facere sed nihil Aust. Not but little but just nothing you cannot think or speak nor act in the least measure agreeable to Gods perfect will but by Christ unbottom your selves wholly cast away self-confidence that you may be fit for the Lord Jesus Christ who filleth the hungry with good things and sends the rich away empty Luk. 1.53 3. Apply Christ to thy self in particular by faith believing and being verily perswaded that Christ is able and willing to do for theeâ— what thou needest and what thou desirest in all thy exigencies trust him with thy work and business and cast thy self upon him as thou wouldest do on a trusty able and faithful friend as we are to receive Christ by faith so by faith we make use of him as we apply him for our justification so we improve him for continuance of it and for our Sanctification and Salvation 1. Thus the servants of God have done and prospered they apply'd Christ in their several needs and exigencies as Iob David Thomas and Paul 2. Thus the Scriptures direct and perswade us to appropriate Christ to our needing souls so we are bid to put on Christ Rom. 13.14 Taste and see that he is gracious Psal. 34.8 3. Thus Christ himself invites us to apply and improve him Come eat of my bread and drink of my wine which I have mingled Prov. 9.5 Come partake of those good things my Father would have me to communicate unto you Isa. 55.1 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters c. Joh. 7.37 If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest By these and such like passages in Scripture you see what warrant you have to apply Christ and perswade your selves that if you make use of him he will do for you that which shall be for your good Christs call gives you a warrant to go to him that you may possess these priviledges in Christ without intrusion or usurpation this is that you have to shew to Conscience you do not presume Why dost thou vile wretch go to Christ for such a blessing how durst thou that art a sinner look him in the face lay hold on Christ make use of Christ why I was invited and called If it should be asked of the guests that came in a wedding garment Friends how durst ye come hither and approach the Presence-chamber of the Kings Son they might answer We were bidden to the Wedding Mat. 22.10 12. The Scripture doth not call us by name thou Iohn and Thomas though the offer be propounded generally yet when God by his messenger speaks directly to my case and I am included here 's a dish for my hungry soul intended for me 2. For particular cases wherein this gift may be very useful as a Jesus to save us from our sins Matt. 1.21 1. It is a tryed and effectual antidote against sin that 's the greatest evil in the world Now improve Christ against the guilt the stain the temptation the bondage and the remainder of sin 1. Against the guilt of sin wouldest thou have pardon make use of Christ who hath shed his blood to satisfie infinite Justice and purchaâ—e pardon and remission of thy sins if thou believe in him 1 Pet. 2.24 25. He hath born them on his body on the Cross Therefore as the Apostle 1 Ioh. 2.12 these things I write unto you that ye sin not and if any man sin we have an advocate with the father Iesus Christ the righteous who is a propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but the sins of the whole world If thou hast sinned against God and guilt pleads against thee and thou hast nothing to plead for thy self thou maist go to this Advocate who will intercede for thee by vertue of his merits and so thou maist scape the Judgment of God denounced against thee Ezek. 18 4 The soul that sinneth it shall dye O apply the blood of Christ and sprinkle that upon thy Conscience that thy sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord he will heal thy bleeding wounds and drown the cry of thy sins 2. Against the stain of sin to purge and cleanse thee Dost thou find thy Soul stained with original and actual pollutions so that thou cryest out I am unclean I am unclean I was born in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me and innumerable evils committed by me do leave a macula or stain upon me O then fly to Christ who is a fountain set open to wash from sin and
from uncleanness Zech. 13.1 Who is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world John 1.29 Christ was without spot knew no sin was born holy that he might cover the impurity of thy conception Hath sin like a poison or leprosy spread over thy whole Soul and all thy actions are impure so that there is no soundness in thee but wounds and bruises and putrifying sores Improve Christ in this case who will wash thee in his blood Rev. 1.5 bind up thy wounds and make thee partaker of the Divine nature as 2 Pet. 1.4 Though thy sins be as scarlet he will make thee white as snow If the blood of bulls and goats sprinkling the unclean sanctified to the purifying of the flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living Lord Heb. 9.13 14 O then look unto Christ and be healed tell him as he did Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean No Soap nor Nitre can purge it the general deluge swept away sinners but could not wash away one sin 3. Against the bondage of sin every one is by nature a bondslave to corruption Now Christ was sent to Preach as well as purchase deliverance for captives and to open the Prison to them that are bound Isa. 61.1 2. If a number of men were taken captives by the Turks and made Gally-â—laves suppose some rich Merchant should lay down a vast sum of Money to purchase their liberty or a great Prince make way by the Sword for their escape or give some Prisoners in exchange for them and should this dear-bought liberty be proclaimed to all in general That whoever will apply themselves to him should be free from bondage How deservedly may those lye and dye in Chains that will not accept and make use of those easie terms If thou cry out O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me c Christ alone that Son will make you free Ioh. 8.32 33 34. 'T is not a feigned or fancied but a real liberty free indeed 4. Against the danger of sin Art thou afraid of such a corruption art thou annoyed with such a temptation and ready to say ah I shall one day perish by the hand of such a sin Then to prevent falling into sin and antidote thee against the solicitations of it with Paul run to Christ and beseech the Lord once and again till thou have that answer My grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.8 9. When sin comes as a Potiphars Wife and offers thee deadly Poison in a golden Cup let Faith answer I would consent but that I am a Christian how can I do this great wickedness and sin against my Christ I cannot gratifie this or that lust but I must be disloyal to my Lord Christ. When ever temptations assault and an host incamp against thee hast to the Captain of thy Salvation as David at What time I am afraid I will trust in thee Psal. 56.3 5. Against the whole body of sin make use of Christ who came to destroy the works of the Devil Would thou have sin mortified and killed and the old man crucified nail him to the Cross of Christ that by vertue of his death sin may receive its deaths wound no corruptions can stand before Christs Cross. Rom. 6.8 Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed 1. Art thou troubled and molested with passion and transported with anger nothing so effectual to subdue and bridle that short madness as Christ. Nihil ita irae impetum cohibet sicut Iesus 'T is the property of contraries to expel one another Christ is meekness and love 2. Doth Pride that detestable sin swell thee art thou proud of wealth honour gifts friends c Nihil ita superbiae tumorem sedat sicut Iesus he is humble and lowly Mat. 11.29 3. Or that diabolical sin of envy Christ can cure thee of that rotten vice Nihil ita livoris culmas sanat sicut Iesus Who ever shewed more opposition to it than Christ who prayed that his Servants might have the same glory with him Ioh. 17.22 4. Or that idolatrous heathenish sin of Covetousness Christ alone can quench the insatiable thirst after worldly things Ioh. 4.14 Whoever drinks of this water shall never thirst Nil ita temperat sitim avaritiae sicut Iesus Thou wilt trample the Moon under thy feet and scorn to love this poor dunghil-world or be fond of these beautiful vanities and fair-fac'd nothings Lastly Dost thou feel in thy Soul the scorching heat of Concupiscence and knowest not how to rid thy self of it Go to Christ who will quickly quench that flame Nihil ita extinguit libidinis flammam sicut Iesus Christs blood is an excellent antidote against lust and will quench and not curb only that inflamation So we might add many more instances for our mortification c. 2. As a Physician to cure all Diseases Christ the gift of God is a most excellent and soveraign Remedy for all diseases and spiritual indispositions whatever the Soul ails go to Christ and he can and will help 1. For darkness and blindness none better than Christ. Do the eyes of thy mind wax dim and dark that thou canst not so well as formerly see the soulness of sin the fairness of Christ the beauty of holiness O make use of Christ who can open blind eyes and clear the sight and make you see that plainly that others can scarce perceive He can illuminate the mind anoint the eye with eye-salve Rev. 3.18 that thou maist see how naked and wretched thou art dispel all darkness and shew thee the light of life Iohn 8.12 and 12.46 If any walk in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay himself upon his God Isa. 50.10 2. Deadness Christ is an effectual remedy against deadness and lifelesness of spirit Whither should we go but unto him who hath the words of eternal life Thou hast fallen among Thieves and they have bereaved thee of all yea of life it self why Christ is that good Samaritan which puts Wine and Oyl into thy wounded Soul Luk. 10.30 he complains that ye will not come unto him that ye may have life he is called our life Col. 3.4 O derive life and strength from him 3. Hardness Art thou infected with that sore disease of hardness of heart so that thou canst not mourn for sin nor art scarce sensible of the great burden of sin and misery nor lay to heart the evils of the times but thy heart is a Rock or an Adamant O go to Christ who can and will take away the heart of stone and give thee a heart of flesh Ezek. 11.19 and 36.26 In him this gracious promise is and ever shall be yea and Amen Soak thy heart thorowly in this promise and set before
that delivered him was called his Lord. So when we were mancipia peccati diaboli the Devils captives and slaves of sin in which condition if we had lived and died after a hard and toilsome service in the mean time our wages in the end should have been eternal death Christ by his death hath conquered sin and Satan and freed us from that wretched thraldom to this end that being delivered out of the hands of all our enemies we might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life Luke 1.74 75 Thus the Israelites were delivered from Egypt the house of bondage to serve God Hence the Preface to the ten commandments and David confesseth Psal. 116.16 I am thy servant I am thy servant thou hast loosed my bonds If a man had brought another out of Captivity or he had sold himself all his strength or service belonged to the buyer Christ hath bought us from the worst slavery and with the greatest price no thraldom so bad as bondage to sin no prison so black as Hell and certainly Christs blood is better than any money not to serve him then is to defraud him of his purchase no bondage so great as ours no price so great as Christs and therefore no service so great as that which we owe. 2. By the fathers donation or delivery up of them Iohn 17.6 I have manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word God hath made us and not we our selves and so hath absolute right to us and dominion over us hath given us unto Christ that we should serve him as well as be saved by him Isa. 44.21 Remember O Iacob thou art my servant I have formed thee thou art my servant O Israel they are given him for a Possession Psal. 2.8 3. By voluntary resignation and surrendring of themselves to him They have given themselves to the Lord that are real Christians 2. Cor. 8.5 'T is by their own consent and contract Rom. 6.13 Yeild up your selves unto God c. Christ loves to have his right and title established By our own consent we take Christ for our Lord and Master and give up our selves to him that we may be no longer at our own dispose and therefore 't is not only robbery but treachery and breach of Covenant to seek our selves in any thing and this resignation must be made out of a sense of Christs love to us in his death and sufferings 2 Cor. 5.15 Christ died that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him who died for them We enter upon other services out of hopes but we enter upon Christs service out of thankfulness 'T was our own voluntary Act by Marriage-Covenant we take him for our Lord our Husband Guide Governour and Protector and as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him Lord so we Christ we have bound our selves by solemn vow and promise to be and continue Christs faithful servants unto the end of our lives now the word is gone out of our lips we may not alter it nor after we have made a vow enquire what we have to do He hath the best right to our best services by this three-fold title and a threefold cord is not easily broken our tongues are not our own to speak what we please nor our hearts to think what we please nor our hands to do what we list By vertue of these and many more titles we are anothers and are bound to live and Act for him according to his will and for his glory 3. What a Lord and Master Christ is The Scriptures give us these Characters or Properties of Him 1. He is the most absolute and supreme Lord. His stile is King of kings and Lord of lords he hath no superior or co-partner with him in his dominion and government all other Power and Lordship is dependent and derivative and subordinate 1. All Power is from him as 1. Civil Prov. 8.15 By me Kings reign and Princes decree Iustice. 2. Ecclesiastical 2 Cor. 10.8 That power which the Apostle had was derived from Christ For though I should boast something more of the Authority which the Lord hath given us for Edification and not for Destruction 3. Inward and spiritual Mar. 16.20 They preached every where the Lord working with them the opening of the eyes of the blind quickening the dead turning them from darkness to light were the effects of his power not the parts or piety of the Preacher but his grace and spirit did the work Lastly extraordinary and miraculous power whereby they confirmed the word signs and wonders were wrought in his name and by his power When the lame man was healed and the Apostle examined by what power or by what name they had done it Peter answered Acts 4.10 Be it known unto you all tâ—at by the name of Iesus of Nazareth this man doth stand before you whole 2. As all power is derived from him and dependent on him so 't is to be used and obeyed in subordination to him 1. For him as the authority of Magistrates Parents 1 Pet. 2.13 Submit to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as supream Eph. 6.1 Children obey your parents in the Lord so wives to husbands servants to masters Col. 3.18 2. According to him Acts. 5 29 the Apostle answered We ought to obey God rather than men 3. All other Lords are responsible to him for the use and abuse of that authority and those gifts they received from him and are therefore punishable by him 2 dly He is an universal Lord Lord of all 1. In regard of persons he is over all Rom. 9.5 He rules over all nations persons hearts all other Masters and Lords are inferiour to him Eph. 6.9 And ye masters do the same things to them that is your Servants forbearing threatning knowing that your master also is in heaven neither is there respect of persons with him 2. In regard of matters and acts outward inward Godward manward civil spiritual all come under his cognizance Eph. 6.5 6. Col. 3.23 Rom. 14.18 in all these things we are to serve Christ 3. In regard of places the three kingdoms of Heaven Earth and Hell have no other Lord but Christ Angels and glorified Saints in Heaven Saints Sinners and every creature on Earth the damned and Devils in Hell are all his subjects 3 dly He is a spiritual Lord for the manner of his rule and government Iohn 18.36 My kingdom is not of this world not from hence Not that he governs not in Heaven and Earth for though his kingdom be not of this world Rex tamen est in hoc mundo Bern. when Pilate had openly declared whose accusation it was Jesus plainly tells him that his Kingdom was not secular but spiritual not of this world So that he nothing intrenched on Caesars
hearts What a Christian and yet sensual A Christian and yet proud A Christian believing in Christ a man of sorrows and yet given to pleasures What a Christian and yet worldly 4. Such as serve the world and yet pretend to serve Christ Christ tells you it cannot be Ye cannot serve God and Mammon Mat. 6.24 't is impossible to join these together Those that are slaves to the Naaman of iniquity that do not only possess money but are possessed of money that with Iudas will sell Christ for thirty pieces of silver that rise early and lye down late and eat the bread of carefulness that will compass Sea and land to get gain these make gold their God their covetousness is justly termed Idolatry Col. 3.5 Alas my Brethren what is their in the world that it should be so much coveted and heaven slighted What hath the world done for its most faithful servants How oft have we heard them complaining at last O the world hath deceived me and undone me it flattered me in my prosperity and now utterly cast me off in my necessity Ah if I had served the Lord as faithfully as I have served the world he would not have cast me off at last nor have left me thus comfortless and hopeless in my depth of misery 5. Time-servers that change their Religion with the times are not servants of the Lord their Religion is like a piece of wax to be moulded into any frame according as the times alter Such as will be Superstitious if the times be so that will be devout or atheistical according to the times It was the speech of a time-server that was said to be spoken by the King of Navarre to Beza That he would lanch no further into the sea of Religion than he might be sure to return safe in the haven This is the right Picture of a time-server as many turned Protestants in K. Edward's days and Papists in Q. Maries Lastly Those that serve the worst Master that is sin 'T is indeed one thing to be a sinner and another to be the servant of sin that is one that gives himself over to the service of sin that is bound Apprentice to sin The difference was great between Paul and Ahab Paul was sold under sin but it was against his will but Ahab sold himself willingly to work wickedness How many such servants of sin are there as the Centurions servant served him if sin bid go they go such servants are swearers and drunkardâ— that are at the service of their oaths and cups This is a most shameful and pernicious service for it is to serve the Devil Ioh. 8.44 O that the world would believe this that when they serve this or that lust they serve the Devil Cyprian brings in the Devil upbraiding Christ Ostende mihi tet servos qui tibi c. Shew me if thou canst so many servants that have served thee so diligently and willingly as I can shew that have served me Can Satan give you better wages as Saul said to his followers Can the son of Iesse make you captains of hundreds and captains over thousands give you vineyardâ— and oliâ—â—yards c. 1 Sam. 22.7 Aâ—as if sin had not put out your eyes as the Philistines did by Sampson that you cannot see the vileness and cursedness of it you would nevâ—r grind in its mill for the wages of sin is death 3. Use of Exhortation two Branches 1. To all to perswade them to esteem chuse and embrace Christs service 2. To Christs servants to take care to be such servants and perform such service as shall be found good and faithful approved by Christ. 1. Is Christ such a Lord as you have heard then let every one of us be prevailed with to take him for our Lord and give up our selves to him and become his servants this day we must either resign up our selves to this excellent Lord or we cannot be true Christians 2 Cor. 8.5 this is the essence of Christianity and life of Religion and marrow of Profession To wear the badg and livery of Chriâ—â— in external profession without this is nothing but a dead carcass an empty shadow and will turn to our greater condemnation another day That which will be enquired after at the great day is not who owned Christ as Lord in profession but who honoured Christ as Lord by real subjection and resignation of themselves unto him The great question will be Whether did Christ reign over us and bring us under his Law and Dominion and upon the decision of this important question depends the everlasting state of our souls and bodies in the next world If you now say unto Christ We are Lords we will not come at thee depart from us we desire not the knowledg of thy ways or as Pharoah Who is the Lord that I should obey him He will say unto you at the last day Depart from me ye cursed I know you not nor will your crying Lord Lord then any thing avail you O then let it be your resolution now to resign your selves to this gracious Saviour take him for your Lord and Soveraign Kiss the Son serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling O that your hearts would once at last say as 't is foretold of Gospel times Isa. 44.5 I am the Lords other Lords have had dominion over me but henceforth by thee only will I make mention of thy name Isa. 26.13 We will not say any more to the work of our hands nor to the lusts of our hearts to the world the flesh or to sin ye are our gods for with thee O Lord poor lost creatures find mercy Hos. 14.3 Whatever your neighbours acquaintance or kindred let them chuse whom they will serve yet we are resolved for our part we will serve the Lord Iosh. 24.15 O my friends what say you to this motion what answer give you to this invitation is it not most reasonable and considerable you are prest to come to Christ and take his yoke and bow the knee before him c. What will you do will every one of you give up himself to Christ resign soul and body to the service of this glorious Lord Have you found or ever heard of any thing in him that may deter you what iniquity have you seen in him that you keep at distance from him and walk after vanity Is he not worthy of your love not good enough to be your Master can you bestow your selves better employ your selves more profitably what sticks it at would you take time to consider of it and defer your resolutions to another day so you have done too long already and ventur'd too far by your delays To day if you will hear his voice then harden not your hearts Seek ye the Lord while he may be found call upon him while he is near He now saith hearken unto me and I will make a covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Encline your ear
come unto me Hear and your soul shall live why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfieth not Hearken diligently unto me eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight it self in fatness Alas ye feed on husks and chaff till you return to Christ. Isa 55.2 3 4 7. How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and fools delight in folly turn ye at my reproof Forsake the foolish and live and go in the way of understanding O that you were wise and would understand these things and consider your latter end O that there were such hearts in you c. O that ye knew the things that belong unto your peace in this your day before they be hid from your eyes O when shall it once be what is your resolution shall Jesus Christ be your Lord and Master or shall he not Take heed how you refuse him that speaks from heaven do not as you want Christ despise this loving invitation and make light of this gracious offer lest his wrath be kindled in his breast and you perish He that hath so long held forth his Scepter of Grace yet stands waiting for your return yet stretcheth forth his arms to embrace you yet opens his very heart to entertain you Hark he bids you come and lodg your souls in his warm bosom yet he calls by his Word yet he strives by his Spirit and follows you with checks of conscience and renews his mercies on you every morning would fain draw you with cords of love if it would be But it will not be always thus his patience will not always wait his Spirit shall not always strive with man the door of mercy shall not always stand open When once the master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door saying Lord Lord open to us then 't is too late Luk. 13.25 O come to Christ now or never do it this day or you may never be invited again Hear now Christ bespeaks and wooes thee sinner Cast down thy weapons of rebellion surrender thy soul to me give me thy heart submit to my government I vvill pass by all thy former resistance and put up all the wrongs thou hast done me I will remember thy iniquities no more but pass an act of everlasting oblivion upon them O look unto me and be ye saved This is my business with you my beloved at this time this is mine errand to your Souls What answer shall I return from you to him that sent me The great work you know of us Ministers is to perswade men to become Christs covenanting Servants to consent to his Laws and acknowledg his Lordship our way to win your hearts is to tell you what he is some little hath been spoken but not the thousand part of the excellencies of this incomparable Lord O he is the chiefest of ten thousâ—nd his name is wonderful he is God and Man in one person he is Man that you may not be afraid of him God that he may be able to do you good He is the Lord of lords and King of kings Heir of all things Saviour of the world c. 'T is infinite condescention of love in him to treat with you or intreat your consenâ— that he may be your Lord. This being a matter of greatest importance and knowing the terror of the Lord let me perswade you for that end I intreat you to press upon your selves and improve in your retirements these considerations as motives 1. Motive Yeild up your selves to the service of the Lord Christ or you are unjust you do him open wrong Equity and justice requires that you render to all their due jus cuique tribuere is the first and most proper act of justice Tribute to whom tribute fear to whom fear honour to whom honour Rom. 13.7 It is a common principle among you which nature teacheth that you deal righteously with men owe no man any thing do no man wrong let every one have that which of right appertaineth to him And if we may not deny unto Caesar the things that are Caesars it is but right we should also give unto God the things that are Gods by so many just titles Why now you cannot without apparent wrong to Christ deny him your selves you are his and owe your selves unto him and all you have and all that you can do you are not your own but his I lay claim unto you in the name of Christ and challenge your souls and bodies to his use Dare you deny the claim or will any step out and question this title The Lord Jesus hath laid challenges to you It has been a custom in England on the Coronation day as multitudes of people were feasting in Westminster-Hall a Herald comes forth and Champion for the King and proclaimed his title to the Crown and if any questioned his title he was there ready to make it good I do now proclaim to you that Christ is your Lord and you are his Servants and challenges your service if any question his Title I will justifie it and make it good let the case come to tryal on condition that whoever is convinced shall yield subjection Let me ask you then Did not he make you and not ye your selves Psal. 95.6 and does not he preserve and sustain you and ye are the Sheep of his pasture Vers. 7 Did not Christ purchase you with his own blood 1 Pet. 1.18 Were you not the dearest purchase and was not the greatest price paid for you that ever the world heard of Well what say you to this Title Doth not justice give every one his own and are not you Christs If there be any creature in Heaven or Earth that can lay a better claim or pretend a juster Title to you than Christ then let it have your hearts and service but if the Lord Jesus have the full and sole right to you then do not so much wrong him and your own souls as to deny or withstand this just and reasonable motion 2. Give up your selves to this Lord or you are unthankful gratitude as well as justice requires this at your hands Nothing is more abhorrent to an ingenuous spirit than the brand of ingratitude to be so base and unworthy as to render evil for good ingratum si dixeris omnia dixeris call a man unthankful and you call him all that 's naught abhor it as death to be guilty or have the name of ingratitude Well now suppose a man had by some capital crime incurred the danger of the Law and the sentence of death were past upon himâ— should another step in and humble himself to beg the pardon or begger himself to buy the freedom for him Must not that man be wholly his who hath ransomed him from the Gallows This is our case Sin was our work and Death was our wages
we had sinned and must dye for it there was no escape from destruction but the Lord Jesus would not suffer us to perish but debased himself came down from Heaven gave himself for us and suffered in our stead that we might live and made himself a Servant for us though no way bound to us Now judg with your selves I appeal to your own Consciences whether this incomparable favour do not lay an unavoidable obligation upon us to devote our selves wholly to him 2 Cor. 5.14 15. If after Christ hath stoopt so low as to become man and was made under the Law and being in the likeness of sinful flesh bore our infirmities and sorrows lay under the frowns oâ— his Father and submitted himself to the pain shame sting and curse of the death of the Cross if after all this we should neglect his Salvation reject his Soveraignty Would not the Heavens blush at this unheard of ingratitude and the very bruits rise up in judgment against us and condemn us The Ox knows his owner and the Ass his Masters crib but Israel doth not know my people doth not consider Isa. 13. Jer. 8.7 8. 3. Resign your selves to this blessed Lord for he deserves you he is worthy of you if you were Ten thousand times better than you are you can never submit your selves to a better Lord nor serve a better Master There is nothing in him that can justly discourage you nor reasonably deter you from his service fear not evil from the greatest good unless it be in a way of disobedience and rebellion He is not a proud rigid imperious or cruel Master he will not deal with you as the treacherous Master the World which fills your souls with nothing but husks and swill and rewards all your painful services with nothing but disappointment and misery at the best presents you with a breast full of wind and vanity and at the last with wo and vexation and leaves you helpless in your greatest necessities Nor is he cruel and tyrannical as Satan who fills his Servants with terror here and hereafter rewards them with fire and brimstone Nor like the flesh and sin whose work is bad and its wages no better for the servant of sin besides that he hath no fruit nor comfort of his service in the mean time when he comes to receive his wages at the end of his term findeth nothing but shame or death shame if he leave his service if he leâ—ve it not death Rom. 6.21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed for the end of those things is death 'T is horrible intollerable slavery to serve Sin Satan and the World but when you give up your selves to the service of Christ you shall live to the sollidest contentment and real joy and honour you cannot possibly yield your selves to a more excellent and delightful service His yoke is easie and his burthen light his ways are ways of pleasantness and all his paths are peace Prov. 3.17 His service is freedom and his work wages to be Christs devoted servant is not only better than liberty but more to be desired than soveraignty No other Lord ever bought his Servants so dear or fed them so plentifully or clad them so sumptuously or used them so gently or rewarded them so bountifully He will protect and prosper them yea takes pleasure in their prosperity he will bless them with spiritual blessings which are the best blessings and lead them by his own counsel yea carry them in his bosome and afterward receive them to glory 4. Surrender your selves to this great Lord for he desires you yea that you would be his as he hath been yours is all he desires you cannot bestow a better gift upon him than your selves others may give him their goods their estates c. but he that gives Christ himself can give no more no better He desires you not that he hath any need of you or to make advantage of you but that he may restore you better to your selves than he receives you He will put his grace into your hearts repair his image in your minds and make you wise unto salvation Seneca tells us That among other Scholars that gave rich gifts to their Master Socrates Eschines gave himself having nothing else to give His Master answered Upon this condition I take thee that I may restore thee better than I receive thee On the same and no worse terms yea much better Christ accepts of those that tender their service unâ—o him he that gives not himself to the Lord whatever else he gives in his esteem is just nothing nothing in esse gratiae in point of truâ—h worth and grace First you must give your selves to the Lord and then your goods to his poor if you would find acceptance 2 Cor. 8 5 or as the King of Sodom said to Abraham Give me the persons the souls and take the goods to thy self 5. Take Christ for your Lord and own your selves for his Servants for so you are whether you will or not your consent and resignation is necessary to your good to ease you of your cares and secure you from present eternal misery not for his title and right which is absolute and unquestionable and he will have you either by love or by force He requires in the Covenant of Grace that he have his right by your consent and not by constraint that you thankfully accept the motion and with hearty and full consent of will resign your selves to him as his own even as his creatures and his ransomed ones by a Covenant never to be violated But if you will not understand and acknowledg this plenary dominion he hath over you he will not lose his right nor lay down his claim to you It 's the greatest folly to rebel against this Lord to whom at last you must be forced to submit Who would not chuse him to be their Lord when whether they will or no he will be their Lord Who would not desire to be ruled and guided by his Testimonies rather than to be suppressed and destroyed by his Providence We must all either bow the knee or he will break the back if we will not bear his yoke we must become his footstool Were it not better to take hold of his strength by Faith than his strength should take hold of us in displeasure and wrath and to feel the efficacy of his grace than the power of his anger The proudest Rebel shall at last cry Lord Lord but it will be too late At length Christ will be too hard for all that rise up against him and will not that he should reign over them he that will not come to him as a friend shall be slain by him as an enemy Luke 19.27 every one Sub pedibus ejus erit aut ad obtatus aut victus all must one way or other be subject to him either as sâ—rvants or slaves either under his grace or under