Selected quad for the lemma: world_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
world_n	day_n	rest_n	sabbath_n	3,956	5	9.7865	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A81056	Samson a type of Christ in a sermon preached at Mr. Pomfret's meeting-house in Gravel-lane near Hounds-ditch, London: at the morning-lecture, on July 22. 1691. from Judg. xiv.5. Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Tunnath; and came to the vineyards of Timnath; and behold, a young lion roared against him. Wherein is shewed, I. In six particulars, how clearly Samson doth type forth Jesus Christ, ... II. With respect unto Samsons marriage, ... III. As Samson loved and married an uncircumcised woman, ... IV. As Samson did overcome the young lion which opposed him: so Jesus Christ doth overcome and destroy that roaring lion, the Devil, that opposeth him. Published at the request of the Congregation, for Publick Good. By D.C. an unworthy servant of Christ.	Crosley, David, 1670-1744.	1691 (1691)	Wing C7247A; ESTC R232725	34,097	40

according to his Promise upon his People then shall they be brought to this AND now Dear Friends Time and Strength being gone I shall conclude commending you to our Heavenly Samson even to him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the Face of our Fathers Glory with exceeding Joy To whom be ascribed endless Praise through Infinite Ages Amen CONSIDER what you have heard and the Lord give you Understanding in all things FINIS Books Sold by William Marshall at the Bible in Newgate-street Books written by the late Reverend Dr. John Owen 1. HIs Exposition on the whole Epistle to the Hebrews in 4 Vol. with Exercitations concerning the Messiah wherein the Promises concerning him to be a Spiritual Redeemer of Mankind are explained and vindicated His Comming and Accomplishment of his Work according to the Promises is proved and confirmed The Person or who he is declared The whole Oeconomy of the Mosaical Law Rites Worship and Sacrifices is explained And in all the Doctrine of the Person Office and Work of the Messiah is opened The Nature and Demerit of the first Sin is unfolded The Opinions and Traditions of the Ancient and Modern Jews are examined Their Objections against the Lord Christ and the Gospel are answered The Time of the Coming of the Messiah is stated and the great fundamental Truths of the Gospel vindicated Folio 2. A Discourse concerning the Holy Spirit Wherein an Account is given of his Name Nature Personality Dispensation Operations and Effects His whole Work in the Old and New Creation is explained The Doctrine concerning vindicated from Oppositions and Reproaches The Nature also and Necessity of Gospel Holines the Difference between Grace and Morality or a Spiritual Life unto God in Evangelical Obedience and a Course of Moral Vertues are stated and declared Folio Books in Quarto written by the same Author 1. THe True Nature of a Gospel Church and its Government Wherein these following Particulars are distinctly handled I. The subject Matter of the Church II. The formal Cause of a particular Church III. Of the Polity Rule or Discipline of the Church in general IV. The Officers of the Church V. The Duty of Pastors of Churchs VI. The Office of Teachers in the Church VII Of the Rule of the Church or of Ruling Elders VIII The Nature of Church Polity 〈…〉 with the Duty of Elders IX 〈…〉 cons. X. Of Excommunication XI Of the Communion of Ch●…es Price bound 3 s. 2. The Doctrine of Justification by Faith through the ●…ion of the Righteousness of Christ explained confirmed and ●…dcated 3. A Declaration of the Glorious Mystery of the Person 〈◊〉 Christ God and Man With the Infinite Wisdom Love and Power of God in the Contrivance and Constitution thereof As also the Grounds and Reasons of his Incaruation the Nature of his Ministry in Heaven the Present State of the Church above thereon and the Use of his Person in Religion With an Account and Vindication of the Honour Worship Faith Love and Obedience due unto him in and from the Church Books in Octavo written by the same Author THe Nature of Apostasie from the Profession of the Gospell and the Punishment of Apostates declared in an Exposition of Heb. 6.4 5 6. With an Enquiry into the Causes and Reasons of the Decay of the Power of Religion in the World or the present general Defection from the Truth Holiness and Worship of the Gospel Also of the Proneness of Churches and Persons of all sorts unto Apostasie With Remedies and Means of Prevention Exercitations concerning the Name Original Nature Use and Continuance of a Day of Sacred Rest Wherein the Original of the Sabbath from the Foundation of the World the Morality of the Fourth Commandment with the Change of the Seventh Day are enquired into Together with an Assertion of the Divine Institution of the Lords Day and Practical Directions for it's due Observation The Nature Power Deceit and Prevalency of the remainders of Indwelling-Sin in Believers Together with the ways of it's working and Means of Prevention Opened evinced and applyed with a Resolution of sundry Cases of Consciences thereunto appertaining A Vindication of some Passages in a Discourse concerning Communion with God from the Exceptions of William Sherlock Rector of St. George Botolph-lane 〈…〉 ●…ourse concerning Evangelical Love 〈…〉 Peace and Vni●… With the Occasions and Reasons of present Differences and Di 〈…〉 about things Sacred and Religious Written in the Vndi●… of the Princsples and Practice of some Ministers and others 〈◊〉 ●rief Declaration and Vindication of the Doctrine of the Tr●… As also of the Person and Satisfaction of Chri●t Accommo●…ed to the Capacity and Use of such as may be in danger to be ●educed and the establishment of the Truth A Discourse of the Mortification of Sin in Believers 1. 〈◊〉 Necessity 2. The Nature and 3. The Means of it With a Resolution of sundry Cases of Conscience thereunto belonging A Treatise of the Dominion of Sin and Grace wherein Sins Reign is discovered in whom it is and in whom it is not How the Law supports it how Grace delivers from it by sealing up it's Dominion in the Heart From Rom. 6.14 bound 1 s. A brief and Impartial Account of the Nature of the Protestant Religion it 's State and Fate in the World it 's strength and weakness with the Ways and Indications of the Ruine or Continuance of it's publick National Profession Price stitch'd 6 d. A brief Instruction in the Worship of GOD and Discipline of the Churches of the New Testament By way of Question and Answer With an Expllication and Confirmation of those Answers Price bound 1 s.

Timnath and behold a young Lion roared against him BELOVED It is worth the serious Observation of all sincere Christians to take notice How God in days of old especially in the middle Age of the World did lead his Church and People by Types and Figures to the Knowledge of Jesus Christ as by him appointed to be the only Saviour of all that believe in his Name throughout all Ages SO that few Kings in or Judges over Israel for many hundred years together but did in one thing or another less or more Typically represent Jesus Christ in his Person Works or Offices as many both then and also since have to their comfort and benefit observed AMONG whom Samson of whom our Text treateth shineth in this respect as a Star of the first magnitude and doth in many things as clearly if not more clearly Type forth Christ than any of them all and that in many particulars But I shall only mention six 1. In his Birth 2. In his Education 3. In his Office and Government 4. In his manner of Warfare 5. In his Marriage 6. In his Death 1st IN his Birth 1. In that it was foretold by Angels Judg. 13.3 Answerable to the Birth of Christ Luke 1.31 2. In that it was in a time of Israels so great Bondage and Captivity Judg. 13.1 So the Birth of Christ was in like manner when the Scepter was departed from Judah and all the World came up to be taxed by Augustus Caesar Luke 2.1 2. 3. In that it was in a time of Israels so great Darkness Blindness and wickedness ch 13.1 So the Birth of Christ of whom it is said When he cometh shall he find faith on earth Luke 18.8 See also Joh. 1.10 2dly IN his Education in that he was a Nazarite unto God from the Womb devoted to the Lord from his Birth and that not at his Parents Discretion as Samuel 1 Sam. 1.11 but of the Lord 's own Choice Judg. 13.5 3dly IN his Office and Government he was 1. To be a Deliverer to Israel Judg. 13.5 2. A Judge over Israel Judg. 16.31 to save and defend them from the Philistines who then so grievously oppressed and distressed them accordingly as Christ was appointed and exalted of God to be a Prince and a Saviour in and over his Church the Government whereof was and is upon his shoulders Isa 9.6 Act. 5.31 And him it is that is in the midst of her and therefore she shall not be moved Psal 46.5 His tabernacle is in the midst of her and he will surely plead her cause For whosoever toucheth her toucheth the apple of his eye Zech. 2.8 4thly IN his manner of Warfare and indeed this is worth the noting and most observeable in that when Samson went to War with or to Battel against his Adversaries as he often did he never gathered together Armies of Men nor called in Assistance from the People as did others of the Judges and Kings of Israel Nay what Judge Prince King or Monarch did we ever read or hear of that did not so excepting him alone But as for him the Spirit of the Lord first coming upon him he always went forth in his own Person against them generally without any Weapons but what Providence brought to his hands And yet we do not read that ever he went forth but he prevailed he never Engaged but he always Conquered and came off Victorious except in the Matter of Dalilah wherein he resembles not Christ but a Christian in all things else he was ever successful putting whole Armies to flight and overthrowing the power of the Philistines in such a manner as gave way to Israels Restoration both with respect to their Rights and Liberties So that hence note 1. That he finding Israel in so great Slavery and Bondage to the uncircumcised Philistins did first restore set free and redeem them both with respect to their Liberties and Laws in Persons and Estates making them again a free Nation And then 2. He did Judge Defend and Preserve them in the Liberties and Rights unto which he had restored them And all this he did in his own Person without having any Assistance or Counsel from his Brethren No all he got from them was by them to be delivered bound into the Philistines hands had not the Lord rescued him Judg 15.11 12 13. which was but a fad requital for the many and great Kindnesses he had done them But he takes all patiently from them desiring only of them that they would not lay hands on him themselves And now who sees not in all this how clearly he types forth Jesus Christ the Heavenly and Spiritual Judge of the whole Israel of God who taking up the otherwise Lost Cause of fallen Man in order to the bringing about of his Restoration and Redemption first humbles himself and becomes like one of his Brethren yet without sin having both Natures in the unity of his Person in which Person he goes forth against all the powers of Sin Death and Hell in the name and behalf of Man lost in the Fall and so proclaims open War against all Powers and Principalities opposing Man's Salvation Against whom upon every Engagement he still gets the victory and comes off victorious in spite of all Oppositions not ceasing both to proceed and prevail till he hath compleated the work of his Peoples Redemption and Salvaaion And all this he doth not only in his own Person but also in his own Power as the Son of God for otherwise he acknowledgeth he could do nothing Joh. 5.30 even as Samson without his seven Locks was weak and but as another man Judg. 16.17 But Christ as the Son of God trod the Wine-press alone Isa 63.3 bore the Wrath and Curse of God endured the most bitter pangs of Death and most intolerable torments of Hell till the Father beheld and said he was satisfied Isa 53.11 Mat. 17.5 and thereby he stopped the mouth of devouring Justice and took away by his Obedience Passive and Active all Power of Condemnation from the fiery Law with respect to all New-Covenant Members and so he ascended up on high and led Captivity Captive depriving Death of its Sting and the Grave of its Victory thereby fulfilling every Condition in the New-Covenant whereby it is made intirely free of it self and the Members thereby are made intirely free also in themselves as they come actually by Faith through true Regeneration to be invested therein Here note that Christ finding his People in the Gall of Bitterness and Bond of Iniquity dead in Sins and Trespasses shut up under Gates of Brass and Bars of Iron charged with an infinite Debt and for that expos'd to eternal Misery if not immediately set free and also insulted over by the Devil and trampled upon by all the powers of Hell I say Christ when first appearing in the Flesh finding his Inheritance given him by the Father Joh. 7.6 thus given over to Strangers doth first release and set them all

from God yet there is a time wherein he will gather and call them all home to himself There was a time in which Samson went down to Timnath to take this Daughter of the Philistines to Wife And accordingly there is a Time wherein God will gather his Elect from the four Winds of the Heavens There is a Time for every one of Gods Jewels to be gathered into his Treasure and for every one of his Sheep to be brought into his Fold tho' God's People be born in Sin He will not have them to dye so for there is a time wherein I saith the Lord will call her Beloved that was not Beloved And this hath the Father appointed Eph. 1.10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in Heaven and which are on Earth even in him And beloved this time shall assuredly come upon every Soul belonging to God the Lord stir up our Hearts to look for it for except we be converted and born again we can never enter into the Kingdom of God An uncalled State is therefore a dreadful State for while a Man is so he knows not whether he belong to God or no But certainly such a one may conclude that for the present he belongs unto the Devil the Lord awaken all such THIRDLY From hence I would inferr That God must condescend and come down to us which indeed he hath done both in Flesh and Spirit before we can ascend to him So Samson went down to Timnath A Man whilst in Nature and so consequently dead in Sin is no more able truly and sincerely to ascend up to God either in Affection Faith or Practice than a Stone to lift up it self into the Air or a Bird to stye which hath no wings What could the dry Bones do which the Lord saith was the House of Israel till the Spirit of the Lord came upon them Ezek. 37. What cause then hath every Soul amongst us to be humble before the Lord and to be abased in our own Eyes and to cry out with David Psal 115. 1. Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy Name be praise and with Paul 1 Cor. 4.7 What have we that we have not received And with Isaiah Chapter 26. 12. Thou O Lord hast wrought all our works in us But many Professors at this day suppose a possibility of setting up Christ too high and of laying Man down too low in himself But how this cometh to pass I could never yet understand sure I am there is a great deal of both Possibility and Danger of setting up Man and his Righteousness too high and thereby disesteeming of Christ and his precious Death and Merits never was there less reason to cry up Mans Works and Obedience I mean so as to boast thereof or depend thereupon than at this day in which they are I may speak it with sorrow so little practised But were but the Free Grace of God Christ Jesus and Faith in him duly exalted and freely preached in Life and Power it would I think be the only way truly and without Hypocrisie to reform Mens Lives and to work their Hearts into a godly sorrow which would issue in it true and evangelical Repentance never to be repented of but there being so much Legality among Professers at this day hath undoubtedly been a great occasion of so much lukewarmness in the World in Matters of Religion BUT I come to the Third Particular viz. TO mention some of the greatest Lets Hindrances and Impediments which do most interrupt this blessed Union and Agreement betwixt Christ and his Church which indeed are many but time will but permit me to mention some few AND the first main Let or Hinderance is the want of a thorough sight and a true sense of the Miserableness of the condition in which we are by Nature and accordingly an enjoyment of rest and satisfaction though both false and Soul-destructive in that condition And thus much even Nature it self teacheth That no Man will seek unto a Physician for a cure unless he be first sensible that he is troubled with such a Distemper as doth necessarily call for and require such a Cure And who knows not that even the best of us are a great deal more ready and forward to encline to and seek after the Benefit and Cure of the Body than the Benefit and Cure of the Soul insomuch that a Man of whom I have heard who deserting and forsaking the Work of the Ministry in which he had spent much labour and travel to take up the Practice of Physick and being asked the reason why He returned this Answer Because said he I saw People were a great deal more careful of their Bodies than of their Souls and much more free to lay out their Money and Pains for the one than the other And Christ himself tells us That the whole need not a Physician but they that are sick The reason therefore why Christ our great Physician of Souls is so much slighted is because so few are sensible of their Souls Maladies and Distempers AND the case is the same in the Point in hand for the main reason why poor Sinners are no more free to change their Estate to forsake their first Husband viz. the Devil and the World and to be joyned and married to Jesus Christ is because they see not the danger and misery which they lye in and under in the Condition in which they are A SECOND Let or Hinderance in this Matter is Persons being so much in Love with their present States and the Pleasures and Profits which as they suppose they enjoy therein For the proof of this see that Place in Matth. 22. at the beginning Where the Text tells us That a great King i. e. God made a Marriage for his Son i.e. Christ and sent forth his Servants to call them that were bidden to the Wedding But what saith the Text Well they would not come Again he sent forth other Servants to tell them that all things were ready This was not only to invite but also to perswade But what saith the Text Ver. 5. Well They did not only refuse to come but they also made light of it and went their ways one to his Farm and another to his Merchandise Alas their Purses were full they had Riches enough at home they knew not that they were wretched poor blind miserable and naked Rev. 3.17 Yet it is not the bare having of the World and the Things thereof that hinders but it is the inordinate loving thereof This is that which spoils all In 1 Tim. 6.10 The Apostle tells us That the Love of Money is the root of all Evil. Mark it It is not the Money it self for the Creature is good but the inordinate Love of it this is the root of all Evil. Therefore pray mind what our Lord saith Luke 14.26 If any man come to me and hate not

his Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and his own Life also he cannot be my Disciple That is Whosoever pretendeth to come to Christ and hateth not all these things with what else can be named besides Christ in comparison of or in competition with Christ cannot be his Disciple and then for certain not his Spouse Oh Beloved many keep a great stir about Sin being the main Let in the way of Union betwixt Christ and a poor Soul but I tell you it is not Sin but the Love of Sin that separateth betwixt Christ and the Soul See Rev. 22.15 Whosoever loveth and maketh a Lye is cast out of the Holy City not he that barely maketh a Lye through weakness or by reason of Temptation but he that not only doth so but also loveth to do so this is the Man of the Lord's Anger Therefore saith David If I delight in Sin God will not hear my voice This therefore is the main Let in our way of Union with Christ because we Love Sin and love the World together with the Pleasures and Profits thereof we love the Flesh and we love our Lusts our Selves our Works and our own Righteousness and therefore we cannot love Christ And further provided that we should hate Swearing and Drunkenness and yet love Pride and Covetousness this is nothing or if we should hate Pride and Covetousness and yet love Deceit and Hypocrysie we are still no better This is but as it were to change one Devil for another and so keep a Devil still But I cannot enlarge THE Third Let in our way of Union with Christ which I shall now mention is want of Faith in Christ And truly Beloved this is a great Mountain in our way indeed this is the Hydra the Monster-Sin Vnbelief for as there is nothing impossible to him that believes so there is nothing possible to him that believes not For as Faith hath the preheminence above all other Graces so Unbelief hath the preheminence of all other Vices And how many a poor Soul is there that is both sensible of troubled for and burthened with Sin and also sees a want of longs for and desires to be with Christ and yet hath little or no Union with Christ by reason of Unbelief Yea there are many that are weary of the World weary of Sin weary of the Devil and of themselves too accounting in their very hearts all things nothing in comparison of Christ and yet for all this have little or no Fellowship with Christ because of the want of Faith Oh therefore this want of Faith is a great Soul-plague it is as the Devil's Castle and Tower of Defence from whence he shooteth so many Darts at the Souls of the Afflicted The Lord in Mercy arm us all against this Unbelief And truly my Friends there is no reason for the persons before spoken of to doubt of God's favour of all persons in the World for all the free and blessed Promises in the Gospel run with a direct tendency to and upon them I beseech you therefore if there be any such here this day that you would take courage trust in God and doubt no more and the Lord give and grant you Hearts thus to do for I know there is no such precious Herb as Faith is grows in the corrupted Garden of Mans Heart by Nature But oh you proud obdurate and hard-hearted ones whose hearts the Lord never yet touched nor who never yet trembled at Gods Words to you be it spoken the Dread ought to lie at your doors for there is not a Curse written in all Gods Book but it runs with a direct tendency to and upon you as little as you fear it think of it or are troubled for it now yet the Day is a coming even at the Door when you shall be made to know it The Lord God give you hearts to see it in due time before it be too late and the Offers of Grace be hid from your Fyes But there is at this day a sort of Professors of Christianity in the world who pretend to Faith and a holy Life or rather first a holy Life and then Faith as they suppose and these are still crying Do do do and upon doing they pronounce Men blessed happy and safe not regarding in the mean while whether such have any Faith or no or if they have whether it be rightly founded upon Christ or no without leaning to or depending upon any thing else especially in point of Justification But oh that such Persons would seriously consider 1. That Man as Man and whilst cut of Christ can do nothing So saith Christ himself Without me ye can do nothing John 14.5 But the strongest Argument that ever I met with to convince me of the truth of this is recorded in John 5.30 Where Christ saith thus I can of mine own self do nothing And from hence I infer That if the sinless spotless and only Son of God did acknowledge That he could of his own self do nothing that is as he was Man c. then is it most high Presumption for a poor mortal sinful wretched Creature Dust and Ashes to say or think that of himself as separate from the Grace Power and Goodness of God in Christ he can do any thing that is any thing acceptable or well-pleasing to God 2. Let them consider that whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin Rom. 14.23 And also that without Faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 And lastly Let them consider that Faith is the Gift of God Eph. 2.8 and a Fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 And if so then pray what is sinful Man in and of himself but a poor lost helpless nothing undone Creature And this must man be made to see before ever he can truly close with Christ Jesus in Truth and Sincerity And when once he comes thus to be stript of all and made nothing in himself then is he a fit Object of Mercy in which God once coming to work Faith in the heart in order to an embracing of Christ then a blessed Union betwixt Christ and the Soul is immedily brought forth BUT Fourthly and lastly For I cannot stand to mention any more Particulars Another dreadful and most mighty Let in this way of Union betwixt Christ and his Church is the Devil of whom it is said in another case and may accordingly be said in this He that now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way 2 Thes 2.7 And indeed it is him which the young Lion in our Text doth most directly point at for as the young Lion roared against Samson when he came down to Timnath to take this Daughter of the Philistines to Wife so the Devil roared against Christ both when he came in the Flesh to purchase and redeem his Church and also as he cometh in the Spirit to call and sanctifie his Church in order to the betrothing of her unto himself

that is but a counterfeit Conversion But alas we see too many Examples of this nature at this day in the World many set forth fair for Heaven in all outward appearance for a while and yet afterwards wither and dry away The Lord make all these Examples as so many awakening warning Caveats to us to be the more watchful for though all sleep till the Bridegroom's Voice be heard yet woe to them that sleep afterwards Oh the many Evils occasioned by a lukewarm Spirit Who is able to express them But in a word Luke warmness if it prevail setteth open a door forth at which all present Enjoyments of God take their Flight and in at which Satan Sin Death and Darkness come in And truly when once it comes to this the Face of Heaven looks black upon such a Soul Therefore I beg of you all that hear me this day have a care of a lukewarm Spirit CAVTION 2. Again Secondly If you find God delivering you from this dangerous Rock of Lukewarmness directing your Feet from this dreadful Path which directly leadeth down to the Pit so as that Satan can do no good of you here Then have a care on the other hand of splitting your selves upon the no less dangerous Rock of Hypocrisie and Self-conceitedness And to prevent this 1st SEE that you be found in the Faith especially in the great Article of Justification 1. Holding Justification by Faith 2. And that not Subjectively but Objectively not as a bare Act in us but as Beholding Receiving Imbracing and applying of Jesus Christ according to that clear and most precious Text Acts 13.39 And by him all that do believe are justified from all things c. And 2ly BE careful to live Holily and as careful to do it sincerely the Grace of God inforceth Holiness but hateth Hypocrisie and that you may do this 1st See that you expect not that Holiness should bring you to Christ but that you should derive Holiness from Christ being by Faith Primarily brought unto him 2ly That the performance of good Duties moveth not God to give his Grace to you but his Grace first given to you and wrought in you moveth you to perform good Duties if you do them aright 3ly THINK not that your love to God or to Goodness doth produce love to God towards you which was not in him before but contrariwise that God's Love to you manifested and revealed in you produceth and begetteth love in you both to God Goodness and Good Men nay to your very Enemies But Oh wherewith shall it be lamented that this Godly Love which always produceth Christian Unity is so much wanting at this day among professors But 4ly IN all your Holy Actings do not as it were Act for Life or that you may receive Life but on the other hand Act as from Life already received from Christ by Faith and revealed and wrought in your Hearts by the Spirit LASTLY Be not puffed up with or by any thing that you do have done or can do Oh forget it look over it take Christ's Advice let not the left Hand know what the right Hand doth and when you have done whatsoever is commanded you still account your selves unprofitable servants Luke 17.10 And be sure you hold fast the Foundation and Corner stone Christ Jesus and bring nothing as a Ground of your Faith into the presence and before the Face of God but Christ and him alone Oh observe the words of Luther upon his Dying Bed which are said to be his last words Says he Christ have I loved Christ have I feared Christ have I served Christ hav● I preached in Christ have I believed and unto Christ I commende my Soul Beloved here was a Blessed end here was a Comfortable and Glorious End The Lord bring us all to such an End for his Names sake And would you come to such an end then beware of Hypocrisie But I haste A word or two more of Caution to the Wicked and so I come to the Application AND in the first place if there be any Persons among us this day that are Ignorant of and Strangers to God and his workings upon the Souls of his People and that are mindless and regardless of God Christ the Gospel Heaven and their Souls Salvation living either in desperate Wickedness Moral Civility or Legal Holiness and yet without God Well to all such I would say Oh have a care have a care how you dally away your precious time Consider your Souls lie at stake and if you miss of Christ you are undone for ever remember the Rich Man Luke 16. who never lift up his Eyes till he was in Hell Oh examine before hand what you will do upon your Dying Beds when you must take your Leave of Friends and Relations go off the Stage of this World and pass into endless Eternity Beloved pray mind me there is as it were two great Porters if I may so speak which stand beside the Gates of Death viz. Christ and the Devil Christ as it were on the right hand and the Devil on the left and when the Soul of a Righteous Man passes the Gates of Death Christ whose everlasting Arms are still spread under all his with open Heart and Hand is there ready to receive him and will not suffer Satan as much as once to come nigh him but will say No Satan the time of this Souls warfare is accomplished thou hast had thy time to try and sift him and hast caused him to feel many a bitter hour of Trouble but I who long since bought him have saved him from thy Hands and will now receive him to Glory where thou shalt never trouble him more for precious to the Lord are the Death of all his Saints and Blessed are the Dead which die in the Lord from henceforth for they rest from their Labours Trouble and Toil. But on the other hand when a Wicked Unbeliever dyes and comes to pass the Gates of Death presently he falls into the Jaws of the Dog of Hell i. e. the Devil and is caught in the Arms of Satan and so hurried down into Eternal Flames and if he cry Lord save me No saith Christ for in thy Life time thou contemnedst my Grace and Gospel and cast off my Counsel and Reproof thou set light by my Death and Merits and would have none of my Salvation I will therefore now Laugh at thy Calamities and mock when thy Fear cometh Depart thou from me O thou Worker of Iniquity O consider this all you that forget God and while it is called to day and while the Door of the Bride-grooms Chamber standeth open hear fear and lay it to heart return to the Lord accept of Grace and embrace those things that belong to your Peace before they be hid from your eyes For the Devil designs nothing more than to draw you on with one Temptation or another in Blindness and Forgetfulness of God till Death hath closed up your Eyes and then