4. Apply the subject
4. Apply the subject
We are now, to apply the subject. Which we shall do only in an use of exhortation.
I would then exhort one and all of you to make heart-work and sure work in your covenanting with the Lord, and not to trifle in so solemn a business. You have heard the danger you incur by trifling with it. But perhaps some will say with a whole heart, that as they are resolved to keep themselves out of harm's way, they will not come to the Lord's table. To this I would answer, well, will you not enter into covenant with the Lord? if not, then you will never see Heaven; Ephesians 2:12, "Strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." Where will you appear at the great day? Psalm 50:1–5. You must take hold of the Lord's covenant or be damned. Sirs, if you enter at all into this work, my exhortation reaches you. You may trifle with God upon your knees, as well as at his table. And if you be not minded to refuse this covenant, why stand you back from the seals of it? why do you not prepare yourselves for it? why slight you this love token of our dying Lord? I would think if you were in earnest for the covenant, you would not slight the seal of it. Make sure work then. To induce you to be serious in this weighty work, I would mention and urge the following motives.
Mot. 1. You have need to make sure work, for you have deceitful hearts to deal with, Jeremiah 17:19. Let not the bands be put on slightly, or it will soon slip them all. Therefore, dig deep, by serious solemn examination of your consciences before the Lord, that you may build as on a rock.
Mot. 2. Consider the weight of the business; the business of salvation, or damnation, is not a matter to trifle with. Sirs, life and death are before you. Your eternal state lies at the stake. I bescech you then, by all that weight of glory that awaits the saints, as you would not ruin your souls which a thousand worlds cannot repair, for the loss of the soul cannot be made up, that you seriously consider the business.
Mot. 3. Consider the Lord is not trifling but is in good earnest with you; "O that there were such a heart in them!" There is a match proposed between the King of glory and the daughter of Zion, the bridegroom is willing; Revelation 3:20, "Behold I stand at the door and knock." There is nothing wanting on his part; Matthew 22:4," All things are ready, come unto the marriage." How passionately does he call for her consent in the text: And now, when the Lord is thus offering himself to you, why will you refuse or trifle with him? Here some may propose this,
Objection. This is a flourish which may pass well enough in a pulpit. But O! if the Lord were really offering himself to me, I would never refuse. To this I answer, the offer is real, though ministerial. We have our commission from our Lord to bear us out in it, and he would do the same if he were here bodily present; 2 Corinthians 5:10, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead be you reconciled to God." Hence, in the days of his flesh, he offered himself both to those that did, and those that did not receive him. Consider, he said to his disciples, "He who hears you, hears me." We are the friends of the bridegroom; as Abraham's servants, we are come to bring you to our Master's son. What would you have to make the offer real, if you may not take it as such from the mouth of his messengers? Would you have him leave his glory a second time, and come in person to make the offer? Or would you have him come down in his glory? If so, you know not what you ask. It would set you better to do as Abigail, bow yourself to the earth, and humbly accept of the offer, 1 Samuel 25:40, 41. So real is the offer, that if you refuse, you will be damned for the refusal; Mark 16:15, 16, "And he said unto them, go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized, shall be saved; but he who believes not, shall be damned." John 17:20, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." See then what you do. It is a serious business on the Lord's part, and there is a prize in your hands, which you would do well diligently to improve. Does he indeed offer himself to me? do you say? notwithstanding my unworthiness. Yes, to you, we make no scruple to offer him particularly to every one of you, the vilest of you all; Revelation 3:20, "Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me." It is not unworthiness, but unwillingness, that will mar the bargain; "The Spirit and the bride say, Come, and let him that hears say, Come, and let him that is athirst say, Come, and whoever will let him take the water of life freely."