To the Reader,
[ 4091 To the READER.
T HE worthy author of the discourse emitted herewith, is one whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the chur ches.
His other books have made his name precious and famous in both Englands. Norcanmy testimony add any thing to one everywaygreater than myself.
Nevertheless, a finguIarprovidence having cast my lot to be at present in this great city; I could not withstand the importunityofthem, who defireda few Prefatory lines to manifest the respect I owe to this renowned and learned man.
It was a wife reproof which a grave divine administred to a young preacher, who entertained his auditory with an elaboT rate discourse : after he had commended his parts and pains, there was (said he) onething wanting in the sermon; I could not perceive that the Spirit of God was in it. And though morality is good, and necessary to be taught and practised, yet it is much to be lamented, thatmanypreachers in these days have hardlyanyother discourses in their pulpits than what we find in Seneca, Epictetus, Plutarch, or some such heathen moralist.
Christ, the holy Spirit, and (in a word) the gospel is not in their sermons. But blessed be God, that there are some (and great is their company in this land of light) who preach the truth as it is in Jesus: and he who has taken the book out of the right hand of him that fits on the throne, and is worthy to open the seals thereof, has been pleased inwonderfulwaysto set open, and keep open a door of liberty to the gospel, that they, unto whom he has given a heart to preach Christ, may do it.
This is the Lord'sdoing ; this is a Spirit of life from God. When Cyrus proclaimed liberty for the free exercise of religion, the Lord's servants,who for forme years had laindead,were brought out of their graves, Ezek. xxxvii. 12, 13.
This treatise is a word in season : God has made the author to be a wife master-builder in his house, and according to the wisdom given him of God,he has enlarged on a gospel subject very proper to be insisted on at such a day as this. I am informed by unquestionable hands, that there was a remarkable pouring out of the Spirit when these sermons were viva voce delivered, a great number of fouls having been brought home to Christ thereby. The Lordgrantthat the second preaching of themtofargreater multitudes,bythiswayofthepress,may,by
VOL . IV.
Fff
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The fruit brought forth by the holy apostles in respect of the writings offome(as well as the doctrine preached by all) of them, does still remain. The fruitful labours of this faithful fervantof Christ will promote the glory of God, and the good of fouls, when he himself shall cease from his labours, and his works shall follow him.
Let the Lord's people be thankful to him for that he has sent such a labourer into the harvest, and pray that he maybe continued long therein, and that many such (for there are but few such) may be raised up, and be made eminentlyfuccefsfulin their holy endeavours, to the enlargement of the kingdom of Christ,and of God ; and let him reign in this land for ever and
L ever,which is the heart's desire and prayer of one who is :
Londen, 1689.
Less than the least of all faints,
INCREASE MATHER
SERMON I.
REV. iii. 20. [Behold] Iftand at the door, and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, andfup with him, and he with me.
THIS day hath our compassionate Redeemer opened unto us a door of liberty ; liberty to us to preach, and liberty for you to hear the glad tidings of the gospel.
This is a day few looked for : how often have I said in the years that arepafty God hath no more work for me to do, and I shall have no more strength and opportunities to work for God ? And how often have you said in your hearts,we have finnedourminifters out of theirpulpits, and our eyes shall no more behold those our teachers ? But lo, beyond the thoughts of most hearts, a wide and(I hope) an effectual door is now opened in themidit of us. Oh! that it might be to us as the valleyofAchorwas to Israel, for a door ofhape, Hos. ii. 15.(i. e.) not onlymak ing the troubles they meet with in that valley an inlettotheir mercies, as ours have been to us ; butgivingthem that valley pignoris no mine, as a pledge of greater mercies intended for them.
Upon the first appearance of this mercy, my next thoughts werehowtomake the most fruitful improvement of
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it amongst you, lest we should twice stumble at the same stone, and fin ourselves back again into our old bondage.
In the contemplation of this matter, the Lord directed me to this scripture, wherein the fame hand that opened to you the door of liberty, knocks importunately at the doors of your hearts for entrance into them, for union and communion with them.
It will be sad indeed ifhethathath let you into all these mercies, should himself be shut out of your hearts : but if the
Lordshouldhelp you to open your hearts now to Christ, I doubt not but this door of liberty will be kept open to you, how many soever the adversaries be that envy it, and will do their utmost to shut it up, Ezek. xxxix. 29.
The mercies you enjoy this day, are the fruits of Christ's interceffion with the Father for one trial more : if we bring forth fruit, well ; if not, the ax lie that the root of the tree.
Under this consideration I desire to preach, and even so the Lord help you to hear what shall be spoken from this precious scripture, Be bold I stand at the door and knock, &c.
These words are a branch of that excellent epistle dictated by Christ, and fentbyhis servant John to the church ofLaodicea, the most formal, hypocritical and degenerate of all the seven churches ; yet the great Physician will try his skill upon them, both by, the rebukes of the rod, verse 19. and by the persuasive power of the word ; verse 20. Behold I stand at the door and knock, &c.
This text is Christ's wooing voice, full of heavenly rhetoric to win and gain the hearts of sinners to himself; wherein we have these two general parts.
1. Christ's suit for a sinner's heart.
2. The powerful arguments enforcing his suit.
First, Christ's suit for afinner's heart, wherein we have (1/4), The solemn preface,ushering it in, behold : (2.) The suit itself. The preface is exceeding solemn: for beside the commonufe of this word behold, in other places, to excite attention, or exaggerate and put weight into an affirmation ; it stands here, as a judicious expositor + notes, as a term of notification or public record, wherein Christ takes witness of the most gracious offer he was now about to make to their souls, and will have it stand in perpetuam rei memoriam, as a testimony for or against their foulsto all eternity, to cut off all excuses and pretences for time to come .
2. The suit itself, wherein we have, Fff2 † Durham on the place.
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1. The Suitor, Jesus Christ.
2. His posture and action ; I stand at the door and knock.
3. The suit itself, which is for opening, if any man open.
1. The suitor, Christ himself, I stand; I that have a right of sovereignty over you ; I that have shed my invaluable blood to purchase you, and might justly condem you, upon the first denial or demur ; behold I stand : this is the suitor,
2. His posture and action, I stand at the door, and knock; the word is in the † preter tense, I have stood, but being here joined with another verb of the present tense, it is fitlytranflat ed, I stand, yet so as that it notes a continued action.
I have stood, and do still stand with unweariedpatience; I onceftood personally and bodily among you in the days of my flesh, and I still stand spiritually and representativelyin my ambassadors at the door, (i. e.) the mind and conscience,the faculties and powers which are introductive into the whole soul.
The word door is here properly put to signify those introductive faculties of the soul, which are of a like use to it, as the door is to the house.
This is the Redeemer's posture, his ac tion is knocking, (i. e.) his * powerful essay,and gracious at tempts to open the heart to give him admission. The word knock signifies a strong and powerful knock ; he stands patiently,and knocks powerfully by the word outwardly, by the con victions, motions, impulses, strivings, and instigations of his
Spirit inwardly.
3. The design and end of the suit, it is for opening, (i. e.) consenting,receiving, embracing, and hearty accepting of him by faith.
Acts xvi. 14. The Lord opened the heart of Lydia, (i. e.) persuaded her soul to believe; implying, that the heart by nature is strongly barred and locked up against Christ ; and that nothing but a power from him can open it.
Secondly, The powerful arguments and motives used by Christ to obtain his suit, and get a grant from the sinner'she art; and they are drawn from two inestimable benefits accruingto the opening or believing foul, viz .
1. Union, 2. Communion withChrift.
1. Union ; I will come unto him, that is, I will unitemyfelf withtheopeningbelieving foul ; he shall be mysticallyonewith me, and I with him.
2. Communion ; Iwillfup with him, and he with me ; that is, I will feast the believing foul with thedelicates of heaven:
* Εστκα. Η Κρεωα κέρας cornu,&ficfit κερew,& per fyncopen
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such comforts, such joys, such pleasures, as none in the world but believers are capable of.
And, to set home all, these special benefits are proposed by Christ to all forts of sinners, great and small, old and young ;
Ifanymanhear my voice and open the door : That so no foul might be discouraged from believing, by the greatness or mul titude of his fins, but the vilest of sinners may fee free grace triumphing over all their unworthiness, upon their consent to take Christ according to the gracious offers of the gospel.
The words thus opened, afford many great and useful points of doctrine, comprehending in them the very sum and substance of the gospel. The first,which arifeth from the solemn and remarkable preface, Behold, will be this :
Doct. 1. That every offer of Christ to the souls offinners is recorded, and witnessed, with respect to the day of account and reckoning.
Here we shall enquire into three things.
1. Who are God's witnesses to all gospel tenders.
2. What are the object-matters they witness to.
3. Why God records every offer of Christ, and takes a witness thereof. i I. Who are God's witnesses to all the tenders and offers made of Christ by the gospel, and they will be found to be more than a strict legal number ; for, 1. His ministers, by whom he makes them, are all witnesses as well as officers of Christ to the people.
Acts xxvi. 16. " I " have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a " minister and a witness."
Here you see ministers have a double office, to propose and offer Christ, and then to bear witness for or against those to whom he is thus offered : they are expressly called God's witnesses, Rev. xi. 6, 7.
Their labours witness, their sufferings witness, their solemn appeals to God witness ; yea, the very dust of their feet shaken off against the refusers of Christ, turns to a testimony against them, Mark vi.
11 . Everygroan and sigh, every drop of sweat, much more of blood, are placed in God's book of marginal notes by all their sermons and prayers, and will be produced and read in the great day against all the refusers anddespisers of Christ.
2. The gospel itself, which is preached to you, isa testimony or witness for God, for, or against every one that hears it ;
John xii. 48. " He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my " words, hath one thatjudgethhim ; the word that I have spo- " ken,the same shall judge him in the last day." And this is the sense of Christ's word, Matth. xxiv. 14. "And this gospel
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" of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for awit " ness to all nations,and then shall the end come." Ah, Lord, what a solemn record is here ! every fermonyou hear, yea, every reproof, persuasion and conviction, is a witness for God to caftandcondemn every soul in judgment,thatcomplies notobediently with the calls of the gospel: fo many sermons, so many witnesses.
3.Everyman's conscience is a witness for God, that he hath a fair offer once made him : the very consciences of the He a thens that never saw a Bible, that had no other preachers but the fun, moon, and stars, and other works of nature; yet of them the apostle faith, Rom. ii. 15. " That they shew the " work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also
" bearing them witness, and their thoughts the mean while " accusing or excusing one another." `Certainly iffuch vigour and activity was put into the consciences of Heathens, who could only read the will of God by the dim moon-light of natural reason ; how much more vigorous and active will confciencebe, in its accusing office, against all that live under the brightbeams of gospel-light ? Their consciences will be swift witnesses, andwillringfadpeals in their ears another day, Ezek. ii. 5. " You shall know that there hath been a prophet among " you."
This single witness is instead of a thousand witnefles for God.
4. The examples of all those that do believe and obey the gospel, are so many witnesses for God, against the despisers and neglecters of the great salvation. Every mourning trembling foul among you is a witness against all the dead-hearted, unbelieving, disobedient ones, that fit with them under the fame or dinances. Hence it is said, I Cor. vi. 2. "Knowye not that " the saints shall judge the world ?" They shall be affefsors with Christ in the great day, and condemn the world by their examples, asNoah did the old world.
Thus John, Matth. xxi. 32. came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not, but the publicans and harlots believed him ; and ye when yehadseen it, repented not afterwards that ye might believe him, q. d. What shift did you make to quiet your consciences, and stifle your convictions, when youfaw publicans, the worst of men, andharlots, the worst of women, repenting, believing, and hung ring after Christ ! their examples shall be your judges.
These are God's witnesses.
II. Next let us confider what are the object matters unto which they give their testimony, and that will be found twofold, according to the two-fold eventthegospelhathupon them
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that hear it; of both which the apostle gives this account, 2 Cor. ii. 16. " Unto some we are the favour of life unto life,
" and unto others the favour of death unto death."
Accordingly a double record is made.
1. Of the obedience and faith of some, which record will be produced to their joy and comfort in the day of the Lord ; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe ; because our testimony among you was believed in that day.
Ministers are instruments of espoufing fouls to Christ, and witnesses to those espousals and contracts made betwixt him and them, 2 Cor. xi. 2.
Both these offices are exceeding grateful and pleasant to every faithful minister.
2. A record is made, and witness taken of all the refufals, disobedience and flightings of Christ by others.
Thus Moses will be the accuser of the Jews, Johnv. 45. " Do not think I " will accuse you to the Father; there is one that accuseth
" you, even Moses, in whom you trust."
This is the saddest part of a minister's work; the fore-thoughts of it are more afflictive than all ourlabours and sufferings.
There is threefold record made in this case : (1.) Of the time men have enjoyed under the means of salvation; how many years they have fat barren and dead-hearted under the labours of God's faithful ministers ; Luke xiii. 7. "Behold these three years I " come feekingfruit on this fig-tree, and find none." Behold, the fame term of notification with that in the text, applied to the time of God's patience towards them. And again, Jer. xxv. 3. " From the thirteenth year of Jofiah, even unto this
" day, (that is, the three and twentieth year) the word of the " Lordhathcome unto me, and I have spokenuntoyou rising
" early, and speaking, but ye have not hearkened." O consider, all the years and days you have spent under the gospel, are upon your doomsday book.
(2.) Records are also made of all the instruments that ever God employed for the conversion and salvation of your souls.
So many ministers,whether fixed or transient, as have spent their labours upon you, are upon the book of your account.
Jer. xxv. 4. " The Lord hath fentunto "you all his servants, the prophets, rising early, and fending
" them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear " to hear."
They have wasted their lungs, dropt their com. passionate tears, and burnt down one after another, as candles to direct you to Christ and salvation, but all in vain.
(3.)Every call, persuasion and argument, used by them tocspouse you to Christ, is likewise upon the book of account.
Prov. i.
24, 25. " Because I have called and you refused, I have stretch.
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"" edmyhand, and no man regarded, but you have set at nought all my counsels, and would none of my reproofs."
These calls and counsels are of too great value with God (though of none with you) to be loft and left out of your account.
III. We shall, in the last place, inquire into the grounds and reasons of these judicial procedures of God, why he will have every man's obedience and disobedience registered, and witnessed for or against him, under gospel administrations ; and there are two weighty reasons thereof.
1. That wherever the end of the gospel is attained in the conversion of any foul, that foul, and all that were inftrumentally employed about the falvationofit, may have the proper reward and comfort in the great day, 2.Cor. i. 14. "As also
" you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoi- " cing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus."
This will be matter of joy unspeakable, both to you that shall receive, and to them that shallgivesuch a comfortable testimony for you. O the joyful congratulations that will be in that day between laborious faithful ministers, and their believing obedi enthearers ! Lord, this was the blessed instrument of my happy illumination and conversion ; though I might have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet not many fathers ; forby the blessing of thy Spirit upon this man's ministry, my soul was begotten to Christ. And, on the other side; Lord, these are the fouls for whom I travelled, as in birth, until Christ was
formed in them.
It is a glorious thing to say, as the prophet, " Here am I, and the childrenGodhath given me."
Nay, those that were but collaterally useful to help on the workofGodbegunbyothers, must not lose their reward in that day.
John iv. 36. "And he that reapeth receiveth wages, " and gathereth fruit unto eternal life, that both he that sow- " eth and he thatreapeth may rejoice together."
2. Records are now made, and witnesses taken, that thereby the judicial sentence of Jesus Christ, in the last day may be made clear and perfpicuous to all the world ; that every mouth may be stopped, and no plea, or apology left in the mouth of any condemned sinner. For Christ, in that day, cometh, Jude 15. to convince all that are ungodly ; to convince by demonstration, that all that are Christless now, may be found speechless then, Matth. xxii. 12. Hence it is said,
Psalm i. 5. That the wicked shall not stand, or rise up in the judgment. And no wonder, when fo many full testimonies, and unexceptionable witnesses shall come point blank against
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them, theminifterthat preached, the word they preached, their own consciences, and the examples of all believers will be produced against them.
1st Inference.
The undoubtedcertainty ofa day of judgment is hence evinced.
To what purpose else are records made, and witnesses taken, but with respect to an audit-day ? This is a truth sealed upon the conscience of the very heathens, Rom. ii. 15.
Their consciences bear witness.
But in vain are all these records made, unless there be a day to produce and plead them ; andofthatdaythe prophet Daniel speaks, Dan. vii. 10.
" The judgment was set, and the books were opened." And again, Rev. xx. 12. " And I saw the dead, small and great,
" standbeforeGod, and the books were opened, and another " book was opened which is the book of life; and the dead
" were judged out of those things which were written in the " book, according to their works."
Believe it, friends, these are no devised fables, but most awful and infallible truths : according to the saving effects the gospel now hath, it will bea time of refreshing to our souls,
Acts iii. 19. to all others a day of terror, wrath and amazement, 2 Theff. i. 7, 8. " The day in which the Lord Jesus shall
" be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming " fire, taking vengeance on them that knownotGod, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."
2d Inference. What aspur is here to ministerial diligence and faithfulness ? "Tis an awful work that is underourhands ; the effects ofthegofpel which we preach, will be the favour of life or death to them that hear us.
If the Lord prosper it in our hands, we shall be witnesses for you, it will be an addition to our glory in heaven; Dan. xii. 3. " They that turnmanyto
" righteousness, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, " and as the stars for ever and ever."
But if we be ignorant, lazy, men-pleasers, our people will come in as swift witnesses against us, and their blood will be required at our hands ; it will bean intolerable aggravation to our misery in hell,to have any that fat under our ministry thus upbraiding us ! O cruel man! thoufaweft my foul in danger, and never dealt faithfully and plainly with me ; the same time and breath that was spent in idleandworldydiscourse, might have been instrumental to have
Saved me from this place of torment.
Let ministers confider themselves as witnesses for God, and their people as witnesses for or against them; and under that consideration, so study, preachandpray, thattheymaywith PaultakeGod to record,
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418.
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3d Inference. What a pill is this to purgeformality out of all that hear us ? Every sabbath, every sermon, is recorded in heaven for or against your souls; at what rate soever you attend to the word, all that you hear is fetdowninthebook of your account : think not you shall return as you came, the word will have its effect and end, it shall not return in vain,
Ha. lv. 11. but shall accomplish the end for which it is sent.
The decrees of heaven are executed by the gospel, some fouls thallbe quickened, and others shall be slain by the word of
God's mouth.
The gospel is a river of the waters of life, which quickens and refreshes everything that lives ; but the miry and marthy places shall not be healed. How weighty therefore is that caution of our Lord, Luke viii. 18. Take heed how you hear! When you come under an ordinance, you are sowing feed for eternity,which will spring up in the world to come.
Preaching and hearing may be considered two ways, Physically or morally in the former respect, these acts are quickly over and pass away.
I thallbyand by have done preaching, and you hearing ; this sermon will be ended ina little time, but the consequences thereof will abide for ever.
Therefore, for the Lord's fake, away with formality, no more drowsy eyes or wandering thoughts. O when you come to attend upon the miniftryof the gospel,that such thoughts as these might prepare your minds! The word I am going to hear will quicken or kill, save or damn my soul ; ifI fit dead under it, and return barren from it,I shall with one day that I had never seen the face of that minister,norheardhis voice that preached it.
• 4th Infer. What a dreadful condition are all those in that are realandprofeffed enemies to the gospel ; and them that preach it !
That instead of embracing and obeying the message ofthegofpel, reject and despise it; instead of opening their hearts to receive it, open theirblafphemous mouths against it, toderide it, andhiss it (if it were possible) out of the world. Ah, what a book of remembrance is written for such men ? I fear there never was an age, since Christianity blessed this nation, that was more deeply drenched in the guilt of this fin than the present age. How are the messengers of the gospel flighted and rejected ? What have we done to deserve it ? Is not our case this day much like that of the prophet ? " Shall evil be recom- " pensed for good ? Fortheyhavedigged a pit for my foul; re- " member that I stood before thee to speak good for them,and
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* to turn away thy wrath from them," Jer. xviii. 20.
What brutish madness hath poffeft the souls ofthesemen ? But, alas ! it is not somuchthey, as Satan acting in them; he isa jealous prince, the gospel alarms him, his subjects are in danger of revolting from him : no wonder therefore he makes an outcry at the liberty of the gospel, as is used to be made when an enemy invades a kingdom. In this case Christ directs his ministers to shake off the dust of their feet for a teftimóny against them,
Mark vi . 11.
The fignification and meaning whereof is this, that look as you shake offthedust of your feet,even so Jesus
Christ will shake off those men that despise the gospel, and abuseitsmessengers.
* 機 5th Infer. Hence it likewise follows, That the case of the Pagan world will be easier in the day of judgment, than theirs that live and die unregenerate and disobedient under the gospel of Christ.
There are more witnesses prepared, and records filled against thedayofyour account, than can possibly be against them: they have abused but one talent, the
lightofnature ; but we thousands, even as many thousands as we have had opportunities and calls under the gospel. Upon this account Christ faith, "Whosoever shall not receive
" you, nor hear your words, shake offthedust of your feet. Ve- " rily, I sayuntoyou, it shall be more tolerable for the land of " Sodom andGomorrah in the dayofjudgment, than for that " city," Matth. x. 14, 15.
Ah, what a fearful aggravation doth it put upon our fin and misery, that we are not only accountable for all the light we had, but for all that we might have had in the gospel-day ! Capernaum was lifted up to heaven in the enjoyment of means and precious opportunities,Matth. xi. 23. and had an answerabledownfal intothedepthofmisery from that height of mercy; as the higher any one is lifted up upon a rack, the more terrible is the jerk he receives by the fall.
6th Infer. Lastly, Hence it appears, That the day ofjudg ment must certainly take up a vast space of time : For if God will bring everything into judgment, Ecclef. xii. 14. not only sinful actions, but words, Matth. xii.36. notonlywords,but heart-secrets,Rom . ii. ró.
I fall the records and registers now made, shall then be opened and read ; all the witnesses for or against everyman examined and heard; judgethenwhat avast space of time will that greatdaytakeup. Somedivines are of opinion it may last as long as the world hath lasted; but this is sure, things will not be hudledup, nor shuffled over in haste
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Confider the multitudes, multitudes without number, that are to be judged in that day, even all the posterity of Adam, which are as the sanduponthefea-shore; that not only fo many persons, but all that they have done, must come into judgment, eventheverythoughts of their hearts, whichnevercame totheknowledgeofmen; their consciences to be interrogated, all other witnesses fully heard and examined: how great a day must this day of the Lord then be ?
The second Use.
But the main of this point will be for exhortation, that seeing all the offers of Christ are recorded, and witnessed, with respect to a day of account, every one of you would therefore immediately embrace the present gracious tender of Christ in the gospel, as ever you expect to be acquitted and cleared in that great day : take heed ofdenials,nayofdelays anddemurs.
" For if the word spoken by angels was stedfaft, and every " transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of " reward ; how shall we escape if we neglect so great a falvati- " on ?" Heb. ii. 2, 3.
The question is put, but no answer made ; How shall we escape ? The wisdom of men and angels cannot tell how.
To enforce this exhortation, I'shall present you with ten weighty considerations upon the matter, which the Lord follow home, by the blessing of his Spirit upon all your hearts.
1. Confiderhow invaluable a mercy it is, that you are yet within the reach of offered grace.
The mercies that stand in offer before you this day, were never set before the angels that fell; no mediator was ever appointed for them. O astonishing mercy! that those vessels of gold shouldbecastinto everlasting fire, and such clay vessels as we are, thus put into a capacity of greater happiness than ever they fell from; nay, the mercy that stands before you is not only denied to the angels that fell, but to the greatest part of your fellow-creatures, of the fame rankanddignity with you : "He sheweth his word to " Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel, he hath
" not dealt so with any other nation, and as for his judgments " they have not known them: Praise ye the Lord," Psalm cxlvii. 19, 20. A mercy deservedly celebrated with a joyful
Allelujah.
What vast tracks are there in the habitable world, where thenameofChrist is unknown! it is your special mercy to be born in a land of bibles and ministers ; where it is as dis
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ficult for you to avoid and shunthe light, as it is for others to behold and enjoy it.
2. Consider the nature, weight, and worth of the mercies which are this day freely offered you.
Certainly they are, mercies of the first rank, the most ponderous, precious, and necessary amongallthemercies of God.
Christ the first-born of mercies, and in him pardon, peace, and eternal salvation are fetbefore you: it were astonishing to fee a starving man refusing offered bread, or a condemned man a gracious pardon.
Lord! what compositions offloth and stupidity are we, that we should need so many in treaties to be happy.
3. Confider who it is that makes these gracious tenders of pardon, peace, and salvation, to you ; even that God whom you have so deeply wronged, whose laws you have violated, whose mercies you have spurned, and whose wrath you have justly incensed.
His patience groans under the burden of your daily provocations ; he loses nothing if you be damned, and receives no benefit if you befaved; yet the first motions of mercy and salvation to you freely arise out of his grace and good pleasure. God in treats you to be reconciled, 2 Cor. v.
20.
The blessed Lord Jesus,whose blood thy fins have shed, now freely offers that blood for thy reconciliation, justification, and salvation, if thou wilt but sincerely accept him ere it be too late.
4. Reflect seriously upon your own vileness, to whomfuch gracious offers of peace and mercy are made. Thy sins have set thee at as great a distance from the hopes and expectations of pardon, as anyfinner in the world.
Confider man, what thou haft been, what thou hast done, and what vast heaps of guilt thou haft contracted by a life of fin ; and yet that unto thee pardon and peace should be offered in Christ after such a lifeofrebellion, how astonishing is the mercy ! the Lord is contented to pass by all thy former rebellions, thy deep-dyed transgressions, and to sign an actofoblivion for all that is past, if now at last thy heart relentfor fin,andthywillbow in obedience to the great commands and calls of the gospel, Ifaiah Iv. 2, c. and i. 18.
5. Confider how many offers of mercy you have already refused, and that every refusal is recorded against you : how long have you tried, and even tried the patience of God already, and that this may bethe last overture of grace that ever.
God will make to your souls.
Certainly there is an offer that will be the last offer, a striving of the Spirit which will be his last striving; and after that no more offers without
England's Duty. you, no more motions or strivingswithin you, for evermore.
The treaty is then ended, and your last neglect or rejection of Christ recordedagainsttheday of your account; and what if this fhouldprove to be that last tender of grace which must conclude the treaty betwixt Christ and you! what undone wretches must youthen be, with whom so gracious a treaty breaks off upon fuchdreadful terms.
6. Confider well the reasonable, mild, and gracious nature of the gospel-terms, on which life and pardon are offered to you, Acts xx. 21. The gospel requires nothing of you but repentanceandfaith.
Canyouthink ithardwhena prince pardons a rebel, to require him to fall upon his knees, and stretch forth a willing and thankful hand toreceivehispardon?
Your repentance and faith are much of the fame nature.
Here is no legal satisfaction required at your hands,no reparationof the injuredlawby your doings or sufferings,but a hearty sorrow for fins committed, sincere purposes andendeavours after new obedience, and a hearty, thankful acceptation of Christ your Saviour ; and, for your encouragement herein,his Spirit stands ready to furnish you with powers and abilities; " Turn
" you atmyreproof,beholdIwillpouroutmySpirit unto you, " I will make knownmywords unto you," Prov. i. 23. And Ifaiah xxvi. 12. " Lord, thou hast wrought all our works
" in us."
7. Again.
Confider how your way to Christ, by repentance and faith, is beaten before you, by thousands offinners, for your encouragement. You are not the first that ever adventuredyour fouls in this fouls in this path: multitudes aregonebefore you, and that under as much guilt, fear, anddiscouragement, as you that come aftercanpretendunto;and notamanamong them repulsed ordifcouraged: here they have found rest and peace to their weary fouls, Heb. iv. 3. Acts xiii. 39.
Here the greatest of finnershavebeenfetforthforanenfample to you that shouldafterwards believe on his name, 1 Tim. i. 16. You fee if you will not, others will joyfully accept the offers of Christ; what discouragements have you that they had not?
Or what greaterencouragements hadtheywhichGodhathnot given you this day? thereforetheyshallbeyourjudges.
8. Confider the great hazard ofthesepreciousfeafonsyounow enjoy.
Opportunity is the golden spotoftime,but it is tempus. labile, avery slippery and uncertain thing: great and manifold are the hazardsandcontingencies attending it.
Your life is immediately uncertain, your breath continually going in your nostrils; andthatwhichis every moment going,will be gone
England's Duty.
at last. The gospel is as uncertain as your life; God hath made no such settlement of it, but that he may at pleasure remove it, and will certainly do so, if we thus trifle under it ; 'tis but a candlestick, tho' a golden one, Rev. ii. 5. and that you all know is a moveable thing ; and not only your life, and the means of your eternal life, I mean the gospel, are uncertain things; but even the motions and strivings of the Spirit with : your souls are as uncertain as either. "Work out your own
" salvation with fear and trembling; for itisGodthatworketh
" in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure," Phil. ii.
12, 13. That God now works with you, is matter of great encouragement to your work: but that he works at his ownpleafure, as a free arbitrary agent, who can cease when he pleases, andnevergivebutone knock at your hearts more, should make you work with fear and trembling.
J 9. Think what a fearful aggravation it will be, both of your finand misery, to perish in the fight and presence of an offered remedy; to fink into hell betwixt the outstretched arms of a compassionate Redeemer, that would have gathered you, but you would not.
Heathens, yea devils will upbraidyou in hell for fuchunac countablefollyanddefperatema madness : heathens willfay,Alas, we had but the dim moon-light of nature, which did indeed discover fin,but not Christ the remedy. Ah, had your preachersandyourbibles been sent among us,how gladlywouldwe haveembracedthem ! surelyfaithGod to Ezekiel,"had I sent
" thee to them,theywouldhave hearkenedunto thee," Ezek. iii. 5, 6, Matth. xi . 21.
The very devils will upbraid you ; O if God had sent a Mediator in our nature, we had never rejected him as you have done ; buthetooknot on him the natureofangels.
10. Lastly, How clear as well as sure, will your condemnation be in the great day, against whom such a cloud of witnesses will appear! O how manifest will the righteousness of God be! men and angels shall applaud the sentence, and yourownconfciences shall acknowledge the equity of it. You that are Christless now, will be speechless then, Matth. xxii, 11 .
* Knowing therefore the terrors of the Lord, I persuade men,"
2Cor. v. 11. as one that trembles to think of being summoned as a witness against any of your souls. O that I might be your rejoicing, and you mine in the day of our Lord Jesus
Christ.