To the Reader,
[ 4091 To the READER.
T HE worthy author ofthe diſcourſe emitted herewith, is onewhoſe praiſe is in the goſpel throughout allthe chur ches.
His other books have made his name precious and famous in both Englands. Norcanmy teftimony add any thing toone everywaygreater than myſelf.
Nevertheless, a finguIarprovidence having caſt mylotto be at preſent in this great city; I could not withſtand the importunityofthem, who defireda few Prefatory lines to manifeſt the reſpect Iowe tothis renowned and learned man.
Itwas a wife reproof which agrave divine adminiſtred to a young preacher, who entertained his auditory with an elaboT rate diſcourſe : after he had commended his parts and pains, therewas (faid he) onething wanting inthe fermon; I could not perceive that the Spirit ofGod was in it. And though morality is good, and neceſſary tobe taught and practiſed, yet it ismuch tobe lamented, thatmanypreachers in theſe days have hardlyanyother diſcourſes intheir pulpits than what we find in Seneca, Epictetus, Plutarch, or fome fuch heathen moralist.
Chriſt, the holy Spirit, and (in a word) thegospel is not in their fermons. But bleſſed beGod, that there are ſome (and great istheir company inthis land oflight) who preach the truth as it is in Jeſus: andhewho has taken thebook out of the right hand ofhim 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 whomhe has given a heart to preach Chrift, maydo it.
This isthe Lord'sdoing ; this is a Spirit of lifefrom God. When Cyrus proclaimed liberty for the free exerciſe of religion, the Lord's fervants,who for forme yearshad laindead,were brought out of theirgraves, Ezek. xxxvii. 12, 13.
This treatiſe is a word in ſeaſon : God has madethe author to be a wife mafter-builder in his houſe, and according to the wisdom givenhim ofGod,he has enlarged on agoſpel fubject veryproper tobe inſiſted on at ſuch a day as this. I am informed by unquestionable hands, that therewas a remarkable pouring out ofthe Spirit when theſe fermons were viva voce delivered, a great number of fouls having been brought home to Chriſt thereby. The Lordgrantthat the ſecondpreaching of themtofargreater multitudes,bythiswayofthepreſs,may,by
VOL . IV.
Fff
England's Duty. the fame Spirit, be made abundantly ſucceſsful for the conver fionand falvationofGod's elect.
The fruit brought forth by the holy apoſtles in reſpect of the writings offome(as well as the doctrine preached by all) ofthem, does ftill remain. The fruitful labours ofthis faithful fervantof Chrift will promote the glory of God, and the good of fouls, when he himself fhall ceaſefrom his labours, and his works ſhall follow him.
Let the Lord's people be thankful to him for that he has fent ſuch a labourer into the harvest, and pray that he maybe continued long therein, and that many fuch (for there are but few fuch) may be raiſed up, and be made eminentlyfuccefsfulin their holy endeavours, to the enlargement ofthe kingdom of Chrift,andofGod ; and let him reign inthis land for everand
L ever,which is the heart's defire and prayer of one who is :
Londen, 1689.
Less than the least ofallfaints,
INCREASE MATHER
SERMONI.
REV. iii. 20. [Behold] Iftand at the door, and knock, ifany man hear my voice, and open the door, Iwill come in to him, andfup with him, andhe with me.
THIS dayhath our compaffionate Redeemer opened untous adoor ofliberty ; libertyto us to preach, andliberty for you tohear the gladtidings ofthegoſpel.
This is aday few lookedfor : how oftenhave I faid intheyears that arepafty Godhath no more work for me to do, and I shall have no more ſtrength and opportunities to work for God ? And how oftenhave you faid inyourhearts,we have finnedourminifters out of theirpulpits, and our eyes ſhall no more behold thofe our teachers ? But lo, beyondthe thoughts of moft hearts, a wide and(Ihope) an effectual door is now opened in themidit ofus. Oh! that it might be to us as the valleyofAchorwas to Ifrael, for a door ofhape, Hof. ii. 15.(i. e.) not onlymak ing the troubles they meetwith in that valleyan inlettotheir mercies, as ours have beento us ; butgivingthem that valley pignoris nomine, as a pledge of greater mercies intended for them.
Upon the firſt appearance of this mercy, my next thoughts werehowtomake the moſtfruitful improvement of
England's Duty.
it amongstyou, leſt we should twice ſtumble at the ſame ftone, and fin ourſelves back again into our oldbondage.
Inthe contemplation ofthis matter, the Lorddirected 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 communionwith them.
It will be ſad indeed ifhethathath letyou into all theſe mercies, ſhould himselfbe ſhut out ofyour hearts : but ifthe
Lordſhouldhelp you to open your heartsnow toChriſt, I doubt not but this door of liberty willbe keptopen toyou, howmany foever the adverſaries be that envy it, and willdo their utmoſt to ſhut it up, Ezek. xxxix. 29.
The mercies you enjoy this day, are the fruits of Chrift's interceffion with the Father for onetrial more : if we bring forth fruit, well ; if not, the ax liethat the root ofthe tree.
Under this confideration I defire to preach, and even ſo the Lord help you to hear what ſhallbe ſpoken from this precious ſcripture, Bebold Istand at the door andknock, &c.
Theſe words are a branch ofthat excellent epiſtle dictated by Chriſt, and fentbyhis ſervant John to the church ofLaodicea, the most formal, hypocritical and degenerate ofall the ſeven churches ; yet the great Physician will tryhis ſkill upon them, both by, the rebukes ofthe rod, verſe 19. and by the perfuafive power ofthe word ; verſe 20. Behold Istandat the door andknock, &c.
This text is Chrift's wooing voice, fullof heavenly rhetoric towin and gainthe hearts of finners to himself; wherein we have theſe two general parts.
1. Chrift's fuit for a finner's heart.
2. The powerful arguments enforcinghis fuit.
First, Chrift's fuit for afinner's heart, wherein we have (1/4), The folemn preface,ushering it in, behold : (2.) The fuit 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 teftimony for or againft their foulsto all eternity, to cut offall excufes and pretences for time to come .
2. The fuit itſelf, wherein we have, Fff2 † Durham on the place.
England's Duty.
1. The Suitor, Jeſus Chriſt.
2. His poſture and action ; Istandat thedoor andknock.
3. The ſuit itſelf, which is for opening, ifany man open.
1. The ſuitor, Chriſt himself, Istand; I that have a rightof fovereignty overyou ; I that have ſhed myinvaluable bloodto purchaſe you, and might juſtly condem you, upon the firſt denial or demur ; behold Istand : this is the ſuitor,
2. His poſture and action, Istandat the door, and knock; theword is in the † preter tenfe, I have ſtood, but being here joinedwith another verb ofthe preſent tenſe, it is fitlytranflat ed, Istand, yet ſo as that it notes a continuedaction.
Ihave ſtood, and do ſtill standwith unweariedpatience; I onceftood perſonally and bodily among you in the days of myfleſh, and I ſtill ſtand ſpiritually and repreſentativelyin my ambaffadors at thedoor, (i. e.) the mind and confcience,thefacultiesand powerswhich are introductive intothe whole ſoul.
Theword door is here properly put to ſignifythoſe 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,andknocks powerfully by the word outwardly, bythe con victions, motions, impulſes, ſtrivings, and inſtigations of his
Spirit inwardly.
3. The deſign and end ofthe ſuit, it is for opening, (i. e.) conſenting,receiving, embracing, and hearty accepting ofhim by faith.
Acts xvi. 14. The Lord opened the heart of Lydia, (i. e.) perfuaded her foul to believe; implying, that theheart by nature is ftrongly barred and lockedup against Chrift ; and that nothingbut a power from him canopen it.
Secondly, The powerful arguments and motives uſed by Chriſt toobtainhis fuit, and get a grant from the finner'sheart; 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, Iwill unitemyfelf withtheopeningbelieving foul ; he ſhallbe myſticallyonewith me, and I with him.
2. Communion ; Iwillfup with him, and he with me ; that is, I willfeast thebelieving foul with thedelicates ofheaven:
* 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 propoſedby Chrift to all forts of finners, great and ſmall, oldand 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 finners may fee free grace triumphing over all their unworthineſs, upon their conſentto take Chrift according to the gracious offers of the goſpel.
Thewords thus opened, afford many great and uſeful points of doctrine, comprehending in them the very fum and fubſtance of the goſpel. The first,which arifeth from the folemn and remarkable preface, Behold, will be this :
Doct. 1. That every offer of Christ to the fouls 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 allgoſpel tenders.
2. What are the object-matters they witneſs to.
3. Why God records every offer ofChriſt, and takes a witneſs thereof. i I. Who are God's witneſſes to all the tenders and offers made ofChrift by the goſpel, and they willbe found to bemore than a ſtrict legal number ; for, 1. His minifters, bywhom he makes them, are all witneſſes aswell as officers of Chrift 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, topropoſe and offer Chriſt, and then tobear 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 fufferings witneſs, their ſolemn appeals to God witneſs ; yea, the very duft oftheir feet ſhaken off against the refuſers of Chrift, turns to a teſtimony againstthem, Mark vi.
11 . Everygroan and figh, everydrop ofſweat, much moreof blood, are placed in God's book ofmarginal notes by all their fermons andprayers, and will be produced and read in the greatday against allthe refuſers anddeſpiſers ofChrift.
2. The goſpel itſelf, which ispreached toyou, isa teſtimony or witneſs for God, for, or againſt every one that hears it ;
John xii. 48. " He that rejecteth me, and receiveth notmy " words, hath one thatjudgethhim ; the word thatIhave ſpo- " ken,the ſame ſhalljudge him in the last day." Andthis is the ſenſe ofChrift's word, Matth. xxiv. 14. "And this goſpel
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" ofthe kingdom ſhall be preachedin allthe world, for awit " neſs to all nations,andthen ſhallthe endcome." Ah, Lord, whata folemn record is here ! every fermonyou hear, yea, every reproof, perfuafion and conviction, is awitneſs for Godto caftandcondemn every foul injudgment,thatcomplies notobediently with the calls ofthe goſpel: fo many fermons, ſo manywitneſſes.
3.Everyman's conſcience is awitneſs forGod, that hehath a fair offer once made him : the very confciences of theHea thens that never faw a Bible, thathad 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 ofthe law written intheir hearts, their confcience alſo
" bearing them witneſs, and their thoughts the mean while " accuſing or excuſing one another." `Certainly iffuch vigour and activity was put into the confciences ofHeathens, who could only read the will ofGod by thedim moon-light of natural reaſon ; howmuch more vigorous and active will confciencebe, in its accuſing office, against allthat live underthe brightbeams ofgoſpel-light ? Their confciences will be fwift witneſſes, andwillringfadpeals intheir earsanother day, Ezek. ii. 5. " You shall know that there hath been a prophet among " you."
This ſingle witneſs is instead of athouſand witnefles forGod.
4. The examples of all thoſe thatdo believe and obey the gofpel, are ſomany witneſſes forGod, against the deſpiſers and neglecters ofthe great ſalvation. Every mourning trembling foul among you is a witneſs againſt all the dead-hearted, unbelieving, diſobedient ones, that fitwith them under the fame or dinances. Hence it is faid, I Cor. vi. 2. "Knowye not that " the faints ſhalljudge the world ?" They ſhallbe affefſors with Chrift in the great day, and condemn the worldby their examples, asNoah didthe old world.
Thus John, Matth. xxi. 32. came unto you in the way ofrighteousness, 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 ſhiftdid you make to quietyour confciences, and ſtifle your convictions, when youfaw publicans, the worst ofmen, andharlots, the worst ofwomen, repenting, believing, and hungring after Chriſt ! their examples ſhallbe yourjudges.
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
England's Duty.
thathear it; ofboth which the apoftle gives this account, 2 Cor. ii. 16. " Unto fome we are the favour oflife unto life,
" and unto others the favour of death unto death."
Accordingly adouble record ismade.
1. Of the obedience and faith of ſome, which record will be produced totheir joy and comfort inthe day of the Lord ; whenheshall come to beglorified in his faints, 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 Chrift, and witneſſes to thoſe eſpouſals and contracts made betwixt him andthem, 2 Cor. xi. 2.
Both theſe offices are exceeding grateful and pleaſant to every faithful minifter.
2. A record is made, and witneſs taken of all the refufals, difobedience and flightings of Chrift by others.
Thus Moſes willbe the accufer ofthe Jews, Johnv. 45. " Do not think I " will accuſe you to the Father; there is one that accuſeth
" you, even Mofes, inwhom youtrust."
This is the faddeſt 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 cafe : (1.) Of the time men have enjoyedunder the means of falvation; how many years they have fat barren and dead-hearted under the labours ofGod's faithful minifters ; Luke xiii. 7. "Behold theſe three years I " come feekingfruit on this fig-tree, and find none." Behold, the fame term of notification withthat inthe text, applied to thetime 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 ofthe " Lordhathcome unto me, and I have ſpokenuntoyou rifing
" early, and ſpeaking, but ye have not hearkened." O conſider, all the years and days you have ſpent under the goſpel, areupon your doomſday book.
(2.) Records are alſo made of all the inſtruments that ever God employed for the converfion and falvation ofyour fouls.
So many miniſters,whether fixed or tranfient, as have fpent their labours uponyou, are upon the book ofyour account.
Jer. xxv. 4. " The Lordhath fentunto "you allhis fervants, the prophets, riſing early, andfending
" them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear " tohear."
They have wastedtheir lungs, dropt their com. paffionate tears, and burnt down one after another, as candles to direct you to Chrift and falvation, but all invain.
(3.)Every call, perfuafion and argument, uſed by them tocſpouſe you to Chrift, is likewife upon the book of account.
Prov. i.
24, 25. " Becauſe I have called andyou refuſed, Ihave ſtretch.
England's Duty.
"" edmyhand, and no man regarded, but you have fet at nought allmy counſels, and would none of my reproofs."
Theſe calls and counſels are of too great value with God (though of none with you) tobe loft and left outof your account.
III. We ſhall, in the laſt place, inquire intothe grounds and reaſons of theſe judicial procedures ofGod, why he willhave every man's obedience anddiſobedience regiſtered, andwitneffed for or against him, under goſpel adminiſtrations ; and there are two weighty reaſons thereof.
1. That wherever the endofthe goſpel is attained in the converfion of any foul, thatfoul, and all that were inftrumentally employed about the falvationofit, may have the proper reward and comfort in thegreat day, 2.Cor. i. 14. "As alſo
" youhave acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoi- " cing, even as ye alſo are ours in theday of the Lord Jeſus."
This willbe matter ofjoy unspeakable, both toyou that ſhall receive, and tothem that ſhallgiveſuch acomfortable teftimony for you. O the joyful congratulations that willbe inthatday between laborious faithful minifters, and theirbelieving obedi enthearers ! Lord, this was thebleſſed inſtrument ofmyhappy illumination and converſion ; though I might have ten thouſand inſtructers in Chriſt, yet not many fathers ; forby the bleffing of thy Spiritupon this man's miniſtry, my foul was begotten to Chriſt. And, on the other fide; Lord, theſe arethe fouls forwhom Itravelled, as in birth, until Chriſt was
formed in them.
It isaglorious thing to ſay, asthe prophet, " Here am I, andthe childrenGodhath given me."
Nay, thoſe that were but collaterally ufeful 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 mayrejoice together."
2. Records are now made, and witneſſes taken, that therebythe judicial fentence of Jeſus Chriſt, inthe 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 convinceby demonſtration, that all that are Chriſtleſs now, may be found ſpeechless then, Matth. xxii. 12. Hence it is faid,
Pfalm i. 5. That the wickedshall not stand, or rise up in the judgment. And no wonder, when fo many full teftimonies, and unexceptionable witneſſes ſhallcome point blank againft
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them, theminifterthat preached, theword theypreached, their own confciences, and the examples of all believers will be produced against them.
1st Inference.
The undoubtedcertainty ofa day ofjudgment is hence evinced.
To what purpoſe elſe are records made, and witneſſes taken, butwith reſpect to an audit-day ? This is a truth fealed uponthe confcience of the very heathens, Rom. ii. 15.
Their confciences bear witness.
But in vain are all theſe records made, unless there be aday toproduce andplead them ; andofthatdaythe prophetDaniel ſpeaks, Dan. vii. 10.
" Thejudgment 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 oflife; andthe dead
" were judged out ofthoſe things which were written inthe " 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 ofrefreſhing to our fouls,
Acts iii. 19. to all others a day of terror, wrath and amazement, 2 Theff. i. 7, 8. " The dayinwhich the Lord Jeſus ſhall
" be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming " fire, takingvengeance on them that knownotGod, andthat obey not the goſpel ofour Lord Jefus Chrift."
2d Inference. What aspur is here to ministerialdiligence and faithfulness ? "Tis an awful workthat is underourhands ; the effects ofthegofpel which we preach, willbethe favour oflife ordeath to them that hear us.
If the Lord profper itin our hands, we shallbe witneſſes for you, it will be an addition to ourglory in heaven; Dan. xii. 3. " They that turnmanyto
" righteouſneſs, ſhall ſhine as thebrightness ofthe firmament, " and as the ſtars for ever and ever."
But if we be ignorant, lazy, men-pleaſers, ourpeople willcome inas ſwift witneſſes againſt us, and theirblood will be required at our hands ; it willbean intolerable aggravation toourmisery inhell,tohave any that fat under our miniſtry thus upbraiding us ! O cruel man! thoufaweft myfoul in danger, and never dealtfaithfully andplainly with me ; thesame time and breath that wasspent in idleandworldydiscourse, might havebeen inſtrumentalto have
Savedme from this place oftorment.
Let miniſters confider themſelves aswitneſſes forGod, and their people as witneſſes for or against them; and underthat confideration, ſo ſtudy, preachandpray, thattheymaywith PaultakeGod torecord,
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418.
England's Duty. thattheyare freefrom the bloodofallmen; no fort ofmenupon earth havemoreſpurs todiligence and faithfulness thanwe have.
3d Inference. What a pill is this to purgeformality out ofall that hear us ? Every fabbath, every fermon, is recorded in heaven for or against your fouls; at what rate foever you attend to the word, all that you hear is fetdowninthebook ofyour account : think not you ſhallreturn as you came, the word will have its effect and end, it shall notreturn in vain,
Ha. lv. 11. but fhall accomplish the end forwhichit isſent.
The decrees of heaven are executed by the goſpel, fome fouls thallbe quickened, and others shall be flain by the wordof
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 notbehealed. 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 fowing feed for eternity,which will ſpringup in the worldto come.
Preaching and hearing may be confidered two ways, Phyfically or morally inthe former reſpect, theſe acts are quickly over and paſs away.
I thallbyand by have done preaching, and you hearing ; this fermon will be ended ina little time, but the conſequences thereofwill abide for ever.
Therefore, for the Lord's fake, away with formality, no moredrowſy eyes or wandering thoughts. O when you come to attend uponthe miniftryof thegospel,that fuch thoughts as theſe might prepare your minds! The word I am going to hear will quicken or kill, ſave or damn my foul ; ifI fit dead under it, and returnbarren from it,I shallwith oneday that I had never ſeen the face ofthat miniſter,norheardhis voice that preached it.
• 4th Infer. What a dreadful condition are allthose in that are realandprofeffed enemies to thegospel ; andthem that preach it !
That instead ofembracing and obeying the meſſage ofthegofpel, reject and deſpiſe it; instead ofopening their hearts to receive it, open theirblafphemous mouths againſt it, toderide it, andhiſs it (if itwere poſſible) out ofthe world. Ah, whata book of remembrance is written for fuch men ? I fear there never was an age, fince Chriſtianity bleſſed this nation, that was moredeeply drenched in the guilt ofthis fin than thepreſent age. How are the meſſengers ofthe gospel flighted and rejected ? What have we done to deſerve it ? Is not our cafe this day much like that of the prophet ? " Shallevilbe recom- " penſed for good ? Fortheyhavedigged a pit formyfoul; re- " memberthat I stoodbefore thee to ſpeak goodfor them,and
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* to turn awaythy wrath from them," Jer. xviii. 20.
What brutiſh madneſs hath poffeft the fouls oftheſemen ? But, alas ! it is not ſomuchthey, as Satan acting inthem; he isa jealous prince, the goſpel alarms him, his fubjects are in danger ofrevolting from him : no wonder therefore he makes an outcry at the liberty ofthe goſpel, as is uſed tobe madewhen an enemy invades a kingdom. In this caſe Chrift directs his minifters toshake off the dust oftheir feetfor a teftimóny against them,
Mark vi . 11.
The fignification andmeaning whereof is this, that look as you shake offthedust ofyour feet,even ſo Jeſus
Chrift will shake off thoſe men that deſpiſe the goſpel, and abuſeitsmeſſengers.
* 機 5th Infer. Hence it likewiſe follows, That the case ofthe Pagan world will be easier in the day ofjudgment, than theirs that live anddie unregenerate and disobedient under the gospel of Christ.
There are more witneſſes prepared, and records filled against thedayofyour account, than can poffibly be against them: they have abuſed but one talent, the
lightofnature ; but we thouſands, even as many thousands aswe have had opportunities and calls under the goſpel. Upon this account Chrift faith, "Whosoever ſhallnot receive
" you, nor hear your words, ſhake offthedust ofyour feet. Ve- " rily, I ſayuntoyou, it shall bemore tolerable forthe land of " Sodom andGomorrah inthe dayofjudgment, than for that " city," Matth. x. 14, 15.
Ah, what a fearful aggravation doth it putupon our fin and miſery, that we are not only accountable for all the light we had, butfor allthat we might have had in the gofpel-day ! Capernaum was liftedup toheaven in the enjoyment ofmeans andprecious opportunities,Matth. xi. 23. and had an anſwerabledownfal intothedepthofmiſery from that height ofmercy; as the higher any one is lifted up upon a rack, themore terrible is thejerk he receives by the fall.
6th Infer. Lastly, Hence it appears, That the day ofjudg ment must certainly take up a vastspace of time : For ifGod willbring everything intojudgment, Ecclef. xii. 14. not only finful actions, but words, Matth. xii.36. notonlywords,but heart-fecrets,Rom . ii. ró.
Ifall the records and regiſters now made, ſhall then be opened and read ; allthe witneſſes for or againſt everyman examined and heard; judgethenwhat avaſt ſpace of timewillthat greatdaytakeup. Somedivines are of opinion it may laft as long asthe worldhath lasted; but this is fure, things willnotbe hudledup, nor shuffledover in haſte
Ggg2
England'sDuty. you have taken yourtime for finning,andGodwill take his timeforjudging.
Confider the multitudes, multitudes without number, that are tobe judged inthat day, even allthe poſterity ofAdam, whichare as the ſanduponthefea-ſhore; that not only fo manyperſons, butallthat they havedone, must come intojudgment, eventheverythoughts oftheir hearts, whichnevercame totheknowledgeofmen; their confciences tobe interrogated, allother witneffes fullyheard and examined: howgreat aday muſt thisday ofthe Lordthen be ?
Thefecond Ufe.
But the main ofthis point willbe for exhortation, that feeing all the offers of Chriſt are recorded, andwitneſſed, with reſpect to aday ofaccount, every one of you would therefore immediately embrace the preſent gracious tender of Chrift in the goſpel, as ever you expect to be acquitted and cleared in thatgreat day : takeheed ofdenials,nayofdelays anddemurs.
" For if the word ſpoken by angels was ſtedfaft, and every " tranfgreffion anddiſobedience received ajuſt recompence of " reward ; how ſhall we eſcape ifwe neglect ſogreat a falvati- " on ?" Heb. ii. 2, 3.
The queſtion is put, but no anfwer made ; How shall we escape ? The wisdom ofmen and angels cannot tellhow.
To enforce this exhortation, I'ſhall preſent youwith tenweighty confiderations upon the matter, which the Lord follow home, bythe bleſſing ofhis Spirit upon all yourhearts.
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 thisday, were never fet before the angels that fell; no mediatorwas everappointed forthem. O astonishing mercy! that thoſe veſſels ofgold ſhouldbecaſtinto everlasting fire, and fuch clay veſſels as we are, thus put into a capacity ofgreater happineſs than ever they fellfrom; nay, the mercy that ſtandsbefore you is not onlydenied 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 Ifrael, he hath
" notdealt ſo with any other nation, and as for hisjudgments " theyhave not known them: Praiſe ye the Lord," Pfalm cxlvii. 19, 20. Amercy defervedly celebrated with ajoyful
Allelujah.
What vast tracks are there inthe habitable world, where thenameofChriſt is unknown! it isyourſpecial mercy tobeborn in aland ofbibles and miniſters ; where it is as dif
England's Duty.
ficult for you to avoidand ſhunthe light, as itis for others to beholdand 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 neceffary amongallthemercies ofGod.
Chriſt the firſt-born ofmercies, andinhim pardon, peace, and eternal ſalvationare fetbefore you: it were aſtoniſhing to fee a ſtarving man refufing offered bread, or a condemned man agracious pardon.
Lord! what compofitions offloth and ſtupidity are we, thatwe ſhould need ſo many intreaties to behappy.
3. Confider who it is that makes these gracious tenders of pardon, peace, and falvation, 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 incenfed.
His patience groans under theburden of your daily provocations ; he loſes nothing ifyou be damned, and receives no benefit if you befaved; yet the first motions of mercy and falvation to you freely arife out of his grace and good pleaſure. God intreats you to be reconciled, 2 Cor. v.
20.
The bleſſed Lord Jeſus,whoſe bloodthy fins have ſhed, now freely offers thatblood for thy reconciliation, juſtification, and falvation, ifthou wilt but fincerely accept him ere itbe toolate.
4. Reflect feriously upon your own vileness, to whomfuch gracious offers of peace and mercy are made. Thyſins have fet thee at as great a diſtance from the hopes and expectations ofpardon, 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 andpeace ſhould be offered in Chriſt after ſuch a lifeofrebellion, how aftoniſhing is the mercy ! theLord is contented to paſsby all thyformer rebellions, thydeep-dyed tranfgreſſions, andto fign an actofoblivion forall that is paft, if now atlaſt thy heart relentfor fin,andthywillbow in obedience to the great commands and calls of thegoſpel, Ifaiah Iv. 2, c. andi. 18.
5. Confider how many offers of mercy you have already refused, and that every refusal is recorded againstyou : how long haveyou tried, and eventried the patience ofGod already, and that this may bethe laſt overture ofgrace that ever.
Godwill make to your fouls.
Certainly there is an offer thatwill be the last offer, a ſtriving ofthe Spiritwhich 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, andyour lastneglect or rejection of Chrift recordedagainsttheday of your account; andwhat if this fhouldprove to bethat laſt tender ofgrace which must conclude the treaty betwixt Chriſt and you! what undone wretches muſt youthen be, with whom ſo gracious atreaty breaks offupon 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 fallupon his knees, and ftretch forth awilling and thankfulhand toreceivehispardon?
Yourrepentanceand faith are much ofthe fame nature.
Here is no legal fatisfaction required atyourhands,no reparationof the injuredlawby yourdoings or fufferings,butahearty forrow for fins committed, fincere purpoſes andendeavours after new obedience, andahearty, thankful acceptation ofChrift your Saviour ; and, for your encouragement herein,his Spirit ſtands readyto furnish you withpowers and abilities; " Turn
" you atmyreproof,beholdIwillpouroutmySpirit unto you, " Iwillmake knownmywords unto you," Prov. i. 23. And Ifaiah xxvi. 12. " Lord, thou hastwrought all our works
" inus."
7. Again.
Confider how your way to Christ, by repentance and faith, is beaten before you, by thousands offinners, foryour encouragement. Youare not the firſt that ever adventuredyour fouls in this fouls inthis path: multitudes aregonebefore you, andthatunder as much guilt, fear, anddiſcouragement, as youthat come aftercanpretendunto;and notamanamong them repulfed ordifcouraged: herethey have found rest and peace totheir weary fouls, Heb. iv. 3. Acts xiii. 39.
Here thegreatest of finnershavebeenfetforthforanenfample toyou that ſhouldafterwards believeonhis name, 1 Tim. i. 16. You fee if you willnot, others will joyfully accept the offers of Chrift; what diſcouragements have you that they had not?
Or what greaterencouragements hadtheywhichGodhathnot given you thisday? thereforetheyſhallbeyourjudges.
8. Confider thegreat hazard ofthesepreciousfeafonsyounow enjoy.
Opportunity is thegolden ſpotoftime,butit is tempus. labile, avery flippery and uncertain thing: great and manifold are the hazardsandcontingencies attending it.
Your life is immediately uncertain, your breath continually going inyour noſtrils; andthatwhichis everymoment going,willbegone
England's Duty.
at laſt. The goſpel is as uncertain as your life; God hath made no fuch fettlement of it, but that he may at pleaſure remove it, andwill certainlydo ſo, ifwe thus trifle under it ; 'tis but a candlestick, tho' agolden one, Rev. ii. 5. and thatyou all know is a moveable thing ; and not only your life, and the means ofyour eternal life, I mean the goſpel, are uncertain things; but even the motions and ſtrivings ofthe Spirit with : your fouls are as uncertainas either. "Work out yourown
" ſalvationwith fear andtrembling; for itisGodthatworketh
" inyou both towill and todo of hisgood pleaſure," Phil. ii.
12, 13. That God now works withyou, is matter ofgreat encouragement to your work: but that he works at his ownpleafure, as a free arbitrary agent, who can ceaſewhen he pleaſes, andnevergivebutone knock atyourhearts more, ſhouldmake youwork with fear and trembling.
J 9. Think what afearful aggravation it will be, both ofyour finand mifery, to perish in thefight andpresence ofan offered remedy; to fink into hell betwixt the outstretched arms of a compaffionate Redeemer, that would have gatheredyou, but you wouldnot.
Heathens, yea devils will upbraidyou inhell for fuchunac countablefollyanddefperatema madneſs : heathens willfay,Alas, we hadbut thedim moon-light ofnature, whichdid indeed diſcover fin,butnot Chrift the remedy. Ah, had your preachersandyourbibles been fent among us,how gladlywouldwe haveembracedthem ! ſurelyfaithGod to Ezekiel,"hadIſent
" thee to them,theywouldhave hearkenedunto thee," Ezek. iii. 5, 6, Matth. xi . 21.
The very devils will upbraid you ; O ifGod had fent 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 fure, will your condemnation be in the great day, against whom such a cloud of witneſſes will appear! O how manifeſt will the righteoufneſs ofGod be! men andangels ſhall applaud the fentence, and yourownconfciences ſhall acknowledge the equity ofit. You that are Christless now, willbespeechless then, Matth. xxii, 11 .
* Knowing therefore the terrors ofthe Lord, I perfuade men,"
2Cor. v. 11. as onethat trembles to think ofbeing ſummoned as a witneſs against any of your fouls. O that I might be your rejoicing, and you mine in the day of our Lord Jefus
Chrift.