The Best Treasure, Chapter 25
CHAP. XXV.
Wherein Chriſt is ſet forth to ſinners, as a Match wortby of their choice, in regard of the excellency of his Eſtate: The amiableneſs of his Perſon: His lovely Diſpoſitions and other Conſiderations to win the hearts of ſinners to be looking after this lovely Jeſus.
IF there are ſuch vaſt treaſures in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; then this will follow hence: That the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is worth the looking after by periſhing ſinners. O what a match is Jeſus Chriſt for undone ſinners; could …hey but obtain him, how happy would they be for ever; this is a principal thing in a woers eye, to get a rich match; O Souls you cannot get a better match than Jeſus Chriſt, there's none like him.
Firſt, In point of Riches: O let me commend the Lord Jeſus Chriſt to you upon the account of his wealth: Sinners, if you would have a rich Husband; there's none ſo rich as Chriſt: He is wonderfully rich; if you but conſider the Nature and number of his riches: If you obſerve the verity and variety of his treaſures: If you weigh the kind or degree of his ſubſtance, you will ſay he is exceeding rich: Take him poſitively, or comparatively, he is vaſtly rich: he is really ſo, and ſuperlatively ſo: The worlds treaſures are but ſhadows: But he hath ſubſtance; true ſolid ſubſiſting treaſures, Pro. 8. 21. That I may cauſe them that love me to inherit ſubſtance, and I will fill their treaſures. Chriſt's Gold is tryed Gold, that which can bear the hardeſt touch, and abide the fire: And he is ſuperlatively rich, none like him: Job was a rich man, but his riches were limitted within the Confines of a Countrey: He was the richeſt, not in all the world, but of all the men of the Eaſt, Job 1. 3. But Chriſt is richeſt of all: All the Men and Angels in Heaven and Earth put together cannot vye treaſures with Chriſt: What was ſaid of the vertuous woman is true of Chriſt, he excels them all, Pro. 31. 29. O ſinners, would you have a rich match, caſt your eyes on Jeſus Chriſt: He hath a very taking Eſtate, that will be wonderful attractive upon your hearts if rightly ſet. I ſhall ſhew in a few particulars what an Eſtate Chriſt hath.
Firſt, It is a fair Eſtate, exceeding large and full; 'tis incomprehenſible, and paſt finding out, both as to his perſonal, and purchaſed Treaſure: It is in heighth, depth, length, breadth, paſſing knowledge, as hath been ſhewn at large, Eph. 3. 18, 19. Chriſts Eſtate is as large as himſelf is, and he is paſt finding out: Who can ſearch out the Almighty to perfection? Job 11. 7. All mens Eſtates lie here in the lower world, within the meaſure of a ſpot of ground: But Chriſt's treaſure fills Heaven and Earth: The Heavens, yea the Heaven of Heavens are his, Neh. 9. 6. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is rich every way conſidered: He is rich in inheritance: Heir of all things, Heb. 1. 2. He is rich in Jewels, he hath abundance of choice Jewels; he hath a day on purpoſe to make up his Jewels, Mal. 3. 17. He is rich in manſions too, Joh. 14. 2. In my Fathers Houſe are many manſions. A manſion for every Heir of Glorie: O how many Houſes hath this Heir of all things? How many dwelling places in Glory? He is rich in Crowns and Thrones: We account that man rich that hath two or three Kingdoms: But Jeſus Chriſt hath a multitude of Crowns: A Crown for every Subject, Mat. 9. 28. Every ſaved Soul is a Crowned King, or ſhall be ſo to all Eternitie, Rev. 1. 6. Every overcoming Soul ſhall ſit on Thrones; and every one wearing a Crown of Glorie, 1 Pet. 5. 4. O what a vaſt Potentate is Jeſus Chriſt: All the Angels in Heaven cannot draw an inventory of Chriſts Eſtate, ſo numberleſs are his Treaſures: He that hath ſo many millions of Saints, and can give every one of them a Kingdom: O how rich muſt this Lord be? O ſinners think what a rich Jointure Chriſt can make you; he can ſettle an Eſtate upon you indeed. O will you Eſpouſe Chriſt, he hath a fair Eſtate indeed.
Secondly, Chriſt hath a free Eſtate: Some men may have large Eſtates, but many Mortgages and debts upon them; but Chriſt's Eſtate is all free; no debts lies on Chriſt to leſſen his Eſtate; whatever he gives to the whole Creation, doth no way leſſen his Riches; like the Sun, whatever light it imparts to the World, or Inferiour Luminaries, doth not exhauſt or diminiſh it's Original ſplendour; all that the Rivers emptie from the Sea, do not leſſen it, but repay its bounty by a retribution of all thoſe receptions; ſo whatever contributions come from Chriſt to men, it doth not leſſen his ability to give to his people: The more Abraham gave to his Sons by Keturah, the leſs he had for Iſaac: But Chriſt's liberality and Obligations do not diminiſh his treaſure; Chriſt's whole Eſtate comes to every Believer, every ſaved Soul hath a whole Chriſt full of Grace and Glory.
Thirdly, Chriſt hath a ſure Eſtate, exceeding ſafe; there's no defrauding of his Spouſe, no pre-mortgage to take it away: If Chriſt's Life could not be taken from him without his conſent, when he was Mediatour, Joh. 10. 18. Then all the Eſtate he hath purchaſed with his blood is unremoveable; the Father hath given it, who is greater than all, and in whoſe hands Believers are put, and their Eſtates ſecured for them: All new-Covenant promiſes are ſure, as you have heard, part of which is the inheritance of the Saints. This Eſtate is ſure both by donation and purchaſe: The Father hath given Chriſt and all that is his to Believers, Iſa. 55. 4. I have given him to be a witneſs to the people, a leader and commander to the people: This ſhews the certainty and truth of this Covenant which is confirmed in Chriſt, whom the Father hath given and made over to Believers to be the confirmation of his promiſes. 'Tis confirm'd by purchaſe; he hath bought and paid for't; he went and ſold all to get this pearl; he parted with his Life, Blood, Glory, his All, to get this Eſtate for Believers: The Father hath received every Farthing of the money, and gives him an acquittance under his hand, declares before men and Angels, that Chriſt ows him nothing for all the whole Eſtate he hath purchas'd for Believers, Mat 3. 17. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleaſed: O 'tis a ſure Eſtate. A conveyance is made of it to Chriſt in the behalf of Believers, Iſa. 49. 8. Math. 28. 18. All power is put into the hands of Chriſt: The Deeds are drawn, and interchangeably ſealed between the Father and the Son, that the Eſtate is firm and ſure to all Believers: Nay the ſeiſure and delivery is given, and Chriſt hath taken poſſeſſion of it, and he is entered into the Heavens in the behalf of Believers, and all to make this ſure. O ſinners will you eſpouſe Hell, and let go Jeſus Chriſt, who is Heir of Life, and Glory, that hath ſuch a ſure Eſtate for you?
Fourthly, He hath a ſutable Eſtate: Let a man have a fair, free, and ſure Eſtate, yet if it be not ſutable to his quality, neceſſities, and deſires, 'tis unſatisfying: But Chriſt's Eſtate is every way ſutable both to himſelf, and to his Bride: He hath a large inheritance ſutable for his dignity, and to his Spouſes quality: Chriſt having finiſhed his work on Earth, being about to drink the laſt draught of the Cup; he comes and treats with the Father about his receiving, and 'tis Glory ſutable to his quality: O Father glorifie thou me with thy ſelf, with the glory which I had with thee before the World was, Joh. 17. 1. to ver. 5. O unreaſonable Souls, that deſpiſe Chriſt; O ſinners! had you ever ſuch a Lover ſtood at your doors? No, nor never will have the like, if you refuſe this Jeſus: Yea, 'tis a ſutable Eſtate to his Spouſe too: 'Tis a fit joynture for the Kings Daughter, ſufficient to maintain her Immortality, and Glory, Luk. 22. 29. I appoint unto you a Kingdom: Now a Kingdom is a ſutable ſtate to a Kings Daughter: O Souls! will you fall in Love with Chriſt? he hath Crowns, Thrones, a Kingdom of Glory for you.
Then 'tis an Eſtate ſutable to your neceſſities too: There's enough in Chriſt to ſpend upon, and maintain you bravely, richly, here and for ever: O ſinners, will you match with Chriſt? whatever you need is in him. My God ſhall ſupply all you wants, Phil. 4. 19. If a Kingdom will do it, you ſhall not want it: If a Crown of Glory will make you happy and bleſſed you ſhall not want it; his Eſtate is fullneſs that filleth all in all, Eph. 1. 23. O Believer, it may be thou wanteſt Bread, Cloaths, Money, and thou goeſt up and down dejected, ſad, full of fears: But haſt thou eſpouſed Chriſt? O conſider thou haſt a fullneſs, O what a vaſt Eſtate hath Jeſus Chriſt for thee. Sinners, your wants are many, more then you know, God only knows your wants, Sinners, yet there's enough in Chriſt's Eſtate and Patrimony to ſupply them all.
Then 'tis ſutable alſo to their deſires. Sinners deſires are large; O what wandring things are the deſires; perſons may deſire things to the utmoſt ends of the Earth, which they cannot get: But all that the Believer rationally deſires, Chriſt's Eſtate can ſatisfie: He will fulfill the deſires of them that fear him, Pſa. 145. 19. Yea, 'tis above their deſires: Deſire as much as thou canſt, Chriſt's Eſtate is above thy deſires, Pro. 3. 15. O what a treaſure then is Chriſt! it fills every chink of the Believers deſires, with an overplus: 'Tis more than can be deſired.
Fifthly, 'Tis a pleaſant Eſtate, Pſa. 16. 6. The lines are fallen to me in a pleaſant place, yea, I have a goodly herritage. The Chaldee renders it in ſweetneſs, others delightful place: A great Eſtate if it be not well ſcituated, and lye not in a pleaſant place, is not half ſo contentful; but Chriſts Eſtate is well ſcituated; it hath all conſiderations and circumſtances that may make it deſirable. Canaan, that was a type of it, is call'd the pleaſant Land, Jer. 3. 19. 'Tis in the Original, the land of deſires: So the Believers portion that is prepared for him by Chriſt; 'tis a Land of deſires; an Inheritance of beauty and Glory: Chriſts Riches are very precious and pleaſant Riches, Pro. 24. 4. And by knowledge ſhall the Chambers be filled with all precious and pleaſant Riches. Rare, as the word imports; delighting Riches: The whole poſſeſſions of Chriſt are pleaſant, the way to it is pleaſant, Pro. 3. 17. The borders of Chriſts intereſt are made with pleaſant ſtones, Iſa. 54. 12. And all thy borders of pleaſant ſtones. The firſt fruits of Chriſt's harveſt is all pleaſure and delight, much more the lump; the maintenance he allows his Children here in the way is delighting, much more the Eſtate reſerved at the Journeys end. The Fruits that fall from this Tree of Life is ſweet to thoſe that ſit under its ſhaddow, Cant. 2. 3. how much more to them that climb, and crop the pleaſant fruits thereof. Their drink is pleaſant, Pſal. 36. 8. Thou ſhalt make them drink of the Rivers of thy pleaſures. And at laſt he brings them to his Right Hand, where are pleaſures for evermore, Pſal. 16. 11.
Sixthly, It is a peaceful ſtate, not liable to conteſts and controverſies, as mens Eſtates oft-times are here: A man may have a great Eſtate, but it may be a litigious Eſtate: It may occaſion many Law Suits about it: But it is not ſo in Chriſt's Eſtate: 'Tis a peaceful Eſtate; no wars grow out of this Eſtate: Chriſts Countrey is called Salem: The Land of peace, Pſa. 76. 2. And he is The King of Salem; The King of peace, Heb. 7. 1. His Kingdom is Righteouſneſs, and Peace, and Joy in the holy Ghoſt, Rom. 14. 17. He is their peace, Eph. 2. 14. In him they ſhall have peace, Joh. 16. 33. His very Doctrine are words of peace, Eph. 2. 17. He came to guide our feet into the way of peace, Luke 1. 79. He came and Preached Peace: O what a bleſſed Eſtate hath Chriſt; what a lovely Lord is Chriſt: He bequeaths peace to his people: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, Joh. 14. 27. They have peace with God who Eſpouſe this Chriſt, Rom. 5. 1. Peace with Saints and Angels, Col. 1. 20. Peace with Conſcience too, Phil. 4. 7. Heb. 10. 22 The Fruits of the Spirit is Peace, Gal. 5. 22. His Riches have no ſorrow annexed with them.
7thly, It is a perpetual Eſtate: An inheritance that fadeth not away, reſerved in Heaven, 1 Pet. 1. 4. Chriſts Riches are durable Riches, aged Riches, ſtrong, ſolid, Riches: Opes denſae, that is …ultae & firmae, ſays Mercer, they are great, ſtable Riches, Pro. 8. 18. Riches and Honour are with me, yea durable Riches and Righteouſneſs. His Gold is not liable to ruſt. 'Tis ſaid of the Cedar, worms will not breed in it; ſure there's no worm in Chriſt's Treaſure: O Souls, 'tis a laſting Eſtate: That neither time nor changes can waſt nor weaken: All the Saints ſpending upon it to all Eternity, never detracts from it: Chriſts Treaſures are like the deep waters, or like the bottomleſs Ocean, that cannot be exhauſted; his treaſure will laſt as long as God, the Soul, and Eternity laſts, which is for ever, for ever, for ever. Some men have outliv'd their Leaſes and their Eſtates and have ſeen an end of their Houſes and Riches; but the Spouſe of Chriſt can never out-live her jointure, it laſts to all Eternity.
Laſtly, 'Tis a poſſeſt eſtate: Some may have great eſtates, but it is in reverſion, they may look long for it, as ſome Heirs do all their days: But Chriſts Eſtate is all in his own hand, 'tis actually made over to him by the Father, and poſſeſſion given him when he ſate down at the Right hand of God, Heb. 1 3. He hath actually obtained this Inheritance with the Fruits of it, Heb. 1. 4. And is actually inveſted with this glory, Heb. 2. 7. This ſinners is the Eſtate of that Beloved that is tendered to you in the Goſpel for your choice; he is very wealthy, he hath a fair, free, ſure, ſutable, pleaſant, peaceful, perpetual poſſeſſion; an Eſtate you cannot ſpend or comprehend; an Inheritance you cannot loſe or out-…ive: riches that will not cloy, nor clog y…u; a portion that cannot be out-vy'd or match'd: Come view the Rentals of his Lands, the Inventory of his Goods, and ſee what a rich match Chriſt is, there's none like him; where can you mend your penny-worths? all the world, no nor the Heaven of Heavens can yield you ſuch another bargain. Job 28. ver. 13. &c. Man knoweth not the price thereof—the gold and the Chryſtal cannot equal it, and the exchange of it ſhall not be for Jewels of fine gold, &c. Then Jeſus Chriſt is worth a looking after if he be ſo rich as the Scripture reports him to be, and I preſume you queſtion not the truth of this teſtimony. O ſlight not this bargain which will make you happy to all Eternity; if wealth will pleaſe you, here's enough, what ſay you? Have you any objection againſt his eſtate? If not; what ſtick you at?
Secondly, Doſt thou diſlike his perſon? Then it argues thou knoweſt him not; for he is altogether Lovely, the chiefeſt of ten thouſands: The faireſt of the Children of Men: O come, behold the Lamb of God: Look upon this glorious Jehovah Chriſt: O ſee his Perſonal Excellency, and it will allure you, and invite you to come to him: he is the brightneſs of his Fathers Glory, and the expreſs image of his Fathers Perſon, Heb. 1. 3. Sinners look well upon him, view him from top to toe; there is no blemiſh in him: O he is the moſt exquiſite one, his perfections are enough to pleaſe you, his beauty ſufficient to allure you: See his excellent lineaments, the ſweet proportion of every part: O how lovely is Chriſt to the believing eye, in regard of his Perſon. Conſider his Natures, God Man ſweetly concentring in an intimate and Eternal Union, perfect God, perfect Man in one perſon: O where can you eſpy ſuch an object! ſure he is a Non-ſuch; none like him in Heaven, none like him on Earth, in regard of his Perſonal Glory as Mediatour, God Man: look over his Characters that his friends have given him; See in that Book of Cant. Chap. 5. How the Spouſe diſplays him, and you will find him a beautiful Perſon, ver. 11. to the end, His head is as the moſt fine gold: His Wiſdom and Government is moſt pure, ſolid and excellent: His locks are buſhy and black as a Raven: Which notes not only his love lineſs, but his ſtrength and vigour he hath his radical moyſture, his vital heat: He is ſtrong, his vigour abides with him; he hath ſtrength ſufficient for all his undertakings, and he is able to go through what he ſets his hand unto; he is ſtrong, vigorous, and ſpritely. His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the Rivers of Waters, waſhed with Milk, and fitly ſet. His ſight is quick, and perfect, his underſtanding is infinite: His Counſels are holy, and conſiſtent, all well ſet, his decrees, his purpoſes, all methodically ordered and fixed: His looks are gracious, his aſpects lovely, enamouring the eyes of them that behold him. O ſuch a lovely Chriſt is tendred to Sinners; O I know not how to ſet him forth to your capacities, he is a moſt taking object indeed. His face is white and ruddy: Emblems of Rich Beauty, captivating the eyes, and raviſhing the hearts of beholders: The purity of the divine nature, with the paſſions of the humane, and procurements of his Redemption, ſets him forth as infinitely amiable in the eyes of Believers. His cheeks are as a bed of ſpices, as ſweet flowers: His graces and choice diſcoveries of his Excellencies, doth wonderfully feed and delight the Souls of thoſe that have acquaintance and fellowſhip with him; his ſweet and lovely perfections diſcover'd to Believers are like a rich feaſt that ſtay with them: His lips like Lillies dropping ſweet ſmelling Myrrhe: The impartings of his wiſdom, the droppings of his Doctrine, his gracious words, his Holy Communications, are ſavoury and ſound, pure and incorruptible, they ſtrengthen the heart, and heal the Soul of thoſe that imbrace him: His Doctrine carries wonderful ſtrength to thoſe that are in weakneſs; how do the words of grace revive the fainting hearts of Believers; his wayes are ſtrength to the upright, like Myrrhe, they make the heart ſound. His hands are as gold rings ſet with the Beryl: His works and adminiſtrations in the World, are full of order, beauty, and excellency: All that he doth in Sion and out of Sion, is all holy; every providence that ſeems to us ſometimes to be unſeaſonable, is in infinte wiſdom diſplay'd by Jeſus Chriſt for the good of his people. His belly is as bright Ivory overlaid with Saphires: His tender Bowels, and boundleſs affections to his people, are wonderfully lovely and delighting; they are pure, firm, and fixed in their nature, and they are chearing, and enriching in their effects; O Chriſts love is not fleeting, 'tis firm as Ivory, ſet with gold, overlaid with Saphires. O how rich are his affections, what a Treaſure to thoſe that have him. His legs are as Pillars of Marble, ſet upon ſockets of fine gold. The gracious motions and efficacious workings of his Spirit, are exceeding mighty and glorious; full of ſtrength: He hath power to bear up all thoſe that follow him: His legs are ſtrong, he can carry his Lambs that are committed to his arms; there's no burden too heavy for Chriſt, his loins are ſtrong, he can bear what is laid upon him; the weight of all the Saints on Earth is nothing to him: He can carry on all his intendments and intereſt in the World; his legs are as Marble, able to bear his Body; quick in motion: O what a lovely Chriſt is this diſplay'd in the Goſpel! His countenance is as Labanon, excellent as the Cedars: Thoſe diſcoveries the Lord Jeſus Chriſt makes of himſelf in his word, and works, are wonderful taking; exceeding enriching: Chriſt's word is fruit fullizing: O when he ſpeaks to the hearts of his Children, what a deal of vertue goes through his lips; Grace is poured out of his lips, Milk and hony is under his tongue: His appearances carries excellency, riches and glory with them, His mouth is moſt ſweet, yea he is altogether lovely: His diſcourſes, the openings of his mind is wonderful pleaſing: The word of Chriſt never cloys the ſpiritual part. Thus you ſee what a Perſon Jeſus Chriſt is: O Sinners conſider his beauty; O how lovely an object is he! what can you object againſt his Perſon, why you will not eſpouſe him?
Thirdly, Conſider his lovely diſpoſitions, O Sinners will you accept of him? He is of an excellent Spirit, of a very ſweet nature; full of grace and goodneſs: His ſweet diſpoſitions have been largely opened already, he is full of mercy and compaſſions, meekneſs, gentleneſs, patience, long-ſuffering, ſlow to anger, ready to forgive, great in kindneſs, free and bountiful, of a generous Spirit; true and faithful: Sinners, you may truſt him with your ſecrets; you may venture your Souls upon him: He is harmleſs, and inoffenſive; he doth wrong to no man; his company is lovely and deſirable: His converſes are pleaſant and profitable: O what a perſon is Chriſt! O Sinners, never was ſuch a one offer'd you as Chriſt is; why will you not come unto him?
Fourthly, Conſider his quality and high dignity, he is no mean Perſon, but a mighty Potentate, 1 Tim. 6. 15. The ſole and only ſuperintendent of the whole World, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Rev. 19. 16. He hath on his veſture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords: He is not only a King, but the King, the only true Potentate from whom all ohters derive their glory, a King not only of Men, but of Saints; not only of Saints, but of Angels, of Thrones, Principalities and Powers: Math. 26. 53. And can command them down now he is in Heaven for the ſervice of his elect, Heb 1. 14. Are they not all Miniſtring Spirits ſent forth to Miniſter for them who ſhall be heirs of Salvation. O Sinners! ſhall this prevail with you to accept of him?
Fifthly, Take notice of his potency: He hath power as well as honour, Math. 28. 18. All things are put under his feet, Heb. 2. 8. All the Armies of Heaven and Earth are deliver'd over to him: He is Lord of Hoſts: He hath the Keys of Heaven, Death and Hell: Rev. 1. 18. Who then can lock out Chriſt, or exclude him from doing what he pleaſeth, ſeeing all things are at his beck? He doth whatſoever pleaſeth him in Heaven and in Earth, in the Seas and in all deep places, Pſa. 135. 6. He ſitteth in the Heavens, and laughs the Counſels of the Potentates to ſcorn; he makes no reckoning of their combinations, but derides their ambitious attempts againſt him, Pſa. 2. 4. He ſhall paſs thorow and over-flow, and break all their conſederacies in pieces, Iſa. 8. 8, 9, 10. Let all the ſubtleties of Hell be woven together, to make a web to catch the intereſt of Chriſt in; it ſhall all be as a ſpiders web, that can ſoon be ſwept away. O admire the Kingdom of Chriſt; the glorious power of Chriſt; nothing is too hard for him: He hath an abſolute, unlimited and uncontroulable power: He is the ſupream over all perſons, and all things, in all places, Lands, and Countries: O what power hath he! not only Authority, but likewiſe Might, 2 Chro. 20. 6. In his hand there is power and might, and none is able to withſtand him: O Sinners come away to Chriſt, he can protect you and defend you from dangers.
Sixthly, Obſerve his wiſdom too: this is taking with ſome to have a head that hath intellectuals in him, and marry one that hath exquiſite parts and eminency of knowledge. Now all Treaſures of wiſdom are in him, Col. 3. 3. His judgments are unſearchable and paſt finding out, Rom. 11. 33. His judgments, his acts in the World, his Righteous deeds, and the way he takes to accompliſh his deſigns; O how wonderful deep are they! The ſpirit of the Lord ſhall reſt upon him; the Spirit of wiſdom, and underſtanding, the Spirit of Counſel and might; the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord, Iſa. 11. 2. He is of quick underſtanding, full of judgment; called The wonderful Counſellour, Iſa. 9. 6. The only wiſe God, from whom all wiſdom is fetch'd, that fills Men and Angels; all the World do light their Candles at his Torch: He is the Sun that fills the whole Creation with beams: There's no ſearching of his underſtanding; he can bring to light the hidden things of darkneſs: 1 Cor. 4. 5. He hath eyes can reach where men cannot; he can reveal the deep things of God: 1 Cor. 2. 10. O Sinners, what an excellent one is Chriſt! O how worthy of your choice!
Seventhly, Weigh the glorious and bleſſed effects of your cloſing with the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: Sinners, the very day you marry Chriſt he will pay all your debts, and they are many; he will pardon all your ſins, blot out all your iniquities, remember them no more: He will free you from all your Bondages, deliver you from all your fears, ſecure you from all your dangers; if you will but eſpouſe him. O the very day you marry Chriſt he will wipe off all your ſhame, and remove your reproach: He will heal all your wounds and ſickneſſes, he will begin to heal them immediately; and never leave till he hath perfectly cured your Souls: He will ſtrip off all your filthy garments, and cloath you with broidered rayment; he will advance you to higheſt dignity; he will lift up your heads above your fellows: He will make you Kings and Prieſts to God; he will ſet you in Heavenly places; he will ſeal your title to a Rich Joynture, he will make ſure your intereſt to all the Treaſures of Heaven: He will poſſeſſe you with grace, and aſſure you of glory: O ſinners, is not this argument enough to win your Souls, and make you willing to accept of ſuch a Majeſty as Jeſus Chriſt?
Eighthly, Sinners think upon the greatneſs of that love t…e Lord Jeſus Chriſt bears you: He hath good-will towards Men, towards ſinners, as ſinners, whiles in their blood, he hath a love of pity for you: 'Tis true till you cloſe with Chriſt he can have no love of acquieſcenſe in you; but he hath a love of good-will to your Souls, he hath ſo much love for you, as hath made him willing to ſhed his blood for you; his love brought him down from the Fathers Glory, made him willing to drink the dregs of a cup of wrath for you; the love of Chriſt to Sinners, hath ſet up a ſtanding Miniſtery in the World, ſent forth multitudes to publiſh glad tidings: O Sinners, did you but believe this, how attractive would it be upon your hearts, to draw you to Chriſt. But if none of theſe arguments will prevail, let me adde one conſideration more.
Laſtly, The effects of your refuſing Jeſus Chriſt will be dreadful: if you will not accept of this propoſal; O think what a terrible anſwer Chriſt will ſend you: Such ſhall not taſte of his Supper, Luke 14. 24. Not a crumb that fall from this Rich Table of Salvation-chear ſhall fall to the ſhare of that wretched ſinner. If you will not have his Perſon you ſhall not have his purchaſe: He hath ſworn in his wrath theſe ſhall never enter into his Reſt, Heb. 3. 11. O ſinner! were there no other Hell but the loſs of Heaven, it were enough to break thy heart in pieces: O think upon the ſad Iſſue of thy final unbelief: When thy ſins get over thy head, and thy guilt follows thee at thy heels; When Death and Hell ſhall be at thy back, and then to call and cry, and knock at the door of mercy and not be heard; O what a doleful thing will this be! When armies of devils are round about thee, ready to ſnatch thy Soul into everlaſting burnings, and none to relieve thee; O fearful will the caſe of thy Soul be! When thou ſhalt cry; O for mercles ſake, Help Lord; I am going to Hell, for mercies ſake help; and then for the Ear of God to be deaf, and thou not have one good word, and the door be ſhut againſt thee; O what a dolefull caſe will this be! for tender mercy to ceaſe; is miſerable: But for mercy to become cruel to you; O fearful caſe indeed! when tender Bowels ſhall become Braſs and Iron, and there ſhall be no ſounding at all in it towards thy Soul: O ſinner if thou wilt not accept of this Chriſt, he will laugh at thy Calamity, and mock when thy Fear cometh, Pro. 1. 26. That's terrible; when God ſhall not only ceaſe to pity, but deride thy miſery: Be aſſur'd, Soul, as quiet as now thou art, a day of Calamity will come; there will come a time of Fears for thy poor Soul, and then will mercy it ſelf be turn'd into wrath, and laugh at thy Calamity; yet further (ſinner) if thou wilt not accept of Chriſt; then will incenſed fury ſend forth its army of deſtroyers, and ruine, and cut off thy Soul for ever, Mat. 22. 7. Then ſhalt thou be puniſhed with everlaſting deſtruction from the preſence of God, and from the glory of his Power, 2 Theſ. 1. 8, 9. Then ſhall vengeance glut it ſelf upon thy Soul, and ſeize upon thee in flaming Fire: O 'tis a dreadful thing to lye at the mercy of vengeance: O what will not enraged fury do to its adverſaries, when it hath them at its power? But what will divine vengeance do? O ſinner, when God ſhall arraign thee at the Bar of Judgment for kicking at the Bowels of mercy; for Crowning the head of Chriſt with thorns, and trampling his blood under feet; what wilt thou do then? (O canſt thou read this and not ſhake) when thou ſhalt ſee Devils round about thee, and flaming vengeance take hold of thee: But thus it will be. Then they that would not let Chriſt reign over them; ſhall feel Devils rending of them: Then they that fled from the Arms of mercy, ſhall fall into the Jaws of fury: Then they that ſhut their ears againſt the fervent wooings of Chriſt ſhall open their hearts to the fiery wrath of Chriſt: Then they that would not get into the boſom of Chriſt; ſhall lodge in the burnings of Hell: Then the Furnace of Hell ſhall be heated ſeven times hotter for thoſe whoſe hearts freezed under the warm beams of Chriſt's Love: Oh dreadful will thy ſtate be, Sinner, if thou refuſe Chriſt.
Well ſinner, take the Counſel given thee: kiſs the Son Ieſt he be angry; turn in, turn in hither; reach out thy arms, come away to Chriſt; ſay Lord Jeſus, I am willingly thine. Sinners are you perſwaded? what anſwer ſhall we return to this Lord of Glory? Will you be his? Will you accept of this grace tendered to you, before it breathe its laſt to you.