The Best Treasure, Chapter 26
CHAP. XXVI.
Objections anſwered. Counſels how to come to Chriſt.
I ſhall now endeavour to anſwer thoſe Objections which are made by doubting Souls, againſt their coming to Chriſt.
1. Objection. Says a Soul: But will this bleſſed Potentate, this glorious King of Kings, ſtoop ſo low as to look upon ſuch an obſcure Creature, ſuch a worthleſs worm as I am? Alas! I am too mean to unlooſe the latchet of his ſhooes: I am too unworthy to be the meaneſt Servant in his Houſe: To be a dog to his Flock: And will he caſt his skirt over me? O do not flatter me into ſuch vain hopes, and fond dreams, that ſuch a King of Glory will look upon me: I am too low for one aſpect of his Eye.
Anſw. Abundant Teſtimony hath this Lord given of his condeſcending heart to ſinners: Doſt thou think thou art too low for ſuch a Majeſty? When he left his Fathers Kingdom, and came down from his Eternal Glory with the Father, he gave abundant proof of the humility of his heart: when he did eſpouſe thy nature, (ſinner) to himſelf; and took upon him the form of a Servant; he ſhewed his humble heart, that he was far from contemning ſinners: He was the true Jacob, who ſerved a far harder bondage for thy Soul, than ever Jacob did for his Rach…l; this ſhews his humility: His chooſing ſuch mean perſons, ſuch notorious ſinners for his companions, in neareſt Union and Communiwith himſelf; Matthew the Publican, Paul the Blaſphemer: Poor Fiſhermen of no regard upon Earth: Theſe did Chriſt perſonally chuſe for his neareſt Converſes; this ſhews his condeſcenſion: And 'tis not thy low ſtate (ſinner) can diſcourage Chriſt, if thy heart be really willing: His preaching the Goſpel to the poor, and calling the baſe things of this world, and things that are not, ſhews his lowly mind. And his humility hath been abundantly prov'd already: He will dwell with the Lowly, Iſa. 57. 15.
2. Object. But I have no portion for Chriſt: I am exceeding poor and beggarly; I have no Righteouſneſs, no Grace, no good things dwell in me: I can bring nothing to glorifie him; I have no ability at all to ſerve him; I cannot pray or do any thing that is good, and will Chriſt accept of me?
Anſ. Chriſts deſign in theſe Goſpel tenders of himſelf to ſinners, is not to get, but to give Riches: He wants no treaſures for himſelf, but he rather wants objects to give them to: He wants no goods, but (like the Rich man in the Goſpel) he wants room to beſtow his goods: He is willing to impart his treaſure to ſinners, 2 Cor. 8. 9. Of all perſons in the world he is ſure to hear the deſires of the poor. The rich ſhall be ſent empty away: but the poor that wai… on him ſhall be heard, Pſa. 69. 33. Art …ou a poor Soul in thy own eyes? The Lord hat… ſpecial regard for ſuch: Theſe are the perſons he invites to him that have no money, no price, Iſa. 55. 1. The poor have the Goſpel preached …o them, Math. 11. 5. Therefore ſinners 'tis …ot thy poverty can break the match, nor hinder …y reception of Jeſus Chriſt, if thy heart be w… ling.
3. Object. But I am a deformed loveleſs Creature, I have no beauty at all in me; I am black with ſin, full of all uncleanneſs, and abominations, polluted in my blood, wallowing in my Mire and Vomit, ſcarce ſuch a nauſeous Object as I in all the world. O what a filthy heart, O what an unclean Soul, O what vile affections bave I! and will this holy one caſt a glance of Love on ſuch a Creature as I? I dare not think he will endure the ſight of me; therefore I am afraid to look to him.
Anſw. Believing ſinners, though black in their own eye, yet are comely in Chriſt's Eye, Cant. 1. 5. Faith puts an amiableneſs on the believing ſinner in Chriſts account: This is one of thoſe eyes that raviſhes his heart, Cant. 4. 9. He looks upon them as lovely that come to him, though unlovely in themſelves: Affections ſpie no deformity in the beloved object. Chriſts love is ſo great to fallen man, as that nothing appears unlovely in him, but an unwillingneſs to be hi…: He ſees no iniquity in Jacob, though ther… …e a great deal. The halt, blind, lame, imp…nt are no amorous Objects; yet theſe Chriſt invites to his feaſt, Luk. 14. 21. Others are not worthy, ſays Chriſt, but bring theſe, they a…e companie for me, if they will but come. … Let not thy deformity, and the ſenſe of thy u…worthineſs keep thee from Chriſt, becauſe h… hath beauty enough for himſelf, and thee. He hath comelineſs enough to cover thy nakedneſs: 'tis but for ſome of his beams to reflect on thy Soul, and thou wilt be altogether glorious; thy perfection lies in his, and not thy own comelineſs: Chriſt can ſoon fill thee with amiableneſs: ſee, in Ezek. 16. what a change Grace makes upon deformed ſinners: The beautie of ſinners is Chriſts beautie put upon them, and Chriſts Holineſs imparted to them, and there's enough of it for thee. 3. Know, that Chriſts blood is cleanſing blood, it doth not only cover ſpots and deformities, but it takes away filthineſs; if thou come to him, the blood of Chriſt cleanſeth from all ſin, 1 Joh. 1. 7.
4. Object. But I am a great ſinner, none like me, therefore. I cannot think the Lord Jeſus will paſs them by; or have thoughts of favour for me.
Anſ. So was Davids, and yet found pardon, Pſa. 25. 11. for thy name ſake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquities for they are great. Manaſſch's ſins were notorious, and yet upon hi… Repentance found favour with God, 2 Chro. 33. 3, 4, 5, 6. He reared up Altars for Baalim, worſhipped all the hoſt of Heaven, and ſerved them; he built Altars in the Houſe of the Lord, and cauſed his Children to paſs through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom. He alſo obſerved times, and uſed I…chantments, and Witchcrafts, and dealt with familiar Spirits, and with …izards, and when God ſpake to him he would not hearken, ver. 10. O abominable ſins! One would think here was a man ripe for Hell; yet upon his ſupplication, when he was in affliction, God heard him, and pardon'd him, ver. 12, 13. Paul was a flagitious ſinner, in his own eyes the greateſt that ever was, 1 Tim. 1. 15. A Blaſphemer, a perſecutor, injurious, but obtained mercy, ver. 13. Therefore 'tis not the greatneſs of thy ſin can ſtand in the way of thy mercy, if thou come over to Chriſt with all thy heart.
5. Object. But I have been an old ſinner; I have been rooted in ſin, and liv'd in ſin all my days; I have been a continual provocation to the Lord, for many years; through my whole Life ſin hath touch'd ſin, and I cannot think Chriſt hath thoughts of Love for me.
Anſw. So did the Thief upon the Croſs, he ſinn'd to the laſt hour of his Life, and yet obtained mercy, Luke 23. 40, 41, 42, 43. So did ſome of thoſe that were called in at the Eleventh hour, yet embracing the call, obtained mercy, Math. 20. 9, 12. it was not the length of their ſinning time excluded the Efficacie of Salvation-mercy, when they did come in at the call of it. I mention not this for a Pillow to ſecure ſinners, but for a Cordial for deſponding Souls: Now the Goſpel calls thee, nner; if thou come in this hour, and embrace the calls of mercy; 'tis not the length of thy ſinning time, will make void the Grace of God.
6. Object. But ſaies the Soul: I have ſleighted many calls already: I have quenched many motions of the Spirit: I have deſpiſed the firſt call: and may I have hopes to go to Chriſt? Will he receive me?
Anſw. So did Manaſſeh, he did reject many calls; God did ſpeak to him, but he would not hearken; and after his rejection of the firſt call, yet merciemercy found him: The Jews in the wilderneſs rejected many calls of God; yet the Lord ſaid, while 'tis called to day, harden not your hearts, H…b. 3. 7, 8. Though thou haſt been guiltie of deſpiſing many calls, this is matter for thy humbling, but not for thy deſpair.
7. Object. But I am never the better for all the means and mercy I have enjoyed: though I had deſpiſed the firſt calls of mercy, yet if I had been the better for after tenders of grace, there were ſome hope: But I am ſtill the ſame notwithſtanding all the Sermons I hear, and precious overtures of Salvation; my heart is hard, and dead under all.
Anſw. So it was with the Impotent man a great while, he was diſeaſed thirty and eight years. Joh. 5. 5. He lay at the Pool's ſide near the means of cure, but never the better, ver. 6. 7. And ſo continued till Chriſts time came to cure him. So Iſrael were barren and unfruitful, till the Lord became a dew to them. Hoſ. 14. 5. Therefore this is no diſcouragement; if thou believe and come to Chriſt, God will be a dew to thee, and thou ſhalt quickly find a change.
8. Object. But ſaith one: I am not only never the better for all the means of grace, but I am worſe than I was before; when I was under firſt awakenings, my heart was more tender; but now my heart ſeems to be more brawny and hard; I find more unbelief than ever, more indiſpoſition to go to Chriſt: I am worſe than I was.
Anſw. So was Sarah too, as to the receiving the promiſed mercy, more and more indiſpoſed, ſhe complaines of the deadneſs of her womb; ſhe was paſt age to be the Mother of Children, till the time of life came, then Sarah's growing indiſpoſition becomes no impediment at all to the fulfilling of the promiſe. So was Iſrael, they began to ſay for their part, their hope was cut off, and God had forſaken them, when mercy was neareſt to them: So the woman that had a bloody iſſue twelve years, and had ſpent all that ſhe had on Phyſitians, yet was nothing bettered, but rather grew worſe, till Chriſt came and healed her, Mark 5. 25, 26. Perſons are uſually worſt in their own eyes when mercy is neareſt their doors.
Again, Thy not comming to Chriſt is the cauſe of thy decaies and hardnings; 'tis thy unbelief that deadens thy heart, and withers thy Soul, Chriſt doth withdraw his influence from ſuch, and refuſeth to do any mighty works in them becauſe of unbelief. O then Soul, come away to Chriſt, and this is the way to cure thee.
9. Object. But ſaies the Soul: Chriſt ſeems to take no notice of me, I call but he heareth me not, I come to Ordinances, but I cannot ſee him, nay he ſeems to be angry with me; every thing goes againſt me, his word ſpeaks bitter things to me; methinks there's never a threatning but belongs to me; I am the Hypocrite and unclean perſon, that God ſtrikes at in every Sermon, and his rod lies heavy on me too, and in the way of his providence he writes bitter things againſt me.
Anſw. Soul, is this thy caſe, doth Chriſt take no notice of thee? It is becauſe thou takeſt ſo little of him, when he unveils his beauty; thou doſt not believe in him, when he makes a promiſe to thy Soul: When he ſends words of Counſel, thou doſt not obey him. He hath called, and thou haſt not anſwered, and therefore when thou calleſt he doth not anſwer, Zach. 7. 13. Yet at ſuch a time what follows; doth God make an end of ſuch ſinners? No, ſee Chap. 8. 2, 3. O Soul, if the Lord Jeſus Chriſt ſeems to take no notice of thee, but to frown upon thee, it is to frown thee from thy unbelief; it is but to make thee ſenſible of thy ſlighting him: If thou wilt this day accept of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; his frowns will ſoon paſs away, as a dark Cloud doth when the Sun ſhines; he will remember thy Iniquities no more.
10. Object. But may ſome Soul ſay: I would fain come to Chriſt, but I cannot; I like the terms well, but O my unbelieving heart! O my impenitent hard heart! I cannot ſenſe Salvation-kindneſs.
Anſw. O Soul! The afflicting ſenſe of thy unbelief, is a hopeful ſign of thy faith: If thou doſt ſee thy unbelieving heart; ſo as to be burdened under it, and be weary of it, the Lord reckons it for the beginnings of faith, Mark 9. 24. This is the method of Salvation-Grace in begetting faith, to convince thee of its impotency to believe, Joh. 16. 9. Soul, is this thy wearineſs; that thou canſt not come to Chriſt? Wouldſt thou have a wider heart for him? Thou art the Soul he waits for that mourneſt over thy unbelief, Mark 9. 24.
But there's one thing more may be as a diſcouragement to ſome Souls.
11. Object. O ſaies the Soul, I fear the time is paſt, and that God will be gracious no more; I have had a day of grace, but that is gone: The Angel came troubling the Waters, but I would not ſtep in: I bave had the dawnings of mercy, but I reſiſted: I fear I have outſtood my Market: That I have outſtrived the Spirit ſo long, that he will ſtrive no more: And this bows me down, that I am afraid to look up.
Anſw. Sinner, if this be thy caſe, know that thy fears of loſing the day of grace, is a ſign it is not loſt: The greateſt ſymptome of departing grace is ſecurity, and falſe peace, 1 Theſ. 5. 3. So it was with the people before the flood: Noah threatned judgments, but they dreamt of peace, Math. 24. 37. &c. Security uſher'd in the departure of grace from them: But while the Spirit of grace ſtrives with thy Soul, the day of grace is not paſt from thee. Doth God call upon thee now, and plead with thy heart? And doſt thou find ſome movings, and turnings of thy Bowels in thee, crying out, O that there might be mercy for me; that this day of grace may not be paſt? If ſo, then ſure the Spirit ſtrives yet with thy Soul: Therefore, Soul, if now thou wilt cloſe with Chriſt, none of theſe pleas can debar thy cloſing with him.
Well Sinners, conſider the Lord Jeſus Chriſt invites you to come to him, once more he demands your anſwer: what ſay you, will you be his or no? Do your hearts accept of him? Do you like his propoſals? will you heartily conſent to be his, upon all his terms? If ſo, I ſhall lay down ſome Counſels to direct you in your right comming to Chriſt.
Firſt, Sinner, if thou will come to Chriſt, thou muſt come as a poor needy, empty, undone, Sinner, ſtript of all beauty, as having nothing at all that may deſerve his favour: 'Tis the poor have the Goſpel Preached to them. Math. 11. 5. It ſignifies ſuch as are brought to great neceſſities, and extremities; So Beza renders it: Such as are brought very low: Therefore ſome derive it from a word that ſignifies, falling down at the rich Mens feet: As ſome beggers will. Ferus interprets it, the poor in Spirit, that acknowledge themſelves mean, and are low in their own eyes. So Calvin takes it, for them that are oppreſſed with the ſenſe of their own wants, ſuch as feel their pinching neceſſities; that lye down overwhelm'd with the apprehenſion of their emptineſs: The Treaſures of the Goſpel are deſign'd to ſuch Perſons that are poor and afflicted in their own Spirits. There's no greater obſtacle in this Match betwen Chriſt and ſinners, than a ſenſe of ſelf worthyneſs: This keeps many from ſeeing the beauty of Chriſt; their own Righteouſneſs hangs in their eye; they are too heavy laden with their own thick clay, I mean the ſenſe of their own worthyneſs, to be looking up to Jeſus, and lifted up to him: Sinners may be too rich for Chriſt in their own opinion, but never too poor; hence the Lord Jeſus Chriſt tells us, he came not to call the Righteous, but ſinners to Repentance, Math. 9. 13. Not them that Judge themſelves Righteous, but them that feel themſelves ſinners: The Rich he ſends empty away, thoſe that are Rich in their own thoughts, when the poor and hungry are fill'd with good things: Men chuſe empty veſſels to put their liquors in; and low rooms to cellar their wines, ſo doth Jeſus Chriſt chuſe empty Souls for his good things: He chooſeth the Low plains for his walks, when the high towring Mountains are rejected: The high, and lofty One comes to dwell in the low and contrite Spirit, Iſa. 57. 15. Sinner, thou muſt ſtrip thy ſelf of thy own Ornaments, if thou intend to put on Jeſus Chriſt: Thou muſt throw down thy Crown at his feet; if thou thinkeſt to wear his Crown on thy head: O Soul! thou muſt come as a poor wretch to Chriſt; with thy empty ſack, as Jacobs Sons did to Egypt to buy corn, and then thou ſhalt have Treaſure too: Thou muſt ſee thy ſelf an undone ſinner; thou muſt come (with Lazarus) and throw thy ſelf down at this Rich Kings Door; if ever thou wilt be fed with his Crumbs; nay rather feaſted with his Dainties.
Secondly, Thou muſt come to Chriſt as to a full and ſufficient treaſure, able to ſave and ſatisfie thee; to pay off thy debts, and enrich thy Soul for ever, Heb. 7. 25. Able to ſupply all thy wants and fill all thy emptineſs, Phil. 4. 19. We have ſhewn already that his treaſures are bottomleſs, boundleſs, unfathomable, unexhauſtible, never to be waſted or ſpent: O Soul come to Chriſt as ſuch a one: Meaſure not Chriſt's gold by thy buſhel; nor his plenty by thy poverty: think not thy debts too great for Chriſt to pay, becauſe thou knoweſt not where to get mony of thy own: Think not thy ſtraits too many for him to relieve: He hath enough for thy Soul to live upon both here and to all Eternity; O Sinner believe this, and come to him as ſuch a one; ſuppoſe not the Fountain is empty, becauſe thy Ciſterns are dry: His Righteouſneſs is like the great Mountains, Pſa. 36. 6. It is in the Hebrew, The Mountains of God: And his grace is without meaſure, Joh. 3. 34. Therefore thou muſt look to him as having a ſufficient fulneſs for thy Soul.
Thirdly, Thou muſt look to Chriſt with expectation, as the poor Cripple did to Peter and John, Acts. 3. 5. Now ſhall a poor Creature expect to receive ſome needful ſutable good from a fellow Creature; and will not thou expect ſome mercy from the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, thy Creator, and Redeemer? O ſinner come with expectations to Chriſt; believe that he is as willing as able to enrich all that come to him: He hath paſt his word for it. He that cometh to me I will in no wiſe caſt out. Joh. 6. 37. He that believeth on him ſhall not periſh, Joh. 3. 16. The weary Soul that comes yea creeps to him, ſhall have reſt, Math. 11. 28. The thirſty Soul ſhall be ſatisfied, Joh. 7. 37. He goes up and down in the Miniſtery of the Goſpel, ſeeking to ſave that which is loſt, Luke 19. 10. And he is angry with them that will not come to him, Joh. 5. 40. O ſinner, do not take up hard thoughts of Chriſt: Such ſuſpitious thoughts of Chriſt is ſome of the Devils ſeed that he doth ſow in broken ground. When Chriſt comes to break ſinners hearts and make them ſenſible of their undoneneſs, then the Devil caſts in theſe tares, and raiſes up ill thoughts of Chriſt; It was this did ſo enervate the diligence of the unprofitable Servant; ſome undue thoughts he took up of his Lords bounty: I knew (ſaies he) thou wert an hard, and auſtere Man: Hence he puts up his Talent in a Napkin, and his hand in his boſom, Math. 25. 24, 25. Jealouſies of Chriſts good-will to ſinners are very deſtructive to Salvation-work: The Devil hath hindred many a Soul from coming to Chriſt, by caſting this block in his way. O then come with expectations; at leaſt come to Chriſt, with as great hopes as the Lepers came to the Tents of the Aſſyrians who were Enemies; come to Chriſt the friend of Sinners. 2 Kings 7. 4. They adventured with ſome hopes; we may live, and we can but dye; they may kill us, and they may ſave us alive: But thy caſe is not ſo, if thou come and adventure on Chriſt, thou mayeſt be ſure, he will not kill thee: O look to Jeſus then with ſome hopes; ſay, who can tell but my Soul may live.
Fourthly, Cloſe firſt with Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, and afterwards with his Treaſure: I confeſs uſually ſomething from Chriſt draws the Sinner's firſt reſpects to him: The ſavor of his oyntments, ſome love-tokens, kindneſſes, apprehenſion of neceſſity; ſenſe of undoneneſs may conduce to get the firſt glances of Sinners towards Chriſt; But though theſe allure to Chriſt, yet the firſt thing the Eſpouſed Soul muſt eye in his Match with Chriſt, is Chriſt himſelf; though theſe things draw the Soul, yet they do not center the Affections: Chriſt's kindneſſes are deſign'd as motives to beget an eſteem of himſelf in ſinners hearts: The knowledge of what Jeſus Chriſt hath for ſinners, an intimation of pardon, peace and Salvation for all that come to him, may be the Prodromus or fore-runner of Chriſts Perſon to ſinners view; but when they come to ſee him, they muſt firſt pitch upon himſelf; and till they come to this they cannot have a due and orderly cloſe with Chriſt: In all right and regular Matches, the Perſon muſt be firſt regarded, then the Portion: A Soul is not fit to match with Chriſt, till he comes to ſee infinitely more worth in him, then in all his gifts, and favours: It was the excellency of Chriſt himſelf that drew Pauls higheſt regards to him, with reſpect to relation; Phil. 3. 8. The excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus my Lord: Paul ſets that fore-moſt; And then to be made conformable to his Death, and Reſurrection. The Spouſe was more taken with Chriſt's Perſon then with his Gifts: Cant. 1. 2, 3. Firſt himſelf was lovely, then his fruits. Cant. 2. 3. David counts nothing in Heaven, or Earth like to God in Chriſt. Pſa. 73. 25. 'Tis ſordid love, and too unworthy of a conjugal State, that values the Portion more then the Perſon; that Soul is too unworthy of Chriſt, who values any thing more then him: Math. 10. 37 It muſt be Chriſt himſelf, muſt ſit in the upermoſt ſeat in thy Soul. 'Tis a ſaying of Calvin, Tis an unworthy thing not to perfer one Chriſt above all: Thoſe Matches never prove comfortable where the Eſtate is eyed more then the Perſon, hence conjugal love is broken, when the eſtate is gone; but where true conjugal love is, it is ſetled upon the Perſon: Love that is ſet upon ſome Gifts of Chriſt, more then Chriſt himſelf, when theſe are ſuſpended, the others will decay; but love placed upon his Perſon will laſt: Hence 'tis many do ſo eaſily leave Chriſt, when it comes to parting with other things, becauſe their love was ſet more upon theſe things then Chriſt himſelf: O Soul be ſure 'tis Chriſt himſelf thou doſt chuſe, and not another; O be not guilty of that miſtake as Jacob was, to take Leah inſtead of Rachel: Be ſure it be not a falſe Idea of Chriſt in thy thoughts, but that it be a real Chriſt thou takeſt; and then thou wilt never look for another: Be ſure give Chriſt the preheminence: The Father hath given him the preheminence, and wilt not thou? Phil. 2. 9. Col. 1. 18. Col. 2. 9. If Chriſt muſt take the beſt place in Heaven, he hath reaſon to take the firſt place in thy heart.
Fifthly, If thou wouldeſt come to Chriſt aright, then bring thy all with thee to him; and make a free and full ſurrender of thy ſelf, and thy all to him: When God would have Iſrael out of Egypt, they muſt not leave a hoof behind, Exod. 10. 26. 2 Cor. 8. 5. They firſt gave their own ſelves to the Lord: Be ſure make over thy ſelf firſt to Chriſt, and then all thy intereſts, and Capacities: Come and ſubſcribe to Chriſt, Iſa. 44. 5. One ſhall ſay I am the Lords, and another ſhall call himſelf by the name of Jacob, and another ſhall ſubſcribe with his hand unto the Lord. Calvin hath a ſaying upon this: A Perſon (ſaies he) can never have true faith in Chriſt, till he comes to make this teſtification and confeſſion of him: In the eſpouſing betwivt Chriſt and the Soul, there is a mutual reſignation of each to other with all they have. Chriſt gives his Perſon and Purchaſe to Believers, and the ſincere Soul gives back himſelf and all to Chriſt: To detain the leaſt part from Chriſt is abominable fraud, and lying againſt the Holy Ghoſt, Acts 5. 3. If thou accounteſt any one thing too good for Chriſt; He accounts all his too good for thee.
Laſtly, Be ſure your acceptance of Chriſt be conſiderate and ſincere, ſit down firſt and count the coſt, Luk. 14. 28. Thou muſt be no more thy own; thou muſt take up thy Yoke and his Yoke: Thy croſs and his Croſs: Thou muſt denie thy ſelf and follow him: Weighty things are not to be undertaken raſhly, Diu deliber andum was an ancient Motto. Haſty matches ſeldom prove well: O Soul, be not raſh in thy taking Chriſt. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt Eſpouſeth his in Judgment as well as in Faithfulneſs, Hoſ. 2. 19, 20. in conſiderate bargains are oft-times broken or repented of, You will never eſpouſe Chriſt in Faithfulneſs, till you eſpouſe him in Judgment: Weigh all things, conſider Marriage Articles, what they are, and whether you are willing to perform them, Math. 16. 24. O Soul try, can thy heart conſent to this? O the falſeneſs of Souls pretended match to Chriſt hath undone many! You muſt take whole Chriſt with the whole heart, or elſe you will never match aright with Chriſt, You muſt chuſe him never to chuſe again. You muſt make him your only choice, and let all your other chooſings be by him: Thou ſhalt chooſe our inheritance for us, Pſa. 47. 4. Say then, I will only chuſe him; I will chuſe his Perſon, his Laws, his Honour and Glory; but Chriſt ſhall chuſe all for me; Let Chriſt chuſe my place, and condition, high or low: Let Chriſt diſpoſe of me, where, and how he will in the World, I will diſpoſe of Chriſt in my heart.
So much of this Fourth Inference. That Jeſus Chriſt is worth a looking after.