The First Last, Title page – Dedication
THE Firſt, Laſt.
OR, The Formal Hypocrite further from Salvation, (as to the Way of God's ordinary working) than the Prophane Sinner.
Being the Subſtance of ſeveral SERMONS Preached in Courſe at a LECTURE in the Countrey, By J. O.
A Diſcourſe tending to draw the Prophane Sinner to God, by working on his Hopes; and to drive the Formaliſt out of his Formality, by working on his Fears.
2 Tim. 3.5. Having a form of godlineſs, but denying the power thereof, from ſuch turn away.
Phil. 3.3. For we are the circumſion, which worſhip God in the Spirit, and rejoyce in Chriſt Jeſus, and have no confidence in the fleſh.
LONDON, Printed for R. Boulter, at the Turks-Head, in Cornhill. 1666.
To the PARISHIONERS of C. and W. in the County of D. Grace and Peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
IT is an undoubted Truth, pronounced by Truth it ſelf, That except a man be born again, he cannot ſee the Kingdom of God, Joh. 3.3. That Fleſh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God,1 Cor. 15.50. nor corruption incorruption. Such is the connexion betwixt Converſion and Salvation, Holineſs and Happineſs, That I may truly ſay, (yet not derogating from the infinite worth of his Sufferings) that Chriſt cannot ſave an unconverted Soul; he ſaves none from Hell, but whom he ſaves from their ſins; nor will free-Grace it ſelf ſave a graceleſs perſon. It is therefore one main Piece of a Miniſters imployment, (whoſe work is the ſalvation of ſouls) to endeavour the bringing of men from Self to Chriſt, from ſin to holineſs; to deal with them, as Ambaſſadors for Chriſt, as though God did beſeech them by us, even to pray them in Chriſts ſtead, that they will be reconcil'd to God, 2 Cor. 5.20. In order to this great End, nothing ſeems to me more effectually conducing, then the diſcovery and removal of thoſe things, which are the ordinary impediments of Converſion, amongſt which theſe two are very common.
1. Some think they are paſt hope, they are in their own apprehenſions out of merci's reach; and therefore, either deſperately, or deſpairingly throw away their own ſouls.
2. Others think they are paſt fear, that they are eſcaped the wrath to come; ſay, as Agag. 1 Sam. 15.32. Surely the bitterneſs of death is paſt; when, alas, they do but deceive themſelves with a vain ſhew, and are but in a cleaner way to Hell.
The firſt of theſe is incident to groſs Sinners, when it pleaſes God to awaken their Conſciences, and cauſe a Dart of Conviction to ſtick in their hearts; Yea, the leaſt ſin diſcovered, and ſet home to purpoſe on the ſoul, is apt to work this way: Nor can I think that thoſe Ranting, Roaring Deſperado's, who ſpend their days in Riot and Exceſs, and commit all uncleanneſs with greedineſs, are altogether free from ſuch thoughts.
The ſecond is the common Remora of the Formaliſt's Converſion, who flatters himſelf in his own eyes, till his iniquity be found hateful. Now to diſcover to the former, their grounds of hope, upon their Humble, Penitent return to God; and to the other, the cauſe they have to fear leaſt they be caſt off by God, ſeems the moſt probable rational way to prevail with them, in order to their Converſion and Salvation.
This was the Deſign of theſe poor Labours, when Preſented to your Ears from the Pulpit; and upon the ſame account are they now Preſented to your Eyes from the Preſs. If thou art (Reader) in either of theſe conditions, (and how great a part of the Chriſtian World will be found in the one or other of them!) here is ſomething in this ſmall Treatiſe, that may, by the bleſſing of him that teacheth to profit, be of uſe and advantage to thee. Or if thou be an Iſraelite indeed, thou wilt find ſomething that may ſuit thy condition, and that may put thee upon more vigour and activity in Gods way.
I ſhall not trouble you with any Apology, either for my ſelf or the Work; weakneſſes (the Lord knows) abound in both: Nor is it the deſign of this poor Labour to ſatisfie thy Curioſity, or pleaſe thy Fancy, but (which is far higher) to profit and edifie thy Soul. That this may be the Fruit of it, is the hearty prayer of him, who deſires to be, and earneſtly beggs thy prayers that he may be
A publike Helper on of thy Faith and happineſs, J. O.
The Firſt, Last, &c.
Matthew 21. latter part of 31. Verſe.
Verily I ſay unto you, That the Publicans and the Harlots go into the Kingdom of God before you.