The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Sermon 8
A SERMON Preached Immediatly before the Communion,
On Matth. 26. Verſ. 28.29. For thi… is my Blood of the New Teſtament, wh… is shed for many, for the Remisſion of ſins. But I ſ… unto you, I w ll not drink henceforth of this fruit … the Vine, untill that day, when I drink it new w… you in my Fathers Kingdom.
ALthough we had no more to do at our meeting together in this place to day, but to Read and he… theſe ſame wonderful words, If our hearts were in ſuitable ſpiritual frame, knowing and conſidering, wh… we are about and doing, we would be in a Divine Ra… ture and Tranſport of Admiration at His love, a… kindled into a flame of Holy zeal for his glory, by then O What ſweet and happy words are theſe from our di… ing Lord Jeſus Chriſt his mouth! Eye hath not ſeen, e… hath not heard, Neither hath it entered into the heart … Man to conceive, what things the Lord hath prepared f… them that wait for him. And indeed there is a ſum o… them in theſe words, they being a Compend of t… Teſtament and legacy which our Lord hath left to h… friends: O Sinners, be of good chear, there are goo… news and glad tidings of great joy here; Here is t… new Covenant and all that is in it, and Remiſſion … ſins in Particular, as the Legacy: Here is Chriſt, whi… maketh this Covenant Savoury: and it is confirmed … his Death, who is the Teſtator thereof, Which makes it ſure: Here is Heaven and Eternall glory, and what would you have more? This is (ſaith he) my Blood of the New Teſtament Whi…h is shed for the Remisſion of the ſins of many: Which holds forth the Promiſes, and the convey of them: the Legacy and how it comes to us: I will not (ſaith he) Drink of this fruit of the Vine, untill I drink it new with you in my Fathers Kingdome: There is Heaven, the heartſome up ſhot of all: Remiſſion of ſins comes to ſinners Covenant wiſe, thorow Chriſts Blood: and by cloſing with Chriſt, and making Application of this Blood, ſinners come to get Remiſſion of ſins and all the benefits of the Covenant: and are brought at laſt to Drink the new wine of Heaven, and to Drink it new with Chriſt, even to ſhare in his Glory, to have one feaſt and Glory with him: And truly if there were no more to be ſaid, we may moſt confidently ſay, that theſe are wonderful glad tidings, which our bleſſed Lord Jeſus hath left to be the great ſubject of the Doctrine of the Goſpel, and the Scope of the Sacraments.
We ſhall 1. Open up the words a litle. 2. We ſhall draw ſome Doctrines from them. And then, 3. Inſiſt in the Application.
Firſt, Then for Explication. From the 26. verſ. is ſet down the Inſtitution of the Supper of the Lord: wherein we have. Firſt, What Chriſt did. Secondly, What he Commands the Diſciples, and us in them to do. Thirdly, He Explicats in theſe words, what he hath been doing, and Commande to be done: This is my Blood (ſaith he) of the Ne… Teſtament, &c. As if he had ſaid, would you kno… what it is that I am doing: There was a Covena… made long ſince betwixt my Father and me, co… cerning the elect; wherein I condeſcended an… tranſacted to take on mans nature, and in that natu… to ſuffer and ſatisfie Divine Juſtice for their ſin… & this is the Commemoration of my Satisfactio… according to that Covenant, and the exhibiting an… giving to you a confirmation of your intereſt in a… the bleſſings of that Covenant, whereof Remiſſi… of ſins is one, and a main one: He needed, as wou… ſeem, to have ſaid no more, but that he was goi… to ſuffer and to ſuffer for this cauſe, Even to pu… chaſe Redemption to ſinners: but he will furth… ſhew his Diſciples and in them all Believers in hi… That this came not to paſs by gueſs, but accordi… to an old Covenant and Eternall tranſaction th… paſt betwixt Jehovah and Him: and ſo adds the S… crament to be a Commemoration and a more f… Confirmation thereof to Believers, of all that purchaſed by it and Promiſed in it. In the 29. ve… He hath two words further, one of warning, anoth… of encouragement: 1. One of warning, I ſay u… you, henceforth I will not drink of the F…uit of t… Vine: As if he had ſaid, take heed what ye are d… ing, make this Communion very welcome, and … it confirm and ſtrengthen you againſt the tryals th… are coming: for I will have no moe Communio… with you after this manner in this World. 2. word of encouragement and conſolation: becau…e they might think and ſay, Alace! Lord, what will become of us, if we ſhall have no moe Communions with thee? Be not (ſaith he to them on the matter) diſcouraged, We ſhall yet have more and more intimat Communion then ever we had here on earth: There is a day coming, when we ſhall have a ſweet Communion in the Kingdom of Heaven together, when we ſhall drink it new, when we shal have the thing ſignified, Even Communion without the intervention of Ordinances, in the full Harveſt of joy in God, in his Kingdon. Then, verſ. 30. As if he were going to a Triumph, He and they ſing a Hymn or Pſalm: Partly thereby to teach us to be chearfull: and partly to shew that ſinging of Pſalmes is not unſuitable for this action.
To make the former words and what we are to ſay on them a litle more clear: We would in this Sacrament, which here the Lord Explicats, Conſider Three or Four things. Firſt, Chriſts Offer: Wherein there are Two things, viz. The outward and viſible ſignes, the Elements: and the inward inviſible thing ſignified by them, Which is Chriſts Body & Blood: In the Offer then in short, We have not only the Element, or ſigne, but the thing ſignified and repreſented by it: Even as in the word of the Goſpel, there are theſe Two, viz: So many words made up of Letters and Syllables, and the matter Contained in them. Secondly, Conſider the receiving of Chriſts offer, wherein there are Two things, 1. The act of receiving the Element by the hand. 2. The hearts receiving what is offered in and by the Elements: Even as in hearing the word, There is the giving or lending of the ear to the voice of words, that they may be underſtandingly heard, and there is the receiving what is ſpoken, by Faith in the heart: As Chriſt holds forth both in his offer, ſo the Believer would both wayes receive, by the hand the Element should be received, and by Faith the thing ſignified should be received. Thirdly, Ye would conſider this Application of the thing ſignified in a twofold reſpect, 1. As it holds out the entering of us into the Covenant in order to the receiving of the Pardon of ſin, when the Sacrament is Conſidered complexly with the word. 2. As it Applyeth Chriſt and the benefits that come by him for our conſolation: Chriſt is to be received in the former reſpect, before he can be received in the Letter: we muſt needs receive Chriſt in his offer, ere we can receive any benefit that comes by him: Therefore the word goes along with the Sacrament, that we may get a gripe and catch hold of Chriſt by the Covenant: for they that are without the Covenant are without Chriſt and all ſaving benefit by him: But where Chriſt is received, and Faith cloſeth with him as he is offered, The Soul may warrantably make Application of him, Not only for Pardon of ſin, The Particular benefit here expreſly mentioned, but for all the other benefits of the Covenant: Whereas they who have not faith, have nothing, and receive nothing: but are deeply guilty thorow their not receiving, but rather rejecting and deſpiſing of Chriſt and his benefits. Fourthly, Ye would conſider this Sacrament, as it ſeals directly our warrant to receive Chriſt and his benefi…s, or as it ſeals our Application of Chriſt and his benefits, for it may be uſefull for both, and is actually ſo to believers: In the Firſt reſpect we offer to you a good ſecurity for your Salvation, on condition of your receiving Chriſt; But in the Second Reſpect the ſecurity is ſealed ſimply, as baving Gods ſeal appended to it, to all who have received him. Thus the tree of life was a ſeal of the Covenant of life by works to Adam, if be ſtood, but it was not a confirmation that he ſhould have life by the Covenant, except he fulfilled that which was called for in it: So Circumciſion was a Seal of the righteouſneſs of Faith to Ishmael and other viſible Church Members, as well as to Iſaac, in the Firſt Senſe, that is, that the ſecurity was good; But to Iſaac and Believers, It was not only a Seal or a Confirmation that the ſecurity was good; and ſufficient in it ſelf; but a Seal of Confirmation, that it ſhould be good to them: Therefore in coming to partake of the Sacrament, We would premit alway our cloſing with Chriſt; And then we have not only Gods word and Oath, but alſo the Sacrament for his Seal of Confirmation of the Covenant. In a word, Chriſt doth offer here to all a Pledge that he will make good the Covenant; And it's the great guilt of many Profeſſors of the Goſpel, that they cloſe not with him in his offer, ſo as to make uſe of it: Which makes them guilty of the body and Blood of the Lord: which they neither would nor could he guilty of, if this were not in their offer: but it's more to Believers, who have by Faith cloſed with Chriſt; this Seal of the Covenant accreweth to their ſecurity, who have taken Gods word and reſted on it; The Believer then, is not only ſure in this reſpect that he hath a good warrant to truſt and lea… to, that is, a Sealed Covenant; but alſo that it will no… fail him in Particular, So that he may ſay, I know i… whom I have believed: And we would not divide theſ… things that God hath ſo wiſely and well conjoined, viz Cloſing with Chriſt and the Covenant in the right way according to the terms thereof; and taking this Se… of confirmation of it.
Now in the Second Place I come to give you a littl… view and ſhort ſe…ies of the Goſpel in ſeveral Obſervations from the words; that we may haſt to that which we more particularly aim at, To wit, the Uſe of all.
Firſt Then, Obſerve, That all men and women, eve… the Elect not excepted, are ſinfull, and as ſuch, Conſidered before God; So it's ſaid, Iſaiah 53.6. All we lik… sheep have gone aſtray; This is the Object of the Goſpel, ſinners; the Perſons for whoſe behove Chriſt hat… made his Teſtament, and to whom he hath left his legacies, are ſinners: even ſinfull men and women, an… the more ſin be in them, the more Grace ſhines in God… crooſing of ſuch, and in Chriſts dieing for ſuch, and no… chooſing nor dying for fallen Angels: It's ſinners (I ſay) who are the Object of Chriſts Teſtament.
Secondly, Obſerve, That there is a grand deſigne lai… by God from eternity for the ſaving of many ſinners, an… for Procuring to them Remisſion of ſins, the fruit of th… ancient Counſell of the Bleſſed and glorious trinity. And this is it, which Chriſt aims at in all his Ordinances, to get ſinners pardoned, and freed from the curſe due to them for ſin, Reconciled, Juſtified, Sanctified, and brought to drink the new Wine of Heaven. This is laid down by Jehovah, as the Baſis and foundation, whereon he hath reared up a Magnificent and Glorious Superſtructure of the Riches of his moſt Soveraignly free Grace, for making it to ſhine forth conſpicuouſly and radiantly throughout all ages.
Thirdly, Obſerve, That there is a Covenant well ordered, ſuited and fitted to promove this great and Glorious end and deſigne of ſaving ſinners: A covenant ſo contrived, as it may well ſuit the ſaving of ſinners, and procure unto them the Remiſſion of ſins: There is a tranſaction betwixt God and the Mediator, a Surety and Cautioner is Provided to take on the debt of the elect, and to ſatisfie Juſtice to the full for all their ſins: and this is one Article of the Covenant, that the Mediator ſhould undertake thy debt, O Believer, and Satisfie for it: He was (ſaith Iſaiah, chap. 53.) Wounded for our Tranſgreſions, bruiſed for our Iniquities: the Chaſtiſment of our peace was on him, and by his ſtripes we are healed.
Fourthly, Obſerve, That according to this Covenant and tranſaction, our bleſſed Lord Jeſus hath really, actually and fully ſatisfied for the ſins of Believers, according to his undertaking: So that, as in the Counſell of God, that great truſt was put on him, and he undertook the work of ſinners Redemption; So, now it is, Father I have finished the work, which thou gaveſt me to do: The covenant is exactly fulfilled on my part, not one Article of it is unfulfilled: all that was committed to me is now fully performed, Hence it was his laſt word on the Croſs, it is finished.
Fifthly Obſerve, That by the Application of the Blood of Jeſus thorow a ſinners cloſing with him and interesſing himſelf in him: He may and doth obtain Remisſion of ſins, and partake of the benefit of Redemption Purchaſed by his Blood, even of all the benefits of the Covenant: Therefore when he hath ſaid, This is my Blood of the New Teſtament, which is shed for the Remisſion of th… ſins of many: He turns over the words … …hem, and tells them, that they shall drink the fruit of this Vine new with him in his Fathers Kingdom: As it was made ſure, that Adam was to have life on the condition of perfect obedience: ſo it is as ſure to a ſinner taking with his ſin, and betaking himſelf to, and cloſing with Chriſt and his Satisfaction, that he ſhall have Pardon of ſin, and all the Benefits of this Covenant, even to eternal Glory, ſecured to him.
Sixthly Obſerve, That as our Bleſſed Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath Purchaſed this Redemption and Remisſion, ſo he is muſt willing, deſirous, and presſing that ſinners, to whom the Goſpel it offered, should make uſe of his righteouſneſs and of the Purchaſe made thereby, for this end, that they may have Remisſion of ſins and eternal life. For not only is the ſecurity good, ſufficient and ſure in it ſelf, The Teſtament being confirmed: But he is (to ſpeak ſo with reverence) Paſſionatly deſirous that ſinner ſhould endeavour on good ground to be ſure of it in themſelves: therefore he kindly puts it in a Legacy, makes ſerious offer of it, and ſtrongly confirms it to all that embrace it.
Seventhly, Obſerve, That It is to Teſtifie this his willingneſs that ſinners should make uſe of his purchaſe, and lay hold on his Righteouſneſs, on Remiſion of ſins and life thorow him, and to promove the acceptation thereof among ſinners, that he hath inſtituted this Ordinance of the Communion. Take ye, Eat ye, &c. For this is (as if he had ſaid) the end of the inſtitution of this Sacrament and the reaſon of it, even to be a ſigne and Seal of confirmation to many of the Remiſſion of ſins thorow my Blood: This was my deſigne in laying down my life, to get many ſinners Pardoned, and this is the, end of the inſtitution of this Precious ordinance of my Supper, to apply it to them, and to confirm them in the Faith of it.
Eightly, Obſerve, That They who would partake aright of this Sacrament for their confirmation as to the Pardon of their ſins and their sharing in the reſt of the benefits of Chriſts purchaſe, would firſt cloſe with Chriſt in the Covenant, and make that the way of their making uſe of this Sacrament, to confirm the bargain: Therefore is it called the Cup of the new Covenant in his Blood, this is the ſine quo non, even cloſing with Chriſt in a Covenant: elſe the Sacrament can do no good: it's the great thing that admits ſinners to have right and acceſs to Chriſts purchaſe: the writing muſt firſt be Subſcribed, and then Sealed; the bargain made and then confi…med.
Ninthly, Obſerve, That they who have the offer of the Goſpel, and are admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, would be ſo preſent, ſerious and every way in a poſture ſuttable to that action, as if they were never to have the offer or occaſian of another Communion. As the Lord ſaid to Elijah the Prophet, ariſe, Eat, for thou haſt a long Journey to go, So ſaith the Lord to the Diſciples, and in them to us, Hence-forth I will drink no more of the fruit of the Vine, till I drink it new with you in the Kingdom of my Father: Ye will get no mo Communions with me here, and therefore go rightly about this, Improve it well, and let a foundation be laid here of a ſolid ſtanding intereſt in me, that ye may be ready to meet with the tryals that are coming.
Tenthly, Obſerve, That ſinners who receive Jeſus Chriſt on the terms he is offered in the Goſpell, and take the Sacrament for a confirmation of their intereſt in him, and in his Pucchaſe, though they should never have another Communion in this world may confidently expect a joyfull one in heaven: I tell you (ſaith he) for your conſolation though I drink no more of the fruit of the Vine with you here, yet the time cometh, when ye and I shall drink it new in the Kingdom of my Father.
Eleventhly, Obſerve, That honeſt Communicants ſenſible of ſin, and content to take Chriſt on his own terms, are called to be cheerfull, and to cheer themſelves in the lively hope and expectation of Heaven: And a Believer, though a ſinner, that takes this way, should take his communion as a Seal and Pledge, confirming him in the Faith and hope of his being ere long to have an e…ernal and unin errupted Communion with Chriſt in Glory.
In theſe Obſervations Ye have a ſhort hint of the Treaſure that Believers have in Chriſt: and from them ye may gather, what a full Chriſt, a full Covenant, and good bargain ye have, who have really cloſed with him: ye have a moſt liberal and Richly boun…ifull Mediator, who hath put all theſe great things and many mo into his Teſtament to ſinners, offered to them in the Goſpel and Sealed in the Sacrament of his ſupper, to all them that take him and reſt Satisfied with him: for which ſatisfaction there is all the reaſon in the world.
And therefore to come, in particular Application, to the Uſe of all: There is …ere good and large ground to ſpeak a litle to theſe Three 1. To Bring forth to you the good news of Salvation through Chriſt. 2. To Exhort and preſs you to embrace and accept of them with gladneſs of heart, to make welcome this Faithful ſaying worthy of all acceptation, that Chriſt came into the world to ſave ſinners. 3. To Comfort a…d ſolace ſinners, that have betaken themſelves to Chriſt, in the abundant conſolation of this Covenant, and in the adminiſtration of it, and in the Mediator the great ſubject and Subſtance of it: and ſeeing it may well be ſaid here, who is ſufficient for theſe things? ye would have an eye to him, who can make this Goſpel to ſavour ſweetly, and even triumph: The Commiſſion to preach it is his; the Ordinance and Inſtitution is his; and if there be any appetite for your food amongſt you, any ſenſe of ſin and deſire of Communion with Bleſſed Jeſus here, and of Communion with him in Heaven hereafter, Look, O look up to him and beſeech him to Breath on his own Ordinance, and to back this word with life and power.
The Firſt Uſe Then, ſerves to bring forth to you this day the good news of Salva…ion through Jeſus Chriſt. O ſinners, by this G…ſpel and Teſtament of Chriſt, and by the Adminiſtration of this Ordinance, we have good news to tell you; This is the New Teſtament in his Blood which is shed for the Remisſion of the ſins of many. I ſhall endeavour to hold forth to you the goodneſs and gladneſs of theſe news and tidings in theſe Three: and would to God we had ſenſible ſinners to Believe, receive and welcome them. 1. That there is a good bargain thorow Chriſt to be gotten by ſinners. 2. That ſinners, by accepting of Chriſt, have ſufficient warrant and good ſecurity for applying to themſelves and making uſe of this good bargain. 3. That Chriſt is moſt willing and deſirous that ſinners ſhould cloſe with this bargain, and make uſe of him and of his Righteouſneſs for at…aining the Pardon of ſin, and for making themſelves happy everlaſtingly.
For the Firſt; Sinners, here is a good bargain to you thorow Chriſt, glad tidings of great Happineſs, fear not (ſaith the Angel to the Shepherds, Luke 2.10.11.) Behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shal be to all People; for unto you it born this day in the City of David a Saviour, which is Chriſt the Lord; Yea we have theſe good news to preach to day, Behold to us hath died a Saviour, and he hath made his Teſtament, and hath lef… a moſt ample, Rich, comfortable and Bleſſed Legacy; and is not this a good & full bargain? Which will be clear if ye conſider, Firſt, The reall wo…th of it: is there any thing a ſinner can ſtand in need of, but it's here, or any ill that a ſinner can be under, but there is here a remedie for it? Is it the ſenſe of ſin, feat of Juſtice, felt Wrath, the Apprehenſion of Hell? Here are glad tidings, Remisſion of ſins by the Blood of Chriſt, This is the one Expreſs Article of the Teſtament here; We tell you, ſinners there is a Saviour whoſe life hath gone for ſin, and there is a free abſolution to be had by vertue of his Blood, to all who will lay hold on it. Secondly, Ye have the Covenant to make it ſure, and Remisſion of ſins is Particularly mentioned in it for your ſatisfaction; Nay look what ever further is in the Covenant, and ye have it alſo upon your cloſing with Chriſt, according to his Divine power he hath (ſaith the Apoſtle, 2 Pet. 1.3.) given unto us all things that Pertain to life and Godlineſs, and verſ. 4. Exceeding great and Precious Promiſes are given us, Promiſes of Juſtification and Sanctification; what a bundle of Promiſes have we, Ezek. 36. I will ſprinkle clean water upon you, and wash you from all your uncleanneſs, and from all your Idols will I cleanſe you, and will cauſe you to walk in my ſtatuts and do them, &c. There are Promiſes of ſubducing of the Body of death, of circumciſing the heart, of cauſing to love God, of putting his fear in the heart, of healing back ſlidings: Theſe and many mo are Articles of this Teſtament, which as they are very comforting, ſo are they very frequent and abundant in the Covenant; This word of God is, as it were, the Index and Catalogue of them; and in effect, there is not a Promiſe in the word of God, but it is here. Thirdly, There is yet ſomething more; and that is, the Promiſer himſelf is left in Legacy, Which no other Teſtator doth; This is my Body (ſaith he) That was broken for you: Open your mouth wide and I will fill it: I will be thy God: That is the comprehenſive Article of the Covenant, and the great Gift, the Gift of gifts: and we may very ſafely ſay, that as he could not ſwear by a greater then himſelf, So he could not give a greater gi…t then himſelf: would God there were ſuitable conceptions and apprehenſions of this non-ſuch Gift; and that he in whom the fulneſs of the God head dwels bodily, were looked upon as being thus in our offer, and were Cordially cloſed with by Faith; that's a great word, which we have, Revel. 20.7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and how is it performed and fulfilled? I will be his God; this is all, and without this there is nothing. Fourthly, Having this Gift, is there any thing that can be added? the Text ſays, Heaven: not that Heaven is more then Chriſt, but this is it, that Chriſt enjoyed in Heaven is more, then Chriſt enjoyed here on earth; I will drink it new with you (ſaith he) in my Fathers Kingdom: The floud gates are there (as it were) opened; and the heart enlarged and made capacious to let in the fulneſs of God to the filling of the Glorified Believer, even to the very brim; Therefore is Communion with Chriſt ſaid to be Now in Heaven: We may have Chriſt here, and Believers have him; but this is an addition, when we have our husband not only in right, but have acceſs Immediatly and moſt intimatly to converſe with him, and he to converſe with us: When the Queen shall be brought unto the King in Raiment of needle work, and tak…n into the Kings Palace with gladneſs and with joy, and the Virgins her Companions with her: When there ſhall be a putting of unbelief to ſhame and an Eternal Baniſhment of it, and a Compleating of Believers Satisfaction: the eye of the moſt profoundly exerciſed and experienced Believers never ſaw, their ear never heard, neither were they ever able to conceive the thouſand part of theſe abundant conſolations and heart raviſhing joys, that ſhall flow from the Preſence of the Lamb and of him that ſitteth on the Throne, When there ſhall be no interveening Ordinances, nor Temple in that higher Houſe, but the Lamb ſhall be the light thereof: and yet all this is offered to ſinners, and put in Chriſts Teſtament to them, to the end it may be made ſure. And Laſtly, As all theſe other things do Concurr to make out the excellency of the Bargain; So doth this in a ſpecial manner; that the price is payed, that they have nothing to lay down, but may come and take all freely without money and without price.
Secondly, For furthering and ſtrengthening the conſolation, ye would conſider, that the Believer who receives Chriſt as he is offered in the Goſpel, though he be a ſinner, yet he hath a moſt ſufficient, excellent and unqueſtionable ſecurity for, and right unto all theſe good things, that our dieing Lord Jeſus hath comprehended in his Teſtament: Believing ſinners, what ſecurity would ye have? ye have Chriſts word, I ſay unto you, &c. Ye have Chriſts Covenant and Teſtament; This is the Cup of the New Teſtament in my Blood; and now the Teſtament is Confirmed and Sealed, ſo that neither man nor Angel can annull nor alter it; Our Lords Teſtament being Sealed it ſtands legally regiſtred in the Court Books of Heaven; and it ſtands legal on theſe terms, that a ſinner who takes with his ſin, diſclaims his own righteouſneſs, and betakes himſelf to Chriſts Righteouſneſs, putting it in the room of his own, for his Juſtification before God; may be ſure of Chriſts legacy and of Heaven: as it's ſure, that Chriſt ſuffered, and Inſtituted this Sacrament for his Confirmation in the Faith of it; the accepting of Chriſt, the ſubmitting to his righteouſneſs, the yeelding to the Covenant, and cloſing with him on his own terms, gives him a right to Heaven and all the Riches contained in his Teſtament. To make out this, as being the very thing of the Comfortable Application of all that hath been ſaid, and of what we are further to ſay; I ſhall offer theſe four grounds; The Firſt whereof is, ſome clear Scriptures, that hold forth ſo much, viz. That as really they ſhall have life who rake Chriſt and his offer, and cloſe with him; as he really ſuffered and Satisfied the Juſtice of God for their ſins. The Firſt of theſe Scriptures is Heb. 7.25. Wherefore he is able to ſave them to the uttermoſt that come unto God by him; He is an able Saviour, able to the uttermoſt, and there is not a point of Latitude, longitude or altitude beyond the uttermoſt; He is able to ſave them all, and what all? All that will come and make uſe of him, and give him the credit of his Offices; all that will come unto God by him. A Second is, Rom. 5 20. Where the Apoſtle out-reaſons ſin, for holding forth the triumph of free-Grace; Where ſin abounded (ſaith he) Grace did much more abound; That as ſin hath reigned unto death, Even ſo (and indeed it is an excellent So) might Grace Reigne through Righteouſneſs unto Eternal Life by Jeſus Chriſt our Lord: though we would endeavour to our utmoſt to unfold theſe words, we could not unfold all that is infolded in them; did ſin make ſinners lyable to death, and Triumph over them? So Grace hath erected a Throne, by Chriſts Righteouſneſs, not by inherent Holineſs, and hath Triumphed over ſin: the way how Grace gives out its orders and obtains its end, Is not by our Righteouſneſs, but by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, through Faith in him; Juſtice (to ſpeak with reverence) is off the Throne, and Grace orders and ſways all, in making Application of Chriſts Purchaſed Righteouſneſs to believers. The Third Scripture is Acts 13.38. Be it known unto you, therefore, Men and Breth…en, that through this man is preached unto you the forgivenneſs of ſins; and verſ. 26. To you is the word of this Salvation ſent; O glad tidings to the greateſt ſinners! Thorow the man Chriſt is Preached to you Remisſion of ſins, and by him all that Believe are juſtified from all things from which ye could not be Juſtified by the Law of Moſes. What are ye owing? Or what can the Law, Juſtice or Satan claime? ye are Juſtified from all theſe things: and when he ſpeaks thus to deſpiſers with a Be it known unto you, That the offer is made to them, we may on good ground turn it over to you, and ſay, Be it known unto you, that thorow Chriſt Jeſus, ye may have Remisſion of ſins, and be Juſtified from all things from which ye could not be Juſtified by the Law of Moſes, According to the terms of the Covenant: Let your libell be as long as it will; Grace is on the Throne and will receive you. Secondly, Conſider, that the great deſigne which the Lord drives in the buſineſs of Redemption and publiſhing of it in the Goſpel, Is, that Remiſſion of ſins and Life may be made ſure to loſt Sinners that came to Chriſt: Why I pray, was the Covenant made? was it not for this end? As it is, Heb. 8. This is my Covenant (ſaith the Lord) that I will make with the houſe of Iſrael, I will be Merciful to their unrighteouſneſs, and their ſins and Iniquities will I remember no more; no more, O ſweet ſound! What is the deſigne of the Mediator in his Sufferings? Is it not this? So John 10.10. I am come, that they might have Life and have it more abundantly, and John 17. For their ſakes I Sanctifie my ſelf, that they alſo may be Sanctified; and here, the new Covenant in his Blood is for the Remisſion of the ſins of many: and this being the mean for attaining the end. It is Impoſſible, that it can miſgive or fail. Thirdly, Conſider the Contrivance of the Covenant, and ye will ſee, that it is impoſſible it can fall; Heaven and Earth ſhall ſooner fail, then one Title of this ſworn and confirmed Covenant: It cannot fail on the Mediators ſide, for he hath Payed the price already; Neither can it fail on Jehovahs ſide, He will not fail to make Application of Grace to ſinners, nor be unfaithful to the Faithfull Mediator; And ſince upon the one ſide, Juſtice had acceſs to exact of Chriſt the full price, even to the leaſt farthing, by vertue of the Covenant of Redemption, when he became ſurety; will not the ſame Covenant, on the other ſide, make it out, that Grace ſhall have as good acceſs to Pardon the ſinner, for whom be undertook? For he (ſaith the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 5.) was made ſin for us, who knew no ſin, that we might be made the Righteouſneſs of God in him; If the Covenant (which is one) hath had the deſigned effect in and on the Mediator, as to his fulfilling all that was undertaken by him therein; ſhall not the Promiſes made to him, as namely theſe, Iſaiah 53.10.11. He shall ſee his ſeed, the Pleaſure of the Lord shall Proſper in his hand; by his knowledge shall my righteous ſervant juſtify many, take effect and be fulfilled? Doubtleſs they will moſt certainly and infruſtrably. Fourthly, Conſider the great experience which the Saints have had of the truth of this in all ages; are there any this day before the Throne, Bleſſing the Lamb and him that ſits thereon, or any that are on their way thither ward; But they are ſo many wi…neſſes of this Truth, that cloſing with Chriſt hath good Security for Remiſſion of ſins, and for Eternal life? There ſhall never be one who ſhall have it to ſay, I truſted to this ſecurity, and it failed me: and hereupon riſeth the ſweet Song, Worthy is the Lamb to receive Power, and Riches, and Wiſdome, and Strength, and Honour, and Glory, and Blesſing, Revel. 5.12. Nay even thoſe in the Pit ſhall bear witneſs to this truth; for (ſaith the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 2.15.) We are unto God a ſweet Savour in them that are ſaved and in them that Perish; to the one we are the Savour of Death unto death: and to the other, the Savour of Life unto life; And in the preceeding words he ſaith, Thanks be to God which alwayes cauſeth us to triumph in Chriſt; He maketh the Triumph of the Faithfull Miniſters of the Goſpel, ſome way, to be in them that are damned, by his taking Vengeance on them, for deſpiſing His Grace offered: and they are made to ſee, that it was a ſure bargain to them that through Grace embraced it. And it this be ſo Good a bargain to them that embrace it, and ſo very ſiker and ſure, What, I pray, are we ſeeking? But that this good bargain and the ſufficient ſecurity thereof may be taken hold on, as it is propoſed: alter not the terms of it; and indeed it would be very unreaſonable to preſume to do ſo, or ſo much as to deſire an alteration of them: for though we had them at our own contriving, We could never, by very fat, contrive them ſo well: Nay let me ſay, if Angels were Preaching to you, they would think it a Priviledge to have acceſs to mention His precious Name. Now ſeeing it is the Great deſigne of the Goſpel to have ſinners cloſing with Chriſt on his own Terms: O do not fruſtrat the Grace of God: And ſeeing Grace makes offer of Life Life and of Remiſſion of ſins to ſinners, to ſave them freely: let Grace get ſuch ſinners to ſave as it's ſeeking, and it ſhall be a bargain.
Thirdly, To proſecute this yet a litle further: ye would conſider, that, as there is a good bargain to be had thorow Chriſt and by Faith in him, and as there is good ſecurity for it: ſo it is our Lords delight and good Pleaſure, and he is very deſirous that ſinners ſhould make Application of it by Faith, receive and reſt on him and his righteouſneſs, for making themſelves eternally Happy: We are not ſpeaking of ſuch a Happineſs and ſecurity, that the Lord will be angry at you if ye take hold of it: but of a happineſs and ſecurity, that he is ſeriouſly willing ye ſhould receive: And he doth moſt earneſtly beſeech you to take hold of this Covenant on theſe Sweet and eaſy terms, that ye be Heartily content and well Pleaſed with it. O ſenſible ſinners, do ye indeed believe this, when we Preach to you, that our Lord Jeſus is as deſirous to have you ſaved, as ye are; and that his righteouſneſs be cloſed with, as ye are to have it? Nay more: that there was never a Soul more hungry and greedy (when with a heart chock-full of deſires after it) to Communicat, then he is ſeriouſly willing to admit ſuch a Soul to Commonion with him? Then, as ye would do him a Pleaſure (and it's all that ye can do) keep not a diſtance but ſtep to, and take what he Offers; not only the Sacrament, but himſelf in it, for your head, Husband and Lord: and that ye may not Scare-ſtand, nor halt, to do ſo: Conſider, that there is not only a warrant to come, but that he calleth you to come, and is ready heartily to welcome you; come on his call; and his call is no leſs broad, then the call of the Goſpel; there is a warrant given you, on your hearing of the Goſpel, and quiting of your own righteouſneſs, to receive Chriſt and his Righteouſneſs, and to admit of him to the exerciſe of his offices about you according to the Covenant: And indeed we know not a truth of the Goſpel that hath mo confirmations then this hath, viz. That Chriſt the Mediator is very willing and deſirous, that ſinners cloſe with him, and get the good of his Purchaſe. For the making out of which, take theſe following Conſiderations. Firſt, what is the great deſigne of the Covenant, but this? As we have it. Iſaiah 61 1, 2, 3. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, becauſe he hath anointed me to Preach good tidings to the meek, He hath ſent me to bind up the broken hearted, to Proclaim liberty to the Captives, to give to them that mourn beauty for Ashes, the Oyl of joy for Mourning, and the Garment of Praiſe for the Spirit of Heavineſs; and this is called the Proclaiming of the acceptable year of the Lord: Wherein all the three Perſons of the Bleſſed Trinity concurr, as is clear, verſ. 1. Conſider, Secondly, All his Offices, and ye will find that they Preach and Proclaim the ſame thing; his Name is Jeſus becauſe He ſaves his People from their ſins: He is King, Prieſt and Prophet for this end: and what ſaith his Preaching and Corroſpondent Prayer, John 17. Father I will, that they whom thou haſt given me, be with me, but that he would fain have them there? And what ſhall I ſay? Is there any proof of it, that can be given beyond His Death? I lay down my life (ſaith he) for my sheep; The Salvation of loſt Elect ſinners went very near his heart; Therefore, when none in Heaven nor on earth can help, then ſaith he, Lo I come to do thy will, O my God. Thirdly, Conſider, with what Pleaſure and delight he went about the work of Redemption; As is very clear in that 40th. Pſalm, where he heartſomly ſaith, Lo I come, I delight to do thy will: I even haſten to undertake it; And when he is come, he ſaith, John 4.34. It is my meat, to do the will of him that ſent me and to finish his work: and what work was that? Even to lay down his Life, to gather the loſt ſheep of the houſe of Iſrael; to take away the ſeud that was betwixt God and them, and to Reconcile them to him: and when it cometh to the very puſh of actuall laying down his life; He will not open his month to divert it: though he might have commanded more then twelve Legions of Angels, yet he would not do it: for this cauſe (ſaith he) Came I into this World. Fourthely, Conſider the end of all the Ordinances; wherefore are they inſtituted? what ſaith the word, but that Thorow this man is preached unto you forgiveneſs of ſins? What ſay Miniſters, but that We are Ambaſſadours in Chriſt, ſtead, beſeching you to be Reconciled unto God? Which evidenceth Plainly, that Chriſt would fain (to ſpeak ſo) have peace made betwixt God and ſinners, and them ſaved: and what ſaith the Sacrament, but even the words of the Text? This is the new Covenant in my Blood shed for the Remisſion of the ſins of many: And can we think on the end of theſe Ordinances, but we muſt alſo think on Chriſts willingneſs, that ſinners ſhould make Application of him and of his Purchaſe? Fifthly, Conſider further, How he eſteems of a ſinners coming to him, There is (ſaith he) Joy in Heaven at the Converſion of a ſinner: We may ſay, that it is the gladneſs of his heart, when any ſinner cometh home to him: Therefore it is ſaid, that the pleaſure of the Lord shall proſper in his hand, and he shall ſee of the travel of his ſoul and be Satisfied, Iſaiah 53.10, 11. It is Satiſfaction to him for all the Travel of his Soul, to ſee ſinners coming in and getting good of him: and in the Song. He is ſaid to feed in the Gardens and to be gathering lilies; Yea, that the day of Souls being eſpouſed to him, is the day of the gladneſs of his heart. Sixthly, Conſider, how weighted (to ſpeak ſo with reverence to him) our Lord is, when ſinners will not make uſe of him, it's accounted by him, as it were; an affronting of him, Even a troading of the Blood of the Covenant under foot, and an accounting of it to be an unholy thing, a ſort and degree of doing deſpight to the Spirit of Grace: He who could look ſometimes on the wrath of God and not ſhed a tear; yet, when he came to Jeruſalem, weeped over it: And upon the other hand, O! what complacency hath he in a ſinners coming home to him, which makes him ſweetly ſmile and rejoice. Seventhly, Conſider his exceeding great forbearance toward ſinners, while they are ſtraying, and his exceeding heartie welcoming of them, when they return. Let an inqueſt (to ſay ſo) be led on his Procedure with all the hearers of the Goſpel, that are here on earth, and with all that are in Heaven and hell, and all of them will be conſtrained to ſubſcribe to the truth of this, that he is full of long-ſuffering: Doth he not ſpare even the veſſels of wrath fitted to diſtruction? And doth He not, only ſpare his own, but Pity them as a Father pitieth his Children? And that wonderfull weſcom of the Father to his Prodigal Son is nothing to Chriſts welcoming of a repenting ſinner, being but a dark Reſemblance of it; He caſts not up to him his bygone faults, Neither ſayes, what is this you have done, miſerable wretch? No ſuch word; but This is my Son that was dead, and is alive, that was loſt and now is found: Believe it, O Believe it, (which is the very ſcope of the Parable) Our Lord Jeſus is as glad in a Holy way at a ſinners coming home. Eightly, Conſider, how eaſie our Lord is to be pleaſed with any honeſt mint or eſſay that is made of returning to him; He is ſo very willing, that a ſinner make Application of his Righteouſneſs, that where there is reality, he will (as it were) take half a Faith for Faith, were it even, but like a Smoking flax or bruised Reed, or a grain of muſtard ſeed; He will take a ſincere reſolution to confeſs, for the confeſſion of ſin; which is clear, Pſalm 32. I ſaid (ſaith David) I will confeſs my Tranſgresſion, and thou forgav…ſt the Iniquity of my ſin: If he had propoſed the offer of life on ſuch terms, as would have wearied us all our dayes, we ought to have Judged him willing that we ſhould partake of it, for it coſt him very dear; But when it is not Abrahams Faith only, but any Faith how weak ſo ever, if ſound, that he graciouſly accepts; How doth it ſet forth his great willingneſs? Him that cometh to me (ſaith he) I will in no wiſe caſt out; The word is doubled in the Original I will not, Not, to ſhew the holy paſſionatneſs of our Lords deſire, and his exceeding great willingneſs to have ſinners cloſing with him; So Iſaiah 45. Salvation is promiſed even to a Look, look unto me all the ends of the Earth and be Saved; and if ſinners cannot well look, think but honeſtly and let their heart yeeld and it ſhall be a bargain; He that is athirſt let him come, Revel. 22. And if there be ſcarce the pain of Hunger or Thirſt, The Spirit and the Bride ſay come, and whoſoever will, let him come and take of the Water of Life freely; And this willingneſs is nothing elſe, but the thought and deſire of an heart conſenting to accept of his offer: Or if this be not litle enough, there is leſs yet, Pſalm. 37.7. Reſt in the Lord, the word (as it is on the Margent and Pſal. 62.1.) is, be ſilent to the Lord; If the heart cannot ſo well and diſtinctly ſay Amen to the bargain, Let it (as it were) hold its tongue or hold its peace; let it be ſilent, ſay nothing againſt it, or give a ſilent quiet anſwer, or by way … Approbation, and Acceptation, keep ſilence; and … ſhall be accep…ed: O wonderfull ſtooping! Doth n… this declare and manifeſtly Preach the exceeding gre… willingneſs, that our ſweet Lord Jeſus hath to Communicat and apply his purchaſe to ſinners? Ninthl… Conſider the Perſons on whom he confers the offer, a… the manner how he Proſecuts it; and it may yet furth… hold forth, how ſeriouſly willing he is that ſinne ſhould welcome it, and be made up by it; who … pray, are called, Luke 14 21? It's the Poor, the Blin… the Maimed, the Halt, the Lame, &c. And are the any that can ſay, they are worſe? If thou ſay, I can … nothing, I am Maimed and cannot come: The Goſp… bids call the Cripple, and provides Him a Chariot of … wood of Lebanon, Paved with love, and having (… ſpeak ſo) all the Seats and cuſhions of it of love, Ca… 3.10. And giveth ſtilts or crutches of Grace to unde… prop, and Eagles wings to carry them: If thou be … confuſed body, and worſt not what to do, it bids, ca… the Blind; If thou be Poor, Blind, Miſerable, Wret… ed and Naked: and yet having conceited and fa…ci… that thou waſt Rich, Thou art not excluded for all that … for, Revel. 3.18. Laodicea conſiſts of a Hypocritie Pack, and company of Luke-warm Profeſſours, w… are ſo loathſome to Chriſt, that He threatens to ſpe… them out of his mouth: And yet to ſuch, even to ſuc… he ſaith, I counſell thee to buy of me, &c. And if the be invited, who can exempt or exclude themſelv… from the offer or bargain? Do not theſe things mo… Convincingly and Irrefragably demonſtrat his willin… neſs? When there is not a ſinner that is either Poo… proud, vain, Hypocritical, &c. But he is included … the call of the Goſpel? Tenthly, Conſider his urgen… and preſſingn…ſs in making and bearing home the offer: O how long-ſuffering is He! And with what Patience doth he wait on? It's not an Ambaſſage, that's broken up, if it be not preſently cloſed with, as a haſtie-man doth: but All the day have I ſtretche… out my hands to again-ſaying people, Iſaiah 65. Jeruſalem, Jeruſalem, how often would I have gathered thee, &c. Matth. 23. How doth wiſdom ſtand and preſs her invitation, Prov. 1 20. and 8.1, 2. &c. Ezek. 18.31.32. Turn you at my Rebuke, why w…ll ye die? Luke 14.23. Go to the high wayes and compell them to come in. 1 John 3.23. This is his Com…andment, that ye believe on the Name of the Son of God: It's not left as an indifferent thing at ſinners option, to do or not do, but the ſame Authority, that enjoines keeping the Sabbath and that forbids Curſing and Swearing, doth lay on this Command of Believing, Come to the Wedding, Beleve, man and woman, and be ſaved: and what is all this to the bowels of Mercy, Grace, and Love that are in him? His Belly is like Ivory, overlaid with Saphirs: His face is white and Ruddy, a part whereof this is: and yet it's nothing (to ſpeak ſo) to the principall copie, which is his heart, that's a great depth, even the very Center and Element (as it were) of love, God is love (ſaith John) as if he were nothing elſe but love: and what a love muſt it be, where he is (to ſpeak ſo) turned into love in the perſon of Chriſt? Angels cannot to the full conſider of it nor conceive it: Your hearts cannot reach it: ſure there is much, wonderfully much ground here to lay it for an undoubted truth, that our Lord Jeſus is exceedingly deſirous of the Salvation of ſinners and of many ſinners: and is in a great readineſs to make his Righteouſneſs forthcoming to them, and heartily to welcom all that come to him.
The Second uſe is of Exhortation: and ye may at firſt bluſh ſee, whither it runs, Even to ſtir us up to accept of and embrace theſe good news with glad hearts, is there here a good bargain and a ſure way through Faith to make uſe of it? And is Chriſt ſo willing to Communicat it? What ſhall I ſay to you! Is it not a pity to miſs it? Nay would ye do Chriſt a pleaſure? then lay weight on his Righteouſneſs, and give him ſinfull Souls to be ſaved by him: if we ſought great or hard things from you to pleaſe him, would you not judge your ſelves oblidged to grant them? But when he ſaith on the matter, give me your Souls to be ſaved, and I ſhal account that Satisfaction to me for all the travell of my Soul: O How unſpeakably great is your Obligation readily and cheerfully to grant ſo loving and reaſonable a requeſt l If ſuch a gracious offer had never been made. It would have been, Men and Brethren, what shall we do? And there would have been a mighty great ſcaring and trembling to draw neer: but when it is not, to the Mount that cannot be touched, not to Moſes that we are called to come, but to a Saviour, whom ye cannot pleaſe better then, Nay not at all, but by receiving of him, and whom in ſome reſpect ye cannot diſpleaſe at all, if ye receive him, let me beſeech and obteſt you, as ye would not be found guilty of treading this blood of th… Covenant under foot, and as ye would not for ev…r debar your ſelves from Remiſſion of ſins with him; make uſe, O make uſe of this Propitiation for ſin and for procuring your Pardon and peace; would to God this were the fruit of ſuch a days work; for indeed it's our great work, and the very ſcope of all our Preaching; And behold, I Proclaim to you, that Remiſſion of ſins is to be had thorow his Blood, and that there ſhall not be any upbraiding of you, nor caſting up of bygones, if ye will indeed receive him and cloſe with him, on his own ſweet, eaſy and very reaſonable terms: O then ſit not this urgent Call, and the day of your merciful Viſitation.
And to preſs this Exhortation a litle, Conſider, that Grace hath a Throne and ſhall triumph in this Goſpel either in your g…ining, or in being avenged upon you for your deſpiſing of its richeſt and freeſt offers: Let us, I Pray, reaſon the matter with you a litle? And Firſt, Are there not ſinners here? There is not a deſigne in this Goſpel to ſave any others but ſinners; and if ſo, to you is this Salvation ſet, who by Nature are ſinners, enemies, and at feud with God: The Doctrine of this Goſpel carries in its boſom Remiſſion of ſins: would to God ye were ſuitably affected with ſin, and Judging your ſelves, that ſo ye might be in ſome Capacity to receive it. S…condly, Tell me what is it that ye would be at? Is it Remiſſion of ſins? It's here: would ye have the Covenant and Promiſes? here they are: Is it Chriſt himſelf that ye would have, becauſe ye dare not truſt to a promiſe without a Cautioner? Here he is: or would ye have Heaven and be Eternally happy? It's alſo here. Conſider then, I beſeech you, what is in your Offer: dare you ſay, that the ſecurity is not valid, good and ſufficient? And if ye ſhould, there are many witneſſes in Heaven againſt you, and alſo the Sacrament on Earth, which now is offered to confirm you: This bargain therefore, and its ſecurity muſt be receiv'dr elſe wo unto you for ever: This word which we now Preach, Nay theſe ſtones shall bear witneſs againſt you, that our Lord Jeſus was willing to ſave you and every one of you, and ye would not: And therefore your Blood shall be required at your own hand, and He found without any the leaſt Culpable acceſſion to it. Thirdly, Ye are either to Communicat to day, or ye are only to be hearers and Spectators: whether the one or the other, Is there not a neceſſity that ye cloſe this bargain. If ye be to Communicat, will ye take the Bread and wine and misken and ſlight Chriſt? If ſo, ye will eat and drink your own Damnation: would you have the Character of a right Communicant? This is it, that ye renounce your own, and truſt to his Righteouſneſs, and take the Sacrament for a confirmation of your intereſt in it: If ye come thus, ye shal be welcome, for this Ordinance is appointed for this very end: if ye be not to Communicat, this word of the Goſpel comes to you: though ye have ſecluded your ſelves from the Sacrament, either thorow Ignorance or ſcandal: It might be a ſweet Communion to you, If yet Chriſt get a welcome, and it ſhould, I aſſure you in his Name, make way to a new communion here or in Heaven. But Fourthly, I would a litle mote particularly beſeech you to conſider, that ye muſt either give Chriſt a welcome or not, a yea or a nayſay, a grant or a denyal, for there is no mean or middle: This day ſhall not paſs and go by without a hit or a miſs (to ſpeak ſo) Chriſt will not knock at your door, and nothing follow or be done: It will either be, that Chriſt was at ſuch a time (ruzed or) commended, and made offer of, and his People would have none of him: or that the heart opened as the heart of Lydia unto the Lord, and that Salvation came to the Soul, as it did to Zacheus his houſe: your time is but ſhort and uncertain, Ye know not if ye ſhall come another Sabbath to hear: ſome that now ſpeak to you, and ſome that hear are dayly removed: And this bids you make haſte to creep in to him quickly without longer delay, while his armes are ſtretched out to receive and embrace you: There are ſeveral ſorts among you, that keep at a diſtance from Chriſt: but I would have all of you ſoberly to think, whether ye will ſay Yea or Nay: There is here what may ſilence and ſatisfy any Soul that thwarts with the call of God: Can ye ſay, that there is any better bargain, any better ſecurity, or any heartier call and invitation? Let us come and reaſon together ſaith the Lord (Iſaiah 1.18, 19) Though your ſins be as Crimſon, they shall be as white as Snow, though they be red as Scarlet, they shal be as Wooll: if ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land, but if ye refuſe and rebel ye shall be deſtroyed. Our Lords Blood is of that efficacy, that it can make Crimſon and Scarlet-coloured ſins, white, white as Snow and Wooll: Why do ye then linger, ſtick, ſtand or halt?
Ye will, it may be, Object and ſay. Firſt, I would fain come, if I durſt: but Conſider, I pray you, that it's Chriſt and the Covenant, and Grace on the Throne that call you: and this is their voice, Thou haſt ſpoken and done evil as thou couldeſt, yet return unto me: and therefore fear and tremble, yet come: fear and bring your ſins with you to the Fountain to be waſhen, and to a skirt of his love, to be covered thereby: and you ſhall on your coming be cleanſed and covered. But it may be, ye will Next Object and ſay, I would fain come, but I cannot come, for Anſwer, Let me ask you, Is there a Soul in hell this day that can ſay I would fain have come and could not come? That which we ſeek of you is, to make no long, tedious or toilſome Voyage, if there be honeſty: it's only, that when Chriſt is come to you ye will be willing to receive him, and if ye thus come, ye are Believers: Do not, I beſeech you, miſtake, in thinking (and thereby obſtructing your own coming) that perſons muſt firſt be Believers and then come to Chriſt, No, but firſt ye muſt come with the litle glimmering that ye have, and …ame as ye are, and it will go with you; his Chariot is waiting for you, and the very Crippleſt of you that cannot come of your ſelves to Chriſt; if ye be willing to cloſe with him on his own terms. He ſhall come to you.
But it's like, ſome will in the Third place. Object and ſay, Alace, I am very indiſpoſed to come. For Anſwer I ſhall grant, it may indeed be true: but yet conſider who are invited, it's the Poor, Blind, Halt, Maimed, Wretched and Miſerable: O what unfitneſs have ſuch! and yet none of them are excepted againſt: I would have none to be preſumptuous and vain: but if indeed ye would fain come, ye cannot come ſo indiſpoſed, as the bargain will on that account be caſt: It will not be the want of a Diſpoſition that ſhall caſt it, elſe the Cripple and Blind, and Luke warm Laodiceans had never been invited: whether is a ſuitable diſpoſition of your own making or of Chriſts? Sure it's of his: and can ye expect ought from him without coming to him, or Believing in him? But Fourthly, Some will Object and ſay, Alace I have often come and broken away again, How can I then Believe that I am invited? For Anſwer, I would deſire you to Conſider, whether that Objection tends, Even to queſtion the truth of the Goſpel; our Lord Jeſus ſaith, He came to ſave ſinners, and ye ſay I would fain know if that be true or not; if ye be Poor, Blind, Miſerable, Naked, &c. And have need, He commands us to invite and call ſuch; and it's the way of unbelief to make them ſcare at Chriſt and ſtand furtheſt a back from him, who have moſt need to draw near to him; if ye have come and broken afterward, Come again: and where a knot hath not holden, caſt a new one: But alace! There is a ſort of Careleſs Atheiſts and ſecure Hypocrits, whom this Goſpel ſtrikes dead: and carnall worldlings, who have no ſerious thoughts of what is coming: I would poſe ſuch, and ask you, Care ye for your Souls? care ye for Remiſſion of ſins? Or care ye for the enjoying of God? If ye do, then ſure, it is unſpeakably of your concernment to conſider and cloſe with the call & offer of this Goſpel: And if there be any of you, that have loved your Idols, and after them will go, I would deſire you in ſoberneſs to ſay to it, will ye prefer any Idol to Chriſt, the Creature to the Creator, the temporal finfull being of your body to the Eternall well-being of both Soul and Body? If ye will, then be ſure, that this Conviction, in your Judgement and Conſcience, will go along with ſuch a curſed Reſolution, that Chriſt and Heaven were the abſolutly beſt Bargain.
The Third Uſe Serves to Cheer and Solace ſinners, that have betaken themſelves to Chriſt, O All ye who are glad to hear tell of ſuch a Saviour, and whoſe heart is even now content to take him & to Renounce all Idol… for his ſake: We have, Firſt; Remiſſion of ſins, No… only to offer, but even to proclaim freely to you; H… that believes is paſt from death to life, and shall not com… into condemnation: There is no Condemnation to them who are in Chriſt Jeſus, who walk not after the flesh, bu… after the Spirit, as it is Rom. 8.1. If ye ſay, what wil… become of the ſins that we are now under the guilt of? I anſwer, they ſhall be freely forgiven: in thoſe daye… and at that time (ſaith the Lord by the Prophet Jeremy Chap. 50.20.) The Iniquity of Iſrael shall be ſought for and there shall be none, and the ſins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will Pardon them whom I reſerve: When all the books ſhall be caſt open, there ſhall be nothing found to Charge upon a Believing Elect, It's God that juſtifieth, who shall condemn? ſin as Pardoned to you it was to Abraham and to David: and Heaven is made as ſure to you, as it was to them, who are now in it: ye have the ſame Surety, the ſame Saviour, the ſame Covenant. Secondly, What Promiſe would ye have? I know ye need many; but is …here any of all the Promiſes that is not in the Covenant? Yea, ye have the Covenant and Chriſt both, for He is given for a Covenant to you, All things are yours, (as it is, 1 Cor. 3.) Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world, or Life or Death, or things preſent or things to come, all are yours, and ye are Chriſts; Ye have a title and right to all the Promiſes, and may comfort your ſelves in the aſſured hope of the Performance of them: O! That many were in capacity to receive this conſolation. Thirdly, There may be a weariſome time here, and who knows what tryals and Scatterings may overtake you, What times may go over you, ere ye get another Communion? It were beſt then, that ye who ſeriouſly mind to cleave to Chriſt and his Covenant, were making for them: and therefore lay up this Conſolation, O Believers, Comfort your ſelves in this Bleſſed bargain, ye have Chriſt and Remisſion of ſins, take the Sacrament as a Seal thereof: There is a day coming, when ye will drink it new in the Kingdom of Heaven; O cheer your ſelves in the hope of it, and for the time in this Reſemblance of it, when ye ſee a poor man perſonating our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and by his warrant offering him to you: The day is coming when there ſhall be no Reſemblance, no Temple, no Miniſters, no Ordinances, no Sacrament: but ye ſhal drink of that new wine, the grapes whereof grow on Chriſt Jeſus the Tree of Life in the midſt of the Paradiſe of God, Even the wine of the Conſolation of Glory, that will keep you in a continuall Holy Raviſhment, when all fears ſhall be wiped away, and ye ſhall have fully Satisfying Bleſſedneſs in the Immediat viſion and fruition of God: And ſince it is ſo, Let the joy of the Lord be your ſtrength: There ſhall not a Believer come to the Lords Table this day, but there is a day coming when he and ſhe ſhall drink it new, without interruption Eternally, in the Kingdome of Heaven: Father (ſaith Chriſt, John 17.) I will, that theſe whom thou haſt given me, may be with me, where I am, to Behold my Glory: and again, the Glory which thou gaveſt me I have given them: and ſaith he, Revel. 3.12. I will write upon him my new Name, and the Name of the City of my God, &c. That is, the Communication and Participation of the Glory of the head, as the Members are Capable. Labour, O Labour to have your Appetits Sharpened and your longing deſires quickened to taſte of this new wine: It will be freſh, ſtrong and ſweet there: And ſeeing the Lord allows you ſuch conſolation, take it, and take the Sacrament as a Pledge of it: and think with thy ſelf. O Believer in Chriſt, what ſhall I, ſinfull and unworthy I, ere long ſit with Chriſt at his Table in Glory? and is this a ſigne and Repreſentation of it under a vail? What manner of Perſon ought I to be in all Holy Converſation and Godlineſs? ought I not to love him much, and to continue with him in all his Tentations. The Kingdom will Superabundantly make up all: The very fi…ſt draught of this new Wine will make ſighing and So… row for ever to flee away: Let your Souls be comforted in what ye have, and in the expectation of what is coming. There are great things coming; ye have a Rich and liberall, a free and frank beſtower, and notably good Security. Come therefore all of you to the due uſe-making of the Covenant and of the Sacrament in reference to this end. And the Lord himſelf, that calls you, enable you to come aright, that it may be a cloſed, Sealed, and confirmed bargain betwixt him and you this day, that ye may have ground to ſay, This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will be glad and rejoyce in it,