Great and Precious Promises, Sermon 3
SERMON III.
2 Pet. 1.4.
Whereby are given un… us exceeding great and precious pr… miſes, that by theſe you might … partakers of the divine nature having eſcaped the corruption th… is in the world through luſt.
SOmetimes the ſoul of a Chriſtian dot… move in the paths of God, and in th… wayes towards Zion as the chariots … Aminadab, when they are under the ſou… enliving and quickening influences of heaven and ſometimes the ſoul of a Chriſtian dot… move in thoſe bleſſed paths as Pharaohs ch… riots, they drive moſt heavily, when there … a cloud between the precious face of Chri… and them: and we conceive that ſound an… ſpiritual exerciſe of Faith upon the Promiſes, would make a Chriſtians motio… more ſwift towards heaven. We grant Chri… hath three different wayes of guiding ſo… and daughters to Glory: there are ſome th… Chriſt carrieth to heaven in a chariot pa… with love, that all alongs their life they … living within ſight of that promiſed … and are taken up with the refreſhing … taſtes of the heavenly joyes; ſuch a one … Henoch, who ſpent his dayes in walking … God: there are ſome that Chriſt guid… heaven in a chariot that is drawn with ſpeck…ed horſes; they have mixed diſpenſations of forrow and joy attending them in their walk, they have a winter and a ſummer, they have a night and a day, and ſuch a one was Job. 3. There are ſome that Chriſt carryeth to Heaven in a fiery chariot, that all alongs their life they are under diſtracting terrours of the moſt High, and are living perpetually to their own apprehenſions upon the borders of hell, and ſuch a one was Heman, whom Chriſt thus did guide to heaven: however, if we ſhall go there, we need not much diſpute the way how we came, for he doth all things well. And upon the other part, Satan hath three different wayes of guiding ſouls unto everlaſting torment; there are ſome that Satan carryeth to hell in a chariot of deluſions, making them believe that they are ſtill going to heaven; and ſuch are the hypocrites in Sion: and I ſhall ſay; I think that chariot was never ſo filled as it is in thoſe dayes. O fear that anxious diſappointment that many of you (it is like) will meet with? An hypocrite he hath ſtrong hopes, he hath ſtrong idols, and he hath ſtrong deluſions, theſe are his three attendants. And there are ſome that Satan carryeth to hell in a chariot of profanity and ignorance of God, whoſe judgement goeth before hand, and they are known that they are going there. And there are ſome that Satan carryeth to hell in a chariot of civility, whoſe Religion ſtands in thi…, … cerning the letter of the Law to be blamele… And certainly, believing of the promiſ… and ſtudying to exerciſe faith upon them, that which might prevent many of th… damnable ſoul deſtroying and murder… deluſions that are within ſome of our brea… There are three things in Scripture that a… called precious: Chriſt he is called precion… 1 Pet. 2.7. Faith is called precious, 2 P… 1.1 To you that are partakers of the li… precious faith with us, and the Promiſes th… are called precious, in the words that … have read, and Faith, (as it were) ha… two bleſſed eyes, by one of theſe it beho… eth Chriſt, and by another of theſe it … holdeth the promiſes, and fixeth it ſelf upon them. O Chriſtians and expectants of he… ven, would ye know what is the riſe of … the ſad things that have befallen you in the… dayes? It is this in ſhort, ye believe not th… promiſes. O Chriſtians, what is the reaſ… that ye carry not your croſſes with patien… it is, becauſe ye believe not the promiſes … which your ſoul muſt be upholden in th… day of your affliction. O Chriſtian, wh… is the riſe of your little mortification? … it not becauſe ye believe not the promiſe… for by them ye ſhould be made partakers … the divine nature. O Chriſtian, what is th… ground that ye pray ſo little, and that y… pray with ſo little ſucceſſe? It is, beca… ye believe not the promiſes. A Chriſ… when he goeth to pray, he ſhould take th… two things along; 1. The ſenſible … victions of his neceſſities: And, 2, … precious promiſes that is given to … …hat neceſſity, the one would provoke fer…ency, and the other Faith. Are there not ſome here that knoweth not what it is to …ray upon a promiſe, and that maketh you …ray to ſo little purpoſe. O Chriſtian, what … the reaſon of your ſo much ſorrow, and …f your little ſpiritual comfort? It is, that …ve believe not the promiſes: It is no won…er that your names be called Marah, be…auſe ye exerciſe not faith upon the pre…ious promiſes of God. I think without wronging you or any that are here; I doubt much if ever Chriſtians had ſuch hearts as the moſt part of us have; O what a heart is that, that can neither pray nor praiſe? both we alike myſteries unto them: What a heart is that, O Chriſtian, that can neither believe promiſes, believe threatnings, nor obey commands? What a heart is that, that can …either ſorrow for ſin, nor rejoyce in God? and what a heart is that, that can neither love Chriſt when he is preſent, nor can they long for Chriſt when he is abſent? and what a heart is that, O Chriſtian, that can neither love heaven, nor can fear hell? and is there not ſuch hearts with us, even with us that are here this day?
At the laſt occaſion that we ſpake upon theſe words, we ſpake a little to the firſt thing in them, which was the riſe and originall of the promiſes, holden forth in that word, Whereby, or by whom. The ſecond thing in the words, was the properties of the promiſes; and we told you that there were theſe four holden forth in the words. The firſt property of the promiſes is, t… they are free, which is imported in … word, are given; all the promiſes of … everlaſting Covenant being the precious … free gifts of God. Hence you will ſee t… oft times the tenor of the Covenant of Graruns upon that ſtrain, I will give you, as clear, Jer. 32.39. I will give you one hea… and Ezek. 36.26. I will give you a new hea… and Ezek. 11.19. I will give you; It is t… ſtrain of the language of the Covenant … Grace, to give.
Now in ſpeaking upon this firſt proper… of the promiſes, to wit, their freedom, ſhall ſpeak a little unto theſe two, the fir… thing ſhall be to point out unto you the w… how a Chriſtian may win to the diſtinct u… taking of the freedom of the promiſes, a… then I ſhall from thence preſſe ſome duties.
And in ſhort, as to the firſt, we concei… that a Chriſtian may win unto the diſtin… uptaking of the freedom of the promiſes, by theſe Conſiderations. 1. Let a Chriſt… caſt his eye upon the ſweet riſe, and ſpring or fountain of the promiſes, and there y… will ſee their freedom ſhining moſt clea… for what is the fountain of the promiſes. Is it not the boundleſſe and everlaſting lov… of Chriſt: this is clear, Deut. 7.7. whe… God giving a reaſon of all the great thi… that he had performed for them, he ſett… down the riſe of it, Becauſe I loved you, ſa… he: and again the ground of this is, … I have loved you, there being no reaſo… love, but love: and it is clear, 2 Sam. … where David having received many precious promiſes, he ſetteth down the riſe of all theſe in that verſe, For the words ſake, ſaith he, and according to thine own heart, haſt thou done all theſe things to make them known to thy ſervant. And it is clear, Ezek. 17.8. where God calleth the time of entering into Covenant with them, a time of love; that love it was eminently ſhyning in that day when God did condeſcend to Covenant with them: And hence ye ſee in Scripture, that the promiſes they are called by the name of mercy, Micah 7.20. To perform the mercy to Abraham, which is the Promiſes, and they are ſo called, becauſe mercy and boundleſſe love is the ſole fountain and ſpring of all theſe promiſes. Secondly, Conſider the perſons who have right to make uſe of the promiſes? Muſt not the promiſes be free when the proclamation is upon theſe tearms, Rev. 22.17. Whoſoever will, let him come, there is nothing to give you a right to the promiſes, but only a willingneſſe to embrace them, if ye will, ye may take them. And, thirdly, ye may read the freedom of the promiſes in this, that any condition which is annexed to the promiſe: Chriſt giveth to the Believer ſtrength to perform that condition: It is known that Faith is the condition of the promiſes, and it is certain Chriſt giveth … Believer that condition as well as he give th… him the promiſe, Philip. 1.29. To you it is given to believe, and Eph. 2.8. It is the gift of God: It is impoſſible for a Chriſtian … perform the condition, except Chriſt who… is ſurety for him did perform it. Fourthl… Ye may read the freedom of the promiſes, ye conſider the time when the promiſes a… accompliſhed, it is often at ſuch a time, wh… the Chriſtian hath been, and is under no … ry ſpiritual frame. Hence ye will ſee … Ezek. 16.60.61. that when the promiſ… are accompliſhed, then God requireth conf… ſion and bluſhing of face, becauſe of their fo… mer wayes: and Ezek. 36.31. when the pro… miſes are accompliſhed, then that is the tim… when the Lord calleth them to rememb… their own evil wayes, and their doings that wer… not good; yea he will have them and all the… world to know, it is not for their ſakes th… he doth this; therefore he commandeth them to be aſhamed and confounded for their own wayes, or the poſture they were in when he accompliſhed his promiſe: And if there were no other thing to ſpeak the freedome of the promiſes, but the tryſting of the accompliſhment of them with ſuch a frame, it were more then ſufficient: But beſides this, ſee Davids practice, 2 Sam. 7.8. he readeth the freedom of the promiſes from his own imperfections, What am I (ſaith he) and what is my fathers houſe, that thou ſhouldeſt have brought me hitherto? And even in the ſame Text, there is an Emphaſis in that word, to us, Whereby are given to us, as if the… Apoſtle did ſay, to prove that the promiſ… are gifts: I can bring no other argument ſo ſtrong as this, They are given to us. Fifthly. Ye may read the freedom of the Promiſes, … ye will conſider and take up the infinit ful… neſſe and all-ſufficiency of the Promiſer, that there is nothing without himſelf that can perſwade him to give ſuch promiſes. Hence ye will ſee, Gen. 17.1. when he is making the Covenant with Abraham, he putteth it ſtill in the Frontiſpiece of the Covenant, I am God all-ſufficient, as it were, to put off all thoughts of merit that Abraham might have, and that Abraham might be perſwaded of this, that there was not any imaginable perfection in himſelf, that could be the ground & riſe of ſuch promiſes. And there is that, laſtly, from which ye may read the freedom of the promiſes, if ye conſider the greatneſs of theſe promiſes: if they were of a lower nature, then were it leſſe to be wondered, if merit ſhould come in to plead for it ſelf: But when a Chriſtian ſhall compare himſelf, and the greatneſſe of the promiſes together, he cannot but then ſing that bleſſed ſong, Theſe are the gifts and donations of God, and what am I, and what is my fathers houſe that thou haſt brought me hitherto,
Now the ſecond thing that we purpoſed to ſpeak to, is, to preſſe ſome duties upon you from this, that the promiſes are free, and we ſhall lay before you theſe three. The firſt, That ſince the promiſes of God are free, then as you would not deſtroy your own ſouls, be much in making uſe and application of the Promiſes: Are not the promiſes your life? Did not all the Saints that went to heaven before us go to heaven, living upon the promiſes? There was not a ſtep of Abrahams life, but he walked with a promiſe in it; there was not an afflicti… that Abraham met with, but he took co… fort to himſelf from the promiſes; and ſhall remove theſe two miſtakes that are … cident to Chriſtians in the application of t… promiſes, even from this ground, that the are free.
The firſt is this, There are ſome Chriſt… ans that will not apply the promiſes, becauſe they are under the convictions of their ow… infirmities, and of their own baſeneſſe: … that when we preſſe you to believe the pro… miſes, ye reject this counſell, becauſe ye… conſult with your own infirmities. This was the practice of David, Pſal. 22.4. Our fathers truſted in thee, they truſted and were delivered: but he durſt not truſt i… the 6. verſe, But I am a worm, and not a man, I am a reproach among the people. And it is that ſame divinity that is in theſe dayes, when we preſſe you to believe the promiſes, becauſe of the great cloud of witneſſes that have gone before you, that believed the promiſes. O ſay ye, if I were like David, and Abraham, I would believe the promiſes; but truely David ſaid that ſame, that lived before you, if I were like my fathers, I would believe the promiſes, but I am not like my fathers. And therefore I would ſay to you theſe two words. 1. Are ye inferiour … ſhort unto David in holineſſe, or neceſſities? We do not queſtion but all of you will anſwer, we are not inferiour to David in neceſſities, but in holineſſe; Then ſa… we, if ye be not inferiour to David in neceſity, then make uſe of the promiſes: for as we cleared the laſt day, neceſſity giveth a right in making uſe of the promiſes. 2, I would ſay, I am certainly perſwaded, that ſenſible neceſſity would cut ſhort many of our formal debates, in cloſing with the promiſes, neceſſities (as ye uſe to ſpeak) hath no Law, and neceſſity hath no manners. Let me ſay that to you who will not cloſe with the promiſes, that if ye were under ſenſible neceſſity, if Chriſt ſhould forbid you to cloſe with ſuch a promiſe, ye would cloſe with it though he forbid you, as the woman of Canaan did, there is nothing but ſenſible neceſſity will overcome it: neceſſity never diſputes its right, for it goeth over the belly of ſuch a diſpute, it preſently maketh uſe of that that its need calleth for.
Secondly, There is that other miſtake amongſt Chriſtians in believing the promiſes, that they want the qualifications annexed to the promiſes, and therefore they dare not believe the Promiſe, eſpecially that promiſe of doſing with Chriſt, they think they are not under ſuch a deep meaſure of humiliation, of ſorrow for ſin, nor under ſuch lively apprehenſions of the excellency of Chriſt. And I ſhall ſay but theſe ſix things unto theſe that will not cloſe with Chriſt, becauſe they want qualifications, or at leaſt, have not theſe qualifications after ſuch a way. Firſt, Let me tell thee (O Chriſtian that thus diſputes,) go between the fi…ſt ſteps of a Chriſtians way to heaven and the laſt, and ſee if ye can behold a grave upon which this is, written, Behold here lieth a man or a w… man that came to Chriſt to imbrace him, an… he would not receive them; Did ye eve… behold ſuch a grave as this? And why the do ye ſo much diſpute? Will ye take a tria… of Chriſt whether he will refuſe you if y… come, and if he ſhall refuſe you, ſure I am he will do that which he never did to any before you. The ſecond thing I would ſay to ſuch, that the want of ſuch degrees of ſuch things, ought not to be a ground of your no… cloſing with Chriſt; for if ye had theſe qualifications that ye require, ye would maintain that ſame diſpute that ye do now; fo… when we deſire you to cloſe with Chriſt, y… anſwer, that your ſorrow is not come to ſuch a height as it ought, nor is you humiliation come to ſuch a height, as ye pitch for your ſelf to come to. O Chriſtian, if ye come to ten times more, and yet ten times more, ye would have that ſame diſpute the… which ye have now: and the ground of it is this, the more that a Chriſtian have real ſorrow, he will oftentimes be the more i… the apprehenſion that he hath not ſorrow▪ Thirdly, If ye want the qualifications that are required in theſe that ſhould cloſe with Chriſt in the Covenant of promiſe, then come to Chriſt to get theſe qualifications. I would only aſk at you, think ye to ſpin ſorrow for ſin out of your own hearts; Think ye to ſpin humiliation for ſin out of theſe wretched breaſts of yours, ye muſt come to Chriſt …or ſorrow, as well as ye come to Chriſt fo… …e. Fourthly, All the qualifications that are annexed unto that promiſe of cloſing with Chriſt, and coming to him, they point out rather the qualification of them that will come, then the qualification of theſe that ought to come: Ye read ſuch a command as that, Come unto me all ye that are wearied and heavy loaden. O ſay ye, I am not weary, and I am not under the burden of ſin, therefore I cannot come. I will tell you what is the meaning of that command; Chriſt inviteth theſe who have the greateſt unwillingneſſe, to come and get willingneſſe: But withall, it ſheweth this, none will come to get reſt from Chriſt, but theſe that are firſt weary; and that this is the Lords methode of working, firſt, to make weary, and then to eaſe; but no ſuch matter in his Word, That firſt, we muſt have a wearineſſe of our own making, or elſe he will not receive us: now but when ye come, ye will be weary, and he will receive you. Fifthly, Let me ſay to you who thus diſputes, make your want of qualifications the very ground of your cloſing with Chriſt. I ſhall but in three places let you ſee this ſtrange arguing of Faith in cloſing with the promiſes: There is that, Pſal. 40.11, 12. Let thy truth continually preſerve me, that is, let thy promiſes be accompliſhed and made lively unto me, which are …y preſervation: and would ye know the ground and reaſon that he annexeth unto …his; For ſaith he, Innumerable evils encom…aſſed me about they have taken ſuch hold of …e, that I am not able to look up. He maketh his very want of qualifications, the ground of his cloſing with the promiſe, and ſeeking the accompliſhment of it. And there is th… ſecond expreſſion which is moſt wonderful… Pſal. 25.11. David prayeth for the acco… pliſhment of that promiſe, Pardon my ſi… upon that ſame very account, Becauſe it … great. And I ſhall give you a third place i… which the arguing of Faith is moſt myſter… ous, Exod. 33. compared with Exod. 34.9. In the firſt place, God demeth the accompliſhment of that promiſe, of going … amongſt that people: And the ground … giveth of it, is, Becauſe, ſaith he, ye are … ſtiff necked people. And chap. 34 verſe o… when Moſes is praying for the accompliſhment of that promiſe, That God would … amongſt them; he taketh that ſame very a… gument out of the mouth of God; Go … amongſt us; For, ſaith he, we are a ſti… necked people: God ſaid he would not go up becauſe they were a ſtiff necked people, a… Moſes deſireth him to go up becauſe of th… And there is this, laſtly, that we would ſa… to you, that ſo much diſpute; If ye would have theſe qualifications that ye want, y… would ſtudy to cloſe with Chriſt by Faith Would ye have ſorrow for ſin? then believ… Would ye have high thoughts of Chriſt? th… believe: Would ye have humiliation? th… believe; for believing is a mother grace un… all theſe.
The ſecond duty that we would preſſe … on you from this conſideration that the pr… miſes are free, is, That when the promiſ… are given to you, and are accompliſhed, ye would ſtudy to be denied to any merit in your ſelves, which ye may ſuppoſe to be the riſe of the giving or accompliſhment of the promiſes. There is nothing that a Chriſtian receiveth, but it is a fruit of infinit love, there is not a conviction that tryſteth a Chriſtian, but it is the fruit of infinite love; there is not one real ſigh for ſin, but it is the fruit of infinit love; there is not one blink of the precious countenance of Chriſt, but it is a fruit of infinit love; there is not the leaſt degree of hatred againſt ſin, but it is the fruit of infinit love; there is not the leaſt promiſe that is accompliſhed unto you, but it is the fruit of infinit love: ſo that upon all our recepts from God, there is reaſon to ſing that ſong, Not unto us, not unto us, but unto thee doth belong the glory: And therefore, I would preſſe this upon you, O Chriſtians, reduce all your mercies unto the fountain, and there ſit down and pen ſongs of everlaſting praiſe to him. Will ye but take a view of this, there is not one bite of bread that ye eat, that is within a promiſe, but it is a mercy that hath come running to you through the bowels and tender heart of Chriſt: his heart is the fountain of all our mercies, and they ſweetly ſtream out of that precious fountain; ſo that if ye had no other thing to commend your mercy from, but that it is a gift of the heart of Chriſt, ye may take it in your arms upon this account, and ſolace your ſelves with it.
The laſt duty that we would preſſe upon you from this conſideration, that the promiſes are free, is this; Ye would be ſtudying to cloſe with Jeſus Chriſt that is promiſed and freely holden out to you in the Goſpel: O ſinner of eighty years old, O ſinner of ſixty years old, O atheiſts of fourty year… old, and O ſinner of twenty years old and downward! I do here invite you, as the Ambaſſadour of Jeſus Chriſt, to imbrace Chriſt freely offered in the promiſe; yea, I do invite you by all the vertues of that noble Plant of renown; by that everlaſting love that dwelt in his precious heart, by all the ſufferings and wounds that he received, by his eternal glory, and by all the bleſſings and joyes of heaven, and by that love that ye owe unto your precious and immortal ſouls, that ye would come and imbrace him freely offered to you in the Goſpel. And for the further preſſing of this, and for clearing of the way of your cloſing with him, I ſhall firſt propoſe ſome Goſpel myſteries, and ſweetly agreeing contradictions, (if ſo we may ſpeak) held forth in Scripture. 1. Come and buy Chriſt, and yet buy him without money; that is, come and receive Chriſt, and ye ſhall have as unqueſtionable a right to him as if ye had bought him, that is to but without money; ye have nothing to commend you to Chriſt but neceſſities, and neceſſities biddeth you go, and Chriſt bidde… you come, why then will ye ſit this call 2. What a Goſpel-myſterie is that, Ye a… to buy Chriſt, and Chriſt is above price, the… is nothing that we can give to buy that pe… of greateſt price, and yet we muſt buy him; then the meaning is, come, and buy Chriſt by faith, and by forſaking of your idols, this is all the price that he doth require for himſelf; and ſo he requireth nothing of you but what he himſelf doth give, or what is both your duty and advantage to forſake and which is no gain for him to receive: Chriſt is not enriched by your hearts, and by giving of your conſent to him. 3. This is a Goſpel myſterie, that we are to buy without money and without price, and yet to buy with a price, according to that word, Prov. 17.17. there is a price put in the hand of fools, to buy wiſedome, and what is the meaning of that, to buy with price, and buy without price? It is in ſhort this, though Chriſt be offered to you in the Goſpel freely, ye muſt not ſit down, but be active in cloſing with him; What is the price that Chriſt requireth of you? even this, that ye would forſake your ſoul deſtroving idols, and that ye would forſake your former evil wayes, and take hold of the preſent opportunity for imbracing him. And O! curſed ſhall the heart be that will not imbrace Chriſt; O but to have him one hour in our arms, it were well worth ten thouſand Eternities of the enjoyment of all things that are here below; ye would never open your arms again to another lover, if once ye had him between your breaſts. O but a ſight of him that now is the eternal raviſhment of all that are above, would tranſport your hearts with joy, with delight, and admiration; above all expreſſion. Fourthly, There … this Goſpel myſtery by which we would preſſe you to imbrace Chriſt; A Chriſtia… muſt buy Chriſt, and yet he muſt have him freely Is there not an inconſiſtence, do you ſuppoſe, between buying and having freely▪ But I would ſay this to clear it, Chriſt is bot… the ſeller, he is the wares, and he is th… buyer; Chriſt he preſenteth himſelf unto your hearts, and he deſireth to ſell himſel… and he perſwadeth and freely enableth yo… to buy him: I will tell you what Chriſt doth, He ſtandeth without our hearts, and within our hearts, he ſtandeth without and knocketh by the Word, and he ſtandeth within and openeth by his Spirit; Chriſt he both commandeth, and he obeyeth, both within doors, and without doors, and all this h… doth freely.
The ſecond thing I ſhall ſay to perſwade your hearts to take Chriſt freely promiſed and offered unto you, ſhall be this; Will you conſider that there is willingneſſe in the heart of Chriſt to take you. I ſhall give unto you theſe ſix things that ſpeaketh out Chriſ… his willingneſſe to receive you. Firſt, Doth he not command you to come and receive him? and if ye could multiply objection… throughout eternity, why ye ſhould no… cloſe with Chriſt, ye may cut them all aſu… der with this knife, This is his Command… ment: And doth he not command you, M… 11.28. Come unto me all ye that labour: A… Iſa. 55.1. Ho, every one that thirſteth, co… to the water. Secondly, He doth regr… and deeply reſent it that ye will not come. I think Chriſt never weeped ſo bitterly, as that day when he weeped over Jeruſalem, that they would not imbrace him, Luk. 19.41. If thou, even thou, at leaſt, in this thy day, had known theſe things that belong unto thy peace: And Joh. 5.40. Ye will not come to me that ye may have life. O what think ye can be the riſe of this, that Chriſt ſhould ſorrow becauſe ye will not give up your hearts to him; doth he increaſe his gain when ye give him your hearts? No certainly, but he cannot endure that madneſſe in you, that ye ſhould forſake your onelyonly gain. Thirdly, Would you do Chriſt a joyfull turn, and make his heart glad? Imbrace him: This is clear, Luk. 15.5. that when he findeth the ſheep that is going aſtray, He returneth rejoycing. Fourthly, I ſay no more unto you, would you make all the Perſons of the bleſſed Trinity to rejoyce, would ye make all the Angels of heaven to ſing, would ye make all the Saints that are round about the Throne to exult for joy; then give your hearts up to Chriſt, and cloſe with him in the Covenant of promiſe; according to that word, Song 6. laſt verſ. Return, return O Shulamite, return, return, that we may look upon thee. Four times that command is repeated, return, and the great argument with which he backeth it, is, That all the Perſons of the Trinity may rejoyce, That we may look upon thee. Fourthly, Conſider but how he hath condeſcended to give himſelf at a very low rate: What will ye give for Chriſt? O ſinners, what will ye gi… for him? Would ye give the world … Chriſt? I will tell you what ye will … Chriſt for, ye will get him for a very loo… Iſa. 45.22. Look unto me, O all ye ends the earth: And think ye not that is a matc… leſſe mercy, that the thirty three years … ferings of Chriſt, all the pains and cortu… of his heart, his being under the unſuppo… able wrath of an offended God, the fruit … all that ſhould be yours for a look. Will … deny that to Chriſt, Oh, do ye ever thi… to find a more down coming market? Ye… fifthly, doth not this ſpeak an admirable w… lingneſſe to have you, he is to give you thi… look. It is impoſſible for theſe curſed ey… of ours, ever to give precious Chriſt a loo… and therefore he hath promiſed to give th… to us, that we may give to him, Zech. 1.10. They ſhall look to me, that very look y… are to get from Chriſt, and ye ſee it is with the compaſſe of a promiſe. Laſtly, That ſpe… keth Chriſts willingneſſe to receive and … you, that he doth not take the firſt refuſ… O Chriſtians that are now in Chriſt, if Ch… had taken an hundred refuſals from you, … ſhould never have been in heaven, but … waiteth for an anſwer, and doth not take at our firſt word: according to that wo… Song. 5.2. I am wet, ſaith he, with the d… of the morning, and my locks with … the night: He was long knock… … heart, and ſtayed a long time there pac… … ſuffering all the injuries he could meer … And I would only poſe you, think ye … if one of the richeſt of you were ſuiting a very poor woman, and ſhe refuſed you ſo many times, would your proud hearts ſubmit to take her? And yet how oftentimes hath the precious heart of Chriſt ſubmitted to many effronts, and refuſals that we have given him. I think if it were poſſible, Chriſtians would wink when firſt they behold Chriſt upon the day of their eſpouſals: For I ſuppoſe their will be a great diſpute between ſhame and love, deſire and confuſion; ſhame will make you to cloſe your eyes, becauſe ye have oftentimes undervalued that Prince, and yet love dow not let you cloſe them; deſire will put you to look, though reflecting upon your former wayes, will make you bluſh and be aſhamed.
Thirdly, To perſwade you to receive Chriſt in the offer of his free promiſes, I ſhall but ſay theſe three words and cloſe. 1. Look to theſe excellent gifts that Chriſt bringeth with him, he bringeth Juſtification with him, and is not that an excellent gift? He bringeth Sanctification with him, and is not that an excellent gift? He bringeth joy of the holy Ghoſt with him, and is not that …n excellent gift? He bringeth the …ove of God with him, and is not that an excellent gift? He bringeth patience under ſufferings with him, and is not that an excellent gift? But why ſhould I name what he bringeth? He bringeth himſelf and all things, and what …ould ye have more? O but for one ſaving …k of his face, it would make your hearts …y down your enimity that you have maintained ſo long. 2. O Chriſtian, that ye … cloſe with Chriſt, do but remember the ha… pineſſe that ye will have in imbracing him I told you not long ſince, and now I put yo… in mind again: There is a ſixfold crown which ſhall be put upon your head; Would yo… have long life, then come to Chriſt, and y… ſhall have a crown of eternal life: Would … have glory? then come to Chriſt and ye ſha… have a crown of glory: Would ye have knowledge of the myſteries of God? then com… to Chriſt, and he ſhall crown you with knowledge. Would you have an eternal felici… and …n-interrupted happineſſe, then com… to Chriſt, and ye ſhall have an immor… crown: Would you have holineſſe and ſa… ctification, then come to Chriſt, and ye ſhall have a crown of righteouſneſſe; yea, he ſhall put a royal crown upon your head, a crown of pure Gold; and then that word ſhall be accompliſhed to the full, Zech. 9.16. The… ſhall they be as the ſtones of a crown lifted … and as an enſign upon the land. O what a d… think ye will it be, when Chriſt ſhall ho… your crowns upon his hand, and ſhall p… them upon thoſe heads never to be remov… again, here we are often put to ſigh o… that lamentation, The crown is fallen from … heads, wo unto us for we have ſinned, … there ſhall be no more ſin to make our cro… to totter. 2. I muſt tell you, Th… fourfold ſure of apparel that ye … cloathed with ere long: ye are now c… ed with heavineſſe, but then ye ſhal be … ed with the garments of praiſe; And … …er know ſuch a robe as that? Is it not a …ore excellent robe then the robes of Kings …nd Emperours in the earth, to be cloathed with praiſes? Many of them are and ſhall be for ever cloathed with infamy and ſhame. 2. Ye ſhall be cloathed with change of rayment, and ſhall be brought unto the King in …ayment of needle work. O poor Laſſe and poor Lade that ſitteth upon the dung hill, that knows not what it is to have change of apparel, ye ſhall have it in that day, when Chriſt ſhall ſolemnize the Marriage with you, ye ſhall miſken your ſelf. O Chriſtian, if ye knew your ſelf never ſo well, ye will be forced to cry out, O! is this I? Is this I that am now made perfect through his comelineſse. 3. Ye ſhall be cloathed with the garments of immortal glory, ye that have your foundation in the duſt, and dwell in the houſes of clay, ye ſhall then be cloathed with theſe excellent robes of immortality, and cloathed upon with your houſe from heaven. And laſtly, ye ſhall be cloathed with the garment of the ſpotleſſe righteouſneſſe of Chriſt. O ſuch a majeſtick walk as ye will have, when ye ſhall have a ſcepter in one hand, and a palm in the other, theſe robes put upon your back, and theſe crowns upon your heads, and then ſhall be walking through theſe ſtreets that are paved with Gold. 3. I ſhall give you this word to think upon, That there are five things that ſhall be your exerciſe in heaven. 1. Ye ſhall be conſtantly taken up in wondering: If it be not preſumption for us to think a little; What is the exerciſe of Chriſt and the Saints that are above, we … ceive it is this, Chriſt is wondering at … beauty, and they are wondering at his … ty, Chriſt is looking upon them, and … upon him; and is it not true, that if … be now raviſhed with one of our eyes, … 4. ver. 9. much more ſhall he be rav… when both our eyes ſhall be given to … and ſhall eternally behold him, withou… ing a whoring after other lovers. 2. ſhall be continually in the exerciſe of p… joy and light ſhall be flowing in, and ad… tion and praiſe ſhall be flowing out etern… ye ſhall then ſweetly warble upon … Harps of God, and ſhall cry, Hallelujah … him that ſitteth upon the Throne, there … be no diſcord there; there is a ſweet … beautiful harmony amongſt all theſe ſpir… all and heavenly Muſicians. O but to … them, it were a heaven, though we had … that bleſſed lot as to ſing with them. 3. ſhall be continually taken up in the exe… of love: Faith is your predominant … while ye are here, but Love ſhall be y… predominant grace when ye are there. … is it not a myſterie to take up theſe … emanations of love and of delight, tha… paſſe between Chriſt and you? ye ſhal … folding Chriſt, and Chriſt ſhall be info… you. 4. Ye ſhal be continually beholding … I think it is hardly poſſible for the wife … member her huſband in heaven, thou… loved him as her own heart, they will … taken up in beholding him that fitteth … Throne, they will think it too low an … to be taken up with looking upon another in theſe relations: all will will be raviſhed beholding him, and one another in him, and for him. O the bleſſed exerciſe of theſe that are now entred within that City, and within theſe Gates, whoſe name is …. 5. Ye ſhall be continually taken up in beholding, ye ſhall be alwayes knowing, and yet never able to comprehend the endleſs myſteries and perfections of Jeſus Chriſt. O ſuch a ſtudy! Is it not pleaſant alwayes to be ſtudying Chriſt? and will not theſe things perſwade you.
And now but a word more to theſe that will not have this free offer: If ye will not imbrace Chriſt and take him, let me tell you, I would not be in the ſtead of that perſon for ten thouſand worlds, if ye will not imbrace Chriſt and take him for your portion the ſtones of the wall of this houſe will b… witneſſe againſt you, and they ſhall have … tongue to ſpeak againſt you, that ye have been invited to take him, and would not … ere long that day is approaching, and dra… ing near, when the Atheiſts and refuſers … Chriſt they ſhall change their faith, they ſhall change their love, they ſhall change their fea… and they ſhall change their joy, and th… ſhall change their mind, ye ſhall change you faith ye that are refuſers of Chriſt; for … know there are many that thinks they have cloſed with Chriſt, who never did cloſe with him; that faith ſhall flee away, and ye ſha… believe the contrary: ye ſhall change … love, or at leaſt, your opinion of your … ye think ye love Chriſt, but ye do … brace him; I will tell you what will be y… exerciſe, and I can tell you nothing ſo terrib… Chriſt ſhall eternally hate you, and ye ſh… eternally hate Chriſt, there ſhall be a mut… hatred betwixt you two for evermore. … that dreadful we… Zech. 11.8. it ſhall th… be accompliſhed to the uttermoſt, My ſ… loathed them, and their ſoul alſo abhorred …. And ye ſhall change your fear, for now thou ye fear not God, nor reverence man, yet th… the horrour of God ſhall make you ſhake a leaf, and ye ſhall change your light and yo… judgement. Ye do now undervalue Chri… and thinks him of nothing worth; when Chri… is preſented unto you, there is no beauty … ye ſhould deſire him: But, O think on th… day when Chriſt ſhall ſit down in the clou… and ye ſhall ſee his beautifull face, every … of which ſhall be able to captivate your hea… if they were then capable to be raviſhed w… the ſight: O what will be your thought … him? And if the bleſſings of a crucified Sa… our come not upon you, then the eternal, … unſupportable vengeance of Chriſt ſhall li… upon your heads that would not condeſc… to take him: ye ſhall be curſed in your … ye ſhall be curſed in your death, and ye … be curſed after death; What ſay ye to … Are ye content to take him? ye might b… the day that ever ye were born, if ye co… once come to cloſe with Chriſt. Now him that hath the keyes of the houſe of … vid, that can open your hearts to give … entry, we deſire to give praiſe.