The Greatest Sinners Exhorted and Encouraged, Question 2
Quest. 2. What is implyed in this Expression, that Christ will in no wise cast him out that comes to Him?
Answ. There is more implyed than is plainly expressed in these words. Tho the expression is negative, yet positive Good is conteined therein. In general when it is said I will in no wise cast him out, the meaning is, I will give him all the kind entertainment which his soul can desire. He shall have all the Good which a Disciple of Christ can expect.
More particularly,
1 He that comes to Christ, the Lord Jesus will reconcile him to God. He undertaketh for any man, for every man that shall come to Him, to make his peace with God. Suppose a sinner to have been guilty of never so many Crimes and Provocations, if he cometh to Christ, He will bring him into God's Favour: For He has by his death made Atonement for sins, and obtained Reconciliation for Sinners; and whoever cometh to Him, has an Interest in all the Mercy purchased by His Death. And Christ by his Intercession does commend the Comer to Him, unto the Favour of God. He saith before God the Father, This sinner is one of them that I dyed for, and therefore do Thou for my sake forgive all his Sins, and be reconciled to his soul.
2. If men come to Christ, He will accept them under His Instruction. He will not refuse to admit them into His School, He will in no wise shut the doors of His House against them in that respect. Therefore He saith, Come to me and learn. Mat. 11. 28, 29. They that come to Him, He will learn them. Christ speaketh by David, saying, come to me, you Children, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Psal. 34. 11. It is a blessed thing to be received into Christ's School, to become the Disciple of such a Master, the Scholar of such a Teacher; yet this blessedness belongs to every one that cometh to Christ. Hence WisWisdome speaketh as Prov. 8. 32. Hearken to me O ye Children, for blessed are they that keep my wayes, hear Instruction and be wise, and refuse it not, blessed is the man that heareth me, watching dayly at my gates, waiting at the posts, of my doors. They that come to Christ with A sincere desire to be instructed by Him, He will teach them all things which are needful for them to know in order to Life and Salvation. 1. Joh. 2. 20.
3. If men come to Christ, He will take them under His Protection. They that have a true desire to be His subjects, and to have their souls secured under the wings of His Power, it shall be so. He will gather them under His wings, Mat. 23, 37. He will defend them against the Birds of prey which seek to devour their souls. When once a man is in the armes of Christ, his soul is safe for ever; let Sin, Satan, Earth, Hell, do the worst they can. Hence Beleevers are said to be preserved in Christ Jesus. Jude. 1. As the Children of Israel having the bloud of the Paschal Lamb sprinkled over their doors, were preserved, when the destroying Angel killed the Egyptians; so they that are in Christ, are in Him preserved from eternal destruction. Christ is a Protector to them that resort unto Him. When Abiather came to David, he said to him, Abide thou with me, fear not, with me thou shalt be in safeguard. 1. Sam. 22. 23. They that fled to David were safe from the fury of Saul; so they that come to Christ, are safe from the rage of Satan, who does persecute their souls.
4. They that come to Christ, He will never cast them out of his favour, but bring them safe to Heaven at last. Hence Christ does not only say, I will not cast him out that comes to me, but I will in no wise do it. In the Greek there are 2 Negatives, Cast him out that comes to me? (saith Christ) no, I will never do it. Therefore He saith of his sheep which hear his voice, and follow him, I will give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, Joh. 10. 28. Nothing can ever alienate his mind and heart from them tho he seeth a great deal of weakness & frowardness in them, yet as long as they have a heart to cleave to him he will never reject them. Joh. 13. 1, Jesus. having loved his own in the world, He loved them to the end. He has made an everlasting Covenant with the Comer to him. Isai. 55. 3. And therefore he will in no wise shut the door of Heaven against any such If a man come to him, he will never cast him out of Paradise. To him that overcometh all Temptations and objectObjections against coming to Christ, to him will be give to eat of the tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.