The Great Salvation Revealed and Offered, Sermon · Proposition 4

The Great Salvation Revealed and Offered · Sermon · Proposition 4

p. 114I proceed to the Fourth Propoſition. PROPOSITION IV. HOW Great and Glorious ſoever the Salvation is that the Goſpel reveals, it is by too many Neglected.

THE Apoſtle evidently intimates this by the ſuppoſal that he makes of the fearful hazard that will be conſequent upon it. This is a truth too frequently obvious to experience, that there is often ground to renew the Prophets complaint, Iſai. 53.1. Who hath believed our report. From one Age and Generation to another it hath been thus, among thoſe that the Goſpel hath been Preached to. This is a diſmal proof of the deplorable ſtate of Man by the Fall, which hath not only brought guilt and wrath upon him, but a fearful blindneſs and obſtinacy; a moſt wretched averſion from God; that though he is periſhing for want of Salvation, yet when it is brought him, and moſt graciouſly tendred, he hath not a heart to accept it and cloſe with the offer of it. This gave occaſion to thoſe complaints of our Saviour, Mat. 23.37. How often would I have gathered you, and ye would not. Joh. 5.40. Life was to be p. 115had by Chriſt but they cared not for it, would not come to Chriſt for it: it is too much the ſpirit of Men ſtill. Salvation is provided by Chriſt, revealed in the Goſpel, offered to Men in the Miniſtry, urged upon them by the motions of the Holy Spirit, and the voice of their own Conſciences. But yet there are abundance who are nothing the better for it, who obtain no peace or pardon, no grace or comfort by it. Now this ariſes from the neglect of it: not improving the opportunities and offers of it that are afforded them.

UNDER this Propoſition it may be ſhewed,

I. THAT it is ſo, or that many to whom the offers of Salvation are made do neglect it.

II. WHENCE it comes to paſs, that they do ſo.

1. THAT many do neglect the Salvation that be Goſpel Offers. This is the Caſe,

1. OF thoſe that ſlight and diſregard the offers of it, when made to them. We read of ſuch, Mat. 22.5. Who when invited to partake in the priviledges of the Goſpel, made light of it; heard it as a matter of little uſe and concern to them. There are too many careleſs inconſiderate ſleepy hearers of the Word; that hear as if they heard not, don't p. 116ſeriouſly regard the Meſſages ſent them by God from day to day: they don't attend to the things that are ſpoken as ſuch whereon their eternal welfare depends. It's ſtrange to ſee what ignorance there is in many about the neceſſary Doctrines of Salvation that are often inculcated upon them; and what inſenſibleneſs and ſottiſhneſs there is in many more, of the worth of that Salvation which the Goſpel reveals. This comes to paſs from their not minding and weighing the truths that are delivered to them. How many live as if they were only born for time, and the intereſts and pleaſures of the preſent Life, and had nothing to do for Eternity? Hence they ſpend their days in mirth and jollity, their lives are a continual diverſion, from one carnal pleaſure and delight to another, their thoughts run continually upon theſe things, that they regard no propoſals that are made to them of things that refer to their Eternal ſafety and welfare. Are ſottiſhly ignorant of the ſtate their Souls are in. A ſpirit of deep ſleep is fallen upon them: they will own that they are Sinners; but their being ſo is no burthen, no terror to them. And hence though they hear of a Saviour; and all his glorious ſufficiency is ſet before them to remove their guilt and reſtore their Souls. Yet they mind it not, lay no weight upon it.

p. 1172. OF thoſe that don't ſeriouſly make it their concern to get a right underſtanding of the way of Salvation, which the Goſpel reveals, and to be intereſted in it. They truly neglect Salvation that are not concern'd to be ſaved. That don't ſet themſelves in good earneſt to underſtand the terms and method in which it may be obtained. Many have a ſuperficial knowledge of the Doctrine of the Goſpel, being all their days educated under it: yet are negligent in improving it. They have no delight to employ their minds in meditating on it, or to know the Spirit, and feel the power of it upon their hearts: don't by ſerious conſideration ſet themſelves to get an underſtanding of the excellency and ſuitableneſs of it to their condition, and of what importance it is to them: how much the command of God and a reſpect to their own ſafety and welfare obliges them to hearken to the propoſals of it, and to make it their preſent ſerious concern to have a ſpecial and real intereſt in it; that Chriſt with all his Benefits may be theirs; and they may be ſharers in the glorious priviledges of Pardon, Peace, Holineſs, and a Title to Eternal Life by him. Some have a deſire to be ſav'd, now and then have a good pang upon them, expreſs ſome concern about it under ſome awakening Truth, or Providence that they p. 118meet with: but for the moſt part it is a matter of indifferency to them; their minds are intent upon other matters, and they can content themſelves to live in a ſtate of eſtrangement from God, without any intereſt in the graces of his Spirit, or any well-grounded hope in his Promiſes. That which ſhould be their grand concern, and purſued with the greateſt application of mind is laid aſide, and other things are preferred before it. They can't tell how to be contented to want Corn and Cattle, and Lands, or ſuch worldly intereſts, conveniences and honours that they ſee others enjoy: but they can bear it well enough to want ſpiritual and eternal mercies. Theſe things not being obvious to ſenſe, ſeem to them like the Poets Elizeum, but as a dream or fancy.

3. IT is alſo the caſe of thoſe that thruſt it from them, and put away the offer of it as not belonging to them. There are two ſorts of Perſons here comprehended,

(1.) THOSE that purpoſely delay and put off this grand concern of ſecuring Salvation to themſelves by cloſing with the offers of the Goſpel: and leave it as a matter of future care, preſume there is no preſent danger that their Souls are in; but that they may ſafely indulge their ſecurity and ſloth, and yield to other deſigns. They will grant the work of Faith p. 119to be neceſſary, they would not dare to die without it; but they ſee not a preſent neceſſity of it, but as Felix dealt with his Convictions under the Apoſtles Preaching; defer'd them to a more convenient ſeaſon; ſo they put off this great duty of believing in Chriſt, 'till ſome other buſineſſes are diſpatch'd, or 'till the approach of Death. They truly neglect the Salvation of the Goſpel that neglect to improve the Seaſon allotted to them for the obtaining of it.

(2.) THOSE that are under the power of an unbelieving heart. 'Tis a fruit of the natural corruption of the heart, to diſcredit and queſtion God's Truth, as well as to reſiſt his Authority. And Men are very prone when they hear of the abundant Grace of God in Chriſt towards Sinners, to queſtion the truth of the report, to doubt whether the thing be ſo or not; to contract the infiniteneſs of God's Mercy and Chriſt's Merit: and to look upon the offers made them too great to be true. They are ready to meaſure God by themſelves, and to think him prone to Revenge and ſlow to Mercy: their guilt ſills them with jealouſies and ſuſpicions of God; they look upon him as one hard to be intreated, and that Mercy is with great difficulty wreſted from him; they muſt do ſome great thing to procure it, and move God to the p. 120exerciſe of it, or they may'nt expect it: or though ſome others whoſe ſins han't been of ſuch a heinous nature, ſo circumſtanc'd and aggravated as theirs have been, may hope for favour from God & acceptance in Chriſt, yet think they may'nt dare to do it; they don't look upon themſelves to be Perſons intended in the offer that is made; that it would be too much boldneſs and arrogance in them to venture upon it; they dare not ſtay on Chriſt as a ſure Anchor againſt all the toſſings of fear and temptation, ariſing from the ſenſe of their own guilt and unworthineſs: but are like a Ship toſt upon the waves. This is not ſo openly frequent among us as Preſumption and Security, there being more Preſumers than Deſpairers. But yet it is the caſe of many who ſpend their days in fruitleſs complaints and dejection of Spirit; who entertain and cheriſh jealouſies of God, and of the authority and divinity of the Scriptures, and of the ſufficiency of the Grace & Power of Chriſt, as though there were not ſhelter enough under his Wings to defend them.

II. I proceed to ſhew, Whence, it is that ſo many neglect this Great Salvation. There are abundance of blameable cauſes to which it might be aſſign'd.

I ſhall only hint at the more General.

p. 1211. A prevailing love to ſome Luſt. The Luſts of Men frequently have a great intereſt in their affections, Partly, from their ſuitableneſs to their corrupt natures; partly, through cuſtom in the ſervice of them: and partly, from the many carnal advantages which they propoſe to themſelves by them. Mens luſts are dear to them. They are repreſented in Scripture ſometimes by a right hand or a right eye. Hence they roll them as a ſweet morſel under their tongues. They hide and ſpare them, and will not let them go. Men will venture abundance from their love to them. 'Tis out of love to their luſts that ſome will blaſt their Reputation. Others will ruine their Eſtates; grieve their Friends, wound their Conſciences, impair their Bodies: and it is from their exceſſive love to them that many will expoſe their Souls to periſh for ever. They are not willing that Chriſt ſhould be a Jeſus to them to ſave them from their ſins; that he ſhould exert the power of his Grace in mortifying their luſts; they could be glad to be ſav'd from Hell, but they can't bear to part from ſome ſweet boſom ſins; they are got into a way of Wantonneſs, or a way of Intemperance, or a way of Diſhoneſty, or a way of Worldlineſs, and the profit or pleaſure of theſe luſts blinds them. They are hardened through the deceitfulneſs of ſin. They could be p. 122glad of Chriſt to pacify their conſciences, but they muſt have their luſts to gratify their corrupt and carnal affections. They are not willing that Chriſt ſhould do the whole work of a Saviour for them, which is in effect to refuſe that he ſhould do any part of it: For the receiving of and ſubmitting to Chriſt in all his Offices is a condition indiſpenſibly requiſite to our partaking of the benefit of his Sufferings and Mediation. Now Mens natural averſion hereunto, and their ſtrong and fixed love to ſin is the reaſon why abundance of Perſons neglect and refuſe the Salvation which the Goſpel offers to them.

2. AN immoderate deſire of and an inordinate complacency in the lawful enjoyments of the World, is another cauſe of it. Worldly comforts are preſent and ſenſible, ſuch things as Men find a want of, and taſte ſweetneſs in: therefore the temptations from them is the more forcible: Their cares for the preſent life, makes Men neglect a future. Things of Time are ſo preſſing and urgent, that Eternal Mercies are but little accounted of. This is repreſented to us, Luk. 14.17, — 20. This was then, and ſtill is the great hindrance to Mens prizing and accepting of Chriſt. Fears of Poverty prevail more upon them than fears of Damnation. Deſires of p. 123Grandeur and Pomp of living, or to equal or out-ſhine their Neighbours in Riches and Honours is of more value to them then to have their Souls adorn'd with Grace, and polliſh'd and prepared for Glory. Their heads and hands are ſo full of their worldly deſigns, and they are ſo wholly ſwallowed up in the thoughts and cares about it, that they have no heart or time to think of the ſtate of their Souls, or to provide for the future welfare of them; they live as if they were born only to mind the intereſts of back and belly, and after a while like the beaſts to periſh, and be forgotten for ever. Hence it comes to paſs that many who have ſome Convictions of the guilt of ſin, and the dangerous ſtate of their Souls, and their need of Chriſt, quench and ſuppreſs theſe Convictions from worldly conſiderations. They can't liſten to them till this or the other deſign and buſineſs they have in hand for the World, is diſpatched. 'Tis the prevalency of this ſpirit that makes ſome Men neglect duties of Worſhip in their Families or Cloſets; and to omit ſpiritual opportunities that might be for Soul advantage; that makes others cold and dead and dull and formal in what they do in Religion. Something is carried on as the World will give leave, in a ſleepy, cuſtomary way, that is neither pleaſing to God nor profitable p. 124to themſelves. This worldly ſpirit is as great a hindrance to the Souls of Men in this great duty as any one thing ſeems to be; and its to be fear'd is the principal cauſe of it at this day.

3. IT ariſes alſo from cauſeleſs prejudices which Man take up againſt the way of Salvation, or the means of the application of it. Our Saviour (Mat. 11.6.) pronounces ſuch bleſſed as are not offended in him; too many are, and thereby further their own miſery. Some take offence at the ſtrict and ſelf-denying terms of the Goſpel; they are loath to ſell all for the Pearl of great price. They hear they muſt part with every luſt, and they may be put upon it to part with their deareſt enjoyments for Chriſt's ſake. This they are loth to engage themſelves to. Some are prejudiced at the ſtrictneſs of a Spiritual Life. They would have more liberty than Chriſt will allow. Chriſt doth not abridge Men of any lawful liberty, but ſome Men will take a licentious liberty. The great objection that abundance have againſt Chriſt is, that they will not have him to rule over them, Luk 10.27. The Laws of Chriſt are too ſtrict for them. Some are prejudiced at the Falls and Miſcarriages of ſome Profeſſors of Religion, and this indeed is a fatal rock. We have a Woe p. 125pronounced to the World becauſe of offences! Mat. 18.7. It is indeed no reaſonable vindication of thoſe that neglect the Profeſſion of Chriſt and Subjection to him, becauſe ſome that own him carry it badly; for we are forewarn'd that there will be Hypocrites in the viſible Church. The Laws of Chriſt give no countenance to theſe misbehaviours; but yet too many nouriſh a baſe and vile opinion of Religion upon this account, and reject the propoſals of it: and not only the looſe and vain take offence at it, but ſometimes thoſe that have had ſome impreſſions of Religion upon their hearts grow ſhy of it upon this account. Some are prejudiced againſt the Inſtruments by whom the offer of Salvation is brought to them. Either ſome natural or moral imperfection they have to object againſt them, their outward meanneſs or infirmities; or it may be ſome perſonal grudge they have taken up againſt them; they don't regard the Meſſage becauſe they ſlight and diſ-eſteem the Meſſenger that brings it. Thus the Jews were ſtumbled at the outward meanneſs of Chriſt and the Apoſtles, becauſe they were Men of no note and fame in the World.

4. IT comes to paſs from the influence of bad Examples. Ones neglect and careleſneſs p. 126is a temptation to another. There are ſome Seaſons wherein there are freſh and plentiful effuſions of the Spirit of God upon a place: at ſuch a Seaſon many will be preſſing into the Kingdom of God. The zeal of ſome provokes others, then Perſons will be helpful to awaken and quicken one another. But again there are times of great deadneſs and ſecurity, few that have any real preſſing ſenſe upon their hearts of their need of Salvation. At ſuch a time Men do exceedingly harden one another. They are ready thus to reaſon with themſelves; ſuch and ſuch are careleſs about it, and think they may alſo without any hazard, eſpecially when thoſe do ſo whom they eſteem Men of Prudence, and whoſe Judgment they value in other caſes. This is a Temptation to them, to think that if it were a matter of ſuch dangerous conſequence to neglect it, ſuch Perſons would never do ſo. It was made an objection againſt the reception of Chriſt in his time. Joh. 7.48. Have any of the Rulers or the Phariſees believed on him? Men are very much led by Example, eſpecially by thoſe of the ſame ſtanding with them. This is a Temptation unqueſtionably to many Young Perſons; they ſee their Companions are light, vain and careleſs Perſons. Hereby they are emboldned in their Sins, and in the neglect of the Grace offered them by Chriſt.

p. 1275. IT is in many upon the account of a legal temper and ſpirit that prevails in them. Such a ſpirit there is in Men naturally, and indeed univerſally inclining them to ſeek Juſtification by their own works. Every Man comes into the World under the obligation of that Covenant, and naturally runs to it for Life: is attempting to do ſomething that may anſwer his obligation, and abate the rigour and ſeverity of the Law that is in force againſt him; and partly, from the pride of his heart whereby he is ready to over-value his own ſervices, & think them much better than really they are. A ſpirit of ſelf-love is apt to blind Men, that they can't ſee their own defects, and it is a thing Men are exceeding prone to, to chooſe to live upon their own poor ſtock rather then to be beholden to others for relief in their neceſſities: they had rather have a few rags of their own then be beholden to Chriſt for the Robes of his Righteouſneſs: And it is partly from ignorance, not underſtanding the excellency and ſufficiency of Chriſts Righteouſneſs, or its acceptableneſs to God, unto the end for which it is propoſed; not underſtanding or being ſatisfied with the glorious deſign of God to exalt his Grace in the free Juſtification of a Sinner by the imputation of Chriſt's Righteouſneſs alone, without the works of the Law. This was the p. 128caſe of the Jews at the firſt Preaching of the Goſpel, Rom. 10.3. No Doctrine was more diſreliſh'd by them than this of Juſtification by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt thro' Faith. And it is this Doctrine that the great enemy of God's Grace, both in the times of Popery, and ſince by other Inſtruments hath endeavoured to obſcure and reſiſt; and he finds the corrupt hearts of Men ready to fall in with this deſign. It is the caſe of awakened Sinners, who are deeply concern'd for Salvation to withſtand the way which the Goſpel reveals by Chriſt; and ſo reject the promiſe for want of ſuitable qualifications in themſelves. They would fain get better hearts, better frames and affections, do duties in a better manner: if once they could prepare themſelves for Chriſt, they would venture upon him: but for want of ſuch preparations they neglect and are afraid to do it.

6. IT ariſes alſo from the influence and activity that Satan hath to blind and darken the minds of Men, and ſet them againſt this duty. To this the Apoſtle aſcribes it. 2 Cor. 4.3, 4. If our Goſpel be hid it is hid to them that are loſt, in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not. Satan is the great promoter of all ſin, the enemy of all righteouſneſs. But he eſpecially engages himſelf and uſes his utmoſt policy and power to p. 129harden Men in unbelief, and keep them off from a due cloſure with Chriſt upon the terms of the Goſpel, and he uſes abundance of methods to bring about this deſign, by ſuggeſting many carnal reaſonings and cavils againſt the truth; perverting the truth to the prejudice of Mens Souls, by quenching convictions, following them with temptations to procraſtinate and delay the matter; or flattering them with vain hopes of the goodneſs of their eſtate, becauſe of their orderly lives, frequency in duties, religious affection, reformation, and the like; that they need not trouble themſelves about a better righteouſneſs: Or tempting them to take up with an image of Faith inſtead of that which is ſaving, to reſt upon their good deſires of being ſaved by Chriſt, while they neglect to venture their Souls upon him, on the encouragement of the Promiſe From ſuch cauſes as theſe ariſes the too great and common neglect of the Salvation offered to Men by the Goſpel. I proceed to the IMPROVEMENT of this Head.

USE I. THIS ſhews what cauſe of Humiliation and Lamentation there is upon this account, that the Salvation provided by Chriſt, and offered in the Goſpel is ſo much under-valued and neglected in our days. The Mercy and Grace of p. 130God hath ſignally appeared towards us, in giving us the priviledges of the Goſpel, which are denied to abundance of others in the World; and the Salvation herein revealed and propoſed hath been already ſhewed; the bleſſings and Promiſes of it are of a ſpiritual and eternal nature, and therefore of higheſt importance to the Souls of Men. The things which Chriſt tenders to ſinners by it, are reconciliation with God, remiſſion of Sin, redemption from the curſe of the Law, a title to Eternal Life, and to all the felicity that the Eternal Fruition of God in a ſtate of Heavenly Glory can afford; but how few comparatively prize it, regard it, and are concern'd to have an intereſt in it. The glad tidings of the Goſpel grow ſtale and common in our times; it is other News that Men generally liſten after, it is the world and worldly enjoyments and intereſts that Men are enquiring after, and buſying themſelves about. The favour of God, and Eternal Life ſeem to be ſmall and inconſiderable things in compariſon with the great expectations they have from the World. The prevailing of ſuch a ſpirit calls for our Humiliation, and ſhould be for a Lamentation, and that on ſeveral Accounts.

1. ON account of the greatneſs of the Sin. It is a Sin that hath the greateſt ingratitude p. 131unkindneſs in it: it is a ſin againſt the freeſt Love and richeſt Mercy that ever was manifeſted to the World, and therefore muſt needs have a great deal of provocation in it. The Apoſtle in our Context, and Heb. 10.28, 9. aggravates it by a compariſon taken from ſins againſt the Law. The bold tranſgreſſions of the Law were puniſh'd with the Death of the tranſgreſſor; but the Apoſtle puts a how much more! unto the voluntary tranſgreſſions againſt the Goſpel: and in proportion the ſlighting and neglecting the Grace tender'd in the Goſpel, will bring an anſwerable degree of puniſhment: even wrath to the uttermoſt! What wonderful love was it that when the whole World was become guilty before God, and nothing but certain Death could have been expected by any of the ſinful Children of Men: That then the kindneſs and love of God ſhould ſo appear, as to ſend his own Son in the likeneſs of ſinful fleſh, to be a Surety and Sacrifice for us? to be made ſin, and a curſe for us, to take upon himſelf the obligation we were under to diſcharge it in our ſtead, in ſuch a coſtly way as by the offering of himſelf to make expiation for our Sin? and not only to procure deliverance from ſin and all the penal effects of it, but to purchaſe and offer Eternal Life and Glory in the World to come: That God ſhould ſingle out you to p. 132be the ſubjects of theſe offers, what aſtoniſhing Grace is this! How great then is the ingratitude to ſlight, diſregard and neglect the offer of it? that you ſhould carry your ſelf ſo towards God as if his Image and Favour were things of little worth! towards Chriſt as if he ſpent his Life and endur'd his Sufferings for things of very little value and account? not worth your eſteem and acceptance! How highly are Men offended often times when their favours are ſlighted. And how much more may the bleſſed God, when ſuch rich and glorious offers as he makes, are not regarded by the Children of Men.

2. ON account of the ſad effects this ſin is attended with, even in this world, and thoſe judgments that it brings with it. When the Jews rejected Chriſt, God deſtroyed that Nation by aſtoniſhing Judgments. God hath for a long time been pleading a controverſy with this Land, ſhowing his diſpleaſure by many awful humbling rebuk…s in his Providence; and undoubtedly there are many things which God hath been provoked by, and been teſtifying againſt us for: The Unrighteouſneſs, Oppreſſion, Fraud, Falſhood, Intemperance, Wantonneſs, Uncleanneſs, Prophanations of God's Sabbaths, Murmurings, Pride, Contempt of Superiours; and other evils that too frequently break p. 133out: But there's reaſon to conclude that one main branch of God's controverſy with us, is the not prizing and accepting the Grace of Chriſt offered in the Goſpel. Our Blood hath been ſpilt as water upon the ground, becauſe the Blood of Chriſt hath been ſo lightly eſteemed. The jealouſie of God hath been provoked to blaſt thoſe things which have been idoliz'd and prefer'd before Chriſt, and the Grace of God by him. There is the greater ground to conclude that God is angry for this upon a double account. Partly, becauſe of the general prevalency of this ſin. As to many other ſins there are but few comparatively chargeable with them. But the neglecters of the Great Salvation preach'd to, and preſs'd upon Men in the Goſpel are many; they are to be found in all our Towns, from one end of the Land to another. It is the prevailing ſin of our days. We may take up the Prophets complaint, Iſai. 53.1. Who hath believed our report? The minds and thoughts of the moſt are intent upon other things. The general cry is, What ſhall we eat, What ſhall we drink? &c. Not, What muſt we do to be ſaved? And partly, becauſe of the influence and tendency that this hath to draw Men to, and harden them in other ſins. Did Perſons duly underſtand and conſider how great a bleſſing Salvation from ſin is, and p. 134improve the help offered them by Chriſt for that end, it would be their care to watch againſt it, to mortify it, to reſiſt and ſuppreſs the motions of it, and not indulge and cheriſh it as now they do. But this neglect of the Grace of Chriſt and over-valuing the things of the World diſpoſes Men to Irreligion and Unrighteouſneſs, to entrench upon God's Sabbaths, to omit Duties of Worſhip in their Cloſets or Families; or to be ſlight and ſuperficial in them, to neglect ſpiritual Opportunities, to grow weary of God's Ordinances becauſe of the labour and charge of them. It diſpoſes Men to acts of unrighteouſneſs, to defraud, over-reach and injure their Neighbours, to break their Promiſes, to be uncharitable and covetous. All muſt bow to this admired idol. This ſin is fruitful and not only produces abundance of other ſins, but keeps Men from the only remedy and preſervative from all ſin; and is in its nature moſt vile, as being oppoſite to what is God's greateſt deſign, to exalt the Glory of his Grace towards ſinners by Jeſus Chriſt. So that it is no wonder that the anger of God is ſo awfully manifeſted on account the of it.

3. IN regard of the certain and fearful danger ſuch Perſons are in of Eternal Judgments. It is a ſin that not only provokes God to p. 135ſhorten Men's lives, to put an end to their opportunities of Goſpel Light and Grace, to bring many outward Calamities upon Men in this World, but it will alſo bring upon them fearful and unavoidable deſtruction in the World to come. If this way of Salvation be neglected, there is no remedy, no way to eſcape remaining for guilty ſinners: God hath provided no other Sacrifice for ſin: and if you continue impenitent and unbelieving, that doth moſt certainly cut you off from any claim to the benefits of Chriſt. The Law of Faith, like that of the Medes & Perſians may no man reverſe. He that believeth not the ſon, ſhall not ſee life. Except Men repent, they muſt periſh. Unbelief is eminently the mortal ſin that certainly damns ſinners, and leaves them to have Judgment without Mercy. It is not the preparation of a ſovereign remedy that cures a diſeaſe, but the application of it. The Righteouſneſs and Spirit of Chriſt however ſufficient for the ends to which they are provided; yet they convey no pardon life and comfort to any Soul, that is not by Faith united to Chriſt. It is not from any defect of Mercy in God or Merit in Chriſt that ſo many periſh, but from their obſtinate refuſal of it. That precious Blood which in itſelf ſpeaks better things then the Blood of Abel, calls for Mercy upon penitent and believing p. 136ſinners, calls aloud for vengeance and damnation upon the heads of the unbelieving and impenitent; and ſuch muſt expect the amazing and terrible executions of them. Now how greatly to be lamented is this, that the laſt end of ſo many of the miſerable Children of Adam will be to periſh for ever? Temporal miſeries that ſome endure are very ſorrowful; the ſpiritual Judgments that others undergo are more ſorrowful: but Eternal evils vaſtly and inconceivably exceed both. To ſee Men and Women endued with rational and underſtanding Souls, capable of eternal Bleſſedneſs and Glory, and under the gracious offers of it, inſenſible of their need of it, and regardleſs of the Grace and Love that hath done ſo much to procure it; miſerably infatuated and hardened in the love of ſinful pleaſures, and unperſwadable by all counſels; voluntarily ruſhing forward to their own amazing and eternal ruine, juſtly calls for our deepeſt Lamentation.

4. THEY are to be lamented over on this account alſo that ther's great hazard their opportunities for avoiding the miſeries they are in danger of, and obtaining the mercies offered them, will quickly be gone. God declares to thoſe whom he priviledges with the light and liberty of the Goſpel as, 2 Cor. p. 1376.1. Behold! now is the accepted time, now is the day of Salvation! And calls upon them to hear his voice while it is called to day, Heb. 3.7. But he lets Men know that tho' in reſpect of clearneſs of Light the Goſpel diſpenſation that they are under is a Day, yet in reſpect to the ſhortneſs of it, it is but a Day, a Day that will quickly terminate, and is continually waſting. The glaſs of Patience is continually running down and will ſoon run out: whether ſinners improve it or no, its continually flying from them; many thro' their careleſsneſs have loſt much of it already: ſome are got to an advanced age, and with reſpect to nature, can't expect a much longer opportunity; and ſome by a courſe of ſinning have encreas'd their natural obſtinacy. Others have contracted evil habits, or brought themſelves under Spiritual Judgments, and have provoked God to put a period to them. Now the loſs of ſuch an opportunity is of doleful conſequence. It was the conſideration of this that drew out our Saviour's Tears over Jeruſalem, Luk. 16.44. That ſhe knew net the time of her viſitation. It is a very melancholly conſideration to ſee multitudes of Mankind, daily ſliding as it were upon the ſtream of Time into the ocean of Eternity, and in the mean while full of ſottiſh careleſsneſs, ſecurity and ſloth, not p. 138conſidering whither they are going, or now they ſhall be diſpoſed of in that Eternal ſtate!

USE II. OF Examination, to ſtir you up to Conſider, Whether you are not guilty of this Sin of neglecting the Great Salvation which is reveal'd and offer'd to you in the Goſpel. The commonneſs of this evil, and the dangerouſneſs of it may juſtly awaken all to a due ſolicitude in this matter. Few will acknowledge their guilt herein; and many are ready to deceive themſelves becauſe of ſome common effects of illumination, conviction or comfort, that the Goſpel hath had upon them; go away with falſe hopes that all ſhall be well.

THE great ENQUIRY therefore that I would propoſe to you to put to your own Souls, is, Whether you have been brought thankfully to receive the bleſſings offered, and heartily to ſubmit to the terms propounded in the Goſpel? For ſurely they who don't accept the Salvation tender'd do neglect it. How honourably ſoever Men ſpeak of the Goſpel and priviledges of it, yet if their hearts are not bowed to conſent to the offers it makes, and ſubmit to the duties it requires, they do neglect it. A few Particulars may be inſiſted on for your help in this trial.

1. IT you have received and accepted the p. 139Grace offered in the Goſpel, you do indeed value the priviledges of it. Both Chriſt himſelf and the Benefits of Chriſt are precious to Believers. The priviledges of Salvation are various, and ſome of them ſome carnal Perſons may ſeem to eſteem. But to value them all, or indeed rightly to value any, is one diſtinguiſhing character of true Believers. Peace with God is one of the priviledges of the Goſpel. Carnal Men would be glad that God would not hurt them, but as for any real eſteem of his Favour, or rejoycing in his Friendſhip, prizing his Preſence or Fellowſhip with him, this they are ſtrangers to: but a gracious Soul values this, and accordingly prefers the favour of God above the increaſes of Corn and Wine, Pſal. 4.5, 6, 7. Yea accounts his loving kindneſs to be better than Life, Pſal. 63.2. The friendſhip of God is more to them then the ſmiles of all the World. The ſenſe they have of the excellency of it is the great inducement to a holy walking before God, and watchfulneſs againſt any thing that may make a breach between God and them, and provoke him to hide his Face from them. Again, Liberty of Acceſs to God, as to a Father in Chriſt, that they may come and pour out their hearts unto him in all their ſtraits and neceſſities, this is a priviledge which gracious Souls have p. 140an high eſteem of, and do thankfully improve. Hence their approaches to God are not the effects of ſlaviſh fear, but of love, they come not into God's preſence as forc'd and conſtrain'd, but as delighting in it, that they may expreſs a ſenſe of his Grace towards them, and may obtain further manifeſtations and experiences of it. Again, Another Priviledge that Believers have by Chriſt and which they are wont highly to value is, Deliverance from the reigning power and dominion of ſin. Rom. 6.14. This is a principal part of that Liberty which they enjoy by Chriſt at preſent, that by his Spirit he enables them to mortify the deeds of the body, Rom. 8.13. They are made partakers of a new nature by the Spirit of Chriſt effectually working in them, which inclines them not only to avoid and reſiſt, but to hate ſin, and to love and prize holineſs. And as they are improving the conſideration of the Death of Chriſt and his deſign in Redemption as arguments to engage their hearts againſt it; ſo they have recourſe to the Spirit of Chriſt for direction and help in the courſe of their duty, and for aſſiſtance in their conflicts and temptations: and it is their comfort that the Salvation which is begun in them in this reſpect ſhall in due time be perfected; glad would they be of the perfection p. 141of holineſs, and abolition of ſin: and even now while they groan being burthened, with the remains of this body of ſin, they rejoyce in Chriſt as one that hath engag'd for them, and will give in due time compleat victory. Rom. 7.24, 5. Awakened ſinners would be glad to be freed from the puniſhment of ſin, but they that are truly gracious would be delivered from the being of Sin.

2. IF you have accepted the Salvation of the Goſpel you will fetch your beſt and ſweeteſt comforts from the hopes of it. This character the Apoſtle gives of Believers, Rom. 5.2. That they rejoce in-hope of the glory of God. It is lawful, yea a duty to rejoyce in God on account of the preſent effects of his goodneſs that we partake of, but the chief joy of a Believer is in God through Chriſt, and in the hopes of that perfect and ſatisfying felicity that ſhall be enjoyed with God in a ſtate of Heavenly Glory. The promiſes hereof are their Songs in the Houſe of their Pilgrimage; theſe lighten their burthens, and relieve them under their wants and trials and diſtreſſes here: they reckon with the Apoſtle, Rom. 8.18. That the ſufferings of this preſent time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which ſhall be revealed in them. They are often refreſhing themſelves with the meditations of the greatneſs and goodneſs and certainty of p. 142the … …dmiring the Mercy and Love that hath made ſuch glorious preparations for ſuch mean and vile and unworthy creatures; are waiting and longing for the Day of Redemption, and groaning under their preſent diſtance from God, and the unſuitableneſs of their hearts to the glory and bleſſedneſs of the ſtate that is prepared for them. The temper of the heart is as much diſcovered by what it rejoyces in the hope of, as in the poſſeſſion of. Carnal Men ſhew the carnality of their hearts by the carnal expectations that they feed themſelves with, as well as by their complacency in what they enjoy, as, Luk. 12.19.20. Gracious Souls diſcover the heavenlineſs of their temper by their ſeeking the things that are above, and groaning after the perfecting of their Redemption. Carnal Men may deſire Heaven as their Refuge, when they can be here no longer, but Godly Men deſire it as their Inheritance.

3. IF you have accepted the Salvation of the Goſpel, you do then make it your care to anſwer the deſign of it. 'Twill be your ſerious aim and endeavour to walk worthy of the Lord unto all well pleaſing. It was none of Chriſt's deſign to countenance licenciouſneſs, to purchaſe an indulgence to Men's luſts. It is a vile abuſe of the Goſpel they are guilty of, who take encouragement from it p. 143to continue in ſin on this hope, that the Mercy of God and Merit of Chriſt, will bear them out. God had quite another deſign in revealing his Grace to ſinners in the Goſpel. We are told what it was, Tit. 2.11, 12. The grace of God which bringeth ſalvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, we ſhould live ſoberly righteouſly and godly in this preſent world. Whoever are taught it effectually, and brought to underſtand the truth as it is in Chriſt Jeſus, do learn this by it; they ſee a glory in this method of divine Grace, as it carries the ſtrongeſt arguments againſt ſin, and the moſt forcible inducements to holineſs and purity and righteouſneſs, in the courſe of their lives; and as they have been made ſenſible of their miſery by reaſon of the power as well as guilt of ſin; ſo they eſteem it their priviledge that they have the offer and promiſe of Grace by Chriſt to take away the power of ſin; and to enable and aſſiſt them to walk in newneſs of life. Hence the Scripture doth ſo frequently inſiſt upon ſuch ſigns of Faith; as being the ſure and infallible marks of it. They who are made partakers of life by Chriſt do diſcover it in righteouſneſs, truth, and a care of univerſal holineſs in the courſe of their lives. Conſider therefore, is this your ſpirit? Do you ſee a p. 144beauty in holineſs? Do you love the divine Law becauſe of the purity of it? Do you improve Promiſes, Ordinances and Providences to the advancement of holineſs in your hearts and lives? Are you really thankful for any advance and progreſs in it, and mourning for deficiencies in it? After Falls into ſin are you in haſte to repair to Chriſt for recovery by giving you repentance and pardoning Mercy? And to renew your watchfulneſs againſt ſin, and a more ſtrict dependance upon him, that his power might reſt upon you, and his ſtrength be perfected in your weakneſs? This is the Spirit of Believers.

USE III. TO Adviſe all ſuch as have neglected the Salvation that hath been offered them in the Goſpel now to embrace it. Now hearken to the propoſals God is making to you, in order to your preſent comfort, and future happineſs. That Caution of the Apoſtle deſerves to be often thought upon, Heb. 12.15. Looking diligently leaſt any man fail of the grace of God. Every Man in particular had need be concerned that he don't fail of an intereſt in the Grace of God, or come ſhort of Salvation. The revelation of the Grace of God to Sinners in the Goſpel is in it ſelf a Mercy; but if the Doctrine of the Goſpel be not believ'd and underſtood, nor p. 145the Mercies it offers accepted, it will eventually prove an aggravation of Sin, and a heightening of Judgment.

I ſhall offer a few Word of Advice.

1. SET your ſelves to ſhake off Preſumption and Security. From the prevailency and power of theſe it is that Salvation is ſo much neglected. Men preſume they have time enough before them, preſume upon the Patience of God, the continuance of Means, the aſſiſtances of the Spirit: all which are utterly uncertain, and not at their command. Preſume upon their good purpoſes and reſolutions; not underſtand the deceitfulneſs and deſperate wickedneſs of their own hearts; and thro' theſe preſumptions indulge a ſpirit of ſecurity and ſloth: have no heart to take pains about their eternal welfare, but content themſelves either with lazy wiſhes or ſuperficial and formal duties. Therefore ſhake off this ſloth and abandon theſe preſumptions. Conclude upon it, that now is the time of duty; now is the ſeaſon of hope: That you know not what a day may bring forth, when God will put a period to your time or ſuſpend the influences of his Spirit.

2. GET the knowledge of your abſolute and preſent need of the Salvation that is offered to you. Senſe of want quickens endeavour. God hath given you many advantages to p. 146know this; by his Word, by the voice of Conſcience, by his Providences, by the Confeſſions and Experiences of others. You are capable of underſtanding and paſſing a true judgment upon your ſtate and actions, to ſee the numerous ſins you have been guilty of in the courſe of your lives, to ſee the truth of the threatning and curſe of the Law that lies upon you and ſtands in force againſt you, your utter impotency to fulfil the righteouſneſs or bear the penalty of it, to make any compenſation for ſin, or to give to God any ranſom for your Souls, to offer any thing to God that may be a price for Eternal Life. So that unleſs a Saviour interpoſe for you, there's a neceſſity of your periſhing, and it is altogether uncertain how ſoon it may be.

3. LABOUR after an underſtanding of the ſufficiency of the Saviour, and the ſuitableneſs of the Salvation that the Goſpel reveals, and the juſt and honourable terms upon which it is offered. Mens taking up wrong apprehenſions of theſe things, breeds prejudices and diſcouragement. The principal means God hath appointed to be uſed to bring you to a knowledge of theſe things, are diligent hearing and ſearching into the Word of God; and earneſt applications to God for his Spirit to inſtruct you. The Word reveals Chriſt, propounds p. 147the terms of Salvation, the Spirit opens the underſtanding to ſee the truth and glory of the things reveal'd. Joh. 5.39. and Joh. 16.14. There you are inform'd of the Natures, Perſon and Offices of Chriſt: How mighty he is to ſave even to the uttermoſt; of the ſins and wants, of thoſe that come to God by him; It ſhews us the compleatneſs of his Satisfaction, the acceptableneſs of his Sufferings, the prevailency of his Interceſſion, the riches of his Grace and Mercy, his readineſs to receive and undertake for believing Sinners, that find an utter inability to ſave themſelves. He impoſes terms that are not only juſt but honourable and gracious: he requires no part of the ſatisfaction due to the Law from the ſinner himſelf, but an intire dependance upon what he hath made by his Obedience and Sufferings; that you break off your ſins by repentance, and return to your duty to God by an entire Dedication of your ſelves, Soul, Body, Time, Intereſts, to his Glory and Praiſe; to which he encourages with the moſt great and precious Promiſes of Eternal Life and Happineſs, as the reward of it at laſt. Surely you ſhould be aſham'd of your neglects of ſo Great Salvation.