The Great Salvation Revealed and Offered, Sermon · Proposition 5

The Great Salvation Revealed and Offered · Sermon · Proposition 5

p. 148I proceed to the Laſt Propoſition. PROPOSITION V. THE Neglect of this Great Salvation will expoſe Men to Great and Unavoidable Miſery.

THE accepting and entertaining of it will ſecure the greateſt happineſs, the choiceſt bleſſings to the Children of Men; but the neglect of it will bring on the ſoreſt and heavieſt Condemnation; this a truth plain from the words of our Text. The Apoſtle's queſtion ſuppoſes a vehement Negation, There will be no eſcaping, the ſevereſt Vengeance of GOD, if the Salvation offered in the Goſpel be neglected and refuſed. A queſtion ſomething like this you have, 1 Pet 4.17. What ſhall the end of them be that obey not the Goſpel of God. How miſerable and how dreadful it will be he doth not determine, but leaves it to their own thoughts and conſciences to judge. And that their condemnation and puniſhment will be intollerable, our Saviour plainly aſſerts when he tells us that the puniſhment of ſome of the worſt of the Heathen will be more tollerable p. 149than theirs. Mat. 11.22. The plagues and miſeries that ſhall fall upon the moſt abominable among the Heathen ſhall not be comparable to theirs, who ſhall be found guilty of deſpiſing and ſinning againſt the remedy offered in the Goſpel.

I ſhall ſpeak to two things only for the Explication of this Propoſition.

1. HOW doth it appear that ſuch will be expos'd to Great and Unavoidable Miſery?

2. WHY will this neglect have ſuch a fearful Iſſue?

THAT their Miſery will be exceeding great may appear from the nature, quality and kind of it in the following Particulars.

1. THEY will have none of their Sins Pardoned, but muſt expect to anſwer for them, and bear the guilt of them all. Whenever the Salvation offered in the Goſpel is received aright, remiſſion of Sins is one happy effect of it. Remiſſion of Sin doth always follow▪ upon Mens Faith and Repentance, Act. 3.19. And Chap. 10.43. But on the other Hand, unbelieving and impenitent Sinners, have the guilt of all their ſins lying upon them. There's no remiſſion of ſin without the Blood of Chriſt; and without Faith in Chriſt, there's no intereſt in his Blood, and conſequently no Pardon. Sinners ſtand guilty before God p. 150of numerous ſins, but how many ſoever they are, they are all chargeable upon them; they have forgotten abundance of them, but God han't forgotten one of them: They are laid up in ſtore with him, and Seal'd up among his Treaſures, Deut. 32.34. The Scripture is plain as to this, that none of their ſins are pardoned, nor ſhall be whilſt they abide in their unbelief. Joh. 3.18. He that believeth not is condemned already, becauſe he hath not believed on the Name of the only begotten Son of God. And Joh. 8.24. If ye believe not that I am he, ye ſhall die in your ſins. Now this is a very dreadful miſery to have the guilt of all your ſins lying upon you; to be liable to anſwer at the Bar of God (as ſhortly you muſt) for all the ſins that ever you have committed. The Guilt of ſin is a heavy burthen. Many have cried out with bitter diſtreſs and anguiſh of ſpirit, becauſe of it in this World. The very forethoughts of this that God would bring them to Judgment, there to anſwer for the ſins they have committed, hath made many to be a terror to themſelves, it hath been inſupportable to them. But when ſin comes indeed to be charg'd upon ſinners it will be unſpeakably worſe; and that on theſe Accounts.

(1.) BECAUSE then Sinners will have a clearer ſight of their ſins then now they have. p. 151Sinners will then have a fuller diſcovery of the nature, number and aggravations of their ſins. Here they ſee but a few of them, they that have the …ulleſt conviction of ſin don't ſee all. There are multitudes of vain Thoughts, idle Words, omiſſions of Duty, commiſſions of Evil, that they took no notice of, or have now ſlipt their Memories: But then there will be a full diſcovery of them all; they will be Judg'd for all things they have done in the Body. Ungodly Sinners ſhall be convinc'd of all the ungodly deeds, and all the hard ſpeeches they have done and ſpoken, Jude 15. God will bring every work into Judgment, Eccl. 12.14. The Judgment will be particular both as to Perſons and Things. Not one of your ſins did eſcape his knowledge, nor will any of them be forgotten. Then God will make good that Word, Pſal. 50.21. A dreadful amazing ſight it will be for a Man to have all his ſins ſet in order before him. So many Enemies, yea ſo many Devils would not be ſuch a horrid Spectacle! Conſcience will then be fill'd with light and power, and will freely teſtify for God, and againſt the Sinner; will both remember him of his ſins and the aggravating circumſtances of them. Yea it may be Thouſands of things that they never ſaw or believed to be ſins, will then be produced againſt them.

p. 152(2.) THEN Men will have another manner of ſight of the Terror and Majeſty of God againſt whom they have ſinned, then now they have. Abundance of Perſons now have ſlight thoughts of God's Power and Wrath; therefore are bold to ſin, and ſecure after the commiſſion of ſin; they know but little of the power of his Anger, and the dreadfulneſs of his Wrath, but fancy God to be like themſelves; but then God will give ſome diſcoveries of his Greatneſs and Majeſty, and the terror of his Wrath: the very ſight whereof will be intollerable to ſinful creatures; they will not be able to bear it, but will wiſh rather to be buried under Mountains, and daſh'd in pieces with Rocks, then to behold the Face of their offended Judge, Rev. 6.17. Then they will ſee and own the truth of what is ſaid, Heb. 10.31. That it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

(3.) THERE will be no hope left that ever it ſhall be Pardoned. Here under the greateſt diſtreſs of Conſcience that ſinners have been burthened with, there hath been this to moderate them, that there hath at leaſt been a poſſibility of Pardon; a Peradventure that God might give Repentance. And many who have been under deep diſtreſs of Spirit, have afterwards had experience of his Grace to their p. 153abundant ſupport and comfort. But there is no ſuch expectation for thoſe that die in their ſins, that continue in their unbelief, and neglect of Chriſt; their Day of Grace is over; Mercy hath done with them: they have no more Invitations by a Saviour; the Patience of God is come to its utmoſt period with them, and that Wrath which they were ſo long preparing is now executed, and hath actually ſeiz'd them. Now, the hopeleſsneſs of their condition renders it inexpreſſibly doleful! There's no hopes of forgiveneſs! no more Sacrifice for ſin!

2. THEY muſt look to bear the Wrath and Curſe of God which belongs to the Tranſgreſſion of the Law. Guilt and Wrath are inſeparable Companions. They who have no intereſt in the Promiſes, muſt expect the execution of the Threatning. They who are not ſav'd will be damned, Mar. 16.16. Joh. 3.36. They who don't hear that gracious Sentence from Chriſt, Mat. 25.34. Come ye bleſſed of my Father, &c. muſt hear that, ver. 41. Depart ye Curſed into Everlaſting Fire! In vain do any dream of a middle ſtate between theſe. They who neglect the Salvation which the Goſpel tenders will have nothing to ſecure them from the dreadful Wrath of God. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt will be no Advocate for them: He will put in no plea in their … p. 154your: nor will it be in the power of any creature either Angels or Men, to do any thing for their relief. What is the juſt wages and demerit of ſin they muſt expect to bear. Now the Wrath of God due to ſin is an intollerable burden; no miſery is to be compared with this. As the Love & Favour of God is a priviledge that is inconceivably great, ſo the Wrath and Anger of God is a miſery proportionably dreadful. Who knows the power of his Anger, Pſal. 90.11. Nah. 1.6. Who can ſtand before thine indignation? who can abide in the fierceneſs of thine anger? Much might be here ſpoken concerning the terribleneſs of God's Anger in the puniſhments that it ſhall inflict upon Sinners, both with reſpect to the Privative and Poſitive effects of it. The guilty ſinner is depriv'd at once of all his Comforts and all his Hopes. He hath neither any natural nor ſpiritual good; all his enjoyments, friends, pleaſures or hopes, wherewith he diverted himſelf whilſt he lived, are now at an end; and he will not have ſo much as a drop of Water to comfort him.

AND the Poſitive Evils that he ſhall ſuffer from the actual impreſſions of Divine Wrath, in the pains of ſenſe that ſhall accompany this loſs. The extenſiveneſs of them as to the whole Man, both Soul and Body, and every part and faculty of them; and the intenſeneſs p. 155and extremity of them, ſo as to procure bitter out-cries and piercing lamentations: but eſpecially in the eternal duration of them. The Scripture ſpeaks largely concerning theſe things, and Men's thoughts may expatiate upon them: but when they have gone to the utmoſt reach of a finite underderſtanding in ſpeaking or thinking of them, they vaſtly ſurpaſs all that can be thought or ſaid! As none can deſcribe the bleſſedneſs of a Soul encircled in the Arms of Divine Love, ſo none can expreſs the miſery of a Soul ſeparated from God, and adjudg'd to the Society of Devils, and the inextinguiſhable flames of Divine Wrath!

3. THEY will not only ſuffer the Wrath of God, but in a greater and ſorer degree than others that have not been priviledged as they have. This is clear from that forecited Text, Mat. 11.22. Where our Saviour plainly aſſerts it. It is beyond queſtion that there will be degrees of puniſhment in Hell, for the Judge of all the earth will do right. There ſhall be an impartial trial: Men ſhall be judg'd according as their ſtate ſhall be found to be, and accordingly as their ſins have been aggravated. We are told this, Luk. 12.47, 48. That ſervant which knew his Lords will and prepared not himſelf, neither did according to his will ſhall be beaten with many ſtripes, &c. And p. 156the more knowledge and love any have abuſed, the more their guilt will be inhanced, and the more aggravated will their puniſhment be. They will ſuffer more from their own Conſciences in the terrible accuſations and reproaches that they will bring againſt them. The reflections of Conſcience upon the light they had, the warnings that were given them, the offers that were made them; the ſtrivings of the Spirit that they were ſometimes under, will be inexpreſſibly diſtreſſing to them. They will ſuffer more than others from the Devils who will be their Tormentors as well as Fellow-ſufferers. They who now tempt them to ſin, and to neglect the means of their Converſion and Salvation, will then upbraid them with it, and be ready to tell them, that if they had ever been priviledged as they were, they would never have been impos'd upon and deluded as they were, nor neglected the Grace offered them as they did. Yea, CHRIST Himſelf will then appear in greater terror towards them than other…, He will make them ſenſible by the ſplendor of his Majeſty, what a Glorious Perſon they ſlighted and deſpiſed: And as one ſpeaks, He that once came in a flame of Love to ſave Men, will then appear in flames of Wrath to take Ven… upon them that have not obeyed p. 157the Goſpel of God. The more Mercy Men have had and abuſed in this World, the more Wrath they muſt expect to feel in the World to come. And to add no more under this Head; It will be a dreadful aggravation of the miſery of ſuch to remember in how fair a way they once were for Salvation, how near to the Kingdom of Heaven; and for what baſe and mean things they forfeited it: for what trifles they caſt away their Souls; and then Sinners will confeſs that the Scripture doth not miſcall them, when it terms them Fools. They will faſt enough load themſelves with the opprobrious name, that they had a price in their hands to have got wiſdom, but not a heart to improve it, Prov. 17.16.

2. WHENCE is it that the neglect of the Great Salvation of the Goſpel ſhall have ſuch a fearful Iſſue, Or, That the Miſery of ſuch Sinners will be ſo terrible and unavoidable?

Two or Three Things may evidence it.

1. BECAUSE it is an abuſe of the greateſt Love and Mercy that God ever manifeſted to the World. The Scripture ſpeaks of the love of God in the Gift of Chriſt as tranſcendent and ſuperlative, Joh. 3.16. 1 Joh. 4.10. God ſhews great Mercy to Man in giving them Food and Cloathing, and other neceſſaries p. 158and comforts of Life. But Infinite love ſhines forth in the Gift of Chriſt. God had nothing greater and better to give to the World, than his Own Son, an Only Son, moſt Dear to him, One in whom he took the higheſt pleaſure and ſatisfaction; A Son that was the brightneſs of his Glory, and the expreſs Image of his Perſon. To give him to endure ſuch Sufferings, to ſubmit to ſuch a ſtate of Humiliation and Abaſement as he was pleas'd to do. For our ſakes to bear the Curſe that we might have the Bleſſing! to be made Sin that we might partake of his Righteouſneſs! to Die that we might Live! for us that could never profit him, nor recompence him! to make a free offer of this Salvation, yea to repeat the offer, it may be Hundreds of Thouſands of Times to Sinners! and yet all this while to have this Glorious Saviour contemned, this Great Salvation trampled upon, and ſlighted, as if every triflle, vanity or luſt were more deſirable, this muſt needs provoke the heavieſt Wrath. If Men know not the worth and glory of a Saviour, how to ſet a value upon the wonderful wiſdom, grace and love of God that hath appeared in the way of Salvation by him, and the bleſſed priviledges of it; yet ſurely God knows the worth of theſe things, and how to adjudge a proportionable puniſhment p. 159for it. And what ſufferings of Sinners can bear a proportion to an indignity caſt upon ſo Glorious a Perſon? God hath ſometimes ſeverely animadverted upon thoſe that have deſpiſed his Servants: and much more may it be expected that he will be ſevere upon thoſe that don't reverence his Son. However ignorant and careleſs Sinners make light of this contempt of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: the Juſtice of God in inflicting deſerved Vengeance for it will appear Glorious in the Eyes of Angels and Saints.

2. BECAUSE ſuch are guilty of refuſing the only Remedy. This is the laſt and only refuge or means of relief that God hath provided for Man's reſtoration to his Image and Favour ſince his Apoſtacy from God. We read, Rom. 8.3, 4. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the fleſh, God ſending his own Son in the likeneſs of ſinful fleſh, and for ſin condemned ſin in the fleſh, that the righteouſneſs of the law might be fulfilled in us. When Adam the ſponſor and ſurety of the Firſt Covenant, fail'd of obtaining Life, and Men through the loſs of the Divine Image were ſo weakened and diſabled, that they could not anſwer their obligation to it, God was pleaſed to ſubſtitute the Lord Jeſus Chriſt to procure Pardon and Life by a New p. 160Covenant. But in caſe this way of Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt be rejected and ſlighted, God hath made no proviſion of Another. God hath laid out the treaſures of his Wiſdom and Love in providing of this way. Grace and Mercy towards Sinners have been glorified in as high a degree as we can ſuppoſe it poſſible that they ſhould. God hath no other Son to give to die in the Sinners ſtead, there was a neceſſity of Death to ſatisfy for trangreſſions againſt the Law. Without ſhedding …f blood, there was no remiſſion. Rivers of Blood of Beaſts, that by Divine Appointment were ſhed before the great Sacrifice of Chriſt was offered, were inſufficient to expiate ſin. How then can it be thought that ſatisfaction ſhould be made by any meer Creature, when the guilt riſes higher by ſins both againſt the Law and Goſpel too? What can ever expiate for contempt caſt upon the Blood of the Son of God? Sinners againſt the Goſpel muſt be left quite hopeleſs. God hath provided no remedy, nor is it in their own power to provide any. Therefore their deſtruction is certain and unavoidable. Nor will the Rivers of Tears ſhed by condemned Sinners in Hell ever be able to quench the flames of it.

3. THE certainty of it is evident becauſe the Juſtice and Truth of God requires it. The p. 161Bleſſed God hath reſolv'd upon it, that he will glorify his Son. The Word is gone out of his mouth in righteouſneſs, and ſhall not be reverſed, that every knee ſhall bow to him. The whole World ſhall be the triumphs of his Grace or Juſtice. The Scripture contains abundance of terrible comminations againſt unbelievers. It tells us, they ſhall be damned, that they ſhall never ſee Life, that the Wrath of God abides on them, &c. Now theſe threatnings proceed from a God of invariable Truth, unſpotted Juſtice, and Almighty Power, and will ſurely be accompliſh'd. There is many times a ſecret hope nouriſhed in the hearts of Sinners that God will not be ſo ſtrict and ſevere as to execute his threatnings upon them, or if he doth, he will not do it in ſo terrible a manner, as he hath threatned. But theſe hopes are preſumptuous and ungrounded. God hath left no foundation for Sinners to build them upon. His threatnings are no raſh and ſudden determinations as Mens often are; but are a ſanction of the Goſpel Covenant, which God in his Eternal Wiſdom and Counſel hath determined and eſtabliſhed, therefore will not recede or go back from them. God is unalterably juſt and true in his Threatnings as well as in his Promiſes. He is not a man that he ſhould lie, or the ſon of man p. 162that he ſhould repent, Jam. 1.15. There's no expectation that God will alter his mind, or that he can ever want Power to execute his threatnings. Beſides the Sufferings of Chriſt are a convincing proof of the Truth of them. God ſpar'd him not when ſin was imputed to him: there was a neceſſity that he ſhould drink the bitter Cup of Divine Wrath, that the Juſtice and Truth of God might be glorified. And if Juſtice would not ſpare the Son of God neither will it ſpare guilty Sinners. If theſe things were done in the green tree, what ſhall be done in the dry?

THESE Things may be ſufficient to confirm the Truth before us, That the deſtruction of ſuch as neglect the Salvation offered in the Goſpel will be Certain and Unavoidable.

USE I. THIS Truth may evidence the fearful blindneſs and ſottiſhneſs that many Sinners are under, who neglect the Salvation tendered to them by Jeſus Chriſt in the Goſpel. It is evident from hence, becauſe there will be no poſſibility of eſcaping God's ſoreſt Wrath and Vengeance if this Salvation be neglected. This way of Salvation which the Goſpel propounds by Jeſus Chriſt is ſo ſuitable to the ſtate of fallen Man, ſo accommodated to p. 163anſwer all his neceſſities; to relieve him under all his wants and fears; ſo ſafe a way, and a way wherein ſo much of the Grace, Love and Wiſdom of God hath appeared, that its own excellency and beneficialneſs may juſtly recommend it to all to whom the offer of it is made; but when, together with this, there is ſuch an unavoidable certainty of miſery unto all them that neglect it, one might juſtly expect that every Man ſhould be moſt deeply concern'd to ſecure an intereſt in it, and uſe utmoſt diligence to make it his own. But alas! How much doth a contrary ſpirit appear! What careleſsneſs, ſlightneſs and indifferency do abundance manifeſt in this matter? As if it were a thing of little weight or worth, that they might do well enough in the neglect of. The Apoſtle aſſigns the true reaſon hereof, 2 Cor. 4.3, 4. Were not Men under fearful blindneſs and ſtrong deluſions from the god of this World, it could not be that they ſhould thus neglect their own Mercies. This may be further manifeſted,

1. IN that they act ſo contrary to what they profeſs to be their Intereſt. It is a thing which Men generally, if not univerſally, acknowledge to be neceſſary to take care of the Salvation of their Souls, and provide for a future happineſs; that if Chriſt be not their p. 164Surety and Saviour, they are miſerable: that the life and ſafety of their Souls depends upon their Faith in Chriſt, and Repentance towards God, but yet they act as if they loved Death, and could be contented to venture Damnation. Tho' a Saviour be offered them, yet they neglect or defer cloſing with him. Were they not under a ſtrange infatuation blinded with the love of Sin, or the love of the World, it could not be that they ſhould leave their Souls at this hazard, and run ſuch a venture of periſhing for ever: eſpecially when they know their opportunities are continually paſſing from them, and they know not how ſoon God may put a period to them.

2. IN that this is the only way wherein there is any hopes of obtaining Salvation. If this way ben't cloſed with there is no hope of relief by any other. The Word of God aſſures us that as there is One God, ſo there is One Mediator between God and Men, and there is but One. Fooliſh Men have multiplied mediators as well as gods; but God never appointed but One. And it is thro' him alone that Salvation is attainable, Act. 4.12. Neither is there Salvation in any other for there is no other name given among men whereby we muſt be ſaved. God never ſav'd any of the Children of Men upon any other p. 165account, and there's no room to expect he ever will. It muſt be owned that Heaven is the Lord's, and he may give it to whom he will; and upon what terms he will. But our Saviour tells us, Joh. 14.6. That he is the way the truth and life, that no man comes to the father but by him. You muſt take this way or periſh for ever. They who will not have Heaven upon Chriſt's terms muſt go without it. Now when the caſe is thus, it muſt be a moſt ſtrange infatuation and deluſion they are under who neglect it.

3. IN that God hath given as clear and evident proofs of the certainty of this way of Salvation as can in reaſon be deſired, and of his willingneſs to beſtow it upon the terms propounded in the Goſpel. So that they can't pretend a want of ſufficient Warrant for encouragement to believe. God in his Word plainly diſcovers to Men what their ſinful helpleſs and undone condition is; and how impoſſible it is to them to get righteouſneſs and life by the Law. He hath alſo plainly diſcovered the ſufficiency and acceptableneſs of the ſatisfaction that Chriſt hath made: that he is well pleaſed in him: that it was a way of his own contriving; that he ſanctified him, and ſent him into the World, Joh. 10.36. That the blood of Chriſt cleanſes from all ſin, Joh. 1.7. His Satisfaction was fully commenſurate to p. 166the demands of the Law and Juſtice of God. Believers have the ſure Word and Promiſe of God to depend upon in this matter, yea he hath confirmed it by his Oath, to this end (as the Apoſtle aſſures in, Heb. 6.17, 18.) That the Heirs of Promiſe might have ſtrong Conſolation. God formerly confirmed his Word by miraculous works, and ſtill confirms it by many ſupernatural effects: in awakening, quieting and comforting the Conſciences of Sinners; filling them with Joy unſpeakable: and ſanctifying their hearts; which are a kind of Inchoation of Glory. Now after the truth of the Goſpel hath been ſo fully confirmed, and is ſo generally acknowledged; for Men to be careleſs about the Salvation that it offers; doth ſurely flow from the blinding hardening power of ſin, and the deluſions impos'd upon them by the great Adverſary of their Souls.

USE II. TO Awaken and Reprove ſuch Perſons as neglect the Great Salvation. I intend here all ſuch as are not ſeriouſly and deeply concerned to have their hearts brought to a full compliance with the terms upon which it is offered; to abandon their ſinful ways, to renounce a dependance upon their own righteouſneſs, and to commit their Souls in a way of believing unto the p. 167Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as the Goſpel requires: but ſpend their days in ſecurity, in carnal and ſenſual delights, in an eager proſecution of the profits of the World, or that in the pride of their hearts are ſeeking to eſtabliſh a righteouſneſs as it were by the works of the Law; and ſpend their days in ſinful diſpondency, and vain and fruitleſs cavils againſt the duty of believing in Chriſt, which the Goſpel urges unto. I ſhall mention a few things here, to promote the Awakening and Conviction of ſuch Perſons.

Conſider, 1. HOW great contempt of the Grace and Mercy and Condeſcention of God you are guilty of, by neglecting Chriſt and the Salvation he offers to you. The offers of Salvation that are made to ſinners are fruits of free and undeſerved Grace. God had no need of Man's friendſhip or ſervice, had juſt advantage by the Law againſt him to have glorified himſelf in the executions of his Juſtice upon him: but notwithſtanding was pleas'd in ſovereign Mercy to provide and reveal a way of Salvation, wherein he would diſcover his own Perfections, and provide for the happineſs of Man. And as the Apoſtle here informs us, hath ſent His Own Son, to work out this Salvation for us, and to publiſh it to us. It is that which began to be p. 168ſpoken to us by the Lord. The ever bleſſed Lord Jeſus Chriſt was willing to come himſelf from the boſom of his Father to purchaſe and publiſh Salvation. Now the greatneſs of the Perſon ſent upon this great errand and deſign carries the greater obligation in it to all to accept the offer, and heightens the ſin in the refuſal of it. God was juſtly offended with the Jews that they deſpiſed his Servants; and expected that ſurely they would reverence his Son, when he ſent him among them, Mat. 21.57. The fuller and clearer the revelations of divine Grace are to Men, the greater aſſurance God gives of his readineſs to accept them, and beſtow Salvation in this way, there is the greater contempt in neglect and refuſal of it. The not hearkening to the Law of God delivered by Angels at Mount Sinai, was a contempt of God's Authority, and received a juſt recompence of reward; As the Apoſtle tells us in the Verſe before our Text. But it is a much greater contempt to diſobey the Goſpel which was Preached by Chriſt himſelf. In the one God is deſpiſed, ſpeaking by his Servants, in the other by his Son. There hath been a great deal of contempt caſt upon God by Sinners in all Ages, they under-value his goodneſs, ſlight his threatnings, trample upon his authority, walk contrary to his commands: p. 169which gave occaſion to that of the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 10.13. Wherefore d…th the wicked contemn God! It is an unreaſonable and injurious thing that they ſhould do ſo; but in this caſe the contempt riſes higher, becauſe not only his Authority is contemned which requires Men to obey the Goſpel, but his Grace and Love in the higheſt diſcoveries of them are ſlighted and undervalued, as though the rich offers that he makes, were not worthy of your ſerious regards, did not deſerve your thoughts, or the employing your time about. Do ye thus requite the Lord? Doth the bleſſed Jeſus deſerve no better requital for all the Teſtimonies he hath given of his tender concern for you?

Conſider, 2. THE inexpreſſible wrong you do to your own Souls. Nature teaches Men to love themſelves, to ſeek their own good, and eſpecially requires a due concern for the beſt part of themſelves, their Souls. Theſe being of greater excellency and worth then their Bodies, deſerve the higheſt regards from them. But they that neglect a Saviour diſregard and undervalue their own Souls, interpretatively they love Death. They bring the moſt certain and inexpreſſible miſery upon their own Souls. They cut themſelves off from any hope of acceptance with God, p. 170and any title to a bleſſed Immortality, and bring upon themſelves certain and unavoidable miſery: yea at preſent they do unſpeakable wrong to their own Souls, in depriving them of all true comfort. They can have no pardon of Sin, no peace with God, no hope in the Promiſes, no priviledge of acceſs to him. Theſe are all obtained by Chriſt, and communicated only for his ſake and upon his account to Believers; and they deprive them alſo of that which is their Beauty, their Honour, their Life; even that Holineſs and Sanctification which is a main part of the Salvation which Chriſt invites Sinners to come to him for. A Soul deſtitute of holineſs is a loathſom vile thing in the Eyes of God. 'Tis fit to do him no ſervice, to perform no acceptable duty, to exert no act of Grace: is enſlaved to its own luſts; hurried by its irregular paſſions; a ready inſtrument of Satan to ſerve his deſigns; is often hurried as that miſerable Demoniack, Mark 5.5. To cut and wound and tear himſelf. Is pulling down many ſpiritual Judgments upon himſelf. If Chriſt ben't accepted as a Saviour to you, you have none of theſe bleſſings from him: the ſpirit of holineſs is his peculiar purchaſe and gift. He ſaves his people from their Sins. He enlightens their minds, renews their wills, purifies p. 171hearts, conveys and cheriſhes all ſpiritual life in them. Now can you be content to be an utter ſtranger to all true holineſs? To live under the tyranny of Satan, and reign of Sin? To have a Soul utterly unſerviceable to God while you live, and unfit and unworthy of any fellowſhip with God when you muſt die? Now thus it muſt be if the gracious offers that Chriſt makes be rejected and ſlighted. How unworthy the name of a Man is he that ſuffers a Soul to be thus neglected and ruined?

3. YOU oppoſe, and as much as in you lies, fruſtrate one main deſign that God hath been carrying on from the beginning of the World. The work of Redemption is one of the great and moſt glorious Works of God which hath been upon his Heart before the foundations of the World; and whereby he deſigned to raiſe Eternal honour and glory to himſelf, and to bring about the greateſt good to his Elect. Now the means of effecting this, is by bringing Men to, Repentance and Faith in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; ſubmitting to the terms of the Goſpel. This is that which God calls Men to, when he brings his Goſpel to any place. The great duty he urges Men unto is not to receive the Grace of God in vain. Now it is in vain if his end be not p. 172attained; if Men neglect the duty enjoyned in order to God's Glory, and their own good. Now when Men act contrary to the end of God, it may be reaſonably concluded that it is very offenſive to him; as on the other hand it is pleaſing to him when his end is attained. Hence we read, that our Saviour rejoyced in Spirit, upon the report that the Diſciples brought him of the ſucceſs of their Miniſtry, Luk. 10.21. Now he enjoyed the end of his coming. We read, that there is joy in Heaven upon a Sinners Repentance, Luk. 15.7, 10. Heaven rings with joy at the report of it; that God is glorified, and a Soul reſcued from deſtruction; and it is matter of great joy and refreſhing to thoſe whom God ſends upon this Errand, to beſeech Men to be reconciled to God. When they ſee the glory of God advanc'd in the Salvation of Men, then they ſhall be able to give up their account with joy. And at another time you read, of Chriſt's being grieved becauſe of the hardneſs of Mens hearts, Mar. 8.5. That they did not believe notwithſtanding the evident proofs that he gave of his Divinity. And at another time of his weeping over Jeruſalem, becauſe they underſtood not the things of their peace in the day of their viſitation. Now will you grieve and diſpleaſe the ever bleſſed God in croſſing him in an end ſo p. 173gracious and ſo glorious? Wherein your own welfare is enwrap'd ſo much with his honour? Will you rather chooſe to gratify your Luſts and pleaſe the Devil that would deſtroy you, then to pour out your Souls in earneſt cries that his Grace may be effectual in bringing your hearts to comply with the duty that the Goſpel requires of you? That God may be glorified and your Souls ſaved.

4. BY neglecting the Grace tendred to you in the Goſpel you are guilty of much reſiſtance and oppoſition to the Spirit of God. The Diſpenſation of the Goſpel is called by the Apoſtle, the Miniſtration of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3.8. Probably upon this account eſpecially, becauſe there is more of the Spirit goes along with it, then any before it, as he alſo elſe-where intimates. There are very few, if any, who live to years of underſtanding, but they are many times under the ſtrivings of the Spirit, awakening and convincing of them, cauſing of them to ſee their ſin and danger, exciting many terrors in their Conſciences, and putting them in mind of the neceſſity of Chriſt, of Faith, and of Repentance. Some improve and yield to theſe motions of the Spirit, and they are preparatory to their Eternal ſafety. But theſe that neglect the Salvation offered p. 174them, refuſe and reſiſt the Holy Ghoſt in his motions upon them; bear down the light they receive, ſuppreſs the convictions they have from the Spirit of God, and ſo become guilty of ſinning againſt more Grace and Love. Our Apoſtle intimates in the verſe after our Text, that this was one great aggravation of Mens neglecting the Great Salvation, that it was a Doctrine which had been atteſted to by divers extraordinary operations of the Holy Ghoſt. And as theſe formerly left Men inexcuſable, ſo will the preſent ſenſible operations of the Spirit upon Mens hearts, leave Men ſo now. They feel a divine power going along with the Word, whereby it ſenſibly touches their Conſciences, convinces of ſin, and in God's name condemns for it; urges to Repentance and Faith in Chriſt, in order to peace and pardon with God. So that they cannot but confeſs theſe things to be their duty. Now how tremendous a conſideration is this, that you ſhould he guilty of reſiſting the Holy Ghoſt, and withſtanding the methods of divine Grace, to recover and ſave you? To ſlight the favour of God, to make a light account of the Blood of Chriſt? To diſregard the Promiſes, and deſpiſe the Threatnings of the Goſpel, which riſe higher than any before, and to reſiſt the ſpirit of God too in p. 175its application of them: how inexcuſable will you be?

USE III. OF Warning to all ſuch as have hitherto neglected the Great Salvation tendred in the Goſpel, no longer to perſiſt in your neglect of it. It is too long you have done ſo already; there's no juſt apology or plea that you can make for it; and you will render your caſe the worſe by perſiſting in a thing ſo ſinful and unreaſonable. There are none of you but will cry out of, and condemn the blindneſs and obſtinacy of the Jews that had the firſt tender of Goſpel Grace, but neglected and refus'd it: and withſtood their own Mercies. Why then will you imitate their practice, continue careleſs of your own Souls, and provoke God to exclude you as he hath them? 'Tis your priviledge at preſent to enjoy the light of the Goſpel, with all clearneſs and liberty: the beſt Mercies are freely tendred to you. God juſtly expects that his offers be received thankfully, and a due entertainment given to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; that you don't prefer ſins and luſts before a Saviour: that you be not diverted by your Worldly intereſts and deſigns, from ſecuring Heavenly and Eternal mercies. It will be a thing of doleful conſequence if after ſuch opportunities and encouragements you fail of Eternal p. 176Life. How ſtinging will be the reproaches of Conſcience for it? To enforce this matter,

Conſi. 1. THE greatneſs of this ſin of Unbelief, in rejecting Chriſt and the Salvation that he offers. It is not without cauſe that God hath ſo often fixed Damnation to it, and ſo plainly threatned the ruine of thoſe that continue in it. Too often this ſin is look'd upon as a ſmall matter, as if it were their miſery rather than their ſin that it is not in their power to believe without the aſſiſtance of the Spirit of God. Yea ſome that ſtartle at other ſins, don't tremble at this; but this is a ſin that is very ſinful, and many ways aggravated in the ſight of God. This may appear in that this ſin flows from the wickedneſs of Men's hearts, as all other ſins do: it flows from the blindneſs of Men's minds, and the many unworthy thoughts of God that they are ready to entertain. They doubt of his Wiſdom, his Holineſs & Truth. They are more ready to lay weight upon the word of a Man, than upon the Word of God. Unbelief reflects upon the Truth and Faithfulneſs of God. Hence it is ſaid, 1 Joh. 5.10. He that believeth not God hath made him a liar. How fearful a thing is it, to reproach the God of truth, and One that cannot lie? It diſparages and virtually denies p. 177the ſuffic…ency of Chriſt, as if He were not a fit object of Truſt; not ſuch a compleat Saviour as God teſtifies him to be, One that is able to ſave to the uttermoſt them that come to God by him. It diſparages the Wiſdom of God, as if he had buſied his thoughts to provide a way of Salvation for Men that they had no need of. It is a ſin that is rooted in the pride, perverſeneſs and obſtinacy of Men…s hearts. Hence Chriſt ſaith to them, Joh. 5.40. Ye will not come to me that ye may have life. 'Tis a ſin that is committed againſt more Grace, Mercy and Love then many other ſins are. Hence it is ſaid to be in a peculiar manner the damning ſin, the ſin that binds the guilt of all other ſins upon the Soul, and cuts it off from the laſt and only remedy. It is a ſin of a very heinous and horrible nature; therefore juſtly to be dreaded and deprecated.

Conſi. 2. WHAT Miſery this ſin of neglecting the Great Salvation offered by Chriſt hath brought upon others. If we only look into the ſtate of the Jews, their example is very inſtructive and awakening. The Apoſtle tells us, Rom. 11.20. That for unbelief they were broken off. Their ſin was exceeding great in Crucifying the Prince of Life. But it pleaſed God to make them the offer of the Salvation that was purchaſed by that precious Blood p. 178afterward, and had they accepted the offer, it had been effectual to have expiated that crying ſin. But for their Unbelief God rejected them. They were once a People highly favoured by God; there was no People in the World for many Generations ſo peculiarly priviledg'd by God as they were, (as were eaſy to ſhew in many inſtances) But now as the Apoſtle tells us, Wrath is come upon them to the uttermoſt, 1 Theſ. 2.16. None of their priviledges could ſecure them from an aſtoniſhing deſolation. Hiſtorians obſerve this as remarkable in their deſolation, that God pick…d out one of the moſt merciful Emperors that ever ſway'd the Roman Scepter, to be the Inſtrument of it, that their deſtruction might appear to be from the Hand of Heaven, rather than from the cruelty of Man. And very diſmal was their deſolatio… Eleven Hundred Thouſand are ſaid to hav… …iſhed by the Sword and Famine, and Ninety Thouſand were ſold for Slaves. And …c. Nation hath continued under the dreadful frowns of Heaven, for now almoſt One Thouſand Seven Hundred Years. And if God ſpared not the natural branches, as the Apoſtle argues, others have no reaſon to be high-minded but fear. But it is not only Temporal but Eternal miſery too, that this ſin hath brought upon innumerable multitudes of p. 179miſerable Men. Hell is the place and portion of Unbelievers.

Conſi. 3. HOW uncapable you are to perform any act of duty to God, or to find acceptance with God in any ſervice you perform, 'till you are intereſted in this Salvation by Faith in Chriſt, and a ſaving Converſion to God. It is only in the Name and upon the account of Chriſt that our Perſons and ſervices come to be of any account with God. Without Chriſt, God is a conſuming Fire, ready to conſume and deſtroy all the works and workers of iniquity. The Covenant of Works accepts of no obedience but that of a holy Perſon, and free from all imperfection. And you have no claim by the Covenant of Grace, 'till the terms of it are conſented to. If therefore you are not united to Chriſt by Faith, have not the ſpirit of holineſs, enlivening of you, you can't plead acceptance in anything that you do. God takes no pleaſure in them, they will not be rewarded or crowned by God at laſt. Yea, if you are deſtitute of a principle of Faith and Love to God, they are all done for ſome corrupt end or other, are not a ſervice to God, but to ſome Luſt. Hence the very Praying as well as Plowing of the wicked is ſin. This duty now urg'd upon you is fundamental to all holy and gracious actions. Were this thing alone p. 180duly conſidered it might be enough to make you afraid of continuing any longer in the neglect of this Great Salvation.

4. THINK how uncertain your opportunity of obtaining the Salvation that the Goſpel offers may be. God hath been a long time tendring the Bleſſings of the Goſpel to you; but he hath ſet bounds to his Patience how long it ſhall be exerciſed; not only towards Men in general, but towards particular Perſons. And you know not what bounds God hath ſet to it, when you ſhall come to the period of it. Perſons of all ranks and ages many times go ſuddenly down to the Grave. They who are ready to reckon upon many years, many times find ſuch a ſummons by Death as he did, Luk. 12.21. This night thy Soul ſhall be required of thee. It falls out with many as is threatned, 1 Theſ. 5.3. When they cry peace and ſafety ſudden deſtruction as travel upon a woman with child, ſeizes upon them. The getting out of a ſtate of Sin into a ſtate of Grace and Salvation is a work of great difficulty, and ordinarily will require time. Your own corruptions will riſe in oppoſition againſt it. Satan will do all he can to divert and diſcourage you. Therefore you can't be too earneſt or too ſpeedy about it; if this be neglected in the day of probation afforded you, rivers of Tears throughout the ages of p. 181Eternity will not do that for you which the Blood of Chriſt applied by Faith is able to do, even to atone the Wrath of a ſin-revenging God. Let the conſideration of theſe things prevail with you without any further delay to break off your ſins, however ſecret, pleaſing or profitable they have been. To cry mightily to God for the convincing, humbling and converting power of his Spirit, to accompany all Goſpel Diſpenſations and Ordinances. Yield a preſent obedience to the motions of the Spirit upon your hearts, whether by the Word or Providences of God. Liſten to no thoughts of delay, or preſumptions of future Time and Grace, and deeply bewail your paſt neglects. This will give hope that your Souls ſhall live and not die.

FOR a CONCLUSION to this Diſcourſe I ſhall add.

USE IV. OF EXHORTATION, To all that have profeſſedly embraced and accepted the Great Salvation that hath been offered in the Goſpel, and are waiting for the full accompliſhment of it; That you would unfeignedly make it your care to anſwer the great deſign of God, and to walk worthy of your Priviledge. Chriſtians need arguments of Terror as well as of Comfort and Hope, to bind them to their duty. p. 182The Ap…ſtle tho' he felt the conſtraining power of the love of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 5.14. and was careful of his duty upon that ground, yet in the ſame Chapter tells us, that the Terrors of the Lord had an influence upon him, ver. 11. The certain and inexpreſſible miſery of ſuch as neglect this Great Salvation ſhould be a powerful inducement to all who profeſs to hope for the bleſſings of it, to walk and live ſo that they may'nt ſeem to come ſhort of it. We are acquainted what was the great deſign of the Redeemer, and what is the duty of the Redeemed, Tit. 2.11. to 14. Your own reaſon and conſcience cannot chooſe but acknowledge the ſuitableneſs of this. Would the ever Bleſſed God be at the expence of ſuch Wiſdom, Grace and Love, that he might reſtore ſinful Man to his Favour and Image, and deſign him to be a partaker of an Inheritance in Heaven, and not manage this deſign in a way ſuitable to his own Holineſs? Would the Bleſſed Jeſus ſubmit to ſuch Abaſement and Suffering, that he might expiate ſin, and afterward allow his People to give any countenance or indulgence to it in their hearts or lives? Would the Holy Spirit in a powerful …nner diſpenſe his Grace to Sinners in their Converſion and Sanctification, and not expect a due improvement of the principles p. 183implanted in them? And that they ſhow the reallity and efficacy of Grace upon their Souls, in the holineſs of their lives? Both theſe the Apoſtle ſpeaks plainly to, 2 Cor. 5.15. If one died for all then were all dead, that they that live ſhould not henceforth live to themſelves but to him that died for them. And, Gal. 4.25. If you live in the ſpirit, ſee that you walk in the ſpirit. The Grace wrought in your Hearts by the Spirit, ſhould appear in your Lives: The Sobriety of your hearts, in eating and drinking, and in the temperate uſe of all lawful delights: the Righteouſneſs of your hearts, in your juſtice, honeſty, faithfulneſs in all your dealings in your truth and charity: the Piety of your hearts in a gracious performance of all acts of Worſhip: with that reverence, faith, love, as may teſtify to your own Souls, and as much as may be to the conſciences of others, that your Religion is not pageantry and hypocriſy, but the genuine effect of the Grace and Spirit of Chriſt upon your hearts. In ſum, your great duty is to adorn the Goſpel, to live ſo as to make it evident, that you do indeed believe the Promiſes, and love the Precepts of it. Be Exhorted to Two Things.

1. TO a daily exerciſe of Faith upon the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, for all the parts of the Great p. 184Salvation (reveal'd and promis'd to you in the Goſpel) as you ſtand in need of it. The Covenant of Grace, contains in it the Promiſes of all needful good things whether for this Life or for that which is to come. And it is the great duty of the People of God in a way of believing in Chriſt (who is the Mediator and Head of that Covenant) to look to God for the communication of them as their neceſſities do require. Col. 1.19. and 1 Cor. 1.30. God will have all Men honour the Son, as they honour the Father. Now one great means of their doing it, is by their dependance upon him, by coming to God in his Name and Worthineſs for all the bleſſings they ſtand in need of.

LET it be your care then to act Faith upon the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, for your preſervation in a ſtate of juſtification, and for the comfort of it. Holineſs in the People of God is incompleat. Corruption is ſtill in being, and the fleſh will be luſting againſt the ſpirit; ſin will break forth into act: and this will give Satan advantage to bring in accuſations againſt you; ſtir up fears and diſquiets in your conſciences: whether you ſhall obtain pardon from God. Now at the ſame time you fall down before God in penitent confeſſions of ſin, it is your duty to renew Faith in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt for p. 185pardoning Mercy. You read, Rom. 1.17. That the righteouſneſs of God is revealed from faith to faith. As Faith brings a Sinnner into a juſtified eſtate, ſo by Faith he is preſerved in it. God directs you to take this courſe, 1 Joh. 2.1. If any man ſin we have an Advocate with the Father Jeſus Chriſt the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our ſins. It is the duty of Believers to watch againſt and beat down a ſelf-righteous ſpirit, not to expect their pardon upon account of their ſorrows for preſent guilt, for paſt ſervices, or future purpoſes of better obedience. But to remember, that as by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, they are at firſt brought into a juſtified eſtate, ſo by his Interceſſion for them, they are continued in it; and it is their work to honour Chriſt by renewed acts of Faith.

AGAIN, Let it be your care to act Faith on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, for your preſervation and progreſs in a ſtate of Sanctification. This is another principal part of our Salvation, and it is derived from Chriſt who is ſaid to be made of God, for ſanctification: to be our Life, &c. He that is acquainted with …he holineſs of God, and the ſinfulneſs and wretchedneſs of his own heart, his manifold enemies; will ſee need of a greater power then his own for the preſervation and increaſe p. 186of the life of Grace in his own Soul. Now God hath graciouſly provided for the help of his People in Chriſt, for the carrying on of this work. Eph. 5.26. And you muſt honour Chriſt by believing the Promiſes he hath made of it. Such as theſe, Ezek. 36.26, 27. Micah 7.19. Heb. 8.10. By improving the Means he hath appointed for it; the Word, Sacraments and Prayer. Enforcing the Precepts he hath given for it, and the rule of it, the encouragements he hath given to it, and by a daily recourſe to, and dependance on him, in all your conflicts and temptations; and for ſtrength and aſſiſtance in all duties and ſervices, under a ſenſe of your own nothingneſs. In this way Chriſt is wont to promote Holineſs, and cheriſh Grace in the hearts of his People, to make his power glorious in their weakneſs, to give them cauſe to ſay with the Apoſtle, Phil. 4.13.

AGAIN, Exerciſe Faith in a dependance upon Chriſt for acceptance of your perſons and ſervices with God. Believers are wont to have mean and low thoughts of themſelves, and of the ſervices they do for God: And it is very fit they ſhould: Conſidering how mean and vile they are, and how much ſin is interwoven in their beſt ſervices. This prevails ſometimes to ſinking diſcouragements, leſt God ſhould diſacc…p… …hem, and p. 187all they do. But under the deepeſt apprehenſions of your own unworthineſs it becomes you to entertain honourable thoughts of the worthineſs of Chriſt: to behold the Humane Nature exalted in him, to ſee God well pleaſed with him. And who tells us, Eph. 1.6. We are accepted in the beloved. To look to the fulneſs of his Satisfaction, the prevalency of his Interceſſion: Who as the great High-Prieſt hath entred into the Heavens for us, Heb. 6.20. Bears the Names of his People upon his Breaſt, preſents their Perſons and Services; atones for their defects; perfumes them with his Merit. This will keep up your drooping ſpirits.

AGAIN, Act Faith upon the Lord Jeſus Chriſt with reſpect to your expectations of future Glory and Immortality, (in the enjoyment whereof this Great Salvation will be compleated.) It is to be lamented that not only the greateſt part of thoſe that live in the common light of Chriſtianity, are blinded and can't ſee afar off, are govern'd by ſenſe and appetite, and are craving only pleaſure, profit and honour, think not of the vaſt Eternity, to which they are haſtning; but even God's own People need to have a more clear and firm perſwaſion, and lively ſenſe of things to come; will venture little upon the hopes of them, are ſo little affected p. 188with them, take ſo little pains for the clearing up, and evidencing their title to them, and are much more ſwaved with the views of temporal advantages, then with the hopes of Eternal Mercies. This tends greatly to the diſhonour of Chriſt. But ſome there are to whom theſe things are real; who are looking for the bleſſed hope, Tit. 2.14. For a City that hath foundations, Heb. 11.10. Are contemplating the Glory of the Heavenly ſtate, the Rich Inheritance of the Saints. And while viewing the greatneſs of it, are ready with trembling hearts to ſay, Who ſhall aſcend the Hill of the Lord, and ſtand in his Holy Place? It may ſupport your hearts in this caſe, to look by Faith upon it, as a Purchaſed Poſſeſſion, Eph. 1.14. Chriſt Jeſus hath laid down the price of Heaven for his People, fulfill'd the condition of Eternal Life in his perfect Obedience to the Law. That he hath carried our Nature into it, and taken poſſeſſion of it as a forerunner and ſurety for his People. And eſpecially may this quiet your hearts in the expectation of it, that Heaven itſelf, as great and as rich an Inheritance as it is, is not a greater Gift then Chriſt is: And if God had love enough to his People to give his Son, he don…t want love to give Heaven. You may conclude with the Apoſtle, Rom, Rom. 8.32. He p. 189that ſpared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how ſhall he not with him freely give us all things? I only briefly touch theſe things. But it is not in theſe only, but in all Conditions of Life, in all Temptations and Trials, it is your duty, and will be your comfort to keep up the exerciſe of Faith on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

2. BE Exhorted to a Life of Univerſal Obedience and Holy Walking before God. The Apoſtle tells us, Heb. 5.9. He is become the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him. Chriſt came not into the World to countenance licentiouſneſs in his People; to leſſen Gods ſovereignty over us, or free us from our duty to him. He is a King and Lawgiver as well as Saviour to his People. 'Tis his aim to make them holy as well as happy. Indeed this ought deſervedly to be look'd upon as a main part of our happineſs, as well as the way leading to it. And there is no ſincere choice of Chriſt, and ſubjection to him, where he is not received as a King as well as Saviour. It is an abuſe of the Grace of Chriſt manifeſted in the Goſpel, when Perſons preſume upon inpunity, while they allow themſelves in ſin. Chriſt by ſuffering for ſin hath given us the cleareſt repreſentation of the evil nature of ſin, and its extream offenſiveneſs to God. By the holineſs p. 190of his Life he hath given us the moſt excellent pattern of Obedience: and by the purity of his Laws, hath given us the moſt perfect rule of Obedience. All which things clearly ſhew, it is what he expects from all his People. The honour of God, their honourable Relation to him, their hopes from him, and the experiences of his Grace towards them, there own comfort in the expectation of the bleſſings he hath promiſed them, are all Motives to ſuch a Converſation. The great duty of the Goſpel is Love. Now Love to Chriſt is eſpecially to be expreſs'd by Obedience; as in that Precept of Chriſt, Joh. 14.15. If ye love me keep my Commandments. And that this is the moſt clear and genuine fruit of Love, Chriſt further declares, in ver. 21.23, 4. Gods Love to us is a Love of beneficence, but our love to him is a love of reverence and obedience, a love to pleaſe and honour him. 1 Joh. 5.3. This is the love of God that we keep his Commandments. And his Commandments are not grievous. Now if you ask what Obedience is required, this may be beſt anſwered by a reference to ſome comprehenſive Places of Scripture, where you may find it in God's Name, expreſly enjoyned. As, 1 Pet. 1.15. But at he which hath called you is holy, ſo be ye holy in all manner of Converſation. Here God p. 191himſelf is propos'd as a Pattern; which ſhews that the higheſt meaſures of holineſs, ſhould be the aims of Chriſtians: they ſhould make it their deſign to reſemble the God they Worſhip. This is an honour put upon God, when his People are witneſſes to his holineſs; when they teſtify to the holineſs of God, in his Nature and Laws, by the holineſs of their walk. God being perfectly holy both in reſpect of the purity of his Eſſence, and the rectitude of his Adminiſtrations, ſhews that Chriſtians ſhould be holy in the ſtate and temper of their Souls, and in the courſe of their actions; and it is added, in all manner of Converſation. The whole of his Converſation ought to ſavour of holineſs: not only his Religious but his Civil Actions ought to be done in the Lord, and for his Glory. In every condition of Life, holineſs ſhould appear. When ſurrounded with Bleſſings his heart ſhould be filled with thankful Praiſes to God; and he ſhould be ready to ſerve him with joyfulneſs and gladneſs of heart in the abundance of all things that he enjoys. Under Afflictions he ſhould be holy, be bringing forth fruits of repentance, meekneſs, patience, and a due reſignation to the divine Will And in every Relation, as Husbands and Wives, Parents, Maſters, Children and Servants, the holineſs of Chriſtians ſhould ſhine p. 192forth in a conſcientious obſervation of all ſuch rules as concern their Relative Duties; towards their Families or Neighbours. Such render their holineſs queſtionable that don't ſhew it in their Relations. This is the principal ſphere of their activity: therefore here they have moſt frequent occaſions to expreſs it. And a courſe of holineſs in all Relative duties will have an extenſive influence upon others, who ſhall be the better for it, and will hopefully be ready to imitate it, or at leaſt be awed by it. Indeed if Piety ben't carefully maintained in Families it will languiſh every where elſe.

AGAIN, You have another Precept in, Luk. 1.74, 75. where our duty is made the end of our deliverance. Chriſt came not to exempt us from the ſervice of God, but that we might ſerve him the more cheerfully, without ſervile fear, and with cheerfulneſs and joy of heart. And the branches of duty here urged are Holineſs and Righteouſneſs, the former may reſpect the duties nextly due to God, and enjoyned in the Firſt Table of the Law, a holy fear of, faith in, and love to God as our higheſt good, our portion and bleſſedneſs; a conſcientious regard of his Worſhip in all the branches of it, and the manner of attending it: A reverence of his Name, both in our thoughts and expreſſions. p. 193A due regard to his Sabbaths, accounting them holy of the Lord, and honourable: devoting our ſelves to holy Exerciſes upon them, and watching againſt all undue frames of heart, or unholy carriages, while we are engaged in them. Becauſe we have to do with a God, who is Glorious in Holineſs, and will be Sanctified by all the… that draw near unto Him. And not only are all our ways before him, but the moſt ſecret motions and workings of our hearts. Righteouſneſs may reſpect the duties of the Second Table, whatever we owe unto Men, according to the Relation we ſtand in to them, or they to us. We owe reſpect and honour to Superiours, and it is matter of juſtice to yield it to them. We owe reſpect and love to all Men, and muſt be careful not to injure them in their Bodies, by any wrong or violence offered to them. Yea, mayn't dare to cheriſh raſh or cauſeleſs Anger againſt them. Or in their Chaſtity, by tempting or encouraging them to any thing that is obſcene or filthy: to any intemperance, or immodeſty, but rather doing what in us lies to prevent it, by giving holy patterns to them, and avoiding all obſcenity in words and geſtures. All injury to their Eſtates muſt alſo be avoided; according to that Precept, 1 Theſ. 4.6. There muſt be no unfairneſs in their dealings one p. 194with another; no unfaithfulneſs in their Promiſes; all oppreſſive, covetous, deceitful methods in their tranſactions upon any Worldly account with each other, are to be reſiſted with greateſt care; and that which is altogether juſt muſt be followed. Again, no injury muſt be done to the Names of others, by a light and haſty receiving or unwarantably ſpreading of reports to their defamation; and all care ſhould be uſed that you never unjuſtly reproach them, by inventing or carrying falſe reports concerning them: but be charitable towards all Men, and ready to vindicate them where-ever there is need of it, and ground for it: and all diſcontent and repining againſt God, or envy at them, becauſe others are in ſome reſpects better then they in any valuable enjoyments, ſhould carefully be avoided. Chriſt came not to make void the Law; but rather to explain and enforce it: that he might render holineſs more conſpicuous; and raiſe his People to greater eminency in it, then ever before. And it ſhould be the aim and deſign of all Chriſtians, both for Chriſt's ſake, their own and others, that their Graces may be reſplendent in the holineſs, and univerſal righteouſneſs of their Converſations: that as the Apoſtle directs, they may adorn the Goſpel, Tit. 2.10. Walk worthy of their Relation to p. 195God, Col. 1.10. Their preſent priviledges from him, Heb. 12.28. 1 Pet. 2.5. And their future hopes, 1 Cor. 15.58. This will do more to recover and maintain the honour of Chriſtianity, and of the God and Saviour that Chriſtians profeſs, then the higheſt encomiums or praiſes of them.

FINIS.

ERRATA. The Reader is deſir'd to Correct theſe Miſtakes of the Preſs, or any others not here obſerved.

PAge 2. l. 7. read Gentile. p. 8. l. 2. unable he is to relieve himſelf, dele. p. 25. l. 21. for one, r. arm. p. 30. l. 26, for cure & remedy. r. care for a remedy. p. 39. l 9. at the word hearts, make a period. p. 44. l. 15. for hereby, r. here. p. 47. l. 5. r. ſhine. l. 12. r. reality. p. 55. l. 23. for prepares, r. gives. l. 24. dele for. p. 60. l. 26. for revelation, r. relaxation. p. 61. l. 8. for droſs, r. groſs. p. 62. l. 2. r. deſervedly. p. 83. l. 13. for own, r. now. p. 86. l. 1. for on, r. only. p. 87. l. 8. r. glorious. p. 88. l. 15. r. rather than yield. p. 89. l. 22. for it, r. ſin. p. 97. l 17. r. remedileſs. p. 108. l. 11. for and, r. as. p 109. l. 18. for Light, r. Life. p. 110. l. 19. r choice of Providence. p. 122. l. 20. for is, r. are. p. 145. l. 14. for underſtand, r. underſtanding.