302 THE ABSOLUTE his ;" (1 Cor. vi. .20. and vii. 23.) especiallywhen, for thatend; he both died and rose again, that he might rule, or be Lord over, both quick and dead ; Rom. iv. 9. If one of you should buy a man from the galleys or gallows, with .the price of your whole estate; or the life of your only son, would you not expect that he should beat your (disposal ? That he should love you, depend on you, and be subject to you?, 2. And as salvationby free grace through Christ is a way most suitable to God's honor, and to our own necessitous and low condi- tion, so, in subordination thereto, the wayofbelieving is most rational- ly conducible to the same ends. As we could not have had a fitter way to the Father than by Christ, so neither could there be a more fit way to Christ, or means to partake of him; than by faith ; for though I cannot call it the instrumental cause of our justifica- tion, either active or passive, yet is this faith or acceptation of Christ for our Savior and King; which is here called "kissing the Son," the fairest condition that we could reasonably expect, and the most apparently tending to the honor of our Redeemer; Ap- plying and appropriating to ourselves the person, righteousness, and benefits procured and Offered, but not the least of the honor of the work. All we do is but to accept what Christ bath pro- cured, and that must be by the special assistance of his Spirit too. 4. The fourth thing I promised is to show you why no other privilege or powerin the world can save him that doth not kiss the Son. It may here suffice that I have showed you God's deter- mination to the contrary. But further consider, (if any should hope to escape by their dignities, titles, friends, strength, or any other endowments,or virtuous qualifications) 1. What is their task. 2. What is their power to perform it. 1. They must' resist the irresistible will of God. They must do that which heavenor earth, men or devils, were never able yet to do. They have resisted his laws and his love, but they could never resist his purpose 'or his power. The power that under- taketh to save an enemyor neglecter of Christ, must first over- come the power of the Almighty, and conquer him that doth com- mand the world. And who hath the strength that is sufficient for this? Sinner, before thou venture thy soul upon such a mad con- ceit, or think to be saved whether God will or not, try first thy skill and strength in some inferior attempt: bid the sun or moon stand still in the firmament; invert the several seasons of the year ; 'bid the snow and frost to come in summer, and the flowers and fruits to spring in winter; command the streams to turn their course, or the tide its times, or the winds their motion. If these will obey thee, and thy word can prevail with them against the law of their Creator, then mayest thou proceed with the greater
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