IVE x. 12. phefian.r,Chap.z, 2ó5 ledby the (pirit,fulfill not the lulls of theflehh, Rom. 13.14: Whofóhall, put on Chrifl, mull take no care to fulfill the lulls of corruption; he hath put on Chrift, that bath crucified the f efli with the pigs of it, Gal. 5.24; Whofoever is in Chrifl, is becomea newcreature, 2 Cor 5.17. Now all fuch is havenot him, areworfe then Heathen, if fothey thould con- tinue: For it were better for them , if they had never heard him na- med, then not tobeleeve : This u condemnation, thatmen beleeve not in the name oftheSonofGod,Joh.3.19. This of all other(hall be the molt fearful! in the dayofreckoning. In hearing ofhim, you are lifted up to heaven; but if you be without him, he coming thus near untoyou, it than finkyou lower in hell then the uncircumcifed heathen : He that hash theSon, hash life; he that hat: not the Son, bathnot lift,' Joh.5.12. Seeing our life and death ftandeth in this; ro'haveChrilt, I would give a thoufand millions for him, may fome fay. No, he is no Pale ware, neither can he be purchafed bymoney, or money-worth ; if thou wouldit have him, thou mutt have him asa freegift, thou mint fue for himin formapauperis, I am a poor miferableman, I mutt unlap my fores before him, and fhewhim my nakedneffe: Hereupon apoor foul in his rags ftcps into Gods pretence, and challengeth Chrift as a gift from the band ofthe Father: Thus byFaith hecometh to beFor- feited of Chrift. The better to underftandthispoint,confider what is done onGods. part ; Whetherhe path not given fufficientground whereupon to reft our Faith : Surely, ifwe would devifehow a man may give a gift in a more advantagious manner without all exception ; we cannot devife it more free, then that gift of God in giving Chrift: Godoffers him, He that will come, let him come, Revel. 22.17. What canbe more free then this e If you doubt of ir, I will read unto you that great Procla- mation, Efay 55. t. Ho, every one that thirfteth, come, &c. The Lord there retreat the Conduit running with Wine; If,iny be athirfp, let him come, buy without Elver, &c. Revel. 22.17. TheSpirit and the Bride fay, Come, whofoever will, let him take of the water oflifefreely. Here Faith layeth hold, and receiveth Chrift tendred as agift outof his Fathers hand. Again, we may fee herewhat is his graceunto us, who before that we knew good or evil, fhouldput his Chrift upon us, if our unbelief have not refitted theproffer of God : for in thy infancie God fprinkled theblood of his Sonupon thee , and brought theefrom death to life withChrift. Again, that thou fhouldft have Chrift held out -and painted before thee,efpecially that thou fhouldft be drawnof God, to go unto him by the truft andaffiance of thy heart; Bkffedareyour eyes that fee thefe things, Luke 10.23. Ifto be without him,be the fountain ofall mifery, to have him is a wellfpring of life and blelledneffe : By himwe have peace withGod, Rom. 5. i. By him, title toall things, Rom. 8.32. By Chrift, the change of all croffes, of death, ChriftJhall be tomein life and death advantage. B b a Strangers HowCHtjR is to hegot and had. Gods gift, mans recéi- ving. ICev,zt.6. I/fe n. islcdednetib cohave darn. !.
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