the Gofpel-Ojfer. · , ,_._29(} very much fear, I have not as yet reached that thirfr after Chrifr, and that willingnefs to take h im, which. thefe texts fpeak of; and that I cannot be accounted . one truly labouring and hea11y laden : How then tal\ I believe, that Chriil'offers himfelf to me 1n par.ticut~r? An[. It is mofi certain truth, that, unlefs -you have a due fenfe of fin, unlefs you thid.\: after Chrifi and his r ighteoufnefs, · unlefs you be heavy laden with the felt burden of fin, and willing to takeChr1fton any terms; you will never take him by a true faith. Neverthelefs~ . whatever qualifications you have, or have_not, yet, if, you are· a finner of Adam's race (and I hope, you doubt not that) Chrifi is offered to you, together with hls righteoufoefi and all his folvation,Prov. viii. 4.)ohn , iii. 16. Mark xvi. 15. _For, howbeit there are indeed certain qualifications neceffary to move you to take Chrifi; yet there are none at all to hamper the gof– pel-offer; but Chrifr is really offered to you, be in '· what cafe you will; fo real1y, that •fyou do not be– lieve it, and thereupon receive an offered Saviour~ you will be damned for not believing; Mark xvi. 16. It is undeniable, the lefs that finners are fenfible of their fins, they are .the farther from righteoufi1efs; they do the more ,need Chrifi, and are the more to be Galled to repentance. This is evident, from the whole tenor of the holy Scripture, and from the very nature of the thing. ,:And therefore, 'tis finners in the ge– neral, and notfenjib.Je jinner$ only, who are meant, Mat.. ix. 12, I 3· .Even as it is fick people in general, · comprehending even thefe of them, who are fo deliri– ous, as to think ,nothing ails them, that need a phy– ficiatl ; and not thefe fick 'only,. who are ·fenfible of their ll:ate and hazard.. This is the plain literal fenfe ·, of that pa!fage, from which there is no nece.ffity t() depart: and the departing fi:om it is attended with a. manife.fi inconvenience. . N~ither is the thirji, mentioned; If.1. lv~ I. to be. refiri8:ed t~ a gracious thirjl, a thi.rfi after G~hrifl ~1_1-~ . hi$-rig~teoujnefi. For fome, at leaft, <i>f the thirfling ones-,.
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