2 20 Againfl the Rulers of the kept thy Precept', Pfal. 119. 56. what was the great reward he got ? fee, v. 55. I have remembred thy Name, 0 Lord, in the night, and kept thy Law ; then follower, 74 I had: He got more ftrength and skill to keep the Law for the future, by his obedience paff, and was he not well paid (think you, for his pains? There's fruit even in keinefire, the Chriitian bath in hand, whit h he eats while he is at work, that may ftay his flornack un- til the full reward comes, which is eternal life, Rcm. 6 22, je- fus Chrift is a Prince that loves to fee his people thrive, and grow rich under his Government. This is he whom finners are fo afraid of, that when he fets open their prifon, and bids them come forth, theychoofe rather to bore their cares to the devils poft, then enjoy thisbleffed liberty. It is no wonder that fome of the Saints have (indeed) when tortured, not acceptedde. liverance, that they might obtain a betterrefurreilion. But what a riddle is this, that forlorne foules bound with the chaines of their lulls, and the irrefiflible decree of God for their damnati- on, (if they believe not on the Lord Jefus,) fhould, as they are driving to execution, refufe deliverance ? This may fet heaven and earth on wondring. Surely, dying in their fins, they cannot hope for a better refurreftion then thcy have a death. I am a- fraid rather, that they do not firmly believe they (hall have a- ny refurredion and then no wonder they make fo light sf Chrifts offer, who think themfelves fafe, when once earth's in ribt..zao this bana:eazgh of the grave. But let finners know, 'tis not the grave can hold them, when the day of Aflize comes, and the Judge calls for the prifoners to the bar. The grave was never intended to be a Sanftuary to defend finners from the hand of juftice, but a clofe Prifon to fecure them againfl the day of trial, that they may be forth-coming. Then finners (hall be digg'd out of their burroughs, and dragg'd out of their holes to anfwer their contempt ofChrift and his, grace. 0 how will you be aflonifh't to fee him become your Judge, whom you now refufe to be your King ? to heare that Gofpel witneffe againft you for your damnation, which at the fame time (hall acquit o- thers for theirfalvation ? what think you to do, finners,in that day ? wilt thou cry and lifream for mercy at Chriffs hands ? A- las, when the fentence isInft, thy face will immediatelybe co- vered condemned prifoners are not allowed: to (peak : tearer them
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