ON THE GLORY OF CHILIST. to add will be ofno signification. Remember then that the due consideration hereof is unto you in your state, your chiefest concernment in this world; and be not a- fraid to take in a full and deep sense of it, for if you are really delivered from it, and have good evidence thereof. it is nothing unto you but matter of eternal praise and thanksgiving. And if you are not so, it is highly ne- cessary that your minds should be possessed with due apprehension of it. The work of this conviction is the first effect of true religion; and the great abuse of reli- gion in the world is, that a pretence of it deludes the minds of men to apprehend that it is not necessary: for to be of this or that religion, of this or that way in reli- gion, is supposed sufficient to secure the eternal state of men, though they are never convinced of their lost es- tate by nature. Fourthly. Hereon consider the infinite condescension and love of Christ, in his invitations and calla of you to come untohim for life, deliverance, mercy, grace, peace, and eternal salvation. Multitudes of these invitations and calls are recorded in the scripture, and they are all of them filled up with .those blessed encouragements, which divine wisdom knows to be suited unto lost con- vinced sinners in their present state and condition. It were a-blessed contemplation to dwell on the considera- tion of the infinite condescension, grace, and love of Christ, in his invitations of sinners to come unto him, that they might be saved; of that mixture of wisdom and persuasive grace that is in them; of the force and efficacy of the pleading and argument that they are ac- companied withal, as they are recorded in the scripture, but that belongs not to my present design : this I shall only say, that in the declarationand preaching of them, Jesus Christ yet stands before sinners, calling, inviting, encouraging of them to come unto him. This is somewhat of the word which he now speaks unto you, Why will ye die? why will ye perish? why will you not have compassion on your own souls? can your hearts endure, or can your hands be strong in the day of wrath that is approaching? It is but a little while before all your hopes, your reliefs, and presumptions will forsake you, and leave you eternally miserable; look unto me, and be saved: come unto me. and I will ease you ofall sins, sorrows, fears, burdens, and give rest un- to your souls: come 1 entreat you, lay aside all procras- tinations, all delays, put me off no more; eternity lies at the door, cast out all cursed self-deceiving reserves; donot so hate me, as that ye will rather perish, than ac- cept of deliverance by me. These and the like things doth the Lord Christ con- tinually declare, proclaim, plead, and urge on the souls of sinners, as it is fully declared, Prov. i. 20-24. He doth it in the preaching of the word, as if he were pre- sent with you, stood amongst you, and.spake personally to every one of you; and becausethis would not suit his present state ofglory, he bath appointed the ministers of the gospel to appear before you, and to deal with you in his stead, avowing, as his own, the invitations that are given you in his name. 2 Cor. v. 19, 20. Consider, therefore, his infinite condescension, grace, and love herein: why all this towards you? doth he stand in need of you? have you deserved it at his hands? did you love him first? cannot he be happy and blessed without you? bath he any design upon you, that he is so earnest in calling you unto him? Alas, it is nothing but the overflowing of mercy, compassion, and grace, that moves and acts him herein. Here lies the entrance of innumerable souls intoa death and condemnation far more severe than those contained in the curse of the law, 2 Cor. ii. 15, 16. In the contempt of this infinite condescension of Christ, in his holy invitation of sinners to himself, lies the sting and poison of unbelief, which unavoidably gives over the souls of men unto eternal ruin; and who shall once pity them to eternity who are guilty of it? Yea, but, Fifthly. Perhaps ifyou should on his invitation begin to look to him, and resolve to come to him, you are greatly afraid that when it comes to the trial he will not receive you; for no heart can conceive, no tongue can express what wretched, vile, and provoking sinners you have been; that the Lord Christ will receive unto him such as we are, we have no hopes, or that ever we shall find acceptance with him: I say, it is not amiss when persons come so far, as to be sensible of what discour- agements they have to conflict withal, what difficulties lie in their way, and what objections do arise against them; for the most do perish in senseless stupidity, they will not consider how it is kith them, what is required of them, nor how it will be in the latter eud; they doubt not but that either they do believe already, or can do so when they please; but when any comes sofar as to charge the failure of their acceptance with Christ on their own
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