EXIIOT:TATION TO BELIEVE. 251 your own endeavors and obedienceif you corne not up to a thorough Gospel-closing with this way of Godif you make it not your all, giving glory to God therein, perish you will and must, and that-to eternity. There remains no more sacrifice for your sins, nor way of es- cape for your soul. You have then not only the excel- lency of this way to invite you, but the absolute, indis- pensable necessity of this way to constrain you. And now let me add that I am glad this word is spoken unto you : you and I must one day give account for this dis- course, which, if neglected, will prove a sore testimony against you : it will not fare with you as with other men who have not heard the joyful sound. All these words that shall be found consonant to the Gospel, if they are not turned to grace in your heart here, will turn into torment to your soul hereafter. Choose no other way, it will be in vain for you ; it will not profit you; and take heed lest you suppose you embrace this way, when indeed you do not. 4. This way isfree and open to sinners. He that fled to the city of refuge might well have many perplexed thoughts whether he should find the gates of it opened to him or hot, and whether the avenger of blood might not overtake and slay him whilst he was calling for en- trance. Or, if the gates were always open, yet some crimes excluded Men. Numb. 35 : 24. It is not so here. Acts, 13 : 38, 39. This is the voice of God, even the Father : Come, saith he, to the marriage, for all things are prepared, no fear of want of entertainment. Matt. 22 : 4. Whence the preachers of the Gospel are said, in his stead, to be- seech men to be reconciled, 2 Cor. 5 : 20. And it is the voice of the Son : Whosoever cometh to God by me, I will in no wise cast out, John, 6 : 37. And this is the voice of the Spirit, and of the church, and of all believers, Rev. 22 : 17, " The Spirit and the bride say come ; and
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