Englands duty under the present gospel liberty from Revel. III, vers. 20 : wherein is opened the admirable condescension and patience of Christ in waiting upon trifling and obstinate sinners, the wretched state of the unconverted, the nature of evangelical faith ..., the riches of free grace in the offers of Christ ..., the invaluable priviledges of union and communion granted to all who receive him ... / by John Flavell ...

SERMON. I. (Book 1)

Revel. 3. 20. [Behold] I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.

THis day hath our compassionate Redeemer opened unto us a door of liberty, liberty to us to preach, and liberty for you to hear the glad tydings of the Gospel. This is a day few looked for; how often have I said in the years that are past, God hath no more work for me to do, and I shall have no more strength and opportunities to work for God? And how often have you said in your hearts, we have sinned our Ministers out of their Pulpits, and our eyes shall no more behold those our Teachers? But lo, beyond the thoughts of most hearts, a wide (and I hope) an effect••al door is now opened in the midst of us. Oh! that it might be to us as the Valley of Achor was to Israel, for a door of hope: Hosea 2. 15. (i. e.) not only making the troubles they met with in that Valley an Inlet to their mercies, as ours have been to us; but giving them that Valley pignoris

nomine, as a pledge of greater mercies intended for them. Upon the first appearance of this mer∣cy, my next thoughts were how to make the most fruitful improvement of it amongst you, lest we should twice stumble at the same stone, and sin our selves back again into our old bon∣dage.

In the contemplation of this matter, the Lord directed me to this Scripture, wherein the same hand that opened to you the door of liberty, knocks importunately at the doors of your hearts for entrance into them, for union and commu∣nion with them. It will be sad indeed if he that hath let you in to all these mercies, should himself be shut out of your hearts: But if the Lord should help you to open your hearts now to Christ, I doubt not but this door of liberty will be kept open to you, how many soever the Adversaries be that envy it, and will do their uttermost to shut it up, Ezech. 39. 29. The mer∣cies you enjoy this day, are the fruits of Christs intercession with the Father, for one tryal more; if we bring forth fruit, well, if not, the Ax lyeth at the Root of the Tree. Under this consideration I desire to Preach, and even so the Lord help you to hear what shall be spoken from this precious Scripture, Behold I stand at the door and knock, &c.

These words are a branch of that excellent Epistle dictated by Christ, and sent by his servant John to the Church of Laodicea, the most formal, hypocritical and degenerate of all the seven Churches; yet the great Phisitian will try his skill upon them, both by the rebukes of the rod, ver. 19. and by the perswasive power of the word; ver. 20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock, &c.

This Text is Christs wooing voice, full of Heavenly Rhetorick to win and gain the hearts of Sinners to himself; wherein we have these two general parts.

• 1. Christs suit for a Sinners heart.
• 2. The powerful Arguments enforcing his suit.

First, Christs suit for a Sinners heart, wherein we [ I] have (1st) the solemn Preface, ushering it in, be∣hold. (2dly) the suit it self. The Preface is ex∣ceeding solemn, for beside the common use of this word behold, in other places to excite atten∣tion, or exaggerate and put weight into an affir∣mation;* 1.1 it stands here as a Judicious Expositor notes, as a term of notification, or publick record, wherein Christ takes witness of the most gracious offer he was now about to make to their souls, and will have it stand in perpetuam rei memoriam, as a testimony for or against their souls to all Eternity, to cut off all excuses and pretences for time to come.

2. The suit it self, wherein we have

• 1. The Suitor, Jesus Christ.
• 2. His posture and action; I stand at the door and knock.
• 3. The suit it self, which is for opening, If any man open.

1. The Suitor Christ himself, I stand; I that have a right of Sovereignty over you; I that have shed my invaluable blood to purchase you, and might justly condemn you upon the first de∣nial

or demur, behold I stand, this is the Suitor.

2. His posture and action, I stand at the door and knock;* 1.2 the word is in the Preter Tense, I have stood, but being here joyned with another Verb of the Present Tense, it is fitly translated, I stand, yet so as that it notes a continued action. I have stood and do still stand with unwearied pa∣tience; I once stood personally and bodily among you in the days of my flesh, and I still stand spi∣ritually and representatively in my Ambassadors at the door, (i. e.) the mind and conscience, the faculties and powers which are introductive into the whole soul.

The word Door is here improperly put to sig∣nify those introductive faculties of the soul which are of a like use to it, as the Door is to the House. This is the Redeemer's posture, his action is knock∣ing; (i. e.) his powerful essays, and gracious at∣tempts to open the heart to give him admission. The word Knock signifies a strong and powerful knock,* 1.3 he stands patiently, and knocks powerfully by the Word outwardly, by the convictions, mo∣tions, impulses, strivings, and instigations of his Spirit inwardly.

3. The design and end of the Suit, it is for opening (i. e.) consenting, receiving, embracing and hearty accepting of him by faith. Acts 16. 14. The Lord opened the heart of Lydia, (i. e.) per∣swaded her soul to believe; implying, that the heart by nature is strongly barr'd and lock'd up against Christ, and that nothing but a power from him can open it.

[ II] Secondly, The powerful Arguments and Mo∣tives used by Christ to obtain his Suit, and get a grant from the Sinners heart, and they are

drawn from two inestimable benefits accrewing to the opening or believing soul. viz.

• 1. Union.
• 2. Communion with Christ.

1. Vnion, I will come in to him, that is, I will unite my self with the opening believing soul, he shall be mystically one with me, and I with him.

2. Communion, I will sup with him, and he with me; that is, I will feast the believing soul with the delicates of Heaven. Such comforts, such joys, such pleasures as none in the World but Be∣lievers are capable of.

And to set home all, these special benefits are proposed by Christ to all sorts of Sinners great and small, old and young, if any man hear my voice and open the door, that so no soul might be discouraged from believing, by the greatness or multitude of his sins, but the vilest of Sinners may see free grace triumphing over all their unwor∣thiness, upon their consent to take Christ ac∣cording to the gracious offers of the Gospel.

The words thus opened, afford many great and useful points of Doctrine, comprehending in them the very sum and substance of the Gospel. The first which ariseth from the solemn and re∣markable Preface Behold, will be this.

I. DOCTRINE.

That every offer of Christ to the Souls of Sinners is recorded and witnessed with respect to the day of account and r••ckoning.* 1.4

Here we shall enquire into three things.

• 1. Who are Gods Witnesses to all Gospel tenders?
• 2. What are the object matters they wit∣ness to?
• 3. Why God records every offer of Christ, and takes witness thereof?

[ I] First, Who are Gods Witnesses to all the tenders and offers made of Christ by the Gospel, and they will be found to be more than a strict legal number; for

1. His Ministers by whom he makes them are all Witnesses as well as Officers of Christ to the People, Acts 26. 16. I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a Minister and a Wit∣ness. Here you see Ministers have a double office to propose and offer Christ, and then to bear witness for or against those to whom he is thus offered: They are expresly called Gods Wit∣nesses, Rev. 11. 6, 7. Their labours witness, their sufferings witness, their solemn appeals to God witness, yea, the very dust of their feet shaken off against the refusers of Christ, turns to a te∣stimony against them; Mark 6. 11. Every groan and sigh, every drop of sweat, much more of blood, are placed in Gods Book as Marginal Notes by all their Sermons and Prayers, and will be produced and read in the great day against all the refusers and despisers of Christ.

2. The Gospel it self which is preached to you is a Testimony or Witness for God, for or against every one that hears it, Iohn 12. 48. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath

one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. And this is the sense of Christs words, Matth. 24. 14. And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the World, for a Witness to all Nations, and then shall the end come. Ah Lord, what a solemn record is here! Every Sermon you hear, yea, every re∣proof, perswasion and conviction is a Witness for God to cast and condemn every Soul in Judge∣ment, that complies not obediently with the calls of the Gospel: So many Sermons, so many Witnesses.

3. Every mans own conscience is a Witness for God, that he hath a fair offer once made him; the very consciences of the Heathens that never saw a Bible, that had no other Preachers but the Sun, Moon and Stars, and other works of Na∣ture; yet of them the Apostle saith, Rom. 2. 15. That they shew the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or excusing one ano∣ther. Certainly if such vigour and activity was put into the consciences of Heathens, who could only read the will of God by the dim Moon∣light of natural reason; how much more vigo∣rous and active will conscience be in its accusing office against all that live under the bright beams of Gospel light? Their consciences will be swift Witnesses, and will ring sad Peals in their ears another day. You shall know that there hath been a Prophet among you, Ezek. 2. 5. This single Witness is instead of a thousand Witnesses for God.

4. The examples of all those that do believe and obey the Gospel, are so many Witnesses for God against the despisers and neglecters of the

great Salvation. Every mourning trembling Soul among you is a Witness against all the dead hearted, unbelieving, disobedient ones, that sit with them under the same ordinances. Hence it is said, 1 Cor. 6. 7. Know ye not that the Saints shall judge the World? They shall be Assessors with Christ in the great day, and condemn the world by their examples, as Noah did the old world; and thus Matth. 21. 32. John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not, but the Pub∣licans and Harlots believed him, and ye when ye had seen it, repented not afterward that ye might believe him. q. d. What shift did you make to quiet your consciences, and stifle your convictions, when you saw Publicans the worst of men, and Har∣lots the worst of women, repenting, believing and hungering after Christ! Their examples shall be your Judges. These are Gods Witnesses.

[ II] Secondly, Next let us consider what are the object matters unto which they give their testimo∣ny, and that will be found two-fold, according to the two-fold event the Gospel hath upon them that hear it: of both which, the Apostle gives us this account, 2 Cor. 2. 16. Vnto some we are the savour of life unto life, and unto others the savour of death unto death. Accordingly a double Record is made,

1. Of the obedience and faith of some, which Record will be produced to their joy and comfort in the day of the Lord, when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe, because our testimony among you was be∣lieved in that day. Ministers are Instruments of espousing Souls to Christ, and Witnesses to those espousals and contracts made betwixt him and

them, 2 Cor. 11. 2. Both these offices are exceed∣ing grateful, and pleasant to every faithful Mi∣nister.

2. A Record is made, and Witness taken of all the refusals, disobedience, and slightings of Christ by others. Thus Moses will be the accuser of the Jews, John 5. 45. Do not think I will accuse you to the Father, there is one that accuseth you, e∣ven Moses in whom you trust. This is the saddest part of a Ministers-work; the fore-thoughts of it are more afflictive than all our Labours and Sufferings. There is a three-fold Record made in this case, (1st.) Of the time men have enjoy∣ed under the means of Salvation; how many years they have sat barren and dead hearted, un∣der the labours of Gods faithful Ministers, Luke 13. 7. Behold these three years I come seeking fruit on this Fig-tree and find none. Behold the same term of Notification with that in the Text, applyed to the time of Gods patience towards them: And again, Ier. 25. 3. From the thirteenth year of Josiah even unto this day (that is, the three and twentieth year) the word of the Lord hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you rising early, and speaking, but ye have not hearkened. Oh consider all the years and days you have spent under the Gospel, are upon your Dooms-day-book. (2dly,) Records are also made of all the instruments that ever God employed for the Conversion and Salvation of your Souls. So many Ministers, whether fix∣ed or transient, as have spent their labours upon you, are upon the Book of your account. Ier. 25. 4. The Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the Prophets, rising early and sending them, but ye have not hearkened, nor enclined your ear to hear. They

have wasted their Lungs, dropt their compassio∣nate tears, and burnt down one after another as Candles to direct you to Christ and Salvation, but all in vain. (3dly,) Every call, perswasion and argument used by them to espouse you to Christ, is likewise upon the Book of account, Prov. 1. 24. 25. Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched my hand, and no man regarded, but you have set at nought all my counsels, and would none of my reproofs. These calls and counsels are of too great value with God, (though of none with you) to be lost and left out of your account.

[ III] Thirdly, we shall in the last place inquire in∣to the grounds and reasons of these Judicial procedures of God, why he will have every mans obedience and disobedience Registred and Witnessed for or against him under Gospel ad∣ministrations; and there are two weighty rea∣sons thereof.

First,* 1.5 that wherever the end of the Gospel is attained in the Conversion of any soul, that soul, and all that were instrumentally employ'd about the salvation of it, may have their proper reward and comfort in the great day, 2 Cor. 1. 14. As also you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoycing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Iesus. This will be matter of joy unspeakable, both to you that shall receive, and to them that shall give such a comfortable testi∣mony for you. Oh the joyful congratulations that will be in that day between Laborious Faithful Ministers, and their Believing Obedient Hearers! Lord, this was the blessed instrument of my happy Illumination and Conversion; though

I might have ten thousand Instructers in Christ, yet not many Fathers; for by the blessing of thy Spirit upon this mans Ministry, my Soul was be∣gotten to Christ. And on the other side, Lord, these are the Souls for whom I travelled as in birth until Christ was formed in them. 'Tis a glorious thing to say as the Prophet, Here am I, and the children God hath given me.

Nay, those that were but collaterally useful to help on the work of God begun by others, must not lose their reward in that day, Iohn 4. 36. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal, that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoyce together.

Secondly,* 1.6 Records are now made, and Wit∣nesses taken, that thereby the Judicial Sentence of Jesus Christ in the last day may be made clear and perspicuous to all the world; that every mouth may be stopt, and no Plea or Apology left in the mouth of any condemned Sinner. For Christ in that day cometh to convince all that are ungodly, Iude ver. 15. to convince by demon∣stration, that all that are Christless now, may be found speechless then, Matth. 22. 12. Here it is said, Psal. 1. 5. That the wicked shall not stand, or rise up in the Iudgment. And no wonder when so many full testimonies and unexceptionable Wit∣nesses shall come point blank against them, the Minister that preach'd, the word they preached, their own consciences, and the examples of all Believers will be produced against them.

1. INFERENCE.

First, The undoubted certainty of a day of Iudg∣ment, is hence evinced. To what purpose else are

Records made, and Witnesses taken, but with respect to an Audit day; this is a truth sealed upon the consciences of the very Heathens, Rom. 2. 15. their consciences bear witness. But in vain are all these Records made, unless there be a day to produce and plead them, and of that day the Prophet Daniel speaks, Dan. 7. 10. The Iudgment was set, and the Books were opened. And again, Rev. 20. 12. And I saw the Dead small and great stand before God, and the Books were opened, and another Book was opened, which is the Book of Life, and the Dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their works.

Believe it Friends, these are no devised Fa∣bles, but most awful and infallible truths; ac∣cording to the saving effects the Gospel now hath, it will be a time of refreshing to our Souls, Acts 3. 19. to all others a day of terrour, wrath and amazement, 2 Thes. 1. 7, 8. The day in which the Lord Iesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming Fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gos∣pel of our Lord Iesus Christ.

2. INFER.

What a spur is here to Ministerial diligence and faithfulness? 'Tis an awful work that is under our hands; the effects of the Gospel which we preach will be the savour of life or Death to them that hear us. If the Lord prosper it in our hands, we shall be witnesses for you, it will be an addition to our glory in Heaven, Dan. 12. 3. They that turn many to righteousness, shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament, and as the Stars for ever and ever.

But if we be Ignorant, Lazy, Men-pleasers, our people will come in as swift Witnesses against us, and their blood will be required at our hands; it will be an intollerable aggravation to our mi∣sery in Hell, to have any that sat under our Mi∣nistry thus upbraiding us! O cruel man! thou sawest my soul in danger, and never dealt faithfully and plainly with me; the same time and breath which was spent in idle and worldly discourse, might have been in∣strumental to have sav'd me from this place of torment. Let Ministers consider themselves as Witnesses for God, and their People as Witnesses for or against them; and under that consideration, so study, preach and pray, that they may with Paul take God to record, that they are free from the blood of all men; no sort of men upon earth have more spurs to diligence and faithfulness than we have.

3. INFER.

What a Pill is this to purge formality out of all that hear us? every Sabbath, every Sermon is re∣corded in Heaven for or against your souls; at what rate soever you attend to the word, all that you hear is set down in the book of your account; think not you shall return as you came, the word will have its effect and end, it shall not return in vain, but shall accomplish the end for which it is sent, Isaiah 55. 11. The decrees of Heaven are executed by the Gospel, some souls shall be quickened, and others shall be slain by the words of Gods mouth, Ezek. 47. 9, 10. The Gospel is a River of the waters of Life, which quickens and refreshes every thing that lives; but the myre and marish places shall not be healed. How

weighty therefore is that caution of our blessed Lord, Luke 8. 18. Take heed how you hear? When you come under an ordinance, you are sowing seed for Eternity, Gal. 6. 7, 8. Which will spring up in the world to come. Preaching and hearing may be considered two ways, Physically or Morally, in the former respect, these acts are quickly o∣ver and pass away: I shall by and by have done preaching, and you hearing, this Sermon will be ended in a little time, but the consequences there∣of will abide for ever. Therefore for the Lords sake, away with formality, no more drowsie eyes or wandering thoughts. Oh when you come to attend upon the Ministry of the Gospel, that such thoughts as these might prepare your minds! The word I am going to hear will quicken or kill, save or damn my soul; if I sit dead under it, and return barren from it, I shall with one day that I had never seen the face of that Mi∣nister, nor heard his voice that preached it.

4. INFER.

What a dreadful condition are all those in that are real and professed Enemies to the Gospel and them that preach it! That instead of embracing and obeying the message of the Gospel, reject and despise it; instead of opening their hearts to receive it, o∣pen their blasphemous mouths against it to de∣ride it, and hiss it (if it were possible) out of the world. Ah, what a book of remembrance is writ∣ten for such men? I fear there never was an age since Christianity blessed this Nation, that was more deeply drench'd in the guilt of this sin than the present age. How are the Messengers of the

Gospel slighted and rejected? What have we done to deserve it? Is not our case this day much like that of the Prophet? Ier. 18. 20. Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a Pit for my Soul; remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them. What bruitish madness hath possest the souls of these men? but alas, it is not so much they, as Satan acting in them; he is a jealous Prince, the Gospel allarms him, his Subjects are in danger of revolting from him: No wonder therefore he makes an out-cry at the liberty of the Gospel, as is used to be made when an Enemy invades a Kingdom. In this case Christ directs his Ministers to shake off the dust of their feet for a testimony against them, Mark 6. 11. The signification and meaning whereof is this, that look as you shake off the dust of your feet, even so Jesus Christ will shake off those men that de∣spise the Gospel and abuse its Messengers.

5. INFER.

Hence it likewise follows, that the case of the Pagan world will be easier in the day of Iudgment, than theirs that live and dye unregenerate and diso∣bedient under the Gospel of Christ. There are more Witnesses prepared, and Records filed against the day of your account, than can possibly be a∣gainst them; they have abused but one talent, the light of nature; but we thousands, even as many thousands as we have had opportunities and calls under the Gospel. Upon this account Christ saith, Matth. 10. 14, 15. Whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, shake off the dust

of your feet. Verily, I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Iudgment, than for that City.

Ah, what a fearful Aggravation doth it put upon our sin and misery, that we are not only ac∣countable for all the light we had, but for all that we might have had in the Gospel day! Ca∣pernaum was lifted up to Heaven in the enjoy∣ment of means and precious opportunities, and had an answerable downfall into the depth of mi∣sery from that height of mercy; as the higher any one is lifted up upon a Rack, the more ter∣rible is the jerk he receives by the fall, Matth. 11. 23.

6. INFER.

Lastly, hence it appears, that the day of Iudg∣ment must certainly take up a vast space of time: For if God will bring every thing into Judgment, Eccles. 12. 14. not only sinful actions, but words, Matth. 12. 36. not only words, but heart secrets, Rom. 2. 16. If all the Records and Registers now made, shall then be opened and read, all the Wit∣nesses for or against every man examined and heard; judge then what a vast space of time will that great day take up. Some Divines are of o∣pinion it may last as long as the World hath lasted, but this is sure, things will not be hudled up, nor shuffled over in haste; you have taken your time for Sinning, and God will take his time for Judging.

Consider the multitudes, multitudes without number, that are to be Judged in that day, even all the posterity of Adam, which are as the Sand

upon the Sea shore; that not only so many per∣sons, but all that they have done, must come into Judgment, even the very thoughts of their Hearts, which never came to the knowledge of Men; their Consciences to be interrogated, all other Witnesses fully heard and examined; how great a day must this day of the Lord then be?

The Second Vse.

But the main Use of this Point will be for Exhortation, that seeing all the offers of Christ are recorded and witnessed, with respect to a day of account, every one of you would there∣fore immediately embrace the present gracious tender of Christ in the Gospel, as ever you ex∣pect to be acquitted and cleared in that great day: take heed of denials, nay of delays and demurs; For if the word spoken by Angels were stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience re∣ceived a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation? Heb. 2. 2, 3. The question is put, but no answer made; How shall we escape? The wisdom of Men and Angels cannot tell how to enforce this Exhortation; I shall present you with Ten weighty Considerati∣ons upon the matter, which the Lord follow home, by the blessing of his Spirit, upon all your Hearts.

I. CONSIDERATION.

Consider how invaluable a mercy it is that you are yet within the reach of offered Grace. The mercies that stand in offer before you, this day, were

never set before the Angels that fell; no Media∣tor was ever appointed for them. Oh astonish∣ing mercy! that those Vessels of Gold should be cast into everlasting Fire, and such Clay Vessels as we are, thus put into a capacity of greater happiness than ever they fell from: Nay, the mercy that stands before you is not only denied to the Angels that fell, but to the greatest part of your fellow Creatures, of the same rank and dignity with you, Psal. 147. 19, 20. He sheweth his Word to Jacob, his Statutes and his Iudgments unto Israel; he hath not dealt so with any Nation, and as for his Iudgments they have not known them; praise ye the Lord. A mercy deservedly celebra∣ted with a Joyful Allelujah. What vast Tracts are there in the habitable World, where the name of Christ is unknown! Tis your special mercy to be born in a Land of Bibles, and Mini∣sters; where it is as difficult for you to avoid and shun the Light, as it is for others to behold and enjoy it.

II. CONSIDERATION.

Consider the nature, weight, and worth of the mercies which are this day freely offered you. Cer∣tainly they are mercies of the first Rank, the most ponderous, precious, and necessary among all the mercies of God. Christ the first born of mercies, and in him pardon, peace, and eternal Salvation are set before you; it were astonish∣ing to see a starving Man refusing offered bread, or a condemned Man a gracious pardon. Lord what compositions of sloath and stupidity are we that we should need so many intreaties to be hap∣py!

III. CONSIDERATION.

Consider who it is that makes these gracious tenders of pardon, peace, and Salvation, to you; even that God whom you have so deeply wronged, whose Laws you have violated, whose mercies you have spurned, and whose wrath you have justly incensed. His pa∣tience groans under the burden of your daily provocations; he loses nothing if you be dam∣ned, and receives no benefit if you be saved; yet the first motions of Mercy and Salvation to you, freely arise out of his Grace and good pleasure. God intreats you to be reconciled, 2 Cor. 5. 20. The blessed Lord Jesus, whose blood thy sins have shed, now freely offers that blood for thy Reconciliation, Justification, and Salvation, if thou wilt but sincerely accept him ere it be too late.

IV. CONSIDERATION.

Reflect seriously upon your own vileness, to whom such gracious offers of Peace and Mercy are made. Thy sins have set thee at as great a distance, from the hopes and expectations of pardon, as any sin∣ner in the World. Consider Man, what thou hast been, what thou hast done, and what vast heaps of guilt thou hast contracted by a life of sin, and yet that unto thee Pardon and Peace should be offered in Christ, after such a life of Rebellion, how astonishing is the mercy! The Lord is contented to pass by all thy former Re∣bellions, thy deep died Transgressions, and to sign an Act of Oblivion for all that is past, if

now at last thy Heart relent for Sin, and thy Will bow in obedience to the gr••at commands and call of the Gospel, Isa. 55. 2. & 1. 18.

V. CONSIDERATION.

Consider how many offers of mercy you have al∣ready refused, and that every refusal is recorded against you. How long you have tried and even tired the patience of God already, and that this may be the last overture of Grace that ever God will make to your Souls. Certainly there is an offer that will be the last offer, a striving of the Spirit which will be his last striving; and after that no more offers without you, no more mo∣tions or strivings within you for evermore. The Treaty is then ended, and your last neglect or rejection of Christ recorded against the day of your account; and what if this should prove to be that last tender of Grace which must conclude the Treaty betwixt Christ and you, what undone wretches must you then be, with whom so gra∣cious a Treaty breaks off upon such dreadful terms!

VI. CONSIDERATION.

Consider well the reasonable, mild, and gracious nature of the Gospel terms, on which Life and Par∣don are offered to you. The Gospel requires no∣thing of you but Repentance and Faith, Acts 20. 21. Can you think it hard when a Prince par∣dons a Rebel to require him to fall upon his Knees, and stretch forth a willing and thankful Hand to receive his Pardon? Your Repentance

and Faith are much of the same nature. Here is no legal satisfaction required at your Hands, no reparation of the injured Law, by your doings or sufferings, but an hearty sorrow for sins com∣mitted, sincere purposes and endeavours after new obedience, and a hearty thankful accepta∣tion of Christ your Saviour; and for your en∣couragement herein, his Spirit stands ready to furnish you with Powers and Abilities, Prov. 1. 23. Turn ye at my reproof, behold I will pour out my Spi∣rit unto you, I will make known my Words unto you; and Isa. 26. 20. Lord thou hast wrought all our Works in us.

VII. CONSIDERATION.

Again, consider how your way to Christ by Re∣pentance and Faith, is beaten before you by thousands of sinners for your encouragement. You are not the first that ever adventured your Souls in this path: multitudes are gone before you, and that under as much guilt, fear and discouragement as you that come after can pretend unto; and not a man among them repulsed or discouraged; here they have found rest and peace to their weary Souls; Heb. 4. 3. Acts 13. 39. Here the greatest of sin∣ners have been set forth for an ensample to you that should afterwards believe on his Name; 1 Tim. 1. 16. You see if you will not, others will joyfully accept the offers of Christ; what dis∣couragements have you that they had not? Or what greater incouragements had they which God hath not given you this day? Therefore they shall be your Judges.

VIII. CONSIDERATION.

Consider the great hazard of these precious seasons you now enjoy. Opportunity is the golden spot of time, but it is tempus ••abi••e, a very slippery and uncertain thing; great and manifold are the hazards and contingencies attending it. Your life is immediately uncertain, your breath con∣tinually going in your nostrils, and that which is every moment going, will be gone at last. The Gospel is as uncertain as your life; God hath made no such settlement of it but that he may a•• pleasure remove it, and will certainly do so, if we thus trifle under it; 'tis but a Candlestick, though a golden one, Rev. 2. 5. and that you all know is a moveable thing; and not only your life and the means of your eternal life, I mean the Gospel, are uncertain things; but even the motions and strivings of the Spirit with your Souls are as uncertain as either, Phil. 12. 13. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. That God now works with you is matter of great incouragement to your work; but that he works at his own plea∣sure, as a free arbitrary agent who can cease when he pleases, and never give one knock at your hearts more, should make you work with fear and trembling.

IX. CONSIDERATION.

Think what a fearful aggravation it will be, both of your sin and misery, to perish in the fight and pre∣sence

of an offered remedy; to sink into Hell betwixt the outstretched Arms of a compassionate Redeemer, that would have gathered you but you would not.

Heathens, yea Devils will upbraid you in Hell for such unaccountable folly, and desperate mad∣ness: Heathens will say, alas, we had but the dim Moon-light of Nature, which did indeed discover sin, but not Christ the Remedy. Ah, had your Preachers and your Bibles been sent among us, how glady would we have embraced them! Surely, saith God to Ezechiel, had I sent thee to them they would have harkned unto thee, Ezek. 3. 5, 6. Matth. 11. 21. The very Devils will up∣braid you; Oh, if God had sent a Mediator in our Nature, we had never rejected him as you have done; but he took not on him the nature of Angels.

X. CONSIDERATION.

Lastly, How clear, as well as sure, will your con∣demnation be in the great day against whom such a cloud of Witnesses will appear! Oh, how manifest will the righteousness of God be! Men and An∣gels shall applaud the Sentence, and your own Consciences shall acknowledge the equity of it. You that are Christless now, will be speechless then, Matth. 22. 12. Knowing therefore the terrors of the Lord, I perswade men, 2 Cor. 5. 11. as one that trembles to think of being Summoned as a Witness against any of your Souls. Oh, that I might be your rejoycing, and you mine in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Notes

• * 1.1

  Durham in loc.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cornu, & sic fit 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, & per synco∣••en 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  Doct. ••.
• * 1.5

  ••. Reason.
• * 1.6

  2. Reason.