A pleasant walk to heaven, through the new and living way, which the Lord Jesus consecrated for us, and his sacred Word reveals unto us. Published by Claudius Gilbert, B.D. minister of the Gospel at Limrick.

Ʋse 5.

This should finally excite every One to look in earnest after such an eminent Vocation, that the same may be faithfully Improved. The whole world is cast into two Ranks, of uncalled and called Persons; both are to be ef∣fectually dealt with.

1. UNcalled sinners that never gave yet hearty Obedience to the Call of Christ. These are of various sorts, abounding every where to be spoken to, as their case requires. Some are most ruled by one Lust, some by another; some openly, others more closely, whilst they all follow the call of sin, and reject Christs Call. Should not all such be vigorously pressed to listen to his voice, before it be too late? Who ever thou art that hearkenest to any thing else, rather then to Christ, take notice of thy state in its sinfulness, in its wofulness? Hast thou not been jugling and jugled with long enough alrea∣dy, both deceiving and being deceived? Hast thou not follow∣ed

Satan far enough in thy ignorant and negligent course, in thy notional and formal Revolts, in thy sinfull pleasures, pro∣fits and esteem? Wilt thou still be cheated by such a Father, and such children of lies? Wilt thou still hearken to that per∣nicious voice, which calls thee away from Christ and his ways? Hast thou not slighted and abused him too long, in rejecting his terms, and capitulating still to have thy own? Hast thou not sufficiently wearied thy self in thy wildred state, like the Prodigal Son, from one Bog to another, from one Lust to another? Is it not high time to come to thy self, by hearkennig to Christs Call? Hath not he waited long enough on thee with intreaties and offers, precepts and promises, chidings and threats, wooings and expostulations, Directions and Incou∣ragements of all sorts? Have not his Law and Gospel, his Mercies and Judgements sounded loud and long enough about thee to call thee to Christ out of sin and self? Shall nothing prevail, art thou grown so dull, so dead and obdurate, like the Smiths Anvil, and his sleepy Dog? Hath Satan so far blinded and hardened thee, that thou canst not deliver thy Soul, by shaking off the lie of thy right hand? Wilt thou not admire the Treasures of his Patience, Bounty and long-suf∣fering exercised towards thee hitherto? Hast thou a mind to feel the Treasures of his Justice and Vengeance? Behold! Christ is come once more to give thee a Call. Now hearken for thy Life. This may be the last Now, if ever be perswaded to listen to him, and obey his Call. Sinner, he cals thee by name, to look into self, about self, under self, above self. Dost thou not see thy self a forlorn wretch, Hell opening its Jaws, all the Creatures arm'd to execute thee, the great God him∣self smoaking in deserved rigor against thee? Is not Christs ten∣der now be valued, owned, and embraced? Awake and arise, he calls thee to himself, for Grace, Mercy and Peace. Art thou weary and heavy laden with sinfull Burthens? come to him for Rest. Is thy heart blind, rotten and diseased, the Master cals thee, that he may heal thee. Is it not equitable and reasonable thou shouldst yield to his voice? Is it not ab∣solutely necessary to thee? Is not thy own Interest specially concern'd? Is not his Call most honourable, most pleasura∣ble,

most profitable? Canst thou hear of his Love, of his suf∣ferings, of his Grace and Glory, without relenting of thy tendrest Bowels? Can thy heart hold out any longer against his Call? Wilt thou not abhor and abandon sin, self and Sa∣tan, to give thy All to him? For shame come now to Christ, though thou be very bad, that he may mend thee, pardon thee, purge thee with his Blood and Grace, through his Spirit and Word. Let his Love constrain thee to a cordial Reciproca∣tion.

Quest. How shall it be done?

Answ. Two main things he cals thee to mind, Diligence and Dependance.

1. Diligence in the use of all means appointed by him in his Word and Providence. Look for him, and hearken to his voice in every Duty, in every Mercy; attend on him in every Or∣dinance and Providence. Neglect not any opportunity of seeking his face, studying his Word, praising his name, con∣sulting with his People. Be much in secret and fervent Prayer, sigh and groan, cry and chatter, if thou canst not speak plain. Let his Sabboth and service be precious to thee, and duly ob∣served. Perform every Duty as thy last, and as for thy Life, slight not any help from his meanest servant, make choise of some special bosom friend, whose Prudence, Tenderness and Love may be most helpfull to thee. Be much in the study of Scriptures, such especially as most sute thy case. Attend on the publique Ministry with faith and diligence, as upon the great Ordinance of Heaven for Conviction, Conversion, and Confirmation of Souls. How shall men believe, unless they be preached to? How shall men preach, unless they be sent? Make use of others Experiences for Direction and In∣couragement. Beware of Mountebanks and jugling Seducers, that will poison and skin over thy sores, and at best, can give but a palliate cure, with all their Bragadoxia's. Be willing to be dressed to the quick, by such sober and skilfull Physiti∣ans, such spirituall Chirurgians as the Lord doth appoint and

bless to his People. Thou wilt not trust thy Estate, thy Cloaths, thy Body and Temporals with Idiots, and unskilful persons. Should not thy soul be much dearer to thee, then to be trusted with unlearned Empyricks, that have gotten some few receipts with many brags? In a word, be most diligent in every Relation and occasion to serve the Lords Spirit, and observe his Will, by the right use of all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Means, for his Honor, and thy good.

2. Dependance on him wholly and solely he requires also. Its he alone that must bless the means, and will be trusted for it. He bids thee roll thy self upon his Grace, lie at his feet, ac∣knowledge him in All. This is the Angel of the Covenant, whose motion must communicate a healing vertue to the wa∣ters of Bethesda, and of the Sanctuary. He can heal at the Pool, if not in the Pool. The sense of thy weakness & emptiness must still drive thee to him for strength & fulness. He calls thee to rest upon him, to derive from him, and keep close to him for support & supplies in every condition. It is his Grace must par∣don & purge, direct and quicken, restore and save. His presence and blessing is the cream and substance, the Life and vigor of every Ordinance, of every Creature. Apply therefore his gracious Promises in order thereto. He will be sought and found in all his ways, to meet us with a Blessing, where ever he records his name. He meets them that rejoice, working righte∣ousness, those that remember him in his ways, and is still present where two or three are met together in his name. He hears in secret, and rewards openly those that depend on him. The more thou findst thy self unable, unskilfull and unwilling to good, the more depend thou on him, who hath an Al-sufficiency of skill, Power and Will for thy good. So shall his Grace be suf∣ficient for thee, and his strength shall be perfected in thy weakness.

Secondly, Christians that are efficaciously called, should be stirred up to make Improvement of their eminent Calling. Hath the Lord vouchsafed so singular a favour to any of us? How can it but inflame our hearts with gratefull rescentments thereof? Should we not with the Apostle, admire the dimen∣sions of that eternal Love, which wrought so effectually in

the fulness of time, by shewing Mercy to such sinfull wretches, after so many provocations? That we should obtain favour, who sinned so Ignorantly, so Unbelievingly, so hainously, this is mercy indeed! That we should be called into his house and Kingdom, that were by nature Children of wrath, and the slaves of Hell, this is Grace indeed! Should not this provoke us to Improve it faithfully, in our respective Employments towards God and Man, and therefore to observe the next Conclusion?

Notes

• Isa. 47. 13.
• Luke 15.
• Isa. 44. 20.
• Mat. 11. 28.
• Rom. 10. 14.
• Isa. 26 3, 4.
• Ioh. 7.
• Pro. 3. 6.
• Exo. 20. 24.
• Isa. 64. 5.
• Mat. 16. 19, 20.
• Mat. 6. 6.
• 2 Cor. 12. 9, 10.
• 1 Tim. 1 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.