1689 flavel christ knocking at sinners hearts

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR

SINNERS' HEARTS;

A SOLEMN ENTREATY

TO EECEIVE

THE SAVIOUR AND HIS GOSPEL

THIS THE DAY OF MERCY.

BY EEV. JOHN FLAVEL. 1689.

KEVISKD KDITtON.

PUBLISHED BY THE

AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, 150

NASSAU-STREET,

NEW

YORK.

PREFATORY NOTICE The

following

by the author

of

'•

is

a revised edition of an admirable treatise

The Fountain

of

Life" and ^-'The Method of

Grace." It appeared originally under the title of "England's Duty-" and consisted of twelve sermons, preached, under the rich eifu-

sions of the Spirit, to the author's congregation, in the years

1688-9, about two yeare before his death, on the restoration of religious freedom, through the revolution that virtually amiulled

the Act of Uniformity, by which the author for twenty-five years had been restrained from the free and public exercise of his ministry.

In this edition the treatise has been arranged in the form of chapters, and while considerable liberty has been taken with the

language, in changing obscure phraseology, substituting modern for obsolete words,

and omitting

repetitious- passages, the spirit

of the writer and his views of Christian doctrliie have been carefully preserved, and every scriptural quotation has been verified.

A

new

title

has likewise been adopted, more significant of the

subject-matter of the work. form,

it

It is believed,

that in

its

present

will be esteemed a worthy companion to those already

named, and, under the divine ness of the estimable author.

blessing,

add greatly

to the useful-

;

FROM THE

AUTHOR'S EPISTLE TO THE READER Candid Reader

—The following discourse comes

in the native plainness in

which

scientiously unwilling to alter

it

it,

was preached, because

to I

thy hand

was

con-

found by experi-

I

ence the Lord had blessed and prospered it in that dress, far beyond any other composures on which I had bestowed more

Let

pains.

it

not be censured as vanity or ostentation, that

here acknowledge the goodness of blessing

that

my

God

in leading

Who

poor labors on this subject.

me

to,

and what

I

and

am

I,

should be continued and again employed in the Lord's

I

and that with success and encouragement, when so brethren, with much richer gifts and graces, have in my time been called out of the vineyard, and are now silent It is true, they enjoy what I do not; and it is as in the grave. true, I am capable of doing some service for God which they are not. In preaching these sermons, I had many occasions to reflect upon the sense of that scripture, " The ploughman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth Amos 9:13. Sowing and reaping times trod so close seed." harvest,

many

of

my

upon each God, first

it

other, that, in all humility I speak

was

the busiest and most blessed time

it

to the praise of

ever

I

saw

since I

preached the gospel.

We

have now a day of special mercy

of religious opportunity opened to us. effectual door.

It is

tions this sweet voice

:

there

that

it

is

a wide door

may

prove an

wonderful, that after all our sinful provocais still

heard, " Behold,

I

stand at the door

and knock." Our mercies and liberties are obtained for us by our potent Advocate in the heavens if we bring forth fruit, well Let us not feel if not, the axe lieth at the root of the tree. :

secure.

Jerusalem was the city of the great King; the seat of

EPISTLE TO THE READER.

6

his worship and the symbols of his presence

was

were

fixed there

;

it

the joy of the whole earth, the house of prayer for all na-

tions

;

thither the tribes

went up

to worship, the tribes of the

Lord unto the testimony of Israel. For there were set thrones Psa. 122 4, 5. of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. These privileges she enjoyed through the succession of many ages, and she had remained the glory of all nations to this day, :

had she known and improved

day the things that belong-

in that

ed to her peace; but her people neglected their season, rejected their mercies,

was and

and miserably perished in their

sins

:

for there ever

will be found to be an inseparable connection between

the final rejection of Christ, and the destruction of the rejecters.

Matt. 22 5-7, the contemplation of which drew compassionate :

when he beheld it in his descent from the mount of Olives. Luke 19 41, 42. As to this treatise, thou wilt find it a persuasive to open thy tears from the Redeemer's eyes,

:

Thy

heart to Christ. built

by Christ

soul, reader, is

a magnificent structure

such stately rooms as thy understanding, will,

:

any other to inliabit. he solemnly demands in admission into the soul he made, by the consent of

conscience, and affections, are too good for If thou art in thy unregenerate state, this treatise

the will

;

which,

if

thou refuse to give him, then witness

that Christ once more

demanded entrance

he made, and was denied him," thou wilt,

I

clear thy evidences

and apply.

I

it.

hope, meet

If

is

into thy soul,

taken

which

thou hast opened thy heart

somewhat

in this treatise that

and cheer thy heart.

to

^^'ill

Pray, read, ponder,

am Thine and the church's servant,

JOHN FLAVEL.

CONTENTS. From

5

the Author's Epistle to the Reader,

CHAPTER

I.

THE OFPERS OF MERCY RECORDED AND WITNESSED FOR THE JUDGMENT-DAY. if any man hear my voice, and open and will sup with him, and he with me." 9

" Behold, I stand at the door and knock the door, I will

come

in to him,

Rev. 3 20 :

:

CHAPTER THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST " Behold,

I stand

at the door

II.

IN HIS

ORDINANCES.

and knock,"

CHAPTER

27

III.

THE HEART BARRED AGAINST CHRIST. " Behold,

I stand at

43

the door and knock,"

CHAPTER IV. CHRIST'S PATIENCE IN WAITING UPON OBSTINATE SINNERS. " Behold,

I stand

at the door and knock,

CHAPTER

73

V.

EVERY CONVICTION

OF CONSCIENCE AND MOTION OF THE SPIRIT A KNOCK FROM CHRIST.

" Behold, I stand at the door

and knock,

CHAPTER

107

VI.

ENTREATY FOR UNION AND COMMUNION WITH SINNERS.

CHRIST'S EARNEST " Behold,

I stand at

the door

and

CHAPTER ^^

141

knock,''

VII.

CHRIST REJECTS NONE WHO OPEN TO HIM. If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him,"

181

CONTENTS.

8

CHAPTER

VIII.

NONE RECEIVE CHRIST UNTIL HIS SPIRITUAL QUICKENING VOICE IS HEARD. " If any man hear my voice^ and open the door, I will come in to him," 216 -

CHAPTER

IX.

THE OPENING OF THE HEART TO CHRIST BY FAITH THE GREAT DESIGN OF THE GOSPEL. " If any

man hear my

voice,

and open

the doo)\ I wiU come in to him,"

CHAPTER

248

X.

CHRIST BRINGS GREAT BLESSINGS TO THE SOUL THAT OPENS TO HIM, "If any man hear my voice, and open the door, will sup with him, and he with me,''''

CHAPTER

I will come in

to

him, and 271

XI.

COMMUNION BETWEEN CHRIST AND BELIEVERS ON EARTH. " I will come in

to

and will sup with him, and he with

him,

CHAPTER

me^''

•

•

304

XII.

COMMUNION BETWEEN CHRIST AND BELIEVERS ON EARTH — CONTINUED " I will

come

in to him,

and will sup with him,

CHAPTER THE TRUTH HELD " The wrath of G-od

is

IN

and he with me."

324

XIII.

UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.

revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and un-

righteousness of men,

who

hold

the truth in unrighteousness."

Rom. 349

1:18,

CHAPTER THE TRUTH HELD " The wrath of G-od

is

XIV. UNRIGHTEOUSNE SS — contintted.

revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and un-

righteousness of men,

1:18,

IN who

hold the truth in unrighteousness."

Rom. 376

CHRIST

-^^.rm^^^^

KNOCKING AT THE DOOR CHAPTER

I.

THE OFFERS OF MERCY RECORDED AND WITNESSED FOR THE JUDGMENT-DAY. ''BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK: IF ANY MAN HEAR MY VOICE, AND OPEN THE DOOR, I WILL COINIE IN TO HIM, AND WILL SUP WITH HIM, AND HE V\aTH ME." Rev. 3 20. :

This day hath our compassionate Redeemer opened unto us a door of Hberty

you

few looked past,

—hberty

to us to preach,

for

;

how

have

often

God hath no more work

I said in

for

me

no more strength and opportunities

how

often

and

work

have yon said in your hearts,

is

for

I shall

have

God.

And

we have

sinned our

ministers out of their pulpits, and our eyes shall no

But

behold these our teachers.

most hearts, a wide and, opened in the midst of

I

lo,

that

more

beyond the thoughts of

hope, an effectual door

us.

for

a day

the years that are

to do,

to

and Hberty This

hear the glad tidmgs of the gospel.

to

it

may

is

now

be to us as the

Achor was to Israel, "for a door of hope," Hosea making the troubles they met with in that valley an inlet to their mercies, as ours have been to us, but of

v^alley

2:15;

not only

giving

them that

valley as a pledge of greater mercies intend-

Upon the first appearance of this mercy, my thoughts were how to make the most fruitful improvement of it among you, lest we should sin oui'selves back again into ed

for

them.

bondage.

1*

;

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

10

In the contemplation of

me

to this scripture,

Lord directed

this matter, the

wherein the same hand that opened

to

you the door of Hberty, knocks importunately at the doors of your hearts for entrance into them, and for union and com-

munion with them. you into

let

your hearts

now

all ;

hut

to Christ, I

open

to you,

if

soever the adversaries be that will it

:

The mercies

29.

fruits of Christ's intercession :

if

we

bring forth

and even

fruit,

Under

the axe lieth at the root of the tree.

sideration I desire to speak, to

Ezek. 39

up.

day are the

the Father for one trial more if not,

who hath

he

the Lord help you to open your hearts

how many

this

if

doubt not this door of liberty will be kept

do their utmost to shut

you enjoy

be sad indeed

It will

these mercies, should himself he shut out of

so the

with well

this con-

Lord help you

hear what shall be spoken from this precious scripture,

" Behold, I stand at

the door and icnock if any man HEAR MY VOICE AND OPEN THE DOOR, I ^\^LL COME IN TO HIM, AND WILL SUP WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME." :

These words are a branch of that excellent ted by Christ, and sent by his servant

John

epistle dicta-

to the

Laodicea, the most formal and degenerate of

all

churches; yet the great Physician will try his

church of the seven

skill

upon

them, both by the rebukes of the rod and by the persuasive

power of the word, " Behold,

knock,"

I

stand at the door and

etc.

This text

is

Christ's

wooing

voice, full of

win and gain the hearts of sinners we have these two general parts. oric to

1.

heavenly rhet-

to himself;

wherein

Christ's suit for a sinner's heart.

The powerful arguments enforcing his suit. Christ's suit for a sinner's heart, in which is, (1,) 1. solemn preface, ushering it in, " BeJwldy The preface

2.

tlie

is

exceedingly solemn

word behold weight

into

in

;

for besides

the

common

other places, to excite

an affirmation,

it

use of this

attention or put

stands here, as a judicious

OFFERS OF MERCY. term of

expositor says, as a

11

notification or public record,

wherein Christ takes witnesses of the most ^•acious

make

was now about

to

for a perpetual

memorial of

against their souls to

to their souls,

and will have

offer it

he

stand

this offer, as a testimony for or

cut off all excuses and

all eternity, to

pretences for time to come. (2.)

The

suitor, Christ himself, "

a right of sovereignty over you

;

I

;" I

who have

shed

my inval-

/stand

who have

uable blood to purchase you, and might justly condemn you

upon the

denial or demur, "behold, I stand:" this

first

is

the suitor. (3.)

knock it

:"

His iJostitre and action, "I stand at the word is fitly translated, "I stand/'

notes a continual action.

with unwearied patience

among you

;

in the days of

I I

have

stood,

the door and yet so as that

and do

still

stand

once stood personally and bodily

my

ually and representatively in

flesh,

my

and

I still

stand

spirit-

ambassadors at the door,

is, the mind and conscience, the faculties and powers which are introductory to the whole soul. The word "door" is here properly put to signify those introductory faculties of the soul, which are of hke use to it,

that

as the door his action

is is

This

to the house.

knocking, that

is,

is

the Uedeemer's posture,

his powerful

attempts to open the heart to give

word "knock"

him

and gracious

admission.

The

a strong and powerful knock; he

signifies

stands patiently, and knocks powerfully by the word out-

wardly, by the convictions, motions, impulses, and strivings of his Spirit inwardly. (4.)

ing"

The design and end of

to

accepting

him, that

him by

Lydia, Acts 16

:

14

is,

faith. ;

the suit;

it is for

"open-

consenting, receiving, and heartily

that

The Lord opened is,

the heart of

persuaded her soul to believe

;

implying that the heart by nature is strongly barred and locked up against Christ, and that nothing but a power from '

him can open

it.

CHEIST KNOCKINO AT THE DOOR.

12

The 'poicerful argumenU mid motives used by Christ and they arc drawn

2.

to

obtain his suit in the sinner's heart

;

from two inestimable benefits which accrue to the opening or

beheving

soul.

Union: "I will come in to him;" that is, I will unite myself with the opening, believing soul; he shall be mystically one with me, and I with him. " I will sup with him, and he with (2.) Communion: (1.)

me ;"

that

;

to set

by Christ

young

:

that so

delica-

such comforts, joys, and pleasures as none

but believers are capable

And,

with the

I will feast the believing soul

is,

heaven

cies of

home

all,

of.

these special benefits are proposed

and small, old and

to all sorts of sinners, great

:" If any man hear my voice, and open the door the no soul might be discouraged from believing by

"

greatness or multitude of his sins, but the vilest of sinners

may

see free grace

triumphing over

all their

unworthiness,

to take Christ according to the gracious

on their consent

ofiers of the gospel.

The words thus opened

afford

points of doctrine, comprehending in

many

great and useful

them the very substance

The first which arises from the solemn and of the gospel. remarkable preface, " Behold," will be this: That every recorded

and

and

offer

of Christ

to the souls

ivitiiessed ivith respect to the

Here we

;

is

reckoning. shall inquire into three things

witnesses to all the offers of the gospel to

of sinners

day of account

and

why God

;

:

Who

are God's

what they witness

records every offer of Christ, and takes a

witness thereof. I.

to

"Who are God's witnesses

made

to

all

the tenders and

by the gospel ? and they will be found be more than a strict legal number for, 1. His tiiinisters, by whom he makes them, are all wit-

offers

of Christ

;

OFFERS OF MERCY. iiesses as

well as officers of Christ to the people.

appeared unto thee

and a witness." a double

13 " I

for this purpose, to

Acts 26

:

make

Here you

16.

have

thee a minister

have

see ministers

propose and offer Christ, and then to bear

office, to

witness for or against those to

whom he is thus offered Rev. 11

are expressly called God's witnesses.

they

;

Their

7.

:

labors witness, their sufferings witness, their solemn appeals to

God

very dust of their feet shaken off

vidtness, yea, the

against the refusers of Christ, turns to a testimony against

Mark 6:11. Every sigh, every drop of sweat, much more of blood, are placed in God's book along with aU them.

their sermons

and

prayers,

the great day against

The

2.

gospel

timony or witness "

He

all

itself,

for

which

God

is

preached to you,

same

shall

my

gospel of the

kingdom

a witness unto

come."

last

witness for

God

to

a

14,

:

:

48. ''

And

sermons, so

it.

And this

shall be preached in all the world,

all

nations

;

and then shall the end is

here

reproof, persuasion,

condemn every

;

every sermon

and conviction

soul in

many

a

is

judgment that

complies not immediately with the calls of the gospel

many

tes-

words, hath

John 12

day."

Ah, what a solemn record

you hear, yea, every

is

rejects

the word that I have spoken, the

;

judge him in the

the sense of Christ's word. Matt. 24

tliis is

who

against every one

that rejecteth me, and receiveth not

one that judgeth him

for

and will be produced and 'read in

the refusers and despisers of Christ.

:

so

witnesses.

Every man's conscience is a witness for God, that fair offer made him the very consciences of the heathen who never saw a Bible, who had no other preachers 3.

he has a

;

but the sun, moon, and stars and other works of nature

them the the law written

yet of

show the work

apostle says, that they "

;

of

in their hearts, their conscience also bear-

mean while accusing Rom. 2 15. Certainly if

ing witness, and their thoughts the or else excusing one another."

:

such vigor and activity was put into the consciences of

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOH.

14

who

moonlight of natural reason,

God by the dim how much more vigorous and

active will conscience be in

its

heathen,

who

live

could only read the will of

accusing office against

under the bright beams of gospel

all

Their

light.

consciences will be swift witnesses, and will ring sad peals

They " shall know hath been a prophet among them," Ezek. 2 in their ears another day.

single witness

that there 5.

:

This

instead of a thousand other witnesses for

is

God. 4.

are so

The examples of all ivlio believe a7icl obey the gospel, for God against the despisers and neg-

many vdtnesses

Every mourning, trembling

lecters of the great salvation.

soul

among you

a witness against

is

believing, disobedient ones that

Hence

ordinances.

said, "

it is

sors

with Christ in

the dead-hearted, un-

Do ye

not

know that

the saints

They shall be assesthe great day, and condemn the world by Noah did the old world. Thus, " John

shall judge the world ?"

their examples, as

all

with them under the same

sit

1

Cor. 6

:

2.

came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not but the publicans and the harlots believed him :

and

ye,

;

when

ye had seen

it,

repented not afterward, that

your convictions,

As if he had said, Matt. 21 32. make to quiet your consciences and stifle when you see publicans, the worst of men,

and

worst of women, repenting, believing, and

ye might believe him."

What

shift

harlots, the

hungering

:

do you

after Christ

;

their

examples

shall be your judges.

These are God's witnesses. II.

Next

let

us consider

what

the object

is

matter

unto which they give their testimony, and that will be found twofold, according to the twofold effect the gospel has

them who hear it of both which the count, " To the one we are the savor :

and

to the other the savor of life

Accordingly a double record 1

.

Of

the obedience

is

unto

upon

apostle gives this ac-

of death unto death life."

;

2 Cor. 2:16.

made.

and faith of

some, which record

OFFERS OF MERCY. will be produced to their joy

Lord

"when he

;

come

shall

15

and comfort to

day of the

in the

be glorified in his

and

saints,

them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." 2 Thess. admired in

to be

1

Ministers are

10.

:

all

Christ,

and witnesses

them.

2 Cor. 11

instruments

Both these

2.

:

of espousing

to those espousals

souls

to

between him and exceedingly

offices are

grateful and pleasant to every faithful minister.

A

2.

record

made, and witness taken of

is

all the re-

fusals, disobedience, a?id sliglitings of Christ by others. Thus Moses will be the accuser of the Jews. " Do not think

'that

accuse you to the Father: there

I will

accuseth you, even Moses, in

This

whom ye

the saddest part of a minister's

is

thoughts of

it

sufferings.

There

more

are

is

than

afflictive

a threefold record

is

work

all

made

one that

John 5

trust."

;

:

45,

the fore-

our labors and in this case.

Of the time men have enjoyed under the means of salvation, how many years they have sat barren and cold(1.)

hearted under the labors of God's faithful ministers.

" Be-

come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, Luke 13 7. "Behold," the same term

hold, these three years I

and

find none."

:

of notification with that in the text, applied to the time of

And

God's patience towards them.

even unto

word

this day, that

of the Lord hath

is

Jer.

25

:

3.

"From

the

the three and twentieth year, the

come unto me, and

unto you, rising early and speaking ened."

again,

Anion king of Judah,

thirteenth year of Josiah the son of

;

I

have spoken

but ye have not heark-

consider, all the years

and days you

have spent under the gospel are upon your doomsday-book. (2.)

Records are also made of

has employed So

many

the instruments

God

whether fixed or

transient, as

have spent

upon you, are upon the book of your account.

The Lord hath

rising early

all

the conversion and salvation of your souls.

ministers,

their labors

"

for

sent unto you all his servants the prophets,

and sending them

;

but ye have not hearkened

;

KNOCKma

CHRIST

16

AT THE DOOR.

nor inclined your car to hear."

Jer.

25

They have

4.

:

wasted then' health, dropped their compassionate burnt

and

tears,

one after another hke candles, to direct you to

doA\T.i

Christ and salvation, but all in vain.

Every

(3.)

you

to espouse

" Because I

my

out

all

Prov.

:

1

have

called,

hand, and no

naught

and argument used by them

persuasion,

call,

to Christ, is likewise

my

man

counsel,

These

24, 25.

upon the book of account.

and ye refused regarded

;

have stretched

I

;

but ye have

calls

set at

my

reproof."

and counsels are of

too great

and would none of

value with God, though of none with you, to be lost and

left

out of your account.

We

III.

shall inquire into

these judicial procedures of

the grounds and reasons of

God

:

why he

have every

will

man's obedience and disobedience registered and witnessed for or against

are

him, under gospel admmistrations

two weighty reasons thereof 1 That tcherever the end of the

gosjyel is

.

the conversion of a soul, that soid,

and all

mentallij emijloyed about the salvatio7i of

ye have acknowledged us in part, that

even as ye to

1

:

also are ours in the

14.

you that shall

receive,

and for

to

may

I

many

As

also

2

my

shall give such

the joyful congratulafaithful ministers,

" Lord, this

was

and

the bless-

happy illumination and conversion

might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet fathers

man's ministry, the other

have the "

are your rejoicing,

them that

you.

day between laborious,

ed instrument of

not

it,

day of the Lord Jesus."

their believing, obedient hearers.

though

attained in

This will be matter of joy unspeakable, both

a comfortable testimony tions of that

we

and there

ivho ivere i?istru-

reward and comfort in the great day.

froi^er

Cor.

;

side, "

;

my

for

by the blessing of thy Spirit on this was begotten to Christ." And, on

soul

Lord, these are the souls for

ailed, as in birth, until Christ

was formed

in

a glorious thing to say, as the prophet, " Here

whom

I trav-

them."

am

I,

It is

and the

OFFERS OF MERCY. God

children

liatli

must not

others,

Nay, those who

given me."

collaterally useful to

help on the

reward

lose their

17

work

m

Vv^ere

but

God begun by " And he day.

of

that

that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit mito hfe eternal, tiiat both

he that soweth and he that reapeth

John 4 36. Records are now made, and witness taken, that

rejoice together." 2.

hy the judicial

may

sente?ice

made clear

be

For Christ

that are Christless

Matt. 22

:

12.

Hence

;

day

every mouth

may

the mouth of any condemned day cometh " to convince all that

left in

in that

Jude 15

are ungodly," all

theTC-

last

of Jesus Christ in the

to all the ivorld ; that

be stopped, and no plea sinner.

may

:

to

convince by demonstration, that

now may it

said,

is

be found speechless then.

"The ungodly

shall not

Psalm 1:5. And no wonder, when so many full testimonies and unexceptionable witthe ministers nesses shall come point blank against them stand in the judgment."

:

that preached, the word they preached, their

and the example of

ces,

all believers will

own

conscien-

be produced against

them.

Inference

judgment

1.

The undoubted certainty of a day of To what purpose else are

hence evinced.

is

records made, and witness taken, but with respect to an

audit-day

This

?

very heathen

;

is

a truth sealed on the conscience of the

their consciences bear witness.

E,om. 2:15.

But in vain are all these records made, unless there be a day and of that day the prophet to produce and plead them Daniel speaks, " The judgment was set, and the books were And again, "I saw the dead, opened." Daniel 7 10. and the books were small and great, stand before God which is the book of opened, opened and another book was life and the dead were judged out of those tilings which ;

:

;

;

;

were written in the book, according 20

:

to their

works."

Rev

12.

Believe

it,

friends, these are

no cunningly devised

fables,

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

18

tut awful and saving

Acts

souls,

3:19; but

which the Lord Jesus

who

to all

reject

know

that

What a

faithfulness.

2 Thess.

motive

It is

is

life

it

in our hands,

1

we

7, 8.

:

we

"

If the

They

shine as the brightness of the firmament as the

But if we are our people wall come in as :

3.

;

preach will be the savor

that hear us.

righteousness,

and

under our hands

is

shall be witnesses for

addition to our glory in heaven.

Dan. 12

vengeance on them

here to oninisterial diligence

an awful work that

them

or death to

of

to

from heaven with

shall be revealed

the effects of the gospel which

many

day

be the day in

not God, and that obey not the gospel of our

Lord Jesus Christ. 2,

will be a

it, it

It will

in flaming fire taking

mighty angels>

produces

then be a time of refreshing to our

of terror, wTath, and amazement.

his

now

If the gospel

infallible truths.

effects, it will

;

you

Lord prosper

;

it

will be

an

that be wise, shall

and they that turn

stars for ever

and ever."

ignorant, lazy, or men-pleasers, swift witnesses against us,

their blood will be required at our

hands

;

it

will be

an

and

intol-

erable aggravation to our misery in hell, to have any that

under our ministry thus upbraiding us

sat

thou sawest fully

my

soul in danger,

and plainly with

me

;

and never

:

"0

cruel

man,

didst deal faith-

the time and breath that

was

spent in idle and worldly discourse, might have been instru-

mental ters

to save

me

from this place of torment."

Let minis-

consider themselves as witnesses for God, and their

them and under that them 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 men on earth have more motives to people as witnesses for or against

;

consideration, let

:

diligence 3.

and faithfulness than we have.

What an a7'gument is

all ivho

hear us.

heaven

for or

you attend

to the

in

this to

banish formality froyn

Every Sabbath, every sermon, is recorded in what way soever against your souls :

word,

all

that you hear

is set

down

in the

;;

OFFERS OF MERCY. "book of your account

came

think not you shall return as you

;

the word will have

;

its effect

;

vain, but shall accomplish the end for

55

:

The

11.

some

19

it

shall not return in

which

it is

sent.

Isa.

by the gospel be quickened, and others shall be slain by

decrees of heaven are executed

souls shall

The

the word of God's mouth.

gospel

a river of the

is

which quickens and refreshes every thing that but the miry and marshy places shall not be healed. lives Ezek. 47 11. How weighty, therefore, is that caution of Luke 8 18. When our Lord, "Take heed how ye hear." water of

life,

;

:

:

you come under an ordinance, you are sowing seed for

which

will spring

may

hearing ly

;

up

in the

world

to

be considered two ways, physically and moral-

and pass

in the former respect, these acts are quicldy over

away.

I

hearing

by and by have done preaching, and you

shall

but the consequences thereof will abide

;

eternity,

Preaching and

come.

Therefore, for the Lord's sake,

away with

for ever.

formality

;

no

more drowsy eyes or wandering thoughts. Oh, when you come to attend upon the mmistry of the gospel, that such thoughts as these may prepare your minds The word I am going to hear will quicken or kill, save or condemn my soul if I sit dead under it, and return barren from it, I shall wish one day that I had never seen the face nor heard the voice :

of the mmister

who preached

What a

4.

it.

dreadful condition are

are enemies, to the gospel

and

those ivho

all

in

tliose

preach

it

:

lolio

who,

instead of embracing and obeying the message of the gospel, reject

and despise

ceive

it,

hiss

it,

it

;

instead of opening their hearts to re-

open their blasphemous mouths if it

were

to deride

book of remembrance

is

written for such men.

never, since Christianity blessed this nation,

it,

and

Ah, what a

possible, out of the world.

I fear

was

that

there an

age more deeply drenched in the guilt of this sin than the

How are

present.

rejected

1

the messengers of the gospel slighted and

What have we done

to deserve it

?

Is not

our

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

20

case this day

much

be recompensed

like that of the

good

for

?

for

prophet

" Shall evil

?

they have digged a pit

for

my

Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them." Jer. 18 20. What brutish madness hath possessed the souls of these men But alas, it is not so much they, as Satan acting in soul.

:

I

them

;

he

is

a jealous prince, the gospel alarms him, his sub-

from him

jects are in danger of revolting

no wonder, there-

:

he makes an outcry at the preaching of the gospel, as

fore,

usually

made when an enemy invades a kingdom.

is

In this

case Christ directs his ministers to shake off the dust of their feet for

a testimony against them.

ing of which

even

feet,

5.

shake off those

so Jesus Christ will

spise the gospel

Hence

and abuse

it

Mark 6:11.

The mean-

that as you shake off the dust of your

is this,

men who

de-

his messengers.

likewise follows, tliat the case of the hea-

then world will be easier in the day of judgment, than theirs, ivho live and die unregenerate and disobedient under the go^i^el of Christ.

and records

There are more witnesses prepared,

against the day of your account, than can

filed

possibly be against

the light of nature

them ;

:

they have abused but one talent,

but we- thousands, even as

have had opportunities and this account Christ saith, "

nor hear your words, city, it

calls

Whosoever

when ye

shake off the dust of your

shall be

more

we Upon

many

as

under the gospel.

shall not receive you,

depart out of that house or Verily, I say unto you,

feet.

tolerable for the land of

morrah, in the day of judgment, than

for

Sodom and GoMatt.

that city."

10: 14, 15.

Ah, what a

fearful aggravation does

and miseiy, that light

we

we

had, but for all that

gospel-day.

it

put on our sin

are not only accountable for

Capernaum was

we might have had

lifted

up

to

heaven

all

in the en-

joyment of means and precious opportunities, Matt. 11

and had an answerable downfall

the

in the

:

23

;

into the depth of misery

OFFERS OF MERCY, from that height of mercy

;

up upon a rack, the more by the fall.

We may

6.

also

Rom. 2

:

16.

shall then be

against every

36

;

day of judgment God will bring every

time. :

14

not only sinful actions,

:

not only words, but heart-secrets.

If all the records

and

opened and read,

all

man examined and

registers

now made

the witnesses for or

heard, judge then

vast space of time will that great day take up. sure, things will not be

haste

what a This

is

huddled up, nor shuffled over in

you have taken your time

;

is lifted

he receives

that the

infer,

thing into judgment, Eccl. 12 :

any one

as the higher

terrible is the injury

must take up a vast space of but words. Matt. 12

21

for

sinnmg, and

God

will

take his time for judging.

Consider the multitudes, multitudes without number,

who

are to be judged in that day, even

Adam, which only so

many

are as the sand

all

the posterity of

upon the sea-shore

persons, but all that they

;

that not

have done, must

come into judgment, even the very thoughts of their hearts which never came to the knowledge of men; their consciences how to be interrogated, and all other witnesses fully heard great a day must this day of the Lord be. :

But the main use that seeing

of this point will be for exhortation,

the offers of Christ are recorded and wit-

all

nessed, with respect to. a day of account, every one of

you would immediately embrace the present gracious tender of Christ in the gospel, as you hope to be acquitted in that great day

:

take heed of denials, nay, even of delays

;

"for

word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvaif

the

:

tion?" Heb. 2

made ansrels

:

"

How

cannot

:

The

2, 3.

shall tell

we

how.

question

escape ?"

To

is

put, but

The wisdom

no answer of

men and

enforce this exhortation, I shall

;:

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

22

which may the

present you with ten weighty considerations,

Lord follow home, by the blessing of his

Spirit

on

all

your

hearts.

Consider hoiv invaluable a mercy

7.

it is

that you are

The mercies set before the angels who

yet within the reach of offered grace. before fell

you

this day,

were never

set

no Mediator was ever appointed

;

ishing

mercy

everlasting

them.

for

aston-

that those vessels of gold should be cast into

I

fire,

and that such clay vessels

as

we

are,

should

be thus put into a capacity of greater happiness than ever they

fell

from

nay, the mercy offered to you

;

nied to the angels that fellow-creatures of the

fell,

is

not only de-

but to the greatest part of your

same rank and

dignity with you

:

"

He showeth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation and

as for his judgments, they

Psalm 147:

ye the Lord."

have not known them.

A

19, 20.

What

celebrated with a joyful Alleluia.

there in the world where the it

your special mercy

is

ministers,

as

where

is

unknown

be born in a land of Bibles and

as difficult for

you

to avoid the light,

it.

Consider the nature, iveight, and worth of the mer-

cies ivhich

are this day freely offered you.

are mercies of the

sary

vast tracts are

of Christ

others to behold and enjoy

it is for

8.

it is

to

name

Praise

mercy deservedly

among

all

mercies, and in set before

you

:

first

the mercies of God.

him pardon, it

Certainly they

rank, the most precious and neces-

Christ the first-born of

peace, and eternal salvation are

would be surprising to see a starving man condemned man a gracious pardon.

refuse offered bread, or a

Lord,

we

what a compound

of sloth and stupidity are we, that

many entreaties to be happy. Consider who it is that snakes these gracious

should need so 9.

tenders

of imrdon, 'peace, a7id 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

OFFERS OF MEECY. you have justly incensed.

His patience groans under the

burden of your daily provocations are

lost,

23

and receives no benefit

he loses nothing

:

if

you are saved

;

you

if

yet the

motions of mercy and salvation to you freely arise out

first

God

of his grace arid good pleasure.

2 Cor. 5

reconciled.

The

20.

:

now

blood thy sins have shed,

him

have

set

to

be

freely offers that blood for thy

be too

it

if

thou wilt but

late.

upon your own

Reflect seriously

10.

such gracious sins

ere

you

Lord Jesus, whose

and salvation,

reconciliation, justification,

sincerely accept

entreats

blessed

vileness, to ivJiom

Thy of peace and mercy are made. thee at as great a distance from, the hope of offers

Consider, man,

pardon, as any sinner in the world.

what

thou hast been, what thou hast done, and what vast heaps of guilt thou hast contracted by a

of

life

sin.

and

;

yet, that

unto thee pardon and peace should be offered^ in Christ after

such a hfe of rebellion,

Lord

is

how

ready to pass by

dyed transgressions, and is past, if

bows

now

astonishing

Isa.

the mercy.

to sign

an act of oblivion

at last thy heart relents for sin,

55

:

2

;

The

for all

that

and thy will

commands and

in obedience to the great

gospel.

is

thy former rebellions, thy deep-

all

calls of the

1:18.

11. Consider how many offers of mercy you have already 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 there Spirit

more you

is

an

which offers

for

God

will

offer that will

make

to

be the last

your

soul.

offer,

a strivmg of the

will be his last striving

;

and

Certainly

after that,

no

wdthout you, no more motions or strivings within

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 between Christ and you

?

what an undone wretch must you then

be,

;

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

24

whom

with

a treaty breaks off upon such dread-

so gracious

ful terms.

Consider

12.

tvliich life

The

:

ance and

oiature offered

gospel requires of you repent-

Can you think

faith.

and gracious and pardon are

the reasonable

ivell

of the gospel-terons o?i to you. Acts 20 21.

dons a rebel, to require him to

hard

it

when a

prince par-

on his knees, and stretch

fall

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 a hearty sorrow for sins committed, sincere purposes and enforth a willing

;

deavors after

new

obedience, and a hearty, thankful accept-

ance of Christ your Saviour; and herein, his Spirit stands ready to

"Turn you

need.

my

Spirit unto

you."

works

Prov.

1

m us."

13.

my

at

for

your encouragement

work

in

you

all

that you

reproof: behold, I will pour out

make known my words unto Thou also hast wrought all our

you, I will :

"

23.

26

Isa.

12.

:

Consider hoiv your ivay

by

to Christ,

re2')e7itance

a7id faith, lias been travelled before you by thousands of sin-

You

ners for your encouragement.

ventured his soul in

this

much

you, and that under as as you can pretend to

pulsed or discouraged

;

:

path

;

are not the

first

that ever

multitudes have gone before

guilt, fear,

and not a

and discouragement

man among them was

re-

here they have found rest and peace

Heb. 4:3; Acts 13 39. Here the have been set forth for an ensample to you that should afterwards believe on his name. 1 Tim. 1:16.

to their

weary

souls.

:

greatest sinners

You

see, if

of Christ. or

what

you will

greater encouragements had they

given you this day 14.

not, others will joyfully accept the offers

What discouragements have you that they had not ?

which God has not

therefore they shall be your judges.

Consider the great hazard of the precious seasons Opportunity is the golden spot of time, but

you 710W enjoy.

;

OFFERS OF MERCY. it is

a very slippery and uncertain thing

are the hazards attending

Your

25

great and manifold

:

uncertain, your breath continually going in your nostrils and that which is every moment going, will he gone at last. The gospel is as it.

life is ;

uncertain as your of

it,

hut that he

tainly do so if

life

;

may

God hath made no such remove

at pleasure

we thus trifle under

it

:

it is

settlement

and will

it,

cer-

but a candlestick,

though a golden one. Rev. 2 5, and that you all know is a movable thing. Not only your life, and the means of your :

life, I mean the gospel, are uncertain but even the motions and strivings of the Spirit with your soul are as un" Work out your own salvation with fear certain as either.

eternal

;

and trembling and

will

;

for it

to do of his

God which worketh

is

good pleasure."

God now works with you to your

work

;

who

agent

free

is

Phil. 2

That

12, 13.

matter of great encouragement

but that he works at his

can cease

you both to

in :

when he

own

pleasure, as a

pleases and never give

one knock at your heart more, should

make you work with

and trembling.

fear

Think

15.

luhat

a fearful aggravation

of your sin and misery,

it ivill be

both

in the sight of an offered to sink into hell between the outstretched arms of

remedy ;

to i^eriih

a compassionate Redeemer, that would have gathered you, but you would not.

Heathens, yea, devils will upbraid you

in hell for such unaccountable folly

heathens will say, "Alas,

we had

and desperate madness

but the dim light of na-

which

did indeed discover sin, but not Christ the remAh, had your preachers and your Bibles been sent among us, how gladly would we have embraced them."

ture,

edy.

God said to Ezekiel, " Surely, had I sent thee would have hearkened unto thee." Ezek. 3 Matt. 11

God had rejected

:

21.

The very

devils will upbraid

sent a Mediator in our nature,

him

as

you have done

;"

the nature of angels." Christ Knookinjr.

2

them, they

to :

See also

6.

you

we would

:

"

if

not have

but " he took not on

him

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

26

How just,

16.

as

ivell

as sure,

he in the great day, against

how manifest

will appear.

be

men and

;

own

ivill

your condemnation

whom such a cloud of ivitnesses will the righteousness of

consciences shall acknowledge the equity of

it.

that are

Christless now, will be speechless then.

22

"

:

12.

Knowing therefore the

suade men."

summoned I

may

God

angels shall applaud the sentence, and your

2 Cor. 5

:

11.

I

as a witness against

be your

rejoicing,

Lord Jesus Christ.

terror of the Lord,

You Matt.

we per-

tremble to think of being

any of your

and you

mme

souls,

in the

that

day of our

CHEIST IN HIS ORDINANCES.

CHAPTER

27

II.

THE PHESENCE OF CHEIST ORDINANCES.

IN HIS

BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK."

<'

Rev. 3

:

20.

Having pondered Christ's solemn preface to his earnest the next thing which comes under our consideration, is the person soliciting and pleading for admission into the hearts of sinners, which is Christ himself. suit,

" Behold,

I stand."

The

only difficulty here

is

rightly

apprehend the manner of Christ's presence in gospel

to

administrations

was

for it is

;

at this time in

from

this

his bodily presence

:

was removed

lower world above sixty years before this epistle

was WTitten Patmos

manifest that the person of Christ

heaven

is,

John's banishment into

to the Laodiceans.

by Eusebius, out of Irenseus and Clemens Alex-

andrinus, placed in the fourteenth year of the reign of the

emperor Domitian, and under his second persecution, which

was about the ninety-seventh year from the

birth

of

Christ.

Yet here he

and ministers you

;

I

"Behold,

saith,

only, but I

stand

I

my

by

;"

not

your sovereign Lord and owner,

who have

and authority by creation and redemption dispose of your souls

knock, I by of

men.

and

my

You

truly,

it

;

is

see

none but

tations, are truly

men

spiritually

those administrations

all

:

mine

;

among

all right

to possess

and

and and moving by the ministry

I that stand at the door

Spirit, soliciting

though

my messengers

spiritual presence

but believe

;

and

invisibly,

it,

I

am

those knocks, motions, and

they are

my

acts,

really

present in all

and

I

solici-

own them,

so I would have you to conceive and apprehend them. Hence the second doctrine is this

and

:

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOH.

28

Jesus Christ

though he he not

men in his ordiand they with him,

truly present ivith

is

and hath

nances,

to

do with

thein,

visible to their

carnal

eyes.

Thus runs the promise " Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." The middle place in the Jewish assemblies, Matt. 18 20. was the seat of the president, where he might equally hear :

:

and be heard of

So, saith Jesus, will I be in the midst

all.

met together

of the assemblies of the faithful,

my

and by

Hence the church 60

13

:

to

:

And

5.

agreeably hereunto, Christ

walk among the seven golden

There are the

spiritual

And

not the peculiar privilege of the

foot-

said

is

Rev. 2:1.

candlesticks.

walks of Christ

and communes with men.

mon

Isaiah

feet,

a manifest allusion to the ark, called God's

;

Psalm 99

stool.

the place of his

called

is

my name

in

and protect them.

authority, to bless, guide,

there he converses

;

was

this presence of Christ first

churches, but

is

com-

churches of the saints to the end of the

to all the

world, as appears by that glorious promise so comfortably

extended to the church from

you always, even This promise

is

to the

*'

first to last

:

end of the world."

Lo, I

am

Matt. 28

with :

20.

the ground of all our faith and expectation

of benefit from ordinances

;

and the subjects of

here considered personally, but that succeed you in the

officially

same work and

;

it

to you,

office

are not

and

all

not to you

;

only as extraordinary, but to all the succeeding ordinary

standing officers in their life

my church.

As

nor their extraordinary

for the apostles, neither office

was

to

long, but this promise w^as to continue " to the

continue

end of the

world."

Nor

is

this

promise made absolutely, but conditionally

the connection of the promise with the this qualified sense

with him."

:

"

The Lord

2 Chron. 15:2.

is

command

enforces

with you, while ye be

Ignorant,

idle,

unqualified

persons cannot claim the benefit of this gracious grant.

CHRIST IN HIS ORDINANCES. Once more, ute of time.

Greek text

am

or so

it,

to every

hour and min-

" all the days," as

it is

in the

and dangerous, as well as peaceable and and it is closed with a solemn amen, so

:

shall be.

it

To open there

made

is

with you

in dark

;

encouraging days be

promise

this

I

29

point distinctly,

tliis

we

are to consider that

a threefold presence of Christ.

is

1. There is a corporeal presence of Christ, which the church once enjoyed on earth, when he went in and out

among

Acts 1:21;

his people.

and their hands handled him.

was a

ence

they were

when 1

their eyes

John, 1:1.

saw him, This pres-

great consolation to the disciples, and therefore

much

dejected

But

from them.

when

after his

it was about to be removed work was finished on earth, this

was no longer necessary to be continued in removed to heaven, John 16:7; as indeed it was, and must there abide until the time of the restitution of all things. Acts 3:21. And in this respect bodily presence

this world, but to be

he

the disciples, " I leave the world,

and go to the John 16 28. 2. There is a represented presence of Christ in ordinances. As the person of a king is represented in another country by his ambassadors, so is Christ in this world by tells

Father."

:

his ministers

God

:

"

We

did beseech you

are ambassadors for Christ, as though

by us

be ye reconciled to God." in other

work

earth.

And

office

:

reflects

we

pray you in Christ's stead,

heaven, but

for us in

this

;

2 Cor. 5

:

upon Christ :

16.

:

"

He

It also

with his owTi authority.

and

to the world.

is

engaged

cast

on ministers,

it

is

the validity of

Christ ratifies and confirms

them

how

wise,

It

also

instructs us

holy, ministers should be,

A

is

that despiseth you, despiseth me."

teaches us whence

gospel administrations.

spiritual,

Christ

stand in his stead on

shows the great dignity of the ministerial

whatever abuse or contempt

Luke 10

20.

we

who

represent Christ

drunkard, a persecutor, a sensual world-

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE

30

but an

ling, is

DOOE..

representative of the blessed and holy

ill

Jesus. 3.

Besides these two, there

is

a

sinritual iweseiice of

Christ in the churches and ordinances

who

Christ by his Spirit, is

this presence of

his vicegerent or representative,

is

to be considered as that

and

;

from which

derive their beauty and glory, their

gospel ordinances

all

power and

awful solemnity, and their continuance and

From

(1.)

efficacy, their

stability.

the presence of Christ by his Spirit, the ordi-

nances and churches derive their beauty a7id glory:

power and thy sanctuary." Psalm 63 see thy

As

"To

have seen thee in the

2.

:

the beauty of the body results from the soul which

animates

body

glory, so as I

it

and when the soul

;

gone also

is

;

so the

come and go with the

gone, the beauty of the

ordinances

all

which

Spirit of Christ,

The churches

soul of them.

is

beauty and glory of

the very

is

are indeed golden candlesticks,

but the candlestick has no light but what the candle gives it

;

hence that magnificent description of the new temple

closed

up

in this expression

that day shall be.

From

(2.)

nances derive

:

The Lord

"

The name

there."

is

is

of the city from

Ezek. 48

:

35.

this spiritual presence of Christ, gospel-ordiall

the poiver

mid

efficacy

which

is

by them

exerted upon the souls of men, either in their conversion or edification.

This power

is

not inherent in them, nor do they

act as natural, necessary agents, but as instituted means,

which are

successful or unsuccessful according as Christ

his Spirit cooperates

with them

" So then, neither

:

planteth any thing, neither he that watereth

giveth the increase."

1

Cor. 3

:

7.

That

;

is,

but

is

by

he that

God

that

they are noth-

ing to the accomplishment of men's salvation, without the

concurrence of the Spirit of Christ.

For when the apostle

makes himself and Apollos, with all other ministers, nothing, we must understand him as speakmg comparatively and relatively

;

they are necessary

m their places,

and

sufficient in

;

CHRIST IN HIS ORDINANCES. their kind for

a

reflection

what they

are appointed

is

nothing as to

trumpet or wind

as a

;

:

but

instru-

except breath be inspired into

its use,

and that breath modulated by the

it,

would be

to, else it

on the wisdom of God that instituted them

in themselves they are nothing

ment

31

skill

of the inspirer

EzekieFs wheels, that moved not but as the Spirit that

like

was

them moved and

in

directed their motions.

If ordi-

nances wrought upon souls naturally and necessarily, as the fail of success on all that come But it is with them as %ith the waters of the pool at Bethesda, whose healing virtue was only found at the season when the angel descended and troubled them.

burns, they could not

fire

under them.

This spiritual presence of Christ gives the

(3.)

nances of the gospel the awful solemnity which

The

that account to them.

commands reverence from

is

presence of Christ in

that are about him.

all

ordi-

due upon "

them God is

greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be

had

in rcTcrence of all

89

7

:

hence

;

is

them that

are about him,"

Psalm

that solemn caution or threatening, "If ye

will not be reformed

by

me by

these things, but will

walk

contrary unto me, then will I also walk contraiy unto you."

Bev. 26

:

23, 24.

The Hebrew word

with God, without considermg with

signifies to

walk

raslily

whom we

have

to do,

and what an awful majesty we stand before. And the punishment is suitable to the sin I also will walk at an adven:

making no discrimination in my judgments between your persons and the persons of the worst of men. ture with you,

that this were duly considered by all that have to do with

God

in gospel-institutions,

(4.)

It is

the spiritual presence of Christ in his churches

and ordinances which gives them stability. it

Whenever the

their continuance

Spirit of Christ departs

will not be long before they depart from us

should not, their continuance will be

When

little to

;

and

from them, or if they

our advantage.

the glory of the Lord descended from between the

CHUIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

32

when that sad voice was heard in the temple, "Let us go hence," how soon were both city and temple made a desolation and truly Christ's presence is not so cherubims,

;

fixed to

may

any place

banish

or ordinances, but the sins of the people

away.

it

place longer than he to go

is

Rev. 2:5.

"Who will tarry in any

welcome,

he have anywhere

if

But more points

particularly,

How it appears

:

should be

is

thus spiritually present with

;

and why

it

is

necessary he

so.

By what evidence

I.

us here discuss these two

let

Christ

and oi^inances

his churches

does

it

appear that there

From

.

And

?

by two undeniable evidences.

this will appear

their luonderful iwe?>ervation

inconceivable,

such a

is

presence of Christ wdth his churches and ordinances

1

else

?

how

; for it is

wholly

the churches, ministers, and ordinances

should be supported and preserved without hosts of powerful and enraged enemies.

it,

amidst such

If Christ

were not

among them, they had certamly been swallowed up

long ago.

It is

he

who

holds the stars in his right hand.

Rev. 2:1.

His walking among the seven golden candlesticks

The burning bush

best security.

mystery

this

•^umed.

;

is

fire, but was not conThe bush was a resemblance of the

the bush burned with

Exod. 3:3,

church of God ui Egypt, the flames upon rible persecution

;

in the

bush

it

were

their ter-

the wonder, that no ashes appeared as the

effects of those terrible

was

their

is

a rare emblem to open

flames

—Jesus

;

the reason whereof was,

Christ

was

m

God

the midst of his

people.

By

virtue of his presence

enjoyment of gospel

liberty,

we

are here this day, in the

no society of

men

in the

world

have such security as the church has on this account. The mightiest monarchies have been overturned, no policies nor human power could preserve them but the church and ,-

ordinances are

still

preserved, and shall ever be, by virtue of

CHRIST IN HIS ORDINANCES.

33

"For I am with thee, saith the Lord, I make a full end of all nations have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full

that gracious promise, to

save thee

whither

I

though

:

end of thee."

30

Jer.

Babylonian, Persian, and Gre-

11.

:

cian monarchies have destroyed and ruined one another, but still

the church of Christ

lifts

up

head, and beholds their

its

ruins. 2.

This presence of

Chj-ist in

and with

his ordinances, is

undeniably evinced from their supeniatural

iqjon the

effects

"

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong 2 Cor. 10:4. holds." The Spirit of Christ gives them souls of

men.

their success

pomt and

and

efficacy

edge, but

it is

;

the sword of the gospel has

hardened sinner should ever be wounded by of Christ do not direct

it.

E,uffi.nus reports,

is

it,

if

the Spirit

When sinners fall down convinced

under the authority of the word, they

knowledge that God

its

imj)ossible that the heart of a stupid,

in

it

and readily

feel

of a truth.

14

1 Cor.

that at the council of Nice, a godly

:

ac-

25.

man

of

no great learning was the instrument of converting a learned philosopher,

whom

could not persuade this

the bishops, with all their arguments, ;

of

which the philosopher himself gave

remarkable account: "While you reasoned with me," opposed words, and what was

said he,

"against words

spoken

overthrew by the art of speaking

I

stead of words

I

;

but

when

power came out of the mouth of the

words could no longer withstand truth, nor

man

in-

speaker,

resist

the

power of God."

And

this, indeed, is

the true and just account of

marvellous and gracious changes 'by the preaching of the gospel.

of a dying

man, think you,

all

those

made on the souls of men Can the vanishing breath

inspire spiritual

and eternal

life

men ? Can he search the conscience, and bow the will at this rate ? No, this is

into the souls of other

break the heart,

the power and operation of Christ

2#

;

and of that presence,

; :

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

34

says Mr. Burgess, we must say as Martha did to her Saviour concerning the death of her brother Lazarus, " Lord, if thou

hadst been here,

So say

I, if

my

John 11

brother had not died."

that presence and power of Christ were

21.

:

felt

by

which has been certainly experienced by many, they would not remain in the state of spiritual death as they do. all,

But though there are thousands under ordinances who never felt this power of Christ upon them, yet, blessed be God, there are also multitudes of M'itnesses and evidences of this truth, that there

a

is

real, spiritual, energetic

in his oM'n appointments

presence of Christ

which was the

;

thing to be

first

evinced.

We

IL

the reasons, or the uses and

inquire into

ENDS which make such a presence of Christ necessary.

And 1

they are, .

To

_2)?"ese7*rc

amidst such

presence of Christ

The him

and

suj)2wrt his ministers

hosts of pou-ei'fid is

churches

This

was

as a life-guard to

against the rage of the princes and nobles of Israel

make

and they

thee unto this people a fenced brazen wall

shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail

against thee

for I

:

am with

thee, saith the Lord.

of the terrible." It

batter

was

down

mies in that

I will deliver thee

will

I

Jer. 15

easier for the

thee to save thee and to deliver

And

hand of the wicked, and

I

and

enemies.

as a wall of fire round about them.

divine presence with Jeremiah

" I will

I

and enraged

:

out of the

redeem thee out of the hand

20, 21.

Roman army

to scale the walls

and

the towers of Jerusalem, than for all the enecity to destroy the

prophet of God, thus guarded

by the divine presence. Athaiiasius and Luther had the power of the empire engaged against them, yet the presence

The

of Christ

was

slain

they had finished their testimony.

To

till

their security.

witnesses could not be

Rev. 11:7.

this presence alone the faithful witnesses of Christ

their marvellous preservation at this day;

owe

had not Christ

;

CHRIST IN HIS ORDINANCES,

35

am

with you," you had not said at " Behold, our ministers are still with us." said,

*'Lo, I

The presence

2.

isters

strength. else

of Christ

hi their work,

we

objected,

It is

we

well that

is

necessary to assist his min-

a work quite above their

''

am not

I

When

When

Moses

eloquent," the Lord told him, " I will be

with thy mouth."

how

own

are workers together with God,

should soon faint under our labors.

the tongue, be.

for it is

this day,

Exod. 4

:

10, 12.

When God

guides

powerful and persuasive must the language

the apostles, illiterate men, were sent out to them " a mouth

convert the world, Christ promised to give

and wisdom," Luke 21 15— a mouth to speak, and wisdom mouth and then their words were demonstra:

to guide that

;

tions; all their adversaries could not resist the spirit

power by which they

Empires and kingdoms

spoke.

enemies received the gospel ful success

and

full

of

but the reason of this wonder-

;

is given us They went fojth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them." Mark 16 20. It is sweet and prosperous workmg in fellowship with *'

:

:

Christ

;

the Spirit of Christ gives a manifold assistance to

his minister.? in their

work

;

it is

in the choice of those subjects

success to their hearers.

He

he

Christ's presence 3.

The

with

This

directs their

mind

dictates the matter, influences

their affections, guides their lips,

doctrine with success.

who

wherein they labor with such

is

and follows home

their

a special use and end of

his ministers

and ordinances.

spiritual presence of Christ is necessary for the

'p-eparation

and embrace

and

oj)e7iing

of the people's heart

the gospel to salvation.

to receive Christ

till

to receive

Not a heart

the Spirit of Christ unlock

will open it.

Paul

and Timothy were extraordinarily called to preach the gospel at Philippi, and there Lydia was converted. But how? Not by their skill or eloquence, but by the Spirit's influence the Lord opened the heart of Lydia.

Acts 16 14. The church could not be increased without conversion conver:

;

CHRIST JvNOCIvINa AT THE DOOR.

36

sipn could never be

wrought without

necessit}'^

Christ's influence

So that this presence

presence.

spiritual

is

and

of absolute

the church cannot subsist, nor the great ends of

;

ordinances be attained without

Inference

it.

Is Christ really present in all gospel ad-

1.

mhiistrations ? Jiow atcfidly solemn, then, is every jMrt of

"We have to do with Christ himself, and

gos^oel ivorshi'p.

not with

under

men

this consideration, all our people received the

effectually in us as

1

word of man it would them. But alas, we have we come to judge the gifts

Thess. 2

did in

it

it if,

word we

did, not as the

preach as the Thessalonians but as the word of God.

work

Happy were

only, in gospel ordinances.

Then

13.

:

low apprehensions of the word of the speaker, not to have our minds informed, our con;

sciences searched, our lusts mortified,

But

lated.

men would

that

and our

realize

Christ in ordinances, and seriously consider that *'

All the churches shall

the reins and hearts

;

know that

and

I will give

according to your works."

How

would

seriousness.

Rev. 2

this lead vain if

I

men would

:

am

lives regu-

the presence of

word of his,

he which searcheth

unto every one of you 23.

and wandering hearts

to holy

consider that they are before

the Lord Jesus Christ, as Cornelius and his family did:

"Now

therefore are

we

all

here present before God, to hear

thmgs that are commanded thee of God," Acts 10 33 if they would consider the word as the executioner of God's eternal decrees, which returns not in vain, but accomplishes that whereunto God sends it, Isa. 55 11, and eventually all

:

;

:

proves the savor of

under

it,

2 Cor.

life

2:16;

or death eternal to in

a word, were

it

them who

sit

but considered

by which its hearers shall be judged in the great John 12 48, then how would men tremble at the word.. What mighty effects would it have on their hearts. How would it run and be glorified. But alas, as Job speaks, *' He goeth by me, and I see him not he passeth on also, as the rule

day,

:

:

CHEIST IN HIS ORDINANCES. but

him

perceive

I

Few

Job 9:11.

not."

37 the

realize

spiritual presence of Christ in ordinances.

If Christ be

2.

with his churches and

really present

ordinances, lioiv vain are all attempts of etiemies to subvert

and

That promise, Matt. 28

destroy them.

20, supposes

:

the continuance of a gospel and church-mhiistry to the end of the world, else there would be a promise without a subject: as there

ought

be a church, so there

to

church with ministers and ordinances, christ do their worst.

let

$1iall

be a

Satan and

anti-

do not say this promise secures this

I

or that particular church or nation, for the presence of Christ

may

cease to be realized in any one place

church

And

is safe.

against (1.)

all

but

;

still,

the

there are three things which secure

it

hazards.

The invaluable

God has

treasures

lodged in the

church, namely, his truths, his worship, and his elect

a precious cargo secures the vessel which ever storms or tempests

may befall

carries

;

such

what-

it,

it.

The covenant and promise of God with tJie church abundant security " Upon this rock will I build my

(2.) is its

:

church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against

The

Matt. 16:18.

If the

people's security. fail

with (3.)

church

God

fail,

is

pledged

it."

for his

his faithfulness

must

it.

But above

all,

of the church, puts promise, " Lo, I tions

faithfulness of

and

am

it

of providence, his

safety,

Isa.

account

it

41

:

our account

?

danger of

whatsoever.

10.

God

it.

:

25

;

all

Here we have

muni-

his eye

else is need-

accounts his presence our

The enemies

Exod. 14

In that

failure.

hand of power, and whatever

and secure

so too,

all

with you always," are found

fortifications

ful to support

the presence of Christ in the midst

out of

of

and

God and

shall

Provoke not the Lord Jesus

it

to

his people,

not be so in

withdraw

his

presence, and fear not the consultations and oppositions of hell or earth.

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

38 3.

From

this spiritual presence of Christ all his faithful

draw encauragement, mnidst

ministers should difficidties

and

the manifold

discourageonents they daily encounter in

is with them, and they work in fellowthem not be dismayed. The difficulties and discouragements which the ministers of Christ meet and the more faithful and successare great and manifold ful any of them are in their Master's work, the fiercer oppoBesides all the discouragements sition they must expect.

Christ

his service.

him

ship with

let

;

;

rising out of their

own

which are not a few, they

hearts,

must encounter the opposition of enemies from abroad, and Satan is a the stubbornness of the hearts they work upon. jealous prince, and will raise all

manner

opposition against those heavenly heralds

new

of outcries and

who come

to pro-

withdraw

his mis-

erable subjects from their cursed allegiance to him.

What

claim a

is it

to

prince in his dominions, and

preach the gospel, saith Luther, but

to drive the fury

? But this work but prosper upon

of the world upon the head of the preacher

would be

easily supportable, did our

the hearts of our hearers. sideration of all

;

But

we know the

this, alas, is

the killing con-

w^orth of souls,

them from

and how great

James 5 20. "We also know the terrors of the Lord, which excite our utmost 2 Cor. 5:11. endeavors to persuade men. We feel the compassions of Christ stirring within us, which makes us a service

it is

to save

long after their salvation. pray, yea,

we

all,

we

Phil.

1

:

:

We

8.

we

preach,

it

were, in birth until Christ

Gal. 4:19.

And when we have done

travail again, as

be formed in them.

death.

find their hearts as iron

and

brass.

Jer.

6

:

28.

We

mourn in secret when we cannot prevail, and often our hands hang down with discouragement, and we are ready to say with the prophet, " I will not make mention of him, nor Jer. 20 9. But here is speak any more in his name." our relief, under all discouragements the work is Christ's, :

:

the power

is his,

he

is

with

us,

and

we

are workers together

CHE.IST IN HIS ORDINANCES.

There was a time when three thousand souls

with him.

were born

to Christ during

thousand sermons verted

when

is

may be

one sermon

may

it

;

a time pf eminent

;

promised, and to be expected in these latter days,

make

the living waters of the gospel shall

whither they come, Ezek. 47

to live

that

fishers,

be now, three

preached, and not one soul be con-

us not be discouraged

yet, let

:

conversion

39

every thing

and when the

;

the ministers of Christ, shall not fish with

is,

hooks as they

9

:

now

do, taking

now

one, then another single

and

convert, but shall spread forth their nets,

tudes at a draught

—when

they shall "

as the doves to their windows."

Isa.

inclose multi-

a cloud, and

fly as

60

God now

8.

:

opens a door of opportunity beyond our expectation

that

;

the hearts of ministers and people were suitably enlarged,

and the people made willing 4,

terial

we and

office,

the suitable respect

by them, they stand is

great dignity of the minis

also infer the

due to all Christ's The Lord Jesus himself is represented

faithful mijiisters.

ity

day of his power.

in the

Hence,

in his stead, 2 Cor. 5

put upon them

redound

:

:

20

The

to the person of Christ.

how have

their persons

and

despised in this degenerate age

;

them

G-alatians received

Paul as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Yet

his author-

;

the honor and dishonor given

office

Gal. 4

been

how many

vilified

:

14.

and

learned, pious,

laborious, peaceful ministers of Christ have, in this age,

been

hunted up and down in the world as wild beasts, and been

made the filth and offscouring of all things. The word signifies the filth which scavengers

rake together

in the streets, to be carried to the dunghill.

No

Satan designs in their labors,

4:13.

doubt but

this to invalidate their ministry, discourage

and break

support us under

1 Cor.

all

their hearts

;

but Jesus Christ will

these abuses, wipe off the dirt

at us for his name's sake,

and

resen'^e

some of us

thrown

for better

days. 5.

Is

Christ present in his ordinances

?

ivhat

a strong

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE

40

e7igagement then

lies

wpoii

the tninistry of the ivord,

you all

and

We

sick,

what thronging

was

there

tliat

upon

are capable

read in the days of

his miraculous cures

Christ's flesh,

the

to ivait assiduously

hring all

to

wait upon Christ ivith you. when he performed

to

DOOE,.

him

after

how

;

upon

parents

brought their children, masters their servants, pressing in

down

multitudes, uncovering the house to let

Luke 5:19; 12:1.

him.

a cure

for

and

the Spirit of Christ

It is true,

to act

for their bodies,

Ah,

always with the word

their sick to

be

so earnest

so indifferent for their souls

is :

men

shall

?

not laid under any necessity

he acts as a

free agent, "

The

John 3:8; but it is encouragement enough to wait continually upon his ordinances, that he sometimes graciously and effectually works with them. It is good to lie in the path of the Spirit and there

wind bloweth where

it

listeth,"

;

who

a blessing pronounced upon them

is

Prov. 8

his gates.

within your reach of

life

6.

to

thy

;

:

therefore neglect no opportunity

34. for

wait continually at

who knows

but

it

may be

the season

soul.

What

a?i %inspeakdble loss is the loss

of the gospel,

seeing the presence of Christ conibs and goes with

When

it.

the gospel departs, the Spirit of Christ departs with

among men

;

9

The

12.

:

to

also

we can

God

takes

:

well therefore might the Lord say,

them when

Spirit

ordinances are

but

from

no more conversions, in God's ordinary way,

are then to be expected

"Woe

it

left

I

depart from them."

may, in some

Hosea

sense, depart, while the

standing for a time

among

then expect no benefit from them.

the people

;

But when

ordinances and the Spirit too, woe indeed Where then are the fruits answerable to our means? The gospel is a golden lamp, and the

away

to that people.

precious

graces of the Spirit communicated by

that stately vision, Zech. 4.

lamp, fed with such precious

by

?

And no

less

Will oil,

for

it

are golden

oil,

as in

God maintain such a

men

to trifle

ominous and portentous

is

and play

that bitter

CHRIST IN HIS ORDINANCES. enmity is

it,

which

this great hatred brings

on the

and the

to the gospel

too often found

among

us

;

41

serious professors of

days of visitation and the days of recompense with a swift

and dreadful motion upon any people.

by

Christ be present

7. If

Hosea 9:7.

his Spirit

and energy in

his

ordinances, there is no reason to despair of the conversion

and

salvation of the greatest sinners that yet

What though

the gospel.

lie

dead under

their hearts be hard, their under-

standings dark, and their wills never so perverse and obsti-

nate

must give way, and open

all

?

power,

when

makes

it

in the

his Spirit joins himself

an

irresistible

word

This

glorious to observe the

it is

;

day of Christ's

with the word.

hearts of publicans and harlots opening and yielding to the

Who

Matt. 21 :31.

voice of Christ.

were those three

thousand persons, pricked to the heart by Peter's sermon, Acts 2

had

:

36, but the very

crucified the

men

verted Corinthians but

that,

with wicked hands,

And what were the conidolaters, turned from dumb idols,

Lord Jesus

?

whoremongers, adulterers, effeminate, and such 12

1 Cor.

men

:

:

2

;

6:11.

the gospel will

to Christ,

when

like persons ?

God has his elect among the vilest of find them out, and draw them home

the 'Spirit animates and blesses

might the apostle therefore

say, that the gospel

with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven,

worthy

for angels to

What though Satan

behold with admiration.

has strongly

is

Well

it.

preached

an object

1 Pet.

1:12.

fortified their souls against

Christ with ignorance, prejudice, and enmity, the weapons of our warfare are mighty through God, to pull

strong holds.

hearted relatives

;

bring

them

to the gospel

The hour

agement of these words of

Christ, "

now God

shall live."

is,

;

8.

down

these

Despair not therefore of your sinful and dead-

on the encourcoming, and

is

Avhen the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of

and they that hear

Is Christ spiritually present

then ichat

an endeared

John 5

:

25.

in his ordinances

?

affection should every gracious soul

CHRIST IvNOCKINa AT THE

42

hear to the ordinances of God. '

They

DOOE,. are the walks of

Christ and of his Spirit, the appointed times and places for

your meeting and communion with him

there your souls

;

met with Christ there you began your acquaintance with him there you have had many sweet interviews with him since that day they were the means of your regenerafirst

;

;

;

tion, 1 Pet. 1

23, the bread of hfe

:

been sustained ever

by you than your necessary food. have found the richest cordials

when ready

spirits,

to faint

the courts of God, Psalm 84 sign on

liis

Lord.

Isa.

saints

88

:

this

7.

sick-bed, that

38

:

;

:

to

be more esteemed

Job 23 to

:

sin within

you and

afflic-

David's soul even fainted for 2,

and that Hezekiah desired a

he should go up

to the

all

house of the

our fresh springs are in Zion.

a dungeon,

world without them.

what a barren

Prize the ordinances, love the

the liberty and efficacy of the gospel, that in your days

Psalm

wilderness were

ordinances, wait assiduously on the ordinances,

and mcrease

Here you

12.

revive your drooping

Here are the choicest comforts of the

22.

upon earth

What

under

No wonder

upon you.

tions

by which your souls have

and therefore

since,

it

and pray

may

and in the days of your

for

continue

posterity.

I

:

THE HEART CLOSED.

CHAPTER

43

III.

THE HEART BARRED AGAINST CHRIST. "BEHOLD,

I

STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK."

Rev. 3

:

20.

Having finished Christ's solemn preface, and shown the manner of his presence in his churches and ordinances, I now come to a third doctrine which is necessarily implied in these words, " Behold, I stand at the door and knock ;" and

the sad truth therein implied

The

is

this

hearts ofmeii are naturally locked,

and fast barred

against Jesus Christ their only Saviour. If

it

were not

so,

what need were

there of

aU the pains

and patience exercised by Christ in waiting and knocking importunately for entrance into the hearts of

men?

To

keep a clear method in this point, three things must be stated in the doctrinal part

men

of

shut

are thus shut

them up

;

:

How it

what

appears that the hearts

are those locks

and bars that

and that no power of man can remove these

Let us consider,

bars.

How IT

I.

That

up.

;

up

all

against Christ,

APPEARS that the hearts of men are thus shut hearts is

are

naturally shut and

made

He came unto his own, and his He came unto his own people, from whose

1:11, " not."

sprung

— a people

sacrifices

fast

we read, John own received him

a sad but certain truth;

to

whom

stock he

he had been prefigured in

all

the

and types of the law, and who might in him clearly

them all. His doctrines and them who he was, and whence he few discerned and received him as the Son of

discern the accomplishment of his miracles plainly told

came

;

God.

yet

Christ found the doors of men's hearts generally shut

against him, save only a few

whose hearts were opened by

the almighty power of God, in the 1

:

12.

way

These indeed received him, but

all

of faith.

John

the rest exclu-

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

44

ded and denied entrance 5

:

to the

Son of God.

So again, John

33-40, Christ reasons with them, and gives undeniable

was

demonstrations that he

He

proves

sent unto John,

them.

to save

"Ye

34

salvation, verse

;"

and he bare witness unto the truth

them the design

tells

come

the Messiah

from the testimony of John, verse 33,

it

of his

coming among them was

shows them the great

;

he

their

seal of heaven,

liis

uncontrollable miracles, verse 36, "

do,

bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me."

And

if

The works that

them of the immehim from heaven, " The Father

that were not enough, he reminds

diate testimony given of

himself which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me." did so at his baptism

This 3

:

is

17.

I

"

:

And

lo,

my beloved Son, in whom I am well And

so again

He

a voice from heaven, saying,

Matt.

pleased."

his transfiguration on the holy

at

mount, " While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud over-

shadowed them This

said,

is

:

hear ye him."

and

Scriptures,

and behold, a voice out of the

iny beloved Son, in

Matt. 17 critically

John 5

with them.

:

:

whom

5.

He

examine

all,

cloud,

which

well pleased

them search the

his perfect correspondence

him with

man's understanding and

full satisfaction

and

;

yet, after

behold the unreasonable obstinacy and resistance of their

hearts against

have

Not a

him

:

"Ye

''

hwi

than the Son of God.

sion.

to

me

till

to

me, that ye might

demon-

God be put own name,"

the almighty power of

" If another

saith he, verse 43,

it is

come

soul will open, with all the reasons and

forth to that end.

;

will not

Ver. 40.

hfe."

strations in the world,

you

bids

am

This was enough, one would

39.

think, to open the door of every

heart to receive

I

come

in his

will ye receive;'' any one rather

Every impostor can

easily deceive

only your hearts have such a strong aver-

Now there is a twofold shutting up of the heart against

Jesus Christ. 1.

Natural.

Every soul comes

into this world shut

up

:

THE HEART CLOSED. and

"

The

Rom. 8:7.

can be."

carnal

mind

is

enmity against

" It

is

God which worketh

both to will and to do of his good pleasure." This

a dismal efiect of the

is

man,

not subject to the law of God, neither indeed

for it is

;

will of

the freest faculty, comes into the world barred and

is

bolted against Christ.

God

The

the Lord Jesus.

fast closed against

which

45

fall.

Who

you

in

Phil. 2

:

13.

does not feel strong

aversions and obstinate resistances in his own heart, when moving towards Christ in the first weak and trembling acts

of faith

?

There

2.

is

This

Christ.

a judicial shutting up of the heart against

is

a sore and tremendous stroke of God, pun-

ishing former rebellions

:

" Israel

would none of me,

gave them up unto their own 81

:

This looks

11, 12.

like

near preparation to ruin. there

is

them up

hearts'

a prelude of damnation, a very " Israel

would none of

the natural shutting up of the heart there

;"

is

me

" so I

:

;"

gave

the judicial shutting up of the heart

they would not hear, they shall not hear.

ment

so I

Psalm

lusts."

fearful judg-

Thus the Lord gave up the heathen, Rom. 1 26 they had abused their natural light, and now their minds are judicially darkened given up to a sottish and injudiI

:

;

;

cious mind, not able to distinguish duty from sin, safety from

danger

—a mind

reject the best.

that should choose the worst things, and

This was the reprobate mind unto which

God gave them up than those

this,

what sadder word can the Lord speak " Take him, Satan I" It is true, God shuts up he can open, and those Avhom up, mercy can set free but it is beyond all the

unless

whom

justice shuts

;

it

be,

;

power of angels and men to do it. " He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening." Job 12 14. These two :

closings of the heart are not

same person

;

meets with

many

always found together in the

and blessed be God that they are

not.

a repulse, and endures with

Christ

much

pa-

tience the gainsaying of sinners, before he pronounces the

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

46

dreadful sentence upon them, " Go, and tell this people, hear

ye indeed, but understand not

Make

ceive not.

and shut

their ears heavy,

their heart,

it

comes

and none are

Isa.

is

belling against

That

is

sat

the

And

thing, the hearts of

men

Christ.

are,

Christ's entrance into the hearts

they will be found to be, ignorance, unbe-

custom in

pride,

9, 10.

what those locks and bars

Let us examine

which oppose and forbid of sinners.

:

long under the light, re-

first

by nature are locked and shut up against

lief,

6

the case of such

in greater danger of this judicial stroke

who have

11.

they see with

and understand with

ears,

to this, dreadful

of God, than those it.

and make

fat,

lest

;

and convert, and be healed."

But when ;

their eyes

and hear with their

their eyes,

souls

and see ye indeed, but per-

;

the heart of this people

presumption, and prejudices against

sin,

the ways of holiness.

Bars enough to secure the soul in

Satan's possession, and frustrate

the designs of mercy,

all

except an almighty Power from heaven break them asunder. 1.

Christ,

The is

first

bar making fast the soul of

ignorance.

knowledge

If

is

man

against

a key that opens the

is plain from Luke 11 52, where Christ denounceth a woe on them that took away " the key of

heart to Christ, as

:

knowledge," then ignorance must needs be the lock that

makes

fast

the door of the heart against Christ.

ground Christ told the

woman

On

this

of Samaria, that her unbe-

grew upon the root of her ignorance. " If thou knewest gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him and he would have given thee living water." John 4:10. Ah, sinners, did you but know what a Christ he is that is offered to your lief

the

souls in the gospel suitableness,

and

;

feel

did you see his beauty, fulness, and

your

could not keep you from

reproaches, all sufferings,

enjoyment of him.

own need

him

But

:

all

of him, all the world

you would break through self-denials,

alas, it is

with

to

come

you as

to it

all

the

was

THE HEART CLOSED. with those who said

to the church, "

47

What

thy beloved

is

more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?" Sol. Songs, 5:9. Unknown excellences attract not: ignorance is Satan's sceptre which he sways over all his kingdom of darkness, and by which he holds his vassals in miserable bondage to him; hence the devils are called, "The rulers of the darkness of this world."

were the eyes of sinners opened

remedy in

their

Christ,

jection one day longer his cruel

;

Eph. 6:12.

he could never hold them in subthey would break

away from

government and run by thousands

God opens

so they do as soon as

Alas,

woful state and

to see their

their eyes

houx that they are "turned from darkness

under,

to Christ

;

for

same

in the

:

light," they

to

are also turned " from the

26

power of Satan unto God." Acts that you did but know the worth of your souls,

16.

:

the dreadful danger they are

in,

and the

fearful

hangs over them, with the wilhngness and

them

;

you are

:

to save state

ministers

I

you could not sleep one night longer in the your next cry would be, " What shall I do to

Who

be saved ?"

vsdll

show me the way

help. Christians

be the lamentations and cure and quiet.

But

I

to Christ

yea, help. Lord

cries of those

Help,

?

These would

!

who

now

are

4:4: no

cries

how

a physician, because they have no consciousness

their souls are

omission.

se-

" the god of this world hath blinded

the eyes of them which believe not," 2 Cor. for

wrath that

ability of Christ

wounded by

sins of

commission and by

sins of

that the great Physician would apply his excel-

lent eye-salve to your understandings,

which are yet dark-

ened with gross ignorance both of your misery and remedy. 2.

men's

The second bar souls,

is

which shuts Christ out of

or lock

This

the sin of unbelief.

strongest holds of Satan wherein he trusteth

is ;

one of the this

is

a sin

that not only locks up the heart of a sinner, but also binds

up the hand of a Saviour. works there, because of their

"

He

did not

unbelief."

many mighty

Matt. 13

:

5^.

— CHRIST KKOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

48

when he was

Unbelief obstructed his miraculous works

on earth, and

A

heaven,

it

work now he

obstructs his gracious

Saviour

come

is

communion with The gospel is

hever, thy soul can neither have union nor

him

till

this bar of

thy unbelief be removed.

come among us with mighty arguments

to convince

powerful motives to persuade, but

saving effect

lows

its

:

in

is

into the world, but, poor unbe-

main design

is

many

to

little

frustrated,

and

and fol-

all this

through unbehef, shutting up and hardening men's hearts

under

"

it.

The word preached

did not profit them, not

being mixed with faith in them that heard

Heb. 4

it."

:

2.

Ah, cursed bar vdiich shuts up thy heart, shuts out thy Saviour, and will effectually shut thee out of heaven, exI

cept the almighty power of

God break

ruin of souls

ing

sin,

is

Heb. 4:6.

laid at the door of unbelief

Mark 16

and truly called

16,

:

so,

condemn but in virtue of this The third bar denying entrance

sin could 3.

hearts of sinners,

natural heart it

is

is

lyride

;

it is

because no other

sin.

to Christ into the

and stoutness of

a proud heart

;

it

They The the damn-

asunder.

it

could not enter in because of unbelief.

lives

upon

The

spirit.

its

owti stock,

cannot stoop to a sincere and univei-sal renunciation of its

own

righteousness

and going about

:

"

Being ignorant of God's righteousness,

to establish their

have not submitted themselves

Rom. 10:3.

own shame, and

live*

own

God."

cannot stoop or

emptiness, discover their

wholly upon the righteousness of an-

to

deny

itself in

such a point as

faith so exceedingly difficult, because

points of self-denial in

from Christ, and

what

it

Proud nature chooses the way of destruction, rather

other.

all

righteousness, they

Pride stiffens the will that

condescend to declare their

than

own

to the righteousness of

to

it.

To

give

up

it

this.

This makes

involves such deep

all to Christ, to

be willing to part with

all for

draw

Christ

will can be brought to a deliberate consent to such

things as these, unless an omnipotent power

bow

it ?

It is

THE HEART CLOSED. natural to

men

brown

rather to eat a

ragged garment which they can

on the richest

dainties, or

they must receive as alms or a

hard

is it

to

wear a

coarse,

own, than

to feed

crust, or

call their

wear the

49

garments which

costliest

gift

and convictions are come

how

from another.

subdue this pride of the heart, even into the soul

—

after- light

convince

to

men

When

and higher righteousness than their own. in treaty

with Christ,

makes the

sin

this

souls are

opposition.

last

Fain would they come to Christ, ten thousand worlds Christ

;

but they think they must not approach

some

qualifications

ever

Christ and

even in

self

of

undone condition, and the absolute necessity of another

their

Abraham

are yet wanting.

most refined form of

this the

naked and empty-handed,

did,

But, soul,

if

thou conclude a union, thou must deny

Down

fieth the ungodly.

righteous

which

for

him without

with

and come as

it,

to

Him who

this house-idol,

thy

justi-

self,

thy

dressed up, like another Agag, with such spe-

self,

cious pretences of humility.

The

4.

fourth bar forbidding Clu'ist's entrance into the

soul, is custcnn

Sin has so fixed

in sin.

tinuance in the soul, and the soul

by long con-

and confirmed

arguments and persuasions

in its course, that all

our path are swept

itself

is so settled

away by

to

and feathers are by the rapid course of a mighty

"Can spots

change

the power of custom, as straws torrent.

the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his

then

?

may

Jer. 13

evil."

:

ye also do good, that are accustomed to do

Soap and

23.

nitre

may

as soon

make an

Ethiopian white, or take the spots out of the leopard's skin, as the reasonings of

tomary

sin.

habit of body.

way

or that

men remove

Physicians find It is

it

the mighty power of cus-

a hard thing to cure an

from our childhood

;

every repeated act of sin

confirms and strengthens the habit see so

times,

Christ Knocking.

;

and hence

it is

that

we

was a wonder in the that Marcus Caius Victorius embraced

few conversions

primitive

ill

a great matter to be accustomed this

in old age.

3

It

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOE.

00

Take an

Christianity in the sixtieth year of his age.

habit-

ual drunkard, a self-righteous moralist, and lay before

the necessity of a change, and you will find

them

as easy to stop

it

the course of a river with the breath of your mouth, as to

them in an accustomed course of simiing. The fifth bar resisting Christ's entrance

stop

into the

5.

soul, is

the sin of iiresumption

thousands of souls in the world

is

;

safe already, their souls

presume that

;

and

their condi-

never go out after a Saviour.

This was the ruin of Laodicea

am

and

sin parts Christ

presuming, they hope

When men

hoping, they perish. tion

this

:

"

:

Because thou say est,

I

and increased with goods, and have need of nothand knowest not that thou art wretched, and misera-

rich,

incf

;

and poor, and blind, and naked." E.ev. 3:17. This damning presumption is discovered in three things 1 Many think they have that grace which they have not, mistaking the similar for the saving works of the Spirit a fatal misble,

:

.

;

with many thousands

take, never rectified 2.

They presume

will never find

pensed to

and for

men through

Christ, in the

Jude, ver. 21.

faith.

in God,

the saving mercies of

for all

;

mercy

to find that

till it

3.

way

be too

late.

which they

God

are dis-

of regeneration

They presume upon

the time

repentance and faith hereafter, which their eyes shall

never

And

see.

presumption locks up the heart

thus

against Christ, and leaves sinners perishing even in the

They make a

presence of a Saviour.

shadow, and

The

6.

Christ,

is

sixth

and

last

strict duties of rehgion.

sin

barring the

heart against

Thus, in the very infancy of Chris-

world was driven

prejudices

concerning this against."

own

a strong irrejudice against holiness, and the

tianity, the

mon

bridge of their

so perish in the waters.

ofi'

from religion by the com-

which lay upon the sect,

Acts 28

:

we know

professors of

that everywhere

it

it is

:

"As spoken

22.

Thus Justin Martyr complains that

Christians were

:

THE HEART CLOSED. everywhere condemned by common fame Christ pronounces a

Matt. 18

Alas,

7.

:

woe upon the it

;

51

and on this account

world, because of ofiences.

some

will be the ruin of thousands;

have imbibed such prejudiced opinions and unjust notions of

and

religion

enemies to

it

make them

up

iiTcconcilable

in their fancies in

loathe both the

name

These prejudices are drawn from various

and the thing.

sometimes from the necessary duties of Christianity,

;

which

make them

Satan has dressed

such an odious form, as to

things

as to

its professors,

it.

are laid as crimes on the people of

wept, and chastened

my

Psalm 69

reproach."

:

God

soul with fasting, that

"

:

When I to my

was

Sometimes the groundless and

10.

malicious slanders and inventions of the enemies of Christianity are the

occasion of real prejudices to the world

"

us devise devices against Jeremiah, and let

Come, and

let

him with

us smite

Jer. 18

the tongue."

:

Sometimes

18.

innocent and serious professors of godliness are censured and

condemned on account

who

of hypocritical professors,

And

heartily espoused religion.

lastly,

the

ways

never

of holiness

suffer

from the infirmities of weak Christians,

who

give too

many

occasions to prejudice the world against the

ways of

God.

By

these things multitudes are kept from attendance on

means of grace, and multitudes more have their hearts shut up from receiving any saving benefit under them.

the

These are the common bars and locks by which the strong

man armed

ners

and,

;

III.

secures his possession in the souls of sin-

These bars are too strong

POWER OF GOD

to

opened a door of faith

arm

of the Lord

Christ by faith. 1.

The

rible law,

for

removc or break.

to the Gentiles.

must be Isa.

any but the almighty It is said

53

:

that the Lord

Acts 14

:

27.

The

revealed, or none will open to

1.

iron bar oi the divine law, that thundering, ter-

cannot force open the heart of an unbeliever

;

all

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

/»2

the dreadful curses flying out of

mouth, make no

its fiery

more impression than a tennis-ball against a wall of marble. You read of them who hear the words of this curse, yet bless themselves in their heart, saying, they shall have

walk

peace, though they to

in the imaginations of their hearts,

add drunkenness to thhst.

They play with

hell

Deut. 29

19.

:

and eternal torments, rush

iniquity as the horse rusheth into the battle, act as

love with their

own

agreement with

hell.

ating power of sin 2.

death,

and

who

as those

in

at

an

are

the besotting, hardening, infatu-

I

The golden key

oi free-grace cannot, in

itself,

these bars and open men's hearts to Christ

remove

" "We have

:

piped unto you, and ye have not danced." Matt. 11

The melodious sounds

:

17.

of grace, mercy, peace, and pardon,

dead hearts

affect not the

into

men

of unbelievers

like

:

deaf adders,

they stop their ears at the voice of the charmer, charm he

never to a

so wisely.

more quiet

No

3.

These gospel melodies only dispose them sleep in sin.

u'orks of iirovidejice are in themselves sufficient

to open the hearts of

The judgments,

men to God

of

Christ.

cannot do

it

;

thousands have

been sick with smiting, that yet cannot be made sin.

to

sick for

"

Thou hast consumed them, but they have refused receive correction they have made their faces harder :

than a rock

;

they have refused to return."

Jer. 5

:

Mes-

3.

sengers of judgment are abroad, smiting some in their estates, scattering in

one day the labor of

many years and make sure of ;

therein giving a warning to the conscience to

Christ and the world to come, since their comfort and happiness

are

scattered in this world.

their dearest relatives

;

ries out the delight of their eyes,

to

are

Some

are smitten in

death knocks at their door, and car-

smitten with disease,

and admonishes

their souls

more durable comforts some giving warning of the near ap-

place their happiness in

:

THE HEART CLOSED. and bidding them prepare

proacli of their latter end,

another habitation

No

but

;

are

in

themselves

open the obdurate hearts of sinners

sufficient

God should

They take you

2:4.

thus talk wdth you

:

Ah,

on every side

judgments nor mercies can to Jesus Christ.

feedeth, clotheth,

Do you

?

and unwise ?"

foolish people

way by the hand, and how canst thou grieve

sinner,

and dishonor the God who thus forteth thee

all

;

Rom.

lead you to repentance.

in a friendly

"

to

God has

to Christ.

heaped up mercies by multitudes upon many of you these mercies of

for

vain.

all in

God

mercies of

53

Yet

and com-

thus requite the Lord, all will

not do, neither

fright or allure the carnal heart

It is his Spirit, his

almighty power alone,

that opens these everlasting gates, and makes these strong

way and

bars give

Inference

and the

1

.

fly at his voice.

Behold here the dismal

state of nature,

the ivofid condition of all unregenerate soids

Redeemer shut

out, sin

and Satan shut

horrid state of nature shut

up

in.

Rom.

in unbelief.

Christ

;

This

the

is

11

32.

:

Ah, Lord, what a condition is this we should certainly account it an unspeakable misery to be shut up in a house ;

haunted by the

devil,

where we should be continually

frightened with dreadful noises and apparitions

what

is

an apparition of the devil without

itation of the devil within us

?

Nay, what

is

of a body, to Satan's possession of the soul

the very case of the unregenerate. strong

man armed

him by

keepeth the palace,

but

alas,

the possession

Yet

?

Luke till

;

us, to the inhab-

11

:

this

is

The

21.

Christ dispossesses

sovereign victorious grace.

Poor wretch, canst thou

supposed vision of a

and not tremble

start at a

think that thy soul

is

spirit,

the habitation of devils

twofold misery lying upon

all Christless,

?

There

to

is

a

unregenerated per

sons.

Satan

is

now worketh

their

rider in this world,

"the

in the children of disobedience."

spirit

that

Eph. 2

:

2.

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

54

God dwells and rules in sanctified them as in hallowed temples, guiding and so Satan dwells in unregenerate hearts, comforting them inflaming them with his temptations, and using their faculties and members as instruments of unrighteousness. And

As

the Holy Spirit of

souls,

walks

ill

;

then,

He

ye cursed,

"

a state.

:

What a is

Flee, therefore,

Son make you

" If the

John 8

2.

grace

41.

he

and escape

and

liis

your

for

not quietly another night in so dismal and dread-

lives, sleep

deed."

:

:

Depart from me,

into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil

Matt. 25

angels."

ful

come

will be their tormentor in the world to

that tempts now, will torment then.

free,

ye shall be free

in-

36.

glorious

tuork

of sovereign, omnipotent

the effectual conversion of a sinner unto God.

every heart by nature be secured for Satan under so locks and bars, the opening of any heart to Christ

edly marvellous in our eyes.

You

all

is

If

many

deserv-

acknowledge that the

opening of the graves at the resurrection will be a glorious display of

Almighty power, and

so it will

derful thing to see the graves opened

:

it

the voice of the archangel and the trump of

me

will be a

won-

and the dead raised at

God

but give

;

leave to say that the opening of thy heart, poor sinner,

to receive Christ,

ing the dead

;

is

it is

a more glorious work than that of

therefore deservedly put in the

of the great mysteries of godliness, that Christ

on in the world." Christ,

may

justly

1

Tim. 3:16.

wonder that

all

He

is

first

rais-

rank

"believed

that well considers

the hearts in the enlight-

ened world do not stand wide open to embrace him

;

yet he

that shall consider the frame and temper of the natural heart,

and how strongly Satan has intrenched and fortified it, may justly wonder to hear of a work of conver-

himself in sion in sion,

an age.

brethren, consider the marvels of conver-

the wonderful works of

unto Christ by

faith.

God upon

the soul that opens

THE HEART CLOSED. There of

God

is

a

is

eye created in the

tieio

55

mind: "The Son

come, and hath given us an understanding, that

we may know him

that

true."

is

1

John, 5

precious eye of faith, which shows the soul as

world, a world of

new and

All the angels in heaven, earth, cannot create such tion;

it is

He who

only

"

all

:

it

ravishing objects.

that

20.

were a new

Eph. 5

:

8.

the ministers and libraries upon

an eye and give such an illumina-

commanded

the hght to shine out

of darkness, that" thus "shineth in our "hearts, to give the

knowledge of the glory of God

light of the

2 Cor. 4

Jesus Christ."

And what

:

in the face of

6.

a glorious supernatural work

is

the convic-

tion of the conscience by the saving beams of light upon

Now

it.

to startle

the conscience, which lay in a dead sleep, begins

feehng have got into the heart

is

it,

for sin, sick for

And no er

Life and it with fear and horror. and now it cries, " Ah, sick, sick at

and look about

less

a Saviour."

marvellous an

effect of the

Almighty pow-

the boiving of the stubborn will so efficaciously, so

congruously, and so determinately and fixedly to the Lord Jesus.

The

will

is

efficaciously determined, so as

of hell or nature can

resist or frustrate

no power

that mighty power

which worketh effectually in all them that believe. 1 Thess. 2 13. Yet it works not by way of compulsion, but in harmony with and agreeably to the nature of the will "I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love." Hosea 11:4. Satan bids for the soul, but Christ infinitely outbids eternal, spiritual, and unsearchable riches, inall his offers stead of sensual, perishing enjoyments, which determine the :

:

;

choice of the will in

its

own

natural method, by the sight of

the excelhng glory of spiritual things.

supernatural power of

secured so 3.

many ways

Hence

it

God opens the

And thus the

mighty,

heart which Satan had

against Christ.

also follows, that

oion to supernatural good.

The

man

has no

will cannot,

luill

by

of his

its

own

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

56

power, open

open of

him,

to

God upon

itself to receive Christ it is

not by

it.

The admirers

by

sovereignty of the will, as

if it

of nature talk

that

;

is,

it

does

much

of the

is

needed to open

fall, it

to

God needs do no more to save men than damn them. But if ever God makes you

that

the devil does to

what the work

sensible

When

alone had escaped the

and that no more than moral suasion Christ

faith.

natural power, but by the power

its

of saving conversion

quickly find that your will

lame

is

is,

you will

to spiritual things

;

you

wounded will, as well as of a dark head and a hard heart. You will quickly find that " it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his own good pleasure." The birth of the new creature is Phil. 2:13. John 1:13. not of the will of man, but of God. will cry out of a

Learn, hence, the necessity of conversion in order to

4.

up against you till "Marvel not John 3 7. that I said unto thee, ye must be born again." thy sinner, that hard heart of thine must be humbled stubborn and refractory will must be bowed all the powers he must of thy soul must be unlocked and opened to Christ Christ and heaven are shut

salvation.

your hearts are savingly opened unto him.

:

;

;

;

come

God

into thy soul, or thou canst never see the face of It is Christ in

in peace. Col. 1

Till thy heart

27.

:

you that is

is

" the

hope of glory."

opened, Christ, with

hopes of glory, stands without thee.

If

all

the

hope from the death

of Christ, without the application of his Spirit, be enough to

why are any damned ? See 1 Cor. 1 30. damns none but only such as are in him and

save men, then

Adam's

sin

:

;

Christ's righteousness saves

in

him

:

death of the Son, put no happiness

till

man

faith

into the state of salvation

both are brought home by the

application in the

news

none but those that are by

the eternal purpose of the Father, the meritorious

work

of saving conversion.

indeed, that Christ died for sinners

that Christ

is

Spirit's

;

it is

It

and

powerful is

good

good news

brought to our veiy doors in the tenders of the

THE HEART CLOSED. and that the

gospel,

57

knocks at the door of our hearts,

Spirit

by many convictions and persuasions

open to him and

to

enjoy the unspeakable benefits of his death

bring us nigh to Christ and salvation be, eventually, tion,

them whose

so to

hearts are but

opened to Christ.

of fervent prayer to accomWithout the Spirit and

See, hence, the necessity

5.

pany

may

all this

but a dreadful aggravation of our damna-

and will certainly be

ahiiost

these things

:

and yet

;

the preaching of the gospel.

power of God accompanying the word, no heart can ever be opened

to Christ

the breath of

:

alas,

man

to

such bars as these are too strong break

;

may

people pray, that the gospel

be preached "with the

Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." greatly concerns us

who preach

for

and the

let ministers pray,

Pet.

1

1

12.

:

It

the gospel, to wrestle with

God upon

our knees for help in the dispensation of

the people

—

it

unto

and prayers before you hear

we sow among you in tears it. And I beseech you, breth-

ren, let us not strive alone

join your cries to

to steep that seed

;

ours, for the blessing of the Spirit

upon the

heaven with

How

v7ord.

does Paul beg of the people, as a beggar would for alms, for their assistance in prayer:

"I beseech you, brethren,

for

the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with

Rom. 15 30. For want of such

me."

is

me

so little efficacy in

wrestlings with

:

21

;

and

I

may

tell

God

Martha

ordmances.

" Lord, if thou hadst been here,

John 11

in your prayers to

God

for

:

my

in prayer, there

told her Saviour,

brother had not died,"

you, that if the Spirit

had

been here, your souls had not remained dead under the word as they do this day.

when

the Sabbath draws near, let

fervent cries ascend from every family to heaven.

pour out thy Spirit with thy word

;

make

it

Lord,

mighty through

thy power to open these gates of iron and break asunder these bars of brass.

3*

CHRIST KNOClilNa AT THE DOOR.

68

The

subject supplies us with matter for

Seeing the case stands thus, that

duty.

and shut up against

are barred

Christ

at the door

is

the

enter in at

to

with God now

and will opened

strait

to Christ

Luke 13

gate."

:

:

24.

with yourselves as well as

strive

;

to get it opened,

to

Christ, let every soul strive

to its uttermost to get the heart

"Strive

exhortation

hearts by nature

all

now

that salvation

is

come

so near your souls.

But have you not

Objection.

can open

his

own

Answer. do it,

many

bow

heart, nor

his

told us that

own

no sinner

will to Christ

True, he cannot convert himself, but he

things in order to

which he does not do

;

it,

and

?

may

and which have a tendency so

to

he perishes, not because he

cannot, but because he will not open his heart to Christ.

Many done

;

may

things

and though

way

being the

be done by sinners which are not

themselves they are insufficient, yet

in

which the As

in

Spirit of

are bound to do them.

your power

to

for

open your heart to Christ,

to forbear the external acts of sin,

more against

word,

it is

?

If

2.

in your

usually works, If

1.

"Who

?

forces the

it

we

be not in

in your

it is

which

power

your heart the

set

AVho forces thine hands

Christ.

tongue to swear or lie your throat

God

example,

to steal, or

thy

cup of excess down

you cannot open your heart under the

power

and ordinances of the

to attend

gospel.

upon the external duties

Why

cannot those feet carry

thee to the assemblies of the saints, as well as to a tavern 3.

And

if

you cannot admit the word

heart, certainly tion

you can apply your mind with more atten-

and consideration

to

eyes to wander, or closes

matters of eternal 4.

?

effectually into your

life

it

than you

them with

do. sleep,

Who

forces thine

when

and death are sounding

the awful

in thine ears?

If you cannot open your heart to embrace Christ, cer-

tainly

you can

Christless state

God has

reflect

when

the obvious characters of a

are plainly held forth before

given you a self-reflecting power

:

your eyes. the spirit of

THE HEART CLOSED. man knoweth

the things of a man.

you hear of convictions of

Cor.

1

which

whether

it

have

others

were ever

so

felt,

and nights about

you can certainly examine

with you

;

and

methinks

if not,

might conduce to the prevention of your misery, to yourself, saying, "

lasting burnings

Ah,

my poor

it

bemoan

thou endure ever-

soul, canst

"What will become of thee

?

for sin,

eternal state, hungering

its

thirsting after Christ, anxious days

salvation,

When

2:11.

compunction of heart

sin,

deep concern of the soul about

and

59

if

Christ pass

Why

thee by, and his Spirit strive no more with thee ?"

cannot you throw yourself at the feet of God, and cry for

mercy

Prayer

?

Do

this

though

is

a part of natural worship

men upon

ally puts

it

who have no

;

distress usu-

Jonah

grace.

be not in

it

itself sufficient,

obligation or necessity to

1

:

5.

which nor puts God under any

towards the opening and saving of your

show you mercy,

yet

soul,

puts you in

it

way of the Spirit. And is not thy soul, sinner, worth Have you not taken a great deal more as much as this ? And will it not be a pains for the trifles of this world ?

the

dreadful aggravation of sin and misery to

you perished

so easily ?

you striving folded *'

arms

for Christ

as if

The kingdom

take

it

by

Why

Do not you

heaven

:

sit still

to do for another

sufFereth violence,

Matt. 11

force."

all eternity,

men have

What

?

not; or

you have not

12.

them than

discouragements have you which other

what encouragements have they which

Say

not,

We

have no assurance that our

pains shall prosper, or our strivings be :

?

?

Objection.

conversion

with

world

and the violent

should other men's souls be dearer to

yours to you

that

many round about

and salvation, while you

you had nothing

of

see

if

made

effectual to

there were any promise in the gospel that

such endeavors should be seconded from heaven and made available

to

breath and

salvation, life

then

should last;

we would but

strive as long as

all this

may

be to no

60

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

purpose,

we may

when

be Christless and^ hopeless

all

is

done.

But yet remember, God may

Answer.

weak them

bless these

endeavors, and give you his Almighty Spirit with

nay,

it is

highly probable that he will do so

probability nothing with you

about your

When

civil

or

life

husbandman plows

his

it,

is

and empties

he sure of a good harvest

blight defeat all his hopes

hope, and ordinarily

?

upon

does he not venture ?

purse upon

actions

or property at sea, is

the mere probabilities of a gainful voyage his land,

:

a strong

an assurance of success

the merchant ventures his ;

is

Do you perform no

?

callings without

he sure of a good return

and

;

When

the

bags

and

May

?

not a

Yet he ploweth and soweth in

?

God makes him partake

of his hope

;

but without such industry his expectations would be in vain,

AAvay then with vain excuses

;

up and be doing

in the use

of all appointed means, and the Lord be with you.

Before I dismiss this point,

let

whether God has opened our hearts

us try ourselves by to Christ,

bars of ignorance, unbelief, custom, and prejudice

we

it,

broken these

—whether

are ready to receive Christ Jesus the Lord.

This

is

a solemn application of the subject, and the con-

sequences of

it

may

be great

seriousness in the trial

by these following

Mark vileness, sity,

1.

may

i^la.rks

:

that our faithfulness and

be answerable.

Try yourselves

:

If your eyes be not opened to see sin in its

and Christ in

his glory, suitableness,

and

7ieces-

then your hearts were never yet eflectually opened by

the gospel.

Men's eyes

may be opened

to see sin,

and their

same time be shut up by unbelief against Christ but no man's heart can be opened to Christ while " This is the will of him that sent me, his eyes are shut

hearts at the ;

:

that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him,

may have

everlasting

life."

John 6:40.

The work

of

THE HEART CLOSED. faith

is

CI

always wrought in the light of conviction

the cure

;

of the heart begins at the eye of the mind, Acts 26

"to open their

eyes,

and

to

:

18,

turn them from darkness to

light, and from the power of Satan unto God." God opens men's hearts by shining into them. 2 Cor. 4:6. If, therefore, any man's eyes be still blinded with ignorance and

own guilt and misery, nor the worth and necessity of a Saviour, that man's heart is prejudice, so that he sees not his

still

under Satan's lock and bar, sin

is

shut in and Christ

is

shut out of his soul.

Mark 2. No heart opens to Christ by faith till it be first tvounded by comipunctioji mid humiliation; this heartwounding work 1

always antecedent

is

doubt not but your thoughts forerun

directed to that scripture

who had

crucified Christ,

to the

work

of faith.

my discourse,

and are

where Peter, preaching to those and bringing his discourse close to

their consciences in the application of that sermon, convinces

them

what an

not only

Son of God was

atrocious crime the crucifying of the

it home upon them Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. "When they heard this, they were prick-

in

itself,

but also charges

:

"

ed in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles,

2

:

Men and Upon

23, 37.

brethren,

what

this outcry three

in one hour to Christ.

Now

we

shall

do ?"

Acts

thousand souls opened

consider w^hether your hearts

have been thus wounded; has sorrow for sin pierced thy Vain sinner, that frothy heart of thine must bleed soul ? under compunctions .

Christ in

your

own

it.

Come,

eyes

:

for sin, or there will soul, it is in

reflect

back the days that are

vain to

be no room for

flatter yourself in

upon the frame of your heart, call past, and say, when was the time,

and where was the place when thou layedst at the foot of God, mourning on account of thy sins. Did ever God hear such a cry as this from thy soul? " Ah, Lord,

my

soul

is dis-

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

62 tressed

;

I

and comfort, but

for ease

the insupportable weight of guilt

My

terness of sin.

me."

and thither

I roll hither

find none.

soul fails under

it

the bit-

;

Lord, undertake for

;

do not say the degrees of compunction and humili-

ation are equal in all converts, neither are their sins or their

bear sorrows for them equal

ability to

heart must ache for

bmds up none but broken

Mark

If Christ

3.

delight of every sin

is

hearts.

come

of sin cannot dwell together

him

that apprehended

61

Isa.

:

he

1.

Christ and the love

it.

what he

:

:

thy

I say,

into thy heart, tlie love a7id

out of

is g07ie

but this

;

will never open to Christ

sin, or it

said to the soldiers

he says

in the garden,

to every soul

him by faith, " If ye seek me, let these go their way," John 18:8; away with the sin thou most delightest in. Christ cannot come in till this be gone. ** Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him that comes to apprehend

while he

is

near

unrighteous

man

let

:

the wicked forsake his way, and the

his thoughts

:

and

for

he will abundantly pardon."

him return unto the him and to our God,

let

Lord, and he will have mercy upon

;

Isa.

55

:

Here are

6, 7.

the terms of your acceptance and salvation plainly laid down, forsake thy

ways and thoughts

nal acts of

sin,

trivance and delight in sin

and that " Let is

is

not

it

make

to ;

we

we must

profitable

divorce to the

than

:

part.

lusts

but

;

must be signed

Lord Jesus.

to part

the exter-

with

and he will have mercy."

down Christ's terms we will not come up to them, And this makes the great strug-

for

if

it is

away

hard

to give

up pleasant

they must go, a

bill

of

them, or you cannot be espoused

This will be found to be all

It

cannot bring

gle in the souls of converts.

and

way means

the door of salvation wider than

lower than he has set them Christ and

the

both these must be forsaken makes but a negative holiness,

to the Lord,

men

God has made

;

this

all, for

him return

in vain for

:

and the thoughts the internal acts of con-

much

harder

external things for Christ's sake.

THE HEART CLOSED.

63

Mark 4. No heart can opeii^truly to Christ, that is not made tvilling upon due deliberation to receive him, iviih his cross of sufferings and his yoke of obedience. Matt. 16 24 11 29. Any exception against either of these is an :

:

;

effectual bar to union

as not

10

in

he looks upon that soul

;

such an exception.

If thou judgest not Christ to be

38.

:

with Christ

worthy of him, that puts

name

So

of his disciple.

ence, called his yoke

Matt.

all suffer-

he judges thee unworthy

ings, all losses, all reproaches,

bear the

worth

to

the duties of obedi-

for

he that will not receive Christ's yoke

;

can never receive his person, nor any benefit by his blood,

Mark

Every heart that opens sincerely and evangelopens to him in deep humility and sense

5.

ically to Christ,

of

and

emptiness

its

univorthiness ;

given up as dung and dross.

came

to

him

Phil.

ungodly, his faith

is

counted

the true

is

way

him

vanishes before idle,

obedience

;

his

him

who

is,

to

5.

takes no care of the duties of

he worketh not

—

:

where the

all self-righteousness

can never be a saving

idle faith

;

that worketh not," understand

an

covenant

own

"

E-om. 4

of justification indeed

lazy believer,

the meaning first

By

it.

that justifieth the

for righteousness."

imputed righteousness of Christ comes, not an

Thus Abraham " To him

as to one that justifieth the ungodly.

that worketh not, but believeth on

Yea, here

all self-righteousness is

3:8.

make up a

to

But

faith.

meet the demands of the

righteousness for himself by

working, to cover himself with a robe of righteous-

ness of his

own weaving.

Thou must

receive Christ into a

naked, unworthy soul, or not receive

own

heartily rejected all his

him

at

righteousness, cast

Paul

all.

down

that

house-idol to the ground, that he might be found ui the Phil. 3

righteousness of Christ. doors,

it

stands in the

are divers

way

ways wherein

eousness to their ruin. self-righteousness

;

:

9.

Cast that

idol out of

of a better righteousness.

sinners maintain their

There

is

own

There right-

a gross and a more refined

the one more palpable and easily liable

;

KNOCKma

CHRIST

64

much

to conviction, the other

harder to be discovered and

Ask some men on what

cured.

grounded, and they

men and

ings with

vi^ill

AT THE DOOR.

their hopes of salvation are

you they are just

tell

constant in their prayers to

and therefore they doubt not of

all,

and are

their

own

God

;

that

own

is

Thus

their salvation.

they substitute a righteousness of their Christ's blood,

in their deal-

in the place of

destroyers by seeking in

way to be their own saviours. But there is a more way of self-righteousness, dressed up in such pretences I of humility that men are hard to be convinced of it. pity many souls on this account who stand off from Christ,

this

refined

and dare not believe because they want such and such qualifications to fit

so

much

them

0, saith one, could I find

for Christ.

brokenness of heart for

sin, so

and power over corruptions, then the meaning of which to purchase him,

Here now

is

then

is, if

I

much

could

I

reformation

come

to Christ

could bring a price in

my hand

should be encouraged to go to him.

I

horrible pride covered over

with a

veil of

humil-

Poor sinner, either come naked and empty-handed,

ity.

according to Isa. 55

1,

:

and E,om. 4

for Christ is not the. sale,

Mark

Whatever

6.

and everlastingly must stand open

but the

5, or

expect a repulse

of God.

soul opens to Christ, o/;e/^s finally

him ;

to

:

gift

the heart once opened to Christ,

for ever to

him, never to shut him out any

And here is a very observable difference between a man who comes to Christ in a sudden fright of conscience, and parts from him again when that fright is over, and a man who receives Christ to dwell in his heart by faith. Eph. 3 17. When Christ comes into the heart, he saith,

more.

:

"

Here will

I

dwell

" so I receive thee

know life

;

for

ever

;"

this is the

a day of separation

;

and, " Lord," saith the soul,

day of union,

let it

let

me

never

never be in the power of

or death, angels, principalities or powers, things present

or to come, to

make

a separation between thee and me."

" Soul," saith Christ, " thou shalt be

mine while

I

am

in

THE HEART CLOSED. heaven I

am

65

and, " Lord," saith the soul, " I will be

;"

saith Christ

my

hold me fast may never leave nor forsake thee my and life may and must go, but it is the fixed

" 0,

;

thme while

" I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,"

on earth."

Lord," saith the

soul, "

in thy hand, that I estate, liberty,

purpose of

my

;

heart never, never to

thee go."

let

espousals between Christ and the soul are for ever

betroth thee unto

And who

here

me

The

" I will

Hos. 2:19.

yea,ybr ever.

for ever,"

:

another great difference between the hypocrite

lies

takes Christ with a politic reserve, that will venture

with Christ at sea no further than he can see the shore, and the upright heart that embarks itself with Christ without

come what

reserve,

David,

when

where

my

that saith to him, as Ittai to

;

Lord Jesus Christ

in prison, in

may

wall

entreated to go back in a time of danger, " Nay,

life

persuade to a retreat

retreat

:

is,

it

be in liberty or

must

I

be

;

for

interest

and glory of Christ

upon these terms

I first received

him, and opened the door of my heart to him. are no matters of surprise to me, Christ and

them long ago faithfully

Now,

;

he dealt

Flesh

but, saith the soul, I cannot

;

wherever the truths, the

are, there also

whether

or in death, there also will I be."

fairly

These things I

have debated

with me, and

must deal

I

with him. brethren, view over these six trials

eyes been opened to see sin in

beauty and necessity

?

its vileness,

Have your

with compunction and sorrow

yoke of

have your

hearts been

for sin

?

in his

wounded

Are the love and

Have you no excepChrist ? Have you given

delight of sin gone out of your souls tions either to the cross or

;

and Christ

?

up all your own righteousness, w^hether gross or refined, for dung and dross, and received Christ for ever ? Then thy heart

is

The from

it

savingly opened to him.

last

improvement of

CONSOLATION to

all

this doctrine will be, to

draw

whose hearts the Lord has thus

CHEIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

C6 opened

receive Christ

to

knocks and

at his

of the

calls

gospel.

made you

heart, and

Has God indeed opened your

sin-

cerely willing to receive Christ? then there are ten sweet

many

consolations, like so

boxes

ointment, to be

of' precious

poured forth in the close of this discourse, upon every such soul.

Consolation ceive Christ, love to

and

nity.

I

by

a

is

The opening

1.

do not say that every

himself from

man whose

to salvation.

or not, the thing in itself

to re-

of the Lord's

heart

thereupon immediately assured and

faith, is

it

any man's heart

man for

setting apart that

God has chosen him hend

of

clear, scriptitral evidence

is

eter-

opened

satisfied that

But whether he appreKnowing, is certain. '*

For our gospel came

brethren beloved, your election of God.

not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the

Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." Their election of

might they

among it,

in

Who

;

Yes, saith the apostle, it

our gospel

for

;

an empty sound, but in mighty

opening your hearts

Thess. 1

:

4, 5.

but

alas,

can know that but God alone

we know

this

1

the thing to be proved

the divine secrets.

and by

you

say,

God was

A

to believe.

?

it is

we know

came not unto

efficacy, effectually

more

clear

and certain

evidence of your election cannot be given in this world.

Again, look into predestinate,

he

Rom.

them he

also justified

and

;

8

30

:

also called

whom

he

:

;

justified,

this scripture

:

the one

is,

that the whole

called

upon earth were predestinated

was

the other

saints in

heaven

is,

is

that as the whole

made up

also glori-

to Christ

by

faith,

solidly reason

number

of the

to life before the

number

world

of the glorified

of souls called and justified on

earth, so the called soul, that

him,

them he

There are two great and ravishing truths cleared in

fied."

;

whom he did whom he called, them

" Moreover,

and

is,

the soul that savingly ojsens

may, from that work of the

backward

Spirit

upon

to God's electing love before

THE HEAET CLOSED. and forward

all time,

to his glorification

how

time shall be no more.

strong

G7

with God when

is

the consolation

flowing out of this glorious work of the

on our

Spirit

hearts.

Consolation Christ,

The arm

of an angel

before-mentioned

power

is

The opening

2.

of the heart to receive

power of God. break those strong bars

the peculiar effect of the almighty

is

too

is

weak

to

therefore the exceeding greatness of his

;

applied unto this

work

of believing

ing greatness of his power to us-ward to the

working of

Christ

when he

Here

20.

is

:

"

The

who believe,

exceed-

according

mighty power which he wrought in

his

him from

raised

the dead."

Eph.

1

:

19,

power, the power of God, the greatness of his

power, the exceeding greatness of his power, the very same power which wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and all this is needed to make the heart of man open by faith to receive Christ. The only key that fits the ;

cross

wards of man's will and

in the

hand

of Christ

"

:

effectually opens his heart, is

He hath

the key of David

;

he open-

and no man shutteth." Rev, 3 7. How long some of you sat under able ministers, searching sermons, and alarming providences yet to no purpose, till this almighty power came with the word, and then the eth,

:

;

work was

done.

of thy power."

"

Thy

people shall be willing in the day

What a glorious power when he lay in the

Psalm 110:3.

was that which opened

Christ's grave,

heart of the earth, vvdth a weighty stone rolled upon his sepulchre.

And how mighty

a power

was that which broke

which kept thy soul in the state of None feel this power but those whom God sin and death, intends for salvation and having once wrought this, it is asunder

all

engaged

to

those bars

;

go through with

all

the rest which yet remains

to be done to perfect thy salvation.

Consolation

3.

The opening

of thy heart to Christ

is

not only an effect of almighty power, but an effect without

;;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

68

and suffered had heen of thy salvation; neither the eternal decrees of

whicJi all that Christ has done

no avail

to

God, nor the meritorious sufferings of Christ, are effectual to

any man's salvation, until this work of the upon his heart. The offering of Christ is

Spirit

be wrought

sufficient to pur-

chase our redemption, but the receiving of Christ by faith brings

home

salvation to our souls.

causes to produce one

effect,

Where

that effect

Thus

the last cause has wrought.

is

it is

cause, namely, the free-grace of God, has

there are

many

not produced until here

:

the moving

wrought

and the

;

meritorious cause, the death of Christ, has also wrought

but

still

the heart, even of an elect man, remains under guilt

and condemnation,

the Spirit,

till

has also Avrought the blessed Christ in us, that

in union

is,

the hope of glory.

Col. 1

:

27

who is the we now

effect

with our ;

1

Cor.

applying agent,

speak

souls,

1

:

It is

of.

which

is

to us

Behold, then,

30.

openmg of the heart by faith has brought home Christ, with all the

the last stroke given in this herein electing love

purchases and benefits of his death, into the actual possession

how

of thy soul.

Consolation

by

faith, the

You behold up by

4.

transporting a consideration

is this.

In this work, the opening of the heart

great design of the gospel

is also

accomjMshed.

in the church a glorious frame of ordinances set

divine institution, ministers appointed to preach, sac-

raments, prayers, singing

— a variety of ordinances

set

up and

excellent gifts bestowed on men, as the fruit of Christ's

ascension into heaven.

Now, what was

the design of

in the institution of all these things, but that

God

by them, as

instruments in his hand, our ignorant, dead, unbelieving hearts might be opened to Christ in acts of repentance and faith,

and

open your

built

up

to

a perfect

eyes, to turn

man ?

Ministers are sent to

you from darkness

the power of Satan to God.

Acts 26

:

to light,

18.

and from

They

are not

sent by Christ into this world to get a living, to pursue a

trade for themselves, but to bring you to faith.

1

Cor. 3

^"

:

5.

THE HEART CLOSED. When you

69

God's elect are thus brought in and built up in Christ,

shall see this glorious

frame of ordinances taken down

;

more preaching nor hearing, the end of all " Then cometh the end, these things being accomphshed when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even there will be no

:

the

Father."

1

15

Cor.

24.

:

The

consideration of the

accomplishment of the great and principal design of the gospel thus far upon thy heart, is matter of transporting joy. Ministers

but

may and must

this blessed effect of

God

die,

may

ordinances

them upon thy

be removed,

soul shall never die

:

what he hath begun. Consolation 5. That day ivherein thy heart is savingly opened to receive Christ, that very day is salvatioii come to thy soul. When the heart of Zaccheus was opened to Christ, he tells him, " This day is salvation come to thy house." Luke 19:9. Salvation was come into the world before thou wast born yea, salvation was come to thy door in the tenders of the gospel before but it never came into will perfect

;

;

thy soul

till

And

faith.

the day wherein thy heart opened to Christ by is

not this matter of singular consolation

what

salvation be not,

home 8

:

16

39 :

rejoicing,

when he had

is

finished that day, there

yet to be done and suffered by it

;

but

all

the day of their salvation.

was not it

was begun that

If

received Christ by faith. Acts his house.

Neither blame nor wonder at such

ing, for it

?

No wonder that the eunuch went

that the jailer rejoiced with

;

34.

vation

is ?

them

men

Acts

for rejoic-

It is true their sal-

were many things

before the completion of

day, the foundation

was

laid in

the soul that day, and the top-stone shall be set up with

shouting in due time,

Consolation Christ

crj^ing,

Grace, grace unto

The opening of a makes joy in heave?!, a triumph 6.

it.

sinner's iii

heart to

the city of our

God above. " I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nme just persons which need no repentance."

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

70

Luke 15:7. As when a young prince is born, all the kingdom rejoices, and there is a demonstration of joy and thankfulness in ever}^ city and town it is much more so in ;

heaven,

when a

soul

horn

is

under the gospel.

to Christ

beholds more of the travail of his soul

and

saints, that

When

another soul

the gospel

crying, 'JO'

I

and wounds him

sick, '

the news thereof

the whole city of

thee before

God

home by

effectually brought

is

him home,

Christ

to all the angels

espoused to him.

is

Spirit to the heart of a sinner,

sends

and

;

is

It

who now

a satisfaction to the heart of the Lord Jesus,

is

and

sick of sin, '

the

and

for sin,

sick for

presently in heaven, and sets Christ never rejoiced over

rejoicing.

thou hast wounded him and grieved him a thou-

;

sand times, but he never rejoiced in thee

now

till

;

and that

which gives joy to Christ may well be matter of joy to thee. Consolation 7. The day thy heart is unlocked, unbarred, and savingly opened by

and

spiritual,

from that day Christ

atid thy soul; Christ

his.

is

made ;

arms of

be, the feeble

inti7nate,

betiveen Christ

is thi7ie,

a great and glorious person

and glorious soever he

an

very day

faith, that

everlasting union is

and thou art how great thy faith may

but

surround and embrace him, and thou mayest say with the church, "

2

:

16.

My

beloved

is

mine, and

For mark what he says

open to me,

come

I will

in to

am

I

him."

That

dwell in your heart by

advanced by believer

all

:

this is

that ever

way

What

faith.

Christ

any

man

my

soul shall be

will Christ

soul feels not itself

union with the Son of

becomes a member of

his bones

them

this

" If

Thus

habitation, there will I dwell for ever.

Sol. Song,

his."

in the text,

God

Hereby the

?

his body, of his flesh

an honor bestowed upon thy

and of

soul, aboA^e

God bestowed upon any angel in heaven to a head by way of dominion, but to thee by ;

is

of vital influence.

Angels are as the nobles of his

kingdom, but the believer his

heaven are ministering

spirits

bride,

and

unto such.

all

the angels of

THE HEART CLOSED. Consolation

The opening

8,

71

of thy heart to

Christ

brings thee not onlij into itnion tvith his person, but into the state of siveet, soul-enriching communion ivith him. So he speaks in the text, " If any man open the door, I will

come in to him, and will sup with liim, and he with me." Thou hast lived many years in the world, and never hadst any communion with God till this day^ Christ and thy soul have been strangers till now. Thou mayest have had communion with ordinances, and even external communion with saints, but for communion with Christ thou couldst know nothing of it, till thou receivedst him into thy soul by faith.

Now

thou mayest say, " Truly

and with

my

fellowship

Son Jesus Christ." And thenceforth thy communion with men

Father,

his

is

is

with the 1:3.

Jolin,

1

pleasant and

desirable.

Consolation

by

a

faith, is

9.

special

The opening of a man's soul to Christ and peculiar onercy. God has done

that for thee which he has not done to millions

hath believed our report

Lord revealed?" that world.

Isa,

53

is,

And

1.

:

;

and to

to

how

whom

is

the

"

:

arm

Who

of the

small a remnant in the

the apostle puts the

work of faith

among

the great mysteries of godliness, the wonders of relig-

"

Preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the

ion

:'

world.",

1

Tim. 3

sen."

Matt. 22

:

The sound

16.

:

forth into the world

:

14.

"

Many

of the gospel

There were many widows in

in the days of Elias, but to none of

them was

who

sat

Luke 4

25, 26.

There

woman may have been

that

was

hundreds

under the same sermon which opened thy heart

Christ, but

God

:

Israel

Elias sent,

save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a

a widow.

gone

is

are called, but few are cho-

it

may

be to none of

them was the

sent that day, to open their hearts

by

faith,

to

Spirit of

but to thee

;

thou wilt freely acknowledge thyself as unlikely and unworthy as the vilest sinner there.

Consolation

10.

And

mercy same day thy heart

astonishing

lastly, in the

I

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

72

opens by faith to Christ, all the treasures of Christ are unlocked and opened to thee. In the same hour in wliich

God

turns the key of regeneration to open thy soul, the key

of free-grace

is

also turned to

riches of Christ

;

open

to thee the unsearchable

then the righteousness of Christ becomes

thine to justify thee, the

wisdom

of Christ to guide thee,

the holiness of Christ to sanctify thee

day made of God sanctification,

to thee,

and redemption."

yours; and ye are

3

:

22, 23.

things

God

" wisdom,

Thus

Christ's, I

1

;

in a word,

he

is

that

and righteousness, and Cor.

and Christ

1 is

:

30.

God's."

"All are 1

Cor,

have showed you some of the great

does for those souls

who open

receive Christ on the terms of the gospel.

their hearts to

HIS PATIENT WAITING,

CHAPTER

73

lY.

CHRIST'S PATIENCE IN WAITING UPON OBSTINATE SINNERS. "BEHOLD,

The

STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK."

I

verb here rendered "

would

stand,"

I

Rev. 3:20. strictly

be

rendered "I have stood," but being joined with a verb of the irresent tense,

Hebraism

is

here translated "

and long-suffering of Christ

Great and admirable

and

trifling

no

and ye refused

man

regarded."

is

;

is,

The

attention.

Prov.

1

65

Isa.

apostle speaks,

and

why I.

:

:

Acts 21

2,

showing forth

Tim. 1:16.

have

hand, and

Here you have not only

24.

stretching forth of the hand :

40.

to gain

was a

signal

Yet none regards

;

only, but all the

all long-suffering, as

the

In opening this point, I will

divine patience

is

;

wherein

it

is

evidenced

;

exercised towards sinners.

it is

What

1

my

suitable gestures also,

Lord does not once or twice

this the

show what

the j^citience of Chi'ist, in wait-

Christ, expresses himself: " I

given to procure attention.

day long,

do stand,

:

have stretched out

I

Christ's earnest calls, but

and

still

obstinate sin?iers.

Thus Wisdom, that called,

continued patience

have stood and

I

;

gives us this fourth doctrine

ing on

do stand," a frequent

wonderful patience towards obstinate sinners.

exercising

Which

I

It intimates the

in Scripture.

divine patience

is.

ards some, but to delay

it

m

an abihty in God wrath for a time tow-

It is

not only to delay the execution of his

order to the eternal salvation

of others.

an effect of 'poiver in God, not the effect of want of opportunity. All sinners are continually within the reach of the arm of his justice, and he can strike when and where he will. Esau had a revengeful mind 1.

It is

inability or

Chrkt Knocking.

4

!

CHUIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

74

was

against Jacob, but wanted opportunity, and therefore forced to delay the execution of his

mourning

for his

" will I slay it is

father

my brother

until the days of

were ended, and then, saith Gen. 27 41

Jacob."

:

"

a glorious effect of power.

Nah.

and great in power."

wrath

1

:

But

.

in

he,

God

The Lord is slow to anger The greatness of his 3. So the

patience flows from the greatness of his power.

Uom. 9 22 " What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-sufTering the vessels of wrath fitted," or made And therefore when Moses prays up, "to destruction?" apostle speaks,

:

:

the exercise of divine patience towards the provoking

for

Israelites,

thee, let

he does

in this form

it

my

the power of

hast spoken, saying, the Lord

mercy,

14

:

forgiving

17, 18.

He

iniquity

:

And now,

"

I

Lord be great, according is

beseech as thou

and of great

long-sufiering,

and transgression."

Numbers,

could exercise this almighty power upon

and crush thee by it as a moth is crushed but behold, it upon himself in staying the execution of his own justice. It is the power of God over his wrath, restraining it from day to day.

thee,

;

he exercises

2.

This patience

is

exercised toicards such as perish, in

a delay of their damnation ; and though pension of his wrath for a time, yet patience in him, as

Rom.

9

:

this

is

it

22 shows.

be but a

sus-

a glorious act of Is it

nothing

for

a sinner condemned as soon as born, to be reprieved so many years out of hell ? Thou hast been provoldng him daily and hourly to cut thee yet to be on ly to

owing

of!',

and send thee

to

thy

own

to the riches of his forbearance.

and

;

whol-

is God own wrath

look abroad into the world, and see everywhere

sinners ripe for destruction, daring the face, yet forborne, 3.

is

Ah, how

be admired in this his glorious power over his

When we

place

this side the everlasting burnings, this

God

how

admirable

is

God

this

of heaven to his

power of God

I

not only exercises this power in a suspension of

HIS PATIENT WAITING-.

I

his

wrath against some, who,

must

alas,

lo

feel it at last

;

but

he delays the execution of his wrath in a design of inercij towards others, tliat they tiiay 7iever feel it. Isa. 48 8, 9. :

Thus he bears with wherein they

his

own

elect all the years of their lives

in the state of nature,

lie

God

of rebellion against

;

and

this

and go on

towards them proves their salvation, as you have 3

:

is

15

"And

;

the meaning of that

know

Thou

from the danger of Avrath

thee.

For what

if

art

to

this thy salvation to the patience

God towards

Ah, Chris-

?

the meaning of

many Commentaries.

safely escaped

owest of

is

thou mayest easily

turning over

God

in 2 Pet,

it

account that the long-suffering of our Lord

What

salvation."

tian,

in a course

long-suffering of

wdthout

it,

now

come

;

in Christ,

but thou

and long-suffering

he had cut thee off in

the days of thy ignorance and rebellion against him, and

thou knowest that thou didst give him millions of provoca-

where hadst thou now been

tions so to do,

Thou hadst

?

never seen Christ, nor the least dawning hope of salvation

Remember how

by him.

you lay

oft

in those

days upon

the bed of sickness and upon the brink of the grave

what was

;

and

that saved thee from eternal wrath but this

it

admirable patience of Christ

may

Well, therefore,

?

apostle say, " Account that the long-suffering of our

the

Lord

is

salvation."

This patience of only

it

differs

God seems

from mercy in

the object of mercy, but

Such

patience.

of

God over

his

is

to spring out of his

this,

man

that

man

as criminal

mercy

as miserable is

;

is

the object of

the nature of divine patience, a power

own wrath,

not only to suspend

towards them that perish, but

it

for

a time

to delay the execution of it

in a design of salvation towards others.

IL The evidences of this divine patience, or wherein appears in sinners

of

it,

;

its

it

glorious manifestations towards provoking

and there are seven

full

evidences and discoveries

which should make the hearts of

sinners melt within

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOU.

76

them, while they are sounding hi their

ears.

Ah, methinks

such as these should melt down your hard hearts before the

Lord

:

The

1.

first

which

evidence shall be taken from the multitude

men

are guilty of before him, the least of a burden too heavy for any creature to bear the

of sins wliich is

;

"

Psalmist says,

Innumerable

me

have compassed

evils

Psalm 40 12. It was true, as applied to the person of David and though it be there also applied to the person of Christ, yet none of them were his own sins, but about."

:

;

ours

—

called his, by God's reckoning or imputing

them

no

to

Men can number vast sums, millions of millions but man can number his own sins, they exceed all account.

him.

;

There

is

not a

member

of the body, though never so small,

but has been the instrument of innumerable stance, the tongue, the apostle tells us,

3:6.

ty.

Jas.

ber,

what then

And

if

men

says,

been

Prov. 24

:

9.

patience of

How many

?

And

And what have says, "

God has

vain

yet for them, Christ

of foolishness

is

his errors

Yet the

?

not failed under such innumerable !

well

may

it

The second evidence

sin."

evils.

be ushered in in the text

with a term of admiration, "Behold, 2.

mem-

idle,

the sins of thy thoughts

The thought

who can understand

glorious patience

in-

an account in the day of judgment.

shall give

Solomon

?

For

evils.

a world of iniqui-

there be a world of sin in one

are the sins of all

words, has thy tongue uttered.

Matt. 12:36.

is

I

standi"

of the divine patience shall be

taken from the heinous nature of some sins above otliers, whereby si?i7iers fly, as it were, in the very face of God ;

and yet he bears with from cutting them tude

;

called

long-suffering, restraining his

off.

some have a

hands

All sins are not of equal magni-

slighter hue,

upon that account

scarlet

1:18, double-dyed abominations;

and some are deeper

and crimson

sins,

Isaiah

such are sins against

knowledge, or sins committed after convictions, and cove-

HIS PATIENT WAITINa. nants, and rebukes of providence.

outward gross acts of

sin

may

infamy, yet inward sins

do not only speak of

I

though they are of greater

for

;

be of greater gmlt, even those

never defamed thee in the world

sins that

77

;

but whatever

they are, reader, whether outward or inward, thy conscience is

privy to them, and thy soul

tience of

God

may

stand amazed at the pa-

in forbearing all this while under such provo-

him

cations against

considering

especially,

;

how many

are

day in hell that never provoked God by sinning with

this

such a high hand as thou hast done.

There

3.

is

a yet greater evidence of the patience of

God

in his bearing with us under the guilt of the special sin of

and

slighting

Here

neglecting Jesus Christ.

sin rather

than that

every one of you.

;

and yet

is

He can

goes to the very heart of Jesus Christ.

a sin that

bear any

has Christ borne from

this

You have spurned

the yearnings of his

mercy, slighted his grace, trampled his precious blood under foot,

and yet he has borne with you

Let thy

to this day.

conscience answer, whether thou art not equally deep in the

making light of Christ with those upon whom this was charged by the Lord Jesus. Matt. 22 2-6. Christ sufiered the wrath of God in thy stead, and brought home

guilt of sin

:

salvation in gospel-offers to thy door

ed

!

No

patience but his

own

;

and then

could bear

it.

to

be slight-

Every sermon

and prayer you have sat under with a dead heart, every motion of his Spirit which you have quenched, what but making light of Christ and the great salvation

?

is

this

Here

the deepest project of infinite wisdom, and the richest gift of free-grace,

wherein God commends his love to men, are un-

dervalued as small things out

number

;

and yet

his

thee off in thy rebellion.

Micah 7:18. 4.

thus have you done days with-

:

hand "

"What patience

The length of time

luith thee speaks

its

is

Who is

not stretched out to cut

is

a

God

like

unto thee ?"

like the patience of Christ?

the ]patie7icc of Christ has borne

perfection

and

riches.

Consider, sin-

CHRIST KNOCKlNa AT THE DOOR.

78 ner,

what age thou

ber,

and that

art

of,

how many

years thou canst

hath been a time of patience,

all this

numthou

for

wast a transgressor from the womb yet, for his name's sake hath he deferred his anger and hath not cut thee off. Isa. ;

How soon

God break forth upon and how long has it borne with thee, while thou hast been provoking him on Was there ever patience hke the patience of God ? earth. Many thousands have been sent away to hell since the 48

8, 9.

:

the angels

when

did the wrath of

they sinned in heaven

;

beginning of thy day, but thou art yet spared. long-suffering of

A

5.

God might be

power

great evidence of the

that the

salvation to thee.

may

of divine patience

be drawn from the grievmisness of our si?ts agai?ist God, during the whole time of his forbearance. It is true there is

no passion in the divine nature, no perturbation

anger

is

to the

a mild and holy flame

holiness of his nature

;

Avhat

is

The

wonderful in the eyes of men.

language

God

sents

am

fitted to the

as

makes

his patience

Scripture, speaking

m

understanding of the creature, repre-

wounded

to the heart

by the

sins of

men

:

"I

broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed

from me," Ezek. 6:9; "Behold, as a cart

when said, "

pressed that

is

the axle-tree

is

I

am

2 Chron. 36 therefore,

:

16

wrath of the was no remedy,"

his prophets, until the

would endure no

longer,

and

executed his wrath upon provoking

sin-

ners, that execution is represented in the nature of

or relief to his burdened patience

me

mies."

of

mine

Isa. 1

:

adversaries,

24.

Yet observe,

and the indignation

*;:

and

justice

and avenge

a kind of regret and reluctance little wliile

It is

of God, and despised

his people, till there

his patience

;

when he

Amos 2:13,

ready to crack under the load.

and misused

Lord arose against

pressed under you,

of sheaves,"

is full

They mocked the messengers

his words,

ease

his

;

yet the contrariety of sui

;

it

me

:

"

an ease

Ah,

I will

of mine ene-

comes in with an Ah,

so Isa. 10

:

shall cease,

25, "

Yet a very

and mine anger

HIS PATIENT WAITING. ill

God

their destruction."

way

this

to bear

79

could have given ease and rest

anger long ago, but he chooses rather

to his

with thee, than on these terms

still

to ease himself of

thee.

The vast

6.

during the

exjoense

tvhole time

toivards us, speaks

him

of his riches and bounty upon us, of his forbearance and patience

infinite in his long-suffering

" Despisest thou the riches of

us,

liis

towards

goodness and forbear-

ance and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of

God

leadeth thee to repentance ?" Eom. 2:4. As if he had said, " Vile sinner, canst thou compute the treasures of mercy thou hast been riotously wasting all this while ?

Dost thou

know what

vast sums Christ has spent upon thee

to preserve thee so long out of hell ?"

There are two

treas-

ures spending upon sinners, all the time of God's forbearance

with them

:

there

is

the precious treasure of thy time wasted,

and the mvaluable streams of gospel-grace running

Thy time

while to waste.

is

precious

time between thee and eternity of

it

not

all,

little,

and the most

upon

thee.

It is

maintain a lamp with golden

Yet

?

4, are

this

has

compared

compared

their gifts,

them, into

this

to golden

Zech. 4:12.

oil for

is

all

main-

oil,

Who would

careless children to play

God done while thy

The witnesses and

him.

But that

the treasures of gospel-grace have been wasting

taining the lamps of ordinances.

oil,

but

all this

the whole of thy

has been wasted in sin and upon vanity.

this while

by

is

;

soul has trifled with

ministers of Christ, in Rev. 11:3,

to those olive-trees that drop their precious

graces, yea,

and then* natural

lamp, to keep

it

spirits

with

All this while

burning.

the blood of Christ has been running in vain, the ministers of Christ preacliuig and beseeching in vain, the Spirit of Christ striving with you in vain. oil,

and yet your lamp

tience 7.

is

You burn away golden

not gone out.

the riches of God's forbearance

!

The

riches of divine patience

marvellous paI

towards you are greatly

4

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOE.

bO

Lord has seyit on and passed over you.

heightened hy the quick destruction the other sinners, tvhile he has spared

This comparative consideration calls upon you in the apostle's

of

language, " Behold, therefore, the goodness and severity

God

on them which

:

goodness,

also bhalt be cut off."

been cut

fell,

severity

;

oil"

Rom.

11

:

beginning of their

in the

otherwise thou

:

Some sinners have days, many in the very

22.

and those not greater than thy

acts of sin,

gone to their

own

place,

and thou

art

sins

;

they are

monument The sin of Achan

still left

of the patience and forbearance of God.

was

but toward thee,

thou continue in his goodness

if

a

not a greater sin than thy covetousness and earthliness

the sin of Nadab and Abihu, in offering up was not greater than thy superstition in offering up uncommanded services to God yet the hand of God fell on them, and smote them dead in the day and place of heart

strange

is

;

fire,

:

—

wherein they sinned, they perished in their iniquities, for

;

away may be

they were taken

but thou art reserved.

that

it

an instance and example of the riches of divine patience,

which may

Thus

I

at last lead thee to repentance.

have given you seven evidences of the wonderful

patience of Christ,

who hath

stood

and

still

doth stand at

the door, knocking. III.

Next,

we

will inquire into the reasons of this

mar-

vellous patience of Christ, this astonishing long-suffering of

God towards sinners. 1. The exercise of his patience is a standifig testimony of his reconcilable and merciful nature towards sinfid man. This he showed forth in his patience towards Paul, a great example of his merciful nature, for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe on him. 1 Tim. 1 16. :

God is a special part of his revealed glory and therefore when Moses desired a sight of his glory, he proclaims his name, " The Lord, the Lord God, merciful The

long-suffering of ;

and gracious,

long-suffering,

and abundant

in goodness

and

;

HIS PATIENT WAITING. Exod. 34

truth."

him

God

as a

:

He would have

6.

strength and

27:5.

Isa.

sinners look towards

God

willing to be reconciled, a

not his anger for ever

;

but

81

that retains

take hold of his

if sinners will

make peace with him, they may have This long-suffering

pressive of the divine nature

is

he

;

is

peace.

an attribute very ex-

wilHng sinners should

know, whatever their provocations have been, that there

room

pardon and peace,

for

if

This patience

accept the terms.

is

they will yet come in to is

a diadem belonging to

the imperial crown of heaven; the Lord glories in

as

it,

peculiar to himself: " I will not execute the fierceness of

mine anger;

for I

As though he had

am

God, and not man."

Had

said, "

I

meekest, and most mortified upon earth,

them long is

above

ago; but 'I

all

am

wife,

no parent with

This

is

his child, as I

The Lord

this

trifling sinners,

patience towards sinners,

desires

the direct inten-

is

and delights

relentings and brokenness of heart for sin #

patience

men.

exercises

The Lord

it.

my

and reconcilable na-

thereby to lead them to rejpentance ; this tion of

:'

have borne with you."

to give proof of his gracious, merciful,

2.

9.

no husband can bear with his

;

one reason of Christ's waiting upon

ture towards the worst of

:

holiest,

had consumed

I

man

God, and not

created patience

Hos. 11

been as man, the

;

to see

ingenuous

and there

is

noth-

ing like his forbearance and patience in promoting such an All the terrors of the law will not

/

evangelical repentance.

7

break the heart of a sinner, as the patience and long-suffer-

God

ing of

will; therefore

it is

said that the goodness, for-

bearance, and long-suffering of God, lead

Rom.

ance.

principles of

2

:

These are

4.

humanity which

fitted to

incline

men

to repent-

work upon

men

all

the

to repentance

reason, conscience, gratitude, feel the influences of the good-

ness of

j

1 j

lented

:

God

herein,

and melt under

" Is this thy voice,

his voice

and wept.

it.

Thus

my son David ?

And he

Saul's heart re-

and Saul

said to David,

Thou

lifted

art

up

more

CHRIST KNOCIvINCt AT THE DOOR.

82

righteous than I I

for tliou hast

;

have rewarded thee

evil."

God

goodness and forbearance of sinner by the hand, lead let us talk together

him

rewarded nie good, whereas

Sam. 24

1

:

into a corner,

it

and

;

;

thy heart has been

has been

full

into tears,

full of sin,

of pity and mercy."

and breaks

God been that he

How

me.

to

still

may have

say, "

Come,

have

he waits

This dissolves the sinner

it,

I tried

to

any thing

If

how good has

his patience to the

be gracious, and

The

compassion.

God been to God

the heart of thy

his heart in pieces.

will melt a hard heart, this will do

uttermost, and

were, take a

thus and thus vile hast thou been, and

thus and thus long-sufiering and merciful has thee

Thus the

16, 17.

doth, as

is

exalted

sobs and tears, the in-

genuous relentings of a sinner's heart, under the apprehensions of the sparing

mercy and goodness of God, are the

music of heaven. 3.

The Lord

exercises this long-buffering toivards sin-

ners, to clear his justice in the

damnation of

refusers of Christ a7id mercy.

may

now, that he

be clear in his sentence against us here-

This patience of Christ takes away

after.

the mouths of impenitent sinners

has been, the

great day,

thyself, sinner,

when

;

all pleas

out of

the more Christ's patience

defence they will have for themselves.

less

Think with

all obsti?iate

Christ waits at our doors

what wilt thou answer in the "Did I not stand at thy

Christ shall say,

door from day to day, from Sabbath to Sabbath, from year to year, calling

and persuading thee

to

be reconciled and^ ac-

cept pardon and mercy in the proper season of them, and

thou would est not repented not."

a space

"I gave her space to repent, and she The Lord gives you time now,

?

Rev. 2:21.

for repentance,

gone into a miserable

such a space as millions of souls,

eternity,

never had.

With whomso-

ever Christ has been quick and severe, surely he hath not

been

so

with you.

This time of Christ's patience will be

evidence enough to clear

him and condemn you

;

men and

HIS PATIENT WAITING.

83

angels shall applaud the sentence, dreadful as " Righteous art thou, 4.

The Lord

and

it is,

say,

Lord, in judging thus."

exercises his admirable patience towards sin-

and increase of the church. The church must be continued and enlarged from age to age

ners ^or the continuation

;

and

if

God should

cut off sinners as soon as they provoke

him, whence should the elect of

God

rise in this

world

?

Many that will heartily embrace

Christ,

ants of such as reject him.

God should cut off these in how would the church

If

must be the descend-

the beginning of their provocations,

be continued if

"Where had good Abijah and Hezekiah been,

?

wicked Jeroboam and Ahaz had been cut

The Lord

transgressions?

suffers

off in their first

many wicked

parents to

stand for a time under his patience, because children are to

them who

spring from

their wicked parents

will obey rejected.

Yea, the wicked not only

propagate the church, but are useful it

;

the

as the chaff is a defence to the

woman." E-ev. 12 16. 5. The Lord exercises this

preserve and defend

to

wheat

:

"

The earth helped

:

long-suffering towards sinners,

in gracious condescension to the i^rayers of his

cept the Lord of hosts had

left

should have been as Sodom, and

like

unto Gomorrah.

Isa.

island.

Job 22

their

:

for

30.

a time.

we

should have been

between wicked men and

The innocent

The world

open

messengers

;

;

preserve the

stands by the prayers of Christ-despising

;

over them

Ex-

prayers and interces-

what multitudes of rebellious, swarm in every part of this nation

the saints sinners

God

The

1:9.

sions of the saints are a screen

the wrath of

jjcoiile.

unto us a very small remnant,

we

by

whom

and embrace Christ

I

Such

declare,

have Christ to reign offers, and despise his

practice, that they will not

they noAV contemn his

him

but blessed be God, yea, and

let

them

praying to the Lord

for

them, beseech-

too, there are others

ing his forbearance towards them.

know how much

bless

Little do the

wicked

they are beholden to the prayers of the

;

CHRIST IvNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

84

These and such

saints.

with the Lord

like reasons prevail

Jesus to stand in a waiting posture at the door of sinners'

Ah, how loath

hearts.

he

is

to give

them

now

"We

up.

proceed to the uses of this doctrine.

And

very

this point will be

first,

information

fruitful for

of our understandings in several great and useful points, both

and

doctrinal

cerned

;

and

wherein every soul

practical,

therefore, I beseech you, let

deeply con-

is

them be heard and

pondered with an answerable attention and seriousness of spirit.

Inference

1.

patience, the7i hoiv

hands of Christ, the icorld.

If the

Lord Jesus exercises such admirable

much

sinner,

it

hands of the

is

holiest

of the dearest friend thou hast on earth

It is said

Christ.

meek, above

all

—no patience

of Moses, "

:

3.

;

and yet

and

this mirror of

his spirit ruffled

him the land

this lost

a prophet of the Lord

Ye

for I

evil.

my

country

knew

?

meekness could not bear

rebels,"

saith he, "

Numb. 20

:

10.

must Thus

Israel, and Jonah was a good man, yet because the Lord would not be

;

;

does his angry soul speak to this

Therefore

my

I fled

saying,

when

I

was

before unto Tarshish

that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow

and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the

Therefore now,

me

born

with the provocations of

:

to anger,

from

man

long-suflering, as

of Canaan.

what uncomely language Lord, was not God "

yet in

the face of the

and severe with Nineveh as Jonah had predicted,

so quick

his

"

fetch water out of this rock ?"

was

in

:

hands

Moses was very

There was never such a

the provocations of Israel

we

into the

the patience of

is like

Now the man

into the world, for patience, meekness,

Moses was

in

no creature can

:

men which were upon

the

Numb. 12

earth."

man

better for thee to fall into the

hands of the meek and merciful Jesus, than bear what Christ bears

in the

better is it for sinners to be

tJian in the

Lord, take,

for it is better for

me

to die

I

beseech thee,

than to

live."

'^^

my

life

Jonah

HIS PATIENT WAITING. 4

As

2, 3.

:

come

to this

he had

if

I

;

art to mercy,

"Ah,

said,

knew thy

appearance of their

first

repentance thou wouldst repent of the _

knew it would how inclined thou

Lord, I

gracious nature,

and that upon the

85

and so free-grace would make me seem as a deceiver among them." Give me leave to speak a higher word than all this, and let it not seem strange, that the patience of the glorified saints in

heaven

nothing to the patience of Christ towards

is

provoking sinners upon earth.

among

they have patience still it is

but

evil,

finite

Those

glorified souls,

other graces, perfected in

patience and cannot bear

Take an instance "I saw under the altar the

patience bears.

of

11

souls of

:

word of God, and

slain for the

held

;

what

kind,

Christ's

out of Rev. 6:9, 10,

it

them that were

testimony which they

for the

and they cried with a loud

though

its

voice, saying.

How

long,

Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our

blood on

them that dwell on the earth

unto them, that they should rest

you see tice

for

glorified souls less able to

a

Ah,

patience.

if

you were

to

God, and not man." :

before

" If

?"

a

man

Sam. 24

1

:

CD

worn it out lono* ao-o. mine anger; for I am

in thy sins,

No, he will

far, lest

to do

with

him go well reckon with him let

Sinner, the Lord finds thee daily

and yet allows thee

not his patience too

we have

enemy, will he

19.

he parts with him.

infinite

depend on the patience of any

It is well that

find his

said

Here

There was no

but yet a patience short of Christ's

will not execute the fierceness of

God away

was

bear the slow pace of jus-

creature in heaven or earth,'Jyou had I

it

season."

towards their enemies, than Christ was.

sinful impatience,

"

And

?

little

to go

;

yet beware thou try

vengeance overtake thee at

and pay the justice of God with

all

last,

the arrears due to his

patience. 2.

Hence

it

follows, that

convinced

and hroken-hearted

sinners need not be discouraged in going to Jesus Christ

for

Qiiercij,

seeing he exercises such ivo7iderfid iiaticnce

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

86

and refusing

toicarch obstinate

breathes the pure gospel that

artifice of Satan, to

busy

is

but the

now

is

But

and they come too

past,

artifices of

am instructed to tell

I

enemy

the

of mercy, patience, goodness, shall find

It

no hope of mercy

:

in

many

you that these are

you are going

and

for

that

;

late.

Satan with such suggestions as these

is

of your souls.

you

and trembling.

fear

that they shall find the arms of mercy closed

;

the time of mercy

how

to cheer the heart

daunt and discourage poor con-

vinced sinners by telling them there

them

This inference

sinners.

a cordial

moving towards Christ with

is

a great

is

it is

;

to the fountain

long-sufiering

;

go on, and

He

abundantly more than you expect.

will

not cast off a soul that comes mourning and panting towards

him, and

its

willing to subscribe the gospel-articles of recon-

is

No, he will not shut out such a

ciliation.

and provocations have been.

rebellions

soul,

whatever

Sinner, thou art

who has

going to the

meek and

unto me,

ye that labor and are heavy laden, and

all

give you rest. I

am meek

merciful Jesus,

my yoke upon you,

Take

and lowly in heart."

are going to meekness and

God," that

is

his

name.

Lamb

itself:

then, trembling sinner; do

he

try

him

for

mercy

I,

find

" the

;

You

28, 29.

Go on

bold and necessary venture of faith

what you

:

Come I will

me

and learn of

Matt. 11

not stand any longer inquiring, shall

report

said, "

to be.

;

is

shall I

him

?

of

but make a

once,

and then

Certainly, if he exercises

such patience as he does towards the vessels of wrath while they are

want and

fitting

destruction,

for

Rom.

9

:

22, he will not

patience for a vessel of mercy, preparing by humiliation

faith for Christ

and

glory.

Does he bear with those

that stand in defiance, and will he

fall

on those that are

mourning before him upon the knee of submission a condemned sinner,

who

is

preparing for

?

hell, find so

Shall

much

forbearance, and a poor broken-hearted sinner none?

camiot be.

was hard

If Jesus Christ bore

as a rock,

It

with thee when thy heart

and would not shed one tear

for sin, will

;

HIS PATIENT WAITINa. he execute

when

wrath upon

his

thy heart

is

thee,

and show thee no mercy,

broken to pieces with sorrow, and

with loathing and detestation against

Did he bear with thee when

now

he destroy thee Moreover,

mercy

wrath

time to cut thee cution-day.

delight

;

now

sin

?

and will

cannot be.

It

?

jGilled

and thyself for

was thy

thy burden

it is

show

that thine eyes are opened and thy

heart touched to the quick, tion of his

sin

sin,

the Lord Jesus were not willing to

if

thy soul,

to

87

so long

?

why has he foreborne the execuHe might have taken his own

he might have made any day the exe-

off;

But among

all

the days of thy

thy humiliation, the day of thy

faith, is

the day of

life,

not likely to prove

that day.

Again, as great and vile sinners as thyself have ventured

upon the grace expectation.

of Christ,

and found

it

aging examples to

all

beyond their

infinitely

These the Lord Jesus has

set forth as encour-

broken-hearted sinners coming after

how it fared with those who went before may be encouraged to go to him with more

that they, seeing

them

to Christ,

" I obtained mercy, that in

confidence.

might show forth

me

first

Jesus Christ

them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." Then shut your ears against all the whispers 1 Tim. 1:16. of Satan

draw a

:

all

long-suffering, for a pattern to

entertain no evil reports of Christ.

most discouraging form not find

him

satisfy souls

so.

Satan loves

and represent him

false picture of Christ,

to trembling sinners

What can

;

in

to

the

but you will

Christ say more to convince and

than he has done

He

?

has

left

the bosom of

the Father, he has entered into union with thy nature, he has

poured out his soul unto death in

he has told

;

us, that

nowise cast out those that come unto him.

have gone before us found

your

it

life

in the paths of repentance

according to his word to this

day of mercy.

such weak objections.

;

he will

Thousands and faith, and

you have been spared do not stand

off'

all

now upon

88

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

-

The long-suffering of Christ toivards sinners teaches Lord in "patience and long-

3.

his ministers to imitate their

Christ

suffering.

is

our pattern of patience

We

much more may we. bath

much to

it

if

;

he

Avait,

stand from Sab-

Sabbath, pleading and inviting, and are apt to be

to

discouraged cess

think

when we

see

no

The want

fruit follow.

of suc-

apt to cast us under Jeremiah's temptation, to speak

is

no more in his name, and make us lament with Isaiah that

we have

labored in vain.

and preach, and

much

so

the

It is

a hard case to study, pray,

see all our labors without fruit.

toil

vain, that discourages our hearts.

Ministers

soon, did they see the fruits of their labors let

in

die so

be weary

"

:

The

be gentle unto

If the

master wait,

all

men, apt

2 Tim. 2

truth."

Though

;

if

in

Grod j^eradven-

24, 25.

Though we now

at the door,

inclose multitudes.

but

;

meekness

acknowledging of the

fish

when we

may

with hooks, and take

one and then another, the time

it is

self thus,

:

to the

;

the beginning be small, our latter end

greatly increase.

now

not the servant

to teach, patient

them repentance

ture will give

let

servant of the Lord must not strive

instructing those that oppose themselves

hope

upon their people.

us look to our Pattern in the text. " Behold, I stand at

the door and knock."

but

would not

says Mr. Lockyer on Colossians, nor be grey-headed so

fast,

But

not

It is

upon us

as the returning of our labors

may

come, and

shall spread our nets

we and

Aretius, a pious divine, comforteth him-

under the unsuccessfulness of his labors

:

" Perhaps

and easier temmore mind than our present times give." Besides, the fruit of our labors may spring up to a blessed harvest when we are gone " One soweth, and another reapeth," John

future days will afford

tractable spirits

pers of

:

4

:

37

;

but

success, but

if not,

our reward will not be measured by the

by the

sincerity of our designs

and

labors.

Our

zeal for the conversion of souls to Christ will be accepted,

but our discouragement in his service will certainly displease

HIS PATIENT WAITING-.

89

If Israel be not gathered, yet shall Ave be glorious in

liini.

the eyes of the Lord.

However,

let this

be a caution to you

that hear, that you cast not our souls under such discourage-

ments.

If I

may

speak the sense of

from

otliers

my

ov^ai

experience, I can assure you that the fixedness of your hearts

and your untractableness

in the M^ays of sin,

to the calls of

God, are a greater burden and discouragement to ministers

than

all

the sufferings they meet with from the world

and preach

are they contented to pray

themselves

—the Lord grant

it

m hope,

be not without ground

a crop shall yet spring up, which shall

make

;

yet

encouraging

—that

the harvest-men

rejoice.

From

4.

may

and

the 'patience

long-suffering of Christ, ive

of souls, and the high esteem Christ has for than. Though your souls be cheap in your own eyes, and you are contented to sell them a

for

invaluable

lear7i the

trifle, for

a

2^^'^cious7iess

sensual pleasure and ease, yet cer-

little

tainly Jesus Christ has a high estimate of them, else he

would never stand knocking with such importunity, and waiting with such wonderful patience Christ

and

knows

so should you,

whole world. or

of

meanest servant

salvation.

he accounts,

is

:

26.

The

soul of the poorest child

of greater value in Christ's eye, than

and he has given three great evidences

;

it.

(1.)

save

That he thought

"Ye were

it.

as silver 1

;

one of your souls of more worth than the

Matt. 16

the whole world

for their

though you do not

their worth,

Pet. 1

and gold :

;

18, 19.

it

worth

his blood to

redeem and

not redeemed with corruptible things,

but with the precious blood of Christ."

Had

they not been precious in his eyes,

he would never have shed

his

most precious blood

to

ransom

them. (2.)

Were they

not highly valuable in his eyes, he would

never wait with such unwearied patience to save them.

He

has borne thousands of repulses and unreasonable denials

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

90

many

Sinner, Christ has knocked at thy door in

from you.

a sermon, in many a prayer,

in

many

a sickness

—

in all

which thou hast denied him or delayed him yet still he conand waiting. Thou couldst not have made ;

tinues knocking

the poorest beggar in the Avorld wait at thy door so long as

thy Redeemer has been

gone

;

made

and yet he

to wait,

is

not

at this day his voice sounds in thine ears, " Behold, I

Here

stand at the door and knock."

clear demonstration

is

of the preciousness of thy soul in the Redeemer's eyes.

And

then,

"When Christ ends the treaty, and gives up the souls with what sorrow does he part with them.

(3.)

men

of

Never

for lost,

did one friend part from another with such demonstra-

tions of sorrow as Christ parts

with the souls of

sinners.

The bowels of his compassion roll together for he knows what is coming upon them, and what that eternal misery is You into which their wilful rejection of him will cast them. ;

read of the Redeemer's tears shed over the obstinate inhabitants of

Jerusalem

belield the city

known, even thou,

1

24, "

:

me

Ah,

And when he was come

42.

!

but

Like unto this

I will ease

me

of

mine

is

it,

but

?

how

How

:

8,

"How

shall I go about

it ?

and avenge his justice,

interjection

shall I give thee up,

shall I deliver thee, Israel?"

I

must do

All these expressions

show

God has for your souls and did you know also, you would not make Christ wait one hour longer. 5. Hence it follows, that greater is the sin, and severer

the great value ijt

which

that expression, Isa.

adversaries,

mine enemies." Though, it be an ease to yet he cannot give them up without an *' Ah," an of sorrow; so in Hos. 11

he

now they are hid from thine eyes."

of

Ephraim

near,

saying, If thou hadst

it,

at least in this thy day, the things

belong unto thy peace

Luke 19:41,

"

:

and wept over

;

will be the condemnation of gospel, this.

than of

all others.

them that

Let

me

i^erish

under the

speak freely to you of

Jesus Christ has spent more of the riches of his

HIS PATIENT VvTAITINa.

91

patience upon you in one year, yea, in this very day, than

he has spent upon the heathen in

all

had no

You have so

God has

dealt in this

his Sabbaths, ministers,

with any nation

and as

;

known them." Psalm 147 liar way with us, and these

He

accounts.

ful

told

for his :

;

judgments, they have not

God has

20.

the Jews,

Sodom and Gomorrah, them and in his name I

dealt in a pecu-

make dreadamong whom he had

it

in the

would be more

will tell

;

toler-

day of judgment, than you

this day, that

The

barbarous Indians will have a milder hell than you. told Ezekiel,

"

Thou

do

special favors will

able for

Lord

;

wnj with other nations. " He hath not dealt calls

preached and wi'ought his miracles,

for

—they have

and repentance as you have had

calls to faith

not think

They

their lives.

never heard of Christ and the great salvation

art not sent to a people of a

strange speech and of a hard language, whose words thou canst not understand.

Surely,

had

would have hearkened unto

thee.

will not hearken unto thee

for

me

Ezek. 3

thee to them, they

But the house of

Israel

they will not hearken unto

house of Israel are impudent and hard-heart-

for all the

:

ed."

;

I sent

:

5-7.

Ah, had a heathen people had your Sabbaths, your ministers,

and

would not have dealt by Christ as But look you to it, for certainly the severity

Bibles, they

you have done.

of his justice will at last recompense the expense of his patience.

There are two glasses turned up

both are almost run

down

:

this day,

and

the glass of the gospel running

down on earth, and the glass of Christ's patience running down in heaven. Be sure of it, that for every sand of mercy, every drop of love that runs down in vain in this world, a drop of wrath runs into the vial of wrath which filling

up

is

in heaven.

If Christ hath exe^xised such iconderful patience gain entrance into your hearts, then you Jiave reason to exercise 6.

and

long-suffering towards you, before he could

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

92

your imtience for Christ, and accoiuit all long-sujfcring to be your unquestionable duty. Christ was not weary in waiting upon you, be not you weary in waiting upon him,

There are three things wherein the people of

or for him.

God

have much occasion

will

to exercise their patience

with

respect to Christ. (1.)

You

will need patience to wait for the ansivers

your 'prayers

you knock and wait

:

and no answer comes

some of you have prayers

Possibly

years gone upon the

file

in heaven,

accounts and some upon temporal

may

the Lord

The

seed of prayer

in vain.

who

Isa.

seek

him

45

vainly.

spiritual

with waiting

clods,

:

for

Luke 18:7.

elect.

and will

said to the seed of Jacob,

19.

:

under the

lies

He never

spring up.

fail

own

bear long with his

some upon

and because the answer

;

not sent, your eyes are ready to

is

of

mercy,

hereupon discouragement and weari-

;

ness seize your spirits.

many

at the door of

at last

Seek ye

me

None seek God in vain, but those You should not be too short-breathed

God for the returns of prayer, considering how long you made Christ wait on you. (2.) You will have occasion to exercise your patience in hearing the burden of reproaches and sufferings for Christ. in waiting on

" For unto you to believe 1

:

29.

fort of

it is

given in the behalf of Christ, not only

on him, but

Sufferings,

suffermg

is

you

also to suffer for his sake." see,

his gift,

Phil.

are the gift of Christ; the com-

and

so

is

the ability to suffer also

and that which will increase your suffering

ability, will

be

the consideration of Christ's long suffering towards you, and the hard things he endured for you and from you. (3.)

You

will

have occasion

to exercise

your patience

for the day of your complete redeniptio7i and salvation. If you love Christ fervently, the time of your separation from

him

will be borne

allay of patience.

love of God,

and

with *'

difficulty

The Lord

into

the

;

vehement love needs the

direct your hearts into the

patient waiting

for

Christ."

;

HIS PATIENT WAITIXa. 2 Thess. 3

:

Others need patience to

5.

need as much patience

to live

93 but you will

die,

but wherever the exercise of

;

your patience shall be, whether in waithig

for

the returns of

your prayers, in bearing the cross of Christ, or in waiting for

the day of your complete redemption and enjoyment of

Christ, this single consideration, that Christ stood so long

on you,

the difficulties

is it

enough

to fortify

and waited

your patience against

all

can encounter.

Jf Christ thus patiently ivait upon trifling and no godly persons he disccmraged

7.

obstinate sinners, then let

because their unregenerate relatives have not yet first step

faith.

them

towards Christ, in the

may

It

be you have laid up a stock of prayers

and the beheving wife

wife,

for

godly parents for their ungodly

ungodly parents

for his

Many

cries are

made their

of repentance and

behevmg husband has prayed

the

:

way

for his

her unbelieving husband

and the pious child and yet no returns of prayer appear.

;

cliildren,

gone up to heaven

like that of

that Ishmael might live before thee."

Abraham,

cries of parents, " Lord,

of nature, look in mercy

heart for

sin,

though the

draw his them

Be

may

you.

poor child

will to Christ,"

yet appear not.

fruit of

Christ waited on you.

my

upon him, open

"

Gen. 17:18.

not discouraged, Christ waits, and therefore well

Those

for

unbelieving

is

in the state

his eyes, break his

may

not be

Consider

lost,

how long

There are three things that encour-

age hope. (1.)

That your hearts and theirs were of the same natsame power which opened your

ural character; and the

hearts, can open theirs thy understanding was once as dark, thy heart as hard, and thy will as inflexible as thy relatives' :

now

are.

theirs.

The same hand that opened thy heart can open Do not thuik Christ had an easier task to win thy

heart than he will have to win theirs.

Almighty powder wrought upon you, and the same power can work effectually upon them "the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it can;

CHRIST KNOCKINCt AT THE DOOR.

94 not

save

Isa.

59

neither his ear heavy, that

You have

(2.)

selves

;

reason to wait, as

and hindered the ansM'ers

to

conversion of your relatives.

panied with example

God

for

set before

;

them

also,

prayers for the

—prayers

is

more

must be accom-

had they not only heard your

cries

you and they might have rejoiced

But,

Consider that

such prayers

to spring

God many up

are dead

:

times makes the fruit of

after those that

The Lord may

dead and gone.

when you

of their souls to

own

them, but seen your suitable encouraging example

together long ago. (3.)

your

Christians, there

them than your prayers

due- to

to

probable you your-

it is

have put stumbling-blocks in the way

Christ,

cannot hear."

it

:1.

give

life

sowed them are to

your prayers

certainly your prayers die not with you.

It is the opinion of some that Paul's conversion was the return of Stephen's prayer, " Lord, lay not this sin to their

Acts 7

charge."

:

Stephen

60.

died,

but his prayers lived,

and were answered upon one that stood by and consented But however it be, wait still upon God his death. ;

to if

your prayers come not into their bosoms, they will certainly return into your own.

Here

is

duty discharged, and love to

Christ and their souls manifested,

which

But

further,

the doctrine of Christ's

great and serious exhortation into of the greatest duties. to

will be your

com-

however God dispose the event.

fort,

you upon

my

And

8.

My

any

patience puts a

mouth,

to press

exhortation

is

I

one

could I deliver this exhortation

knees, with tears of blood mingled with

words, might that prevail,

state, that

my

would surely do

to all that are in

my

it.

an unregenerate

they presume not to try the patience of Christ

longer.

If

you have any regard

to

your eternal hap-

piness, exercise not his patience another hour.

hour might put an end

to Christ's

that this

waiting and your dan-

HIS PATIENT WAITING. ger

Hitherto you have wearied men, but will you weaiy

!

God

95

Christ has called, but you have refused

also ?

he has

;

stretched out his hands, but you have not regarded. 1

:

Your thoughts have been wandering

24.

Prov.

after vanity

while the voice of the gospel has been sounding in your ears

:

some of you have been

hending spiritual truths

;

sottish,

and incapable of appre-

others of you sensual, given

the pleasures of the world, and

abandoning

Some

thoughts about the world to come.

up

to

serious

all

of you have

been buried alive in the cares of the world, and others

upon a dead formality

settled

in religion

exhort you to

is,

and

;

Now

Christ hath called upon you in vain.

;

you have any regard

if

lasting happiness of your souls,

not venture a

little

longer

If

all this

May we

not take a

little

not hazard one sermon or

more pleasure in Sabbath more ?

little

sin ? I

longer

How

answer, No.

more

For,

patient and long-suffering soever Christ has

—

an end of the day of his imtience wait no longer, when his Spirit shall

been, yet there will be

a time strive

when he

will

no more with you.

at the

heart,

will give

—a

which time

There will be a knock of Christ

will be the last

when

Matt. 25

:

is

;

but believe

it;

a day of " the wrath of the Lamb^'' and

that day will be dreadful.

Then

mountains and rocks. Fall on face of

You have had

10.

with a meek and patient Saviour

sinners, there

of the

knock that ever he

the master of the house will rise

up, and the door be shut. to do

?

May we

If your souls are precious in your eyes, let there be no denials, nor delays to Christ's suit.

guilt

you ask me,

Christ has borne

?

while, and will he not bear a

with us

to the ever-

come not under the

and danger of one denial or delay more.

(1.)

day

that you venture not to try the patience of

Christ one day longer

Why may we

to this

that which I

him that sitteth on the Lamb." Rev. 6:16.

will sinners cry

us,

"to the

and hide us from the

throne, and from the if this

WTath wrath be once kin-

— CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE

96 died,

though but a Uttle

DOOE,.

Blessed are they that trust in

I

him, that have finished their agreement with him.

The

day of Christ's patience towards Jerusalem was a long day, but

23

it

37

:

had an end, and ;

you know not the limits of refusal, (2.)

in their desolation, Matt.

ended

it

therefore try the patience of Christ no further it

;

and then where are you

The

it

may end with

:

your next

?

longer Christ has exercised his patience already

towards you, the more terribly will he avenge the abuse of it

upon you

in hell.

It is past

doubt with me, that there

are different degrees of torment in hell

:

the Scriptures are

Now, among

plain and clear on this point.

the aggra-

all

vations of the torments of hell, none can be greater than

the reflections of

grace of Christ.

damned souls upon the abused patience and Those who had the best means, the loudest

calls, and the longest day under the gospel, will certainly have the hottest place in hell, if the goodness and long-

suffering of Christ do not

The

cries of

now

them

lead

to repentance.

such souls will be heard above the

other miserable wretches

who

are cast away.

cries of all It shall

be

more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah than for Capernaum. Matt. 11 23. friends, you little know the reflec:

tions of conscience in hell

upon such hours as you now enjoy

such wooing, charming voices and allurements to Christ as

you now hear.

There are

many

thousands of souls in hell

from the dark, heathenish parts of the world, where they never heard of Christ but your misery will be far beyond ;

theirs,

your reflections more sharp and bitter

delay no longer,

lest

:

therefore

you perish with peculiar aggravation

of misery. (3.)

Try the patience of Christ no

further, I beseech you,

forasmuch as you see every day the patience of Christ ending towards others

—patience

retiring,

triumph over the abusers of mercy.

and

justice arising to

You not

only read in

Scripture the ending of God's patience with men, but you

HIS PATIENT WAITING.

may

see

every day.

it

find the patience of ners,

who

hopes

for

look into "

If

you look into

may

you

scripture,

God ended towards

multitudes of sin-

had the same presumptions and vain

possibly

the continuance of Peter, 3

1

97

it

went and preached unto the

time were disobedient,

when

that you

now

you there

19, 20,

:

have.

spirits in prison

Christ

which some-

;

God

once the long-suffering of

The meaning

waited in the days of Noah."

you

If

find that

which

of

is,

that in the days before the flood, Christ by his Spirit strove

with the disobedient and rebellious sinners in the ministry of

Noah, who then were

now

but

living

men and women

are "spirits in prison," that

disobedience

hell, for their

:

and

we

as

damned

is,

may

you

truly, brethren,

are,

souls in

frequently behold the glass of patience run down, the very

sand in

last

man

with

it

(4.)

your

to you, that

see

a

woman die, you see the end of man or woman and all this for a

or

God's patience with that

warning

Whenever you

spent upon others.

it

wicked, Christless

;

you venture not

and dally

to trifle

as they did.

Do

not try God's patience any longer,

souls, for this reason

because

:

and encourage themselves

in sin

if

you love

when men grow

bold,

on account of God's

for-

bearance and long-sufTering towards them, there cannot be

a more certain sign that his patience

towards them. patience,

It

when

is

is

it

time

for

God

is

very near

its

an end

to put

made an encouragement

end

to his

to sin.

He

cannot suffer so vile an abuse of his patience, nor endure to see

it

turned into wantonness.

That patience

is

This quickly brings up sin

and then patience

to its finishing act,

is

just fmishing also.

thus abused, appears from Eccl.

" Because sentence against

an

evil

work

is

speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of

in them to do evil."

When

look for a sudden change.

ing God, for

now

Christ Knocking.

divine patience therefore

the day of patience

is

men is

8:11:

not executed is

fully set

thus abused,

beware of provokcertainly near its

98

CHRIST KNOCKINQ AT THE DOOR.

end with

sinners.

I

"Because

have stretched out

my

ye have set at naught

my reproof when your tion, 1

:

I also will

:

all

my

and ye refused;

called,

man

regarded

when your

:

fear

I will

;

cometh

Ah, when sinners

scoff

hut

and mock

mock

as desola-

and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind."

24-27.

:

and would none of

counsel,

laugh at your calamity

cometh

fear

have

I

hand, and no

Prov.

at the threat-

enings of God, and bear themselves up on his patience, as that which will never break under them, then look out for

a whirlwind, a sudden tempest of wrath, which will hurry such souls into hell. Then misery comes like a storm blowing furiously from

from such

is

nigh,

are yet clear

and may certainly be presaged

abuses of the glorious patience of Christ

vile

towards you.

The heavens

all quarters.

over you, but a storm

This

is

the

first

try not the

exhortation,

patience of Christ by any further delays.

Agai7i, admire Christ's patience

9.

and forbearance

until noiv, that he has not cut you off in

sin,

but brought

about your salvation by his long-suffering towards you.

Here now I must change my voice, and turn it to those whose hearts the Lord hath opened. Stand amazed at the riches of his grace towards you, and see that you account this long-suffering of

truth

so

it is

:

God

your salvation

to be

;

for in plain

your salvation was bound up in Christ's

for-

had not borne with you as he did, you had not been where you are. I could heartily wish, that all the time you can redeem from the necessary employIf Christ

bearance.

ments you have

in the world,

may

be spent

m

a humble,

thankful admiration of this wonderful grace and patience of Christ,

and

thereof.

in duties answerable to the intentions

To

this

end

I shall subjoin divers

erations, which, methinks, should melt every heart

the least degree of saving grace (1.)

ocations

is

and ends

weighty consid-

wherein

found.

Bethink yourselves oi the great and maiiifold 'prov-

you have given the Lord

to

put an end

to all

HIS PATIENT WAITINa.

99

further imtience toicards you ; not only in the days of your

Do

unregeneracy, but even since your reconciliation to him.

you not believe thousands of sinners are now

who

of hell,

done "

And

never provoked the Lord more than you have

Were you not once among

?

such were some of you,"

vilest

in the depths

among them

Christ, while your

;

1

the vilest of sinners

Cor. 6

yet you are

:

11

washed

—

in the blood of

companions are in the lowest hell

And

as theirs.

an end

filthy

certainly your sins, since the time of your

have had special aggravations enough sins,

to

put

Light and love

towards you.

to all further mercies

have aggravated these

you

or if

:

your lives were more clean, sure your hearts were as

reconciliation,

?

as vile as the

and yet the Lord has not cast

off.

(2.) How often have you been on the very brink of hell, in the days of your unregeneracy. Every sickness and every danger to life which you have escaped in those days,

was a marvellous escape from the everlastmg wrath of God.

Had

thy disease prevailed one degree further, thou hadst

been past hope and out of the reach of mercy's arm now. Doubtless some of you can remember,

such a disease, you were

like

when

and

in such

a ship riding in a furious storm

by one cable, and two or three of the strands even of that So it has been with you the cable were snapped asunder. :

thread of

life,

how weak

soever, has held

till

the bonds of

union between Christ and your souls were fastened, and the eternal hazard over.

This

is

admirable grace.

Hoic often has. death entered into your houses and taken aivay your Clearest relatives, but had no commission to carry you out with them, because the Lord had a design (3.)

of mercy upon your soul. heart, that (4.)

God

This also

you time beyond tunities

and

Tliis

cannot but affect a gracious

should smite so near, and yet spare you. is

affecting, that

others, but

God has

not only given

in that time the precious

op^Jor-

ineans of your salvation, both external and

in-

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

100

There

ternal.

Had God

is

the very

marrow and

lengthened out his patience

kernel of the mercy.

a while, but given

for

you no means of salvation, or afforded you the means but denied you the blessing and efficacy of them, at the most it could have been but a reprieve from hell to give

;

but

you the gospel, and with the gospel

his Spirit to persuade

and open thy heart

for

the Lord

to send

down

to Christ, here

is

the riches of his goodness as well as forbearance. 10. This doctrine of the patience of Christ exhorts all

who have

toivards

others.

patience

felt it, to exercise a Christlike patience As you have found the benefit of divine

yourselves, see that you exercise the meekness suffering of Christians towards those

"Who should show patience more than those

injured you.

who have with

found

others,

and long-

who have wronged and

Do

it ?

who have

not be severe, short, and quick

lived yourselves so

We

the long-suffering of God. quick to revenge injuries

;

many

years

upon

are poor, hasty creatures,

but 0, had God been so to

miserable had our condition been.

Christ has

made

us,

this

duty the scope of that excellent parable. Matt. 18, from verse 23 onward, where the king takes an account of his servants, reckoning with finds one

who owed him

them one by

nothing wherewith to pay, his lord

and

children,

made

and

all

he had,

and among them ;

and having

commands him,

his wife

and payment to be down and begging patience,

to

but the servant falling

;

one,

ten thousand talents

be

sold,

was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and One would think the heart of this man would have been a fountain of comhis lord

not only forbore, but forgave the debt.

passion towards others

nature

:

who owed him but

but see the deep corruption of

but a hundred pence, laid hands on him, and

him by the

took

;

the same servant finding one of his fellow-servants

trifles,

throat.

Alas, the wrongs done to us are

compared with the

injuries

where others have wronged you

we have done

once, you

to

God

;

have wronged God

HIS PATIENT WAITING.

101

Metliinks the patience of Christ towards

a thousand times.

you should melt your hearts into an ingenuous- readiness forgive others spirit is 11

especially, considering that

;

a dreadful sign of an unforgiven person.

Burden not

.

to

an unforgiving

the 'patience of Christ after your recon-

Let

ciliation to him.

it

suffice that

you

Give him no new

long enough before.

tried his patience

trials of

now he

it,

come to dwell in and with you for ever. There are two ways wherein God's own people do greatly provoke him after is

their reconciliation.

By

(1.)

sluggishness

and deadness of spirit in duty;

turning a deaf ear to the calls and motions of Christ's Spirit exciting

We

them

sweet and pleasant duties of religion.

to the

have a sad instance of

this in the bride

"It

:

is

the

my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my for my head is sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night."

voice of

;

One would thmk that Christ might have

5:2.

Sol. Songs,

opened the heart of his

own

spouse with less solicitation and

arguments than he here

importunate

could shut the door upon her

own

of his

house

washed

my

feet

And

?

my

" I have put off

coat

how

;

own

What

uses.

yet see the idle excuse she makes. ;

how

shall I put

them

shall I defile

it

?"

on

they do often shut of

I

?

have

Yer. 3.

the sluggishness of even regenerate persons

who have opened

wife

husband, and bar him out

I

'

Those

the door to Christ by regeneration, even it

him

against

communion with him.

in the hours

and seasons

Strange, that Christ should be

put off while calling to such pleasant and heavenly exercises as

in the

communion with him

most

a grief this (2.)

tience,

and

is

Many even

love.

;

but flesh will be Little do

spiritual Christians. to Christ,

and what a

and

sorely try his pa-

hy sinning against light

after reconciliation,

caution,

even

loss to us.

grieve Christ's Spirit,

That

flesh,

we know what

Eph. 4 30, :

is

not without weighty

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

102

cause: " Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are

sealed unto the day of redemption."

Do we thus make for all his

Lord

requite the

-

we

Is this the return

?

kindness and unparalleled love towards us

?

Certainly, Christ can bear a thousand injuries from his ene-

own

mies, easier than such affronts from his

you not promise him better obedience to

more

and watchfulness,

holiness

out your pardon and those

day that you sued

in the

made your peace with him

vows and covenants

forgotten

Did

people.

Did you not engage

?

If

?

Are

?

all

you have forgotten

them, God hath not. 12.

Improve the time that remains in

double diligence, because you

and cast away

made

a part of your

so great

life,

your hearts to receive him.

The morning

was

and

certainly the freshest

with

before you opened of your

part of

freest

many

better than time lost with

this tvorld

Christ wait so long,

of you

the days of

all

;

which was no

life, it,

your unregeneracy Christ was shut out, and vanity shut

You never began

into your hearts.

you

How

life,

and that was

late in the

to live

Christ gave

till

day with many of you.

should this provoke to extraordinary diligence in the

short remains of time

we have

gustine's lamentation, "

thee so late."

yet to enjoy.

Lord,

it

repents

Tliis consideration excited

dinary diligence for Christ.

It

made him

It

me

Paul fly

was Au-

that I loved to extraor-

up and down

the world like a seraph, in a flame of holy zeal for Christ.

Those who have much

to write,

and are almost come

end of their paper, had need write something to do

him

in heaven.

relatives,

for

God on

Isa.

38

:

have something

cannot do in heaven.

you are gone down off.

to the

Friends, you have

which you cannot do for You who have ungodly do for them here which you

earth,

18, 19. to

You can now

pray, in order to their conversion

vice are cut

close.

counsel, exhort,

and salvation

;

but

and

when

to the grave, these opportunities of ser-

HIS PATIENT WAITINa.

103

ashamed and humbled for the basewhich made Christ ivait at the door so what wretched hearts lo?tg before zve opened to hi??i. have we. They are no more afiected with the groans of nor so much, if Christ's heart than with those of a beast Let us

13.

all be

ness of our hearts,

;

that beast were our own.

make

the vileness of nature, to

the Prince of the kings of the earth, bringing pardon and

Let

salvation with him, stand so long unanswered.

who

up the goodness of human nature, I am sure we have reason to look upon the vdeness of it with amazement will cry

and

horror.

Let us

14.

Lord

the

bless

Jesus for

tlie

continuation of

his patience, both to ourselves and to the nation in which

we

The merciful and long-suffermg Redeemer conamong us the ambassadors of his mercy, who proclaim

live.

tinues

readiness to pardon

liis

and with

;

Ephraim

deliver thee ?"

this

Look upon

compassion speaks

infinite

to us this day, as he did to

of old,

'*

How

shall I

day of mercy as the

13

:

God has put

7-9.

bring forth the

well

fruit,

me,"

if not,

"

Open

to

heard

is

me."

trial

the axe

Once more Christ knocks

tree.

of the bridegroom to

us upon one

;

:

But what

15.

wantonness and formality

if

:

at our door

;

voices, "

Your opening

to Christ

What

the voice

Come

un-

now, will

a door of hope.

for

should be turned into

if all this I

now we

at the root of

—those sweet

be unto you as the valley of Achor,

Hosea 2

more

lies

fruit

Luke

of the intercession of your great Advocate in heaven.

if

your obstinacy and

wear out the remains of that little strength you, and that former labors and sorrows have

infidelity should

and time left

left

your ministers

!

Then we

are ruined for ever

farewell gospel, ministers, reformation, because

not the time of our visitation.

What was

:

then

we knew

the awful sen-

"I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down and I will tence of

God on

the fruitless vineyard

?

;

;

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

104 lay

waste

it

not upon

the spiritual

command the clouds that they rain 6. The hedge and the wall are and providential presence of God these are

I will also

:

it."

5:5,

Isa.

;

the defence and safety of his people

:

the clouds and the rain

are the sweet influences of gospel-ordinances.

hedge

If the

be broken down, God's pleasant plants will soon be eaten

up

and

;

the clouds rain not upon them, their root will

if

be rottenness and their blossom will go up as dust churches will soon become therefore see that

the

as

;

our

mountains of Gilboa

you know and improve the time of your

visitation.

I shall conclude this fourth doctrine

CONSOLATION to those

who have

by a few words of

answered, and are

paring to answer, the design of Jesus Christ in

now

pre-

patience

all his

towards them, by their compliance with his great design

and end be

for

blessed be God, and let his high praises

therein.

ever in our mouths, that at last Christ

obtain his end upon some of us, and that

God

the grace of tions

which

in vain.

And

all

is

like to

do not receive

there are three considera-

will raise your hearts to the height of praise, if

the Lord has

made them

indeed willing to open to the Lord

Jesus.

The faith and obedience of your hearts make it on you hitherto has been in pursuance of his design of electing love. What was the reason God did not take you away by death, though 15.

evident, that the Lord's ivaiting

you passed

so often

your unregeneracy

upon the very brink of

?

Surely this

was

it,

in the days of

the reason

:

that you,

and such as you, might be brought to Christ at last. Therefore, though the Lord allowed you to run on so long in sin, and the means of your salva-

still

he continued your

tion,

because he had a design of mercy and gi-ace upon you.

And now *'

lives

the time of mercy, even the set time,

Praise ye the Lord."

is

come.

;

HIS PATIENT WAITING-.

You may also

16.

see the sovereignity

vine grace in your vocation.

105

and freeness of di-

Your hearts

resisted all along

the most powerful means, and the importunate calls of Christ

and would have

resisted

when

grace prevailed

still,

had not

Avas not the tractableness of thine

temper of thy heart

and sovereign

free

was come. Ah, it own will, or the easy-

the time of love

to he

wrought upon

;

the Lord let thee

stand long enough in the state of nature to prove that there

was nothing

in thy nature but obstinacy

and enmity.

Thou

many powerful sermons and melting prayers, see as many awakening providences, before thy

didst hear as

and

didst

heart

was opened

now

Because

till

now

the Spirit of

went

victorious grace

as thou hast since, yet

to Christ,

heart never opened

;

and

God

why

did

it

open

thy

now

joined himself to the word

forth in the

word

to

? ;

break the hard-

ness and conquer the rebellions of thy heart.

The

gospel

was now preached with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven "which things," says the apostle, " the angels desire ;

to look into."

1

Pet.

1:12.

Ah,

friends,

it is

a glorious sight,

worthy of angelic observation and admiration, effects of the gospel

down from heaven

;

to behold the

preached with the Holy Ghost sent

when

to see,

the Spirit

is

present with

the word, the blind eyes of sinners are opened, and they are

brought into a

new world

of ravishing objects; to behold

fountains of tears flowing for as rocks

;

sin,

out of hearts lately as hard

to see all the bars of ignorance, prejudice, custom,

and unbelief

fly

open at the voice of the gospel

rebels against Christ laying

down

their

arms

on the knees of submission crying, " Lord,

more

;" to

see the proud heart, hitherto

righteousness,

now

;

to see

at his feet, I

and

will rebel no

wrapt up

in its

own

and made willing the Redeemer's glory.

stripping itself naked,

its own shame should add to These are sights which angels desire

that

to look into.

Certainly your hearts were more tender, and your wills

more ready

to yield

and bend 5=*^

in the days of your youth,

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

106

than they were when sin had

hardened them, and long-

so

continued custom riveted and fixed them

and now they do

not,

Ascribe

the gospel.

unto

;

yield to the calls

all to

Psa. 115

:

The

1.

experience of our

name

own

nish us with arguments enough to resist self-glory.

invitations of

sovereign grace, and say, "

Lord, not unto us, but unto thy

us,

yet then they did

and

Not

give glory."

hearts will fur-

temptations to

all

Certainly you " were born not of blood, nor of the

will of the flesh, nor of the will of

John

man, but of God."

1:13. 17.

This

so long,

not noiv forsake you. fears ing,

who

a comfortable consideration, that he

is

waited on you

and won your I

hearts at

last, tcill

many

question not but there are

and jealousies within you that

and that you will perish at

come

all this will

last.

to noth-

Divers things foment

these jealousies within your hearts the weakness of your :

graces, which, alas, are but in their infancy

;

own

the sense you

have of your remaining corruptions, and the great strength the subtlety of Satan, who employs all his still retain

they

;

temptations to reduce you, sometimes roaring after his

caped prey with hideous suggestions, which

tremble

;

make your

es-

souls

sometimes the discouraging apprehensions of the

difficulties of religion, feeling the

spirituality of active obe-

dience and the difficulty of passive obedience to be above-

your strength

sometimes feeling within yourselves the hid-

;

ing of God's face, and the withdrawment of sweet and sensible

communion with him.

these, cause

many

Christ will not lose at last

waited so

now

many

These, and such tilings as

a sorrow in your hearts

what he pursued

but cheer up,

;

so long

years for thy soul, will never cast

that he has the possession of it.

:

he that it

away

THE SPIRIT STUIVING-.

CHAPTER

107

V,

EVERY CONVICTION OF CONSCIENCE AND MOTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT A KNOCK FROM CHRIST. «

BEHOLD,

I

STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK:'

In the former chapter,

we have

ture of a servant than of the Lord of all

We now

tion for entrance

:

I

come

stand "

20.

:

seen the Redeemer's pos-

ture, a posture of condescending humility

at the door."

Rev. 3

—rather the

pos-

" Behold, I stand

:

to consider his action or

and hiochT

mo-

This metaphori-

cal action of knocking, signifies nothing else but the motions

made by

Christ for entrance into the souls of sinners

afibrds us this fifth doctrine

;

and

:

That every conviction of conscience and motion on the a knock of Christ for entrance into

hearts of sinners is their souls.

This action of knocking

and

expressive of

is

presence and

its

communion

that knocketh,

it

is

sometimes ascribed

desire to

of

God

:

come

so l^Iatt.

shall be opened ;" that

to the soul,

into the gracious

is,

7:7, " To him

to

him that

seeks

by importunate prayer, fellowship and communion with the But here it is applied to Christ, Lord, it shall be granted. and is expressive of his importmiate desire to come into union and communion with the souls of sinners.

Here

I

show what are the doors of the soul at which Christ knocks what his knocking at these doors implies by what instruments he knocks at them and in what manner he

shall

;

;

;

performs this action.

L

"What are the doors of the soul at which Christ You all know that the term Christ here used can-

knocks.

not be

literal,

a "door"

is

but metaphorical.

It is

a figurative speech

;

introductory to the house, and whatever intro-

^

CHRIST KNOCKINCt AT THE BOOR.

108

duces into the soul

man

is

faculties that -have this

Some

use, to introduce things into the soul.

ward, as

we may

speak comparatively

ward, as the doors of our houses at

them

one after another,

all,

In the soul of

the door of the soul.

many powers and

there are

are

more

out-

and some more

in-

Christ knocks orderly

are.

for

;

the operations of the Spirit

disturb not the order of nature. 1.

The

first

door that opens into the soul

Nothing passes

standing.

into the soul but

through this door of the understanding the heart or

move

Hence we read

the underfirst

comes

nothing can touch

what has

the affections, but

the understanding.

;

is it

first

touched

so often in Scripture of

the opening of the understanding, that being, as

it

were,

the front door of the soul. 2.

Within

this is the royal gate of the soul,

into the

mind

get no further

or understanding of a ;

Many

and imperial power.

will, that noble

the door of the will

There were many precious truths

namely, the

things

may pass

man, and yet be able

to

maybe shut against them. of God let into the under-

standings of the heathen by the light of nature, but they could get no further

;

their hearts

righteousness, E,om.

and

wills

They held the

shut up against them.

1:18; that

is,

were locked and

truths of

God

in un-

they bound and imprisoned

common

notices which the law of nature impressed upon minds concerning the being and nature of God, and the These truths could get no duties of both tables of the law.

the

their

• further

into their souls

:

and,

which

consideration, Christ himself stands

in the souls of

many

persons

;

is

a sad and dreadful

between these two

doors,

he has got into their under-

standings and consciences, and they are convinced of the necessity of receiving Jesus Christ, but

will

is

complaint, life."

still

the door of their

barred against him, which drew from him the sad

"Ye

will not

John 5:40.

come unto me, that ye might have

When

this door of the will

is

once

effectually opened, then all the inner doors of the afiectious

THE SPIRIT STRIVINa. welcome him

are quickly set open to receive and

and

joy, delight,

all

109

—

desire,

These are

the rest, stand open to him.

the doors at which the Redeemer knocks.

We must consider what is meant by Christ's knock-

II.

ing at the door, and what that action implies. eral,

knocking

who

is

is

without, to

And what

end.

an action

is

come

in

In the gen-

significant of the desire of one ;

it

a sign appointed to that

is

Christ's knocking, but a signification to

the soul of his earnest desire to come into

it

—a

notice given

to the soul of Christ's willingness to possess it for his It is as if Christ should say,

habitation?

the house that was built by

my

own

"Soul, thou art

hand, purchased and

re-

deemed by my blood I have an unquestionable right to it, and now demand entrance." More particularly, there are ;

divers great things implied in this gracious' act of Christ's

knocking at the door of the It

1.

grace

soul.

implies the special favor

and

and

distinguishing

goodness of Jesus Christ, that he will stand and

knock at our doors when he passes by

so great a part of the

world, never giving one such knock or call at other men's the most admirable condescension and

It is certainly

doors.

favor of heaven

amazing

I

;

and shows a

that

when

man to be highly favored of God.

Christ passes by the souls of thou-

sands and millions, and gives not one effectual knock or call at their doors all the days of their aside to thy soul,

Here

is

he will please to turn for entrance.

one of the greatest acts of favor that can be shown

to the soul of a sinner.

How many

world equal in natural dignity ural tempers,

whom

and

souls there are in the

to yours,

and of sweeter nat-

yet the Lord Jesus lets alone in the

quiet possession of Satan. silence

life,

and wait and knock there

Luke 11

:

21.

stillness in their consciences,

no

There

is

a deep

stirrings nor dis-

turbances by convictions, but, through a dreadful judgment of God, they are at

left in

a deep sleep

any time begin to disturb them,

;

and

how

if their

consciences

soon are they hushed

:

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

110

What the condition of the we know from the Scriptures,

and quieted again by Satan world was in former ages

I

where we learn that God in times past suffered all nations Acts 14 16. It is the greatto walk in their own ways. :

est

mercy

by

convictions, because

a sinner to be roused

for the sleepy conscience of it

introductory to all other spirit-

is

This act of grace

ual mercies.

sons and daughters of

men

:

is little

much

appreciated by the

rather would poor sin-

ners be let alone, than be thus disturbed by troublesome convictions

and when Christ disturbs

;

their rest,

they startle at the knocks of his word and

angry are they that they cannot be

work,

tells

alone to enjoy their

the flames of hell

how

us in one of his sermons

man

certain

till

that

came

to hear

word had got entrance

him

into his

do

How

awaken them great and eminent instrument of God

quiet sleep in sin

Fenner, that

let

how

Spirit.

preach.

Mr.

I

in this

fared with a

it

seems the

It

conscience and gave

it

a

and as he was going home, some that followed him heard him thus blaming and bemoaning himself terrible alarm,

*'

what a

fool,

sermon to-day more."

!

what a beast was I shall

I to

come under

this

never have peace and quietness any

And what is the reason that smooth and general is so much applauded in the world, and close condoctrine so much shunned and hated, but this, that

preaching vincing

sinners are very loath to be disquieted

and have

their con-

awakened ? Whatever your apprehenit is an unspeakable mercy for Christ to certainly sions be, souls of sinners by his calls. the disquiet and knock, sciences thoroughly

2.

The next

thing implied in this action of Christ

the first motions towards the recovery

and

is,

that

salvation of sin-

We

ners begin not in themselves, hut in Christ.

never

knock at heaven's door by prayer till Christ has first knocked at our door by his Spirit. Did not Christ move first, there

would be no motions

after

him

towards him, because he hath

:

we move

moved upon

our souls.

in our hearts

first

THE SPIRIT STRIVINa. Christ

make

would ever be unsought and undesired, did he not the

first

All our motions are secondary and

motion.

not."

loved us,"

65

Isa.

love

we

seek

forth with the

When

word

settled

stillness

still,

goes

men

and

and

and midnight silence be heard

sents the case of sinners

:

be in

to

all

together

become

pleasures and delights, security, are

Providence, I

;

Not

sinners.

So the psalmist repre-

to see if there

:

:

:

were any

They

are all gone aside,

there

is

none that doeth

There

2, 3.

is

one thing

that even those whose earthly

which brought them

into this sleep

taken away from them by the hand of

mean

they awake not

filthy

Psalm 14

peculiarly strange in this case

man

a strange

The Lord looked down from

that did understand and seek God.

good, no, not one."

Every

What

among

there

is

heaven upon the children of men, they are

" Behold, all the

own way.

for sin.

"

:

Zech. 1:11.

at rest."

is

satisfied in his

sigh, not a cry to

and

lie fast

of conviction, he finds the souls of

the Spirit of

same posture which the angels who had surveyed the

earth sitteth

a

first

first

God

world reported the whole earth

was

him because he him because he

Alas, poor sinners are well satisfied to

asleep in the devil's arms.

in the

found of them that sought

As "we

John, 4: 19, so

1

sought us.

1.

:

am

" I

consequential motions.

me

Ill

their estates, health,

and children, even

they have no stirrings after God.

a dead sleep hath sin cast the souls of sinners

have a notable scripture they are the words of

to tliis

into.

purpose in Job 35

Ehhu concerning

:

what You 9,

10

;

those under grievous

oppression from the cruel hands of wicked

men

:

"By reason

make the oppressed to cry they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty. But none saith. Where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in of the multitude of oppressions they ;

the night ?" that ed.

Here are

prison, cast

on

is,

men all

comfort and refreshment to the

afflict-

turned out of their estates, thrown into extremities and miseries, and

these poor creatures do

?

Why, they

what do

cry by reason of their

CHEIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

112

oppression

my

:

my

father,

my mother, my wife, my

child,

my

But none saith. Where is my Grod ? my sin, or my misery by reason of sin " Where is he who giveth songs in the night ?" The people of God when they lie musing upon their beds under affliction, have thei;r " songs estate,

liberty

!

I

in the night ;" in the midst of the multitude of their troubled

thoughts within them, the comforts of

or thoughts first

God

delight their

These are their songs in the night, but no such words

souls.

How

have carnal men.

plain

is it,

motions of salvation have their spring and

and not in

that

all

rise in

the

God,

us.

Christ's knocking at the door of the heart shows the

3.

method of the Spirit in conversion to he in harmony ivith the nature of marCs soul. Mark Christ's expression in the text he does not say, Behold, I come to the door and break it open by violence. Christ makes no forcible entries, whether smners will or not he will come in by consent of the will, or not at all. "I stand and knock if any man open the door, I will come in to him." There is a great ;

;

;

difference

between a

forcible entrance

friendly admission

by consent, and a

in a forcible entrance, bars of iron are

:

brought to break open the door

;

but in a friendly admission,

one knocks and the other opens.

Forcible actions are un-

suitable to the nature of the will,

whose motions

spontaneous

"

therefore

;

it is said,

Thy

ing in the day of thy power."

Psalm 110:3.

God

man

the power of

upon the

is

conversion, or else

it

will of

would never open

are free

and

people shall be will-

in the

It is true,

day of

to Christ

;

his

but yet

God doth not act against the freedom of man's willing, taking away the obstinacy and God makes

that power of will

;

iit

reluctance of the

^^dll

and pleasant victory freely

" I

:

love."

power

;

;

by the and

efficacy of his grace

so the door of the will

— a sweet still

opens

drew them with cords of a man, with bands of Hos. 11:4. "I drew them," there is almighty but how did this power draw them ? " With cords of

THE SPIRIT STRIVINa. a man," that

113

with rational arguments convincing the

is,

judgment.

Beasts are driven and forced, but

by reason.

It

men

drawn

are

must be confessed that when the day of God's

is come for bringing home a poor sinner power of God's Spirit draws him effectually

power

to Christ, the

"

:

man

Every

that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto

me," John 6 45 :

yet the soul comes freely by the consent

;

of his will, for this to

There

him.

made

for the will,

riches, honors,

flesh in the

Satan

is

the method of Christ in drawing souls

in the

day of a

sinner's conversion

both by Satan and by Christ

men

;

offer

all

to the

art, saith

the perse-

and troubles in which conscience entangles

thou shalt draw thy

ure to thy dying day.

can be better

an

Satan bids

Abide where thou

remain with me, and thou shalt escape

;

;

and pleasures, with ease and quietness

enjoyment of them.

cutions, losses,

other

is

me ?

for

through peace and pleas-

life

0, saith the flesh, this

But then,

is

good

what

;

saith Christ, dost thou not

consider that all these enjoyments will quickly be at an end

and what shall become of thee then ? the

free, full,

ciliation

thine,

world.

and

final

with God

;

pardon of thy

treasures in

sins

heaven

peace and recon-

;

;

these shall be

all

with troubles, reproaches, and persecutions in

The understanding and

!

Behold, I offer thee

this

conscience of a sinner being

convinced of the vanity of earthly things, and the indispensable necessity of pardon

and peace with God

—

I say,

when

a convinced judgment hath duly balanced these things, and laid

them power

his

freely,

before the will,

and the

in the renovation of

and yet cannot, according

otherwise than

it

doth.

And

Spirit of

God puts

to its natural order, act

doubtless this

is

the true mean-

ing of that expression so often mistaken and abused in

14

:

23, "

Compel them

to

come

What, by

in."

against the light of their consciences

many

forth

moves towards Christ

it, it

No

?

;

Luke

forcing

to the

men

shame of

Protestants let us hear the explanation of Stella, a

popish commentator upon this passage

:

" Christ

compels

men

;

CHRIST KNOCIvINa AT THE DOOR.

114 to

come

as

it

in,

by showing

And

to the best good.

such an excelling good

to tlieir will

cannot but embrace

the will

;" for

is

naturally carried

thus the Spirit works upon the soul

harmoniously and agreeably to

nature.

its

Christ's knocking at the door of the soul implies the

4.

immediate

God

access of the Spirit of

He can come

to the

to the soid

and make what impression upon

pleasure,

of man.

very innermost door of the soul at his it

he

pleases.

Instruments used in this work have no such privilege or power.

Ministers can but knock at the external door of the

senses.

"

and hear

their voices

and plead with

sirmers,

their souls

we

cannot, open their hearts

message in their

make

ears,

God, incommunicable

is

—we

we can

;

to the Spirit of

it

much

men.

less

He hath

Christ.

The

;

girdles,

the key of David

and he shutteth, and no

can

man

;

to the stroke of

;

effectual

we have no

of the doors of

but are in the hands of

he openeth, and no

man

openeth.

conscience and all the faculties of the

and open

to

an angel from

If

The keys

dominion over your consciences. your souls hang not at our

shutteth

God

a Avork belonging to the Spirit of

to angels or

:

we

only lodge our

heaven were the preacher, he could not give one stroke to the conscience

can see

can reason with

but awaken them

;

cannot

and leave

This

efiectual.

it

We

Thine eyes shall see thy teachers."

their persons

God's Spirit

;

mind

man

Rev. 3:7. lie

naked

he can wound them

and heal them, and make what impression he pleases upon Learn hence, what need there is both for ministers

them.

and people, before they enter upon the solemn ordinances of God,

to

lift

up

power of the pour

it

forth

by prayer for the blessing and. upon them. Lord, send forth thy Spirit

their hearts

Spirit

upon and with thy word. Ah, how many preached and you heard, and yet there is

sermons have

we

no opening.

In the next place

III.

that

is,

By

let

us consider,

avhat instruments Christ knocks at the doors

the judgment, conscience, and will of a sinner.

;

And

THE SPIRIT STRIVma.

my work

115

show how the Spirit of God makes God to rouse the consciences and open the hearts of sinners. These are the two hammers or instruments of the Spirit, by which he knocks here

will be to

use both of the ico7-d and tcorks of

at the door of the heart.

The tvord ivritten (xr ^preached, but especially preachTo this Christ gives the preference above all other instruments employed about this work and hence the word 1.

ed.

;

is

Lord

saith the

m

hammer

called God's

pieces?"

;

and

Jer.

like

23

:

" Is not

:

a

29.

my

word

The

he pleases therefore,

;

Spirit of

God can open

the heart immediately,

when

Lydia's heart

must be Macedonia and

was

come over

assist

is

if

Paul the

to be opened,

invited,

to

?

And

but he will honor his word in this work.

great gospel-preacher

even by an angel,

to

in that blessed work.

Lydia was to be converted, her heart must be

Acts 16:9.

opened

as a fire

warning that he

at the door of a sinner's soul, to give there.

like

hammer that breaketh the rock By this hammer Christ knocks

to Christ

;

the angel could not do

it,

but

calls for the

help of the apostle, God's appointed instrument to carry on

So saith God to Paul, "

that work.

thee

for this purpose, to

make

I

have appeared unto

thee a minister and a witness

both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the

which

appear unto thee

I will

;

delivering thee from

the people and from the Gentiles, unto

thee to open their eyes, and to turn

whom now

I

send

them from darkness

to

Acts and from the power of Satan unto God." 16-18. There are three ways in which the Holy Spirit

light

26

:

uses the

word as

his

hammer

in loiocking at the door of the

soul.

He

(1.)

knocks by particular convictions of the tvord on this knock by conviction rings and sounds :

the conscience

through

and soul.

all

the rooms and chambers of the soul

effectual conviction

wounds

to the

;

particular

very centre of the

Wlien the word comes home by the

Spirit's

apphca-

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

116

Nathan

tion, like that of

then it

to David, "

pierces as a two-edged sword, Heh.

and

soul

Thou

man,"

art the

the powers of the soul are roused and alarmed

all

the superior and inferior faculties of

spirit,

now

;

4:12, and divides the it

—

lays

open the secret guilt and inmost thoughts of a man's heart,

The secrets of his made manifest and falling down on his face, he must acknowledge that God is in the word of a truth. 1 Cor.

before wliich the sinner cannot stand.

heart are

14

:

;

these convictions of the

24.

word are such a knock

at the door of the conscience as will never be forgotten, no,

not in heaven to (2.)

all eternity.

Christ knocks in the

menacing the Shall

?

in vain

the tenders of

all

Know

?

John 3:36:

unbelievers, shall not see

life

;

dreadful sound-

he had

signed.

like

1

said,

"Will

Then you

all

"He

made

ruin, in the

name

*'

am

is

Thy mittimus for

even

die

m

that in

John 8

:

24,

he, ye shall die in your sins."

to

hell shall be

me, that you

your

sins.

it

made and

may have

to startle the

life ?

were better

for

These

to die in thy sins."

are loud knocks of the word, terrible sounds, yet no

And

of

Son

that belie veth not the

any kind of death than

than are needed

be

to thee

impenitent and obstinate

unto which

you not come

shall

-thee to die

grace

but the wrath of God abideth on him."

" If ye believe not that I if

my

Thus the word denounces

damnation.

these

;

then, that this thy obstinacy shall be thy

the great and terrible God, to

As

with eternal ruin

0, sinner, saith Christ, wilt thou not

are dreadful knocks.

open

word by its awful threatenings,

soul that opens not

more

drowsy consciences of sinners.

then,

(3.)

The

the tvord Christ.

;

Spirit

knocks by the gracious invitatio7is of this, no heart would ever open to

and without

It is

not

frosts

and snow, storms and thunder, but

the gentle distilling dews and cherishing sunbeams that

the flowers open in the spring.

The

terrors of the

be preparatoiy, but only the grace of the gospel

is

make

law may

that wliich

THE SPIRIT STRIVINa. The obdurate

effectually opens the sinner's heart.

when

sooner break

the anvil.

Now

as that, Matt. 11

smitten upon the

flint will

than upon

soft pillow,

the gospel abounds with alluring invita-

draw the

tions to

117

will :

and open the heart of a sinner

28, "

Come

unto me,

all

such

;

ye that labor and

What a charmmay well wonder what

are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

ing voice

is

here

;

he that considers

heart in the world can resist

55

:

"Ho, every one that

1,

it,

Like unto this

it.

thirsteth,

and he that hath no money

come

;

come ye

and eat

ye, buy,

come, buy wine and milk without money

Gome,

price."

come

sinner,

cations nor worthiness, nor righteousness of thy

own

thou art but a heap of sin and vileness, yet come gift, not

a

sale.

And

such

is

John 7 37, :

yea,

;

and without

though thou hast no

;

Isaiah

is

to the waters,

—

;

qualifi-

^though

grace

is

a

" In the last day,

that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying. If

any

man

thirst, let

had

said,

My

grace

him come is

to

me

and drink."

not a sealed fountain

open to the greatest of sinners

;

if

they

;

it is

thirst,

As

if

free

they are

he

and in-

come and drink. This is that oil of the gospel-grace which makes the key turn so pleasantly and effectually among all the cross-wards of man's will. Thus you see how the word preached becomes an instrument in the Spirit's hand to open the door of a sinner's heart, at which it knocks by its mighty convictions, dreadful threatenings, and gracious vited to

invitations.

We now

2.

Spirit

come

to the second

hammer by which

knocks at the sinner's heart, and that

tial ivorks

of God.

is

the

the jy^'oviden-

These, in subserviency to the word, are

awaken sinners and make them open Christ. God hath magnified his word above

of excellent use to their hearts to all his

of

God

name, yet there are some of the providential works greatly serviceable in this case

;

providences, and providences assist the

work.

There are two

the word sanctifies word and make it

sorts of providential

dispensations

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

118

which the Lord Jesus makes use of to gain entrance for him into the hearts of men, namely, judgments and mercies.

Judgments mid afflictions : the word of God many till some stroke of God come to quicken and assist it. Thus did the Lord open the heart of that monster of wickedness, Manasseh the word could not work alone, but (1.)

times works not

;

a smart rod quickened

operation.

its

Manasseh, and to his people

to

;

"

And

the Lord, spake

but they would not hearken.

Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the

Manasseh among him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers." 2 Chron. 33 10-12. Thus the heart host of the king of Assyria, which took

the thorns, and bound

:

man

of this is

relented under the word, assisted

by the

rod.

It

good that God takes such a course with some sinners, else

them no good and to this purpose is Job "If they be bound in fetters and be holden in a"ffliction, then he showeth them their work and

the word would do

36

:

8-10

cords of

:

:

their transgressions that they

He

have exceeded.

This

also their ear to discipline."

is

openeth

the rough course which

the obstinacy of men's hearts makes necessary for their

covery

;

and therefore

God have

it is

observable, that

re-

some words of

and work under some smart rod. Alas, while all things are pleasant and prosperous about us, the word has but little eflect "I spake unto thee in thy proslain dead in sinners' hearts for years together,

at last

have begun

perity

but thou

to

:

;

saidst, I will

not hear.

This hath been thy

manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice. The wind shall eat up all thy pastures, and thy lovers shall go into captivity surely then shalt thou be ashamed and Jer. 22 21, 22. As confounded for all thy wickedness." though he had said. Your eyes are so dazzled with the beau;

:

tiful flowers,

and your

ears so

of earthly delights, that

charmed with the syren songs can take no effect upon

my word

THE SPIEIT STRIVINa.

119

Let an east-wind blow, and wither up these flowers Vv'ork, and conscience deeply feel the

you.

;

then the word shall concerns of eternity.

you

you

;

sit

God

This course

from Sabbath

to

takes with

many

of

Sabbath under the word, and

nothing takes efTect on your hearts.

Will you not hear the

word ? saith God go, death, smite that man's child, I will try what that will do go, poverty, and blast his estate, and see what that will do go, sickness, and smite his body, and shake him over the grave's mouth, I will see what that will do. Thus God sends to sinners, as Absalom voice of ray

;

;

;

sent to Joab

—who

come near him, till he set fire and then away comes Joab. 2 Sam. And thus the Lord opened the heart of the refused to

to his field of corn,

14

:

29-31.

jailer,

by putting him

Acts 16

back

:

into a fright, a panic fear of death.

Thus does the Lord

27.

devise

means

to bring

his banished.

As God makes use

(2.)

hammer of judgments, so make way for Christ into the Every mercy is a call, a knock of God of the

he makes, use of mercies to hearts of men.

and truly

:

guished in

were any ingenuousness left unextinthe heart, one would think mercy would prevail

more than

all

if

there

Knowest thou not that the good? Rom. 2:4. Or in other words, Dost thou not see the hand of mercy stretched

ness of

God

judgments,

leadeth thee to repentance

out to lead thee into a corner, there to

committed against

so gracious

mourn over thy

and merciful a God

every mercy you receive, Christ doth, as

open your hearts to him

heaven

to

make way

;

they are so

for Christ into

be an endless task to enumerate this

of

end upon the unregenerate

them

all

;

:

all

:

hence

is

sins

By

were, sue you to

many

from

gifts sent

your hearts.

It

would

the mercies bestowed to

but surely this

and the Lord takes

answered in them

it

?

it ill

when

is

his

the errand

end

that complaint, Jer. 5

" Neither say they in their heart. Let us

now

fear the

our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the

is :

not

24

;

Lord

latter, in

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

120 liis

Some

season."

in times of

have

of you

common

have been marvellously preserved

your right hand and

fallen at

when

contagion and death, left

:

preserved or recovered, according to Exod. 15

put none of these diseases upon thee, healeth thee." cian

many

:

I ani

of

eases, others

thousands

then have you been

for I

am

:

26, " I will

the Lord that

Jehovah Rophe, the Lord the physi-

you have been

upon the deep

;

you back, and suffered you not

mouth

at the grave's

hand

yet the

in dis-

mercy pulled the grave and

of

to drop into

what a knock was here given same moment. by the hand of mercy at thy hard heart. Certainly, if men would but observe, they might see a marvellous working and moulding of things by the hand of providence, for the proand if mercy duction of thousands of mercies for them hell in the

:

would do the work and win you over to Christ, many rods had been spared which your obstinacy has made necessary. ungrateful sinners, doth your Redeemer thus woo you by

many gifts of mercy, and Do ye thus requite the Lord,

so

"

For which of

all his benefits

the doors upon

You have

him

yet will you shut foolish people

him out

?

and unwise ?"

do your ungrateful souls shut

?

what Christ's knocking at the soul of a what instruments it is performed. We will now consider the manner in which this acPERFORMED in the ten following particulars, wherein seen

sinner implies, and by

IV.

tion

IS

much

of the mystery of conversion will be opened

grant that your experience

may answer

not indeed exactly describe and Spirit, in this work upon the seem eminently observable. 1.

and

The knocks

mark

souls of

all

them.

to

;

the Lord

We

can-

the footsteps of the

men

;

yet these things

of Christ at the sinner's heart are silent

secret to all persons in the world,

except the soul

itself

whose door he knocks. Here are many hundreds this day under the word if the Lord shall this day knock by convicat

:

tion at

any man's

heart,

none will hear that knock, but that

THE SPIRIT STRIVINa. man

only

;

a knock without sound or noise to any

for it is

but the particular soul concerned in

our Redeemer, and of this very act of lift

Isa.

42

:

The kingdom

2.

men with man knoweth of

in

is

discover

foretold of

shall not cry,

conscience.

not into the souls

;

spirit

None knows what

it

to eat of the hidden

To him

manna."

make no

noise

;

of Christ whispers in the

the inward

It is said of

that overcometh will I give

Rev. 2:17.

of inward terrors and troubles.

gospel, but

gives to another man's

Christ's approaches to the soul

we know what the Spirit him who sits next to us.

do

con-

he himself shall

feels, until

you hear the same sound of the

comforts of the Spirit, "

"What of man

Luke 17:20.

Cor. 2:11,

1

man's conscience

you hear not the inward strokes

ear of

He

the things of a man, save the

him?"

them

God cometh

of

public observation.

victions another

little

was

It

it.

his, "

up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street."

nor

which

121

This

Christ's knocks

true also

is

by convic-

tion are but a secret whisper of his Spirit in the ear of a sin-

Thou art the man ;" this is thy case. This is thmg in the manner of Christ's knocking, it is a

ner, saying, "

the

first

knock without public sound.

silent 2.

These

silent,

inward knocks of the

Spirit of Christ

greatly differ as to the terror or mildness of them in different persons.

Some hear them with terror and

others in a milder and

Lord knocked at the stroke

tles'

he called

;

for

conscience,

jailer's

a

light,

;

Acts 16

:

29, 30.

me,

in

When

Here was a

terrible

I

God's name, and

tell

was a

ui like a

fell

down

the

terrible

man

dis-

at the apos-

do to be saved ?"

knock indeed, which

almost affrighted his soul out of his body said, Tell

it

and sprang

and trembling and astonished, feet, crying, " Sirs, what must

tracted

astonishment,

more gentle manner.

:

me

it is

as if

quickly,

he had

whether

for I am a is any way of salvation, and where it lies man, an undone soul. But when the Lord opened the He spoke to her heart of Lydia, there were no such terrors.

there

;

lost

Christ Knocking.

6

KNOCKOa

CHUIST

122 in a

more mild and gentle

The

Spirit of

God

ministers to

:

Knotty pieces need greater wedges

to rive

make

voice, as you see, Acts 16 14. method according to the temper

varies his

of the soul he works on.

and harder blows

AT THE DOOR.

As God

them asunder.

to " save

sionately

with some, but others

22, so he

himself observes like different

Some knocks

3.

He

desired effect.

directs his

a difference, to deal tenderly and compas-

with

fear,"

Jude

methods.

of Christ are successful, and obtain the

knocks, and the soul opens.

But others

are tmsuccessful ; he knocks once and again by convictions,

which may cause the conscience

to startle

a

but there

little,

friends, this is a dreadful by faith. word to consider "I have called, and ye refused; I have Prov. 1 24. stretched out my hand, and no man regarded." There is a call without an answer, a knock and no opening

is

no opening

to Christ :

:

;

and these things are very common, especially among the unconverted

Of

who

live

under a

this Christ complains.

I liken this

generation?

lively, rousing gospel-ministry.

Matt. 16 It is like

17

:

:

"Whereunto

shall

unto children sitting in

the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying.

We

have piped unto you, and ye have not danced we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented." Neither ;

the delightful melody of gospel-grace, nor the mournful and dreadful threats of perdition to unbelievers, avail to open

me

your hearts to embrace

mount Ebal

or

to this truth

with you.

have

we

There are

no voices from mount Gerizim

;

How many witnesses God forbid it should be thus some souls who hear and open, even

will prevail

with you.

seen

I

who hath heard and learned When the Spirit of God puts

every one 6

:

45.

the word, then, and not 4.

tions,

till

then,

it

of the Father. forth his

becomes successful.

Sometimes Christ knocks with a succession of convica quick repetition of his calls. Some men have had

thousands of convictions in a few years

Lord

John

power with

saith, as in

;

for in this case the

Exod. 4:8, "If they will not hearkenJI^

:

THE SPIRIT sTRivma. the voice of

tlie first sign,"

And

of the latter sign."

123

may "beheve

yet they

the voice

yet sometimes neither the former "

nor the latter avail any thing.

How

often

would

have

I

gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings,

23

:

"

37.

How

gave Jerusalem

often to

and ye would not

many

intimating the

I"

come unto him, yet

I"

Matt.

calls Christ

all in vain.

Obsti-

nate sinners, Christ has been knocking and calling at some of your consciences from your very childhood convictions have been tried this

day your souls are shut

how

loath he

is

thousands of

against him.

fast

hath waited from year to year nifying

;

upon some of you, and yet your answer, by this

for

to part

with you

sig-

at such a time

:

thou wast upon a sick-bed, nigh unto death

to

The Lord

;

at such a time

under such a sermon, and then Christ knocked at thy soul

many

if all this is in vain, as

so

many

fagots

convictions as you have stifled,

you carry with you

and redoublings of the strokes of convictions end well it is

when one

a good sign

your

to hell, to increase

Yet commonly those quick repetitions

flames and torments.

the Lord keeps the soul

and

;

conviction revives another, and

still

But 0, take heed and more

waiting.

try not his patience too long, lest the next stroke be

dreadful than

all

the former

—not

to

open your hearts, but

smite dead your hopes of heaven. 5.

Sometimes Christ knocks intermittingly, knocking

and stopping, and that

at a considerable distance of time

conviction this day, and,

it

may

be, not another for

;

a

many

There are some aged sinners that have not had more than one or two remarkable awakenings of conscience

months.

in fifty or sixty years,

and then no more.

the Spirit will always strive with men. is

a time

of that to

when

man

or

Gl-od

how

woman

long

think that

There

says to the word. Convict the conscience

no more, but henceforth be thou not

open but to shut him up.

thyself,

Do not

Gen. 6:3.

is it

Isa.

6:10.

since thy conscience

Reader, bethink

was roused and

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

124

awakened ?

0, saith one, seven or eight years ago I heard

such a sermon, which tore

my

conscience to pieces

I fell

;

under such a providence, which roused and awakened

my

fears

May

but since that time,

;

all

has been

and

still

the Lord give you a second awakening, lest you

with the flames of God's wrath about you.

all

quiet.

awake

I observe

it is

when God works upon any very early in life, he knocks intermittingly now the conscience is active, and full of

usual,

thus

:

trouble, then the vanities of tions again

conviction settles 6.

youth extinguish these convic-

but the Lord follows his design, and at last the

;

and ends

in conversion.

Christ sometwies knocks with both hands at once,

with the word and the rod together ency to the former will open then,

The word

;

and

if

the latter in subservi-

;

ever the soul

is

likely to open, it

when ordinances and afflictions work together.

smites the conscience with conviction, and at or

man

about the same time Providence smites the outward

with some

affliction, to

some smart

affliction,

to the conscience

;

make

the word effectual

a suitable word

and thus the one

;

or,

under

seasonably directed

is

assists the other,

and

Thus the Lord wrought upon the Thessalonians "And ye became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much

both together produce the desired

effect.

:

affliction."

1

Thess. 1:6.

A

child dies,

or sickness seizes you at the time

when

pared by a conviction from the word, or pared

word

the word.

for

it

to

The

work upon the heart

7.

and

;

inner

is

pre-

have pre-

if

both these working in is little

hope that any

disturbs the sinfid rest of

rouses guilt in the conscience, and puts the

it

man

afflictions

is lost,

it.

Every knock of Christ

the soul ;

estate

rod upon the back helps the

fellowship will not do the work, there

thing will do

an

conscience

into great distress

comes and knocks quiet within

:

and

trouble.

Before Christ

at the door of the heart, all

the soul

is

is still

and

in a quiet sleep of sinful security,

;;

THE SPIRIT STRIVINa. no

"

fears or troubles molest its rest.

armed

125

When

man

a strong

keepetli his palace, his goods are in peace

but

;

when

a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcome him, Luke all his armor wherein he trusted."

he taketh from him 11

The armor which Satan puts

21, 22.

:

hands of

into the

sinners, to defend themselves against the convictive strokes

of the word, are the general mercy of God, the outward duties of religion, partial reformations, etc.

comes by

effectual conviction,

But when Christ

he disarms the sinner of

what broken commandment came,

these pleas, and then the soul sees "

leaned upon.

and

artifice of

he

all

my

sin revived,

No

now

to

and meditates an

sound and quiet sleep

no peace

:

out of danger. 8.

hell,

Every

effectual

and puts Satan

knock of Christ gives an alarm to and arts to secure the

to all his shifts

The

possession of the convinced sinner. spirit,

and when his

to purpose

"

all

has

Satan can any longer quiet the sinner's conscience

farewell

;

it

vain hopes expired.

sees himself in a miserable condition,

escape till

When the

Rom. 7:9;

I died,"

reeds

;

the time of conviction

We wrestle not

devil

danger he

interest is in

is

a jealous

is

bestirs himself

an hour of temptation.

against flesh and blood, but against princi-

powers, against the rulers of the darkness

palities, against

of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Eph. 6

now

for

:

The

12.

nothing

less

strife

between Satan and the

than the prize of eternal Hfe

for all or none, for life or death, for

powers of hell are

now

all in

arms

heaven or

grenade

falls into

a garrison, the

before

it

his Spirit in one ear, the devil

and the things he whispers such as these

:

There

is

to

first

is

;

as

is

now The and

when a

care of the defendant

While Christ

break.

hell.

to destroy convictions,

secure the possession of the soul against Christ

is to stifle it

;

soul

it is

is

speaking by

whispering in the other

quench convictions are usually

time enough yet,

Enjoy thy pleasures a Uttle longer, thou

why such haste ? may est come to

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

126

Christ and

changes

saved at

"be

his voice

noAV too

It is

wilt thou go to Christ

the time of grace

late,

he

If that will not do, then

last.

To what purpose

:

over

is

?

hadst thou

;

come to him in thy youth, and oheyed his first call, you had been saved but now it is to no purpose. If this will not quiet the soul, then he says, Thy sins are too great to ;

he pardoned thou

;

there

If the

art.

is

no hope

for

such a prodigious sinner as

Lord help the soul

overcome

to

this

by

dis-

it

the riches of mercy, pardoning the greatest of

sinners, then

he represents the multitudes who are in the

covering to

same case with the convinced sinner Come, fear not if it go ill with thee, it will be as bad for millions of others if thou go to hell, thousands will go with thee. But if the ;

:

;

many

soul be unwilling to be lost, even with so

he bids

it

upon the

look

come along with and

him

sufferings will

eries follow

mad

and

Christ,

door be open to let losses,

train of troubles

him

in

:

and

that

will certainly follow him, if the

come

If Christ

come

in

with him

he himself has told thee

:

then

others,

afflictions

reproaches,

in,

troops of mis-

;

so

;

and

art thou

to ruin all thy comforts in the world, and plunge thyself

into a sea of trouble for

what thine eyes never saw

?

But

if

the soul reply, These are more tolerable than damnation better that

away

for

my

ever

of religion

:

;

flesh suffer for

a time, than

my

soul be cast

then he represents the insuperable

What

a hard thing

it is

to be saved

;

painful duties and acts of mortification the soul

through.

Thus you

see

what an alarm

difficulties

how many must pass

conviction gives to

the powers of hell. 9.

Every

effectual

knock of Christ

is

continued ;

new

convictions revive former ones, and the Lord never ceases to

knock

tiU the door

another shall a fresh

;

wound

if

is

opened.

If one

shall

sermon will not

wound be healed by be made if a former

one

;

the next shall be sealed upon the soul

:

do,

the art of Satan, conviction vanish,

and when the

Spirit

of the Lord sealeth a conviction upon the conscience, raze

it

— :

THE SPIRIT STRIVma. out

who

And

can.

here

and common convictions

the difference between special

is

common

:

they put the soul in a fright trouble

no more

it

ever

for

127

for

convictions

come and go

but special convictions will be

;

continued, one thing foUowing another, for Christ

of the soul, and will pursue 10. All

tlie

^^y of grace is when the time

;

a day or a month, and then

it, till

m pursuit

is

at last he overtake

it.

knocks of Christ cease %ohen the sinner's. ended. This is a dreadful consideration of mercy

more

over, no

is

strivings of the

Christ says to the drowsy sinner, as to the drowsy

Spirit.

disciples in the garden, " Sleep

on now, and take your

Matt. 26

m

:

45.

heardest not

I called

thee

rest."

such a sermon, but thou

by such a providence, but thou obeyedst not on now, and take thy rest. " My people would not hearken to my voice, and Israel would none of me. So I ;

sleep

gave them up to their their

own

them, the treaty

is

ovi^i hearts' lust, ~

counsels."

Psa. 81

ended

:

I wdll

;

ards their conversion and salvation.

Methinks

it

sounds as

them, Satan,

im

is

heart let

I will

much

joined to idols: let is

him

glued fast to alone.

say. Let this

man

his carnal security.

sin,

upon

than is

lest

him he

beloved,

is

in

to

I

" So I gave :

them up."

Take them,

sin

"

do with them.

—take

Ephra-

alone." Hosea 4 17. His enamoured with other lovers,

it is

:

a dreadful thing

for

alone in his formality, and that

God

to

man

in

Let not this be misapphed by trembling

souls under conviction. is

as this

have no more

and they walked

have done with make no more essays tow-

11, 12.

I

know

the fear of this judgment

nothing makes them tremble more the day of grace be ended with them. But there

their hearts

no ground

;

for this fear,

while the Spirit continues con-

vincing and the soul trembling

prove ineffectual.

lest his convictions

Thus much of the

should

nature, instruments,

and manner of Christ's knocking at the door of a sinner's heart. Our way is now opened to an application of this point, which I wiU present in several particulars.

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

128

Inference

1

Into hoiv deei^ a deep hath sin cast the

.

souls of sinners, that Christ rriust stand so long,

such loud repeated knocks, before to

him ! There

man

yea, twice, but

cast

regards

it

God

Adam. not

;

world to rouse and awaken a

in the

and give and open

the spirit of a deep sleep fallen upon men,

is

which God

like that into

aivake

it ivill

speaks once,

it is

the hardest thing

man

out of his carnal

Look over Satan's kingdom, and you find a genestillness and quietness among his subjects there is no

security. ral

:

trouble for

no strivings after salvation, no crying out,

sin,

"What must

I

men and women, and you

company

their

or see one tear

know

thing

the guilt that

is

here

!

Do

upon them

not their consciences

?

things are not hid from their consciences.

used to keep them so

divers

means used

do

efTectually.

this

it

wonderful

long will

before you hear one groan for sin,

Are they not aware which approaches ? Yes, yes, these

lies

of a day of reckoning

is

into

them

from their eyes on that account.

fall

what a marvellous

find

How

and busy about other matters.

all intent

you be in

Go

Acts 16:30.

do to be saved?"

the crowds of worldly

still

and quiet?

"What

art, then,

Why,

there are

to still the consciences of sinners,

and they

There are four causes and occasions of

stillness in

the souls of sinners.

—

Ignorance of the 7iature of regenerating grace taking that for regeneration which is not such thus did the (1.)

:

Jews not

God

confidently affirm

know him.

John 8

creatures think there eration,

is

:

to

54.

be their God, yet they did

How many

poor ignorant

no need of any other work of regen-

but what passed upon them in baptism.

were born and baptized Christians, and that " We have Abraham think, to save them. Matt. 3:9.

They thought

it

is

They

enough, they

to our father,"

sufficient that

Abraham's

blood ran in their veins, though there were not a spark of

Abraham's

faith kindled in their souls.

the sin of those

men who

The Lord

forgive

lead souls into such fatal mistakes.

THE SPIRIT STRIVINa. if

men were work

further

129

but aware of the necessity of a greater and

on their souls than their baptism, powworks which appear in for-

to pass

erless profession, or the similar

mal hypocrites, heaven and earth would ring with their cries. But ignorance of the nature and necessity of special regenerating grace, like a dose of opium, casts the consciences of

many

into this deep sleep.

Freedom from

(2.)

and

grosser sins

pollutions of the

and quiets the consciences of thousands they have had a sober and fair education and though there is no grace and regeneration, yet what saints do they seem to ivorld

stills

:

;

themselves, being adorned with sobriety and stilled

the conscience of the Pharisee

that I

am

terers,

or

not as other

men

civility.

" God, I

:

This

thank thee

are, extortioners, unjust, adul-

Luke 18:11.

even as this publican."

Thus,

like delicate

Agag, they pride themselves in moral and

cial virtues,

wherein

many

better than themselves; but justice will

as

so-

thousands of the heathen were

Agag was, notwithstanding

hew them

to pieces,

moral ornaments

their

all

and endowments.

The

(3.)

strict

performance of the external duties of

They

religion quiets the consciences of many.

question not

who do so well shall fare well, and flatter themthat God will never damn men and women who keep

but those selves

Thus the The temple of the As Jer. 7:4. these."

their church and say their prayers as they do.

carnal

crying, "

Jews deluded themselves,

Lord, the temple of the Lord, are malefactors, in

hand

some

countries, flee to the church from the

of justice, so do these

;

but

God

will pluck

them from

the horns of the altar, and convince them that the empty

name

of religion

(4.)

Many

is

no security from damnation.

consciences are quieted in a natural, sinful

It may state, by misinterpretiyig the voice of providence. be that God prospers your earthly affairs, succeeds and

smiles

upon your undertakings 6*

;

and

this

you conclude must

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

130

But

be a token of his love and favor. mistake

may

:

a great

alas, this is

the Lord give you better evidences of his love

for who prosper more in the world than wicked And who are more crossed than the people of God ?

than these

men ?

;

Read Job

and Psalm 73, and compare both with Eccl.

21,

9:1, and you will quickly see the vanity of

But by such things

on such a foundation.

all

hopes built

as these the god

of this world blinds the eyes of multitudes. he a knock of Christ, how deeply concerned in the success of convictions. Conan embryo of the new creature if it come to a

If every conviction

2.

are

we

all

viction perfect

is

:

new

birth,

you are

fails,

it

brings forth salvation to your souls It is of infinite

finally lost.

moment,

;

if it

therefore,

to every one, to be tender of these convictions of conscience.

and conversion are two things

It is true, conviction

may

:

there

be conviction without conversion, though there can be

The blossoms on the

no conversion without conviction.

trees in the spring of the year cannot properly be called fruit,

but are rather the rudiments of to fruit.

them

fruit follows

them, no

but

;

fruit is to

care, therefore,

fruit,

or something in order

open kindly, and knit or

If they

Thus

be expected.

ought

set firmly, perfect

a blight or a frosty morning

if

to be

it is

taken about the preservation and

success of convictions, both by the soul itself that

them, and by

all

others

who

Wliat care should

(1.)

convictions are wrought.

them in

you

know tions

it is :

is

soul itself have,

for

men

;

but

wrath

it is

in the

life

to dwell

far better to

here, than to

You may be

under

on ivhom

how you quench you hinder, as much as

friends,

The

life

of your convictions.

I

with their own convic-

and wrath are sad subjects

upon

of sin and

bound up

hard

guilt

to dwell

ever.

th,e

Beware,

the formation of Christ in your souls.

lies,

is

are concerned about them.

or hinder their operations, lest

of your souls

kill

Great

here.

lie

for

men's thoughts

dwell with the thoughts

under them in

freed from your convictions

hell for

and your

THE SPIRIT STRIVINa. Be not

salvation together. trouble

too eager after peace

And on the

peaw.

better than a false

is

beware that your convictions turn not faith

Christ's knocks for entrance,

them

Let

all that are

:

they are

and were never intended

way

bars or stumbling-blocks, but steps in your (2.)

— a good

other hand,

into discouragements to

this will cross the proper intention of

;

131

to

be

to Christ.

concerned about convinced

souls,

beware tuhat counsels they give and wliat rules they prescribe, lest

they destroy

all in

the bud.

There are two errors too commonly committed there

:

one in

persuading souls under trouble of conscience that

excess, is

no

commg

to Christ for them, unless they are so

so prepared,

humbled

ous counsel

it

;

the soul from

just to such a degree

:

and

this is danger-

overheats the troubles of conscience, and keeps its

proper present duty and remedy.

I

am

sure Paul and Silas took no such course with the convinced jailer,

Acts 16:31,

wounded

nor Peter with the three thousand

consciences. Acts 2

:

38.

Nor do

I find

where God

has stated the time and degree of spiritual troubles, so that

must be no approaches to Christ in the way of faith, have suffered them so long and to such a height. they have imbittered sin to the soul, and made it see the

there

until they

If

necessity of a Saviour,

in the

way

of faith.

it

cannot move too soon after Christ

Let no

man

set

bounds where God

sets none.

There ises

is

another error committed in defect ;

when prom-

and comforts are applied before the nature of

known, or one act of reliance put These hasty comforts come cannot stand. dials,

It is

to

faith is

forth towards Christ.

nothing

;

a dangerous thing

they will not, they to

apply gospel-cor-

and pour out the precious ointment of the promises

—

upon them who were never heart-sick for sin such persons upon every slight trouble, which

to address to is

but as an

early dew, the peculiar consolations of penitent and believ-

ing souls.

How many

such unskilful empirics are there in

;

CHRIST KKOCKINCr AT THE

132

Such as the prophet Jeremiah complains of: They have healed the hin:t of the daughter of my people

every place "

DOOE,.

slightly,

Jer. 6

:

I

there

is

no peace."

is

now

and that

for eternity,

men must

when

Remember, that the foundation

saying, Peace, peace 14.

;

ponder the terms and count the

and

ately accept

close

with

laying

time of deep consideration

this is the

cost,

and

deliber-

Christ, before the consolations of

the promises can properly be administered to them.

What a

3.

among a people. fully

this is

:

blessing is

a rousing, faithful ministry

By such a

ministry Christ knocks power-

God can bestow

one of the greatest blessings

upon a people, when he sends among them powerful and judicious preachers of the gospel, under whose ministry their These are the instruments

consciences cannot sleep quietly.

by which Christ knocks at men's hearts and as for those that sew pillows for drowsy sinners to sleep quietly upon, " Thy prophets have seen the Lord owns them not as his. vain and foolish things for thee and they have not discov;

:

Lam. 2

ered thine iniquity."

:

14.

It is true that those ministers that give

quietness in their sins,

ness themselves.

must expect but

What

is it for

men no

rest

and

and

quiet-

ministers to preach

home

little rest

down

to the consciences of others, but to pull

the rage of

own heads ? But certainly you will God to eternity, for casting your lot un-

the world upon their

have cause

to bless

der such a ministry sufficient to

you.

You

;

and the Lord accounts such a mercy

recompense any outward fare richly

affliction that lies

upon

under such doctrine, though the Lord

should feed you with the bread of the waters of adversity to drink

;

affliction,

this

and give you

makes amends

for all.

Thine eyes shall behold thy teachers, and they shall be driven no more into corners.

God

Isa.

30

:

blessed be

20.

that England's corners are this day emptied, that

pulpits

may

be

filled Avith

that the knocks of Christ

its

laborious, faithful ministers.

may

be heard in

all

the

cities,

THE SPIRIT STRIVINa-. The kingdom

towns, and villages of this nation. is

come nigh unto us

the Lord

may

mercy

this

;

continue

it,

133

invaluable

is

and make

of

God

pray that

:

your ministers and

all

means, whether pubhc or private, successful. 4.

Let

all

the

"What pernicious enemies to the souls of

the gospel.

who

are those persons to the knocks 1.

of whatever may deafest their sound of Christ's knocks and calls in

men beware

and drown

ears

and

make

it

Such

word.

who, hke Elymas the

are,

sorcerer,

by wicked insinuations and jeers to

their business

away men's

men

ears from attending

calls of Christ in his

Profane, wicked men,

turn

away men's

turn

"

from the gospel.

ears

full

of all

subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou ene-

my

of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the

right

ways

Lord?"

of the

Acts 13

and no child more

enemy resembles

resembles his father than a scoffing

But blessed be God

father the devil.

All opposition to

10.

:

godliness has a spice of devilishness,

his

the good provi-

for

dence which, in a great measure, has stopped the mouths

both of the father and his children.

and ungodly servants,

and

who

relations,

2.

Take heed

of carnal

discourage and threaten their

who depend on them, from attending upon way to the convictions which God has Cruel parents, who had rather their hearts. all

the means, or givmg

awakened

in

see their children turned into their graves, than turning to

the ways of serious godliness

quench the beginnings of

were instruments the world,

its

that any should dare to

distracting cares

make

in

whom they

Take heed of and pleasures what a din and the ears of men. " The cares

convey natural

to

noise do these things

I

spiritual life in those to life.

3. ;

of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering unfruitful. "

Mark 4

they must study distracting

how

:

1

in,

9

.

choke the word, and Tell not

to get bread.

them

it

becometh

of getting

C hrist,

These are some of the

and diverting sounds which drown the voice of

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

134

Christ's knocks souls,

and

As you value your

calls in the gospel.

beware of them.

Christ

is

now come

—

Behold, he

near us in the gospel.

stands at the door and knocks

:

and

day demand your

I this

name I do solemnly demand it what shall him who sent me ? What sayest thou, sinner ? Wilt thou open to Christ, or wilt thou shut him out, and Once with him thy own pardon, peace, and salvation ? answer I

in his

;

return to

more,

let

me

few more arguments upon

try the force of a

your hearts, and refute your vain pleas to the contrary.

Methinks no heart should be able

to

such motives

resist

and ratiqnal persuasions as these following will be found to be.

Motive 1. You are in extreme need of Christ; you want him more than bread or breath. Many things are convenient for your bodies, but Christ is the "one thing needful" for your souls. Luke 10 42. Necessity is an engine :

that will open any thing that can be opened

make

all fly

before

lute necessity lying to Christ,

Now

it.

there

is

on every one of you

Thou must have him,

way

necessity will

to

open your heart

Necessity goes before

and that without delay.

the face of Christ, to open the

:

a plain, present, abso-

for

him

into the heart.

Christ and faith

or be lost for ever.

are not the may-be, but the must-be, to the happiness of thy

A man may

soul.

blessed

;

be poor, and happy

;

but he cannot be Christless and

and comfortable. not have life, John 3

You must have

less

:

can have no hope, Col. hope, go together

:

36 1

:

;

reproached, and safe,

nor Christ-

Christ, or

you can-

you must have Christ, or you

27.

Christ and

no Christ, no

life

;

life,

Christ

and

no Christ, no hope.

must have Christ, or thou canst have no parand pardon are undivided. Eph. 1:7. In a word, you must have Christ, or you can have no salva-

Sinner, thou

don

tion.

;

for Christ

Acts 4 :12.

Well, then,

if

thou canst have no

life

THE SPIRIT STRIVma.

135

nor hope, no pardon nor salvation, without Christ, then a

way

plain necessity goes before Christ to open his

heart

:

whatever the terms

to Christ,

reproaches, yea, death

and Christ heart

into thy

methinks thou shouldst now say, Then will

I will

necessity

:

opened to Christ by

is

one

itself, all is

have

Come

are.

Christ I

;

laid

is

Woe

it.

open

I

sufferings, losses,

must have,

upon me, and

to

me

my

for ever, if I

miss of Christ.

Motive your

The Lord

2.

souls.

may

I

Jesus

this

is

day come nigh

to

say to you as Christ did to the Jews,

" The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." Luke 10:9. The Lord grant he be not as nigh to some of you as ever

he shall be

he must come nearer, or else you are

for

;

but Christ

unto you " the hope of glory."

among you

upon your

make you

Col. 1

in external means, but he

derstandings and consciences feel

affections

:

;

yea,

:

is

come

eternally happy.

saved ; but to be almost saved, lost, if it

go no further.

hath one

foot in

It is

is

is

not only

into your un-

some motions of little

his you more to

what would one effectual now The head-work is !

that the heart- work were done too.

;

He

27.

there wants but a

touch upon your wills be worth done

lost

among you in the means of grace, Mdthin you by the work of grace, which must be

It is not Christ

for ever.

You

are almost

wholly and eternally

to be

a sad thing

for

a

man who

heaven, to slide from thence into hell

;

it is

sad to be shipwrecked at the harbor's mouth.

Motive

and

but an usurper thy

Jesus Christ has

3.

to enter into

hath to thy

Christ

:

soul, sinner,

ipossess is

hath not

soul.

an

ture.

may "

so full

a

title to

and that are

is

;

he built it

:

it is

and

Christ

right. it,

his

w-ere all things created that are

in earth, visible

;

thy body, as Christ

Satan keeps Christ out of his

well claim admission into

By him

Satan

your lawful owner and proprietor

knocks at the door of his oM^n house fore

unquestionable right

every one of your souls.

and

there-

own

crea-

m

heaven

invisible ;" bodies or souls.

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

136 Col. 1

ship

:

The

16.

—a

workman-

invisible part, thy soul, is his

own

stately structure of his

a right by redemption

He

raising.

has also

Christ hath bought thy soul, and

;

own

that at the invaluable price of his

can dispute the right of Christ

own and

But, alas, he cometh to his

Who

blood.

to enter into his

his

own

own

then

house

?

him

receive

John 1:11. Motive 4. Open the door to Christ, for a train of blessings and mercies come in with him a troop of privileges follow him. In the same day and hour that Christ comes

not.

—

by a

into thine heart

comes with him of

thy soul

to

and deliberate

choice, a

pardon

Will such a pardon be

word, or action.

ted, in thought,

welcome

full

the sins that ever thou hast commit-

all

Then

?

Christ be welcome, for

let

where Christ comes, pardon comes. Eph. 1 7. If you open to Christ, you open to peace, and who would shut the door :

of his soul against peace be welcome

;

If peace be welcome, let Christ

?

Where Christ comes, liberty comes. shall make you free, ye shall be free Are you

in love

with bonds and

If

you love

" If the

Son therefore

indeed."

John 8 36.

easy,

is

:

Satan's laws are

fetters ?

Christ's yoke

written in blood. not grievous.

Rom. 5:1.

peace follows faith in Christ.

for

and

commands

his

liberty, love Christ.

In a word,

where Christ comes, salvation comes for he is " the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him." Heb. 5 9. ;

:

If therefore

you love pardon, peace,

shut not the door against Christ

liberty,

and

salvation,

him

for all these follow

;

wherever he goes.

Motive

5.

into thy soid

;

Christ this day solemnly de7nands entrance

he begs thee

he commands thee

to

open to him, 2 Cor. 5

to

open unto him,

denounces eternal ruin to those

Now

—here

consider well

of the eternal wrath of

heaven

;

at your

own

is

John 3 23

refuse

:

him

:

;

20

;

he

entrance.

entrance demanded under pain

God

peril

who

1

be

:

this

it,

if

demand

is

recorded in

you shut the door against

:

THE SPIRIT STRIVINa. Only

him.

this will I say in

my Redeemer's

heaven and earth

refuse, bear witness

137

this

behalf;

if

you

day that Christ

solemnly demanded entrance into thy soul, and was refused

;

bear witness that the door was shut against the only Re-

deemer,

who

damnation

intreated,

commanded, and threatened

scripture, Prov.

1

24-31, should strike terror into the very

:

centre of the soul that refuses the offers of Christ

Motive you

And

6.

my

have done

so I

I

master's errand

refuse the knock of Christ at your hearts, he

7101V

n&oer knock more ; and where are you then

knock which will be the last call

eternal

Oh, methinks that

the rejecters of him.

to

;

and

call

There

?

which

no more knocks or

after that

eternal silence as to

a

last knock,

:

if

may a

is

will be his

but an

calls,

any overture of mercy.

Objection 1. But if I do open to Christ, he will never come in to such a filthy, polluted, sinful soul as mine is. Answer. Who saith so ? Who dare affirm so impudent

man

a falsehood in the very face of the text, " If any to

me,

I will

come

Objection

2.

world

rest in this

in to

If I open to Christ, I ;

open

him ?" must bid farewell

to

reproaches, sufferings, and losses follow

him.

Answer.

If Christ, pardon,

and salvation

are, in

thy

worth the enduring and suffering these small things, sure thou valuest Christ and thy soul at a low rate. estimation, not

who can sufficiently bewail the ignorance and folly of unwho v^dll sell their souls and hopes of heaven for such trifles And if Christ and thy soul must part on these

believers,

!

terms, then hear me, sinner, and let

Thy damnation own

choice,

trifles

;

upon

sink into thine heart for

thou hadst thine

and hast deliberately preferred the insignificant

of this world before Christ and salvation.

plainly told thee

be

it

%mll he just ;

and it.

yet,

what the

It

issue of thy rejecting Christ

after sufficient warning,

Whatever other

was

would

thou hast ventured

simiers will plead, I

know

not,

;

CHRIST

138 but as

KNOcKma

at the door.

thou must be speechless.

for thee,

Matt. 22

If

12.

:

thou die Christless, thou must appear at his bar speechless

and the day of judgment will be the day of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God.

K-om. 2

It icill also be unavoidable^ for there to salvation

no

faith,

so

great

but

no Christ.

*'

How

purpose to cry

God

we

for all

5.

no other

we

neglect

itself

cannot

escape, if

Mercy

way

no heaven

Christ,

the saving mercy of

God

men through him. Jude 21. It is to no for mercy, when Christ, in whom all the

dispensed to

mercies of

shall

Heb. 2:3.

salvation?"

save thee out of Christ, is

No

Acts 4:12.

this.

:

is

are dispensed to men,

is

rejected

This doctrine winds up in consolation to

by thee.

all

such

as,

hearing the Imocks of Christ, have opened or are

now

re-

solved to open their hearts to forth,

may

him

and that nothing, hence-

;

keep Christ and their souls asunder, to such

I

shall address the following grounds of comfort. 1.

An

opening heart

altogether supernatural

;

to

Christ

is

a work wholly and

a special work of the

God, never found upon any but an elect

common

Spirit

of

There are

soul.

of the Spirit, such as knowledge, vanishing

gifts

convictions, etc., but the opening of the heart

by

faith

is

work of the Spirit. " This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom He hath John 6 29. Yea, the almighty power of God, the sent." exceeding greatness of his power, is exerted in the work of the special, saving, and peculiar

:

faith.

Eph.

1

:

It rises not out of nature, as

19.

but of this

gifts

do

it is

the gift of God."

;

ually wrought, it,

to

it is

expressly said, "

Eph. 2:8,

we may reason

Not

common

of yourselves,

"Where this work

is effect-

as solidly as comfortably

from

both backward to the electing love of God, and forward our eternal glorification with him. 2.

The opening of thy heart

gives thee

an

to

Rom.

8

:

30.

Christ by saving faith,

interest in Christ the very

same

liour.

The

THE SPIRIT STRIVINa. relation

is

tlien constituted, the conjugal

between him and thy

"

soul.

As many

139

bond

is

fastened

as received him, to

them gave he power," right or privilege, "to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John

You

1:12.

neither need nor

may

messenger or voioe'JTrom heaven, yours and you are his

expect an extraordinary^

to tell

you have a

;

you that Christ

is

better foundation in this

word and work of faith. For my part, if God will give me the clear and satisfying experience of this work upon my heart, I would never desire more satisfaction on this side heaven. I know not but the devil may counterfeit an extraordinary and cheat the soul by a lying oracle

voice,

;

but

if I

really

my heart and will sincerely opening to Christ upon terms, I am sure there is no deceit in that.

feel

pel

gos-

3. The opening of thy heart to Christ by faith is a good assurance that heaven shall be ope7ied to thy soul here-

Heaven

after.

shut against none but those

is

by unbelief

their hearts against Christ

who

shut

Will you bar Christ

out of your souls by ignorance and unbelief, and then cry,

God

will open to

Lord, open to us

?

open to Christ.

Eternity

opening act of

for this

saved." 4.

itself shall

"

faith.

Mark 16 16. The opening of thy

He

none but them that

God

but suffice to bless

that believeth shall be

:

soul to Christ by faith

Christ's liabitation for ever

:

makes

it

and

in that hour out go sin

come Christ and grace. " If any man open come in to him," saith the text. Of such a Christ saith, as it was said of the temple, " The Lord

Satan, and in

unto me, soul

I wall

hath chosen Zion is

my

;

rest for ever

Psa. 132

:

be

my

is

here

in

;

it

soul

now becomes

as he hath said, ;

for liis habitation.

This

here will I dwell, for I have desired

The

them

people." I

;

13, 14.

ple to the Lord

and walk

he hath desired

and

" I will dwell in

I vvill be their

2 Cor. 6:16.

it."

a hallowed tem-

them,

G^d, and they shall

what a heaven on earth

Christ dwelling in the soul

is

the glory of the

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

140 soul, as

God's dwelling in the temple was the glory of the

temple. 5.

In a word, the opening of the heart to Christ

is

the

work ivhich answers the great design of the gospel. Wherefore has God set up ordinances and ministers, yea, wherefore is

the Spirit sent forth, but to open the hearts of sinners to

Christ by faith

the gospel

and the soul

?

"When

attained

is ;

it is

now

of the gospel after that, fort

the soul, ripen

for glory.

its

this is done, the

the union

;

is

put out of hazard. is

but

main

effected

intention of

between Christ

The whole work

to build up, confirm,

and com-

implanted graces, and make

it

meet

UNION AND COMMUNION.

CHAPTER

141

VI.

CHRIST'S EARNEST ENTREATY FOR UNION AND COMMUNION WITH SINNERS. "BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK."

Here

Rev. 3:20.

and patience, aU means used by Christ

are pains

The language

to gain entrance into the souls of sinners.

speaks the earnestness of his

and the vehemency of his

suit,

The

with the souls of men.

desire to be in union

sixth doc-

trine, therefore, will be,

Jesus Christ

munion

is ati

ivith the souls

This doctrine

the doctrinal part is

so

;

and fully in the intention of two things must be spoken to, in the demonstration of this truth, that he

lies

In opening

the text.

:

and com-

earnest suitor for u?iion

of sinners. directly it,

and the marvellous grace and condescension of

that he should be

Christ,

so.

The DEMONSTRATION

of this truth, that Christ is an ear-\ union a?id communion with the souls of sindraw from a view and consideration of the dis-

nest suitoT for ners, I shall

and actions of the Lord Jesus towards sinners from

positions

first to last.

gether,

ful

still

man,

tion

;

And when you have compared them

all to-

and by them seen the temper of his heart, how great

and clear a hath

1

in

light will shine

upon

That

this point.

inclined towards union

his heart

and communion with

sin-

by considering him before his incarnathe days of his flesh at his death and since his will appear

;

;

ascension into heaven.

Consider him before his incarnation, and you will two things in that state which plainly speak his desire after union with us. 1. In the covenant of redemption he mn,de with God I.

find

concerning us before this world liad a being ;

for

such a

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

142

covenant and promise did really pass between him and the

Father before

all

this scripture

:

cannot

know

time, or else I

" In hope of eternal

not

how

to

promised before the world began."

lie,

To whom could

understand

which God, that

life,

Titus

1

:

2.

that promise be made, which bears date be-

fore the creation,

but unto Christ

What else

?

can this

mean

but the covenant of redemption made between the Father and the Son

the terms whereof are set

?

down

53

in Isa.

:

10, 11,

where you find what Christ was to do, namely, " to make his and what should be his reward soul an offering for sin" for pouring out his soul unto death, namely, " To see his

—

seed

to see the travail of his soul,"

;

with

his

own

Whether

blood.

this

even a church purchased be not a great demonstra-

tion of the inclination of Christ's heart towards union

communion with did Christ set

men judge.

sinners, let all

upon our souls, that upon such costly terms to redeem them Unto this agreement God

he would consent

!

the Father held hina 8

:

32.

ther

:

And this

gavest

:

"

God

spared not his

own

me

out of the world

John 17

them me,"

vehement

:

:

according to Prov.

8:31:

my

men which

thine they were, and thou

This plainly shows the

6.

desire of Christ's heart to

of his earth, and

Rom.

Son."

very covenant Christ pleaded with the Fa-

"I have manifested thy name unto the

thou gavest

be in union with

men

delights

were with the sons of men."

own

desire

and love could have drawn thee out of that bosom of lights to suffer so

many

;

" Rejoicing in the habitable part

Blessed Jesus, nothing but the strength of thine

11.

and

what a value

de-

things for the sake of sinners.

Let us consider Christ's disposition towards union

and communion with

sinners, in

and every thing done by Christ

the days of carries

his

flesh

and confirms

;

tliis

conclusion. 1.

Christ's assumption of our nature manifested his

desire after union

with

us.

Herein he gave two incompar-

able proofs of his transcendent love to us, and desire after us

UNION AND COMMUNION.

143

(1.) hipassmg by a superior a7id more excellent nature. "Verily he took not on liim the nature of angels." Heb. 2:16. Angels were excellent creatures, but behold those

vessels of gold cast into the for glory.

It is true,

members

are

way

and earthen potsherds

fire,

the angels

of Christ's kingdom

of dominion, but unto us

who

kept their

first

fitted

estate

he is a head to them by by way of vital union. Christ ;

takes the believer into a nearer union with himself than any angel in heaven. For the multitudes of apostate angels he

never designed recovery, but

them

left

bound

in chains of darkness unto the

day.

Jude

sin

as they were before, judgment of the gi'eat

6.

(2.)

In uniting our nature

Imd

blasted its beauty, and let in so

ities

upon

it.

Rom. 8:3;

He was

and that after many direful calam-

to himself,

found in the likeness of sinful

flesh,

he was subject to weariness, pains, and death, which, though there is no sin in them, are the effects and consequences of sin such a nature he took into personal that

is,

:

union with himself, not to experience any new pleasure in it, but to enable him to suffer and satisfy for us and thus ;

convmcing proof of the strength of his love, and the vehemency of his desire to us. His personal union with our to give a

nature shows his desire after a mystical union with our persons. He would never have been the Son of man, but to

make

us the sons and daughters of the living

God he came we, by sanctification, might be conformed to his likeness. Behold how near Christ comes to us ;

in our likeness, that

by

his incarnation.

to recover us.

what a

Rather than

stoop did he

lose us,

his manifested glory for a time

make

he was contented

for his incarnation

;

" of no reputation." Phil. 2 7. Saviour after union with sinners.

therein to lose

made him

Behold the desire of the

:

2. The luhole life of Christ upon earth was an evident proof and demonstration of the desire of his heart to be in

union and communion with us

:

"

For

their sakes I sanctify

:

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOE.

144

John 17

myself."

apart for us

;

unto us a son

:

The

19.

therefore is

given."

was wholly set Unto us a child is born, 9:6. What was the errand

Hfe of Christ

said, "

it is

Isa.

upon which Christ came into this world, but to " seek and to Luke 19 10. save that which was lost?" All the miracles he wrought on earth were so many works of mercy. He could have wrought miracles to destroy and ruin such as received him not but his almighty power :

;

was employed

and

to heal

to save the bodies of

"

thereby he might win their souls unto himself.

men, that

God

anoint-

ed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power;

who went

about doing good, and healing

oppressed of the devil

10

When

38.

:

command

to

fire

;

of.

know

For the Son of man

of Christ in this world

not

Luke 9 was nothing

Luke 7 39. He he would not have even

of sinners. ;

passion should be, "

A

else

little

:

life

but a wooing, draw-

he rejected not the

;

Mark 10 14. was long before

vilest

came

to

children forbidden to be

What

his

winning com-

predicted by the prophet

bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax

shall

he not quench."

as a

magnet drawing

every

way

Isa. all

42

men

:

3.

to

Christ

him

suitable to his commission,

good tidings unto the meek, to

of spirit

The whole

55, 56.

:

rejected none that

:

brought unto him.

what manner

not come to destroy men's

is

ing motive to the hearts of sinners

him

him

from heaven to destroy the Samaritans, he

but to save them."

lives,

Acts

the apostles desired a commission from

rebuked them, saying, " Ye ye are

that were

all

God was with him."

for

to

;

was

in the

world

his deportment

which

was

w^as to preach

bind up the broken-hearted,

proclaim liberty to the captive, and the opening of the

them that are bound. Isa. 61:1. As his life, so his doctriiie ivas a most apathetic invi-

prison to 3.

" Never man spake like this man." Whenever he opened his lips, heaven opened, the very heart of God was opened to sinners the whole

tation unto shiners.

John 7 46. :

;

UNION AND COMMUNION.

145

Stream and current of his doctrine was one continued powerful persuasive to

guage laden,

"

:

Come

and

draw

I will

all

ye that labor and are heavy-

give you rest."

last day, that great

This was his lan-

sinners to him.

unto me,

day of the

Matt. 11

:

28.

" In the

Jesus stood and cried,

feast,

man tliirst, let him come unto me and drink." John 7:37. He compares his invitations to the call of a hen, to If

any

gather her chickens under her wings: "

how

salem,

often

would

Jerusalem, Jeru-

have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings !" Luke 13 34. Certainly the whole gospel is nothing but the charming voice of the heavenly bridegroom. I

:

The joy he always expressed for the success of the shows him to be an earnest suitor for the hearts of

4.

gospel, sinners.

It is

very remarkable that

have recorded the

life

or smile from him, for he

once

we

was

the evangelists

who

" a

man

of sorrows." Yet and you shall see the Luke 10:21: " In that hour Jesus rejoiced

read that he rejoiced in

occasion of it in

all

of Christ, never mention one laugh

spirit

;

m

spirit." And what was it that gladdened his heart but the report brought him by the seventy, who returned with joy, saying, " Lord, even the devils are subject to us

through thy

name !"

Satan as lightning

And he

fall

said unto them, " I beheld

from heaven."

Ver. 17, 18.

Satan's

kingdom was going down in the world, and the mysteries of salvation were revealed unto babes this made his holy heart ;

leap with joy, to behold the success of the gospel destroy mg Satan's kingdom, and the poorest, meanest among men en-

lightened and converted by

very

it. This was a cordial to his and showed the earnestness of liis desire after

soul,

union and communion with sinners. 5.

His

obstinacy

sorroivs

and ^mourning

upo'n account of the

and

unbelief of sinners, speak the vehemence of his desire after union with them. It is said, Mark 3 5, :

"

When Chrigt

he had looked round about on them with anger, Knocking. 7

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

146

You

"being grieved for the hardness of their hearts."

that a hard heart

is

see

how tenderly

a grief to Jesus Christ.

mourn over Jerusalem, when it rejected him. It when Jesus came nigh to the city, he wept over Luke 19 :41. The Redeemer's tears wept over obsti-

did Christ is

said that

it.

nate Jerusalem spoke the zeal and fervor of his concern for their salvation

;

how loath Christ is

a mournful voice to

is

me, that ye might have

give you

life

What

it.

to give

that in John 5

:

40

How

life."

come

will not

ready would

but you would rather die than come

;

What

up sinners.

"Ye

:

be to

I

me

to

for

can Christ do more to express his willingness

?

All the sorrows that ever touched the heart of Christ from

men, were on and

calls

6.

Tliis

labors he

this account, that they

would not

yield to his

invitations.

appears to be the great design of Christ, by the

underwent day and night

weary journeys Christ

took,

to

preached and poured out, and

Many

accomjMsh it.

many sermons and

prayers he

with the design

all

open

to

the hearts of sinners to him, and win the consent of their wills to

become

This was the work which he preferred

his.

to his necessary food

:

My

"

meat

is

that sent me, and to finish his work."

had

said,

to do the will of

John 4 34.

My bringing home the elect of God

from the wrath

to

come,

is

more

to

me

As

:

him if

he

and saving them

than meat and drink.

So vehement and intense were his desires after the winning of smners, that he would lose no occasion to accomplish If he

were never

an occasion improve well

was

weary with

his travels

offered to save a lost soul, he

it.

Cometh he

so

to

You have an

labors,

John 4

to

Then

Now Jacob's

Jesus therefore being weary with his jour-

ney, sat thus on the well.

Christ

ney, and sat on the well for a

was weary with

little rest

his jour-

and refreshment

in

At the same time comes a woman of draw water a great sinner she was Christ

the heat of the day.

Samajia, to

:

it.

and

would be sure

instance of this in

a city of Samaria, called Sychar.

there.

and

;

:

\

UNION AND COMMUNION.

147

compassionately beholding this miserable object, forgets his

own

weariness, and presently preaches repentance to this

sinner and opens her heart

a greater refreshment to

;

than that well could afford by giving him a seat

water

to sit

him

on or

to drink.

The great encouragemetits Christ alivays gave to and willing souls, plainly show the earnest desire Never were such enof his heart after union with them. couragements given as Christ gave to draw the souls of men to him. It is remarkable in what general terms and forms 7.

comijig

of expression he delivered them, that none might be discour-

come

aged, but

in

Matt. 11

labor."

hope :

him

to

:

"

"If any

28.

Come

man

unto me,

thirst."

answerable to his invitation

;

and his practice was

his mercies

;

ye that :

All the terms of invitation are exceeding large, the desire of his heart to be so also

all

John 7 37. which shows

and compassions

when the vilest sinners came to him in repentance and faith. You read that when Christ sat at meat in

never failed

the house of

Simon the who had

Pharisee, there

vinced sinner,

thousand souls to hell

;

came

in a poor con-

enough upon her

guilt

this poor

woman comes

to sink ten

with great

humility unto Christ, not presuming to come before his face,

but

falls

tears,

down behind him,

kisses his feet,

washes them with

and wipes them with the hair of her head

strations of a broken heart.

welcome

this poor sinner

?

Luke

promise, "

John 6

:

7

:

Him

37-50

;

all

demon-

away

a joyful

making good that

gracious

the fervor of her affections, and sends her soul,

—

And how did the merciful Jesus He seals her pardon, commends

herein

that cometh to

me

I

will in no wise cast out."

37.

The dreadful threatenings of Christ against all him and shut the doors of their hearts against him, show his vehement desire to prevent the loss and ruin of souls. The threatenings of Christ are not intended to discourage any from commg to him, to fright away 8.

ivho refuse

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE

148

him no, that them under a blessed

souls from "bring

not their intention

is

;

DOOE-. :

but to

necessity of compliance with his

the dreadful threatenings which, like claps of

terms.

mouth of Christ against all who come unto him " If ye believe not that John 8 24. "He that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." John 3 36. belie veth not the Son shall not see life." thunder, come from the refuse or delay to

:

:

:

What

"He

a terrible thunder-clap

is

that against

all

unbelievers.

Mark 16 16. many more warnings are given from heaven the ruin of men the very threatenings of the

that believeth not, shall be damned."

:

All these and to prevent

;

mercy

gospel carry a design of

ened, that

it

may be

And then,

9.

in

them

damnation

:

is

threat-

prevented.

in the last place, herein appears the earnest-

ness of Christ after union with simiers, that

be no longer a preacher

to this

world in his

when he could own person, he

ordahied a succession of muiisters, in his bodily absence us, to gather and build the church, and to continue to

from

the end of the world

—

to carry

on the

suit that Christ

had

begun, as long as there was one elect soul in the world lying in the state of sin

and nature.

Christ could not always abide here

could not live fied

he must

rise again, or

our interests called

;

Now when calls

;

men,

Christ

men

was

him

he must

;

we

to another place

to ascend to heaven,

like ourselves,

die, or

we

could not be justi-

and

state.

he chooses and

whose presence and appear-

—

who should treat way about the great concerns of our " We are ambassadors salvation in his name and stead. we pray for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us ance should not affright or discourage us

with us in a familiar

:

you 5

:

in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to

20.

He

2 Cor.

did not commission angels to be his legates,

would confound and terrify us but men cast same mould with yourselves, who may say to you as

their presence in the

God."

Elihu said to Job, " Behold,

;

I

am

according to thy wish in

— UNION AND COMMUNION. God's stead

:

I also

am

make

terror shall not

heavy upon thee."

149

formed out of the clay.

Joh 33

6,

:

Upon

7.

hand he

these commis-

sioned officers of Christ he poured forth excellent

great and useful variety, to

gifts

unto men. Psalm 68

hy him estahlished

is

gifts,

the capacities and various

When

positions of men's souls.

gave

fit

my

Behold,

my

thee afraid, neither shall

in

dis-

he ascended up on high he :

18

;

this ministerial office

in the church, "till

we

all

come

in the

unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of

G od,

unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the

Eph. 4

fulness of Christ."

:

Unto

13.

he gives the highest encouragements

—

both, "

unto eth

these his ministers

quicken them in their

If one do one part of the vv^ork

labors.

other

to

if

He

life

and another the

one soM'eth and another reapeth, he

them

tells

that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit

eternal

that both he that soweth and he that reap-

;

may rejoice together."

John 4:36.

He

tells

them that

every soul they win to him shall be as a jewel in their crown "

of glory.

They

of the firmament

that be wise shall shine as the brightness ;

and they that turn many to righteousand ever." Dan. 12 3. What

ness, as the stars for ever

:

Christ's intention in all these

is

Surely,

isters ?

it

is

encouragements

to his

min-

as if he should say to his servants,

Study hard, pray earnestly, plead with sinners affectionately

me

every soul you win to

shall

make an

;

addition to your

glory in heaven. .

the

Weigh now life

the force of this second demonstration from

of Christ.

Will you have a proof of Christ's earnest-

ness to gain the hearts of sinners

was a proof of it proves

it

his tears

labors

;

?

his

whole

life

on earth

his doctrine, so full of pathetic invitations,

the joy of his heart at the success of the gospel

;

and sorrows

and

for

the obstinacy of unbehevers

travels to gather sinners to

him

— — —

encouragements put into general invitations threatenings to

all

who

reject his invitations

—

his

his admirable his dreadful

his

commis-

CHRIST KNOCKINO AT THE

150

sioning and qualifying, continuing isters to carry

a

full

for

on

and encouraging

name

his suit in his

DOOR,.

—

min-

his

all

these things

make

is

an earnest

suitor

demonstration that Jesus Christ

union and communion with the souls of sinners. III.

The death of Christ was

that ever

desire after union

and

life

is

the fullest demonstration

or can be given of his love to sinners,

and communion with them.

discovered

much, but

his sufferings

and

His doctrine

and death abun-

In his doctrine he spent his breath, but upon

dantly more.

Here he comes suing

the cross he spent his blood.

garments

souls of sinners in his scarlet robes, his red

ments dipt in

his

own

to the

—

gar-

You may now propound the

blood.

same admiring question the church propounded, Isa. 63 1, 2 " Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments :

:

from Bozrah

;

this that

glorious in his apparel, travel-

is

ling in the greatness of his strength

?

Wherefore art thou

red in thine apparel, and thy garments like in the wine-fat ?"

garments

to thee in red

stration of his love as

him

heart to

;

by

him

Wilt thou know, sinner, ?

It is to give

may draw

this blood

spouse for himself

that treadeth

why

he comes

thee such a demon-

forth all the love of thy

he has purchased thy soul as a

Acts 20

:

28.

There are two things

in

the death of Christ which prove the fervor of his desires after us

:

the greatness of the sufferings which he endured,

and the end

show how of his 1.

to v/hich

they were designed

the heart of Christ

is

both of which

;

heated with the vehemency

own desires after union with our poor souls. The greatness of the sufferings of Christ shows

ardor of his affection.

the

Christ's sufferings are twofold, exter-

nal in his body, and internal in his soul

;

both together

making up the fulness of his sufferings. When you shall see what Christ has endured to purchase you to himself, then you may learn what a value he placed upon you, and

what

desire he has after you.

(1.)

The external

sufferings of Christ in his

body were

UNION AND COMMUNION. was not a

exceedingly great, for the death he died

due

to

;

for

he was not a sinner, and no punishment was

His body was intended for a sacrifice to God,

him.

and as a

natural,

This death was not in accordance with

but a violent death. his nature

151

sacrifice

died; therefore

it

death in the flesh,"

3

1 Pet.

:

18

it is

—

said,

his soul

he was "put

to

and body were

violently rent asunder in the fulness of his strength

and

And this violent death was also a cursed death he was "made a curse for us; for it is written. Cursed is every vigor.

:

one that hangeth on a tree."

was

curse is

Gal. 3

accursed of God, saith the law

was was

to

A

13.

:

affixed to the death of the cross

;

ceremonial

he that

is

hanged

the intention of that death

:

show that the person who died was

so vile that

not worthy to touch heaven or earth, and therefore

hanged between both.

Moreover, the violent death Christ

died was a most painful death lingering; the cross

may

tell

my

all

he

was

—

was a rack

bones

slow and

full of torture,

to the

body of Christ

"I

:

they look and stare upon me."

;

Psalm 22 17. But yet, (2.) The sufierings of :

sufferings

;

his

body were but the body of

These inward

his sufierings.

sufierings of Christ

wise be considered two ways.

what

the garden.

In his

1.

wrath of God endured pass

;

for

Abba, Father,

Father,

if it

may

like-

bitter sufierings in

what sharp enmet with from the Once and again he

agonies and conflicts,

counters and distresses his soul there

cried out,

his

the sufierings of his soul were the very soul of

your sakes.

all things are possible, let this

be possible,

let this

cup pass

:

cup

thrice

he

returned to the same place, falling on his face to the ground.

The

sufferings of his soul

bloody agony blood falling

:

" His sweat

down

threw

was

his blessed

as

to the ground."

it

the fulness of his sufferings on the cross. for a

body into a

were great drops of Luke 22 44. 2. In :

There was

his soul

time deserted of the Father, as to any communications

of joy and comfort from him, which occasioned the bitter

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

152

My

outcry, "

Matt. 27

:

my

God,

why

God,

46.

ens were spread over the earth

frown in

now

but

the smiUng face of

eternity, before this

God was

wrath made upon

pression of his

cry heard since the heav-

never had Christ seen a

;

from

his Father's face,

hid,

in his soul

you now fully

;

and

;

is

And now,

his Son.

2.

think

all this

love, the fervor of

and communion with us

can demonstrate love and

not, then nothing

breth-

What

Does not

?

and plainly speak the ardor of his

his desire after union

;

body and

his

the sake of sinners.

all for

not Christ an earnest suitor

tirfle

and a strong im-

you see what Christ hath endured both in

ren,

me ?"

hast thou forsaken

Never was such a

If this do

?

desire.

Let us next consider the intentio7i of these sufferings how this also demonstrates the earnestness

of Christy and

There was a double use

of his desire after union with us.

and end of the sufferings of Christ. (1.) One end of Christ's death was to i^ur chase our freedom, that we might be culpable of being espoused to him

we were

for

not in a capacity, while under the curse of

The

the law, to be married mito Christ.

whom

the law to a husband, to

the wife

apostle compares is

bound as long

as he liveth, and not capable of a second marriage until

Rom.

her husband be dead.

was the death ing us under

7

2, 3.

:

The death

of Christ

of the law, as a covenant of works hold-

its

it gave us a manumission and a capacity of espousals to brethren, ye also are become dead

curse; and so

or freedom from that bond,

Christ

:

"Wherefore,

my

law by the body of Christ that ye should be married another, even to him who is raised from the dead." Verse

to the to 4.

A

;

slave to another

in marriage until

law

—the slaves of

erty, for his

blood

is

made sin

is

not capable of being disposed of

free

:

you were in bondage

and Satan

;

called a ransom. Matt. 20

:

28,

put you into a capacity of being espoused to himself.

you see Christ loved you not

for

to the

Christ bought your

lib-

and

so

Here

any advantage he could

re-

:!

UNION AND COMMUNION.

153

ceive from you, for you had nothing to bring him must purchase you, and that with his own blood,

incomparable love

could be united to you. desires

nay, he

;

before he

fervent

;

I

Another design of the death of Christ was to gain our hearts and affections to himself by the arguments of his death; this he himself has declared to be the intention of it (2.)

"

I

I, if

be

up from the

lifted

This he

me.

draw all men unto what death he should die."

earth, will

signifying

said,

John 12 32, 33. Christ endured all that you have heard, and infinitely more than the tongue or pen of man can exand all to draw thy soul, and win thy consent to press :

;

come unto him.

The Lord

Jesus,

by

his sufferings, casts a threefold cord

draw them

over the souls of sinners to

The death guilty sinners

and

;

if

any thing will draw the heart of a

The anxious search and

sinner to Christ, this will.

of a convinced sinner tify

him

Thou

is

inquiry

after a perfect righteousness to jus-

This

before God.

science says,

to himself.

of Christ obtains complete righteousness for

is

what the

hast broken

all

sinner wants

con-

;

the laws of God, and art

condemned the law sentences thee to hell. Now what would a poor sinner give for a release from this sen0, ten thousand worlds for a pardon tence of the law ? Why, here it is, saith Christ come unto me, and thou shalt

therefore

:

;

receive a free,

from

all

sm,

the law.

I

full,

my

and

final

pardon

;

my

blood cleanseth

demands

righteousness answers all the

of

have taken away the handwriting that was

against thee, and nailed

it

to

my cross.

Col. 2

:

14.

Come

unto me, and take up thy cancelled bonds come unto me, and divine justice shall never fright thy conscience more ;

;

nay, thou shalt build thy hope upon

hath

set forth Christ " to

it.

You read

that

God

be a propitiation through faith in his

blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins

that are past, through the forbearance of

God

;

to declare, I

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

154

time his righteousness

say, at this

and the 3

:

justifier of

Here you see the

25, 26.

upon that very

sinner built to

him

and does thy

justification

sinner,

great day

Hearken

?

calls thee to receive

the law

still

stands in

Rom,

and pardon of a

which was

so dreadful

there guilt

upon thy

and quiver

to think

is

soul shake

shall stand before the just

it

that he might be just,

;

believeth in Jesus."

attribute

Well then,

before.

conscience,

how

him which

and

terrible

God

in the

who

to the voice of Christ crucified,

thy discharge its full

;

which

if

thou refuse, This

force against thy soul.

is

one cord Christ casts from the cross over the souls of guilty

draw them to him. The death of Christ jyrocurc?, 'perfect cleansing from the pollution of sin, and ivashes the souls of sinners from all their uncleanness. For, " this is he that came by water and sinners, to

blood, even Jesus Christ

and blood."

not by water only, but by water

;

John, 5:6.

1

well as by justification.

what an unclean

He comes by

nature, heart, and

life

shall such

me, saith Christ

a heart as ;

I

came by water

thou shalt find a fountain cation

:

have

I ?

Oh,

am

I

God and myself mine be cleansed ? Come unto

nothing but uncleanness, an abhorrence

How

sanctification, as

Lord, saith the convinced sinner,

to

as well as blood

for sanctification as

;

well as

come unto me, my Spirit shall cleanse thy heart away the pollutions of sin, so that it shall be

shall take

me

in

justifi;

he

pre-

God without spot. The transcendent love of Christ shines out in its full strejigth upon the soids of sinners from the cross ; and there When Christ was lifted is nothing like love to attract love. up upon the cross, he gave such a glorious demonstration of sented to

the strength of his love to sinners, as one would think should

draw

love from the hardest heart that ever lodged in a sin"

ner's breast.

Herein

is

love, not that

we

loved God, but

that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for

our sins."

1

John, 4:10.

Here

is

the triumph, the riches

.

:

UNION AND COMMUNION. and glory of divine love There

the world.

dences, but all

and

after

it

;

never was such love manifested in

much

of Grod's love in temporal provi-

as nothing to this

is

est elevation, its

is

none appear

casting forth from the cross easily broken, to

;

before

like

draw the hearts

What a mighty

IV.

this is love in its high-

;

it was none like it, Thus you see Christ a threefold cord, which is not

meridian glory

shall

155

it.

of smners to him.

demonstration of the desire of his

heart towards us, did our Redeemer give at his ascension

As

INTO HEAVEN.

the whole

life

of Christ

upon earth was

a persuasive argument to draw sinners to him, sion to

heaven has many mighty attractives

men.

I will

The

1

Thou

of

only mention two.

gifts he bestowed

on men at

his ascension, for

whereof the Psalmist gives

this very purpose; ''

so his ascen-

for the hearts

this

account

hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity cap-

gifts for men yea, for the rebellious God might dwell among them." Psalm 68 18, He alli\des to the Roman conquerors, who in the day of their triumph, scattered their gifts among the people. Thus Christ at his ascension shed forth the gifts of the Spirit in various kinds, qualifying men for the work of the minis-

tive

thou hast received

:

also,

;

that the Lord

:

try, to

enable them to plead with your souls and carry on

his suit

when he

should be in heaven.

traordinary in the acles

;

Eph. 4

first

and ordinary, :

8, 13.

These

gifts

were ex-

age, as the gifts of tongues

and mir-

to continue to the

To some he

end of the world.

gives depth of learning

and

judgment, to others pathos, a melting influence upon the affections

;

but

all

are designed to

win your

hearts to Christ.

This shows what care he took, and what provision he made for the success of his great design to

draw the

hearts of sin-

ners to him.

The ends of his ascension, as they are declared in show the vehemency of Christ's desire to draw souls to him. The declared ends of his ascension were, 2.

Scripture, plainly

;

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

156

To make way

(1.)

convert,

and comfort

you the truth

less I tell

away

for if I

;

unto you

when

for

all

but

;

he

is

the Sjnrit's co?ni?ig to convince,

that come unto ;

him

:

"

I

go

go not away, the Comforter will not come if I

depart, I will send

him unto

come, he will reprove the world of

righteousness,

Neverthe-

expedient for you that

it is

John 16

and of judgment."

the conviction of these things, no

man

:

And

you. sin,

and of

|

"Without

7, 8.

can come to Christ

and no such convictions can be wrought upon the conscience and the Spirit could not of any man, without the Spirit have come to effect these things upon men's hearts, if Christ ;

had not ascended

:

"

But

this

spake he of the

Spirit,

which

they that believe on him should receive, for the Holy Ghost

was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified." John 7:39. Thus Christ provided for carrying on his great design upon your hearts when he was entering into his own the thoughts of that glory made him not to forget his glory great design upon earth. (2.) Another end of Christ's ascension was, to make intercession with the Father for every soul that should come unto him that their future sins might make no breach of a privilege that the covenant between God and them " My little should draw the hearts of all sinners to him. :

;

:

children, these things I write unto

Mark to sin

it, ;

sin,

we have an Advocate

ther, Jesus Christ the righteous

our sins."

1

:

and he

That

John, 2:1,2.

is,

is

let

with the Fa-

if sin surprise

him not be discouraged

;

is

God and

that soul.

and

against

he has a potent Advocate

ascended into the heavens, to continue the peace

what an encouragement

to gain the consent of a sinner's heart to

Christ.

man

the propitiation

deceive a regenerate soul, the bent of whose heart it,

sin not."

that would be a vile abuse of the grace of God.

But "if any man for

you that ye

the intercession of Christ must encourage no

between is

here

embrace Jesus

UNION AND COMMUNION.

157

Another declared end of Christ's ascension was,

(3.)

to

lead captivity captive, as in the forecited place, Psalm

68

:

18

that

;

and triumph over Satan

to lead captive

is,

who

a conquered enemy,

as

lead us captive in the days of our

He conquered Satan upon the cross. Col. 2:15, and he triumphed over him at his ascension; and without such a conquest and triumph no soul could come to Christ.

vanity.

In a word, Christ ascended into heaven to prepare

(4.)

mansions of

and glory

rest

14

:

As

2.

told you.

I

he had

if

glory in heaven alone

be with

me where

I

go to prepare a place

me

am

John 17

:

for

my

so,

I

John

you."

not to enjoy

my

come unto me by faith, shall let them know, for their encourwhich God hath given me, I have

all

agement, that the glory given them.

were not

if it

:

said. It satisfies ;

" In

faith in this world.

many mansions

Father's house are

would have

every soul that should em-

for

him by repentance and

brace

that

;

All these things loudly speak

22.

the fervent desire of Christ's soul after union and communion

with sinners

which was the thing

;

be demonstrated.

to

Having proved the point that Christ for

come

to

ways,

it

should be

to the astonisliment of

Though

1.

suitor

we

next

And

so.

this will

appear

five

every considering soul.

Christ be thus intent and earnest in his suit

your consent, yet he gains nothing by you ichen you do

consent; the

over

all,

gam

God

is

to yourselves,

blessed for ever,"

sions from the creature.

What

ening and animating the world gain

when men

break asunder

—

and not

Rom.

9

:

5

all

me

this

to

him

—above

:

He

"is

all acces-

does the sun gain by enlight?

Or what does a fountain

drink and are refreshed by

any soul that hears sin

an earnest

show the marvellous grace and condescension

OF Christ that

for

is

union and communion with the souls of sinners,

its

waters

?

day should resolve henceforth

the ties and engagements between

to subscribe the articles of the

If to

him and

gospel— to give away

:

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOH.

158

himself, soul

and body,

to Christ

— —

to live henceforth as

dedicated servant to the Lord Jesus

this

would turn

and everlasting advantage of such a soul

infinite

a

to the

but Christ

;

cannot be profited thereby.

And

2.

that which

though Christ make no impoverished himself ive

rich

gain such

to

so speaks the apostle

;

Lord Jesus

Christ, that

"

:

that

is,

by our conversion, yet has he

He hath made

are to him.

wonder

increases the

still

profit

unjprojitable creatures as

himself poor to

make

us

For ye know the grace of our

though he was

your sakes

rich, yet for

he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." 2 Cor. 8 9. He expends his riches, but gains no advan:

His incarnation impoverished his reputa-

tage to himself. Phil.

tion.

I

am

How poor was

2:7.

man

a worm, and no

forts,

when he

said, "

the air have nests lay his head."

;

Psalm 22

of the people."

The

Christ

when he

said, "

But

a reproach of men, and despised :

How poor

6.

foxes

have

in temporal

com-

and the birds of

holes,

man hath not where to how poor was he in spirit-

but the Son of

;

Matt. 8

:

20.

Yea,

ual comforts, when that astonishing cry broke from him upon the cross, " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ?"

Matt. 27

:

that Christ should ear-

let it astonish us,

46.

nestly desire union

with our souls upon terms of such deep

self-denial to himself.

Though

3.

Christ gain nothing by you, and impover-

many

ished himself for you, yet he endures delays,

and

denials of his suit,

astonishing grace

and much more

I

refused grace,

a

soul.

my

such a soul ofier, so

and never

Yet you

;

an overture from

make

and that he would

full of self-denying

he

is

least delay,

Christ,

upon

his indignation quickly

shall another offer be

see

vile repidses,

yet ivill not leave you.

One woiild think that the

a refusal of

such terms as these, would rise against

and

say,

Thou hast

and condescending

made

to so

unworthy

contented to wait as well as knock

" Behold, I stand at the door

and knock."

;

UNION AND COMMUNION. 4.

159

Herein the admirable grace of this heavenly suitor

appears, that Jesus Christ passes by millions of creatures

of more excellent gifts, and never makes them one offer of himself, never turns aside to give one knock at their door; but comes to thee, the

ner, that

among the

unsanctified there are multitudes of

and women of more excellent judgments

solid

—

and will not go Knowest thou not, sin-

vilest of creatures,

from thy door without being heard.

men and

parts, strong memories,

yea, of purer conversation, strict morality,

adorned with excellent social virtues, capable,

if called, to

do him abundantly more service than thou canst

?

yet these

are passed by, and he becomes a suitor to such a poor worthless

thing as thou

thank

art, yea,

and

"I

rejoices in his choice.

Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because

thee,

thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed

them unto babes." Matt. 11

:

Here

25.

is

the triumph of free-grace. 5.

desire

This increases the wonder, that Jesus Christ should

and

delight to divell in such

an unclean

heart as

thine, which, from the beginning, has been the seat

throne of Satan,

full of all

that Christ should

polluted soul

—that

make an

overture of love to such a

he should choose

to

erect his throne

Look into thine own heart, where Satan's seat was and think what can Christ see there to be desired ? !

sinner,

Thou

knowest thy heart has been a sink of sin, thy conscience a sewer, into which

all

the

filth

of thy

life

and

casts his love

thee. Ezek. 16

:

6, 8.

upon thee and

All these things

like

has been cast

yet Christ passes by thee, as thou liest in thy blood and ness,

and

uncleanness and abominations.

his desire

make

it

filthi-

towards

astonishing

in our eyes that Jesus Christ, the Lord from heaven, should

become an earnest

suitor for

union and communion with the

souls of sinners.

Inference

1.

If Christ

is

such an earnest suitor

union and communion with the souls of sinners,

it

for

follows,

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOE.

160

that sin7iers can justly charge their damnation

wpon none Your blood must be upon your own heads

hut themselves,. salvation

by Christ

not only freely offered, but you are

is

with great importunity persuaded

you

life,

terms

own

;

and you choose rather

"0

wilful obstinacy?

Hosea 13:9.

ruin

I

Israel,

Thou

would have gathered thy

yourselves,

and upon none

accessories to your destruction for myself,

I

Acts 10 26. :

hope

"I

this day, that

I

am

Now,

own

;

children, said Christ to

your ruin, therefore,

;

but that

is

may

:

be

poor relief to you.

may, with Paul, take God pure from the blood of

to record

men."

all

what a dismal aggravation of

consider

your destruction will this be, that you perished by your

hands

lies

Indeed, if the min-

besides.

are negligent in their duty, they

isters of Christ

As

thou hast destroyed thy-

art the author of thine

Jerusalem, but thou wouldest not

upon

Christ offers

it.

than accept

it upon his where now can your ruin be charged but upon your

self" ;

to accept

to die

own

and apology.

this cuts off all plea

2. Hence it also follows, that distressed sinners have ow reason to question Christ's ivillingness to receive them when their hearts are made iailli?ig to come unto him. It would be little less than a blasphemous imputation of

insincerity to Christ himself, to question his willingness to

receive broken-hearted sinners, after so

he has made in the gospel, of tion

that scripture, John 6

;

:

37, puts

ners

Try him, he has

said

he will

:

out of doubt cast out."

thou wilt be the

as

I

Him

know

in the hearts of sin-

let

him have but the

consent of thy heart to his terms, and then, rejected,

"

:

and receive such a one as

will Christ ever accept

;

it

me I will in no wise many fears and jealousies

that Cometh to guilt breeds

many protestations

his earnestness for their salva-

first

soul that ever

if

I ?

deliberate

thou art

met a

repulse

from him. 3.

may

By

Christ's earnest suit for the souls of sinners,

see the

inestimable worth of the soul of

man.

you

Were

UNION AND COMMUNION. not the soul of

man

161

of great value, Jesus Christ

would never

be so deeply concerned about winning and saving

own

ners have a low esteem of their

them

them

Sin-

it.

—they

will sell

naught; but Christ knows their true worth, and

for

them

his solicitude to save

of

souls

is

answerable to his estimation

he counts when he has gained a

;

soul, that

he has

Therefore he pleads and waits so ear-

gained a treasure.

Two things

nestly for the salvation of them.

speak the great

value of the soul of man.

That it is now capable of espousals to the So?i of (1.) God; upon which account it is that Christ so earnestly seeks and sues

its love,

that of

This

for its consent.

a dignity beyond

is

other creatures in heaven or in earth

all

in heaven, no other creature but the soul of

capable of espousals to Christ. of angels, for Christ took not on

union of the divine and

human

members

are.

Eph. 5

As

(2.)

so

it is

:

him

their nature,

natures

is

Angels are to

is

mem-

them a head

conferred

of

upon angels

of his body, flesh and bones, as the saints

30.

the soul

is

"Father,

given me, be with glory

soul of

was never

and the

the foundation of

capable of espousals to Christ on earth,

capable of glory ivith Christ in heaven throughout

eternity.

my

is

a dignity above that

bers indeed of Christ's kingdom, and he

to be

no angel

;

on earth,

It is

the union between Christ and his people.

domirtion; but the honor

man

I will

that they also

me where

I

am

;

whom

that they

which thou hast given me." John 17

man has

thou hast

may :

behold

24.

The

a natural capacity of enjoying eternal bless-

And this will be men capable of the

edness which other creatures have not.

the aggravation of hell-torments, that highest happiness should, as in vain

;

it

were, receive that capacity

but that which constitutes an actual right to the

everlasting enjoyment of Christ in glory, sals to

him here by

his grace.

Upon

is

the soul's espou-

these two accounts

it is

that Christ puts such a price upon them, courts theii love so

!

CHRIST KNOCIvINa AT THE DOOE..

162

afiectioiiately,

laments their

ages his ministers to

them

loss so pathetically,

all diligence in

him with such abundant rewards.

for

own worth and

and encour-

persuading and wooing

Dan. 12

pawn

:

3.

Know

then your

sell so

precious a thing as thy soul for any thing Satan can

by way of exchange

set before thee

man

dignity

give in exchange for his soul

"What

it.

Mark

8

:

shall a

37.

ners ? then certainly^ they are the enemies of Christ the souls of off the

nor

Christ such an earnest suitor for union Mdth sin-

Is

4.

for

I"

neither

;

men, ivho any ivay endeavor

to

and

hinder or break

union between Christ and them.

Some

there are

who labor to men against

create jealousies and preju-

dices in the souls of

Christ and his

ways

—men

that bring up an evil report of Christ and religion, as that

which

will expose

them

to all the miseries of the world.

Instigated by Satan, they whisper into the soul's ear,

Christ

is

wooing

for himself, that the severity of

certainly extinguish all their joys

and pleasures

never laugh more, never be merry any more expose

all their

;

whom

rehgion will ;

they shall

besides,

will

it

comforts upon earth to hazard, their estates

and hves must fall a prey to their enemies, and this suffering the estate with which Christ will endow them if they con-

is

sent to his terms.

And

that this

is

no groundless jealousy

of their own, bat that Christ himself has openly declared as

much

:

"

He that loveth father or mother more than me, is

worthy of me me,

is

to answer,

who

after

me,

And is

he that taketh not his

cross,

not worthy of me." Matt. 10

:

37,

what they must expect as the fruit of their conBut 0, what will these men have Christ's proposals.

This

sent to

not

and he that loveth son or daughter more than

not worthy of me.

and followeth 38.

;

is

and how will they stand before Christ another day,

are such professed enemies to his cross,

and

set

them-

selves so directly in opposition to the great designs of Christ Is

it

will

not enough that you will not enter yourselves, but you

hmder them that would ? Matt. 23:13.

Thus ungodly

UKION AND COMMUNION.

163

parents discourage their children, and one relative another. But, to help souls under this discouragement,

I will

leave

only this one caution with them, that such seeming friends are real enemies, their words are poison to your souls.

Satan

has employed them to do his work, and hired their tongues for

But

his service.

the serious care of salvation, and fervent

if

love of Christ be in thy heart, thou wilt resolve, as did, " If

my

and

father

my

neck with tears and entreaties

would

To which

fling off

my

this

head

loose

and

father

and

keep

to

my

I

and offences

also belong all those scandals

for

my

from Christ,

mother, to go to Christ."

way to discour-

"Woe unto the world Woe to the world, this will

age others from coming unto Christ

;

me

careless professors cast in the

because of offences." Matt. 18:7.

be their ruin

Jerome

mother should hang about

:

by this means such prejudices will be begot-

ten in their souls against Christ and religion, as they will

"Whoso

never be able to free themselves from. one of these

him

little

ones which believe in me,

it

shall offend

were better

for

that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that

he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

Matt. 18

:

6.

Christians, look carefully to your conversation; for besides

the evil effects of sin upon yourselves, you see the mischievous effects of

upon

it

others.

And

those words, " I charge you,

thus

by the roes and by the hinds of the up nor awake my love till he please." and hinds are timid creatures, the and

fright

Christ

;

them away

may

men upon you

How

ners, ivho

;

brmg

understand

that ye

Song 2

:

stir

not

Roes

7.

least noise will startle

ways

who

are coming to

of religion, friend,

how

small

you have

sins

not the sin and ruin of other

also.

great

need

made happy I

in the

discourage them.

enough of your own

field,

Sol,

such are those

young beginners

a matter

5.

:

we may

ye daughters of Jerusalem,

so

is

the blindness

much

It is

entreaty

and ignorance of sinand iiiiportunity to be

your ignorance, simiers, that makes aR

;;

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

164

the gospel importunity necessary

know your omu

did you

;

misery, and see Christ as to his necessity, suitableness, and excellency, all these persuasions

He would

not need to be twice offered

man,

in every

an alarm

;

set there

it is

are,

there

not heard for

is

Ah,

that sues for thy love, and

with Christ

:

;

nay, you Christ.

suitors for

a conscience

is

on purpose by the Lord to give each

but the alarm

ledge of your sin and misery.

who

might be spared

would become importunate

yourselves

want

soul, didst

what the

thou wouldst answer his

of the

know-

thou but

know

benefits of union

first call

in such

Lord Jesus, write down thine own terms be they what they will, I am ready to subscribe them with language as this

:

And then, how soon full consent of my heart and will. would the union be made between Christ and you. Yea, you would watch for and hang on half a word of encouragement from Christ's mouth, as Benhadad's servant did 1 Kings, on that word of Ahab, "my brother " Benhadad. 20 32, 33. There is no need of rhetoric to persuade a condemned malefactor to accept his pardon, or a hungry man the

:

to sit is

not

down at a full table known and therefore

but, alas, sin

;

;

the one

is

is

not

felt,

Christ

not bewailed, nor the

other desired.

This doctrine also naturally leads us to

embrace

to

persuade simiers

Christ's offer, subscribe to his terms,

and debate

no more with him, but end the treaty in a cordial present consent and so close the union between him and their souls. ;

How

long, sinner, wilt thou halt,

termined between Christ and great and deep a concern?

between Christ and you there

may

is

"Why will you

There

this rate? ;

and unresolved in

that Christ's overture

bring the matter to an issue.

with him at

and thy will hang unde-

sin,

is,

but you

trifle

so

may

and dally

indeed, a treaty on foot

may

perish for

all

that

no conclusion or agreement made; Christ and you

yet part.

The Lord

help you, therefore, to consider

5^

; :

UNION AND COMMUNION. with

the terms propounded by Christ in the

all seriousness

gospel

;

165

to count the cost

an

to bring matters to

—not

to

be always deliberating, but

and that with

issue,

convenient

all

two things before you. Ponder well what are the advantages you Vidll gain by Christ, and what is the most you can lose by your consent to his terms and then bring your thoughts to an issue. 6. Ponder well the advantage?, you will gain by Christ these are so great and manifold, that it is impossible for me to enumerate or estimate them. It shall suffice in this place to show you one of those bunches of the grapes of Eshcol, that by it you may estimate the riches and fertility of the good land settled upon you by Christ as a dowry and these are four. speed

in order whereunto I will lay

:

;

(1.)

The same day and hour you

give your cordial consent

upon gospel-terms, that

to take Christ

is

to say, Christ

with

liis

yoke of obedience, and Christ with his cross of sufferings,

all

your debts

are discharged

to the laio

but running into debt

What

a vast

into the world,

God, deeper and deeper every day

to

sum owest thou

to his justice

I

and thou

?

art not

If thou consent not to Christ's

able to pay one farthing. offer,

What

and 'paid.

have you been doing ever since you came

the bailiff and executioner, death and Satan, will shortly

be upon thee, and hurry thee away

whence thou farthing.

shalt not

Matt. 5

:

come

to

that prison from

until thou hast paid the last

If thou consent to Christ's terms,

25, 26,

thy debts are paid upon thy marriage-day, thy bonds are cancelled,

and thy discharge

in

heaven

is

sealed

:

"

There

is

now no condemnation to them which are in Christ," Rom. 8:1; and the reason is given. The righteousness of But how in the law is fulfilled in us that beheve. Ver. 4. therefore

us

?

as a fil its

Certainly the meaning

work

is

not that the act of faith doth,

of ours, satisfy the

righteousness

Christ, applies

it

;

but

it

demands of the law and

ful-

apprehends the righteousness of

and makes

it

ours,

and

so

"the righteous-

;

CHRIST KNOCKlNa AT THE DOOR.

166

w

ness of the la

and a comfort Christ

for after

;

in us that believe."

is fulfilled

to

be out of debt

?

thy espousals to

thee by an act of condemnation Christ

shall the debt it

upon you

:

run on and increase

in hell-torments

Or

?

resolve

till

justice

from

lie

down (2.)

an honor

above

and

what to do come to exact :

so

be fully and

your debts at once, and able to

all

and enjoy your

in peace

Your consent

an ease

you accept of Christ

will

and the riches of righteousness in him, and finally acquitted

it

goes to the husband,

it

Then

thou art discharged.

;

Is

Then embrace the ofier of him, the law camiot touch

life

without fear

to Christ's terms, will

?

advance you

heijond that of angels.

It is said

to

that

the children of the resurrection shall be equal to angels.

Matt. 22

30,

:

And

most

it is

sure, that in

their union with Christ advances

the apostle

tells us,

them

far

they are ministering

some respects

above angels

spirits,

;

for

sent forth to

them that shall be heirs of salvation, Heb. 1:14; kingdom count it no dishonor to perform The ministry of angels service to the heir apparent.

minister to

as the nobles in a their is

a mystery which

we little understand

great and manifold advantages, and

honor on (3.)

you

all

the

members

;

it

but by

of Christ.

to a dignity

above angels, but in the day wherein you

you

"heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ."

what an inducement Christ and our souls.

is

1*^

mine as

most

:

here to close the union between

If I consent to take

gospel-terms, I shall be entitled to shall be

to the

You shall be Rom. 8 17.

glorious inheritajice ])urchased by his blood.

it

we receive

Christ will not only pay all your debts and exalt

cordially consent to his terms, he ivill entitle

'ir".

it

certainly puts great

truly as

it is

all

Christ upon

the glory in heaven

Christ's.

;

It is true the

glory of Christ will far surpass the glory of the saints

;

he

among them as the sun compared with the stars but the glory which God gave him, that is, the communi" The glory cable glory, shall be as truly theirs, as it is his. will shine

^T

:

UNION AND COMilUNION.

1G7

whicli thou gavest me, I have given them."

John 17 22. John 20 17, " I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God." This you shall gain by closing this treaty with a hearty con-

my

Tell

brethren, saith he,

:

:

sent to Christ's terms and proposals, If

(4.)

you will consider and consent, you shall he pre-

sented hy Christ to the Father, pure

and

sjootless,

ivith

exceeding joy arid gladness in the great day. This will be a presentation of your persons to God that should make your hearts leap for joy as you read

about

it.

what

\

the Scriptures speak

This, methinks, should induce every soul without

further delay to present himself, soul and body, willingly

and cheerfully

to

Jesus Christ.

you in the great day holiness, not

The

For,

a spot or wrinlde upon your

blood of Christ perfectly washes

guilt.

Then

all

Eph. 5 27.

souls.

:

away every

the defilement of sin

come to God pure and

We

little

;

so that

beautiful out of Christ's hand.

This presentation will be

spot of

it

shall

Second,

made with the greatest honor and what triumph Christ intends

think in

to bring the poorest believer to his Father.

and

beauty of perfect

the Spirit of Christ shall have perfectly cleans-

ed the soul from

solemnity.

Christ will bring

first,

to his Father, in the

rejoicing shall they be brought

the king's palace."

"

With gladness

they shall enter into

:

Psalm 45 15. They shall be presented " faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceedino-

joy."

Jude 24.

God himself

:

Joy running over

joy,

upon

all

hands

will rejoice that he created a soul that has sin-

cerely bestowed itself upon Christ Jesus Christ will rejoice that he shed his blood for the soul that places his sole right;

eousness therein the Holy Spirit will rejoice that he came with a commission from the Father and the Son to draw such a soul to Christ, who has obeyed his voice. The angels ;

will rejoice with joy unspeakable.

presence of the angels of eth."

Luke 15:10.

God

"

There

is

joy in the

over one smner that repent-

If the consent of

any of your souls

m

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

168

shall be this

day gained

to Christ

—

if

heard shall send any poor soul hence

make

covenant with Christ,

his

the union with Christ

—

for

the word you have

to his closet there to

that

in that hour the

is

way of making

the

news

of

it

will be in

heaven and excite joy among the angels of God. and many other

Lay these which the Scriptures

privileges together,

and then consider what a rich

will abundantly furnish you,

bargain Jesus Christ confers on your 7.

lose

souls.

may

Again, on the other hand, consider what you

by your consent

to

be Christ's, and whether these

balance the gain of such a consent,

losses are sufficient to

may be

that so your choice of Christ

deliberate

and

rule in the civil law.

Nan

It is

non seMit

consentit qui

and

full,

you may never repent of the choice you have made.

a

—he

cannot consent that does not think, understand, and deliberate; and this

is

the reason of so

much

flinching from

Christ and shameful apostasy in times of persecution

men

:

did not think of such sufferings and losses, they are matters

To prevent all such

of surprise to them.

occasions of offence,

our Lord deals candidly and openly with us, and

beforehand what are the worst things that

should not be offended. ;

God

shall put

service."

These things have

shall come, ye

Ver. 4.

They

you out of the syn-

yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth

will think he doeth adds, "

I told

may remember

Remember,

you

John 16 1, 2. But he you that, when the time :

that I told you of them."

in times of persecution, that all these

things were propounded and consented to

very terms you subscribed to

me had ;

;

they were the

you not liked them, you

might, at the everlasting ruin of your immortal refused and rejected them.

with the gain of Christ

may

The

souls,

have

things you are to balance

be divided into two classes.

The things that you must part with, namely, your and all the vicious pleasures you have had in them.

(1.)

lusts

us

us for

" These things have I spoken unto you, that you

his sake.

agogues

tells

may befall

UNION AND COMMUNION.

1G9

However much profit or pleasure they have brought you, away they must go they must he devoted to destruction ;

and mortification, or you can have no

must

interest in Christ

;

you

bid adieu for ever to all your sinful courses and com" His servants ye are to

jDanions.

whom

ye obey."

E-om.

Be they as pleasant and profitable as your right eye hand, they must be plucked out and cut ofl^. Matt.

5:16. or

G

:

Does

29, 30.

Does

ears

?

it is

to part

this

sound harsh and unpleasant

you

this cause

with

sin

but

it is

;

to

demur

to

your

what

consider

?

with the disease of

to part

and the instruments of your everlasting ruin. Which of you would not be glad to part with a fever, the

your

souls,

stone, or dropsy

soul

What

?

What

?

passion, but the fever of the

is

a hard heart, but a stone

is

What

?

is

covet-

ousness or earthly-mindedness, but the insatiable dropsy of

the soul

Now,

?

if

men would

be glad to be

rid of

such

dreadful diseases in their bodies, and to be restored to soundness, ease,

and health

to be rid of

;

how much more

should you be glad

your corruptions, and have the rectitude, ease,

and pleasure of your

souls restored again

?

yea, instead of

the impure, vicious pleasures you have taken in sm, you shall enjoy the pure, suitable, and everlasting pleasures of holiness.

Consider now, and accordingly

son, in

right

exchange

hand

(2.)

for

make your

sin,

for ever.

There are other things which you

part with, and give up for Christ.

God may and

tions,

call

you

life for

to -part

may

;

be called to

liberty, estate, rela-

are never actually called

but because

to those

of these things as if they

hath propounded them. Knocking.

may

uncertain whether

many

are,

and every

be so called, you must realize them, ponder

them, and subscribe

Christ

It is

with your

Many

Christ.

forth to such sufferings

one of you

choice, w^hether

which are but for a seathe everlasting joys which are at God's

you will take the pleasures of

very terms, making

were now before you,

Luke 9 O

:

23.

full

account

for so Christ

But then weigh

;

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

170

these troubles with the advantages you shall have by them,

and not alone by themselves

them

"

to you.

And

for so Christ

;

has presented

every one that hath forsaken houses,

or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or chil-

my

dren, or lands, for

and

fold,

name's sake, shall receive a hundredMatt. 19

shall inherit everlasting life."

Now,

if

you think such gainful

:

29.

troubles, such soul-enrich-

ing losses are worth accepting for Christ's sake, then close

the union with Christ and bring the matter to a conclu-

Do

sion.

not befool yourselves by a fond and groundless pre-

sumption that these things will never flatter

how

expect them, and

much more

to do,

to

This

You know

work you demur any longer

a conclusion, and the sooner the

that your lives are uncertain, and

;

your breath

at last

nostrils,

lie

it is

mad-

one day at

continually coming and going, and

is

be gone.

James 4:14.

Your

everlasting dangers by that feeble breath

your

reason to

the great

is

safely

ness to let the great concerns of your salvation

must

be turned

For,

better.

hazard

many

knows

embrace them, whenever

to

and you cannot

matter must come

may

You have much

Christ shall call you to them.

have now

I fear

the Lord

;

soon these suppositions at a distance

into realities before your eyes.

this

befall you.

themselves with such vain hopes

and every disease

held under that thread

;

is

like the

and can

it

work

souls

hang over

which plays

in

flame of a candle

either be safe or

com-

upon which all your expectations of eternal blessedness depend ? Not only your lives are uncertain, but the enjoyment of fortable to delay so great a

as this,

the gospel, and all the opportunities and version, are as uncertain as they.

of

God be

it

acknowledged,

fulness of gospel-mercies

;

means of your

It is true,

we now

and

con-

to the glory

enjoy the freedom and

but where has

God made any such

settlement of these blessings upon you, as puts the enjoyment of

them out

of hazard

?

The

rain

is

over, but the clouds

UNION AND COMMUNION. may

return after the rain.

If your privileges bring forth good

your conversion, well

fruit in

root of the tree.

if not,

;

the axe lieth at the

And

Matt. 3:10.

if

then the treaty

ended, and there

is

God remove the provoke him

may

gospel from us, as our delays and triflings to do,

171

probability

is little

that any thing further will be done between Christ and you.

Luke 13

25.

:

Bring

this

matter to an issue with

you are not able

due speed, because

all

mie sound reason fw a

to give

momenCs Can you be safe

delay of so great and weighty a concern.

Can you be happy

soon?

too

soon?

too

Certainly you

cannot be out of the danger of hell too soon

why

every man's

life

be to

it is,

flee

flee for

Heb. 6:18, then

man-slayer,

own

terms

main work and business of from the wrath to come, as indeed If the

?

Matt. 3:7, and to

indeed

The

and therefore

should not your closing with Christ upon his

be your very next work

it is,

;

all

refuge to Jesus Christ, as

delays are highly dangerous.

when fleeing to the city of refuge before when his heart was hot within him,

avenger of blood,

not think he could reach the city too soon.

the did

Set your reason

work upon this matter put the case as really it is I am from wrath to come the justice of God and the curses of the law are closely pursuing me is it reasonable that I to

:

;

fleeing

;

;

should trifles ?

sit

down

for

in the

such are

way

to gather flowers, or play

with

other concerns in this world, com-

all

pared with our salvation. Bring

this treaty to

an

issue

^nost soids that perish, perish

with

all

due speed, because

by delays ;

men

think they

have time enough before them and that to-morrow to-day,

and

so

Satan

gets, part

by

part,

dence to demand in the whole lump.

will be as

what he had not confiMost that perish under

the gospel had convictions upon their consciences, and vain pui-poses in their hearts

execution, that

was

;

but not bringing them to a speedy

their undoing.

"

He

beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner

CHRIST KNOCKINCI AT THE DOOR.

172 of

man

James

he was."

1

24.

:

It is

an allusion

to a

man

that looks in the morning into a glass, where he discerns a spot upon his face,

up

and

resolves

with himself soon

but some diversion or other

off;

and

his thoughts,

carries

to

it

remains

so the spot

to

wash

it

other matters take

falls in,

all

day and he

these delays in closing with

bed at night.

Christ are the undoing of millions.

Delay not

to close this treaty

delay iiicreascs the dijjic^dty

with Christ, because

all

and the longer you neglect,

;

the more will your hearts " be hardened by the deceitfulness

Continuance in

Heb. 3:13.

of sin."

sin

convictions insensibly harden the heart and

Under the

stubborn.

the affections flov^dng

make

convictions the heart

first

if this

;

and quenching

to a comfort-

but after a while, those soul-affecting words,

;

and

Christ, heaven, hell, death,

sin,

tender,

advantage were apprehended

and pursued, how soon might the work come able conclusion

the will

is

eternity, will

become

words of a common sound.

And this

beware of delays

lastly,

in this matter, because

you

a fairer ojDj^ortunity for the dispatch of great concern than, by the special indulgence of Heaven,

can never

exj)ect

you enjoy

now

is

WTind

this day.

"

Now

is

the day of salvation."

and

tide

with you

;

if

the accepted time

2 Cor. 6

:

2.

;

behold,

You have

the

you will not weigh anchor now,

tage can you reasonably expect, which

What advanGod has not fur-

You have

the means of grace

you

may

lie

wind-bound to your dying day.

nished you with at this day

?

among you, and you have freedom to attend on those means Say not, I have such or such troubles and without fear. encumbrances in the world

;

for

you must never expect

to

be without them, except you shall find the world another thing than

all

others find

it.

Have you

a precious season and advantage

what a spur quickly.

is

that.

"What

is

is

that.

to be

health

?

Art thou

what sick

?

done must be done

:

UNION AND COMMUNION. But

know

it

not

may be some will plead how to transact so great a

and therefore

about

set not

ter, in

sum

of

and

;

ignorance, that they

concern with Christ,

souls, I will

what has been spoken about

the following directions

;

may

likely there

is

it

For the help of such

be truth in that plea. gather up the

it

173

this

mat-

so that nothing but

your

unwillingness shall remain to hinder you.

Direction

If ever

1.

you bring the treaty between

Christ and your souls to a happy conclusion, you

and

doivn to

count the

Luke 14

cost,

:

28, else

engage yourselves in the profession of

engagement, and

so

than ever he shall have glory by your

have you troubles

foresee

You

are to

14

:

Lamb

" follow the

There

4.

is

He would

profession.

may

man draw

in him."

Heb. 10

back, 38.

:

of heaven, to desert

Christ,

as well as in sunshine

It

soul shall

Rev.

to Christ

have no pleasure

there,

till

day of

battle.

own

good and the

the profits and losses of religion.

want

of this the church

thoughts, and hast balanced the

is filled

Direction in thy

from

2.

we

For

with hypocrites, and

with inconsiderate and rash professors erate, the better

sit

;

thou hast debated this mat-

ter fully with thy evil,

law

eternal death by the

is

Christ's colors in the

Well, then, retire into the innermost closet of thy soul

and patiently

you

;

whithersoever he goeth."

my

the

all

afterwards meet with

no retreating after engagement

" If any

quiet

sit

not

It is

embark yourselves with

and abide with him in storms

must

religion.

and seriously bethink yourselves of

and inconveniences you

for his sake.

must

will be vain

draw you under a rash, inconsiderate to reap more dishonor by your apostasy

design to

Christ's

it

:

the more

we

hell

delib-

shall conclude.

Having debated the matter over and over let not Satan disccmrage thee

most serious thoughts,

casting thy soul at Christ's feet, with

to all his terms, for

want

own

soul.

not find in thy

a hearty consent

of such qualifications as thou canst It is

usual

for

Satan

to suggest,

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

174

at such a time, the for sin

—that the

want

of greater sorrow and humihation

soul has not lain long

humbling work of the law have been such that there

— that

enough under the

the aggravations of sin

no hope of acceptance.

is

Free

thy soul from these snares of Satan by the consideration of the truth, that Christ expects from thee no more humilia-

what produces such a

tion than

thy will

is

now

to give

no aggravation of

hearty, 4eliberate consent as

and such a consent once gained,

;

sm can be

pleaded against the duty of

believing.

Distmst not the sincerity of Christ in the Be sure that to coming souls. gracious offers he speaks his very heart in them to thee the devil labors Direction

3.

he makes

;

to

sow jealousy and suspicions

simiers, that they will not find

them

as he seems to promise

Matt. 11

:

28, 29

;

in the hearts of

convinced

such a welcome with Christ

in those encouraging scriptures,

John 6 37 :

but that something

;

else lies

hid in such scriptures, as a mystery which they understand not, is

and

so labors to hinder the accepting act of faith.

a case as

common

as

The Lord

sad.

it is

This

help you to

avoid this snare, lest instead of honoring Christ by resolved

make him a har, and impute insinGod of truth "He that believeth not God, hath made him a liar." 1 John,- 5 10. Direction 4. Look uj:) to God to enable you. to come to Do not think faith Christ in this difficult tvork of faith. " No man can come to is of the growth of thine own heart adherence to him, you

cerity to the

:

:

:

me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him." John 6 44. There is a legal spirit working under evangel:

ical pretences in

many

souls

;

teaching

themselves to find that which

is

them

to look within

quite above them.

apostle points you to the fountain of faith, in it is

of

" not of yourselves

God must

liiith

be

;

owned

it is

the gift of God."

as the cause of every

in the greatest believers, as

is

If the

new

plain from

The

Eph, 2:8: power

degree of

Luke 17

:

5,

:

UNION AND COMMUNION. "

The

175

apostles said unto the LojjI, Increase our faith ;"

much more

is

the productiou of faith

itself,

and the

vital act thereof to be ascribed to the almighty

how first

power of

God? Direction exert that

thou

till

is

upon Lord importunately to

Kecpiiig tliinc eye of ex'pectation

5.

that almighty 2^oicer, plead icith the

power upon thy soul ; and give not over thy suit power upon thee. The time of believing

feel that

a time of earnestly pleading thine

and the

own danger and

neces-

Lord will abundantly furnish thee with pleas and arguments to enforce this suit. Such sity

;

as these (1.)

:

Lord, I have thy call and invitation, yea, I have

command

tby

Spirit of the

to

me

encourage

to believe

tion therefore, in thy poor creature, to

;

it is

come

no presump-

after

thou hast

commanded me hadst thou not encouraged me, I dared not have moved towards thee. Lord, whose word is that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus it, Christ ?" 1 John, 3 23. Is it not thine own ? This makes invited and

:

*'

:

my

faith (2.)

an act of obedience.

Yea, Lord,

I

have thy promise, as well

Blessed Jesus, hast thou not said, "

me

I

will in no wise cast out ?"

is

much, but thy promise

it

my

my

(3.)

God,

I

Him

John 6

:

as thy com.-

my coming to thee.

mand, made upon no other condition but

that cometh unto

37.

An

invitation

more.

is

have not only thy command, making

duty to believe, and thy promise

to

me

encourage

that duty, but I have the examples of other sinners

came unto thee long

ago,

and thou

didst not reject

to

who

them

nor do I abuse these examples in drawing encouragement

from them

;

for it

was thy very

that they might be so after believe (4.)

on thee.

my God,

have no other way

I

many 1

am

design, in recording them,

patterns to all that should here-

Tim. 1:16. shut up under a plain necessity

to take

;

I

am

beaten off from

all

;

I

other

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

176 refuges

there

;

me

no help for

is

or self-righteousness

in angels or in

my

in thee only

;

soul

men,

can

in duties

find rest.

I

am shut up to thee as to the only door of hope, Gal. 3 23 here I must succeed or perish my soul is burdened and :

;

:

wearied;

hands

know

I

not

If I fail here, I

thee.

how

of

to dispose

nor where to lay the burden of

;

(5.)

am

Lord, I

am

willing to renounce all other hopes, to

Duties cannot justify me, tears cannot

cannot save I

they of

old,

upon horses our hands,

me

upon thee

rely

a poor naked creature, saying as

to thee

we

" Asshur shall not save us;

neither will Ave say any

:

Ye

eth mercy."

are our gods

Hos. 14

remember you

:

;

for in

Labor

6.

more

it

to

life,

make a

yea, for your eternal

still life.

resolved adve?iture hjjoyi

the issue be

let

will; resolve to venture, though you have not the

least degree of assurance that

doned.

work of

thee the fatherless find-

Christ, amidst all these encouragements,

what

will not ride

to the

Thus plead with God, and

3.

are pleading for

Direction

only.

wash me, reformation

nothing but thy righteousness can answer

;

come

for ra.e.

but upon

guilt,

lost for ever.

and righteousness, and

refuges,

but into thy

it,

my

This

you

carries the soul to Christ:

much

as Esther

" So will I go in unto the king;

Esther 4:16.

shall be accepted

and par-

that brave and noble act of faith

is

It grieves

me

and

came

which

to the king,

if I perish, I perish."

to think

how some imagine

that the fervent love of Christ will save and justify them,

without any act of belief on their part; but you see that scriptural faith

great

believing face of so fold

is

difficulties :

it is

very different from

there are

all this.

and mighty wrestlings

iji

the

work of

a great matter for a convinced sinner, in the

much

guilt

and vileness and amidst such mani-

discouragements from Satan, to cast and adventure

himself upon Christ, and that upon such self-denying terms

but the pinch of necessity will bring the soul it

reasons with itself as the lepers did, If

we go

to the

;

now camp

to this, for

;

UNION AND COMMUNION. we can

of the Syrians,

must

but die

;

and

2 Kings, 7:4.

certainly die.

we

if

—

to hell I

can but be

Christ, I

cast out those that

there

:

and

my

my

destruction

But he has said. He come unto him in this way :

;

to

him

and

I will go,

is

myself upon

if I cast

rejected.

way

only

we

if I sit still in

a possibility, yea, assurance of salvation

is

fore is

must go

abide here,

So here,

the state of nature and continue to delay,

unavoidable

177

;

will not

of faith

this there-

if I perish, I

perish.

Direction

Never measure the grace of God, nor the

7.

mercy of Christ, by your own narroiv apprehensions of him; but believe them to be far greater than your conOur idea of tracted understanding represents them to you. the pai'doning power and mercy of God, cast in the mould of our

own

thoughts, disfigures and alters them, so that they

look not like themselves, but with a very discouraging aspect

upon our coming

By

souls.

Christ.

to

this,

Satan keeps

though thou scarcely knowest how injuries

off

scripture to this purpose, in Isa. 55

souls

from

to forgive thee,

to forgive thyself, for the

That

thou hast done against him.

forsake his way,

many

The Lord knows how

:

7—9

and the unrighteous

:

a striking

is

*'Let the wicked

man

his thoughts

him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him and to our Grod, for he will abundantly pardon. and

let

;

my thoughts are ways my ways, saith For

not your thoughts, neither are your

the Lord.

higher than the earth, so are

ways, and

my

my

For as the heavens are

ways higher than your

under a double misery, one by reason of

by reason of transgression

;

affliction,

we

can think.

caimot think such thoughts in respect to others, under

misery in themselves or under transgression against does towards us of

lies

another

concerning both these, God's

thoughts are not as ours, but far above what

We

Man

thoughts than your thoughts."

God

;

are towards us,

us, as

we conceive what those when we are under misery

nor can

God

thoughts or sin, as

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

178

His thoughts will

he thinks them.

the vast body of the able point to

it

;

earth

vi^hole

be above ours, as

still

So high

the heavens are above the earth.

is

heaven that

but a small, inconsider-

is

the highest cedars, mountains, clouds can-

God's thoughts are

ours finite

;

his

thoughts are continued, ours interrupted and at a stand

;

his

not reach

it.

are immutable, ours changeable

cursive

his are intuitive, ours dis-

measure

therefore never

:

;

infthite,

by jout own.

his

thoughts of pardoning grace in him, are glorious

and

Thou sayest, How Thou knowest not,

them, they seem quite another thing.

can such a wretch as

obtain mercy

I

but the Lord knoweth.

if

them

and proclaimed himself,

The

in such a proper

mercy and goodness of God,

himself, "

?

you could take

idea and apprehension of the as he has given of

The

our unbelieving hearts practise upon

when

but

;

rich, plenteous,

when he

passed by Moses

Lord, the Lord God, merciful

and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and truth ;

transgression and sin," Exod. 34

you

to Christ

with

:

6, 7, this

would bring

much encouragement.

Direction 8. Be 7iot discouraged in the ivork offaith, though iw comfort should come in by the first act of it ; nay, though there should be an increase of trouble for the present.

The

first

saving act of faith certainly puts you into

a state of peace, but

may

it

not presently produce the sense

you have believed and really closed with Christ, you may meet with some discouragements which may make you question whether Christ has received you or of peace

no

;

after

—whether he has any love

for

safety are inseparable, yet Christ

not so

your souls or no

whether comfort come or not

severe,

:

thmk not that

all

as you believe, because

do enter into rest." state of rest,

;

?

Yet per-

though Christ and

and the sense of comfort are

your troubles shall be over as soon

it is

We

which have believed

That

scripture speaks of a

said, "

Heb. 4:3.

and not of a present or continued sense of rest.

UNION AND COMMUNION. The woman with sore

of

trials

Canaan

179

did really believe in Christ, yet

under the

first act

her not off from the work of

faith,

of her faith

met

yet this took

;

but rather quickened her

was glad of a word from Christ, and she The words were discouraging "It is not expected deeds. the more

she

;

:

to take the children's bread,

meet

yet this beats not off her faith

and crumbs

ily,

" great

thy faith."

is

:

Matt. 15

:

woman," 26, 27.

Christ, you must not be discouraged

comes

all difficulties.

no comfort time

;

;

You

to cast

If

Direction

9,

lust,

saith

Christ, for

an appointed

and not lie. In your treating with Christ, beware of speak,

it Avill

not hear me." Psa. 66

one

;"

pray, you believe, and yet have

" If I regard iniquity in

you.

dogs

a resolute faith over-

;

all secret reserves that icill spoil the treaty

and

to

you resolve

well, the vision of peace is for

at the end

it

the dog belongs to the fam"

dog.

to the

and

:

18.

between Christ

my heart,

If there

the Lord will

be but a reserve of

that reserve will break off the treaty

:

be honest

with Christ, and say not of any sin, " the Lord be merciful to me in this ;" and be sure there is no secret purpose or but reserve in thy heart for a retreat in time of danger ;

embark thyself with Christ for storms and tempests, troubles and afflictions, as well as peace and prosperity. Christ bestows himself wholly upon you, and he expects the same from you give up all, or you will receive nothing from him. Direction 10. Close up your treaty ivith Christ by a :

solemn covenant with him; engage yourselves to be the " One shall say, I am the Lord's and another Lord's. ;

shall

caU himself by the name of Jacob

subscribe with self

to

and another shall

hand mito the Lord, and surname himHere you have Israel." Isa. 44 5. do: 1. To give yourselves up to Christ,

liis

by the name of

two things

;

:

according to that expression, they "first gave their selves to

the Lord."

2 Cor. 8:5.

Make your

soul

own and

body, time and talents, henceforth, dedicated things to his

CHRIST KNOCKINCt AT THE DOOR.

180

Take

service,

2.

offices to

be yours

Christ in both his natures and in all his

and

;

to the last breath,

to this

covenant you are to stand

whatever times

or troubles shall come.

This consent of thy heart to be Christ's, this choice of thy M'ill

in

taking

choice of thee of

my

me

;

him and

for thine, I

interest in him,

that Christ

is

is

but the echo of Christ's

would rather have such an evidence

mine.

than a voice from heaven to assure

NONE REJECTED.

CHAPTER ANY MAN HEAR

IF

This expression, "

IN TO HIM." If

Rev. 3

:

I will

have

any man," extends the gracious

"If any

:

this offer of

ular person

if

;

of sinners, of

my

man

;"

come

obviated.

says

one

another

;

of mercy

in to

I

;

is

offer

a gen-

as if Christ should say,

quality or condition soever, old or young,

your

my

I

am

and open

to

me,

all objections

are

voice,

And hereby

soul.

the greatest of sinners,

have been a self-deceiving hypocrite, says

have

I

It is

thou, or thou, or thou, the greatest, the vilest

what

as for example,

:

WILL

grace go round to every partic-

profane or hypocritical, wilt hear I will

I

20.

of Christ, and brings in hope to every hearer. eral proclamation

TO HIM.

AND OPEN THE DOOR,

RIY VOICE

COME

YII.

WHO OPEN

CHRIST REJECTS NONE "

181

resisted grace too long,

past, says a third.

a thousand more objections,

is

and fear the time

The ground of all these, and taken away by the gracious

for who is he that can where Christ does not ? This gives us a seventh profitable and comfortable doctrine

extent of Christ's offer in the text

;

limit

:

Jesus Christ will

7iot

refuse to coine in to the soul of

the vilest sinner, icheii once it is to

made

luilling to

open

him. " If

come

any

in to

man

that bars any

my

hear

him."

It is

man

voice and open the door, I will

not unworthiness, but unwillingness,

from Christ

:

thousands have missed of

Christ by their unwillingness, but Christ never put off one soul on account of

but the

gift of

God

receive a free gift

its ;

:

unworthiness; Christ

you come not faith

is

of the

thirsteth,

whole

come ye

to

Scriptures.

the

make

is

not the sale

a bargain, but to

marriage with Christ, wherein

nothing but our hearty consent strain

to

is

expected " Ho,

;

so runs the

every one

that

waters, and he that hath no

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

182

money," that is, no merit, no worthiness of his own, " come Behold the free-grace of Christ to the Isa. 55:1.

ye."

and most miworthy of

vilest *'

Let him that

is

come

athirst

take the water of

text he speaks again.

" If

any

man

and whosoever

And

freely."

life

my

So Rev. 22

sinners.

;

And

him

very phrase of

in the

John 7

yet again, in

him come unto me and

thirst, let

17,

:

will, let

37,

:

drink."

It is

very observable throughout the whole gospel, that Christ

never made any objection against any soul that came to him, on account of

and unworthiness

sinfulness

its

but

;

all

the complaints of Christ are on account of men's unwilling-

So in his complaint over Jerusalem, Luke 13

ness.

"

I

"

Ye

but you would not

would,

will not

complaint

come

is still

point, I shall

Jesus Christ

;

What

Christ

Now 1.

;

again,

so

34,

:

John 5 40, :

The

me, that ye might have Hfe."

to

upon

In stating this

their unwillingness.

show what it is to be truly willing to receive and how it appears that they who are so, shall

certainly be received I.

;"

for this

is

meant by opening the heart

many

this implies It implies

and graciously accepted of him.

to be truly ^VILLING to receive Jesus

it is

him.

to

great and weighty things.

and necessarily includes the right under-

standing of gospel terms. These must be known, pondered, and duly considered, before the will can savingly open, in

an

act of consent, to Christ's offer.

I desire this

especially observed, because multitudes are this thing

must

:

he that does not consider, does not consent

exercise your

understandings upon the terms

articles of Christianity, or else fold,

and unstable.

This, in

the consent of faith

and debates

may

in the

is

mind

your consent

Luke 1 4

:

31

,

is

be

mistaken about

is

;

you and

rash, blind-

called consulting

the result of previous consultations :

the soul that comes to Christ must

take up religion in his most sedate and serious thoughts;

turn both sides of religion, to the

it,

the dark as well as the bright side of

eye of his mind

;

balance

all

the conven-

;

NONE REJECTED.

183

iences and inconveniences, losses as well as gains.

open to Christ,

but that

this I shall gain,

cannot separate Christ from sufferings

me

my

from

sins

;

if I

seek him,

I

must

I

If I

lose

must

them go

let

profess Christ, Providence will one time or other bring this is

dilemma, either Christ or earthly comforts must

necessary, therefore, that I

now propound

down his terms " If any man will come him deny himself, and take up his cross and Matt. 16

:

my

estate,

which

my

and

relations,

also

It

He hath me,

let

follow me."

up my life, my liberty, my own righteousness,

with as any of the former.

as hard to be parted

is

to

This self-denial deserves serious considera-

24.

for Christ requires that I give

;

if I

go.

after

:

tion

;

me

myself what

to

Providence may, one time or other, propound to me. set

I

;

Christ will separate

:

must take up my cross, that is, the sufferings and troubles which God shall appoint for me, and which I cannot avoid without sin and I must follow Christ whithersoever he I

;

goes.

I

know

not

what

to

may

and there

them, they will not come down

not as Christ has is

;

"

ended.

He

cost

me

to

before I die

no bringing down

is

than he has laid them.

Christ's terms lower

up

religion

has cost others

all this it

me

I :

must come

if I like

them

them, the treaty between him and

left

me

more than me,

that loveth father or mother

and he that loveth son or daughter not worthy of me more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross and folio weth after me, is not worthy of me."

is

;

Matt. 10

:

37, 38.

Where, by worthiness, we are not

understand the meritoriousness of these

acts,

to

but the neces-

sary qvialification of the will, and the due preparation of one

coming in the

to Christ

;

these previous consultations and debates

mind prepare the

will to

advised choice of Christ

:

and

make

for

a serious and well-

want

of this, there are

such swarms of hypocrites and apostates in the world. 2.

It

necessity

implies such

and

a

sefise

of misery in

us,

and of

excellency of Christ, as determines the

the

tvill to

CHUIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

184

the cJwice of Jam, notwithstanding

have

can

fallen or

"When the soul

sees that in Christ

all sufferings, all losses,

all

the difficulties which

under consideration in the mind,

fall

and

which preponderates over

reproaches, and then deter-

all

mines, I will have Christ though I sacrifice to

me

in the

to Christ.

world

It is true,

the enjoyments of

derstood by Christians as

much

all

that

tliis

men

as other

world are unthey have a

;

feeling sense of the sweetness of earthly enjoyments

have as much

souls

understand the

charmmg language

dear relations in

it,

as well as others

You read

do in these things.

lem they gave soul

—jewels,

that

;

only they see a greater in Christ, than they

m the famine

their pleasant things for bracelets, gold,

silver,

meat

serve

So

soever

be,

it

it is

here

has such an excellency in

soul,

willing to have Christ, and to

has laid down in the gospel

and

to

;

I

it

such an absolute

it,

who can

come up

am willing

endure any suffering

ble to think, if

to pre-

as Christ has.

it,

Objection. But 0, saith the

sin,

them

—no earthly enjoyment, of what value

necessity to us of enjoying

am

bread,

for

of these things,

the cost of them, but they parted with life.

of Jerusa-

to relieve their

any thing

Lam. 1:11; they miderstood the worth

knew

they

;

of the world and their

and a greater worth

necessity of Christ,

their

;

body as other men

affection to the

dear

is

be truly willing to open

for liim, this is to

for

do this

to every

to part

Christ

;

?

I

term he

with every

but Oh,

trem-

I

should come to a prison, to a stake, to an

actual separation from all the comforts and relations in the

what shall I do for work as this ? Here

M^orld,

strength to go through such

cult

is

of

many

souls

;

diffi-

the great difficulty in the

way

they find a willingness, but fear the want of

strength.

Answer.

How

or

where you

dure these things for Christ, you.

God

is

and

so others

and

now

before

you have found who have had the

will take care for that,

in that hour,

shall find strength to en-

not the question it

shall be given

NONE REJECTED. same

you have.

fears

I say,

the question

whether you are heartily

are able, but

but your will

he will provide

;

in the

world cannot say,

Christ

;

is

not whether you

willing.

The

ability.

am

I

185

Christ asks

greatest believer

able to suffer this or that for

but the least believer in the world must say,

Lord assisting me,

willing, the

to endure

and

I

am

suffer all things

for his sake.

The

3.

third thing

which

perfects the

whole

act, is

an

entire choice of Jesus Christ iqjon all the terms iDrescrihed

by hitn ; the entireness of the choice, without halving or excepting or reserving, makes the consent full

dividing,

and

There

effectual.

a twofold consent of the will to

is

Christ.

There defective,

is

a 'partial consent, which

and

ineffectual

He

offer of Christ.

is

;

is

always hypocritical,

thus the hypocrite consents to the

really willing to

have the pardon of

and the glory purchased by Christ

Christ,

his beloved lusts,

and

to give

up

;

but to part with

his earthly enjoyments, his

will cannot consent-

There

is

a full

and

entire consent of the will, called, a

believing with all the heart.

and fulness of the

rity

Acts 8

37.

:

will's choice,

is

Now

that

the union between Christ and the soul, and frees a

And

the danger of hypocrisy.

make

We

all lue

we

Christ,

there are three things

which

heartily consent to he Christ's, ivhen ive give

are

and have

to

him ;

price, to glorify

which

Cor. 6

are his.

we

so that after this choice of

look upon ourselves thenceforth as not our own,

but bought with a

that

closetli

man from

the consent to and choice of Christ complete.

(1.)

up

this integ-

which

are,

1

:

God

19, 20.

body and

and both these parts of ourselves do now

by an act of our

ov^oi consent, into

are not to have the disposal of

the Redeemer's right

them

who purchased them. You know is altered. You did hve as

property

ui our

soul,

Soul and body are

;

that belongs to

that in

all

all

pass, ;

we him

purchases,

your own, followed your

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

186

and passions, \vere under the dominion and

own

wills

beck

of every lust

selves

;

but

now

the case

were sometimes

also

is

disobedient,

foolish,

at the

We

"

altered.

our-

deceived,

So manyTit. 3:3. But now we have given ourselves to

serving divers lusts and pleasures." lusts, so

many

lords.

Christ, no more to be swayed, word and the voice of our ow^n

and bodies are

God if I

And then

am

all

my

the Lord's, then

or that, against his

Thus our

consciences.

souls

dedicated to Christ, temples for

his, hallo\ved,

to dw^ell in.

way

this

other things follow of course

my talents,

time,

and

:

that I

all

have are his. (2.) As you must give up all to Christ, so you must derive a7id draiv all you ivant from him; else your choice God hath stored up in of Christ is not entire and full. Christ

made

all it

that you want, a full supply for every need

com.municable to you

all

"Who

:

God

of

is

;

and

made

unto us wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption."

1

Cor. 1

:

All the believer's springs are

30.

Have I any difficult business to do that requires counsel ? then I must repair to Christ the fountain of wisdom. Am I under guilt ? then I must repair to Christ for right-

in Christ.

eousness.

my soul

Is

to Christ for

defiled

sanctification.

by corruption

Do

I

?

then must

I

go

groan under troubles of

soul or body, temptations, or afflictions

?

then must

I

reheve

myself by the faith and hope of that complete redemption and final deliverance, procured by Christ from all these. If

you consent tion partly

to

be Christ's, you must not look

upon

his righteousness

for justifica-

and partly upon your own

must make mention of his righteousPsalm 71:16. If there is but one conduit in a town, and not a drop of water to be had elsewhere, then all the inhabitants of that town repair thither

graces and duties, but ness,

even of

for water.

tain,

his only.

In the whole city of

and that

is

Christ

;

there

is

God

there

is

but one foun-

not one drop of righteous-

ness, holiness, strength, or comfort,

to

be had elsewhere.

NONE REJECTED. Then we draw

all

from Christ,

187

when we

upon him,

live

as

the new-born infant doth upon the mother's breast.

Then

(3.)

and

is

any thing

ivith

lost to

our consent to and choice of Christ entire

ivhen ive are ready

full,

ive luive

to

deny

ourselves

How

us which goes to the glory of Christ.

ever our

liberties, estates, or lives are to us, if

need of them,

we must let them

show saving

E,ev.

faith to be another

than the world generally understands possible for

any man's will

upon terms of such deep

'part

open

to

it

to

to

dear

12

read, " :

;

and

They These

11.

manner

be

so-

the Lord have

Thus you

go.

loved not their lives unto the death." three things

and

for his sake ; reckoning nothing

of thing it is

and receive

im-

Christ,

self-denial as these, until there be

a

conviction of our sin and misery, and discovery of Christ in

and necessity

his glory

upon the

;

and the drawing power of the

Spirit

soul.

Conviction of our sin religion acceptable

;

and misery makes

these terms of

sinners stand debating with Christ, ex-

cepting and objecting against his terms, until the Lord has

shaken them by conviction over dreadful danger they are in

;

hell,

and made them

and then their cry

is,

see the

"

Men

and brethren, what shall we do?" Acts 2:37; prescribe any means, impose upon us the greatest difficulties we are ;

willing to comply with them.

Nor

will souls ever

comply with these terms of the

When

in his glory and necessity.

and

sees

and

freely

a

man

feels his

is

wants,

a complete remedy, his will then complies readily ;

the convinced sinner sees a full and suitable sup-

ply in Christ for all his wants, a complete Saviour, in

there

gos-

a discovery has been inade to them of Jesus Christ

pel, until

whom

notliing defective, but in all respects according to the

wants of a

sinner's heart.

1

Cor. 1

:

24.

must be added the 'powerful drawings of the " No man can Spirit, by which the will comes to Christ. come unto me, except the Father which hath sent me draw

To

all this

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

188

it

When these

John G: 44.

him."

things are

hears Christ's voice, his powerful

der all the bonds between a

man

and

his earthly

and without these things the will is not comply with the difficulties of religion.

We

on the

felt

soul,

which breaks asun-

call,

enjoyments

be persuaded to

to

show how it appeap>,s that Jesus Christ come into the soul of any sinner, be his sins ever so great, when once he is made willing thus to receive Oh, sinner, what good tidings Christ upon his own terms. II.

are to

will not refuse to

are these to thy soul, that Christ will not disdain to be in

union and communion with thee, vile as thou

The

stand open to him. wilt find

them

when thou

tidings are sweet,

have

thy will

hope thou

I

and comfortable,

as sure as they are sAveet

shalt

art, if

and

seriously pondered the following evi-

dences.

Evidence

The truth

1.

form and manner of

of this assertion

is

seen in the

They

gospel-invitations.

are design-

edly put into large, free, and most extensive terms, to assure sinners that Christ will not reject the worst sinner in the

world, thus

made

on purpose

to anticipate or take

sinners.

terms

and

No

other condition

is

Art thou heartily willing

only.

The

?

him, John 7

:

;

put in the gospel but

to take Christ

offers of Christ are

thirst after

him they are framed away all objections from

willing to embrace

extended to

upon all

his

this

own

that desire

37, to the greatest of sinners,

upon this one condition, that they be willing and obedient, " Go ye into all the world, and preach the gosIsa. 1:19.

He

pel to every creature. shall

be saved."

tended to

all

Mark

nations

;

16

that believeth and :

The

15, 16.

for in Christ

is

baptized,

invitation

Jesus " there

is

is

ex-

neither

Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Col. 3:11. If there is any soul Scythian, bond nor free." of any condition whatever, under the cope of heaven, will

is

wrought

to a hearty compliance

gospel, Christ will not

be unwilling

whose

with the terms of the

to

come

into that soul,

NONE REJECTED. though of

189

has been never so vile and abominable

it

Mary Magdalene, which had been a

the heart

;

habitation of devils,

and the soul of a Saul, a bloody, raging persecutor,

make

v^^ill

as delightful habitations for Christ as the soul of the most

exemplary person in the world, when once the will

thus

is

opened.

Evidence

The

2.

truth of this assertion further appears

from the encouraging promises

made ivilling

are thus

to

made

by Christ

come unto him.

to all ivho

All the promises

with one mouth assure the willing sinner of a welcome

Mark

Christ.

that glorious promise, from which so

to

many

thousand souls have drawn encouragement and help at their

coming come to me first

will,

:

" All that the

and him that cometh

Father giveth me, shall

me

to

no wise

I will in

came down from heaven, not to do mine John 6 37, but the will of him that sent me." For

cast out.

own

to Christ ;

I

:

Note here,

38.

(1.)

That

this is not a

promise made. to those that are

already in Christ, that they shall never be cast out by apos-

but a promise made to coming souls, moving towards Christ, under great discouragements, fears, and tremblings. When a sinner looks to Christ, and sees his fulness and suitableness, and his own pinching need and want of him, 0, says he, that I had an

tasy or final desertion

;

to such as are

interest in him,

places. guilt

though

But looking

and unworthiness

that Jesus Christ will are the persons

upon

I

should beg

into his

own

my

heart,

bread in desolate

and seeing

there, then saith he,

come

how

into such a heart as this

whom this promise

casts

so

can ?

I

much think

These

an encouraging

aspect. (2.)

And

because the fears of such persons are

more than the

much

fears that others have, Christ has put a double

negative into this promise, for the soul's encouragement will not, in any case or at

as this.

;

I

any hand, cast out such a soul

;

CHRIST KNOCKINCt AT THE DOOR.

190

And to

(3.)

soul that

put

he will

beyond doubt, he not only assures the

all

but condescends to give

not,

the reason

it

came down from heaven, not why to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." John G 38. As if he had said, This was the very errand upon which I tame down from heaven it was my great business to receive all that w^ere made willing to come to me for this I had my Father's commission " The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek he will not cast

out

it

:

" I

:

;

:

;

;

me

he hath sent

bind up the broken-hearted, to pro-

to

and the opening of the

claim liberty to the captives,

them

prison to

that are bound

to proclaim the accept-

;

able year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our

God;

to comfort all that

mourn."

61

Isa.

:

1,

2.

not be faithful to the trust committed to

me by my

should I shut the door upon such souls.

How

can-

I

Father,

can Christ

comfort the soul that mourns, but by opening his arms of

mercy ner.

to receive

If

it ?

Hold thy peace,

he should say

convinced

to the

sin-

and

I will give thee riches, honors,

but as for me, thou canst not have would n^ver comfort the heart of a it is Christ, and none but Christ, can convinced sinner Like unto this, is that testimony and promise made quiet it.

pleasures in the world

me

union with

;

this

;

:

on purpose

him

give

for

all

the encouragement of willing souls

the prophets witness, that through his

:

"To name

whosoever believeth on him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10

:

43.

timony of

all

This you see

is

a truth confirmed by the

the prophets, Avho foretold

what

tes-

his gracious

readiness to receive poor broken-hearted simiers should be

and they neither

did,

nor could conspire to deceive the world.

These gracious assurances and promises cut against faith, from the greatness of sin

except where

God has

not excepted

sinners of such a degree

may come

?

;

and

Had ;

pleas

should

we

Christ said. All

unto me, but

stand back, the case had been otherwise

off all

why

let all

others

but this promise

NONE REJECTED.

19J

assures us, tliat all the sincerely •willing, shall be truly wel-

come

to Jesus Christ.

take

away

This

the case of

is

Moreover^ these universal promises

many

a soul.

from despair into presumption

and therefore

coming

fear of presumption in

all

am

I fear I

am

Christ.

to

am

afraid I

an unwelcome guest

shall be

this is prevented

;

I

running

an unbidden, All

to Christ.

by these sweet universal terms inserted on

purpose in these promises for our encouragement.

Evidence willing soul,

The

3.

willingness of Christ to receive the

however great

its

sins

and unworthiness, ap-

pears from the actual grants of ijardon the vilest sinners,

on

and

Here you see how the waters of free-grace

An

higher.

more

invitation

much

is

Come on, trembling weak arms of thy

all.

;

come

soul,

him.

to

higher and

rise

a promise of welcome

but the actual grant of mercy

;

onercy, eveyi to

earth, ivhen they thus

is

is

most satisfying of

be not discouraged, stretch

and gracious Redeemer open thy heart wide to receive him he will not refuse to come in. He hath sealed thousands of pardons to out the

faith to that great

:

;

as vile wretches as thyself; he never yet shut the door of

njercy upon a willing, hungering soul.

ta have the

way beaten

If thou wert the I confess I should

thee

but

;

when

first

It is

simier that

had

to Christ.

cast his soul

upon him,

want the encouragement so

a great matter

way

before thee in thy

many have gone

I

am now

before thee,

giving

and

all

found a welcome beyond their expectation, what encourage-

ment

is

breathed into thy trembling, discouraged heart to

go on and venture thyself upon Christ as they did.

an example have we idolater, one that

iar spirits,

lem.

in Manasseh, 2 Chron. 33

What

3—12

streets of Jerusa-

might rake the world, and hardly bring

sight a viler wretch, a greater monster in wickedness his heart being broken

mercy.

How

— an

used enchantments, divinations, and famil-

and shed innocent blood in the

A man

:

and

great -a sinner

his will

bowed,

was Mary,

that

this

man

came

;

to

yet

found

to Christ

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

192

Luke 7 37-50

the house of Simon the Pharisee,

ill

notorious a sinner, that fering her to

come

Simon took

into his presence.

woman

of

this is

wilhng

man were

If this

who touched him,

Yet Mary's heart being broken

ner.

for she is

for

sin,

welcome from

Christ,

encouraged by her example.

a

and

all

a

sin-

and made

to accept of a Saviour, received a gracious

stration of

so

;

known who and what

prophet, said he, he would have

manner

:

offence at Christ for suf-

demon-

other sinners are

Once more, you have an emi-

nent example in the abundant welcome of another sinner to Christ,

who owned

himself the greatest of sinners

cutor, a blasphemer, injurious

mercy."

Tim.

1

1

:

all

And

16.

reception with Christ

is

in hell that never

the example of his gracious

How many thousands are

were guilty of greater enormities than

Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves,

the Corintliians.

covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners, such

of

them

name 1

of to

:

9—11.

—

would have disdained is

Spirit of our

once

it is

Evidence

to

come

made

4.

shall be taken

certainly these

were the

come

what a demonstra-

near.

he

that Christ

heartily willing to open to him.

A further evidence of this comfortable truth

from the scriptural emblems of the ahundant Clirist, towards cdl

chosen emblems which bring

men

;

down

among which

I

There

are

some

the grace of

God

before

single out

three

will

glorious resemblances of free-grace, chosen

on purpose

:

souls

into the soul of the vilest simier,

grace of God, and riches of mercy in broken-hearted and icilling sinners.

the eyes of

God.

would have shut the door ever he would have been reluctant

here of that comfortable point before us

will not refuse to

when

and by the

If ever Christ

mercy upon any if come into any souls,

tion

were some

yet they were sanctified, washed, justified, in the

;

of the Lord Jesus,

Cor. G

a perse-

recorded as an encouragement to

that should hereafter believe.

now

;

but, saith he, " I obtained

;

for the

by

encouragement of drooping

his

wisdom

sinners.

;; ;

NONE REJECTED.

A

(1.)

compass

whole

from the heavens that cover and What an inconsiderable spot is the

resemblance

this earth.

terrestrial globe, to those

heavens

And

I

193

high and all-surrounding

yet these heavens are not at so vast a dis-

tance above the earth, as the pardoning grace of .

above the

and the very thoughts of poor

guilt, yea,

For, of the pardoning grace of

God

sake his way, and the unrighteous

Let the wicked

man

is

and willing

to penitent

souls, that precious scripture speaks, "

God

sinners.

his thoughts

for-

and

;

him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Isa. 55 7. 0, saith the soul, I caimot think God will ever

let

;

:

have mercy on such a wretch as L thoughts are not your thoughts, and for as the

height nor sound the depth of

Another emblem

You know,

ens.

saith he

is

my

my

;

well they are not so are

my

You caimot take

the

heavens are higher than the earth,

thoughts higher than your thoughts.

(2.)

Why? it is

pardoning grace.

taken from the sun in the heav-

that soon this part of the w^orld will be the

throne of darkness, the sable curtains of the night will spread over

all its beauties,

or mist will cover

it

and perhaps in the morning a thick fog thick clouds may darken the heavens.

;

But, behold the glorious creature the sun chasing before

him

the darkness of the night, breaking up the mists of the

morning, scattering the dark and thick clouds of heaven they are Just

so,

all

gone, and there

saith God, shall

arising out of them.

" I

is

no appearance of them.

be with thy

sins, and thy fears have blotted out as a thick cloud

it

thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins."

Thy

soul

is

44 22.

Isa.

:

beclouded, thy fears have been like a mist, so

that thou canst not see the grounds of thy encouragement

but

my grace shall rise upon thee like the sun in the

and

scatter all these dismal clouds, both of guilt

heavens,

and

fear,

and make a clear heaven over thee, and a clear soul within " Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of thee.

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

194

Malachi

righteousness arise with healing in his wings,"

4:2. (3.)

Another resemblance you have from the

sea,

the

great abyss, that vast congregation of waters whose depth

no

line

Yeer out as

can fathom.

To

cannot touch the bottom.

pardoning grace of God

also

as

you

will,

you

unfathomable ocean the

compared

:

"

Who

God

a

is

pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the

like unto thee, that

transgression of the

is

much line

this

remnant of his heritage

?

He

retaineth

He

not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

have compassion upon us and thou wilt cast all their

will turn again, he will

subdue our iniquities

;

Micah

the depths of the sea."

7

pyramid or highest mountain were

:

;

he will sins into

If the loftiest

18, 19.

cast into the depth of the

would never be seen more by the eyes of men. God has chosen these emblems of his grace, to obviate the common discouragement of Satan, taken from the greatness and and thou art to make use of them, and aggravation of sin sea, it

;

bless the

Lord

encouragement

and

for

them.

to sin,

but

He for

never designed them

encouragement

for

to repentance

faith.

Evidence

5.

The

truth of this conclusion will

also

appear from the character aiid properties of the grace and pardoni7ig mercy of God towards p)enitent sinners. There are three glorious characters of divine grace,

such simiers of welcome

to Christ,

which

all

assure

whatever they have been

or done. (1.)

It

is

superahounding grace.

abound in the ocean, nor passion in

God towards

Waters do not

light in the sun, as grace

broken-hearted sinners.

" Let

return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon

and

to our

God,

for

The compassion

of

he will abundantly pardon."

God

inserted that

so

and com-

Isa.

him him ;

^^

word on purpose

:

8.

to

relieve poor souls fainting under the sense of their abound-

ing iniquities.

Here

is

abundant pardon

for

abounding

—

;

NONE REJECTED. guilt

and, lest a desponding sinner should not find enough

;

here to quiet his

"

:

Where

Rom.

more abound." rose quite

the Lord goes yet further in the ex-

fears,

pression of his grace

it

195

5

sin abounded, grace did

20.

:

It

overflowed

all

above the high-water mark of guilt

much

the bounds,

but these

;

overfloM'ings of grace run only through that chaimel of all

grace, Jesus Christ, to broken-hearted

The grace

(2.)

free

;

it is

It costs

of

God

to

and obedient

such souls \%free

the design of the gospel to exhibit this

you nothing but acceptance

You can

yea, free against merit.

therefore his grace

free

is

it is

;

free

simiers.

—every way its

glory.

without merit

deserve nothing of God,

without merit

you have

yea,

;

deserved hell as often as you have sinned against him, and so

it is

free against merit.

chased by chase cient

;

us,

are

neither could

sum

money and without

Grace

were

to

be pur-

it

flows freely to

55

Isa.

price.

:

1.

in another property also, wliich

glories

very encouraging attribute

If a pardon

whoUy without means for such a purwe borrow from men or angels a suffi-

blessed be God, therefore, that

:

us without (3.)

we

to the soul of a drooping simier

which God greatly delights

to

it is

exercise.

is

the

The

mother gives not her breast with such delight to her hungry crymg child, as the Lord does his mercy to broken-hearted

and hungry admire him iniquity

In this attribute his people therefore

sinners. :

"

Who

is

a

God like unto

thee, that

pardoneth

and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of

his heritage

?

He

retaineth not his anger for ever, because

he delighteth in mercy."

Micah

7

:

18.

You cannot

give

Jesus Christ more delightful employment than to bind up the wounds of convinced and humbled sinners.

such soul come to Christ and welcome

;

for

Let every

he greatly

delights in such employments.

Evidence

6.

Such

reception with Christ

;

sinners need not doubt a for

welcome

should he reject such as these,

then none can have the benefit of his blood, and conse-

CHRIST KNOCKINCt AT THE

196 qucntly

The

was shed

it

in vain, as

blood of Clirist

water

spilt

DOOE,,

upon the ground.

invaluably 2^recious, and

is

it

cannot

would be an impeachment of the wisdom and goodness of God to think so yet so it must be, if brokenhearted and willing souls are rejected and turned back from be lost ;

it

;

him. There are but two sorts of sinners in the world, the hardened and the broken-hearted, willing and unwilling

As

sinners.

for

impenitent and obstinate sinners, they can

have no benefit by the blood of Christ their sins

;

the gospel cuts

them

Now

there

pardon and mercy.

more

left

off

;

from

they shall die in all

expectation of

but one sort of sinners

is

and they are convinced and humbled

in the world,

who are made heartily willing to receive Christ upon his own terms who stretch forth the hand of desire sinners,

—

to

him, and pant after an interest in him.

who

reject these also,

Did Christ abortive

die in vain

No

?

Should Christ

shall receive the benefit of his blood?

or

;

can the counsels of heaven prove

fear not therefore to go to Christ, thou

;

broken-hearted sinner, thou panting, longing soul

he will not cast thee

;

fear not,

out.

Evidence 7. Moreover, for the encourage^nent of all souls, mercy ajid pardon are designed for and bestow-

such

ed upon the greatest sinners, grace

to the highest.

on purpose

you

:

love

God

to

enhance the glory of free-

chooses such sinners as you are,

to illustrate the glory of his grace in

he knows that you,

much.

to

whom

Luke 7:47.

Ye

so

much

is

and upon

forgiven, will

that have done so

much

against his glory, will excel others in zeal and obedience. 1 Cor.

You

15:9, 10.

beyond others in service

will go

for

God, as you have done in sinning against him.

Inference it is to

1

.

Learn hence

enjoy the gospel, ivhich

ivhat

is so

an invaluable mercy

great a relief to the dis-

tressed consciences of sinners.

Here only

heals your spiritual wounds.

The

little

prized

among

us,

is

that

balm that

gospel hath been too

the Lord pardon the guilt thereof to

NONE REJECTED. Ah, brethren,

US.

you were

if

197

heathen world with

in the

your sick and wounded consciences, what would you do

There are no

which

Christ, or the blood of sprinkling,

That

edies of sick souls.

"

Wherewith

come

shall I

God ?

before the high

a

is

are the true rem-

Micah 6:6,

pitiful cry,

come

Shall I

7,

and bow myself

before the Lord,

him with burnt-

before

with calves of a year old

offerings,

?

Bibles, ministers, or promises, not a breath of

Will the Lord be

?

pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of

Shall

oil ?

fruit of

my

I

body

give

my

first-born for

my

the sin of

for

my

transgression, the

soul ?"

Behold here the

anguish of a distressed, sin-burdened conscience give up any thing in the world for peace their

dearest

children,

their

cast

burning

the

into

first-born

would

it

;

men would

;

the flames, if that might be an atonement for their sins. power of conscience, and the misery of an unrelieved conscience but the gospel which you enjoy leads you to the ;

"

fountain of pardon and peace. healed."

Isa.

53

:

The

5.

every one that believeth the

With

his stripes

voice of the gospel

—a

full satisfaction of Christ,

we

rational peace, founded

whom we

"In

are

peace to

is

upon

have redemp-

tion through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to

Eph.

the riches of his grace."

1

and mercy embracing each other sinner justified it,

as

God

for

;

Here you

7.

God

" Blessed

is

if

;

God be

see justice

is satisfied,

conscience dem.ands as

to satisfy him.

satisfied.

sound."

;

:

much

satisfied,

the people that

and the

to satisfy

conscience

know

is

the joyful

Psalm 89:15. And doubtless it is a joyful sound and humbled soul. " Beautiful upon the

to every convinced

mountains are the

feet of

that publisheth peace." of

all

acceptation.

ness of blessings

1

him

Isa.

Tim.

among

is

:

:

It is

7.

15.

Great

a gospel worthy

It brings

with

it

a

ful-

Provoke not God to

the people.

extinguish this blessed light.

ominous

1

that bringeth good tidings,

52

is

our wantoim.ess, and

our barrenness and ingratitude.

" Yet a little

— CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

198

wWle

Walk while

the light with you.

is

darkness come upon you

lest

ness,

for

;

ye have the

he that walketh

light,

in dark-

knoweth not whither he goeth." Jolin 12:35. Should Who shall out this light, whither would ye go ?

God put

pour balm into your distressed consciences

Hence

2.

no bar

?

itfolloivs that the heinousness

to believing

Let no sinner be dismayed by the atrocity of

coming

of past sins

and accepting Christ upon

from

sins past

Jesus Christ for remission and peace.

to

is

gospel-terms.

am

I

aware what mischievous use Satan makes of former sins to discourage souls from the work of faith. By heaping them, together, he raises a mountain between Christ and the distressed soul

;

but behold this day Christ leaping over these

Could

mountains.

this objection

would go on

sinners

in

hope

be rolled out of the way,

but certainly,

;

if

God has given

thee a broken heart and a willing mind, the greatness of thy

need not discourage thee from believing.

sin

(1.)

Thou

ficiency of the causes of pardon,

enormities have been.

There

sive cause, the free-grace

7

Mic. 7

;

in

God to

:

For,

hast sufficient encouragement from the suf-

18, 19

;

Isa.

heal and cover

is

whatever thy particular

a sufficiency in the impul-

and mercy of God. Exod. 34 6, 55 7—9 there is mercy enough :

:

;

And there

all.

is

no

less sufficiency

in the meritorious cause of pardon, the blood of Jesus Christ,

which taketh away all sin. 1 Jolin, 1:7; John it must needs be so, because of its divine blood.

1

And 20

:

Neither

28.

the Spirit of God, heart,

and

to Christ,

power.

is

is

to

all

if

already begun to work upon thy it

and bow

it,

and bring

it

fully

complete the work of faith upon thee with

Thou complainest

believe as thou wouldst

;

that thou canst not

mourn nor

but he wants no ability to supply

the defects of thy repentance and faith.

mercy of God be

29.

there any defect in the applying cause,

who has

able to break

and

:

Acts

sufficient to

pardon the

If,

then, the

sins of a creature

the blood of Christ, the treasures and revenues of a king,

NONE REJECTED. be able

to

pay the debts of a beggar

who works by an

—

199 the Spirit of God,

if

almighty power, be able to convince thee

of righteousness, as well as

sin,

John 16

10

9,

:

three causes of forgiveness be sufficient, the

second to purchase, and the third to apply

may

but thy trembling conscience

—

what hinders

;

way

whatever thy former enormities have been (2.)

God

If

move, the

go to Christ, and thy

couraged soul move onward with hope in the ing,

these

if all

first to

name

raises glory to his

dis-

of believ-

?

out of the great-

ness of the sins he pardons, then the greatness of sin can

be no discouragement will cleanse

to believing

them from

and

;

" I

he does.

this

whereby they have

all their iniquity,

me and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned and whereby they have transsinned against

;

And

gressed against me. praise

all

shall hear all the good that fear

and tremble

perity that

procure unto

I

man

do unto

it,"

this glory

them

Jer.

iniquities,

entreats himx for a pardon

great."

Psalm 25

:

33

one. Lord,

say, Lord,

don

it

pardon

because

it,

it is

:

"

to

is

way

peculiar

new

;

9

as a cure

;

my

God

give

sin, for it is

for it is

great

;

and near.

far

this comfort,

the glory of

among men He does ;

great.

but a small offence

and the greater it.

it is,

And

;

and that Wlien

is,

to argue

men beg

this

not

but par-

the greater

then there

of arguing for pardon in the Scripture,

pardons.

shall

the pros-

see there are strange waj^s of

glory wilt thou have in pardoning

another

8,

:

all

and with that very argument Pardon mine iniquity, for it is

You

11.

pardon

and they

and by the aggravations of

arguing in Scripture, which are not in use is

:

name

and thy soul

David was willing

sins.

pardoning his great

of joy, a

laboring under a desperate disease

therefore scares thee off from Christ

thy

name

goodness and for

honors the physician, and spreads his

Satan envies God

a

the nations of the earth, which

I

for all the

performed upon a

me

shall be to

it

and an honor before

is

which

from former pardons unto

pardon one of another, they

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

200 are

wont

forgive

to say, I never

now

;

but here

wronged you

it is

and therefore

before,

quite otherwise

Lord, thou hast

:

signed thousands of pardons heretofore, therefore pardon again.

Such

is

Num.

the plea in

thee, the iniquity of

tliis

14 19, " Pardon,

I

:

me

beseech

people, according to the greatness

of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people from

Egypt even (3.)

As

now."

until

great sins as those that

now

have been actually forgiven humiliation and closing with Christ. science

dimuiish and extenuate sin

;

confront thy con-

men, upon their

to

God

but certain

I

grace has pardoned as great simiers as thou

am art,

in putting Christ to death,

now

would not that

discourages you

?

sin

was no bar

to their

have been as sin

and yet

;

pardon when once

they were pricked in their heart, and miade willing to Christ. (4.)

If

Acts 2 it

:

their

a hand

Yea, certainly,

you would have thought that an unpardonable behold, that very sin

that free-

upon

What think you ? had you had

repentance and faith.

dreadful as any that

forbid I should

to

come

36-38.

be the design and policy of Satan to object the

greatness of your sins to prevent their pardon, then

it

is

same end thus entering into a confederacy with your mortal enemy in a plot against the honor of Christ, and the salvation of your own soul. Take heed what you do, seal not Satan's conDo you think it is a small matter to be confedclusions. Certainly this is his design he magerate with the devil ? While you nifies your sins to discourage you from faith. neither your duty nor interest to use

it

for the

;

;

were secure and carnal, he never magnified, but diminished your sins to you but now the Lord has opened your eyes, ;

and you are brought near

to the door of hope, mercy,

and

pardon, he magnifies them, hoping thereby to lame and

weaken thy

faith,

that

it

shall not be able to carry thee

to Christ. (5.)

If thy sin

is

really unpardonable, then

God has

;

NONE REJECTED. somewhere excepted where

tinued so

many

the whole

New

He

in the gospel-grant.

it

The man

said,

201

that has committed this

years in

has some-

shall never be forgiven

it,

Testament there

is

but one sin that

lutely excepted from the possibility of pardon,

or con-

sin, :

but in

is

abso-

and that such

a sin as thy sorrows and desires after Christ fully acquit thee

from the guilt of

phemy agamst men."

This sin indeed

Matt. 12: 31.

excepted

:

"

The

1

John, 5:16.

Let apostate

professors, transformed into persecutors, scoffers,

of godliness and the professors of

it,

and haters

look to themselves

the dreadful symptoms of this sin appear upon such.

humbled

the

blas-

which the Scripture

Tliis is that

" a sin unto death."

calls

is

the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto

But

soul thirsting after Christ stands clear of the

guilt of that sin.

If there

(6.)

sinners,

were no forgiveness with God

for great

then great sinners had never been invited to come

The

to Christ.

invitations of the gospel are no mockeries,

but things of most awful solemnity.

Now, such

sinners are

and invited under the encouragement of a pardon.

called

Consult Isa.

1

:

10-17, and see the horrid aggravations of

the people's sins; and yet, at ver. 17, 18, you

may

read the

gracious invitations of God, with promises of a full remis-

So in the third chapter of Jeremiah, what a sad cat-

sion.

alogue of sins wdth their aggravations do you find yet

it is

said, "

Go and

north,

and

say, Return,

Lord

and

I

I

am

;

?

and

proclaim these words towards the

thou backsliding

will not cause

mine anger

Israel,

to fall

saith the

upon you,

for

merciful."

(7.) If thy sins had not been capable of remission, God would never have given thee conviction of sin, nor have drawn forth the desires of thy heart in tliis manner after Christ. He hath united remission to repentance. Acts 5:31, and a blessing to gracious desires and hungerings, Matt. 5:6.

There

is

therefore hope, that

when God has 9*

given thee one,

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

202

he will not long withhold the other. This very wounding of thy heart by compunction, and drawing forth thy will by

shows that remission

inclination,

not only possible, but

is

even at the door. Let this also be thine encouragement, whatever

(8.)

Satan or thine own heart that great sinners are

Heb. 7

:

25.

The Lord open

of your faith the rich treasury of free-grace,

to the eyes

Exodus 34

and

in his heart, to save to the uttermost all

come unto God by him.

that

suggest to discourage thee,

in the Avay of repentance

who hath merit enough in his blood,

faith to a great Saviour,

and mercy enough

may

moving

:

and give you a sight of that plenteous

6, 7,

redemption and forgiveness which are with God, Psalm

130

4, 7,

:

that you

may

not cast reproach on the most

glorious attribute of God, undervalue the precious blood of

and stab your own souls with a death-wound of

Christ,

peration

;

which

is

what Satan

intends,

des-

and what the gospel

designs to prevent.

may

If the vilest of sinners

3.

on their closing with Christ by

as readily be pardoned,

faith, as

pardon and salvation of sinners

the

is

the least of sinners,

not built

upon any

righteousness in themselves, but only on the free-grace of

God in Jesus

Christ.

Do

God hath

not think

set the blood

of Christ to sale, and that those only are capable of the benof

efits

No

it

duties are

no

who have

though

;

man by

sin.

" If

grace

is

lived the most strict

sobriety, morality,

and sober

strictness in

commanded and commended

lives.

religious

in the gospel, yet

these things can purchase a pardon for the least

by grace, then

no more grace.

it is

no more of works

But

if it

no more grace; otherwise work

11:6.

and

See

how

is

:

otherwise

be of works, then

no more work."

it is

Rom.

these exclude one another: thus Titus

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, No man can satbut according to his mercy he saved us."

3:5, isfy

"

God by any thing he can

do or sufier

;

not by doing, for

NONE REJECTED. we

all is

do

is

is

mixed wdth

Job 14

sin,

can be no atonement

sinful

:

Nor

awarded by the law

are everlasting

ing

is

never to

no

shall

satisfy

flesh living

:

so

;

fled to

mercy

130

debtors,

Luke

8.

was a

do or can do

by mfering, for the sufferings and to be ever satisfythen, by the works of the law

be justified in his

have Of the two

we

and one debt cannot

yet

all generations :

All

10,

satisfy for another.

and that which

4,

:

for sin.

a debt due to God, Luke 17

203

The

sight.

7

Psalm

41, 42, though there

:

vast difference in the debts, yet of the lesser, as well

as of the greater,

said they

it is

had nothing

to pay.

ing but the satisfaction of Christ can meet the

God upon 4.

saints in

for remission.

you.

If the grace of Christ

free to the greatest of

be thus

and folly to keep away from and to draw back from believing, for ivant of qual-

simiers, it is both

Christ,

Noth-

demands of

ifications ivhich

our

siii

we find not

Poor convinced souls think

and

derness, love to God,

be some encouragement

wrought in our

to be

if

they had

spirituality of

to believe

hearts.

humility, ten-

rriore

mind, this would

but because they have

;

no such ornaments to dress up their souls withal, they are not let

fit

go to Christ.

to

Now,

to correct this great mistake,

two things be considered.

(1 .) Such an idea as this crosses the very stream of the covenant of grace, where nothing is sold, but all is freely This is the very spirit of the covenant of works given. we find something in ourselves to bring to God, would fain :

to procure his favor

us

and acceptance

but the gospel

;

we must come naked and empty-handed,

freely

by

his grace.

Abraham ungodly

was, "

;

who

Rom.

3

:

We

24.

To him that worketh

not,

that justifieth the ungodly, his faith ness."

Rom. 4:5.

must be

him

believed in

The meaning

is is,

to

tells

be justified justified as

that justifieth the

but belie veth on him counted for righteousto

him

that worketh

not in a law-sense, to procure pardon and acceptance by and

CHRIST KNOCtCINa AT THE DOOR.

204 for his

works.

Go

Christ,

and

him thou hast nothing

tell

to bring

thou comest not to bring, but to receive.

have nothing

sinner, I

This

merit.

By

(2.)

to plead

Lord,

;

I

am

a vile

but thy mercy and Christ's

the spirit of the gospel.

is

delaying faith, for w^ant of these qualifications,

you invert the

settled order

of the

It is as if a

gosj^el.

man

were cured of such and such disease, I Alas, could you otherwise the physician.

should say. If

would go

God through him that

poor shiner, unto

then,

to

I

procure the healing of your corruptions, or the gracious qualifications

Christ at

you speak

you would have no need

of,

Nothing

all.

required of us in

is

Christ, but such a sense of

and sorrow

heartily udlling to accept Christ

to go to

coming

for sin, as

to

makes us

and subscribe the terms on

which he is offered in the gospel. 5. Behold the admirahle condescension of Christ, that he comes into the heart of the vilest sinner, and takes up his abode in that sotd ivhich has been the seat of Satan,

and

wJiere he has ruled,

every lust has been harbored!

In two things the admirable condescension of Christ appears. taking union with our nature after sin had blasted

First, in

the beauty of it.

This was marvellous indeed, and was justly

admired by the apostle

:

"

He made himself of no

reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of

own Son secondly,

men."

Phil. 2

:

"Yea, God sent

7.

in the likeness of sinful flesh." it

is

Rom. 8:3.

his

But,

admirable in our eyes that Christ should

become united with our

persons,

and take up

his abode in

our hearts, after Satan and sin had so long inhabited and defiled

them

—that

he should accept these members as

instruments of his service that had blasphemed

commands us yielded your

to deliver

members

iniquity unto iniquity

—that very tongue

him

;

;

yet so he

them up servants

even

so

to

is

to praise

him

willing to do, and

him

:

"As

to

uncleaimess,

now

yield your

ye have

and

to

members

NONE REJECTED.

205

Rom.

servants to righteousness, unto holiness."

G

:

One

19.

would have thought Jesus Christ would have said, Vile wretch, Satan has had the service of thy soul and body, thy memory hath been from the beginning to this day ;

mouth

his storehouse, thy

and

me

his shop, thy will his throne,

thy members his tools and instruments to sin against thou hast been a creature dedicated to Satan, and to

all :

him thou

Instead of

shalt go.

tliis,

the merciful Lord

declares his willingness, if thou wilt open thy soul to receive

him, to cleanse dwell

by

his Spirit,

How just and

6.

who

it

admirable grace

in.

and make

inevitable

consent not to the necessary

the gospel, ivhich

is

way

down

temple to

their

luill be

and

damnation

reasonable terms of

and

The terms required by the gos-

equitable and reasonable.

prince will bestow a pardon that he lay

his

the only point on ivhich Christ

their soids part for ever. pel are every

it

I

upon a

traitor,

acknowledge

his arms,

If a gracious

on the condition his offence,

and

attach himself to his prince's service, and he shall refuse so

how just would his destruction be. And what else God require of thee, but this ? " Let the wicked for-

to do,

does

sake his way, and the unrighteous

man

his thoughts

:

and

let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." And as the damnation of such is just, so it will Isa. 55 7. :

be inevitable

:

for if there

is

no

way

to glory

but by Christ,

you know there is not, from Acts 4 12, "Neither there salvation in any other ;" and if there is no way Christ, but by accepting him upon these very terms, as as

:

plainly appears, from

Luke 14:26,

there

is

not,

is

to it

what

remains but inevitable destruction to all that reject the If you will not have Christ with all terms of the gospel? the sufferings and reproaches that attend liim, your mouths no plea will be left you in the great day. will be stopped ;

You

refused the gracious offer

when

it

was seasonably made

206

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE

.

you by the head

and you must expect no more such

gospel,

offers to eternity.

Thy

upon thine own

blood, sinner, be

the freeness and importunity of the tenders of grace

;

and clear the righteousness

will then only serve to illustrate

of

DOOE,.

God

in thy condemnation.

In the next place, the doctrine naturally leads

EARNEST PERSUASIVE uuto

of

all simicrs,

what kind

to

who

soever they be, to hearken to the voice of Christ,

them

me

an

or degree

takes

within the compass of his gracious invitation in the text, saying, " If any man hear my voice and open the all

door, I will

come

Let

in."

extent of this invitation

sinners bless

all

—that

God

the

for

they find themselves by

within the reach of a merciful Redeemer

;

and that there

it

is

nothing wanting to secure their salvation, but the hearty consent of their wills to the reasonable and necessary terms

In the whole book of God, there

of the gospel.

is

but one

case absolutely excepted from the possibility of forgiveness of

which Christ

speaks. Matt. 12

reason that this only

is

And what

31, 32.

:

an incurable wound

;

the

cannot be

It

?

is

because the malignity of this sin exceeds the virtue of the blood of Christ, but because there

by the Lord

for

it.

God never

is

no

sacrifice

appointed

designed that the blood of

Christ should be an expiatory sacrifice for that sin, as the apostle plainly speaks, Heb. 6

All other sins and

4-7.

:

blasphemies shall be forgiven unto men, saith Christ is,

;

that

they are capable of forgiveness, upon sincere and actual

repentance and faith

many.

The

;

yea, they

have been pardoned unto

greater any man's sins have been, the greater

need he has

to

hasten to Christ

pardon.

for

There are

some greater sinners than others for though no sin be light and trivial in itself, yet, compared one with another, there is ;

a vast difference between them in the aggravation of I will

labor to

show you by what

rules

the greatness and aggravation of sin

;

men

sins.

are to estimate

and then,

to convince

:

NOKE REJECTED. you that the of

tlie

may have mercy

greatest of sinners

as well as

"Publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom

less.

God

207

before you," saith Christ, Matt. 22

by which

to

:

The

31.

rules

estimate the aggravations and greatness of sin

are these

There are sins of infirmity, committed out ofiveakthere are crying sins in the cars of the Lord.

7.

and

ness;

Of

sins of infirmity

you read in Gal. 6:1, where

called being " overtaken in a fault."

consent, but a surprise

as the sin of oppression, Hab. 2

it."

The meaning

which men have used

sion

in the ears of the

wall shall say,

I

Lord

:

10, 11

beam

:

"

The

stone shall

that the injustice and oppres-

is,

in raising their houses, shall cry

for

vengeance.

was digged out

the timber out of the

is

out of the timber shall

The

stone in the

of the quarry,

hewn, and

by the unrewarded labors of the poor mason

laid here

it

no deliberate

called in Scripture, crying sins, such

cry out of the wall, and the

answer

is

these go not to the account of gross

:

and heinous enormities,

Here

beam

shall say, I

was hewn,

;

and

squared,

and placed here by the unrewarded hands of the carpenter. This

a crying sin

is

hands have been

;

so also

defiled

dismal cry to heaven

*' :

me from the

crieth unto

is

the sin of murder,

with innocent blood.

The

voice of thy brother's blood

ground."

Gen. 4:10.

This

sinner's conscience.

which went up to heaven. " rah is great, and because their 18 ity,

:

is

a sin

God The sin of Sodom made a cry The cry of Sodom and Gomor-

that makes a horrid outcry in both worlds at once

and in the

when our

This makes a

sin

is

:

very grievous."

to

Gen..

Compare these sins with those of common infirmwhich come by way of involuntary surprise, and what a 20.

vast difference will be found in the aggravation of them. 8.

You

find in Scripture

a great

differ eiice 'put betiveen

committed against the light of knowledge in the conscience, and sins of ignorance committed for

those sins

sinner

s

want of

knoivledge.

Christ himself puts a great difference

.

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE

208

DOOIl.

between them, Luke 12 47, 48 and so doth the apostle: " To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to liini :

James 4

sin,"

it is

:

17

—

;

with a witness.

sin

There are single acts of sin, and continued or repeated acts of sin sins committed after convictions, prorai9.

—

ises,

and

There

resolutions.

not so

is

much

guilt in a single

act of sin as in a continued course of sin, adding of drunk-

enness to to

ning:

if

Deut. 29

thirst,

30

sin, Isa.

the

:

first

:

19

described also as adding sin

;

For as

it

is

figure be

1,

the second

1.

100, the fourth 1,000

;

is

10, the third

and every addition makes a greater

what a

multiplication.

in numbering, so in sin-

dreadful reckoning will there be

for the consciences of sinners

I

and studiers of sin are alivays in ScripThe best servant ture placed in the first rank of sinners. God has in the world m.ay be surprised by the deceitfulness Co?itrivers

10.

of sin, against the bent and resolution of his soul

contrivance and plotting sin it is

said of the wicked, "

forth vanity,

Sin has this

and

quite another thing

is

They conceive

mischief,

their belly prepareth deceit."

by the deliberate consent of the heart and

cherish

and bring

Job 15 35. :

and

;

will,

all

which

it.

There are ringleaders in

1 1

sins tahich spread

leader in sin sinners

therefore

time of conception, growth, and birth

its

but the

;

;

:

"

is

Thou

sin,

no further than

in Scripture reckoned

hast there

Balaam, who taught Balak

and

single personal

ourselves.

among

A

ring-

the greatest

them that hold the

doctrine of

to cast a stumbling-block be-

Rev. 2 14. Thus JeroNebat made Israel to sin. There is the same difference between these and single personal sins, as there is between a chain-shot and a single bullet. Mind this, you that have induced others to sin by your counsel fore

the children of Israel."

boam

:

the son of

or example. 12.

There are sins in ivhich

men

take pleasure,

and

NONE REJECTED. which

sins for

takes in

'inen

The more

mourn.

the greater

sin,

the sin in

is

209

read of some in whose mouths wickedness

they hide

Job 20

under their tongue.

it

man

pleasure any

We

aggravation.

its

sweet, and

is

That

12.

:

is,

they draw a great deal of contemplative delight before and

commission of

after the

well as in the commission of

sin, as

bad enough to sin and sigh, to sin and weep but and boast, to sin and make a mock of sin, what pro-

It is

it.

to sin

;

digious sinning

is

this

sinner,

I

that can sport with that

what a heart hast thou, God and crucified

grieves

and which, without deep repentance, will damn thine

Christ,

own

which

soul.

The more bonds of restraint any man breaks asuncommit sin, the greater tJiat sin is in the sight of God. There are some persons upon whom God has laid more restraints to keep them back from iniquity, than, he has upon others. The more mercies he has bestowed upon So many meryou, the more restraints you have from sin. 13.

der

to

many

cies, so

ties, Jer.

2

:

6

5,

;

especially spiritual mercies,

as light in your minds, pardons sealed to your consciences,

love manifested to your souls.

vows and Jer. 2

:

resolutions

20.

"

:

Thou

Such

the examples and warnings

judgments upon

make to

sin out of

others.

measure

1

you

10

:

And

?

such are

given us by his

These things

11.

The design

of all

tliis is

Objection.

Christ I

;

faith

to Christ.

But

I

am

the person upon

aggravated sins are found.

as

Cor.

sinful.

come

God has

show you the indispensable need of repentance and

to carry

own

not transgress."

Didst not thou promise me, saith God, more

care and circumspection for time to all

also are your

saidst, I will

alas, there is

You speak

no hope of mercy

to for

whom

me

these

of going to

such a wretch

am.

Answer. Give me leave

to tell you, that

text before you wliich clears the

way

you have a

of your duty and sal-

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

210

vation at once

" If any

:

man," be he what he may, and be my voice and open the him," saith Christ. There is mercy in

his sins never so great, " will hear door, I will

come

in to

Jesus Christ for thee,

who

who

art guilty of crying sins

hast sinned against light thirst ;"

drunkenness to

with deliberation

;

;

who

for thee,

for thee,

who

who

or

in iniquity,

and made a sport of sin

;

for thee,

;

" hast

added

hast contrived sin

hast induced others to sin

by counsel

example

who

for thee,

for thee,

;

hast taken pleasure

and

yea,

for thee,

who

hast broken asunder the bonds of mercies, vows, and warn-

now hear the voice of Christ, and him with a hearty consent. Isa. 55 4. You are great sinners but I show this day a great and almighty Saviour, one who is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him. Heb. 7 25. There is a sacrifice appointed for these sins. Bless God for that they

ings, provided

thou wilt

thy will open to

:

;

:

;

nowhere excepted from the possibility of forgiveness. Nothing but the impenitence of thy heart, and the obstinacy are

of thy will, can hinder thee from a full pardon.

about thee to the uttermost horizon of thy

can save

can

guilt,

to the uttermost point the eye of

and beyond

discern, yea,

come unto

You speak

liim.

have indeed cause

to

it

Christ your only remedy,

of the greatness of sin, and you

is

it

but you

;

by which you stand

ofi^

from

the greatest sin that ever you

were guilty of against the Lord. all

thy conscience

but then thou must

;

have sad thoughts about

consider not that your unbelief,

the guilt of

too

Look round and Christ

This

is

your other sins upon you.

the sin that binds

Let

me

therefore

address myself, (L)

To you

ivliose co?isciences

are alarojied with the

hideous aggravations of your sins, by reason whereof your oMTi misgiving hearts, assisted by the policy of Satan, dis-

courage you from

all

attempts to gain Christ and pardon

through repentance and

faith.

considerations to you, by

way

Let

me

hint three or four

of encouragement.

NONE REJECTED.

211

The sparing goodness of God gives encouragement that God may have a reserve of mercy for so great a smner as thou

what a mercy

art.

Many

spared hitherto.

hope, while thou art

is

it,

that thy

This

left.

has been

no sure sign of God's gra-

is

cious intention to thee, unless his goodness

Then

lead thee to repentance.

God

life

of thy companions in sin are beyond

would appear.

in prolonging thy Ufe

great mercy, because without

and forbearance

the gracious intention of

But

it is itself

a

no spiritual mercy could be

it

expected. It is

matter of encouragement, that though your disease

be dreadful, it is 7iot incurable.

the compass of mercy

bless

;

The text brings it within God for those words, " If

any man."

As great 1

Tim.

1

:

sinners as you have been have

and God would have

16,

encouragement.

and thy

will

If the

it

found mercy,

recorded for your

Lord shall make thy heart break

bow, whatever thy

sins

have been they

shall

But if thou resolve to go on down discouraged, and wilt not come at the

not bar thee from forgiveness. in sin, or

sit

invitation of Christ, then thy

wound

is

incurable indeed,

and thy sentence has already passed upon thee for hell. " The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God." 1

Cor. 6

:

9.

God

forbid that this should be the issue of

Christ's gracious invitations to thee,

Seeing mercy

is

tendered to any

and forbearance of

man

thee.

that will accept

it

on Christ's terms, exclude not thyself (2.)

I will

now

address this exhortation to persons

are not of the notorious rank of profane sinners, but lives

who

whose

have been drawn more smoothly through a course of These have as great need to be pressed to repent-

morality.

ance and faith as the most notorious sinners in the world.

They

are a generation that bless themselves in their

own

eyes,

and thank God with the Pharisee that they are

" not

as other

men."

Luke 18

:

11.

They acknowledge conver-

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

212

and that such sinners

sion to be the duty of the profane,

stand in need of

know where any need of

But

it.

as for themselves, they scarcely

matter

to find

Now,

Christ.

nor do they

for repentance, I

feel

would lay three considerations

them

before such persons, to convince

that their case

is

as

sad and hazardous, yea, in some respects, more hazardous

than the

for

most notorious sinners

state of the

change must

also pass

upon them,

them that they had never been Consideration thought

this

1.

they

to their hearts,

icill lyrove

Every is

be

sin is

killed,

No

sin,

damning

whether

it

that though their

men's are,

And

this is

pulls

It is

of

God

"

small.

is

The wages

no great difference,

He

of sin

a

if

James 2

down

its

:

The

10.

curse

man The

that offendeth in one least transgres-

upon the

sinner's head.

your misery, that you are out of Christ and

is

first

Thus, every michaste thought

Lord shall bring the

is

up the

and the inward

adultery, is

plea, that

Rom.

you have not

of conversion as other sinners have.

7

:

so

law home 9,

you will

much need

There are

greater infamy, and sins of deeper guilt.

more guilt in sins that are stifled in thy defamed thee, than in some others that

Now,

murder.

spiritual sense of the

to your consciences as he did to Paul's,

certainly give

Moreover, the

covenant.

violated not only externally, but internally.

burning of malice and anger in the heart if the

are 7wt

si?is

continued in,

be by a sword or a penknife.

stand under the terms of the

law

yet,

absolutely considered,

whole law.

point, is guilty of all.

law

born.

A^dthout Christ.

23.

:

least sin violates the

sion of the

;

as destructive as the greater abominations

E-om. 6

death."

and that a had been good

it

Let the moral part of the world lay

so gross to a2:>pearance as other

of other men.

or else

There heart,

sins

of

may

be

and never

are seen

by the

world.

Consideration

2.

You are guilty of one

nous tJum any outward

act, tlmt

is,

sin more hei-

your trusting

to

your

;

NONE REJECTED. own

213 "

righteousness as the Pharisees did.

He

spake this

parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they

were is

an

makes not but

Luke 18

and despised others."

righteous, idol set

up

room of

in the

Christ.

:

Here

9.

It is true, this sin

a noise as the sins of profane persons do

so loud

as abominable in the eyes of God, as the sins that

it is

among men.

are most ofiensive

Moral persons, thus

trust-

ing to their oviai morahty, and neglecting Jesus Christ, will

be found ultimately among those

Luke 12:

unbelievers."

CoNsroERATioN difficult

thing

part of the

to

3.

who have

" a portion with

46.

It has been always

convince

and bring

ivorld, tJian to convince the

fcmnd a more

Christ the moral

to

p-ofane part of

it.

" Publicans and harlots go into the

you/'

Matt. 21 :31.

kingdom of God before Publicans were reckoned the vilest

of men, and harlots the worst of

were more readily brought

Away

Pharisees.

are safer it

women

to

then with your

and better than

others.

appears that you stand in as

;

yet either of these

Christ than self-righteous idle pretensions that

you

By what has been said, much need of Christ as

the most infamous sinners in the world do.

This doctrine presents great encouragement to every obedient soul

whom

the Lord shall persuade to comply with

the call of the gospel, whatever his former rebellions have been.

There are some

with a sense of their

remedy

sin

v*^hose hearts

the Lord has touched

and misery, and of the

all-sufficient

in Christ, but the sense of former rebellions appalls

them; they cannot hope for acceptance with him. Here is good news for such souls Christ is at the door, and for;

mer

rebellions are no bar to him, provided there

hearty compliance with his invitation, "

him."

A

glorious

I will

is

now a

come

in to

promise, comprising five

inestimable

God

that can be

benefits. (1.)

This

is

the most glorious work of

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

214

wrouglit upon the heart of a smner, to open

ance and

and put Christ in

faith,

by repent-

and ordinances cannot effect this this is the pecu" Of him are ye in Christ Jesus." 1 of God.

duties,

;

work

liar

Cor.

1

As

30.

:

was

it

work

God

of

work

the marvellous

unite our nature unto Christ, so

it

is

no

of

God

to

a marvellous

less

our persons to Christ, to prepare the

to unite

soul as a habitation for Christ,

and give him the possession

it.

This coming of Christ into the soul

(2.)

foundation of

all

our hopes for glory

But

are without hope.

in the

;

is

the very

in that soul, " Col. 1

:

27.

same hour when Christ comes

which

is

know

the unregenerate world

I

we

until this be done,

into the soul, a solid foundation of the hope of glory

is

laid

Christ in you, the hope of glory." is full

of hope,

Union with Christ

but their hopes are built upon the sand. is

it.

of all the angels in heaven, ministers on eart^^,

The power

of

it

possession of

full

the firm foundation on which the hopes of heaven are

laid. (3.)

" I will

come

in to

soul for ever, never to leave

by

to dwell in our hearts

Christ and that soul. for

Psalm 132 This coming

(4.)

1

John, 5

1 Cor. (5.)

3

:

:

12

for ever.

E.om. 8

dwell."

spiritual privileges

Eph. 3

:

Satan again.

saith, as of the temple, " I

;

faith,

a night, but abide there

be a habitation

him ;" that is, to dwell in his him more therefore he is said

:

"

:

This

is

35.

:

17

—not sojourn

for

Nothing can separate

Thy

soul shall never

When Christ comes in, he my rest for ever here will :

14.

in of Christ entitles the soul to all

He

that hath the Son, hath hfe,"

and, "All are yours, and ye are Christ's."

;

22, 23.

This

a creature, "

is

soul feel itself

God put upon how should the

the highest honor that ever

I will

come

in to

him."

advanced by such an honor as

to be the living temple of Jesus Christ, for

him

this.

What,

to dwell

and

NONE REJECTED. walk

in thy soul!

2 Cor. 6

:

16.

And how

near art thou to

become

solicitous

is

all

an

I tell you, this is

honor beyond and ahove the honor done the day that thy heart

215

to angels.

these blessed privileges in

wounded

for sin ?

Thy

thoughts

about union with Christ, and thy will

begins to yield after a serious examination of the terms of the gospel in thy most solemn thoughts.

thing

work.

should

now

God

forbid

hinder the completing of so

any

great

a

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

216

CHAPTER

YIII.

NONE RECEIVE CHRIST UNTIL HIS SPIRITUAL QUICKENING VOICE IS HEARD. ANY MAN HEAR 3IY VOICE AND OPEN THE DOOR, COME IN TO HIM." Rev. 3 20.

"IF

I

WILL

:

In the former chapters, Christ's general invitation to sinners has been considered

we

:

are

now

to consider the

by which the heart of a simier is receive Christ and that is not by the poAver

principal instrument

opened of his

to

;

own

will,

nor merely by the efficacy of the gospel

preached, but by the voice of Jesus Christ, which opens the

and makes the persuasions of the gospel

will,

any

man

hear

Hearing

is

my

"If

effectual.

voice."

either external or internal

He

for the soul

;

has

him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," Rev. 2:17; that is, he that hath a spiritual ear, by which to perceive its

ear as well as the body.

and judge the voice of the

when God

*'

that hath an ear,

Spirit.

It is

a sore judgment

denies such an ear to the soul.

this people,

Spiritual hearing

Go and

is

the

work

of the inner

Isa.

tell

6:9.

man. And though we have no more

auditors, yet, in this sense,

Words

hearers than believers. affections.

"

hear ye indeed, but understand not."

we have many

let

of sense in Scripture describe

This hearing of Christ's voice implies not only

the receiving the sound of the gospel into the external organ,

but the work of the understanding, which by the ear trieth

words as the mouth tasteth meat, Job 12:11; and the

work

of the affections,

2 Thess. 2:10.

what we hear. what we obey not.

to

which

receive the truth in love.

It also implies

We

cannot be

the obedience of the soul said, in this sense, to

hear

Our minds may be delighted with the pleasant melody of the gospel, and yet it is as if we heard it

not,

when

obedience does not follow hearing.

"

Thou

art

;

.

HIS VOICE HEARD.

217

unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant

and can play well on an instrument

voice,

thy words, but they do them not." this place

signifies

it

which

voice,

dead sinners I

is ;

shall

coming, and

is

John 5

hear shall live."

From hence

now

when

and effectually ojpens to receive and quickening voice of Christ

almighty spiritual voice of Christ,

this

kinds of Christ's voices

effectually opened, six

the divers sorts and

:

the general nature of this internal

;

the innate characters and special properties of

;

the objects to

whom

it

is

directed

;

wrought and sealed by

it

it

the motives inducing

Christ to speak to one, and not to another effects

the

soid.

Now, concerning

I.

is,

and they that

-.25.

by which the hearts of simiers are things must be explained in order

hears

:

will savingly

heard by the

voice

But in

the eighth doctrine will be,

Christ until the spiritual be

they hear

32.

the principle of spiritual life to the souls of according to his expression, " Verily, verily,

hear the voice of the Son of God

No man's

:

the vital sound of Christ's efficacious

say unto you, the hour

dead

for

;

Ezek. 33

and the special upon every soul that ;

it.

We

will speak of

the divers sorts and kinds of

Christ's voices. 1

There

an external voice of

is

call his voice in the

tures are his word,

He

Christ,

which we may

preaching of the gospel.

and ministers

his

mouth.

The Jer.

Scrip-

15:19.

that heareth them, heareth Christ. 2.

There

also

is

an internal voice of Christ, consisting and between these there are two

not in sound, but in power

remarkable

differences.

voice of Christ

is

;

First, the external or ministerial

but the organ or instrument of conveying

his internal

and

he speaks

the ear, and by that sound conveys his spiritual

Christ

to

Knocking.

efficacious voice to the soul

10

:

in the former

;

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

218

Second, the external voice

voice to the heart.

ual It

when

it is

was marvellous

ground

was

is

inefiect-

not animated by the internal spiritual voice.

at the

to see the walls of Jericho falling to the

sound of ram's horns, Josh. 6

20

:

there

;

more than the force of an external blast to produce such an effect but more marvellous it is, to see at the sound of the gospel not only the weapons of iniquity certainly

:

falling out of sinners' hands, but the very

of their hearts.

Here you

see

is

enmity

out

itself

a voice in a voice, an

internal efficacy in the external sound, without

which the

makes no saving impression.

gospel

II. This spiritual voice of Christ must be considered in GENERAL NATURE, which implies, 1. Ahnighty efficacy, to quicken and open the heart what manner of voice is this, which carwith a word. In all the mighty works ries such a vital power with it of Christ, his power was put forth in some voice, as at the

ITS

!

" He cried with a loud voice, And he that was dead came forth." So in curing the deaf man, Mark 7 34,

resurrection of Lazarus.

Lazarus, come forth.

John *'

He

1

1

:

43, 44.

:

Ephphatha, that

saith unto him,

straightway his ears were opened."

is,

Be opened

;

and

Thus, in exerting his

almighty power in quickening a soul spiritually dead, and opening the heart locked up by ignorance and unbelief, an internal almighty efficacy passes from Christ, along with

the voice of the gospel, to effect this glorious work upon

the soul *'

Then

;

an emblem of which we have in Ezdk. 37

said he unto

:

9,

son of man, and say to the wind. Thus saith the Lord

Come from

10

:

me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy,

the four winds,

these slain, that they

commanded me, and

may

breath, live.

the breath

So

came

I

God

and breathe upon prophesied as he

into

them, and they

and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army." The animating vital breath which quickened the

lived,

dead came with the four winds of heaven, as

this

almighty

HIS VOICE HEARD.

219

power of Christ does with the sound of the gospel and before it the heart opens, and the will bows. Psalm 110 3. ;

:

Man

man

can no longer oppose God; the power of

repel that of a fellow-creature, but

when the power

can

of Christ

comes with the voice of man, there is no more power resist. This voice of Christ, of which the text speaks,

to is

an impression made on the soul of a sinner from heaven,

which

to that soul instead of a voice,

is

mind concerning

sive of God's be.

beam

a

It is

it

and

as fully expres-

as any articulate voice can

of light sliining immediately from the

Spirit into the soul of a sinner, as plainly revealing both its

danger and duty as

Thus

them.

it is

if

a voice from heaven had declared

said, Isa.

with a strong hand, that

which was

his spirit,

8:11, the Lord spake to Isaiah by a mighty impression upon

is,

Thus the Lord

as a voice to him.

not only directs a suitable word to a sinner's condition, but impresses

it

with such a strong hand upon his heart, as

leaves no doubt but that to

soul.

liis

to the ear of the soul to be

an

it

was the Lord himself that spoke

Tills is Christ's :

way

of speaking by his Spirit

not by audible voices, which

I

efficacious impression

we may

upon the

heart.

In audible voices

sooner meet satanical delusions than divine

The learned Gerson speaks

minations.

of a good

am come

"I But eyes and

said, " I will

not see Christ here,

in glory."

it

shall suffice

Christ's voice in the written

sure than a voice from heaven.

is

a voice without sound or syllable.

it

implies, in like

Christ

:

this voice of Christ implies

he can do

me

word

2 Pet, 1:19.

itual impression is Christ's effectual call

As

:

in person to visit thee, for thou art worthy."

he justly suspecting a delusion of Satan, shut his

2.

illu-

man who,

being in prayer, seemed to hear such a voice as this

him

take

but the imaginings of an overtroubled fancy, but by

to see

is

This

more spir-

from heaven, and

almighty

efficacy, so

manner, the facility of conversion unto it

easily

with a word of

his

mouth, as

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR,

220

by him

in the bodily cures performed flesh

;

how

Thus,

be healed."

and

Speak

servant shall

the Spirit but speak to the dead soul

let

he was ploughing in the

him

"

them.

my

Elijah did but cast his mantle on Ehsha, as

it lives.

to give

in the days of his

effect

only," said the centurion, " and

word

the

suddenly and easily did he

and he entreated the prophet

field,

home and bid his friends farewell, him. Thus it is here let a beam of

leave to go

and he would follow

:

saving light shine from the Spirit into a man's heart

an

made upon

his soul,

and give up

his dearest lusts

effectual impression be

once

made wilHng

interests,

and

to

Conversion

pel.

to quit

I shall

let

;

is

at

and

embrace Christ upon the terms of the gosis too difficult a work for angels or men

to effect, but Christ III.

and he

can do

it

with a word.

endeavor to show the special properties

of this spiritual voice of Christ,

which must be heard,

or

there can be no opening the door of the heart to receive

him. 1

.

It is

a

sec?'et

communicated of

what

is

David, "

and

still

to the soul,

spoken to the ear,

Thou

art the

whereby somewhat

voice,

making a

much

like that of

2 Sam. 12:7.

man."

Nathan This

voice sounds through the whole soul, yet none hear

the soul concerned in

Samuel

in his ear, a

makes

;

day before,"

word

this is

gospel in thine ears." others,

but very

You read

in

1

but

1

The Lord had told Sam. 9:15, that is, he

thy

which manner " This is thy which is now opened by the

sin,

This

is

:

11, 12, that

upon the mount before the Lord,

:

a voice without sound to

intelligible to the soul to

Kings, 19

So the Spirit

into the ear of a sinner,

his heart tremble, after this

very condition

it

to

still

It is said, "

it.

whispered the secret into the prophet's mind. of Christ whispers a

is

particular application

whom when

" a great

it is

spoken.

Elijah stood

and strong wind

rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the

Lord

;

but the Lord was not in the wind

:

and

after the

;

HIS VOICE HEARD. wind an earthquake quake

and

:

not in the it

was

fire

and

:

the Lord are ;

after the fire

So

it is

men by

dered against

ners

earthquake a

!EHjah heard

in his mantle."

mourn and lament

shame and

This voice of

As

it

God

hears

What

but this

it,

signifies little

;

for

is

never

God sounds

the outward voice of

men

in hearing,

voice of

they hear the sound, but

;

voice of his Spirit,

confusion, nor goes aside to

his misery.

They hear the

of the word.

still

to the conscience, the sinner

the gospel alone,

voice of

the terrors of

;

hell is set before the eyes of sin-

Matt. 13

13.

And

dreadful things are thun-

:

to the very centre of the soul.

:

small voice.

still

but until the Lord come in the

and apply these things

the earth-

but the Lord was

;

that he wrapped his face

it,

here

a

fire

the voice of the law

made known,

covers his face with

m

but the Lord was not

;

after the

when

so,

221

hear not.

man, but not the not the power

feel

spoken externally dies in the ear that

voice of the Spirit makes its way to knows what God speaks but the soul

still

the heart, and none itself.

2.

The

distinctly

name.

bow

spiritual voice of Christ is 'personal, speaking

and particularly

Ministers

in general

of the gospel at a venture, not

will direct the arrow

He

to the state of the soul, as if

must speak

;

;

knowing

but the Spirit guides

by

they draw the to

it

whom God

to the

mark.

apphes truth to particular persons, so that the soul to

whom

he directs

it is

fully convinced that the

Lord intends

and means him, in such a threatening expression. the soul, has the Lord singled

very case.

You read

me out in particular ?

Oh, says this is

my

that Christ calleth his sheep by name.

John 10:3. How does he do this, but by speaking directly and particularly to their condition, as if he called them by their particular

way, as of

names ? He does not now in an extraordinary

old, call, "

Samuel, Samuel,"

or,

" Saul, Saul," but

he sends a beam of convincing light into the conscience, plainly showing

tliis

or that to be our sin, danger, or duty

:

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOE.

222 and

as to the effect,

truly, until

it

it is all

comes

one as

God named him. And

if

word has no saving operation

to this tlje

upon the soul. A man may hear ten thousand general truths and assent to them, and yet be no better for them. How quiet was David's conscience, until Nathan struck the nail upon the head by a home personal conscience

application,

Thus God

startled.

singles

out

and then

thousand in the congregation, speaks to the heart, and turbs the secure conscience

but

not the

feel

same

manner, to speak

dis-

the rest hear the same words,

:

And

efficacy.

mercy when God pleases thus this

his

one from a

truly

to single out

to his heart.

4 25, 26, many widows were in :

As

it

is

a choice

one person after

Christ said, in

Luke

Israel in the days of Elias,

but to none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon,

woman

unto a

was a widow.

that

So here,

multitudes sat with you under the same prayer or sermon,

but to none of them, at that time, was the Spirit sent to

make

a particular application thereof, but to thee.

God

the peculiar goodness of

be admired by that

This spiritual voice of Christ

3.

from is

is

distinguishes

In this for

ever

from :

4.

all

is distill guishable

other voices.

As

by

The sheep

in the style of the Scrip-

a weight and majesty which distinguish them

human

all

a peculiar

it

John 10

his voice.

tures there

and should

soul.

the soul that hears

know

shines out,

compositions, so in this voice of Christ there

efficacy,

a divine authority, by which the soul

human voices. It was said of Christ Never man spake like this man." The same may be said of his spiritual voice

it

from

all

in the days of his flesh, "

John 7

:

46.

the soul never heard such a voice before

upon the heart

so firmly that

;

it

seals the truth

no objections are

left

against

it.

There are two things in this inward voice of Christ, which distinguish it from all human voices. First, a marvellous light comes into the soul with it, which discovers

HIS VOICE HEAED.

God

the secrets of the heart.

all

the same time he speaks to

it,

shines into the heart at

4:6; and now

2 Cor.

and God

secrets of the heart are manifest,

word of truth. power accompanies

to be in the

1

vellous

this voice, to

what

firm impression of

power

223

Second, a mar-

Cor. 14 25. :

make a deep and

spoken on the soul

is

the

acknowledged

is

and

;

this

a character of the voice of God, whereby the soul receives it as his, with much assurance, as the apostle speaks in

is

"

1:5:

Thess.

1

Our gospel came not unto you in word and in the Holy Ghost, and in much

only, but also in power,

They could not be more certain of any thing, it was the Lord who spoke to them in

assurance."

than they were that that word.

It is true, at the first instant the soul

amazed and

at a loss, as Peter,

of prison, thought at

he was come

first

said, "

Now,

but

;

know

I

may

be

delivered out

he had seen a vision

he

to himself,

when he was

when

of a surety

that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me."

Acts 12

Tlius

11.

:

it

is

with the soul

it is

:

doubts what manner of call or power this

such a voice, nor

matter

upon

is

it,

felt

any thing

and

whom

grace

never heard

it.

I

in the

is distilled

such as have been gross

now way

speak not of those of godly education

and

This spiritual voice of Christ

found of them that sought foresee the designs

is

a &urprisi7ig voice,

me not."

God has

Isa.

it

65:1.

much with them

:

us as

am we

as little as his father's

was with the apostles when Matthew think when he sat Saul when hastmg to Damasit

httle did

at the receipt of customs, or

"I

in bringing us to such a place, ;

It is

:

Little do

and under such a sermon, at such a time even Saul thought of a kingdom when he was seeking Christ called

especially

sinners.

altogether unexpected by the soul that hears

asses.

But the

the soul has reflected

in their tender years, but of adult persons,

4.

amazed, and

such a wonderful change of the temper

finds

of the heart following upon into

it

;

like this before.

when

quickly cleared up

is

;

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

224

cus upon the devil's errand, that Christ and salvation were

Some have come

so near them.

to deride the

messengers

and truths of God others to gratify their curiosity and many not knowing where else, with peace or reputation, to ;

;

But God's thoughts were not theirs the now come, and whatever sinful ends brought them thither, the Lord's design was then and there to manifest himself to them. It is with such souls, in some spend that hour.

;

time of mercy was

was with the spouse, Sol. Song, 6 12: "Or was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Ammi-nadib." I went to the congregation for company I was sitting under the word with a careless wandering heart, as at other times when lo, an arrow of conviction was suddenly shot into my conscience, which so wounded and disquieted it, that it is now beyond the power of any but

respects, as it

ever

:

I

;

;

Christ to settle and satisfy 5.

it.

This spiritual internal voice of Christ

mighty

is

energetical

in power, piercing the heart, cleaving, as

the very reins

;

were,

it

the soul that hears

full of efficacy to

it.

The power of God comes along with his voice. " The word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even

and

spirit,

Now

and of the

joints

to the dividing

asunder of soul

and marrow."

Heb. 4:12.

word itself, would feel this power who come within the sound of No, this comes from the Spirit of Christ, speakmg in it this efficacy is not inherent in the

all

the sinner's conscience the

Spirit,

it

becomes

;

when

:

of majesty fire,

;

it

is

is

efficacious.

29 4-9, of the wonderful voice of the Lord

it

;

to

the administration of

You

read,

in

efficacy of God's voice

powerful

or it.

the voice of the Lord

Psalm :

The is full

breaketh the cedars, divideth the flames of

shaketh the wilderness, maketh the hinds to calve.

This the providential voice of God, in the winds, thunders,

and lightnings, can do his spiritual voice

?

;

but what

What

is

is

this to the efficacy of

the breaking of the cedars of

;

HIS VOICE HEARD. Lebanon

225

breaking of the heart of a sinner

to the

What

?

is

the shaking of the trees in the wilderness to the fears of

wrath to come, which shake the souls of convinced sinners, and make their hearts tremble? Acts 16:29. What is the dividing of flames of

beloved lusts

"

?

to the dividing

fire,

The weapons

mighty through God,

nal, but

down

holds, casting

a soul from

its

of our warfare are not car-

to the pulling

down

of strong

imaginations, and every high thing that

exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

2 Cor. 10

show from whom

plainly

God

is

no

tion,

than in the

pares

Here are the glorious

4, 5.

:

which

less to

creation,

first

" God,

it.

be admired in

effects of this voice,

its effects

the light to shine out of

2 Cor. 4:6.

the word of Christ, Lazarus,

see, at

dead in his grave, come forth bound

John 11

:

44

;

and no

come

of Christ,

less to see

God

;

It

was

who was

in his grave-clothes,

a soul dead in

forth with spiritual

hear the voice of the Son of

sin, at

a word

"The dead

life.

shall

and they that hear shall

John 5:25.

live." 6.

in the

with Avhich the apostle com-

who commanded

darkness, hath shined in our hearts."

marvellous to

The voice of new crea-

comes.

it

This spiritual voice of Christ

conscience of a sinner, so that

man

it

evasions.

While

means

evade what was spoken

to

are at an end

The

now.

—no

Spirit,

convictive to the

is

puts a final end to

all

only spoke, the soul had a thousand ;

now

but

all

debates

more subterfuges and cunning evasions

when he cometh,

shall convince

the

The word signifies to convince by demonstration, and to show that a thing cannot possibly be otherwise than we represent it to be. Formerly, when the terrors of God were threatened against sin, the heart was wont to say, This concerns me no more than another world of

if it

me.

sin.

John 16:8.

with me,

it

will go

It is true, this is

my evil

go

ill

ill ;

10^

with thousands as well as

and who

is

without sin

?

I

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

226

have some

evils in

me, but

have some good

I

But no

too.

sooner does the Spirit speak conviction to the conscience,

than

all

these pleas are dismissed.

now.

so

had some

It

fears of hell,

with some vain hopes of heaven tion

duties I I

am

have done, and whatever

not regenerated, I

and except

am

I

am

my

in

;

but

it is

not

but they were balanced

now

am

I

be, the state of

before

but

;

Whatever

determined.

is

may

It

him

the sinner's soul was doubtful to

the great ques-

or have,

sins I

whatever

have avoided,

I see

natural, Christless state

;

must be lost. This was the Paul " I was alive without the

changed,

efiect of Christ's voice to

I

:

law once but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died." Rom. 7 9. He had read the law many a but his vain time, and had the literal knowledge of it sense of the until spiritual flourished, the and lived hopes law came home to his heart by the voice of the Spirit, and then his vain hopes died, and his guilt stared in the face of ;

:

;

his conscience.

The

7.

of

men

voice of Christ

through the

instrument of

preached, which

to

men

in this

ordinary course:

"Our

only, but also in

power and

Our

1:5. been

all, it

had come

human.

Ghost

;

way

gospel

that

to

but certainly this

;

in the

Holy Ghost."

by us

you in word only, as

who

But unto you is,

feel it

the chosen

is

affirm that Christ

came not unto you

gospel, because preached

thousands of others, is

We cannot

conveyance.

its

always speaks

generally conveyed to the souls

is

tvorcl

nothing in

came

in

it

;

it

in 1

is

his

word

Thess.

but had that does to

many

more than what

power and

in the

Holy

our words were the vehicle through which

the vital power of the Spirit

was conveyed

into your souls.

Providences have their voice as well as the word and sometimes the voice of Christ has accompanied the voice of provi;

dence, to the conversion of men's souls

The

established

ners

is

way

;

but this

is

unusual.

of Christ's speaking to the hearts of sin-

by the word, and especially the word preached, which

HIS VOICE HEAHD. on that account

Rom.

tion."

called

is

"the power of God unto salva-

This instrument the Lord generally hon-

16,

:

conveyance of spiritual

ors for the

though

1

227

life

into the souls of

despised and contemned in the world.

it is

preaching of the cross

to

is

them that

but unto us which are saved,

it

men,

"

The

perish, foolishness

;

.

/

the power of God,"

is

1:18; that is, the instrument by which the saving power of God communicates itself to the souls of men. And although God may exert his saving power through providences, we seldom find he does so where the word may be had, but is neglected. Herein God consults our peace and satisfaction for if he should make use of another medium, as a voice from heaven, and after calling, which is an usual case, the called soul should question. How do I know but all 1 Cor.

;

may

this

be a delusion

and

tals,

this voice

depends upon

God

and

it,

may

?

not Satan impose upon mor-

be a counterfeit I

my

?

need to be sure

eternal estate

was

it

the voice of

would be hard to give such distinguishing characters as might be to the satisfaction himself: in such a case,

it

But when God makes the word his instrument it yields abundantly more satisfaction. We have a more sure word of prophecy, surer than a voice from heaven. 2 Pet. 1:19. And though Paul was converted by a voice from heaven, yet the Lord sends him to Ananias, of the soul.

in this matter,

who

should preach the gospel to him.

Lord will honor his word. heart, but the

word

is

ordinarily puts forth his 8.

The

that hears

but the

we

may

:

17.

The

prepare the

the instrument by which the Lord

power

to salvation.

it.

The words

of

men

are scattered to the wind,

effects of Christ's voice are

Psa.

Acts 9

voice of Christ leaves abidi?ig effects on the soul

forget thy precepts

me."

Providence

119

heard, and

:

all

;

93.

for

durable

:

"I

will never

with them thou hast quickened

How many

hundred sermons have

vanished away as a dream

I

Oh, but

ever thou heardst Christ speaking to thy heart in any

if

ser-

;

CHRIST KNOCKINCt AT THE DOOR.

228

mon

or prayer, that will remain

words are sealed upon the soul the heart. w^ord,

Jer.

really

is

31

:

for

with thee ever

What Joh

33.

;

His

for ever.

they are written

in.

wished concerning his

performed in the w^ords of Christ

are written as in the rock for ever."

Job 19

*'

They

23.

We

:

:

have slippery memories, but the weakest memory must retain the words c^ Christ, spoken to the heart by his Spirit

He

for "

openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruc-

Job 33

tion."

:

16.

the person to whom Christ

IV. I shall next speak of

ORDINARILY DIRECTS his efficacious and saving

though

be true that the Spirit of Christ

it

and calls whom he wind bloweth where that Christ has voice

;

will,

made some

how

it

of all ranks of this

is

true,

men

to

The

in fact,

hear his

saving voice to the

"Ye see your calUng, brethmany wise men after the flesh, not many many noble are called." 1 Cor. 1 26. He

great and wise of this world ren,

and

seldom that he directs

it is

"

according to John 3:8,

listeth ;"

it

And

voice.

a free agent,

is

:

that not

mighty, not

:

saith not any, but

many.

Christ does call some, " lest," as

one says, "the world should think that Christians were deceived through their simplicity and weakness."

Joseph of Arimathea

many.

Men

;

One

rich

one honorable Nicodemus, but not

of the greatest

renown

the fiercest enemies against Christ

:

in the

world have been

Galen, the chief physi-

cian; Porphyry, the chief Aristotelian; Plotinus, the chief Platonist all

;

Libanius and Lucian, the chief orators, were

professed enemies of Christ.

great in the eyes of the world

:

Two

things

make a man

the external endowments of

Providence,

heaping riches and honors upon him

endowments

of the mind, as strong reason, sharpness of wit,

When

both these meet in the same person, they make

etc.

him

;

great in the eyes of the world, and usually in his

yea, too great to stoop to the simplicity of the gospel,

humbling,

self-denying

terms.

and

own

and

;

its

These the Lord usually

HIS VOICE HEARD. passes by, and

rich in faith,

his voice

directs

receive the gospel

;

God

Christ blesses

the

;

poor

the poor of this world

James 2

and heirs of the kingdom.

this choice of

poor

the

to

God hath chosen

229

him

for

"I

:

:

And

5.

thank

thee,

Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed

them unto babes thy sight."

God

:

so.

Father, for so

And

25, 26.

seemed good

it

wisdom

indeed, the

deserves our admiration in this dispensation

Hereby

1.

the freeness

None can pretend

man

even

;

Matt. 11

to

of his grace

is

that any earthly excellence

God, or that the favor of heaven

same means that the

vindicated.

commends any secured by the

is

For you

respects of the world are.

34 19

more than the poor;

rich

Eartlily riches

much

idolized

for

men

by

they are

all

:

the work of his

and honors, empty as they :

what would they

By

2.

such a choice as

this,

spread,

?

the Lord plainly shows that

religion needs not ivorldly props to support

was

are, are

be, could they

procure our favor and acceptance with the Lord

it

:

" accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the

hands." yet

of

For

:

see the truth of that scripture before your eyes. Job

He

in

As

it.

at first

by the power of God in the world, by poor and

despised men, so

it is still

upheld without

human

policy or

The church is called the congregation of the poor. 74 19. The Lord will have us know, that he is able

riches.

Psa. to

:

maintain and carry on his counsels in the world without

the wealth of rich men, the authority of great men, or the policies of 3.

tnost

By

wise

men

;

this choice

he needs them

not.

he pours contempt upon the things

admired among men.

So he

tells

us:

"God hath

chosen the foolish thmgs of the world to confound the wise

;

and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." 1 Cor. 1 27. And :

certainly,

shame and confusion

ones of this world,

when

of face will cover the great

they shall see the poor Christians

— ;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

230

whom

they scorned on earth, as not worthy to come into

their presence, so infinitely preferred before

of Christ sit

them

directed but to a few, even of the

is

within the call of the gospel Matt. 22

are chosen."

in the

In a word, this efficacious spiritual voice

favor of God.

14.

:

"Many

:

Christ's flock

There are many birds of prey

many common

to one

many

that

are called, but few is

a

little flock.

bird of paradise

pebbles to one sapphire or diamond.

It is

not for us to dispute as to the reason, but to adore the sove-

God

reignty of

The

glitter

greatest

And

in this matter.

the greatest part

calls,

and dazzle of

of those

humbler

of the

is

whom

he

men.

this Avorld blind the eyes of the

extremity of want diverts the mind of the lowest

;

but between these two extremes there persons

few

classes of

whom

V. If

it

is

a third sort of

the Lord most usually calls.

be inquired

why the

voice and call of Christ

SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THIS PERSON RATHER THAN TO THAT, certainly

it is

not from any excellence that Christ sees in

one rather than another

mon

;

for all are

and misery of the

sin

told the Ephesians, Avho

fall

;

shut up under the com-

and therefore the apostle

had heard and answered the voice

of Christ, that they "

even as others."

have something this

were by nature the children of wrath, Eph. 2 3. If it were not so, man would :

to glory in before

whole dispensation

"Even

ure of the divine will:

good

in

thy sight."

God

Matt. 11

of his

26.

God sometimes causes Son who seem to stand at a it

heard the voice of Christ far

Acts 26

:

when

seemed of

those to hear the voice

and

far greater distance It is said of

the

Eph. 2:13; yet they

that discreet scribe

from the kingdom of God, Mark 12

who was

Agrippa,

ofl^,

it

This good pleasure

than others do.

Ephesians, that they were far

was not

but Christ resolves

Father, for so

so, :

the will of

improbability to hear

;

into its proper cause, the good pleas-

:

who

34, and

almost persuaded to be a Christian,

28, never heard

it

;

therefore

it

is

said,

"

Many

;

HIS VOICE HEARD. come from the

shall

Abraham and

and west, and

east

Isaac and Jacob in the

231

down with

shall sit

kingdom of heaven

;

but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer marvellous dispensation!

Matt. 8:11, 12.

darkness."

many a soul under the greatest disadvantages, a poor servant who has but little time and many incumbrances, is called effectually by this voice of Christ; when those who enjoy multitudes of opportunities, and have abundance of time on their

hands which they know not what

vantages hear and

feel

nothing to any purpose

who

and

to do with,

have the choicest books at command, amidst

these ad-

all

all this is to

:

be resolved into the good pleasure of the will of God. VI. Let us

now view the effects we

Christ upon the souls of men, and

remarkable

The

1.

effects

The

16:8. world of

it.

of the voice of Christ

is

—conviction both is

is

;

But

he denied not that.

now

quite another thing from

Christ " showeth

them

their

and exceeded

in

man

painted lion on a sign-post set

Christ, sin

home on the is

like

voice 2.

what the

is

:

9

;

introductory

was

all

are sin-

this general convic-

soul feels

now

This voice of

their trangressions,

—exceeded

in

number,

A

general

no more than the sight of a

but

when

a particular convic-

conscience by this special voice of

a living hon, meeting a

and roaring dreadfully

the

There was a

heinousness of aggravation.

conviction of sin affects a

is

soul that

he knew that alas,

work and

that they have exceeded," Job 36

tion

The

can waive the matter no longer.

it

John

shall convince

Horn. 7:9.

general conviction of sin before

tion

conviction

and misery.

becomes the seat of anxiety.

before secure

voice of

find divers

a voice of terror, and strikes dead the

vain hopes of a sinner.

ners,

of sin

when he cometh

Spirit

This

sin.

this

wrought upon the heart by

first effect

on the conscience

of

shall

upon him.

This

man

in the

first effect

way

of Christ's

to,

Humiliation and

contrition of heart for sin.

Those

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

232

and sinners which were

threats of Scripture against sin

wont to be shghted, are now trembled at whose hearts Christ spoke in Peter's sermon, ;

Jews

those

to

as soon as they

heard his voice sounding conviction in their consciences,

were pricked sin will

;

Acts 2

at the heart,

man

such a wound, and put a

therefore they are said to

Zech. 12

only son.

:

Now

10.

man

The

lies

voice of

man

37

no sword can make

:

such pain, as a sight of

mourn

this

for Christ as for

an

the glorious prerog-

is

and wound the heart with a

ative of Jesus Christ, to reach

word.

:

into

cannot do

it

but the

;

of a

spirit

open both to be wounded and healed by a word

No

from the mouth of Christ.

sooner has a sinner heard

the awful voice of conviction spoken to his conscience by the

Lord Jesus, but he

feels

himself sick at heart

he goes home

;

from that sermon by which Christ spoke effectual conviction

My

to him, crying. is

soul

humiliation others,

;

it

for sin as for 3.

ever separates

This voice of Christ

solicitude for deliverance

him from

I

it

but whoever has

;

much

so

feels

the love of

sorrow

it.

aivakeiis, the careless

mind

to

from the danger that hangs over

Trembling and astonished, the

what must

some hearts than

penetrates deeper into

and holds them longer under

heard the convincing voice of Christ,

it.

There

distressed because of sin.

is

a great difference in the degrees of this contrition and

jailer cried out, " Sirs,

do to be saved ?" Acts 16

powers of the soul are engaged ally observe, in convinced

:

29, 30.

and humbled

Ail the

You

for deliverance.

gener-

sinners, three signs

of extraordinary solicitude about salvation.

First, there is

a strong intentness of their minds and thoughts, they stand

night and day like a are ever poring sin

bow

at its full bent; their thoughts

upon this matter,

their sleep departs, for their

and danger are ever before them.

Second,

their searching inquisitiveness about the

way

it

appears by

of escape

;

the

them wherever they meet with any whom they judge able to direct them is. What course question they carry with

HIS VOICE HEARD. shall I take

"What shall

?

such a one as tion

appears by the

it

outward

any hope

Is there

Did you ever know a soul

I ?

Third,

?

their

I do ?

233

afflictions,

which,

may

they take

that

it

onent

makes heavy

A

4.

notice of them.

little

Sin

afflictions lie light.

inviting as well as a convicting voice

:

and

able difference between the voice of Christ

Satan, with respect to sm.

Satan labors

this

if

he can cut

may

terror soever there

always something

left

And

support hope.

Lord usually,

well

off hope, all endeavors of the

But how much

behind

it

on the heart

to breed

is

and

truly the soul, amidst these sad circum-

:

"

:

Him

;

but the

home upon

me

that cometh to

the

I will

came down from heaven, not to him that sent me." John

for I

own will, but

the will of

Here Christ

37, 38.

hope

;

be in the voice of Christ, there

as this

no wise cast out

:

a remark-

is

to cut off all

after sharp convictions, sets

word

soul such a

6

in

an

need of some encouragement

stances, has great

tion,

means for it is

and the voice of

soul after Christ are effectually stopped.

do mine

;

the soul dead under despair of mercy

strike

knowing, that

in

encourage-

is

hope, putting the soul on the use of

order to the attainment of Christ and salvation

and

but

;

heavy

so

lies

fourth effect of the voice of Christ

and

and

be, are strong

sharp enough to overwhelm them at another time

now

for

condi-

notice they take of

little it

my

in

offers

the most rational satisfac-

and greatest encouragement that a convinced sinner,

if

he be willing, shall certainly find a hearty welcome with Christ.

For mark how he argues

isfaction of

do mine

own

force of the

one,"

will,

:

encouragement

John 10 30 :

it

on purpose

for the sat-

" I

came down from heaven, not to but the will of him that sent me." The

such souls

—one

lies here,

in will

" I and

and one

my

in design

Father are ;

our wills

never can jar one with the other, on account of the perfect unity that

is

between

us.

heaven, not only to do mine

Now, saith he, I came down from own will, which must necessarily

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

234

be supposed to be strongly inclined convinced and willing

my

who hath

and anointed

And

1.

:

of a

me

me

sent

my

bind up the broken-hearted

to

preach good tidings to the meek.

to

all

being the very end of

incarnation and death, but also to do the will of

Father,

61

and save

to receive

sinners,, this

Isa.

therefore no such soul can rationally doubt

And

welcome reception with me.

seeks to aggravate

because the fears

and many, and Satan

of a convinced conscience are great

them beyond the hope

of mercy,

it

is

usual with the Lord to direct the trembling sinner to such

a scripture as that in Heb. 7

"Wherefore he

25,

:

also to

save them to the uttermost, that come unto

him

making the

;"

fulness of Christ's saving

with a cheerful beam into the dark and

power shine

distressed soul of a

from such a word as that.

sinner,

A

5.

powerful voice

fifth effect of Christ's

is

an attrac-

tive efficacij or sweet alluring of the soul to Christ

power which it communicates to the soul. come to me, except the Father which hath "

him."

Every man,

therefore, that

it,

Christ

;

heard the voice of God, away

gagements in the world There

is

And

then the

it

to Christ

As

by the

man.

the

Heb. 4

first effect

the last effect

is

after

soul has

all

sinful en-

between the soul and sin nothing can hold it from

:

3

it.

When

"

We

which have

—not only

shall,

of Christ's voice

peace

and

once the soul

is

con-

come

efficacy of his heavenly call or voice,

enters into peace.

into rest,"

comes from

44, 45.

tlie

effect of Christ's voice is rest

solation to the inner

home

;

once

:

motion

a strange restlessness in the spirit of man,

and none but Christ can quiet 6.

it

way

when

:

all ties

;

break asunder and give Christ.

John 6

this voice speedily puts the soul into

coming follows hearing

by that

No man can sent me draw "

hath heard and hath

learned of the Father, cometh unto me."

Mark

able

is

God by

;

it

puts the

believed, do enter

but do enter into

was

rest.

terror to the soul, so

'soul into

the most excel-

HIS VOICE HEARD. and joy

lent position for comfort

ground before tion

and

nate,

;

glorification

them he

also justified

8

:

never stood upon such

it

;

vocation stands between predestina-

whom whom he

" Moreover,

:

also called

whom

and

;

Rom.

fied."

for this

;

and

he

he did predesti-

called, them he them he also gloriwhat a blessed mount

justified,

See here into

30.

235

of vision the voice of Christ calls the

souls

of sinners.

Let the soul look backward or forward from eternity

to

nothing but a vision of peace before

its

eternity, there

is

eyes.

This

choice,

which by

call of

God

backward

points

very call

it is

of that soul before the world

that eternal glory

now

to

God's eternal

made was and it points forward to unto which God is leading it. These are

this

manifest he

;

the effects of this almighty voice of Christ, and these the

by

special instructions sealed

But

it

upon the hearts of men.

this voice of Christ is

not heard at

—

it,

"

all

times, but in

dead shall hear the voice of the Son of

The hour when the God." John 5 25.

And

called th^ accepted

some

special hour

as Christ calls

elsewhere, by the apostle,

time, the day of salvation.

it

is

2 Cor. 6

:

:

The conjunction

2.

of the Spirit of Christ with the word, ordinances, or provi-

dences of God, but especially the word, makes this blessed hour.

The word

though never

alone,

so well

preached,

conduces no more to the conviction and salvation of a sinner,

than the waters of Bethesda did

came not down Lord pours out

to trouble

to the heart

makes that of

life.

;

John 5

:

4.

when

the angel

But when the

with the word, according

his Spirit

promise, " I will pour out

known my words unto

to healing

them.

my

Spirit unto you, I will

you," Prov.

1

:

to the

make

23, then Christ speaks

this great conjunction of the

word and

Spirit

blessed season of salvation the time of love

Now

the voice of Christ

is

heard with

effect,

and and

the ordinances have a convincing and converting efficacy.

There was an abundant

effusion of the Spirit in the first

age of Christianity, and then the voice of Christ was heard

;; ;

CHRIST

236

by

KNOCKma

AT THE DOOR. There has since been a

multitufles of souls at once.

restraint of the

comparatively speaking

Spirit,

whereas

;

three thousand souls were then converted at one sermon, possibly three thousand sermons

and not one church

have

since been preached,

a wilderness, a land of drought

like

made the and so it is

This has

soul effectually called.

;

likely to remain, " until the Spirit

be poured upon us from

on high, and the wilderness be a

fruitful field," according

to the promise, Isa.

Lord, hasten healed,

and

it,

32

when

And

15.

:

" every thing that liveth.

soever the river shall come, shall

stand upon

it,

expect

which moveth whither-

And

live.

fishers shall

from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim

a place

shall be

we

such a time

the waters of the ordinances shall be

to spread forth nets

;

they

their fish shall

;

be

according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many,"

Ezek. 47

:

Then

10.

9,

longer fish with angles, catching

now

ministers shall no

one and then another

but shall spread forth their nets and inclose multitudes of converts.

There are some happy seasons wherein Christ utters his almighty voice in the word, but their time

man it

as

preach in hope, and wait in hope,

unknown

to

mistaken in our conjectures preparations, spirit,

we

any time God will

if at

2 Tim. 2

give the people repentance.

of

is

we cannot say when it will come, but are to wait for Ministers must the man did at the pool of Bethesda.

;

25.

:

We

when we have made

:

are often

the best

and have a more than ordinary enlargement are apt to conclude this

is

the blessed hour

we do to the ear but Ave often find ourselves mistaken yet we must wait in Such a happy time may hope, and so must our people. come, and when it doth it will be a day for ever to be rememwherein Christ will speak to the heart as ;

bered, because then the will be

made

to

first

your souls

Father has done in

election,

;

actual application of Christ

without which

and the Son

all

that the

in his redemption,

HIS VOICE HEARD.

237

would be of no advantage to your souls. And therefore you shall find that this work of the Spirit stands between those works, and makes them effectual to our salvation. 1 Pet. 1

This

2.

:

depends

world

;

to

eternity

it

the hour upon which our eternal blessedness

is

will be celebrated for ever in your praises, in the

what an influence has this hour to all The hearing of this voice of Christ opens the

come.

I

and brings

councils of heaven,

God concerning you

of

:

"

to light the eternal counsels

Knowing, brethren beloved, your

For our gospel came not unto you in word

election of God.

only, but also in power,

and in the Holy Ghost."

Thess.

1

1:4,5.

This gives greater assurance of the eternal love of

God

man's

to a

than the sweetest smile of providence

soul,

or any voice from heaven could do.

rious

This is the day of our John 5 25 a greater and more gloresurrection by far than that of your bodies at the last

day

so

spiritual resurrection,

;

much greater,

of your bodies

—

:

as the value of your souls

is

above that

as also, because the blessedness of your bod-

:

ily resurrection

depends on this your spiritual resurrection

by the voice of

Christ.

Dreadful will the voice of Christ

be at the resurrection of your bodies, except you this vital voice of Christ quickening

ual

life.

To

conclude, this

is

2

:

19

;

From

so saith the

Lord

this

for as

;

day will

to you,

the Lord said

you," Hag.

I bless

From this hour wherein you

have heard and obeyed the voice of Christ, will for ever

with

all spiritual blessings in

Inference

1.

yet, as Christ

who

37, have not heard the voice of

cious internal voice,

of

life

sit

under the

speaks of the Jews, John

God

at

ministerial voice of Christ they hear daily

word

you

This point presents us with abundant

sound of the gospel, :

I bless

heavenly places in him.

matter of lamentation over multitudes

5

hear

spirit-

the great era from which you

are to date all your spiritual mercies

unto the Jews, "

first

your souls with

which makes the

;

any time.

The

but this

effica-

ministerial voice the

and power, they have not heard.

The

gospel,

CHEIST KNOCKINCx AT THE DOOR.

238

most of our hearers,

to

symptom. lost

whom

in

;

them that

of

the gospel

but an empty sound

is

the god of this

it is

2 Cor. 4

believe not."

this

:

is

a sad

them that are world hath blinded the minds

" If our gospel be hid,

hid to

This hiding of

3, 4.

:

not opposed to the external ministration of

is

it,

nor to the understanding of the true sense and meaning of the truths delivered by is

it

;

but to that internal efficacy Avhich

Our hearers

here called hearing Christ's voice.

ally satisfied

when

they can remember something of

it,

are gener-

much more

they have heard a sermon,

if

though the Lord has

home to their hearts. God grant it be not that very judg6:9," Hear ye indeed, but understand

not spoken one truth they have heard

This

a sad case, and

is

ment

threatened, Isa.

not

and see ye indeed, but perceive not."

;

voice of as if

we

man

concerned under the word as the seats you

speaketh once, yea, twice, but eternal decrees

one

man

sit

perceiveth

God The

upon. it

not.

and counsels of God are now executing upon

men

As many

under the gospel.

dained to eternal

shall believe

life

God's truth upon their hearts. it

is all

Reflect upon this, you that are as un-

heard not.

the souls of

Hearing the

without feeling the power of God,

and

Acts 13

:

48.

power of Andmethinks

when you

should be of startling consideration,

as are or-

feel the

see others

struck to the heart, cast into fear and tremblings by the

same word that does not

in the least touch your hearts.

may

is

be you think this

that very thought

is

made another

an

It

but fancy and melancholy, but

artifice of

Satan to blind your eyes.

when he

told the secure and John came unto you in the way of but the publicans righteousness, and ye believed him not and the harlots believed him and ye, when ye had seen it,

Christ

self-righteous

Jews,

use of

it

*'

;

:

repented not afterward that ye might believe him."

21

:

32.

As though he had

your consciences,

said,

when you saw

What

other sinners

brought to faith under John's ministry

?

Matt.

did you do to quiet

It is

humbled and strange there

HIS VOICE HEARD.

239

should be no reflections in your consciences upon your state

and condition

and another unto

left

and

life,

;

but thus

;

to

must

it

some the gospel

be,

shall be the savor of life

Who

death unto death.

to others the savor of

own

one shall be taken

can look over so great a part of a congregation without tender compassion, considering that unto this day the Lord has not given

them eyes

to see,

multitudes of sermons

;

nor ears to hear ? They have heard

and they have

also heard

these have

what

efiects

had upon other men's hearts but they have none upon theirs, that such souls would cry to the Lord Jesus ;

in such language as that in Sol.

panions hearken to thy voice let

me

not

sit

:

Song 13:13: " The com-

cause

of thy Spirit in

Open the ears thy power

it.

hear thy voice and

feel

my

conscience for a

aggravation of

my

little

of ;

to hear it."

my

Lord,

soul, that I

otherwise the

my

the ministry will be ineffectual to quiet

me

under the word any longer deaf to the voice

salvation

;

it

may

A^oice of

will but

while, and prove a dreadful

misery in the end.

we have this day before our eyes a great confirmation of the truth of the Scriptures. No miracles can seal it firmer than the events 2.

It also

which are

follows from the subject, that

visible to all that will observe

read in the word you eyes.

"

We

may

are unto

that are saved, and in

see every

God a sweet them that

day

them.

What you your

fulfilled before

them

savor of Christ, in

perish

:

to the one

we

are

the savor of death unto death, and to the other the savor of life

unto

life."

when Paul

2 Cor. 2

:

in his lodgings

15, 16.

And

again. Acts 28

had expounded and

24,

:

testified the

kingdom of God to the people, and persuaded them to beheve from morning till evening, it is observed, that " some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not." Here you see the contrary efiects of the preaching of the gospel, according to the scripture account of

quickens some and leaves others

still

kills others

in unbelief.

;

it

:

it

brings some to faith, and

Compare

this

account with

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

240

what

daily before

is

to contrary effects

you

do you not see souls influenced

:

under the same word

me, you that are apt

men

pass in

to ascribe all to nature,

men

exercising reason alike,

others

and

affections,

it

to

that have the same

same

the

and are in the selfsame condition with

yet one man's heart

;

Tell

?

how comes

who have

inbred fears and hopes of things eternal, passions

one melting and

;

and wholly unconcerned

tender, another hardened

is

wounded, and goes away trem-

word which affects the other had been preached among the tombs to the dead that lie there ? Say not that some have more courage than others, or clearer understandings for the word bling from under the selfsame

no more than

if it

;

has convinced as rational and courageous persons as those

whom

upon

the jailer

it

ment. Acts 16

any

to

has had no such

who was

whom

:

filled

doubt not but that

I

effect.

with such trembling and astonish-

27-30, was as stout and rugged a person as

Paul usually preached

him such a man.

his very office bespoke

;

Wonder not what

that

it is

makes men

alarmed at such a sound, which you hear as well as they, but

it

affects

you

The Lord speaks

not.

their hearts, but not to yours

;

and

so

it

in that voice to

must

be, according

to the account the Scriptures give us of the contrary effects

of the gospel on

them

that hear

it

servation of

;

which

I say,

is,

a firm

and highly worth the

seal of the truth of the Scriptures,

ob-'

all.

What

nances, in

dignity has God stamped on gospel ordimaking them the medium through which Christ

speaks

to

3.

life

dead

souls.

This greatly exalts the dignity of

the gospel, and deservedly endears not but

God can convey

though he hath not

it

to our souls.

spiritual life

restricted himself, yet

deny

I

without them

but

;

he hath enjoined on

us a diligent attendance upon them, and that with the deepest respect

me

;

and reverence.

"

He

that heareth you, heareth

and he that despiseth you, despiseth

despiseth me, despiseth

him

me

that sent me."

;

and he that

Luke 10

:

16.

;

HIS VOICE HEARD.

how

Behold

aggravated to the height of

this sin is

The contempt

ness.

241

of the gospel runs

much

sinful-

higher than

We think it no great matter to neglect are aware of. and contemn a messenger of Jesus Christ but that contempt flies in the very face and authority of Christ, who

men

;

gave them their commissions

who gave

the Father,

—

his ministers, they are his

by

over, the sin strikes at our

mouth.

own

Christ speaks

Jer. 15

souls,

instrument to convey spiritual

More-

19.

:

and we injure them

For the word preached

as well as Christ.

God

yea, in the very face of

Christ his commission.

is

his appointed

the best of blessings, to

life,

Upon which account it is called " the word of and "the power of God unto salvation." We militate against our life and salvation when we despise and neglect

our souls. life,"

the ordinances of God.

wait on them breathe

life to

It is

good

who knows when

;

your souls through them ?

yet found no such benefit from

portunity

for

may

men

God will What if you have

them

The very next

?

Bring your ungodly relatives with you, as

when

way he was

see that

when

;

be expected

no

are direful

it

Christ speaketh

is the loss life

:

dreadful

is

them

in

of the gospel,

to the souls of

men.

menaces

in Isaiah 8

law among

more conversions are

the case of that people.

vision, the people perish."

ny, seal the will

did their

Christ will honor his ordinances

to pass.

therefore these are gone, no

er to

is

men

earth, laying

and the word of God usually come and go togeth-

Spirit

there

was on

you do not despise them.

seeing that by

The

Christ

What a fearful judgment

4.

op-

be the appointed season of your salvation.

diseased friends

the

continually to

the Spirit of

my

:

16,

disciples ;"

remove thy candlestick out of

"Where

Those "Bind up the testimoProv. 29

:

18.

and Rev. 2

his place."

:

5,

" I

Better the

sun were taken out of heaven than the gospel out of the church.

Think not God has made such a settlement of the it shall never be removed, however you use it.

gospel that

Christ Kuocking.

1 1

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

242

Your Advocate in heaven has obtained it for you for a time upon trial if you bring forth fruit, well you and the genif not, this blessed erations to come shall be happy in it tree, which has brought forth so many mercies to you and Yea, and even now is yours, must and will be cut down. the axe laid at the root of the tree. Matt. 3:10. It is an ;

;

;

down

allusion to a carpenter that throws

saw

he intends

at the root of the tree

the axe and the

to cut

only ground of hope which remains with us

some buds appearing, some

are

fruits

that there

putting forth

and

;

there be a blessing in the bud, the Lord will spare

cording to Isa. 65

many

is

if

ac-

may make

us tremble to think

about to do with such a sinful people.

Those ivho liave heard Christ's voice in the gospel

have no reason faith.

it,

But these hopes are balanced with

8.

sad symptoms, which

what God 5.

:

The

down. is,

to he

discouraged from going

Christ's call is a sufficient

warrant

to

Christ in

Many

to believe.

work of faith by the fear of presumpwhich they know not how to clear them-

are staggered in their tion,

an objection

selves of; but certainly this, above all other considerations,

destroys the objection of presumption.

they act without a to our hearts

call or

warrant

by the voice

warrant in the world

he should

but

Men presume when if

of his Spirit,

to go to

not the issue, your obedience

Abraham, when he was

;

"What though you know

him. is

Christ has spoken

you have the best

due

to his call.

"

By

faith

which obeyed and he Heb. 11:8. So

called to go out into a place

after receive for

an inheritance,

;

went out, not knovsdng whither he went." must you. It is not necessary to your going to Christ, that you must know beforehand what the result thereof shall be. Your believing is an act of obedience to Christ who calls you.

When

therefore Satan shall object,

wretched soul as thou go to find favor

with him,

Thy answer

should be,

to Christ ?

whom

"What, such a

Canst thou imagine

thou hast so deeply wronged

It is true, I

have been a

vile

?

wretch.

;

HIS VOICE HEARD. and deeply w^-onged the Lord

my

to

heart,

but

Jesiis;

me

can be no

it

to go at his call; but contrariwise, it

command

rebellion against his sovereign

jflat

and come unto him

refuse to believe,

has spoken

lie

he hath called me, and therefore

presumption in

would be

243

yea,

;

to

would be a

it

my former sins have been. Besides, had the Lord Jesus no intention of mercy towards my soul, he would never have spoken to my heart by conviction and greater sin than any of

persuasion, as he has done. If no soul opens to Christ until

6.

The

is siqjer natural.

rise of faith is

Christ, not from the nature of

nature arrogates this honor to for

though some things

ural state, spiritual

may

man.

itself,

hear his powerful,

it

change made in

spiritual voice, then the

men

by conversion

power of John 1:13. Proud from

this

but without any ground

be done by

which have a remote tendency

men

in their nat-

yet the soul never opens to Christ savingly,

life,

without a power communicated from himself. duces no such effect as "

The God

natural for

;

and

to conversion

man

The

this.

:

receiveth not the things of the Spirit of

they are foolishness unto him

know them, because 2 14. " By grace :

not of yourselves,

Nature pro-

Scriptures speak plainly

:

neither can he

they are spiritually discerned." are ye saved, through faith

it is

the

gift of

Cor.

1

and that Eph. 2:8. " The

God."

;

mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. 8:7. " How carnal

can

;

ye,

that

being

we

ourselves

evil,

speak good things."

Matt. 12

*'

34.

:

Not

are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ;

but our sufficiency

fallen then

is

is

of God."

2 Cor. 3

man, who can neither believe nor

a good word nor

thinlt

:

How

5.

obey, speak

a good thought, without power from

on high.

Say not

it is

against reason for

what they cannot doing

it.

For,

do,

first,

God

to require

men

and then eternally punish them

though

man

has

to

for

lost his ability to

do

not

obey,

CHE.IST

244

God

KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

lost his right to

has not

might shake

off the

own

himself through his Second, though

him an

man

command.

sin for the duties

him with a and can do what he

which

intolerable pride,

convince

to

And

man

man

cannot.

use to check this pride,

of his weakness.

Rev. 3:17.

Third,

therefore

it is

good

men

for

to

be urged by commands

which Christ comes

into the

by a supernatural power.

7.

This doctrine furnishes a powerful incentive to

within the sound of the gospel, especially to such as

some power accompanying the word

"He

without further delay.

him

hear."

2:7.

E.ev.

away

all

feel

to their hearts, dili-

gently to hearken to the voice of Christ,

let

in

can do more than he does towards his conversion.

to all the duties in the use of

soul

is

conceit

fills

what he has not, The command is therefore of great and

man

of obedience.

has not sufficient power, yet there

that he has

every

For then any

yoke of God's sovereignty by disabhng

and

obey his call

that hath an ear to hear,

It is

a dreadful and dangerous

him that speaks from him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him thing to turn

heaven

:

the ear from

" See that ye refuse not

that speaketh from heaven." refuse not.

The caution

Heb. 12

25.

:

See that ye

implies the matter to be very

weighty, and a neglect or refusal to be highly dangerous.

Turn not away your

be not guilty of neglect in

ear,

so

important a concern.

Truly this caution is

is

no more than

never more busy with the souls of

first

effectually calls

them

is

needful

for

;

men than when

to himself.

what a

Satan Christ

thick suc-

cession of discouragements impetuously assault the soul at this time

!

Art thou young

soon for thee to

mind the

?

then he insinuates that

serious things of religion

will extinguish all thy pleasure in a dull

;

it is

too

that this

melancholy

;

that

thou mayest have time enough hereafter to mind these mat-

HIS VOICE HEARD.

245

ters.

This temptation Augustine confesses kept him off

many

years from Christ.

enough

to

be

lost,

But

thou art old

certainly, if

thou art not too young

to receive Christ

and salvation. There are graves just of thy length, and young as well as old arc found in eternal perdition. Besides, all those godly youth who turned to the Lord betimes, as Josiah, Abijah, Timothy, and many more, will be your None ever judges, and condemn you in the great day. repented that they opened to Christ too soon

have repented that they kept him out

:

thousands

Art thou

so long.

old? then he alarms thee with the manifold sins of thy youth, and places

them

And whether young

as obstructions in thy

and persecutions of godliness, ening to the voice of Christ. for

way to

Christ.

or old, he will present the sufferings to discourage thee

But what

from heark-

are the sufferings

Christ here, to the sufferings from Christ hereafter

?

"What are the pains of mortification to the pains of damnation

Besides,

?

all

strength, comfort,

promises of Christ,

the

and

success, go

promises of

with the command of

Christ to believe, and shall surely be performed to the obedient soul.

But you

See, therefore, that thou refuse not his voice.

will say. All that hear this voice of Christ are

John 5

said to live.

whether

Alas, I feel soul.

trine

I

:

25.

Now

I

am much

this vital voice of Christ has

am

little, if

any thing, of the

dead and dark.

in the dark

sounded into

my

soul.

spiritual life in

my

Let us then improve the doc-

by way of trial.

By

Question.

ivliat

signs does the life of Christ

in the souls of men ? Answer. There are diverse signs of

show

itself

blessed

is the.

(1.)

itual

There

life.

many a

soul that finds

I

is

spiritual

life,

and

them.

a spiritual feeling accompanying the

spir-

speak not only of the sense of comfort, for

soul in Christ feels little of that

;

but there

is

a

KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

CHTvIST

216

sense and feeling of the burden of is

we can

well that

world that are past has spoken

to

feel

that

Isa. 6

feeling.

thy heart,

:

sorrow

if

Rom. 7

sin.

9,

And it

24.

It is a sign

10.

for sin

:

multitudes in the

for there are

;

Christ

begins to load

it.

(2.) Spiritual motions towards Christ are a sign of spirat least, that God is about that quickening work itual life ;

upon thy

of faith

soul

:

Every man therefore that hath

"

heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."

John 6

The

45.

:

efiectual voice of

motion towards Christ

;

desires are panting for him.

soul that hears fixed, there is

how it

is

it

God

sets the soul in

after him the The voice of God makes the As for others, their wills are

the will

restless.

is

moving

;

Now consider

John 5 40.

no moving them.

:

Art thou weighing and ponder-

with thee, reader.

ing the terms of the gospel, struggling through discourage-

ments and temptations terms, lifting

Song

spoken

1

This

4.

to

Christ upon his

for

power

is

A

will run after thee

spirit of

iJrayer

is

an evidence of

appeared in him as a sign of spiritual Behold, he prayeth

still-born children.

when thou it,

or no

spirit after

thy heart

Measure

I

life,

was

Acts 9:11.

thyself

by

the breath of

God has no

this rule

;

time was

is it

so still

?

God, since the time that his word came home to Surely thou canst remember

?

it is

when

it

was not

now.

There

is

a spiritual relish resulting from the

is

also

to

thy

in it

Is there not a holy restlessness of

ual hfe, which life

as

couldst say a prayer, and wast very well satisfied

with thee as (4.)

life,

as Christ

whether thou hadst any communion with God but

;

spiritual

As soon

effectually to Paul's heart, the first effect that

had spoken

with

?

a comfortable sign that Christ has

the effect of Christ's voice to thy soul.

prayer.

own

to believe, cry-

thy heart.

to

(3.)

:

come him

to

Draw me, we

ing with the spouse. Sol.

to

up thy heart

an evidence of it.

soul, there will

be in

it

If

spirit-

God has spoken

an agreeable pleasure and

HIS VOICE HEARD., deliglit in spiritual things

"

:

My

247

soul shall be satisfied as

Now thy

with marrow and fatness."

Psa. 63

can feed with pleasure upon

spiritual things

5.

:

thoughts

which they

dis-

liked before. (5.)

Spiritual aversions as well as spiritual in€li?iatio7is

indicate a spiritual

what

is

tive to spiritual

Every creature has an aversion

life.

destructive to life

Now

it.

as sin

;

there

is the deadly poison which Keep back thy servant also

that

the renewed soul dreads.

"

from presumptuous

Psa. 19

man who

of a precipice to sin,

sins."

finds himself :

"

:

13.

or the edge

pit,

Keep back thy servant."

comfortable signs that Christ has spoken

out as a

It cries

upon the brink of a

Such aversion

and trembling under temptations tending life

to

Heavenly tendencies and longings

(6.)

to

nothing so destruc-

is

to sin, are

thy

soul.

God

after

are

excellent signs that thy soul has heard his voice, and been

quickened with spiritual

life

by

it.

Sanctification

of water springing up into everlasting

If thou hast seen the beauty, felt the power,

When

still

:

14.

lost

its

Come

call.

unto

28, thy soul will continually echo the voice

"

And

of holy love

:

And

let

that heareth say,

w^ilt

say in reply, " Come, Lord Jesus."

him

:

be gravitating and inclining Christward.

thou hast once heard the effectual

me, Matt. 11

a well

and heard the

which has

voice of Christ, thy soul, like a body centre, will

is

John 4

life.

the Spirit and the bride say. Come.

Come."

Rev. 22

:

17.

Rev. 22

:

Thou 20,

A

sweeter sign of hearing Christ's voice can hardly be fomid in a soul, than a longing to be with Christ in the state of perfect freedom

blessed Jesus.

from

sin,

and

full fruition

of the beloved and

CHE.IST

248

KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

CHAPTER

IX.

THE OPENING OE THE HEART TO CHRIST BY EAITH THE GREAT DESIGN OF THE GOSPEL. ANY

"IF

HEAR MY VOICE AND OPEN THE DOOR,

RLA.N

COME

The

IN TO HIM."

powerful voice of Christ

is

main design

The

WILL

of the heart

in all the external

and the Holy

and

Spirit.

One is, to open the show them the everlasting grace and peace which were hid in God from two great

gospel has

God

counsels of

to

men, and

ages and generations past

God has been

designs.

to

that

;

men may now

all

see

what

designing and contriving for their happiness in

Christ before the world is

1

20.

the key that opens the

internal administrations of the gospel

heart of

:

The opening

door of the soul to receive him. to receive Christ is the

Rev. 3

was

:

"

To make

all

men

see

what

the fellowship of the mystery which from the begimiing

who created all things by now unto the principalities places might be known by the

of the world hath been hid in God,

Jesus Christ

and powers

to the intent that

;

in

heavenly

church the manifold wisdom of God."

The

other intention of the gospel

men

to receive

God

for us,

would

standing,

Christ's

of which

Ephes. 3:9, 10.

open the hearts of

Jesus Christ, without which

discoveries of the eternal counsels

of

to

is,

all

the glorious

and gracious contrivances

signify nothing to our real advantage.

knocking, and speaking by his Spirit,

we have

before

treated,

receive

their

success,

and attain their end, when the heart opens itself by faith Hence we see our ninth to receive him, and not till then. doctrine

is,

The opening of

the heart to receive Christ by faith, is

the great desig7i of the gospel.

This

is

the

mark

quiver are levelled

to

which

—the

all

the arrows in the gospel-

centre into

which those blessed

:

THE HEART OPENED BY FAITH. drawn.

lines arc

that Jesus ing,

"

is

249

These are written that ye might believe

God

the Christ, the Son of

ye might have

;

and that

through his name."

life

believ-

John 20

:

31.

All the precious truths that are written in the Scriptures

The

are to bring you to faith.

thing 6

:

"

:

29.

This It is

is

work

the

is

fixed in his

workmgs upon

of his work.

Great persons have great designs.

This

the glorious

is

project of the great God, and each person in the

without

it

John

not only a work worthy of such an author,

—the end and aim

engaged in

the same

is

of God, that ye beheve."

but that on which God's eye us

great design of the Spirit in

and humiliations

his illumuiations, convictions,

The

1.

it.

Father's hand

is

Godhead

in this

is

work, and

no heart could ever open or move towards Christ

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him." John 6 44. None but he that "

:

raised

up Christ from the dead, can

saving faith ui him.

raise

Son's hand

up a dead heart is

in this

work

know

to

he

We

God is come, and hath given us an we may know him that is true and we

that the Son of

understanding, that are in

;

"

not only the object, but the author of our faith.

is

is

The

2.

him that

is

;

even in his Son Jesus Christ.

true,

the true God, and eternal

1

life."

John, 5

:

20.

This 3.

And

then the Holy Spirit comes from heaven expressly to con-

vmce them.

sinners of their need of Christ,

John 16:

9.

and beget

faith in

So that this appears to be the great

design of heaven, the drift and level both of the word and

works of God.

Touching

this design of the gospel I shall

here speak, endeavoring to illustrate this great and glorious project of heaven in

its

greatness

and instrument employed I.

in

it

Of the GREATNESS of

;

;

and

tliis

its difficulty

design of God.

understand what a marvellous thing

when by

the heart of a sinner

faith.

It

is

;

the Agent

scope and aim.

its

is

brought

"We

And, little

done on the earth to close

with Christ

would transport us with admiration, did we

CHEIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

250

thoroufrhly consider

the

mystery of godliness fied in the Spirit,

the apostle place

God was

:

in a cradle

manifest in the

Tim. 3

1

what works of wonder faith astonishing work of God, that in the flesh

" Great

:

in

it

is

the

flesh, justi-

seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles,

believed on in the world."

is

here

ever

the stone sealed upon

an

It is

should be manifested

God

blessed for ever,

It is astonishing, that

down dead from

from the dead by his

Observe with

16.

in the clouds should cry

all,

is

:

associated.

God

—that he who thunders —that he who over

should become a man.

taken

may

"Well

it.

rank of the wonderful works of God

first

when he was

the cross, laid in the sepulchre, and it,

own

he should power.

on the third day

rise

That the gospel should

be preached to such miserable people as the Gentiles were,

And no

the scorn and contempt of the Jews. lous

is

it,

to see the hearts of

w^ere glued fast to idolatry and dead in sin,

upon such self-denying terms

less

marvel-

such poor creatures, which

open

to Christ

as to let go all they

had

in

the world for a blessed inheritance which they never saw.

Were

not this a marvellous work

would not be such joy and triumph holy angels, as there to Christ.

with

it.

the will

is

all

the angels of

in every city throughout the

when

prince

this design appears

upon

is

kingdom

Christ hath gotten a

soul of any sinner

Lord

heaven among the

indeed,

there

on the opening of every sinner's heart

As when a young

heaven,

God

in

Luke 15:7, The whole city of God is moved Heaven rings with the joyful tidings. As soon as begins to bow and open to Christ, the news is

quickly in heaven, and tidings.

of

earth.

;

God born,

rejoice at the

there

is

joy

so also there is in

new

habitation in the

Moreover, the greatness of

from the great rewards promised by the

who in the least degree helps God would never reward the instruments so richly,

to every servant of his

it

on.

if

the success of the work were not of great value in his

eyes.

The

ministers of Christ

may

be ill-rewarded by men,

a

THE HEART OPENED BY FAITH. persecuted and reproached for their labor, but "

bountifully repay their pains and faithfulness.

251

God

be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament they that turn

many

will

They that ;

and

to righteousness, as the stars for ever

and ever." Dan. 12:3. All these things show it to be a great and important design, upon which the heart of God is

much

set.

As

II.

God, so

it

it is

work whose is

is

an exceeding great and important work of

a very hard and difficult difficulties

certainly a

work

surmount the

carried on by the mighty

through the greatest opposition that

it is

work

in itself

ability of angels.

It

power of God,

and therefore

;

—

the peculiar prerogative of Jesus Christ,

is

said

who

only

it

hath the key of the house of David, to open the heart of a He v. 3:7. Men think it is an easy thing sinner by faith. but if you consult the Scriptures, you will to believe ;

qui'ckly be informed this

The

work.

Christ,

how

you mistake the nature of is said to be risen with

greatly

believing soul

through the faith of the operation of God,

who

him from the dead. Cor. 2 12. In the resurrection there was a glorious operation of the power of Christ of God indeed you know it astonished the world to hear of it. The very same power that wrought that, must also be put So forth to work this, or it would never be wrought. and that not again, " By grace are ye saved, through faith Eph. 2:8. Not of of yourselves it is the gift of God." yourselves you are no more able to come to Christ by faith, in your own power, than Lazarus was able to unbind

raised

:

I

:

;

:

himself in the grave, and come forth. the work of believing

is

ness of the power of God.

power of God can do yea, of angels. this

it

:

Yea, in Eph. 1:19,

ascribed unto the exceeding great-

it

No

other but the

almighty

exceeds the power of ministers,

Three things will evince the

difficulty of

work. 1.

The

fiature of the

work

of faith,

which

is

wholly

CHRIST KNOCKIKa AT THE DOOH.

252

supernatural.

no

It is

than gaining over the hearty and

less

consent of the will to take Jesus Christ with his yoke

full

of obedience, Matt.

1 1

29,

:

And how

Matt. 16:24.

and with

his cross of sufierings,

who can

dangers, losses, and sufferings,

and

tell ?

upon the account of an unseen liappiness and

man

a

far these will carry

into this

Lusts

glory.

and corruptions must be mortified, pleasures and the world abandoned

all

profits in

reproaches, losses, pains, and all that

;

the devil and the world can lay upon us for Christ's sake, must be embraced and welcomed. And can it be supposed that any power beneath the almighty power of the Lord, any voice except the efficacious voice of Christ, can prevail

with the will cult

to give its firm, explicit consent to

and self-denying terms 2.

as these

Consider the subject wrought upon

nate heart of a perverse sinner ture than the nether mill-stone.

—a

the hard, obsti-

:

as easy to melt the

It is

as

;

make a man

to

melt the

to

it is

heart of a sinner into penitential sorrows for life

diffi.-

heart harder by na-

most obdurate rock into a sweet syrup, bring a dead heart to

such

?

What,

sin.

bitterly

to

bewail

the sins that were his delight, more than he ever bewailed the death of his dearest relation in the world

proud heart renounce dotes upon,

and take

account of sin

:

this

own

its

;

to

self-righteousness,

make a

which

it

shame and reproach to itself upon wonderful. You would think it a

all is

strange thing to see the course of the tide stopped with the

breath of a

man

;

but

what a marvellous thing

is

here,

that at the preaching of the gospel by a poor worm, the

Lord should turn

tlie

tide

ol"

the will, and thus bring the

soul to a ready compliance with his most self-denying terms

and proposals 3.

!

That which further

increases the difficulty of believ-

made by tlte enemies of faith. All the powers of hell and earth without us are in league ing

is

the fierce o'pposition

with the corruptions within

us, to resist

and hinder

this

work

:;

THE HEART OPENED BY FAITH. Never

of believing.

253

couragements, objections, and the

way

of faith

another while

I

one while

it is

when

the devil more busy than

is

Christ and the soul are treating about union. difficulties it is

impossible,

the

dis-

that are rolled into

the highest presumption

and utterly

too late

;

some-

:

times blasphemous injections, like fiery darts, are shot into the soul

at other times the invincible difficulties of religion

;

are objected, and losses and torments are opposed to this

The tempter

work

presents himself in a thousand shapes

to hinder the soul's passing out of

times objecting the greatness of

nature to Christ

sin,

some-

;

and sometimes the

loss

of the proper season and opportunity of mercy, together with

the want of due qualifications to come to Christ.

and many other ways, he endeavors

Thus,

to prevent sinners

from

taking hold of Christ: and as every devil in hell opposes this work, so every carnal interest

an enemy

We

to faith.

we have

in the world

have enemies enough within

is

us, as

well as without us, conspiring together to obstruct this work all things increase the difficulty of believing.

We

III.

Agent and

are next to speak of the

ment employed m this great 1 The Agent by whose .

the Spirit of God, without

should ever prosper

efficacy the heart

whom

neither

:

it is

man for the may rejoice in

soul,

he

the Jews, "

is

opened

is

impossible the design

ordinances, providences, or

ministers can be successful without him.

use of any

instru-

design.

If the

Lord make

conversion and salvation of another's it

;

but withal must say, as Peter to

Why

look ye so earnestly on us, as though by power or holiness we had made this man to walk ?"

own 3:12 So may when God blesses his

the ablest minister in the world say,

Look not upon me,

though by the strength of

our

Acts

as

my

labors to the conversion of any soul,

my

reason,

had opened thy soul to Christ this is the work of God's Spirit, in whose hand I am an He that plants is nothing, and he instrument. 1 Cor. 3:7. or the

power of

gifts, I

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

254

that waters

—nothing

nothing

is

stroke of conviction,

of conversion,

which

is

in himself; the very first

justly ascribed to the Spirit.

is

work John 16:9.

introductive to the whole

The Spirit wlTCn he cometh shall convince the world of sin. He is the Lord of all sanctifying and gracious influences. Ordinances are but as the

seamen

weighed, the

no

manage

that

sailing

sails

We

a wind come.

may

anchor

the

;

but when

sails spread,

till

a ship, ministers as the

sails of

those

all this is done,

there

be is

preach and pray, and you

but there is no motion Christward, until the Spirit of God, compared to the wind, John 3:8, blow upon them.

hear

;

Until he illuminates the understanding with divine light,

and bows the will by an almighty power, there can be no spiritual motion heavenward. Now the Spirit of the Lord

a free agent, not tied to means, times, or instru-

is

ments

but, as at a certain time

;

an angel came down upon

the waters of Bethesda, and put a healing virtue into them, so

it

is

here

therefore never

:

without an eye

and

come

to the Spirit,

efficacy depend.

upon the means,

lift

as ever

on

to

any gospel ordinance

whom

all

up your hearts

the blessings

for his blessing

you expect saving benefits

ii'om

them. 2.

The instrument by which

accomplished in the world,

then

is

who

Paul, and

believed ?"

1

Cor.

is

is

design

This

is

is

Who ministers by whom ye

Apollos, but

3:5.

blessed

this

the gosi^el ministry.

"

the ordinary method of

and though God has not bound himself to this or that minister, time, or place, he has bound us to a diligent and constant attendance upon the means of grace producing faith

;

:

"How

then shall they

believed

?

call

on him in

and how shall they believe

have not heard preacher?"

?

and how

Rom. 10:14. weak and

unlikely means, a

human wisdom

;

yet by the

shall I

whom in

him

of

whom

they

they hear without a

confess,

foolish

they have not

it

seems a very

method, according to

foolishness

of preaching,

it

THE HEART OPENED BY FAITH.

255

God to save them that believe. 1 Cor. 1 21. That which the wisdom of men derides, God makes eflectual unpleases

:

And how many are there that will have God to all eternity, for gifting and sending among them, whose doctrine the Lord blessed to

to salvation.

cause to bless ministers

the conversion of their souls.

Consider the great design for which these instru-

IV.

ments are employed

there are no great designs in the world

;

Now

but aim at some end to be accomplished by them.

two things

there are

The

1.

in this design

of

are

worthy of it.

exaltation of divine grace and the riches of

his goodness before angels

name

which

God

is

never

made

men

and

The

to all eternity.

so glorious in this world, as

by bringing the hearts of men

to believe.

God

it is

reaps more

glory from the faith of a sinner that comes to Christ

empty and weary, than from all other works of his hands. He has not like glory from the sun, moon, and stars as from creatures wdiose hearts open to Jesus Christ under the gospel

Thus they

call.

are fitted to manifest the glory of his grace.

Eph. 1:5, 6. God will have his rich and glorious grace praised and admired by angels and men for evermore and ;

every converted soul of

liis

is

a

monument

Heaven will ring with praises God would humble himself to come

into the heart

walk therem,

as the expres-

grace.

the great

of a vile sinner, and dwell and sion

is,

lofty

erected unto the praise

2 Cor. 6:16.

One,

who

This

is

for ever, that

admirable, that the high and

inhabits eternity, will take

up

liis

dw^elling-

place in a poor contrite simier, that trembles at his w^ord. Isa.

57 2.

opened

:

15.

The

eternal salvation and blessedness of the soul so

to Christ, is also the design of this

work

of opening

"When the soul of Zaccheus was opened by faith, Christ said, " This day is salvation come to this house."

the heart.

Luke 19

:

9.

You do

not only believe to the glory of God,

but to the salvation of your

own

soul.

Heb. 10

:

39.

The

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

256

opening of our hearts to Christ now, of heaven to us hereafter

;

is

" It pleased

and the intention of the worker. foohshness of preaching to save

1:21.

It at

in order to the opening

both the end of the work

this is

God by

them that beUeve."

the Cor.

1

once puts them into a state of salvation, though

There

they be not yet actually and completely saved.

is

a necessary connection between conversion and salvation.

Though between

may

many

be

conversion and complete salvation there

groaning hours and sad days and nights, yet

deliverance from sin and misery

full

work

in the Col.

1

:

is

secured to the soul

is

the hope of glory.

27.

Thus you plished

Christ in you

of faith.

see this great design projected

and that

;

and accom-

and intention

this is the very scope, aim,

of the whole gospel, even the opening the hearts of sinners

mito Christ by

faith, will evidently

several parts of the gospel wliich

sent forth to

To

(1.)

make

it

this the

commands

of the gospel look;

commandment, that we should

stituted a duty

1

if rightly

John, 3

:

by a plain gospel precept

;

It is

(2.)

a

This also

and

is

And

a very is

What, such a

con-

vile

in Christ

command from the highest Sovereign, tempt of which men shall answer at their peril. 'promises

lies

"

for this cuts off

wretch as thou, saith Satan, presume to believe is

it

believe on the

23.

considered, that faith

the pretence and plea of presumption.

But here

is

efiectual to this very purpose.

of his Son Jesus Christ.

great encouragement,

upon

Avho

Spirit,

the eye of the preceptive part of the gospel.

this is his

name

direct aspect

and the declared intention of the

this design,

full in

appear by considering the

have a

?

the con-

the declared intention of the gospel

threatenings, whereby the souls of sinners are

assaulted on both sides.

As

for 'promises,

how

are all the

them as the firmaAmong which that in the text

sacred pages of the Bible adorned with

ment with seems

radiant stars.

to excel in glory.

" If

any

mnu

open to me,

I

will

;:

THE HEART OPENED BY FAITH. come

in

him."

to

bread of Hfe

:

Like unto which

he that cometh

and he that believeth on

cometh

Such

to

me

me

to

me

shall never thirst

rich encouragements to faith

him

;

the

hmiger

shall never

John 6

no wise cast out."

I will in

am

"I

this:

is

257

:

that

35, 37.

had never been put

the promises, but for faith's sake.

And

then

for

into

gospel

threatenings, though they have a dreadful sound, yet they have a gracious design. What a terrible thunder-clap isthis:

"He

that believeth not the Son, shall not see

God

but the wrath of

John 3

abideth on him."

:

life;

To

36.

which another threatening echoes with a like terrible voice "He that believeth not, shall be damned." Mark 16 16. There are dreadful things, you see, threatened in the gospel :

against unbelievers

but what

;

enings, but to rouse

men by

and guide them

security,

is

the design of those threat-

and Thus both the prom-

fear out of their imbelief

to Christ

?

and the threatenings, though of far different natures, meet in the selfsame design, even to open the heart to Christ by faith.

ises

conspire and

(3.)

For the sake of

and officers

this design, all gospel ordinances

are instituted and continued in the world to this

Why did Christ at his triumphant ascension shed forth such a variety of gifts upon men, but that God might dwell

day.

among them

?

"

captivity captive

Thou

:

hast ascended on high, thou hast led

thou hast received

the rebellious also, that the Lord

gifts for

men

;

yea, for

God might dwell among

in liim.

Psalm 68 18. The whole frame of gospel ordiset up to bring men to Christ, and build them up Eph. 4:12.

(4,)

All the scripture records of converted sinners, whose

them."

:

nances

hearts

is

God hath

in

any age opened, were made

to

encourage

other souls by their example to believe in or open unto Christ as they did. version of Paul

For

was

this cause I obtained

this purpose the

memorable con-

graciously recorded.

" Howbeit, for

mercy, that in

me

first

Jesus Christ

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

258

might show

1

Tim.

made

1

fast

him

to

yet the Spirit of the Lord opened

;

became

do ?"

his will

come

other sinners to

:

" Lord,

what

wilt thou have

to Christ as

me

he did; and therefore

see other sinners receiving Christ,

continue unbelieving, the examples which

and themselves

God has

set before

eyes are a dreadful aggravation of their unbelief

their

" John

came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye him not but the pubHcans and the harlots believed

believed

:

and

;

ye,

when

ye had seen

that ye might beheve him."

saw

repented not afterwards,

it,

Matt. 21

publicans, reputed the worst of

:

32.

men, and

Though you harlots, the

worst of women, convinced, humbled, and brought to these sights affected not your souls reflection as this

from the wrath as these

?

ery, that

and

this

how

it.

This gives great encouragement to

Acts 9:6.

when men

him

and

bolted

with stronger prejudices against Christ than

man's was flexible

to life everlasting."

Never was any man's heart

16.

:

them

forth all long-sufTering, for a pattern to

that should hereafter believe on

Will

I as

much

need

to flee

my soul, aggravation of my mis-

come, and seek the salvation of

to

not be a dreadful

it

such as these should obtain Christ and heaven,

be shut out

I

Lord, have not

:

faith,

you never had one such

;

?

The opening

is the very end upon whose concurrence and blessing the success of all ordinances depends upon this design he is sent expressly from heaven to open the under-

(5.)

and errand of

of the heart to Christ

the Spirit of God,

;

standing and consciences of sinners by conviction.

16

:

9.

duce

For

it is

this eflect

John

not in the power of the word alone to pro-

;

thousands of excellent sermons

may be

preached, and not one heart opened by conviction.

What remains Inference

1.

is

the application of this doctrine.

If the

opening of the heart to Christ be

the direct intention of the gospel, hoiv are they deceived ivho

are satisfied

ifi

the attainment of some lesser end, while the

THE HEART OPENED BY FAITH.

259

of the ivill to Christ is not at all effectThere are some collateral eflects, as I may

effectual iicrmiauon

ed in them.

them, which the gospel has upon men.

call

a considerate false

man

to see

how

deceit,

It

would

would pain

them.selves with a still

remain such

fain undeceive

the power of

self-

which their eternal salvation There are two things which are apt to deceive

and that

concerned.

I

who bow down under

mistaken souls

men

fill

happiness in these lesser things, while they

in the state of unregeneracy.

is

sinners

in a point in

in this matter

these are, partial convictions on the

;

understanding, and transient motions on the affections. these things multitudes deceive themselves, as

design of the gospel were accomplished upon Partial convictions of the

(1.)

knowledge breaking

judgment

:

this

into the

them

understanding

In

the whole therein.

—

light

and

mind, producing orthodoxy of

seems to some the effectual opening of the

understanding to Christ, though

saw

if

sin in its vileness,

much

alas, to this

less their

own

Christ in his suitableness and necessity.

day they never ;

nor

who

live

special sin

People

under the gospel can hardly avoid the improvement of their understandings by the light that shines upon thein

;

know-

ledge grows, their faculties expand, and they can talk well religion and ably defend it. Perhaps they can even pray with commendable variety and largeness of expression

on

:

these things gain applause from men, and excite confidence in themselves, while

no saving influences are shed down to

quicken, change, and spiritualize the heart. (2.) There are transient motions and touches of the gospel upon the affections, which give some men melting pangs and moods now and then under the word, though it never

settles into

temper is

;

a spiritual frame, an habitual heavenliness of

of such the apostle speaks, Heb.

the more dangerous, because they

attained all that vation.

.6

:

5.

now seem

And to

this

have

is

essential to religion, or necessary to sal-

For when

to the light of their understandings there

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

260

man

are added melting affections, a

seems to himself com-

and

plete in all that the gospel requires to the being

consti-

tution of a Christian, as a great divine, Mr. Burgess, speaks.

Thus men

are apt to reason

had only

If I

:

mind, and never found any meltings of

might justly suspect myself to be a hypocrite

when my

times

seem

may

to feel the

as well as gospel.

my

And

affections,

may

vanisheth

understanding, yet these things

away

;

as

John 5

plain in John's hearers,

is

:

14,

15.

upon the

temper, the

affections settled to

man

is

35,

mo-

a heavenly habit and

but where he was before as to the real

Were thy understanding so convinced

condition of his soul.

of the evil nature and dreadful consequences of

and will thereupon

affections

:

For except the

convictions of the understanding are effectual, and the tions

;

be but a morning dew, or an early cloud that

Paul's hearers. Gal. 4

in

I

but there are

;

be where the heart never effectually opens to Christ

all this

and

affections,

power of the

my

light in

my

so effectually

sin,

and thy

determined to

embrace the Lord Jesus, upon a considerate and thorough examination of his terms propounded in the gospel, then

thou mightest conclude the great design of plished

upon thy

soul

;

transient affections without this,

thy

own

soul.

was accom-

it

but to rest in general convictions and is

mock and deceive home to the main end

but to

Alas, this comes not

of the gospel. 2.

Learn from hence

the jn'odigious stubbornness

Jiardness of the hearts of

which

still resist it.

yet

design of

it.

all its

and examples bear

upon the hearts of sinners

how few

and

living under the gospel,

You have heard how

promises, threatenings, jointly

men

to

commands, and

directly

open the will

to Christ

comparatively obey and answer this great All these are like heaven's great artillery

planted against the unbelief and stubbornness of men, to batter

down

their carnal reasonings, overthrow their vain

hopes, and open a fair passage for Christ into their souls.

THE HEART OPENED BY FAITH.

261

" For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty

through God to the pulHng down of strongholds

down

;

casting

imaginations, and every thing that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity

every thought to the obedience of Christ."

mound

If a

and

made and

its

place,

ed,

God

2 Cor. 10

many cannon

are played against the wall of a

all

shots

be raised, and

hath, as I

may

mound

say, raised a

planted the great ordnance of heaven upon

many

moved

a strong wall indeed.

is

dreadful volleys of threatenings

;

4, 5.

thousands of

fort,

yet no breach, not one stone

you will say that

:

planted thereon,

out of

Belov-

in the gospel,

discharged

it,

nay, he hath, as

it

were, come under the walls of the unbelieving soul with

terms of mercy, and yet there "

obstinacy.

danced

We

we have mourned

;

lamented."

no opening.

is

prodigious

have piped unto you, and ye have not

Matt. 11

:

unto you, and ye have not

Neither the sweet

17.

airs of gos-

pel grace, nor the dreadful thunders of the law,

what an obdurate rock

impression upon you.

by nature.

Certainly, every Christian

and find enough

others,

in himself,

books, to confute the doctrine

nature of man.

It is as

your finger upon a wall of the world, in

upon a 3.

of

its

own

and

extols

make an

flatters the

impression with

brass, as for the best

strength, to

the heart

enough in

see

without the help of other

which

easy to

may

make any

is

make a

sermon in

saving impression

sinner's will. Is

men

it

the great design of the gospel to open the hearts

Then wonder not that it meets toith ? and fierce opposition from Satan, ivherever it and poiverfidly preached. As for general and

to Christ

such strong is sincerely

formal preaching, which comes not to the quick, Satan not so

much

concerned about

no great damage of men.

;

nay,

it

it

;

he knows

it

will do

is

him

secures his interests in the souls

But wherever the gospel comes with power,

ing the axe to the root, showing

men

lay-

the vanity of their

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

262

ungrounded hopes, pressing the necessity of regeneration and faith, this preaching quickly gives alarm to hell, and raises all

manner

of opposition against

it.

"

What

is it

to

preach

the gospel," saith Luther, "but to drive the rage and fury of the whole world upon us?"

men by

world, all

Satan

the god of this

is

nature are his subjects

no prince

:

jealous of the revolt of his subjects than he for

him

him, as

comes

to bestir himself, w^hen the gospel

does in the faithful preaching of

it

judgment

of this world

now

;

and

;

"

it.

more

is

it is

time

to dethrone

Now is the

shall the prince of this

world

John 12:31. Now he falls as lightning from heaven. Luke 10:18. Now sinners are made sensible of the cruel tyranny and bondage of Satan's government, and of the glorious liberty offered to them by Jesus Christ. be cast out."

Satan suspecting the issue of these things,

what showers

purpose.

on Christ's faithful ambassadors.

does he pour

secution

bestirs himself to

of calumnies and storms of per-

Certainly he owes Christ's ministers a spite, and they shall

know and

feel

it,

But

his chain.

glorious design

;

if

ever he get

let this

the Lord

them within

the compass of

discourage none employed in this is

with them

to protect their per-

sons and reward their diligence. 4. If

the opening of the heart be the main design of the

gospel, Christ

and faith ought

that ministers should insist on

many

to he the

among

p'incipal subjects

their

'peoi:ile.

There

which ought to be opened and pressed in their time and place. Moral duties have their excellencies, but Christ and faith are the great things we are to preach. Let men be once brought to Christ, and are

other useful doctrines

the rest will follow will never

;

but

make men

morality. Tit. 2:11, 12

no man.

It

to

begin and end with morality,

gospel Christians. ;

has been a grand

artifice of

found grace with morality, and nothing more

is

Grace teaches

but moraUty without grace saves the devil to con-

make men

believe that

required for men's salvation, than a

civil,

THE HEART OPENED BY FAITH.

263

sober conversation in the world, and so lay aside the princi-

pal part of the gospel, which opens and presses the necessity of regeneration, repentance, and faith in the hlood of Christ.

Such preaching

as this answers not the design of Christ in

the conversion of souls consciences of

men

such preaching disturbs not the

;

the Lord help all his ambassadors to

:

mind the example and charge

of their Redeemer, and laying

aside all carnal interest, to apply themselves faithfully unto

the souls and consciences of their hearers, not as men-pleas-

but as the servants of Christ.

ers,

Gal.

In the next place, this doctrine

5.

convince

men

:

10.

of excellent use to

of the damning nature of the sin of unbe-

— a sin which frustrates

lief

the

main design

of Christ on the unbehever's soul.

This

keeps the heart fast shut against him. ical grace, so unbelief is

gate,

1

is

the radical

As

sin.

The

the sin that

faith

It is

through which those souls pass that are

ever.

of the gospel

is

is

the rad-

the traitor's to perish for

gospel can do you no good, the blood of Christ

can jdeld no saving benefit, while your souls remain under the dominion of this

When we consider the mighty we may wonder that all who hear

sin.

arguments of the gospel,

them

are not immediately persuaded to

And on

the other

hand,

when we

Christ by them.

the mighty power of unbelief, how strongly it holds the soul in bondage to sin, we may wonder that any soul is brought over to Christ even by the gospel. It was not without cause that consider

among the great mysteries The intrinsic evil and fearful

the apostle puts faith in Christ of the gospel.

1

Tim. 3

:

16.

consequences of this sin of unbelief will appear in these three particulars.

It fixes the guilt of all other sins on the 'person of " For if it binds them all fast on his soul

(1.)

the unbeliever;

ye believe not that

:

I

am

he, ye shall die in your

sins."

John 8 24. It were better for thee to die any other death. What more terrible can God threaten, or man feel ? This :

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

264 is

the sin that makes the death of Christ of none effect to Gal. 5

us.

There

4.

:

benefit of

As

sin.

while

it

it

was

indeed a sovereign virtue in the

is

blood of Christ to pardon

sin,

but thy soul cannot have the

remains under the dominion of this

it

said of the inhabitants of

He

"

treatment of Christ,

Nazareth

there, because of their unbelief," Matt. 13 spiritual works,

his

until the

them that heard

:

58

so

;

none of

no ordinances can do thy soul good,

Lord break the power of

preached did not

in their

many mighty works

not

did

Heb. 4:2.

it."

"

this sin.

The word

them, not being mixed with faith in

profit

If a

man were

danger-

wounded, the best medicines could never

ously sick, or

recover him, unless received and ajiplied.

Unbelief pours

the most sovereign cordials of the gospel as water upon the

The

ground.

greatest sins ever committed

doned, did not this sin the rest were gone too also

in the

lie

way; were

is the

Of

all

most

the sins that are upon the souls of men, this

difficult to be

removed.

conviction, but this has the

tenance

it.

Men commit

Other sins

this sin out of

a fear of

presume

wherein Satan

trusts.

Take an

swearer, and you have an open :

way

own

defence

;

sin.

is

They

strength of

the strongest

adulterer, or a profane to convince

show him the command he has

nothing to say in his

it

to coun-

they dare not

The

believe, because they are not qualified.

other sins meets in this sin of unbelief:

;

open to

lie

most specious pretences

will not believe, lest they should

sin

this gone, all

but while unbelief remains, they

:

remain upon thee. (2.)

fort

might be par-

violated,

him

of his

and he has

but the unbeliever has

a thousand plausible defences. (3.)

This

is

the great

damning

sin of the ivorld.

"for the wages

All

other sins deserve

damnation,

death," but this

the sin in consequence of wliich other

sins

damn and

John 3:19.

is

ruin the soul.

And

it is

"

This

is

of sin

is

the condemnation."

a sin which damns with aggravated

THE HEART OPENED BY FAITH. 2 Thess. 1:8.

ruin.

ble at this dreadful

then, let us

mourn over and trem-

which opposes and

sin,

265

so often frustrates

the great design of the whole gospel.

then be persuaded heartily

?

and

orditmnces,

ChHst

to receive

to

cmnply with

to

of the Father, Son, and Spirit, minisprovidences, in opening your hearts

this great design ters,

men

the main scope of the gospel to bring

Is it

6.

Christ by faith

day hy faith unfeigned.

this

that I

could suitably press this great point, which

falls in so directly

with the main scope of the whole gospel

and

I

am

pressing

Lord, give

my

it,

me

you would

lift

whatever

faith,

:

else

a general assent

to

Christ

is

come

I

heaven,

to

thou deniest

heart to Christ under the gospel calls.

you

that while

up a hearty cry

me

;

open

not only press

the truths of the gospel, that

to

and

in the flesh

laid

down his life for sinhim upon gospel

ners, but to a hearty consent to receive

terms

and

—

to close

him by

ousness and to as this

with him in

is

(1.)

above

This

The

hohness.

the grace which

faith,

m

are

all

2 Pet. 1:1;

the Scriptures.

gifts of

has given

of the comforts of this

God 6

:

:

" This

29.

is

So are

It

destitute of

is

providence have been to him.

whom God

to

all

its is

dignified

faith,

called precious

2:5.

he

is

truly rich

calls the

work of John

the work of God, that ye believe." all

other things that your eyes behold the

the earth, the sea, the sun, the moon, and

works of God

;

stars, are his

handiwork.

True, but this

is

the work, the

most glorious and admirable work of God, excelUng other works.

That

whatever the

whatever he has denied him This Christ

life.

it,

And

and

fellow-graces.

soul-enriching faith, Jas.

a poor soul indeed that

is

for right-

value of such a faith

God has

crowned with glory and honor above Its praises

upon him

For,

all estimation.

is

subjecting heart

all his offices,

to his authority, living entirely

life

all his

And,

(2.)

That wliich

riirist

Knocking.

exalts

not only above all the works

it

1

2

CHRIST

266

KNOCKma

AT THE

of God's hands, but even above of his Spirit,

is

the high

office to

work

fellow-graces the

its

which

God has

justification of a sinner.

DOOE,.

appointed in the

it is

singled out this from all

the other graces, to be the instrument of receiving and applying the righteousness of Christ for the justification of a

You are never

guilty soul.

or desire, but by

said to be justified by love, hope,

E,om. 5:1.

faith.

It is true, all other

graces are supposed in the person justified

but none appre-

;

hends and applies the righteousness of Christ tion,

And

but this only.

receiving act, the glory of fore

of faith, that

it is

The

(3.)

to you,

is

it

for justifica-

the justifying act of faith being a

God

is

therein secured

grace of faith which I

:

" There-

Rom. 4:16.

might be by grace."

am now recommending

not only the instrument of your justification, but

the bond of your union with Christ

uniting grace

;

it

is

that

:

"

That Christ may

Eph. 3

dwell in your hearts by faith."

which gives

:

17.

interest in

It

is

and

the title

and benefits of Christ the great thing upon which the eyes of all awakened sinners are intently and Whatever views you have of an interest solicitously fixed. in Christ, and whatever his benefits are worth in your eyes,

to the person

;

neither himself nor they can ever be obtained without faith. brethren, there

a day coming

is

when

they that

now

neglect this concern of their souls, would gladly part with

ten thousand worlds for the friendship of Christ, could

purchased therewith

;

but

it

is

faith that

entitles

it

be

you

to

Christ and to his benefits. (4.)

faith to

That which should yet more endear this grace of is, that it is the haiid which receives your par-

you

don from the hand of Christ, the messenger that brings pardon to a trembling are justified from justified

sinner.

all things,

"

By him

all

that believe

from which they could not be

They are by the law of Moses." Acts 13 39, all those sins from which the law could never :

cleared from

clear them, nor

any repentance,

restitution, or obedience of

— THE HEART OPENED BY FAITH. their

own without

faith,

and what joyfu] tidings does

you have if

what a welcome messenger

faith.

some

lain, as

bring

wrath of God.

This

than expressed. Faith

32

:

thou

not only the messenger that brings you a par-

is

it is,

as I

" Beautiful

how welcome

;

be admired

1.

may

say, the

that publishes peace to the sinner. art

heavenly herald

iJcace,

how

upon the mountains are the

It is faith that brings this blessed

without which

soul,

us can administer but

all

of

feet

sinner

I

him that

Isa.

52

news and publishes

:

it

7.

in

the publishers of peace without

little

support.

brings the soul out of the storms with "

sweet a

condemned

to a poor

bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace."

the

is

so if

under the apprehensions of the

fruit of faith is rather to

Psa.

don from heaven, but

word

you will say

I

sinners have, with a cold hor-

ror on your panting bosoms,

(5.)

it

the efficacy of the law upon your conscience

felt

you have

267

Rom. 5:1. Faith it was tossed,

which

We

which have believed do enter into harbor welcome to weatherbeaten seamen, after they have passed furious storms and many fears on the raging sea ? hov/ welcome then must

into a sweet rest

:

Heb. 4:3.

rest."

Is the quiet

peace be to the soul that hath been tossed on the tempestuous

ocean of

its

own

fortable sight to

blown up and incensed by the terrilaw and of conscience. It was a com-

fears,

ble blasts of the

Noah and

his family, to see

the mouth of the dove, by which they

were abated.

But what

is

it

to

an olive-leaf in

knew

the waters

hear such a voice as this

faith: "Fury is not in me, saith the turned away, and he comforteth thee ?"

from the mouth of Lord

his anger

;

12

Isa.

(6.)

to

it

:

1.

is

Fear not thou, the God of peace

thy God.

a door of access into the gracious presence of God;

without

it

there

is

no coming

to

him acceptably

Cometh unto God must believe." Heb. 11:6. to

is

Faith not only brings the soul into a calm, but opens

God

is

:

"

He

that

This access

indeed the purchase of the blood of Christ

;

but

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

268 faith

the grace that brings the soul actually into the

is

presence of God, and there helps

and

to ease its griefs,

it

with holy freedom to make known its grievances, fears, and burdens to the Lord. This world were not worth living in without such a blessed

The behever G od if he

our troubles.

relief to

only has the key that opens the door of access unto

has

wants, burdens,

sins,

Ah, Christian, the time may come when

can lay them down.

may

thy heart

be

faith

may

not be

the world to

whom

with sorrows, and there

filled

found a person of thy acquaintance in

thou canst turn

;

temptations, here he

afflictions, or

all

thy sorrows.

to relieve

Blessed be

God

for

the ease that the act of faith gives to a troubled

;

may

Well

soul.

faith."

Hab. 2

without

it ?

:

Our

us up, were

it

be

it

said,

How

4.

can

afflictions

not

"The just shall we imagine we

live

by

and temptations would swallow

the sweet assiduous reliefs that

for

his

should live

come

in by faith.

And

(7.)

yet further to inflame your desires after faith,

you the soul-reviving sights of

this is the grace that gives

the invisible world, without which this world would be a

dungeon hoped

It

us.

Whom

"

faith.

substance of things

not only the

is

but the evidence of things not seen.

a precious eye

it is

now

to

for,

ye see

him

speakable and

how

:

having not seen, ye love

full

of glory."

Pet. 1

1

;

whom, though

in

ye rejoice with joy un-

not, yet believing,

:

We who preach

8.

show you the

of heaven to you, cannot

Heb. 11:1.

transporting are those visions of

glorious person of

Christ there, nor the thrones and crowns that are above

make

but faith can

which can penetrate the is invisible.

(8.)

to you,

world

:

Heb. 11

The grace is

"

;

That is an eye and show to you him that

these things visible.

:

clouds,

27.

of faith,

which

I

am now recommending

instrumentally the sustenance of your souls in this

The

When God

just shall

gives a

man

live

faith,

by

his faith."

he gives

it

to

Hab. 2

him

:

4.

to sustain

THE HEART OPENED BY FAITH. his

and expects him

life,

He

this vi^oiid.

when he

of precious promises for

what they

all

Here

highest

and

;

life

faith, so

of all

what an

at

Psa. 27

men on

earth

A

13.

:

and as

;

young

his soul is daily fed

them

The

in.

and you starve the also,

that this

is

safely as well as live comfortably

pro-

Take away Will not

soul of a Christian.

after faith

other

upon the

birds in the nest, live

engage your desire Consider

fainted

believer lives the

vision this grace of faith gathers for them.

(9.)

a store-

It is

"I had

:

other graces are maintained and daily

supported by the provision faith brings

faith,

souls,

excellent rate did

a shop of cordials

it is

all his

graces, like the

this

your

Abraham, Moses,

eateth angels' food.

had believed."

•unless I

for

and furnished such a variety

to feed upon.

it

man

house of provision,

by

faith,

the saints, lived on no other provision but

faith brought in live.

while he lives in

it

has made plentiful provision

has given them

David, and

upon

to live

269

all

?

we

the grace whereby as

:

you cannot

die

com-

live

fortably without faith in this world, so neither can you die safely or comfortably wdthout "

world.

promises

These

all

it,

when you

but having seen them afar

;

go out of the

died in faith, not having received the

and were per-

off,

suaded of them, and embraced them." Heb. 11 excellent persons all died embracing

arms of

their faith.

An

allusion to

bracing each other at their parting. says the dying believer

you been

to

was wont

am now

me

all

;

to turn in all

going into the

two dear

my

on earth

;

friends

benefit

my

troubles and distresses

life

of immediate vision

I shall

em-

walk no more by

have

To you

pilgrimage.

blessed promises, scriptures, ordinances, and saints

These

13.

precious promises,

what unspeakable

of

the days of

:

the promises in the

:

but

;

I I

farewell

communion of faith,

but by

sight. (10.)

In a word, this

is

the grace that saves you

grace are ye saved, tlirough faith."

Eph. 2

:

8.

Your

:

"

By

salva-

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOH.

270 tion

is

the fruit of free-grace

;

but grace

of

God runs through the channel

of faith

not save

itself will

The grace

you in any other method but that of believing. faith

;

is

the grace

that espouses your soul to Christ here, and accompanies

you every step of the way until you come ment in heaven, and then it is lost in vision. with Christ, and

pilots

you drop anchor

in the

embarks you

haven of everlasting faith,

rest

seas, till

and safety

;

the salvation of

then, in consideration of the incomparable

your souls."

worth and absolute necessity of

make

day. Lord, give

Jesus Christ.

it

me If

and by

this grace,

your constant cry

to

make

it

your

heaven, night and

a believing heart, a heart opening to

you

fail

of this, you

great design of the whole gospel, faith,

It

you through the dangerous

where you receive the "end of your

great study,

to its full enjoy-

faith to heaven.

which

come is

short of the

to bring

you to

THE aOSPEL FEAST.

CHAPTER

271

X.

CHUIST BEINGS GEEAT BLESSINGS TO THE SOUL THAT OPENS TO HIM. ANY MAN HEAR IVIY VOICE AND OPEN THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN TO HIM, AND WILL SUP WITH HIM, AND HE WITH

"IF

ME.''

Rev. 3:

20.

we have considered Christ's suit we now come to the powerful argu-

In the former chapters for

a sinner's heart

:

ments and motives used by him

to obtain his suit, which are come in to him, and sup with him ;" and second, communion, " and he with me." These are strong and mighty arguments and encouragements, able, one would think, to open any heart in the world

two

first,

:

to Christ

:

union, " I will

and yet considering how the hearts of men are

attached to their lusts and riveted in their

sins, until

the

come upon them with powerful convictions and when under conviction, what discouragements they labor under Spirit

;

from their former sinfulness and present unworthiness,

them

little

enough

cient,

without the almighty power set them home with

on the heart work.

to bring

;

for it is

It is true,

into the soul,

it feels

of love."

forcible entrance

" I

the power of

;

but f

God uponj

Almighty power opens the heart and

determines the will, but in a of the will.

make a

Christ will not

he will come in by consent of the will

Psalm 110:3.

effect

not mere moral suasion will do the

the will consents not, until it.

all is

to faith, nay, utterly insuffi-

way

congruous to the nature

drew them with cords of a man, with bands

Hos. 11 :4.

"When, under the influence of this

power, the soul opens to Christ, he will come soul for his everlasting habitation, refresh

and

in,

take that

feast

it

with

the sweetest consolations and privileges purchased by his blood

:

whence the tenth

doctrine

is,

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

272

Christ

ivill

him; and come

will

certainly come in to the soul that ojoens to " I

will bring rich entertainment luith him.

and sup with him."

in to him,

"When the prodigal, the emblem of a convert, returned to his father, Luke 15 22, his father not only received, hut :

In opening this point,

adorned and feasted him.

show what

coming

Christ's

into the soul implies

appears that Christ will come in to the opening soul

entertainment he brings with him

;

and

why

shall

I

;

how

it

what

;

he thus enter-

tains the soul that opens to him.

What

I.

in general I

Christ's coming in to the soul implies

must say

be fully understood ye shall

know

that

this

we

till

I

am

my

:

"At

that day

Father, and ye in me, and I

Then the

:

and

;

a great m.ystery, which will not

com.e to heaven

in

John 14 20.

in you."

is

essential union of Christ

and the mystical union between believers and Christ, will be more clearly understood than we are capable of understanding them in this imperfect state yet and

his Father,

;

for the present so

much

may justly

discovered, as

is

astonish

poor sinners at the marvellous condescension of the Lord

More

Jesus to them.

come

particularly, the expression, " I will

soul to himself; for

member

less

than his uniting such a

he comes in with a design

that soul by faith, Eph. 3 tical

no

in to him," imports

:

17

—

to

make such

a

to

dwell in

man

a mys-

Eph. 5 30,

of his body, flesh, and bones,

:

which is the highest honor the soul of man is capable of This coming of Christ into the soul of a sinner does not indeed

make him one person with

Christ

;

that

is

the singular

honor to which our nature was advanced by Christ in his imiting the divine nature with

it.

mystically one with Christ, and union.

Christ's

coming

unto him.

As the

But this makes a person more than a mere federal

into the soul signifies

entering into covenant with into a mystical union

is

it

;

for it is taking

more than

his

such a person

with himself, by imparting his Spirit

vital sap of the stock

coming

into the

THE GOSPEL FEAST. graft,

makes

one with the stock, John 15:4, so the com-

it

ing of Christ's Spirit into the soul makes

mystical body

273

and

it

a

member

of his

work of God, 1 Cor. 1 30, most honorable, most comfortable, and for ever sure and indissoluble as I have more fully showed in The Method of Grace,* II. I shall show the certainty that Christ ivill come ;

this is a glorious supernatural

:

;

in icith refreshments and comforts to

No former rebellions

him.

every soul that ojjens

to

or present unworthiness shall

bar out Christ, or obstruct his entrance into such a

soul.

Whatever thou hast been or done, Christ will come in to thee and dwell with thee, and make thy soul a habitation for liimthrough the

self

Spirit.

open to him, and he

standmg I

thy former

all

know

Let thy heart be

and

feast thee, notwith-

:

fill

sins.

common discouragement

a

it is

Eph. 2 22. both

w^ill

of convinced sinners

lie

that multitudes

under, that seeing so

much

vileness

in their nature and practice, they cannot be persuaded that

much

the Lord Jesus will cast an eye of favor on them,

take up his abode in them.

What, dwell

in

less

such a heart as

mine, which has been a habitation of devils, a sink of sin

my

from ner,

beginning

?

this is

hard to be beheved.

thou hast the word of a King from heaven

whose

credit has never failed

from the

first

But, sin-

for

it,

moment

a word it

was

spoken, that whatever thy former or present unworthiness

has been, or

is,

he will not withhold himself from such a open to him. Thy

soul as thou art, if thou be but willing to

great unworthiness shall be no bar to his union with thee. " If

man

come

in to

him."

If personal unw^orthiness

were

sufiicient to

any 1.

open,

out of thy soul,

it

souls, for all are

I will

w^ould equally bar

unworthy

For,

him out

sure he finds this wherever he comes.

* Published by

Wherever

as well as thyself.

Christ finds sinfulness, he finds unworthiness

;

and

to

be

Christ never expect-

the American Tract Society.

12=^

bar Christ

of all other

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

274

ed to find worthiness in thee, but

it

highly pleases

him

to

under a becoming sense of thy un worthiness.

thee

find

"Only acknowledge thine

iniquity, that

gressed against the Lord thy God."

thou hast trans-

Jer. 3

turning prodigal acknowledged to his father,

Luke 15

to be called thy son.

18, 19.

:

to

ness,

and come

be

:

The

13.

re-

am not worthy

But

this did not

come to must see and confess their own vilehim as one that justifieth the ungodly.

hinder his acceptance by his father.

God

I

All that

justified,

to

Rom. 4 5. 2. Thy former :

vileness

and present unworthiness can be

no bar

to Christ's entrance,

him.

He knew thou wast unworthy when he made

first

because

can be no surjwise

it

overture of grace and reconciliation to thee

;

and

if

to

the

thy

unworthiness hindered not the beginning of his treaty with thee,

shall not hinder the closing act in his union with

it

knew

thee.

" I

ously,

and wast called a transgressor from the womb."

Isa.

48

:

that thou wouldest deal very treacher-

8.

Christ never came into a soul

3.

the 2)ossession before him.

was once

dwells

from darkness

:

icliere

soul in

Satan's possession.

to light,

Acts 26

God."

in

Every

18.

Satan had not

which Christ now "

To turn them

and from the power of Satan unto " When a strong man armed keepeth

his palace, his goods are in peace

;

but

when

a stronger than

he shall come upon him and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his

Luke 11

spoil." 4.

Thy

:21, 22.

present unworthiness can be no bar to Christ's

entrance into thy soul, because Christ never objected to any

m.an his unioorthiness, but only his unwillingness

to come come unto me, that ye might have 40. And again, "How often would I have life," gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not." Matt.

to him.

"

Ye John 5

will not :

;

THE aOSPEL FEAST. You

23 :37.

something

find

the poor Canaanitcss that distressed soul

meet

"

:

"

;

:

to

Lord," said

but he answered and

said, it is not

bread and to cast

However harshly

22, 26.

from Christ

like a repulse

Have mercy on me,

to take the children's

Matt. 15

275

to dogs."

it

these words sound,

it

was not Christ's intention to discourage her faith, but to draw it forth to a more intense degree which effect was ;

Verse 27.

produced. 5.

Neither would Christ have made the tenders of mercy and indefinite, had he intended to shut out any

so large

soul on account of

personal unworthiness, provided

its

but willing to come to him. soul,

on Christ's invitations and proclamations of mercy

the gospel, and see

unwillingness as a bar between thee and mercy

ye to the waters, and he that hath no

buy and eat and without w^orthiness.

bride say,

him

price ;" Isa.

Come

that

;

that

and

So again,

him

let

come

;

is

money

m.ilk

to

come

comie ye,

;

without money

"The

Spirit

and whosoever Rev. 22

:

;

and

him

" In the last day, that great

Here you see

17.

way

no obstacle in the

and the

Come

will, let

that heareth say,

freely."

life

personal unworthiness

in

without personal desert or

is,

55:1.

athirst

is

take the water of

Once more,

buy wine, and

yea, come,

;

hearken

;

" Ho, every one that thirsteth,

:

be

thou canst find any thing besides

if

that voice of mercy

let

it

Cast thine eye, discouraged

of Christ.

day of the

man

feast,

him come unto me and drink." John 7:37. Thus you see what Christ's coming in to the soul is, and what evidences Jesus stood and cried, saying. If any

there are that will certainly

when come

the soul

into

it

;

is

made

thirst, let

truly willing, Christ

and no former

vileness or pres-

ent unworthiness shall be a bar to obstruct his entrance. III.

HE

I

shall

show that when Christ comes

NOT COME EMPTY-HANDED. It is riage-day, and he will make it a good day, a SOUL,

brinfrino^

\viLL

in to

the

Christ's

mar-

festival

day

such comforts with him as the soul never tasted

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

276

He

before.

spreads a table and furnishes

What

those spiritual mercies are wliich Christ brings with

him

to the

of

And,

opening

When

1.

soul,

comes next in order

the

feast of itself,

when he

Christ comes in to the soul of a sinner, he

—

good cheer indeed

told the poor palsied

of good cheer, thy palsy

from the grave

how

given." this.

And

favorites, all

but,

;

sweetly

hut what

is

is

"be

mercy would

:

:

He

2.

common

for

some

all

Acts 13

things."

man

"speak

:

2

1,

to the heart of Jerusalem."

;

but the

" Comfort

Speak ye com-

people, saith your God.

40

39.

money

neither feast nor music, neither

fortably to Jerusalem," Isa.

:

and without a pardon no

;

comfort of a pardon reaches to the very heart.

my

special

"By him

to all believers.

nor honor bring any comfort to a condemned

ye, comfort ye

Hebrew, But what are the ingre;

or,

as in the

dients of that cordial that will comfort Jerusalem's heart

"

Cry unto

with

it

her, that her iniquity

the spirit of

all

;

does not say,

the pardoned soul feed upon

mercy designed

come tpgether

relish

to be so

cured, and thy body recovered

that believe are justified from

Christ and pardon

it

" Son, be of good cheer

of good cheer, thy sins are for-

may

this is not a

Christ thought

;

man,

Matt. 9

thy sins be forgiven thee."

Be

be spoken

to

pardon with him a full, free, and final pardon of sins which that soul has ever committed. This is a

brings a all

witli the deli-

it

" I will sup with him," saith the text.

cacies of heaven.

is

pardoned."

That

?

carries

consolation.

There are three things

in the

pardon of sin which make

it

the sweetest mercy the soul ever tasted

is

impossible to be communicated to another as the pardon-

ed soul has

it.

;

comfort which

Rev. 2:17.

One thing which makes the pardon of sin sweet, is The laborings and restless the trouble that went before it. (1.)

tossings of the troubled soul, before his pardon,

ease

and peace that follow

it

make As

incomparably sweet.

the

the

THE GOSPEL FEAST. was

bitterness of hell

sweetness of heaven

is

tasted in the sorrows of tasted in the pardon of

Tlie nature of the

(2.)

sweet, for

it is

mercy

a mercy of the

first

which admits no comfort before discouragement follow it

33

And

10.

:

dejection,

the

sin, so

it.

incomparably-

is

Pardon

is

a mercy

nor can any just cause of

it,

not spoken pardon to

ground

settled

Ezek.

for joy.

he has, there can be no just ground for whatever troubles lie upon it. " The inhabitant if

shall not say, I

am

sick

the people that dwell therein shall

;

be forgiven their iniquities." This mercy

(3.)

itself

rank.

God has

If

it.

can have no

the soul,

277

is

33

Isa.

made sweet

24.

:

to the soul

by the prop-

which are four first, Grod writes upon thy parit is mercy wliich costs thee nothing: "Being don, /ree; Rom. 3 24. " Thou hast justified freely by his grace." erties of

it,

:

:

me no sweet me with the fat

bought

cane with money, neither hast thou

filled

of thy sacrifices

me to

But, "

iniquities."

transgressions, for

thy sins."

Isa.

I,

even

am

I,

mine own

43

:

thou hast ever committed

;

writes upon thy

:

"By him Acts 13

:

all

39.

all

the

that believe

The

sins of

the sins of thy youth and riper

Thou

art acquitted not

from one

only, but

from

heaven must come down hi the What a feast of fat things with mar-

Certainly, the joy of

mercy of remission.

row

God

great sins and lesser, are all comprehended within thy

pardon. all.

;

with thine

the pardon extends to

are justified from all things."

thy nature and practice age

me

and will not remember

Second, ;

made

but thou hast

he that blotteth out thy

sake,

24, 25.

pardon, /^(^//, as well as free sins

;

serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied

is

this single

mercy, a pardon free without price,

without exception. revocation

;

then, third,

it

is

full

final, without

the pardoned soul never more comes into con-

Thine

demnation. as the east

And

is

iniquities are

from the west.

can never meet,

so the

As

removed from thee

as far

two opposite

points

those

pardoned soul and

its

pardoned

sins

,

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

278

Psalm 103

can never more meet mito condemnation. Fourth,

God

Avrites

upon the pardon another word,

as any of the rest, and that

It is

is, s.iire.

never to be recalled or annulled. challenge

is

any thing

shall lay

and

sent to earth to the

a standing mercy,

E-om. 8

hell,

:

men and

charge of God's

Who

elect

Who is he that condemneth ? Who can arrest when the creditor

can sue the bond

that died." in

is

The

when

table

the pardon of

is

is

paid

spread, and the

"Eat,

sin.

beloved."

abundantly,

the debt

Song 5

Sol.

:

Who

"

:

God

It is

?

It is Christ

discharges " It

?

first

friends

The

33-35.

devils

that justifieth. that died."

12.

:

as sweet

?

Christ

is

mercy served

drink, yea, drink

;

Noav the

2.

labor-

ing conscience that rolled and tossed upon the waves of a

thousand

fears,

may

drop anchor, and ride quiet in the

What joy must flow through state. when the sweetness of that scripture, " There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus," Eom. 8:1, shall be pressed into thy cup of The pardoned soul may think of death and consolation.

pacific sea of a

pardoned

the conscience

judgment without consternation

;

yea,

may

look upon

them Acts

as a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.

3:19. all

This

expression

is ;

heavenly manna, the sweetness of

it

exceeds

no words, no thoughts can comprehend the

riches of this mercy.

And yet this

2.

is

not

all

;

behold another mercy brought

in to cheer the consenting soul,

and that

is

Pardon and peace go together " Being we have peace with God." Rom. 5:1. :

of vast comprehension

ment,

25 6 :

it ;

comprehends

and peace

:

Peace

by

is

all

in the

temporal good things,

New

a word

and earth are wrapt up in

Sam.

Testament comprehends

3:16: the this

1

word.

blessings of

The

enmity that was between God and that soul

all

heaven

soul that opens

has the peace of reconciliation with heaven is

/]

faith,^

in the language of the Old Testa-

spiritual mercies, 2 Thess.

to Christ

God.

jpeace ivith

justified

;

the

taken away

:

THE aOSPEL FEAST. "

through Jesus Christ.

Lord,

I

will praise thee

thou wast angry with me, thine anger thou comfortedst me." "

The chastisement

He made

of our peace

it

cost the blood of Christ

was upon him."

peace by the blood of his

His blood gives

it

makes

it

and

so firm

Christ in heaven

:

" If

with the Father."

any

the believer's conscience

from heaven

We

ation.

;

and

sure,

man

—peace

this is built

And

sin,

upon a firm

And

10.

is

peace in

also

were by proclamation

it

the one

;

that

we have an Advocate

upon the peace of

A

is

reconcili-

till

we

are

the result of the

This peace

How

it.

dreadful sound

law-condemned sinner

seat of peace. (1.)

5.

this is a part of the supper Christ provides to

better felt than spoken.

terrors.

:

There

as

entertain the soul that receives

ears of the

:

and

;

the advocateship of Jesus

cannot have the sense of peace

brought into a state of peace other.

54

Isa.

is

John, 2:1.

1

20

:

a more firm foundation than

that of the hills and mountains.

w^hich

53

Isa.

cross, Col. 1

this peace of reconciliation is settled by Christ

foundation.

though

:

turned away, and

is

This must he an inval-

12:1.

Isa.

uable mercy, for the purchase of

279

now

but

;

sweet this

was

is, is

lately in the

his heart

is

the

is,

The souVs guard against The peace of God shall

all

inward and outward

keep,

or,

as the original

The perarmed men, who w^atch while they sleep. Thus Solomon had his royal guard, This peace because of fear in the night, Sol. Song 3 7, 8. word

is,

guard your hearts and minds,

Phil.

4:7.

sons of princes are secured by guards of

:

of God, Christian,

thy life-guard, and secures thee better

is

than Solomon's threescore valiant

was when thou wast in hell.

about him.

Now thou mayest say with David,

me down in me to dwell

peace, and sleep in safety,"

death, the soul (2.)

men

afraid to sleep, lest thou shouldst

is

safe

This peace

is

;

;

for thou.

Psa, 5

:

8.

the peace of

Time awake

" I will both lay

Lord, only makest

Now, come life, come God is its royal guard,

ease as well as safety to the soul

;

it is

;

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

280

No

heart' s-ease.

sooner does

than the soul finds

science,

God speak peace

itself at

to tlie con-

"We

ease and rest:

Heb. 4:3. It is Avhich have believed, do enter into rest." sent out of Noah dove with the M^as it soul as a with such the ark

:

that poor creature wandered in the air as long as

her wings could carry her

failed, there

had her strength

;

was nothing but the waters was rest in the ark

to receive

how sweet

her.

I

This peace

(3.)

is neics,

from

heaven, and the sweetest

tidings that ever blessed the sinner's ear, next to Christ.

blood of Christ speaketh better things than that of

The

Heb. 12

Abel,

:

24

and you are come

;

sprinkling, as soon as Christ

the voice of that blood

:

"

comes

Thou

into

this blood of

to

your

This

soul.

is

hast sinned, I have satisfied

thou hast kindled the wrath of God, and I have quenched The angels of heaven cannot fare better their joys it." :

more sweet than those prepared for believers are, whereof this is a foretaste. Whatever trouble a man may be in, this efiectually relieves him. Paul and Silas were in are not

sad circumstances, shut up in the inner prison, their feet fast in the stocks, their cruel keepers at the door,

made and

their execution expected in a

set this dish

few days

upon the table before the

could not forbear to sing at the feast.

:

God

prisoners,

Acts 16

did but

and they

25.

:

3. k.{\.QX liar don and 'peace, a third blessing will come, This is somewhat beyond namely, joy in the Holy Ghost.

peace, tion.

^14

:

it is

the very quintessence and spirit of

The kingdom of God it is somewhat hke 17 ;

1:8;

it is

heaven upon

diately attain

them

it,

a taste of

God

consola-

all

said to consist in

it,

the joy of the glorified, All behevers do not

earth.

Rom. 1

Pet.

imme-

but one time or other God usually gives it

;

and when he

realization of full salvation.

which the

is

0,

does,

it is

who can

tell

as

it

were a

what that

is

apostle calls, the shedding abroad of the love of

in the heart

by the Holy Ghost, which

is

given to us

?

;

THE GOSPEL FEAST. Horn. 5:5. full

1:8.

It

a joy that wants an epitliet to express

It is

sweetness

"

:

281

Joy unspeakable, and

full of glory."

has the very taste of heaven in

but a difference of degrees between

This joy of the Holy Ghost

is

it

and there

it,

a spiritual cheerfulness stream-

and

his interest in Christ

than

This will appear, arises

:

8.

The

:

soul

you consider the matter of

Whom

"

having not seen,

it

6, 7,

love."

:

it

the Pet.

1

Didst thou ever see Christ

whom thy soul is so delighted ? him yet my soul is transported with with

;

how comes

we

:

transported with joy, ravished with the

is

glory and excellency of Christ.

having not seen,

No

into the

overflows with joy.

if

from the light of God's countenance, Psa. 4

heavenly glory 1

it

testi-

glory.

God

sooner doth the Spirit shed forth the love of believer's heart,

is

and the joy of heaven.

ing through the soul of a believer from the Spirit's

mony, which proves

its

Pet.

1

we

But

love."

if

No,

I

have not seen

love to him,

thy soul to be so dehghted with

though. I never saw

him by

*'

whom

thou never sawest him,

hun

?

Why, him

the eye of sense, I do see

by the eye of faith and by that sight my soul is flooded with spiritual joy: "Believing, we rejoice." But what ;

manner

of joy

express that, for

is

which you

it

it is

and heaven turned

taste

joy unspeakable.

?

No

tongue can

But how are Christ

into such joys to the soul

?

The

Spirit

of the Lord gives the beUever a sight to discern not only the

transcendent excellency of these spiritual objects, but his interest in

prepared

them for

also.

me.

This

is

my

Saviour, and this the glory

Without appropriation, heaven

not be turned into joy.

My soul

rejoices in

can-

itself

God my

Saviour.

Luke 1 47. We read of some who shall have a sight of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yet shall be without joy, Luke 13 28 a dreadful sight to such, for want of a joint interest with them in that glory. They shall see, and yet weep and gnash But an interest sealed gives joy unspeakable. their teeth. :

:

;

CHRIST KNOCKIXa AT THE DOOR.

282

As

to the excellency of this joy, it will prove the pleas-

Light and joy are synonymous terms

ant light of the soul. Psa. 97

in Scripture.

:

It is as

11.

the cheerful light of the

You who have

morning, after a sad and dismal night. in darkness

and the shadow of death, who have

sat

mourn-

sat

ing in the dark without one glimpse of a promise, wdio have

conversed with nothing but dismal thoughts of hell and

wrath

—

when

after all this darkness, the day-star shall arise in

0, 1 shall be cast

away

and the joy of heaven

hearts,

ever

for

shall

and

Christ,

if

fully

will you say,

beam upon your

Will not this be a glorious reward for

for giving

what

;

all

your self-denial

is

This joy of the Lord,

?

an abundant recompense. Neh. 8: 10.

This joy of the Lord shall be your strength.

Let God but give a person a

little

of this joy into his heart,

shall presently feel himself strengthened

to do or to suffer the will of

Now

God.

by

it,

God

bear

call

it.

stake.

This

;

it

to suffer, this joy shall strengthen

was that made the martyrs go

This therefore transcends

There are lusts

him

sinful pleasures

;

and

him

to

singing to the

the joys of the world.

all

which men

there are sensitive joys that

either

he can pray with

enlargement, hear with comfort, meditate with delight if

?

for

recompense the frowns of ungodly relations

entertainment to Christ

there were no other heaven,

and he

your

souls

find in fulfilling their

men

find in the

good

creatures of God, filling their hearts with food and gladness

there are also delusive joys, that hypocrites find in their

ungrounded hopes of heaven.

The joys

of the sensualist are

brutish, the joys of the hypocrite are ensnaring

ing

but the joys of the Holy Ghost are

;

solid,

and vanishsweet,

and

leading to the fulness of everlasting joy. 4.

We

read in Scripture of the sealing of the Spirit, a

blessed privilege of believers, consequent

" In

whom

also, after

upon believing

:

that ye believed, ye were sealed with

that Holy Spirit of promise."

Eph.

1

:

13.

expected by every soul that opens to Christ,

This

how

may be

rich soever

THE GOSPEL FEAST. the comforts of faith,

The

be.

it

283

Spirit indeed seals not before

then would he set his seal to a blank

for

but he

;

usually seals after believing, and that as the Spirit of promJNTotice

ise.

here the agent or person sealing, "the Spirit

he knows the counsels and purposes of God.

He

also

authorized to this work

is

he cannot deceive

truth,

of in Scripture

;

There

us.

1

Cor. 2

and being the is

:

;"

10, 11.

Spirit of

a twofold seal spoken

one referring to God's eternal foreknowledge

;

and choice of men: "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this are his," 2 Tim.

seal,

2:19; he

him throughout the world.

belongs to

more than

There

this.

is

them that knows every soul that But the believer has

the Lord knoweth

perfectly

another sealing of the

make them know that The Lord knoweth who

Spirit, as

his act on believers, to

they are

his.

The

are his

but

first

general,

is

;

The Lord knoweth thee to be his. This is The former makes it sure in itself, the joyful news indeed. Now this is a glorious privilege, latter makes it sure to us. a work of the Spirit, which has a most delightful sweetness this

in

particular,

is

it

for,

;

(1

)

The

his blood.

This seal secures our

eternal glory.

The

We

are

is

no

title to Christ,

is

my

Saviour

;

mercy.

The

rest

which

how

great,

how

glorious

follows

it,

it,

makes

are mine. it

an invaluable

This brings the anxious conscience to peace.

what a mercy

is it

to

have

all

those knots untied, those

objections answered, those fears banished, under

doubting soul so long labored, and which kept nights

to the

and the covenant of grace, and

the invaluable promises contained in (2.)

and

sealed to the day of redemption.

sealed believer can say, Christ,

soever he be, all

which

iveightiness of the matter sealed,

than Christ, and the eternal inheritance purchased by

less

waking and

poor creatures

live,

restless.

God

only

which the it

so

many

knows how some

under their alarms of conscience and

frequent fears of hell.

And what an

inconceivable

mercy

CHRIST

284 would

it

ance

AT THE DOOR.

be to them to be delivered at once from their dan-

gers and fears,

Open

KNOCKma

which hold them under a and thou art in the way

to Christ,

Come

:

unto

me and

I will

give you

bondage

spirit of

to

I

such a deliver-

rest, saith Christ,

Matt. 11 :2S, 29.

This sealing of the Spirit which follows believing,

(3.)

will establish the soul in Christ,

of God, wiiich

is

and

:

"

ways

the

settle it in

an unspeakable privilege

Now he which

is God; who hath also Mark how establishment Temptations may come, great persecufollows sealing. tions and sore afflictions may come, but how well is that

establisheth us with

sealed us."

2 Cor.

soul provided for

you in Christ, 1

them

:

21, 22.

that has the sealing of the Spirit

all,

Yea, though that soul should

unto the day of redemption. present be under

for the

new

darkness, temptations,

fears,

the former sealing will give establishment and

when

the thoughts go back to the sealing day, and the

remembers how

clear

God once made

Well then, open

to Christ, if ever

to salvation.

you continue

If

man

his title to Christ.

you expect

to be sealed

to reject the tenders of Christ

who embrace him

in the gospel, while others

and

relief,

are sealed to

the day of redemption, yo,ur unbelief and final rejection of Christ will seal you to the day of damnation. 5.

Spirit

"We read in the Scriptures of the earnest of the " Which is the ; this is three times mentioned :

earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the pur-

chased possession."

Eph.

1

:

The

14.

with the former privilege of sealing

:

"

apostle Paul joins

Who hath

it

also sealed

and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts," and again, " He that hath wrought us for 1 22 the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the The word is originally 2 Cor. 5 5. earnest of the Spirit "

us,

2 Cor.

:

;

:

Syriac

;

the Greeks are supposed to have got

Phenician merchants with

whom

it

they traded, and

from the it

denotes

a part paid in hand to confirm a bargain for the whole.

An

THE aOSPEL FEAST. eai'nest

is

part of the sum, or iiilieritance

sum

tract for a

amount

it

were a con-

if it

:

Avas a small part of a greater

an inheritance, the earnest

if for

;

of money,

285

The

or turf, as a part of the whole.

is

takinjr a twio-,

God

Spirit of

chooses

word to signify two great things to his people. (1.) That the comforts communicated by the Spirit ^ believers, are of the same kind ivith the joys of heaven, this

though in a

far

first-fruits

degree.

inferior

unspeakable, and

of glory,"

fall

Rom.

of the Spirit."

and the harvest,

hell, tasted

begun here in the

terrors of

heaven

is

begun here

by

are called, " Joy

Pet.

1:8; and, "The The first-fruits,

8

are one in kind

heaven, as well as

They 1

23.

:

there

;

men

is

something of

in this world

some men's

:

hell is

and and comfort of other

in the peace

consciences,

men's consciences.

As an

(2.)

the use of

earnest

it is

say, take this in part

till

double pledge or earnest

who

14

:

2,

3

;

is

much

entered

for

heaven that

into

—take

it

as to

for

thy

Believers have a

one in the person of

:

glory

for

them, John

the other in the joys and comforts of the Spirit,

whicli they feel and taste in themselves. great securities, and the design of earnests and foretastes of heaven,

God is

more

earnestly and labor sees

how

apt

These are two

in giving us these

not only to settle our

minds, but to increase our industry, that

The Lord

or inheritance, so

the whole be paid

whole shall be paid.

security that the

Christ,

sum

part of the

is

confirmation aiid security; as

we may

long more

diligently for the full possession.

we

are to flag in the pursuit of

heaven, and therefore gives his people a taste, or earnest of it,

to excite their diligence in its pursuit.

God

deals with

they had been forty

his people in this case, as

with

Israel

years in the wilderness

many

sore temptations had they came upon the very borders

there encountered

;

;

at last they

:

of Canaan, but then their hearts began to faint

Anakims, giants in the land, and

;

there were

Israel feared they should

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

286

not stand before tliem

but Joshua sent spies into the land,

:

of Canaan to them, whereby they saw what a goodly country it was and then the fear of the Anakims began to vanish, and a spirit of courage to revive Thus it is even with the borderers upon in the people.

who

brought the

first fruits

;

Jjeaven

though

:

we

are near that blessed land of promise,

our hearts are apt to faint on a prospect of the sufferings

without

and the

us,

but one taste of the

with corruptions within us;

conflicts

of heaven, like the grapes

first-fruits

of Eschol, revives our spirits, rouses our zeal,

not have

now

heaven reserved

all

we come

till

me, you that have tasted these

tell

and quickens

For these reasons, God will

our pursuit of blessedness.

thither.

And

first-fruits

of the

Spirit,

Is there not

something of that glorified

which the pure

in heart see

that eye of faith

—that precious

to the glorified eye as

do

"

:

Whom

any thing

?

Matt. 5:8.

which comes

eye,

by

eye, in faith,

heaven

in

as near

can

in this imperfect state

having not seen, ye love

whom, though

in

;

ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy un-

now

speakable and

full

Is there not

inferior degree

we make

1

Pet.

saints in this

1

:

8.

:

5.

me with

world

apples; for

Our love

fervent, pure,

to

God

and constant

;

an

glorified love felt in

of that transport of the spouse

Song 2

more

of glory."

something of that

by the

flagons, comfort Sol.

God

in

I

What

?

"

:

Stay

am

else

me

can

with

sick of love?"

heaven

will be

much

yet these high-raised acts

of spiritual love have a taste and relish of

it.

Is there not something here of that hcaveiilij delight

wherewith the glorified God are begun on earth,

Some

also.

multitude of

my

soul"

sorrow

;

rejoice in so

God

?

drops of that delight are let

my

thoughts within

Psa. 94:19.

a sea of gall and

As the

visions of

heavenly dehghts are begun here

me

fall

here

:

"In the

thy comforts dehght

David's heart had been

wormwood had

full

of

overflowed his

THE GOSPEL FEAST. soul

and

God

:

287

but a drop or two of heavenly delight,

lets fall

turned into sweetness and comfort.

all is

Is there not

something here of that tramformation of is complete in heaven,

the soul into the image of God, which

and a part of the glory thereof?

him;

like

This

for

shall see

It is said,

him

as

he

with God

something thereof

:

we had more

I

is

"But we

We

"

is."

1

heaven, to have the soul moulded into

is

that

we

full

shall be

John, 3

:

2.

conformity

experienced in this world all,

;

with open face behold-

ing as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the

same image from 2 Cor. 3

glory to glory, as

by the

Spirit of the

Is there not

something

•presence in ordinances

felt

and

here of the siveePness of GocVs

duties,

which

is

a faint shadow,

at least, of the joys of his glorious presence in

There to

is

Lord."

18.

:

heaven

?

certainly a felt presence of God, a sensible nearness

God at some times and m some duties of religion, wherein name is as ointment poured forth, Sol. Song 1 3 some-

his

—

:

thing that

is felt

above

all

the comforts of this world.

In a word, the joys of heaven are imspeakahle joys ; no words can make known what they are. When Paul was

caught up into paradise he heard unspeakable words, 2 Cor. 12 :4

and are there not times, even in

;

this

wherein

life,

the saints do feel that which no words can express

?

1 Pet.

1:8; Rev. 2:17.

Now, if

if

such earnests of the Spirit come with believing,

opening the soul to Christ bring

heaven,

who would

it

unto these suburbs of

not receive Christ into his soul, and such

a heaven upon earth with him

what

are

believers

? Thus I have showed you some of those heavenly joys which Christ gives to upon earth, the fulness of Avhich is reserved for

heaven, and hereby secured to the opening or believing soul. IV.

We

shall

show the reasons why Christ thus

feasts

and refreshes the soul that receives him. 1

.

This he does to express the great joy he

lias

in

tJie

;

KNOCKOa

CHRIST

288

and

faith

and the

issue thereof:

"

He

isfaction doth

fruit

and and

As

many

has laid out finished

womb, for

or as

;

to

so,

;

him

what

11.

:

to

pleasure and sat-

behold the eternal counsels of

like it to the soul of Christ in this world.

satisfaction to a

it is

53

the travails of his soul brought to such a result

no pleasure

is

satisfaction

Isa.

give

it

read of the travail of

he has in the

shall see of the travail of his soul,

shall be satisfied,"

there

We

ohedience of siimers.

Christ's soul,

God and

AT THE DOOR.

man

to see a design

thoughts and

it is

to

a

much

woman

upon which he

cost, at last

happily

to behold the fruit of her

embrace and smile upon the child she travailed

and much more,

to Christ

it is

:

and

therefore, as

the Father of the prodigal manifested the joy of his heart for the return of his son

by a

feast

and music,

so does Christ

here manifest the satisfaction of his soul by entertaining the believer with these foretastes of heaven

welcome home 2.

This Christ does

endured first

so

;

the soul's

is

it

to Christ.

many

fears

to relieve distressed souls

who have

and sorrows from the time of their

conviction until the day of their union with Christ by

The way of faith is a veiy humble way there is much painful work in previous convictions and humihations, sad nights and days with many poor souls and these things faith.

;

;

bring them low

they see the law broken by

:

hanging over them

m

sin,

wrath

the threatenings, the bitterness thereof

they have in their consciences

;

they have dealt with fears

and horrors a long time, and they need support, which the Lord Jesus now gives them, 57

Isa.

down. is

:

16.

2 Cor. 7

He :

6.

lest

the spirit

delights to comfort

Christ

as ready as able to succor

is

fail

them

before him.

that are cast

of a compassionate nature

them that

The word which we render by way of help at the cry of one

are tempted.

;

he

Heb.

2:18.

succor, signifies to

in

in distress.

run

Many em-

phatical cries have gone up to heaven from the distressed soul

;

these the compassionate Jesus hears, and

now comes

THE G-OSPEL FEAST. and refresh

in to succor

hours

it

289

he has rich cordials

;

for fainting

the soul hath had a bitter breakfast, and therefore

;

Christ will give

it

a comfortable supper

Those that open their

3.

"I

:

will

come

in

and sup with him."

to him,

hearts, to

Christ must expect

with great troubles and temptations in the new their way to heaven course on which they have entered to tneet

:

when we est

much

through

lies

tribulation

all

;

nay, then

are once in Christ

;

outward troubles begin

:

Christians

may

before

liis

way

foresees

is

and by

Christ himself

an hour of

them had a voice

my

beloved Son," Matt. 17

to

;

much more

:

5,

a

do his people

and encourage them.

support

this provision prepares for the troubles

they are to meet with for

that

of duty, Christ will cheer

great combat

need such consolations,

God

32.

:

Now,

persecution.

for

spiritual refreshments.

from heaven, " This little

Heb. 10

afflictions."

not utterly be discouraged when, they meet

with troubles in the

by these

great-

frown, and cast us off; the world

scoff,

and marks us out

hates us

commonly our

" After ye were illuminated,

ye endured a great fight of

Carnal relations

our troubles are not over

;

an hour of seahng

suffering.

It

fortifies

the soul

has been the observation of

some Christians when they have

felt

more than ordinary

comforts of the Spirit, that some great trial has been near

them

service,

people at their

To

these

have frequent recourse, and

them

4.

Whatever comentrance into his

they will have need enough of them

finish their course.

port

it.

first

and the event has confirmed

;

forts Christ gives his

first

all before

they

sealings they will need to

all will

be

little

enough

to sup-

in after-trials.

Christ comes in to the opening soul with such divine

refreshments to defeat the plot of Satan,

who

has so often

them by representing the ways of Christ as melancholy telling them they shall never laugh more, never be merry more, after they have espoused the ways of discouraged

;

Christ

Knocking.

13

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE

290

Their

holiness.

own

experience shall confute

they never tasted in the ways of sin

Satan

merry

truly

is

till

now

;

all true

for

our closing with Christ:

Luke 15

They

confuted.

"And

it,

for

they

now

and obedience, which

taste that pleasure in Christ, in faith

libel of

DOOE-.

;

thus that scandalous

find

they were never

mirth commences from

they began to be merry."

:24.

These

spiritual refreshments are here called

a

siqyper,

because the supper among the Jews was their best meal,

Luke

14:

:

and because

17,

it

is

This

the last meal.

not

is

only the best enjoyment that a believer ever had, but upon these spiritual comforts, though fected,

he

is

to feed for ever in

much more heaven.

refined

mayest thou be contented with thine outward dence,

however

outward man. with thee

it

and

lot of provi-

world with respect

shall fall in this

per-

Christian, well

thy

to

Will the King of heaven come and sup

Does he feed thy soul Mdth pardon, peace, and

?

joy in the Holy Ghost, and seal an earnest of future glory

Then thou

" Blessed be the

thy carnal neighbors do. of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who hath

God and Father

blessed us with all

heavenly places in Christ."

spiritual blessings in

The same person who thus

blesses

God with a

flowing with joy and comfort, endured as felt as

?

a higher and nobler rate than any of

livest at

many wants and

straits as

Eph.

1

:

3.

heart over-

many persecutions, What if Prov-

any man.

idence do but meanly clothe your bodies, so that you cannot

Yet mayest thou it in the splendor that others do ? say with the church, " I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my

ruffle

soul shall be joyful in

my God

;

for

he hath clothed

the garments of salvation, he hath covered

me

me with with the

robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with

ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Isa.

61

:

10.

What

if

thou fare not so deliciously as the

great ones of this world do to eat of the hidden

?

Yet, if Christ will give thee

manna which

he promiseth, Eev. 2

:

17,

:

THE GOSPEL FEAST. art thou not better clothed

of the world It

may

and fed than any of the nobles

This takes away

?

291

be you will say, 0, but

all

grounds of complaint.

we have

bodies as well as

had created us angels, so that we could live without material food, it were another case. I reply, Christ souls

;

Grod

if

never thus intended

to feast

thy soul and starve thy body

;

he that feeds thy soul with bread from heaven, will take care for all necessary provisions on earth.

Isa.

41

ousness

;

The

You

17.

:

have sought and found the kingdom of God and

his right-

fear not but all other things shall be added to you.

doctrine before us

is

of instruction

I

shall

groundless slander

upon

full

:

begin with the following.

Inference

1

It is

.

a

vile

and

men of

religion, to say or insinuate that it deprives

comfort

and joy of life.

men from

expected therein

"I

come

will

A

;

pretending there

but this

in to him,

feast is

made

sure the soul that

is

is

mask on

and sup with him."

to be

pleasure, but solid

merry. it

with Christ at such a

be

I

am

feast as

has

19,

:

man

Eeligion indeed denies us

abounds with spiritual pleasure.

mirth can come before Christ

in things of naught,

to

Solomon teUs

Eccl. 10

been described above, has the best reason of any world

the beau-

no pleasure

abundantly confuted in the text

for laughter."

sits

the

devil, in design to discourage

the ways of God, puts a frightful

tiful face of religion,

us, "

The

:

in the sinful

all

No rational,

the unsanctified rejoice

and their joy will be soon ended

;

they

where they will find that to be verified of the wages of sin, which they now falsely impute to the wages of holiness they shall never rejoice more, never be merry more but believers shall find this scripture attested by their daily experience "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace," Prov. 3:17; and that there are such pleasures in the ways of God, as are hastening to the place

;

:

:

they never experienced in the ways of

sin.

Is it

a

solid

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

292

and

;

God by

to

not

is it

Christ our surety

"

?

Be

Matt. 9:2.

be forgiven thee."

a

man to be out of debt and all fears much greater to have our debts paid

to a

ground of comfort of arrest

of good cheer

Is it

;

thy sins

matter of joy to have

sufficiency of all things for the supply of every

He

that

in Christ has this

is

Christ's."

Cor. 3

1

:

:

22, 23.

" All are yours

a joyful

Is it

want

?

and ye are

;

to border

life

upon heaven, to be on the confines of blessedness itself? Then it is joyful to be in Christ for they that are so may Rom. 5:2. Is it matter of rejoice in the hope of glory. ;

joy to have the Comforter himself, consolation, taking

and refreshing ing world

ways

it

certainly the

therefore, that are looking

way by the

the Spirit of

all

life

all

the unbeliev-

of a Christian

and the

Let none

towards Christ, be discouraged in

slanderous reproaches designedly cast upon

Christ and comfort dwell together.

religion,

Hence, in

2.

is

must be most comfortable.

of holiness

their

who

his residence in thy heart, comforting

with cordials unknown in

Then

?

up

mamier

like

Christians

follows, that

it

usually tneet the greatest difficulties at their first entrance

weeping work.

The first work of religion is wounding and Thus religion usually begins. Acts 2:37;

The

soul seems to be struck dead, in the giving

into religion.

16

:

29,

up of

all its

former vain hopes

came, sin revived, and

come pardon,

I

died,"

:

" When the commandment Rom. 7:9; but afterwards

peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

go forth weeping, bearing precious rejoicing, bringing their sheaves

Now

the blessing

mourn, is

sown

heart." sin

;

all

science

for

is

realized:

Psa. 97

:

11.

come

after. its

Matt. 5

and gladness

It is quite

:

4,

for the

:

G.

"Light

upright in

contrary in the first,

ways

of

the terrors of con-

Sin comes with smiles in end.

Psa. 126

"Blessed are they that

the pleasures of sin come

but a sting in

They that

now come back

with them.

they shall be comforted."

for the righteous,

seed,

its

begimiing,

Pleasures lead the van, hell and

THE aOSPEL FEAST. up the

destruction bring

"

rear.

Though wickedness be

sweet in his mouth, though he hide

though he spare his

mouth

it,

Job 20

and with him come

;

John 16

turned into joy.

But

Objection.

under

it

but keep

not,

it

in his bowels

him."

and humiliation come

viction

is

meat

yet his

;

gall of asps within

Christ

and forsake

first,

rest :

tongue

his

it still

turned,

is

;

within

it is

the

But here con-

12-14.

:

these prepare the

and peace.

way for

Their sorrow

20.

alivays true

is this

293

Do not

?

things of religion inany times come last

?

the ivorst

How many

Christians go out of the world in an unhappy manner. Answer. Whatever the after-sufferings of Christians

may ens

worst

be, the

and sharp

is

when they

past

sufferings they

may

them with answerable

comfort, I

2 Cor. 7 tides

;

:

am

consolations

exceeding joyful in

The lowest ebbs

4.

are in Christ.

Great

endure, but the Lord sweet:

all

" I

am

filled

with

our tribulation."

are followed by the highest

the greatest troubles need not give interruption to

peace. 3. till

Hence

it

follows, that

ral order follow faith

world

to

Christ

;

time.

expect

you I

no

;

it is

can

he truly

happy

the vainest imagination in the

solid, spiritual

may

man

Comfort and refreshment in the natu-

he be in Christ.

comfort before union with

as well expect a harvest before a seed-

do confess there are two sorts of comforts found in

men may have sensitive these are common in the unregenerate world, where you may daily see rich men taking comfort in their riches, and voluptuous men in their pleasures "Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth." James 6\ 5. But these are pleasures common to brutes, the world without Christ.

First,

and sinful comforts without Christ

;

:

and beneath the immortal spirit of a man. Second, hypohave their delights and comforts in an imaginary hap-

crites

piness,

which they fancy to themselves but this is a vanThey take comfort from their groundless

ishing shadow.

;

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

294

hope of heaven, whither feast in a dream. Isa. 29

own shadow, and

their

sensitive

and

never come it is a Thus they make a bridge of drowned in the waters. Such

they, shall

are

true, sohd, spiritual joy enters

Christ

come

into

have,

any man's heart before

it.

See fro7n hence

what heaven

is,

if there be such

feast to the soul hi the very foretastes of taste of

men may

and pleasures

false comforts

but no

4.

;

8.

:

heaven as the earnest of

it,

a

If a relish, a

it.

be so transporting and

what is the full fruition of God? If these are Whatever the comforts unutterable, what must that be ?

ravishing,

and joys of any believer will be a surprise to

world

in this

;

be, yet

heaven

The

thither.

joys

measured by our present

of God's presence are not to be

comforts

may

him when he comes

though these are of the same kuid with them, There

they are far inferior in degree.

between the

a sixfold difierence

is

spiritual comforts of believers

on earth, and

the joys that are above. (1

They differ in quantity. Here, " we know in part that which is perfect is come, then that which is

.)

when

but

in part shall be done away."

Cor. 13

1

Scripture speaks of the comforts earth,

it

usually expresses

other, calling

indeed

it is

them

first-fruits,

necessary

degrees, because the

them

we

9, 10.

:

commmiicated

therefore

;

;

should receive

them here

weakness of our present

(2.)

Matt. 25

we

It is too

state will not

Here the joy

are said to enter

great to enter into

enter into, and are swallowed

:

a sun-blast and a cloud

You know we

bread and dainties

The

21.

we

in small

up

in

it.

They differ in constancy. The best comforts on earth

are intermitting

a bad.

:

on

some diminutive term or and earnests, paid the like

of the Lord enters into us, but there

us

the

in

bear them in their plenitude and perfection.

into that joy.

When to saints

;

daily bread on

;

a good day and

feed on tAVo sorts of meat, daily

rarities

which

come not every day believers live,

is

to the table.

the repose and

:

THE aOSPEL FEAST. reliance of faith

now and

and

come but

joy, these

then.

They

(3.)

as for assurance

;

295

Here we have the comforts

difier \1\2n1rity.

we

of the Spirit, but

mingle sin with them, and especially

the sin of spiritual pride, which spoils

many times

Yea,

all.

the Lord sufiers Satan to mingle his temptations with them,

we

lest

should be unduly exalted.

heaven the comforts of the

They

(4.)

The

differ in efficacy.

highest comforts of the

Spirit here do not perfectly transform

image of God, him,

like

our souls into the "

as they will be in heaven.

We

shall be

we shall see him as he is." 1 John, -3:2. we are comforted by him, we grieve the Com-

for

Here, after forter

by

state,

produce the

Neither do the comforts of the

sin.

they do above

;

cacy, as there

is

fruits of

there

is

the

There

is

Spirit, in this

obedience in their maturity, as

same

difference in point of

effi-

between the influence of the sunbeams in

the winter months, and those in (5.)

in

water of

Rev. 22:1.

clear as crystal.

life,

But

2 Cor. 12:7.

saints are as the pure

May and

June.

a great difference in respect to

society.

Here, the believer for the m.ost part eats his pleasant morsels alone

:

one Christian

heaven they

all feast

down with Abraham,

and another hungers

fellowship of patriarchs, prophets,

joy of one

is

the joy of all

They

(6.)

and

"We 5.

into

is

an eternal

shall be ever

of

rejoice in the

apostles,

heaven there

where the

Sin here puts a stop

shall never be

" Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads."

There

sit

?

differ also in durability.

to our comforts, but in

but in

;

They shall the kingdom

and Jacob, in what must it be to

Isaac,

Matt. 8:11.

God.

eats,

together at one table.

feast.

Isa.

an end 35

:

:

10.

It is everlasting consolation

with the Lord."

2 Thess. 2:16.

This doctrine puts serious matter of exhortation

my

mouth.

The Lord

whether they be in Christ

direct

it

to the hearts of all,

or out of Christ.

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

296

(1.) To those who are out of Christ, and will not be persuaded to open their hearts and consent to his terms.

what a

spiritual infatuation

is

What, shut the door

here.

of thy heart against Christ, and all the delights of this and

the coming world

thy

sinful,

"What madness

?

poor deluded sinner,

who

is this.

Hear me, thou

wilt not he persuaded to part with

sensual delights in exchange for Christ, and the

peace, comfort, and joy that follow him.

I

have a few that they

things to speak on Christ's behalf at this time.

may

prevail

them the

that by

;

persuade thy

spirit.

me

Let

Christ's behalf, if haply they for his

me

Let

1.

four or five

ofler

may

plead thine

and makes

own

necessity its

all difficulties fly

:

a mighty

way through all Thou before it.

art a poor, necessitous, pining, famishing soul

;

however thy

body be accommodated, thou hast not one morsel of bread

for

thy famishing soul to live upon.

bread that cometh down from heaven. igal

is

bread.

and

:

16, 17,

Isa.

poor,

55

and

has often been

:

of thy soul

and thou 2.

blind, filled

The

spiritual

Christ

is

the

starving prod-

he feeds upon husks, upon that wliich is not " Thou art wretched, and miserable, and naked." Rev. 3:17. Thy body and refreshed with the good creatures

emblem

the lively

Luke 15

on

make way

prevail and

argument, which in other cases makes oppositions,

may

^9/e<2S

And,

entertainment in thy soul.

Plea

Lord

Spirit of the

;

feedest

of God, but thy soul never tasted one morsel of spiritual

bread since

it

came

into thy

body

;

it

never relished the

sweetness of a pardon, the deliciousness of a promise, or the joy and comfort of Christ

:

the choicest food thou hast ever

was such as thy soul cannot live upon. Plea 2. Christ is at the door of thy soul with plenty

tasted,

and variety of heavenly comforts purchased by if

his blood

thou wilt but open to him, thou shalt be abundantly

isfied

;

sat-

with the fatness of his house, and drink of the rivers of

his pleasure.

Psalm 36

:

8.

"He

that belie veth on me, as

THE aOSPEL FEAST.

297

the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water,"

John 7 38 :

meaning the graces and com-

;

forts of the Spirit.

Plea

If Christ

3.

he refused noiv,

those invaluable mercies

that none of those

my

feast,

and

may

you

so are

not

you

for

;

"

ever.

men which were

Luke 14

supper."

for

;

:

24.

never taste

say unto you,

invited to this

God

they refused to come,

grant that

this sentence of Christ, "

methinks

like

a sentence on a malefactor that

were bidden

whom

I

bidden shall taste of

w^hicli

chains,

may

They were

men

be dreadful

you For

shall not taste of to

is

my

Those

supper,"

is

be hanged in

the law permits none to relieve.

0,

it

will

to see the saints sitting at the royal feast in

heaven, and yourselves shut out like starving beggars standing in the streets and about the doors where the marriage-

supper

is

kept

:

they see the

lights,

they behold the rich

and music of the

dishes carried up, they hear the mirth guests, but not a bit

Plea

4.

comes

to their share.

The refusal of

greatest of all sins, xvill he

Christ's invitation, as

It is said of those guests that

ishment.

it is

the

avenged with the greatest 'pun-

made light of it. Matt. 22 them " He was wroth, and he

they

:

:

5

but

;

were bidden, that it

fell

heavy upon

sent forth his armies

destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city."

and

Ver. 7.

Beware of making light of Christ. Plea 5. What vain things are all those pleasures of sin, for the sake of which you de"prive your souls of the everlasting comforts Jesus Christ can give.

Deluded

soul, it is

not the intent of Christ to rob thee of comfort, but to ex-

change thy advantage.

sinful for spiritual delights, to

thy unspeakable

True, you can have no more pleasure in sin

;

but instead of that, you shall have peace with God, joy in the Holy Ghost, and solid comforts for evermore. the sensitive or sinful pleasures of the world

the total

sum

of

them

in 1 John, 2

13#

:

16, 17

:

?

What are You have

" All that

is

in

;

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

298

the world, the lust of the pride of

life, is

flesh,

the lust of the eyes, and the

not of the Father, but

of the world.

is

And

the world passeth away, and the lusts thereof; but he that

doeth the will of God, abideth for ever."

Question.

But hoiu may a 'poor unregeiierate make such a blessed exchange as

prevailed upon to

soul be to

part

tvith the pleasures of sijifor the blessings of Jesus Christ?

Answep.,. Besides all that has been offered before, let briefly

add three counsels

Labor

such a

to

me

soul.

thy need of Christ, and then thou wilt all the pleasures of sin for the

to feel

quickly be willing to give up

enjoyment of lusts, so

ures,

hard

but

this,

"What makes

liim.

to

men

so tenacious of their

be persuaded to give up their sinful pleas-

that they never

felt

the need of a Saviour

?

0, sinner, didst thou but feel thy need of Christ, wert thou

but hungry and thirsty

upon such

him, thou wouldst never stand

for

We read, in the

the enjoyment of him.

trifles for

famine of Jerusalem,

how

they parted with their pleasant

things for bread to relieve their souls

;

jewels, rings, brace-

which cost dear and were highly valued at another time, were now willingly parted with for bread. Christ is more necessary to thee than thy necessary food. Consider the spiritual and immortal nature of thy soid, which cannot live upon material things, and must outlive things

lets,

temporal things.

all

and must will ful

it

unavoidably

upon them, what a miserable condition

If thy soul cannot live

certainly outlive them, fall into,

when

all

these sensual and sin-

enjoyments are vanished and gone, as thou knowest they

shortly will be.

and then has thy

These things pass away, soul nothing to live

upon

1

John, 2:17,

to all eternity.

of the saints, who have tried which you never did. They have tried the pleasures of sin, and they have tasted the pleasures of Christ, and so are able to give a true judgment on both

Hearken

both

to the experiences

sorts of pleasure,

and they have accordingly determined, that one glimpse of

— THE aOSPEL FEAST.

299

the light of God's countenance puts more gladness into their hearts,

than in the time that their corn and wine increased.

Psalm 4:6, 7. Nay, the wisest Christians, on trial have rightly determined, that the worst things in

of both, religion

are infinitely to be preferred to the best things belonging to sin the very sufferings and afflictions of the people of God have been pronounced better than the pleasures of sin for a season. Heb. ll 25. Could you but see with their eyes, and were you capable of making a right judgment as they did, there would not need a word more to persuade you to ;

:

deny your most pleasant

exchange

lusts, in

and

for Christ

his beneficial sufferings. (2.)

The

doctrine also affords various exhortations to the

who have opened

regenerate,

their hearts to Christ,

thereupon admitted into this comfortable

and are

It is

state.

found

in experience a difficult thing, for souls after conversion to

bear their

own

comforts, as

troubles at conversion.

under the

first

it

was

may

growing continually in their

souls.

1

.

here

»See

that you

condescending goodness of

is

how

manage

to

improve their

them and be

humhhj admire and adore

God

to

the

you, in all the comforts

God should comhim

of the ^inrit which refresh you. such a soul as thine, that has

so often grieved

that Christ should be a joy to thee,

who

that

fort

to him.

their

to advise souls

abide with

operations of the Spirit,

spiritual comforts, that they

Advice

to rightly

My business

hast been a sorrow

In Paul's epistle to the Ephesians you will find the

spirit of the apostle filled

which breaks

with admiration of

this

forth into this rapturous expression

be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

:

mercy,

" Blessed

who hath

blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."

Eph. 1:3.

Some never

gree of earthly comforts. Job 30

:

enjoy an ordinary de-

3-5

;

others enjoy abun-

dance of earthly, but no spiritual comforts.

There are others

for

whom God

Psalm 17:14.

intends everlasting consola-

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

300

lion in the

world

to

you

to

who

come,

low

are kept

Psalm 68

comforts in this world.

as to spiritual

What

15.

:

admire the bounty of God to you,

cause have

whom

for

there

is

not only fulness of joy prepared in heaven, but such precious foretastes

communicated

and earnests of

it

Cleave fast

Christ

in the

way

thither.

Advice

2.

to

awl

those duties of

which you have found the best comforts that This is one thing God intends in the ever your souls knew.

religion in

communication of these your souls

fast to the

refreshments, to attach

spiritual

ways

The Lord knows

of hohness.

that temptations will befall you

;

discouragements enough

but the enjoyments of God, to meet with which you have met with in prayer and hearing, in medita-

you will be sure

tion

;

and sacraments, should engage your hearts

the ways of obedience.

You never found

for ever to

that sweetness in

the ways of sin which you have found in repentance and faith.

"When a temptation comes baited with

ures, think of

Jotham's parable of the

answer of the 9

:

olive,

the

fig-tree,

trees,

and the

sinful pleas-

and of the

vine.

Judges

8-13, and say, in reference to thy spiritual enjoyments,

Shall I leave such soul-refreshmg comforts as these for the

pleasures of sin

Advice

3.

God

?

forbid.

Conitnunicate the S'piritual comforts you

The Lord enjoy, for the benefit arid refreshment of others. never intended you should engross the comforts of his Spirit yourselves, nor

to

comforts us, that in

any

trouble,

eat

your pleasant morsels alone.

we may be

able to comfort

them that

He are

by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are It is true, rehgion lays 2 Cor. 1:4,

comforted of God, not

all

open; nor yet does

it

conceal

There needs a

all.

great deal of wisdom, humility, and caution to secure us

from pride and vanity in comforts to others.

spirit,

while

we communicate

our

Both ostentation and self-appropriation

of our comforts are against scripture

law

;

he

may

be justly

:

THE aOSPEL FEAST. suspected that opens

and

all,

so

may

301

he too that conceals

Spiritual comforts are not diminished, but

all.

improved by

a wise and humble communication.

Advice cises fort

Your

in renewing the acts and exer-

first faith

brought in your

;

We

continued act Pet.

Thy

2:4.

You

will rejoice.

upon

are not to look

"To whom coming

:

faith as a single, but a

as unto a Hving stone."

be in a continual

soul, Christian, is to

motion towards Christ

the more you believe, the more you

;

see the door through

which comfort comes

Joy

is

the daughter of faith,

your present comfort

is

the

into your soul.

many

souls, if

Jiath

it

already brought

:

;

;

but there

not.

gall

if,

after

so

be not

a grief to

Christ,

much comfort to you.

It will

he hath given you the joys of

you shall give him that which

to drink,

wood and

Rom. 15 13

offspring of faith

Take heed that you

5.

be a sad requital

heaven

first

comforts more which will yet be born to your

unbehef prevent

Advice

who

com-

bring you in greater stores of comfort than you

yet enjoy.

are

first

your renewing and repeating those precious acts of

faith, Mdll

1

Be frequent

4.

of faith.

is

as

worm-

the Lord write that caution upon thy soul

;

" Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed

Eph, 4 30.

unto the day of redemption."

:

The argument

of the apostle in this place strongly infers coAition from com-

to

you

The

hath been

Clirist

fort.

all joy, all

peace, rest, and comfort

take heed you be not a grief and

;

shame

to

him.

intermission of thy duties, the falling of thy affections

in duties, thy rash adventures

who hath

the heart of Christ,

comfort

;

and

upon

filled

sin,

will be a grief to

thy heart with so

much

you grieve him, you cannot expect he

if

should comfort you.

A

Httle

sm may

rob you of a great

deal of comfort.

Advice

6.

Be

rwt dejected if the first comforts Christ

gives you should afterwards abate, or be taken aifOAj for time.

This

is

a

common

a

thing in the experience of most

;

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

302

You must not think your

Christians.

nothing

alas,

more

is

and

if

first

comforts.

you lose your

and discouraged gone

apt to lose your

first love,

Yet

is

fall out,

Rev. 2:4; lose

your

be not cast down

not gone, though comfort be

and though comfort be gone,

;

first love.

no wonder that you

should so

if it

Christ

;

change than the joys of a

liable to

You will be

Christian.

comforts are such

first

no hazard of losing them

fixed, settled things, that there is

it is

not gone for ever

;

renew thy repentance, faith, and obedience, and try if God will not renew thy comfort. There is a former and a latter spring of joy

;

God

will

Besides, thy justification

not

is

tian

:

make thy is

though thy consolation

There are two things which belong

so.

another

;

The

from Christ.

latter

contingent, the former fixed and steadfast.

Advice

Be filled

7.

with comioassion

to others icho

the comforts you enjoy, esiJecially such as to

you as natural

to

whom God

no compassion

Art thou a father or mother,

relatio7is.

for

thy children,

to

I

me

would

to

this day,

Say

Acts 26

may

;

also

8.

As

:

way to

It is as

a

all

that hear

be

little

I

am,

Religion creates bowels

29.

there

is

in the

and pray that those who

counsel, plead, Christ's.

ever you expect the coiitinuance

enlargement of your comforts, spectly.

man little

as Paul, in another case,

them what sweetness

tell

of godliness

Advice

them

do a

and children are

were both almost and altogether such as

of compassion.

are yours

to

Avife

hast thou

yet tasted one

God, that not only thou, but also

except these bonds."

ways

It will

?

be feasted abroad, while his

starving at home.

And

?

who never

drop of these spiritual consolations

good

lack

God has united

has given the comforts and soul-refreshments

that have been opened in this discourse

**

to a Chris-

one to his being, namely, union with Christ

to his well-being, nam.ely, comfort is

comforts spring again.

steadfast,

much

see

as all your comfort

carelessness.

That

is

and

that you ivalh circumis

worth

to give

a remarkable expression

THE aOSPEL FEAST. of the psalmist,

he

for

but

M'ill

let

*'

I

what God the Lord

will hear

speak peace unto his people, and

them not turn again

in this text,

is fitly

and madness

folly

303

for

;

;

:

Psalm 85

to folly."

called folly in the

will speak

to his saints

indeed

it is

Sin,

8.

:

the greatest

world to divest ourselves of such

sweet peace and comfort by returnmg to

sin, whieh has cost Are you willing to be in your former darkness and troubles to exchange the pleasant

much

us so

sorrow before.

—

you noAV enjoy

light

you must

do, if

Advice

9.

for the horrors

you return again

Lo7tg for heaven,

those joys of ivhich these

and

raise our afiections

be

:

if

" Ourselves also,

?

Spirit,

even

we

you noiv

One design

firstfruits.

set us a longing after

:

We

23.

teller e is

God

in giving

these be so sweet,

which have the

them,

what must first-fruits

redemption of our body."

down

sit

first-fruits

satisfied,

and say

they are given to

;

after the fulness of those enjoyments.

end

the fulness of

taste are but the earnest is

to

those

of the

ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting

are not to

enough of these

This

felt ?

heaven, to help our conceptions, and

for the adoption, to wit, the

8

of

you formerly

to folly.

Rom.

we have

make

us long

This answers God's

in giving.

Advice

10.

Imiwove every spiritual comfort you have

from

Christ to greater cheerfulness in the paths of obeclience to Christ. This is another end for which God com-

municates them, that our souls being refreshed by them,

might move the more nimbly run the

my

we

" I wdll

way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge Psalm 119:32. God expects that you pray

heart."

more

frequently, meditate

more

every duty more cheerfully

your comforts. the

in the paths of duty.

How many

ways of duty

enjoy.

for

delightfully,

and perform

way

to perpetuate

this is the

;

Christians go on droopingly in

w^ant

of the encouragements you

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

304

CHAPTER

XI.

COMMUNION BETWEEN CHRIST AND BELIEVERS ON EARTH "I

WILL COME

AND WILL SUP WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME." Rev. 3 20.

IN TO HIM,

:

We

have heard the

argument of Christ

first

to persuade

the hearts of sinners to open to him, that he will come in to

them, and that not empty-handed

he will also sup with

;

make the encouragement complete and full, he here adds, "and he with me." This last clause sets forth that spiritual, soul-refreshing communion which is them.

And,

to

between Christ and pleted and

eleventh doctrine

There

is

a

in the

7nutual, siveet,

Communion with

and

in

com-

this world,

come.

to

Hence our

Christ

atheistical age scoffs at

and intimate communion

believers

men, but a hidden mystery

;

world

is,

between Jesus Christ

fanaticism

begun

believers,

perfected

is

in this ivorld.

frequent in the lips of

to the souls of

and

ridicules

it

many

most men.

This

as enthusiasm

and

but the saints find such a reality and incompar-

able sweetness in

it,

that they would not part with

When

thousand worlds.

the

Roman

soldiers

it for

ten

entered the

temple at Jerusalem, and found no image there, as they used to

have

men

sensible.

idolatrous temples, they gave out in a

Jews worshipped the

scoff at the

religion as a

this,

own

in their

jeer that the

mere fancy

If there

that there

invisible world,

which we here

clouds.

Thus ungodly

most solemn and sweetest part of internal

is

;

but the thing

is

real, sure,

be truth in any thing, there

between the

real intercourse

is

visible

between Christ and the souls of call

communion.

with the Father, and with

his

"

and

truth in

and

believers,

Truly our fellowship

Son Jesus Christ."

1

is

John,

;

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. 1:3.

It is really

world,

we

Enoch

is

tell

and truly

we impose not upon the we have felt. The life of

called his walking with God.

sweet and pleasant walk

walk with God. ful

so;

you no more than

sound

" Blessed

is

they shall walk,

;

Gen. 5 24. :

all pleasures, all

;

305

joys are in that

the people that

know

the joy-

Lord, in the light of thy coun-

Psalm 89 15. The joyful sound there spoken was the sound of the trumpet which called the people to the solemn assemblies, where they walked in the light of tenance."

:

of

God's countenance, the sweet manifestations of his favor

and because the world

is

so apt to suspect the reality

certainty of this doctrine, the apostle again asserts

conversation

in

heaven."

live

above

is

we

below, but conversation

is

;

in heaven.

Phil.

3

:

We

20.

we walk on

it

To understand

"

and Our

breathe

but our

earth,

must come under consideration

:

this doctrine,

what communion with Christ is that there is such a communion between him and believers and the excellency of this comthree things

:

;

;

munion.

What

communion with Christ is, in the general To open this, it must be considered that there is a twofold communion a state of communion, and actual communion. The first is essential to the second we can have no actual communion with the Father, Son, or Spirit, I.

nature of

it.

:

;

till

we

be

state of

first

brought into a state of communion.

communion

is

This

in Scripture called o\xx felloivship or

partnership with Christ such a fellowship as merchants have in the same ship and cargo, where one has more and another less, but still a joint though unequal interest one lives :

;

in one kingdom, another in

are jointly interested in

some other kingdom, but they the same goods. This comparison

must not be stretched beyond nothing but the

same

equals

:

this,

its

intention,

which

is

to

show

that Christ and believers are coheirs in

inheritance.

Hence they

are called his fellows or

" God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of

:

KNOCKma

CHRIST

306

Psalm 45

gladness above thy fellows." *'

If children, then heirs

Rom.

Christ."

them a

title

8

;

heirs of

:

And

7.

again,

God, and joint-heirs with

Christ endows

17.

:

AT THE DOOR.

people,

his

gives

not only to himself, but to those good things

purchased by him, yea, and the very glory he enjoys in "

heaven.

The

glory

which thou gavest me,

I

have given

John 17:22.

them."

It is true, there are

culiar to himself,

some thmgs in Christ which are pe-

and incommunicable

his eternity, equality

with

fellowship in his mediatorial benefits of

honor of

it

it, ;

any creature, as

to

work

we have

;

we

have

his Father, etc.: neither

the fruits and

but no partnership with him in the glory and that

is

own

peculiarly his

:

and though

it

said in the Scriptures, that believers are " righteous as he

righteous," 1 John,

can

justify others

3:7, yet the meaning as Christ doth

is

not that they

is

no, they

;

is

are justified

by him, but cannot communicate righteousness to others. But there are other things wherein there is a partnership between Christ and his people they partake with him in. :

the spirit of sanctification on earth, and glory in heaven; the same spirit of holiness Avhich dwells in Christ without

measure,

"He

is

communicated by him

to the saints in

hath given us of his Spirit."

1

John, 4

:

measure

And

13.

nica.tes the glory of

heaven

to

them

as glorious in heaven as Christ

among stars.

:

;

not that they shall be no,

the saints in glory, as the sun .

Thus

briefly of the state of

called in Scripture our " being

indeed

is

we must

made

be made nigh before

as

commu-

Christ communicates his Spirit to the saints, so he

he will be known is

known from

the

communion, which nigh," Eph. 2

we can

:

13,

actually

is

and

draw

We

must be put into a state of fellowship before we can have actual communion with God. Besides this state of communion, there is also an act-

nigh.

iml co77Wiiiniori which the saints have

m

this

world with

the Father and the Son in the duties of reUgion.

This

is

:

307

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. us our supping with Christ, and he with

:

and, for clearness'

sake, I shall consider,

Negatively, icliat

it is

not; for I find persons are apt

taking that for coramumon greatly to mistake in this matter, let it be noted here and so not is which with God perCommunion loiih God does not consist in the bare ;

formance of religious duties. have communion with God in

I

do not say that

this

men may

world without duties

it ;

but I say, that communto think so is a delusion of Satan performance of dumere the in not ion with God consists duties of religion are two thmgs, ;

Communion and

ties.

separable one from the other. yet be strangers to

Men may

multiply duties and

communion with God

in

them

;

even

be kept by souls that days of humiliation and fasting may Lord " Speak unto the with are estranged from communion :

priests, saying. When the people of the land, and to the seventh month, even and fifth the in ye fasted and mourned me, even to me ?" unto fast all at ye did those seventy years, and that is, Had your souls pure intentions all

Zech.

7:5;

Had you communion glory? respect in those duties to Did you ever feel with me, or I with you, in those duties ?

my

Or did you not sin ? your souls in those days wounded for mouths and at men's in God may be fast out of custom ? Keligious 12:2. Jer. hearts. the same time far from their touches religion no when lips men's of out words

may

flow

their hearts, the

inward powers of their

souls

;

you cannot

depend upon outward duties, Christ rejects Get a better evidence of comMatt. 7 22.

therefore safely this plea.

:

munion with God than of your expectation.

this, or

I

you will certainly come short

know you

not, saith Christ; there

your souls was never any spiritual acquaintance between approbation. of way a in and me I know you not ;

Neither do

all stirrings

and ivorUngs of the affections and the sold;

Christ in duties prove communion hetiueen for it is possible, yea,

common,

to

have the

afibctions raised

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

308

by external motives

in the duties of religion

:

you see

this

" Lo, thou art unto

them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and

in that example, Ezek. 33

:

32

:

can play well on an instrument hut they do them not." prophet's voice

was

;

like the skilful

This

of the

touch of a rare musical|

Thus John's hearers

try for a season.

they hear thy words,

way moved and

instrument, which in a natural their afiections.

excited'

rejoiced in his minis-

very apt to lead souls into a mis-

is

They

take as to their condition. influences that

for

The sweet modulation

come upon

distinguish not

between the

their affections from without,

and

those that are inward, divine, and spiritual.

But

to

we must

God

show, positively, luhat comriiitnion icith

consider

what the nature

what

of

things

presupposes in us

it

;

it consists.

There are various things prerequired and p'esujoposed actual

all

is,

and in

commmiion with God

in duties

;

to

and where these

men have no communion with him. They may have communion with his people and his ordinances, but not with God and Christ in them. (1.) Union icith Christ is fundamentally necessary to All communion is founded in all communion with him.

things are wanting,

union

and where there

;

munion. less it

The member

be united to

it

;

is

no union, there can be no com-

receives notliing from the head un-

is

a vast possession, but

minates in communion is

root.

" All

22, 23.

Here

nor the branch from the

are yours; and ye are Christ's."

;

all

1 Cor.

3

:

founded upon union

and the

;

union

ter-

closer the union, the fuller

the communion.

we are strangers to God, God in the world, Eph. 2:12: it is in Christ that we are made nigh it is in the Beloved that we While we are in the state of alienation from are accepted. Christ, we have no more to do with the communications of Before our union with Christ

we

live

without

;

joy and peace, with the seals and earnests of the Spirit, than

;:

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. open

me,

to

I will

" If

privileges of London.

an Indian hath with the

man

309

come

any

him and sup with him,

in to

and he with me."

Communion with God

(2.)

grace implanted in the soul

No

change of heart.

we have

say that

we

ness,

truth," Psa. 145

commutiion

come

18

:

walk

"

Job 13

"

:

in dark-

The Lord

The is

nigh

him

that call upon

all

the latter clause restrains

to upright souls

before him."

(3.)

;

"If we

:

John, 1:6.

1

such pretenders.

that call upon him, to

all

communion

fellowship with him, and

lie to

a sound

regeneration;

regeneration, no

and do not the truth."

lie,

apostle gives the

unto

presupposes the habits of bij

in

all spiritual

For a hypocrite

shall not

16,

:

Communion with God

not only supposes grace im-

planted, but also implanted grace excited, grace in action.

A man may

have the habits of

faith, love,

and delight in

A

him, and yet be without actual communion with God. believer

when he

in a state of

is

asleep,

communion with God

actual communion, his

awakened thou

;

saidst.

and performs no acts of grace,

faith,

they must not

Seek ye

my

lie

face

;

love,

but

and delight must be

my heart :

8.

is

he will have

if

asleep in the habit.

Psa. 27

face, Lord, will I seek."

;

"

When Thy

said unto thee,

It is in

conununion with Christ that the church

order to actual

so earnestly

begs

fresh influences of the Spirit to excite her graces into action

"Awake,

my

north wind

;

and come, thou south; blow upon

garden, that the spices thereof

may

flow out.

Let

my

beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits." Sol.

Song 4:16.

And though

believers are not so to wait for

the influences of the Spirit as to neglect the outward

means

of engaging their hearts to approach unto God, Jer. 30 yet certainly

we

it is

the

work

of God's Spirit, and without

can do nothing to any purpose. sails,

but

till

21,

him

The seamen may trim

weigh the anchor, and put all a gale come from heaven there is

the

:

into sailing order little

or no motion.

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

310

The same

Spirit that plants the habits, excites the acts of

These three things therefore are prerequisites

grace.

to all

communion with God,

Now let us more directly consider in what this heavenly PRIVILEGE OF COMMUNION W^ITH GoD CONSISTS and \

generally

it

will be found to lie in a spiritual correspondence

between Christ and the

upon our

sends forth influences

Communion

returns again unto God.,

so in the text, " I will sup

We

God

soul.

and we, by the assistance of his

souls,

cry to God, and

:

that cry by the incomes "In the day when I cried

me

thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst

my

Psa.

soul."

138

:

More

3.

many ways wherein men have or

communion with God,

make

with him, and he with me."

God answers

of spiritual grace upon the soul

in

Spirit,

a mutual action;

is

with strength

particularly, there are

this spiritual correspondence

as in the contemplation of his attri-

and

butes, in the exercises of our graces in religious duties, in his various providences.

In

these the saints have

all

communion with him. 1.

There

is

a sweet communion between

God and

people, in the contemiolation of the divine attributes,

the impressions

we

God makes by them upon our

his

and

souls while

meditate on them. (1.)

Sometimes the Lord manifests

to the souls of his

immense greatness; the manifestation of Avhich attribute makes an humbling -impression upon the soul, and Thus when Abraham, saints seem as nothing to themselves. that great believer, considered the greatness of the God with whom he had to do, that sight of God seemed to reduce him as it were into dust and ashes " Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust

people his

:

and ashes,"

Gen. 18

:

27.

He

looks

heap of vileness and unworthiness consider thy heavens, the

work

;

upon himself

so

David, "

of thy fingers

the stars, which thou hast ordained

;

Lord,

;

the

what

is

as a

When

I

moon and man, that

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. thou art mindful of him consider

what a

?''

God

great

Psa. 8

:

3,

4

311

that

;

"VYheii I

is,

the Creator of the world

is,

am

I

astonished that he should set his heart upon so vile a thing

When men compare themselves among themand measure themselves by themselves, their spirits

man.

as

selves,

are apt to swell with pride

men

as these holy

;

but would they look up to God,

they would admire his condescension.

did,

And

this is communion with God in the meditation of his immense greatness. (2.) The representation of the purity and holiness of God, working shame and deep abasement in the soul for the

and

pollutions

sin that are in

God, and an excellent

when

a representation

way of of God

communion with

this is

it,

fellowship with him.

Thus,

was made

in his holmess

to

the prophet, there were the seraphim, covering their faces to another, saying, " Holy,

with their wings and crying one holy, holy

the Lord of hosts

is

The

his glory."

effect this

the whole earth

;

produced, or the return

God

the prophet to this manifestation of

deep abasement of soul holy a

God

because is

I

:

am

a

Then

man

said

own

Woe

is

me

I

in his holiness.

for I

Isa. 6

Thus

am :

undone

3-5.

Job,

;

This

who had

integrity against

:

vile

swer

am

;

my

upon

mouth.

Once have

spoken, but I will not an-

I

yea, twice, but I will proceed no further."

;

silent

;

Lord, I have done

cannot answer thee (3.)

;

:

I

That

is,

could answer men, but

thou art holy, but

I

am

I

vile.

There are sometimes representations of the goodness

and mercy of God made

to the souls of his people.

When

these produce an ingenuous melting of the heart into an ble,

was

God he had to do, cried out. Job 40 4, 5, " Behold, I what shall I answer thee ? I will lay my hand

holy

am

m his holiness,

men, when God enwith him and he saw with what a great and

defended his

ters the lists

I,

made by

unsuitableness to meet so

of unclean lips."

communion with God

stiffly

I

"

for his

of

full

is

hum-

thankful admiration, and a corresponding care of pleas-

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

312

him

ing

down

ways

in the

God

ion with

men

to

When

The goodness

in a double channel

nal providences

and

;

men commun-

of obedience, then have

in his goodness.

to their

:

of

God runs

to their bodies, in exter-

in spiritual mercies.

souls,

the goodness of God, either way, draws forth the love to the God of our mercies, then communion with him. Thus Jacob " And God of my father Abraham, and God of my

and gratitude of the soul

have we Jacob

real

:

said,

father Isaac, the Lord

which

unto me, Heturn unto

saidst

thy country and to thy kindred, and thee

:

I

am

deal well with

I will

not worthy of the least of

the mercies, and

all

which thou hast showed unto thy servant and now I am become two bands." Gen. 32 9, 10. Ah, Lord, I see a of all the truth for

with

my

staff I passed over this Jordan, :

multitude of m.ercies round about me, and the least of them is

L

greater than

So "David the king came and sat before

the Lord, and said.

Who am

Lord God, and what

I,

my

house, that thou hast brought

this

was a small thing

also

spoken of thy servant's house

and hast regarded

1

Chron.

17

effects the

for

:

16-18.

thou hast

a great while to come,

You

see

in

man

of thee ?"

these instances, inferior,

But,

what

outward mer-

if

you come

and ponder the goodness of God

have been

and overwhelms I

for

;

is

yet

to

to

your

pardoning, accepting, and saving such sinful crea-

tures as you

:

God

And

?

speak more to

goodness of God, even in

spiritual mercies, souls, in

hitherto

according to the estate of a

produces in sanctified hearts.

cies,

Paul

me

in thine eyes,

What can David

high degree.

me

"

was

it

;

this

much more

affects

before a blasphemer,

and a persecutor, and

injurious; but I obtained mercy, because I did in unbelief:

the heart,

with holy astonishment; as you see in

it

ignorantly

and the grace of our Lord Jesus was exceed-

ing abundant."

1

Tim.

1

:

13, 14.

So

when pardoning

grace appeared to Mary, that notorious sinner, into what a flood of tears, into

what

transports of love did the sight of

COMMXTNION WITH CHRIST. mercy feet

cast her soul

313

She wept and washed her Saviour's

!

Luke

with tears of joy and thankfulness.

7

No

44.

:

no frights of hell melt the heart

terrors of the law,

like the

apprehensions of pardoning mercy,

Sometimes special representations of the veracity

(4.)

and faithfulness of God

made

are

and holy confidence in communion with God in his 13:5,

is

follows is

my

me."

"I

6,

There

will

then have

;

never leave thee,

upon

this

helper,

Here

?

and

"So I will

nor forsake thee."

respect to his will trust

;

not fear

God

and what

;

boldly say, the Lord

what man

shall do unto

and con-

this is that reciprocation, that

communion between God and a " Behold, God is my fidelity.

and not be

friend, this is

we may

faithfulness in God, producing trust

is

fellowship and

that

afraid."

what the Lord

Isa.

men

Thus, Hebrews

faithfulness.

a discovery of the faithfulness of

fidence in the believer

trust

to his people, begetting

their souls

trust

salvation

And

12:2.

sweet

believer with ;

I

truly,

justly expects from thee,

even

and confidence in him, thy steady dependence on him,

in return for all the manifestations of his faithfulness to thee

both in his word and providence. (5.) There are manifestations of the displeasure of God by the hiding of his face and the frowns of his providence when these produce repentance and deep humiliation for :

sin,

an unquietness, a

restL^ssness of spirit

he restore his

till

favor and manifest his reconciliation to the soul, even here also is a real

communion between God and and I was troubled."

didst hide thy face,

"

the soul. Psa. 30

:

7.

Thou Nor

wdll a gracious soul rest there, but will take pains to sue out

a fresh pardon. the bones

unto I

me

"

Make me

to

hear joy and gladness, that

which thou hast broken may

the joys of thy salvation."

rejoice.

Psa. 51

:

Restore

8, 12.

cannot here omit to point out a great mistake even

among God's o"v\ii people many of them understand not what communion there should be with God under the man:

Chri^it

Knocking.

14

CHEIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

314

They know the

ifestalions of his displeasure for sin.

affec-

tionate meltings of their souls into love and praise to be

communion with God

but that in the shame,

;

and

grief,

sorrow produced in them by the manifestations of God's displeasure

—that

thee, that

may

even in these things there

munion with God, they understand

But

not.

let

even such things as these are the choice

be com-

me

tell

fruits of

the spirit of adoption, and that in them thy soul hath as

and

real

communion with God,

beneficial

transports of spiritual joy.

Lord as Ezra was,

it is

conviction

after

and

of carelessness,

with him,

spiritual defilements; saying

as in the greatest

blessed to be before the

"0 my

God,

I

am

ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God." Ezra 9:6. Shame and blushing are as excellent signs of communion with God as the sweetest smiles. (6.)

There are special contemplations of the

om7ZZS6'fe?zce

sincerity, comfort in appeals,

and recourse

of God, producing to

it

in doubts of our o^vn uprightness

excellent

the omniscience of

God

and uprightness, as

it

ness shall cover

me

;

;

and

me

to thee," Psa.

:

when

First,

strongly obliges the soul to sincerity

did David

:

" If I say. Surely the dark-

even the night shall be light about

;

yea, the darkness hideth not from thee

shineth as the day

an

this also is

method of communion with God.

;

but the night

the darkness and the light are both alike

139:

compared with Psa. 18: 23,

11, 12,

was also upright before him." The consideration that he was always before the eye of God was his preservative " I

from it

iniquity, yea,

kiah

:

own

from his

produces comforts in " I beseech thee,

appeals

Second,

iniquity. to

it,

as

Lord, remember

it

when

did to Heze-

now how

I

have

walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight." 2 Kings, 20 3. " Thou knowest that So Job also appeals to this attribute :

:

I

am

thou,

not wicked."

Job 10

Lord, knowest

me

;

:

7.

So did Jeremiah: "But

thou hast seen me, and tried

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. my lieart toward recourse to

Thus

ness.

heart

;

thee."

David

did

when we have own uprightGod, and know my

Third,

3,

:

any wicked way

my

thoughts

Psa. 139

me."

in

to

" Search me,

:

me, and know

try

12

Jer.

under doubts and fears as

it

attributes of God, Christians

have

315

;

our

and see

if

In

23,24.

:

there be these

all

and sweet commun-

real

ion with him. 2.

The next method

communion with God

of

is

hi the

of religion, such as in all which the prayer, hearing, and the sacraments exercise of our graces in the duties

;

Lord influences the graces of

Spirit of the

they return the

God hath planted ;

to exercise

and when they do

sweet communion with him. (1.)

to

As

him.

various graces in regenerate souls, so he

hath appointed various duties those graces

and

his people,

some measure

fruits thereof in

To begin with the

so,

and draw

forth

then have his people

And,

first

grace that shows

the

itself in

soul of a Christian, to wit, repentance, or sorrow for sin.

In the exercise of this grace of repentance, the soul pours out

itself before

much

the Lord with

ness of heart, and spreads forth

much

sown

seed

;

and

gression unto the Lord

Psa.

sin."

32

:

bitterness

sorrows,

(2.)

As

" I said, I will confess

Here

5.

God and man there are

likewise the Lord helps

is

a voice of sorrow sent up,

:

real

commun-

them

13.

saints

and the Lord returns peace

and refreshment. Psa. 27

is

in the exercise of repentance.

return whereunto they find

believed."

my trans-

seasons in duty wherein the

exercise their repentance,

port, rest,

are as so

Lord usually

and thou forgavest the iniquity of

;

and a voice of peace coming down, which ion between

and broken-

which

in return thereto the

sends an answer of peace.

my

its

;

so

in their duties to ^oX faith, in

from the Lord inward sup" I

And

had

fainted, unless I

ofttimes

had

an assurance

is

given them of the mercies they have acted their faith about. 1

John, 5

:

14.

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

316

The Lord many times draws forth eminent degrees him in the course of our duties the heart is filled with love to Christ. The strength of the soul is drawn forth to Christ in love, and this the Lord repays in (3.)

of our love to

;

kind, love for love

my

Father, and

My

him.

I

:

He

"

that loveth

will love him,

me

shall be loved of

and will manifest myself

Father will love him, and

we

him, and make our abode with him."

Here

what enjoyment do

Christians thus gain in their duties

and exercise of graces

9?ieek?iess,

and

them the

double returns of joy

all

is

fortitude,

joyfulness.

and with ;

:

all

and of God

Tke Lord

14.

might

:

strengthens

in the inner

and the reward of that

Col. 1

which

in return to

Spirit of glory

4

man,

long-suffer-

11.

communion with God

Besides

3,

1 Pet.

long-suffering

;

special consolations of his Spirit,

"The

:

upon them."

them with

in the duties of passive obe-

enabled to exercise their 'patience,

are

long-suffering for Christ

the Lord gives

ing

!

To mention no more,

(4.)

dience Christians

unto

John 14: 21,23.

sweet communion with God in the exercise of love.

is

resteth

to

come unto

will

in the contemplation

of his attributes, and graces exercised in the course of duties, there

another method of

is

way of his providences ; To

him.

communion with God

for therein also his

in the

people walk with

give a view of this, let us consider providence in

a fourfold aspect towards the people of God. (1.)

There are

afflictive

with the Lord chastens his house

and

:

in

providences and rebukes where-

his children

;

this

answer whereunto, gracious

is

the discipline of

souls return

they are brought to accept the punishment of their

And

meek

childlike submission, a fruit of the Spirit of adoption

herein

answer

lies

;

iniquities.

communion with God under the rod. This may not be made at once, for there is

to the rod

much stubbornness unmortiiied in the best hearts, Heb. 12:7, but this is the fruit it shall yield and when it doth, there ;

COMMUNION WITH CHUIST. communion between God and the

real

is

not Christians mistake themselves

they are humbled, search their hearts,

made by

discoveries of sin

wisdom

his

they kiss

me

for

that

their afflictions

with childlike submission, and

have been

I

with God, though

afflicted,

may

it

be

for

they admire

if

;

and choosing the rod

in timing, moderating,

it

Let

afflicted soul.

when God is smiting, and bless God for the

if

:

317

say, It

is

if

;

good

they have real communion

a time without joy.

There are times when providence straitens the

(2.)

when

people of God,

and run

their waters of comfort ebb

very low, and their wants pinch

;

the soul then exercises in

return filial dependence upon fatherly care, saying with David, " The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want," Pfea. ;

23

1

:

it

:

him

belongs to

I will trust

my

and

to provide,

Father's care and love.

me

to

communion with God under pinching wants. of the body enrich the soul of inward enlargements.

have an

interest in

providences

See,

God

from hence,

as a Father,

may come upon

When

56:3:

Psa.

Father,

"

how good

I see

a storm

exjjoses his

this produces trust in

distress

rising, ;

child go but to his Father (4.)

when

And

and

is

So

I

to

peo-

God, and

communion Thus David,

is

difficulty.

I will trust in

thee

:"

thy poor child comes under his

for wliither

should a distressed

?

then, as to the events of doubtful providences,

the soul resigns and leaves itself to the wise disposal

of the will of God, as David in 2 Sam. 15

am

it is

to the eye of sense there is

What time I am afraid,

Father's roof for shelter

The wants

whatever changes of

resignation to the pleasure of his will, there

with God in times of

;

sweet

you.

imminent dangers, when

no way of escape.

is

straits are the occasion

There are seasons wherein the Lord

(3.)

2)le to

outward

;

depend

to

now

Here

;

real

let

him do

to

me

and sweet communion with God in

much

for

:

26

:

as seemeth good in his sight

the nature of

liis

" Here :"

this

providences.

communion with God.

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

318

show the reality

I shall

II.

and prove

to

it

be no fancy.

put upon the proof of of the age

men

we

communion with God,

to

make

necessary

it

will allow nothing for certain but

;

to

be

what

;

falls

many

for

under the

that they had their spiritual senses

cognizance of sense. exercised

me

grieves

but the atheism and profaneness

this,

seem

live in

of

I confess it

then they would sensibly discern the reality of

But to put the matter out of question, I shall show the truth and reality of the saints' communion with

these things.

God

ways.

in divers

Evidence

1.

From

the saints'

union

ivith Christ.

If

be a union between Christ and believers, then of

there

must be communion between them also. word of God which you profess to be the rule of your faith, plainly asserts this union between Christ and believers an union like that between the branches and the root, John 15 4, 5, or that between the head and the members, Eph. 4:16. Now, if Christ be to believers as the root to the branches, and as the head to the members, then of necessity there must be a communion between them for if there were not a communion, there could be no communications and if no communications, no life. It is by necessity there

Now

the whole

;

:

;

;

the communication of vital sap from the root and from the

members

head, that the branches and

Evidence

There

2.

is

subsist

and

live.

a cohabitation of Christ with

believers; he dwells with them, yea, he dwells in " I will dwell in them,

The

soul of a believer

ing temple.

walk

1

in them,

Pet. 2

:

and walk

is

in

the temple of Christ

And

5,

if

converse together.

;

if

A man

and yet cannot be said

;

:

16.

yea, his liv-

Christ dw^ell in

them and

to

they live together, they must indeed

may

dwell in his house,

have communion with

saints are a living house, they are ;

them:

2 Cor. 6

then certainly there must be communion

between him and them

Christ

them."

and he cannot dwell

in

it

;

but the

the living temples of

such temples capable of

COMMUNION eonimunion

AVITH CHRIST.

319

him, and yet have no communion with

-witli

them.

Evidence and the

tions into

communion between God

of

undeniably evinced by the spiritual rela-

is

which God has taken them.

God and

the child of believer's

The reahty

3.

saints

and the church

Father,

Every believer

God

the spouse of Christ. is

is

Lamb's

the

is

the

wife.

Christ calls the believer not only his servant, but his friend. *'

Henceforth

what John 15

not

:

I call

his

:

but

I

knoweth friends."

;

God be the believer's Father, and be God's own child, certainly there must be Now,

15.

the believer

for the servant

have called you

you not servants

Lord doeth if

communion between them.

If Christ be the believer's hus-

band, and the believer be Christ's spouse, there must be com-

What, no communion between the

nmnion between them.

Father and his children, the husband and the wife

must

either renounce

and deny

and therein renounce our Bibles sion that there

is

a real

;

?

We

such relation to him,

all

or else yield the conclu-

communion

betw^een Christ and

believers.

Evidence

4.

The

reality of

communion with God

pears fro77i the institution of the ordinances religion, to maintain daily his

people.

prayer

As

to

and

communion between

instance but

ap-

duties of

Christ and

one institution, that of

—a duty appointed on purpose

w4th God, and communion with him

for :

"

the soul's meeting

Draw

nigh to God,

Now, to what purpose can such an ordinance be appointed for the soul's drawing nigh to God, and God to it, if there be no such thing as commmiion to be enjoyed with him ? If communion with God were a mere phantom, as the carnal world thinks it to be, what encouragement have the saints to bow their knees to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ? But surely there is an access to God in and he

prayer

:

will

*'

In

draw nigh

whom we

to you."

James 4:8.

have boldness, and access with con-

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE

320

Epli. 3

fidence."

Access

12.

:

to

what

DOOE,.

God be

If

1,

not

and there can be no communion with him, what means that access ? " And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat."

there,

Exod. 25

:

Duties had never been appointed, but for

22.

the sake of God's

Evidence

rommuning with This

5.

and we with him.

us,

yet further proved from the

is

mutual

of Christ and his people to be i?t siveet and The Scripture intimate communion one ivith the other. desires both

much

speaks

vehement

of the saints'

communcommunion

desires after

ion with Christ, and of Christ's desires after

with the

saints,

and of both

communion wdth him 1-3 42 1 Psa. G3 :

New

the

he

is

:

;

are with him.

Song 8

in Sol.

119

;

And

Testament.

much more

The

jointly.

and the

20,

:

Christ

desirous of

is

if

he had

I

13

:

"

Thou

said,

my

that dwellest in the gardens, ;

converse with each other

see thy countenance, let

me

to

hear

it."

;

why

You speak

hear thy voice is

me

to

comely."

Sol.

"

I

for

;

you

shall not

often to

men

Let

;

me

sweet

is

thy

Song 2

:

14.

these desires are mutually expressed one to another.

Christ has said, " Surely replies,

?

more frequently

and thy countenance

And then

me

cause

people, you frequently converse one

that you would speak

voice,

less desirous, yea,

Consider that expression of his to the spouse, :

with another, you talk daily together

and

no

see

;

throughout

like

communion with us than we

the companions hearken. to thy voice

As

saints' desires after

are frequent in the Scriptures

"Amen.

Even

I

so,

come quickly."

And

come, Lord Jesus."

the church

Kev. 22

:

20.

Now, if there be such vehement mutual desires after communion between Christ and his people in this world, then certainly there is such a thing as real communion between them, or

else

both must live a very restless and

dissatisfied life.

The mutual complaints of the interrupIf tion of communion plainly prove there is such a thing. God complain of his people for their estrangements from Evidence

6.

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. God

him, and the saints complain to

and the hidings of

321

of his silence to them,

from them, surely there must be

his face

a communion between them, else there could be no ground of complaints for the interruptions of

complain of his people "

Thus

for their

saith the Lord, I

But God does

it.

estrangements from him.

remember

thee, the kindness

thy youth, the love of thine espousals.

me

your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from Jer. 2

:

As

2, 5.

if

your estrangements from

me

of the church of Ephesus

;

;

And

?

after

Lord hides people, as

it,

what

an

Psalmist

:

And

and seems

" Lord,

they

to estrange

know

not

many

left

side,

I

have

thy

first

when

the

himself from his

moans do they make about how to bear. Thus the

why castest thou off my me ?" Psa. 88 14.

thou thy face from

me

" Nevertheless,

then on the other

sad lamentations and

affliction

:

because thou hast

thee,

his face

thus Christ complains

he had commended

him

things in her, one thing grieves

somewhat against love." Rev. 2:4.

?"

say, You and I have been what cause have I given for

he should

better acquainted in days past

of

"What iniquity have

:

soul

;

why

hidest

" Hide not thy

put not thy servant away in anger." Psa. what they cannot bear. Evidence 7. The reality of communion with God is made visible to others, in the effects of it ujjon the saints face far from

27

:

9.

This

who enjoy

;

is

it.

There are

visible

signs and tokens of

it

Thus that marvellous change which appeared on the very countenance of Hannah, after she had poured out her heart in prayer, and the Lord had answered her it is said, " The woman went her way, and her countenance was no more sad." 1 Sam. 1 18. You might have read in her face that God had appearing to the conviction of others.

:

:

Thus, when mark of communion Now, when they saw the

spoken peace and satisfaction to her heart. the disciples had been with Christ, the

with him was

visible to others

:

"

boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were 14=^

;:

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

322

unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled

;

and they took

knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus."

4

:

when

It is sweet, Christian,

13.

spirituality

Acts

the cheerfulness and

men

of thy conversation with

shall convince

others that thou hast been with Jesus.

Evidence

We may

8.

with God, from

prove the reality of communion

impossibility of sustaining the troubles

tlie

^vhich the saints have luithout

If prayers did not go

it.

and answers come down, there were no Prayer

in this world.

and the

is

the outlet of the saints' sorrows,

inlet of their supports

Say not that other men have with God.

men have

that carnal

It is true

and those troubles are often

heavy

too

rows of the world work death

for

8

26.

:

for

spiritual troubles, as well as their

to

God comes

go

bear them.

to succor

The

sor-

men have

no

they have their inward,

outward

inward troubles are the sinking troubles strength of

their troubles,

them.

but carnal

;

such troubles as the saints have,

God

Rom.

and comforts.

their troubles as well as the

and yet bear them without the help of communion

saints,

a

up

living for a Christian

them

And

troubles. ;

but thus the

and except they had

:

to,

and draw comfort from, they could never

" I

had

fainted, unless I

had believed."

Psa.

27:13.

Paul had sunk under the buffetings of Satan,

unless he

had gone once and again

God, and received

to his

My grace is sufficient for thee." 2 Cor. 12:9. Evidence 9. We argue the reality of communion with God from the end of the saiiits' vocation. We read fre-

the answer, "

quently in Scripture of effectual calling; and what to

which God

is

that

calls his people, out of the state of nature,

but unto fellowship and communion with Jesus Christ

"God

is faithful,

by

whom

ship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."

are called, you see, into a therefore there

is

?

ye were called unto the fellow-

life

of

,

1

Cor.

1

:

9.

communion with

such a communion,

else

They Christ

the saints are

called to the enjoyment of a fancy, instead of a privilege

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. which

is

faithful

323

the greatest reproach that can be cast upon the

God

that called them.

Evidence

The

10.

characters

and

the saints in ScriiJture, evidently

The men

munion with God.

their

life

of com-

of this world are, in Scrip-

from the people of God

ture, manifestly distinguished

are called, the children of this world

Luke 16:8.

children of light,

description givoi of

show

They

;

but the

;

Rom. 8:5.

They

but saints to be after the Spirit.

mind

earthly things, but the conversation of the saints Phil. 3

that there

is

:

19, 20.

By

all

wdiich

it

in

a reahty in the doctrine of communion between

We

cunningly devised

but a thing whose foundation

its

is

undeniably appears

Christ and his people.

sure as

the

are said to be after the

flesh,

heaven.

they

saints,

nature

fable, is

sweet.

are not imposed

upon

;

it is

is

no as

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

324

CHAPTER

XII.

COMMUNION BETWEEN CHRIST AND BELIEVERS ON EARTH — CONTINUED. "I

WILL COME

I

IN

TO HBI, AND WILL SUP WITH HIM, AND WITH me:' Rev. 3:20.

SHALL now proceed

munion with God hearts

show

to

you.

The transcendent excellency

III.

it is

:

of this

life

of com-

the hfe of our Ufe, the joy of our

a heaven upon earth

;

HE

—

as will appear

by these twenty

excellencies thereof.

Excellency 1. It is the assiviilati?ig instrument whereThis is the is moulded after the image of God. excellency of communion with God, to make the soul like

by the soul

There

him.

a twofold assimilation or conformity of the

is

and complete, the other imper-

soul to God, the one perfect fect

and

Perfect assimilation

in part.

perfect state, resulting from the fect

he

communion the

shall appear,

as he is." ;

soul has with

God

in glory

we

When him

but the soul's assimilation or imperfect con-

God

in this world,

and power,

conformity to

"

shall see

is

wrought and gradually

And

so in

car-

as our com-

munion with God here grows up more and more uality

:

Perfect vision produces perfect

by daily communion with him.

ried on

the privilege of the

shall be like him, for

John, 3:2.

1

assimilation

formity to

we

is

immediate vision and per-

into sphit-

an answerable degree does our

him advance: "But we

all,

with open face

beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the

same image from

of the Lord."

by the

glory to glory, as

2 Corinth. 3

:

18.

All sorts of

Spirit

communion

among men have an assimilating efficacy he that walks iu vain company is vainer than he was before and he that :

;

walks

in spiritual,

than before.

heavenly company, will be more serious

But nothing

so transforms the spirit of a

man

;

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. as

Those arc most hke God that

communion with God,

The beauty

converse most frequently with him. is

upon those

souls

;

it

325

changes the

of the Lord

man

a

spirit of

after the

divine pattern.

of

Excellency 2. It is the beauty of the soul, God and all good men it makes the face to ;

outward splendor

in

;

it

:

we

have seen and heard declare

have fellowship with us

and truly our fellowship

;

draw the world fellowship

into fellowship

And

with God.

is

with the if

1

is

John,

makes use

the great inducement the apostle

is

may

unto you, that ye also

the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."

This

No

makes a man the most " That which we the whole world

attracts like this

companion

desirable

in the eyes

shine.

with 1

:

3.

of to

saints, that their

there were ten thousand

You read when the earth shall be full of holiness Jews, now as a lost generation, shall be called,

other inducements, there could be none like this.

of a blessed time,

when

the

and an eminent degree of

them

;

shall

come

and then see the

sanctification shall be visible in effect of this

to pass, that ten

men

" In those days

:

languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the of

him

that

is

a Jew, saying.

have heard that God is

is

We

will go

with you."

the powerful attractive, the Lord

effect of

more

Zech. 8

difference

How

another.

;

makes the

Excellency rest

the

:

of some is

the

men

how

;

company

3. It is

is

and what

;

walks in commun-

ahenated from the

life

of

God

?

the ceyitre on luhich rests the ivearij

and refreshment of a man's

my

frothy, burden-

of others

difference but only this, the one

rest,

it is

righteous

heavenly, sweet, and desirable are the con-

company

ion with God, the other

—the

we

This

23.

with you

is

skirts for

;

Prov. 12 26. What a make between one man and

does this

some, and unprofitable

unto thy

:

communion with God, which makes the

versation and

soul

with you

excellent than his neighbor.

visible

it

shall take hold, out of all

soul."

Psa. 116

;

7.

spirit

:

"Return

When we

attain

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

326 perfect rest

communion with God

and

;

in heaven,

the rest the spirit of

all

man

we

attain to perfect

finds

on earth,

in

is

communion with God. Take a sanctified person who has intermitted for some time liis communion with the Lord, and ask him, Is your soul at rest and ease

The motions

He will tell you. No. member of his

?

of his soul are like those of a

Let him recover

body out of joint, neither comely nor easy.

frame again, and with

his spiritual

world

les in this

meet

Christians, you

and comfort.

many

;

he recovers his

it

Avitli

a sweet comfort

is

cut

ofi^,

many a

hopeful project dashed by the hand of Providence w^iat, think you,

ing providences

is

meaning

the

Surely this

?

away

and

;

of these blasting, disappoint-

is

their design

and errand,

bosom of the creature

disturb your false rest in the

rest

a variety of troub-

;

to

to

pluck

the pillows you were laying your heads upon, that you

may

be led back to God, recover your lost communion with my him, and say with David, " Return unto thy rest, soul."

Sometimes we are

estate, in

God

a

to say. Go, losses, smite

and take away the child

may

find rest

will, shall find

Noah till it

it is

such a man's estate

nowhere but

no rest

Excellency

at such a time

:

desire of his eyes

the soul, like the dove

an

settling ourselves to rest in

child, or the like

in

with a

sent forth, let

come back

go, death,

stroke, that

God

me.

;

usual for

it

my

is

the ark

fly

where

;

it

God.

to

It is the desire, of all gracious souls

4.

Wherever there is a gracious soul, work after communion with God. As Christ was called, " The Desire of all nations," Hag. 2 7, so communion with him is the desire of all nations and this speaks the

throitghout the world. its desires

:

;

excellency of

it

:

"

One thing have

that will I seek after

Lord

all

the days of

;

that I

my

communion with worship. One thing have

Lord,

dwell in the house of the

to

behold the beauty of the

life,

Lord, and to inquire in his temple." to enjoy

I desired of the

may

Psa. 27 :4.

That

is

liim in the public duties of his I desired, that

is,

one thing above

;

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. all others

such an one, that

;

if

God

shall give

comfortably bear the want of other things.

me what

he

Hence the thing

my

eth

thy salvation

42

81

;

1

;

God

19

:

When 101

No

communion.

duties can satisfy without

much

may come

;

but there

gracious heart,

till

come unto me ?" Excellency of

all

5.

hear thy voice

to thy voice;

Christ

may

come, ordinances and sabbaths

no satisfaction

is

God comes As

too

to the desires of

when

"

:

the desire, so

it is

it is

is

the saints

is

a

wilt thou

the delight

As

the children of God, both in heaven and earth.

communion with

me

it,

the denial of this

less

Christians reckon their lives worth nothing

Ministers

it.

soul fainteth for

come unto me?" Psalm

wilt thou

2.

:

My

and, "

;"

the soul cannot bear the delay,

without

other things.

all

the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so pant-

soul after thee, "

1

can

I

one thing

this

recompense the want of

;"

^

me,

desires of the saints are so intense after this one

"As

:

it

Let liim deny

me

he will not deny

will, if

this shall richly

327

the delight of Christ, " Let

and again, " The companions hearken

;"

me

cause

hear it;" so communion with

to

the delight of his people

:

" I sat

down under

his

shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my Sol. Song 2 14 taste." 8:13; 2:3. It is the pleasure of ;

:

Christ to see the earnest countenances, the blusliing cheeks, the weeping eyes of his people on their knees

;

and

it is

the

delight of the saints to see a smile upon his face, and to hear

a voice of pardon and peace from his Christians,

you must look

any earthly enjoyment till

you come home

;

for"

I

lips.

must

tell

you,

no such delights as these

in

there are none better than these,

to glory.

Communion with God then

appears most excellent, inasmuch as

it

is

the desire and

delight of all gracious souls.

Excellency mortifies

and

6.

It is

the eiivy of Satan, that which

and disappoints that wicked

galls that

proud and envious

spirit.

spirit, to see

how it grates men enjoying

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

328

the pleasure of is

communion with God, from which he himself

and cut

fallen

off for ever

communion with and despair

this

:

to see the saints in delightful

;

he

Christ, while

feels

the pangs of horror

And

he cannot endure to behold.

there-

you find in your experience, that times of communion

fore

with God are usually busy times of temptation from the

"And

devil.

he showed

me Joshua the

before the angel of the Lord,

hand

It is

at his right

well for thee, Chris-

thou hast an Advocate standing at God's right

tian, that

hand

Zech. 3:1.

him."

to resist

high-priest standing

and Satan standing

to resist

and frustrate

upon thee

his attempts

;

other-

wise Satan would thus destroy your communion with God,

and make that which is now your delight, your terror. Many ways doth the devil oppose the saints' communion with God

:

sometimes he labors

divert thy soul's approach to

them from

to divert

business shall fall in, or that occasion

God

fall out,

but

;

if

it

;

this

on purpose to

he cannot prevail

in this, then he labors to distract your thoughts into a thou*

sand vanities

;

or if

he succeed not

there,

he attacks you

in

your return from duty, with spiritual pride and security.

show the worth and excelcommunion with God. Excellency 7. It is the design of all the ordmance?,

These

fierce oppositions of hell

lency of

God has instituted every ordinance duties of religion. and duty, whether public or private, to beget and maintain

and

communion between himself and our

souls.

What

are ordi-

nances, duties, and graces, but perspective-glasses to give us

a sight of God and help us to communion with him ? God rest, but mediums of

never intended his ordinances to be our

communion with go into a boat,

himself,

it is

to be ferried over the

man

who

duty,

it

yields

man

him

our true

rest.

water where our business

miss of communion with

like a

is

When wo

not with an intention to dwell there, but

little

God

If

a

He comes back from it, many miles to meet a dear

comfort.

that hath travelled

lies.

in the best ordinance or

I;

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. friend on special business, but

returns sad

and

met with disappointment, and

God

dissatisfied.

329

meeting-places with himself in

appoints ordinances to be

this

world

put the mercy-seat above upon the ark

and

;

"

:

Thou

shalt

in the ark thou

And there I commune with thee from

shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.

meet with

will

and

thee,

I will

above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubims." It was not the sight of the golden 21, 22.

Exodus 25

:

cherubims, or of the ark overlaid with pure gold, which could have satisfied Moses, had not the special presence of

God been "

and had he not held communion with him.

there,

God, thou art

thirsty land,

is

and

thy power and thy

to see

;

have seen thee in the sanctuary." Psalm artificial ornaments of

places of worship, are of it is

is

soul

Magnificent structures, or

1, 2,

:

:

where no water

glory, so as I

63

my God early will I seek thee my my flesh longeth for thee in a dry ;

tliirsteth for thee,

the presence of

little

account with a gracious soul

God and communion with him which

the beauty and glory the saints desire to behold.

Excellency

8.

Christ and interest evidence

by a

itself

tensions to

m life

him. of

communion with him,

—inquiring

of their union with Christ

your

fail life

All union with Christ

you

:

Do you

;

live in

here

after evidences is

must

or our pre-

There are many

are vain and groundless.

it

wish there were more never

of our union ivith

It is the evidejice

and

—

signs

an evidence that can

communion with

him.

?

May

be called a walking with God, as Enoch's was

Then you may be so sure a sign, as

;

the vanity of false signs, will never be able to destroy

Hezekiah could

how

?

have union with him and this is that death itself, which usually discovers

sure you

say, " I beseech thee,

Lord,

it.

remember now

have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight." I

2 Kings, 20

:

3.

0, professors,

it

whatever ungrounded hopes and

will be a dreadful thing, false

comforts you

now

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

330

have, to find

them shrinking away from

they will at death

a

man

and

;

all

you, as certainly

on this account

my

duties of religion, but

heart

was

not in

my

soul.

am

I

also

walk

:

" If

25,

we

in the Spirit ;" that

When all is

union wdth Christ

That

is

had

a

ter-

a remark-

us evidence the

let

is,

of

life

life

performances whatever

gifts or

can amount to evidence of union with Christ without

Excellency

As

ble ease to a troubled soul.

the bleeding of a vein cools,

and refreshes a feverish body

eases,

opening of the

so the

;

by acts of communion with God, gives ease

soul

dened soul

:

souls are deeply laden tresses

whole world

How

with their

no refreshment

;

like

own

such a

for

to a bur-

Many

by groans heavenward.

griefs are eased

it.

sweet and sensi-

It is ease in all pains,

9.

of

communion

the surest evidence of our

said, this is

and no

;

I

live in the Spirit, let us

grace in us by exercising that grace in a

with G od.

;

is

going to his awful bar, and have not

one sound evidence to carry with me." able text in Gal. 5

them

now God

no communion with the Lord in them, and ror to

"I have been

:

of knowledge, have been frequent in the external

fears, cares,

soul,

;

dis-

no anodyne in the

communion with God.

did troubles afflict David's soul

and

'

Psa. 32

:

1,

2.

night and day God's

hand was heavy on him his soul, as Elihu speaks, was like he must speak to God and so he bottles full of new wine "I said, I will confess my did, and was refreshed by it ;

:

;

:

and thou forgavest the iniquity would grieve one to see how many

transgressions unto the Lord of

my

sin."

Ver. 5.

It

;

up and down the world, and another but obtain no

distressed souls carry their troubles

making

their complaints to one

;

ease.

Away

closet,

pour out thy soul before him

to

thy God, poor Christian ;

;

get thee into thy

and that ease which

thou seekest in vain elsewhere, will there be found, or nowhere.

Excellency

10. It

\

delicious, pleasant, proper,

food and

to the soul,

and the most

satisfying food that ever

it

COMMUNION tasted;

it

is

these things

my

hidden manna.

men

and

live,

without spiritual food

truly call

tion

peace."

can

live as well

live

without

communion with God it is Here they find what they ;

their necessary food.

marrow and

Psa. 63

fatness.

and support they draw from

tutions

Lord, by

Regenerate souls cannot

bread, as their souls without

more than

"0

Rev. 2:17.

their bodies

:

331

in all these things is the Hie of

38:16.

Isa.

spirit."

AVITH CHRIST.

"To

upon them.

Rom. 8:6.

:

the satisfac-

5.

spiritual things

be spiritually minded

The

delicacies

upon

by mediand

is life

princes' tables

Ungodly men may live on the vanities of the world, but a renewed soul cannot subsist long without God. Let such a soul be diverted for a time from its usual refreshments, and he will find his heart aching and are husks and chaff to this.

pining within him.

It is angels' food, that

must live upon throughout eternity. Excellency 11. It is the guard of the assaults of tenvptation.

perish.

73

"

nigh to God.

:

But

27, 28.

fort,

Lord

it is

good

It is

They for

me

to

Your

but the good of safety

gracious presence of

God

is

is

to

fears, straits,

and dangers,

in

it

:

"

The beloved Deut. 33

be with him."

:

see that

The

2 Chron. 15

:

of the

12.

your shield and safety

"

draw-

Psalm

God."

you would have the Lord thus present with you the duties of communion.

tJie

not only the good of com-

by him."

shall dwell in safety

safety lies in

draw near

;

soid against

are far from thee shall

that

good indeed

souls

a shield advanced against

It is like

the fiery darts of the wicked one. ing

which your

;

The and

if

in all your

you keep near

to

him

in

Lord-is with you while ye

2.

Excellency 12. It is the honor of the soid, and the greatest honor God ever conferred on any creature. It is the glory of the holy angels in heaven, to be always beholding the face of God.

Matt. 18

:

10.

that

admit poor dust and ashes unto such a nearness to

walk with a king, and

to

God should to himself:

have frequent converse with

KNOCKma

CHRIST

332

AT THE DOOR.

him, puts great honor upon a subject

with God

so did

;

fellowship Christ."

;

so

but the saints walk

;

"

the saints.

all

They have

John, 1:3. the Lord, as

it

Truly our

liberty

and access with

were, delivers to

them the golden

key of prayer, by which they all occasions

do

with the Father, and with his Son Jesus

is

1

confidence

Enoch,

may come

into his presence

with the freedom of children

Excellency

13. It

is

on

a father.

to

the instrument of mortification,

and the most excellent and successful instrument for that " This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall purpose. not

fulfil

the works of the flesh."

the Spirit

God.

is

Now,

the

same thing

Gal. 5

:

as walking in

says the apostle, if you

in the actings of faith, love, and

16. Walking in communion with

walk thus

in the Spirit,

obedience, through the

course of holy duties, the effect will be, that ye shall not fulfil

fulfil

you

;

tion all

A

the lusts of the flesh.

He

does not say.

temptations to sin assaulting you

feel

;

but,

You You

shall not shall not

the lusts of the flesh, sin shall not have dominion over this will free

overcome

this

A

tempta-

effectually subdued,

than by

you from the power of

way

is

more

the vows, resolutions, and external

sin.

means

in the world.

blown out with a puff of breath may be rekindled by another puff; but if it is quenched in water, so you never find such power it is not easily lighted again candle that

is

:

or success of temptation over you

when your

hearts are

with God

and

you do when

in the exercise of faith

love, as

up

your hearts hang loose from him, and dead towards him.

why

no

can

The schoolmen

assign this as one reason

fasten upon the

saints in heaven, because they there enjoy

sin

This is sure, that the more communion any man has with God on earth, the more free he is from the power of his corruptions. Excellency 14. It is the kernel of all duties and ordinances. Words and gestures are but the husks and the beatific vision of God.

shells of duties.

Communion with God

is

the sweet kernel,

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. the pleasant and nourishing food which

you see the

333 within them

lies

husks, shells, and such-like integuments, witliin

pleasant kernels and grains hypocrite is

who

fieth not. is

but

55

Isa.

Isa,

44

The

money

20, to spend his

:

He

2.

:

upon husks,

feeds

pleasure or nourishment.

doth a hypocrite keep

never

ligion, will

the

lie

food.

not bread, and his labor for that which

is

little

which

and these are the

;

goes no further than the externals of rehgion,

on ashes,

said to feed

that which

:

the earth are covered and defended by

fruits of

fill

!

which there

in

What

a poor house

Words, gestures, ceremonies of

the soul

for

satis-

re-

but communion with God

;

is

As David said, " My soul shall and my mouth as with marrow and fatness thee with joyful lips; when I remember thee

substantial nourishment.

be

satisfied

shall praise

my

upon

Psa. 63 tilings

:

;

bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches." It grieves one's

5, 6.

many

souls

satisfy

Ephraim upon the wind, well contented perform a few heartless duties hidden manna, are feasted as

Excellency

15.

It is

;

it

what

airy

feeding

like

heart to think

themselves with if

;

they can but

while the saints feeding on

were with angels'

food.

the light of the soul in darkness,

and the pleasantest light that ever shone upon the soul of man. There are many who walk in darkness some in the darkness of ignorance and unbelief, the most dismal of all ;

darkness, except that in hell.

There are others who are

children of light in a state of reconciliation, yet walk in the

darkness of outward

temptations shines

;

upon the

that darkness

about the ened."

duty faith.

;

afflictions,

and mward desertions and

but as soon as the light of God's countenance

is

soul in the duties of

scattered

it is all

within and round

:

They looked unto him and were light5. They looked, there is faith acted in

and were enlightened, there

The

communion with him,

light

"

soul.

Psa. 34

;

is

the sweet effect of

horrors and troubles of gracious souls retire on

the rising of this cheerful Hght.

As wild

beasts

come out

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOH.

334 of

tlieir

dens in the darkness of the night, and shrink back

when

again

the sun arise th, Psa. 104

upon

light shines

which

when

20-22

so do the

;

more, this

this

a light

is

It was the Germany upon his death-bed, being asked how it was with-

scatters the very darkness of death itself.

his eyesight

"

:

Nay

their souls.

saying of a worthy divine of

in

:

and inward troubles of the people of God, when

fears

was

said he, "

Why,"

gone,

though

be dark about me,"

all

pointing as well as he could to his breast, " here

is

yet,

light

enough."

Excellency

16. It

liberty to the imprisoned soul,

is

and the most comfortable and excellent liberty in the whole world. He only walks at liberty who walks with God "I :

walk

will

"Wicked

at liberty

men

for I seek

;

thy precepts." Psa. 119

cry out of bands and cords in religion

;

:

45.

they

look upon the duties of godliness as the greatest bondage " Let us break their bands asunder,

and thraldom.

away

from us."

their cords

strictness

and preciseness,

ure of our lives

it

2:3.

Psa.

Away

extinguishes the joy and pleas-

give us our cups instead of Bibles, our

;

and pas-

jovial songs instead of spiritual psalms, our sports

times instead of prayers and sermons.

how

Alas, poor creatures,

do they dance in their chains, when, in

sweetest liberty

and cast

with this

is

reality,

the

enjoyed in the duties at which they thus

the soul of is the law of liberty more freedom than when it is bound with Here is liberty from the strictest bonds of duty to God. " The law of enthralling lusts, and from enslaving fears scoff.

The law

of Christ

;

mian never enjoys

:

the Spirit of

life

in Christ Jesus

Rom.

the law of sin and death."

dom

indeed

:

" If the

Son

from

fears.

Luke

1

:

74, 75.

any restraint from their sin

;

8

:

2.

therefore shall

Jolm 8

shall be free indeed."

:

me free from And here is free-

hath made

36.

make you

And

here

is

free,

ye

freedom

Those that will not endure

lusts, will

have their freedom

to

When

ye

a freedom they shall have, such as

it

is.

"

a :

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. were the servants of

Kom.

G

:

20.

sin,

ye were

free

335

from righteousness."

Let none therefore be prejudiced against the

ways of duty and godhness. The law of Christ is the perlaw of liberty, James 1 25 not liberty to sin but lib-

fect

:

—

;

erty from sin.

Excellency

is a mercy purchased by the blood and one of the principal mercies set-

17. It

of Christ for believers,

upon them by the new covenant. A peculiar mercy, which none but the redeemed of the Lord partake of mercy the purchase of which cost the blood of Christ. I do tled

—

not deny but there are thousands of other mercies bestowed

upon the unregenerate

:

they have health, wealth, children,

honors, pleasures, and all the delights of this

munion with God, and the pleasures which they are incapable of enjoying.

life

;

but com-

result therefrom,

There can be no supping

with Christ on such excellent privileges and mercies as till the heart is opened to him by faith you cannot come nigh to God, until you are first made nigh by reconciliation. Eph. 2 13 Heb. 10 19-22. What would your lives, Christians, be worth to you, if this mercy were cut off from you ? There would be little sweetness or savor in all your outward mercies, were it not for this that sweetens them all. And there is this difference, among many others, between this and all outward mercies you may be cut ofi"

these,

;

:

:

;

:

from the enjoyment of

those, but

you cannot from

prison can keep out the Comforter.

bless

this

God

;

no this

for

invaluable mercy.

Excellency

18. It

inclination of the

is

7iatural to the

newly regenerated

him

ion with God.

It is as

natural to

after

to the

new-born babe

it,

as

it is

new

creature

soul leads to to desire it

;

the

communand work

to seek the breast

"

As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." 1 Pet. 2 2. There is a law upon the regenerate soul, which inwardly and powerfully constrains it to acts of duty, and fellowship with God in :

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

336

Communion with God arises You know all creatures act

them. grace.

of nature

:

God

and the gracious

;

make towards

soul will

and seasons of communion with him.

in the times

by the

It is not forced to these duties

and the

according to the laws

the sun will rise and the sea will flow at their

appointed times its

out of the principles of

fears of hell, so

much

as

frights of conscience

by the natural

inclina-

new creature. Two things demonstrate communion with God to be conatural to the regenerate soul,

tion of the

the inner-man, the hidden-man of the heart the

restless7iess of

a gracious soul without

namely,

:

first,

The church

it.

had sought her Beloved, but found him not. Does she sit down satisfied in his absence ? No "I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets and in the broad ways 1 will Sol. Song 3 2. Second, seek him whom my soul loveth." the satisfaction and pleasure which the soul feels in the enjoyment of communion with God, plainly show it to be ;

;

:

new

agreeable to the

nature

with marrow and fatness

with joyful Psa. 63

:

lips

5, 6.

1

"My soul shall be my mouth shall

:

and

satisfied as

praise thee

when I remember thee upon my bed." And when it is thus, duties become easy and ;

pleasant to the soul ous."

;

John, 5:3.

:

" His

are not griev-

That which is natural,

assiduous in those duties. as well as pleasant.

commandments

Yea, such a soul will be constant and

"What

is

is

constant

the reason hypocrites renounce

the duties of religion in times of difficulty, but because they

have not an inward principle agreeable

to

them

The mo-

?

tives to duty lie v\dthout them, not within them.

Excellency

19. It

is tlie

holy commerce of all sancti-

fied persons, and the richest trade ever engaged in by men. Thus they grow rich in spiritual treasures the revenues ;

of

it

traded long

for tliis

you gained your is

Many

are better than silver and gold.

world, and

designs,

it

comes

you had gained but

the rich and profitable occupation

:

"

of you have

to little

;

and had

trifles.

This

Our conversation

is

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. in heaven."

the word

engaged

Phil. 3

:

signifies.

33^

20. Our commerce Hes that way, so There are few Christians who have

any considerable time,

in this soul-enriching trade

but can show some spiritual treasures which they have gotten by Psa. 119

:

"This

it:

had, because

I

I

kept thy precepts."

As merchants can show the

56.

gold and silver,

the lands and houses, the rich goods and furniture, which

they have obtained by their successful adventures abroad

and so

tell their friends, so

much by

ures,

another

much

I got

have invaluable

so Christians

;

;

by such a voyage, and treas-

though their humility conceals them, which they have

gained by this heavenly commerce of communion with God.

Their souls are weak, but by communion with God they

have gotten strength

and strengthenedst

" I cried,

:

me

and thou answeredst me,

with strength in

my

soul."

Psa,

They have gained peace by it, a treasure inestimable " Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall ofiend them." Psa. 119: 165. They have " They also do no iniquity obtained purity by it they walk in liis ways." Psa. 119: 3. what rich returns are here nay, they sometimes get full assurance by it. The 138

3.

:

:

;

:

:

;

riches of both the Indies

not purchase from a Christian

^vill

the least of these mercies.

These are the rich rewards of

our pains in the duties of religion

;

in keeping his

com-

mandments there is great reward. Psa. 19 11. Excellency 20. It is oil to the ivheels of ohedience, which makes the soul go on cheerfully in the ways of the Lord " I will run the way of thy commandments, when :

:

my heart." How prompt and

Psa. 119

thoushalt enlarge

run is

freely.

for

:

Oiled wheels

32,

any act of obedience

a soul under the influence of coraimunion with God.

Then "

ready

Here

it

cries,

am

I,

Hereby the die?icc, to Christ

as Isaiah,

send me." soul

which

KnocWn?.

it

is

having gotten a sight of God, Isa. 6

prepared

:

8.

for the duties of active obe-

applies itself with dehght

15

:

"

Then

will

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

338 I

go unto the altar of God, unto

Psa. 43

:

4

The

joy."

or,

;

it is

in the

God my exceeding

man

to his treasures

of thy testimonies, as

joy,"

Hebrew, " the gladness of

soul goes to prayer as a

or a covetous

way

as

:

much

hungry

"I have

man

my

to a feast,

rejoiced in the

Psa.

as in all riches."

119: 14. prepares the soul for passive obedience, and makes a

It

man

rejoice in his sufferings.

Col. 1

24.

:

make a God may

It will

Christian stand ready to receive any burden that

lay on his shoulders, and even be thankful to be so employed "

The joy

of the Lord

your strength."

is

Neh. 8

Christian under the cheerful influences of near

communion

with God, can with more cheerfulness lay down for Christ, than other men can lay out a shilling In

all

I

his

neck

for

him.

these twenty particulars, you have an account of the

excellency of this privilege

have

:

A

10.

:

given of

What

it.

;

but

remains,

how is

short an account

the application of this

doctrine.

Inference

1

.

Hmv

certain

it

is,

that there is

a God,

These of glory lyrepared for sanctified soids. God has set them before our spiritthings are undeniable.

and a

state

Besides the revelation of heaven in

ual eyes and senses.

the gospel, which without any thing more makes ble,

it infalli-

the Lord, for our abundant satisfaction, has brought

these things

down

to the

touch and

test of our spiritual

You who have had so many sights many sweet tastes of heaven in the

senses and experience.

of

God by

faith,

so

duties of religion,

what a confirmation and seal have you You may say of heaven,

of the reality of invisible things.

and the joys above, as the apostle did of Him that purchased " Which we have heard, which we have seen with our

it,

eyes,

which we have looked upon, and our hands have

handled,"

1

John,

1:1;

some degree before your into your hands.

for

eyes,

The sweet

God has

set these things in

and put the

first-fruits

relish of the joy of the

of

them

Lord

is

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. on the very palate of your

To

souls.

339

this spiritual sense of

the believing Hebrews the apostle appealed

when he

said,

ye " took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better, and an enduring

Heb. 10

substance."

This knowing in ourselves

34.

:

more certain and sweet than can get from others

"

:

whom, though now

Whom

having not seen, ye love

him

ye see

with joy unspeakable and

not, yet believing,

of glory."

full

1

is

we

the traditional reports

all

in

;

ye rejoice

1:8.

Peter,

more of heaven felt and tasted in this world than men are aware of; it is one thing to hear of such countries as Spain, Italy, and Turkey by the reports we heard of them There

is

in our childhood,

and another thing

understand them by

to

way

the rich commodities imported from them, in the

commerce.

and

felt

we

did

tasted,

we

but

and ought

to

ligion lays not all 2.

of

other Christians have

should not have such doubtful thoughts

But the

about invisible things. are,

know what

be

open

secret comforts of religion

the most part, hidden things.

for ;

the Christian

If sicch a height of communion

a hidden

life is

ivith

God

Relife.

be attain-

able on earth, then 7nost Christian?, live below the duties

and

Alas, the best of us are but

comforts of Christianitij.

at the foot of this pleasant

mount

in the infancy of our graces, so

What

our comforts.

own children

living

;

we

a poor table

reasons of

it ?

There are

them poor and low

is

kept by

between hopes and

the riches and joys of assurance.

As we

Pisgah.

are but

are but in the infancy of

many

fears,

of God's

seldom tasting

And would you know the

five things

which usually keep

as to spiritual joys.

First, the

incum-

brances of the world, which divert them from, or distract

them in their duties of communion with God, and so keep them low in their spiritual comforts. They have so much to do

on earth, that they have

ployments. w^orld

make

what a

noise

in the heads

little

time

for

and din do the

heavenly emtrifles

and hearts of many

of this

Christians.

CHRIST KNOCKIN& AT THE DOOR.

340

How

dear do

spirit of

we pay

such

for

trifles

embraces of the

erishes its vital spirit, like the

binds and starves the tree thrive under formality,

it

which

which

it is difficult

keep out of a

to

inter-

Third, frequent temptations annoy the minds of

mitted.

Christians, especially such as are of melancholy tem-

How

perament.

importunate and

tempta-

restless are these

They can gain

with some Christians.

tions

ivy,

Religion cannot

clasps about.

and much more when duties are

settled course of duty,

many

Second, a

as these.

formahty creeping into the duties of rehgion impov-

comfort

little

or advantage in duty, by reason of them.

Fourth, heart-

apostasy, the inward decay of our

another reason

why

our duties prosper so

love."

Rev. 2

such coldness. our comforts

;

You were

4.

:

Thou

hast

thy

left

not wont to serve

first

God with

Fifth, in a word, spiritual pride impoverishes

weak

tians are kept

low

How

"

the joys of the Spirit, like brisk wines, are too

strong for our

3.

first love, is

little.

siveet

For these causes, many Chris-

heads.

in spiritual comforts.

and desirable

is

the society of the sahits.

must needs be desirable to walk with them who w^alk There are no such companions with God. 1 John, 1:3, It

as the saints.

What

benefit or pleasure can

verse with sensual worldhngs of such

company

light as being

is

All

?

guilt or grief,

with the

And

saints,

we can

we

find in con-

carry

away

David speaks of

out

his de-

the excellent of the earth.

would certainly be much more sweet and desirable than it is, did they live more in communion with God than they do. There was a time when the communion of the saints was exceedingly lovely,

Psalm 16

:

3.

Mai. 3:16; Acts 2 itive glory 4.

:

46, 47

;

the Lord restore

it

to its prim-

and sweetness.

What an

unsjjeakable mercy

is

conversion, ivhich

of spiritual pleasure. Here the first the beginning of your acquaintance with God

lets is

their society

the sold into such

spiritual pleasures, of

a

state

—

which there

shall never be

an end.

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. All the time

men have

341

spent in an unconverted state, has

been a time of estrangement and alienation from

man

the Lord brings a

he begins

his

come mito

way

G od

him, and be at peace

Job 22:21.

thee."

ance with the Lord, will grow

when

;

of conversion,

acquaintance with God.

first

now thyself with

to Christ, in the

*'

Acquaint

thereby good shall

;

This your

acquaint-

first

every visit you give him in

;

prayer increases intimacy, and humble, holy familiarity be-

And

tween him and you.

does this let the soul into

Psalm 16

pleasures.

antness,

and

;

life

to

go

for relief

are

ways

Prov. 3

:

of pleas-

Now

17.

from any trouble that presses

whatever prejudices and scandal Satan and

instruments cast on religion, this

man must

of religion abounds with

"Her ways

11.

her paths are peace."

all

you know where your hearts

:

Avhat a paradise of pleasure

the

;

I will affirm of

it,

his

that that

necessarily be a stranger to true pleasure,

and

empty of real comfort, who is a stranger to Christ and communion with him. True, here is no allowance for sinful pleasures

;

nor

God, therefore, lift

up a cry 5.

to

is

there any lack of spiritual pleasures.

for

converting grace, you that have

heaven

If there be so

for

much

it,

you that want

Bless it

and

;

it.

delight in our imperfect, and often

communion with God here, then tvJiat is heaven; %chat are the immediate visions of his face in the perfect " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have state ? entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor. 2:9. You have interrupted

heard glorious and ravishing reports in the gospel of that blessed future state, things into.

You have

felt

glory, in the actings of all

desire to look full

your faith and love upon Christ

you have heard, and

way

which the angels

and tasted joys unspeakable and

all

you have

felt

and tasted

to glory, falls so short of the perfection

;

of

yet

in the

and blessedness

of that state, that heaven will and must be a great surprise to

them who have now the

best

acquaintance with

it.

KNOCKIN& AT THE DOOR.

CHTuIST

342

Tliough the present comforts of the saints are sometimes as

much

as they can bear, for they say, " Stay

comfort

2:5;

me

with apples

for I

;

am

me

yet these high tides of joy are but shallows,

with the joys of his immediate presence.

And

Song compared

Cor. 13

1

:

as they run not so deep, so they are not constant

continued, as they shall be above

with the Lord." Is this

6.

not contented with just so hell,

ever be

all helievei'S

then strive for the highest

?

much

as

may

God

in this world

:

be

grace as will secure you

bring you into the suburbs of

them, and press towards the mark

prize of your high calling. live at

we

Forget the things that are behind you, as

earth.

to satisfaction in

It

is

for

the

greatly to j-our loss that

such a distance from God, and are

Think not that the

him.

shall

but labor after such a height of grace and com-

munion with God heaven on

"So

the privileged state into which

attain^nent of communion with

from

:

12.

and

Thess. 4:17.

1

are admitted by conversion

you

with flagons,

sick of love," Sol.

so

seldom with

ablest ministers or the choicest

books will ever be able to satisfy your doubts or comfort

your hearts, while you to so

to

let

low a degree.

down your communion with God

that you

hearken obediently

may

now

be persuaded

to three or four necessary

words of

counsel. (1.)

Make communion ivith God

the very level

and avm

of your sold in all your approaches to him in the ordinances and duties of religion. Set it upon the point of your combe the very thing your soul designs

let

the

pass,

let it

desire

and hope of communion wdth God be the thing that

draws you

to every

sermon and prayer

:

"

One thing have

desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I in the house of the

Lord

the beauty of the Lord,

all

the days of

and

to

;

my

may

life,

I

dwell

to behold

inquire in his temple."

Psa. 27:4.

That was the mark David aimed at; and

men's success

in duties is usually according to the spiritual

COMMUNION aims and intentions of

and comfort In

(2.)

lie

much

\VITH CHRIST.

" Hear,

:

and further communica-

Lord,

when

I

my voice When thou

cry with

upon me, and answer me.

also

Seek ye

Lord, will

my

face

my heart

;

Thy

said unto thee,

Hide not thy face

I seek.

:

far

me

from

Psalm 27 7—9.

thy servant aw^ay in anger."

Hov/

:

communion with God

prayer of David.

am

come

Thou

thou

;

Lord, I saidst,

hast been

my

full

w^as this

come, in obedience to thy

" Seek ye

my

face,"

thou badest

and wilt thou put away thy servant

to thee,

face,

put not

;

of pleas and arguments for

command

him

your approaches to God, plead hard with

all

tions of his grace

saidst.

both sincerity

:

men's aims.

in

far the manifestation of his love,

have mercy

them

their hearts in

343

in

me

anger

?

have had sweet experience of

help, I

thy goodness, thou dost not use to put

me

and turn

ofi^

me

away empty. Desire not comfort for

(3.)

and refreshments

by you may be strengthened duty M'ith more cheerfulness.

commandments, when thou 119

:

As

32.

shalt give thee.

if

own

sake, but comforts

" I will

that there-

run the way of thy

shalt enlarge

he should

;

go on in the ways of your

to

say,

my

heart."

Psa.

Lord, the comforts thou

me, shall be returned again in cheerful services

I desire

food for

its

and obedience' sake

for service

my

them, as

oil to

to

the wheels of obedience, not as

pride.

As ever you expect much comfort in the way of communion with God, see that you are strict and circum(4.)

spect in

and

careless-

which impoverishes our

spiritual

your conversation.

It is the looseness

ness of our hearts and lives

A

comforts.

little

pride,

a

great deal of comfort which

iniquity of

when

carelessness frustrates a

was very near

us,

almost in

" "When I would have healed Israel, then the

our hands.

just

little

Ephraim was

discovered."

Hosea 7:1.

So,

the desire of thy heart w^as at the door, some sin

stept in the w^ay of

it.

"

Your

iniquities

have separated

CHRIST IvNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

344

between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, is Isa. 59 2.

from you."

:

and hath quick

tender,

As

offences.

your unkindnesses and

sensibility to

you expect comfort from him,

ever, therefore,

be careful in your conduct towards him, and grieve him not. 7.

to tmbelievers

This point speaks needful counsel

—

to

that live estranged from the hfe of God, and have done

all

from the womb. Psalm 58 3. To you the voice of the Kedeemer sounds a summons once more " Behold, I stand so

:

:

that at last you

and knock."

at the door

may

be pre-

vailed with to comply with the merciful terms propounded

Will you shut out a Saviour bringing salvation,

by him.

pardon, and peace with

him

Christ

?

and demands possession of thy

soul

;

is

if

thy rightful owner,

now

thou wilt

hear

his voice, thy former refusals shall never be objected.*

thou

still

reject his gracious offers,

be tendered to thee the last

do

if

;

call,

you

inevitable,

and

;

there

is

after that

a call of Christ which will be

no more.

Take heed what you

demur and

delay, your

and inexcusable.

Hear me,

still

generate souls, in

what rank

If

mercy may never more

damnation therefore,

is

just,

ye unre-

or condition soever Providence

has placed you in this world, whether you be rich or poor,

young or

old,

masters or servants, whether there be any

stirrings of conviction in

your consciences or not

;

for

how-

ever your conditions in this world differ from each other at present, there all, if

now

is

one

common

misery hanging over you

you continue in that state of unbelief in wliich you

are.

(1.)

Hearken

and

to the voice

call of Christ,

you that are

exalted by Providence above your poorer 7ieighbors

—who

have your heads, hands, and hearts full of the world men of trade and business, I have a few solemn questions to ask you this day. :

You have made many but what will

all profit

gainful bargains in your time,

you

if

the agreement be not mad«3

COMMUNION WITH between Christ and your

souls

Christ

?

345

CHEIST.^ is

the only treasure

which can enrich you. Matt. 13 :44. Thou art poor and miserable, whatever thou hast gained of this world, if thou hast not gained Christ thou hast heaped up guilt with thy ;

riches,

which

more torment thy conscience

will

hereafter,

than thy estate can yield thee comfort here.

You have made many which you for

call policies;

your souls

impolitic

insurances to secure your estates,

Are not they exposed

?

man,

be so provident

to

made

but what insurance have you

to eternal hazards

to secure trifles,

and

?

so

negligent in securing the richest treasure.

You have adjusted many accounts with men, but who shall make up your accounts with God if you are Christless

"

?

What

world and you have time your

;

is

a

lose his

much

man profited, own soul?"

if

he shall gain the whole

Matt. 16:26.

Say

not,

business on your hands, and cannot afford

you will have space enough hereafter

upon

to reflect

folly.

(2.)

You

ivlio

you have two

are poor in the world, what say you one here and another hereafter

hells,

comfort in this world, nor

hope

for

the next

and your hopes

tations here laid in the dust,

?

;

will

No

Your expec-

?

for

heaven built

if you were once in Christ, how happy upon the sand ? were you, though you knew not where to obtain your next Poor in the world, but rich in faith and heirs of bread. ;

James 2:5. If you had Christ, you would have a right to blessed state. you would then have a Father all thmgs, 1 Cor. 3 22, 23 But to be poor and Christless, no comto take care for you.

God has

the kingdom which

:

fort

from

this

promised.

;

world nor hopes from the next, this is to be Your very straits and wants should

miserable indeed.

prompt you

to the great

and methinks greatest

it

number

of that rank of

duty

I

am now

pressing on you

;

should be matter of encouragement that the

and followers come out which you belong. 15^

of Christ's friends

men

to

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

346

You who

(3.)

are seamen, floating often on the great

deep, you are reckoned a thh'd sort of persons between the

and the dead

living

you belong not

;

you breathe, and scarcely

What Do you

?

reach and danger of death

?

temptations in the world abroad Cor. G

:

live so secure

Have your

lives

from the

been

so pure,

and innocent, who have been in the midst of

righteous,

1

because you are con-

think you, friends, have

tinually so near to death.

you no need of a Saviour

to the dead, because

to the living,

10

9,

"Be

:

Ponder that scripture,

?

not deceived

neither fornicators, nor

;

idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of

them-

mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunk-

selves with

ards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the

of Grod;" ponder

it,

I say,

kingdom

and think whether you have not

and pressing a necessity of Jesus Christ as any poor You have had from God many temporal and will these salvations, great and eminent deliverances

as great

souls under heaven.

;

satisfy

you

?

Is

it

enough that your bodies are delivered

from the danger of the in the ocean of God's

Christ upon his terms, given.

voice

:

Isa. if

55

:

sea,

wrath all

1, 2.

you hear

though your souls sink and perish for

ever

If

?

you will yet accept

that you have done shall be

The Lord now

his voice, well

;

calls to

if not,

you

you in a

may

forstill

shortly

hear his voice in the tempestuous storms without you, and a roaring conscience within you.

Poor man, think what an

interest in Christ will be worth,

wert thou now, as shortly

thou mayest

be, floating

on a piece of wreck, or shivering on

a cold and desolate rock, crying, Mercy, Lord, mercy. is

now

if

thou continue thus to despise and reject

Mercy

offered thee, but in vain wilt thou expect to find

it,

it.

You who are aged and full of days, hearken to the God has called on you a long time. When you were young you said, it is time enough yet, we will mind these things when we are old, and come nearer to the borWell, now you are old, and just on the ders of eternity. (4.)

voice of Christ

;

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. "borders of left

it

you indeed mind

will

;

347

now ?

it

You have

the great concerns of your souls to this time, this short,

very short time

and do the temptations of your youth take

;

hold upon your age as you

were wont

What, delay and put

?

to do

?

off Christ

still,

Poor creatures, you are almost

gone out of time, you have but a short space to deliberate

;

what you do must be done quickly, or it can never be done. Your night is even come upon you, M^ien no man can work.

You who

(o.)

time, Christ

are young, in the

a suitor for your

is

kindness of your youth

;

your

bud

or flower of your lie

desires the

spirits are vigorous,

your hearts

and impressible

you are not

tender, your affections flowing

love

first

;

;

yet entered into the incumbrances and distracting cares of

Hereafter

the world.

a crowd and thick succession of

earthly employments and engagements will will harden

time

;

you by custom and continuance.

you are

in the convertible

age

come on

Now

to

It is

Besides, you are the hope of the next generation.

age

Christ,

how bad

the next will be w^orse.

is,

we

us,

will not

yard.

You may

and graves of

Say

as

you

are, did

Christ, nothing

him no

sooner.

morning of thy

all

not,

we have

Remember, seem

time

there are

to stand nearer

you cannot be happy too

you but

Should

soever the present

lengths in the church-

die before those that

the grave than you.

young

the

quench the sprightly vigor of

our youth in melancholy thoughts, skulls of all sizes

sin

hear of the conversion of aged sinners.

you neglect and despise

enough before

;

your

few that pass the

;

season of youth are brought to Christ afterwards.

wonder of an age

is

soon.

As

taste the comforts that are in

would grieve you more than that you knew Behold, he standeth at thy door in the age, knocking this

day

for

admission into thy

heart.

To you ivho have had some slight, ineffectual, and (6.) vanishing convictions formerly, the Lord Jesus once more

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

348 renews is

an

Will you

his call.

infinite

many among

mercy

is

now

my

work pass upon

;

and

soul, or I

am

:

" Sure

my condiExternal

lost for ever.

am

a stranger

regen-

to

were the knocks but they passed away and were forgot-

Such inward convictions

calls of Christ, :

It

?

doubt not but

must another manner of

there

duties of religion I do perform, but I

ten

I

call.

as these in your hearts

not right, nor safe

eration."

hear his voice

at last

have a second

you, while you have sat under the word, have

had such thoughts tion

to

as these

your convictions are dead, and your hearts the more

hardened

;

a soul under conviction as in putting

for it is w^ith

iron into the

fire,

and quenching

You have been near

more.

be the more miserable

The quickening

it

again

for that, if

this

hardens

you are shut out

of your convictions

saving of your souls.

;

it

the

the kingdom of God, but will

is

the right

The Lord make you

this

at last.

way day

to the

to

hear

his voice. (7.) Such as go to hear the gospel on vain accounts, for mere novelty or worse ends to catch advantages, or to

voice of Christ

:

— —

God scoffing at the most solemn the word that you have slighted and re-

reproach the truths of

proached, the same shall judge you in that great day, except the Lord give you repentance unto

tremble mider ers, lest (8.)

for the

it

life,

that hath scotTed at

your bands be made strong."

Let

all ivhose hearts the

it.

and make the heart

"Be Isa.

28

ye not mock:

22.

Lord has opened

this day,

enjoyment of the gospel, the blessed instrument of

their salvation, bless the

Lord that has made

it

a key by

regeneration to open the door of salvation to your souls " so

And

:

have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk ye in him." Col. 2 6. as ye

:

THE SIN OF STIFLINa CONVICTION.

CHAPTER THE TRUTH HELD "

IN

349

XIII.

UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.

THE WRATH OF GOD

IS REVEALED FROM HEAVEN AGAINST ALL UNGODLINESS, AND L^RIGHTEOUSNESS OF MEN, WHO HOLD THE TRUTH IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS." Rom. 1:18.

In

the foregoing discourses, I have been pleading and

all

wooing

for

And

Christ.

as

Abraham's

servant, to

win

Rebekah's consent, told her what treasures his master's son

show you some part of the unif by any means I might allure your hearts, and be instrumental to close the happy union between him and you and, as the apostle speaks, espouse had, so I have labored to

searchable riches of Christ,

;

you

But to

2 Cor. 11:2.

one husband, even to Christ.

to

how few move

alas,

towards him.

The most seem

be immovably fixed in their natural state and sinful All our arguments and entreaties return to us

course.

and

again,

effect nothing.

which have come, and quit the

in

It is

self-reflecting powers,

way

amazing

them the hopes and

to think that souls

fears of the

world

to

cannot be prevailed upon to

of sin and to embrace the

way

of hohness,

though their consciences meauM^iile stand convinced that eternal

damnation

is

the result of the one, and

and eternal joys of the This has put

me upon

a serious search what

cause of this fixed and unreasonable obstinacy evident that most

who

life,

peace,

may

be the

other.

live in

and

;

an unregenerate

own

the gospel, put a force upon their

it

seems

state

under

consciences,

and im-

prison and hold the truth in unrighteousness, though the Vv^rath of

If

by

God be

revealed from heaven against

this discourse I

loose the Lord's prisoners

can but

which

all

that do so

set truth at liberty,

lie

bound

and

in your souls, I

shall not doubt that the estimate of the value of Christ will

quickly rise

among

you, and free convictions will malie the

KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

CHK.IST

350

work of your ministers more easy and

now

find

you have heard must leave your if

you suppress and

which I

is

due

Now,

convictions,

under convictions

but

;

in order to the eflectual

and awakening the reverence

them from every

to

have chosen

souls

them, they produce nothing but ag-

stifle

gravations of sin and misery.

working of your

successful than tliey

hardly imaginable but that the things

It is

it.

soul, as to the voice of

this scripture, the scope

God,

and sense whereof

The

true scope and

aim of

justification of sinners to

this context is to prove the

be only by the imputed righteous-

way

ness of Christ in the

To make

of faith.

this evident,

he divides the whole world into Gentiles and Jews seeking righteousness by the written in their hearts

;

dim

:

the one

law

light of nature, or the

the other, the Jews, by the works of

But

the law, or external conformity to the law of Moses. that neither can find

He

proves.

proves

what they

it first

he

seek,

upon the Jews

chapter.

As

also,

from thence

for the Gentiles, he'

also the

to leave

and

fully

this verse

and then he proves

;

to the

end of the third

acknowledges that they

had some notions of God imprinted had

distinctly

upon the Gentiles from

to the seventeenth of the second chapter it

I

endeavor to give you.

shall

in their nature

;

they

book of creation, giving them knowledge enough

them without

and of good and

evil,

But

excuse.

this

knowledge of G od,

they did not obey and put in practice,

but acted against the dictates of their consciences. For which cause the wrath of God was revealed from heaven Wherein we notice, against them, as the text speaks. 1.

Here

is

a

clear

and dreadful

wrath, " the wrath of God Qeov,

is

the indignation or vengeance of God.

deep and dreadful signification

;

weight, have the fullest sense of

"Who to

revelation of divine

revealed from heaven ;"

thy

knoweth the power fear,

so

is

the it.

It is

bpyri

a word of

damned who It is said, Psa.

feel its

90

:

11,

of thine anger? even according

thy wrath."

That

is,

the fears of an

;

THE SIN OF STIFLING- CONVICTION.

351

incensed Deity are no vain imaginings, nor the effects of

ignorance and superstition, as atheists fancy fears of

it

;

but

let

men's

be what they will, they shall find, except they

wrath of God to be according to, yea, far above If the wrath of a king be as the messenit. ger of death, what is the wrath of the great and terrible God ? This wrath is here said to be revealed, discovered, or repent, the

their fears of

made manifest and so it is in various ways. It was revealed them by the light of nature, their own consciences gave them notice and warning of it. Thus it was revealed to them by an internal testimony, a witness within them and it was also revealed to them by the instances of punishment of sin in all ages by the immediate hand of a justly They came not by chance, but divine direcincensed God. therefore it is added, " from heaven," or from God tion ;

to

;

;

in heaven. 2. Here is the cause of this revealed and iyiflicted wrath: it "is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." The former word, ungodli7iess, comprises all sins against the first table of the law the irre;

ligious lives

and practices of men, living

duties of religion

:

in the neglect of the

the other word, unrighteousness, com-

prises all sins against the second table, such as acts of fraud,

And because many "The wrath of God is

uncleanness, lying, and other sins, against men.

these two comprehensive words are branched out into particulars, therefore the apostle says,

revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness." There is

not one of the

many

which ungodliness and un-

sins into

righteousness are branched

out,

but incenses the Lord's wrath

and though he only mentions the

them

as put for the sinners that

sins,

we

are to understand

commit them,

or God's pun-

ishing these sins upon the persons of the sinners. 3.

We

have here before us the

sjoecial

aggravation of

which made them more provoking to God than otherwise they had been. And it was this that while these sins, or that

:

KKOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

CHE.IST

352

they committed these

sins, or

the truth in unrighteousness

omitted those duties, they "held :"

word

the

signifies to

detain or

hinder the truth of God, or the knowledge they had of his being, power, goodness,

and

truth, as also of his worship,

the difference between good and

on

their consciences

duty, and restrain

own

bore their

conscience labored to excite

;

them from

consciences,

sin

but

;

and

These truths acted

evil.

them

to

they over-

all in vain,

and kept those sentiments and

convictions prisoners, though they struggled for liberty to

break forth into practice and obedience.

Their convictions

were kept down under the dominion of corruption, as a prisTheir lusts were too hard for oner is shut up by his keeper.

Thus you have both the scope and

their light.

The

text.

doctrine taught by

sense of the

it is this,

The ivrath of God is dreadfully incensed against all any course of sin, against the light a7id

those ivho live in

own

dictates of their

consciences.

wrath of God

Sins of ignorance provoke the

yet they

;

are not of so heinous a nature as sins against light and convictions are, nor will they be punished so severely.

servant which

knew

his Lord's will,

"

That

and prepared not him-

neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with

self,

many sin, I

Luke 12

stripes."

measure,

when he can

:

excuses a man in some had I known this to be a But when the conscience is

47.

It

say, Lord,

would not have done

it.

convinced, and strives to keep us from such an act or course of sinful actions, and

warnings, here his law,

and

it

is

we

stop our ears against

is

;

:

22.

To open

what the

and

light of conscience

cases wherein

makes it

it

;

strive

doth so

Jolm 3:19;

me show what is and how this

this point, let

the conscience and

some

voice

Sins of igno-

gives the sin a scarlet dye.

rance cannot compare with such sins as these.

15

its

a high and horrid contempt of God and

;

and

in us lastly

;

conscience

hght binds

then instance

show how and

.

THE SIN OF STIFLINa CONVICTION. why

imprisoning of these

the

3o3

so" dreadfully

convictions

incenses the wrath of God.

be needful to speak of the nature of con-

It will

I.

science in general.

Conscience

the judgment of

is

man

judgment of God. A judgment it is, and a practical judgment too it belongs to " If we would judge ourselves, we the understanding. upon himself, as he

subject to the

is

;

should not be judged." is

Cor. 11

1

This self-judgment

31.

:

the proper office of the conscience, and to enable

fulfil

office,

its

it

to

there are three things belonging to every

man's conscience.

A

1

knowledge of the rule or law according

judge

to

it is

its

work, than an

do

his.

2.

The

to

which

without wliich conscience can no more do

;

without

artificer

Knowledge of the

conscience of every

facts

man

square or level can

liis

or matters to be judged.

keeps a register of his actions,

thoughts, and the very secrets of the heart. 3.

An

ability or delegated authority to pass

ourselves and actions according to the rule and

Here

it sits

upon the bench

condemning, as

upon

1

trial.

it

as God's vicegerent, absolving or

finds the sincerity or hypocrisy of the heart

John, 3

:

20, 21.

Conscience, therefore,

is

a high and awful power

next to and immediately under ing conscience,

God

Moses with respect god to Pharaoh." conscience earth,

is

is

est deference

Exod. 7:1.

I

The

judgment, most

when he

as he once did to

it

due

binds or looses on

"

:

20

What

;

to its

the most sweet, and

by the mouth

terrible.

said,

is

it is

voice of enlightened

What

and precise obedience

;

Concern-

have made thee a

or loosed in heaven, 1 John, 3

Its consolations are of all

ground,

man,

Pharaoh, " See,

nations, excepting those last

God our Judge.

says to every to

the voice of God,

bound

judgment on law of God.

o{

the great-

command.

its

condem-

Christ in the

Zuingle spoke not without

death would

I

not rather

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

354

what punishment would I not what a profound ahyss of hell would

choose into

than

;

many have

to

it

;

It is likely

he had

be more bitter than death.

How

Wherever you

whatever you

not,

is

When

When

most vigorous and

approach

when

When

to the body.

what a heaven it

does

it

frowns, condemns, and

yea, benight all the pleasures

conscience,

how

records,

all friends

forsake

thy body

more

there

is

nearest

its

and comman. And

smiles, acquits,

it

create within a terrifies,

how

does

it

becloud,

and delights of

this world.

damned be

have taken

when

its

inhabitants farewell at death.

all

the martyrs,

when

most weak, thy

is

Never

active.

glad would the

their last farewell of thee,

it

accom-

it

than when death m^akes

in the conscience

forts,

but think,

soul forsakes thy body, conscience will

cannot forsake thee.

conscience life

when thy

under the

life,

go, conscience

say, do, or

in order to the day of account. thee, yea,

yea,

;

not rather enter,

chosen strangling, rather than

terrors of conscience.

panies you

I

my conscience ?"

to witness against

the terrors of

felt

rather hear

to

they bade this world and

And what had become

of

shut up from friends in dungeons, had

not been for the cheering cordials and comforts thou didst

administer to support or the worst

enemy

science, these are its II.

them ? in the

It is certainly

whole

powers and

creation.

the best friend

This

is

con-

offices.

Our next inquiry must be

into the

science, and the various kinds of that light.

light of con-

The Lord

did

not frame such an excellent structure as the soul of man,

without windows to fit

of light to

men have

to

let in light,

any soul

;

nor does he deny the bene-

but there

is

a twofold light which

inform and guide their consciences.

1. There is the common light of iiatural reason, called by Solomon, the candle of the Lord " The spirit of man :

is

the candle of the Lord."

Pro v. 20

:

27.

This

is

affirmed

by him who had an extraordinary portion of intellect, a and brighter lamp of reason and wisdom than other men ;

:

THE SIN OF STIFLINa CONVICTION.

not only true of the soul in general, but of that spe-

this

is

cial

power of

wliich

it

and man's

witness,

is

called conscience,

shining in their minds and consciences

the mysteries of nature

power great

which

The heathen had

overseer.

the help of this natural light,

As

is

And

discoveries of

yea, they found its efficacy and

;

in their consciences, to raise their hopes or fears,

shame

of

many who

action, dread thyself,

The

witness."

make no

tion

by him. in the

even when there

is

no other

this in the text

;

besides, this light

and of the way of salvaThe most eagle-eyed philosophers among them

discoveries of Christ,

And therefore, men a more clear and their 'minds and consciences,

dark here.

God has

2.

some

generality of the heathen, however, did not

and are charged with

can

were

are called Christians,

"Principally revere thyself," says one; "tempted

any base

so,

Ovid says,

the heathen paid great reverence to their ov/n con-

sciences. to

God's

every man's conscience, so are his hopes and fears."

to the

among

is

this light

some of them, by

;

made wonderful

according to the good or evil they had done. "

355

afforded

light to shine hito

light of the gosjiel,

excellent

even the

which compared with the light of natusun to the dim moonlight.

ral reason, is as the light of the

"

He showeth

his

judgments unto tion

;

and as

word unto Jacob,

Israel.

for his

He hath

his statutes

judgments, they have not

Praise ye the Lord."

Psa. 147

and his

not dealt so with any na-

:

19, 20.

has the name of God engraven on

it,

known them.

Every creature

but he has magni-

word above all his name. Psa. 138 2. God, who best knows the value of his own mercies, accounts this a Without revesingular favor and privilege to any nation. fied his

lation

the

by

:

we

fall

of

could never have

Adam,

this a people are lifted

in respect to the

known the cause of our misery, way of our recovery by Christ up to heaven, Matthew 11 23,

or the only

means

of salvation

:

;

and consequently, the

neglect of such light and love will plunge the guilty into

CHRIST KNOCKINCt AT THE DOOR.

356

"This

proportionable misery. light

is

come

the condemnation, that

is

and men loved darluiess rather

into the world,

John 3:19.

than light."

God

Moreover,

not only affords the light of reason and

gospel revelation to

some men

in

an eminent degree, but

to

these he adds the internal illumination of his Spirit, the clearest

and most glorious

God

glory of

sorts of

common and

hght God makes

men

the souls and consciences of

to

guide

shineth

knowledge of the

in the face of Jesus Christ.

These are the three

He

light in the world.

into their hearts to give the light of the

2 Cor. 4

:

6.

to shine into

them

the

;

first

a

general light, the two last the most clear and

transcendent in excellency, especially that of the Spirit with

For though the sun be

the gospel.

draw

the curtains about them, and

men may

risen, yet

in darkness

lie

;

but the

Spirit enlightens the soul, III.

HoAV

men

this light shining into the consciences of

LEADS THEM TO OBEDIENCE, and liow Hicn's

lusts Struggle

against the obligations of an enlightened conscience,

is

the

next thing to be considered.

beyond

It is

to obedience

the

Avill

for

;

controversy, that an enlightened con-

all

science lays strong

and indispensable obligations on the soul

the will of

God

is

law

the supreme

;

it is

King of kings, and Lord And the promulgation and man-

of "the only Potentate, the

of lords."

1

ifestation of

Tim. 6 it

:

15.

binds the conscience to obedience, so that no

authority on earth can loose the bands.

For conscience, as

name requires obedience, and the man that hears the voice of God from the mouth of his own conscience thereupon becomes a debtor, Rom. 1 14, and is God's vicegerent, in his

:

put under a necessity.

Now it,

conscience,

feeling itself

1

Cor. 9:16.

by reason of the

light that shines into

under such strong bands and

necessities,

stimulates and urges the soul to obedience, warns,

mands, and presses the soul

to its

com-

duty against the contrary

THE SIN OF STIFLING CONVICTION. inclinations of the flesh

the bosoms of men.

sometimes

lusts

difliculty

for it is

;

;

and hence

arise those conflicts in

Sometimes conscience

and corruptions

men to shake ofl^ or What a hard task had

all

burst the bands of their consciences.

Saul to conquer his conscience. 1

Sam. 13

:

sacrifice, his

12

;

knew

he

it

and

prevails,

and that with great

prevail,

not alike easy to

357

"I forced myself,"

saith he,

belonged not to him to

conscience plainly told

him

would be

it

sin

offer ;

but

the fear of the Philistines being stronger than the fear of God,

he ventured upon

against the plain dictates of his con-

it

Thus Herod gave sentence to put John to death " The king was sorry nevertheless, for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her." Matt. 14 9. His honor weighed more than his fear of sin, his own word more than God's word. No science.

:

;

:

man

is

so perplexed

between two

vices,

may

but he

find

an

issue without falling into a third. Pilate's conscience

was convinced

of Christ's innocence,

Matt. 27: 18, 19, yet the fear of Cesar hurried him on to the greatest wickedness, even to give sentence against innocent blood, yea, the blood of the Son of God. like

Darius, in

manner, knew that Daniel was not only an excellent

person, but that he his conscience,

was entrapped by the nobles merely for to put him to death was to sacrifice

and that

him

to their malice. This he and his conscience debated, and many encounters he had with it for the record saith, he " was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on ;

Daniel to deliver him

;

and he labored

the sun to deliver him," Dan. test

between liim and conscience,

Miii'd voice,

Do

;

the going

he seemed

So

it

was with poor

to hear, as it were,

not write, Spira, do not write.

of his estate, wife, and children,

drew

though conscience struggled hard

down of

after a day's con-

sin prevailed against light

and returned victor in the evening. Spira, a sad apostate

till

6:14; but

his

to hold

hand it

an

in-

But the love to the paper,

back.

;

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

358

%

Thus, as the

down

restless sea strives to beat

or

break

bounds, so do impetuous lusts strive to overbear

over

its

light

and conviction. .

.

.

As

the E-oman poet has said,

" Video meliora proboque,

Deteriora sequor."

"

I see

must approve

the right and

and yet

;

The wrong pursue."

They know by

souls

it

this or that to be sin,

yet they venture on

;

and that they hazard their it,

and rush

into sin as the

horse into the battle. IV.

I

promised

some instances of the conflict

to give

BETWEEN men's CONSCIENCES AND THEIR CORRUPTIONS, whereiii conscience is vanquished and overborne, and by what weapons the victory over conscience is obtained. The convictions of

men

are twofold

and particular, respecting 1

.

:

general, respecting their state

this or that action.

There are general convictiofis given

their consciences, that their state of soul safe

—that

want the main thing which

They hear and read the

signs

change, but their consciences plainly

external privileges of the saints,

something

my

some men by constitutes a

is still

soul,

and

tell

effects of this

them

that these

—that they enjoy them — that but belong not

evidences are not to be found in

"

to

neither right nor

namely, regeneration, or a gracious change of

Christian, heart.

they

is

them

the

to

wanting, and that the main thing

thou art not right; thou hast

gifts,

too.

thou hast a

name to live, but for all that thou art dead some further work must be done upon thee, or thou art undone to eterthou passest for a good Christian among men, but nity woe to thee if thou die in the state thou art." These, and ;

:

such as these, are the whispers of some men's consciences in their ears

;

and yet they cannot

so yield

themselves up into

the hands of their convictions, as to confess and bewail their

hypocrisy and gross mistake, and seek for a better foundation to build their

hope on.

Felix's conscience

gave him such a

THE SIN OF STIFLINCt CONVICTION.

and made him tremble while Paul

terrible monition as this,

reasoned with

ment

him

come.

to

language as

this

of righteousness, temperance, and judg-

Acts 24 "

:

359

25.

:

It

poor soul,

whispered hi his ear such

how

shall such

such an intemperate wretch as thou

an oppressor,

stand before

art,

God

which Paul proves is certainly to come ?" For, as Tacitus says of him, he was an insatiable gulf of covetousness. So it was with Agrippa he stood unresolved what to do he saw the heavenly doctrine of Christianity evidently confirmed by doctrines and miracles, his conscience pleaded hard wdth him to embrace it, and had almost prevailed almost, or within a little as the word is, thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Acts 24 27. But Agrippa had too much wealth and honor to forsake for in this day of judgment,

;

:

;

:

Christ

the love of the present world overbore both the

;

And thus that

excel-

thoroughly converted so

many

hopes and fears of the world to come. lent fisher for souls, to Christ,

came

who had

short of securing Agrippa

The

deal for so great a person.

gospel

is

:

almost

whole Christians and half Christians.

science

caught, and the will begins to incline

power and prevalence of

mands

all to

sin,

but

con-

the

which, like the rudder, com-

little

nearer,

and inquire what are those

hinderances that stop conscience in

man

The ;

a contrary course.

Let us come a prison, stifle

a great

a net, and encloses

all sorts, is

is

and suppress

its

its

course, bind

convictions

;

so

and im-

that although a

strongly suspect his foundation to be but sand, and his

hopes for heaven a strong delusion, yet will he not throw up his vain hopes, confess his self-deceits,

and begin

all

anew.

What is it which overbears conscience in this case ? Let men impartially examine their hearts, and it will be found that three things bind and imprison these convictions of conscience, (1.)

and hold the truth

Shame.

in unrighteousness.

Men who have been professors, and

esteem in the world, are ashamed the world should

of good

know

the

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

360

mistakes and errors of

restraint

all their life past,

self-deceivers they

have been

upon conviction

how

and

fools

quaintances in the face

them

?

"

How

what

?

and yet not able

your names

men

will

:

endure a censure or

how can you

believe

folly

way

?

is

You who

shall be cast on

day

Luke

mistake

;

upon

?

make

will be death, than

which

you be able

will

Chris-

scoff

a,

appear in this case

choose rather to go on, though conscience

glory.

think and say of

What, you

John 5 44.

to

what madness and of that

a powerful

is

they look their ac-

shall

you who stand more upon your reputation than

I

your salvation,

retraction,

and what deluded this

can ye believe, which receive honor one of

another ?" saith Christ. tians,

;

:

9

:

tells

I

men

them

will

the end

a just and necessary

not their shame, but their duty and

are so tender of the

shame

of

men, how

endure the contempt and shame that

to

you from God, angels, and men, in the great 26.

It is

but to persist in

no shame it,

to

acknowledge your

after conviction, is

shameful

madness. 1

knew an

excellent minister,

who proved an eminent

instrument in the church of God, who, in the beginning of his ministerial course,

regeneration.

was

He had

not upon the right foundation of

excellent natural and acquired

and could preach of regeneration, edness,

though he

experience.

His

felt

life

faith,

gifts,

and heavenly-mind-

nothing of these things in his

own

was unblamable, and he had no mean

among good men. It pleased the Lord, while he was studying an excellent spiritual point to preach to others, esteem,

that his conscience

first

and that with such a

him tremble;

preached

close

it

in his study to himself,

and rousing application, as made

telling him, that

though he had

gifts

above

many, and sobriety in his conversation, yet one thing, and that the main thing, sanctifying grace, was wanting. Hereupon the pangs of the new birth seized his soul, and the Lord made him a most searching, experimental minister.

THE SIN OF STIFLINCt CONVICTION. and crowned to his

knowledge it

;

his labors

with unusual success.

dying day, was not ashamed in

and

in

his mistake,

and

God

bless

all

361

This minister,

companies

to ac-

for his recovery out of

most of his sermons, he would endeavor

to con-

vince false professors of the necessity of a second conversion. (2.)

Fear

is

another drawback which withholds men.

from executing the convictions of conscience, and obeying calls in this

grand concern of the

soul.

They

its

are easy under

the external profession and duties of religion, and are afraid of throwing up their vain hopes, and engaging themselves

and thoroughly in religion. There are two things which alarm them. The troubles of spirit attending the neiv birth; which they have read and heard of, and seen the effects in others. it is a dreadful thing to lie under the terrors which many have felt and thus it is with them as with one that hath a bone ill-set, who, if he have any ease, will rather endure a little daily pain, and be content to halt all his life, than unheartily

I

dergo the pain of another fraction or dislocation in order to

a perfect cure.

They are afraid of external godliness leaves

men

sufferings.

The form

of

a liberty to take or leave, according as

ways of religion but the power of godliness will engage them beyond retreat. They must stand to it, come what Avill. But, soul, let me tell thee, if the just fears of hell and eternal wrath of God, to which thou art exposed by thy formality, were upon thee, all these fears of inward or outward troubles would vanish the same

the times favor or frown upon the

;

hour. (3.)

Pride of heart work out its

science to

suffers not this conviction of coneffects,

upon

their

brought

to

own

duties

renounce

and

souls.

self- righteousness,

all this,

and

of Christ alone for justification. fhrist Knonkirii;.

but holds the truth in un-

many

righteousness, to the ruin of

1

6

live

Men

that live

are not easily

upon the righteousness

Proud nature will rather

CHEIST KNOCKIXa AT THE DOOR.

362

venture the hazard of damnation than practise such

self-

common among

poor peo-

ple to live on coarse fare of their own, rather than

upon the

denial, E-om.

10:3;

as

you

see

it

alms and bounty of another.

But

once the day of God's power come, and a

if

feels

the

Paul

did,

:

to come, the value of his soul, all

man

commandment come home to his conscience as E-om. 7 9, when he comes to reaUze the world and the danger

it is in,

these hinderances are as easily swept away, as so

then

many

Then let must not throw away

straws by the rapid course of a mighty torrent.

men

say or think

my own

what they

please, I

soul to maintain a vain estimation

Let inward or outward sufferings be ever ter for

me

them, than to suffer the everlasting wrath

to feel

of the great and terrible God.

be what

will, all is

it

among men.

so great, it is bet-

Let

my own

righteousness

but dung and dross to the pure and

perfect righteousness of Christ. 2.

dition

As is

this general conviction

with respect

to

men's con-

held in unrighteousness, and they go with troubled

consciences and frequent inward fears by reason of

there are

in men's souls

;

so

—

particular convictions both as to sins com-

known

mitted and

law

it

msmy 2^cirticidar convictions bound and imprisoned duties omitted against both tables of the

of God, called in the text ungodliness and unright-

Conscience labors and strives to bring

eousness.

men

trary lusts

unrighteousness.

held by those first, for

to

and reform them, but cannot prevail conand interests overpower them, and detain them in

confess, bewail,

;

What

these are, and

lusts, I shall

how

they are with-

give in some instances.

And

convictions of ungodliness.

1. There are many wdio call themselves Chriswhose conscience tells them that God is to he dailij

Instance tians,

by them, both in family and closet j^rayer. It them Joshua's pious practice: "As for me and we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24 15. They

%vorshi'p'ped sets before

my

house,

:

THE SIN OF STIFLINa CONVICTIOK. know God famihes

he

fore

the founder, the owner, the master of their

is

that

;

family blessings are from him, and there-

all

be acknowledged and sought in daily family

to

is

them that the

prayers and praises.

It tells

hangs over prayerless

families, Jer. 10 :25;

curse of

God with

seldom wor-

and that

their families or in their closets,

God

therefore they live without

in

God

and that they

live in the inexcusable neglect of these duties,

shipping

363

the world.

Dreadful

own

will the reckoning be at the great

day

which they have starved

of closet prayer, and for

for

want

for their

souls,

the souls committed to their charge, which perish for of family duties.

This

is

the case of

many who

want

yet pass for

professors of Christianity.

how

Lord,

sad a case

is

here.

How

neglect of so great, so necessary a duty

can

men live

Certainly

?

in the

it is

not

want of light and conviction the very light of nature, if we had no Bibles, discovers these duties. But three things hold this truth of God dictated by men's conscience in unfor

;

righteousness. (1.)

souls of

The some

love of the ivorld chokes this conviction in the ;

and they think

it

enough

to

plead for their

want of opportunities and the many encumbrances they have, which will not allow them time for these duties. The world is a severe taskmaster, and fills their

excuse, the

heads and hands

all

the day with cares and

toils.

And

must the mouth of conscience then be stopped with such a plea as this ? No God and conscience will not be answered and put ofi^ so. The greatest number of persons in the world ;

fiom

whom God

has the most spiritual and excellent wor-

ship, are of the poorer class.

And

it

is

your prayers had been more. relief for all these troubles

would sweeten (2.)

Psalm 74

:

21

;

James 2:5.

highly probable your necessities had been

all

And what

less, if

sweeter outlet and

can you find than prayer

?

This

your labors and sorrows in the world.

Consciou&ness of icant of gifts restrains this con-

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

364

Should they attempt such duties before

victioii in others.

own

others, they shall but expose their

But

this

is

of prayer

ignorance and shame.

The

a vain pretence to shake ofF duty.

is

neglect

a principal cause of the inability you complain

of; gifts as well as graces

grow by

exercise.

"Unto every

one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance." Matt. 25

:

And

29.

besides, it is the fruit of pride,

argues your eye to be more upon your

The Lord

own honor than

regards not oratory in prayer

pressions, yea, your groans

;

your broken ex-

and sighs please him more than

eloquence in the world.

all the (3.)

But the principal thing which

restrains

men from

obeying their convictions as to family and closet prayer, disinclined heart ; that sinful neglects

of these things

But woe

to

;

of, is

1

John, 3

dead while he secret

You

man

lives

known,

or

condemned

to

day

self-

and

so necessary a

God

us,

He who and let men

communion with God,

am

I

is

lives

say

greater than our

without prayer

what they

is

please of

sm-e, if religion thrives in

never be banished from the family.

closet, it will

in,

so sweet,

condemn

;

no sweetness

easily omitted.

20.

:

a

savor not the sweetness

tastes

you that go from day

If our heart

heart.

is

the root and true cause of these

and what a

for the neglect of so

duty.

is

and omissions.

finds no necessity

the

and

God's.

The

coming when death will break up your families, separate the wife from the husband, the child from the parent,

time

is

the servant from the master

;

and then where you

will find

relief

and comfort who have spent your time together

fully

and vainly,

give to

God

cannot

tell

2.

worth thinking

A

so sin-

nor what account you can

;

Think

in the great day.

things, they are

Instance

I

seriously

on these

of.

second instance of ungodliness under the

convictions of conscience, informality in the external duties

of religion and ordinances of God.

of some of you

often

and plainly

Have

not the consciences

told you, that

though you

THE SIN OF STIFLINa CONVICTION.

365

are often engaged in the public duties of hearing, prayer,

and other ordinances, yet your hearts are not with God

They do not lowship with him therein. those duties

?

strive after

communion and

nothing but the force of

It is

education, of custom, and the care of reputation

you

in

fel-

which brings

there.

Such a conviction as this, could it do its work thoroughly, would be the salvation of thy soul were power added to the form, as conscience would have it, thou wouldst then be a real Christian, and out of the danger of hell. The want ;

of this thy conscience sees will be thy ruin, and accordingly gives thee plain warning of

what

it.

pity

is it

such a

But and that on several accounts.

conviction as this should be held in unrighteousness. so it

is

(1

that

many

in very

.)

souls,

so odious and abominable a sijt own and acknowledge it, how guilty

Because hypocrisy is

men

are loath to

soever they be of

What, dissemble with God, and play

it.

the hypocrite with

him

a crime that

It is so foul

?

not easily be brought to charge themselves with

may have

common

the infirmities which are

men, but they are not hypocrites.

men

it.

can-

They

to the best of

Thus, pride of heart casts

a chain upon conviction, and binds

that

it,

cannot do

it

its

work. (2.)

a cheap and easy

It is

way to

worship of the body, but heart-icork or kneel an hour or

two

is

hard

It is

effort.

ple, wliile the

where they

do,

Ezek. 33

:

sit

no severe task to

sit

before

God

many a

as his peo-

left at liberty to

wan-

please, as the thoughts of hypocrites use to

31

;

but to

this is difficult,

viction of duty.

To

but to search,

for sin, to raise earthly affec-

set

a watch on the heart, to retract

every wandering thought with a sigh, and to

on God,

;

the external

ivork.

heavenly frame, this will cost

fancy and thoughts are

der

God

hard

no great matter

humble, and break the heart tions into a spiritual,

give

is

and the

difficulty

fix

the thoughts

overpowers con-

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

366 (3.)

men's

in

The atheism of the heart quenches this conviction souls. FormaUty is a secret sin, not discernible by

man

;

long

it is

the outside of religion looks fair to man's eye, and so

well enough, as

there

if

the hearts and the reins.

was not a God who

when

Thus,

a

beam

trieth

of light

and

conviction shines into the soul, a cloud of natural atheism

overshadows and darkens

it.

But, poor self-deceiving hypocrite, these things must not pass so is

thy conscience, as well as the word,

;

tells

not the place of worship, but the spirituality of

God

thee it

it

that

John 4 23, 24 that they are hypocrites in who have God in their mouths, while he is far from their reins, Jer. 12:2; and that hypocrites will have the hottest place in hell. Matt. 24 51. regards,

:

;

scripture account

:

Instance

3.

A

third instance of convictions of ungodli-

ness held in unrighteousness,

denying to which we ourselves have of them exposes us to danger.

is

in declining or

confess the knoivn truths of God, professed,

when

the confession

In times of danger, conscience struggles hard with

appear

for

men

to dissemble or

deny them; and enforces

its

counsels and

warnings upon us with such awful scriptures as these

man is

having put

fit

for

his

hand

my

me

before

Father which

:

"No

the plough, and looking back,

to

Luke

the kingdom of God."

soever shall deny before

to

the truths of God, and on no account whatever

is

9

:

in heaven."

"But who-

62.

men, him will

I

also

Matt.

deny

10:33.

In this case conscience useth to struggle hard with men, yet

is

flesh, (1.)

many

times overborne by the temptations of the

k s,

By

The

carnal fears.

dency over the fear of God their souls

choose rather to venture

to

come, than the present wrath of

They

vainly "hope to find mercy with

upon wrath

incensed enemies.

fear of suffering gets ascen-

men

;

God," but expect none from men. bringeth a snare, Prov. 29

:

25

;

Thus and

the fear of

man

so the voice of con-

THE SIN OF STIFLINO CONVICTION. science

367

drowned by the louder clamors and threats of

is

adversaries, (2.)

Gods

As the

man's threatenings,

fear of

so the distrust

the design of conscience.

2^'oniiscs defeats

If

of

men

believed the promises, they would never be afraid of their duties if

faith in the promises

;

would make men bold as lions, " Of whom hast thou

such a word was in mind as this

:

been afraid or feared, that thou hast

lied, and hast not remembered me ?" Isa. 57 11. Men would say, as Zuingle in the hke case, What death would I not rather choose to die what punishment would I not rather undergo yea, into what vault of hell would I not rather choose to be cast, than :

;

;

my own

to witness against

The

(3.)

science,

conscience

?

inordinate love of the icorld overpowers con-

and drowns

So Demas found conflict is there in

its

voice in such an hour of temptation.

what a dangerous an hour of temptation, between an enlight-

it.

2 Tim. 4:10.

ened head and a worldly heart.

The examioles of others who embrace the sinful (4.) terms of liberty to escape the danger, embolden men to follow, and Satan "

ples.

before

have

Do

you

less

Avill

not be wanting to improve their exam-

not you see such and such

men

travelling the road

Learned and prudent men, who,

?

heart but more

be singular, and hazard

wisdom than all for

you.

it

Why

may

be,

will

you

that for wliich others will

hazard nothing?"

But

certainly such sins as these will cost

you dear

:

it is

a dreadful thing to betray the truth and honor of God base, secular ends

;

and you will

your consciences shall debate

There are

ond

table, in

also sins of

which many

it

find

it

so

for

when you and

together in a calm hour.

unrighteousness against the

sec-

live against the plain dictates

and

warnings of their own consciences, though they know the

wrath of God

is

revealed from

heaven against aU un-

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOuE,.

368

men who

righteousness of

hold the truth in unrighteous-

ness.

Instance

ing

And here let me instance the

4.

with them

others, in our dealings

cheating the ignorant or unwary, who,

be

so

unwary

such a

when we

it

some

pel cannot but feel

we who

but

;

live

That no man

and trembling

terror

by power, or by

in the

is

craft

is

;

in our con-

1

Thess.

4:6:

the avenger of all such."

man

policy.

To is

overtop, that

is,

this sin a dreadful

the avenger of

all

but once more, that I remember, used

Testament, E,om. 13:4, and

to the civil magistrate,

malefactors

and

is

that no

annexed, "the Lard

This word

New

and even

go beyond and defraud his brother in any

The Greek word imports

such."

it,

under the gos-

read such an awful prohibition, backed

matter; because that the Lord

threatening

would not

Conscience cannot but

wdth such a dreadful threatening as that in "

be,

the light of nature reveals

sin,

the sober heathen abhor

sciences

may

as they are, did they not repose confidence in

our deceitful words and promises. startle at

it

sin o{ defraud-

overreaching and

;

who must

is

there applied

upon

see execution done

but here the Lord himself says he will be this

man's avenger. This rod, or rather this axe, conscience shows to men, and gives w' arning of the danger, and yet its

bound

convictions are overpowered and (1.)

be rich foolish

The

fall into

that will

temptation and a snare, and into

and hurtful

Tim. 6

and perdition."

1

men

many

which drown men in destruction

lusts,

for the world,

:

9.

When

a resolution

will be rich by right or

powerfully arms the temptation.

man, and he

as prisoners by,

"But they

excessive love of gain.

made ;

this

Set gain before such a

will break through the

tions of conscience, but he will

is

wrong

law

have

it;

of

God and

this

convic-

drowns them

in destruction

and

and

fully ruins

them.

ed

but to be drowned in destruction, yea, in destruction

;

perdition, that

He

is

is, it

a dead

surely, thoroughly,

man who is only

drown-

;

Sm

THE and perdition

OF STIFLINa CONVICTION.

too, this

so all shall surely find (2.)

Necessities

must needs make

who

persist in

and straits

his ruin sure

the fear of

God

is

overbear conscience in others

word and

not exalted in the soul,

and earnestly entreated the Lord Prov. 30

the snare of poverty. it for

it

now

falls

This danger the wise Agur foresaw,

a prey to temptation.

were

and

Here conscience and poverty struggle together,

conscience. if

;

such a course.

necessity has no ears to attend the voice of the

and

369

for a :

competency

to avoid

How much

8, 9.

better

thee to endure the pains of hunger than those of

Such gains may be sweet

a guilty conscience.

in thy

mouth,

but bitter in thy bowels.

The examples of others who venture on such sins (3.) without scruple, and laugh at tender consciences. This emboldens others

to follow

voice of conscience

time

;

them, Psa. 50

:

and thus the

18,

drowned, and convictions buried

is

but conscience will thunder at

last,

and

convictions will have a resurrection,

for a and thy buried

shall be out of

it

thy power to silence them again.

Instance

The

5.

lohen onen's lusts

truth of

ivill

God

held in unrighteousness,

is

not suffer them to restore

have unjustly gotten into their hands.

them very uneasy, and

the consciences of some men, makes yet they

make a hard

of conscience.

Now

what they

This sin resting on

rub along under these regrets

shift to

those things

which make a

entry into the conscience, take the truths of

and bind them, that they cannot break forth

God

forcible

prisoners

into the duty of

restitution, are, (1.) The shame which attends and which God and conscience call the soul.

reproach, they think, to get the

name

follows the duty to It is

of a cheat

a shame and ;

loath, loath

they are, that these works of darkness should come to the

open light thief,

tion.

;

men

will point at them,

a cheat, an oppressor.

and

This keeps

say.

There goes a

many from

restitu-

But dost thou not here commit a greater cheat than 16*^

CHUisT knockinct at the door.

370

the former to

"\Yhich

?

commit

sin,

is

the greatest shame, thinkest thou,

and reform

or to confess

science

by repentance and

restitution

To bind

it ?

snare upon thy soul by commission, or loose

it

the

from thy con-

to be the derision of

;

"wicked men, for none else will deride thee for thy duty, or

be the contempt and derision of God, angels, and

men lie

for ever

to attain

;

inward peace at

good

all

this hazard, or to

under the continual lashes and wounds of thy own con-

science

?

Poverty

(2.)

conscience

;

is

God on

blight of

sometimes pleaded

and indeed

this

a

is

goods

ill-gotten

them, and they melt away.

now

Once you

A

sin.

Vain

(3.)

My

when in

it

I

my

Thus do mien

may

alter';

and

may

I

guilt of

a

it

silence convic-

be in a situation

than at present

or I

;

and charge xny executors with

bribe their consciences to get a

soon death shall terrible

under the

last

can better spare

last will,

while they continue under

Sirs, as

and

first

jyuiyoses often suppress

will do

:

lamentable case.

condition

hereafter

and

could, but Avould not

Thus a worldly heart and an

would, but cannot.

empty purse hold you

tions.

God is upon what a snare have you

a worldly heart would not part with unjust gains

;

now you known

and very frequent

the curse of

in

entangled your souls.

restore

;

to quiet the troubled

just,

summon

known

guilt,

therai to

little

and cannot

it.

quiet,

how

tell

the awful bar of a just

God.

you value your peace, and which

souls, release the Lord's prisoner

which

you with cords and chains of Satan's making as you hope to see the face of

God in

peace.

more, your

is

bound within

lies

;

do

it,

I say,

You know

that

without repentance there can be no salvation, and without restitution

you

still

no repentance

;

for

how can you

knowingly continue in?

turning from

sin,

as well as

therefore repent of sin

and

its

still

repent of a sin

Repentance

sorrow

continue in

it

is

the soul's

You cannot

for sin. :

"

How

shall

THE SIN OF STIFLINa CONVICTION. we

that are dead to

6:2.

any longer therein?"

sin, live

Trust Providence

for the

"

way

many

have more comfort

wicked."

in bread

Psa. 37

and water

:

is

better

You

IG.

Avith

and

of duty

A little that a righteous man hath

the riches of

t];ian

E,om.

supply of your wants and

the wants of those dependent on you in the righteousness.

371

will

peace of con-

than in full tables with God's curse. You will lie more at ease on a bed of straw, than on a bed of down with an accusing conscience. Instance 6. Hoiv many lie under the condemnation of science,

their consciences, for the lusts of uncleanness

They

live.

read,

scripture as fornicators,

and their consciences apply

Cor. 6

1

nor

:

9,

idolaters,

10

"Be

:

i7i

tvhich they

them such

to

not deceived

neither

;

nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor

abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covet-

drunkards,

nor

ous,,

nor revilers,

nor extortioners,

shall

And kingdom of God." A dreadful sentence this, " Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." Heb. 13 4. Yet convictions are overborne and stifled by, (1.) The i77ipetuous violence of carnal lusts, which perinherit the

!

:

mit not calm debates, but hurry them on to the leave

them

to consider the evil

afterward.

a

Thus they

go, " as

an ox

fool to the correction of the stocks."

besots them.

To

give counsel

in a paroxysm, or counsel to

and

sin,

and dangerous consequences to the slaughter, or as

Prov. 7

:

22.

Lust

now is but to give medicine him who is running a race.

Lust answers conscience as Antipater did one that presented a book treating of happiness, I have no leisure to read

him

such discourses. (2.)

Others would fain solve their scruples with the fail-

ings of good men, as David, Solomon, and others not considering what brokenness of heart it cost David, Psa. 51, ;

and Solomon sorrow more bitter than death, Eccl. 7 26. This is a presumptuous way of sinning, and how dreadful :

that

is,

see in

Num.

15

:

30.

CHEIST KNOCKIN& AT THE DOOR.

372

Instance sinful

Truth

7.

by

often held in unrighteousness

is

in not reproving other men's sins

silence,

thereby

;

making them our ow^n. We are sometimes cast into the company of ungodly men, where we hear the name of God

God

blasphemed, or the truth, worship, or servants of

proached

and have not

;

have

as others

to

wont to home upon them science

this

is

"

:

Thou

so

much

courage to appear

appear against him

up men

stir

for

re-

God,

in such cases con-

:

and charge

to their duty,

it

in the authority of such a scripture as

thy brother in thine heart

shalt not hate

;

thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer

upon him."

sin

now

silence

Lev. 19

will be thy sin

17.

:

;

of a seasonable, plain, and faithful rebuke

thy

conscience,

says

0,

man may

this

perish for

want

thy silence will

;

No soonel' does such a conbut many things are ready to

harden him in his wickedness. viction stir in the conscience,

lay hold on

A

it.

As,

of coicardice which makes us afraid to men, and chooses rather that the wrath of God We dare should fall on them, than their wrath fall on us. not take as much liberty to reprove sin as others do to com(1.)

spirit

displease

mit

They

it.

what

I

shame, and

It is

depend, and should

displease

I

to God's,

and thereby frequently

to secure our it

own

willing to hazard

it

for

men's faithfulness above

;

lost

interest in

in his conscience

him

I

ashamed of

to the

person sin-

may

Hence duty

the soul of a friend basely betrayed

fasten

are

a father, a husband, a superior, on whose favor

this is the voice of the flesh.

way

we

DeiJendence on, or near relation

(2.)

ning.

glory. in their

both our glory and our duty.

is

is

ruin myself;

neglected,

our interest ;

and

is

preferred

for there is

no better

any man's heart, than

to

by our faithfulness and by being

God's glory.

The Lord

all their sinful,

carnal policy.

blesses "

He

that rebuketh a man, afterwards shall find more favor than

he that

flattereth

with his

lips."

Prov. 28

:

23.

THE SIN OF STIFLINa CONVICTION. (3.)

and

Men's own guilt

silences

They

them.

373

ashamed

are

afraid to reprove other men's sins, lest they should hear

of their own.

Fear of

reprehension.

Thus we "

ing an old one.

himself shame

He

retort keeps fall into

a

them from the duty

new

of

sin for fear of reviv-

that reproveth a scorner, getteth to

and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot." Pro v. 9:7. But this is the fruit of our ;

What we fear, might

pride and ignorance.

The

efit.

in return

reproof given is

duty discharged

is

a fresh call to repentance

turn to our ben-

and the retort

;

for sin past,

and a

caution against sin to come.

Instance

8.

Another instance of conviction of unright-

eousness imprisoned in men's souls

is,

not distributing to

the necessities, of others, especially such as fear God, is

it

in the

power of our hands

to do

it,

Men

well as Scripture calls us to our duty.

when

and conscience as cannot be igno-

rant of that text where charity to the saints

by the Lord

is

Jesus Christ put for the whole of obedience, and men's eternal states are fixed according to their observance of this

command. Matt. 25 study and believe science, if

it

40, 41

:

1

;

if

thou

refusest,

John, 3:17.

but divers

The

(1.)

so deep in

how

This

lusts are

also as soon as

is

though

few, very few

I fear

Thou

canst, says con-

thou wilt, relieve such or such a poor Christian,

and therein express thy love it

;

as they ought.

is

to Christ

:

do

it,

God will repay God in thee ?

dwelleth the love of the voice of

God and

conscience,

ready to seize and bind this conviction

it stirs.

The world men's hearts, that they will rather part with

excessive love of earthly things.

yea, and their souls too, than part with it. Hence come those churlish answers, like that of Nabal, " Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh,

their peace,

that I have killed for

whom (2.)

I

know

my

shearers,

not whence they be ?"

and give 1

it

unto

Sam. 25

:

men

11.

Unbelief ; which denies honor and due credit to

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

374

Christ's bills of

presented to to credit

Scripture,

They

the hands of poor saints.

and

refuse

them, though conscience protest against their nonChrist says, " Whosoever shall give you a cup

compliance.

of water to drink in

my

He

name, because ye belong

he shall not

verily I say unto you,

9:41.

m

exchange drawn upon them

them by

shall gain that

to Christ,

reward."

lose his

which he cannot

Mark

by parting

lose,

with that which he cannot keep.

The ivant of

(3.)

him be,

in sincerity,

would make us more ready

it

Christ, 1

to lay

blood for

is

So

the saints.

and are willing

it

ought to

our necks for

shilling for him.

our duty, in some cases, to spend our

It is

was

it

in the primitive times

Behold, said the Christian's enemies, other,

as

down

than we now are to lay down a

John, 3:16.

Did we love

love to Jesus Christ.

and were that love fervent

one

to die

how

:

they love one an-

But that

for another.

spirit

almost extinguished in these degenerate days.

Instance consciences,

How many

9,

what a

sin

stand convinced, by their to

it is

When

idly and vainly as they do. duties neglected,

a day

is lost

and no good done or received,

conscience reckons with

them

own

spend their precious time

for

it,

so

in vanity,

at night

and asks what account

how they can satisfy down and sleep under so much guilt. morrow comes, the vanity of their hearts

they can give of that day to God, themselves to

And

yet,

carries

lie

when

the

them on

in the

and while they keep conscience finds

them.

Now

same course again the next day company they are quiet, till ;

in vain

them

at

leisure to debate

it

again wdth

the things which overpower these convictions

are, (1.)

In some men, their ignorance

the preciousness of time.

They know

and it

is

insensihility of

a sin to spend

their time so vainly, but little consider that eternity itself

hangs upon

this little

moment

of time

;

work

that the great

of their salvation will require all the time they have

;

and

THE SIN OF STIFLINa CONVICTION.

375

be not finished in this small allotment of time,

if it

The examples of vain

(2.)

'pers.on?>

who

it

(3.)

them

to

as they do.

The

delusive

power oi

pleasantly does time slide relating: or (4.y

can

are as prodigal

of their precious time as themselves, and entice

spend

it

John 9:4.

never be finished.

hearing

stories,

away

how

se7isual pleasures. in theatres

and taverns, in

news, and other such matters.

Inconsiderateness of the sharp and terrible rebukes

of conscience for this on a death-bed, or the terrors of the

Lord in the day of judgment. In

all

these

instances

yon see

how common

these are but a few selected from

many.

this

is

dreadful evil of holding the truth in unrighteousness

;

yet

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

376

CHAPTER

XIY.

THE TRUTH HELD IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESSCONTINUED. "THE WRATH OF GOD IS REVEALED FROM HEAVEN AGAINST ALL UNGODLINESS AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS OF MEN, WHO HOLD THE TRUTH IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS." Rom. 1 18. :

V. I

ment

NOW

how and why

proceed to show

the imprison-

of convictions, or holding the truths of

DREADFULLY INCENSES

righteousness, so this it does

God

in un-

And

WRATH.

on several accounts.

Knowledge of sin

1.

HIS

from falling

into

it.

is

a

choice help to preserve

There are thousands of

sins

men

commit-

ted in the world, which had never been committed

if

men

had known them to be sins before they committed them. Every sinner durst not make so bold with his conscience as you have done. The apostle tells us, the reason why the princes of this world crucified the Lord of glory was, be-

cause they

knew him

not, 1 Cor. 2

:

8

had they known him

;

they would not have dared to do as they multitudes of lesser

sins,

did.

And so, in men with

Satan blinds the eyes of

ignorance, then uses their hands and tongues in wickedness

he

is

;

Eph. 6:12.

the ruler of the darkness of this world.

But when men know this or that to be sin, and yet venture on it, an excellent antidote against sin is turned into a dreadful aggravation of it, which highly incenses the wrath of G6d. (2.)

Knowledge and conviction going before, add preand presumptuous to the sin that follows after it

sumption

Bin is the

;

most provoking and daring

sinning David earnestly besought

back thy servant

also

man

there

a despising of the law of

is

sees sin

God

:

to

from presumptuous

"When a

from this way of keep him: " Keep

sin

sins."

and yet ventures on

God

:

it,

a

Psa. 19:13.

in such sinning

man may

break

THE SIN OF STIFLING- CONVICTION.

377

the law while he approves, reverences, and honors heart, E.om. 7

God

spised, as

should say, ing in 3.

my

12, 13

:

I see

way, but

will go on for all that.

I

Knowledge and conviction leave the conscience of a

no plea

no cloak

John 15

for their sin."

in a measure, as

ignorantly

the sin

:"

here

Paul is

22.

:

some excuse tells

us,

1

:

"

tliis

case there

Now

they have

If a

man

for his sin

Tim.

1

:

;

it

13,

sins igno-

excuses

it

"I

it

did

a cloak or covering, an extenuation of

but knowledge takes away

;

In

sin.

to extenuate the offence

left

rantly, his ignorance is

the sin appear naked in all 4.

de-

is

Sam. 12:9. It is as if a man the command of God armed with threaten-

told David, 2

sinner wholly without excuse for his is

in his

it

commandment

but here the

;

its

tliis

cloak,

and makes

odious deformity.

Light or knowledge of the law and will of God,

very choice and excellent mercy favor, for

God

to

make

man's understanding 147

tudes, Psa.

engagements

:

19,

with one of

;

a

the light of knowledge shine into a it is

God for

to his service

arm such a mercy

is

a choice and singular

it is

a mercy withheld from multiand those who enjoy it are under special

to bless

and thankfully

;

and to improve it diligently and glory but for a man to

it,

:

as this against God, to fight against

him

must be highly

pro-

his choicest mercies, this

voking to the Lord

is

it

;

therefore mentioned as a high

aggravation of Solomon's sm, that he smned against the Lord, after the Lord had appeared unto 11

:

5.

This

way

twice.

1

Kings,

of sinning argues an extraordinary degree

of hardness of heart

;

it is

or sense of the evil of sin.

them the sight of

little

;

so did

and

Paul

:

I died,"

"

tenderness,

Some men, when God shows

When

Rom.

7

the :

9,

tremble at the

commandment came, he sunk down at the

But God shows thee the evil of sin law, and thou makest nothing of it

sight of his

a sign of but

evil of sin in the glass of the law,

it

sin revived,

of

him

9.

it.

:

in the glass

obdurate

CHUIST KNOCKIN& AT THE DOOR.

378 heart

from

"VYlieii

I

it,

the rod

was turned

being afraid to touch

it

Moses

into a serpent

but though

;

God

fled

turn the

rod into a serpent, and discover the venomous nature of sin

and play with that

in his word, thou canst handle

and put

into thy

it

bosom

:

this

shows thy heart

serpent,

be awfully

to

infatuated.

To go

6.

a

against this convincing, warning voice, icounds,

more than any other way

man's, conscience

doth

and when conscience

;

shall then comfort thee

It is

is

or

what

a true rule, the more any sin

man's conscience, the greater that

violates a

of devils

?

of sinning

wounded, who

so

is

the most dreadful sin

sin

The

is.

and what makes

;

sin

it so,

but the horrid violation of their consciences, and their malicious rebellion against clear

? They know and 2:19; they roar under

knowledge

they believe and tremble, Jas.

sin,

the tortures of conscience like the roar of the sea, or the noise of the rocks before a storm.

then, if there be if

any fear of God

prisoners

which

any degree of tenderness

lie

bound and imprisoned

are at rest in their spirits by so doing

said,

till

in the souls of

Blessed be God, some have done

of you this day.

ease

in you,

left

or regard for salvation, let go all God's

;

so,

they could have no

they unbound and yielded obedience to them.

Acts 16

:

38, that

when

any and It is

the magistrates at Philippi

men whom they had bound and imRomans, they feared and well they might, the punishment was great for any man who injured a

understood that the prisoned were for

citizen

or

imprison

is

;

freeman of

Rome

;

but every conviction you

a messenger of heaven, a commissioned officer

Do you of God, and woe to him that binds or abuses it. know what you do ? Are you aware of the danger ? Wast •thou not afraid, asked forth thine 1

:

14.

hand

So say

I,

David of the Amalekite,

to destroy the Lord's anointed

Art thou not afraid

to stretch

2 Sam.

?

to destroy the

diate messenger of God, sent to thy soul for good

?

immeCon-

SIN OF STIFLING CONVICTION.

THE

a kind of embryo of conversion

victioii is

and salvation of thy obeyed

thy striving with

:

must go

for

man

every

soul

except.

it,

renders

God

—

it

longer

who

unrighteousness of men,

all

it

life

restrained,

you see what a

;

and that

is,

revealed from heaven against

is

and thy

Loose then

again.

it

mean, your

I

them no

stifle

dreadful aggravation of sin

God

—

were

result,

abortive,

it

revive

the Lord's prisoners

stifled convictions

the conversion

;

would be the

it

379

" the

wrath of

ungodliness and

hold the truth in unrighteous-

ness."

Inference inform

us, first,

This will prove

1.

a fruitful

doctrine

to

that knoivledge in itself is not enough to

any man from

No gifts, no knowupon the heart and life, and to which we pay obedience, can secure any man from wrath "If ye know these things, happy are ye if secure the soul of

ledge but that only which

hell.

influential

is

:

ye do them."

John. 13

:

The

17.

greatest sins ma,y be

found in conjunction with the greatest knowledge, as you see in the fallen angels it

:

guides the soul into the

is

many

light

is

way

a knowing head in

when

then only a blessing

of duty

and obedience

Yet

hell.-

let

no

man

:

there

indulge

himself in ignorance, or shun the means of knowledge, that

with less danger for you must account to God knowledge you might have had, as well as for that you possessed for the means of knowledge he gave you, as well as for the knowledge you actually attained. he

may

sin

;

for all the

—

2.

Wliat a choice mercy

a tender conscience

is

A

science yielding obedience to conviction.

tenderness in the conscience tive

is

knowledge in the head.

tians are gifts,

ashamed

and are apt

to see

—a

con-

drop of such

better than a sea of specula1

Cor. 12

:

31.

Many

Chris-

themselves excelled by others in

to be discouraged

;

but

if

God has

blessed

thee with a tender heart, obedient to his will, so far as he

pleased to manifest

couraged

for

want

it

to thee,

thou hast no reason to be

of those gifts

which

others enjoy.

is

dis-

You

;

CHUIST KNOCKING AT THE

380

DOOE..

cannot discourse floridly or dispute subtlely, but do you obey

and comply with the manifested will of God Then happy art thou. 0, it is far better to feel It was the high commena truth than merely to know it. dation of the Romans, that they obeyed from the heart the form of gospel doctrine which was delivered them, Rom.

conscientiously,

tenderly

6

:

?

17, or rather into

which they were

Two

metals into moulds.

delivered, as

melted

learned divines travelling to the

council of Constance were affected even to tears at the sight of a shepherd in the fields,

a loathsome creature

words

to themselves

mourning and melting

God

of a toad, and blessmg

that he had not

at the sight

made him such

whereupon they applied Augustine's

;

*' :

The unlearned

and take

will rise

Thy little knowledge made heaven from the learned." effectual by obedience, is more sanctified, more sweet, and more saving than other men's, and therefore of much greater It is more sanctified for the l^lessing of God is upon value. It is more sweet for you relish the goodGal. 6:16. it. ;

;

ness, as well as discern the truth of gospel doctrines.

119 it is

:

103.

more

pany 3.

It is

Heb. 6:9.

.Learn hence tvhat an uncomfortable

own

men

consciences.

to the wicked."

Isa.

live

:

"There 48

:

and none

22.

at all in religion

because they obey not their consciences are

its still

life intelligent,

they are frequently at

are ever and anon at daggers sin,

Psa.

then

saving, being one of those better things that accom-

salvation.

but unregenerate their

And

not an insipid, dry speculation.

;

is

They and

their consciences

they have

little

pleasure

in.

they have none in religion,

:

rules

war with

no peace, saith the Lord,

;

galling

and

little

and

in sin, because

terrifying

them

for

imprisoning their convictions.

some men's consciences are seared as with a Tim. 4:2; but most have grumbling, and some have raging and roaring consciences they seldom come It is true,

hot iron,

1

:

under the word or rod, but their consciences lash them

;

THE SIN OF STIFLINa CONVICTION.

381

and when death approaches, the terrors of the Almighty do shake and terrify them. Altogether to neglect duty they

how

dare not, and

know

they

to escape a lash

Balaam, they meet a sword in the way

but, like

plunge themselves into diversions

them

fury within reader,

from their consciences

Fain they would have the pleasures of

not.

to

;

live?

but

all will

No

peace with

like Cain, to

not do.

Is this

thy mouth, but

it is

Sin for a

:

14.

Ministers had need often

same truths

done,

when

to their

truth

Our work

men.

is

and

sin.

to

repeat

;

this

is

the

and

incidcate

is

not half

minds and consciences of the heart more than at the head

got into the

many times fast

opened,

work

when

barred against

passages between the head and heart culty

know the how much it

hearers; for the ivork

sticks at

the understanding will are locked

is

sweet in

is

that you did but

excels all the delights of sense and

the

is

it.

the heart and

To open

the greatest

of almighty power.

There

is

ledge enough in some men's heads to save them, but

not

its

liberty

;

thee,

thyself?

bound and im-

lie

moment

pleasures of a pure, peaceable conscience, and

4.

life for

presently turned into the gall of asps

Job 20

within thee.

be rid of a

God nor with

Expect no peace while thy convictions prisoned in thy conscience.

a

sin,

they

;

restrained truth cannot do

its office.

the diffi-

knowit

has It is

much easier to convince the mind than to change the heart or bow the will. The hardest part of the ministerial work is to

preach truth into the hearts and lives of men.

This

same truths necessary " To write the same things to you, to to the people's souls. me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe." Phil. 3:1. 5. How wonderful is the strength of sin, which can,

makes the frequent

hold

men fast

and danger

it

inculcation of the

after their eyes are opened to see the misery

has involved them in.

One would think

if

a man's eyes were but once opened to see the moral evil that is

in sin,

and the everlasting train of penal

evils that follow

;

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE

382 it,

way

together with a

DOOE..

of escape from both,

would be

it

impossible to hold that simier a day longer in such a state

of bondage

we

the work were then as good as done.

:

are mistaken; sin can hold those fast

They know

who

But

alas,

see all this.

a horrid violation of God's just and holy

it is

know it brings them under his wrath and curse, and will damn them to all eternity if they continue in it they know Christ is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, and that he is as willing as he is

laws

they

;

able

and yet no arguments can prevail with them

;

Show

with

sin.

drive,

him

this

is

into

but a beast a flame of

it if

he see any

rank poison and will

him swallow

way

But

Jer.

8:6,

is fully

set in

horse into the battle. ;

his heart

when

his physician told

course of sin he would in a

little

well, then, sweet light

I

So with sinners

:

:

make him rush

He him him

we

will

walk

man

sin.

after

do

if

he followed such a

evil,

Eccl.

time lose his eyes,

said,

Fare-

may justly seem

and

the

all.

And they said, there is no hope, our own devices." Jer. 18 12. :

what

considers

are not converted

6.

8:11;

to

cannot part with this practice.

;

visions of misery

may wonder

that

all

and wrath convinced

and on the other hand, when he

considers the strong hold sin has it

a

"

convictions give men, he

men

on, as

goes as an ox to the

rather than forego their pleasures and break

bewitching power of

"When a

man

make

a sinner see death and

let

their customs in sin, farewell heaven, Christ,

but

Tell a

of escape.

though wrapt up in sugar, or put into the

it

destruction before him, and sin can

as one,

to part

and you cannot

him, and you cannot

kill

most pleasant sweetmeats.

slaughter

fire,

upon the hearts of

sinners,

a wonder that any are converted.

Hoiv dreadful

is

the state of ajiostatcs tvlio have

had

their eyes opened, their consciences aicakened, their resolutions for Christ seemingly fixed ;

return

has not only power

to

and

yet, after' all this,

of sin. You see, brethren, sin hold men in bondage to its lusts after

to their former course

have been opened, but

their eyes

those

who seemed

The unclean

2 Pet. 2:18, 19.

and make

his reentry into the

worse than himself. viction

has power to entice back

it

have clean escaped out of

to

same

Matt. 12

may

spirit

soul with seven spirits

43—45.

Restraints by conand formality do not wholly dispossess Satan, he still

keeps his property in the

:

he

soul, for

calls

and that property which he keeps under and

men

end of such

be

which dooms the apostate Such are twice dead, and

it

"my

;"

his hellish

all

will the

that law of heaven

is

wrath

to eternal

house

these convictions

how awful

But

and how just

;

all

him and

partial reformations, opens to

retinue a door for his return.

Jude

hands.

its

depart for a time,

will be plucked

Heb. 10

I

up by the

:

38.

roots.

12.

7.

How sure mid

all those,

dreadful ivill be tlie condemnation of in the day of the Lord, ivho obstinately continue

under the convictions and co7ideni7iatio7is of their Unhappy men, you are condemned already, John 3 18 condemned by the law of God and by the sen-

in

sin,

oivn consciences. :

;

tence of your

own

What

consciences.

your

own

" If our heart

condemn

and knoweth

all things."

will be as clear as

it

books will be opened

God

us,

1

book of thine own conscience. it

were a transcript

keep in thine shall be

o\\ai

John, 3:20. ;

His sentence

for in the last

The book

When

of conscience

book

to agree, there

and yet thy

own

can

be.

"Thou knewest

lusts hurried thee

so ? look, sinner, into thine

own

science has not so charged

to

prayer

as

Then God

no further dispute of the equity of the account.

sin,

is

for thee to

God's book and thy

compared and found exactly

shall charge thee, saying,

day the

of God's omniscience, and the

or counterpart of God's

bosom.

good.

greater than our heart,

is

will be terrible

—the book

conscience

make

says according to God's law, he will confirm and

it

on

to

this and that to be commit it is it not

thy account.

was thy duty when thou

;

book, and see if thy con-

neglectedst

Thou knewest it

;

and over-

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

384 reaching

when

and unwary was thy

ignorant, credulous,

tlie

the love of gain tempted thee to

You knew

it.

sin

had

I

plainly told you that theft, nncleanness, drunkenness, and

would bar you out of the kingdom of Christ and of

extortion

God,

Cor. 6:9,10; and yet, putting that to the venture, you

1

have

lived in those sins

in your

own bosom, and wrath

of coming

the wrath of

Is

who

? Examine the book The Lord make men sensible

not so

is it

;

see."

they live in under light

for the sins

God

is

God

the wrath of

revealed from heaven against

hold the truth in unrighteousness

and persuade you by your

souls,

by

all

for

;

revealed from heaven against them.

all

Then

?

me

let

all

exhort

the regard and love you have for

the fears you have of the incensed wrath

of the great and terrible God, that you forthv/ith set your convictions at liberty, and loose all the Lord's prisoners that lie

bound within you

Job 36

:

18.

stifle

slight not the

science

softest

"

:

Because there

whisper or least intimation of con-

reverence and obey

;

and persuading

this,

wrath, beware."

is

the voice of your conscience no more,

are

Motives pressing

voice.

its

many

yet estimate

;

them by weight

rather than by number.

Motive 1. The wrath of God them who hold the truth

against

because there

is tcrath,

what the wrath thine anger

Psalm 90 glory

is

:

of

God

"

Who

11.

0, if the

fear, so is

wrath of a

king,

but a worm, be as the roaring of a

messengers of death, Prov. 20

:

2

and

knoweth the power

even according to thy

?

;

Are you truly informed

beware. is ?

revealed from heaven

is

in unrighteousness

;

of

thy wrath."

who lion,

in all his

and

16:14; what then

as the is

the

power of His wrath, at whose fro\\^lS the kings of the earth tremble, and the captains and the mighty men shrink away ? If the lesser executions of so dreadful that

in the grave

even good

till it

it

by providence in

men have

be past. Job 14

:

this

world be

desired a hiding-place

13

;

then what

is

the

THE SIN OF STIFLING CONVICTION. full

385

execution thereof upon the ungodly in the place of tor-

ment

If the threats

?

and denunciations of it against others

made Habakkuk, though with

much more

his bowels,

Hab. 3:16; how

who

should those tremble and quiver

the subject of

it,

and not the mere heralds of

are to be

as he

it

was

?

more than all, if Jesus Christ, who was to but a few hours, and had the power of the Godhead

And, which feel it

assured of personal safety, to quiver

and tremble in

his lips

is

him under

to support

it,

notwithstanding, sweat as

did,

it

were great drops of blood, and was sore amazed think with thyself, poor man, how shall thy heart endure, or thy hands be strong, when thou hast to do with an incensed God ? ;

Motive will not

Here

is

Till

2.

you go

let

you

command

the

set

free ymir co?ivictions, Satan

he binds you while you bind them.

;

of

my

God and

the

command

of Satan

in.

which thou boldest in bind and suppress them, unrighteousness, says Jehovah says Satan, or they will deprive thee of the liberty and pleasWhile thou slightest the voice of God and ure of thy life.

competition.

Let

truths go free, ;

conscience, dost thou not avowedly declare thyself the bond-

"His servants ye are to whom ye obey." slave of Satan ? Rom. 6:16. Dare not to take one step further in the way continue not at thy peril in of known sin, says conscience ;

such a dangerous

warned thee of thee,

it

state, after I

it.

will be as

Fear ill

have

so clearly

not, says Satan, if

with millions.

God

convinced and it

will

be

ill

with

wound

the

heads of such as go on in their trespasses, says the Scripture.

Psalm 68

:

21.

Tush, others do

the most scrupulous, says Satan.

ence to Satan's

commands

so,

and escape as well as

Now,

I

say,

thy obedi-

plainly declares thee, all this

while, to be a poor enslaved captive to him, acted on and carried according to the prince of the spirit

that

now worketh

power of the

air,

the

in the children of disobedience.

Motive 3. Until y
Knocking.

17

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

386 souls

you join with Christ's great and avowed enemy to him and destroy yourselves. Two things make you

;

dishonor

confederates with Satan against your

own

souls.

consent to this project for your damnation

conscience out of the Scriptures informs you

makes you a

how

it,

says conscience

shall I look

all this, believe

8

:

36.

their

men

it is

own

not

:

so,

own

it is

consent

:

Confess thy

in the face if I do so

own

their

souls,

a dreadful thing

for

eternal ruin, and that

notice given

them by

power what

it will,

own

their

and shame

sin,

says pride and

Satan and make God a

men that hate

act as

your

your

Second, your concealment of this plot

party.

brings you in as a party with him.

bewail

First,

for so

;

liar

and love death

men

?

Prov.

be accessory to

to

after

;

Do not you, in Do not you ?

?

fair

warning and Satan, be his

conscience.

cannot destroy you without your

own

consent.

Motive

4.

While you go on stiflmg

turning aivay your ears from

not he 'pardoned ; you are in your all lies at

are

You

your door.

co7ivictions,

sins,

what the terms

see

of remission

" Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous

:

man

and let him return unto the Lord, and he mercy upon him and to our God, for he will

his thoughts

will have

:

;

abundantly pardon."

^^

Isa.

:

ereth his sins shall not prosper

So again, "

7. :

He

by

these,

that cov-

but whoso confesseth and

forsaketh them, shall have mercy." see

and

you canand the guilt of them

calls to repentance,

Prov. 28 13. You and many miore plain scripture testimonies, :

that there can be no hope of remission while you go on in this

path of rebellion

your

known

concealing, yea,

;

There

wickedness.

is

and

persisting in

a necessary and insepa-

rable connection between repentance and remission. Acts

5:31, and Luke 24 47 :

your companion during

Motive

5.

;

and can you endure

life

and

for

ever

You can never have peace

while you keep convictions prisoners.

to

have

guilt

?

A

ivith conscience

man's conscience

THE SIN OF STIFLINa CONVICTION. is

his best friend or his worst

enemy

;

387

thence are the sweet-

and thence are the bitterest sorrows. It is a dreadful thing for a man to He wdth a cold sweating horror upon his panting bosom. And this, or which is worse, obduest comforts,

racy and stupidity must be the case of them

retreat to these terrors

walls

you

;

of,

mean,

I

is

hold the

till

that sin which your conscience convinces

As

be delivered up.

Achan was thy sin

till

who

There can be no sounding a Sheba's head be thrown over the

truth in unrighteousness.

destroyed

;

so

Israel could

have no peace

till

thou shalt have no peace while

Men may

covered and hid.

themselves while they continue in

sin,

cry peace, peace, to

Deut. 29

:

19, but the

sharpest troubles of conscience are better than such peace. Deliver up thyself, if thou love peace, into the hands of thy

own Thy

and thou

convictions, rejoicing

must be

art in the true

way

to peace.

in the testimony of thy conscience, as

the apostle speaks, 2 Cor.

1

12, or thou rejoicest in a

:

dream,

in a delusion, in a thing of naught.

Motive

6.

What

dreadful charges are you likely

to

meet with on your death-beds on account of the si?ts you have lived in, against knowledge and conviction. Conscience is never more active and vigorous than in the last hours and moments of ruled no longer.

It

Now it will be stifled

life.

whispered before, but

now

it

and overthunders.

has a clear and quiet conscience, his evening is " The end of that clear and his sun sets without clouds man is peace." Psalm 37 37. In contemplation of this If a

man

:

:

felicity,

his."

Balaam

Num.

23

uttered that wish, " Let :

10.

This peace

is

my last end

be like

the result of a man's

obedience to the voice of conscience, this being the evidence we can most safely rely upon of our interest in Christ but the ;

result of such violations and abuses of thy conscience cannot be peace to thy soul. It is true, some wicked men die in

seeming peace, and some good men in trouble, but both the one and the other are mistaken the first, as to the good :

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOH.

388

estate he fancies himself in, estate

to his bad up the mistake of

and the other as

and a few moments will

;

clear

each.

Motive

Obedience to conviction wall not only produce

7.

and

peace at death, but will give you present ease

No

ment.

had ease

science in confessing his sin, but he

Psa. 32:

"The work

5.

and the

effect of righteousness, quietness Isa.

have no

rest in their conscience,

32

:

On

17.

not to

is

live.

your conscience

;

thy

would endure

so

ures of sin

To

If,

then,

for guilt lies

;

is life

upon the

live ever in pain, to live

you love ease and quietness, obey

anguish for

8.

—

mean, the

I

all

sin that

Who

the flattering pleas-

Convictions obeyed are the inlets

eternal salvation by

him ;

Christ

to

they are the leading of the

in order to union with Christ.

Spirit,

20

And what

and pains thy conscience.

soul,

much

:

for

men

?

Motive

and

?

Job 20

in the flesh.

pull out that thorn

sticks fast in

and assurance

the contrary, you find wicked

working there as a thorn

worth without ease

in his spirit,

of righteousness shall be peace;

ever."

rack,

refresh-

sooner did David resolve to obey the voice of con-

you obey and yield up yourselves

John 16

:

Till

14.

them, Christ

is

shut

out of your souls; he knocks, but finds no entrance.

At

your

peril, therefore,

be obedient

to

to their calls.

parley with your convictions, and

demur

"While you

to their

demands,

Christ stands without, offering himself graciously to you, but is

not admitted

;

so that

no

less

than your eternal happiness

or misery depends on your obedience or disobedience to the calls of

your convictions.

Motive 9. Obey your convictions, honor their voice, and the?i shall your conscience give a fair restrain them not ;

testimony for you at the judgment-seat of Christ. read of the answer of a good conscience toward God, 3

;

21

;

gives a

than which nothing can be more comfortable.

man

boldness in the day of judgment.

1

John,

You 1

Pet.

This

4:17

Sm

THE Believe

OF STIFLINO CONVICTION.

sirs, it is

it,

not your baptism, your church privileges,

men have

or the opinion

389

of you, but the testimony of your

must be your comfort. I know men are not God's bar by their own obedience, nor by any

conscience, that justified at

exactness of

life

sinner's plea

;

science

it is

;

only Christ's righteousness that

but your obedience to the calls of

10.

Consider what a choice tnercy

calls

and

he obeyed

it

:

it is, to be

convictions of conscience as

science convinces in hell as well as here, but all

mercy that your convictions

—that you are not damned

tions; but this

I

I

am

God

God

many

in this

wretched

in unrighteousness,

be revealed from heaven against set before

Demand

1.

I

beseech

which

lie

expostulate the matter with your con-

to

afraid there are

me

Let

set free the Lord's prisoners

and propound a few convictive queries

the truths of

and misery

dear and valuable in your eyes, reverence

is

now come

a choice

are yet remedial, not purely

fixed in the state of sin

you will not enjoy long; therefore

your conscience, and bound within you.

sciences,

convic-

its

it is

yet

Con-

but yet enjoy the benefit of your convic-

are,

you, by all that

may

not so with convictions after death.

is

tions there are for torment, not recovery.

as the

con-

the evidence that you are in Christ.

is

Motive under such

penal

the

is

God and

to your souls.

case,

who

hold

though the wrath of all

them

that do

so.

you some of God's demands.

Do

not some of you stand convinced by this day, that your hearts and prac-

your own consciences tices

are vastly different

among whom you Scripture

?

Do

live,

from those of the people of God and whose character you read in

not your consciences

tell

you, that you never

took the pains for your salvation you see

them take

;

that

there are some in your families, nay, possibly in your bosoms,

who

are serious and heavenly, while you are vain and

earthly

—who

are on their knees wrestling with God, while

THE DOOR.

CHP.IST KNOCKING- AT

390

you are about the things of the world

And

?

science sometimes whisper thus into thine ear

not right

;

something

is

wanting

:

does not conSoul, thou art

make -thee a

to

thou wantest that which others have

;

Christian

further be done within thee, thou wilt be undone for ever If

be

it

me

so, let

?

advise thee to hearken diligently to this

voice of conscience

God

;

and except something

do not venture to the judgment-seat of

;

in such a case

ponder that

:

text,

Matt. 21

:

32, " For

John came unto you in the M^ay of righteousness, and ye bebut the pubhcans and the harlots believed lieved him not him and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, :

;

him

that ye might believe

;"

and

let

the disparity your

conscience shows you between your ovra. course and that of

awaken you

others,

to

more

diligence

How canst thou

your own salvation.

or thy vain recreations,

and

find a wife or child in prayer,

and thy conscience not smite thee been mourning

man, who out of time

his

for his soul in

hearken

may

It

?

be,

they have

thy sins wdiile thou hast been committmg

for

Perhaps there

them.

and seriousness about

come from the tavern,

lives not far

from thee a godly poor

hard and pressing labors redeems more

a w^eek, than ever thou didst in thy

to the voice of

thy conscience,

else

life.

thou art he

that boldest truth in unrighteousness.

Demand

2.

Did

thy conscie7tce never meet thee in the

icay of sin, as the angel of the Lord met Balaam with a drawn sword, brandishing the threatenings of God against thee

Did

?

soldiers

it

not say to thee, as a captain once said to his

about to retreat, casting himself

" If you go this shall trample

way you

him

first

said thy conscience

thee

;

if

'* ;

under your this

feet ?"

in their

way,

you

" Stop, soul, stop

and that word of God

is

1"

against

thou proceed, thou must trample upon the sover-

eign authority of God, in this or that

impetuous fairly

down

shall go over your captain,

lusts

command."

have hurried thee forward

debate the case with thy conscience

:

;

Yet thy

thou wouldst not

and then did not

THE SIN OF STIFLING CONVICTION. Heuben

conscience say to thee, as

tli}^

" fcjpake

I

Do

not unto you, saying,

391

did to his brethren,

not sin against the child

;

and ye would not hear ? therefore behold also his blood is required." Gen. 42 22. If this has been your course of sinning, verily you are the persons that have held the truth of God in unrighteousness, and against you the wrath of God :

is

revealed from heaven.

Demand

3.

Have you not

seen the wrath of

God

re-

vealed from heaven against other sinners ivho have gone before

you

in the

and yet you warnings. the

God

Thus

in

sin in

which you now go

had done

though he saw

:

seen great estates scattered, and their owners that

a temptation

is

—

estates, souls

;

yet

it,

to get the gain of oppression.

adulterers severely punished, their

names

and bodies

secret,

but just stroke of God. strokes of God,

blasted,

and wasted by a

Have you taken

and hearkened

w^arning by these

to the monitions

your consciences have thereupon given you art the

beggary

seen drunkards clothed with rags, and brought to

miserable ends

and

to

before you, you cannot forbear to take

the advantage, as you call

You have

that

all

Dan. 5 20-22,

to his father.

them by fraud and oppression reduced

when

?

notwithstanding such dreadful

it,

did Belshazzar,

of heaven

You have got

same course of

persist

man who

boldest the truth of

God

and cautions If not, thou

?

in unrighteous-

ness.

Demand 4. Do 7iot your hearts rise against necessary and due reproofs given you by tlwse tvho love your souls better

than you do ?

If

you hate a faithful reprover, though

you know you are guilty of the

sin

he reproves

—

if

you

re-

criminate or deny in such cases, you are certainly so far confederate with Satan against your

own convictions. Demand 5. Have

own

soul,

and imprison

your

your

first profession,

not some of you apostatized from and are not those hopeful blossoms

which once appeared upon your

souls blighted

and gone

?

CHRIST KNOCKING- AT THE DOOR.

392

You had ished

;

and melting

lively convictions

and zeal

in your conscience

for duties

affections, tenderness

but

;

now

all is

van-

your affections are cold and your duties are omitted,

though conscience often bids you remember from whence you are

and do your

fallen,

first

You

works.

are the persons

guilty of this sin.

Demand

Do

6.

pen^ance, and

make

none of you iwe^ume upon future rebold with your conscience for the pres-

ent, thinking thus to

compound with it ? This argues thee man, and one holding truth in un-

to be a self- condemned

righteousness

thy sin

:

present and certain, thy repentance

is

2 Tim. 2

but a peradventure.

:

25.

This

is

way

a daring

of presumptuous sinning.

Demand wpon you

Have 7ione of you taken the voivs of God break off your iniquities by repentance, when

7.

to

you have been in dangerous sickness on shore, or dreadful tempests at sea spare

me

any more affliction

Have you not

?

this once, I will :

me,

try

Lord, this once

has vanished, your purposes

have vanished with

known

said, Lord, if

truths of

it

God

:

thou wilt but

way I have lived and yet, when that and promises to God

never live in the ;

you are the persons that hold the

prisoners in your souls.

these seven sorts of sinners, this text

may

And

to

all

justly be as the

handwriting upon the wall once was, even a 7nene tekel that

may make

thy very loins to shake.

Dan. 5 25-31. :

This doctrine furnishes important directions

for the pre-

vention of such presumptuous sins in men, that truth

may

have its free course through their souls. Direction 1. And to this end my first

that

you fail not

Do not

delay

hazardous. four ways.

thought on

to ;

direction

is,

put every conviction into speedy execution.

it is

a

critical hour,

and delays are exceedingly

Convictions are fixed and secured in men's souls First,

my

by deep and serious consideration

ways, and turned

my

feet

:

" I

unto thy testimo-

SIN OF STIFLINa CONYICTION.

THE

Secondly, by earnest prayer

Psalm 119 59.

nies."

393

:

Saul, under his first convictions,

on his knees

fell

thus

:

"Behold,

:

Acts 9:11. The breath of prayer foments and nourishes the sparks of conviction, that they be not exThe Thirdly, by diligent attendance on the vv^ord. tinct.

he prayeth."

word begets lay, the

and the word can through God's

conviction,

blessing preserve

Fourthly, by performing, without de-

it.

duty thou art convinced

the word, and not a doer, he his natural face in a glass

for

;

" If any be a hearer of

of.

is like

unto a

man

beholding

he beholdeth himself, and

goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." James 1 23, 24. Take the sense thus a :

:

looks into the glass in the morning, and perhaps he sees

man

a spot on his

his hair or clothes,

a disorder in

face, or

thinks with himself, I will rectify

anon

it

;

and

but being gone

from the place, one thing or other diverts his mind, he forgets what he saw, and goes all the day with the spot on his face, never thinking of

and

in this

it

brethren, delays are dangerous,

more.

Heb. 3

sin is deceitful,

way he

:

13

;

Satan

This motto

written on the tomb of most that perish: "Here that

was

advantage in the is

once up in

first

warm

be easily done to raise

affections

tage there

is

is

Christ too soon.

dred,

warm

36,

:

is

hard

what advan-

Besides, the nature

frame.

and weighty

to

be postponed and

Moreover, every repetition of sin after conit.

For

it is

be one, the second

is

in sinning as in ten, the third a

And

and the fourth a thousand. w^ill, you can never have a

what you

thy heart

work may

get out of the danger of hell, or into

viction greatly aggravates first

29

be

one

a mighty

is

resolutions, the

See, in 2 Chron.

too serious

You cannot

bering, if the

and

lies

uncertain, so

When

soul.

may

as a bell, if once up, goes easily, but

;

in a present

of these things

life is

Besides, there

impulse of the

when down.

delayed.

Your

destroyed by delays."

are the strivings of the Spirit.

11:3,

subtle, 2 Cor.

is

gains his point.

to conclude,

fitter

numhunthink

season than the

;

CHRIST KKOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

394 present

the same difficulties you have to-day, you will have

:

to-morrow, and

may

it

Begin at once, therefore,

be greater.

to execute your convictions.

Direction

If

2.

you w^ould be clear from

this

great

wickedness of holding the truth in unrighteousness, see that

you reverence the voice and authority of your conscience and resolve with Job, "My heart shall not reproach me so long as

Job 27

I live."

:

6.

beget reverence in

fitted to

There are two considerations

men

to the voice of their con-

sciences.

Conscience obeyed

(1.)

on earth.

best friend

thy

mony

A

The very heathen

2 Cor. 1:12.

of our conscience."

could say, "

and kept picre and inviolate, is "Our rejoicing is this, the testi-

good conscience

is

a wall of brass."

comforted Hezekiah on his supposed death-bed, but the

mony

says, "

Solomon

own ways

his

gave of

his conscience

;

The

and a good

man

that

is full

full of

shall be satisfied

opposition

;

3.

from him-

sorrow, while the heart of the

of peace.

is

:

conscience gives

He

is

from himself,

satisfied

from his owti conscience, which though

is,

original spring, yet joy,

man

Mark the

the backslider a heart

upright

testi-

2 Kings, 20

backslider in heart shall be filled with

Prov. 14:14.

self."

his integrity?

What

it

be not the

the conduit at which he drinks peace,

and encouragement.

Co7iscie7ice ivonnded and abused ivill be our tcorst enemy ; no poniards are so mortal as the wounds of con"A wounded spirit who can bear ?" Prov. 18 14. science. (2.)

:

Could Judas bear torment of

hell,

it,

or could Spira bear

but the

worm

that dies not

that worm, but the remorse of conscience

what

is

;

Mark

is

the

and what 9

:

44.

is

Oh,

that fearful expectation mentioned by the apostle,

Heb. 10 27 :

28 Q5, 66. :

to the lions

Every

?

What

it ?

little

and what sorrows are those The primitive Christians chose

;

described, Deut.

rather to be cast

than into the power of an enraged conscience. trouble will be insupportable to a sick and

THE SIN OF STIFLINa CONVICTION. wounded

would be

conscience, as a quart of water

395 your

to

shoulder in a great vessel of lead.

Oh,

if

men

own

did but fear their

consciences, if they

reverenced themselves, as the moralist speaks, cised themselves to

they exer-

if

have always a conscience void of ofience,

as Paul did, Acts 24: 16, then

would they be

clear of this

great sin of holding the truth in unrighteousness.

Direction

you would escape the

If

3.

and danger

guilt

of holding God's truth in unrighteousness, keep you?- hearts

under the aivful sense of the day ofjudgtnent, when every secret thing must come into judgment, and conscience like a The consideraregister-book is to be opened and examined. day gives your conscience a seven-fold defence

tion of that

against

First,

sin.

it

incites every

empty

grace, and not rest in an

us from formal hypocrisy, that

Matt. 25

gins.

:

Second,

3.

improvement of our

man

to get real, solid

profession,

we it

talents, that

and

this secures

be not found foolish

vir-

excites us to the diligent

we

be not found slothlul

which God and conscience call us. Matt. 25:21. Third, it confirms and establishes us in the ways of God, that we wound not conscience by servants, neglecting

apostasy.

man

1

any duty

John, 2

to repent,

:

Fourth,

28.

and not

it is

to lie stupid

Acts 17:30, 31.

guilt.

to

Fifth,

it

is

a loud call to every

and

senseless,

under

a powerful antidote

against formality in religion, the general and dangerous dis-

Matt. 7

ease of professors. fear 1

:

:

Seventh,

17.

it

And he who

feels

ation of that day, of,

ness.

Sixth,

it

excites holy

life.

1

Peter,

puts us not only on our watch, but on

our knees in fervent prayer.

us

22, 23.

and watchfulness in the whole course of

such

1

Peter,

4:7.

effects as these

is fortified

from the consider-

against the sin

my

text

warns

and dares not hold the truth of God in unrighteousIt is our indifference as to a judgment to come, and

ignorance of the nature of

known

duties

it,

which embolden us

and commit known

sins.

to neglect

Amos 6:3:2

Pet.

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

396

If our thoughts

3:3,4.

and meditations were engaged more

we

frequently and seriously on such an awful subject,

should

rather choose to die than to do violence to our consciences.

Direction that

in

is

Get true aj^pr eltensions of the moral evil the penal evil that follows ; then

4.

and of

sin,

no temptation shall prevail with you

may

commit

to

accommodate any earthly no truth of

God

and consequently

interest,

in unrighteousness.

sensible that the least sin

is

but

;

That

do not

afflictions

worse than the

man may be under

manifold

in God's account, Heb. 11

put

may

men under

1

God, Heb. 12

:

3:8; John

John,

:

Gal. 3:10.

the curse. like

the curse of

go together, Psa. 94

sin

makes man

God

;

blessings

and

under

make men more

but sin makes us more like Satan.

;

8

34.

Fourth, afflictions for conscience'

sake are but the creature's wrath inflamed against us

Fifth, afflictions

text.

sin

;

an internal

is

evil

on the

Sixth, afflictions for duty's sake have

annexed

to

but

;

wrath against us, as in the are but outward evils on the body

of God's

sin is the inflamer

but

vile

afflictions

12, but sin brings the soul

Third, afflictions

10 :

A

Second, afflictions do not

14.

:

first,

:

and yet very precious

36—38; but

:

would

God.

vile in the sight of

afflictions,

Dan. 9

in the sight of God.

appears thus

this is really so,

make a man

and

men

if

greatest affliction or suffering, the peace of conscience

be well secured.

to

to hold

It is fear of loss

sufferings that so often overbears conscience

were thoroughly

you

sin that

known duty

escape a present trouble, or neglect a

them. Matt. 5:10; but

soul.

Prov. 8

:

36.

many sweet

promises

has none.

Seventh,

sin

the efiects of sufferings for Christ are sweet to the soul,

2 Cor. 7:4, but the

fruits

nothing but shame and

way

are the

Rom.

6

:

23.

9

:

44.

of sin

are

Eighth,

to heaven, but sin is the

Ninth, sufferings

ment, 2 Cor. 4

Mark

fear.

:

17

;

for

but sufferings

bitter

;

it

yields

afflictions for Christ

broad

way

duty are but for sin will

to hell.

for

a mo-

be eternal.

THE SIN OF STIFLINa CONVICTION.

397

If such thoughts might be suffered to dwell with us, how would they guard the conscience against temptations, and secure our peace and purity.

Direction truth, that

Be thoroughly persuaded

5.

God

of

great

this

takes great 'pleasure in uprightness, and

own and honor integrity amidst all the dangers which 20. When he would enit. Psa. 11:7; Prov. 11 courage Abraham to a life of integrity, he engages his "I am the almighty power for his protection in that way walk before me, and be thou perfect." Almighty God Gen. 17 1. " The Lord God is a sun and shield the will

befall

:

:

;

:

;

Lord will give grace and glory

no good thing will he

;

withhold from them that walk uprightly."

An

man

upright

"

he bears the image of God. righteousness."

Psa. 11:7.

into trouble, they

may be

"

Many

The

And

1:8, because

righteous Lord loveth

men

integrity brings

if

sure the Lord will bring

them

out.

are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord

delivereth

then

Psa. 84: 11.

the boast of heaven, Job

is

may

him

out of

them

all."

Psa. 34

:

How

19.

they leave themselves in the hands of his

wisdom, power, and fatherly

Nay, God

care.

is

safely

infinite

not only

the protector, but also the reivarder of conscientious mtegrity,

Psa. 18

ward peace peace ance

;

:

it

20

and the

for ever."

nal policy

is

issue of

;

it

and that in four ways.

;

yields

:

"The work

effect of righteousness, quietness Isa.

32

shame and it

First, in the in-

of righteousness shall be

17.

:

But the

sorrow.

assur-

and

car-

Second, in the success and

not only turns to God's glory, but

and accommodates our own designs and ends our sinful projects can do.

and

effect of sinful

Prov, 28

:

23.

it

answers

far better

than

Tliird, great

2 Kings, it in the day of death. Psalm 37 37. Fourth, in the world to come. Psalm 49 14. "Were this duly considered and believed, men would choose rather to part with life than with the purity and peace of their consciences. They would suffer is

20

the joy resulting from :

3

;

:

:

CHRIST KNOCKINa AT THE DOOR.

398 all

wrongs and

than do conscience the

injuries rather

least

injury.

Direction the

trifles

Do

6.

of this

makes men

not idolize the ivorld, nor overvalue

life

:

it

the

violate

is

the love of the world which

own

their

of

rules

conscience,

makes men strain hard to get The young man was conloose from the ties of conscience. vinced, but the world was too hard for his convictions, Luke 18 23 the degree of his sorrow was according to the 2 Tim.

:

4:10;

it is

this that

;

degree of his love of the world. loving the world that ruins us

;

makes men turn and dissemble of temptation.

It is it is

not having, but over-

a worldly heart which

at the rate they do, in time

Could you once dethrone

this idol,

how

safe

The church is described as would your conscience be. clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, Rev.

12:1; poverty. to loose

was the age of Try then these considerations upon your hearts, them from the inordinate love of the world. First,

the most zealous age of the church

when you have lost your integis taken away from the inner man ? What joy of the world had Judas, and what comIf you part with your integrity for it, God fort had Spira ? what good

will the world do

rity for its sake,

will blast

it

and

and peace

it

shall yield

you no

Second, except

joy.

you renounce the world, you are renomiced by Christ claim

it,

or he will disclaim you.

can be admitted into Christ's covenant with him. for Christ

Luke 14

service,

:

:

dis-

No man

but by sealing this

Third, whatever loss you shall sustain

and conscience, he stands pledged

you, and that with an infinite overplus.

Fourth, in a word

33.

all

to repair

Mark 10

:

it

to

29, 30.

the riches, pleasures, and honors in

the world are not able to give you such joy and heart-refreshing comfort as the acquitting and cheering voice of your

own

consciences can do.

Settle these things in your hearts

as defences against this danger.

DiK-ECTioN

7.

Beg of God, and labor to get more

Chris-

THE

SIN OF STIFLING CONVICTION.

and magnajiimity ;

tian courage science tion

Christian magnanimity

:

want

for

own

often overborne against its

is

of this, con-

and convic-

light

the security of conscience.

is

and becoming a Christian

It is excellent

399

any thing but the frowns of God and

be able to face

to

own

his

conscience.

God

All the famous champions of truth and witnesses for

who came

with

victorious out of the field of temptation,

and unwounded consciences, were men of courage and Dan. 3

lution.

what

is

:

Heb. 11

16;

this Christian courage

27

:

;

Acts 21

And

13.

:

safe reso-

but the fixed resolution of the

soul to encounter all dangers, all sufferings, all reproaches,

and

pains,

the strength of assisting grace, which

losses, in

shall assault us in the

way

opposed in Scripture to the

shame, Mark 8

:

38

;

to

of our duty

and

?

so it stands

of fear, Heb.

spirit

apostasy, Heb. 10

:

1 1

:

27

;

to

He must

39.

neither be afraid nor ashamed, nor lose one inch of ground for the sake of

whatsoever dangers he meets with, and that

because he has embraced Christianity upon those terms, and

was

told of all this before,

John 16:1; because there

own ruin, Heb. 10 38 and much more than this, to

retreating, but to our

owes 1

:

all this,

29

:

is

no

because he

;

Christ, Phil.

because he understands the value of his soul above

;

his body,

and of eternal things beyond

Matt. 10

:

28

;

all

temporal concerns.

and, in a word, because

he believes the

promises of God's assistance and reward, Heb. 11

my

friends,

were our

fears

:

25-27.

thus subdued, and our

how free and safe would truth be in our He who owns any truth for the sake of a living,

faith thus exalted,

consciences or to

promote worldly interest by

when it

will

and

I

is

it ;

comes

to live

upon him,

it,

let

will disown that truth

conscience plead

what

but he that has agreed with Christ upon these terms,

content to be miserable for ever

in Christ to

make him happy,

Christian, and will rather

prison God's

known

lie

this

if

there be not enough

man

will be a steady

in the worst prison, than im-

truths in unrighteousness.

CHRIST KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

400

CONCLUSION. HAVE now

I

my

delivered

message.

you the Lord Jesus in the glory of

that I had had

scending love to sinners. to do

it

better

I

I

on Christ's behalf;

I

have

his free-grace skill

set before

and condeand

ability

have wooed and expostulated with you have labored according

I

measure of strength,

to cast

to

my

little

up and prepare the way by

removing the stumbling-blocks and discouragements out of

many

This has been a time of conviction to

it.

of you,

some have no longer held their convictions under restraint, and therefore I have in the close but many, I fear, do so of all handled this awakening scripture, to show you what ;

a horrid I

have

manded all this day,

the

name and by

hands

:

if

you will unbind your convictions

and cut asunder the bonds of carnal fear and

shame with which you free will make you

make

go on

the authority of God, de-

the Lord's prisoners, his suppressed and restrained

truths, at your

still

God's truths in unrighteousness.

evil it is to detain also, in

stifling

remember they

restrain them, free indeed

many

you

but you will

witnesses prepared to give evi-

And may

delay this duty, the sound of this text

your ears, nor suffer you to rest vealed from heaven against

who

those truths if not,

and suppressing them in your own bosoms,

are so

dence against you in the great day.

ness of men,

;

all

:

"

that while you

never be out

The wrath

of

God

of

is re-

ungodliness and unrighteous-

hold the truth in unrighteousness."