ANDREW GRAY
the Youngest
Puritan
Sermon 7
GREAT
SALVATION. (Part One)
HEB. ii. 3. - How shall we escape if we
neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord,
and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him?
THIS everlasting
gospel which is preached unto you, is that glorious star which must lead us to
the place where blessed Christ doth lie. This gospel and glad tidings of this
great salvation is come near unto you; and Christ is standing at the
everlasting doors of your heart, desiring that ye would open unto him. There is
that one great request which heaven this day hath to present unto you, and it
is, that ye would at last embrace this great salvation freely offered by him.
It is the thing for which you are called to mourn this day, that since the
beginning of your own days, ye have stopped your ears from that sweet and
chanting voice of this blessed charmer, Ye would never dance to Christ when he
piped, neither would ye weep to him when he lamented.
But to come to the
words which we have read to you; the Apostle, in the former chapter, hath been
discoursing most divinely of the matchless and incomparable excellencies which
are in our blessed Lord Jesus; and in the first verse of this second chapter,
he draweth forth an exhortation from his former doctrine, which, in short, is
this, That they would take heed to the blessed doctrine of the gospel; and not
at anytime let it slip out of their minds; and that they would keep his gospel
as a jewel of great price, and would not sell it, but that they would be
induced to buy it. And this exhortation he presseth by two arguments.
The
First argument is in the second verse, where he saith, If the word
spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience
received a just recompence of reward, etc. - that is, if the transgression
of the law, which was delivered by the ministry of angels, and every
disobedience to it, was so severely punished, let that provoke you to take
heed, that ye transgress not the precious gospel which was spoken by the Lord
himself.
The Second argument is in the words which we have read unto
you, and it is taken from the certain and infallible stroke of the justice of
God, which shall come upon those who slight this great salvation: it is
impossible (saith he) that there can be a city of refuge for those who slight
this great salvation.
Now in the word which we have read, there are these
six things to be considered.
I. First, That it is an evil incident to the
hearers of this precious gospel and great salvation, to slight and undervalue
it. This is clearly pre-supposed in the words, otherwise there had been no
ground or access for the Apostle to threaten so terrible things against the
slighters of it.
II. The Second thing to be considered in the words is,
that the stroke and ruin of those who slight this great salvation, is certain
and infallible, and will surely come upon them: this is clear from these words,
How shall we escape? As if he had said, there is no imaginable way for us to
escape, if we neglect so great salvation. We may have a city of refuge when we
are pursued by the law, or when we are pursued by afflictions, and we may
escape when we are pursued otherwise by the justice of God; but if once we
slight this great salvation, there remaineth no city of refuge for us: for
where will the person flee that slighteth so great salvation?
III. There is
a Third thing whereof we shall take notice from the words, that the stroke of
the justice of God cometh justly upon them who slight this great salvation; and
truly it is a most equal and reasonable stroke, which is also clear from the
words, Howe shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? where he puts it
home to their consciences. As if he had said, think ye not that it is just and
righteous, that (if ye slight this great salvation) there should not be a door
of escape left open unto you? He putteth the question home to their consciences
to answer, yea, or no.
IV. Fourth thing to be considered in the words, is
this, That the slighting this great salvation is a sin that hath many
aggravations which attend and wait upon it. And it hath two aggravations from
the words which I have read : - The First great aggravation is in the word of
the text, great salvation. As if he had said, If it were not a great salvation,
ye might have some cloak or excuse for your slighting of it; but seeing it is
such a great and eternal salvation, there is now no cloak left for your sin.
The Second aggravation is from the certainty of this salvation, in these words,
"Which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us
by them that heard him, viz, his apostles." Whereby he telleth them, This great
salvation is no notion nor fancy, but a most certain, sure, and real salvation,
which yet they slight.
V. The Fifth thing whereof we shall take notice from
the words, is this, That there are no persons, (be who they will, minister, or
people,) who slight this great salvation, that shall have a door of escape;
hence it is, that the apostle putteth himself among the rest, saying, How shall
we escape, if we neglect so great salvation ? - that is, how shall I, Paul,
escape, if I neglect so great salvation, and so frustrate the grace of God?
VI. Sixthly, We would take notice of this from the words, That not only
heart-despising of this great salvation, but even also the neglecting of it,
hath a certain infallible and unspeakable ruin attending upon it.
Now
before we speak to any of these Six things, (which we have observed from the
words) there are these two things whereunto we shall speak a little, for
clearing of the words: First, What is meant here by great salvation.
Secondly, How it is said that Christ was the first preacher of it. -
First, We conceive, that by the great salvation, is understood the
gospel, as is clear, Eph. i. 13, where it is called the gospel of our
salvation; and Acts xiii. 26, it is called the word of this salvation: so that
by the word of this salvation, is understood the gospel, and those precious
offers which are contained in it. And we conceive, it may be called a great
salvation, in these eight respects.
1. First, It is called the great
salvation, in respect of the price that was laid down for it ; there being no
less a price laid down to purchase this great salvation, than the blood of the
Son of God. From whence then doth salvation flow unto you? It comes running to
you in a stream of the blood of the Son of God. This is clear, Heb. ix. 12,
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered
in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for
us.
2. Secondly, It is called a great salvation, in respect of the
many difficulties and oppositions which he had in the way of bringing it about.
What great impediments, suppose ye, lay in Christs way, before he could
accomplish and bring about this great salvation? Was not the justice of God to
be satisfied? Was he not to die, and be made like unto one of us? Was he not to
lie in the grave? And was he not to bear the torments of hell, before this
great salvation could be accomplished and brought to pass? There were such
impediments in the way of bringing about this great salvation, that if all the
angels in heaven had been set to the work, they had been crushed under it, had
it been but that one great impediment, to satisfy the justice, and pacify the
wrath of God; even that was a pass, through which none could go, but the
eternal Son of God; it was so guarded, that none durst adventure to enter it,
much less could get through it, save he only, who was mighty to save.
3.
Thirdly, It is called a great salvation, in respect of that high estimation
which the saints have of it. 0 what an high estimation have the saints of this
gospel salvation? There is no mercy which they think comparable to this, all
other mercies are but like Zoars, in comparison of this great mercy, and gospel
salvation.
4. Fourthly, It is called a great salvation, in respect of those
noble effects, which this salvation bringeth about, and produceth. Some of the
great effects of the gospel, David hath cleared, Psalm xix. 7, 8, 9, 10. Is not
this a great effect of this gospel salvation, to bring us out of nature, into a
state of grace? And that is an effect of this great salvation. Is not this a
great effect to make us, who are enemies, to become friends ? And that is an
effect of our great salvation. Is not this a great effect, to make us, who were
moving in the way of hell, move in the way of heaven? And that is an effect of
this great salvation. Is not this a great effect, to make us, who were far off
to be now made near? And yet this is the effect of this great salvation. And is
not that a great effect, to make us, who were darkness, to become light in the
Lord? And that is the great effect of this gospel salvation. Yea, I may say,
time would fail me, to tell of the great effects of this great salvation. But 0
will ye come and see, and that will best resolve the question unto you, what
the effects of this great salvation are?
5. Fifthly, It is called a great
salvation, in respect of the great advantages which redound to the person who
embraceth it. First, Is not heaven a noble advantage? And that is a gain which
attendeth embracers of this great salvation. Secondly, Is not Jesus Christ a
notable advantage? And yet he is the advantage which attendeth the embracers of
this great salvation. Thirdly, Is not eternal communion with God a noble
advantage? And that advantage attendeth the embracers of this great salvation.
Fourthly, Is not eternal liberation from the body of death a great advantage?
And that attendeth the embracers of this great salvation. Fifthly, Is not
eternal singing in the enjoyment of God a great advantage? And that attendeth
the embracers of this great salvation. Sixthly, Is not eternal seeing of God,
as he is, a great and noble advantage? And yet this (as all the former)
attendeth the embracers of this great salvation. Would ye be honourable? Come
and embrace this great salvation. Would ye be eternally happy? 0 then come and
partake of this eternal salvation.
6. Sixthly, It is called a great
salvation, in respect of all other salvations that ever were accomplished.
There was never a salvation, or victory obtained by any general or captain,
(unto a land or people) that could have the name of great salvation, in
comparison with this.
7. Seventhly, It is called a great salvation, in
respect of the authority of it. We have spoken of the greatness (as to the
meritorious cause) of it, and how great things it doth effectuate; and also, in
respect of the authority of it, it is a great salvation. Would ye know who is
the author of this great salvation? It is Christ, Heb. v. 9, He became the
author of eternal salvation unto them that obey him. And must not this
salvation be suitable to him who is the author of it? This is a most noble and
irradiant beam of the majesty of the Son of God, the Mediator, that he is the
author of this great salvation.
8. Eighthly, It is called a great
salvation, in respect of the continuance and duration of it. It is not a
salvation which is but for a day, but it is an eternal salvation; Heb. ix. 12,
He obtained eternal salvation for us.
Now the Second thing whereunto we
shall speak for clearing the words, is this, viz.: How is it said that Christ
was the first preacher of this eternal salvation? We do not think that the
words are thus to be understood, that the gospel, and this great salvation, was
never preached before Christ came in the flesh; but we think the meaning of the
words may be one of these three, if not all of them.
1. First, That all the
preaching of this great salvation under the law did come very far short in the
point of fulness, in comparison with Christs preaching of it; therefore
is Christ said to be the first preacher of this great salvation, as if he had
said, I know Adam preached of this great salvation; and Enoch preached of this
great salvation; and the twelve Patriarchs preached of this great salvation;
and all the Prophets, who went before Christ, and are now in heaven, preached
of this great salvation; but all their preaching deserved not the name of
preaching in comparison with Christs; for never man spake as he spake.
Thus Christ was the first preacher of this great salvation.
2. Secondly,
This may be the meaning of it - that Christ was the preacher of this great
salvation, in respect of his clear way of preaching it; for he was the first
preacher of it without types and shadows; he was the first preacher of it
clearly and fully, with so much demonstration and power of the Spirit.
3.
Thirdly, The meaning of this (that Christ was the first preacher of this great
salvation) may relate to his appearing to Adam in paradise, when he became the
first and great preacher of this great salvation, when he did speak that word
unto him, The seed of the woman shall tread down the head of the serpent. The
first glorious preaching of this great salvation was, when Christ preached it
to Adam in paradise: and that was the first and glorious morning of this
blessed gospel.
Now we shall speak a little to the first of these
six things, which we observed from the words, viz. : - That there are many
within the visible church, who are neglecters and sliqhters of this great
salvation. Do you not all take with it? It is clear, Matth. xxiii. towards the
close, and chap. xxii. 5, where these persons being invited to come to the
marriage or feast of the gospels it is said of them, They made light of it;
which are the same words in our text. And Luke xiv. 18, when they were invited
to come, it is said, They all with one consent began to make their excuse. And
Isa. xxviii. 12, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest, and
this is the refreshing; yet they would not hear. Now, is there a person here
who dare deny this charge, That he is a slighter of this great salvation? I
confess, I am afraid that ye will not take with it; therefore I shall suppose
eight sorts of persons who are slighters of this great salvation. And I charge
you, as ye will answer to God one day, that ye search your hearts, whether ye
be among the number (in the catalogue) of the slighters of this great
salvation.
I. The First sort of persons who are slighters of this
great salvation, are those persons who go about to establish their own
righteousness, and will not submit to the righteousness of Christ; in a word,
it is that sort of persons, who think they may get to heaven by a covenant of
works, and will not take the gospels way of travelling to heaven in the
covenant of grace. And surely there is not a person here, who has not that
cursed inclination to be as little obliged to Christ (for his salvation) as he
can. We would go to heaven without the way, which is Christ. And, believe me,
there are many in this congregation, who go thus about to establish their own
righteousness. And I shall propose six sorts of persons, who shall fall under
the first rank. 1. The First sort are those who trust on their own civility,
and think that will carry them to heaven. These are the persons who go about to
establish their own righteousness. Say they, I defy the world to say any thing
to me, I was evermore an honest man, and I trust therefore that I shall go to
heaven. But I say to thee, (0 atheist that thou art) thou shalt never get to
heaven by these means, till thou come to Christ with this, All my righteousness
is as filthy rags. 2. The Second sort are those who build their confidence upon
their denial of their good works, but yet come not this length, to make use of
Jesus Christ. 3. The Third sort are those who build their confidence upon their
duties; they think they will come to heaven by their good prayers, by their
reading, and by their fasting, (like unto that Pharisee, Luke xviii. 11, I
thank God, I am not like other men: for I fast twice in the week, I pay tithes
of all that I possess:) but I say unto you, Thy duties will never bring thee to
heaven, if Christ be not at the end of all the duties; nor can ye perform any
duty without him. 4. The Fourth sort of persons, who fall under this first rank
of slighters of this great salvation, are those who trust in their own
convictions. If they have once been convinced of their sin and miserable
estate, they think there is no more to do - Christ will never reject them; so
they sit down and build their hope upon these convictions. 5. The Fifth sort of
persons are those who build their confidence upon their resolutions. Say they,
oftentimes have I resolved to be a better man than I am; therefore I think
(which is the fearful delusion of many) that God will accept the will for the
deed. But it had been good for many, such a word had not been in the Bible, or
that their cursed eyes had never read it. But know this, that though thou hast
as strong resolutions as Peter, or as good wishes as Balaam had, if you never
labour to bring them to practice, God shall say unto thee, Depart from me, I
know you not. Any of you who build upon your resolutions, ye build upon a sandy
foundation - these being many times a goodness but like the morning dew. 6. And
the Sixth sort of persons, who fall under the first rank of slighters of this
great salvation, and wherein the evil is most subtle, are those who build their
salvation upon their graces; these also go about to establish their own
righteousness. But I say to thee, Thy graces cannot be the foundation of thy
hope, although they may be as evidences to strengthen thy hope. Now, are there
none here who fall under this first rank of slighters of this great salvation?
Or are there none here who will confess that they have gone about to establish
their own righteousness? I say to thee, who will confess, Put a rope about thy
neck, and come to Christ; for he is a merciful King. I say to thee, Come to
Christ with this, All my righteousness is like filthy rags. And if thou wilt
come with this in sincerity, he shall say, Bring forth the white robe, and put
it upon him. If thou canst be brought to speak that in sincerity to Christ,
there will be no more betwixt Christ and thee, but, come and clothe him with
the white robe.
Secondly, Those persons slight the great salvation,
who delay their taking hold of the precious offers of the gospel; for there are
many (when we preach this gospel, and when we hold out the great salvation unto
them) who say, I will follow Christ, but I must first go home and bury my
father: and so they delay to take hold of this great salvation. But I say to
you (whoever ye be) that thus delay to take hold of this great salvation, ye
are the slighters of it. Is there a person, within these doors, who dare but
acknowledge that he hath slighted this great salvation, and delays to embrace
it? O tell me! What do your consciences speak? Are there any but they must
acknowledge they come under the second rank? And I say to you who have thus
delayed, will ye yet embrace it? I say even unto you who are old men (now past
sixty years, and have slighted this great salvation so long), yet, this day,
this great salvation is offered unto you. What say you to it? 0! what say you
to this offer? Are you saying, I must now delay, (and not receive this great
salvation) till my harvest be by and over? I say to thee, that the harvest of
the wrath of God is ripe, and he shall put in his sickle, and cut thee
down; I will say no more to thee who thus slightest this great salvation, but
this, Why stand ye all the day in the market-place idle and doing nothing? 0
will ye at last be induced to take and embrace this great salvation, before it
be hid from your eyes?
3. Thirdly. Those persons are the slighters
of this great salvation, who compliment with Christ when they are invited to
come and partake of it, and say silently to the minister, (or rather to their
own consciences), I pray you have me excused at this time, as these, Luke xiv.
18. But I would only ask at such, Have ye any lawful excuse, why ye will not
come and partake of this great salvation? Is there any person here that hath
any lawful excuse to present? I shall never take this off your hands, have me
excused; but be sure of this, it shall never excuse you, but accuse you.
Therefore, I desire that those persons who have slighted this great salvation,
by complimenting with Christ, that they would compliment no more with him at
all, but now embrace it.
4. The Fourth sort of persons who slight
this great salvation are those who give way to discouragement and unbelief, so
that they will not come and partake of this great salvation. I say, such of you
are slighters of it ; and Christ will esteem you such. Oh ! if ye knew the
worth and virtue of this great salvation, there would not be a temptation you
could meet with that would hinder you from embracing it; but if ye could not
answer these temptations, ye would not own them. I say unto such undervaluers
and slighters of the great salvation, as discouraged persons, and those who
stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children, that when ye cannot
answer your objections, which hinder you from closing with Christ, I intreat
you, disown them, as if ye had heard them not. Say ye, think ye this lawful? I
say, it is both lawful and expedient; for it was the practice of believing
Abraham, He considered not his own body, being dry as an old stick, nor the
deadness of Sarahs womb. He did not consider these things which might
have been objections to keep him from believing, he might have started at these
two objections. Alas ! I am old; and that objection he could not answer: and my
wife is past child-bearing; neither could he answer that objection. What then
did he with them? He slighted them both, and considered them not. Secondly, I
would say this to you who thus slight it because of discouragernents, if ye did
know the worth of this great salvation, which is in this gospel of redemption
that is offered unto you, although ye had an army of objections to go through,
ye would go through them all, to get a drink of the water of the well of
Bethlehem.
5. The Fifth sort of persons who slight this great
salvation are those who will not do so much as take care and give pains to hear
this great salvation offered unto them ; for there are some persons, who, if
they come to the church, desire to sit farthest off, and so never take care to
hear a word of this great salvation, and are such dreadful slighters of it,
like unto those mentioned, Jer. vi. 10, "To whom shall I speak and give
warning, that they may hear! behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they
cannot hearken" Jer. vii. 24, "But they would not hear" Jer. vii. 10, "Who say,
we are delivered to do all these abominations" yet they did come and stand
before him, in the house which was called by his name.
6. Sixthly,
Those persons are slighters of this great salvation who, when they hear it, are
not so much affected with it, as if we were reading unto them the most
senseless history of Thomas the Rymer or some other old fable; like unto those
mentioned, Jer. vi. 10, The word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have
no delight in it. I would pose you all, as in the sight of the Author of this
great salvation, men or women, did you ever set yourselves (or took ye ever any
pains) to bring up your hearts to the love of this great salvation? Was it ever
the rejoicing of your hearts, that Christ died and rose again ? I do certainly
believe it, and I am persuaded that there are decrees past in heaven against
many of you, That in hearing ye shall hear, but not understand; and in seeing
ye shall see, and shall not perceive : for God hath made your hearts harder
than the flint or adamant; so that ye shall refuse to return when he doth
exhort you. Believe me, if so I may speak, I think that there is as much
probability that the stones of the wall would hear, (if we would speak to them)
as soon as many of you.
7. Seventhly, Those persons are slighters of
the great salvation who did never complain that they wanted a right to this
great salvation. I hope some of you are now convinced that ye never came within
the compass of this great salvation; I say unto you, If ye did never spend an
hour in secret, weeping and lamenting because ye had not a right to this gospel
redemption, it is but too probable you never yet had a right to it. Yea, know
it, that such of you would little care to let precious Christ depart without
any grief of heart; I think, if this were voiced within this house to-day,
Whether or not shall Christ go and depart? I doubt, if there would be many
heart-dissenters, though many tongue-dissenters. Oh ! I fear there would be
many hearts here saying, 0 Christ, depart and go thy way. Yea, there are many
Gadarenes here, who prefer their kine and swine to precious Christ, and would
beseech him to go out of their coasts.
8. Eighthly, Those persons
slight the great salvation who never took pains to engage their hearts to take
hold of Christ and the gospel. Christ is near to you this day: the great
salvation is near to you, and is now, even now, offered unto you; therefore,
are there any who will take pains to lay hold on it? I obtest you all who are
here, by the beauty and excellency of him who is the Author of this great
salvation, that ye come and partake of it - I obtest you by all the joys of
heaven, that ye embrace this great salvation - I obtest you by all the terrors
in hell, that ye embrace it - I obtest you by the promises of the everlasting
covenant, that ye embrace it - I obtest you by all the curses that are written
in this book of the covenant, that ye embrace it - I obtest you by the love
that ye owe to your immortal souls, that you would once be wise, and come and
partake of this great salvation. May I now have it, sayest thou? Yea, I say
unto all, ye may have it to-day - ye may be partakers of it before ye go hence.
And so, before I proceed any further, I do, in the name and authority of him
who sent me here today, and is the Author of this great salvation, freely offer
it unto you; therefore, take it off my hand, and embrace this great salvation
offered to you to-day.
But I know there will be eight sorts of humours
within this house to-day, in relation to this great salvation which is now
offered unto you.
1. I think there will be some of Gallios
disposition here to-day, that will care for none of these things; yea, there
are many here who will not give a fig for the rich offer of the great
salvation; but, I say, cursed be that person who puts on Gallios temper
to-day, that will care for none of these things.
2. I fear there will be
many of Pilates humour here to-day, who will say, they find nothing
against the man, yet will cry out, Take him and crucify him: they find no fault
with Christ, and yet will be content that he be crucified. Now, can we say any
thing against Christ, who is the Author of this great salvation? Produce your
strong arguments. Are there any here who have any thing to say against him? I
am here to answer in his name. I hope there is not one here who hath any thing
to say against the Author of this great salvation. And why then do you not take
him? See unto yourselves, that there be none of Pilates humour here
to.day, that will cry out, Ye find nothing in Christ why he should not be
received, and yet will be content that he be crucified.
3. There will be
many of the Jews here to-day, who cry out, Away with Christ, away with Christ,
and give me Barrabas. But oh! what a hellish word is that, Away with spotless
Christ, away with transcendent Christ, and give us the world? Now, are there
any here who will be so gross slighters of this great salvation? Will ye slight
this great salvation, and embrace your idols, which shall once prove a crown of
thorns unto you?
4. There will be some of Felixs humour found here
to-day, that will say, 0 Christ, go away at this time, and I will hear thee at
a mere convenient season. But I say unto you, who will not hear me to-day, nor
embrace this great salvation, I shall defy all the ministers in Scotland to
assure you, that ye shall get another offer, if ye send me away today; there is
not one that can or dare engage that the great salvation shall be in your offer
any more therefore, I say, let none of Felixs temper be here to-day, that
will say, They will hear Christ at a more convenient season.
5. There will
be some of Balaams temper to-day. who will desire to die the death of the
righteous, and to have their last end like his; yet they desire not to live the
life of the righteous. But I say unto you, Ye shall never die the death of the
righteous, if ye live not the life of the righteous.
6. There will be some
of you here to-day, who, I hope, at least, will be of Agrippas humour,
that will say, Thou hast almost persuaded me to be a Christian. I say unto
thee, 0 wilt thou quickly out with that word, almost, and put in that word,
altogether, and say, 0 precious Christ! thou hast altogether persuaded me to be
a Christian. However, if you come no greater length, I entreat you to come this
length, that so you may cry out, I am almost persuaded to embrace Christ the
great salvation, and it may be ere long ye will come further.
7. There will
be some of Judass temper here to-day, who will betray Christ for thirty
pieces of silver: yea, some would sell Christ, heaven, their idols and all, for
less than thirty pieces of silver.
8. I think there will be many of
Esaus profane temper here today, who will sell their birth-right for a
mess of pottage. Now, will ye inquire at yourselves, Am I the person that will
give my birthright for a mess of pottage? Doth my heart say, I will sell my
birthright, because I am hungered and ready to die? What will it profit me? So
give me a mess of pottage, and I will quit my birthright ? - I know there are
not a few such here to-day; therefore, I entreat you, inquire at yourselves,
What is your humour? 0 shall the great salvation, that ye have slighted so
long, be slighted this day also, and shall there be none to embrace it? Oh!
inquire and stand in awe, lest the wrath of the Most High pursue you.
Now,
I shall give you these seven considerations, which may provoke you not
to slight, but embrace this great salvation.
1. The First
consideration, that the not embracing this great salvation, is one of the
greatest acts of folly that can be, Jer. viii. 9, They have rejected the word
of the Lord; (and immediately is subjoined) and what wisdom is in them? And so
Solomon doth assure you, they cannot be wise who neglect this great salvation,
Prov. i. 7, Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Therefore may I not say unto
you, be who ye will, (though ye were the greatest heads of wit in all this
place,) ye are but stark fools, as long as ye neglect this. But would ye be
wise indeed, and wise unto eternal life? Then, I entreat you. come and embrace
this great salvation.
2. The Second consideration, to provoke you
not to slight the great salvation, is this, that the ruin and destruction of
the slighters of it is most certain and infallible, Jer. xi. 11, where,
speaking of slighting the covenant, which is indeed the same great salvation,
there is a therefore put in the threatening - Therefore, thus saith the Lord,
Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape. I
defy you all who are the slighters of this great salvation, to find a back-door
when justice shall pursue you. For there is no door to escape, if ye embrace
not this great salvation; but the earth will disclose your iniquity, and the
heavens will declare your sin.
3. Thirdly, Let this consideration
provoke you not to slight this great salvation, That Christ is exceedingly
serious and earnest that ye would embrace it. And I think that Isaiah xxviii.
23, speaketh out this exceeding seriousness; where four times he beggeth of his
bearers, that they would give ear and hear his voice, saying, Give ye ear, and
hear my voice; hearken and hear my speech. What needeth all these exhortations,
but that Christ is most serious that they would embrace the great salvation.
And 0 that there were a person here to-day as serious to the bargain as Christ
is! But, be who ye will that slight this great salvation, believe me, the day
is coming wherein ye shall cry out, Alas! for the slighting of it. Wilt thou
therefore think presently with thyself, (0 thou slighter of this great
salvation) what wilt thou say of thy slighting of it, when the devil shall be
leading thee in through the dark gates of hell? 0 slighter of the gospel! how
many alases wilt thou cry, when thou shalt be passing through these dark gates
into thy everlasting prison? Wilt thou not then cry out, 0 me, slighter of the
everlasting salvation! Whither am I now going? Alas! now for my slighting of
the gospel. And as thou passest through, thou shalt meet with numbers of
miserable comforters. There is not one in that prison that can comfort thee;
but many dreadful alases shalt thou then both cry and hear, if thou embrace not
this great salvation.
4. Fourthly, Let this provoke you not to
slight the great salvation, That ye will get it for a very look. 0 ye within
this house to-day, ye will get this great salvation for one look, Isa. xlv. 22,
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth. For a very look ye
will get this great salvation; and do ye ever think to get to heaven at a lower
rate?
5. The Fifth consideration to provoke you not to slight this
great salvation any more, is this, There is not one of you who is a slighter of
it, but your slighting of it shall increase your immortal bonds; man or woman,
be who thou wilt, when thou art slighting this great salvation, thou art
plaiting a cord wherewith to bind thy soul eternally in these unquenchable
llames, Isa. xxviii. 22, Be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong. I
say therefore unto you, old men, mock not, lest your bands be made strong. Old
women, near unto your graves, mock not, lest your bands be made strong. Young
men, be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong. Young women, who are in
the flower of your time, mock not, lest your bands be made strong. But now,
alas! will there, for all this, be a person here today who will be a mocker of
this great salvation?
6. The Sixth consideration to provoke you not
to slight this great salvation any more, is this, Ye know not but that your
days may be near a close. I say, ye know not but the day of the preaching of
this great salvation may be near a close. What knowest thou, 0 man, or woman,
but this shall be the last sermon that ever thou shalt hear concerning this
great salvation? And yet for all this, shall we be sent away without one
consent to embrace or receive it? 0! will ye be persuaded to look to Christ,
and so to take him?
7. The Seventh consideration to provoke you not
to slight the great salvation, is this, That there is a fivehold salvation
comprehended under this great salvation.
1. The First is this, Come and
partake of this great salvation, and thou shalt have salvation from thy idols;
and hereby do I proclaim liberty this day unto captives. I am sent forth this
day with the keys of your prison-house, to open your prison-doors unto you, if
ye will embrace this great salvation. I say unto you, 0 ye prisoners! come
forth and shew yourselves; for the keys of your prison-house are with us, to
open your prison doors unto you; therefore, 0 come forth and embrace this great
salvation. Will there be any (shall I think) here that will refuse to come
forth ? 0! go forth, and flee from the land of your captivity, and from the
house of your bondage.
2. Thou shalt have salvation from thy darkness, and
from thy ignorance. I say unto you who understand no more of God than the
stones of the wall, I command you to come forth, and partake yet of this great
salvation; and unto you shall light arise, even the day-spring from on high
shall visit you.
3. If ye will come and partake of this great salvation, ye
shall have deliverance from all your fears. Dost thou fear that thou shalt be
poor? Come and partake of this great salvation, and thou shalt be delivered
from it. Art thou afraid of hell? Come and partake of this great salvation, and
thou shalt be delivered from that fear. Art thou afraid of the wrath of God?
Then come, I say, and partake of this great salvation, and thou shalt have
redemption from that, and all thy fears; With him is plenteous redemption, and
he can make thee quiet from the fear of evil.
4. If thou wilt come and
partake of this great salvation, thou shalt have deliverance from all thy
anxieties, and from all thy care: ye are now careful and anxious about many
things; come and partake of the great salvation, and it will make you careful
but only for the one thing necessary.
5. If ye will come and embrace this
great salvation offered unto you this day, ye shall be helped before ye go
hence, to sing that song, 0 death! where is thy sting? 0 grave I where is thy
victory? Now, 0 will ye come and embrace this great salvation? And ye will be
more than conquerors through Christ, who loveth you. Are there therefore any
here today, that would have victory over the devil, and over their own hearts?
Then come and embrace this great salvation, and then your victory is certain.
But now to press home this great salvation upon you a little further,
there are nine sorts of persons who are invited to come and partake of this
great salvation offered, this day; and I charge you, answer to your names when
ye are called, and delay not to come.
1. First, I invite and call here
to-day all who are willing to come and embrace this great salvation. Now, are
there any of you here to-day, who are called willing? Then I invite you to come
and embrace this great salvation, Rev. xxii. 17, Whosoever will, let him come.
But Oh! are there none here today who are named willing? I entreat you, if
there be any, do not deny your name, but come when ye are called, and embrace
this great salvation.
2. Secondly, Those persons who thirst for it, are
invited to come and partake of this great salvation, Rev. xxii. 17, Let him
that is athirst, come. Now, if there are any here who are named thirsty, let
them come and partake of this great salvation, and they shall be satisfied.
3. Thirdly, Are there any moneyless folk here to-day? Let them come and
partake of this great salvation. Are there no moneyless folk here to-day? I
mean not that money or coin in your purses, - but want ye money? that is, want
ye righteousness? Then, I pray you. come and partake of this great salvation. I
say, Are ye so poor, that ye have nothing but the fear of hell? Then, I pray
you, come. If there be any here who have nothing to commend them to Christ but
necessity, I say unto all such, 0 come, come, come, and partake of this great
salvation.
4. Fourthly, Those persons are invited to come, (and I wish
there were many such here) who are weary; but oh! are there none here to-day
who are called weary? Are ye not weary in pursuit of your sins? If there be any
such here to-day, I say unto you, 0 weary folk, come, come, come, and partake
of this great salvation, and of this excellent gospel-redemption that was
purchased at so dear a rate.
5. Fifthly, Those who are heavy laden, are
invited to come; and I think all of you may answer to this name, Are ye heavy
laden? 0 then, come. But are there none here who are heavy laden with. sin,
with misery, and with estrangement from God? If there be any such here, I say
unto thee, old man, or young man, be who thou wilt, 0 come and partake of this
great salvation.
6. Sixthly, Are there any here to-day, who are called
blind? I say, if there be any of you who think ye want eyes to see the precious
excellencies of Christ, I invite you to come and partake of this great
salvation.
7. Seventhly, Are they any who are called lame here to-day? I
say unto such, 0 come, come, come, and partake of this great salvation: for we
are sent forth to-day, to call in the blind, and the maimed, and the lame, that
they may come and embrace this great salvation : therefore, are there none here
today who may be called such? Are ye neither blind nor lame? I hope many of you
will not deny that ye are such; therefore, I say unto you, 0 blind, halt, and
maimed, come, come, and partake of this great salvation.
8. The Eighth sort
of persons invited, are those who are sick; therefore, if there be any sick
folk here to-day, be who ye will, I say unto you, 0 come and partake of this
great salvation; for the whole need not a physician, but the sick.
9.
Ninthly, Are there any here to-day who know not their name, or their condition?
I say unto you, 0 nameless folk, come and partake of this great salvation; come
to Christ for the knowledge of your souls condition; come as a nameless
one, and he shall not reject thee, though thy case were so evil that thou
couldst not give it a name ; for of all that come unto him, he sendeth none
away. Now, where do you find your name and surname? 0 do ye not know it? I hope
you may know it; therefore I entreat you to answer to it, and so come away, and
partake of this great salvation. But I am afraid there be many strong iron-bars
in the way of some of you, which ye cannot win over. Ah! how fast are some
souls locked in Satans snare? And therefore I shall speak a little for
the discovering of these bars, that hinder from embracing this great salvation,
that so ye may be the better helped to remove them.
1. The First great
iron-bar which keepeth folk from embracing this great salvation is the bar
of ignorance; and I am afraid that this (as a mighty bar) hindereth many of you
; - ye are ignorant of yourselves, and of the condition of your souls; ye are
ignorant of the law, and of its severity; and ye are ignorant of the precious
gospel in its condescendency. 0 pray unto God that, for Christs sake, he
would break that great bar of ignorance: for till that be done, Christ may take
up that complaint, Jer. v. 4, Surely they are foolish they know not the way of
the Lord, nor the judgment of their God. I say, this bar of ignorance keepeth
you from embracing this great salvation.
2. The Second bar which
keepeth many from closing with Christ, is the bar of presumption; for some will
cry out, What need have I to embrace the great salvation? Have I it not
already? But I say unto thee, 0 fool that thou art (by all appearance) yet in
bondage. 0 that this evil bar of presumption were put away; for it is one of
the greatest impediments which lieth in the way of your embracing this great
salvation that is in your offer today; therefore I say unto you, if ye will
come no further, I entreat you to come this length, to confess that ye want
this gospel-salvation, and that ye are indeed strangers to this redemption
purchased by Christ.
3. The Third bar that keepeth persons from
embracing this great salvation, is the bar of unbelief; ye believe not what we
say to you anent this great salvation. I know that some of you are of the
Stoics and Epicures humour, who cry out, What meaneth this man? He
seemeth to be a setter forth of some strange god. But I say unto you, I am not
the setter forth of any strange god, but it is Jesus of Nazareth whom I preach
unto you. Alas! some of you think this great salvation to be some morning
dream, or some golden fancy; but I say unto you, it is neither a dream nor a
fancy, but a real truth that we preach unto you.
4. The Fourth bar
that keepeth persons from embracing this great salvation, is the bar of
discouragement : this strong bar keepeth many so fast, that they cannot embrace
this great salvation, though it be freely offered unto them. I shall say no
more to you, who are those, but counsel you to do as those four lepers did,
2nd. Kings vii. 3, 4, who sat at the gate of Samaria, who said, Why sit we
here until we die ? If we say, we will enter into the city, then the famine is
in the city, and we shall die there; and if we sit still here, die also. Now
therefore come, and let us fall into the host of the rians; if they save us
alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die. Even so, I say
unto you, that if ye abide in the state of unbelief, ye shall surely be undone;
therefore go forth, for ye know not but God may work a great salvation for you;
and if ye will not quit your unbelief, and close with Christ in the offer of
this great salvation, by faith, ye shall have no more to do, but eat and drink
and divide the spoil.
5. The Fifth bar which withholdeth persons
from embracing this areat salvation, is the bar of unwillingness: Ye will not
come to me that ye may have life. Ah alas! that is an iron-bar indeed by which
all that are in hell have barred themselves out of heaven. Alas! shall ye be
such wretches also? 0 what a dreadful sound is that! Woe unto thee, 0
Jerusalem, wilt thou not be made clean? When shall it once be? Ah! turn ye,
turn ye, why will ye die. Why will ye slight this great salvation? 0 will none
of you this day embrace it ?
6. The Sixth bar that withholdeth
persons from embracing this great salvation, is the bar of worldly-mindedness;
many of you are so fixed to the world, that ye cannot come and close with this
great salvation. I may allude to that word spoken of Saul, 1st Sam. x. 21, that
he hid himself among the stuff; for many have buried, and nested themselves in
the midst of the world, that they cannot embrace this great salvation.
7. The Seventh bar which keepeth many from embracing this great salvation,
is the bar of hard-heartedness; there hath such a stupidity and hardness of
heart seized upon many, that let Christ preach as he will to them, (by his
word, or by other dispensations), they are no more moved than if his word or
dispensations were a thousand miles from them. 0 that strong bar of hardness of
heart! when shall the omnipotent hand of God break it?
8. The Eighth
bar that hindereth many from embracing this great salvation, is the bar of
slothfulness; many of you cannot be at the pains to embrace it ; but I say unto
you, there is but small pains in the way of godliness. I say unto you, it may
so easily be had, that it is in your offer to-day: and if ye will, ye may put
forth your hand, and take it. Consider therefore what ye will do. 0 ! will ye
despise it? I say, will ye still neglect and despise it? Will ye but read that
dreadful word, Acts xiii. 41, Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish.
Tell me freely, would ye have us to return this answer to him who sent us, that
ye are despisers of this great salvation? Say to it, are there none of you who,
for all this, will consent to partake of this great salvation? 0 captives and
prisoners! and ye who are in the bonds of Satan, will ye come, and partake of
this great salvation, and you shall be made free? I have an act of release for
you to day; if ye will come and make use of it, ye shall be set at liberty. But
Oh! shall the prison-doors be cast open, and yet none come forth? But (that I
may come to a close) I say unto you, 0 poor prisoners, go forth, go forth, and
partake of this great salvation. Oh ! will ye not come forth? What holdeth you
in? The foundation of your prison-house is shaken to.day; therefore, if ye will
but come forth, and cast a look to Christ, your very shackles shall fall off
your hands, and ye shall be as those who were never bound.
Now, I leave
this with you, and, to make you think upon it, I shall speak these five words
unto you, and I entreat you think upon them.
1. First, I have excellent
tidings to tell you, (I hope some of you will give ear to them) viz : - There
is a great person come here to-day, and that is, the mighty Author of this
great salvation, who hath brought everlasting righteousness with him, desiring
you to make use thereof: it is his desire that ye would take this excellent
gift at his hand. These, I say, are the tidings that I have to preach unto you;
and I hope never to be declared a liar; for what I preach unto you, I say yet
unto you, that Christ, the Author of this great salvation, desireth to give it
freely unto you, if ye will but take it. But 0 ! will ye not take it? I think,
if ye did see an hundred men lying in prison, or dungeon, without all light,
bread, or water, and a great prince coming to them, saying, I desire to see you
all come forth and partake of this great liberty which I bring unto you; and
every one of them should answer, I scorn to come forth at this time; would ye
not think them exceeding great fools? And yet I fear, this act of great folly
falls out in many of your hands to day; that when Christ hath given you the
keys of your prison-doors, and they are opened, ye will not come forth. But I
must entreat you yet to come forth, and shew yourselves; for who knoweth, but
we may be commanded to shut your prison-doors again, and to seal them with
seven seals, with an unalterable decree from heaven, never to be recalled?
Wherefore, 0 ye prisoners! go forth, go forth, from your prison house.
2.
Secondly, I would say this unto you, that it is not without much ground that
this great salvation, offered to you, is called a great salvation. I know a
little paper of two or three sheets might contain all the salvation that ever
any man obtained; but the world would never be able to contain all the books
which might be written to the commendation of this great salvation; yea, (unto
any who will embrace it) I say, First, If thou find not this great salvation
above thy faith, then go thy way when thou art come: but I know thou wilt find
it both above thy faith and hope. Secondly, If you find it not above thy
desires, when thou art come unto it, then go away again; but were thy desires
as the sand upon the sea-shore, thou shalt always find more in thy salvation,
than ever thou couldst desire. Thirdly, If this salvation be not above what
thou canst conceive, then go thy way, when thou art come to it; but think of it
as thou canst, it shall always be above thy thoughts of it. Fourthly, If this
salvation be not above thy opinion of it, then go thy way, when thou art come
unto it; but I know thou wilt find it far above thy opinion of it. Therefore,
seeing it is so great a salvation, as that all the world could not contain all
the books whic,h might be written in the commendation of it, 0 will ye embrace
it, even to-day, while it is in your offer.
3. Thirdly, I would say this
unto you, be persuaded that there is nothing that will more provoke the majesty
of God to punish you, than the sin of slighting the great salvation; Bring
forth those murderers, saith the Lord, (of the slighters of this invitation)
and slay them before me. I entreat you, inquire at your own hearts, What will
ye answer, when ye are reproved for slighting it? Old men, will ye ask at your
own hearts what will ye answer to Christ, when he shall propose that question
to you, Why slighted ye the great salvation? Old women, what will ye answer,
when he shall say to you, Why slighted ye the great Salvation? Young men, and
young women, inquire at your own hearts, what will ye answer, when Christ shall
say to you, Why slighted ye the great salvation? Can ye imagine any answer unto
that question? 0 dreadful shall the wrath of God be, that shall be executed
upon the slighters of this great salvation!
4. Fourthly, I would say this
unto you, that heaven is waiting to hear what acceptation the offer of this
great salvation doth get among you; here is the great salvation, here is the
offer of it, and here is the commendation of it: what say you to it? Is it not
an excellent salvation ? Is it not a free salvation? Is it not a great
salvation? Is it not an eternal salvation? Why then do ye not welcome it? Can
any of you say any thing to the discommendation of it? I know you cannot. Yea,
I dare say, your own hearts are admiring it as most excellent; and therefore,
0! will ye accept it? Alas! shall there be none here who will be found
accepters of this great salvation, so freely offered to-day.
5. Fifthly, I
would say this to you, let all the angels praise him, who is the Author of this
great salvation. All the saints round about the throne praise him who is the
Author of this great salvation. All those who are the expectants of heaven,
praise him who is the Author of this great salvation. All ye to whom this offer
is made, praise him who is the Author of this great salvation. 0 heaven, praise
him who is the Author of this great salvation. 0 all ye fowls of the air,
praise him who is the Author of this great salvation. 0 fire, hail, snow,
vapours, stormy winds and tempests, praise him who is the Author of this great
salvation. All the tribes of the earth, praise him who is the Author of this
great salvation. Our own souls praise him, who is the Author of this great
salvation. And all that is within us, bless him, who is the Author of this
great salvation. 0! who would not praise him, who is the Author of this great
salvation? Are there any here that will refuse to commend him? 0! think upon
him, and let not this be a day of slighting him. Now, where are your hearts at
this time? I will tell you where many of your hearts are, - they are thinking
upon the world. But I am sure there are not many of them thinking upon this
great salvation. Now, what resolution intend ye to go away with to-day? Oh !
have ye no resolution beyond what ye had when ye came hither to-day? Are there
any here who have this resolution, to whom shall we go, but to him who is the
Author of this great salvation, who alone hath the words of eternal life? Even
the Lord breathe it upon you. Or, is this your resolution, that through
Christs strength (forsake him who will), ye will never forsake him? Or,
have ye this resolution, that ye will esteem more highly the great salvation
than ever ye did? 0 that the Lord may keep these in the imaginations of the
thoughts of your hearts for ever. But as for you who have no resolution to
embrace this great salvation, 0! wherewith shall I commend it unto you? Do not
your own necessities commend it?
But if nothing can persuade you to come
away and embrace it, then this place shall be a heap of witnesses against you:
For it hath heard all the works of the law which he hath spoken unto you.
Joshua xxiv. 27. Oh! cast your eyes upon these pillars of the house, and stones
of the walls; I take them as so many witnesses, that they may speak and testify
against you in the great day of the Lord, if ye neglect this great salvation
today; therefore, ere ye go away, be thinking upon it, whether or not ye intend
to embrace it, now while ye may have it. This day I have set life and death
before you, - I have set before you both the great salvation, and the great
damnation; and 0 that ye had understanding in all these things, that ye being
wise, might be provoked at last to embrace this great salvation, which we do
yet again entreat you to think upon. Is not heaven looking on you at this time,
to see what ye will do with this great offer of salvation, which I have this
day (from the Lord) presented unto you? Now, to him that can persuade you to
embrace this great salvation, this gospel redemption, this blessed mystery,
into which the angels desire to pry: to him, who can bring you back from the
pit, and enlighten you with the light of the living: to him, who hath the keys
of your prison, who can open, and none can shut, and can shut, and none can
open: to him, who hath all power in heaven and earth communicate to him, who
can deliver you from the grave, and can set you free from all your enemies, we
desire to give praise. Amen.
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