Use 1 Use 1.1 I cannot tell whether we have matter of lamentation or reproof. How few have given entertainment to the Lord Jesus Christ! have we not cause to lament our ⟨p. 172⟩condition, that the Lord Jesus hath passed by all our coasts, and is not regarded? How often hath he come to thy bed-side, and besought thee to receive favour, and to be reconciled to God, and receive pardon from him? how often hath he entreated thee to consider of that which was for thy peace? how often hath he said, Come to me you rebellious children? and, Ah, every one that will, come, and take of the water of life freely, and live for ever? Where is the man that can say, Christ is come, and that he hath given entertainment to him? as the man, when he had found the evidence of Gods love, after much doubting,2 said, He is come, He is come. Where shall a man find the Lord Jesus Christ? If a man should go from house to house, and from heart to heart, who keeps possession? doth Christ dwell in that heart, and doth he rule in that soul? Oh, woe to us, that we have suffered the Lord Jesus Christ to desire entertainment, and yet would not receive him: we have taken notice of him, but we would none of him. Who rules in that heart? The old Tyrant, the old lust and corruption, as pride and covetousness these bear rule every where, both in the closet and at the table: the husband and the wife, and all are proud; these will not out but retain their hold there still. And profaneness, ⟨p. 173⟩and contempt of God and his ordinances, this is the tyrant that rules in many families, and in every coast in our land. The father swears, and the child swears; the master reviles Gods Ministers, and the servant knows the length of his Masters foot, and he rails too, and the child hears it and follows the same course. If these bear rule in you, the Lord Jesus Christ is far from you. May I not complain as sometime Jeremiah did? Jer. 17.13. when the Lord was going from the people, the holy prophet looks longingly after him, and saith, O Lord the hope of Israel, why art thou as a wayfaring man? So may we not justly complain and say, Oh that Christ should come and offer himself and not be regarded? When the Devil shall drag down your souls to hell and destruction, then you will cry after him, and say, Oh thou the hope of Israel, why dost thou depart. In Gen. 19.2.
Vse 1 Vse 1.1 I cannot tell whether wee haue matter of lamentation or reproofe. How few have given entertainment to the Lord Iesus Christ! have we not cause to lament our ⟨p. 172⟩condition, that the Lord Iesus hath passed by all our coasts, and is not regarded? How often hath hee come to thy bed-side, and besought thee to receive favour, and to be reconciled to God, and receive pardon from him? how often hath he entreated thee to consider of that which was for thy peace? how often hath he said, Come to mee you rebellious children? and, Ah, every one that will, come, and take of the water of life freely, and live for ever? Where is the man that can say, Christ is come, and that hee hath given entertainement to him? as the man, when hee had found the evidence of Gods love, after much doubting,2 said, He is come, He is come. Where shall a man finde the Lord Iesus Christ? If a man should goe from house to house, and from heart to heart, who keepes possession? doth Christ dwell in that heart, and doth he rule in that soule? Oh, woe to us, that we have suffered the Lord Iesus Christ to desire entertainement, and yet would not receive him: we have taken notice of him, but wee would none of him. Who rules in that heart? The old Tyrant, the old lust and corruption, as pride and covetousnesse these beare rule every where, both in the closet and at the table: the husband and the wife, and all are proud; these will not out but retaine their hold there still. And profanenes, ⟨p. 173⟩and contempt of God and his ordinances, this is the tyrant that rules in many families, and in every coast in our land. The father swears, and the child sweares; the master reviles Gods Ministers, and the servant knows the length of his Masters foot, and hee railes too, and the child heares it and followes the same course. If these beare rule in you, the Lord Iesus Christ is farre from you. May I not complaine as sometime Ieremiah did? Ier. 17.13. when the Lord was going from the people, the holy prophet looks longly after him, and saith, O Lord the hope of Israel, why art thou as a waifairing man? So may wee not iustly complain and say, Oh that Christ should come and offer himselfe and not be regarded? When the Divell shall drag downe your soules to hell and destruction, then you will cry after him, and say, Oh thou the hope of Israel, why dost thou depart. In Gen. 19.2
- 1Reproof of them that keep Christ out of possession.Reproofe of them that keepe Christ out of possession.
- 2Mr. Glove• Martyr.
