But some may say, if heaven gate stand thus wide open, I may come and be welcome at any time. Thou vile wretch, that darest to have such a 1thought! Dost thou not know, that every such refusal of such an offer is so dangerous, as it may put thee into hazard of never having the like again? If the gate of heaven stood thus always open, why then did God swear in his wrath of some Israelites, that they should never enter into his rest? and what is the reason that God said of those that were invited to the feast, but refused to come, that they should never taste of it? The reason is there given, it is said, the master of the feast was full of wrath at the refusal of his offer, both because his love and kindness was despised: that filleth a man with indignation, and so the Lord: and also because the thing offered was of so much price; it being the kingdom of heaven, and the precious blood of Christ. Therefore whensoever such an offer is made and refused, God is exceeding angry. There goes an axe and a sword with this offer, to cut down every tree that will not bring forth good fruit. Say not when you hear of this offer, I am glad there is such a thing, I will accept of it another time, but it comes too soon for me now. Consider this, that the end of the coming of the Lord Jesus, was not only to save the souls of men; if only so, then indeed this might have been done at any time, even at the last: but his end also was, Titus 2. 14. That he might purify to himself a 2peculiar people, zealous of good works,' which is a greater end than that which went before in the ⟨p. 278⟩verse, to redeem us from all iniquity, to purchase to himself a people that should serve him in their life time: and canst thou think, that thou that hast served thy lusts all thy life time, shalt yet be accepted at death? It is a common saying with you, that if a man be called at the eleventh hour, he shall be received: 'tis true, if thou beest called then first, and not before, as the thief, who was not called afore, was then accepted: but what if thou hast been called afore, and hast not accepted, but put off till death? thy case then will be exceeding dangerous. Again, I ask thee, what is it makes thee resolve to come in at death? If love to Christ, then it would sooner; if to thy self, how shall such conversion be accepted?
But some may say, if heaven gate stand thus wide open, I may come and bee welcome at any time. Thou vile wretch, that darest to have such a 1thought! Dost thou not know, that every such refusall of such an offer is so dangerous, as it may put thee into hazard of never having the like againe? If the gate of heaven stood thus alwayes open, why then did God sweare in his wrath of some Israelites, that they should never enter into his rest? and what is the reason that God said of those that were invited to the feast, but refused to come, that they should never taste of it? The reason is there given, it is said, the master of the feast was full of wrath at the refusall of his offer, both because his love and kindnesse was despised: that filleth a man with indignation, and so the Lord: and also because the thing offered was of so much price; it being the kingdome of heaven, and the precious bloud of Christ. Therefore whensoever such an offer is made and refused, God is exceeding angry. There goes an axe and a sword with this offer, to cut downe every tree that will not bring forth good fruit. Say not when you heare of this offer, I am glad there is such a thing, I will accept of it another time, but it comes too soone for mee now. Consider this, that the end of the comming of the Lord Iesus, was not onely to save the soules of men; if onely so, then indeed this might have beene done at any time, even at the last: but his end also was, Titus 2. 14. That he mtght purifie to himselfe a 2peculiar people, zealous of good workes,' which is a greater end than that which went before in the ⟨p. 278⟩verse, to redeeme us from all iniquity, to purchase to himselfe a people that should serve him in their life time: and canst thou thinke, that thou that hast served thy lusts all thy life time, shalt yet bee accepted at death? It is a common saying with you, that if a man bee called at the eleventh houre, hee shall be received: 'tis true, if thou beest called then first, and not before, as the thiefe, who was not call'd afore, was then accepted: but what if thou hast beene call'd afore, and hast not accepted, but put off till death? thy case then will bee exceeding dangerous. Againe, I aske thee, what is it makes thee resolve to come in at death? If love to Christ, then it would sooner; if to thy selfe, how shall such conversion be accepted?
- 1Refusal of the offer of grace dangerous.Refusall of the offer of grace dangerous.
- 2Tit. 2. 14.
