Oh,1 but take heed that these make not any secure. For if we give not entrance to Christ, all this vvill be a further aggravation of our Damnation. How vvill this justify the sentence upon us hereafter, when Christ shall set us on the left hand,2 and say Depart from me, for I ⟨p. 154⟩invited you to come to me, I knocked at the door of your hearts, and you would give me no entrance, Depart from us said you, therefore now Depart you from me. What do profane persons in the Church? but bid Christ depart from them, especially in the motions of his Spirit, they entertain him in the outward room, the brain; they know a little of Christ, but in the heart, the secret room, he must not, come there to rule. Is it not equal, that he should bid us,3 Depart ye cursed I know you not? you would not give entrance to me, I will not now to you; as to the foolish Virgins he speaks, and Prov. 1. 28. Wisdom knocks, and hath no entrance, therefore in times of danger, they call upon Her, but she rejoiceth at their destruction; Where God magnifies his mercy in this kind in sweet allurements, and inviting by Judgements, Mercies, Ministry, and Spirit, he will magnify his Judgement after. Those that have neglected Heaven with the Prerogatives, and advantages in this kind, they shall be cast into Hell.4 Woe to thee Chorazin, &c. as you know in the Gospel. This is one thing that may humble us of this place and nation, that Christ hath no further entrance, nor better entertainment after so long knocking? for the entertaining of his word, is the welcoming of himself, as it is, Coloss. 3. 16. Let the word of God dwell plentifully in you. And let Christ dwell in your hearts by faith. Ephes. 3. 17. Compare those places, let the word dwell plenteously ⟨p. 155⟩in you by wisdom, and let Christ dwell in your hearts by faith. For then doth Christ dwell in the heart, when the truth dwells in us. Therefore what entertainment we give to his truth, we give to himself. Now what means of knocking hath he not used among us a long time? For works of all sorts; he hath drawn us by the cords of a man, by all kind of favours. For Mercies, How many deliverances have we had (No Nation the like, we are a Miracle of the Christian World,) from foreign invasion, and Domesticall conspiracies at home? How many mercies do we enjoy? Abundance together with long peace, and plenty.
Oh,1 but take heed that these make not any secure. For if vve give not entrance to Christ, all this vvill be a further aggravation of our Damnation. Hovv vvill this justifie the sentence upon us hereafter, vvhen Christ shall set us on the left hand,2 and say Depart from mee, for I ⟨p. 154⟩invited you to come to me, I knocked at the doore of your hearts, and you would give me no entrance, Depart from us said you, therefore now Depart you from mee. What doe prophane persons in the Church? but bid Christ depart from them, especially in the motions of his Spirit, they entertaine him in the outward roome, the braine; they know a little of Christ, but in the heart, the secret roome, hee must not, come there to rule. Is it not equall, that hee should bid us,3 Depart yee cursed I know you not? you would not give entrance to mee, I will not now to you; as to the foolish Virgins he speakes, and Prov. 1. 28. Wisedome knockes, and hath no entrance, therefore in times of danger, they call upon Her, but shee rejoyceth at their destruction; Where God magnifies his mercie in this kinde in sweete allurements, and inviting by Judgements, Mercies, Ministrie, and Spirit, hee will magnifie his Judgement after. Those that have neglected Heaven with the Prerogatives, and advantages in this kind, they shall be cast into Hell.4 Woe to thee Chorazin, &c. as you know in the Gospell. This is one thing that may humble us of this place and nation, that Christ hath no further entrance, nor better entertainement after so long knocking? for the entertaining of his vvord, is the welcomming of himselfe, as it is, Colloss. 3. 16. Let the word of God dwell plentifully in you. And let Christ dwell in your hearts by faith. Ephes. 3. 17. Compare those places, let the word dwell plenteously ⟨p. 155⟩in you by wisdome, and let Christ dwell in your hearts by faith. For then doth Christ dwell in the heart, when the truth dwells in us. Therefore what entertainement we give to his truth, wee give to himselfe. Now what meanes of knocking hath hee not used among us a long time? For workes of all sorts; he hath drawne us by the cords of a man, by all kind of favours. For Mercies, How many deliverances have we had (No Nation the like, we are a Miracle of the Christian World,) from forreigne invasion, and Domesticall conspiracies at home? How many mercies doe we enjoy? Abundance together with long peace, and plenty.
- 1Use. 2.Vse. 2.
- 2Mat. 25.
- 3Mat. 23. 41.
- 4Mat. 11. 21.
