2. In respect of the Message; O the unsearchable riches of Christ! What is the message of these men? what is the Treasure they bring, but the Blood of Christ, the Promises of the Gospel, the Word of Grace? I might sum up all in one word, They bring unto men an invitation from heaven, to heaven; Observe it Christians; the Gospel is a message, the Lord sends his Son up and down, carries him from place to place; he is set forth before mens eyes, he comes, and stands, and calls, and Knocks at their doors, and beseecheth them to be reconciled: O the free grace of God! O that mercy, pardon, preferment, eternal life and Salvation should go a begging, and suing for acceptance! O the love of sin, and madness of folly in wicked men, to Trample on such Pearls, and to neglect so great Salvation when it is tendered unto them! O what a heavy charge will it be for men at the last day, to have the mercy of God, the humility of Christ, the entreaties of the Spirit, the proclamations of pardon, the approaches of Salvation, the days, the years, the ages of peace, the Ministry of the Word, the Book of God, the great Mystery of Godliness, to rise up in judgment, and to testify against their souls? O the condescensions of Christ! who are ye, that the Lord should send after you? what need hath God of you? suppose you should go on in the ways of death, and perish everlastingly, what shall God lose by it? Christ might say, If you will go on, go on and perish; if you love sin so well, take your pleasure in it, and be damned evermore. Ah no, saith the mercy of God, and the mercy of Christ, before that be, message after message,1 Precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. This was the design of Christs choosing his Apostles, Go ye into all the world, 2and preach the Gospel unto every Creature, that poor sinners may turn from sin, and be saved.
2. In respect of the Message; O the unsearchable riches of Christ! What is the message of these men? what is the Treasure they bring, but the Blood of Christ, the Promises of the Gospel, the Word of Grace? I might sum up all in one word, They bring unto men an invitation from heaven, to heaven; Observe it Christians; the Gospel is a message, the Lord sends his Son up and down, carries him from place to place; he is set forth before mens eyes, he comes, and stands, and calls, and Knocks at their doors, and beseecheth them to be reconciled: O the free grace of God! O that mercy, pardon, preferment, eternal life and Salvation should go a begging, and suing for acceptance! O the love of sin, and madness of folly in wicked men, to Trample on such Pearls, and to neglect so great Salvation when it is tendered unto them! O what a heavy charge will it be for men at the last day, to have the mercy of God, the humility of Christ, the entreaties of the Spirit, the proclamations of pardon, the approaches of Salvation, the dayes, the years, the ages of peace, the Ministry of the Word, the Book of God, the great Mistery of Godliness, to rise up in judgment, and to testifie against their souls? O the condescentions of Christ! who are ye, that the Lord should send after you? what need hath God of you? suppose you should go on in the wayes of death, and perish everlastingly, what shall God lose by it? Christ might say, If you will go on, go on and perish; if you love sin so well, take your pleasure in it, and be damned evermore. Ah no, saith the mercy of God, and the mercy of Christ, before that be, message after message,1 Precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. This was the design of Christs chusing his Apostles, Go ye into all the world, 2and preach the Gospel unto every Creature, that poor sinners may turn from sin, and be saved.
- 1Isa. 28.10.
- 2Mark 16.15.
