Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

But observe this, that his most usual Note was Repentance, the Axe to the Root, the Fan to the Floor, the Chaff to the Fire: As his Raiment was rough, so was his Tongue; and thus must the way be made for Christ in stubborn obstinate hearts; plausibility, or pleasing of the flesh is no fit Preface to Regeneration; if the heart of Man had continued upright, Christ might have been entertained without contradiction; but now violence must be offered to our Corruptions, ere we can have room for Grace; if the great way-maker do not cast down Hills, and raise up Valleys in the bosoms of Men, there is no passage for Christ; never will Christ come into that soul, where the Herald of Repentance, either on one motive or other hath not been before him.

But observe this, that his most usual Note was Repentance, the Axe to the Root, the Fan to the Floor, the Chaff to the Fire: As his Rayment was rough, so was his Tongue; and thus must the way be made for Christ in stubborn obstinate hearts; plausibility, or pleasing of the flesh is no fit Preface to Regeneration; if the heart of Man had continued upright, Christ might have been entertained without contradiction; but now violence must be offered to our Corruptions, ere we can have room for Grace; if the great way-maker do not cast down Hills, and raise up Vallies in the bosoms of Men, there is no passage for Christ; never will Christ come into that soul, where the Herald of Repentance, either on one motive or other hath not been before him.

Shall we hear that Sermon that John Preached in his own words? Matthew in brief gives it in thus; Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand: ¹these are the words when he first began to Preach the Gospel of Christ; and indeed we find Christ himself doth preach the same Doctrine in the same words: Jesus began to Preach, and to say, ²Repent; for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand. In this Sermon we must observe these two parts: here's, 1. A Duty; and, 2. A Motive to this Duty. 1. The Duty is Repent.] It is not a Legal, but an Evangelical Repentance that is here meant; indeed the Law strictly takes no notice of Repentance, but the Gospel; true, and through, and consummate repentance is a Gospel-Grace. 2. The Motive is this; for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand. This Phrase, The Kingdom of Heaven, hath several acceptations, and accordingly it hath occasioned some differences. 1. Sometimes it is taken for that glorious condition of the other World; this may be implied; but this I suppose few understand to be the sense of this place. 2. Sometimes it is taken for the Church of Christ, q. d. Repent, for now the Pedagogy of the Jews is expiring, or breathing its last; and the Church of Christ is at hand, a People that shall bear the very stile of Christians; that shall profess Christ, and close with Christ as their Saviour and Messiah; of which Church, that you may be a part, prepare for it; Repent. 3. Sometimes it is taken for the spiritual Kingdom of Christ, in opposition to those earthly temporal Kingdoms which bear the sway, and domineered over all the World with Cruelty and Tyranny before Christs coming; of this Daniel