Prima the first things, in reference to the middle and last things

Sect. 4. The promises procuring a relying on Christ.

Yet thou mayest say, I thirst indeed, but I dare not drink; I desire, but I dare not come near, to lay hold on Christ: How so? I am (sayest thou) a most vile, unworthy, wicked wretch, and my sins are of a scarlet, crimson die: True it is; for thee to pretend part in Christ, wallowing yet in thy sins, for thee to believe that Christ is thy righteousness, purposing yet to go on in the practice, or allowance of any one known sin, it were a most cursed horrible presumption indeed; but where all sin is a burden, every promise as a world of gold, and the heart sincere for a new way, there a man may be bold: A man may? yes, he must; if thou groanest under sin, if thou longest after Christ, apply these promises, and they will force thee to lay hold upon the Rock, to take Christ for thine own, to throw thy sinful soul upon the bleeding wounds of Jesus, and to cast thy self with confidence into the bosom of his love.

YEt thou mayest say, I thirst indeed, but I dare not drink; I desire, but I dare not come neer, to lay hold on Christ: How so? I am (sayest thou) a most vile, unworthy, wicked wretch, and my sins are of a scarlet, crimson die: True it is; for thee to pretend part in Christ, wallowing yet in thy sins, for thee to believe that Christ is thy righteousness, purposing yet to go on in the practice, or allowance of any one known sin, it were a most cursed horrible presumption indeed; but where all sin is a burthen, every promise as a world of gold, and the heart sincere for a new way, there a man may be bold: A man may? yes, he must; if thou groanest under sin, if thou longest after Christ, apply these promises, and they will force thee to lay hold upon the Rock, to take Christ for thine own, to throw thy sinful soul upon the bleeding wounds of Jesus, and to cast thy self with confidence into the bosom of his love.