An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

And when the Master hath shut the door, then those that stand without shall knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us; but he shall bid them, depart, then there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth; when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac, such and such godly men received, and your selves thrust out. Doth not our Saviour speak thus, who is truth it self? Oh imagine all these things to be now a doing! Let faith make future things present. If this consideration will not make a change in thee, what canst thou expect, but to be in the number of those, who shall for ever be denied this salvation?

Again, Salvation doth not only denote a Negative, a freedom from all this misery, ¹but also a Positive, a state of glory, holiness and happiness, and that to all eternity. Thus it is described in Scripture by all such positive good things, that may make us readily part with all, leave all for this condition. As Joseph was not only saved from death, and from the prison, but advanced also to high honour and glory. Thus Salvation doth not only deliver from hell torments and everlasting wrath, but also doth give us possession of all holiness and perfect blessedness. This is the salvation God hath provided for those that fear him. No wonder if all afflictions be born patiently in expectation of this. No wonder if this be in the eye, and hope of all the godly. Were it not for this salvation, how miserable and wretched should they judge themselves? This is the salvation that we are commanded to make sure of in this life, and who would live in uncertainties about it? Is it not day and night worth the striving for? This is the salvation that every wicked man wilfully depriveth himself of. It is for this that sin is justly called folly and madness; and well may it be so styled. For can there be greater sottishness and madness to put thy self from this salvation, to have the pleasures and profits of this world, which abide but for a season? No wonder if the damned in hell weep and gnash their teeth; if they have a worm always gnawing of them, a conscience always torturing and tormenting of them, because ⟨p. 244⟩