CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

2. We who are the Ministers of the Gospel by Christs death find a way so opened for all Gentiles that now we may promiscuously preach the Gospel to all; As we cannot, so neither indeed are we to let any such thoughts enter our hearts, as whether such be reprobated or no; But we are so to preach and exhort as if every one that we publish the Gospel to, were within the Sphere of Christs Death; And certainly if the Apostle writing to Churches wherein many were corrupt both for doctrine and manners did yet give them the Title of a Church, and Saints, and Believers, not excluding any from the benefit of Christ; We may also do so in our preaching, and therefore this is to be observed, That the Epistles are written to Churches already planted, and therefore it's no wonder if he use such universal phrases, for that comprehends those that are within the Church already, and in the judgement of charity we may speak so, especially it being their Obligation and duty as Christians to repent and receive Christ; But when we say that the Ministers by Christs death have a Commission to offer Christ to all, You must know that is in a due order and method; We do not propound Christ as a Saviour to them in the first place: But we are to do as Paul when he preached to Felix, Act. 24.25. who ⟨p. 240⟩desired to hear of Christ, he began first with temperance, and righteousness, and the world to come; Felix being guilty of Injustice and unchaste courses; Paul preacheth about those sins and hell, laying open the wrath of God, insomuch that he made Felix to tremble, so that Christ must have a way made for him; The mountains must be laid low, and the valleys exalted, and all flesh must be convinced to be grass; Before Christ can be entertained this ought to be our Method; To men plunged in sin we are to discover unto them the wrath and anger of God, all the curses that are due to him who breaks the Law in the least iota; To make men see their poverty and misery, and when men are thus prepared and humbled, then we exalt the brazen Serpent, so that by Christs death the Ministers Commission is greatly enlarged and made more ample then in the Jewish administration.

2. We who are the Ministers of the Gospel by Christs death finde a way so opened for all Gentiles that now we may promiscuously preach the Gospel to all; As we cannot, so neither indeed are we to let any such thoughts enter our hearts, as whether such be reprobated or no; But we are so to preach and exhort as if every one that we publish the Gospel to, were within the Sphear of Christs Death; And certainly if the Apostle writing to Churches wherein many were corrupt both for doctrine and manners did yet give them the Title of a Church, and Saints, and Beleevers, not excluding any from the benefit of Christ; We may also do so in our preaching, and therefore this is to be observed, That the Epistles are written to Churches already planted, and therefore it's no wonder if he use such universal phrases, for that comprehends those that are within the Church already, and in the judgement of charity we may speak so, especially it being their Obligation and duty as Christians to repent and receive Christ; But when we say that the Ministers by Christs death have a Commission to offer Christ to all, You must know that is in a due order and method; We do not propound Christ as a Saviour to them in the first place: But we are to do as Paul when he preached to Felix,