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

1. By informing him that when the Soul is truly humbled for sin, that it is a duty to believe in Christ; That such are threatened with damnation who shall refuse to come unto Christ, and this is a blessed lesson to learn, when the Soul shall be thus persuaded, that if in this case I receive not Christ, I commit a worse sin then ever yet I was guilty of; What a madness is it in me to damn my self for fear I should be damned? I fear my other sins may destroy my Soul, and not fear my unbelief; This is the great crying sin of all others, He that believeth not, the anger of God abideth on him, yea, he is said to be condemned already, and to make God a liar; Oh then how happy is that soul when the Spirit of God doth thus enlighten and persuade thee! Once it was a Question and a doubt to thee, Whether thou mightst lay hold on Christ? Once thy thoughts were, That to believe though it might be matter of comfort and privilege, yet it was not of ⟨p. 548⟩duty; But O how graciously hath God taught thee otherwise? Now thou ar• as much afraid not to lay hold on Christ as to commit any other sin; Thou art as conscientious in believing every promise, as in conforming to every command; Thou darest no longer listen to doubts and fears, to Satan's Temptations in this matter, then thou darest to the lusts and pleasures of sin.

1. By informing him that when the Soul is truly humbled for sin, that it is a duty to beleeve in Christ; That such are threatned with damnation who shall refuse to come unto Christ, and this is a blessed lesson to learn, when the Soul shall be thus perswaded, that if in this case I receive not Christ, I commit a worse sin then ever yet I was guilty of; What a madnesse is it in me to damn my self for fear I should be damned? I fear my other sins may destroy my Soul, and not fear my unbelief; This is the great crying sin of all others, He that believeth not, the anger of God abideth on him, yea, he is said to be condemned already, and to make God a lyar; Oh then how happy is that soul when the Spirit of God doth thus enlighten and perswade thee! Once it was a Question and a doubt to thee, Whether thou mightst lay hold on Christ? Once thy thoughts were, That to beleeve though it might be matter of comfort and priviledge, yet it was not of ⟨p. 548⟩duty; But O how graciously hath God taught thee otherwise? Now thou ar as much afraid not to lay hold on Christ as to commit any other sin; Thou art as consciencious in believing every promise, as in conforming to every command; Thou darest no longer listen to doubts and fears, to Satans Temptations in this matter, then thou darest to the lusts and pleasures of sin.