Christ inviting sinners to come to him for rest

The Fourth Lesson.

Fourthly, We may learn from hence, that if Christ have given Rest to believers by delivering them, from the rigour and severity of the Law, that now they are not to be cast by it for their everlasting estates, then they need to be so much the more faithful with God, to do what possibly they can to serve the Lord in an evangelical way. Thou wert in such a condition, that thou wert under such a Law, as if thou didst fail in any one point thou wert cast for ever: but now thou art under such a Law as God accepts of thee in Christ, hadst thou not need be more faithful, and industrious in thy endeavours, in that thou hast received so much mercy to be under such a Covenant? The truth is, the other might discourage thee to think, that let me do what I can, my Soul is cast for my everlasting estate, but now if thou beest brought under the Covenant of the Gospel, and the Lord Christ hath made thee to know that thy Rest is in him, how careful shouldest thou be to walk with him in all well pleasing? to give up the strength of thy Soul to walk in his ways. I will appeal to thee, suppose thou wert in the condition again, that the Lord looked upon thee with a strict Eye, and required such absolute obedience, that if thou failest in any thing, nothing that ever before ⟨p. 257⟩thou didst should be accepted, poor soul, if the Lord should say to thee, what if thou shouldest be delivered from this Law, and be brought under the Law of Christ? First, that thou shalt not depend for thy everlasting estate upon the Law. And Secondly, that whatsoever thou doest shall be accepted, though with much imperfection, how wouldest thou prize this? and even Covenant with God, and say, Oh! Lord, bring my soul under this Covenant and I hope I shall for ever endeavour to walk in all well pleasing before thee, this shall not by any means in the world quench my endeavours, and make me more sluggish but more strengthen my heart. As suppose now one should be in such slavery under the Turk that let him do what he can, he shall be beaten, and a Prince shall come and ransom him, and take him into his own house, and expect no more obedience from him then the obedience of a Child, adopting him for his Child, and all the obedience that he will expect shall be a childlike obedience, and he will be his father.