Love to Christ, necessary to escape the curse at his coming

CHAP. X. Where the fourth Use is an attempt of gaining Sinners consent to love Christ; a serious wish for good success.

CHAP. X. Where the fourth Ʋse is an attempt of gaining Sinners consent to love Christ; a serious wish for good success.

OH then be persuaded as ye love your Souls, as ye would escape the Damnation of Hell, as ye would obtain the Happiness of Heaven, as ye would avoid the punishment of Devils, as ye would dye in a good condition, and after Death give a good account of the Wooings of Grace this day, and not be Anathema when Maranatha; be persuaded to set your hearts and love upon Jesus Christ, for he must be loved by you, or ye must be cursed by him. Abraham, Gen. 24. sent his Servant, bound with an Oath, to seek a Wife for his Son Isaac, with this proviso, If the Wom•n would nor be willing, he should be clear from his Oath, ⟨p. 144⟩ver. 1. to 10th. The Servant prepares to go on this Message, and Prays, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee send me good speed this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham, ver. 10.11, 12. He meets with Rebekah by the Well of Water, enquireth whose Daughter she was, and whether there were room in her Fathers House for him to Lodge in; he is invited by her Brother Laban, saying, Come in thou blessed of the Lord, wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels, to ver. 32. There was Meat set before him to eat, but he said, I will not eat till I have told my errand. And he was desired to speak on, and he said, I am Abraham's servant, and the Lord hath blessed my master greatly, and he is become great—and he hath a Son, and he hath given him all that he hath, and my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt go unto my fathers house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son; and now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me, and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left. Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord; we cannot speak unto thee bad or good: behold Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy masters sons wife, as the Lord hath spoken. And the servant brought forth Jewels of silver, and Jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah, and they said to Rebekah, Wilt thou go with this man? and she said, I will go.