1. It implies the special favour and distinguishing grace and goodness of Jesus Christ, that he will stand and knock at our doors, when he passes by so great a part of the World, never giving one such knock or call at other Mens doors; it is certainly a most glorious and admirable condescension and favour of Heaven, and wherever it is successful, it speaks a Man highly favoured of God. Oh that when Christ passes by the Souls of Thousands, and Millions, that would certainly afford him as comfortable an habitation as our Souls can do, and will not give one effectual knock, or call at their doors all the days of their life; that he will please to turn aside to thy Soul, and wait, and knock there for entrance; I say, here is one of the greatest acts of favour that can be shown to the Soul of a sinner. How many Souls be there in the World equal in natural Dignity to yours, and of sweeter natural Tempers, whom yet the Lord Jesus lets alone in ⟨p. 135⟩the quiet possession of Satan, Luke 11. 21. There is a deep silence and stillness in their Consciences, no stirrings nor disturbances by Convictions, but through a dreadful Judgment of God are left in a deep sleep; and if their Consciences at any time begin to grumble, how soon are they hushed and quieted again by Satan? What the condition of the World was in former Ages, we may see in Acts 14. 16. Who in times past suffered all Nations to walk in their own ways. O 'tis the greatest Mercy in the World for the sleepy Conscience of a sinner to be roused by Convictions, because it is introductive to all other Spiritual Mercies. I confess this act of Grace is little apprehended by the Sons and Daughters of Men; much rather would poor sinners be let alone than be thus disturbed by troublesome convictions; and when Christ disturbs their rest, how do they startle at the knocks of his Word and Spirit? How angry be they that they cannot be let alone to enjoy their quiet sleep in sin till the flames of Hell awaken them? Mr. Fenner, that great and eminent Instrument of God in this Work, tells us, in one of his Sermons, how it fared with a certain Man that came to hear him Preach: It seems the Word had got entrance into his Conscience, and gave it a terrible Alarm, and as he was going home, some that followed him, heard him thus blaming and bemoaning himself, O what a fool, what a beast was I to come under this Sermon to day?
1. It implies the special favour and distinguishing grace and goodness of Jesus Christ, that he will stand and knock at our doors, when he passes by so great a part of the World, never giving one such knock or call at other Mens doors; it is certainly a most glorious and admirable condescension and favour of Heaven, and whereever it is successful, it speaks a Man highly favoured of God. Oh that when Christ passes by the Souls of Thousands, and Millions, that would certainly afford him as comfortable an habitation as our Souls can do, and will not give one effectual knock, or call at their doors all the days of their life; that he will please to turn aside to thy Soul, and wait, and knock there for entrance; I say, here is one of the greatest acts of favour that can be shewn to the Soul of a sinner. How many Souls be there in the World equal in natural Dignity to yours, and of sweeter natural Tempers, whom yet the Lord Jesus lets alone in ⟨p. 135⟩the quiet possession of Satan, Luke 11. 21. There is a deep silence and stilness in their Consciences, no stirrings nor disturbances by Convictions, but through a dreadful Judgment of God are left in a deep sleep; and if their Consciences at any time begin to grumble, how soon are they husht and quieted again by Satan? What the condition of the World was in former Ages, we may see in Acts 14. 16. Who in times past suffered all Nations to walk in their own ways. O 'tis the greatest Mercy in the World for the sleepy Conscience of a sinner to be roused by Convictions, because it is introductive to all other Spiritual Mercies. I confess this act of Grace is little apprehended by the Sons and Daughters of Men; much rather would poor sinners be let alone than be thus disturbed by troublesom convictions; and when Christ disturbs their rest, how do they startle at the knocks of his Word and Spirit? How angry be they that they cannot be let alone to enjoy their quiet sleep in sin till the flames of Hell awaken them? Mr. Fenner, that great and eminent Instrument of God in this Work, tells us, in one of his Sermons, how it fared with a certain Man that came to hear him Preach: It seems the Word had got entrance into his Conscience, and gave it a terrible Allarum, and as he was going home, some that followed him, heard him thus blaming and bemoaning himself, O what a fool, what a beast was I to come under this Sermon to day?
