The Fountain of Life Opened

²Secondly, You are yet farther engaged to this precise and holy life by what the Son hath done for you, is not this pure and holy life, the very aim, and next end of his death? Did he not shed his blood to redeem you from your vain conversations? 1 Pet. 1.18. Was not this the design of all his sufferings that being delivered out of the hands of your enemies, you might serve him in righteousness and holiness all the days of your life, Luk. 1.74, 75. And is not the Apostles inference, 2 Cor. 5.14, 15. highly reasonable, if one dyed for all then were all dead, and that he dyed for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live to themselves, but to him that dyed for them. Did Christ only buy your Persons, and not your services also? No, no, who ever hath thy time, thy strength, or any part of either: I can assure thee, Christian, that Christ hath paid for it, and thou givest away what is none of thine own to give. Every moment of thy time is his. Every Talent, whether of grace or nature is his. And dost thou defraud him of his own? Oh how liberal are you of your precious words, and hours, as if Christ had never made a purchase of them! Oh think of this when thy life runs muddy and •oul. When the fountain of corruption flows out at thy tongue, in idle frothy discourses; or at thy hand, in sinful unwarrantable actions; doth this become the redeemed of the Lord? Did Christ come from the bosom of his Father for this? Did he groan, sweat, bleed, endure the Cross, and lay down his life for this? Was he so well pleased with all his sorrows, and sufferings, his pangs, and agonies upon the account of that satisfaction he should have in seeing the travail of his Soul? Isa. 53.11. as if he had said, Welcome Death, welcome Agonies, welcome the bitter cup, and heavy burden; I cheerfully submit to all this. These are travailing pangs indeed, but I shall see a beautiful birth at last. These throws, and Agonies, shall bring ⟨p. 609⟩forth many lively Children to God; I shall have joy in them, and glory from them to all Eternity. This blood of mine, these sufferings of mine, shall purchase to me the Persons, Duties, Services, and obedience of many thousands, that will Love me, and Honour me, Serve me, and Obey me, with their Souls, and Bodies which are mine. And doth not this engage you to look to your lives, and keep them pure?