The Christians great interest

whatsoever nearness is between head and members, root and branches, King and Subject, shepherd and flock, father and children, brother and sister, Husband and Wife, &c. all is here, John 17. 21. to 27. So that whatsoever be spoken in the Scripture, people may be clear, that God calleth them to be reconciled unto him through Christ, and doth offer himself to be their God and Husband in him alone, and men are to accept God to be their God in Christ, pleasing that way of relief for poor man, and to give up themselves unto God in Christ, in whom alone they can be accepted. And they who close with Christ, they do close with God in him, who is in Christ reconciling the world to himself, 2 Cor. 5. 19. Joh. 14. 9. to 12. And we are not to dip further into the diverse relations mentioned in Scripture, between God or Christ, and men, then as they may point out union and communion, or nearness with God through Christ Jesus, and our advantage thereby.

These things being clear we will not multiply words: But since to believe on Christ is the great duty, required of all that hear this Gospel, we beseech every one, in the Lords Name, to whom the report of this shall come, that without delay they take to heart their lost condition in ⟨p. 111⟩themselves, and that they lay to heart relief which God hath provided by Jesus Christ, whereof he hath made a free offer unto all who will be content of the same, and to be saved that way. And that they lay to heart, that there is no other way of escape from the wrath that is to come (because of which men would be glad at the last day; to run into a lake of melted Lead to be-hid from the face of the Lamb, whom they do here despise) we say, we beseech all in the consideration of these things, to work up their hearts to this business, and to lay themselves open for God, and to receive him through Christ in the offers of the Gospel, acquiescing in him, as the only desirable and satisfying good, that so they may secure themselves; go speedily and search for his offers of peace and salvation in the Scripture, and work up your heart and soul to close with them, and with Christ in them, and with God in Christ: And do it so, as you may have this to say, that you were serious, and in earnest, and cordial here, as ever you were in any thing to your apprehension, and for ought you know, Christ is the choice of your heart, at least, you neither know nor allow any thing to the contrary: Whereupon your heart doth appeal unto God to search and try if there be ought amiss, to rectify it, and lead unto the right way. Now this cleaving of the heart unto him, and casting it self upon him, to be saved in his way, is believing, which doth indeed secure a man from the wrath that is to come, because now he hath received Christ, and believeth on him, and so shall not enter into condemnation, as saith the Scripture.