The application of redemption

Exhortation. Suffer then the Exhortation of¹ the Baptist, the voice of him that cries in the Wilderness to sound in your ears, and to sink into […] hearts; Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. As ever we […] to share in the Merits of our Saviour to enjoy him, and his presence and everlasting happiness by him; address we our selves, bestir our souls in the use of all means to […] a Saviour, and then we may […] expect him, and we shall not miss of our expectation. There is no lack on his part, he is willing and ready, He that stands and knocks at the door that he may come in: ²Rev. 3. 20. If the door was open, he would come in without question: If the way was prepared he hath ³promised to come speedily, and certainly he would not delay his coming. I know this manner of entertainment seems hard to flesh and blood, loath we are to dislodge so many gainful guests, so many special friends, darling pleasures, and sweet contentments, which we have contrived to our selves out of the earthly comforts of this life. Hence many are content the King would go another way, and secretly wish they had nothing to do with the Lord Jesus; there is so much privy search to be made, so much examination to be used, such a sight of our sins and unworthiness; yea, that which is worst of all to the corrupt hearted, they must vomit up all their sweet morsels, shake hands, and break league with their beloved darling delights, which they tender as their lives, they must thrust world, and ease, prosperity, and pomp, credit, and applause by the head and shoulders out of the doors, and turn them going: […] therefore I am afraid, many […] that in secret in their own hearts, which the Devils openly professed, What have we to do with thee Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come to […] us before ⟨p. 200⟩the time, to deprive us of our profits, to pluck away our pleasures, and to dislodge those sweet lusts that we harboured so long in our bosoms and bowels; learn we then to press some sound Arguments upon our own hearts, that we may persuade and prevail with them if it be possible, to set about this work which is so necessary.