A44342:697
The application of redemption by the effectual work of the word, and spirit of Christ, for the bringing home of lost sinners to God ... by that faithful and known servant of Christ, Mr. Thomas Hooker ...
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1656
Title page: Internet Archive scan of the Early English Books microfilm
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But the main Fruit of the Point, which properly1 belongs to this Place, is a Use of Instruction, which ought to be observed and settled upon the Consciences of us all. Doth the Lord then usually accept of the Soul, and do good to it while he provides and continues the means of Grace? What then remains but we should give all diligence to attend upon his times, take his means, and improve all to the […] for our Spiritual good. Suffer me here to stay a while, and urge the Collection with an Argument or Two, and yet go no further than the Words, nor take other Reasons than the Text will afford, for it issues amain and with a full source from all Particulars mentioned before, the foregoing Truths meeting together, like so many streams, to make this more forcible upon the Conscience, and like a mighty Current, to carry us along to everlasting happiness.
But the main Fruit of the Point, which properly1 belongs to this Place, is a Use of Instruction, which ought to be observed and settled upon the Consciences of us all. Doth the Lord then usually accept of the Soul, and do good to it while he provides and continues the means of Grace? What then remains but we should give all dilligence to attend upon his times, take his means, and improve all to the 〈…〉 for our Spiritual good. Suffer me here to stay a while, and urge the Collection with an Argument or Two, and yet go no further than the Words, nor take other Reasons than the Text will afford, for it issues amain and with a full sourse from all Particulars mentioned before, the foregoing Truths meeting together, like so many streams, to make this more forcible upon the Conscience, and like a mighty Current, to carry us along to everlasting happiness.
It is a Season, and therefore to be Observed; an §1Opportunity, and therefore to be Improved without Delay: We should address our selves presently to this so great a work, Redeem the time, Col. 4. 5. Having opportunity, let us do good to all, Gal. 6. 10 If unto others, much more to our selves: If to their bodies, especially to our own Soul; if to them in Temporal things, than most of all our best good in Eternal blessings is to be attended.
But the Season is not yet come, that Opportunity ⟨p. 252⟩is not yet offered. Answ. […] […], the Apostle points at it as at hand, and in view: Behold now: while I am Speaking, and you are Hearing, while the doors of the Sanctuary are yet opened, while we are in the land of the living, behold now is the acceptable time. Oh let us not harden our hearts, nor shut our eyes, […] stop our ears, unto the voice of the Lord, but pursue opportunity present, strike while the iron is hot, […] our Harvest while the heat and Sun-shine is upon us, while wind and tide lasts, sail we cheerfully towards the Haven, the end of our hopes, the Salvation of our Souls. This is the Argument which the Apostle presseth with so much eagerness, as having such apparent evidence in it. That considering the Season, it is high time we should awake from the sleep of security, our salvation is nearer than heretofore, Rom. 3. 11. The Lord now speaks to us as sometimes to the secure Church, Cant. 2. 10. Arise my Love, my Dove, and come away; For lo the winter is gone. the flowers appear, the voice of the Turtle is heard in our land, &c. I may truly say, This Scripture is this day fulfilled in our ears, wherein the Lord Christ by the Ministry of his Word calls, and that with all instancy, upon every corrupt […]-hearted sinner to come to him, to receive the word of his Grace, and the power and comfort thereof upon his soul: Behold the foggy mists of Popery and ignorance are over, the shadows of […] are passed away, the flowers grow, and the […] […] apace, peace and prosperity, with abundance of outward blessings showered down upon us, the voice of the Turtle is heard in our Land, the sound of the Gospel, and the glad tidings of Peace, have been, and yet […] proclaimed in our streets.
But the Season is not yet come, that Opportunity ⟨p. 252⟩is not yet offered. Answ. 〈…〉 〈…〉, the Apostle points at it as at hand, and in view: Behold now: while I am Speaking, and you are Hearing, while the doors of the Sanctuary are yet opened, while we are in the land of the living, behold now is the acceptable time. Oh let us not harden our hearts, nor shut our eyes, stop our ears, unto the voice of the Lord, but pursue opportunity present, strike while the iron is hot, our Harvest while the heat and Sun-shine is upon us, while wind and tide lasts, sail we cheerfully towards the Haven, the end of our hopes, the Salvation of our Souls. This is the Argument which the Apostle presseth with so much eagerness, as having such apparent evidence in it. That considering the Season, it is high time we should awake from the sleep of security, our salvation is neerer than heretofore,
Arise, arise, therefore […] secure and dead hearted ⟨p. 253⟩Sinners, and come away. Arise ye drunkards, come […] from your Cups and Companies; Arise ye Adulterous wretches, come away from your […] […], and beds of dalliance; come to him who […] kindly invites you, who promises to accept you, who is able and willing to save you. Oh! consider opportunities will not last always, we have no […] of them, much less command of them; and who knows whether we shall ever enjoy that which we now neglect? Especially, considering the Lord at the present, vouchsafes all helps to further and persuade us to this Preparation, dealing with us as […] he did with the stubborn-hearted Jews by Ezekiel, who to strike their hearts with an open Conviction that they must go into Captivity, he is enjoined to carry out his stuff, in the most plain manner in their sight, from one place to another, and the end is added: If it be possible (as some translations read it) if per adventure (as the propriety of the Hebrew bears it, all to one sense) they may consider it, Ezek. 12. 3. As if he should say, There is some small hope that something may procure their welfare, and if it be possible, this plain dealing is like to prevail: A lively picture and resemblance of Gods special bounty to us-ward, who enjoy the means of Grace above many others: The Lord hath seen other Countries, but he hath settled his abode amongst us; he hath passed by many Congregations, but he hath lodged with those where he hath set up the Light of his Truth; the Son of […] hath sent abroad his beams to many corners of the Earth, a glimpse of his goodness hath appeared unto many places, but his saving health like the Sun in his full strength, hath stood over our heads as it did once in Gibeon, and the Moon in the valley of Ajalon: Some people have had many means, and many people ⟨p. 254⟩have had some, but almost all have met together to procure our good, and to make up the fullness of opportunities, even the fullness of all fitness, that if it were possible we might consider it, and […] at the last convert and turn unto the Lord. The Birds of the Heaven, the Sinners upon Earth, and the Devils in Hell, know and pursue their […] Opportunities; the one for the comforts of nature,
Ask then (thou sluggard) of the Birds of the1 Heaven, and they will tell thee; demand of the Beasts of the Field, they will show thee; nay, […] of the Devils in Hell, and they will testify how Opportunities ought to be prized, and how […] improve them. Wilt thou be more unreasonable than the Beasts? More careless of thine own […] Comforts, than the Devils be to procure thy own Confusion? Shall the Lord provide all […] for our Good, and shall we neglect both him, and them, and our own everlasting welfare? Woe to our sluggishness.
Ask then (thou sluggard) of the Birds of the1 Heaven, and they will tell thee; demand of the Beasts of the Field, they will shew thee; nay, 〈…〉 of the Devils in Hell, and they will testifie how Opportunities ought to be prized, and how 〈…〉 improve them. Wilt thou be more unreasonable than the Beasts? More careless of thine own 〈…〉 Comforts, than the Devils be to procure thy own Confusion? Shall the Lord provide all 〈…〉 for our Good, and shall we neglect both him, and them, and our own everlasting welfare? Wo to our sluggishnes.
Object. True, let this Opportunity […] great, so […] the Continuance of it long, and therefore we may take it hereafter.
Object. True, let this Opportunity 〈…〉 great, so 〈…〉 the Continuance of it long, and therefore we may take it hereafter.
Answ. No: Its a Day saith the Text, very short,§2 and yet most uncertain. It is but for the day […] this Life, and who knows how soon it may end; there be Skulls of all sorts in Golgotha, Skins of all sorts in the Market; young and old, aged and […], haste unto the rend: No man yet had a lease of […] Life, which is as Grass, a Flower, a Bubble, and alas! how soon doth this Grass wither, this […] fade, this Bubble break?
Answ. No: Its a Day saith the Text, very short,§2 and yet most uncertain. It is but for the day 〈…〉 this Life, and who knows how soon it may end; there be Skuls of all sorts in Golgotha, Skins of all sorts in the Market; yong and old, aged and 〈…〉, haste unto the rend: No man yet had a lease of 〈…〉 Life, which is as Grass, a Flower, a Bubble, and alas! how soon doth this Grass wither, this 〈…〉 fade, this Bubble break?
And our day being short, so is it almost […], many of us have past our highest point, the best […] ⟨p. 255⟩[…] time, our Evening draws on; and behold pale […], and feeble hands, crazy bodies, dangerous […], which are as Harbingers of our dissolution, […] will soon bring us to the house of our age, to […] dust of death; thus is our breath but a shadow, […] soon passeth away and we are gone: Oh! that we […] wise to consider these things, and because our […] is short, and passeth away, we would take hold […] the opportunity present.
And our day being short, so is it almost 〈…〉, many of us have past our highest point, the best 〈…〉 ⟨p. 255⟩〈…〉 time, our Evening draws on; and behold pale 〈…〉, and feeble hands, crazy bodies, dangerous 〈…〉, which are as Har bengers of our dissolution, 〈…〉 will soon bring us to the house of our age, to 〈…〉 dust of death; thus is our breath but a shaddow, 〈…〉 soon passeth away and we are gone: Oh! that we 〈…〉 wise to consider these things, and because our 〈…〉 is short, and passeth away, we would take hold 〈…〉 the opportunity present.
But the young man Replies; It is a good thing […] the Eye to behold the Sun, Eccles. 11. 7. To […] this Light, to enjoy the present Pleasures, to […] the Rose while it is in the bud, to gather the […] whilst it is fresh, while time and strength […] take the pleasures of the world and enjoy the […] of my heart; not now to sit moping in a […], go drooping and sorrowing for my sins; when […] hair grows grey, and decrepit age comes on, […] years hence, when my Sun grows near the setting, […] Life begins to decline, and my strength to decay, […] shall than have leisure to talk of holiness, to turn […] a new leaf, and betake my self to my Beads, and […] of Grace; in the mean time these jolly […], speak unto Preparation and Humiliation, as […] sometimes to Paul. Go your way for this […], and when we have a convenient time we will […] for you.
But the yong man Replyes; It is a good thing 〈…〉 the Eye to behold the Sun, Eccles. 11. 7. To 〈…〉 this Light, to enjoy the present Pleasures, to 〈…〉 the Rose while it is in the bud, to gather the 〈…〉 whilest it is fresh, while time and strength 〈…〉 take the pleasures of the world and enjoy the 〈…〉 of my heart; not now to sit moping in a 〈…〉, go drooping and sorrowing for my sins; when 〈…〉 hair grows gray, and decrepit age comes on, 〈…〉 yeers hence, when my Sun grows neer the setting, 〈…〉 Life begins to decline, and my strength to decay, 〈…〉 shall than have leisure to talk of holiness, to turn 〈…〉 a new leaf, and betake my self to my Beads, and 〈…〉 of Grace; in the mean time these jolly 〈…〉, speak unto Preparation and Humiliation, as 〈…〉 somtimes to Paul. Go your way for this , and when we have a convenient time we will for you.
Answ. Thou fool, this night may thy soul be […] from thee, Luke 12. 20. How knowest thou but the Lord may pluck thee out of the land of the living, and send thee packing down to thy own place, give thee thy Portion with Unbelievers and Despisers of his Grace? and then all thy thoughts perish, thy time is past, and Repentance too late, when the Pit hath shut her mouth upon thee, how fond to think to have leisure to Repent, when ⟨p. 256⟩thou wilt not have time to Live?
Answ. Thou fool, this night may thy soul be 〈…〉 from thee, Luke 12. 20. How knowest thou but the Lord may pluck thee out of the land of the living, and send thee packing down to thy own place, give thee thy Portion with Unbeleevers and Despisers of his Grace? and then all thy thoughts perish, thy time is past, and Repentance too late, when the Pit hath shut her mouth upon thee, how fond to think to have leisure to Repent, when ⟨p. 256⟩thou wilt not have time to Live?
2 Be it the day of thy Life continue, yet the day of Salvation may be ended; for this is but a minute or moment of that span of time, a point or […] of that opportunity; If the Lord remove his […], take away the light of his Word, dam up the fountain of Grace, and stop the well-springs of Salvation, thou mayest perish for thirst, and live to […] the folly of the neglect of Means, when happily thou shalt not know where they be, nor yet have liberty and ability to enjoy them if thou knewest: while therefore the day of our life, and the day […] Salvation (the Mart of Mercy) lasts, both which are but short and uncertain, let us be watchful to observe, and careful to take all advantages to buy the chiefest and best Commodities, Humiliation and Faith. Especially considering it may be any […] particular day, as our Saviour to Jerusalem, Oh that thou hadst known at least in this thy day, Luke 19. 42. When the Word is mighty, and the Spirit speaks powerfully unto thy soul, when the undeniable evidence of the Truth convicteth thy judgement, and the keen threatenings thereof, cuts and lanceth thy corrupt Conscience to the Core, and the Lord raps at the door of thy heart, by the hammer of the law; Oh now follow those motions, and cherish them, make much of a little, and suffer the blessed Ordinance of God to have its full blow upon thy Soul; go aside and consider seriously with thy self, Certainly the Lord came home this day unto my heart, touched me to the quick, and met with my particular Corruptions, withstood me to my face, and by the authority of his Truth, like the naked Sword in the hand of the Angel stopped me in my Course, and bad me back again; assuredly this is my part, a Portion carved out in special […] my Soul, this […] ⟨p. 257⟩is my day of Salvation, in which the […] […] to work the good work of his grace […] me: True it may be so, and for ought that thou […] I, or any under heaven know, it is so: Remember […] thou hadst a fair offer, and take heed how […] dost refuse it, lest thou never have the like […]. Break therefore through all Oppositions, cast […] […] […], listen to no allurements to the […], […] while […] is called to day harden not thy […]: And as Paul to his Company (Acts) 1[…] thou never to see their faces more.
2 Be it the day of thy Life continue, yet the day of Salvation may be ended; for this is but a minute or moment of that span of time, a point or of that opportunity; If the Lord remove his , take away the light of his Word, dam up the fountain of Grace, and stop the well-springs of Salvation, thou mayest perish for thirst, and live to the folly of the neglect of Means, when happily thou shalt not know where they be, nor yet have liberty and ability to enjoy them if thou knewest: while therefore the day of our life, and the day Salvation (the Mart of Mercy) lasts, both which are but short and uncertain, let us be watchful to observe, and careful to take all advantages to buy the chiefest and best Commodities, Humiliation and Faith. Especially considering it may be any particular day, as our Savior to Jerusalem, Oh that thou hadst known at least in this thy day,
I know (as one of the […] brings in his sins) our old […] like old […] will threap kindness from […], plead prescription and continuance, we have […] long, taken much sweet Counsel together, […] much delight and content. Give us warning […], before you give us a discharge, let us […] our […] of […] for the while, and hereafter let […] think of amendment: Thus the same Father when […] had often resolved to renounce his bosom […], and the beloved lusts of the flesh, still that sounded in his ears, To morrow, to morrow; as the burden of Satan's song, To morrow soon enough, hereafter time enough; thus while he was startling and […] by the terrors of his Conscience, he lulled him, and rocked him a sleep again by delays, […] at last in a holy kind of violence and indignation of heart, breaks through all, demurs no more, delays no longer, but cries out, Why not to day, why not to day Lord? and from that day following God gave him victory. Go thy ways and do thou likewise, stand not haggling and dallying with the Almighty, set down a resolution like the Laws of the Medes and Persians, never to be revoked; that thou wilt from this […], and ever hereafter, wait upon the […] of grace, and give way to the work thereof. ⟨p. 258⟩Dispute no more, but determine thus with thy self, Why yet am I here in the land of the Living, yet […] this side the bottomless pit, the Lord still tenders the offers of Salvation, strives still with this sturdy heart of mine, I know not how soon I may be taken from the Means, or the Means from me, or the Blessing of the Lord from us both; while therefore the spirit speaks to my Soul, Seek thou my face; give me a heart to echo back again, Thy face Lord will I seek this day.
I know (as one of the 〈…〉 brings in his sins) our old 〈…〉 like old 〈…〉 will threap kindness from 〈…〉, plead prescription and continuance, we have 〈…〉 long, taken much sweet Counsel together, 〈…〉 much delight and content. Give us warning 〈…〉, before you give us a discharge, let us 〈…〉 our 〈…〉 of for the while, and hereafter let think of amendment: Thus the same Father when had often resolved to renounce his bosom , and the beloved lusts of the flesh, still that sounded in his ears, To morrow, to morrow; as the burden of Satans song, To morrow soon enough, hereafter time enough; thus while he was startling and by the terrors of his Conscience, he lulled him, and rocked him a sleep again by delayes, at last in a holy kind of violence and indignation of heart, breaks through all, demurs nomore, delayes no longer, but cryes out, Why not to day, why not to day Lord? and from that day following God gave him victory. Go thy wayes and do thou likewise, stand not haggeling and dallying with the Almighty, set down a resolution like the Laws of the Meads and Persians, never to be revoked; that thou wilt from this , and ever hereafter, wait upon the of grace, and give way to the work therof.
After all this, the heart still sings loath to depart, and the deluded sinner lingers after his lust, as Lot after Sodom, and therefore puts in a new Plea on this manner: Imagine the worst, should I put off this fair and kind Call of the Lord? Yet since it is in my power to entertain it hereafter, there is not so much danger though I now refuse it.
After all this, the heart still sings loath to depart, and the deluded finner lingers after his lust, as Lot after Sodom, and therefore puts in a new Plea on this manner: Imagine the worst, should I put off this fair and kind Call of the Lord? Yet since it is in my power to entertain it hereafter, there is not so much danger though I now refuse it.
Answ. Be it granted, Thy life might be prolonged, the words of the text do most apparently dash this presumptuous conceit, Its the Season of Gods acceptation; Its not in thy power, but depends merely upon his good Will: We are not the Patrons of the means of Grace, much less of their work, it is not in our Gift; the Sending and Blessing of both issues only from the good pleasure of the Almighty: prolong not then, put not off the time, deny not Gods gracious offer, lest thou never have offer again; he that now holds out the golden Sceptre of Mercy to receive thee, hath an Iron rod wherewith he can […] thee to nothing, and break thee in pieces like a Potters vessel: He that hath the Keys of David, and now sets open the gate of Salvation, he can shut it and no man shall open it any more; and when thou hast stayed too long, and comest too late, thou mayest knock hard with the foolish Virgin, and cry aloud with Esau, and yet receive neither Blessing, ⟨p. 259⟩nor Birthright, and its just with God it should be […], that the Word which thou hast despised, should […] […] a dead, or killing Letter, and never work […]; the motions of his Spirit which thou hast […], should never stir more with thee. Thus Wisdom threateneth the scorners of her Counsel, Prov. 1. 24. Because I have called and they refused, I […] stretched out my hand, and no man regarded, […] they shall call, but I will not answer; they […] seek me early, but they shall not find me.
Answ. Be it granted, Thy life might be prolonged, the words of the text do most apparantly dash this presumptuous conceit, Its the Season of Gods acceptation; Its not in thy power, but depends meerly upon his good Will: We are not the Patrons of the means of Grace, much less of their work, it is not in our Gift; the Sending and Blessing of both issues only from the good pleasure of the Almighty: prolong not then, put not off the time, deny not Gods gracious offer, lest thou never have offer again; he that now holds out the golden Scepter of Mercy to receive thee, hath an Iron rod wherwith he can 〈…〉 thee to nothing, and break thee in pieces like a Potters vessel: He that hath the Keyes of David, and now sets open the gate of Salvation, he can shut it and no man shall open it any more; and when thou hast stayed too long, and comest too late, thou mayest knock hard with the foolish Virgin, and cry aloud with Esau, and yet receive neither Blessing,
Nay, it may be thou shalt not only not find what […] […], and that with some eagerness, which is […] state miserable enough, but shalt not have a heart […] much as once to seek for Mercy, as many […] have, and Hypocrites do; and this is a […] next to the damned in Hell, unconceivably […]. This was Jerusalems case just as the Lord […] it, Oh that thou hadst known at least in […] thy Day, the things belonging to thy peace, but […] they are hid from thine eyes, Luke 19. 42. Christ […] now weeping over the City, preaching his farewell […] amongst them, yea, now come to die amongst them: the presence of the Means makes the Plague more remarkable, when through Gods just judgment for their contempt of the truth, they have eyes but they are made dim and see not, they have ears but […] heavy and hear not, and hearts made hard even […] the blessed Ministry of the Gospel, and so they understand not; they have all before their eyes, and […] all hid from their eyes: The like Curse the Lord usually pours out upon the hellish despisers of the Doctrine of Grace, deliver them up to blind minds, and seared Consciences, reprobate senses, that they who shut their eyes against the power of Gods Ordinances, should never see nor be […] of, either that or their own misery, which is the […] misery of all.
Nay, it may be thou shalt not only not find what 〈…〉 〈…〉, and that with some eagerness, which is 〈…〉 state miserable enough, but shalt not have a heart 〈…〉 much as once to seek for Mercy, as many 〈…〉 have, and Hypocrites do; and this is a 〈…〉 next to the damned in Hell, unconceivably 〈…〉. This was Jerusalems case just as the Lord 〈…〉 it, Oh that thou hadst known at least in 〈…〉 thy Day, the things belonging to thy peace, but 〈…〉 they are hid from thine eyes, Luke 19. 42. Christ 〈…〉 now weeping over the City, preaching his farewel amongst them, yea, now come to die amongst them: the presence of the Means makes the Plague more remarkable, when through Gods just judgment for their contempt of the truth, they have eyes but they are made dim and see not, they have ears but heavy and hear not, and hearts made hard even the blessed Ministery of the Gospel, and so they understand not; they have all before their eyes, and all hid from their eyes: The like Curse the Lord usually pours out upon the hellish despisers of the Doctrine of Grace, deliver them up to blind minds, and seared Consciences, reprobate senses, that they who shut their eyes against the power of Gods Ordinances, should never see nor be of, either that or their own misery, which is the misery of all.
Yet all this will not content, there is one cavil which the carnal §4heart Objects, and its most desperate; Be it, God will […] vouchsafe Means nor Work by them, nor I receive any benefit therefrom, let me live as I list now, let me shift as I can hereafter; if I loose all, the loss is not great. Answ. What! […] great? God forbid that such a Thought should be in any […] Heart, such a Word come out of any mans Mouth. Its no less than Salvation it self, Its […] day of salvation saith the text, […] loss not to be valued, not to be recovered, will never, can […] be repaired again; yea, I appeal to thy own Conscience, and […] thy self in cold blood be thy own judge: Think but seriously […] the Rivers of pleasure which are at Gods right hand, of […] 1Kingdom […] undefiled, and that sadeth not away, […] and consider of that Crown of Glory, that exceeding […] 2weight of glory reserved in the heavens; and weigh but with […] 3self, in thy most retired thoughts, the […] Mercy of a God, the […] Redemption of a Christ, the Comforts of a Spirit […] glorious; imagine you heard that Sentence passed, Come ye Blessed, […] the Kingdom, possess the Crown, enjoy […] Pleasures, and if thou hast but the heart of a man, let it Answer: Canst thou lose all these, and account the loss little? and yet if the day of Grace be gone once, all these go too; neglect that now, and never think to enjoy these: An Argument able to stay any in the most eager pursuit […] these lying vanities, and to cause him to […], and steer his course another way.
Yet all this will not content, there is one cavil which the carnal §4heart Objects, and its most desperate; Be it, God will 〈…〉 vouchsafe Means nor Work by them, nor I receive any benefit therefrom, let me live as I list now, let me shift as I can hereafter; if I loose all, the loss is not great. Answ. What! 〈…〉 great? God forbid that such a Thought should be in any 〈…〉 Heart, such a Word come out of any mans Mouth. Its no less than Salvation it self, Its day of salvation saith the text, loss not to be valued, not to be recovered, will never, can be repaired again; yea, I appeal to thy own Conscience, and thy self in cold blood be thy own judge: Think but seriously the Rivers of pleasure which are at Gods right hand, of
Arise, arise, therefore 〈…〉 secure and dead hearted ⟨p. 253⟩Sinners, and come away. Arise ye drunkards, come 〈…〉 from your Cups and Companies; Arise ye Adulterous wretches, come away from your 〈…〉 〈…〉, and beds of dalliance; come to him who 〈…〉 kindly invites you, who promises to accept you, who is able and willing to save you. Oh! consider opportunities will not last alwayes, we have no 〈…〉 of them, much less command of them; and who knows whether we shall ever enjoy that which we now neglect? Especially, considering the Lord at the present, vouchsafes all helps to further and perswade us to this Preparation, dealing with us as 〈…〉 he did with the stubborn-hearted Jews by Ezekiel, who to strike their hearts with an open Conviction that they must go into Captivity, he is injoyned to carry out his stuff, in the most plain manner in their sight, from one place to another, and the end is added: If it be possible (as some translations reade it) if per adventure (as the propriety of the Hebrew bears it, all to one sense) they may consider it, Ezek. 12. 3. As if he should say, There is some small hope that somthing may procure their welfare, and if it be possible, this plain dealing is like to prevail: A lively picture and resemblance of Gods special bounty to us-ward, who enjoy the means of Grace above many others: The Lord hath seen other Countryes, but he hath settled his abode amongst us; he hath passed by many Congregations, but he hath lodged with those where he hath set up the Light of his Truth; the Son of 〈…〉 hath sent abroad his beams to many corners of the Earth, a glimpse of his goodness hath appeared unto many places, but his saving health like the Sun in his full strength, hath stood over our heads as it did once in Gibeon, and the Moon in the valley of Ajalon: Some people have had many means, and many people ⟨p. 254⟩have had some, but almost all have met together to procure our good, and to make up the fulness of opportunities, even the fulness of all fitness, that if it were possible we might consider it, and 〈…〉 at the last convert and turn unto the Lord. The Birds of the Heaven, the Sinners upon Earth, and the Devils in Hell, know and pursue their 〈…〉 Opportunities; the one for the comforts of nature,1 that they may enjoy them; the other for their 〈…〉,2 that they may enjoy their lusts, though they perish for it:
