XVIII sermons on the second chapter of the 2d Epistle to the Thessalonians containing…

(1.) The General Love to the lost World, that is a great thing the Devil seeketh to hide and obscure, the wonderful Love of God revealed in our Redeemer, that we may still fly from God, as more willing to Punish than to Save; and many poor dark Creatures gratify his design. We are still seeking signs and tokens of God's Love, something to warrant us to come to God by Christ, and to persuade us that we shall be welcome if we do so; and because we cannot find any thing in our selves that he will admit us, we are troubled. But all this while we are but seeking the Sun with a Candle. What greater evidence of God's willingness to receive you, than the Death of Christ, than the Institutions of the Gospel? This is above all Evidences, that he sent his Son to die for us. This is like the Jews, who, when they had seen many Wonders wrought by Christ, would still have a new Sign; the greatest Sign is given already, Christ dying for a sinful World. Men and Angels cannot find out a Sign, Pledge, and Confirmation of the Love of God above that: Yet, if that be not enough, we have another Sign, the Promises, and Invitations of the Gospel, which show his willingness to welcome Sinners. Salvation is offered, but not to named, but described Persons. Therefore ⟨p. 385⟩if we are willing to come under these hopes upon God's Terms, this may satisfy our scrupulous Minds, there is no Bar put to us, but what we put to our selves by our refusing the Grace as God offereth it. Certainly, God's Love and Mercy to lost Mankind is our first motive, and his willingness to impart good things to them upon his own Terms, and surely he is well pleased with our acceptance of them.

(1.) The General Love to the lost World, that is a great thing the Devil seeketh to hide and obscure, the wonderful Love of God revealed in our Redeemer, that we may still fly from God, as more willing to Punish than to Save; and many poor dark Creatures gratifie his design. We are still seeking signs and tokens of God's Love, something to warrant us to come to God by Christ, and to persuade us that we shall be welcome if we do so; and because we cannot find any thing in our selves that he will admit us, we are troubled. But all this while we are but seeking the Sun with a Candle. What greater evidence of God's willingness to receive you, than the Death of Christ, than the Institutions of the Gospel? This is above all Evidences, that he sent his Son to die for us. This is like the Iews, who, when they had seen many Wonders wrought by Christ, would still have a new Sign; the greatest Sign is given already, Christ dying for a sinful World. Men and Angels cannot find out a Sign, Pledg, and Confirmation of the Love of God above that: Yet, if that be not enough, we have another Sign, the Promises, and Invitations of the Gospel, which show his willingness to welcome Sinners. Salvation is offered, but not to named, but described Persons. Therefore