Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applied unto unconverted sinners, and saints…Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applyed unto unconverted sinners, and saints…

SO God testified concerning Ephraim, that grey hairs were sprinkled on him, yet he knew it not, Hos. 7. 9. He was in a declining, dying condition, but did not understand it. Hence it is added, They do not return to the Lord their God, nor seek him for all this, ver. 10. If Men will not learn, and own their Spiritual Decays, there is no hopes of prevailing with them to return unto the Lord; the whole have no need of a Physician, but the sick; Christ came not to call the Righteous, but Sinners to Repentance: such Persons are under the Power of a stupid Security, from whence it will be very hard to rouse them up. Hence it is that we have so little success for the most part, in calling Persons to look after a Revival and Recovery of their Decays; they acknowledge no such thing in themselves, such Calls may belong unto others; yea, if nay word seem to come near them unto their Disquietment, they are apt to think it was spoken out of spite and ill will towards them; they approve of themselves in their present Condition. Hence is the Complaint of Christ in the Ministry of the Word: I have called, and ye have refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no Man regarded. We have set at nought all my Counsel, and ⟨p. 53⟩you would none of my Reproof, Prov. 1. 24, 25. Hence let this Truth be pressed a thousand times, it is not one of a thousand who will think himself so concerned, as to apply himself unto a Relief. A Spirit of slumber seems to be poured on many.

SO God testified concerning Ephraim, that gray hairs were sprinkled on him, yet he knew it not, Hos. 7. 9. He was in a declining, dying condition, but did not understand it. Hence it is added, They do not return to the Lord their God, nor seck him for all this, ver. 10. If Men will not learn, and own their Spiritual Decays, there is no hopes of prevailing with them to return unto the Lord; the whole have no need of a Physician, but the sick; Christ came not to call the Righteous, but Sinners to Repentance: such Persons are under the Power of a stupid Security, from whence it will be very hard to rouze them up. Hence it is that we have so little success for the most part, in calling Persons to look after a Revival and Recovery of their Decays; they acknowledge no such thing in themselves, such Calls may belong unto others; yea, if nay word seem to come near them unto their Disquietment, they are apt to think it was spoken out of spight and ill will towards them; they approve of themselves in their present Condition. Hence is the Complaint of Christ in the Ministry of the Word: I have called, and ye have refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no Man regarded. We have set at nought all my Counsel, and