The one is this; Those that are not in union with Christ, had need to consider their condition, what poor forlorn creatures are they? what a world of guilt is there lying at their door? what omissions, commissions, ignorances, presumptions, impieties, iniquities, what smothered light, abused love, forfeited creatures, buried talents, broken promises have they to answer for? and for these things, what black clouds and storms of wrath hang over their heads? what dooms and fearful curses doth the broken Law pronounce against them? at death and judgment what will they do? how will they appear before the Holy God? or what can they say or plead why his wrath should not be poured out upon them? may they be saved without a Saviour, or by a neglected one? will the great and merciful Jesus deliver those that would not join themselves to him? may his glorious satisfaction cover those that are none of his members? or his precious atonement discharge those that would never receive it? will the Law spare those that refuse the Gospel? or the dreadful curse pass over those who have none of the blood of the Covenant sprinkled upon them? It cannot be; not being in union with Christ their condition is as forlorn, as if there were no Christ, no sacrifice or atonement, no Gospel or promises ⟨p. 301⟩at all, the wrath of God abides upon them, there is but a moment, a little span of life between them and the bottomless pit; as soon as death blows out their Candle, they are in utter darkness: It may be a matter of just wonder, how it is possible, that they should have any rest or quiet of mind in such a dreadful condition; the very thought of the wrath to come, is enough to damp all the joy and comfort of their lives. Again, Would they put dive into their own hearts, it would be a weary thing to them, to see their immortal spirits lye as they do, in ruins and spiritual desolations; to have minds, and no practical light in them; wills, and no holy rectitude there; to have love and joy, and none for Christ; hatred and sorrow, and none for sin: It would be grievous in their eyes to see their precious souls lye in the turpitude and pollution of sin, in a sink of pleasure, or a cave of covetousness, or some other lust, which like an unclean place miserably defiles it whilst it abides therein: In such a doleful state, what help or relief is there but in Christ?
The one is this; Those that are not in union with Christ, had need to consider their condition, what poor forlorn creatures are they? what a world of guilt is there lying at their door? what omissions, comissions, ignorances, presumptions, impieties, iniquities, what smothered light, abused love, forfeited creatures, buried talents, broken promises have they to answer for? and for these things, what black clouds and storms of wrath hang over their heads? what dooms and fearful curses doth the broken Law pronounce against them? at death and judgment what will they do? how will they appear before the Holy God? or what can they say or plead why his wrath should not be poured out upon them? may they be saved without a Saviour, or by a neglected one? will the great and merciful Jesus deliver those that would not join themselves to him? may his glorious satisfaction cover those that are none of his members? or his precious atonement discharge those that would never receive it? will the Law spare those that refuse the Gospel? or the dreadful curse pass over those who have none of the blood of the Covenant sprinkled upon them? It cannot be; not being in union with Christ their condition is as forlorn, as if there were no Christ, no sacrifice or atonement, no Gospel or promises ⟨p. 301⟩at all, the wrath of God abides upon them, there is but a moment, a little span of life between them and the bottomless pit; as soon as death blows out their Candle, they are in utter darkness: It may be a matter of just wonder, how it is possible, that they should have any rest or quiet of mind in such a dreadful condition; the very thought of the wrath to come, is enough to dampall the joy and comfort of their lives. Again, Would they put dive into their own hearts, it would be a weary thing to them, to see their immortal spirits lye as they do, in ruins and spiritual desolations; to have minds, and no practical light in them; wills, and no holy rectitude there; to have love and joy, and none for Christ; hatred and sorrow, and none for sin: It would be grievous in their eyes to see their precious souls lye in the turpitude and pollution of sin, in a sink of pleasure, or a cave of covetousness, or some other lust, which like an unclean place miserably defiles it whilst it abides therein: In such a doleful state, what help or relief is there but in Christ?
