What should the consideration of these things work in our hearts, but what the scope of the text it self puts men upon, even that they would come in unto Christ, and believe on him, and give up their souls unto him? He that believes shall in no wise be cast out. As Christ therefore is willing: so should we, ⟨p. 33⟩be a willing people. That which keeps men off, is, that they know not Christs mind and heart, think it not to be an indifferent thing to him whether you believe, or no; as if he came into the world to do this duty of dying for sinners, singly in obedience to his Father, so that men might be rendered savable if they will: and that however, if they will not, he yet hath enough to satisfy and quiet himself with, even this that he shall be glorified in what he hath done, though few or none of the sons of men be saved. It is a prejudicial doctrine this, to the salvation of men, and derogatory to Christs free love. What, do we think that Jesus Christ is gone to heaven, there to complain unto Angels of the unkindness and hardness of mens hearts, that will not turn to him notwithstanding he hath done so much, and to tell what he had done for them, and what they would not be persuaded to do for themselves; and that so he can sufficiently please himself with such just complaints? no surely; our effectual salvation concerns him more then so: and his heart is more fully bent upon it then thus to leave it, of what he hath bought he will lose nothing. The truth is, he is more glad of us then we can be of him. The Father of the Prodigal was the forwarder of the two to that joyful meeting. Hast thou a mind? he that came down from Heaven (as himself saith, in the text) to dye for thee, will meet thee more then half way (as the prodigals father is said to do) by his spirit; he will send him from Heaven to thee, and at the latter day himself will come again to fetch thee and receive thee to himself. If among the Angels in Heaven there be joy at the conversion of a sinner, how much more joy is there in Christs heart? If there be joy in the bed chamber men (as John speaks) what joy is there in the bridgrooms hearts? or if among the standers by, when a manchild is borne into the world, how much more doth the mother that was in travail for it (as Christs soul was,) how much more doth she rejoice? O therefore come in unto him. If you knew his heart you would.
WHat should the consideration of these things work in our hearts, but what the scope of the text it self puts men upon, even that they would come in unto Christ, and beleeve on him, and give up their souls unto him? He that beleeves shall in no wise be cast out. As Christ therefore is willing: so should we, ⟨p. 33⟩be a willing people. That which keepes men off, is, that they know not Christs minde and heart, think it not to be an indifferent thing to him whether you beleeve, or no; as if he came into the world to do this duty of dying for sinners, singly in obedience to his Father, so that men might be rendred savable if they will: and that however, if they will not, he yet hath enough to satisfie and quiet himself with, even this that he shall be glorified in what he hath done, though few or none of the sons of men be saved. It is a prejudiciall doctrine this, to the salvation of men, and derogatory to Christs free love. What, do we think that Jesus Christ is gone to heaven, there to complaine unto Angels of the unkindnesse and hardnes of mens hearts, that will not turne to him notwithstanding he hath done so much, and to tell what he had done for them, and what they would not be perswaded to do for themselves; and that so he can sufficiently please himself with such just complaints? no surely; our effectuall salvation concernes him more then so: and his heart is more fully bent upon it then thus to leave it, of what he hath bought he will lose nothing. The truth is, he is more glad of us then we can be of him. The Father of the Prodigall was the forwarder of the two to that joyfull meeting. Hast thou a minde? he that came down from Heaven (as himself saith, in the text) to dye for thee, will meet thee more then half way (as the prodigals father is said to do) by his spirit; he will send him from Heaven to thee, and at the latter day himself will come again to fetch thee and receive thee to himself. If among the Angels in Heaven there be joy at the conversion of a sinner, how much more joy is there in Christs heart? If there be joy in the bed chamber men (as Iohn speakes) what joy is there in the bridgrooms hearts? or if among the standers by, when a manchild is borne into the world, how much more doth the mother that was in travaile for it (as Christs soul was,) how much more doth she rejoyce? O therefore come in unto him. If you knew his heart you would.
