Heaven upon earth, or, The best friend in the worst of times. Delivered in…

This then is the great design in all those glorious accomplishments of Christ for this, he left his Fathers bosom, that he might bring us into ⟨p. 24⟩acquaintance with the Father; for this end did he who thought it no robbery to be equal with the Father, make himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man; and being sound in fashion of a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross, that he might bring man into a re-union with God; for this end did Christ live a wearisome troublesome life among a company of Rebels and Enemies, as if a man should live among Toads and Serpents: So that he cried out, as weary of any longer abiding with them, Oh faithless generation! How long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? For this did he make himself an offering for sin; that by taking away sin, he might bring men to God. This is the great purpose of Christ in all his offices. Ye have heard of the three Offices of the Mediator, that he is a Priest, a Prophet and a King. This is the end of the Priestly Office. The purpose of Christs offering up himself a Sacrifice, was by satisfying the justice of God, to make way for sinners return to God. This is the end of his prophetical Office, to lead men into knowledge and acquaintance with God. This is the end of his Kingly Office; that governing them, and ruling their hearts by his Spirit, he might effectually bring men to God, to acquaintance with him. Now then, since this is the great design of God in his great dispensation towards man, to keep men in acquaintance with himself, and to reduce him when he had lost it; doth it not concern us to do our part for the bringing to pass this great work? shall God lose his end in making us, and in setting man in the ⟨p. 25⟩world every way furnished for his service? and shall God lose his end in sending his Son to receive us, when we had forsaken him? Shall Christ leave his Fathers bosom to bring us home to the Father, and shall we refuse to return? Shall he pour out his soul, an offering for sin, that he might make way for our access to God, that we who were far off, might be made nigh by the blood of Christ? and shall we frustrate all by our refusing to go to him? shall Christ come and offer us his help and direction to come to the Father, and shall we abide still strangers?

This then is the great design in all those glorious accomplishments of Christ for this, he left his Fathers bosome, that he might bring us into