The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

Truly Reader, shouldst thou having mourned unfeignedly for thy sins, now by unbelief hang off from thy Saviour, thou wouldst much dishonour him, and disadvantage thy self. Christs greater things are for them that believe: If thou wilt now believe, thou shalt see the glory of God. I am very confident, if thou hadst been by the Cross (broken heart) when thy Saviour suffered, and shouldst have kneeled down before him, and said, Dearest Saviour, Why art thou now wrestling with the wrath of Heaven, and rage of Hell? He would have answered, To satisfy (poor soul) for thy sins. Again, Why dost thou dye such a cursed death? He would have said, To take the curse of the law from thy back, that so thou mightest inherit the blessing. Once more, Let not my Lord be angry, and I will speak this once; Blessed Redeemer, Why didst thou cry out I thirst, and drink Gall and Vinegar? Thou mightest have heard such a reply, To assure thee, Thirsty sinner, that I am sensible of thy thirst, being scorched with that fury which is due to thy sins, and that thou mightest drink of that love which is better then Wine. But stay O weary, thirsty soul but a while, and by and by thou shalt see this side opened, and blood issuing out to quench thy thirst. O put the mouth of faith to that wound, and what ⟨p. 310⟩thou shalt suck thence, shall do thee good for ever. Reader, I have read that the Soldier who pierced Christs side, was blind, and that the blood flying out upon him recovered his sight. Sure I am, that this blood sprinkled on thy conscience, will purge it from dead works, to serve the living God. O therefore bathe thy soul in this blood; when thou art at the Sacrament, say to God as the Eunuch to Philip; Here is water, what hindereth but I may be Baptized? Lord, here is blood, here is a fountain, what hindereth but I may wash in it? ¹True Lord, my person is unrighteous, but thy blood is justifying blood. My heart is polluted, but O Christ, thy blood is sanctifying blood. My lusts are many and strong, but thy blood is mortifying blood. My soul is lost, but sweetest Saviour thy blood is saving blood. This Justifying, Sanctifying, Saving blood, I drink, I apply for these ends. O let this blood be upon me and my children for ever.

Truly Reader, shouldst thou having mourned unfeignedly for thy sins, now by unbeleif hang off from thy Saviour, thou woulst much dishonour him, and disadvantage thy self. Christs greater things are for them that beleive: If thou wilt now beleive, thou shalt see the glory of God. I am very consident, if thou hadst been by the Cross (broken heart) when thy Saviour suffered, and shouldst have kneeled down before him, and said, Dearest Saviour, Why art thou now wrastling with the wrath of Heaven, and rage of Hell? He would have answered, To satisfie (poor soul) for thy sins. Again, Why dost thou dye such a cursed death? He would have said, To take the curse of the law from thy back, that so thou mightest inherit the blessing. Once more, Let not my Lord be angry, and I will speak this once; Blessed Redeemer, Why didst thou cry out I thirst, and drink Gall and Vinegar? Thou mightest have heard such a reply, To assure thee, Thirsty sinner, that I am sensible of thy thirst, being scorched with that fury which is due to thy sins, and that thou mightest drink of that love which is better then Wine. But stay O weary, thirsty soul but a while, and by and by thou shalt see this side opened, and blood issuing out to quench thy thirst. O put the mouth of faith to that wound, and what