if God had laid the sorest burdens upon us, and put us upon never so many difficulties as the condition of salvation, we should have had reason to bless his name: but he only lays this condition on us, to accept his offer: it was great love that God should make this offer to you, when he passes by thousands in the world: and never speak a word to them about the way of life, yet opens this way to you, revealing of it, and calling upon you to be saved: he cast your lot in a time when and where these offers should be made: and the way of life is held forth with all plainness: and when he has snatched others away younger than you, he is yet waiting upon you, keeps knocking at your door; and upon ⟨p. 269⟩this account you are utterly inexcusable in refusing to come to Christ; shall God be at a great deal of cost and care in order to your salvation, and will you not accept of his Son? shall Christ make a journey from heaven to save you, and shall he lose his labour? God in compassion has provided bread for you, and will you not eat it, a garment for you, and will not put it on; has he sent a Physician, and will you not accept his help? are Gods bowel, earning over your dying souls, and will you reject his care? indeed when you refuse Christ you despise the tender love of God: and that heart is very hard that can slight such tender love: you are guilty of great ingratitude that do reject this offer: you are greatly injurious unto God thus to blow upon his love.
5. You act contrary to self-love: it is every mans duty to love himself, and seek his own good: God commands men to prosecute their own good in a way of subordination to his glory: God allows no man to ruin himself, but requires them to seek their own welfare all their days, Mat 6.20. and indeed what ever sin a man commits he acts contrary to the rule of self-love, all sin is hurtful and not beneficial to men: but in a peculiar manner they act contrary to this rule in rejecting of Christ, for therein they refuse a tender of blessedness: God in the Gospel is offering salvation unto them, if they will but accept of Christ, they shall immediately be made heirs of blessedness: so that in refusing Christ they reject at once all the glory of heaven, and the great fruits of Christs purchase, that they might enjoy here in this world: they are enemies to themselves, put away salvation from themselves:
if God had laid the sorest burdens upon us, and put us upon never so many difficulties as the condition of salvation, we should have had reason to bless his name: but he only lays this condition on us, to accept his offer: it was great love that God should make this offer to you, when he passes by thousands in the world: and never speak a word to them about the way of life, yet opens this way to you, revealing of it, and calling upon you to be saved: he cast your lot in a time when and where these offers should be made: and the way of life is held forth with all plainness: and when he has snatched others away younger than you, he is yet waiting upon you, keeps knocking at your door; and upon ⟨p. 269⟩this account you are utterly inexcusable in refusing to come to Christ; shall God be at a great deal of cost and care in order to your salvation, and will you not accept of his Son? shall Christ make a journey from heaven to save you, and shall he lose his labour? God in compassion has provided bread for you, and will you not eat it, a garment for you, and will not put it on; has he sent a Physitian, and will you not accept his help? are Gods bowel, earning over your dying souls, and will you reject his care? indeed when you refuse Christ you despise the tender love of God: and that heart is very hard that can slight such tender love: you are guilty of great ingratitude that do reject this offer: you are greatly injurious unto God thus to blow upon his love.
5. You act contrary to self-love: it is every mans duty to love himself, and seek his own good: God commands men to prosecute their own good in a way of subordination to his glory: God allows no man to ruine himself, but requires them to seek their own wellfare all their days, Mat 6.20. and indeed what ever sin a man commits he acts contrary to the rule of self-love, all sin is hurtful and not beneficial to men: but in a peculiar manner they act contrary to this rule in rejectin of Christ, for therein they refuse a tender of blessedness: God in the Gospel is offering salvation unto them, if they will but accept of Christ, they shall immediately be made heirs of blessedness: so that in refusing Christ they reject at once all the glory of heaven, and the great fruits of Christs purchase, that they might enjoy here in this world: they are enemies to themselves, put away salvation from themselves:
