Captives bound in chains, made free by Christ their surety

CHAP. X. Showing that the Captivity of sinners by Satan, is worse than the Captivity of men in corporal Slavery.

CHAP. X. Shewing that the Captivity of sinners by Satan, is worse than the Captivity of men in corporal Slavery.

Having set before you the resemblance of Sinners to Captives, and several of the chains by which they are bound in this captivity; I shall next proceed to show you wherein the condition of these Captives is far worse than any Captives, under the Sun besides; and I beseech you in the fear of God, seriously weigh your danger, and in good sadness consider your misery before you are past remedy, recovery, and redemption. If all I have already said be forgotten, and hath been slighted by you; yet do not stop your ears, stiffen your necks, and harden your hearts against what shall further be propounded to you to awaken your Consciences. In respect of civil Liberty you are all free-born, and many of you are free Citizens; but yet being Satan's Captives, and Sin's Bond-men, your case is deplorable; though yet through Mercy tendered to you, and waiting to this day upon you, it is not desperate. If it should move compassion in us to hear of any carried captive by a cruel Enemy, as Jeremiah's eyes were filled with ⟨p. 157⟩tears, and his heart with sorrow, when he did consider of the captive-state of God's people, Jer. 13.17. But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your Pride, and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock is carried away captive. Lam. 1.18.— hear, hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow; my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity. Much more should it be lamented with abundant tears and sorrow of heart, that sinners are captivated by the Devil, by how much this captivity is sorer than any other; as appeareth by these particulars following.