A history of the work of redemption. Containing the outlines of a body of…

SECT. I.

I BEGIN with an use of reproof; a reproof of three things▪ 1. Of unbelief. 2. Of self-righteousness. 3. Of a careless neglect of the salvation of Christ.

I BEGIN with an use of reproof; a reproof of three things▪ 1. Of unbelief. 2. Of self-righteousness. 3. Of a •areless neglect of the salvation of Christ.

I. If it be as we have heard, how greatly do these things reprove those who do not believe in, but reject the Lord Jesus Christ! i. e. all those who do not heartily receive him. Persons may receive him in profession, and carry well outwardly towards him, and may wish that they had some of those benefits that Christ has purchased, and yet their hearts not receive Christ; they may be hearty in nothing that they do towards Christ; they may have no high esteem of Christ, nor any sincere honour or respect to Christ; they may never have opened the door of their heart to Christ, but have kept him shut out all their days, ever since they first heard of Christ, and his salvation has been offered to them. Though their hearts have been opened to others, their doors have been flung wide open to them, and they have had free admittance at all times, and have been embraced and made much of, and the best room in their hearts has been given them, and the throne of their hearts has been allowed them: yet Christ has always been shut out, and they have been deaf to all his knocks and calls. They never could find an inclination of heart to receive him, nor would they ever trust in him.