Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

I. Their admission, the text shows to be by a voice from the throne; the King calling to them from the throne, before angels and men, to come to their kingdom. Come and go are but short words: but they will be such as will afford matter of thought to all mankind, through the ages of eternity; since upon the one depends everlasting happiness, and upon the other everlasting misery. Now our Lord bids the worst of sinners, who hear the gospel, Come: but the most part will not come unto him. Some few, whose hearts are touched by his Spirit, do embrace the call, and their souls within them say, Behold, we come unto thee: they give themselves to the Lord, forsake the world and their lusts for him; they bear his yoke, and cast it not off, no not in the heat of the day, when the weight of it (perhaps) makes them sweat the blood out of their bodies. Behold the fools! saith the carnal world, whither ⟨p. 314⟩are they going? But stay a little. O foolish world! From the same mouth, whence they had the call they are now following, another call shall come which will make amends for all, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the heaven.

I. Their admission, the text shews to be by a voice from the throne; the King calling to them from the throne, before angels and men, to come to their kingdom. Come and go are but short words: but they will be such as will afford matter of thought to all mankind, through the ages of eternity; since upon the one depends everlasting happiness, and upon the other everlasting misery. Now our Lord bids the worst of sinners, who hear the gospel, Come: but the most part will not come unto him. Some few, whose hearts are touched by his Spirit, do embrace the call, and their souls within them say, Behold, we come unto thee: they give themselves to the Lord, forsake the world and their lusts for him; they bear his yoke, and cast it not off, no not in the heat of the day, when the weight of it (perhaps) makes them sweat the blood out of their bodies. Behold the fools! saith the carnal world, whither ⟨p. 314⟩are they going? But stay a little. O foolish world! From the same mouth, whence they had the call they are now following, another call shall come which will make amends for all, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the heaven.