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AT KENNINGTON COMMON, IN THE YEAR, 1739, BT THI LjITE of PEMBROKE COLLEdE, OXFORD, jBontxttil : PRWTRS BTGBORGE PERKINS BVtA, OLD -MARSST. I on A » ll m %\ 8ISlISSa(D^Tj) *c. «f ^ fVhat think ye of C'Am^?*'— Matt. xxii. 42. WHEN it pleased the eternal Son of God totaljer- nacle amongst us, and to come preaching the glad ti- dings of salvation to a fallen world, different opinions were entertained by different parties concerning him. As to his person, some said he was Moses, others that he Was Elias, Jeremiah, or one of the ancient prophet??; few acknovFledged him to be what he really was, God blessed for evermore. As to hi^ doctrine, though the common people, being free from prejudice, and persua- ded of the blessed effects of his going about to do good, for the generality, heard him gladly, and said that he was a good man ; yet the envious, worldly-minded, self-righteous governors and teachers of the Jewish Church, being grieved jit his success on one hand, and unable, as having never been taught of God, to under, stand the purity of his precepl., on tic other, notwith- standing our Lord spake as never man spake, and did such miracles as no one could possibly do, unless God was with him, yet they not only were so infatuated as to say, that he deceived the people, but also were so blasphemous as to affirm, that be was in league with the devil himself, and cast out devils by Beelzebub th«f» prince of them. Nay, our Lord's own brethren and kinsmen, according to the flesh, were so blinded by pre- judice and unbelief, that on a certain day, when heVent out to teach the multitudes in the fields, they sent to take hold on him, urging this as a reason lot ther conduct, viz— that he" was beside himself. Thus was the King and Lord of Glory judged bj roarrs judgment, whtn made manifest in the "flesh. Far be it from any of his ministers to expect any belter treatment. No, if we come in the spirit and power of %IC J S.Z 1.. T V Ui ij vxuxri part Gl Ui£i ESUiiCI'- I Iff, w# wttkit lollow i»is steps. The like reprcuqhci > ^■^o'^^ X 2 which were oast on him, will be thrown on n« alfo.— Those that received our Lord and his doctrine, will re- ceive and hear u« for hisnaraes sake. The poor,blessed he God, as our present meelins^s abundantly testif) , will receive the Gospel, and the common people he»r ns gjladly ; whilst those that are sity moreover, ai acting under the influence of evil spirits. But he is unworthy the name of a minister of ih© ffospel of peace, who is unwilling, not only to have his name cast out as evil, but also to die for the truths of the Lord Jesus. It is the character of hirelings and false prophets, who care not for tho sheep, to have all nien speak well of them. " Blessed are you," says our Lord to his tirst apostles, and in them to all succeeding minister^," when men speak all manner of evil agains.t you fal;relv,formy«ame^ssake." And indeed it i& '"J- possill- I'ut Mich ottences must come, tor men will al- w^vs inro-e of others according to the principles (nun which they act themselves. And if they care not to yield obedience to the doctrines which we deliver, they niust necessarily, in self-defence, speak i.gamst the pr>;,ehers, lesttheyshould be asked thatquestion which the Pharisees of old feared to have retorted on them, if they confessed that John was a prophet, viz.— Why then did you not believe in him. , , , , u In all such cases we have nothing todo but to search oar own hearts ; and if we can assure our consciences before God, that we act with a single eye to his glory, we are cheertully to go on in our work, and not in the least to regard what men or devils can do unto us. Butto return. You have beard what various thoughts were handed about concerning Jesus Christ, whilst Jhere on earth •, nor is he otherwise treated, now he is exalted to sit down at the right hand of his Father m i..«.o., A «frnnr the gay, the polite, the rich, also must die, as well as others, and leave their pompsj their vanities, and all their wealth behind them. And, oh ! what thoughts you will entertain concerning Jesus Christ in that hour I But I must not pursue these reflections ; they would carry me too far from the main design of this discourse, which is to shew what those, who are truly desirous to know how to worship God in spirit and in truth, ought to think concerning Jesus Christ, whom God has sent to be the end of the law for righteousness to all them that believe in his name. I trust, my brethren, you are more noble than to think Me too strict or scrupulous in thus attempting toregu-t late even your thoughts about Jesus Christ. For by our thuuirhts^ as well as bv our words and actions, ar« w% i to be judged at the greai day. And in vain do vre hop« to believe in or worship Christ aris^ht, unless the prin- ciples, on which our faith and practice are founded, ar« Agreeable to the form of sound words, delivered to us in the scriptures of truth. Besides, many deceivers are gone abroad in the world ; mere heathen morality, and not the purity and perfection of Jesus Chiist, is preached in most of our churches. If Christ be mentioned, it is only by the bye. And how should people think rightly of Jesus Christ, of whom they have scarcely heard ? Bear with me a little then, whilst, in order to inform your consciences, I ask you a few questions concerning Jesus Christ,for there is no other name given under heaven whereby we can be saved, but his. And first. — What think you about the person of Christ ? Whose son is he ? This is the question our Lord puts to the Pharisees, in the word following the text ; and never was it more necessary to repeat this question than in these last days, for numbers that are culled after the name of Christ, and I fear many that pretend to preach him, are so far advanced in the bias, pheraer's chair, as openly to deny that he is really, truly, and properly God. But no one that ever was partaker of his spirit, will thus speak lightly of him. No, if our Lord's true disciples are asked, as Peter and his brethren were, But whom say ye that I am ? They will reply, without hesitation. Thou art Christ the Son of the ever-living Go:l. For the confession of our Lord's divinity is the rock upon which he builds his church. Was it possible to take this away, the gates of hell would quickly prevail against it. My brethren, if Jesus Christ be not very God of very God, I would never preach the gospel of Christ again ! For it would not be Gospel, that is to say, glad tidings of salvation; it would be only a system of mere morality ; and if so, Seneca, Cicero, or any of the heathen philosophers, would be as good a Saviour as Jesus of Nazareth. It i!> the divinity of our Lord that gives the efficacy to his death, and makes him such an high priest as became us, . t_ 1 I.-. 4U^ :v>fi.r.:4^ wnatt'iianF Kic ciifFi3ipmare nrtiilfi Vi2.0UUVVUU Vy lUC iiiuiiiiWiUVXifi-vr* aaisj «wsivE »»•!§•«• -B--^^ — r wake m full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice, satifefaotioo smd oblation for the sins of the whole world. And whatsoever minister of the church of England makes me of her forms, and eats of her bread, and yet holds not this doctrine, as I fear too many such are not only crept in, but countenanced and preferred amonj^st us, such an one belong^s only to the synagogue of sat^n. lie is not a child or minister of God. No, he is a wolf ill shoHp^s clothing. He is none other than a child ai»d nunisU^r of that wicked one the devil. Many will think these hard sayings : But I think it* n.> breach of charity to affirm, that an Arian or a Soci- uian, cannot be a Christian. For the one would make ui believe Jesus Christ is only a created God, whicli is a self-contradiction ; and the other would have us look on him only as a good man, and, instead ofowniug his death to be an atonement for the sins of the world, would persuade us that Christ died only to seal the truth of his doctrine with his blood ! But if Jesus Christ be not more than a mere man, nay, if he be not truly God, ho was indeed, as accounted by the Jews, the greatest blasphemer that ever appeared in the world, for he ac- o<^pted of divine adoration from the man that had been born blind,aswe read, JoAn I j: 38. And he said, fiOrd, L believe. And he worshipped him. Which must be un- derstood of religious adoration, as coming of faith in him. Besides, if Christ be not properly God, our faith is vain, we are yet in our sins; for no created being,^ though of the highest order, could possibly merit any thing at God's hands. No, it was our Lord s divinity that alone qualified him to take away the sins of the world : and therefore, we hear that St. John pronoun- t»es so positively, that the wokd, i. e. Jesus Christ, was not only with God, but was God. For the like reason, St. Paul says, that he was in the form of God, that in him dwelt ail the fulness of the God. head bodily. Nay,. Jesus Christ himself assumes the title which God gave to himself when he sent Moses to deliver his people Israel, before Abraham was, says he, I am. And again, I and my Father are one. Which last words, though OUC modera iiiadeib would evade and wrest, as iiiey doi the Dihe** scriptures, to their own damnation, yet it ii «^vident the Jews understood as though by them he made himself equal with God, otherwise, why did they stone him as a blasphemer ? Now, why should it b« thought a breach of charity to affirm, that those who deny the divinity of Jesus Christ, in the strictest sense of the word, cannot be Christians? for they are greater infidels than the devils themselves; they confessed that they knew who he was, even the holy one of God. — 'I'hey not only believe, but, which is more than the un- believers of this generation do, they tremble ! And was it possible for Arius and Socinus, those arch-heretics, to be released from those chains of darkness under which thty are now reserved, till the judgment of the ^rr<^at day, and to appear in this congregation, 1 am persuaded theywouldi-iforra us, that Hell bad convinced tijem of the divinity of Jesus Christ, and they would advise all their followers to renounce their principles, lest they should come into the same place, and thereby i)u-feiu^e their and each other's torment. liut 2dly. What think you of the manhood or incar- HHtio.i of Christ? For Christ was not only God, but he WHS God and man in person. Thus run thf text and context: '* When the Pharisees w» re gathered toge- ther, Jesas asked them, saying, ff^hat think ye of Christ ? Whose son is he ? They say unto him, the Son of Da- vid How then," savs our divine Master, «• does David in spirit call him Lord ?" From which passage it is evident that we do not think rightly of the person of Jesus Christ, unless we believe him to be perfecl God and perfect man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. j z^u • * For it is on this account that he is called Christ, or the annointed, i. e. oue who through his own voluntary otfer was set apart by the Father, and strengthened and oualified by the annointing or communication of the Holy Ghost, to be a Mediator between him andoffend- ing man. The reason, or first cause, why the Son of God tooK a» on him our nature, was the fall of our first parents, lliope there is no one her© preseut so absurdly athe|B- Ileal M to think that roan made himself. No, it w«i God that made- us, and not we ourselves. And 1 would wiliinirlv think that no one would be so blasphemoui aM to suppose, that if God did make us, he made us sueh ercAiitures a^ we now lind ourselves to be; tor this would bi^ffisii«Uod'sworathelie,which tells us,tl«tm the imaffe of God, not in the image of the dev:l, \vhicli we now bear on our souls, made he roan, tar be it from us to think otheru ays, than that as God made mnn. so he made him perfect. He placed hira in th« garden of Kden, and condescended to enter into ijove- nant with him, pro:nibiiipy in hiwMlf, 10 thoa^h we had perished for ever. Whatever yon may thin'' of it, 1 know the blessed angels, who are not so macucon;erned in this mystery of godliness as we, think most highly of it. They do, they will desire to look into and admire it through all eternity. Why, Oh ^hy, ye sinners, will you not think of tKis love of Christ? surely it must melt down the most hardened heart. Whilst I am speaking, the thoughts of this in- finitely condescending Jove fires and warms my soul ! 1 could dwell on it for ever. But it is expedient for you that I should ask you another question concerning Jesus Christ. 3^//i/. — What think you of being justified by Jesus Christ ? I believe 1 can an.^wer for some of you ; but many, I fear, think to be justified, or looked upon as righte>us in God's sight, without Jesus Christ. AH such '*jH find themselves most dreiiti fully mistaken; for out of Christ, God is a consuming fire ! Others satisfy ttiemselves with thinking that Christ was God and man, and that he came into the world to save sinners in gene- ral: Whereas their chief thoughts ought to be how thoy may be assured that Jesus Christ came into the world to save them in {larticular. The lifo 1 now live in the flesh says the apostle, is by faith of the Son of God, who ,'oved mk, and gave himself for me; observe for ME ! For it is this immediate application of Jesus Christ to our jwn hearts, that renders his merits eftl'c- tual to our eternal salvation. If Christ be not truly Eramanuel,or God with us, hecannot be the author and finisher of our faith and salvation. Others there are who go still further ; for they think that Jesus Christ is God-man, and that he is to be received into their hearts, and that they can be justified in God's sight only in and ttirough him; but then they believe in him only as in part their Saviour. They are for doing what they can themselves, and then they will accept of Jesus Christ Ut make up the deficiencies of their righteousness. — This is the sum and substance of our modern divinity. And, was it possible for me to know the thf nights of most that hear me this dav, I believe they would tell ma thi^ is the foaudatiou they have laid, and built upon + i n for !H3me years, for their eternal salvation.. Is it not tiuMi hicrh titne,mv brethren, for you to entertain quite dim^rcnl thon^rht^ concerning? justification by Jesus Christ ? For if you think thus, you are in the case \wah liioso unhappy Jews, \vho went about estabhshin^ their own riirhtoousness, and would not submit to,am» crr.isooaentiy never attained that righteousness which is of (iod, by f\iith in Christ Jesus our Lord. What tiiink vou then, my brethren, if I tell you that we are to b'^ juslified freely throuoh faith in Josus Christ with- out any reijard to any worlijs or fitness foreseen m us nt all ? For salvation is the free g^ift of God. I know no fitness in man, but a fitness to be thrown into the lakeof fir.> and brimstone for ever. Our righteousness, i ! God\s sio'iit, is but as filthy rags ; He cannot away with it. Our holiness, if we have any, is not the cause, but the elfect of our justification in Gods sight. We love God, because He first loved us. We must not come to God as the proud Pharisees did, bringing in, RS it were, a reckoning of our services ; but we must come in the temper and language of the poor publican, smiting upon our breast, and saying, God be mercifnl to me a sinner ! Then shall we find, and know for a truth, that Jesus Christ justifies us whilst we are un- godly, and that he came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. The poor in spirit, who are willing to renounce their own righteousness and rely wholly on the righteousness of Jesus Christ, they only can be received as members of his church and kingdom. The righteousness, the whole righteousness of Jesus Christ is to be imputed to us, instead of our own ; for we are not under the law, but under grace. And as many as walk after this rule, peace be on them ; for tliey, and they only, are the true Israel of God. In the great work of man's redemption, boasting is entirely eKoludod, which could not be, if one of our works was to be joined with the merits of Christ. Our salvation is all of God, from the beginning to the end. It is not of works, lest any man should boast. Man has no hand in if Tf ie Phri«f fhiit i« in hp nindp to US of God the Father, wisdom, righteousness, sauclificat'ou andeter. 12 nal redemption. His active as well as passive obedieno« is most freely given to poor sinners. He has fulfilled all righteousness for »s, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. All that we have todo, is to lay hold of this righteousness by faith. And in that very moment, when we do apprehend it by a lively faith, in that very moment shall we be assured, that the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed us from all sin. For the promise is to us, and to our children, and as many as the Lord our God shall call. If we, and our whole houses believe, we shall be saved as well as the jailor and his house ; for the righteousness of Christ is an everlasting, as well as a perfect righteous- ness. It is as effectual to all them that believe in him now, as it was formerly, and so it will be till lime shall be no more. Search the scriptures, as the Bereans did, and see whether these things are not so. Search St. Paul's epis- tles to the Romans and Galatians, and there you will find this doctrine so plainly taught you, that unless you have eyes that see not, he that runs may read. Search the eleventh article of our church, and there you will find the opinion of our wise reformers in this matter; for thus speaks the article.—" We are accounted righ- teous before God, only for the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own works or deservings.*' This doctrine of our free justification by faith in Christ Jesus, however censured and evil spoken of by our present masters in Israel, was highly esteemed hy our wise fore-fathers. For, in the following words of the fore-mentioned article, it if called a most whole- somti doctrine, and very full of comfort; and so ni- deed it is, to all that are weary and hea\'y laden, and are truly willing to find rest in Jesus Christ. This is gospel, this is glad tidings of great joy to all th«tfeel themselves poor, lost, undone, damned sinners. Ho I every one that thirsteth, come unto the water of Ijftt tyt\i\ drink freelv ? Come and buv without mcmey anfi without price. 'Behold a fountjiin opened in your ^Saviour's side, for^in, and for all uncieaime&ii. Look m tinto him whom you have pierced. Look unto him by faith, and verily you shall be saved, though you came hither only to ridicule and blaspheme, and never thought of God or of Christ before. Not that you must think God will save you, because, or on account of your faith ; for faith is a work, and then you would be justified for your works ; but when I tell you we are to be justified by faith, I mean, that faith is the instrument whereby the sinner receives tha redemption of Jesus Christ into his own soul : and who- soever receives such a faith, for it is the free gift of God, he may lift up his head with boldness ; he needs not fear; he is passed from death to life, and shall not come into condemnation. This is the gospel which we preach ; If any man or angel preach any other doctriue than this, of our being freely justified through faith in Christ Jesus, we have the authority of the great apos. tie to pronounce him accursed. And now, my brethren, vvliat think you of this fool- ishness of preaching ? To you that have tasted the goo J word of life, and bipen enlightened to see the riches of God's free gruc« in Christ Jesus, 1 am persuaded it is precious, and has distilled like the dew into your souls. And oh, that all were like-minded ; but I fear numbers are ready to go away contradicting and blaspheming. Tell me, are there not many of you saying within your- selves, " This is a licentious doctrine ; this preacher is opening a door for encouragement in sin?" But this does not surprise or terrify me at all. It is a stale an. liquated objection, as old as the doctrine of justification itself. And which, by the way, is not much to the cre- dit of those who urge it now, it was first made by an inlidel. St. Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, after be had, in the five first chapters, most plainly proved the doctrine of justification by faith only, in the sixth brings in an unbeiieverfisN^ying, Shall we continue in liin then, that grace may abound ? But as he rej.?cted guch an inference with a God forbid, so do 1 : For the faith which we preach is not a dead speculative faith, *• an assenting to a thing credible, as credible,'' as it in 4K»uiuioaly dgllued. it is nut a ihilb of th» iastiflt^ by works ? says he, i. e. Did he not prove iSafhis faiTh was a true justifying faith, by which !t brought forth good works ? Fro.a whence itis plam, h.S? lames is talking of a justification before men. stw me%Vhe!thatls, demonstrate to me, or give ^eevideicef that thou hast a true faith, by thy works Whereas St, Paul is talking only of our bemg justified in fhe sight of God ; and thus he proves that Abraham Is iusffled before ever the moral or ceremonial law ZZ iiven to the J ews ; for it is writteia, Abraham be- S in the Lord, and it was counted to Inm for ngh- ^^ra^the substance of what has been ^aid on thU hpad in the few following words. Every man that i. «ved is "sliiied three ways. 1st. Mer Uorioasly, by ZdeitVot Jesus Christ: Itis the blood of Jesu. CluUttM cleanses us from all sin. ■2dly. Ins rumen- i; V bv faith : Faith is the means or instruuient wuere- !f "{.^Sts of Jesus Christ are applied to the sin.«,r * heatr " Ve are all the children o. UoO, oy lauu i.^ ^st iL^. 3J/i. We are jusUa^a declar4t.v.ly,.b/ •I H 7 food trorks, that is, good works declare and ptor<>* both to ourselves aad the world, thatottr faith is at^u# saving faith. , . . * • u- It may not be improper to illustrate this doctrine by an example or two. 1 suppose no one will pretend Up aav that there was any fitness in Zaccheus the publican, when he came to see Jesus, out of no better a prmcipKi than that whereby, perhaps, thousands are led to hear me preach, I mean curiosity. But Jesus Christ pre- vented and called him by his free grace, and sweetly, but most pawerfully, inclined him to obey that call, a« I pray God he may influence all you that hear me tbia day. Zaccheus received ourLord joyfully into his housn fcnd at the same time, by faith, received hi™ »«o *V* heart. ZACcheus was then freely ju^tiftt^ Kl^l^fP t>f God, Bnt behold the imflft©diat^ M\in of that ju** tificAtioa ! Hft stands forth in ih^ mlddt, aad as beioM he had baUeved In his he^rc, he now makes confessioii with his mouth, unto salvation •, Behold, Lord, the Uau o? mr goads I gl^e to the poor •, and If 1 have taked anything from any man by fals«^ accusation, 1 restore him four fold. And thus it will be with every poor Binner, as soon as ever God^s dear Son is revealed m him by a living faith. He will have no rest in his spirit till, out of love and gratitude for what God has don« for' his soul, he shews forth his faith by his works. Again, I suppose every body will grant that ther« was no fitness for salvation in the persecutor Saul, no more than there is in those persecuting zealots of these last days, who are already breathing threatemngs, and, if it were in their power, would breathe out slaughters also against the disciples of the Lord. Now our Lord, we know, freely prevented him by his grace ; Oh that he may also effectually call the persecutors of this ge noration ! and when, by a light from heaven, he struck him to the ground, at the same time, by his spirit, he pricked him to the heart, convinced him of sm, and caused him to cry out. Who art thou, Lord ? Christ repuea, i ara .jesus, wn^iu m^u pv;*^-^--«.- -- \."V was instantaneously given him, and behold '.mmediato- 1^ Paul cries out, Lord, what wouldst thou have me t« 18 6o ? And so will every poor soul that believes on th« Lord Jesus with his whole henrt, He will be asking, Lord, what shall I do for thee? Lord what wouldst thou have me to do ? Not to justify himself, but only to evidence the sincerity of hi:? love and thankfulneyi to his all merciful high priest, for plucking him &s a tiro brand out of the fire. Perhaps many self-righteous persons among- you may flatter yourselves, that you are not so wicked as either Zaccheus or Saul was, and consequently there is a greater fitness for salvation in you than in them; but if you think thus, indeed you think more highly of yourselves than you ought to think ; for, by nature, wo are all alike, all equally fallen short of the glory of (jlod, all equally dead in trespasses and sins ; and ther« Ht^eds the same almighty power to be exerted in con- verting tiny one of the most sober, good-natured, moral persons here pres'^nt, as there was in converting the publican Zaccheus, or that persecutor Saul. And wa» it possible for you to ascend into the highest heaven^, and to enquire of the spirits of just men made perfect, 1 am persuaded they would tell you, that this doctrine is from God. But we have a most sure word of pro. phecy, to which we would do well to take heed, as unto B light shining in a dark place. My brethren, the word is nigh you. Search the Scriptures. Beg of God to make you willing to be saved in this day of his power, and you shall allbe taught of God. For it is not fiesh and blood, but the spirit of Jesus Christ tliat alone can reveal these things unto you. Fourthly ^ lastly, What think you of Jesus Chrisrs being formed within you ? for whom Christ justifies, them he also sanctifies : although he find, yet he does not leave us unholy : a true Christian may not so pro- perly be said to live, as Jesus Christ to live in him, for they only who are led by tha spirit of Christ, who ij God, are the sons of God. As 1 observed before, so . tell you again, the faith which wo preach is not a dead, but a lively active faith wrought in the soul, and working a thorough chaiiije, hj the power of the Holy Ghost, in the whole oaau.-- * .. If ^- ^»9^ Unless Christ be thus in you, notwithstandingyoo mftf be orthodox as to the foregoing principles, notvrilh- •tanding you may have good desires, and attend con- •tantly on the means of grace, yet, in St. Paul's opini- on, you are out of a state of salvation. Know ye not, ■ays the apostle to the Corinthians, a church famous for its gifts, above any church under heaven, that Christ is in you, viz., by his spirit, unless you are reprobates ? For Christ came not only to deliver us from the guilt, but also from the power of our sins. Till he has don» this, however he may be a saviour to others, we can have no assurance or well-grounded hope that he has saved us. For it is by receiving his blessed spirit into our hearts, aud hearing him witnessing with onr spirits, that we can be certilied of our being sealed unto tha day of redemption. This, it must be confessed, is a great mystery ; but marvel not at my asking you, what you think of Christ being formed within you ? for either God must change his nature or ours. For, as in Adam we all have spi- ritually died, so all that are effectually saved, must by Christ, be spiritually made alive. His only end in dying and rising again, and interceding for us now in heaven, is to redeem us from the misery of our fallen nature, and, by the operations of his blessed spirit, to make u» meet to be partakers of the heavenly inheritance with the saints in light. None but those that are thus chang- ed by his grace here, shall appear with him in glory hereafter. Examine yourselves therefore, my brethern, whe- ther you are in the faith ; prove your own selves, and think it not sufficient to say in your creed, I believe in Jesus Christ, for you do not believe ; you are liars, you are reprobates, you are in a state of death, you tak« God's name in vain, and, when you call him Father, your prayers are turned into sin, unless you believe in Christ, so as to have your life and nourishment from him as the branches receive life and nourishment from the vine, or the members of the body natural from the head. I know, indeed, the men ofthia generation denjr ttiere is any such thuiff aa spifitoal sensation, o? aogM to be experienced like feeling Cl»rist witbm them. But, alas ! to what a dreadful condition would tu ,..-^-, ^ — for a little while, that you might feel what itis to hav« Jdsuft Christ dwelling in f^t heari* by fdith, UD, w Jm w ■m •1 A, not tan. yo«rback», donot lelthe •'"'^j;;;; «,T«y be not afraid of conviction. Do not think worse of the doctrine, '«'J'"!'=«".{:'«»^''^ ' "'IV""* »''« chiirch-walls. Onr Lord, in the da .of hii. flesh, ;SJon a mount, a ship, a field; and I am persua- ded many have felt hi. gracions P;^^*"'" not reie^t deed we speak what we know. Oh, do not reject the k npdoi;. of God against yourselves ! be so wise as to receive onr witness. I cannot, I will .>ot let TonVo Stay a while, and let us veason together 'However li/hily you may esteem your -^ou s I kn«» onr Lord has an unspeakable value for them. He thought them worthy of his precious blood: 1 beseech Tou therefore, O sinners, be ye reconciled to God. i 'hope >"u do ;ot fear being accepted in the beloved. Behold he calls you ; behold he prevents and follow* \oQV/ith his; mercy. . ^ r, u And because many of you would not come to a cl^rch, behold he has sent forth his servants into the highways aiid be«•»»«». wherry »lone >»»s meriU can be applied to yoiir hewtft? 21 Aim ! why do wo not entertain more worthy, more la* ving thoughts of Christ ? Or do you think he will have mercy on others, and not on yon ? But are yon lot sinners ? And did not Jesus Christ come into th© world to save sinners ? it* you suy yon are the chief of sinners, 1 answer, that will he no hindrance to your ?nlvation ; indeed it will not, if you hiy hold on him by faith. Head the evangelist, and see how kindly he be- haved to his disciples, who fled from and denied him. Go tell my brethren, says he ; he does not say, go tell those traitors, but, go tell my brethren, and Peter. As though he had said, go tell my brethren in general, and poor Peter in particular, that T am risen again. Oh, comfort his drooping heart ; tell him I am reconciled to him. Bid him weep no more so bitterly ; for though with oaths and curses he thrice denied me, yet 1 died for his sins, and I am risen again for his justification. I freely forgive all. Thus slow to anger, and of great kindness, was our all-merciful high priest. And do you think he has changed his nature, and forgets pbor einners, now he is exalted to the right-hand of God ? No, he is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever, and sitteth there only to make intercession for ue. Come then, ye harlots, come then ye publicans, come ye mostabandoned sinners, come and believe on Jesus Christ. Though the whole world despise and cast you out, yet he will not disdain to take you up. Oh amazing ! Oh infinitely condescending love ! Even you he will not be ashamed to call his brethren. And Oh! how will you escape, if you neglect such a glo- rious offer of salvation? What would thedamnedspirjfii now in the prison of hell, give, if Christ was so freely offered to their souls ? And why are we not lilting up our eyes in torments ? Dots any one, out of this great multitude, dare say he does not deserve damnation ? If not, why are we left, and others taken away by death ? ^hat is this, but an instance of God's free grice, and ficn of his good will towards us ? Oh then, let God'* — J •oodness lead lis to repentuiicu ! Oh, irttiiere ws in heaven over some of us repenting I Though we ar« in a fiieldy ye% I am persuaded the bkfsed angeli ai« 28 h now hoverirgf nround ub, and lonj^, «b tie hrart pnnf- eth ftfter the water-brooks, to sinp a «)iiff of praise and joy for jour conversion. D!es-sed be Clorl, I hopfl their joy will be fulfilled. An awful ijiiejice appears amongst us, and I have good hope tl..tt fhe words, which the Lord has enabled me lo ypt jik in your ear» this day, have not altogether fallen to the grountf. Your tears and deep attention are an evidence that liwi Lord God is amongst us oi a trutl. Conie, ye F hari- sees, come and see, in spite ofyour satanical rage and fury, the Lord Jesus is getting himself the victory. And, brethren,! speak the truth in Christ, I lie nut, if but one soul of you, by the bletsing of God, he brought to think savingly of Jesus Christ this day, 1 care not, if my enemies were permitted to thrust we into an inner ])rison,and put my feet fast in the stockf a* soon as I have delivered this sermon. Brethren, iry hearts desire and prayer to God for you all, is, that you may be sa\ed. For this cause I follow my master without the camp. I care not how much cf this sicred reproach I bear, so that some of you b