Now, if the day of our espousals to Christ be the day of the gladness of his heart, and he reckons himself thus honoured and glorified by us, what a day of joy and gladness should it be to our hearts, and how should we be transported with joy, to see a King from heaven, with all his treasures of grace and glory, bestowing himself freely, and everlastingly upon us, as our portion ! No won- der Zaccheus came down joyfully, Luke xix. 6. that the eunuch went home rejoicing, Acts viii. 39. that the gaoler rejoiced, be- lieving in God with all his household, Acts xvi. 34. that they that were converted, did eat then- meat with gladness, praising God, Acts ii. 41, 46. that there was great joy among them of Samaria, when Christ came among them in the preaching of the gospel, Acts viii, 5, 8. I say, it is no wonder we read of such joy accom- panying Christ into the soul, when we consider, that in one day, so many blessings meet together in it, the least of which is not to be exchanged for all the kingdoms of this world, and the glory of them. Eternity itself will but suffice to bless God for the mercies of this one day.
Infer. 6. If Christ be made all this to every soul, unto whom he is effectually applied, •what cause then have those souls, that a,re under the preparatory work of the Spirit, and are come nigh to Christ and all his benefits, to stretch out their hands, with vehement desire to Christ, and give him the most important invitation into their souls !
The whole world is distinguishable into three classes, or sorts of persons ; such as are far from Christ ; such as are not far from Christ ; and such as are in Christ They that are in Christ have heartily received him. Such as are far from Christ, will not open to him ; their hearts are fast barred by ignorance, prejudice, and unbelief against him : But those that are come under the prepara- tory workings of the Spirit, nigh to Christ, who see their own in- dispensible necessity of him, and his suitableness to their necessities, in whom also encouraging hopes begin to dawn, and their souls
gEfttf. T. THE METHOD OF CEACE. 31
are waiting at the foot of God for power to receive him, for an heart to close sincerely and universally with him ; 0 what vehe- ment desires ! what strong pleas ! what moving arguments should .•such persons urge, and plead to win Christ, and get possession of him ! they are in sight of their only remedy ; Christ and salva- tion are come to their very doors ; there wants but a few things to make them blessed for ever. This is the day in which their souls are exercised between hopes and fears : Now they are much alone, and deep in though tfulness, they weep and make supplica- tion for a heart to believe, and that against the great discourage- ments with which they encounter.
Reader, if this be the case of thy soul, it will not be the least piece of service I can do for thee, to suggest such pleas as in this case are proper to be urged for the attainment of thy desires, and the closing of the match between Christ and thee.
First, Plead the absolute necessity which now drives thee to Christ : Tell him thy hope is utterly perished in all other refuges. Thou art come like a starving beggar to the last door of hope. Tell him thou now beginnest to see the absolute necessity of Christ. Thy body hath not so much need of bread, water, or air, as thy soul hath of Christ, and that wisdom and righteousness, sanctifi- cation and redemption, that are in him.
Secondly, Plead the Father's gracious design in furnishing and sending him into the world, and his own design in accepting the Father's call. Lord Jesus, wast thou not " anointed to preach " good tidings to the meek, to bind up the broken-hearted, and " to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the pri- " son to them that are bound ?" Isa. lxi. 1, 3. Behold an object suitable to thine office : whilst I was ignorant of my condition, I had a proud rebellious heart, but conviction and self-acquaintance have now melted it : my heart was harder than the nether mill- stone, and it was as easy to dissolve the obdurate rocks, as to thaw and melt my heart for sin ; but now God hath made my heart soft, I sensibly feel the misery of my condition. I once thought myself at perfect liberty, but now I see what I conceited to be per- fect liberty, is perfect bondage ; and never did a poor prisoner sigh for deliverance more than I. Since then thou hast given me a soul thus qualified, though still unworthy, for the exercise of thine office, and execution of thy commission ; Lord Jesus, be, according to thy name, a Jesus unto me.
Thirdly, Plead the unlimited and general invitation made to such souls as you are, to come to Christ freely. Lord, thou hast made open proclamation ; " Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to u the waters, Isa. lv. 1. and Rev. xxii. 17. " Him that is a-thirst
32 THE METHOD OF GRACE. SERM. I.
" come." In obedience to thy call, lo, I come ; had I not been invited, my coming to thee, dear Lord Jesus, had been an act of presumption, but this makes it an act of duty and obedience.
Fourthly <, Plead the unprofitableness of thy blood to God ; Lord, there is no profit in my blood, it will turn to no more advantage to thee to destroy, than it will to save me : if thou send me to hell, (as the merit of my sin calls upon thy justice to do,) I shall be there dishonouring thee to all eternity, and thje debt I owe thee never paid. But, if thou apply thy Christ to me for righteousness, satisfaction for all that I have done will be laid down in one full, com- plete sum ; indeed, if the honour of thy justice lay as a bar to my pardon, it would stop my mouth : but when thy justice, as well as thy mercy, shall both rejoice together, and be glorified and pleased in the same act, what hinders but that Christ be applied to my soul, since, in so doing, God can be no loser by it ?
Fifthly., and lastly, Plead thy compliance with the terms of the gospel : tell him, Lord, my will complies fully and heartily to all thy gracious terms. I can now subscribe a blank : let God offer his Christ on what terms he will, my heart is ready to comply ; I have no exception against any article of the gospel. And now, Lord, I wholly refer myself to thy pleasure ; do with me what seemeth good in thine eyes, only give me an interest in Jesus Christ; as to all other concerns I lie at thy feet, in full resignation of all to thy pleasure. Never yet did any perish in that posture and frame ; and I hope I shall not be made the first instance and example,
Inf\ 7. Lastly, If Christ, with all his benefits, be made ours, by a special application ; how contented, thankful, comfortable, and hopeful, should believers be, in every condition which God casts them into in this world ! •%