It was a wise reproof which a grave divine administered to a young preacher, who entertained his auditory with an elaborate discourse : after he had commended his parts and pains, there was (said he) one thing wanting in the sermon ; / could not perceive that the Spirit of God was in it. And though inorcdity is good, and necessary to be taught and practised, yet it is much to be lament- ed, that many preachers in these days have hardly any other dis- courses in their pulpit than what we find in Seneca, Epictetus, Plutarch, or some such heathen moralist. Christ, the Holy Spirit, and (in a word) the gospel is not in their sermons. But blessed be God, that there are some (and great is their company in this land of light) who preach the truth as it is in Jesus : and he who has taken the book out of the right hand of him that sits on the throne, and is worthy to open the seals thereof, has been pleased in Avonderful ways to set open, and keep open a door of liberty to the gospel, that they, unto whom he has given a heart to preach Christ, may do it. This is the Lord's doing ; thi» is a Spirit of
life from God. When Cyrus proclaimed liberty for the free exercise of religion, the Lord's servants, who for some years had lain dead, were brought out of their graves^ Ezek. xxxvii. 12, 13.
This treatise is a word in season : God lias made the author to be a zvlse master-builder in his house, arid according to the wisdom given him of God, he has enlarged on a gospel subject very proper to be insisted on at such a day as tl^is. I am informed by un- questionable hands, that there was a remarkable pouring out of the Spirit when these sermons were viva voce delivei'ed, a great num- ber of souls having been brought home to Christ thereby. The Lord grant that the second preaching of them to far greater multitudes by this way o^ the press, may, by the same Spirit, be made abundantly successful for the conversion and salvation of God's elect. The fruit brought forth by the holy apostles in respect of the writings of some (as well as the doctrine preached by all) of them, does still remain. The fruitful labours of this faithful servant of Christ will promote the glory of God, and the good of souls, when he himself shall cease from his labours, and his works shall follow him. Let the Lord's people be thankful to him for that he has sent such a labourer into the harvest, and pray that he may be continued long therein, and that many such (for there are but few such) may be raised up, and be made eminently successful in their holy endea,- vours, to the enlargement of the kingdom of Christ, and of God; and let him reign in this land for ever and ever, which is the heart's desii-e and prayer of one who is
Less than the least of all saints^ London, 1689*
[Behold] I stand at the door, and knock ; if any man hear my voice^ and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.
i HIS day hath our compassionate Redeemer opened unto us a door of liberty ; liberty to us to preach, and hberty for you to hear the glad tidings of the gospel. This is a day jfew looked for : liow often have I said in the years that are past, God hath
iio more work for me to do, and I shall have no more strength and opportunities to work for God ? And how often have you said in your hearts, we have sinned our ministers out of their pulpits, and our eyes shall no more behold those omt teachers? But lo, bevond the thoughts of most hearts, a wide and (I hope) an effectual door is now opened in the midst of us. Oh f that it might be to us as the valley of Achor was to Isrstel, for a door of' hope, Hos. ii. 15. i. e. not only making the troubles they meet with in that valley an inlet to their mercies, as ours have been to us ; but giving them that valley pigyioris nomine, as a pledge of greater mercies intended for them. Upon the first appearance of this mercy, my next thoughts were how to make the most fruit- ful improvement of it amongst you, lest we should twice stumble at the same stone, and sin ourselves back again into our old bondage.
In the contemplation of this matter, the Lord directed me to this scripture, wherein the same hand that opened to you the door of liberty, knocks importunately at the doors of your hearts for en- trance into them, for tmion and communion with them. It will be sad indeed if he that hath let you into all these mercies, should himself be shut out of your hearts : but if the Lord should help you to open your hearts now to Christ, I doubt not but this door of liberty will be kept open to you, how many soever the adversaries be that envy it, and will do their utmost to shut it Up, Ezek. xxxix. S9. The mercies you enjoy this day, are the fruits of Christ's in- tercession with the Father for one trial more : if we bring forth fruit, well ; if not, " the ax lieth at the root of the tree.*" Under this consideration I desire to preach, and even so the Lorld help you to hear what shall be spoken from this precious scripture, Behold, I stand at the doo)', and knock, &c.
These words are a branch of that excellent epistle dictated by Christ, and sent by his servant John to the church of Laodicea, the most formal, hypocritical, and degenerate of all the seven churches ; yet the great Physician will try his skill upon them, both by the re- bukes of the rod, verse 19. and by the persuasive power of the word ; verse 20, Behold I stand at the door, and knock, &c.
This text is Christ's wooing voice, full of heavenly rhetoric to win and gain the hearts of sinners to himself; wherein we have these two general parts.
1. Christ's suit for a sinner's heart.
2. The powerful arguments enforcing his suit.
First, Chrisfs suit for a sinner s heart, wherein we have (1.) The solemn preface, ushering it in, behold : (2.) The suit itself. The preface is exceeding solemn : for beside the common use of this word, behold, in other places, to excite attention, or exaggerate
and put weight into an affirmation; it stands here, as a judicious expositor * notes, as a terrti of notification or public record, wherein Christ takes witnesses of the most gracious offer he was now about to make to their souls, and will have it stand in perpetuam ret memoriam^ as a testimony for or against their souls to all eternity^ to cut off" all excuses and pretences for time to come. % The suit itself, wherein we have,
1. The Suitor^ Jesus Christ.
2. His posture and action ; / stand at the door and Icnock. S. The suit itself, which is for opening, rfany man open.
1. The suitor, Christ himself, / stand ; I that have a right of sovereignty over you ; I that have shed my invaluable blood to purchase you, and might justly condemn you upon the first denial or demur: behold I stand: this is the suiton