Consider the multitudes, multitudes without number, that are to be judged in that day, even all the posterity of Adaip, which are as the sand upon the sea-shore ; that not only so many per* sons, but all that they have done, must come into judgment, even the very thoughts of their hearts, which never came to the know- ledge of men : their consciences to be interrogated, all other wit- nesses fully heard and examined : how great a day must this day of the Lord then be .^
But the main use of this pomt will be for exhortation, that seeing all the offers of Christ are recorded, and witnessed, with respect to a day of account, every one of you would therefore immediately em- brace the present gracious tender of Christ in the gospel, as ever you expect to be acquitted and cleared in that great day : take heed
EXGLAXij'« DUTY. 27 \
of denials;, nay of delays and demurs. " For if the word spoken *' by angels was stcdfast, and every transgression and disobedience <« received a just recompence of reward ; how shall we escape if " we neglect so great a salvation ?" Heb. ii. 2, 3. The question is put, but no answer made ; How shall we escape ? The wisdom of men and angels cannot tell how. To enforce this exhortation, I shall present you with ten weighty considerations upon the matter, which the Lord follow home, by tlic blessing of his spirit upon all your hearts.
1. Consider how invaluable a mercy it is that you are yet within tJie reach of offered grace. The mercies that stand in offer before you tliis day, were never set before the angels that fell ; no mediator was ever appointed for them. O astonishing mercy ! that those vessels of gold should be cast into everlasting fire, and such clay vessels as we are, thus put into a capacity of greater happiness than ever they fell from ; nay, the mercy that stands before you is not only denied to the angels that fell, but to the greatest part of your fellow-creatures of the same rank and dignity with you : " He ** sheweth his word to Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto *' Israel, he hath not dealt so with any other nation, and as for his '' judgments they have not known them : Praise ye the Lord,'' Psal. cxlvii. 19, 20. A mercy deservedly celebrated with a joyful Alleliijah. What vast tracts are there in the habitable world, where the name of Christ is unknown ! it is your special mercy to be born in a land of bibles and ministers, where it is as difficult for you to avoid and shun the light, as it is for others to behold and enjoy it.
2. Consider the nature^ weight, and worth of the mercies whicJtr are this day freely offered you. Certainly they are mercies of the first rank, the most ponderous, precious, and necessary among all the mercies of God. Christ the first-born of mercies, and in him pardon, peace, and eternal salvation are set before you^ it were astonishing to see a starving man refusing offered bread, or a con- demned man a gracious pardon. Lord ! what a composition of sloth and stupidity are we, that we should need so many entreaties to be happy.
3. Consider who it is that makes these gracious tenders^ of par-^ don, peace, and salvation, to you ; even that God whom you have sof deeply wronged, whose laws you have violated, whose mercies yom have spurned, and wlwse wrath you have justly incensed. His pa^ tience gi-oans under the burden of your daily provocations ; he loses nothing if you be damned, and receives no benefit if you be saved ; yet the first motions of mercy and salvation to you freely arise out of his grace and good pleasure. God intreats you to be reconciled, 2 Cor. v. 20. The blessed Lord Jesus, whose blood
thy sins have shed, now freely offers that blood for thy reconcilia- tion, justification, and salvation, if thou wilt but sincerely accept him ere it be too late.
4. Reflect ser'wuslij upon your own vileness^ to whom such gracU oiis offers of peace and mercy are made. Thy sins have set thee at as great a distance from the hopes and expectations of pardon, as any sinner in the world. Consider man, what thou hast been, what thou hast done, and what vast heaps of guilt thou hast con- tracted by a life of sin : and yet that unto thee pardon and peace should be offered in Christ after such a life of rebellion, how asto- nishing is the mercy ? the Lord is contented to pass by all thy former rebellions, thy deep-dyed transgressions, and to sign an act of obli- \aon for all that is past, if now at last thy heart relent for sin, and thy will bow in obedience to the great commands and calls of the gospel, Isa. Iv. 2, &c. and i. 18.
5. Consider how many offers of mercy you have already refused^ and that every refusal is recorded against you: how long have you tried, and even tried the patience of God already, and that this may be the last overture of grace that ever God will make to your souls. Certainly there is an offer that will be the last offer, a striving of the Spirit which will be his last striving ; and after that no more offers without you, no more motions or strivings within you for ever- more. The treaty is then ended, and your last neglect or rejec- tion of Christ recorded against the day of your account ; and what if this should prove to be that last tender of grace which must con- clude the treaty betwixt Christ and you f What undone wTetches must you then be, with whom so gracious a treaty breaks off upon such dreadful terms.
6. Consider well the reasonahle^ mild, and gracious nature of the gcspeUtcrms, on which life and jmrdon are offered to you, Acts xx. 21. The gospel requires nothing of you but repentance and faith. Can you think it hard when a prince pardons a rebel, to require him to fall upon his knee?, and stretch forth a willing and thankful hand to receive his pardon ? Your repentance and faith are much of the same nature. Here is no legal satisfaction required at your hands, no reparation of the injured law by your doings or suffer- ings, but a hearty sormw for sins committed, sincere purposes and endeavours after new obedience, and a hearty, thankful accepta- tion of Christ your Saviour ; and for your encouragement herein, lis Spirit stands ready to furnish you with powers and abilities ; '' Turn ye at my reproof; behold I will pour out my Spirit unto ** you, I will make known my words unto you,"* Prov. i. 23. \nd Isa. xxvi. 12. " Lord, thou hast wrought all our works in f us."
\ 7. Again, Cgnsider how your way to Christy hy repentance and faith ^