{2d.) Because we cannot persuade men to a certainty against their
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consciences, what should hinder but that now you shouki establish your interest, and that you now make your plea and claim according to God's word and oath, for joy must arise from a sense of it. Your complaining is not the way to ease your conscience, but obedience. It is an advantage to find ourselves in an ill condition, not a discourage- ment. As the woman in the gospel made an argument of that, that she was a dog : Mat. xv. 27, ' Truth, Lord ; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from their master's table.' As when the man-slayer saw the avenger of blood at his heels, this made him mend his pace, and fly for refuge, so when we see we are under the wrath of God, this should make us more earnest to look after Christ, and salvation in and by him. The cities of refuge under the law stood open for every comer, and there was free admission till their cause was heard ; so Christ is the sanctuary of a pursued soul, and whosoever comes shall be received : John vi. 37, ' Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.' God excludeth none but those that exclude themselves. No sin is excepted but the sin against the Holy Ghost. Therefore make your claim till your cause be heard. The great affront we put upon God's oath is not so much doubting of our condition, but not running to Christ for refuge. If we still stand complaining of our lost estate, and do not attempt the work of faith, we put an affront upon God's oath. If the Lord had bid thee do some great thing (I allude to the speech of Naaman's servants), Avouldst thou not have done it to be freed from death and hell ? How much rather when he saith unto thee, Only come ; fly as for thy life, and see if I will cast thee out ? Take up a resolution to try God, and see if he will not be as good as his word and oath. Say, Lord, thou hast given two immut- able grounds of hope ; here I come, I will wait to see what thou wilt do for me in Christ.
(3.) I answer — Do but see Avhether thy interest in Christ be not established or no ? Here is the lowest qualification of an heir of promise, and yet the highest and most solemn way of assurance. Here are two immutable grounds, and yet what is the description ? We who have fled for refuge, ' to lay hold upon the hope set before us,' Here is a driving work that belongs to the law, implied in these words, ' AVe fly for refuge ; ' then a drawing work, which belongs to the gospel, in these words, ' To lay hold on the hope set before us.' The law begins and works preparatively, as Moses brought the children of Israel to the borders, then Joshua led them into the land of Canaan. The law shows us our bondage, and makes us fly for refuge, but then the gospel pulls in the heart to God. There is a necessity of the pre- paring work of the law, that we might be driven out of ourselves ; sin else would not be bitter, nor Christ sweet, our motions and addresses to mercy would not be serious ; every one hath this, some in one degree, some in another ; though all be not anxious, yet all are solicitous : Oh ! what shall I do ? Now, canst thou speak of this driving work of the law ? Thou canst not say but thou art a poor lost sinner, one willing to fly and take sanctuary in Christ, and to wait upon him in obedience till thy great hopes be accomplished. This is the lowest trial ; what canst thou deny in it ? Art thou not a poor chased pur- sued soul, else what mean these fears and scruples? and what hath
312 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI, IS.
the Lord required of tliee, but to run to Christ for refuge ? Many christians have not assurance, but though they dare not say, Christ is theirs, yet here they will wait, and not let go their holdfast for all the world. God hath promised to be gracious to every one that takes hold of his covenant, Isa. Ivi. 6, when the soul will not let go the grace of God in Christ, though it hath many discouragements ; but, in the face of all doubts and scruples, will anchor and hold fast, whatever comes of it. I am a lost and undone creature ; it is Christ that must save me, and here I will stick and hold. This is the qualification, why should we be afraid to be comforted upon God's terms ? If you are resolved to wait upon God in and through Christ, you are the heirs of promise, God hath plighted his oath to you, if there be such a disposi- tion in you, being startled and awakened with the sense of your sinful condition, to take hold, and not let it go, then what mean those fears and scruples? Do not you desire to take sanctuary in Christ, and wait upon him with sti'ong resolution not to be discouraged ? When therefore God hath put it upon such low conditions, why should we stand off ?