2. Take heed of being deluded by common presumptions. Most men have some thoughts in general about what their state is, and what it will be in the issue ; but they make no diligent search into this matter, because a number of common presumptions do immedi- ately insinuate themselves into their minds for their relief; and they are such as all whose force and efficacy unto this end lies in this, that they differ from others, and are better than they ; — as that they are Christians, that they are in the right way of religion, that they are partakers of the outward privileges of the Gospel, hearing the word, and participating of the sacraments ; — that they have light and con- victions, so as that they abstain from sin, and perform duties so as others do not; and the like. All those with whom it is not so, who are behind them in these things, they judge to be in an ill state and condition, whence they entertain good hopes concerning themselves ; and this is all that most trust unto. It is not my present business to discourse the vanity of presumptions ; — it hath been done by many. I give only this warning in general, unto those who have the least design or purpose to come to Christ, and to be made partakers of him, that they put no trust in them, that they rely not on them ; for if they do so they mil eternally deceive their souls. This was a great
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part of the preparatory ministry of John the Baptist, Matt. iii. 9, " Think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father." This was their great comprehensive privilege, containing all the outward church and covenant advantages. These they rested in and trusted to unto their ruin ; herein he designed to undeceive them.
3. Consider aright what it is to live and die without an interest in Christ, without a participation of him. Where this is not stated in the mind, where thoughts of it are not continually prevalent, there can be no one step taken in the way towards him. Unless we are thoroughly convinced that without him we are in a state of apostasy from God, under the curse, obnoxious unto eternal wrath, as some of the Avorst of God's enemies, we shall never flee unto him for refiige in a due manner. " The whole have no need of a physician, but the sick." Christ " came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repent- ance;" and the conviction intended is the principal end of the minis- try of the law. The miseries of this state have been the subject of irmumerable sermons and discourses ; but there is a general misery in the whole, that few take themselves to be concerned therein, or apply these things unto themselves. Let us tell men of it a thousand times, yet they either take no notice of it, or believe it not, or look on it as that which belongs unto the way and course of preaching, wherein they are not concerned. These things, it seems, preachers must say ; and they may believe them who have a mind thereunto. It is a rare thing that any one shall as much as say unto himself, Is it so with me ? And if we now, together with this caution, tell the same men again, that whilst they are uninterested in Christ, not in- grafted into him by faith, that they nm in vain, that all their labour in religion is lost, that their duties are all rejected, that they are under the displeasure and curse of God, that their end is eternal de- struction,— which are all unquestionably certain, — yet will they let all these things pass by without any farther consideration.
But here I must fix with them unto whom I speak at present, — unless there be a full conviction in them of the woful, deplorable condition of every soul, of whatever quality, profession, religion, out- ward state it be, who is not yet made partaker of Christ, all that I have farther to add will be of no sigTiification. Remember, then, that the due consideration hereof is unto you, in your state, your chiefest concernment in this world: and be not afraid to take in a full and deep sense of it; for if you are really delivered from it, and have good evidence thereof, it is nothing unto yeu but matter of eternal praise and thanksgiving. And if you are not so, it is highly necessary that your minds should be possessed with due apprehension of it. The work of this conviction is the first effect of true religion ; and the great abuse of religion in the world is, that a pretence of it
422 EXHOETATION TO SUCH AS ARE
deludes the minds of men to apprehend that it is not necessary : for to be of this or that rehgion, — of this or that way in rehgion, — is supposed sufficient to secure the eternal state of men, though they are never convinced of their lost estate by nature.
4. Hereon consider the infinite condescension and love of Christ, in his invitations and calls of you to come unto him for life, dehver- ance, mercy, grace, peace, and eternal salvation. Multitudes of these invitations and calls are recorded in the Scripture, and they are all of them filled up with those blessed encouragements which divine wisdom knows to be suited unto lost, con\dnced sinners, in their pre- sent state and condition. It were a blessed contemplation, to dwell on the consideration of the infinite condescension, grace, and love of Christ, in his invitations of sinners to come unto liim that they may be saved, — of that mixture of wisdom and persuasive grace that is in them, — of the force and efficacy of the pleading and argument that they are accompanied withal, as they are recorded in the Scrip- ture ; but that belongs not to my present design. This I shall only say, that in the declaration and preaching of them, Jesus Christ yet stands before sinners, calling, inviting, encouraging them to come unto him.