528 AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM cxxx. [Ver.4.
but, " Go, ye cursed souls, perish for ever, Avithout the least compas- sion from God, or any that love him, angels or men/'
If you shall say, for your parts you are contented with this course, — let God have the glory, so you may be forgiven and saved ; there is yet just cause to suspect lest this be a selfish contempt of God. It is a great thing to give glory tmto God hy believing in a due manner. Such slight returns seem not to have the least relation unto it. Take heed that, instead of believing, you be not found mockers, and so your bands be made strong.
But a poor convinced sinner may here find encouragement. Thou wouldst willingly come to acquaintance with God, and so attain salvation? "Oh, my soul longeth for it ! " Wouldst thou Avillingly take that course for the obtaining those ends which will bringf most glory unto God? "Surely it is meet and most equal that I should do so." What, now, if one should come and tell thee from the Lord of a way whereby thou, poor, sinful, self-condemned creature, rnightst bring as much glory unto God as any angel in heaven is able to do? " Oh, if I might bring the least glory unto God, I should rejoice in it!" Behold, then, the way which himself hath fixed on for the exaltation of his glory, even that thou shouldst come to him merely upon the account of grace in the blood of Christ for pardon and for- giveness ; and the Lord strengthen thee to give up thyself thereunto !
8. Consider that if this ivay of salvation he refused, there is no other way for you. We do not propose this way of forgiveness as the best and most pleasant, but as the only way. There is no other name given but that of Christ ; no other way but this of forgiveness. Here lies yoiu- choice ; take this path, or perish for ever. It is a shame, indeed, unto our cursed nature that there should be any need to use this argument, — that we will neither submit to God's sove- reignty nor delight in his glory; but seeing it must be used, let it be so. I intend neither to flatter men nor to frighten them, but to tell them the truth as it is. If you continue in your present state and condition ; if you rest on what you do or what you hope to do ; if you support yourselves with general hopes of mercy, mixed with your own endeavours and obedience ; if you come not up to a thorough gospel-closure with this way of God ; if you make it not your all, giving glory to God therein, — perish you will, you must, and that to eternity. There remains no sacrifice for j-our sins, nor way of escape for your souls. You have not, then, only the excellency of this way to invite you, but the absolute, indispensable necessity of this way to enforce you. And now, let me add that I am glad this word is spoken, is written unto you. You and I must one day be accoiuit- able for this discourse. That word that hath already been spoken, if neglected, Avill prove a sore testimony against you. It will not
Ver.4.] EXHORTATIONS UXTO BELIEVING FORGIVENESS. 529
fare with yon as with other men who have not heard the joyful sound. All those words that shall be found consonant to the gospel, if they are not turned to grace in your hearts here, will turn into torment unto your souls hereafter. Choose not any other way; it will be in vain for you ; it will not profit you. And take heed lest you suppose you embrace this way when indeed you do not ; about which I have given caution before.
4. Tills tuay is free and open for and unto sinners. He that fled to the city of refuge might well have many perplexed thoughts, whether he should find the gates of it opened unto him or no, and whether the avenger of blood might not overtake and slay him whilst he Avas calling for entrance. Or if the gates were always open, yet some crimes excluded men thence, Numb. xxxv. 16. It is not so here, Acts xiii. S8, 39.
This is the voice of God, even the Father: " Come," saith he, " to the marriage, for all things are prepared," — no fear of want of enter- tainment. Matt. xxii. 4 ; whence the preachers of the gospel are said in his stead to beseech men to be reconciled, 2 Cor. v. 20. And
It is the voice of the Son : " Whosoever," saith he, " cometh to God by me, ' I will in no wise cast out,' " John vi. 37. Whoever he be that comes shall assuredly find entertainment. The same is his call and invitation in other places, as Matt. xi. 28; John vii. 37. And
This is the voice of the Sj)irit, and of the church, and of all be- lievers: Kev. xxii. 17, " The Spirit and the bride say. Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." All centre in this, that sinners may come freely to the grace of the gos- pel. And