Part 221

And _first_, I would remind you that are notoriously ungodly, of what our LORD says in the text: For though I have said that your damnation slumbereth not, whilst you continue in an impenitent state; yet that was only to set you upon your watch, to convince you of your danger, and excite you to cry out, “What shall we do to be saved?” I appeal to all that hear me, whether I have said, the door of mercy should be shut against you, if you believe on JESUS CHRIST: No, if you are the chief of sinners; if you are murderers of fathers, and murderers of mothers; if you are emphatically the dung and offscouring of all things; yet if you believe on JESUS CHRIST, and cry unto him with the same faith as the expiring thief, “LORD, remember me, now thou art in thy kingdom;” I will pawn my eternal salvation upon it, if he does not shortly translate you to his heavenly paradise. Wonder not at my speaking with so much assurance: For I know “it is a faithful and true saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that JESUS CHRIST came into the world to save (all truly affected and believing) sinners:” Nay, so great is his love, that I am persuaded, was it necessary, he would come again into the world, and die a second time for them on the cross. But, blessed be GOD, when our LORD bowed down his head, and gave up the ghost, our redemption was finished. It is not our sins, but our want of a lively faith in his blood, that will prove our condemnation: if you draw near to him by faith, though ye are the worst of sinners, yet he will not say unto you, “Verily I know you not.” No, a door of mercy shall be opened to you. Look then, look then, by an eye of faith, to that GOD-man whom ye have pierced. Behold him bleeding, panting, dying upon the cross, with arms stretched out ready to embrace you all. Hark! how he groans! See how all nature is in an agony! The rocks rend, the graves open; the sun withdraws its light, ashamed as it were to see the GOD of nature suffer; and all this to usher in man’s great redemption. Nay, the Holy JESUS, in the very agonies and pangs of death, prays for his very murderers; “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” If then you have crucified the Son of GOD afresh, and put him to an open shame, yet do not despair, only believe, and even this shall be forgiven. You have read, at least you have heard, no doubt, how three thousand were converted at St. _Peter_’s preaching one single sermon, after our LORD’s ascension into heaven; and many of the crucifiers of the LORD of glory undoubtedly were amongst them; and why should you despair? For “JESUS CHRIST is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.” The Holy Ghost shall be sent down on you, as well as on them, if you do but believe; for CHRIST ascended up on high to receive this gift even for the vilest of men. Come then, all ye that are weary and heavy laden with the sense of your sins, lay hold on CHRIST by faith, and he will give you rest; for salvation is the free gift of GOD to all them that believe. And though you may think this too good news to be true, yet I speak the truth in CHRIST, I lie not, this is the gospel, this is the glad tidings which we are commissioned to preach to every creature. Be not faithless then, but believing. Let not the devil lead you captive at his will any longer; for all the wages he gives his servants is death, death often in this life, death everlasting in the next: But the free gift of GOD, is eternal life to all that believe in JESUS CHRIST. Pharisees are and will be offended at my coming here, and offering you salvation on such cheap terms; but the more they bid me hold my peace, the more will I cry out and proclaim to convicted sinners, that JESUS, _David_’s Son according to the flesh, but _David_’s Lord as he was GOD, will have mercy upon all that by a living faith truly turn to him. If this is to be vile, I pray GOD, I may be more vile. If they will not let me preach CHRIST crucified, and offer salvation to poor sinners in a church, I will preach him in the lanes, streets, highways and hedges; and nothing pleases me better, than to think I am now in one of the devils strongest holds. Surely, the LORD has not sent me and all you hither for nothing; no, blessed be GOD, the fields are white ready unto harvest, and many souls I hope will be gathered into his heavenly garner. It is true, it is the midnight of the church, especially the poor church of _England_; but GOD has lately sent forth his servants to cry, “Behold the bridegroom cometh:” I beseech you, O sinners, hearken unto the voice! Let me espouse you by faith to my dear master; and henceforward “watch and pray,” that you may be ready to go forth to meet him.