Do not then say you are unworthy; for this is a faithful and true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, “that JESUS CHRIST came into the world to save sinners;” and if you are the chief of sinners, if you feel yourselves such, verily JESUS CHRIST came into the world chiefly to save you. When _Joseph_ was called out of the prison-house to ♦_Pharaoh_’s court, we are told, that he staid some time to prepare himself; but do you come with all your prison cloaths about you; come poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked, as you are, and GOD the Father shall receive you with open arms, as was the returning prodigal. He shall cover your nakedness with the best robe of his dear Son’s righteousness, shall seal you with the signet of his Spirit, and feed you with the fatted calf, even with the comforts of the Holy Ghost. O, let there then be joy in heaven over some of you, as believing; let me not go back to my Master, and say, LORD, they will not believe my report. Harden no longer your hearts, but open them wide, and let the King of glory enter in; believe me, I am willing to go to prison or death for you; but I am not willing to go to heaven without you. The love of JESUS CHRIST constrains me to lift up my voice like a trumpet. My heart is now full; out of the abundance of the love which I have for your precious and immortal souls, my mouth now speaketh; and I could now not only continue my discourse until midnight, but I could speak until I could speak no more. And why should I despair of any? no, I can despair of no one, when I consider JESUS CHRIST has had mercy on such a wretch as I am; but the free grace of CHRIST prevented me; he saw me in my blood, he passed by me, and said unto me, Live; and the same grace which was sufficient for me, is sufficient for you also; behold, the same blessed Spirit is ready to breathe on all your dry bones, if you will believe on JESUS CHRIST, whom GOD has sent; indeed, you can never believe on, or serve a better master, one that is more mighty, or more willing to save; I can say, the LORD CHRIST is gracious, his yoke is easy, his burden exceeding light; after you have served him many years, like the servants under the law, was he willing to discharge you, you would say, we love our Master, and will not go from him. Come then, my guilty brethren, come and believe on the LORD that bought you with his precious blood; look up by faith, and see him whom you have pierced; behold him bleeding, panting, dying! behold him with arms stretched out ready to receive you all; cry unto him as the penitent thief did, LORD, remember us now thou art in thy kingdom, and he shall say to your souls, shortly shall you be with me in paradise. For those whom CHRIST justifies, them he also glorifies, even with that glory which he enjoyed with the Father, before the world began. Do not say, I have bought a piece of ground, and must needs go see it; or I have bought a yoke of oxen, and must needs go prove them; or I have married a wife, I am engaged in an eager pursuit after the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, and therefore cannot come. Do not fear having your name cast out as evil, or being accounted a fool for CHRIST’s sake; yet a little while, and you shall shine like the stars in the firmament for ever. Only believe, and JESUS CHRIST shall be to you wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and eternal redemption; your bodies shall be fashioned like unto his glorious body, and your souls be partakers of all the fulness of GOD.
♦ “Pharoah” replaced with “Pharaoh”
Which GOD of his infinite mercy, &c.