I shall not speak unto you, Pharisees, this morning, nor to any, except to you who have experienced the pangs of the new-birth, or are at present under them, and who know what it is to love the LORD JESUS in sincerity and truth: do not be discouraged, or think hard of the ways of GOD, my dear brethren, because you are not loved by the men of this world; if you were of the world it would love you; it would then be pleased with your company; it would not thrust you from a tavern, or an alehouse; it would not dislike you for singing the songs of the drunkard, or for going to plays, balls, or other polite and fashionable entertainments, as they are called; no, these the children of the world like; but if you will sing hymns and psalms, and go to hear what GOD hath to say unto your souls, and spend your time in reading, praying, and frequenting religious assemblies, then it is that they dislike you, and thrust you out of their company, as unworthy thereof; but let none of these things move you, for the rest which JESUS CHRIST hath prepared for you, is an ample recompence for all you may meet with here.
This rest is the fruit of the blood of the LORD JESUS CHRIST: O how will it fill our souls with love, to think that through the streams of this blood, we have overcome the violence of the world, and the snares of the devil. My dear brethren, be not discouraged at the treatment you meet with here, but let it be a means to stir you up to advance in the love of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who hath prepared a rest for you. Can you consider, what CHRIST has done and suffered for you, and have your hearts stupified with vile and senseless pleasures? Can you hear of a panting, bleeding, dying JESUS, and yet be dull and unaffected? Was there any sorrow like unto his sorrow? and all this, he underwent to save you, who were vile, and polluted, and by nature, since the fall, a motly mixture of the beast and devil. JESUS CHRIST, by dying upon the cross, intended to take away the devil and beast from your heart, and to prepare it for himself to dwell in. Think of the love of this your Jesus, and then, will a little reproach and scorn move you? sure it will not. I hope better things of you, and things that accompany salvation.
O think with what pleasing astonishment you will see the LORD JESUS CHRIST, when he comes to take you to his rest: now his heart is open to us; but our hearts are shut against him; then, then, his heart shall be open, and ours shall be so too. O my brethren, how will your love be increased? With what raptures will you see the LORD JESUS CHRIST? Therefore, undergo a few reproaches here patiently, and revile not again. Let them say what they please of me, the reproaches, scorns, and contempt of this world, will no ways hurt me, but will recoil upon their own heads; leave it to the LORD, who knows what is best for you and me: do not question his love; he will be with you; only do you, who have tasted the LORD to be gracious, follow hard after him.
And now, let me speak a word unto you, who have not yet experienced the love of CHRIST to your souls, but are waiting for his appearance. I shall be but very short, because I would not break in upon the duties of the day.
I shall speak unto you a word of invitation; even, to wait still on the LORD; do not forsake him, though he may not answer your petitions at once or twice seeking unto him; hold on, do not leave seeking him, and you shall have an answer of peace; remember the poor man who was lame, and had lain at the pool of _Bethesda_ thirty-eight years for relief, yet at last he found that it was worth waiting for, he obtained his desire.
And if you are but zealous for the LORD, and seek unto JESUS, if your zeal be according to godliness, and you pray unto him for his Spirit, you shall certainly have an answer of peace; you shall find it is good to seek unto the LORD, you will be adopted into his family, and by his spirit be enabled to cry, “Abba, Father.” O then do not leave, but be continually waiting at wisdom’s gate, and you shall find all her ways to be ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace; then, you shall find that it is worth waiting on the LORD JESUS; and when you have got his Spirit within you, all the power of men or devils cannot make you forsake the ways of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
If you do but once taste of his pardoning love, it will be so delightful unto you, that you will cry for more and more thereof; you will be as full as you can hold, and still not be satisfied; you will desire more and more of this love of JESUS, you will hunger and thirst, and hunger and thirst again, and never be satisfied till you come to that rest which is prepared for the people of GOD, where all hungering and thirsting will cease, and will be turned into songs and hallelujahs, and that for ever and ever.