A PREFACE, LECTURE, And a SERMON, Preached by that famous Servant of God, M r. JOHN WELSH, sometimes Minister at [...]ERINGRAY, Preached near to GREENOCK: [...]shed by a Friend to the poor Church of SCOTLAND.
[...]rinted in the Year, MDCLXXXVI.
THE PREFACE.
MY Friends give over your speaking, and let no voice be heird hear, but the voice of the Lord, in the mouth of his Servant, I kow you are not ignorant, upon what hazard we come and preach: and upon what hazard we come and preach: and upon what hazard you come and hear, this meeting ye know is contraire to the Laws of our Land, and ye know how they are reproached, and what names they have given unto them: that they are called the randivoues of rebellione, and if ye would be furnished with ane answer in case you be called in question for this dayes meeting, I will tell what all of you upon good grounds, may answer: the answer, I think you may give, is this, that our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, hath engaged our lands in a soleme sworne Covenant, with lifted up hands, to the most high God: that we should own his Governmnet, and that we should owne his Gospel, and that we should give no concurrance to them that are intruded upon the congregations, where his faithful Ministers, have been thrust out, with very great trueltie, without so much as bringing before them, as to pass a sentence upon them: if they had been wrong, yet inflicted that penaltie upon them, that they should desert congregations that they were intrusted with, and not only so, and to leave ther houses but that they should cease to exercise that Ministrie that was given them by
Jesus Christ and by his Servants, the Lord puting it in the heart of his Servants to come and offer themselves to preach upon hazard, it was your deuty to come and hear upon hazard, this is Gods publick Standart sett up in the feilds, a piece of the testimony that we have, that we desire to be found faithful in his Covenant, and that the intrest of our immortal souls calls for it, because that we cannot expect the blessing, but from his sent Messengers: we have immortal souls that most be lost or saved: and these are the means by which we may be directed, how to gett our souls saved. Therefore be the hazard what it will we are bound to follow their meanes and when done with our worke weare willing then to die upon a scoffold for it, for you that are come out, we shall not pry into what hath brought you hither, that lyes between God and you, and he will examine you upon it, bu [...] ame afrayed, that it be with maney as it is recorded in the 12. Chap. of Johns Ghospel: 9. vers.
I think I may say, there is a piece of curiosity, that draus maney, it may be some to see such a man, that his been so much persecuted, and in such hazard, upon whom the rullers hath given so great incouragement, to any that should undertake it, what sort of person he may be, alas Sirs ye will gett no thanks if this be all your earrand, and if this be your earrand you are faire to meet with a disappointment, and that which ye should be looking after and should be seeking for, to meet with Jesus Christ. Christ had raised a man from the dead, and the preservation of man from death is somewhat very remarkable in time, but now Sirs ye are come together, we [Page 5]say we shall not dive into your ends and motives that his brought you heir, but now you are come, I would aske some few questions at you, and desire you to chairg your consciences that are heir that ye would consider how you would answer them if God asked them at you.
The Questions we are to ask at you, it may be seeme very strainge how we aske such Questions, I aske at your first, doe you believe that there is a God, or not, why, you most give me leive to ask this Question at you, that call your selves Christans, why, because there are many so called, that lives as they did not believe that there were a God, lett the drunkard say what he will, let the swearer say what he will, he will hardly make a man that understands what beliving is, believe that, that man believes, that there is a God, how is this made out? they are corrupt, they doe abominable works, they seek not God: they persecut his people, Psal. 14: & 1. v. there are some that the Holy Ghost chairges with this infidelity, the fool his said in his heart there is not a God, and so its made out as I told you before, they are corrupt they doe abominable works, they seek not God, they persecut his people, and these arbrought in as evidences, that the man hath said in his heart that there is not a God, if this be the evidences of unbelieve, then sure we may chairge this upon maney, & question it, doe you believe that there is a God? the man that makes a sport of sin, believes he that there is a God, does the man that hears the threatnings of God against sinners: and that wrath that is laying above the heads of sinners, and does not flee from the wrath that is to come: does that man believe that there [Page 6]is a God? no verely, he believes it not.
There is a 2d. Quest. I would ask at you, and you will think this may be as strainge, doe you believe that you have immortal souls, that you have souls to live in a world to come: that there is such a peice within you, that when your body goes to the dust and rots there, yet that will be living eather in Heaven or in Hell, doe you believe this Sirs, if there were the saith of this fixed sollidly upon the soul, then surly ye would be at some paines, to know, where your soul shall live after time, whither in everlasting happines or in everlasting miserie, that man that hath all his craire for back and belly, that man that never boved a knee to God in prayer, let never that man say that he belives that he hath ane immortal soul within him.
3. Doe you belive that ther will be a day wherin God will bring, Adam, and all his posteretie, to a reckoning, for what they have done in bodies doe you belive that the judg is standing at the door? doe you belive that it is ordained for all men to die, & then to come to judgment, doe you Belive this judgment, that, at that that day ther will be such a seperatione made amonge the Sons of Adam, that ther will be such a sentance past upon maney, as this, depairt from me ye workers of in iquitie; doe you belive that this sentence shall be execut without all mercy? that ther will be no reversing of it? if this were belived, could it be, but the man that had the faith of this, but they would be taking some paines to prepar for that day, the litle preparatione that is a mong the sons of men, for that day, sayes that this is not belived, doe you belive that ther is such aplaice of [Page 7]torment, for the reprobat, that God hath apointed: [...]d such a plaice of joy for them that are his people, that are walking in the wayes of holines? if this were belived: would ther not be more cair and paines takne to be found in him, in peace and without spot; and blemish. what sall we doe for you firs? ther ar some of your faces declaires that Sathan hath hardned your hearts, and sin hath hardned your hearts, that thir words that are spok [...]e takes litle effect upon you, ô what may this prognosticat, to see a companie of men heiring of matters, of so great importance and yet so litle affected: with what they hear, weel Sirs, ther will be ane awakning, for this, and a dreafdull a wakning to maney a soul, we think we have as much in our instructions, as might make our messag to have greater force and effect then it hath, we preduce the word of God, for what we say, the word of him that cannot lie and yet yow doe not regaird it, we produce the, strongest reasons for what we say, and your consciences cannot but be convinced, that ther is reason for it, and yet it hath no effect, we have your consciences upon our side, sometimes telling you, as you may finde it indeed, tath what we heared spoken by the Minister is trew, and what I heared was my case and conscience most doe its office, and who knows but it should have some etfect, with what we speik to you, but alas our experience makes out the contrare to us, and we have somtimes your own experience to help us to press somthing, that we are pressing upon you, we are telling you that when death comes that it is a time verie unfit to set a bout the worke of repentance, and when you have come neir death and ye have found [Page 8]that your sicknes is so great, that ye could not mind the caise of your souls, and your experience tels us this, and our experience tels you of it we would not leive it to this pas, yet we finde you doe so, my freinds I most tell you two things, for to putt you in some frame, if the Lord wold tell them to you, and give you the faith of them; first I most tell you this, the Lord is this doy amongst us, he is heir in this congregatione, he is going up and down among this meeting, and observing everie one of you, what will hee finde, that ye are cariing rightlie before him, alas the contraire is much to be seared, that hee marke out this man heir and that woman ther, and say they doe not more regaird what I ame speaking to them, then I wer a lier to them, God is nou keeping silence, and does not execut vaingance speede lie, and men may make a wrong use of it, and therfor ther hearts is sett in them to doe, that becaus he does not presentlie execut vaingance and they think hee is not still angrie at sin as the minister tels us: read it sirs in the. 50 Psal.: at the close: I keeped silence but I will let you know, that ye have being in the wrong, and ye have mistaken the measure, I will reprove you and sert your sins in order before you, consider this ye that forget God leist he tear you in pieces, and ther be non to deliver you ô Sirs but its ill getting wind raised, ô but you are hard to worke upon. We have found in some places, wher the providence of God hath tristed us, that the verie face of a Minister, that it would have helped the people to a frame, and the verie face of the people would have helped the Minister to a frame, but we most tell you, you make [Page 9]us dull to see your dullnes, o freinds why come ye heir, are you come heir to add this to all your former guilt, that ye will come and cast alle his words behind your backe, if you doe sadlie will your reckning be, but heir I ame as ane unworthie Servant of Jesus Christ, to declair unto you, that you will be brought befor the Tribunall of God, and so will I be brought ther also: we will be examined for this dayes preaching, and for this dayes hearing, and it shall be ashed at me, did you tell the people ther sin, what did they with it, made ye ane offer of Christ it is to them, did they accept of me: we most tell as it is, we most not stand upon feed ore favor of aney, we spake but you folk did not hear, and they regarded not, what we saide, we told them that ther was a day coming, that thow would judge them, yet they never regarded us, no more then we hade be in reading a Historie of David lindsey, ore out of ane other book: weel sirs, as I saide be for, you shall eather gett a blissing to goe home with you, or a curse clapt upon your haed, I cannot tell who will gett the blissing but thes that hath bein wrestling for it, may Looke for it, but thes that have come upon aventure, I cannot tell what they may meet with, ô wretched soul, if you goe away from this place, and gett not some thing in they armes: if you gett no hunger and thirst after Christ it will be sad: but I shall say no more by way of Prefacing. Lett us pray.
THE LECTURE In the second Chap. of Jer. at the 12. vers. We begin to read two or three Verses.
I Shall but speak a short word upon thir Verses, we shall take up thir words that we have read in these three things: First, you have a heavie and a Sade chairg given in against Israel, what was that? they had forsakne the fountaine of living waters and had digged unto themselves, brokne cisterns that can hold no water, there is Gods chairg.
Secondly, ye have what the Lord does in that the chairge hee gives in against them, may affect them, what doeth hee, hee crayes nnto the heavens, as they had ears to hear, he speaks to them and crayes to them, O Heavens be astonished at tis, O Heavens be ye horrably affraied, that my people that had entred themselves in covenant with me, that they should have thus forsakne me, and forsakne me for that which they receave no advantage of, as it is in the former vers. Hath a Nation chainged there Gods, for that which doeth not prophit them.
Then thirdly there is in the words a Lamentation that the Lord takes up, so we may take up these words, or seondly achallinge, that he gives to the enemy, what sayes he? how is this that ye guid my [Page 11]people, and how is this that my people suffer themselves to be thus guided, what is Israel a Servant, what think you, is Israel a home born slave? why then if he be a sone of mine, and if he be free borne why is he spoiled thus? why deall ye with Israel as if he were a slave? or it may be spoken by way of Lamentation, alas! how my people, how they are guided, is Israel a Servant? he is not a Servant, he is not a home borne slave, for that is the import of the Question, a strong negation, you are mistaken to think, that I will not have respect to Israel, I will cause you yet answer for the spoill of Israel; why then is he spoilled.
And then you have this particularly laid out what it was that enemies did to Israel, the young Lions rored upon them, and yelled, and they made his land waste. His citties are brunt without inhabitant, I have seen, for all that is done to my Church I will take order with it, ye shall finde that I lay claime to Israel, and then I have sad chairges and challenges to give in against them, yet I will give no thanks to them that hath spoilled my poor people, my sones that I have such respect unto.
Then is 5. or 6. words of observations that we shall give of them and close this exercise and enter upon another. The first Obs: is this, that the Lord hath sometimes very heavy and sad verbal chairges, to give in against his Church, the Lord hath very much to charge upon his Church that he is ill pleased with, look to the 4. Chap of Hosea at the begin: ye will see there like the controversy: what is the chairg: because there is no truth mercy nor knowledge of God in the Land, 2. vers, by swearing and lying and committing adulterie they break out, and [Page 12]blood tutcheth blood, and therefore the Lord hath a contraversy with Israel, no truth, no sincenity in the Land, &c. There the chairg and 81. Psal. there a sad chairg given in against Israel from the 10. vers. I a me the Lord the Lord the God that that brought to the out of the Land of Egypt, and out of the house of Bondag, opne thy mouth wide & I will fill it, but what is the chairg, but my people would not harkne to my voice, and Israel would non of me, and Deut, 32. and 5. There a sad chairg given in against Israel, the chairg is this, they have corrupted themselves ther spot is not the spot of his children, they are a pervers and a wicked generation, and here a sad chairg given in against them, they have forsakns me the fountan of living Waters, add have digged to themselves brokne cisternes that can hold no water, ô! sayes hee, this is a verbal horrible chairg that I have to give in against this Church of Israel, now this God never had more terrible chairges to give in against a Church then the Church that we live in, ô but we have behaved unworthely, God planted us a noble vine, but we are become a degenerat plant unto him, God ingadged us in a solemne Covenant to be for him and with lifted up hands to God, we did swear, how is that Oath keeped, how is it but the Lord may chairg us with horrible perjury, some hatht akne the Declaration, that is ane opne way of a woued perjury, and some hath takne this bonde that there posterity will think shame of, if it should be reakned to them, that there fathers should have done it, ô horrible chairg that such should put Christ out of Scotland I shall say no moor to this point
The 2d obs: that I shall give you is th is, that [Page 13]when the Lord is chairging his people with horrible things, he would then have his people affected with what he chairges upon them, he would not have them making light of his chalinge, therfor when hespeaks in that. 1. of Isai: to the people he eraies here o heavens what a chairg I have to give in against my people, the ox knowes his ouer, and the as his masters cribe: but my people does not know, nor Israel does not consider, ah sinfull nation sayes he, a seed of evil doors childrene, that are transgressors &c. God would have a people when hee is chairging aney thing upon a church that is horrid wickednes, he wold have all men to be so much affected with the chairg, as that they might lay it to heart, ther are some folke that will lay nether sin nor judgment to heart, God would not have folk doing so; but laying both to heart, Ther was in the. 42. chap: of Jsa: and 24. they did not consider who gave Jacob to the spoill, and Israel to the robbers and that it was the Lord: and that it was because they had finned against him, and hee sett them on fire round about yet they laide it not to heart.
The 3. thing in the words, be astonished o heavens, and be horrible afraide, holds furth a great stupidetie to be in sinners, that is not affected with all the guilt, that is chairged upon them, ô if ever ther was a stupid generatione since the world began, it will be found this day, that make light of all the chairges, that is given in against them this day, I spake to them, but wer they at all ashaemed, when they did such things, no sayes hee they wer not att all asheamed. Jer: 8. and 6. J harkned and heird but they spake not aright, no man repented him of his wickednes, saying what have I done, eve [...]ie one [Page 14]turned to his cours: as the hors rusheth to the battel, they arre never so much as once brought to a serious thought, as to speir the questione, what have I done?
The 4. thing that I nott is this, that when God Sumonds up folks faults, hee wil find two faults and see two wher men sees but one, you see heir they committed two greatievels, wha [...] was that some would thinke that that was but one evel, they have forsakne me the fountan of living waters, and they have made brokne cisternes that cane hold no water, that was ther faults, ther was two faults, it may be looked upon as one, yet God wil find it two and verie gross two faults, and God will looke upon it as two befor long, let us looke to the chairg, they have forsakne me the fountane of living waters, two things ther. 1. Christ Jesus is the Fountain of living Waters, what is that, he is the Fountan of all the refreshings of his people, all the consolations of Israel: they have all ther arise from him, all the conforts of his people whil under sufferings, all ther arise is from. Jesus Christ, hee is the Fountan of all ther confort and consolation.
The nixt thing that I see is this, if he be the Fountane of our consolation, then we take alwayes the wrong way, when we are under a disconsolat Estate: when we turne not to him, for our consolatione, are you not going to your prayers to God to gett your consolation, he is the auther of all thes, and the Fountane of living Waters, and he is the arise of all thy cosolation.
Another word that we shall say, that which they wer chaged with, they turned ther backs upon God, [Page 15]that was the Fountain of living Waters, then we come to this, Is Israel a servant, is he a home borne slave, why is he spoilled, the Lord he turnes now againe to his enemies I have a quarrel with my people, but for all the quarrel I have against them, I allow you not to quarrel with them. I will owne Israel, you most not think that I will not owne Israel, is Israel a servant to doe what ye would have him to doe, is he a home born slave, if so be he is not so, why is he spoilled then, I will find you guiltie, and chairg you for it. I will cause you reckon for all the robries and spoil that my people meits with.
Two Observations that I shall not from hence is, 1. the Lord is very angry and displeased, to see his people of a base servial covardly spirit, that subjects themselves to all impositions, that the enemis imposeth, what sayes he this is not like Israel, he should be a man of ane other spirit then that he should carie like a home borne slave, to bear the burthens that enemies layes one, ô but this is sad at this time, ther is asses backes and asses dispositiones in his peoples dispositione, that they bear what enemies layes upon them, its not patience no, its stupifiednes in them, ô but its sad that it should be so: when this comes a longs that ther is a bond, and the man caries lyke a slave to the enemie to them that lay on the burthin upon the conscience, and when Cesses is laid on by our enemie, to bind a snair upon men, that thes cesses arre laid upon maney, for reasing up such for to thrust the Ghospell out of the land, and to put down thes rebellions meetings (as they call them) yet to see such a slavish disposition, in thes that proves them selves to be the [Page 16]people of God, that they should subject them selves to such burthings; why then is he spoiled: this is matter of lamentation sas if hee would say to see the people so servial, I ame angrie at you my freinds, to be of such a slavish temper and disppsitione, I ame angrie at you for it, and ther was never a time that his people manifested a slavish temper and dispositione more, then they doe in thir dayes, and as hee is angrie with his people for having of it, so is he angrie at the enemies for dealling so with his people, as slaves and ther was never a time wher in his people wer dealt more with as slaves, then they have bein in our dayes, but I shall goe no further in this excercise but sing. Psal. 94. and 4.
A SERMON. THE TEXT. In the Song of Solomon 3d. chap, and 11. vers.
Goe furth ô you Daughters of Zion, and behold King Solomon with the Crown, wherwith his mother crouned him in the day of his Espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.
IN the beginning of this chapter, we have the excercise of the spous under a deserted conditione, she seeks him upon her bed whom her soul loveth: she seeks him upon the stteats, she ariseth to seek him, she goes to the watchmen to seek him: and still she meets with disapointments, now she finds him, she begins to look weel to him in the ninth vers, I may not stande in prefacing ther we have a discription of the brydgroome, of the King, of our Lord Jesus Christ, the description given of him, is this, hee is called a King, and made himself a Chariot of the wood of Lebanon, he made the pillars therof of Silver, the bottome therof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst therof paved with love: for the daughters of Jerusalem, ther you may get a sight of Christ, in his steatly ryding in this Gospel. [Page 18]In the last vers ther is ane exhortation, to the people of God that are called here the daughters of Zio [...] and the exhortatione given to them is this, that the [...] would goe forth and behold king Solomon, and the [...] you see kow he is adorned, with a croun, whe [...] with his mother crowned him: it is that whi [...] his Church crounes him with we remember ther [...] three crouns that he wears. 1. the croun that his father crouned him with, and that he wears, and that the father dignifies him with: that sets hi [...] doune at his right hand: a bove all his enemies.
And a 2d croune that he weares, is that which his mother crouned him with (meaning the church) in the day of his espousals, in ther closing with Christ, which is the day of the gladnes of h [...] heart.
The 3d croun that he weares, is that croun wh [...] with his enemies crouned him with, which [...] plaited of thornes, ô that croun of thornes, that [...] was made to wear, when was hee was crouned, in [...] day of his espousals, in the day of the gladnes of [...] heart. 4. ore 5. things I shall speik too and close t [...] exercise and dismisse you.
The first thing, is the style that Christ ge [...] here, he is called King Solomon, and he gets th [...] stile not only to be a King, but he gets this stile [...] kne from Solomon, for ye know that Solomon w [...] the rarest King, that ever was before ore after hi [...] ther was non like him.
First he was a King that had very much poure, [...] his enemies round about were made to subject, a [...] bring presents to him; he was of a great deal of w [...] dom, so is our Lord Jesus Christ he is the Ki [...] only wise, and he was a King that had a great d [...] [Page 19]of glorie, look but to his thron so maney steps up to it, and so maney lions guarding the thron, a glorions thron all lyned with pure gold. he is a glorious King in thes respects and Solomon he was a verie rich King, and he was such a King, that he made all his subjects to abound with wealth, he made in his day, Jerusalem the corner stons thereof to be as silver and gold.
Now, what his desing is, by giving thes stiles to King Solomon? that was Jesus Christ, he is a glorious King, the Father had apointed him, Solomon was apointed by a divine decree: to be King of Israel. So our Lord Jesus Christ, is apointed by a divine apointment to be King and head of his church. Psal. 2. I will declare the decree, thow artt my King, thow art my son, this day have I begottne the. I will give thee arod of jron, to break thy enemies, he is a King of great power and wisdom, and a King of great riches, and a King that inricheth all his subjects. Now, sirs, its a sad matter that this King, should have mett with such a meeting, from our King and our rulers: that this Crouwn should be taken of his head, and sett upon the head of a poor sinful man and as it were his kingly power exauterat, and that usurped and taken by a man, this is that which we have to regreat this day, in stead of loialety to him, the most pairt of all the nations are turned rebels to him, and turned against him, & his been active to devest him of that power that he was cloathed with.
But nixt the stile given to the believer, to the Daughters of Zion, goe forth ye Daughters of Zion, (that is to say) ye that are borne into the Church, and borne by the immortal seed of his [Page 20]word. I would have you that are the membres [...] the Church and hath any respect and kindness [...] King Solomon, I would have you goeing forth, that leaving all your injoyments and pleasure an [...] Profeets, and taking a look of this King.
And the observation I shall speek to is this, th [...] it is the deutie of the people of God, to be takin [...] maney looks of King Jesus what are you come he [...] for sirs: Is it not to gett a look of the King in thi [...] ordinances, is not this your end and earrand, if you have not this for your earrand, you will get litle thanks and weelcom from him, but and if th [...] by your earrand to gett a sight of the King, as h [...] rides in the chariot of the Gospell, then you ob [...] the command given to the Daughters of Jerusale [...] and the Lord will not be straeng to give a looke [...] himself, if you be in earnest, to goe furth and behold him. Ther the nott.
That it is peoples deutie, when the Lord com [...] in the chariot of the Gospell, to make ane offer [...] himself, they should goe forth and leave all th [...] injoyments, and leave all behind hem, and get [...] sight of Christ in his ordinances, And therefor [...] espetialie that are mor eminent in the world, [...] our Maisters name we weelcome you, if you c [...] say that is the thing ye would have done to get a sight of King Solomon, Christ in the chariot o [...] the Gospel, it is for that earrand I come heir, to get a sight of him: that I may keep him for mane [...] dayes, I have stepped out of all my injoyments [...] may be I will heir tell of it after this, yet I cair not [...] I have gottne a sight of Christ in his ordinances, [...] say in our Maisters name you are welcome heir, an [...] you will gett a blissing, if you have a mouth open [...] [Page 21]to receave you shall gett it, it is your duty to behold him, but say ye how will I get a sight of him, there are 4. of 5. glasses that he shines in, through which you may gett a sight of him.
First, in his word there get a sight of him get a sight of him in the preached Gospel, there get a sight of him in his Chariot, that is all paved with love.
Nixt, get a sight of him in his atributs, you may see what are these, and you may gett a sight of him in his offices, and sufferings, that he under went for sinners. Therefore, ô ye Daughters of Jerusalem or Zion, ye that live in this corner, will ye come forth this day and leave your injoyments, and take a looke of him in the Chairot of his Gospel, here he is come this day to make a visit to Greenock, ô if you were forced to cry out, how lovly is thy Tabernacles? how lovly are thy Ordinances? where thow art in the midst of them: and to be seen there.
Now, Sirs, there are some upon the other hand, that they will not come out for fear of a fyne, and for fear of ther Land, Tho the Lord be craying to all sorts of men, to come furth and take a looke of Christ this day: and see his garments dyed all red for sinners, take a look of him in his wounds and hands and feet, and take such a look of him till your heart be ravished with the sight of him, and look to him, and take a look of him till ye gett a sight of your neid of him, for hee is coming fnrnished with all things that will make his people happie. Come and beyold King Solomon, come this day and take a look of our King, ye that was ever beholding vanety and looking after lies, will you be perswaded to come and take a looke of Jesus Chaist, ô Sirs, if Heaven [Page 22]can be gotten by a look its sad to loss it, for he hath said look unto me allye ends of the earth and be ye [...] saved.
What are you a poor blind body, take a look of him, hee will give eyes to the blind, they looked to him in that 34. Psal: and were inlightned, and were not asheamed. They get light to looke to him, and a sight of him will make that hard heart melt witin you, come to him and looke to him, they shall look to him or upon him, whom they have pearced and mourne for him as one mourneth for his only begotne Son, ô therefore look to him then, and if you would have life and light and further what is it, that you stand in need of, its all that God calls for, its that man that would come and take a look of him, and I think its a sad matter, that your hearts are litle stirred for all that we say to you. What is Christ come in the Chariot of the Gospel, and in all these glorious properties? and have you never looked to him? ô Sirs, is he saying look unto me and be ye saved for I ame God.
We see this nixt, goe forth sayes he ye Daughters Zion, and behold King Solomon, what will you [...] see of him, you will see a glorious sight, a Crown that ye will take pleasure into, see him with the Crown that his mother crowned him with a glorious sight if ye would behold him.
There are three words that I shall say. First, I shall say this, that there are some particular dayes in the Church: that are dayes of Espousals, betwixt Christ, and sinners and ends, wherein he espouseth sinners to himself.
2. That whoever they are, that are espoused to Jesus Christ, they putt the Crown upon his head, [Page 23]they putt glorie upon him, for they witnes, that they believe the record, that the Father hath given of him.
3. That a sinner is content: to be espoused to Jesus Christ and closeth with him, in a mariage Covenant, is the day of the gladnes of his heart. These three words I shall speak of to you and close this exercise, considering the time we have to spair, we shall containe all in half ane hour.
The first thing that we shall say, that there are some particular seasons, and times, that the Lord makes remarkable for espousing sinners to himself: to take it thus, that there are sometimes that he makes the Gospel to take this effect, that menre forced to yeald themselves to Jesus Christ, that they can hold furth no longer they most yeild to him, they cannot stand out, anay longer, there are sometimes that a sinner will stand it out against Christ: and say again and again and a thousand times though he should streatch out his armes never so often. And yet we see how maney have holdne Jesus Christ coming to them and crying to them, ô sinners will ye break my heart, ô why will you not come to me, & get a look of me, seeing I ame content to take you and marrie you, black as ye are. What makes you stand out and will not yield: But there are sometimes some particular seasons, that the Lord will win in upon sinners, nil they will they, he will cause them make a bargan, and it shall be a day of esposals. It is a wonderful thing, that one preaching will work upon a heart, that a thousand preachings before has not done it has not bien before, why is this? Why? Gods day is come, that he will have sinners espoused to him, and he will no longer be [Page 24]put out, and he will put in his hand, at the handle [...] the lock, and he will say eather open the door, ( [...] I will stand no longer) eather open to me, or else [...] will lay the door upon the floor: if you open it not [...] this is sometimes that our Lord comes with ane ir [...] sistable power, that he will not have a nay saying [...] Luck. 5. and 17. there was a day, (christ preache [...] many a day to the Scribes and Pharisees) But never the better, but a remarkable day that he preached unto them, and he wrought upon them, and his power was present to heal them. So I say sinners will get many offers of the Gospel, and sit this day, and the second day, and the third day: But there is some times God wil come with the power of the offer o [...] the Gospel, that there shall be no more sitting, but that ye should come forward and close with the offer of the Gospel, that he makes offer of in this place, ô when shall the day come to this place? O whe [...] shall the day come that they shall be made a willin [...] people in the day of his power: that you shall not b [...] able to stand out longer, that ye dowe not sit [...] longer, that you find your hearts all ravished with his love, every Church hath there day and every person hes there day of espousals to all thir nations; noble men and gentle men, and all men to come into a Covenant with the Lord, to be espoused to the Lord, so he hes come with the Gospel sometimes: some hes lived. 40. Years under the Gospel, but h [...] resisted it, but he hath come one day and come with power, that he was not able to resist it now, O Sirs when will this day of power come, O will it never come to this day with you, ye heard much of it, and many words of it, but will not the day of espousal [...] come, O Sirs, let it be now, it may be you shall [Page 25]never have an other day, therefore let it be now.
I come to speak to the 2d. thing that I may hastne, the great earrand of the Gospel, is to espouse sinners to himself, he is coming in the Chariot of the Gospel in the 9. and 10. verses he is coming out in the Chariot, a glorious Chariot, what sayes he? go forth, sayes he, and meet him, and what sayeth he more? make up the mariage before you come home again, this is the end of the Gospel, to make up a mariage betwixt him and sinners: 2 Cor. 11: and 2. look a word to this purpose, for I ame, jelous, over you, with Godly Jelousy, for I haye espoused you to one Husband: that I may present you as a chast Virgine to Christ, saith Paul, my great desing in sending the Ghospel amongst you was that I may espouse you to one Husband Jesus Christ. There is the Scope of the Gospel. Wherefore sent he the Gospel here before there was a world, and before time was, you behoved to come heir the day, and you shall heir ane other offer, and the end of his Chariot coming to Greenock, to this mountan side is to make ane offer of Christ, and that there be a mariage, and that there may be such ane union as man and wife, that there may be a mutual intrest in all that you have, and that there may he mutual communications of love, one with ane other, as love betwixt man and wife, from this, day forward, the Lord hath trysted you here. Before there was a stone laid in this world, this day was determined, end you were the man and woman that were to be heir, and you were the people and this behoved to be the place, and this behoved to be the Preacher and this behoved to be the Text. And therefore seeing it is so, I come heir as Christs Minister, [Page 26]to take up all your names, betwixt Christ and you, and to proclaime to you, that Christ hath a purpose of mariagee betwixt him and you, and if this be the day of mariage, and his effectual working, you will say put up my name: and you will say put up my name: and you will say I have a purpose of mariage with him, and I have a minde to take him.
What sayeth the Lord? I ame jelous over you with a Godly Jalousie, but I have espoused you to one Husband, a chast Virgine, but it was my great work sayeth Paul. once to gett that day, sett, and and a contract subscrived, and the great mariage day so solemnized at the day of Judgment. What say ye, Sirs, is there a spouse for Christ heir? who will not take him, and believe in him, ob: O glad would I be to take him, but I kno not if he will take me, let not that be your fear, there are in Heaven that were as you are that were heirs of Hell, imps of the Divel, Divels limbs as you are wretched as ye are, sold under sin and under wteath and such as you are, but to you I say be but willing this day, and if ye give but your consent this day, if you say this day even so I take the upon the termes, that thow offers thy self, I declaire in my Masters name you are wealcom, and for this end, hath he sent me to this place, as his Ambassador to you, to invite you to come, & rouse your selves, & espouse yourselves & let it be seen, that there is a bride upon this hill side the day, that will be espoused to him, and will be his bride, and give your hand to him, and give up your selves, and be faithful to him, and do all the dutyes of a lovîng spouse; Now, Sirs, O! say ye, do but this litle favour, clear this a litle, this [Page 27]is a great word to be maried to Christ, the Fathers only Sone, how can ye instruct that this is your worke, what can you say, I fear that he cast at us, we have nothing, what will hee see in the shullamit, bnt as the Company of two Armies, what will he seein us that he may desire us yea sayeth the Lord, for as vile and abominable as you are, yet come your way I ame content, to come and jovne in mariage with you, upon these conditions, that ye wil [...] subscribe my Contract that I shall make: there are three things that we shall clear a litle, and make a wordof application.
For the first thing is this. how is this evident that Christ is content to marie sinners? know you, Sirs, what Christ did Christ hee came out of Heaven to shew his willingnes to marie you, he took upon him the nature of sinners, the nature of Abraham and took not upon him the nature of Angels, but of Adams seed, and a reasonnable soul he united these two in his divine nature, in one person, and maried them, and makes you not to doubt of his willingnes, but that hee is content to mary and be espoused to you. 2. I would urge you not to lett this good offer goe by, have ye much debt upon you, heir a Husband that will pay all your debt for you, and will never cast it up to yon. 4, of Jeames if aney man lake wisdome, let him aske of God that giveth liberaly, and upbraideth not. though he took you of the midding and you had nothing; he will upbrade no man notwithstandinh all this. Nixt thing your Husband hath goed skill of Phisick, you are ane unclean and unwholsom body, so full of sores, mary him and he will make ointments and make plaisters that will heal all your diseases. Psal. 103. [Page 28]he will heal all your diseases. 3. Mary him he is very kind Husband, O but he is kind, he will d [...] offices that non other will do, he will make all the [...] bed in ther sicknes, he will season ther bed, wi [...] much of himself, a kindly Husband that is very smuch taken up with the love of his people: and [...] they have love to him he will bear with mane [...] faults of them and not cast at them, o say ye I will play the harlot, yet, sayeth he, for all that returne unto me, wil ane other man take in a harlot again, but yet sayeth hee return unto me, say [...]th the Lord, though you have played the harlot with maney lovers, yet return unto me.
Now I shall make a word of use, and this is th [...] use, what say ye to it, I ame come in Christs name as his Ambassador, & this is my negotiation this day [...] are you contenr to marie him, hee will give you [...] brave dury, hee will give you Heaven, hee wi [...] give you anough: are you content to goe forth an [...] take a looke of him, O will ye take a look of him [...] and gett a sight of him, and ye will cray furth, [...] that he would mary you. I will give you two thing [...] for incurragement to the text.
First, you put a Crown upon his head, if yo [...] mary him, our rullers have taken the Crown of hi [...] head: but will, ye put the Crowu upon his head [...] you do it if you mary him. O are you content [...] heir such a man hath put the Crown upon my head [...] and hath come and believed, all my promises, and did all my commands and yealded to me, this looked to as a glad day.
Nixt it is the gladnes of his heart, this is glead newes to him, lett yon Ministers blood goe for it, tho he should be takne hee hath gained some souls [Page 29]to me, and hath a day of espousalsto me, it is [...] day of the gladnes of my heart lett the mans [...] rune what is the matter, seeing it is such a glade day.
You have made him maney a fad heart, ô will ye make him a glad heart, and lett this be the day, and make the bargan and it shall be gladnes of heart to him.
I shall come and make a word of use & it is this, do not think that we ae come to you this day in a light matter to you, & the shoures are goeing round about us this day, and when he comes to offer us a day of the Gospel, the Lord hath bound up the clouds wonder fullie, and this day hee hath called a meeting in this place, and its to lay out a bussines that hee is much concerned with, a bussines in his heart a long love, hee loved you befor the mountans wer, prov: 8. now this long love vented it self in the fulnes of time, and Christ would no longer starie hee behoved to come from heaven to earth to suitea bride and hee is gone to heaven again, to prepair mainsions for his oun people and hath sent out Ministers of the Gospel, wherof I ame one of the un worthiest of them all to present unto you a mariag, and mak ane offer of him to you, sis I dar not leave you till you give a peremtorie answer to Jesus Christ, will ye close with him, what say ye? we come to demand it, shall this be a day of espousals betuixt Jesus Christ and you, you are gathered togither heir, old men I require of you, upon the aleadgance of God, come in heir old men and old women, come and make a bargane, the world and thos things hath holdne you so long, therfor come now and make a bargan with Jesus Christ, [Page 30]shall this be a day of espousals shall this be a day of [...] I assur you that you are not farr from the kingdom [...] heaven, I assur you as the Lord livith and as hee is in heavne, it will be a worlds wonder, if ever ye [...] gett the like of this day againe, therfor what is hee seeking of you? ô sirs hee might have left Scotland and suffered our Parliaments to have takne away the Ministers of the Gospel, but hee behoved to give this offer to you att this time, therfor he is craying will you marie me, his bloed is craying will you marie me, see what proof he is giving you, will you refuse Christ will you crucifie him again, by giving him a new refusall, ô sirs what say ye what stands in your way of this mariag lett it be heird, have ye [...] ought to object against Jesus Christ, may he not be a match, would you have a better husband, he i [...] altogither lovlie, and beutiful, would you have [...] rich husband, hee is the heir of heavne, hee is th [...] heir of all things, would ye have a credible husband he is thine, hee is all your credit would you have such a match, then heer is it, ô then what say y [...] to it hee hath sett a day her of espousals hee hath ca [...] led to it, would ye send him away with a glad hear [...] and send us away with a glad heart, and you to go [...] away with a glad heart, lett us see it in your wall and conversatione, and in your tendernes, that yo [...] are edefied, whatt will you loss him who will speil [...] for you if you refuse fuch a match when the Justice of God bringes you to the rekoning, ther was th [...] man and the woman within a mile to greenock that had the offer of the Gospel, and Christ came ou [...] in the chariot of the Gospel to them, and they went away and made not the bargane did not give him the full consent, what shall we return for answer, [Page 31]I take that sun that shines and this hill that we are upon, and takes everie one of your consciences, against you, and everie on of us to be witneses against one ane other, and for all the wrongs that ever you did to Christ, yet Christ is content to make out ane offer to you this day, and a mariage, this is my sutting day, and may be, I never see your face again, (who knoues) ore you me again, but I knon we shall all meet again, in the day of Judgment, I assure you Sirs, ther are some heir of you, shall never hear ane other preaching some of you shall take your dead ill, befor ye hear ane other preaching, ô Sirs, therfor say what you will doe if you would make us a glad heart this day, then turn from your swearing & and swear no more, and ye that have neglected prayer in your famelies and in secret, fall to in earnest now, ore els ye shall be looked upon as neglecters of this great offer, and yet that are neglecters & slighters of the Sabbath, do so no more, what say ye off it, will you give Christ ane answer I will have no answer, but look up to God and give him your answer, what say ye? goe say ye, I will have non of him, I will not forsake my lusts, and I will not forsake my drunkennes for him, stay till I come to death bed, then I will give the my consent but as the Lord liveth, he will clape a curse upon your head, if you do so, ô Sirs, what mean ye, are you keeping all your tears, till you goe to [...]ell, ther is abundance ther, will you still refuse Christ? what have you a minde to do? to close with him ore not, what say ye we most give him ane answer this night of you, we most give your answer to him, that sent us to you, shall we say that thir people looked not like it, and some that had ther hearts [Page 32]leaping within them, wer saying O I are [...] to take him. ô Sirs give up your neams unto the [...] and say you are content and he will be content [...] you, come with all your faults, and ye will find [...] a freind, and easie to be intreated, if you con [...] this to him, shortlie we shall chose, O Sirs [...] sayes the Lord, kno this is our earrand, noth [...] would be so joyfull to us, as that ye would ac [...] of our Maister as Eliazer said, we most come [...] take a wife to our Maister, Abrahams son, so [...] come to a fitted place to the loins of Adam to se [...] wife to be maried to Christ O Sirs will ye putt [...] out will you not yeald now, you have stoodene [...] enough out & lett it be seen that ye have made a [...] venant with him lett God hear what you say, [...] lett you tell your tale to him, hee is neer at [...] head, round it unto him, hee will hear you [...] enough, and so if you do it you will make him [...] de heart, and you will make the divel a sad he [...] and wicked men a sad heart, and prelats a sad [...] we will gett no mor good of thes folk say they; [...] have lost them, we will gett them no more fre [...] to us, we will be freinds to a persecutted caus [...] his Gospell, say to it, Sirs we are come to th [...] answer, we shall say no more, the Lord him [...] work upon you and work you up to this fram, [...] cane onlie speik to you, but no more, Paul [...] plant and Apollo may water but the Lord mo [...] ve the increas, the Lord bliss what hath bein [...] kne, and to his name be the praise.