COME and WELCOME TO JESUS CHRIST. (13)

Theſe Obſervations lie all of them in [gap] words, and are plentifully confirmed by [gap] Scriptures of Truth; but I ſhall not at [gap] time ſpeak to them all, but ſhall paſs by [gap] firſt, ſecond, third, fourth and ſixth part, be [gap] I deſign brevity, and partly becauſe they [gap] touch'd upon, in the Explicatory part o[gap] Text. I ſhall therefore begin with the [gap] Obſervation, and ſo make that the firſt i[gap] der, in the following Diſcourſe.

Firſt then, coming to Chriſt is not [gap] Will, Wiſdom or Power of Man, but [gap] Gift, Promiſe, and drawing of the Father [gap] Obſervation conſiſteth of two Parts.

Firſt, That coming to Chriſt is not [gap] Will, Wiſdom, or power of Man.

Secondly, But by the Gilt, Promiſe, and draw [gap]g of the Father.

That the Text carrieth this Truth in its Bo [gap], you will find it if you look into the Expli [gap]ion of the firſt part thereof before. I ſhall [gap]refore here follow the method propounded, [gap] ſhew, tha Firſt coming to Chriſt it not by the [gap], Wiſdom, or Power of Man: This is true, [gap]auſe the Word doth poſitively ſay, it is not.

Firſt, It denieth it to be holy by the Will of [gap]n. Not of Blood nor of the Will of the Fleſh, [gap] of the will of man. Again, it is not of [gap] that willeth nor of him that runneth, [gap] 1.13. Rom 9.10.

[gap]econdly, It denieth it to be the Wiſdom of [gap]n, is manifeſt from theſe Conſiderations.

Firſt, In the Wiſdom of God it pleaſed him, [gap]t the World by Wiſdom would not know [gap] Now if by their Wiſdom they cannot know [gap] it follows by that Wiſdom, that they can [gap] come unto him; for coming to him is not [gap]ore, but after ſome knowledge of him, 1 Cor. 1. [gap] Acts 13.2. Pſal. 9 10.

Secondly, The Wiſdom of Man, in God's [gap]ount, as to the Knowledge of Chriſt is reck [gap] Fooliſhneſs: Hath not God made fooliſh [gap] Wiſdom of this World And again, The [gap]dom of this World, is Fooliſhneſs with God [gap] God hath made Fooliſh the Wiſdom of [gap] World; and again, If the Wiſdom of this [gap]ld is fooliſhneſs with him, then verily it is [gap] [gap]ely, that by that, a ſinner ſhould become [gap]r[gap]dent as to come to Jeſuſ Chriſt; eſpecially, [gap] conſider,

[gap]dly, That the Doctrine of a crucified [gap] and ſo of Salvation by him, is the very

thing that is counted Fooliſhneſs by the Wiſdo[gap] of the World. Now if the very Doctrine of [gap] crucified Chriſt be counted Fooliſhneſs by th[gap] Wiſdom of this World it cannot be▪ that by th[gap] Wiſdom a Man ſhould be drawn out in his Sou[gap] that comes to him, 1 Cor. 1.20. Chap. 2.[gap]. Chap. 3.19. Chap 1.28, 29.

Fourthly, God counted the Wiſdom of th[gap] World one of the greateſt enemies, therefore [gap] that Wiſdom no Man can come to Jeſus Chri[gap] For it is not likely that one of God's great[gap] Enemies, ſhould draw a Man to that which b[gap] of all pleaſeth God, as coming to Chriſt do [gap] Now that God counteth the Wiſdom of t[gap] World one of his greateſt Enemies, is evide[gap]

Firſt, For that it caſteth the greateſt conten[gap] upon his Son's Undertaking, as afore is prov[gap] In that he counts his Crucifixion Fooliſhne[gap] Tho' that be one of the higheſt Demonſtratio[gap] of divine Wiſdom, Eph. 1.7, 8.

Secondly, Becauſe God hath threatned to [gap] ſtroy it, and bring it to nought, & cauſe th[gap] to cloſe with Jeſus Chriſt. Iſa. 29 14 Cor 1.19.

Thirdly, He hath rejected it from helping [gap] the Miniſtry of his Word, as a fruitleſs [gap] neſs, and a thing that cometh to no[gap] 1 Cor. 2.4, 12.

Fourthly, Becauſe it cauſeth to periſh, [gap] that ſeek it, and purſue it, 1 Cor 2.18.

Fifthly, And God has proclaimed, that i[gap] [gap] Man will be wiſe in this World, he mu[gap] fool in the Wiſdom of this World, and th[gap] way to be wiſe in the wiſdom of God. [gap] man will be wiſe in this world, let him become [gap] that he may be wiſe, for the wiſdom of this [gap] is fooliſhneſs with God, 1 Cor. 3.18.

Sixthly, Coming to Chriſt is not by the Power of man This is evident, partly

Firſt, From that which goeth before For man's Power in the putting forth of it in this matter, is either ſtirred up by Love, or ſenſe of Neceſſity; but the Wiſdom of this World neither gives man Love to, or a Senſe of a Need of J[gap]ſus Chriſt, therefore his Power lie[gap] ſtill, as from that.

Secondly, What Power has he that is dead, (as every natural man is) even ſpiritually dead in Treſpaſſes and Sins; dead, even as dead to God's New Teſtament things, as he that is in his Grave, dead to the things of this world; what Power hath he then whereby to come to Jeſus Chriſt? Joh. 5.25. Eph. [gap]. 1. Col. 2.13.

Thirdly, God forbids the mighty man's Glory in his Strength, & ſays poſitively, by ſtrength ſhall no man prevail; and again Not by might, nor by power but my Spirit, ſaith the Lord▪ Jer. 9.23, 24. 1 Sam. 2.2. Zech 4, 6. 1 Cor 27 28.

Fourthly, Paul acknowledges, that Man, na[gap] converted Man, of himſelf, has not a ſufficiency of Power in himſelf, to think a good thought if not to do that which is leaſt; for to think it leſs than to come, then no man by his own power can come to Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 3.5.

Fifthly, Hence we are ſaid to be made willing to come by the Power of God, to be rain'd from a ſtate of Sin, to a ſtate of Grace, by the Power of God; and to believe, that is, to even through the exceeding Workings of his mighty Power, Pſal. 11.1 Col. 2.11. Eph. 1.18, 20 [gap]ee alſo Job. 49.14.

But this needed not, of either Men [gap] Power or Will to come; or ſo much as [gap] ciouſly to think of being willing to co[gap] (of themſelves) to Jeſus Chriſt.

I ſhould now come to the Proof of [gap] ſecond part of the Obſervation, but that [gap] occaſionally done already, in the Explicat[gap] Part of the Text, to which I refer the R[gap] der; for I ſhall here only give thee a T[gap] or two more to the ſame Purpoſe, and [gap] come to the Uſe and Application.

Firſt, It is expreſly ſaid, No, man can come [gap] me, except the Father which has ſent me draw [gap] In this Text there is not only inſi[gap]ua[gap]e[gap] that in Man is want of Power, but a ſo W[gap] to come to Jeſus Chriſt; they muſt be draw [gap] they come not, if they be not drawn. A[gap] obſerve it is not Man, no nor all the A[gap] gels in Heaven that can draw one Sinner [gap] Jeſus Chriſt. No man cometh to me, except [gap] Father which has ſent me draw him, Joh. 44.

2dly, Again: No man can come to me, excep[gap] it be given him of the Father, Joh. 6.65. It i[gap] an heavenly Gift that maketh man come [gap] Jeſus Chriſt.

Thirdly, Again, it is written in the Prophets, They ſhall be all taught of God, every o[gap] therefore that hath heard, and learned of the [gap] the[gap], cometh to me, John 6.45.

I ſhall not enlarge, but make ſome [gap] and Application, and ſo come to the [gap] Obſervation.

Firſt Is it ſo? Is coming to Jeſus Chri[gap] not by the Will, Wiſdom, or Power of [gap] but by the Gift, Promiſe, and drawing of [gap] Father? Then they are to blame that [gap]

[gap] the Will, Wiſdom, and power of Man, [gap]ngs ſufficient to bring Men to Chriſt.

There are ſome Men who think they may [gap]ot be contradicted when they plead for the Will, Wiſdom, and Power of Man in Refe [gap]ence to the things that are of the Kingdom [gap]f Chriſt: But I will ſay to ſuch a man, he [gap]ever yet came to underſtand that himſelf is [gap]hat the Scripture teacheth concerning him: Neither did he ever know, what coming to Chriſt is, by the Teaching Gift, and drawing of the Father. He is ſuch a one that hath ſet up God's Enemy in Oppoſition to him, and that continueth in ſuch Acts of Defiance; and what his End without a New Birth will be, the Scriptures teach alſo: But we will paſs this.

Secondly, Is it ſo? Is coming to Jeſus Chriſt, by the Gift, Promiſe, and drawing of the Father, then let Saints here learn to aſcribe their coming to Chriſt, to the Gift, Promiſe & drawing of the Father. Chriſtian Man, bleſs God who hath given thee to Jeſus Chriſt, by Promiſe; and again, bleſs God for that he hath drawn thee to him. And why is it thee? Why not another? O that the Glory of Electing Love ſhould reſt upon thy Head, and that the Glory of the Exceeding Grace of God ſhould [gap]ake hold of thy Heart, and bring thee to Jeſus Chriſt

Thirdly, Is it ſo? That coming to Chriſt is by the Father as afore ſaid? Then this ſhould teach us to ſet a high eſteem upon them th[gap] are indeed coming to Jeſus Chriſt; I ſay no [gap]ign eſteem on them for the ſake of him, by [gap] of whoſe Grace they are made to come [gap] Jeſus Chriſt.

We ſee, that when Men by the help of h[gap] mane Abilities do arrive at the knowledge of, [gap] bring to paſs that which when done, is a Wonder to the World; how he that did it is eſteemed and commended. Yea, how are his wit[gap] and induſtry, and unweariedneſs in all admired; & yet the Man, as to this is but of th[gap] World, and his Work the effect of natur[gap] Ability: The things alſo attained by hi[gap] and in Vanity and Vexation of Spirit Farthe[gap] Perhaps in the purſuit of theſe his Atchievements, he ſins againſt God, waſtes his ti[gap] vainly, and at long run, loſes his Soul [gap] neglecting better things: Yet he is admir'd [gap] But I ſay, If this Man's Parts, Labour, Diligence, and the like, will bring him to ſuc[gap] Applauſe and eſteem in the World, what [gap] eſteem ſhould we have of ſuch an one that i[gap] by the Gift, Promiſe, and Power of Go[gap] coming to Jeſus Chriſt?

Firſt, This is a Man with whom God is, i[gap] whom God works and walks; a Man, whoſe motion is govern'd and ſteer'd by the might[gap] Hand of God, and the effectual working of [gap] Power; Here's a Man.

Secondly, This Man by the Power of God[gap] Might, which worketh in him, is able to caſt [gap] whole World behind him, with all the Luſts [gap] Pleaſures of it; and to charge through all [gap] difficulties that Men and Devils can ſet agai[gap] him. Here's a Man!

Thirdly, This Man is Travelling to Mo[gap] Zion, the Heavenly Jeruſalem; the City of the [gap] God, and to an innumerable Company of Angels; [gap] the [gap]pirits or Juſt Men made perfect, to God the [gap] of [gap], and to Jeſus. Here's a Man!

[gap]urthly, This Man can look upon Death [gap] Comfort. can laugh at Deſtruction when [gap]meth; and long to hear the ſound of the Trumpet, and to ſee the Judge coming in Clouds of Heaven; Here's a Man!

[gap]et Chriſtians then eſteem each other as ſuch. [gap] know you do, but do it more. And that you [gap], conſider theſe two or three things.

[gap]irſt, Theſe are the Objects of Chriſt's Eſteem, [gap].12.48. chap. 25 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28. Luke [gap].

Secondly, Theſe are the Objects of the Eſteem [gap] Angels, Dan. 9.12. Chap. 10.11. Chap 12 [gap] Heb. 1.14.

Thirdly, Theſe have been the Objects of the eſteem [gap] Heathens, when convinced about them, Dan 5 10. [gap] 5.15. 1 Cor. 14.24.

Let each of you then eſteem each other better than [gap] ſelves, Phil 2.2.

Fourthly, Again, Is it ſo, That no man comes [gap] Jeſus Chriſt, by the Will, Wiſdom, & Power [gap] man; but by the Gift, Power & Drawing of [gap] Father? Then this ſhews us how horrible [gap]o[gap]ent of this ſuch are, who make the Man [gap]o is coming to Chriſt, the Object of their Contempt and Rage, Theſe are alſo unreaſonable [gap] wicked men, in whom is no Faith. 1 Theſ. 3 2.

Sinners, did you but know what a bleſſed [gap] it is to come to Jeſus Chriſt, and that [gap] [gap] help and drawing of the Father, they do [gap] come to him, you would hang and burn [gap] a thouſand Years, before you would [gap] our Spirits as you do, againſt him that [gap] drawing to Jeſus Chriſt, and alſo againſt God that draws him.

[gap] faithleſs Sinners, let us a little expoſtulate

the matter. What hath this Man done ag[gap] thee that is coming to Jeſus Chriſt? Why doſt [gap] make him the Object of thy Scorn? Doth his [gap] to Jeſus Chriſt offend thee? Doth his forſaking Sins and Pleaſures offend thee?

Poor coming Man! Thou ſacrificeſt [gap] Abominations of the Egyptians before [gap] Eyes, and will they not ſtone thee? Exo[gap]

But I ſay, why offended at this? Is he [gap] the worſe, for coming to Jeſus Chriſt, or his loving and ſerving of Jeſus Chriſt? O[gap] he ever more a Fool, for flying from that which drown thee in Hell Fire, and ſo ſeeking eternal [gap] Beſides, pray Sirs conſider it, this he does [gap] himſelf, but by the drawing of the Father. C[gap] let me tell thee in thine Ear, thou that will not [gap] to him thy ſelf; and him that would, thou hinder

Firſt, Thou ſhall be judged for one that h[gap] Hared, Maligned and Reproached Jeſus Chr[gap] to whom this poor Sinner is coming.

Secondly, Thou ſhal[gap] be judged too, for [gap] that hath hated the Father, by whoſe power drawing the Sinner doth come.

Thirdly, Thou ſhalt be taken and judge [gap] one that has done deſpite to the Spirit of Cr[gap] in him that is, by its help, coming to Jeſ[gap] Chriſt. What ſay'ſt thou now; Wilt thou ſt[gap] by thy doings? Wilt thou continue to con[gap] and reproach the Living God? thinkeſt [gap] that thou ſhalt weather it out well enough [gap] Day of Judgment? Can thy Heart endure o[gap] thy hands be ſtrong, in the days that I [gap] deal with thee, ſaith the Lord? Jo[gap]

[gap], 19. &c Jude 11.16 1 Theſ. 4 Ezek 21.

Fourthly, Is it ſo, that no Man comes to [gap] Chriſt, by the Will, Wiſdom and Power [gap]

[gap] by the Gift, Promiſe, and Drawing of the [gap]ther? Then this ſheweth us, how it comes to [gap], that weak means are ſo powerful as to [gap]g Men out of their Sins, to a heavy pur [gap] after Jeſus Chriſt: When God bid Moſes [gap]k to the people, he ſaid, I will ſpeak [gap] thee Exod. 19 When God ſpeaks, when [gap]d works, who can let it? None, none. [gap]en the work goes on. Elias threw the Mantle [gap]n the ſhoulders of Eliſha: And what a wonderful [gap]k followed! When Jeſus fell in with the crowing [gap] Cook, what work was there! O when God is in [gap] [gap]leans, (be it never ſo neak and contemptable in ſelf) it works wonders, 1 King. 19 10. Mat. 26.74, [gap] Mat 14.71. Luke 2.60.

The World underſtand not nor believe that [gap]e Walls of Jericho will full at the ſound of [gap] Horns. But when God will ſpeak, the [gap]ans muſt be effectual. A word weakly [gap]ken, ſpoken with difficulty, in the Tempta [gap]n, and in the midſt of great contempt and [gap]en works wonders: If the Lord thy God [gap]ll ſay ſo too.

[gap] it ſo? Doth no man come to Jeſus Chriſt, [gap] the Will, Wiſdom and power of Man; but [gap] the Gift, Promiſe, and Drawing of the Fa [gap]r? Then there is room for Chriſtians to [gap] and wonder at the effectual working of [gap] Providences, that he hath made uſe of, as [gap]eans to bring them to Jeſus Chriſt.

[gap] although Men are drawn to Chriſt by the [gap] of the Father; yet that Power putteth [gap] it ſelf in the uſe of Means; and tha[gap] [gap] is diverſe; ſometimes this, ſometimes [gap] for God is at Liberty to work, by which, [gap]en, and how he will; but let the means be

what it will, and as contemptible as [gap] yet God that commanded the Light to [gap] out of Darkneſs; and that out of weakne[gap] make ſtrong: can, nay doth oft-times [gap] of very unlikely means to bring abo[gap] Converſion and Salvation of his People [gap] fore you that are come to Chriſt (and [gap] likely means) ſ[gap]ay your ſelves and wonde[gap] [gap]ndering, magnifie Almighty Power, [gap] work of which, the means hath been effec[gap] bring you to Jeſus Chaiſt