The Third Uſe▪ A Uſe of Encouragement.

COming Sinner, I have now a word for thee▪ be of good Comfort He will in no wiſe caſt out: Of all [gap]den▪ thou art the bleſſed of the Lord, the Father [gap] prepared his Son to be Sacrifice for thee, and [gap]ſus Chriſt the Lord, is gone to prepare a place for [gap]ee John 1.29 Heb. 10.

What ſhal[gap] [gap] ſay to thee? Thou comeſt to a full Chriſt, th[gap] canſt [gap] any thing for Soul, or [gap]ody, for [gap]is Work[gap] [gap] to come, but it is to [gap]e had in[gap]o by Jeſus Chriſt.

As it is ſaid of the L[gap]nd that the Canaanites went to poſſ[gap]ſs[gap] ſo & with much [gap] truth, it may be ſaid of Chriſt. He is ſuch an [gap] with whom there [gap]s want of no good them that is in Heaven or Earth.

A full Chriſt [gap] th[gap] Chriſt.

1. He is full of Grace. Grace is ſometimes taken [gap]or Love▪ never [gap] Love like Jeſus Chriſt. J[gap]a [gap]an's Love went beyond the Love of Women: but [gap]he Love of Chriſt paſſes Knowledge. It is beyond all [gap]he love of all the Earth, of all Creatures, even of [gap]en and Angels. His love prevailed with him to lay [gap]de his Glory, to leave the heavenly Place, to cloath [gap]imſelf with Fleſh, to be born in a Stable, to be laid [gap] a Manger, to live a poor Life in the World, to [gap]ake upon him our Sickneſs, Infirmities Sins, Curſe, [gap]eath, and the Wrath that was due to Man. And all [gap] he did, for a baſe, undeſerving unthankful Peo [gap]le: yea for a People that was at Enmity with him. [gap]or when we were yet without ſtrength, in due time [gap]hriſt died for the Ungodly. For ſcarely for a [gap]eligious Man will one die, yet peradventure for a [gap]od man ſome would even da[gap]e to die. But God [gap]mm[gap]nded his love towards us, in that while we [gap]re yet Sinners, Chriſt died for us: much more [gap]an being now juſtified by his Blood, we ſhall be

ſaved o[gap] hi[gap] Life For i[gap] w[gap]en[gap] were Enemies, we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we ſhall be ſaved by his life, Rom. 5▪ 6, 7.

2. He is full of Truth, full of Grace and Truth. Truth, that is Fai[gap]hfulneſs in keeping Promiſes, even this of the Text (with all other) I will in no wiſe caſt out. Hence it is ſaid That his Words be true and that he is the Faithful God, that keepeth Covenant. And hence it is alſo that his Promiſe is called Truth. Thou wilt fulfil thy Truth unto Jacob, and thy Mercy unto Abraham which thou haſt ſworn unto our Fathers from the Days of Old. Therefore it is ſaid again, that both himſelf & words are Truth: I am the Truth, the Scriptures of Truth, thy Word is Truth thy Law is Tru[gap]h & my Mouth ſaith he ſhall ſpeak Truth, John 14 6, &c.

Now, I ſay, his Word is Truth, and he is full of Truth to fulfil his Truth, even to a Thouſand Generations. Coming Sinner, he will not deceive thee, come Boldly to Jeſus Chriſt

3. He is full of Wiſdom? He is made unto us of God wiſdom. Wiſdom to manage the Affairs of his Church in general, and the Affairs of every coming Sinner in particular. And upon this account he is ſaid to be Head above all things, 2 Cor. 1. Becauſe he manages all things that are in the World by his Wiſdom, for the good of his Church, all Mens Actions, all Satan's Temptations, all God's Providences, and Croſſes, and Diſappointments, all things whatever are under the Hand of Chriſt, (who is the wiſdom of God) and he ordereth them all for good to his Church▪ and can Chriſt help it, (and be ſure he can) nothing ſhall happen or fall out in the world, but it ſhall, in deſpite of all Oppoſition, have a good tendency to his Church and People.

4. He is full of the Spirit, to communicate it to the coming Sinner: he hath therefore received it without meaſure, that he may communicate it to every Member of his Body, according as every man's meaſure therefore is allotted him by the Father. Wherefore he ſaith, That he that comes to him,

out of his Belly ſhall flow Rivers of living Water, John 3.31. &c.

5. He is full of the Bowels of Compaſſion, & they ſhall feel and find it ſo▪ that come to him for Life. He can bear with thy Weakneſs he can pity thy Ignorance, he can be touched with the feeling of thy Infirmities, he can affectionately forgive th[gap] Tranſgreſſions, he can head thy Backſliding, and love thee freely. His compaſſions f[gap]ll not▪ And be will not break a bruiſed R[gap]d▪ no[gap] quench the ſmoaking flax. He can pity them that no Eyes pities, & be afflicted in all thy Affl[gap]ctions▪ Mat [gap]6.41. Heb. 5.2.

6. Coming So[gap]l the Jeſus that thou art coming to, is full of Might and Terribleneſs, for thy Advantage. He can ſuppreſs all thine Enemies. He is the Prince and King of the Earth▪ he can bow all Mens Deſigns for thy help. He can break all Snares laid for thee in the way. He can life thee out of all Difficulties, wherewith thou may'ſt be ſurrounded. He is Wiſe in Heart, and Mighty in Power. Every Life under Heaven is in his hand, yea the fallen Angels trembled before him: And he will ſave thy Life, coming Sinner, Cor. 1.24.

7. Coming Sinner, the Jeſus to whom thou art coming, is lowly in Heart, he deſpiſeth not any. 'Tis not thy outward Meanneſs, not thy inward Weakneſs, 'tis not becauſe thou art poor or baſe, or deform'd, or a Fool, that he will deſpiſe thee. He hath choſen the fooliſh the baſe, and deſpiſed things of this World, to confound the wiſe and Mighty. He will bow his Ear to thy ſtammering Prayers. He will pick out the meaning in thy inexpreſſible groans, he will reſpect thy weakeſt Offering if there be in it but thy Heart, Mat. 11.20.

Now is not this a bleſſed Chriſt, coming Sinner▪ Art thou not like to fare well, when thou haſt emb[gap]a[gap]d him, coming Sinner? But,

8. Thou haſt yet another Advantage by Jeſus Chriſt thou art coming to him, for he not only full but [gap]ee He is not ſparing of what he has: He [gap] [gap]pen [gap]earted and open handed. Let me in a [gap]ew Particulars ſhew thee this.

Firſt This evident becauſe he calls thee. He calls upon thee to come unto him, the which he would not do was he not free to give Yea, he bids thee Welcome ask ſeek, knock. And for thy Encouragement a[gap]e ſo every Command a Promiſe, ſeek and ye ſhall find ask and ye ſhall have▪ knock and it ſhall be opened unto you. If the Rich man ſhould ſay thus to the Poor▪ would not he be reckoned a free hearted man? I ſay, ſhould he ſay to the Poor, come to my door, ask at my door knock at my Door and you ſhall find and have, would he not he counted Liberal? Why thus doth Jeſus Chriſt. Mind it coming Sinner, Iſa 55.3

Secondly, He doth not only bid thee come, but tells thee he will heartily do thee good yea he will do it with rejoycing [gap] I will rejoice over them to do them good with my whole Heart, and with my whole Soul Jer. 52.41.

Thirdly, it appeareth that he it free, becauſe he [gap] without [gap]ting. He giveth to all men liberally, and u[gap]braideth not. Jam [gap].3. There are ſome that will no[gap] deny to do [gap] [gap]oor a pleaſure, [gap]at they [gap] Merc[gap] wiſh ſo [gap], that the [gap] Chari [gap] [gap] he will [gap]me [gap] Iſa. 38. [gap].

Fourthly. That Chriſt is [gap] is manifeſt by the Complaints [gap]hat he makes againſt them that well not come to him [gap] Mercy. I ſay he complains, ſaying, O Jeruſalem, Jeruſalem, how of[gap] would I have gathered [gap]y Children together▪ as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under he[gap] Wing[gap], & ye would not, Mat. 23.37. I ſay, he ſpeaks it by way of Complaint. He ſaith alſo in another place▪ But thou haſt not called upon me. O [gap]ac[gap]. Iſa. 43 22. coming Sinner, ſee here the willingneſs of Chriſt to ſay See here how free he is to communicate Life and all good things, to ſuch as [gap]. He complains▪ if thou comeſt not, he is diſpleaſed if thou calleſt not upon him.

Hark, coming Sinner, once again▪ When Jeru [gap]lem would not come to him for Safeguard. He [gap] held the City and wept over it, ſaying, If thou [gap]dſt known, even thou at leaſt in this thy Day, [gap]e things that belong to thy Peace, but now they [gap]e hid from thine eyes, Luke 19 81.

Fifthly, Laſtly, He is open and free hearted to [gap] thee good, as is ſeen by the Joy and Rejoycing [gap]t he manifeſteth at the coming home of poor [gap]odigals. He receives the loſt Sheep with rejoy [gap]g▪ the loſt Groat with rejoycing Yea, when [gap]he Prodigal came home, what Joy and Mirth, what [gap] Muſick and Dancing was in his Fathers Houſe. Luk. 19

Sixthly, Coming Sinner, I will add another En [gap]ouragement for thy help.

Firſt, God hath prepared a Mercy Seat, a Throne [gap]f Grace to fit on▪ that thou may'ſt come thither [gap]o him, and that he may from thence hear thee, [gap]nd receive thee. I will commune with thee (ſaith [gap]e) from above thy Mercy Seat, Exod. 2.22.

As who would ſay, Sinner, when thou comeſt [gap] me, thou ſhall find me upon the Mercy Seat [gap]here alſo I am always to be found of the Un [gap]one, coming Sinner. Thither I bring my Par [gap]on. Here I hear and receive their Petitions, & [gap]ccept them to my Favour.

Secondly, God hath alſo prepared a Golden [gap]ltar for thee, to offer thy Prayers and Tears [gap]pon. A Golden Altar, it is called a Golden [gap]ltar▪ to ſhew what worth it is or in God's Account. For this Golden Altar is Jeſus Chriſt. This Altar ſanctifies thy Gift, and makes thy Sacrifice acceptable. This Altar then makes thy Groans, golden Groans; thy Tears golden tears, [gap]nd thy Prayers golden Prayers, in the Eyes of [gap]hat God thou comeſt to, coming Sinner, Rev. 8.

Thirdly, God hath ſtrewed all the way from [gap]he Grace of Hell, where thou waſt, to the Gate [gap]f Heaven, whither thou art going with Flow [gap]ers out of his own Garden. Behold, how the Promiſes, Invitations, Calls, and Encouragements,

like [gap] [gap]o [gap]nd [gap] thee, (take heed thou doſt not tread them under foot Sinner, with Promiſes did I ſay? Y[gap]a, he hath mixt all theſe with his own Name, his Son's Name; alſo with the Name of Mercy, Goodneſs, Compaſſion, Love, Pity, Grace, Forgiveneſs, Pardon, and that not that may encourage the coming S[gap]nner.

Fourthly, He hath alſo for thy encouragment laid up the Names, & ſet forth the Sons of thoſe that have been ſaved: In his Book they are f[gap]tly written, that thou thro' Patience & Comfort of the Scripturs mighteſt H[gap]pe.

1. In this Book is recorded Noah's Name and Sin, and ho[gap] God had Mercy on him.

2. In this Record is Fairly written the Name of Lot, and the nature of his Sin: and how the Lord [gap]nd Mercy on him.

3 I[gap] this Record thou haſt alſo Fairly Written the Names of Moſes, Aaron, Gideon, Sampſon, David; Solomon, Peter and Paul, with the Nature of their Sins, and how God had Mercy upon them, & all to Encourage thee, coming Sinner

4. I will add yet another Encouragement for the Man that is coming to Jeſus Chriſt: Art thou a coming? Art thou coming indeed? Why?

1. Then this thy coming is, by Vir[gap]ne of God's Call, thou art called: calling goes before coming: Coming is not of Work, but [gap]f [gap]im that Calleth. He went up into a Mountain & called to him whom he would, and they c[gap]me to him Mark 3.13.

2. Art thou coming, This is by Virtue of [gap] mination: God has made thee [gap] and therefore thou art coming▪ Sol[gap]ng as them waſ[gap] [gap] Darkneſs, thou lovedſt Darkneſs, and could not abide

to come becauſe thy deeds are evil: But now being Illuminated & made to ſee what & where thou art: & alſo, what and where thy Saviour is, now thou art coming to Jeſus Chriſt. Bleſſed art thou Simon Ba[gap]jona: for Fleſh and Blood hath not revealed it (ſaith Chriſt) but my Father which is in Heaven. Mat. 1[gap] 15, 16.

Thirdly, Art thou coming? This is becauſe God hath inclined thy Heart to come, and hath deſired thee, nay God hath called thee: Illuminated thee: and inclined thine Heart to come, & therefore thou comeſt to Jeſus Chriſt: it is God than worketh in thee to will & to come to Jeſus Chriſt. Coming Sinner, bleſs God, for that he hath given thee a Will to come to Jeſus Chriſt. It is a ſign that thou belongeſt to Jeſus Chriſt, becauſe God has made thee willing to come to him, Pſ. 102.2. Bleſs God for ſtaying the Enemy of thy mind, had he not done it, thou wouldſt as yet, have hated thine own Salvation.

Fourthly, Art thou coming to Jeſus Chriſt? It is God that giveth thee Power; Power to purſue thy will in matters of thy ſalvation, is the Gift of God. 'Tis God that worketh in thee both to will & to do, Phil 1 13. Not that God would wi[gap]l to them, where he gives no P[gap]wer; but that thou ſhouldeſt take notice the P[gap]wer is an additional mercy. The Church ſaw Will & Power were two things when we cry'd, Draw me, we will run after thee. (Son[gap] 1.4) & ſo did David too, when he ſaid, I will run the ways of by Commandments when thou ſhalt [gap]nlarge my Heart: Will to come, & Power to purſue thy Will is Double Mercy coming Sinner.

Fifthly, All thy ſtrange, paſſionate, ſudden Ruſhings forward after Jeſus Chriſt (Coming Sinner know what I mean) they alſo are thy

helps from God: Perhaps thou feeleſt at ſome times more than at others, ſtrong Stirrings up of Heart to fly to Jeſus Chriſt? now thou haſt i[gap] this time a [gap]weet and ſt[gap]ff g[gap]le of the Spirit of God filling thy Sails with the freſh Gales of his good Spirit; and thou rideſt at thoſe times as upon the Wings of the Wind▪ being carried out beyond thy ſelf, beyond the moſt of thy prayers, and alſo above all thy Fears and Temptations.

Sixthly, Coming Sinner, haſt thou now and then had a Kiſs of the ſweet Lips of Jeſus Chriſt? I mean, ſome bleſſed words dropping like a Honey-comb upon thy Soul to revive thee when thou art in the midſt of thy Dumps.

Seventhly, Does not Jeſus Chriſt ſometimes give thee a glimpſe of himſelf, though perhaps thou ſeeſt him not ſo long a time, as while you may tell Twenty.

Eighthly, Haſt thou not ſometimes, as it were the warmth of his Wings over ſhadowing the Face of thy Soul, that gives thee as it were, a load upon thy ſpirit as the bright Beams of the Sun do upon thy Body, when it ſuddenly breaks out of a Cloud, though preſently all is gone away.

Well, all theſe things are the good Hand of thy God upon thee, & they are upon thee to conſtrain to provoke, and to make the willing and able to come (coming Sinner,) that thou mighteſt in the End be ſaved.

FINIS.