Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
obey him even when he commandeth the hardest duties, and those which<br />
most cross the desires of the flesh? Is it thy sorrow when thou breakest thy<br />
resolution herein; and thy joy when thou keepest closest in obedience to<br />
him? Wouldst thou not change thy Lord and Master for all the world? Thus<br />
is it with every true Christian. But if thou be a hypocrite, it is far otherwise.<br />
Thou mayest call Christ thy Lord and thy Savior, but thou never foundest<br />
thyself so lost without him as to drive thee to seek him, and trust him, and<br />
lay thy salvation on him alone; at least, thou didst never heartily consent that<br />
he should govern thee as thy Lord, nor resign thy soul and life to be ruled by<br />
him, nor take his word for the law of thy thoughts and actions. Doubtless<br />
thou art willing to be saved from hell by Christ when thou diest; but, in the<br />
meantime, he must command thee no further than will consist with thy<br />
credit, or pleasure, or other worldly ends! And if he would give thee leave,<br />
thou hadst far rather live after the world and the flesh, than after the Word<br />
and the Spirit. And though thou mayest now and then have a motion or<br />
purpose to the contrary, yet this that I have mentioned is the ordinary desire<br />
and choice of thy heart. Thou art therefore no true believer in Christ; for<br />
though thou confess him in words, yet in works thou dost deny him, "being<br />
abominable and disobedient, an unto every good work reprobate." This is the<br />
case of those that shall be shut out of the saints' rest.<br />
Observe, it is the consent of the heart, or will, which I especially lay<br />
down to be inquired after. I do not ask whether thou be assured of salvation,<br />
nor whether thou canst believe that thy sins ar pardoned, and that thou art<br />
beloved of God in Christ. <strong>The</strong>se are no parts of justifying faith, but excellent<br />
fruits of it, and they that receive them are comforted by them; but perhaps<br />
thou mayst never receive them while thou livest, and mayst yet be a true heir<br />
of rest. Do not say then, "I cannot believe that my sins are pardoned, or that I<br />
am in God's favor; and therefore I am no true believer." This is a most<br />
mistaken conclusion. <strong>The</strong> question is, whether thou dost heartily accept of<br />
Christ, that thou mayst be pardoned, reconciled to God, and so saved. Dost<br />
thou consent that He shall be thy Lord who hath bought thee, and that he<br />
129
Change language