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whom the Father draweth. But it would be high blasphemy, and damnable wickedness once to imagine thus. Therefore, Jesus Christ would not have him that cometh, once think that he will cast him out.

5. If Jesus Christ should allow those that indeed are coming to him, once to think that he will cast them out, he must allow them to think, that he will be unfaithful to the trust and charge that his Father hath committed to him; which is to save, and not to lose any thing of that which he hath given unto him to save. John vi. 39. But the Father hath given him a charge, to save the coming sinner; therefore it cannot be, that he should allow, that such a one should once think, that he will cast him out.

6. If Jesus Christ should allow, that they that are coming to him, should once think, that he will cast them out, then he must allow them to think, that he will be unfaithful to his office of priesthood: for, as by the first part of it, he paid price for and ransomed souls, so by the second part thereof, he continually maketh intercession to God for them that come. Heb. vii. 25. But he cannot allow us to question his faithful execution of his priesthood; therefore he cannot allow us once to think, that the coming sinner shall be cast out.

7. If Jesus Christ should allow us once to think, that the coming sinner shall be cast out, then he must allow us to question his will, or power, or merit to save. But he cannot allow us once to question any of these; therefore not once to think, that the coming sinner shall be cast out.

He cannot allow us to question his will; for he saith in the text, "I will in no wise cast out."

He cannot allow us to question his power; for the Holy Ghost saith, "He is able to save to the uttermost" them that come.

He cannot allow us to question the efficacy of his merit; for the blood of Christ cleanseth the comer from all sin.

1 John i. Therefore he cannot allow, that he that is coming to him should once think that he will cast him out.

8. If Jesus Christ should allow the coming sinner once to think, that he will cast him out, he must allow him to give the lie to the manifest testimony of the Father, Son, and Spirit; yea, to the whole gospel contained in Moses, the Prophets, the book of Psalms, and that commonly called the New Testament. But he cannot allow of this; therefore, not that the coming sinner should once think, that he will cast him out.

9. Lastly, If Jesus Christ should allow him that is coming to him once to think, that he will cast him out, he must allow him to question his Father's oath, which he in truth and righteousness hath taken, that they might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to Jesus Christ. But he cannot allow this, therefore he cannot allow, that the coming sinner should once think, that he will cast him out. Heb. vi.

CHAPTER XII.

APPLICATION OF THE WHOLE.

I COME now to make some general use and application of the whole, and so to draw towards a conclusion.

And it in

I. The first use is a use of INFORMATION. formeth us, that men by nature are far off from Christ.

Let me a little improve this use, by speaking to these three questions. 1. Where is he that is not coming to Jesus Christ? 2. What is he that is not coming to Jesus Christ? 3. Whither is he to go that cometh not to Jesus Christ?

1. Where is he that is not coming to Jesus Christ?

Answ. He is far from God; he is without him, even alienate from him, both in his understanding, will, affections, judgment, and conscience. Eph. ii. 12. He is far from Jesus Christ, who is the only deliverer of men from hell-fire. Psalm lxxiii. 27. He is far from the work of the Holy Ghost, the work of regeneration, and a second creation, without which no man shall see the kingdom of heaven. John iii. 3. He is far from being righteous, that righteousness that should make him acceptable in God's sight. Isa. xlvi. 12. He is under the power and dominion of sin: sin reigneth in and over him; it dwelleth in every faculty of his soul, and member of his body: so that from head to foot there is no part clean. Isa. i. 6; Rom. iii. 9-19. He is in the pest house with Uzziah, and excluded the camp of Israel with the lepers. 2 Chron. xxvi. 21; Num. v. 2. His life is among the unclean: he is "in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." Job xxxvi. 14; Acts viii. 23. He is in sin, in the flesh, in death, in the snare of the devil, and is taken captive by him at his will. 1 Cor. xv. 17; Rom.

viii. 8; 1 John iii. 14; 2 Tim. ii. 26. He is under the curse of the law, and the devil dwells in him, and hath the mastery of him. Gal. iii. 13; Eph. ii. 2, 3; Acts xxvi. 18. He is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knows not whither he goes; for the darkness has blinded his eyes. He is in the broad way that leadeth to destruction; and holding on, he will assuredly go in at the broad gate, and so down the stairs to hell.

Quest. What is he that cometh not to Jesus Christ?

He is counted one of God's enemies. Luke xix. 14, 27.; Rom. viii. 7. He is a child of the devil, and of hell: for the devil begat him, as to his sinful nature, and hell must swallow him at last, because he cometh not to Jesus Christ John viii. 44; 1 John iii. 8; Matt. xxiii. 15; Psalm ix. 17. He is a child of wrath, an heir of it; it is his portion, and God will repay it him to his face. Eph. ii. 1-3; John iii. 36. He is a self-murderer; he wrongeth his own soul, and is one that loveth death. Prov. i. 18; viii. 35, 36. He is a companion for devils, and damned men. Prov. xxi. 16; Matt. xxv. 41.

Quest. Where is he like to go that cometh not to Jesus Christ?

He that cometh not to him, is like to go farther from him for every sin is a step farther from Jesus Christ. Hos. xi.

As he is in darkness, so he is like to go on in it; for Christ is the light of the world, and he that comes not to him, walketh in darkness. John viii. 12.

He is like to be removed at last, as far from God and Christ, and heaven, and all felicity, as an infinite God can remove him. Matt. xii. 41.

But, secondly, This doctrine of coming to Christ, informeth us, where poor destitute sinners may find life for their souls, and that is in Christ. "He that hath the Son, hath life."

"This life is in his Son."

And again, "Whoso

WHO MAY HAVE LIFE IN CHRIST.

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findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord." Prov. viii. 35.

Now, for farther enlargement, I will also here propound three more questions. 1. What life is in Christ? 2. Who may have it? 3. Upon what terms?

Quest. What life is in Jesus Christ?

1. There is justifying life in Christ. Man by sin is dead in law and Christ only can deliver him by his righteousness and blood from this death into a state of life. For God sent his Son into the world, "that we might live through him" (1 John iv. 9); that is, through the righteousness which he should accomplish, and the death that he should die. Rom. v.

2. There is eternal life in Christ: life that is endless; life for ever and ever. He "hath given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." 1 John v.

Now, justification and eternal salvation being both in Christ, and no where else to be had for men, who would not come to Jesus Christ?

Quest. Who may have this life?

I answer, poor, helpless, miserable sinners. Particularly, 1. Such as are willing to have it. "Whosoever will, let

him take of the water of life." Rev. xxii. 17.

2. He that thirsteth for it. "I will give to him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life." Rev. xxi. 6.

3. He that is weary of his sins. "This is the rest, wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing." Isa. xxviii. 12.

4. He that is poor and needy. "He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy." Psalm 72, 73.

5. He that followeth after Christ, and crieth for life; "He that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John viii. 12.

Quest. Upon what terms may he have this life?