Did hell's malicious mouth in dreadful shape * Acts xxviii. 22. † Or, The accuser of the brethren. CHAPTER VI. AN EXHORTATION TO ALL THAT ARE OUT OF CHRIST; IN ORDER TO THEIR CLOSING THE MATCH WITH HIM: CON TAINING ALSO MOTIVES AND DIRECTIONS. READER, into thine hands these lines are giv'n, But not without the providence of Heav'n; Or to advance thy bliss, if thou art wise, For thee, for thee, perhaps th' omniscient ken SECTION I. CONVICTION OFFERED TO SINNERS, ESPECIALLY SUCH AS ARE WEDDED STRICTLY TO THE LAW, OR SELF-RIGHTEOUS, THAT THEY MAY SEE THE NEED OF CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS. Ir never yet thou didst fair Jesus wed, Nor yield thy heart to be his marriage bed, Which never could thy chain'd affections draw From brutish lusts and sordid lover's charms; For base co-rivals never let him lose Luke viii. 13. Much sorrow too in praying, as appears Touching the law, they blameless may appear,† No means, no motives can to Jesus draw Vain souls so doubly wedded to the law. But wouldst the glorious Prince in marriage have, Know that thy nat'ral husband cannot save. *Heb. xii. 17. + Phil. iii. 9. + Matt. xxi. 31. Thy best essays to pay the legal rent Can never in the least the law content. Didst thou in pray'rs employ the morning light, It wont have less, nor will abate at last A drop of vengeance for the sin that's past. As duly can defray this double charge? The law's black doom home to thy bosom call. Than perfect everlasting righteousness; But thou hast fail'd, and lost thy strength to do: Therefore I doom thee to eternal wo; * Matt. xxi. 17. |