But saith another, "I am so heartless, so slow, and, as I
think, so indifferent in my coming, that to speak truth, I know not
whether my kind of coming ought to be called a coming to Christ."
ANSWER. I read of some that are to follow Christ in chains--I say,
to come after him in chains. Isa. 45:14. Surely they that come after
Christ in chains, come to him in great difficulty.
And what chain so heavy as those that discourage thee? Thy chain,
which is made up of guilt and filth, is heavy; it is a wretched band
about thy neck, by which thy strength doth fail. But come, though
thou comest in chains; it is glory to Christ, that a sinner comes
after him in chains. The chinking of thy chains, though troublesome
to thee, is not, nor can be, destruction to thy salvation. It is
Christ's work and glory to save thee from thy chains, to enlarge thy
steps, and set thee at liberty. The blind man, though called, surely
could not come apace to Jesus Christ; but Jesus Christ could stand
still and stay for him.
To slight grace, to despise mercy, and to stop the ear when God
speaks, when he speaks such great things so much to our profit, is a
great provocation.
He offers, he calls, he woos, he invites, he prays, he beseeches us,
in this day of his grace, to be reconciled to him; yea, and has
provided for us the means of reconciliation himself.
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