O redemption,
redemption by blood, is the heart-endearing consideration! This is
that which will make the water stand in our eyes, that will break a
heart of flint, and that will make one do as they do that are in
bitterness for their firstborn.
Perhaps in the day of thy conversion thou wast more unruly than
many. Like a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, hardly tamed, thou
wast brought home by strong hands. Thou wouldst not drive: the Lord
Jesus must take thee up, lay thee upon his shoulder, and carry thee
home to his Father's house. This should engage thy heart to study to
advance the grace of God.
It may do thee no harm but good to cast an eye over thy shoulder, at
those that now lie roaring under the vengeance of eternal fire; it
may put thee in mind of what thou wast once, and of what thou must
yet assuredly be, if grace by Christ preventeth not: keep then thy
conscience awake with wrath and grace, with heaven and hell; but let
grace and heaven bear sway.
Get thou thy soul possessed with the spirit of the Son, and believe
thou art perfectly set free by him from whatsoever thou by sin hast
deserved at the hand of revenging justice. This doctrine unlooseth
thy hands, takes off thy yoke, and lets thee go upright; this
doctrine puts spiritual and heavenly inclinations into thy soul, and
the faith of this truth doth show thee that God hath so surprised
thee and gone beyond thee with his blessed and everlasting love,
that thou canst not but reckon thyself his debtor for ever.
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