Now, therefore, I did much labor to
hold forth Jesus Christ in all his offices, relations, and benefits
unto the world; and did strive also to discover, to condemn, and
remove those false supports and props on which the world doth both
lean and by them fall and perish. On these things also I staid as
long as on the other.
When I have been preaching, I thank God, my heart hath often all the
time of this and the other exercise, with great earnestness cried to
God that he would make the word effectual to the salvation of the
soul; still being grieved lest the enemy should take the word away
from the conscience, and so it should become unfruitful: wherefore I
have labored so to speak the word, as that thereby, if it were
possible, the sin and person guilty might be particularized by it.
And when I have done the exercise, it hath gone to my heart to think
the word should now fall as rain on stony places; still wishing from
my heart, Oh, that they who have heard me speak this day did but see
as I do, what sin, death, hell, and the curse of God are; and also
what the grace, and love, and mercy of God are, through Christ; to
men in such a case as they are who are yet estranged from him. And
indeed, I did often say in my heart before the Lord, that if I
should be hanged up presently before their eyes, and it would be a
means to awaken them and confirm them in the truth, I gladly should
be contented.
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