The double argument of Paul enforcing his request for the prayers of believers. ‘For which I am an ambassador in bonds.’ 5/5

      (b) Embassies for marriage.  To offer an alliance by marriage between one state and another, this is one great part of the minister’s embassage.  They are sent to let the world know what good-will the God of heaven bears to poor sinners; that he can be content to bestow his only Son and heir in marriage upon them, if they also upon treaty can like the match.  Nay more, both Father and Son desire it.  It is a match which God himself first thought on for his Son. It sprang from the counsel of his own will; and when this great intendment was transacted betwixt Father and Son—as it was before the foundation of the world—the Son declared his liking of it to his Father, yea, expressed the dear affection he bore to mankind; for then it was that he ‘rejoiced in the inhabitable parts of the earth, and his delights were with the sons of men.’  In pursuance of this, ‘when the fulness of time was come,’ he took his progress from heaven to earth, that by marrying our nature he might also enter a near alliance with the persons of believers.  This is the match God's ambassadors come to negotiate with you.  The Scriptures are their credential letters, that confirm, under God’s own handwriting and seal, the truth of all they offer in his name.  There you have the picture of his heavenly Prince they woo your af­fections for drawn to the life in his glory, love, and loveliness, that, by knowing him, you may the better take liking to his person; there are the rich bracelets of the promises, which his messengers are in his name to deliver to those willing souls that shall entertain the motion, and declare their consent to take him for their Lord and husband; yea, they have authority to pronounce the contract, and to promise in Christ’s name marriage, which at the great day he will perform unto them: ‘I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ,’ II Cor. 11:2.  Stand here and adore, ye children of men, this low stoop of divine majesty!  O that ever it should enter into the heart of the great God to match his Son unto his creature, and that not of the noblest house among them! for ‘he took not upon him the nature of angels,’ but of mankind, not in its primitive state, but when it was lapsed and degraded of its primitive glory.  For a high-born prince to take a poor damsel out of the beggar's row, is a thing that yet the world hath not been acquainted with.  But to take one from the meanest cottage were not so strange as to take her from the jail or bar, where she is condemned for treason against his royal person.  Yet this is the very case—the Lord offers to lift up the head of his rebel creature out of prison, where it lies under a sentence of death for horrid treason against his crown and dig­nity, to take it into his bed and bosom.  Truly I know not at which most to wonder; whether at the mercy of God in making love to us, or our pride and folly that are so coy hardly persuaded to entertain the motion. Though Abigail confessed herself unworthy to be David’s wife, yet she was too wise to stand in her own light, by letting slip such an opportunity for her pre­ferment as was not like again to occur; therefore it is said, ‘She made haste to go with David’s servants.’ But alas! how do we either broadly deny, or foolishly make excuse, and hold God’s messengers in suspense from day to day.

           (c) Embassies for commerce and trade.  Suppose a prince had in his kingdom rich commodities, with­out which his neighbour nation could not subsist, nor could find elsewhere; if this prince should send an ambassador to this people, and offer them a free trade, that they might come as oft as they pleased and take of the good things of his land, O how joyfully would such an embassy be embraced!  Man’s happi­ness on earth lies in a free trade and commerce with heaven.  This world is a barren beggarly place.  Noth­ing is here to be had that an immortal soul can live upon or find satisfaction from.  In heaven alone what it needs is to be found.  The food it must live on, the clothes it must wear, are both of the growth of this heavenly country.  Man’s first sin spoiled all his trade with heaven.  No sooner did Adam rebel, but a war was commenced, and all trade with him forbidden. Therefore, in our natural state, we are said to be ‘afar off,’ and ‘without God in the world.’  The sad effects of this loss are to be seen in the forlorn condition of man's soul, which was once was so gloriously arrayed with righteousness and holiness, but now shamefully naked—not having a rag to cover its shame withal.

           Now, God sends his ambassadors to offer peace, and with it liberty to return to its first communion with him: ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.’  He invites all to turn merchants with heaven, ‘Come ye to the waters;’ by which phrase the gospel is compared to a port-town, or its quay-side, to which the crier calls people to repair, and buy commodities that are there landed.  Here it is that God sets forth the riches of his grace to view and sale ‘without money and without price.’  That must needs be a gainful trade which brings in rich treasure without much cost exported.  Here is all the riches of heaven to be had, and no money required for the pur­chase.  Can you hear of this pearl of price, and not turn merchants for it?  Or can your souls be main­tained by your peddling worldly trade?  O, why do ye spend your money for that which is not bread?  It is not necessary you should be rich in the world, but it is necessary you should have Christ and his grace.  In all your pains and travail for the things of this world, you are but merchant adventurers—it is a hazard you get them or lose your labour.  There is no certain rule and method can be learned for growing rich in the world.  There are some poor as well as rich of every trade; but, in this trade for Christ and his grace, there is an office erected to insure all your adventure.  His soul shall live that seeks the Lord; he that hungers after righteousness shall be satisfied.