Before I speak to the other head, I shall answer some objections that usually lie in the way of those who, in truth, are coming to Jesus Christ.
Objection 1. Though I cannot deny my mind runs after Christ, and that too as being moved thereto from sight and consideration of my lost condition, for I see that without him I perish; yet I fear my ends are not right in coming to him.
Quest. Why, what is the end of coming to Christ?
This is the objection; well, let me tell thee, that to come to Christ for life, and to be saved, although at present thou hast no other end, is a lawful and good coming to Jesus Christ. This is evident, because Christ propounds life as the only argument to prevail with sinners to come to him, and so he also blames them because they come not to him for life. “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40). Besides, there are many other scriptures whereby he encourages them to come to him, in which he propounded nothing to them but their safety. “Whoever believeth in him should not perish;” he that believes is “passed from death unto life.” “He that believeth—shall be saved.” “He who believes in him is not condemned.” And believing and coming are all one. So that you see, to come to Christ for life, is a lawful coming and good. In that, he believes that he alone has made atonement for sin (Rom 2). And let me add over and above, that for a man to come to Christ for life, though he comes to him for nothing else but life, it is to give much honor to him.
1. He honors the word of Christ and consents to the truth of it, and that is in these two general heads. (1.) He consented to the truth of all those sayings that testify that sin is most abominable in itself, dishonorable to God, and damnable to the soul of man; for thus saith the man that cometh to Jesus Christ (Jer 44:4; Rom 2:23; 6:23; 2 Thess 2:12). (2.) In that he believeth, as the word hath said, that there is in the world’s best things, righteousness and all, nothing but death and damnation; for so also says the man that comes to Jesus Christ for life (Rom 7:24,25; 8:2,3; 2 Cor 3:6–8).
2. He honors Christ’s person, in that he believes that there is life in him and that he can save him from death, hell, the devil, and damnation; for unless a man believes this, he will not come to Christ for life (Heb 7:24, 25).
3. He honored him, in that he believes he is authorized by the Father to give life to those that come to him for it (John 5:11, 12; 17:1-3).
4. He honors the priesthood of Jesus Christ. (1.) In that he believeth that Christ hath more power to save from sin by the sacrifice that he hath offered for it, than hath all law, devils, death, or sin to condemn. He who believes not in this, will not come to Jesus Christ for life (Acts 13:38; Heb 2:14–15; Rev 1:17–18). (2.) In that he believes that Christ, according to his office, will be most faithful and merciful in the discharge of his office. This must be included in the faith of him that comes for life to Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1–3; Heb 2:17–18).
5. Further, He that cometh to Jesus Christ for life, taketh part with him against sin, and against the ragged and imperfect righteousness of the world; yea, and against false Christs, and damnable errors, that set themselves against the worthiness of his merits and sufficiency. This is evident, for such a soul singles Christ out of them all, as the only one who can save.
6. Therefore, as Noah, at God’s command, thou preparest this ark, for the saving of thyself, by which also thou condemnest the world, and art become heir of the righteousness which is by faith (Heb 11:7). Wherefore, coming sinner, be content; he that cometh to Jesus Christ, believeth too that he is willing to show mercy to, and have compassion upon him, though unworthy, that comes to him for life. And therefore thy soul lies not only under a special invitation to come but also under a promise of being accepted and forgiven (Matt 11:28).
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