(_CHRIST'S WAY OF AFFLICTING THE BEST--OBLIGATION TO FREE
GRACE--ENDURING THE CROSS._)
SIR,--I know that ye have learned long ago, ere I knew anything of
Christ, that if we had the cross at our own election, we would either
have law-surety for freedom from it, or then we would have it honeyed
and sugared with comforts, so as the sweet should overmaster the gall
and wormwood. Christ knoweth how to breed the sons of His house, and
ye will give Him leave to take His own way of dispensation with you;
and, though it be rough, forgive Him. He defieth you to have as much
patience to Him as He hath borne to you. I am sure that there cannot
be a dram-weight of gall less in your cup; and ye would not desire He
should both afflict you and hurt your soul. When His people cannot
have a providence of silk and roses, they must be content with such an
one as He carveth for them. Ye would not go to heaven but with
company; and ye may perceive that the way of those who went before you
was through blood, sufferings, and many afflictions. Nay, Christ, the
Captain, went in over the door-threshold of Paradise bleeding to
death. I do not think but ye have learned to stoop (though ye, as
others, be naturally stiff), and that ye have found that the apples
and sweet fruits, which grow on that crabbed tree of the cross, are as
sweet as it is sour to bear it; especially considering that Christ
hath borne the whole complete cross, and that His saints bear but bits
and chips; as the Apostle saith, "the remnants," or "leavings," of the
cross (Col. i. 24).
I judge you ten thousand times happy, that ever ye were grace's
debtor; for certainly Christ hath engaged you over head and ears to
free grace. And take the debt with you to eternity, Immanuel's highest
land, where ye find before you a houseful of Christ's everlasting
debtors; the less shame to you. Yea, and this lower kingdom of grace
is but Christ's hospital, and guest-house of sick folks, whom the
brave and noble Physician, Christ, hath cured, upon a venture of life
and death. And, if ye be near the water-side (as I know ye are), all
that I can say is this, Sir, that I feel by the smell of that land
which is before you, that it is a goodly country, and it is well paid
for to your hand. And He is before you who will heartily welcome you.
Oh, to suck those breasts of full consolation above, and to drink
Christ's new wine up in His Father's house, is some greater matter
than is believed; since it was brewed from eternity for the Head of
the house, and so many thousand crowned kings. Rubs in the way, where
the lodging is so good, are not much.
He that brought again from the dead the Great Shepherd of the sheep,
by the blood of the eternal covenant, establish you to the end.
Your friend and servant in Christ Jesus,