In reading this little work, (_not only to read but to meditate_,) you
will see the great disappointments that there is in those things,
[_the riches of this world_.] which men put their trust. Oh! reader,
art thou of that unhappy number? if thou art, delay no longer, but go
to JESUS CHRIST, who is the fountain of durable riches, and take with
thee the words of the _Po√ęt_? "whom have I in heaven but thee that can
thy creature bless? what were all the Earth to me, if a stranger to
thy peace? all is vanity but CHRIST, pain and darkness, and dispair,
rankling in a sinner's breast, till thou art present there." Art thou
in prosperity, be Joyful, and praise thy GOD; art thou in adversity,
consider: for GOD hath set the one over against the other, to the end
that man should find nothing after him. Be not as those, which through
weakness of faith, dare not trust their GOD, whensoever in poverty or
distress; for I never knew of any that trusted in GOD, and were yet
confounded; He surely will supply the wants of all those who being
sensible of their sins, groan after him: and lo, (_says CHRIST_) I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Read, and read again this book, that thou mightest know, that
wheresoever GOD hath a child, there will his eyes be, and that to
protect him; though he may run to a certain degree of sins and
wickedness, but at last He will snatch him as a bran from the eternal
burning, and let him know, that it is not of him that willeth, nor of
him that runneth, but of his good pleasure to shew mercy. "Oh! had not
GOD shown his mercy to me, where should I have been? in the broad road
that leads to everlasting misery, yea in the dark and dolesome dungeon
of dispair, without a glimmering ray of hope; everlastingly bewailing
my miserable destiny." See how the words of the holy prophet prove
true to my case; "I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am
found of them that sought me not."
Oh! if ever I am so happy as to reach within a blessed view of the
happy possession of saints, what a debtor shall I be to mercy and free
grace alone; to save such an ungovernable and unwilling creature as I:
"Oh! my soul it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks[1]! thou,
who hast so long despised, rejected, and set at nought the
commandments of GOD, art now through thy SAVIOUR'S obedience and blood
brought to know the way of Salvation."
[1] I allude this passage to a Ship going straightways
against the wind; for it is no more in the power of a sinner
to resist the will and mercies of GOD, than it is possible
for a Ship to go straightways against the wind.
Dear reader, art thou a blasphemer, or a despiser of the words of GOD?
if thou art, I will advise thee to take a warning in reading my case,
and to consider about it, for fear thou shouldest be plunged for ever
into eternal misery. Delay no longer to open thy case before the
merciful GOD, though it should be ever so desperate; for He is
all-sufficient, yea all-powerful, to plead the cause of thine immortal
soul, and to bring to pass whatsoever thou shalt commit into his
hands, for He ever liveth to make intercession for sensible[2]
sinners, and to brighten their evidences for the approaching of a
future and everlasting Glory.
[2] Remember, that GOD makes us sensible that we are
sinners.
Didst thou ever read, or hear mentioned, of the compassionate
invitation of our blessed SAVIOUR when He lived on Earth; where He
saith, "him that cometh to me (_believing_) I will in no wise cast
out, but I will raise him up at the last day." Perhaps thou say'st in
thine own heart, CHRIST is no more upon the Earth that I might go to
him. Knowest thou not faithless man or woman, that though CHRIST is no
more upon the Earth, that He is the same yesterday, to day, and for
ever; and hath the same power to save and to bring to heaven whom He
will: and now that He is in his holy mansion, is He not still the
same? yea, He is still entreating his Father on our behalf, and his
bowels are always melting in mercy towards us his rebellious Children;
and his most precious arms and pierced hands, which we ourselves have
crucified, are always extended to receive prodigals and backsliders
home: for I am (_says CHRIST_) the friend of sinners, I eateth and
drinketh with them; therefore let him that is athirst come, and take
of the water of life freely.
_Oh! reader, whoever thou art, I pray GOD through Grace, that
thou and I, might be of that happy and highly favoured number,
that shall sing above with the innumerable legions of blessed
Angels, the chorus of the victory of a wounded and suffering
SAVIOUR. AMEN. H. L. L._