A preface, lecture, and a sermon preached by that famous servant of God, Mr. John Welsh.

A PREFACE , LECTURE , And a SERMON , Preached by that famous Servant of God , Mr. JOHN WELSH , sometimes Minister at ●ERINGRAY , Preached near to GREENOCK : ●●●●shed by a Friend to the poor Church of SCOTLAND .

●rinted in the Year , MDCLXXXVI .

THE PREFACE .

MY Friends give over your speaking , and let no voice be heird hear , but the voice of the Lord , in the mouth of his Servant , I kow you are not ignorant , upon what hazard we come and preach : and upon what hazard we come and preach : and upon what hazard you come and hear , this meeting ye know is contraire to the Laws of our Land , and ye know how they are reproached , and what names they have given unto them : that they are called the randivoues of rebellione , and if ye would be furnished with ane answer in case you be called in question for this dayes meeting , I will tell what all of you upon good grounds , may answer : the answer , I think you may give , is this , that our blessed Lord Jesus Christ , hath engaged our lands in a soleme sworne Covenant , with lifted up hands , to the most high God : that we should own his Governmnet , and that we should owne his Gospel , and that we should give no concurrance to them that are intruded upon the congregations , where his faithful Ministers , have been thrust out , with very great trueltie , without so much as bringing before them , as to pass a sentence upon them : if they had been wrong , yet inflicted that penaltie upon them , that they should desert congregations that they were intrusted with , and not only so , and to leave ther houses but that they should cease to exercise that Ministrie that was given them by

Jesus Christ and by his Servants , the Lord puting it in the heart of his Servants to come and offer themselves to preach upon hazard , it was your deuty to come and hear upon hazard , this is Gods publick Standart sett up in the feilds , a piece of the testimony that we have , that we desire to be found faithful in his Covenant , and that the intrest of our immortal souls calls for it , because that we cannot expect the blessing , but from his sent Messengers : we have immortal souls that most be lost or saved : and these are the means by which we may be directed , how to gett our souls saved . Therefore be the hazard what it will we are bound to follow their meanes and when done with our worke weare willing then to die upon a scoffold for it , for you that are come out , we shall not pry into what hath brought you hither , that lyes between God and you , and he will examine you upon it , bu●● ame afrayed , that it be with maney as it is recorded in the 12. Chap. of Johns Ghospel : 9. vers .

I think I may say , there is a piece of curiosity , that draus maney , it may be some to see such a man , that his been so much persecuted , and in such hazard , upon whom the rullers hath given so great incouragement , to any that should undertake it , what sort of person he may be , alas Sirs ye will gett no thanks if this be all your earrand , and if this be your earrand you are faire to meet with a disappointment , and that which ye should be looking after and should be seeking for , to meet with Jesus Christ . Christ had raised a man from the dead , and the preservation of man from death is somewhat very remarkable in time , but now Sirs ye are come together , we say we shall not dive into your ends and motives that his brought you heir , but now you are come , I would aske some few questions at you , and desire you to chairg your consciences that are heir that ye would consider how you would answer them if God asked them at you .

The Questions we are to ask at you , it may be seeme very strainge how we aske such Questions , I aske at your first , doe you believe that there is a God , or not , why , you most give me leive to ask this Question at you , that call your selves Christans , why , because there are many so called , that lives as they did not believe that there were a God , lett the drunkard say what he will , let the swearer say what he will , he will hardly make a man that understands what beliving is , believe that , that man believes , that there is a God , how is this made out ? they are corrupt , they doe abominable works , they seek not God : they persecut his people , Psal. 14 : & 1. v. there are some that the Holy Ghost chairges with this infidelity , the fool his said in his heart there is not a God , and so it s made out as I told you before , they are corrupt they doe abominable works , they seek not God , they persecut his people , and these arbrought in as evidences , that the man hath said in his heart that there is not a God , if this be the evidences of unbelieve , then sure we may chairge this upon maney , & question it , doe you believe that there is a God ? the man that makes a sport of sin , believes he that there is a God , does the man that hears the threatnings of God against sinners : and that wrath that is laying above the heads of sinners , and does not flee from the wrath that is to come : does that man believe that there is a God ? no verely , he believes it not .

There is a 2d . Quest. I would ask at you , and you will think this may be as strainge , doe you believe that you have immortal souls , that you have souls to live in a world to come : that there is such a peice within you , that when your body goes to the dust and rots there , yet that will be living eather in Heaven or in Hell , doe you believe this Sirs , if there were the saith of this fixed sollidly upon the soul , then surly ye would be at some paines , to know , where your soul shall live after time , whither in everlasting happines or in everlasting miserie , that man that hath all his craire for back and belly , that man that never boved a knee to God in prayer , let never that man say that he belives that he hath ane immortal soul within him .

3. Doe you belive that ther will be a day wherin God will bring , Adam , and all his posteretie , to a reckoning , for what they have done in bodies doe you belive that the judg is standing at the door ? doe you belive that it is ordained for all men to die , & then to come to judgment , doe you Belive this judgment , that , at that that day ther will be such a seperatione made amonge the Sons of Adam , that ther will be such a sentance past upon maney , as this , depairt from me ye workers of in iquitie ; doe you belive that this sentence shall be execut without all mercy ? that ther will be no reversing of it ? if this were belived , could it be , but the man that had the faith of this , but they would be taking some paines to prepar for that day , the litle preparatione that is a mong the sons of men , for that day , sayes that this is not belived , doe you belive that ther is such aplaice of torment , for the reprobat , that God hath apointed : ●●d such a plaice of joy for them that are his people , that are walking in the wayes of holines ? if this were belived : would ther not be more cair and paines takne to be found in him , in peace and without spot ; and blemish . what sall we doe for you firs ? ther ar some of your faces declaires that Sathan hath hardned your hearts , and sin hath hardned your hearts , that thir words that are spok●e takes litle effect upon you , ô what may this prognosticat , to see a companie of men heiring of matters , of so great importance and yet so litle affected : with what they hear , wee l Sirs , ther will be ane awakning , for this , and a dreafdull a wakning to maney a soul , we think we have as much in our instructions , as might make our messag to have greater force and effect then it hath , we preduce the word of God , for what we say , the word of him that cannot lie and yet yow doe not regaird it , we produce the , strongest reasons for what we say , and your consciences cannot but be convinced , that ther is reason for it , and yet it hath no effect , we have your consciences upon our side , sometimes telling you , as you may finde it indeed , tath what we heared spoken by the Minister is trew , and what I heared was my case and conscience most doe its office , and who knows but it should have some etfect , with what we speik to you , but alas our experience makes out the contrare to us , and we have somtimes your own experience to help us to press somthing , that we are pressing upon you , we are telling you that when death comes that it is a time verie unfit to set a bout the worke of repentance , and when you have come neir death and ye have found that your sicknes is so great , that ye could not mind the caise of your souls , and your experience tels us this , and our experience tels you of it we would not leive it to this pas , yet we finde you doe so , my freinds I most tell you two things , for to putt you in some frame , if the Lord wold tell them to you , and give you the faith of them ; first I most tell you this , the Lord is this doy amongst us , he is heir in this congregatione , he is going up and down among this meeting , and observing everie one of you , what will hee finde , that ye are cariing rightlie before him , alas the contraire is much to be seared , that hee marke out this man heir and that woman ther , and say they doe not more regaird what I ame speaking to them , then I wer a lier to them , God is nou keeping silence , and does not execut vaingance speede lie , and men may make a wrong use of it , and therfor ther hearts is sett in them to doe , that becaus he does not presentlie execut vaingance and they think hee is not still angrie at sin as the minister tels us : read it sirs in the. 50 Psal. : at the close : I keeped silence but I will let you know , that ye have being in the wrong , and ye have mistaken the measure , I will reprove you and sert your sins in order before you , consider this ye that forget God leist he tear you in pieces , and ther be non to deliver you ô Sirs but its ill getting wind raised , ô but you are hard to worke upon . We have found in some places , wher the providence of God hath tristed us , that the verie face of a Minister , that it would have helped the people to a frame , and the verie face of the people would have helped the Minister to a frame , but we most tell you , you make us dull to see your dullnes , o freinds why come ye heir , are you come heir to add this to all your former guilt , that ye will come and cast alle his words behind your backe , if you doe sadlie will your reckning be , but heir I ame as ane unworthie Servant of Jesus Christ , to declair unto you , that you will be brought befor the Tribunall of God , and so will I be brought ther also : we will be examined for this dayes preaching , and for this dayes hearing , and it shall be ashed at me , did you tell the people ther sin , what did they with it , made ye ane offer of Christ it is to them , did they accept of me : we most tell as it is , we most not stand upon feed ore favor of aney , we spake but you folk did not hear , and they regarded not , what we saide , we told them that ther was a day coming , that thow would judge them , yet they never regarded us , no more then we hade be in reading a Historie of David lindsey , ore out of ane other book : wee l sirs , as I saide be for , you shall eather gett a blissing to goe home with you , or a curse clapt upon your haed , I cannot tell who will gett the blissing but thes that hath bein wrestling for it , may Looke for it , but thes that have come upon aventure , I cannot tell what they may meet with , ô wretched soul , if you goe away from this place , and gett not some thing in they armes : if you gett no hunger and thirst after Christ it will be sad : but I shall say no more by way of Prefacing . Lett us pray .

THE LECTURE In the second Chap. of Jer. at the 12. vers . We begin to read two or three Verses .

I Shall but speak a short word upon thir Verses , we shall take up thir words that we have read in these three things : First , you have a heavie and a Sade chairg given in against Israel , what was that ? they had forsakne the fountaine of living waters and had digged unto themselves , brokne cisterns that can hold no water , there is Gods chairg .

Secondly , ye have what the Lord does in that the chairge hee gives in against them , may affect them , what doeth hee , hee crayes nnto the heavens , as they had ears to hear , he speaks to them and crayes to them , O Heavens be astonished at t is , O Heavens be ye horrably affraied , that my people that had entred themselves in covenant with me , that they should have thus forsakne me , and forsakne me for that which they receave no advantage of , as it is in the former vers. Hath a Nation chainged there Gods , for that which doeth not prophit them .

Then thirdly there is in the words a Lamentation that the Lord takes up , so we may take up these words , or seondly achallinge , that he gives to the enemy , what sayes he ? how is this that ye guid my people , and how is this that my people suffer themselves to be thus guided , what is Israel a Servant , what think you , is Israel a home born slave ? why then if he be a sone of mine , and if he be free borne why is he spoiled thus ? why deall ye with Israel as if he were a slave ? or it may be spoken by way of Lamentation , alas ! how my people , how they are guided , is Israel a Servant ? he is not a Servant , he is not a home borne slave , for that is the import of the Question , a strong negation , you are mistaken to think , that I will not have respect to Israel , I will cause you yet answer for the spoill of Israel ; why then is he spoilled .

And then you have this particularly laid out what it was that enemies did to Israel , the young Lions rored upon them , and yelled , and they made his land waste . His citties are brunt without inhabitant , I have seen , for all that is done to my Church I will take order with it , ye shall finde that I lay claime to Israel , and then I have sad chairges and challenges to give in against them , yet I will give no thanks to them that hath spoilled my poor people , my sones that I have such respect unto .

Then is 5. or 6. words of observations that we shall give of them and close this exercise and enter upon another . The first Obs : is this , that the Lord hath sometimes very heavy and sad verbal chairges , to give in against his Church , the Lord hath very much to charge upon his Church that he is ill pleased with , look to the 4. Chap of Hosea at the begin : ye will see there like the controversy : what is the chairg : because there is no truth mercy nor knowledge of God in the Land , 2. vers , by swearing and lying and committing adulterie they break out , and blood tutcheth blood , and therefore the Lord hath a contraversy with Israel , no truth , no sincenity in the Land , &c. There the chairg and 81. Psal. there a sad chairg given in against Israel from the 10. vers . I a me the Lord the Lord the God that that brought to the out of the Land of Egypt , and out of the house of Bondag , opne thy mouth wide & I will fill it , but what is the chairg , but my people would not harkne to my voice , and Israel would non of me , and Deut , 32. and 5. There a sad chairg given in against Israel , the chairg is this , they have corrupted themselves ther spot is not the spot of his children , they are a pervers and a wicked generation , and here a sad chairg given in against them , they have forsakns me the fountan of living Waters , add have digged to themselves brokne cisternes that can hold no water , ô ! sayes hee , this is a verbal horrible chairg that I have to give in against this Church of Israel , now this God never had more terrible chairges to give in against a Church then the Church that we live in , ô but we have behaved unworthely , God planted us a noble vine , but we are become a degenerat plant unto him , God ingadged us in a solemne Covenant to be for him and with lifted up hands to God , we did swear , how is that Oath keeped , how is it but the Lord may chairg us with horrible perjury , some hatht akne the Declaration , that is ane opne way of a woued perjury , and some hath takne this bonde that there posterity will think shame of , if it should be reakned to them , that there fathers should have done it , ô horrible chairg that such should put Christ out of Scotland I shall say no moor to this point

The 2d obs: that I shall give you is th is , that when the Lord is chairging his people with horrible things , he would then have his people affected with what he chairges upon them , he would not have them making light of his chalinge , therfor when hespeaks in that . 1. of Isai : to the people he eraies here o heavens what a chairg I have to give in against my people , the ox knowes his ouer , and the as his masters cribe : but my people does not know , nor Israel does not consider , ah sinfull nation sayes he , a seed of evil doors childrene , that are transgressors &c. God would have a people when hee is chairging aney thing upon a church that is horrid wickednes , he wold have all men to be so much affected with the chairg , as that they might lay it to heart , ther are some folke that will lay nether sin nor judgment to heart , God would not have folk doing so ; but laying both to heart , Ther was in the. 42. chap : of Jsa : and 24. they did not consider who gave Jacob to the spoill , and Israel to the robbers and that it was the Lord : and that it was because they had finned against him , and hee sett them on fire round about yet they laide it not to heart .

The 3. thing in the words , be astonished o heavens , and be horrible afraide , holds furth a great stupidetie to be in sinners , that is not affected with all the guilt , that is chairged upon them , ô if ever ther was a stupid generatione since the world began , it will be found this day , that make light of all the chairges , that is given in against them this day , I spake to them , but wer they at all ashaemed , when they did such things , no sayes hee they wer not att all asheamed . Jer: 8. and 6. J harkned and heird but they spake not aright , no man repented him of his wickednes , saying what have I done , eve●ie one turned to his cours : as the hors rusheth to the battel , they arre never so much as once brought to a serious thought , as to speir the questione , what have I done ?

The 4. thing that I nott is this , that when God Sumonds up folks faults , hee wil find two faults and see two wher men sees but one , you see heir they committed two greatievels , wha● was that some would thinke that that was but one evel , they have forsakne me the fountan of living waters , and they have made brokne cisternes that cane hold no water , that was ther faults , ther was two faults , it may be looked upon as one , yet God wil find it two and verie gross two faults , and God will looke upon it as two befor long , let us looke to the chairg , they have forsakne me the fountane of living waters , two things ther. 1. Christ Jesus is the Fountain of living Waters , what is that , he is the Fountan of all the refreshings of his people , all the consolations of Israel : they have all ther arise from him , all the conforts of his people whil under sufferings , all ther arise is from . Jesus Christ , hee is the Fountan of all ther confort and consolation .

The nixt thing that I see is this , if he be the Fountane of our consolation , then we take alwayes the wrong way , when we are under a disconsolat Estate : when we turne not to him , for our consolatione , are you not going to your prayers to God to gett your consolation , he is the auther of all thes , and the Fountane of living Waters , and he is the arise of all thy cosolation .

Another word that we shall say , that which they wer chaged with , they turned ther backs upon God , that was the Fountain of living Waters , then we come to this , Is Israel a servant , is he a home borne slave , why is he spoilled , the Lord he turnes now againe to his enemies I have a quarrel with my people , but for all the quarrel I have against them , I allow you not to quarrel with them . I will owne Israel , you most not think that I will not owne Israel , is Israel a servant to doe what ye would have him to doe , is he a home born slave , if so be he is not so , why is he spoilled then , I will find you guiltie , and chairg you for it . I will cause you reckon for all the robries and spoil that my people meits with .

Two Observations that I shall not from hence is , 1. the Lord is very angry and displeased , to see his people of a base servial covardly spirit , that subjects themselves to all impositions , that the enemis imposeth , what sayes he this is not like Israel , he should be a man of ane other spirit then that he should carie like a home borne slave , to bear the burthens that enemies layes one , ô but this is sad at this time , ther is asses backes and asses dispositiones in his peoples dispositione , that they bear what enemies layes upon them , it s not patience no , its stupifiednes in them , ô but its sad that it should be so : when this comes a longs that ther is a bond , and the man caries lyke a slave to the enemie to them that lay on the burthin upon the conscience , and when Cesses is laid on by our enemie , to bind a snair upon men , that thes cesses arre laid upon maney , for reasing up such for to thrust the Ghospell out of the land , and to put down thes rebellions meetings ( as they call them ) yet to see such a slavish disposition , in thes that proves them selves to be the people of God , that they should subject them selves to such burthings ; why then is he spoiled : this is matter of lamentation sas if hee would say to see the people so servial , I ame angrie at you my freinds , to be of such a slavish temper and disppsitione , I ame angrie at you for it , and ther was never a time that his people manifested a slavish temper and dispositione more , then they doe in thir dayes , and as hee is angrie with his people for having of it , so is he angrie at the enemies for dealling so with his people , as slaves and ther was never a time wher in his people wer dealt more with as slaves , then they have bein in our dayes , but I shall goe no further in this excercise but sing . Psal. 94. and 4.

A SERMON . THE TEXT . In the Song of Solomon 3d. chap , and 11. vers . Goe furth ô you Daughters of Zion , and behold King Solomon with the Crown , wherwith his mother crouned him in the day of his Espousals , and in the day of the gladness of his heart .

IN the beginning of this chapter , we have the excercise of the spous under a deserted conditione , she seeks him upon her bed whom her soul loveth : she seeks him upon the stteats , she ariseth to seek him , she goes to the watchmen to seek him : and still she meets with disapointments , now she finds him , she begins to look wee l to him in the ninth vers , I may not stande in prefacing ther we have a discription of the brydgroome , of the King , of our Lord Jesus Christ , the description given of him , is this , hee is called a King , and made himself a Chariot of the wood of Lebanon , he made the pillars therof of Silver , the bottome therof of gold , the covering of it of purple , the midst therof paved with love : for the daughters of Jerusalem , ther you may get a sight of Christ , in his steatly ryding in this Gospel . In the last vers ther is ane exhortation , to the people of God that are called here the daughters of Zio●●● and the exhortatione given to them is this , that the●● would goe forth and behold king Solomon , and the●● you see kow he is adorned , with a croun , whe●● with his mother crowned him : it is that whi●● his Church crounes him with we remember ther 〈◊〉 three crouns that he wears . 1. the croun that his father crouned him with , and that he wears , and that the father dignifies him with : that sets hi●● doune at his right hand : a bove all his enemies .

And a 2d croune that he weares , is that which his mother crouned him with ( meaning the church ) in the day of his espousals , in ther closing with Christ , which is the day of the gladnes of h●● heart .

The 3d croun that he weares , is that croun wh●● with his enemies crouned him with , which 〈◊〉 plaited of thornes , ô that croun of thornes , that 〈◊〉 was made to wear , when was hee was crouned , in 〈◊〉 day of his espousals , in the day of the gladnes of 〈◊〉 heart . 4. ore 5. things I shall speik too and close t●● exercise and dismisse you .

The first thing , is the style that Christ ge●● here , he is called King Solomon , and he gets th● stile not only to be a King , but he gets this stile ●●●kne from Solomon , for ye know that Solomon w●● the rarest King , that ever was before ore after hi● ther was non like him .

First he was a King that had very much poure , 〈◊〉 his enemies round about were made to subject , a● bring presents to him ; he was of a great deal of w●●dom , so is our Lord Jesus Christ he is the Ki●● only wise , and he was a King that had a great d●● of glorie , look but to his thron so maney steps up to it , and so maney lions guarding the thron , a glorions thron all lyned with pure gold . he is a glorious King in thes respects and Solomon he was a verie rich King , and he was such a King , that he made all his subjects to abound with wealth , he made in his day , Jerusalem the corner stons thereof to be as silver and gold .

Now , what his desing is , by giving thes stiles to King Solomon ? that was Jesus Christ , he is a glorious King , the Father had apointed him , Solomon was apointed by a divine decree : to be King of Israel . So our Lord Jesus Christ , is apointed by a divine apointment to be King and head of his church . Psal. 2. I will declare the decree , thow artt my King , thow art my son , this day have I begottne the. I will give thee arod of jron , to break thy enemies , he is a King of great power and wisdom , and a King of great riches , and a King that inricheth all his subjects . Now , sirs , it s a sad matter that this King , should have mett with such a meeting , from our King and our rulers : that this Crouwn should be taken of his head , and sett upon the head of a poor sinful man and as it were his kingly power exauterat , and that usurped and taken by a man , this is that which we have to regreat this day , in stead of loialety to him , the most pairt of all the nations are turned rebels to him , and turned against him , & his been active to devest him of that power that he was cloathed with .

But nixt the stile given to the believer , to the Daughters of Zion , goe forth ye Daughters of Zion , ( that is to say ) ye that are borne into the Church , and borne by the immortal seed of his word . I would have you that are the membres 〈◊〉 the Church and hath any respect and kindness 〈◊〉 King Solomon , I would have you goeing forth , that leaving all your injoyments and pleasure an● Profeets , and taking a look of this King .

And the observation I shall speek to is this , th●● it is the deutie of the people of God , to be takin● maney looks of King Jesus what are you come he●● for sirs : Is it not to gett a look of the King in thi● ordinances , is not this your end and earrand , if you have not this for your earrand , you will get litle thanks and weelcom from him , but and if th●● by your earrand to gett a sight of the King , as h●● rides in the chariot of the Gospell , then you ob●● the command given to the Daughters of Jerusale●● and the Lord will not be straeng to give a looke●● himself , if you be in earnest , to goe furth and behold him . Ther the nott .

That it is peoples deutie , when the Lord com●● in the chariot of the Gospell , to make ane offer 〈◊〉 himself , they should goe forth and leave all th●● injoyments , and leave all behind hem , and get 〈◊〉 sight of Christ in his ordinances , And therefor 〈◊〉 espetialie that are mor eminent in the world , 〈◊〉 our Maisters name we weelcome you , if you c●● say that is the thing ye would have done to get a sight of King Solomon , Christ in the chariot o● the Gospel , it is for that earrand I come heir , to get a sight of him : that I may keep him for mane●● dayes , I have stepped out of all my injoyments 〈◊〉 may be I will heir tell of it after this , yet I cair not 〈◊〉 I have gottne a sight of Christ in his ordinances , 〈◊〉 say in our Maisters name you are welcome heir , an● you will gett a blissing , if you have a mouth open●● to receave you shall gett it , it is your duty to behold him , but say ye how will I get a sight of him , there are 4. of 5. glasses that he shines in , through which you may gett a sight of him .

First , in his word there get a sight of him get a sight of him in the preached Gospel , there get a sight of him in his Chariot , that is all paved with love .

Nixt , get a sight of him in his atributs , you may see what are these , and you may gett a sight of him in his offices , and sufferings , that he under went for sinners . Therefore , ô ye Daughters of Jerusalem or Zion , ye that live in this corner , will ye come forth this day and leave your injoyments , and take a looke of him in the Chairot of his Gospel , here he is come this day to make a visit to Greenock , ô if you were forced to cry out , how lovly is thy Tabernacles ? how lovly are thy Ordinances ? where thow art in the midst of them : and to be seen there .

Now , Sirs , there are some upon the other hand , that they will not come out for fear of a fyne , and for fear of ther Land , Tho the Lord be craying to all sorts of men , to come furth and take a looke of Christ this day : and see his garments dyed all red for sinners , take a look of him in his wounds and hands and feet , and take such a look of him till your heart be ravished with the sight of him , and look to him , and take a look of him till ye gett a sight of your neid of him , for hee is coming fnrnished with all things that will make his people happie . Come and beyold King Solomon , come this day and take a look of our King , ye that was ever beholding vanety and looking after lies , will you be perswaded to come and take a looke of Jesus Chaist , ô Sirs , if Heaven can be gotten by a look its sad to loss it , for he hath said look unto me allye ends of the earth and be ye● saved .

What are you a poor blind body , take a look of him , hee will give eyes to the blind , they looked to him in that 34. Psal: and were inlightned , and were not asheamed . They get light to looke to him , and a sight of him will make that hard heart melt witin you , come to him and looke to him , they shall look to him or upon him , whom they have pearced and mourne for him as one mourneth for his only begotne Son , ô therefore look to him then , and if you would have life and light and further what is it , that you stand in need of , it s all that God calls for , it s that man that would come and take a look of him , and I think its a sad matter , that your hearts are litle stirred for all that we say to you . What is Christ come in the Chariot of the Gospel , and in all these glorious properties ? and have you never looked to him ? ô Sirs , is he saying look unto me and be ye saved for I ame God .

We see this nixt , goe forth sayes he ye Daughters Zion , and behold King Solomon , what will you● see of him , you will see a glorious sight , a Crown that ye will take pleasure into , see him with the Crown that his mother crowned him with a glorious sight if ye would behold him .

There are three words that I shall say . First , I shall say this , that there are some particular dayes in the Church : that are dayes of Espousals , betwixt Christ , and sinners and ends , wherein he espouseth sinners to himself .

2. That whoever they are , that are espoused to Jesus Christ , they putt the Crown upon his head , they putt glorie upon him , for they witnes , that they believe the record , that the Father hath given of him .

3. That a sinner is content : to be espoused to Jesus Christ and closeth with him , in a mariage Covenant , is the day of the gladnes of his heart . These three words I shall speak of to you and close this exercise , considering the time we have to spair , we shall containe all in half ane hour .

The first thing that we shall say , that there are some particular seasons , and times , that the Lord makes remarkable for espousing sinners to himself : to take it thus , that there are sometimes that he makes the Gospel to take this effect , that menre forced to yeald themselves to Jesus Christ , that they can hold furth no longer they most yeild to him , they cannot stand out , anay longer , there are sometimes that a sinner will stand it out against Christ : and say again and again and a thousand times though he should streatch out his armes never so often . And yet we see how maney have holdne Jesus Christ coming to them and crying to them , ô sinners will ye break my heart , ô why will you not come to me , & get a look of me , seeing I ame content to take you and marrie you , black as ye are . What makes you stand out and will not yield : But there are sometimes some particular seasons , that the Lord will win in upon sinners , nil they will they , he will cause them make a bargan , and it shall be a day of esposals . It is a wonderful thing , that one preaching will work upon a heart , that a thousand preachings before has not done it has not bien before , why is this ? Why ? Gods day is come , that he will have sinners espoused to him , and he will no longer be put out , and he will put in his hand , at the handle 〈◊〉 the lock , and he will say eather open the door , ( 〈◊〉 I will stand no longer ) eather open to me , or else 〈◊〉 will lay the door upon the floor : if you open it not 〈◊〉 this is sometimes that our Lord comes with ane ir●●sistable power , that he will not have a nay saying 〈◊〉 Luck . 5. and 17. there was a day , ( christ preache●● many a day to the Scribes and Pharisees ) But never the better , but a remarkable day that he preached unto them , and he wrought upon them , and his power was present to heal them . So I say sinners will get many offers of the Gospel , and sit this day , and the second day , and the third day : But there is some times God wil come with the power of the offer o●● the Gospel , that there shall be no more sitting , but that ye should come forward and close with the offer of the Gospel , that he makes offer of in this place , ô when shall the day come to this place ? O whe●● shall the day come that they shall be made a willin● people in the day of his power : that you shall not b●● able to stand out longer , that ye dowe not sit●● longer , that you find your hearts all ravished with his love , every Church hath there day and every person hes there day of espousals to all thir nations ; noble men and gentle men , and all men to come into a Covenant with the Lord , to be espoused to the Lord , so he hes come with the Gospel sometimes : some hes lived . 40. Years under the Gospel , but h●●● resisted it , but he hath come one day and come with power , that he was not able to resist it now , O Sirs when will this day of power come , O will it never come to this day with you , ye heard much of it , and many words of it , but will not the day of espousal●● come , O Sirs , let it be now , it may be you shall never have an other day , therefore let it be now .

I come to speak to the 2d . thing that I may hastne , the great earrand of the Gospel , is to espouse sinners to himself , he is coming in the Chariot of the Gospel in the 9. and 10. verses he is coming out in the Chariot , a glorious Chariot , what sayes he ? go forth , sayes he , and meet him , and what sayeth he more ? make up the mariage before you come home again , this is the end of the Gospel , to make up a mariage betwixt him and sinners : 2 Cor. 11 : and 2. look a word to this purpose , for I ame , jelous , over you , with Godly Jelousy , for I haye espoused you to one Husband : that I may present you as a chast Virgine to Christ , saith Paul , my great desing in sending the Ghospel amongst you was that I may espouse you to one Husband Jesus Christ . There is the Scope of the Gospel . Wherefore sent he the Gospel here before there was a world , and before time was , you behoved to come heir the day , and you shall heir ane other offer , and the end of his Chariot coming to Greenock , to this mountan side is to make ane offer of Christ , and that there be a mariage , and that there may be such ane union as man and wife , that there may be a mutual intrest in all that you have , and that there may he mutual communications of love , one with ane other , as love betwixt man and wife , from this , day forward , the Lord hath trysted you here . Before there was a stone laid in this world , this day was determined , end you were the man and woman that were to be heir , and you were the people and this behoved to be the place , and this behoved to be the Preacher and this behoved to be the Text. And therefore seeing it is so , I come heir as Christs Minister , to take up all your names , betwixt Christ and you , and to proclaime to you , that Christ hath a purpose of mariagee betwixt him and you , and if this be the day of mariage , and his effectual working , you will say put up my name : and you will say put up my name : and you will say I have a purpose of mariage with him , and I have a minde to take him .

What sayeth the Lord ? I ame jelous over you with a Godly Jalousie , but I have espoused you to one Husband , a chast Virgine , but it was my great work sayeth Paul . once to gett that day , sett , and and a contract subscrived , and the great mariage day so solemnized at the day of Judgment . What say ye , Sirs , is there a spouse for Christ heir ? who will not take him , and believe in him , ob : O glad would I be to take him , but I kno not if he will take me , let not that be your fear , there are in Heaven that were as you are that were heirs of Hell , imps of the Divel , Divels limbs as you are wretched as ye are , sold under sin and under wteath and such as you are , but to you I say be but willing this day , and if ye give but your consent this day , if you say this day even so I take the upon the termes , that thow offers thy self , I declaire in my Masters name you are wealcom , and for this end , hath he sent me to this place , as his Ambassador to you , to invite you to come , & rouse your selves , & espouse yourselves & let it be seen , that there is a bride upon this hill side the day , that will be espoused to him , and will be his bride , and give your hand to him , and give up your selves , and be faithful to him , and do all the dutyes of a lovîng spouse ; Now , Sirs , O! say ye , do but this litle favour , clear this a litle , this is a great word to be maried to Christ , the Fathers only Sone , how can ye instruct that this is your worke , what can you say , I fear that he cast at us , we have nothing , what will hee see in the shullamit , bnt as the Company of two Armies , what will he seein us that he may desire us yea sayeth the Lord , for as vile and abominable as you are , yet come your way I ame content , to come and jovne in mariage with you , upon these conditions , that ye wil● subscribe my Contract that I shall make : there are three things that we shall clear a litle , and make a wordof application .

For the first thing is this . how is this evident that Christ is content to marie sinners ? know you , Sirs , what Christ did Christ hee came out of Heaven to shew his willingnes to marie you , he took upon him the nature of sinners , the nature of Abraham and took not upon him the nature of Angels , but of Adams seed , and a reasonnable soul he united these two in his divine nature , in one person , and maried them , and makes you not to doubt of his willingnes , but that hee is content to mary and be espoused to you . 2. I would urge you not to lett this good offer goe by , have ye much debt upon you , heir a Husband that will pay all your debt for you , and will never cast it up to yon . 4 , of Jeames if aney man lake wisdome , let him aske of God that giveth liberaly , and upbraideth not . though he took you of the midding and you had nothing ; he will upbrade no man notwithstandinh all this . Nixt thing your Husband hath goed skill of Phisick , you are ane unclean and unwholsom body , so full of sores , mary him and he will make ointments and make plaisters that will heal all your diseases . Psal. 103. he will heal all your diseases . 3. Mary him he is very kind Husband , O but he is kind , he will d●● offices that non other will do , he will make all the●● bed in ther sicknes , he will season ther bed , wi●●● much of himself , a kindly Husband that is very smuch taken up with the love of his people : and 〈◊〉 they have love to him he will bear with mane●● faults of them and not cast at them , o say ye I will play the harlot , yet , sayeth he , for all that returne unto me , wil ane other man take in a harlot again , but yet sayeth hee return unto me , say●th the Lord , though you have played the harlot with maney lovers , yet return unto me .

Now I shall make a word of use , and this is th●● use , what say ye to it , I ame come in Christs name as his Ambassador , & this is my negotiation this day●● are you contenr to marie him , hee will give you 〈◊〉 brave dury , hee will give you Heaven , hee wi●● give you anough : are you content to goe forth an●● take a looke of him , O will ye take a look of him 〈◊〉 and gett a sight of him , and ye will cray furth , 〈◊〉 that he would mary you . I will give you two thing● for incurragement to the text .

First , you put a Crown upon his head , if yo●● mary him , our rullers have taken the Crown of hi●● head : but will , ye put the Crowu upon his head 〈◊〉 you do it if you mary him . O are you content 〈◊〉 heir such a man hath put the Crown upon my head 〈◊〉 and hath come and believed , all my promises , and did all my commands and yealded to me , this looked to as a glad day .

Nixt it is the gladnes of his heart , this is glead newes to him , lett yon Ministers blood goe for it , tho he should be takne hee hath gained some souls to me , and hath a day of espousalsto me , it is 〈◊〉 day of the gladnes of my heart lett the mans 〈◊〉 rune what is the matter , seeing it is such a glade day .

You have made him maney a sad heart , ô will ye make him a glad heart , and lett this be the day , and make the bargan and it shall be gladnes of heart to him .

I shall come and make a word of use & it is this , do not think that we are come to you this day in a light matter to you , & the shoures are goeing round about us this day , and when he comes to offer us a day of the Gospel , the Lord hath bound up the clouds wonder fullie , and this day hee hath called a meeting in this place , and it s to lay out a bussines that hee is much concerned with , a bussines in his heart a long love , hee loved you befor the mountans wer , prov : 8. now this long love vented it self in the fulnes of time , and Christ would no longer starie hee behoved to come from heaven to earth to suitea bride and hee is gone to heaven again , to prepair mainsions for his oun people and hath sent out Ministers of the Gospel , wherof I ame one of the un worthiest of them all to present unto you a mariag , and mak ane offer of him to you , sis I dar not leave you till you give a peremtorie answer to Jesus Christ , will ye close with him , what say ye ? we come to demand it , shall this be a day of espousals betuixt Jesus Christ and you , you are gathered togither heir , old men I require of you , upon the aleadgance of God , come in heir old men and old women , come and make a bargane , the world and thos things hath holdne you so long , therfor come now and make a bargan with Jesus Christ , shall this be a day of espousals shall this be a day of 〈◊〉 I assur you that you are not farr from the kingdom 〈◊〉 heaven , I assur you as the Lord livith and as hee is in heavne , it will be a worlds wonder , if ever ye● gett the like of this day againe , therfor what is hee seeking of you ? ô sirs hee might have left Scotland and suffered our Parliaments to have takne away the Ministers of the Gospel , but hee behoved to give this offer to you att this time , therfor he is craying will you marie me , his bloed is craying will you marie me , see what proof he is giving you , will you refuse Christ will you crucifie him again , by giving him a new refusall , ô sirs what say ye what stands in your way of this mariag lett it be heird , have ye● ought to object against Jesus Christ , may he not be a match , would you have a better husband , he i● altogither lovlie , and beutiful , would you have 〈◊〉 rich husband , hee is the heir of heavne , hee is th● heir of all things , would ye have a credible husband he is thine , hee is all your credit would you have such a match , then heer is it , ô then what say y●● to it hee hath sett a day her of espousals hee hath ca●led to it , would ye send him away with a glad hear● and send us away with a glad heart , and you to go● away with a glad heart , lett us see it in your wall and conversatione , and in your tendernes , that yo● are edefied , whatt will you loss him who will speil● for you if you refuse fuch a match when the Justice of God bringes you to the rekoning , ther was th●● man and the woman within a mile to greenock that had the offer of the Gospel , and Christ came ou● in the chariot of the Gospel to them , and they went away and made not the bargane did not give him the full consent , what shall we return for answer , I take that sun that shines and this hill that we are upon , and takes everie one of your consciences , against you , and everie on of us to be witneses against one ane other , and for all the wrongs that ever you did to Christ , yet Christ is content to make out ane offer to you this day , and a mariage , this is my sutting day , and may be , I never see your face again , ( who knoues ) ore you me again , but I knon we shall all meet again , in the day of Judgment , I assure you Sirs , ther are some heir of you , shall never hear ane other preaching some of you shall take your dead ill , befor ye hear ane other preaching , ô Sirs , therfor say what you will doe if you would make us a glad heart this day , then turn from your swearing & and swear no more , and ye that have neglected prayer in your famelies and in secret , fall to in earnest now , ore els ye shall be looked upon as neglecters of this great offer , and yet that are neglecters & slighters of the Sabbath , do so no more , what say ye off it , will you give Christ ane answer I will have no answer , but look up to God and give him your answer , what say ye ? goe say ye , I will have non of him , I will not forsake my lusts , and I will not forsake my drunkennes for him , stay till I come to death bed , then I will give the my consent but as the Lord liveth , he will clape a curse upon your head , if you do so , ô Sirs , what mean ye , are you keeping all your tears , till you goe to ●●ell , ther is abundance ther , will you still refuse Christ ? what have you a minde to do ? to close with him ore not , what say ye we most give him ane answer this night of you , we most give your answer to him , that sent us to you , shall we say that thir people looked not like it , and some that had ther hearts leaping within them , wer saying O I are 〈◊〉 to take him . ô Sirs give up your neams unto the 〈◊〉 and say you are content and he will be content 〈◊〉 you , come with all your faults , and ye will find 〈◊〉 a freind , and easie to be intreated , if you con●●● this to him , shortlie we shall chose , O Sirs 〈◊〉 sayes the Lord , kno this is our earrand , noth●● would be so joyfull to us , as that ye would ac●●● of our Maister as Eliazer said , we most come 〈◊〉 take a wife to our Maister , Abrahams son , so●● come to a fitted place to the loins of Adam to se●● wife to be maried to Christ O Sirs will ye putt 〈◊〉 out will you not yeald now , you have stoodene 〈◊〉 enough out & lett it be seen that ye have made a 〈◊〉 venant with him lett God hear what you say , 〈◊〉 lett you tell your tale to him , hee is neer at 〈◊〉 head , round it unto him , hee will hear you 〈◊〉 enough , and so if you do it you will make him 〈◊〉 de heart , and you will make the divel a sad he 〈◊〉 and wicked men a sad heart , and prelats a sad 〈◊〉 we will gett no mor good of thes folk say they ; 〈◊〉 have lost them , we will gett them no more fre●●● to us , we will be freinds to a persecutted caus●●● his Gospell , say to it , Sirs we are come to th●●● answer , we shall say no more , the Lord him 〈◊〉 work upon you and work you up to this fram , 〈◊〉 cane onlie speik to you , but no more , Paul 〈◊〉 plant and Apollo may water but the Lord mo●●● ve the increas , the Lord bliss what hath bein●●● kne , and to his name be the praise .

FINIS .