Then & Now · 43 of 44
4. Christ’s Unwillingness
4. Christ’s Unwillingness
BY ſuggeſting to the ſinner Chriſts972 unwillingneſſe to ſave; ‘tis true, ſaith Satan; Chriſt is able to ſave thee, but is he willing ſurely? though hee be able, yet he is not willing to ſave ſuch a wretch as thou art, that haſt trampled his blood under thy feet, and that haſt been in open rebellion againſt him all thy dayes, &c.
- 972. 4 Device. [dropped from the edition]
BY suggesting to the sinner Christ’s unwillingness to save; ’tis true, saith Satan; Christ is able to save thee, but is he willing? surely though he be able, yet he is not willing to save such a wretch as thou art, that hast trampled his blood under thy feet, and that hast been in open rebellion against him all thy days, etc‸.
1. THe great journey that he hath973 taken from heaven to earth, on purpoſe to ſave ſinners, doth ſtrongly demonſtrate his willingneſſe to ſave them. Math. 9. 13. I came not to call the974 righteous, but ſinners to repentance. 1 Tim. 1. 15. This is a faithfull ſaying, and worthy975 of all acceptation, that Jeſus Chriſt came into the world to ſave ſinners, of whom I am chiefe.
1. The great journey that he hath taken from heaven to earth, on purpose to save sinners, doth strongly demonstrate his willingness to save them. Matt 9:‸13. I came not to call the772 righteous, but sinners to repentance. 1 Tim‸ 1:‸15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy773 of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
2. His diveſting himſelf of his glory in order to ſinners ſalvation, ſpeaks out his willingneſſe to ſave them; he leaves his Fathers boſome, he puts off his glorious robes, and layes aſide his glorious Crown, and bids adieu to his gliſtering Courtiers the Angels, and all this he doth, that hee may accompliſh ſinners ſalvation.
2. His divesting himself of his glory in order to sinners’ salvation, speaks out his willingness to save them; he leaves his Father’s bosom, he puts off his glorious robes, and lays aside his glorious crown, and bids adieu to his glistering courtiers the angels, and all this he doth, that he may accomplish sinners’ salvation.
3. That ſea of ſin, that ſea of wrath, that ſea of trouble, that ſea of blood976 that Jeſus Chriſt waded through, that ſinners might be pardoned, juſtified, reconciled, and ſaved, doth ſtrongly evidence his willingneſſe to ſave ſinners.
- 976. From the Cradle to the Croſſe, his whole life was a life of ſufferings.
3. That sea of sin, that sea of wrath, that sea of trouble, that sea of blood774 that Jesus Christ waded through, that sinners might be pardoned, justified, reconciled, and saved, doth strongly evidence his willingness to save sinners.
- 774. From the Cradle to the Cross, his whole life was a life of sufferings.
5. His complaints againſt ſuch as refuſe him, and that turn their backs upon him, and that will not be ſaved by him, doth ſtrongly declare his willingneſſe to ſave them. He came to his owne,978 and his owne received him not. So in that 5. of John, v. 40. But yee will not come979 to me, that ye may have life.
5. His complaints against such as refuse him, and that turn their backs upon him, and that will not be saved by him, doth strongly declare his willingness to save them. He came to his own,776 and his own received him not. So in that 5. of John, v. 40. But ye will not come777 to me, that ye may have life.
6. The joy and delight that he takes at the converſion of ſinners, doth demonſtrate his willingneſſe, that they ſhould be ſaved. Luk. 15. 7. I ſay unto980 you, that likewiſe joy ſhall be in heaven over one ſinner that repenteth, more then over ninety and nine juſt perſons which need no repentance. God the Father rejoyceth at the return of his prodigall Sonne. Chriſt rejoyces to ſee the travell of981 his ſoule: the Spirit rejoyces that he hath another Temple to dwell in, and the Angels rejoyce that they have another Brother to delight in, &c.
6. The joy and delight that he takes at the conversion of sinners, doth demonstrate his willingness, that they should be saved. Luke 15:‸7. I say unto778 you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance. God the Father rejoiceth at the return of his prodigal Son. Christ rejoices to see the travail of779 his soul: the Spirit rejoices that he hath another temple to dwell in, and the angels rejoice that they have another brother to delight in, etc‸.