ther way of dealing with men suitable to their froward natures; he
gives out his royal statute backed with majesty and authority; "This is
his command," &c.--that when fair means could not prevail, other means more
terrible might reduce lost rebellious men. He hedges in our way with
threatenings and promises annexed to the commandment, "He that believeth
has everlasting life, but he that believeth not is condemned already, and
shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." He declares all
men traitors if they come not in to his Son, to be reconciled to God,
before the decree of wrath pass forth.

Truly it is a wonder that there should be any need either of an
invitation, or a request, or a command, or a threatening; that we should
need to be invited, or requested, or commanded, or threatened to our own
happiness. Might not a bare and simple offer, or proposal of Jesus Christ,
his nature, and offices, of the redemption and salvation purchased by him,
suffice? What needed more, but to declare unto us that we are lost and
utterly undone by nature, and that there is a refuge and remedy provided
in Christ? Surely in any other thing of little importance, we needed no
entreaty. Were it not a good enough invitation to a man that is like to
starve for hunger, to cast meat freely before him; or to a man that is in
hazard of drowning, to cast a cord to him? We would seek no other
persuasion to go and dig for a treasure of gold, than to show us where it
is hid. But strange is the rebellious and perverse disposition of man's
heart. What an enmity is in it to the ways of God! What strange
inclination to self-murder, ever since man destroyed himself! We cannot
express it unto you; but you may perceive it well enough, both by the
Lord's frequent obtesting, and protesting to us in his word, and the
experience of the great barrenness of all such means. Whence is it, I pray
you, that there should need so many means to persuade you to that which is
your own advantage, and to call you to shun the ways of destruction? And
whence is it that notwithstanding of all those invitations, entreaties,
commandments, promises and threatenings often sounding in your ears, yet
the most part are not reduced to obedience, nor reclaimed from the ways of
death, and do not take hold of the path of life. Truly it may plainly
point out to you the desperate wickedness of the heart, the stubbornness
and rebelliousness of our disposition, and if once we c