that he is not only an able and all-sufficient
Mediator, but that also he is willing and ready to redeem and save all
that will come. For all the preceding particulars will but increase his
sorrow and torment him more, so long as he supposeth, through ignorance
and the suggestion of Satan, that he hath no part in that redemption, no
access to it, no ground of hope of salvation by it. Therefore it is
necessary that the soul conceive not only a possibility, but also a
probability of help this way, and that the dispensation of the gospel of
grace, and the promulgation and offer of these good news to him, speak
out so much, that the patience of God waiting long, and his goodness
renewing the offers, confirmeth this; that his serious pressing, his
strong motives, on the one hand, and his sharp threatenings on the
other; his reiterated commands, his ingeminated obtestations; his
expressed sorrow and grief over such as would not come to him; his
upbraiding and objurations of such as do obstinately refuse, and the
like, put his willingness to save such as will come to him out of all
question. Yea, his obviating of objections, and taking all excuses out
of their mouth, maketh the case plain and manifest, so that such as will
not come are left without excuse, and have no impediment lying in the
way but their own unwillingness.

8. The man must know upon what terms and conditions Christ offereth
himself in the gospel, viz. upon condition of accepting of him,
believing in him, and resting upon him; and that no other way we can be
made partakers of the good things purchased by Christ, but by accepting
of him as he is offered in the gospel, that is to say, freely, "without
price or money," Isa. lv. 1, absolutely without reservation, wholly, and
for all ends, &c. For, till this be known, there will be no closing with
Christ; and till there be a closing with Christ, there is no advantage
to be had by him. The soul must be married to him as an husband, fixed
to him as the branches to the tree, united to him as the members to the
head, become one with him, "one spirit," 1 Cor. vi. 17. See John xv. 5.
Eph. v. 30. The soul must close with him for all things, adhere to him
upon all hazards, take him and the sharpest cross that followeth him.
Now, I say, the soul must be acquainted with these conditions; for it
must act deliberately and rationally here. Covenanting with Christ is a
grave business, and requireth deliberation, posedness of soul