II. Against his word. We need not say, Who shall

ascend into heaven, to bring down Christ from above? Or who shall descend into the deep, to bring up Christ _ from beneath? The word is nigh us. Are you agreed that Christ shall end the controversy? Hear then his own words; Except you be converted, you shall in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven, Matt. xvii. 3. You must be born again, John iii. 7. If I wash thee not, thou hast no part in me, Jobn viii. 8. Repent or perish, Luke xii. 3. One word, one would think, were enough from Christ; but how often and earnestly doth. he reiterate it! Verily, verily, evcept a man\be born again, he shall not see the kingdom of God, John iii, 3, 5. And wilt thou yet believe thy own presump- tuous confidence, directly against Christ's words? He must go quite against the law of his kingdom, to save thee in this state. bea Ill. Against his oath. He hath lifted up his hand to heaven, he hath sworn, that: those that remain in unbelief, and know not his ways, (that is, are ignorant
THE NECESSITY OF CONVERSION. 575
of them, or disobedient to them,) shall not enter into his rest, Psal. xev. 11. Heb. ii. 18. And wilt thou not yet believe, O sinner, that he is in earnest? Canst thou hope he will be forsworn for thee? The covenant of grace is confirmed by an oath, and sealed by blood, Heb. vi 17. Matt. xxvi. 28. But all must be made void, if thou be saved living or dying un- sanctified.