Isaac Ambrose on the Sincere Free Offer of the Gospel

1604-1664

Ambrose was an English puritan, presbyterian and preacher to the king in 1631.  He was twice imprisoned and later ejected from the Anglican Church in 1662 along with the other 2,000 puritans of his day.

 

 

Looking Unto Jesus, pp. 146-7, these quotes were compiled by Andrew Myers

Consider of those tenders and offers of Christ, those entreaties and beseechings to accept of Christ, which are made in the gospel. What is the gospel? or what is the sum of all the gospel, but this!  O take Christ, and life in Christ, that you may be saved.  What mean these free offers?  Ho every one that thirsteth, come to the waters; and whosoever will, let him take of the waters of life freely [Isa. 55:1]; and, God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [John 3:16]  God is the first suitor and solicitor; He first prays the soul to take Christ.  Hark at the door! who is it that knocks there? who is it that call now, even now?  Open unto me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled [Song 5:2]; for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. See him through the windows [Song 2:9].  This can be none but Christ: his sweet language of sister, love, and dove, bespeaks him Christ; his suffering language, that his head is filled with dew, and his locks with drops of the night, bespeaks him Christ. But hearken the motion He makes to your soul: Soul! consider what price I have given to save you. This my body was crucified, my hands and feet nailed, my heart pierced, and through anguish I was forced to cry, my soul is heavy, heavy unto death! and now what remains for you but only to believe?  See all things ready on my part, justification, sanctification, salvation.  I will be thy God, and thou shalt be of the number of my people.  I offer now myself and merits, and benefits flowing therefrom, and I entreat you to accept of this offer. Oh! take Christ, and life and salvation in Christ. What, is this the voice of my Beloved? are these the entreaties of Jesus? and, O my soul, will you not believe? will you not accept of this gracious offer of Christ! Oh! consider who it is that proclaims, invites, beseeches.  If a poor man should offer you mountains of gold, you might doubt of performance, because he is not of that power; if a covetous rich man should offer you thousands of silver, you might doubt of performance, because it is contrary to his nature: but Christ is neither poor, nor covetous; as He is able, so his name is gracious, and his nature is to be faithful in performance, his covenant is sealed with his blood, and confirmed by his oath, that all shall have pardon that will but come in, and believe. Oh! then let these words of Christ, whose lips are dropping down myrrh, prevail with my soul.  Say amen to his offer; I believe, Lord help my unbelief.

 

 

A Collection of the Best Thoughts on Several Important Subjects, appended to Prima, Media et Ultima; or, The First, Middle and Last Things, 7th ed., 1757, pp. 544-545.

How much does it concern us to have a just sense of the unmerited, unsolicited, and wonderful friendship of the eternal Son of God; who, tho’ He was rich, yet, for the sake of apostate sons of men, became poor, and was made flesh, and suffered, and died, that He might enlighten their darkened understandings, purify their corrupted hearts, exalt their debased natures, deliver them from the punishments due unto their sins, set open the gates of immortality before them, and conduct them into the presence of their God

 

 

 

Related Pages

The Sincere Free Offer of the Gospel

Historic Reformed Quotes on the Sincere Free Offer of the Gospel

1600’s Quotes on the Sincere Free Offer of the Gospel