Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name He shall teach you all things So that the Comforter himself as distinguished from his teaching is promised here And Ioh 15.26 He is also promised as contradistinguished from his Operations and testifying oâ— Christ. 4. The Believer is said to have the Spirit So that they belong not to Christ who have not have the Spirit of Christ Rom 8.9 He is said to dwell in them Rom 8.11 1 Cor 3.16 2 Tim 1.14 To be with them Ioh 14.17 And to be in them Rom 8.11 By his Spirit that dwelleth in you 5. Not only doth the Spirit help our infirmities which is through Grace But the Spirit himself is said to make intercession for us with groaninos which cannot be uttered which aÌ„pears to be somewhat other that is given them then the meer Graces of the Spirit And that because there immediately follows And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit Rom 8.27 6. The Believer is said to be sealled with the holy Spirit oâ— promise And he is the earnest of our Inheritance Eph 1.13 14. And given as a seal and Pledge Eph 4.30 The earnest of the Spirit is given in their hearts 2 Cor 1.22 So also 2. Cor 5.5 which seems to hold out more than his Fruits 7. Therefore the Believer is commanded not only not to quench the Spirit Ephes 5. 19. which may have respect to his Operations and Indrawings of Grace in the Soul But also not to grieve the Spirit Ephes 4.30 Which seems to import the dwelling of the Spirit in them 8. It is by vertue of this Union betwixt the Spirit and the believer that their very dust is raised up in the last day so that God by the Spirit that dwelleth in them shall quicken their mortal bodies Rom 8.11 This Spirit then that dwelleth in them must be somewhat else then his Graces for by these the mortal bodies are not quickened And he is called the Spirit of Him that raised up Iesus from the dead 9. He is said to be sent forth into their Heaâ—ts crying Abba Father Gal 4.6 10. David prayeth expresly Psal 51.11 That the LORD would not take his Holy Spirit from him Vse 1. This is a noble point of Truth and full of many grounds oâ— Comfort And how could Believers other wayes then rejoyce providing this Union betwixt Christ and them were believed Did they know that Christ were in them keeping house in them dweling with them with joy and satisfaction would it not make them sing under all adversity And that upon a four fold account 1. Upon the account of the great Honour which iâ— brought to them thereby even to them who formerly were meer cages of unclean spirits and yet still have much coorruption abiding in them That the King of Zion who is King of kings LORD of Lords Heir of all the Brightness oâ— his Fathers Glory and the express Image of his Person Heb 1.3 Who is the Image of the invisible GOD the first borne of every Creature Col 1.15 That he I say should come and loege with them lodge in their Heart within their Soul That he whom the Heaven of heavens cannot contain that is High and Lofty who dwells in Eternity should live with such a One and be united with such O what incomprehensible Honour is this Elizabeth cryed once with great admiration And whence is this to me that the Mother of my Lord should come to me Luke 1.43 And may not the Believer with much more admiration cry out And whence is this to me that my Lord himself should come to me And not only so but come to me and dwell and abide with me 2. Here is great comfort on the account of profit and advantage Have they the Heir of all things so near to them and with them living in them what can they then want For if Christ be theirs all things are theirs life death â—hings present and things to come 1 Cor 3.22 23. Hath GOD given Christ and shall he not with him also freely give us all things Rom â— 32 And what can they lack that have all things what can they want who have Him in them in whom dwells all the fullness of the God head bodily Col 2.9 What want they who have Heaven And can they want Heaven within them who have Christ within them They are compleat in him Col 2.10 Which is â—he Head of all principality and power 3. Here is comfor upon the account of safety Who or what can harm them who have preservation or salvation wiâ—hin them Christ the Author of Eternal Salvation within them O what security for them in whom he is What can tribulation or distress or famine or nâ—kedness or peril or sword do to such can they separate him who is become a Habitation for Christ from the love of GOD which is in Christ Jesus No no can the ship drown wherein Christ is Can fire or water harm a Soul who is a Habitation for Christ What can satan do against Christs lodging Can he or dare he cast it down 4. Here is Comfort upon the account of security and tranquility For who can weaken and endamage their right to Glory that allready have begun Glory in the soul to wit Christ the hope of Glory can satan or the world make such an one miserable No surely greater is He that is in them then he that is in the world 1 Ioh 4.4 What surer pledge of Heaven and Salvation can the soul have then a begun possession What is Heaven other then a life of Communion with GOD in the nearest and strictest degreâ— And 〈◊〉 stricteâ— Union can any have with Christ than to have him in them Vse 2 Unbelievers and strangers â—o Christ may hence gather these princâ—pal Points for their better improvement oâ—â—he â—oresaid Truths 1. Have nâ— mean â—houghâ—s â—f â—he life and state of Bâ—lievâ—rs You sâ—e to what they are â—xâ—lâ—ed hâ—wever contempâ—able in the eyes of â—he World despise you such an incomprehensiâ—le â—â—ch advantage Iâ— is no such despicâ—ble and mean Life as you phansie Have then a higher esteem thereof if you would be truely Wise. 2. Again on the other hand ponder seriously what a fearful and mâ—serable condiâ—ion iâ— is wherâ—in ye are who are strangeâ—s to Christ And in place of Christ in you the Hâ—pe of Glory ye have satan â—n you working thâ— wâ—â—ks of darkness blinding the mind left the light of the glorious Gospel â—f Christ who is the Image of God shouuld shine unto you 2 Cor 4 4. Beâ—ng without Christ â—o ye have no hope strangers from the Covenants â—f promise and without God Ephes 2 21. Without a Leader and Commander Isa 55. Without Protectâ—on or â—oy and wâ—thout â—ll that â—s good 3 Do noâ— only think on it â—ut dwell on the thoughts of it until that your â—earts be wroughâ— up to a real sorrow and â—rief that ye have been so long in such a conâ—ition
Invasions So is Christs Reâ—gniâ— as Head Law-giver and great Commandâ— in the Souls of his People by hâ—s Laws aâ—â— Statutes So is he said to Reign over the house 〈◊〉 Iacob Luk 1.33 with 1 Joh 4 4. 2. As the Master of a Family in his owâ— House where he dwells with Contentmenâ— Ease Satisfaction Pleasure and Delight 〈◊〉 beholding his House Even so Christ â—welâ— in the Hearts of his People Eph 3.17 Aâ—â— therefore called his own house Heb 3.6 And an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph â— 22. Christ standing before the door promiseth to such as will open to him to come it Revel 3.20 3. Christ is in the Believer as a Tradseman in his Shop doing the Work of his Calling I say so is Christ advancing the Work oâ— Grace in the Believer for beliveth in them Gal 2.20 And if Christ be in you the body iâ— dead because of sea but the Spirit is Life becausâ— of Righteousness Rom 8 10. As the GOD this World that is the Devil is and dwelâ— in them to whoâ— the Gospel is hid and whâ— are lost blinding the minds of them whicâ— believe not 2 Cor 4.3 4. And as the prince 〈◊〉 the power of the air that evil spirit doth worâ— in the Children of disobedience Ephes 2 2â— Even so Christ having cast out this strong man comes to the heart and takes possession â—hereof and worketh therein what is well pleasing in his eyes 4. Like into one in his obtained possession â—nd in his Garden delighâ—ing himself in the â—njoyment of what he hath gotten and purchased Even so is Christ in Believers havâ—ng purchased them unto himself and that with his own Blood pâ—ssâ—ssing them as his own and there delighâ—eâ—h he himself as in his Garden Song 6.2 My Beloved is gone down â—nto his Garden to the beds of Spices to feed in â—he Gardens and to gather Lillies So that this Expression Christ in you holds â—orth 1 Christ reco0ncilled with them by Faith He stands no more at the door knockâ—ng but he is let in and there is peace betwixt Him and â—hem he is come in 2. Christs â—nward Affection to them He cannot but love â—hem in whom he dwells and abides In whose bosome he layeth his head and in whose Heart he hath his Throne 3 â—hrists â—pecial acknowledging them â—o be his ransomâ—d Ones for his peculiar Treasure for his House and constant dwelling Place 4. Christs working in them the work of Holyâ—ess and drawing in them more and more â—vely Draughts and Lineaments of his new â—mage that the new Man of Grace may be â—tronger and stronger they made more and â—ore conformable to the Prince of their Salvtion in all the Graces of the Spirit 5. Christs reigning and sweying his Scepter in the Soul And that his Laws are obeyed his Statutes followed and that there is no willing subjection to any other Master That Christ having cast out the old tyrant usurper he is acknowledged as the Alone and Lawful Soveraign 6 Christs resting himself in his Love to them For where he loves there iâ— his resting place there he makes his abode 7. Christs being in them as their life the Fountain and Well spring of all Life and Operations Gal 2.20 8. In a word It holds sorth â—hat Christ is in them to do in and for them to bring them up to Glory to lead them through difficulties to strengthen them against opposition to comfort them against discouragements and to support them under crosses and so in the end to bring them home Question But how is He in the Believer I Answer He is there not only as GOD For so is he over all neither is he there meerly as Man For he is so in Heaven at the Right Hand of the Father where he must abide until the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets since the World began Acts. 3.21 Buâ— as Mediator not in Person but by his Viceroy and great Lord keeper of his Room the Holy Ghost For he is the Comforter that â—hall ever abide with us And for whom Christ prayed the Father and wâ—â—m he was â—o send Ioh 14.16 17.26 Ioâ— 15.26 and 16.7.13 Question But is it by the Spirit himself that Christ lives and abides in the Believer Or is â—t alone by the Graces Effects and Operations of the Spirit Answer By whatever of the two it be by this way of Christs in dwelling is every way strong ground of Consolation and affords solide Joy and a sure well grounded Hope of Glory Notwithstanding there are several Expressions in Scripture that seems to plead â—or the Spirit himself As 1. The Believer is said to be the Temple of God of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor 3.16 17. and 6.19 Which gives to know more than that they have his Graces as the design ground of the Apostles reasoning holds forth Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God And that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you If any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy For the Temple of God as holy which Temple ye are Here three times they are called GODS Temple And not only so but as if the Apostle would further lay forth the business he adds And that the Spirit of GOD dwelleth in you All which may be said very properly of a Person and more properly than of any work wrought by the Spirit To the same purpose the Apostle speaketh 1 Cor 6.19 What know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God The Holy Ghost is said to be in them as a Temple 2. The Spirit is spoken of as a Gift with a dâ—fference from his Works and Effects oâ— Grace Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given us Rom 5.5 Here is the Grace of Love wrought by the Holy Ghost And moreover the Apostle sayes that it is by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us So that the Holy Ghost himself is given as a special Gift besides that of his Fruit and Operations in the Soul Compared with Ezek 36.27 And I will put my Spiriâ— within you 3. Christ promises to send him in hâ—â— Room and mentions him alwayes as a Person that he will send to dwell and abide with them to work in them â—o saith he Iob. 14.16 17. And I will pray the Father and he shall givâ— you another comforter that he may abide with yoâ— for ever So that it is the Comforter himselâ— that he promiseth here and not simply hâ—â— Comforts And who is this Comforter Eveâ— the spirit of Truth whom the World cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him bâ—â— ye know him And as if this were not sufficienâ— he adds further for he dwelleth with yoâ— and shall be in you And yet further v. 26. Buâ— the Comforter which is the Holy
that the Suffâ—rings of this present time are not worthy to be compâ—red with the Glory which shall be revealed in us Oâ— Suffâ—rings here are but Light and for a moment How can they then be compared with this Glory in respect of the weightiness thereof seeing in superlative degree it is wholly and exceedinglâ— excellent Or to be compared in respect of iâ— continuance seeing it is Eternal What proportion is there between a moment and Eternity Not so much as between the tenth part of â— drop of Water and the vast Ocean 8. It is a Glory that reacheth both Soul and Body even the very lump of flâ—sh our Bodies shall be raised in Glory 1 Cor. 15.43 And Christ Jesus shall change our vile Bodies that they may be fashioned like unto his Glorious Body Phil. 3.21 But if you should ask the Question what really that Glory is We must acknowledge we cannot answer it it is far yea very far above our Uptakings neither hath it ever entered into the heart of man to fathom or take it up How can we then express it O that we had the Faith thereof established in our Hearts We might better tell you what that Glory is not then what it is Let us then consider a little what this Glory doth free the Believer from 1 That Glory shall then freely deliver the Believer from all distress Sorrow Sighing Pains Tortures Stiches Sicknes and Death There is no Death in Glory for it is without end The weight of that Glory is so sweet and satisfying that the Soul that is loaded therewith cannot but rejoyce continually and forget all its Sorrows and Complaints there is no Sighing under that burden Foâ— however it be exceeding weighty yet it is both able to bear it self and support and bear up the Soul loaded therewith And the Ransomed of the Lord shall 〈◊〉 return and come to Zion with Songs and everlasting joy upon their Heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and fighing shall flee away Isa. 35.10 In the Heavenly Zion in that place of Glory there is no Mourning to be heard Isa. â—1 11 That Glory cannot admit of the least tear amongst the Inhabitants â—here For the Lord God shall wipe away Tears from off all faces Isa 25.8 Revel 7.17 and 21 4. The Inhabitant of that Land shall not say I am sick Isa 33.24 2. That Glory shall deâ—iver the Believer from all occasions of Sorrow and Sadness no Oppressor nor Persecuter shall breath there no Object of sorrow there no injury shall be done to any there no scorching Sun there the Sun shall not Light upon them nor any heat Revel 7 16. Isa. 49.10 3. That Glory shall deliver the Bâ—liever from all sin the very Fountain of all our Miseries Sin cometh not within the Marches of the new Land of Glory Corruption may pursue and molest a Child of God to the very Ports of Glory buâ— there they part never more to meet There he shall be in case to cry out Victory Victory O Death where is thy Sting O Grave where is thy Victory The sting of Death is Sin but Sin shall have no access there 4. That Glory shâ—ll deliver the Believers from all Temptations to sin whether from within oâ— from without No Devils nor Instruments oâ— Devils there to molest or tempt us no inward stirrings of Corruptions there no Objects to divert there no lusting of the Eye no lusting of the Flesh nor pride of Life shall be there That Glory secures the Soul and seats it beyond the reach of all spiritual Enemiâ—s There shall Believers be as Princes Rulers and Conquerors over the World And there shall Satan wâ—th all his Devices and Instrumenâ—s be utterly routed and eternally shakled under their feet and shall never more be unloosed 5. That Glory shall deliver us from all Anxieties and Tormeâ—ting perplexiâ—ies whereunto here we are made lyable no Hunger Thirst Cold Weariness c. there The Labourer shall Sweat no more there The burden bearer shall cry no more O my back The poor man shall drudge no more for Bread to his Family he shall no more travel over Sea and Land for Back and Belly They shall Hunger no more neither Thirst any more and wherefore For the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall â—eed them and shall lead them into living Fountains of Waters Revel 7.16 17. 6. That Glory shâ—ll deliver them from all Darkness of Judgement about their Duty and doubtings and questionings concerning their State or Frame neither suspecting it as to the present noâ— eveâ—â—earing a change therein as to the future Glory is Light and pure Light neither can it admit of Darkness the Light that is there darkens the Sun For that City of Glory hath no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it For the Glory of God doth Lighten it and the Lamb is the Light thereof Revel 21.23 There the Bride shineth for her Light is come and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon her Isa 60.1 7. That Glory shall deliver the Believer from all sorrowful and heart-breakiâ—g Ecclipses and interruptions of the Beams of the Love and Favour of God Now Clouds interveens betwixt the Light of Gods Countenance and the poor Soul with many Jealousies Fears and Terrors and sometimes real and sometimes fancied Desertions tormenting the Believer casting him in Feavers and Distempers waging War against him so that he looks out into God and the daâ—es of old and he is troubled But there is no Desertion in Glory no Clouds no Night there Revel 21 25. Their Suâ— shall never set no Ecclipses there They shall dwell in the Light of his Countenance and drink in Eternally the Out leâ—tings of Glory from the unmeasurable and Etternally living Fountain of Glory and that without the least interruption They shall everlastingly ly in the bosome of God 8. That Glory shall deliver the Believer from all deadness formaliâ—y sinking under the burden of Duties upsitting through Discouragements and sloathfulness in the wayeâ— of the Lord and from all such Spiritual Distempers They shall serve him there night and day without wearying or upsitting Revel 7 15. All who come to land in Glory they shall mount up with wings as Eagles they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not be faint Isai 40 31 There shall that word be fulfilled He that is feeble among them shall be as David and the house of David shall be as GOD as the Angel of the LORD before them Zech 12 8 Thus we have opened some what of that Negative happiness may we so call it which holds forth some what of this Glory But if you ask what positively iâ— is we lose our selves not being in case to answer it Nevertheless the Scriptures makes use of some expressions whereby we may come to understand somewhat of that Life of Glory However many of them are but borrowed from such enjoyments and exercâ—ses as are most
foâ— the Adoption to wit the Redemption of our Body for we are saved by Hope But hope that is seen 〈◊〉 not hope for what a man seâ—th why doth he yeâ— hope for But if we hope for that we see not that do we with Patience wait fâ—r it Rom 8.23.24 25 Glory is purchased for them at a dear raâ—e to wit the Blood of Christ and promised to to them by the GOD of Truth who cannot lie Nevertheless while here in time though now and hâ—â— aâ— the LORD sees good they may geâ— some foretaste of that life of Glory and have bestâ—wed on them the Earnest of the Inheritance even the Holy Spirit of promise by whom they 〈◊〉 sealeâ— Yet they must waiâ— until the Redemâ—tion of the Purchased Possession Ephes 1.13.14 All that is goten here is but the earnest of what is to come and of what is folded up in the promise which they must follow after in Faith and hope Here they wait for that Glory and live in the Faith and expectation of what is to come And now abideth Faith Hope c. 1 Cor 13.13 The Lord sees it good it should bâ— so for wise and weighty reasons we shall offer some few which may satisfie us herein 1 Reason That he may attain the praise of his truth and faithfulness when it is seen that such who are no Fools dare nevertheless adventure their Souls and all their Concernments upon GODs naked word dâ—pend thereupon and Possess their Souls in patience and thus live in hope Yea not only so but Rejoyce in the hope of the Glory of GOD. Rom. 5.2 Though for the present they may have very little or nothing in hand 2. Reason That thereby the several Graces of GODs Spirit may be exercised in them as Faith Patience longing c. Whereof the beliver shall make no use when once in possession of Glory The hope that is seen is no hope that is hope has no more place when the thing hoped for is seen and poâ—sessed And where hope is in exercise there is also a patient waiting all which acknowledge Faith to be the foundation whereon â—hâ—y stand Now is the time and season â—or these Fruits to grow for aâ— soon as the hoped for Inheritance is attained these flowers shall no more bloâ—som in the Garden of the Soul Now must we live by Faiâ—â— and not by Sense 2 Cor. 5.7 Now is it thaâ— they groan earnestly desiring to be cloathâ—â— upon with their House which is from Heaveâ— to wit while they are in this Tabernacle 2 Cor 5.1 2 4. Now abideth Faith Hope 1 Cor. l3. 13 3. Reason That they may be prepared anâ— made meet for â—hat Glory and to be partakers 〈◊〉 the Inheritance of the Saints in Light Col. 1 1â— Glory is no ordinary Life neither shall Sinner find a breathing in that Element they must bâ— changed washed and prepared before theâ— come there The rough stones win out of Natures Womb must be plained and polished before they can be useâ—ull Materials for the higher House Here then must the Expectants of thaâ— Glory through the exercise of Faith Hope Patience c. Be adorned and fitted for thâ—â— glorious Habitation The Children that were 〈◊〉 stand before the King of Babylon were to bâ— taughâ— and â—â—â—â—ished wiâ—h the Kingâ— Meat aâ—â— Wine wâ—ich be Drank for the space of thâ—â—â— years Dan. 1 3 4 5. Far more then are 〈◊〉 Attenders oâ— Glory to be prepared wherebâ— they may be fiâ—ted to stand in the presence oâ— the greaâ— King of Glory and that everlastingly 4. Reason Thâ—â— thereby Glory may be the sweeter aâ—d welcomer unto them when thâ—â— get it a loâ—g expected Crown is the welcomer when oâ—â—â—ined 5. Reason That thereby He may have occasion to evidence the Glory of his Power Truth and Faithfulness in bringing them at last to the Possession of the promised Inheritance after some few years patient waiting and that notwithstanding of many difficulties in the way the deceitfulness of their own Hearts the many discouragements from within and from without wherewith they had to Fight 6. Reason That the ungodly among whom they live may be the more inexcusable who say in effect that there is no God and that he is not to be trusted That Glory and Blessedness is but a meer dream and fancy when they see that Believers among them rest on the Faithful word of God and comfort themselves in the Hope of Glory which shall be revealed and that in the midst of reproaches Persecutions Poverty Difficulties c. And that they will not let go the hope of that Inheritance for all the Profite and Pleasures of the World or condescend to any thing which in the least might prejudge that Hope no not for the greatest of worldly advantages Rom. 8.18 But here take some words of Vse alongst with you 1. For Caution to such who now â—nd then win at some Foretastings of this glorious Life of Glory and sometimes are admitted to the Kings Banqueting-house and filled with the Kisses of his Mouth and Eat of his Aples of Love and so are brought into the very Suburbs of Heaven I would say these things unto them 1. Think not that that life will alwayes continue you may now and then have more then ordinary Dainties and some dayes of Feasting yet remember that thy Life here is by Faith Hope c. And not by Sense But providing that it please thâ— Lord out of his overflowing Goodness foâ— his own Glory to daâ—dle you on his Kneeâ— and to treat you more then ordinary make iâ— welcome Be not puffed up therewith noâ— imagine that it will be your ordinary fare sâ— long as here in time But rather look that therâ— will be a low ebb after such a Spring-flood and that that Table shall yet again be drawn And so prepare your self for your ordinary portion remembring that thy Life here Is Life of Hope grounded upon Faith 2. Whâ—â— of this sort of extraordinary intertainmeâ—â— you also get look but on it as a Pledge or Aâ—les-penny and endeavour to carry your selvâ— as Expectants of Glory looking out into thaâ— which is to come and let your desires growâ— the more to compleat the Harvest since thâ— first Fruits are so sweet be not satisfied wiâ—â— what you receive of that nature as if it weâ—â— your Portion Glory is here not in Hand bâ— in Hope to such 2. Vse To such who are great Strange to the fore-tastings of Sense let them not 〈◊〉 discouraged But 1. Be satisfied though the Lord should with hold from you these more extraordinary Out-lettings of his Favour and deal with thee otherwise then with some Remember that your ordinary way of living is a Life of Hope 2. Make use of this Hope which is your Life to the best advantage Exercise thy Faith and comfort thy self in the Hope of the Glory of God Thus shall you Glorify Him who hath called you to this Hope of his Kingdom knowing
undeserved Love towards us in this Mystery in respect of the very outward making known of the same to us when Kingdoms and Nations more preferrable than we ly still in Darkness or have corrupted and undone these Truths by their Errors 2 That we with all â—hankfulness heartily acknowledge this Mystery and walk humbly under the sense of this undeserved favour We are to fear the Lord and His Goodness as also to meditate what an account we have to give for these rich Mercies lest we misimprove the same and turn His Grace unto Wantonness seriously laying to Heart that it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorah in the day of Judgement than for such who have had these Manifestations and this Light among them and notwithstanding have desired Darkness ratheâ— than Light 2. Vse For warning unto such to whom the Lord in a saving way hath made known the Riches of Glory by bringing it into their Soul with power and efficacy Namely 1. They should walk worthy of such Grace and Love by carrying themselves humbly before Him remembring their Nativity and the Rock from whence they are hewed that free free Grace may get the Honour of all 2. They should live in the admiration of this rich and free Grace of GOD What were you or your Fathers House that GOD should have cast His Eye upon you What could He see more in you than in others who yet 〈◊〉 in Darkness without these saving Discoveries 3. They ought to endeavour to commend the Riches of this Grace and Goodness to others to speak good of Him who hath been so good to them 4. They ought to make use of these Discoveries which GOD hath given them for the advantage of others doing their outmost to win others and to hold out somewhat of that Light to others that they may be brought in thereby But I hasten now to the Last Point in this Verse to wit That Christ iâ— the Soul is the riches of the Glory of this Mystery made known in the Gâ—spel Which is Christ in you saith he This Truth contains these three Particulars First That a Soul-union wiâ—h Christ is the first Intention chief Scope and Dâ—sign of the Gospel This principally is intended therein that Christ may be near hand and within the Soul A Second is That in this Union consists the Riches of the Glory of the Gospel thereby is this Riches made known and here is their Center For the Soul that is in possession of this Union is likeways partaker of the Riches of this Glory Thirdly That this Union of the Soul with Christ or the bringing of Christ unto the Soul is only the Work of GOD for He maketh known thâ— Riches of the Glory of the Gospel As to the First of these Truths we are to observe these two Things 1 That until â—he Gospel come unto a Soul with power and efficacy the Soul is without Christ. 2. That the Gospel is the Instrument of GOD whereby this Union between Christ and the Soul is carried on and this is the end and design thereof The First which is here premised is clear from Ephes 2.12 before the Gospel came to the Ephesians among the Miseries wherein they were this was the chief that as they were withouâ— Gâ—D so also wiâ—hout Christ when the Gospel fiâ—st comes among a Peâ—ple it finds them fitting in Daâ—knâ—ss and in the regâ—on and shadow of Death Mat. 4 16 â—sa 9 2. And under the power of Satan Act 26.18 Therefore it was the principal work of the Apostles where they came to preach Christ Act. 9 20. and 8 5 Vse This being sufficiently clear we are to leaâ—n thus to make use of it As 1. Earnestly to seek â—fter more solid and real Convictions of these Tâ—uths Many yet lying in Nature and before whom the Light of the Gospel hath never shined in its power dream notwithstanding that they have Christ in them as well as others and so deceive their own Souls and disappoint the great end of the Gospel A full conviction hereof should dispose Folk more earnestly to give ear unto the preaching of the Gâ—spel 2. These Fools must not imagine iâ— sufficient that they have the outward Ordinances of the Gospel and under the administration of the same For unless the Gospel do come in pâ—wer and in the evidence of the Spirit unto â—hâ—m theâ— may nevertheless abide without Christ Yea and until they fiâ—d this in them they will certainly continue Christless and Graceless 3. They are called then to cry unto the Lord that He would reveal his Arm in the preaching of the Gospel that they may not longer continue in in their sâ—d and lamentable Condition The Second is That this Gospel and the administration of the same is the appointed Means whereby this spiritual and saving Union is carried on and that this is its princâ—pal end and dâ—sign appears from these Gâ—ounds 1 st Here is the Offâ—r of this Reconciliation and Union held â—orth Christ comes in the preaching of the Gospel And 1. He tells what is His Father's Miâ—d and Will namely that they should accept of Him believe in Him and let Him into â—he Soul for this is the great Commandment and so much called for duty Ioh. 6.29 This is â—he work of GOD that ye believe on â—im whom He hath sent 1 Ioh. 3.23 And this His Commandment that we should believe on the Name of His Son Jesus Christ. 2. He entreateth them in His Father's Nâ—me to come to open unto Him that He might come and take up His Habitation with them Isa â—5 1 Revel 3.20.3 He prâ—sses and drives on His Request Suâ—e and Desire with many Arguments and Motives as we have evidenced formerly 4. He removes all the Difficulties out of the way by answering all Objections preventing all Discouragements O how full is the Gospel of this 5. He upbâ—aids them that they come not unto Him Joh. 5.4 Ye will not come to me that ye might have Life 6. He waits patiently with much Longanimity upon them â—â—newing His Suteâ— Cries and Intreaties Aâ— which is palpable in the administration of thâ— Gospel whereby appears sufficiently thâ—â— this Union betwixt Christ and the Soul is thâ— great design and end of the Gospel 2 dly Herein the Gospel the Conditions arâ— cleared and laid open whereupon this Union must be accomplished Namely 1. That wâ— forsake all other Lovers and be fully satisfied that thereis a separation between us and them for we must foresake our Fathers House providing we will â—ave the King greatly to take pleasure in us Psal 45.10 11.2 That we receive Him freely without Money and without Pâ—ice Isa. 55.1 2.3 That we receive Him wholly even as He offereth Himselâ— to be married unto us that is as a Priest Prophet and King for we must receive all of Him and not â— part of Him Joh. 1.12.4 That we receive Him fully without reserve absolutely without exception seeing He is altogether Lovely and