Believer in this posture is sure to hear of him he shall be more and more led into holy Truths his ear is opened and his mind in a readiness for further instruction The Spirit will make deeper impressions and seal divine Truths upon his heart The rich Mines of Precepts and Promises shall lye more open before his eyes Again Christ is a great King higher than the Kings of the Earth he was anointed with the Holy Ghost he hath all the power in Heaven and Earth his Laws are all rectitude and grace his Throne must be set up in the hearts and spirits of men Unto this Faith answers by that obediential temper which is in it It owns his Soveraignty it kisses his Scepter it chuses him as a Lord â—t loves to live in his Dominions if he come forth in his Royal Command it opens the everlasting doors that he may reign within This is a fit posture it is called receiving Christ Jesus the Lord Col. 2.6 Christ will own such as his Subjects he will more and more lift up his Throne in their hearts he will let them see more of his power and glory he will make them taste the fruits of his Government in protection and excellent rewards This is the second step of union between Christ and Believers There is that in Faith which answers to all his Offices there is satisfaction in him and recumbency in them instruction in him and docibleness in them Royalty in him and obedientialness in them 3ly There is by faith a right unto Christ God did not only send his Son in the flesh to satisfie and merit for us but he hath let down from Heaven a Charter of Promises that we might see upon what terms we may have a title to Christ By that Charter sealed with his blood the believer who also seals to it by faith hath a clear right unto him My beloved is mine saith the Church Cant. 2.16 Believers have a right to claim him as their own though he be an infinite person one who is a center of Perfections a treasury of merits having in himself enough to satisfie the heart of God and supply the wants of men yet may they claim him as their own His blood is theirs it is the blood of their Sponsor and Head it was shed on purpose to justifie them as to the Law to cleanse away their sins His Spirit is theirs it is upon him as an Head and Trustee accordingly it is to be communicated to them it is to flow in their hearts in rivers of living graces They have also a right to become the sons of God It 's true they are not as he is natural Sons but they are adopted ones In their adoptive Sonship there is as Aquinas observes a shadow of the Eternal One. He is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sum. 3. part q. 23. Ar. 2. or brightness of his Father and in them there is a splendor of grace resembling God in a measure at last they shall as sons enter into his joy and sit down with him in his Throne and there not only behold his glory but have a share in the blessed region and all this is made good by the Gospel one jot or tittle of which can no more fail than God can forfeit his truth and faithfulness This is another step there is by faith a true right unto Christ 4thly There is by faith more than a meer right to Christ there is an intimate union with him believers are built upon him as a foundation inserted into him as a Vine incorporated with him as an Head To understand which of a meer right is utterly to evacuate these Metaphors which were planted in Scripture on purpose to signifie a very near union with him It is said in Scripture That we are in him and he is in us We dwell in him and he dwells in us We abide in him and he abides in us To interpret these phrases of a meer right as if all the meaning were but this We have a right to him and he hath a right to us is to dispirit those expressions which do as Emphatically speak a very near union as any words can possibly do No man ever used such words to express a right no man can use higher to express an union In those phrases therefore we have an intimate union set forth unto us so also we have in that of the Apostle We are made partakers of Christ Heb. 3.14 Not meerly of his benefits but of himself When the same Apostle would set forth the Hypostatical union of our nature to Christ he saith That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he did partake of our flesh and blood Heb. 2.14 When in this place he would set forth the Mystical union of believers to him he saith That we are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 partakers of him we do in a sort possess him we partake of him as members do of their head His satisfaction reaches down to us to make us stand before God his Spirit is communicated to us to make us a fit Temple for himself By faith we come to be in intimate union with him and in a spiritual manner possessed of him Thus much touching Faith as a bond of union with Christ The other bond is the holy Spirit The Scripture speaks of it negatively and positively Negatively If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8.9 The Spirit of Christ is that which just before is called the Spirit of God which quickens our mortal bodies ver 11. which leads the sons of God ver 14. which makes them cry Abba Father ver 15. which bears witness with their spirit ver 16. He that hath not this Spirit in such measure as is necessary to Salvation he is none of Christs he is not united to him as a member none of his members are void of the Spirit Positively He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he is in us because he hath given us of his spirit 1 Joh. 4.13 The same holy Spirit which is upon Christ the Head falls down upon believers as members of him though Christ an infinite person assumed an humane nature though his humane nature was in the same person with his Divine yet which is admirable to consider the holy Spirit had a special hand in uniting the humane nature to his person and in sanctifying it the holy Spirit came upon the Virgin Luk. 1.35 The holy Spirit descended like a Dove and lighted upon him Mat. 3.16 His Divine Nature was alsufficient and near enough to the humane yet was he anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power Act. 10.38 The sanctifying of his humane nature is in a peculiar manner attributed to the holy Spirit The reason I take it is this God in his wise counsel would have it to be so that the same Spirit which united the two Natures in the Person of Christ
constitution according to which a King is made if he be in by election or succession he stands upon some positive Law or consent which amounts to a Law if he be in by conquest in a just War he stands upon the Law of Nature which saith that the captive must be subject to the victor There are also Laws of Administration according to which a King is to Govern his Subjects without the first Laws there can be no King rightly constituted to have Subjects united to him a people may be under a Tyrant but it is not united to him Without the second Laws there will be no rule of government no right administration of things in a Kingdom According to this distinction I shall lay down two things touching the Mediatory Kingdom of Christ The one is this The Law of constitution must needs be very righteous as being no less than the Decree and Ordinance of God himself he was made a King immediately by God his Kingdom was not as ordinary ones in part are an human creature but a pure Theocracy altogether of Divine Ordination I have set my King upon my holy hill of Zion saith God of Christ Psal 2.6 I have done it not man The Decree of Heaven was for it as the next verse tells us The Lord said unto my Lord that is the Father said to Christ sit thou at my right hand Psal 110.1 Dicere hîc est discernere To say here is to decree That Christ should sit in Royal state and Majesty he is a King meerly of Divine Ordination yet he enters upon his Kingdom by Conquest in the Belial heart of fallen man nothing is in a fit posture to receive this holy King The carnal mind is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be strong holds must be cast down thoughts must be captivated and wills must be overcome or else Christ cannot have a Kingdom Therefore he takes up his spiritual arms goes forth in the power of his spirit and word and subdues the minds and hearts of men to himself so he enters by conquest and that in a very just nay merciful war it being to rescue poor captive creatures and reduce them back again to their Creator but though he come in by conquest yet there is consensus populi his people are willing they own him as their King subject to his Scepter and give up themselves to his government Thus he hath a Title to his kingdom as good as a Divine ordination a just conquest and a free consent can make it The other is this the Law of Administration is righteous and gracious righteous in that which he commands his subjects to do gracious in that which he promises to do for them His Commands which call for faith humility holiness rightiousness meekness mercy temperance patience are as right as any thing can be they are the counterpanes of Gods heart the copies of that Divine Will which is Rectitude it self they perfect the humane nature and being practically embraced they set man in a true posture towards God himself and his fellow creatures His Promises in which he engages himself that the Believer shall be justified that the poor in spirit shall have the kingdom that the pure in heart shall see God that the righteous shall be compassed with Divine favour that the meek shall be beautified with salvation that the merciful shall obtain mercy that all his obedient subjects shall enter into Heaven and enjoy the blessed God there are exceeding gracious and true not one of them shall fail he hath will and power enough to make them all good this is the Administration The sum of all is Christ being a King by Divine Ordination entring by just conquest obtaining a free consent and administring his kingdom so admirably that nothing is in his government but meer rectitude and grace the union between him and his subjects bound together by such right and good Laws must needs be very excellent Here can be no reason to complain no colour of occasion to break off from such a King or to say What portion have we in David Here are no scruples about the Governors Title no unjust Laws to be repealed no grievous burdens to be removed no heavy yokes to be taken off not the least shadow of a male-administration to be found nothing is here to be seen but rectitude and goodness which must needs make the union very firm and stable 3dly The more intimate the union is and the more internal the bonds of it are the more excellent is the union Between an earthly King and his Subjects the bonds are external there are outward thrones and scepters outward pieces of state and majesty outward laws and proclamations the King looking on his Subjects may see the outward man but no further He may exact an outward conformity but cannot touch or move their hearts there is not one spirit between him and them but several which may easily run apart and in different ways But between Christ and his Subjects the bonds are internal his kingdom comes not with observation or outward splendor but in inward power and efficacy his Kingdom is within his Throne is in the heart his Laws are not only without in the Letter but inwardly ingraven in the hearts of his Subjects they are the very Epistles of Christ written not with ink but with the spirit of the living God not in tables of stone but in the fleshly tables of the heart 2 Cor. 3.3 Besides the outward literal Edition of the Law there is an inward spiritual one which answers thereunto this spiritual King can not only look into the hearts of his Subjects but touch and move them unto obedience he can so draw as to make them run after him it is his Royal Prerogative to rule wills and hearts his Subjects have the mind of their Lord nay the same holy Spirit which is in him is in them also to inspire a measure of holiness and obedience into them O! what a union is here and how full of mystery No King can rule after this sort neither could he himself unless he were God do so In a word his Kingdom and Laws being within his Subjects having the same mind and spirit with himself the union must needs be very intimate and excellent 4thly The greater the benefits of government are the more secure is the union a King resembling God in the doing of good acting like one given to the kingdom for a common blessing his vigilancy securing the repose of his Subjects his care procuring their quiet his study being for their good as his own his Subjects resting under his shadow and enjoying the sweet ends of a well-ordered Government the union in such a case must needs be very much confirmed I shall instance but in two benefits of Government Protection and Rewards As for Protection it is incomparable in the Kingdom of Christ no earthly Kings have such a foresight and care to protect as
this Believers are united to him who is God-man In some of them there is union without vital influence in this there is union with it in others of them there is an influence but it is only of a natural life and that only while a local conjunction between the things united is maintained But in this there is an influence of a spiritual and Divine life and this notwithstanding that the local distance between Christ and Believers be as vast as it is between Heaven and Earth In them there is nothing but plain Law or Love or Art or Nature but in this there is a secret a mystery of grace an admirable conjunction of Believers to Christ and by him to the Father I conclude with the excellent words of Zanchy De tribus Elok lib. 4. fol. 180. Hoc est mirabile hujusce unitatis mysterium quae constat Deo Patre Christo Mediatore Ecclesiâ vinculo Spiritûs Sancti cum Christo cum Patre conjuncta This is the admirable mystery of this Union which is made up of God the Father Christ the Mediator and the Church by the bond of the holy Spirit with Christ and with the Father conjoined These two things being laid down which are to be observed in all the after discourse touching these resemblances I proceed to consider the resemblances in particular in which much profitable matter will offer it self to us First The Union between Christ and Believers is set forth by that which is between a King and his Subject In government the humane instinct is gratified in society and a multitude is reduced to unity a King and his Subjects become politically one he protects them they are under his shadow he governs them they are in subjection to him protection as the Lawyers speak draws subjection and subjection draws protection His royal care over them is returned in their reverence towards him and their reverence towards him falls down upon themselves in the benefits of government Ar. Eth. lib. 5. c. 6. he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the keeper of right for them and they render him the honour due to his greatness Thus they are knit together for that common good which is the great center of Government In like manner Christ is King and Believers are his Subjects His Kingdom as it imports power is over all creatures but as it imports union it is only over Believers Tyrants saith the Philosopher rule over men against their wills but Kings rule over the willing The Emperor Justinus plainly told the great oppressors Spondan Ann. Anno. 568. Ego contumacibus imperare nolo I will not rule over the disobedient Our Lord Christ doth not own rebellious sinners while such as Subjects but look upon them as enemies Believers only are his Subjects he is their great Protector they are under the wings of his grace and power he rules and governs them they are obedient to him his care is over them their obedience is towards him he maintains their right they render him the honour of his government Thus they are knit together to promote the glory of Christ and the salvation of Believers It 's true in this resemblance the meer Analogy proves no more than a political Union but the excellency of that union which is between the spiritual King and Believers shews forth a mystery For the explaining of this I shall lay down several particulars 1st The more worthy and near in blood the persons united in government are the more excellent is the union David was an excellent one worth Ten thousand others those over whom he reigned were Gods own peculiar people the nearness was such that the people told him Behold we are thy bone and thy flesh 2 Sam. 5.1 In these circumstances the union between David and his people could not but be a very excellent one much more excellent is that between Christ and his Subjects what an one is He how admirably accomplished for government he is higher than the Kings of the earth it was not a little material oyl but the Holy Ghost which anointed him to his office His wisdom is incomparable no secret is hid from his eyes Solomon's large heart was but a little thing to the vast treasures of wisdom and knowledg in him His Wisdom is as much above a meer mans as the Fathers bosom from whence he came is above mans heart His power is exceeding great he can do every thing earthly Princes set upon their thrones here below he sits above at the right hand of Power Ahasuerus had power over an Hundred and seven and twenty Provinces but he hath all the power in Heaven and Earth None is so able to save to the uttermost as he his goodness and mercy are beyond parallel His Divine bowels were up very early in a design of grace towards fallen man his humane compassions far transcend all those in the creature Nay further he himself would suffer being tempted that he might have an experimental fitness to succour the tempted His clemency is such that he is very tender over those infirm ones who are as the bruised reed and have grace in desire only His justice is very illustrious he reigns in righteousness he doth nothing but what is right truth may as soon lie and rectitude it self decline as there can be any blot or jeofail in his goverment Such a King is Christ And what are his Subjects They are no common people but excellent ones their pure heart hath a kind of Oracle in it the secret of the Lord is with them they are wise in the greatest concernments strong in the hardest duties their hearts are melted in acts of love towards God and man their hands are ever doing that which is just and right and the reason of all is because some of the holy unction which anointed their Lord falls down upon them and puts a glory on them Such are the Subjects And what is the nearness between the King and them On the one hand he though the Son of God came down from Heaven and became partaker of flesh and blood with them on the the other they though naturally but the sons of fallen Adam became through grace the seed of Christ himself his blood runs in their consciences his Divine Spirit breathes in them his holy image appears in their hearts and lives the Subjects are all Sons and resemble their Governor Here is not a single relation but one relation upon another this is the nearness The result is this he being so incomparable a King they being such excellent Subjects the nearness between them being so great the union must needs be a very choice one Who would now live under the power of sin and not much rather join himself to the blessed kingdom A better Ruler or Society then there cannot be found 2dly The more right the Laws and Administrations of a Kingdom are the better is the Union There are two sorts of Laws there are Laws of
he hath they may look here and there but his eyes are every where running to and fro through the earth to shew himself strong on the behalf of his people they may sometimes nod with the rains of Government in their hands and so not provide against approaching dangers but he is never surprized but always provided and at hand to defend his people in every temptation he makes a way to escape in every danger he knows a method of deliverance Again No earthly Kings have such a power to protect as he hath they have a power in their own Dominions but he hath all the power in Heaven and Earth in order to the good and preservation of his people They and their Subjects joining together are not always able to maintain themselves and their union against a foreign power but he is always able to maintain his Kingdom The Chaldean Empire was left to the Persian the Persian to the Grecian the Grecian to the Roman but his Kingdom shall not be left to other people Dan. 2.44 but by a peculiar priviledg it abides for ever no foreign power can ruine it no gates of Hell can prevail against it the posture of Christ and the Church doth evidence this Christ is at the right hand of God Psal 110.1 And the Church is at the right hand of Christ Psal 45.9 In this posture power cannot be wanting or protection fail Further As touching Rewards his bounty is beyond all parallel Other Kings may sometimes forget the good services of their Subjects Joash forgot the kindness of Jehoiada the poor wise man who by his wisdom delivered the City was not at all remembred Eccles 9.15 Many excellent services have been buried in oblivion but the Lord Christ never forgets the services of his people their sins are delivered over to oblivion but not their services no not the least of them He hath a bottle for their tears a book of remembrance for their holy thoughts a reward for a cup of cold water given for his names sake nay he is so far from forgetting their services that in the very act they find a secret reward given in to them the supplies of his spirit the irradiating beams of his love and the sweet calms and serenities in conscience tell them that he hath them always in remembrance Earthly Kings may give their servants some of the shadows here below and some of those things which lye round about them but he gives his Subjects 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 substance sound wisdom durable riches and real happiness he gives them himself and all that train of good things which accompanies him Here he gives them tokens and glimpses of his love but what great and glorious things are there for them in Heaven There their labours end in eternal rest their holy race arrives at a Crown of Glory their Prayers are turned into Hallelujahs their Alms are repaid in everlasting Love their good works shall have a full reward what they sowed to the Spirit shall come up in a crop of glorious immortality in Heaven they shall enter into the joy of their Lord and sit down with him in his throne they shall then see and enjoy the blessed God reading all truths in the original and drinking all good at the fountain-head dwelling in a paradise of bliss and for ever reposing themselves in the bosom of infinite sweetness Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which are prepared for them To conclude If Protection and Rewards can do any thing the Union between Christ and his Subjects must needs be very secure CHAP. III. The Mystical Vnion set forth by the Conjugal one There is a mutual consent between Christ and believers The believers consent imports a right knowledg a free choice and a present compliance with Christ Christs consent is purely gratuitous believers purely supernatural Christ and believers mutually make over themselves each to other The Emphasis of that phrase one spirit opened There is an intimate love between Christ and believers he put on an humane nature for them they put off a corrupt nature for him He died for expiation they die in mortification There is a communication of good things from Christ to the Church the Church propagates in Believers and good works The mystical Vnion set forth by that of a foundation and a building Christ laid and Believers built on him by Divine Art The double cement of faith and the holy Spirit Christ is a large and strong foundation he bears up the Church by Divine influences THE Union between a King and his Subjects being in the earthly pattern political only the Holy Ghost goes on in Scripture to set forth the mystical union by that which is between Man and Wife Marriage is the conjunction of man and woman in a conjugal society it is the first primordial society called Elementum mundi the Element of the world out of it spring Families out of these are made Cities and Kingdoms in these a Church is raised up unto God The conjugal union is that which peoples the World and Saints the Church in no earthly society is there a conjunction so great as this is Eve the first Wife was taken out of Adam he was created one then two were made out of one and again those two were one in marriage Man and Wife saith St. Austin are prima copula De bono conj c. 1. the first bond or tye of humane society By this conjugal union the Scripture shadows out the mystical one The Book of Canticles is not as some profane ones have fancied a light Love-song but an excellent Epithalamium or Divine Ditty which under the parable of a marriage points out that incomparable union which is between Christ and the Church St. Paul in the 5th Chapter to the Ephesians exhorts Wives to be subject to their Husbands as the Church is to Christ and Husbands to love their Wives as Christ loves the Church and at last he adds This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the Church vers 32. In the original it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Christum Ecclesiam respiciens ad Christum Ecclesiam saith Piscator Though the last thing the Apostle said before was touching the earthly marriage viz. They two shall be one flesh vers 31. yet he looks back to Christ and the Church the earthly marriage was but the shadow and image of the mystery but Christ and the Church in the mystical union joined together are the very center and substance of it In this resemblance divers things may be noted First In Marriage which though founded in nature is a voluntary act there must be a consent the conjunction of Bruits is like themselves out of an impetus of nature but the conjunction of Man and Woman is as becomes rational creatures out of counsel and choice a consent is necessary Marriage is a contract and that cannot be without
to live in the spirit pray in the spirit walk in the spirit do all in the spirit which descends upon them from the Head Hence St. Paul saith I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me Gal. 2.20 He lived an holy life but it was in dependance upon Christ he did the Will of God but he was acted by the Spirit of Christ in the doing of it there is a vast difference between a meer Moralist and a right Christian the Moralist cries up the Fountain of Virtue in his own reason and will the Christian cries up the Fountain of Grace in Christ there are the full treasures of Grace there are the rich anointings of the Spirit The Moralist expects all Epict. Ench. c. 17. Sen. Ep. 31. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from himself and in all doth sibi fidere trust to himself The Christian hangs upon Christ and adheres to him that he may have continual supplies of grace from him the Moralist is a self-subsister he stands upon his own bottom works out of his own stock and is All to himself the Christian subsists in Christ he is a branch in him in the root he flourishes off from it he withers he is a member of him in union with the head he acts and moves in holy Works in separation from him he can do nothing he waits and looks up to him that he by the influences of his Spirit may inlighten him when dark quicken him when dead draw him when back ward strengthen him when weak hold him when falling enlarge him when in straits and actuate him to do Gods Will in the midst of infirmities in all the good works that he doth he acts in dependance upon the influences of grace Here again we may try our selves whether we be in Christ or not how is it with us what is the posture of our inward man do we live in dependance upon Christ our Head do we sanctifie the Fountain of grace in our hearts do we look up to him to move and act us by his Spirit if so it is sure that we are members of him and live like such in dependance upon him I will no longer insist upon the marks of union but conclude all with two things The one is this Those that are not in union with Christ had need to consider their condition what poor forlorn creatures are they what a world of guilt is there lying at their door what omissions comissions ignorances presumptions impieties iniquities what smothered light abused love forfeited creatures buried talents broken promises have they to answer for and for these things what black clouds and storms of wrath hang over their heads what dooms and fearful curses doth the broken Law pronounce against them at death and judgment what will they do how will they appear before the Holy God or what can they say or plead why his wrath should not be poured out upon them may they be saved without a Saviour or by a neglected one will the great and merciful Jesus deliver those that would not join themselves to him may his glorious satisfaction cover those that are none of his members or his precious atonement discharge those that would never receive it will the Law spare those that refuse the Gospel or the dreadful curse pass over those who have none of the blood of the Covenant sprinkled upon them It cannot be not being in union with Christ their condition is as forlorn as if there were no Christ no sacrifice or atonement no Gospel or promises at all the wrath of God abides upon them there is but a moment a little span of life between them and the bottomless pit as soon as death blows out their Candle they are in utter darkness It may be a matter of just wonder how it is possible that they should have any rest or quiet of mind in such a dreadful condition the very thought of the wrath to come is enough to dampall the joy and comfort of their lives Again Would they put dive into their own hearts it would be a weary thing to them to see their immortal spirits lye as they do in ruins and spiritual desolations to have minds and no practical light in them wills and no holy rectitude there to have love and joy and none for Christ hatred and sorrow and none for sin It would be grievous in their eyes to see their precious souls lye in the turpitude and pollution of sin in a sink of pleasure or a cave of covetousness or some other lust which like an unclean place miserably defiles it whilst it abides therein In such a doleful state what help or relief is there but in Christ Is not he the great repairer of breaches Is it not he that sets up the Divine Image and all its furniture in the Soul is not he the only one that cleanses us from the stains and turpitudes of sin There i salvation in no other but in him alone Were but men awakened they would never rest in a Christless condition the scores of guilt in conscience the wrath of God hanging over their heads the forlorn and desperate state of their own souls the wretched pollutions and defilements which they lye under would make them cry out for Christ oh give us Christ or else we dye nothing can wash out our guilt but his atoning blood nothing can cover us from wrath but his glorious satisfaction nothing can purge out our stains and set our hearts in order but his spirit the fearful condition of being without Christ would prompt them to breathe and endeavour after union with him as the only necessary and desirable thing in the world The other is this Those that are in union with Christ should carry themselves in a just decorum to that blessed state How should they study and admire the transcendent excellencies of their head what a glorious and incomparable person is he Creatures are but vanity the whole world is but a poor nothing in comparison of him what a sight is God in the flesh in whom the distance between God and man is as it were filled up in a wonderful incarnation how infinite is that love which moved him to come down into an humane nature to stand in it under the rules of his own Law nay to bleed and die upon a Cross to make a full satisfaction for the sin of the world How should those that are in him stand and adore him What rapes and extasies of affection are due to him who is all over beauty and amenity With what joys and triumphs of faith should they look upon that precious blood which cheers the heart of God and man Here they may lye down in ease and rest no fears of death or hell shall disturb them And what are the rich anointings and over-measures of the Spirit which are upon him How vast an Ocean of grace is he and what wonders are to be seen there Those that are in him have reason to stand and admire at the continual illapses of the Spirit and supplies of grace which come from him Israel could sing at an earthly fountain Spring up O well Numb 21.17 How should Christians joy in the fountain of Grace and say Flow out O infinite Well let thy streams make us glad for ever What precious thoughts should they have of him What firm adherences of will to him What total dependences upon him What pure intimate affections towards him How should their love feed and feast upon the delicious suavities and plenitudes in him Earthly things should be but as so many beautiful shadows and gilded nothings their affections should be intirely set upon him as the most amiable object of all carnal self should be left and forsaken that they may be swallowed up in him How should they study and earnestly affect to resemble him his will should be theirs theirs should be broken to pieces that it may be made one with his his mind should be in them and theirs should have pure aims at his glory they should never think that they have enough of his Image but every day endeavour to have more lively stamps and impresses of it upon their souls nay they should not rest in a meer interne assimilation to him but strive after an externe imitation of him to talk and act and live as he did as there is one Spirit in him and them so there should be the same steps in both When they go about any thing they should ask their own hearts would he if on earth do so Do we herein imitate him who is the grand copy and Idea of Virtue To hunt after the world or drown in sensuality or boil in hatred and malice is not to act as mystical parts of the great Samplar And how should they seek communion with him in Duties Providences in Creature-comforts Christ alone should be the matter of their fruition all other things should be subservient to him nothing should be good to them but what tends to him And how should they endeavour to give all content to him the least dalliances with sin are a grief to him The Physician tells us that all grief in the body proceeds from the solution of the continuum it holds good in his members nothing is more grievous to him than to have them backslide be out of joint If they should fall off from his Mysteries to their own reason or from his precepts to their own will or from his righteousness to their own works it would be a thing no less displeasing to him than unbecoming to them And how should they labour to find all content in him He is a King for power an Husband for love a foundation for support a Priest for atonement an Head for influence Nay he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all things Col. 3.11 It is safe to be under his protection sweet to be in his embraces sure to be upon his bottom comfortable to have peace by his blood excellent to have continual supplys and emanations of grace from him Nay to have him is to have all things all that are in him have reason to rest satisfied in him and to begin that Song of the Lamb which they shall be ever singing in Heaven to him FINNIS