when this Sun of Righteousness pleases to dart down the Beams of his Brightness what an Insufferable display of Light illuminats the Minds of Believers the Sable Clouds of ignorance are Rent in pieces and forced last and farr to flee away we already told the Enlighted Eye of the Believer is so furnished with New Light and a clear sight that he Discerns Spirituaâ— Things under other colours than beforâ— the Scales fell from his Eyes wherefore wâ— proceed no further in this point But surâ— a Blind Man that hath his Eyes Opened cannot but perceive that some strange Affecting Operation hath passâ—d upon him which will Print the Sense and Remembranâ—â— thereof on his Thoughts for ever Was not Zecharias under great Impressions when he said what partly he Felt that the day spring or Sun rising as in the Margine of our Bibles from on high hath visited us to give Light to them that fit in darkness and in the shaddow of Death Luke 1.7.8.7 Must it not be a very Affecting Light that is called a Glorious Light or the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ which GOD Commandeth to shine into the Hearts of Believers 2 Cor 4.4 6. 3. Christ mightily affects the Sense of Smelling where ever this perfumed Prince cometh be sendeth such a fragrant smell through all the Ambient Air that whoever draw it at their Nostrils cannot but find it Never did aâ— bed of Roses nor a bundle or Posie of most fragrant Aromatick flowers yeild a more ravishing Scent than this Rose of Sharon this Lilly of the Valleys Song 2 1. Song 1.3 Because of the savour of his good Ointments His Name is as Ointment poured forth whereby Believers are raised and pressed in Soul to Love and admire Him and from His Odoriferous presence is it that all about Him smell strongly of him the Graces of Believers being stirred and perfumed by His Grace-giving Vertue Song 1.12 While the King sitteth at his Table my Spickenard sendeth forth the smell thereof Now O Communicants have ye not this day smelled Christ present at His Table have not your Spices flâ—wed out are not your Graces more fresh and fragrant than before 4. Christ mightily affâ—cts the sense of Touching when His Finger touches the heart when He puts in his hand by the hole of the door He makes a strange moving of the Bowels Son 5 4. O Christian didst thou never touch and feel Him by the Finger of Faith I hope thou hast and that thou canst experimentaly say that thou hast Touched him so Effectually and he hath Touched thee so Powerfullie that vertue hath gone out from him to Cure thy flux of Blood and to cleanse thy Leprosie Mar. 1.41 42 5.28 30. 5. Christ mightily Affects the sense of Teasting O Communicante while thou was this day Eaâ—ing His Flesh which is Meat indeed and Drinking His Blood which is Driâ—k indeed had not this Heavenly Manna a more Delicious Taste then any Delicacie ever thou did'st Taste Hast thou not in the Saâ—rament senceably Touched Tasted and handled sweet Christ I dare say that the swâ—eteâ—â— Carnal Gust that ever the most senâ—ual Eâ—icure fâ—und in his swinish fills of bodiâ—y pleaâ—ures never came neâ—r to be so sweeâ— and ravishing as the Tastings of Christs â—piritual fruits and pleasures Song 2.3.4 5. I sat undâ—r under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my taste â—e brâ—ught me to the Banquetting hâ—use and his Banner over me was Love stay me with flaggons comfort me with Aples for I am sick of Love We dare noâ— say she got a â—urfâ—it of Christ but we may â—ay she got a tastable fill of Christ for a surfeit occasions to soath and nauseate but the fill shâ— got appetized her for Christ still more which may be gathered from the verses Immediatly and the Chapters after following where she passionatly longs she indefatigably paints and pursues after Christ And Peter hath a passage also to our purpose 1. Pet 2.3 If so be ye have tasted that the LORD is Gracious O Believer hast thou not tasted and felt the Lord to be Gracious in accepting and Answering thy Prayers in healing all thy Diseases in pardoning all thy sins in strengthning thee against all thy Temptations and Tribulaâ—ions in bestowing liberally upon the many Love Tockens and Pledges of his favâ—ur as foreâ—asts of Glory and an earnest â—f the future full Iâ—heritance in Heaven I hope some of you understand in Experience what I say The 4 thing wherein Christ makes great Impressions is in raising high all the Affections this Discourâ—e would swell too big to spâ—ak of all the several Affâ—ctions and Passions of the Soul that Christ works upon therefore we will touch but at some few as a sample hâ—w far Christs Impressions gâ— 1. Christ raiseth into a flame the Affection â—f Love did not our Hâ—arts burn within us saith the Text and its smal wonder our Love should enkindle towards him when we consider how much Lovely Christ in pure Love hath done and suffered for us But how can we moreover but be deeply enamoured with him when we look upon him as the Orient and Glorious Beauty of Heaven and Earth being the Brightness of his Fathers Glory and the Express Image of His Person All created Beauties are but faint and fading Resemblances to His matchless Comeliness He is the Beauty of â—aints â—he Admiration of Angels aâ—d the dearly beloved of GOD And this further Commands our Love to him that tâ—is â—xcelent Beauty is content to Cement and be United to such ugly souls as we aâ—e this Son of the Kiâ—g of Kings we are called and have Accâ—ss to be Married unto and O when the Believer contemplates on this honourable and happy Match he is raised into Raptures of Love and Admiraâ—ion where by his ravished soul is like to faint and expire in inflamed desires after Him Song 12. 5. stay me with flagons comfort me with Aples for I am sick of Love was not this a deep Impression the flame of Love made oâ— Her Hearâ— 2. Christ Raises the Affection of Spiritual hatred self Loathing and shame facedness with what Confusion is the Soul Perfused when he thought fully Recounts and Reviews all his Abominations when he looks on himself as ugglie and Loathsome in the sight of a Holy GOD at the same time also is he hateful and Loathsome in his own eyes and can't lift them up towards Heaven where Lesed Majesty Resides eveâ—ie look into His Innerman Forces sighs from his heart tears from his eyes complaints from his mouth a Smiâ—ing upon his Thighs and makes some peâ—itâ—ntiaâ— Impressiâ—ns on the whole man When Jobs eyes were opened He abhorred himself and Repented in dust and in ashes Job 42.5 6. When GOD's hand Reached Eâ—â—raim he Repented he Smote on his Thigh yea was ashamed yea even Confounded ver 31.19 When the self Abhorring publican was under a working sense of his guilt he stands a far off will
not lift uâ— so much as hâ—s eye unto Heaven But smits upon his breast Luk 18.13 Look Ezek. 36.31 3 Christ Raises the Affection of Godly sorrow the Soul having Received a self Loathing view of all his guiltiness as said is his eye Affects his heart yea his Rockie heart by a Touch of Christs finger gushes out into Waters of penitential sorrowings when he considers how much he hath dishonoured and Angered GOD how much he haâ—h filed and Endangered his precious Soul he mournes like a Dove he Chatters like a Cron and whence all their penitential Boylings in his Bowels but from a look of Christ and a look to Christ that draws from him a heart melting vertues Zeck 12.10 they shall look upon me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn c. Luk 22.61 62. It was a piercing look of Christ to Peter over his shoulder that made weep him bitterly 4. Christ Raisâ—s the Affâ—ction of holy fear a fâ—at both of sin and Wrath how anxioâ—slie Cauâ—ious is the Believer from this Gracious Principale planted in hiâ— hâ—arâ— least be Offâ—nd his Heavenly Father and how mightily Affâ—aid least bâ—cause of his Offences his GOD hide his face and Frown upon him And when the fear of man and any thing that he can own in his Malice or Wickedness and dreed of the great Jehovah come in competition together the fear of GOD so strongly overpowers and swalows up all other feats that it keeps the ascendent in the heart and restrains the Believer both frâ—m Impiety against and Apostacie from GOD The which spiritual fear is one of the new Covenant benefits and Blessings Jer 32.40 I will make an everlastâ—ng Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put 〈◊〉 fear in their Hearts that they shall not depart fâ—om me 5. Christ raises the affection of Heavenly joy which whiles overflows all Banks let me pose thee exercised Christian hast thou not sometimes found specialy aftâ—r deep Humiliation delight and diligence in thy Devotions or strick caâ—e â—o lead a holy Life hast thâ—u not found â— say an insufferable and swalowing Jâ—y â—hat the narrow necked Vâ—ssâ—l of thy Soul could contain no more dost thou not mind some spâ—ing Tydes of the ineffable Consolationâ— of the Spirit of GOD which Christ the Giver of it calls a full joy John 16.24 Luk Cap. 24.52 calls a great Joy Matthew calls an exceeding gâ—eat joy Cap. 2 10. And Peter A Joy unspeakablâ— and full of Glory 1. Epist 1.8 The which joy for as greaâ— as it is in the sense of us Mortals yet is but a crumb a drop of the Heavenly joyes we shall be eternaly satisfied with at our Fathers Table in Paradice where we shall enjoy a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 2. Cor. 4.17.18 The 4th particular we promised to handle is to tell what ye must do for your paâ—ts in order to obtaining and pâ—eserving Christs Impressions as we have touched before in the first proposition you must not like Enthusiasts look for extraordinary impulses and inspirations but in the ordinary way of the diligent use of proper means said the Heathean Poet Metathenes kai Chaeira Kimie with Minerva put to thine own hand even so Christian with Christ put to thine own hand Then 1. Purge out and abandon all ill impressions sure I am if thou dost observe the ways of thine own ill heart and art sensible of the disorderly and distracting motions thereof many a time and many mayâ—st thou sigh and say that innumerable ill Impressions too frequently molest and pervert thy Spirit let bitter Experience speak Have not the desires of sensual pleasures the immoderate eares of this World oppressed and occupied thy thoughts Have not many imperuous carnal Lusts haunted thy heart and inflamed thee unto filthy inclinations Have not malicious and revengeful designs sunken deep in thy mind Hath not envy grated thy intralâ— Have not many furious pâ—ssions fired thy bosom are there not innumerable more inordinate ill Impressions that daily affect and disorder thy whole Man that we cannot stay to specifie but whereof thou mayest be conscious to thy self All which thou must disgorge and put far from thy Tabernacle if thou wouldest have the Spirit of Christ to dwel and woâ—k in thee This tubbish must be removed e're thou become a Temple of the Holy-Ghost at least thou must daily be doing something that may contribute this way set thy â—elf then O Believer in the Grace and strength of Christ by deep Repentance by serious mortification by constant Watchfulness by active Faith on Christ to weaken and expel all the ill Impressions of thy Spirit that thus thou mayest be the more fitted and capable to take on Christs gracious Impressions Hence 1. Cor 5.7.8 We are required to keep the Feast such a Feast as you have been at the day not with old Leaven neither with the Leaven of malice and wickedness but with the unleavened Bread of sincerity and Truth Now in order to our being a new Lump he advises first to purge out the old Leaven And Peter after the same manner exhorting as new born Babes to desire the sincere Milk of the Word that we may grow thereby exhorteth also in orâ—er to the words having the deeper Impression and being the more tasteable that we should lay aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisie and envies and all evil speakings 1. Peter 2.1.2 3. And Paul also col 3.2 Recommending to lâ—â— our Affections on things above that this may be the more readily attained he â—equires not to set our Affection on the things on the Earth which is Equivalent as if he had said Abstract and withdraw your Affections froâ— carnal things that they may be the morâ— pure spiritual and less clogged in theiâ— mountings and soaringâ— Heavenwards 2. Be frequent and â—erveâ—â— in these Dueties and pieces of devotion wherein Christ Usualy Communicatâ— his Impressions Oâ— Christian iâ—ure thy self to Heavenly Meditation diligently hear and Read the good word of GOD and Impartialâ— aâ—ply bâ—tâ— promises and Threatnings as thâ—â— aâ—t concerned and see thou Nâ—glâ—ct no. Christian conferences for as Iron sharpens Iron so many one civâ—ly Experienced Christian put an edge upon anâ—ther And Remember it was whiâ—e cuâ—â—wo Disciples in the Text were talking togâ—ther of Spiritual things that Christ camâ— to them and made their hearts to burn verse 13.14.15.32.3 More Especialy be much in the Duty of Prayer O the many sweet visiâ—s and Communications of Christ that Believers have gotten on their knees While they have been Fervently powring out their hearts to Christ Christ has Favourably powred in his Heart upon them and filled them with Love Joy peace and much grace if at any time O Believer thou find thy frame flâ—t and dull thy graces Low and weak what must thou do but with the spouse cry out Awake O North wind and come thou South â—low upon my Garden that the
Flowrishing than he did he Buds and Blossomes like the Lillie and the Ross he revives as Corn from under the Clod. Isa 55.1 Ho every one that thirsteth come to the Waters and he that hath no Money c. The scorched Thiâ—stie Believer when he gets a draught of this Water of Life how refreshfull is it and sweet to him Christs Water is of more Worth than other Folkes Wine and yet for as precious as it is may be had without Price which makes us the more Unexcuseable if we neglect to go seek and get it Psal 65.11 Thy Pathes drop fatness May we not hereunâ—o allude Considering what Impressions the Droppings of his Paâ—nes make on Hearts Gutta cavat lapidem The Drops of Rain from Sklates or Tyles of Houses make holes and Cavities in the very Stones so the Drops of Christs Influences pierce Our Rocky Hearts and make them yield to their frequently Repeated Impulses Now from these instances and many more might be added is it not Palpably proven that Christs Operations are very Impressive and Powerfull on Hearts The 3d. thing we proposed to handle is to inform wherein Christ makes great Impressions And that 1st upon the Heart 2d upon the Conscience 3d upon all the Senses and 4th upon the several Affections As to the 1st of these we say Christ makes great Impressions on the Heart Viz. These 5 wayes 1. By renewing the Heats chainging it from its Corrupt Natural Constitution into a new Gracious Disposition so that the renewed Heart hath a new Light and a new Sight of Things he sees sin with another Eye than before even in the Sinfulness and Uglyness of it He now discerns an Admirable Amiableness and Beautie in Holyness which before he hated He sees in Religious Dueties what engages his Soul with delight and diligence to perform them whereas before they were a weariness he sees in himself so much Wretchedness Emptiness and Vanitie that he Wonders he should ever have been Proud or Self-conceited in any case He sees in GOD that Majestie and Perfection which stricks his Soul into deepest Veneration Highest Love and Ingenuine Propension to strickest Obedience and as the Understanding Shares of New Light so the Will and Desires are brought under a new set he hath new Principles and new Projects he is Prompâ—ed by more Pure Principles in the Pursuance of all his Prâ—jects he Projects higher than ever he did his great and Gracious Soul is not slavishly Chained and Restrained to Earthly Temporal and Transitorie Things but Generously aspires after the things that are above and that in the Nature are Spiritual and Eternal he now crys out Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon the Earth I desire besides thee Psalm 73.25 In a word he Conceives and beholds Celestial Things under a more August and affecting Aspect than ever he was Capable to apprehend before from all which are not these new Qualities and Conditions of the thus Transformed Soul the Native Resultances of his Powerfull Gracious Impressiâ—ns Ezek. 36.26 A new Heart also will I give you c. Rom 12.2 Tit. 3 5. But having spoken somewhat of this before we superceed further Enlargement now 2. Christ makes great Impressions on the Hâ—art by opening the Hâ—art and this he doth sometimes in a more gentle way as it were softly stealing and slipping in his Hand by the hole of the Door Thereby making the Bowels easily move and Open for his own Reception and Admission Son 5.4.5 This way was Lydias heart opend Acts 16.14 at other times he opens in a more roughsome manner as it were making use of the Kings Keyes by the Hammer of the Word forcibly breaking open the Doors and making the Iron Bares and Bands of Unbelief and Obstinacie to flee assunder but whatever way he takes The Holy One of Israel not being Limited to stinted Methods and Measures he makes his Royall Entrance so sensible that soon or syne the Believer comes to Understand That the King has made way and access unto his Soul 3. Christ makes great Impressions on the Hâ—art by Purging the Heart when Valetudinarie Persons under Disorder or Indisposition of Body get a Purgative potion which Works to purpose readily they are under violent Pressures and Grippings so when Christ gives a bitter Potion and Cup of Affliction it may through his Blessing prove Operative to Purge and Work out heir Peccant ill humors but not without some Throws and painfull Resentments within Isa 27 8 9 By this therefore viz. This Chastisement spoken of in the Preceeding Verses Shall the Iniquity of Jacob be Purged and his sin taken away when Christ Purges the Temple of the Soul by casting and Scourging out the Buyers and Sellers Viz. Our Diverse evill Lusts that make Merchandise of us and sell us into the Hands of Satan the Lashes of his Cords make Prints and Blac Marks upon us which to be sure we have some feelling of When he Purgeth our House of the old Possessores Viz Legions of Vnclean Spirits that have Haunted our Habitation readily in their departure they make us Cry and rent us sore Mar. 9 25.26 4. Christ makes great Impressions on the Hâ—art by fixing and Establishing the Heart against all Dangers and Fears the Fear of Sin the Fear of Satan the Fear either of the Wrath of GOD or Man the Fear of Death and Hell may shake the Courage of the best sometimes and nothing may be able to stay and settle them till Christs Hand be upon them for good and thereby they may come to get a Heart established by Grace Heb 13.9 When the Heart is like a Wavering Leafe and a reed shaken with the Wind yet Christs Presence can settle the Heart Ps 23.4 Psal 4.6 8 Yea and bring it to such a Consistencie of Established Composure as to be able to say My heart is fixed My heart is fixed Ps 57.7 5. Christ makes great Impressions on the Heart in raising the Heart and that to these 3 things 1. Christ Raises the heart too high Elevations of Admiration doth not the Raised believer whiles break forth to wonder at the wise and Matchles Contrivance of Redemption by GOD manifested in the Flesh which is a marvellous mistery indeed doth he not wonder at the Thoughts of special Differencing Love that hath chosen him out of the World while whole Nations Country sides and Streets full of others are passed by to perish and pine away ignorrant of GOD Insensible of sin and in hazard every moment of plumping into the pit Doth he not admite the Transcendent mercie of his GOD that pardoneth his great and many sins and Intimateth an Act of Indemnity to his Soul while many farr less guilty are Condemned and Confounded doth he not also admire that Christ should Assume him who is by Nature an heir of wrath and Limb of Satan even as others to become an united member of his Blessed mystical Body and to be an adopted apparent heir of Heaven
so that under these Astonishing Impressions he is made to Cry out Who am I O LORD and what is my Fathers House that thou hast brought me thither too 2 Sam 7 18. And also John 1 Eph 3 1. Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of GOD 2 Christ Rises the heart unto Impatient desires after Communion and Soul intercourses with himself so that the believer is never in his Right Element but when in Christs Company never at true Rest but when leaning on his bosome Christs left hand being under his head and his Right hand Embracing him He is never cheerfull but when Christ Smiles and when he frowns then all in the Dumps and when he withdraws O what lookings and longings till he Returne Or at least shew himself throught the Lattes and there are no words drop from his Mouth have such an Air and Accent as when his love sick Soul cryes O lett him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth Son 1 2. And whence all these so Fervent desires after Christs companie but from the Impressions and Resentiments of by gone sweet Enjoyments one kiss drawing on another and one visiâ—e prompting and pressing to court and cry for another or rather to have a constant tack of his presence Hence when Christ was Transfigured in the Mount and the Discipls in his company had a vision and display of the Excellent Glory they had ill will to flit thence and therfore Peter says Master it is good for us to be here here let us dwel Mat. 9 35. 3 Christ Raises the Heart to cheerfull Enlarged Praises O when the believer views his Diary to Extract an Account of his Received Mercies Christ Touching his Heart with feeling Resentments thereof how high doth he Raise his Notes in hearty and thankfull Sonnets of Praise Singing and saying Praise Endle Praise be to thee my Gracious and Bountifull LORD I Praise thee that ever I heard of thee with the hearing of the Ear I Praise thee for thy Word and Sacraments I Praise thee that ever I had heart to Repent and bâ—lieve I Praise thee for all thy Giftes and Graces I Praise thee for Health and Strength and Liberty I Pâ—aise thee for Food and Raiment I Praiseing Praise thee for all thy mercies bodily and Spirituall and thus Procceds the Enlarged believer in the Magnifications of the GOD of all Grace and we may easily suppose that it is the Finger of Christ which tunes the harp of his heart to fit him for this Angelick Work it is Christ that fixes all the pines and Strings of his Soul so that he can say my heart is fixed my heart is fixed I will sing and give Praise awake up my Glorie awake Psalterie and harp 〈◊〉 my self will awake early Ps 57.7.8 The second thing wherein Christ makes great Impressions is upon the Conscience and that these 2 wayes 1. By awaking the Conscience when GOD Thunders Conscience Shakes when GOD Raises a Storme there O what Perplexing Impressions and Grievous Concussions the stoutest sinner will stoup when GOD opens his Eyes and sets his sins in order before his face and Raises strong Apprehensions in him of Divine Wrath and Vengeance Impendent over his head he feels then a wounded Spirit who can bear and that the Tortures of a Troubled Conscience are a piece of Hell before hand the Intollerable paines whereof have pressed them near to Dispair and Distraction The Tragick story of Francies Spire may help to prove what Tormentfull Impressions GOD can make on Consciences 2. Christ makes Impressions on Consciences to calme and quiet the Stormes therein he that by the Word of his Power made the Roaring and Soaring Surges of the Sea be still and as it were made horried Tempests to fall into a deep Sleep of silence Math 8 24.26.27 Can also break all the Clouds setle all the Stormes and allay all the raging Tumults of a Troubled Conscience after a Rough Storme he can send calm Halevon dayes to succeed for as the Poet says Nunc pluit claro nunc Jupiter aethers fulget And when this change of Weather is brought to pass by his Fatherlie Care Kindness and Indulgence with what quiet and Serenitie is the Soul pâ—ssâ—ssed Ps 30 5 Ps 126.5 What a Soul Storme had the Jailout yet within a while a profound calm of Joy Rejoicing Acts 16.29 30 34. And sometime it falleth out that they who have been sorrest harassed with severest stripes and strictures of Law-work in their Conscience have also had the sweetest and highest measures of Peace and Tranquilitie of mind when the Lord hath brought them out of the deeps of their Soul distresses The 3d thing wherein Christ makes great Impressions is in aff cting all the Senses which we would have understood in a Spiritual sense According to the Apostels meaning when he speaketh Heb. 5 14. Of having the Senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil. Now we will endeavour to demonstrate how Christ thus affecteth all the 5 Senses 1 Christ affects mightily the Sense of Hearing making the voice of his Word the Voice of his Providence the Voice of his Spirit and the Voice of our Consciences so to reach the cares of the Soul as that it is raised to advert and Listen to what he speaketh Son 5 2. though the Spouse was slumbring as it were betwixt Sleeping and Waking yet she understood it was the Voice of her beloved that Knocked saying Open to me my Love my Dove c. Yea so pierceing is his voice that he makes even the Dead to Hear it John 5 25 Never did the terrible rumbles of Lowdest Thunderings more forcibly beat the ears of Men than the fearful denunciations of his tremenduous threatnings the Souls of those he minds to awaken Acts 2.37 VVhen Peter is charging them home in his Sermon with the guilt of the Horrid Crimson crime of the Blood of Christ they were stricken into such a Consternation that it is said when they heard this they were pricked in their Hearts and from the painful Impression of this Divine thrust as â—he word in the Original will bear they cryed out as men strangely frighted Men and Bretheren what shall we do and says Habbakuk 3.2.16 O Lord I have heard thy Speech and was affraid When I heard my Bellie trembled my Cups quivered at the Voice Also never did the sweetest Consort of Musick more passionatly affect them that delight therein then â—he Melodious utterance of his Comfortable promises doth raise and ravish the Souls of Believers In the same Sermon of Peter Acts 2.39 where after the Commination of threatnings he changes his Tune to speak of the promises for the promise sayes he is to you and to your Children you may see the Effect thereof verse 46.47 They did eat their Meat with gladness and Singlenes of heart praising God their sighings were turned to Singings 2. Christ mightily Effects the Sense of seeing