of the Spirit is Spirit The children of God are led by the Spirit of God which leadeth from sin unto duty and acteth the soul toward God not as though we vvere meerly passive so acted as not at all active but Christ acting the soul puts spiritual holy activity into the soul he worketh in us both to wiland to do there is the willing and working of that soul which is acted by Christ by his Spirit 2. As the Sun is in the World to give light and to give heat and to cause fruitfulness so that precious things are brought forth by the Sun Deut. 33.14 and to make beauty and glory upon the Earth So Christ is in the Soule by his pirit scattering darkness bringing in spiritnal light rendering those things visibl and evident which before were hidden yea making those souls to be light in the Lord Ephes. 5.8 which which his coming to them were darkness it it self it is the Spirit of Truth Joh. 16.13 which is the Spirit of Christ that leadeth into all truth and Christ by his Spirit brings in heavenly heat and makes the heart within a man to burn in affection toward God Rom. 12.12 and the things of God burning with the Spirit therefore the spirit is likened to Fire And as the Sun in the World so the Spirit of Christ in the soule causeth fruitfulness so that every branch in this Vine Christ is a fruit bearing branch every soul in which Christ is is by the influence of his Spirit made fruitful in Grace Grace in the heart of Christians and holy actions and duties in their lives are called fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 And Christ by his Spirit in the work of Grace makes the soule beautiful and puts a glory upon it Cant. 4.1 if he be master If provident If friendly How beautiful art thou my love behold thou art fair my love behold thou art fair the Kings daughter is all glâ—rious within c. 3. As a man dwells in his house 2 Tim. 14 there commanding and ordering all things and making provision for those of his houshold and entertaining and chearing his friends and making them welcome So Christ by his Spirit dwelleth in the soul and by the Spirit he beares rule in the soul so that his Word is a law to the soul The Saints so far forth as they are spiritual are ordered in all things by Christ dwelling in them though they find with Paul that there is the flesh lusting against the spirit and often interrupting the course of their obedience and Christ dwelling in the foule provideth for the soul taketh care that it want nothing dealeth out to it the gifts of grace which â—râ— given by the spirit according to the measure of Christ and Christ dwelling in the soul gives his refreshings to the soul maketh it a feast of fat things brings it into the banquetting house or the house of Wine comforting the heart by applying the promises of the Gospel and the Grace of Christ to the soul revealing his love and speaking peace to the soule thus feasting it and filling it as with marrow and fatness These refreshings of Christians are from the Spirit of Christ dwelling in them therefore the Spirit is called the Comforter and the joy which Christ giveth into the heart is called the fruit of the Spirit 4. As a King on his Throne swayeth the Scepter of his Realme having all the people of that Realm subject to him and governed by him according to Constitutions and Lawes of that Kingdome So is Christ in all true Christians giving lawes to the conscience and governing the whole man to the obedience thereof he is there in power making them a willing people willing to obey his commands willing to subject themselves to the lawes and ordinances of his Kingdom which Earthly Kings cannot do Psal 110 3. Thy peâ—ple shall be willing in the day of thy power And Christ is in the heart as a King to subdue rebellious lusts and tame nurâ—â—y affections to cast down all strong holds that are raised up by the Devil and the flesh against him and at last to bring under every thought into subjection to himself And as a good King seeketh the good of his subjects and desireth not to impoverish but enrich them So doth Christ seek the good of that soul in which he hath erected a Throne for himself is alwaies doing good to it and enriching it with Grace here and glorie hereafter And it is by the Spirit that Christ beareth rule It is the Spirit that represseth corruption and mortifieth the deeds of the bodie It is by the Spirit that Christ enricheth the soul with Grace Knowledge Faith Love and all those precious things of Grace are the gifts of Christ which he conveyeth to them by his Spirit 5. The Spirit of Christ where he cometh in a spirit of supplication teaching men to pray and and framing their hearts to prayer He hath sent the Spirit of his Son into ur hearts Gal 4.6 whereby we cry abba father 6. Where Christ dwells by his Spirit there is the influence of the vertue of his Death and Resurrection to the mortification of sin Rom. 6.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and vivification of Grace Our Old man is crucified with him that the body of sin should be destroyed that it should be rendered inefficatious unable to work that sin may become powerless in us that we may be freed from the law of sin by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus i. e. by the lively powerful working of Christ's Spiret in us which breaketh off the yoke of bondage that lay upon our necks in the state of nature whereby sin held us wholly under subjection to it self and in Verse 17.18 the Apostle makes out this more fully that Believers are freed by Christ from the dominion of sin so that the strength of corruption is abated in them the old man is weakned and that by the Spirit of Christ the soul is made alive unto God and is freed unto righteousness set at liberty to walk in the waies of God In a word take the Evidence of Christ his being in the soule thus Christ and his Spirit are not sundered nor is the Spirir in us without the fruits of the Spirit Let no man say that he hath Christ unless he hath the Spirit of Christ If we look upon a bodie when the soule is gone out of it we cannot say this is a man no more can we say of a man without the Spirit of Christ This is a Christian That is no true member of the body which is not animated by the soul in the body no more he a member of Christ that is not quickned by the Spirit of Christ Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us 1 Jo. 4.13 by his Spirit which he hath given us Now again the Spirit is no where idle or fruitless but
to be sought Christ our Reconciliation taking away all enmity betwixt God and us Christ that becomes to us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption by whom we are enlightned iustified sanctified and glorified Christ in whom the promises of God are yea and amen to us who will be to us if we have him as a seale and an earnest to assure us that we shall enjoy all that good which is carried in them Christ that will support us in every temptation and trial and be a comfort to us in every condition hrist that will be the death of sin in us and will bring in the life of Grace into us that will bring such a happy liberty to us making us of Satans slaves to become the Lord's freemen Christ with whom other things are given and that graciously in love and good will Christ that will bring us into the bosome of God to live with him for ever in Glorie Is not this Christ I say worth the looking after wherfore let your aim be at Christ and above all things labour to get him to be possessed of him and to be assured that he is yours and you are his You invite friends to come to your houses and tell them that you shall be glad of their company and ready to give them the best entertainment that the house affords and heartio welcome though oft times with some persons this is but a complement Ah beloved do you in reality invite Christ to come to your soules entreat him to come and dwell with you in you Tell him that he shall have the command of every roome in thy heart the whole house of thy soule shall be at his disposing that all the faculties of thy soul and all the members of thy bodie shall be at his his service thus begg of him woe him to come and make his abode with thee and in the vse of Ordinances and in Duties wait for his comming to thee and when he shall come and knock be ready according to thy invitation to open the door of thy heart and receive him in with joy for surely he will prove a good Guest indeed that will feast thee with his love and vvill fill thee vvith delights and make even the worst condition on Earth to be a very heaven to thee Having urged these incentives to the seeking of Christ I thought not to have proceeded any further in pressing this Counsel but for as much as I am now dealing with people about a business that is of the greatest concernment to them and because I know that souls are not easily prevailed with in such a case I shall begg a little more of the Reader 's patience while I make an essay for the driving of sinners if they will not yet be dravvn unto Christ and I think that having a whip put into my hand by God I must make some use of it I shall therefore now urg some considerations about the vvant of Christ setting forth the miserie of being without him 1. If Christ be the life of the soul Gal. 2.20 1 Joh. 5.12 Col. 3.4 as he is certainly Christ liveth in me He that hath the Son hath life When Christ who is our life shall appear Christ is our life as in this respect that he made us and gave us being and life in the World and because he hath purchased Eternal life for us and will bring us to it and because he vvill in the last day put life into our dead bodies and raise them up So likewise he is our life because by his Spirit he quickeneth our souls vvhen he finds them dead in sins and trespasses I say now if Christ be our life then souls without Christ are dead soules and all their vvorks are dead workes there being nothing of the life of God put forth in any thing that they do Nil dat quod non habe 2. because there is nothing of this life in them Here is the misery of being without Christ the Soule is dead as lothsome in the eye of God and as stinking in his nostrils as a piece of carrion or a dead Corps that hath lien rotting a long time in the grave is offensive to us yea much more loathsome is such a soul unto God 2. Without Christ the soul is like the Would without a Sun so that there is no Light no Heat no fruit no Glory 1. Souls without Christ are in darkness Ye are in darkness faith Paul the believing Thessalonians 1 Thes 5.4 Now ye are not but you were before Christ came to you 1 Pet. 2.9 Col. â— 3. Ephes 5.8 Christ calleth soules out of darkness yea souls without Christ are under the power of darkness yea they are darkness it self Oh do but think what a sad condition we should be in if the sâ—ll should forsake our Horizon so that we should never any more see the light thereof much more sad and dolourous is the condition of a soul without Christ that hath not one glimps of true spiritual and heavenly light hath no saving apprehension of God or Jesus Christ or of any thing that concerns his own â—â—lvation that belongs to his 2. Where Christ is not there is â—o heavenly hâ—at men are hot spiâ—ited in pursuit of the profits and â—leasures of the World are carried with heat of affection to sin vaâ—ity but there is no fire of zeal for God or toward him no fervency of â—pirit in serving the Lord they are â—old spirited yea frozen hearted in â—espect of any affection to that which is good what an indifferent â—hing is it to them that are without Christ whether they do or leave â—â—ndon those duties which God requires of them I say they are not carried to any duty with any warmth of spirit upon any spiritual consideration or to any good â—â—d and so nothing that they do in the way of their dutie finds acceptance with God 3. Where Christ is not the soul is barren and fruitless altogether in respect of that which is good As the branch cannot bear fruit of it self unless it abide in the vine Jo. 15 4 5. no more can ye except ye abide in me be that abideth in me and I in him the same bringtch forth much fruit with me He that abideth in me I in him the same brengeth f rth much fruit without me ye can do nothing Unless Christ be in the soule it bringeth forth no fruit unto God nor is it or can it be profitable to it self And now what is the doom of the barren tree Cut it down why Combreth it the ground Ah the soule vvithout Christ Heb. 6.8 is like that earth vvhich beareth Thornes and Briars that is rejected and is nigh unto cursing whose end is to be burnt 4. Where Christ is not there is no glory nor beauty because no light because no Grace because no Righteousness because no Holiness In Christ Jesus the New man is created after God
Christ after clearer and fuller Manifestations of his Psa 63.1 O God thou art my God saith David here is Faith apprehending an interest in God and applying the Covenant of his love well hath David enough of God No see what followes Early will I seek thee my soul thirsteth for thee 3. The presuming Soul is still quiet it is all peace with such a one the Devil doth not at all trouble him but lets him alone and laughs at him to see how he disceives himself and how he is Devil deluded and befooled but where true faith is taking up the Covenant the Devil assaults the Soul and seeks to disturb and destroy its peace as he buffeted Paul after that he wâ—s wrapt up into the third Heavens and had seen such visions of Glory The Devil rageth against the Soul that hath any measure of assurance because this is that which doth excellently fit the soul to do God service They who have no experience of Satans onsets have reason to question the truth of their assurance if they pretend to any such matter 4. Presumption will not bear up the spirit under afflictions troubles and crosses against dangers and deaths but assurance will David was assured of Gods mercy and love toward him he saith therefore Psal 23. That though he walk thorow the valley of the shadow of Death he will fear no evil The Apostle writing to Believers saith Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods known in your selves that you have a better and more enduring substance 5. The presuming Souâ—â—s bold with sin and goes on in sin but a well grounded assurance of Gods love breeds a distance betwixt the Soul and sin and arms and strengthens the Soul against sin it makes a man to loath sin Sin is hateful to the assured Soul How shall I do this thing and sin against my God who loveth me and hath shed abroad his love in my heart shall I dishonour him and grieve him and dispise his Commands and be found a rebel against him The assured Soul fears the Lord and his goodness fears to offend him Psa 85.8 because he is a good God his good God God will speak peace to his people but let them return no more to folly when peace is Preached in any ones heart this is the use which naturally flows from that Doctrine now return no more to folly 6. If we say that we have assurance of Sonship and of an interest in Christ and in the Covenant of Gods love let us examine whence we have it by what Testimony we are assured As Christ said to some of his Disciples upon a certain occasion ye know not what Spirit ye are of so we may say to many that are ready to boast of their assurance that they know not from what Spirit it comes or whence they had it There is a dangerous ill grounded peace and false perswasion that many have which comes from an evil Spirit from the Devil that old deceiver the beguiling Serpent and from a vain carnal loose spirit of their own Qu. What then is the true witness from whose Testimony true assurance is had An. The Apostle tells us Rom. 8.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 una testatur cum spiritu nostro hâc ratione duo erunt testes nempe Spiritus Dei Spiritus noster certior ab eo factus The Spirit it self bears witness with our Spirit that we are the Children of God that same spirit which he called the Spirit of God ver 14. and the Spirit â—f Adoption ver 15. that same Spirit beareth witness with our Spirit so that there is the Testimony of the Spirit of God and the Testimony of our Spirit and they both agree in one First the Spirit of God witnesseth bringing this assurance to the Soul We have received the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given us of God Cor. 2.12 Now the Spirit of God witnesseth and giveth such assurance by working and by speaking The Spirit of God witnesseth Sonship by his Works which hâ— effecteth which he createth in the Soul upon which the promise cometh This way of witnessing is first in order of nature The Spirit brings in the nature of Gods Child working so great a change that it is called the renewing of the holy Ghost and the subject of this change thâ— soul thus changed is called a new Creature 2. There is the Word of the Spirit testifing to the spirit of a Christian that he is the child of God by promise I say there is the Spirits Word viz. a full sensible clear conviction which the Spirit of God brings to the heart of a believer perswading him that the promise belongs to him This Word of the Spirit comes upon the work of the spirit so that where the Spirits work it not which is a work of renewing the heart and delivering it up to a conformity in some good measure to the mind of God there the Spirits word comes not to witness Gods love to the Soul therefore let people take heed of mistakes herein The Spirit of God never told you that you are in Gods favour unless he hath put into your hearts Gods fear he never gave you the name of Sons or Daughters or suggested to you your interest in the inheritance of Sons unless he hath brought in the nature of Sons and stamped the image of God upon you Now because mistakes about this are too ordinary and very dangerous I shall give you more distinctly some clear difference between the true assuring report and testimony of the spirit of God and the false deluding testimony of another spirit 1. The Testimony of the Spirit of God witnessing to Souls the love of God is not given by extraordinary immediate Revelation or an audible voice from Heaven as the Devil makes people to believe and as some pretend to have assurance they way while they slight and despise the word and promises those sacred Oracles of God to which believers should have recourse for their comfort and villifie and mock at that perswasion which believers have in Gods way of perswading Souls that is from the operation of the Spirit working true Grace and Holiness in them and thereupon speaking comfortably to them perswading them of God's love toward them and of their interest in his Covenant These poor Souls are deluded by Satan transforming himself into an Angel of Light and imitating God in those extraordinary wayes wherein he hath been woâ—â— heretofore to manifest himself to his people The witnessing word of the Spirit of God is a word coming upon and through his working in us and it is an inward voice a secret whispering that makes report within us of the love of God to us powerfully perswading us and sensibly convincing us of our Covenant interest in God 2. The Testimony of the Spirit of God comforting Souls by reporting Gods love to them and assuring them of their interest
in God is not given to any but those that fear the Lord and walk holily So Cornelius a devout man Acts 10.2 3 one that feared God which gave much almes to the People and prayed always to him while he was praying an Angel of God appeared telling him that his Prayâ—rs and his Almes were come up in remâ—mbrance before God While Daniel was praying confessing his sins and the sins of the People Dan. 9â— and presenting his supplications before the Lord for the holy Mountain of his God in the time of prayer euen at the beginning of his supplication an Angel comes and tells him Isa 64.5 That he is greatâ—y belâ—ved Thou meetest him that Rejoyceth and worketh Righteousness those that remember thee in thy wâ—ys To him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the Salvatiâ—â— of God he shall sâ—e my Salvatioâ— with the eye of Faith and my Spirit shall witâ—â—ss to him my acceptance of him and give him assured hope 〈◊〉 eternal happinâ—ss The holy Spirit never witnesseâ—â— the love of God to any Soul out 〈◊〉 thy way of holinâ—ss therefore iâ— peace be spoken and the love 〈◊〉 God reported to ungodly persoâ— who walk loosly and carâ—lâ—sly thâ—â— is from the Dâ—vil this is the hiâ—â—â—â—â— of the old Serpent and not thâ— whispâ—ring of the good Spirit 3. The good Spirit of God alwayes witnesseth according to thâ— word of God there is always aâ— agreement betwixt those two wiâ—nesses which are both of God viâ— his word the outward witness aâ— his spirit the inward If the test mâ—ny of the Spirit should cross thâ— Testimony of the word then thâ— Spirit should contradict himself sâ— the Scriptures were indited by tâ—â— holy Spirit so that the word it sâ— is the Spirits testimony he doâ— not immediately testifie any thing contrary to that testimony which he hath given in the world where the word bindeth the Spirit doth not lose where the word condemneth the spirit doth not acquit where the Word proclaimeth war and threatneth Destruction the spirit doth not there whisper peace and promise Salvation the Spirit doth not bless any whom the Word curseth Now the Word saith Rom. 8.14 That they are the Children of God who are led by the Spirit of God that they are the children of promise who are changed by the spirit of promise and made new Creatures and that walk in the steps of the faith of Abraham and to none but these doth the spirit witness their adoption and their interest in the Covenant of Gods love That Testimony which crosseth the Testimony of the word speaking peace to a carnal unbelieveing impenitent graceless heart I say that testimony comes from the lying spirit of Hell 4. The Spirit of God is a holy Witness as formally and originally so efficiently holy he maketh a gracious and holy Soul The holy Spirit sealing peace and the love of God to the Soul doth strongly engage the Soul unto holiness and maketh it to encrease in holyness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the love of Christ constraineth us saith the Apostle Christ his love manifested to us hath power over our Souls and rules us over to the mind of Christ The Testimony of the holy Spirit maketh a Christian fearful to offend God and careful to please him and circumspect in walking before him That Testimony and speaking of peace to the Soul which makes a man bold with sin and lose in his walkinâ— that breedeth a neglect of holy duties and a despising or slighting of God his ordinances surely that testimony is from the Devil It is clear that the Spirit of God guideth those that are the Sons of God to whom he giveth this testimony that they are Sons now this Spirit leads from Sin and leadeth unto holiness and righteousness Thus you have seen which is the first witness from whose testimony true assurance is taken up and I have given you some rules for discerning between the true and false Witness whereby people may judge whether they have taken up true assurance or be possessed with a false perswasion and confidence Secondly The spirit of a Christian is another Witness that assures him of his interest in the Covenant of Gods love The spirit of a man of a Christian witnesseth with the spirit of God by reception and expression by taking in the effects of the Covenant of promise as knowledge faith and Love and all graces and thence witnessing to him his interest in the Covenant Object But is there any trusting to the Testimony of our own Spirit can that be a true witness in which we may confide Qâ—id corde humano fallacius Is not mans heart deceitful above all things Answ It not is our own carnal Spirit our own natural spirit that is the assuring witness Spiritus noster est cornostrum regeneratum Par. but our own Regenerate Spirit the new Spirit which God giveth now of this Spirit the Apostle John speaketh saying If our hearts condemn us not then have we confidence toward God Dictamen cordis regeneratiest infallibile saith Pareus Now it is Good for us to understand and note the difference between the testimonies that proceed from those two different witnesses different spirits that in this great matter we may not be deceived by our own hearts I shall therefore briefly shew you the difference between the testimony of a caâ—nal heart and the testimony of a renewed pirit 1. The carnal heart takes up its evidence confusedâ—y and groundlessly not heeding whether there be any gracious saving work of the Spirit of God upon the heart which in order of nature necessarily preceds the Testimony of that good spirit whisperings to witness the love of God to the Soul But the Regenerate new spirit takes up its evidence and gives forth its testimony within the Soul to the Conscience orderly and upon good ground observing herein the order of the spirit of God and grounding its testimony upon the work of the holy Spirit in the Soul Ye have not saith the Apostle received the Spirit of bondâ—ge again to fear Rom. 8.15 but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Fâ—ther The Spirit that brings in peace hath caused a man to see himself lost in himself so that he hath seen his bondage and miserable condition by sin before he came to apprehend his liberty by Christ and his happiness in the enjoyment of God his favour 2. The testimony of a carnal heart will be without the Word and contrary to the word justifiing where the Wâ—rd condemneth speaking peace to a formal Hypocrite or loose-liver or a carnal earthly minded worldling such a one may have a spirit that speaâ—eth good speaketh peace to him but it is a carnal lying spirit that speaks falsly but the Regenerate Spirit which is the true witness within a man gives evidence concerning a mans condition and speaks comfort by and according to the word a Regenerate Spirit will not flatter will not falsifie
who do in effect say as those daughters of Jerusalem What is thy belâ—ved more then other beloveds Cant. 5. 9. What a doe is here about Christ you say above all your gettings get Christs let go all and take Christ you tel us he is the great Gift he is all Why we find that there is something beside him and that which pleaseth us well that which we will hold Fast say you what you will or may we not have Christ and hold fast the World May we not have Christ and take our pleasure may we not enjoy Christ and our lusts together O friends if you will have Christ you must be resolved upon the termes to part from all for him 5. You must seek Jesus Christ in the use of those means which God hath appointed and afforded particularly in attendance upon the Ministery of the word wherein God maketh offers of Grace and holdeth forth Jesus Christ with his fulnes to you if you will receive him God will be sound of those that seek him Christ will come to those that wait for him in his own way But as for those Fanaticks and seduced soules who reckon themselues to be aboue Ordinances and those prophane ones who do wickedly despise them and stubbornely refuse to bring their spirits under them and turn their backs upon the Preaching of the Word Surely they are not in the way to find Christ 6. As you must attend upon Ordinances that you may finde Christ in them so you must heed God his offers of Christ and Christ his tenders of himself to you You must observe how Christ comes to you in the sweet motions of the Spirit knocking at the doors of your heart and importuning you to open to him Istand at the doore and knock if any man open to me I will come in to him Reve. 3.26 Christ speaketh in the Ministrie of the Gospel calling you to faith and repentance and new obedience and he knocketh at the doores of your hearts by the motions of his Spirit and this standing and knocking implies an carnest desire to be let in to be entertained Now vvhen vve repent and believe and give Christ enterance into our hearts this is to open the doore unto him Oh take heed you do not neglect the calls and knocks of Christ but open to him let the everlasting doores of your soules be lifted up that the King Glory may come in Oh how long have you kept Christ out of doore though he hath knocked hard and called aloud yet he could not hitherto obtain to have the doore opened to him you would not be perswaded to cast the World out of your hearts and to turn out lusts and take him in but still continue as vain as proud as worldly as intemperate as irreligious and every way as bad as you were O firs take heed of resisting the Spirit of giving Christ such often repulses least he be provoked to be gone and resolve not to sollicite you any further that his Spirit shall not more strive with you lest you be given up to your own counsels to perish by your own gainsayings Dear soules give Christ entertainment Oh that the power of Gospel Revelations and Gospel Counsels may come in upon your hearts 2. Seeing Christ is the principal gift of God Counsel 2. Make sure an interest in Christ let us labour to cleare up to our selves our interst in him to get assurance that we have him for many there are who are ready to say that Christ is theirs when indeed they have no part in him Quest How shall I know that I have Christ Answ In order to a solution of this or to give satisfaction herein I shall in general acquaint you with this Our having received Christ our being in Christ and Christ his being in us are notions that serve to express one and the same thing This being premised I shall propound two heads or tvvo vvaies of discoverie for answer to the question If Christ be ours then we are in Christ 1. If vve have received Christ then we are in Christ Now I find that the Spirit of God useth a threefold comparison or similitude in setting forth a Believer his being in Christ 1. A Christian is in Christ as a branch in the stock so that if we bud and blossome and grow in grace be fruitful in holiness this is an agrument that we have received Christ that vve are in him 2. A Christan is in Christ as a member in the bodie united to the head so that if there be Spiritual life in us and Spiritual sense and Spiritual motion and action this is an argument that vve have received Christ that vve are in him 3. A Christian his being in Christ is set forth by the marriage vnion so that if there be a sweet intercourse betvvene Christ and the soule if the soule receive comfort from Christ and take pleasure in his company and delight in communion with him then he hath Christ 2. If a man hath received Christ then Christ is in him Christ is in us Christ is in the Saints as the soule in the body as the Sun in the World as a man in his house as a King on his Throne Novv there are tvvo meanes or tvvo manner of waies by which Christ is thus in the Saints both expressed by the Apostle in one place viz. the Spirit and Faith The Believer's vnion with Christ Ephes 3.16 17. is not a natural mixture of Substances of Christ his substance and our substance as if there were a real entrance of the body or Soule of Christ into our body or Soule Nor is it onely a conjunction of love or an union in affection between us and Christ but it is a mistical union in vvhich Christ-and Believers become one Christ stians are knit to brist and to one-another by joynts and bonds col 2.19 The Spirit and faith are those bonds and this union is as hath been said shadovved out in Scripture by the union of the head and the members in the body of man and by the vnion of a man and a vvoman in a married estate This vnion is made on Christ his part by his Spirit on our part by Faith 1. By his Spirit 1. Christ is in us by his Spirit this is first in order in as much as the Spirit is the worker of Faith The cause is before the effect Evidenoes he eâ—f Now there are divers effects whereby Christ discovereth himself to be in the soule by his Spirit 1. As the soul in the bodie is the principle of life motion and action so is Christ in the Saints by his Spirit the principle of spiritual life putting into them and preserving in them that life which is called the life of God Ephes 4.18 and as the soul acteth the body and every member of it so are Saints acted by Jesus Christ by Spirit in them John 3 6. Rom. 8.14 That which is born
Ezek. 16. in Right cousness and holiness of Truth In the state of nature the soule is like a wretched infant in it's blood whose navil is not cut that is unvvashed cast out in the open field to the loathing of its person But Christ maketh the Christian like the King's daughter all glorious within So that he is beautiful through the comeliness which Christ puts upon him but I say there is none of this beautie none of this glory nothing but ugliness and deformitie tilâ— Christ comes into the Soule 3. A soule without Christ is like a house that is without a Master or Governour and so there is no order in it no provision made for it there is none to refresh and comfort it where the reviving consolations of the Spirit of Christ are not 4. A soul without Christ is as a Kingdome without a King as a people without government there all things are in a confusion tending to ruine and destruction Such a heart is not framed to the obedience of Gods lawes there is none to subdue sin and repress rebellious lusts in the heart that rise up against God and fight against the soul which if not quelled by an Almighty power will destroy soul body utterly where Christ is not there is none to seek the good of the Soul efficatiously and to the soules undoubted advantage none that can enrich the soule with Grace here and bring it to Glory hereafter 5. A mans soul without Christ is in such a deplorable condition as is the bodie in which are all the principal defects of Nature like a man deprived of all his senses that can neither see nor hear nor taste nor smell nor feel if we could suppose such a one in life That such a soul is spiritually blinde I have shewed already Further it is Christ in the heart that furnisheth a man with a spiritual eare it is only the ear bored by the Spirit of Christ that can hear the voice of God Multi habent aures audiendi pauci aures obediendi Aug. that so heareth as to understand and believe and obey the Word of God others are as deafe Adders that hear not the voice of the Charmer charme he never so wisely Many reproofs many instructions many admonitions many good counsels and exhortations are dealt out to people yet they are deaf to all and so will be nothing will enter into them till Christ be with their Spirits Souls without Christ are without feeling like a man all over in a dead Palsie we speak of spiritual feeling neither Gods Word nor his works make any impression upon such a heart it is as senseless of the smitings of God in the ministry of the Word as the Anvile is of the strokes of the Hammer That is true of such a soul which Solomon speaks of the drunkard They have stricken me Pro. 23. ult and I was not sick they have beaten me and I felt it not So may such a soul say or we may say of him he hath been smitten with reproofs for his Drunkeness for his Oaths for his Coveteousness for his Sabbath-breaking for his ordinance slighting c. Oh many blows have been given him but he felt them not it appeareth so because he is never the better for these smitings he reformeth not those evils for which he hath been reproved Lastly In a word A soul without Christ savoureth not the things that are of God This term savour is in Scripture applied both to tasting and smelling to tasting so meat is said to be savoury Gen. 27. to smelling and so there is the savour of ointments and the savour of garments spoken of in the Book of Canticles Now as a man that hath not the sense of tasting cannot distinguish meats or drinks all are alike to him he perceiveth no sweetness in Sugar or Honey no tartness in Vinegar no bitterness in Gall and as a man that hath not the sense of smelling senteth neither sweet nor stinking taketh no pleasure in those things which yeild a most fragrant smell nor is offended at that which senteth most noisomely and odiously so is it in a spiritual sense with the soul that is without Christ there is no sence of tasting or smelling no perceivance or apprehension of the sweetness of Jesus Christ and of the doctrine of the Gospel of the deliciousness of the things of grace such a soul savoureth not the heavenly Manna the Word of God is not at all sweet unto his taste but unsavoury unto him nor is sin disgustful he perceiveth no bitterness in it but takes pleasure in it so putting bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter 6. Till you can find that you are in Christ and Christ in you you cannot look upon your selves but as vessels of dishonour ordained unto wrath Rom. 8.1 There is nâ— condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus but to all out of Christ Christ is wisdome and righteousness and sanctification to those to whom he is made redemption it is Christ in us that is the hope of glory to us Examine your selves 2 Cor. 13. â— saith the Apostle prove your selves know you not that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates If thou hast not Christ who is that best garment which the Father of the returning Prodigal called for to put it upon his Son if thou hast not put on the Lord Jesus Christ who is that Wedding-garment spoken of in the Parable Mâ—t. 22. I say if thou hast not Christ thou wilt be speechless dumb not able to speak one word for thy self in that day when the King of Kings the great Judge of all the World shall ask thee why thou shouldst not be condemned and cast into hell for the sin in which thou was born and the sins in which thou hast lived whereas the soul that hath gotten Christ that hath taken him up by Faith and hath him dwelling in it by his Spirit hath the merits of Christ his death to plead and the righteousness of Christ to hold forth unto God Lord though in my self I am worthy of death and have deserved to die a thousand times though I have no righteousness of my own yet in as much as Christ hath died for me I must not die in as much as thy Son whom thou hast given me hath fulfilled all righteousness for me and is made of God righteousness to me I shall not be condemned but I say he that is without Christ will have nothing to say when it shall be demanded of him what he can plead for himself why he should not die for his sins and what hath the judge then to say to such a Christless wretch Oh he passeth a dreadful sentence Bind him hand and â—oot and take him away and cast him into ouâ—er darkness there shall be weeping and guashing af teeth Ah now dear souls seeing the â—nhappiness of men and women and their misery is so great in the want of Christ labour to
give him praise makinâ— it not only the labour of our lips but the work of our hearts powâ—ing out our very souls unto him who hath manifested the gracious pâ—rpose of his heart towards us it the Covenant of Life and Salvation which â—e hath given us 5. Praising of God for the Covenant of his mercy and love shalâ— be the constant etâ—rnal work of Saints in Heaven when they shâ—â—â— bâ— fully made partakers of 〈◊〉 blessings of the Covenant being taken up to the fullest fruition of their God and made full of joy with the light of his countenance and is not Heaven work to be beguâ— by us here do we not pray that Gods will may be done on Earth as it is in Heaven now this will argue a heavenly Spirit to be taken up with heavenly employment and action and this will be a means to make the heart more heavenly Oh let us now enure our selves to our everlasting work and labour to be as like as may be here to what we shall be hereafter 6. The more we let our hearts out to God in thankfulness for the grace of the Covenant praising him for the free donation of himself to us as prising him above all the more will he let himself out to us and communicate his goodness clearing up to us our interest in him shedding abroad his love in our hearts Psa 50.23 so making us glad with the Light of his Countenance Qu. How shall we shew our selves thankful to God for the Covenant of promise the Covenant of his love Ans In cleansing our selves from all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit and perfecting holiness in the fear of God This is the return which God expects from us for his love toward us that we declare our selves on his side against sin which is his great enemy that we freely give up our selves to him who hath engaged himself to us that as he is become our God so we should be his people a people of his holiness and that we strive to walk worthy of the Lord unto all well pleasing 2. Let us declare to others the preciousness of the Covenant and the comfort and sweetness of a Covenat interest in God tell them that this is infinitely more worth than all other interests and enjoyments seeking thus to draw souls unto God this is thankfulness for exhibiting grace cordially and affectionately to commend both the gift and the giver 3. 〈◊〉 us thankfully and with enlarged hearts bless God for the Lord Jesus Christ the root of the Covenant as I may say and the Mediator of the Covenant By his Blood the Covenant was purchased for us and by his mediation it is performed to us therefore let us set the name of Christ to all this grace God the Father delighteth to have his son honoured and he that honours not the Son honours not the Father therefore let Christ be great with us upon this account that he hath procured the love of his Father to us 4. Our prizing of the Covenant and our thankfulness for it will be shewn in our longing for a nearer communion with God and a fuller fruition of him in the accomplishment of all the promises of the Câ—venant We are not thankful to God for the Covenant whereby he is become our God unless we make him our â—rd our portion our treasure and have our hearts set upon him and desire carried to him O Lord thou art my God why have I no more enjoyment of thee why is my soul at such a distance from thee it contents me not to see thy back parts O shew me thy face O let the time hasten when I shall see as I am seen Thou art my God early will I seek thee my soul thirsteth for thee O blessed day when I shall come to appear before my God in Sion Thus you have had a seventh Counsel and some directions about it 8thly Let us constantly act faith upon the Covenant which God hath given us Couns 8. Act faith upon the Covenant and upon God in Christ covenanting with us This is the way to fetch sweetness from the Covenant to suck out the hony that is in it I shall hold forth some exciting considerations Incitements some arguments to perswade to the acting of Faith upon God and upon his Covenant of Promise 1. Consider that as God reâ—aires this so he is greatly delighted with the actings of precious faith upon such a precious object as himself who is the believers and and happiness This is very pleasing to God because it gives him the glory of his goodness and of his all sufficiency and of the truth and certainty of his Covenant by acting saith upon God's Covenant of promise and so fetching our comfort from thence we set to our Seal that God is good and that he is sufficient for us and that he is truâ— â—â—e real in Covenanting and faithful in performing his Covenant to his people now I say it must needs he that God is delighted with thesâ— actings of Faith while the soul rowl's it self upon him and fetches its comforts from him and satisfies its self with him because thus the sould gives him the glory of his precious Attributes which are so dear to him 2. This is a most sweet pleasant and delightful life to the believer himself to lie sucking by faith at the fuâ—l breasts of consolation to drink in the pure waters of the Fountain of Life to feed upon the marrow and fatness the honey and sweetness of the sweet Covenant of grace to be satisfied with God to have all in him There is a vast difference between Faiths repasts and the worlds refreshings between Covenant comforts which are received by faith and creature comforts which are apprehended and taken in by senses Oh how do they differ in respect of pureness and fullness and durableness and universality or extensiveness 1. In respect of pureness there is a mixture of wax in the most clarified honey of earthly delights there is some bitterness in the sweetest morsels of sublunary contentments they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bitter-sweets there is a mixture of dreggs in the purest liquors of the worlds comforts but the comfort of a Covenant interest in God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sincere this is honey without wax it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sweet indeed without any bitterness in it it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pure indeed liquor without any dregs 2. Great is the difference betwixt the comfort which the faith of a believer fetcheth from Gods Covenant and that which a worldling fetcheth from the Creature in respect of fullness Alass the bâ—st comforts which the world yields do rather provoke than fill the appetite do rather enerense than quench thirst no inferious good no sublunary enjoyment is adequate or proportionable to the capacity or desire of the Soul When Hannah wept before the Lord because she was Childless said Eâ—kanah to her Why weepest thou am not