the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt for he had respect unto the recompence of reward But 〈◊〉 you eye in Christ what is equitable and imitable then consider in Moses what is attainable by the industrious actings of faith and meditation And yet to prevail further upon your spirits in promoting your magnanimity and patience by minding your hope of glory in Christ I wish you to compare your present sufferings on earth with your future glory hoped for in heaven both in regard of their quality and continuance for the one are both light and short whereas the other is both weighty and eternall The experience of Gods servants hath often put a Probatum est unto this direction 2 Cor. 4. 16 17 18. For this cause we faint not for our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a farre more exceeding and eternall weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporall but the things which are not seen are eternall Secondly Those who have not as yet received Christ to dwell in them are to be moved as they desire heavens glory hereafter and the comfortable hopes of it here upon earth to give entertainment unto Jesus Chaist Zacheus upon an hint given of Christs willingnesse to come into his house comes down out of the Sycamore-Tree quickly and receiveth him joyfully Now do you with seriousnesse consider Luk. 19. 4. with what 1. importunity 2. patience 3. and promises the Lord Jesus calleth upon you for entertainment Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and Rom. 3. 20. open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me 1. There is the use both of a voice and knocking therefore importunity He speaketh by his word and knocketh by his Spirit with some recoylings of an awakned conscience 2. This importunity is not only once it is not a knock or a word and away but he standeth he staieth and waiteth for admission This speaketh much patience 3. This patient importunity is backed with promises of communion upon willingnesse to take him in I will sup with him and he with me as if he had said I will feast his soul and I will accept of his provisions for my welcome Now if by these motives to which many more might be added you be disposed to enquire what you should do that may come into you and be in you the hope of glory I would refer you to the counsell given by the Psalmist which is doubled because weighty and necessary Lift up your heads O ye gates and be lift up ye everlasting doors and the Psa 24. 7. 9. King of glory shall come in Hence two directions may be gathered 1. That our souls which in regard of their immortality are called everlasting doors must willingly receive him He is a great King and will not take up with an out-house for his lodging for the place of his gracious abode Eph. 3. 17. He dwelleth in the heart Either there or not at all Therefore by meditating upon the fore-mentioned particulars suggesting Christ his deservings and the incomparable benefits to be received by him seek to prevail with your selves that your warmest loves strongest longings and highest joys may be laid forth upon him 2. That he must be received as Lord and King with free contentment to submit unto his Scepter and Regall Authority In houses where Kings were wont to be entertained Rex was usually written upon the door all the rooms were to be disposed of for his use In like manner must they commit the Keys of government into the hands of Christ with willingnesse to be ruled by him in all things who would receive him and through him the hope of glory 3. Hereto may be added heart-humiliation For whereas high stately Palaces are esteemed the fittest houses for the entertainment of earthly Princes Jesus Christ the King of glory maketh choice of lowly hearts for his habitation For thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity whose name is holy I dwell Isa 55. 15. in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit Therefore levell your mountains of self-conceit lay your selves in the dust upon the serious review of the evil both of your lives and natures together with the deserved misery which you be neither able to resist nor undergo and make an unfeigned self-resignation unto the Lord to be alwaies in all things governed by him so may you expect the coming of Christ into your souls and the comfort of good hope of glory through him This one thing I earnestly move as a matter necessary to salvation by Jesus Christ viz. self-deniall with submission to Christ as tendred in the Gospel upon terms of free-grace The Apostle Paul looketh upon the Jews as not in the state of salvation Because they going about to establish Rom 10. 1 3. their own righteousnesse submitted not themselves unto the righteousnesse of God Their priviledges were high and their costly Sacrifices many and therefore they hoping without Christ then preached to work out their own welfare fell short of blessednesse The same Spirit of pride and self-dependance is in all our natures which is extreamly mischievous obstructing the way unto Christs welcome into the soul therefore I entreat and beseech Christians again and again herein to be exceeding carefull Neither let those who are most rich in parts duties enjoyments rely thereupon with disrespect of Christ Nor yet let Poor souls burthened with guilt beggarly in abilities most vile and unworthy in their own account keep off from Christ through distrustfull discouragements For as all good hope of glory is raised from Christ heartily entertained so no one who humbly obedientially stoopeth under his government Joh. 6. 37. shall be rejected In the last place The Doctrine administreth much comfort Vse 4 unto mourners bewailing the death of such who as they have just cause to beleeve had received Christ into their souls before they left this world because from this ground ariseth good hope that they are admitted into heavens glory Upon this account the Apostle disswadeth drooping and perswadeth chearfulnesse in Christians upon such occasions I would not have you ignorant Brethren concerning 1 Thes 4. 13 14 18. them who are asleep that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope For we beleeve that those who sleep in Jesus God will bring with him and so shall we ever be with the Lord Wherefore comfort one another with these words In this regard regular love to our deceased Christian Friends would turn our water into wine our tears into joys If ye loved me said Christ to his dejected Apostles ye would rejoyce because I said I go unto the Father And this was ethe rason as some
is rooted in Christ therefore Heavens glory with all the requisites belonging thereto are from grace and mercy And this will make way for the Use following To perswade Christians the heirs of glory to praise God Vse 4 for Jesus Christ because all their hopes do spring from him As Simeon expecting salvation by Christ blessed God All Luk. 2. 28. our hearts should breathe forth Saint Peters doxology Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who 1. Pet. 1. 3 4. according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you Hence I might note to quicken gratitude 1. The admirable worth of the inheritance in glory which hope expecteth viz an Inheritance incorruptible undefiled that fadeth not away 2. The means whereby this hope is begotten in us viz. the death and resurrection of Christ 3. And the motive moving the Lord in this way to give us ground of hope viz. His abundant mercy In all which regards it may well become us to joyn with our souls in Zacharies Song Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he Luk. 1. 68 69. hath visited and redeemed his people and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David This thankfulnesse may be perswaded by a double consideration the one more generall and the other more particular In generall because this ground of hope is revealed to us Gentiles and that upon no other account but Gods good pleasure â—his is M. Bains his Observation from the words before the Text God maketh known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles This was an high priviledge peculiar to the Jews that to them were committed the Rom. 3. 1. Eph. 1. 9. Oracles of God but how much greater is our preferment in these times God having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself And the Apostle elsewhere discoursing of some differences betwixt Old-Testament and New-Testament dispensations telleth us that the Gospel bringeth in a better hope by which we draw nigh to God More particularly in Heb. 7. 19. reference to our own persons take notice of these things 1. That the revelation of this should reach our understandings when multitudes of more pregnant capacities Mat. 11. 25 26 continue ignorant hereof I thank thee O Father said Christ Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes Evenso Father for it seemeth good in thy sight 2. That we do not only perceive but also participate personally in this hope through Jesus Christ whereas there are millions whose heads are full of this light and yet their hearts are empty of this lively hope of glory by Christ And if I by grace be a partaker saith Saint Paul I give God 1 Cor. 10. 30. thanks 3. That the riches of the glory of this Inheritance hoped for by the Saints is unexpressible And that we may be abundantly Eph. 1. 18. thankfull for this hope in Christ as we should pray for a more clear apprehension thereof so should we endeavour to know assuredly our peculiar interest therein by finding the Lord Jesus dwelling in our hearts by his Spirit Because my Text tels us That Christ in us is the hope of glory which is the next and last Doctrine here considerable That Christ by being in beleevers is unto them the hope of Doct. 4 glory The existency of Christ in beleeving Christians giveth existency to their hopes of glory This connexion of Christ in them and of their glory through him is considerable in his most heavenly Prayer in which having spoken of the glory given unto them with the same breath as it were he suggests Joh. 17. 22 23. Vnde colligimus nos unum cum Christo esse non quia suam in nos substantiam transfundat sed quia Spiritus sui virtute nobiscum vitam suam quicquid accepit a Patre bonorum communicet Calvin in Joh. 17. 22. Act. 20. 28. 2 Cor. 5. 19. his being in them The glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one I in them c. Before I proceed in the further handling of this doctrine These words which speak the in-being of Christ in Christians do call for some explication Therefore let us enquire 1. Both what the phrase doth not 2. And what it doth hold forth to our consideration First It doth not intimate such a being of Christ in any Christian as of the Godhead in Christ by reason whereof Godhead and Manhood in Christ made one person in regard whereof he was from his conception absolutely free from the least tincture of sinne and was made able to compleat the work of Mediatorship both by bearing up under the infinite weight of Gods displeasure without sinking and also to give sufficient vertue and value unto his obedience active and passive that it might be satisfactory and meritorious Gal. 4. 6. Eph. 2. 22. â— Joh. 1. 12. But it doth suggest Christs peculiar abode in beleevers by his Spirit being received by faith whereby he dwelleth and operateth spiritually in their hearts Naturae nomen hic non substantiam sed qualitatem designat Naturae divinae mundi corruptionem opponit Vt siâ—us unum cum Deo quantum modulus noster fâ—ret Calvio in 2 Pet. 1. 4. which union betwixt him and them doth in some measure by way of similitude though not fully in way of parity represent the union betwixt his father and himself And whereas the Apostle Peter speaketh of our being made partakers of the divine nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. which words are much abused There are two things notable from that Scripture to manifest the difference betwixt Christ and Christians in that participation 1. The words are not we are made partakers of the God-head but of the divine nature viz. of the qualities of God according to our capacity whereby we escape that corruption which is in the world through lust and do in holy dispositions resemble God so far as such creatures can As David speaketh of shewing the kindenesse of God unto Jonathans posterity 2 Sam. 20. 15. whereas God-head it self was in such sort in Christ 1 Tim. 3. 16. that he was God blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. coequall with God the Father Phil. 2. 6. 2. The Apostle Peter is open and expresse that Christians are partakers of the divine nature in the sense aforesaid by means of the exceeding great and precious promises of Gods grace whereas Christ was God by an eternall naturall unexpressible generation Having thus briefly explicated the expression in the Text and the like used by our Saviour I proceed to
the handling of the point of doctrine here propounded And because the doctrine hath two branches the one necessarily implied the other openly expressed I shall distinctly speak unto them both The truth implied in the first branch of the doctrine is 1. Branch of Doctrine Joh. 1. 12. Eph. 3. 17. this viz. that Christ is in Beleevers As beleevers do receive him so he dwelleth in their hearts by faith And therefore it is noteable that the Apostle having moved the Corinthians to prove themselves whether in the faith he addeth Know 2 Cor. 13. 5. ye not that Jesus Christ is in you This in-being of Christ in beleevers is to be understood not of an abode in them or any where else on earth corporally for in that sense the Heavens must receive him until the time of the restitution of Act. 3. 21. all things but of an habitation spirituall according to the testimony of the Apostle Because ye are Sonnes God hath Gal. 4. 6. sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts Thereby intending to teach us that Christ is in beleeving Christians spiritually And this truth is by various metaphors suggested in the holy Scriptures 1. By being compared unto showrs which descending from heaven do sink and soak into the bowels of the earth He shall come down like rain 2. And his Name Psa 72. 6. Cant. 1. 3. Psa 109. 18. is like unto ointment poured forth which worketh it self into the bones not staying upon the outside of the person receiving it 3. He is meat and drink indeed unto the soul from Joh. 6. 55 56. whence he himself concludeth my doctrine He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud dwelleth in me and I in him 4. Hereto might be added that he is the soul of our souls whereby we live spiritually Christ is our Life And mans life Col. 3. 4. Dan. 7. 15. is said to be in him 2 Sam. 1. 9. The body is called the sheath of the Soul which expression hinteth that the soul is in the body as the sword in the scabbard In like manner Christ who is the Christians life is in all them whom he enliveneth Having thus cleared the truth that Christ is in beleeving Vse 1 Christians I proceed to the application of it under three heads of Uses First For Instruction in four particulars 1. Hence the Godhead of Jesus Christ may be concluded undeniably for this spirituall ubiquity of Christ in the souls of all reall Saints in all the places of the world cannot belong unto any meer creature whatsoever This argument Saint Paul produced Act. 17. 23 24 27 28. to distinguish the true God from all Idol-gods He is not far from every one of us Omnipresence proveth Deity And the conclusion followeth with like strength when beleevers assert this truth He is in every one of us 2. This discovereth the unparellel'd condescentions of Jesus Jesus Christ being willing to abase himself thus low as to be within poor sinfull creatures This was a matter of admiration 1 King 8. 27. Mat. 8. 8. unto Solomon But will God indeed dwell on earth The good Centurion said Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof And the Psalmist with much affection calleth upon all the servants of the Lord to praise him and Psa 113. 1 3 5 6. praise him again upon this account Who is like unto the Lord God who dwelleth on high who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth Did God humble himself in looking out of himself off from his own infinite beauties and perfections to view either men on earth or Angels and Saints in heaven How much greater is this condescention in Christ to make his abode in the souls of sinners Let me here dart only two thoughts into your mindes 1. That Christ came out of his Fathers bosome where he Joh. 1. 18. Prov. 8. 30. was daily his delight rejoycing alwaies before him 2. That the hearts of the best upon earth wherein he inhabits are like dark dungeons in regard of the clouds of ignorance not dispersed 1 Cor. 13. 12. Isa 64. 6. and like unsavoury dunghils in respect of many noysome lusts not fully subdued Therefore guess with gratitude how low our blessed Lord doth stoop in being content to dwell in us even in us every way so vile and so unworthy 3. This giveth us to understand the dignity of all true beleevers As they are precious excellent more excellent then Isa 43. 4. Psa 16. 2. Prov. 12. 26. others in many other respects which I now have not occasion to mention so upon this account that the Lord Jesus Christ is in them Moses the man of God judgeth Israel in this regard in a condition farre better then any other people For what Nation hath God so nigh unto them And how Deut. 4. 7. much was Zacheus affected with the apprehension of this favour this honour when Christ promised to abide at his house When he had climed into a tree to take a view of Luk. 19. 5. Christ and Christ telleth him that he should not only have a transient sight of him but also enjoy him as his guest oh how was Zacheus think you elevated by this entertainment Now such and greater honour have all his Saints Psa 149. 9. It was no doubt a very great honour put upon the blessed Virgin Mary both in her own account and in the judgement Luk. 1. 42 43 48 49. of all Christians that she did bear the holy body of Christ in her womb for a time He that is mighty hath magnified me and certainly the inhabitation of Christ by his Spirit in the souls of his servants is not a priviledge inferiour 4. This whispereth the madnesse and misery of all such who do dare to make opposition against beleevers for seeing Christ is in them therefore in so doing they seek as it were to pluck down Christ his house upon his head I shall not enlarge this Use 1. Either by shewing the various waies whereby wrong is done unto the servants of the Most High viz. by secret plots and open persecutions either by abating their comforts or encreasing their sufferings either by corrupting their judgements or drawing them to sin 2. Or by manifesting Christs knowledge and sensiblenesse of these their injuries together with his severity against their enemies witnessed both by judgements threatned in his Word and executed in the world from generation to generation But I only wish those who are herein guilty to minde the Item given by the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Corinthians If any man defile the Temple of God him will God destroy 1 Cor. 3. 17. for the Temple of God is holy which Temple ye are The second Use is for the comfort of all true beleevers Vse 2 seeing Christ is in them I remember what is recorded concerning Paul that the
sight of some Christian Act. 28. 15. brethren cheared him after a sad shipwrack whom when Paul saw he took courage And Caesar cheared the drooping Mariners in a storm by minding them of his presence How much more should the in-being of Christ solace the beleeving soul 1. Because of his authority and power to order all casualties and concernments according to his pleasure whereas many times the best of creature-friends can do no more then pity and pray Thus our Lord cheared his Apostles All power is given unto me and lo I am with Mat. 28. 18 20 you alway even unto the end of the world And it was a cordiall to the Disciples in a storm that Christ was with them whom the windes and waves must obey 2. Because this a Mat. 8. 26 27 Psa 132. 14. bode of Christ speaketh his complacency This is Mr Bayns his Note upon the Text. A man cannot properly be said to dwell in a prison in which he taketh no delight And this answereth a Scripture-expression elsewhere Here I will dwell for I have desired it saith God of Sion Though many times drooping Christians viewing their own beggarlinesse and vilenesse judge themselves worthy to be detested and deserted and would relinquish themselves if they could yet Christ looketh to the poor and contrite soul as a meet habitation Isa 66. 1 2â— for himself 3. Because he doth graciously communicate himself unto the soul where he resideth according to the necessities thereof I dwell with him that is of a contrite Isa 57. 15. and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the contrite ones When you reade this promise remember his ability and fidelity in these and all other kindes to accommodate those whom he inhabits to their compleating in the accomplishment of his Mediatorship Therefore doubtlesse there cannot possibly be either any creature-want or danger wherein the improvement of this in-dwelling of Christ may not refresh the beleeving Christian 4. Because Nunquam minus solus quam cum solus maximè Gen. 39. Psal 63. Act. 23. 10 11 this will be constantly and abundantly relieving in times of the greatest solitarinesse though in banishment or the closest imprisonment and at the greatest distance from the dearest friends Joseph in Egypt David in the wildernesse and Paul prisoner in the Castle were admirably cheared by this company And Christ is now and will be evermore the self-same in his servants for their consolation The third Use is for Exhortation to perswade Beleevers Vse 3 unto a double duty 1. To purge all discovered pollution out of themselves because of Christs speciall residence in them This Use the Apostle Paul maketh of this doctrine for having said to the 2 Cor. 6. 16. 7. 1. Corinthians Ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them he addeth Having therefore these Promises Dearly Beloved let us clense our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit This was one charge which God gave unto old Israel in a military condition that all bodily filth should be buried under ground and this is rendred as the reason For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst Deu. 23. 13 14 of thee therefore shall thy Camp be holy that he see no unclean thing in thee Oh that Christians would in this respect oppose inward defilements and not outward pollutions only How carefull are we to sweep and wash away whatsoever might be offensive unto our Friends in the rooms where we lodge them And what guest can so well deserve welcome as Jesus Christ unto whom all sinne is abominable he being Prov. 8. 7. the holy One of God Be not satisfied therefore with fair faces and white hands but labour to make and to keep the in-side clean also 2. To prepare for Christs contentfull entertainment in their bosomes Who is not willing to be at cost in providing Luk. 5. 29. both food and furniture fitting for the welcoming of worthy friends It 's said Levi made Christ a great Feast in his own house yea Solomon brings in the whorish woman reporting Prov. 7. 16 17. her provisions made for the young man whom she sollicited to lewdnesse I have deck'd my bed with coverings of Tapestry with carved works and fine linen of Egypt I have perfumed my bed with Myrrh Aloes and Cinamon And should not a principle of pure love to Christ prevail with Christians to do more then sordid lusts do with the bruitish children of men If you demand what is the provision to be laid in for Christ his welcome The Apostle telleth you it is perfecting holinesse in the fear of God which practice also 2 Cor. 7. 1. he moveth by the argument under-hand as was hinted in the former branch of the Exhortation By the encreasing and acting of all the graces of the holy Ghost Christ will be abundantly contented This is intended by these metaphoricall expressions of the Spouse unto Christ At our Cant. 7. 13. gates are all manner of pleasant fruits new and old which I have laid up for thee O my Beloved I would cause thee to drink Cant. 8. 2. of spiced wine of the juyce of my Pomegranate And take this encouragement all you drooping souls who are low and little in your own eyes judging nothing of your graces worthy Christs acceptance or meet for his entertainment that his Loves will take in good part that which with sincere good-will you shall provide and make tender of with respect unto his content I will sup with you saith he to the Rev. 3. â—0 Church And upon the invitation of the Spouse thus expressed Let my Beloved come into his garden and eat his pleafant Cant. 4. 16. fruit This answer speaking good acceptance is returned I am come into my garden my Sister my Spouse I have gathered Cont. 5. 1. my Myrrh with my Spice I have eaten my honey-comb with my honey I have drunk my wine with my milk Oh how ready with chearfulnesse is the Lord Jesus to own and accept all graces notwithstanding their defects and mixtures in the bosomes of them whom he doth inhabite This therefore should both quicken and embolden poor beleeving souls to lay in and lay out for his satisfaction who is pleased to abide in them I proceed to the second branch of the Doctrine which is 2. Branch of Doctrine the truth openly expressed viz. That the existency of Christ in Beleevers giveth existence unto their hopes of glory If the reasons hereof be demanded I answer Because Christ his spirituall presence in us is Gods earnest of glory The Apostle is expresse for this Having In arrahbone ut pignus Dickson on the Text. 2 Cor. 5. 5. mentioned the longings of Saints to be swallowed up of life he addeth Now he that hath wrought us for the self same thing is God who also hath given unto us
the earnest of the Spirit Therefore if Gods own earnest may give good hope then Christ in beleeving Christians giveth good hope of glory especially because the earnest it self is of so great value the receiving whereof is happinesse begun upon earth 2. Because of that near relation and close union which is betwixt Christ and them whom he inhabiteth They are not only related unto him as servants unto their Master though that would give ground of good hope Seeing he himself who is taken up into glory hath said Where I am there shall my servant be Neither are they only one with him Ioh. 12. 26. Joh. 15 5. Col. 1. 18. Ephes 1. 23. He in them and they in him as the branches in the Vine But he is united unto beleevers as the head unto the body which is called his fullnesse Therefore if there be hope that Christ will have a compleat body without the defect of any member in heaven or that every individuall member of Christ his mysticall body shall be glorified then Christ in beleevers is the infallible hope of glory 3. Because Christ by abiding in Beleevers doth prepare them for participation in glory The Apostle Paul is clear in his expressions to this purpose Ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you and if Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin but the Spirit is life Rom. 8. 9 10 11. because of righteousnesse But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Wheresoever Christ dwels spiritually his Spirit operateth effectually for the subduing of sinfull principles and for the advancing of the power of sanctification And thus he preparing the vessels of mercy for glory and making them meet to be made pantakers of the inheritance of Rom. 8. 23. Col. 1. 12. Saints in light he giveth them sure hope of glory This by way of application may serve as a good touchstone Vse 1 to try the truth of heavens hopes Not Christ in the Sermons which we hear nor Christ in the Chapters which we reade nor Christ in the Sacrament which we receive will administer ground of hope of future glory Though Christ be in our heads by high notions and in our mouths by frequent glorious expressions yet if he be not in our bosomes by spirituall inhabitation he is not unto us the hope of glory It is said of hypocrites that God is near in their mouths Jer. 12. 2. Mat. 15. 8. but farre from their reins And that with their lips they honour him but their heart is farre from him At the last day many shall pleade their profession of Christ calling him Lord Lord and talking of great works done in his Name who yet shall shall be rejected with doleful disappointments I will professe unto them saith Christ I never knew you depart from Mat. 7. 23. me Here then the question will be how may Christ his being in us be discovered I answer briefly 1. By the grace of Per fidem habitans virtute sua agens Hunnius in Text. Joh. 1. 12. faith whereby he is received 2. By the room into which he is welcomed 3. And by the effects of his entertainment First Whereas true Beleevers are the only receivers of Jesus Christ This faith will evidence it self partly by the incomparable value which it puts upon Christ To you who beleeve saith the Apostle Peter he is precious and partly by opposing 1 Pet. 2. 7. and purging out sinfull pollution that Christ may not be annoyed by it The heart is purified by faith Therefore ask your Act. 15. 9. selves as in Gods presence whether there be any thing in the world which you prize more then Christ or so much as Christ and whether you do indulge any wickedness within your bosomes without bitter complaints and vigorous opposition Secondly Christ dwelleth in the heart by faith The Spouse Eph. 3. 17. Can. 1. 13. saith He shall lie as a bundle of Myrrhe betwixt my breasts Therefore consider into what place Christ is welcomed Do you admit him into some out-house only As at his birth he was laid in a manger because there was no room for him in Luk. 2. 7. the Inne Or do you put him into a cock-loft only I mean Do you only fill your fancies with notions and tip your tongues with talk of Christ or is he indeed received with warm welcome into your hearts by longings loves and rejoycings Thirdly Whereas Christ is influentially operative in the soul where he resideth as the soul in the body where it is Christ is our life saith Paul and I am crucified with Christ Neverthelesse I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me Enquire Col. 3. 4 Gal. 2. 20. therefore exactly whether by such spirituall breathings sense and motions as were in Jesus Christ whilest upon earth you can make out your union and communion with him He 1 Joh. 2. 6. that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked what gaspings are in you after conformity to Gods will and the glory of his Name what sighs under sin with the expressions of divine displeasure what complacency in Gods service and the smiles of his face in the use of holy Ordinances what motions what progresse do you endeavour to make from sinne towards God in the mortifying of inward lusts and the advancing of the power of godlinesse in your conversations Sincere answers returned unto such like demands will suggest whether Christ be efficaciously present in you This truth administreth matter of much comfort unto all Vse 2 them who finde upon due examination the Lord Jesus dwelling in them When Zacheus heard that Christ would abide Luk. 19. 6. in his house he received him joyfully Greater cause of joy have they who have already lodged him in their hearts Now to quicken the belevevers joy upon that account viz. that Christ in them is the hope of glory these comfortable consequences may be considered 1. Hence they may assuredly expect the supply of all outward wants whether they look upon themselves as possessed of Christ or entitled by him unto glory The holy Scripture holds forth this inference as deducible from both these grounds Christ is the owner the heir of all things and therefore if God hath given us his Sonne how shall he not with him freely give us all things And if the Lord by the right Rom. 8. 32. of Christ hath been pleased to give interest in heavens glory he will certainly vouchsafe all earthly needfull accommodations This conclusion Christ himself gathers from the premises Fear not little Flock for it is your Fathers good pleasure Luk. 12. 32. to give you the Kingdom And the Apostle doth from the same