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
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
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
be deeply sensible of this great want and greatly to bewail it Surely this is the greatest want in the World this is the only Damning want better it is to want land to want money to want clothes to want health to want bread to want all outward things then to want Christ to be without him therefore let all your sorrowing for other wants be turned into mourning for this great want For surely as long as your soules are Christless you are in the way to die for ever to perish without rememedie And being thus sensible of your want and grieving under it go to God for a supply urging him with his promise to bestow Grace upon all humbled souls that are afflicted in the sense of their own want of Christ and Grace God hath promised Christ and Salvation by him to those that are afar off Seeing the promise runs in such general termes and holds forth Christ and Grace to every poor humbled dejected sinner to every desiring Soul Lay thy self now at the foot of the promise and say unto God Lord my soul is Christless and graceless and so in danger of perishing Eternally Hast thou not said that thou wilt give Christ and Grace and Salvation to them that are afar off O let this promise be good to me poore wretch let me receive Christ and all Grace with him and be brought into a state of Salvation for thy mercies sake so shall I speak of thy goodness and sing unto thy praise declaring what thou hast done for my soul Now having pressed such general counsel as I judged to be proper naturally flowing from the Doctrine Special Counsels I shall drop some special words of advice to those that are possest of Christ upon whom God hath bestowed this great gift Counsel Be satisfied with Christ 1. If you have Christ be content be satisfied with him and say with David I have gotten a goodly heritage and with Jacob I have enough Let us not reckon that we lack any thing if we enjoy Christ have you that all comprehending good and will you be complaining as if you had nothing Surely the wants of people in respect of temporalls are commonly more in desire then in the absence of things more in conceit then in reality for set aside fancie and there is nothing indeed necessary for the body but food and rayment daily bread that which serveth for the sustentation of life and preservation of health There was never any worldly minded man that was satisfied with the World He that loveth Silver shall not be satisfied with silver nor he that loveth abundance with increase Eccle. 5.10 This is vanity saith the Preacher The heart of man is still coveting this and that and the other thing which seems to him desirable and when he hath this and that and the other thing too yet he wanteth something not that there is a true vvant but the appepetite is not filled the greedy or wanton or proud desire is not satisfied I say Worldly men are never satisfied with the World vvith that which they have of it because they are Christless and all things without Christ are vanity and vexation of Spirit But they that have Christ have all in him and with him Therefore let the Christian possessing Christ say to his soul Soul thou hast enough be at rest thou hast all good laid for Eternity Should the rich man be complaining of want now Christ where he is possessed is great riches Therefore Christians who are poor in the World are said to be rich in Faith because Faith I yes hold on Jesus Christ and by faith we possess him who is the only true riches Thus the Apostle his riddle is expounded as having all things yet possessing nothing though possessing nothing in the World yet having all things by Faith having all in Christ Oh let the Believer be satisfied with Christ would you have more then all Counsel 〈◊〉 Be thankful for Christ 2. Have you Jesus Christ Oh then be thankful to God for this gift admiring and adoring such grace Oh what a rare gift is this which God hath bestowed upon you to how few is it given Now the rarer gift the more thankful should we be Ah Lord hadst thou not given Christ to me what a sad condition had my soul still bin in Before Christ came to my soul what a bâ—ndslave was I to sin and Satan How full of noysome lusts was my heart What a hell was in my soul Magnified be the Father of Mercie who hath given me Jesus Christ to work a change in me to cast those unclean spirits out of me to Redeem such a wretched slave and to make a Heaven in my soul by Christ dwelling in me Blessed be God for Jesus Christ Couns 3. Hold fast Christ 3. Christians Take heed that you do not loose Christ when you are once possest of him Not that Christ can indeed be wholly lost from the soul that once hath him but the working of the Spirit of Christ in the heart may be so remitted yea intermitted in respect of direction and quickening and strengthening and comforting that the soul may be at a loss for Christ having no feeling of the presence of Christ in it Christians may so carry themselves toward Christ as to provoke him to alter his carriage and to change countenance toward them When a Christian hearkeneth not to the voice of Christ consenteth not to the motions of his Spirit takes liberty to himself to sin against Christ and against that light which Christ hath given in to him in such cases for such causes Christ will withdraw himself and not vouchsafe to have any Communion with the soule and so leave it in a lightless lifeless uncomfortable condition Therefore Christians be careful so to carry your selves toward Christ that he may not withdraw himself and hide his face but may abide with you and reveal himself to your soules working more powerfully in your hearts that you may clearly perceive he is still present with you in you and may have more comfortable experience of the sweet operations of his Spirit in your soules Now that you may keep Christ Directions so as to be stil taking in the comfort of such an enjoyment 1. Take heed of grieving Christ by any unkindness toward him by the unyieldingness of your spirits to the motions of his Spirit by sluggishness and securitie and by taking in the World and lusts to be iâ—mates with Christ or by allowing your selves in any thing that is contrary to the mind of Christ for this will grieve the Spirit of Christ and make him to vâ—il his face and as it were to draw a curtain between himself and the spirit of a Christian 2. If you would keep Christ still with you would enjoy his presence in a feeling apprehension of it so as to be sensible of his gracious and comfortable workings in you and of the shinings of his face upon
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
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
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
is operative and hath its fruits both in heart and life Gal. 5.22.23 The fruits of the Spirit are reckoned up by the Apostle Paul Here is the issue dost thou say that thou hast Christ if this be true then his Spirit dwells in thee if the spirit be in thee the fruits of the Spirit will appear Thus we may prove by the effects of the Spirit of Christ whether we be possest of Christ Where the aforesaid effects of the Spirit are Christ is in that soul But where there is not that life that light that warmth that fruitfulness that willing subjection to â—hrist and obedience to his commands which have bin spoken of there Christ is not by his spirit where there is nither skill nor will to pray there Christ is not where sin is in its full strength where the old man is not Crucified and sin mortified where the soul is not raised up to newness of life and quickned unto holiness there Christ is not possessed 2. I told you that Christ is in the Soul by Faith that Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith Christ is in us by Faith Ephâ—â—◠〈…〉 2 By sâ—â—â—â— 1. When by Faith we have a right and true apprehension and knowledge of Christ of his Person and Offices 2. When by faith we apply Christ and his benefits when we take down as I may say and digest the fruits of his death and Resurrection so that he becometh indeed Righteousnes and Holiness to us 3. When being Iustified and Sarctified by Faith in Christ Jesus and by the Spirit of the Lord we bring forth the fruits of the Spirit walking not after the flesh but after the Spirit Thus Christ dwells in our hearts by Faith Well you have had two General Counsels sutable and necessarie First Seek Christ aboue all your gettings labour to get him Secondly See whether you have Christ or no. Both Counsells urged Now to press both Counsels joyntly I shall hint a few considerations which should be of force with us as serving to evince this that Jesus Chrst is worth the looking after and that it is wisdome to make sure of him 1. Christ is our Reconciliation taking away all enmitie betwixt God and us and making us accepted to God There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 Ephe. 1.6 7 or in whom Christ is God hath made us accepted to himself in the Beloved in whom we have forgiveness of sins 2. Christ is to the soul that possesseth him Wisdome and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption Christ is in us to make us wise 1 Cor. 1.3 giving us the knowledg of God enabling us to understand in some good measure the misteries of Salvation he maketh us Righteous in putting his own Righteousness to us and justifying us thereby he maketh us Holy Sanctifying us by his Spirit and he will make us compleatly happie in the end delivering us from all the miseries to which we are subject in this life and translating us from death to life Eternal 3. If Christ be in us dwelling in our hearts by Faith and possessing us by his Spirit then all the promises of God are in him yea and amen to us then we have the earnest of all the Spirit and all sealed to us by the Spirit which is given us You know the use of a Seal it is obligatorie on the one part and serveth for assurance on the other part You know the meaning of an Earnest it bindeth a promise As it is part of the price to be given or the sum promised So it is a pledge of a full performance The Spirit of Christ in us is a Seal and an Earnest serving to assure us that we shall in due time receive through Christ all that good which God hath promised for his sake to give to us 4. If Christ be in us his Grace is sufficient for us in every temptation to strengthen us and to give a good issue to make us victorious and in every evil that befalls us to support us under it and to deliver us from it and to make our Consolations to abound as our sufferings abound 5. This is a very great priveledge which the soul hath by Christ dwelling in it he woundeth and weakneth corruption and frees the soul from the do minion of sin maketh the Soul alive unto God sets it at liberty to walk with God and to run the way of his comandments gives it a freedome unto righteousness here is a freedome indeed when the soul is thus made free by Jesus Christ the Son of God If the Son make you free Joh. 8.36 then shall ye be free indeed Surely this is accounted a great priviledge indeed by those who are sensible of the grievousness of that bondage in which they were held under corruption when sin did reign and bear full sway in them by those who apprehend the sweetness and preciousness of that freedome which Jesus Christ bringeth unto soules by those who have proved the glory of this liberty into which soules are brought by Christ Jesus What a base vile wretched condition is a man in while the Devil is Lord Paramont to him when every stinking lust hath power over him and full command of him What a happiness then is it to have the Devil's yoke broken from off his neck to be freed from sin to have his spirit sweetly subjected to Jesus Christ to have his will determined to that which is good and bound over to Righteousness to have the whole man given up unto God though none knowes the misery of the one or the happiness of the other but they who have experienced both 6. Where Christ is given there is a gracious gift of other things with him God doth not deal out his gifts to all men graciously and in good will to some he giveth in displeasure and for evil to them giveth health and strength giveth children giveth gract parts and abilities giveth riches and abundance of these outward things but bestoweth none of these things in love but here is comfort for a soul that hath made sure of Christ he may look upon other matters dealt out to him by the hand of Providence as gifts of God's good will as gracious dispensations That which a child of God hath of the World though it be but little in it self yet is much with the love of God in it and upon account of his blessing with it thus that of David holds excellently and eminently true Psal 37.16 A little that the righteous man hathis better then great Reverenues of the wicked then the riches of any wicked 7. Eternal life is the gift of God bestowed in and with Jesus Christ so that he who now possesseth Christ by Faith and hath him dwelling in him by his Spirit hath assurance given him that he shall possess glory with him hereafter Now friends Is not Christ worth the looking after is not he above all things
you into your souls thâ—n see that you do that which may delight Christ so will he be working sensibly in yoâ—r spirits bringing in more light and liâ—â— and heate and making you more fruitful in holiness revealing his love in your hearts so that you shall stil say blessed be God for Jesus Christ Now to give some directiâ—ns about this shewing how you may delight Jesus Christ 1. Shew your selves willing and readie to take commands from Christ to hear and obey his voice and to yield unto and be ruled by the motions of his Spirit Christ is much taken with the willingness chearfulness of Christians in their obedience If ye love me saith Christ Keep my commandments and I will pray the Father Joh. 14.15 16 18. and he shall give you another Comforter that he mâ—y abide with yâ—u for ever I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you If you shall have a care of your obedience I will take care for your comfort 2. Make out to others the preciousness of Christ and speak it to the honour of Christ what a gift he is and what a happiness it is to enjoy him If we prize Christ he will delight to continue with us and the more we impart our experience of the comfort and sweetness of Christ the more wil he communicate himself to us we find it often in the Canticles that it was thus betwixt Christ and his Spouse 3. Acknowledg unto Christ his wonderful love and rich Grace toward you in giving himself for you and in bestowing himself upon you and in that which he hath wrought in you O Lord Jesus how infinitely am I engaged to thee for thy love that thou hast vouchsafed to come to my poore soul and to bring in light and life and comfort and happiness with thy self Such thankful acknowledgment made unto Christ Gratiarum actio est ad plus dandum invitatio will tie him fast to you and cause him to do more for you 4. Let there be longings of the soul to enjoy more of Christ here in the Kingdom of Grace and to be brought as soon as the Lord pleaseth to a full fruition of him hereafter in the Kingdom of Glory Beg of Christ to reveal himself more clearly to thee and to carry thee on further in understanding of Divine Mysteries to lead thee into all Truth and to fill thee with the knwleedge of his will in all wisdom â—nd Spiritual understanding Beg of him quickening grace â—nd strengthning grace and beseech him to be more mightily this way upon thy spirit causing a great increase of spiritual strength â—nd holy activity in thy soul humbly desire Christ to reveal himselfe more and more in thy soul as a Comforter even to powr in flagons of his love and to fill thee with the consolations of his Spirit Thus account that you are never near enough to Christ that you are never intimate enough with him that you have never enough of him and so long to be filâ—ed with him here and to be taken to a ful enjoyment of in glory hereafter desiring with good old Simeon to depart in peace having Christ in your hearts and embracing him by Faith â—nd with Paul desiring to be dissolved and to be with Christ This is very pleasing to Christ and he delighteth in that soul which taketh pleasure in him and surely he will never forsake the soul in which he delighteth 5. If you desire that Christ should continue with you and not withdraw himself or hide his face from you then see that he have a place of residence in you sutable to him and such as may give him content he must have thy heart and he must have all thy heart and it must be a heart well kept a heart clean swept he will have the heart or nothing and he will not be thrust into a corner of the heart he will not endure that the World should have the chief room or indeed any room there or that lusts should be entertanied in the heart where he dwelleth he will not lodge in a filthy heart a stable is not now a receptacle for him a place to entertain him in If you desire the company of Christ you must carefully flie the pollutions that are in the world through lusts you must be casting sin and the world out of your hearts and cleansing your selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit When Christ sees that there is a desire and care to make the heart clean fit to entertain him and to keep out of the heart every â—hing that may offend him and â—o keep the Spirit pure and entire â—or him he delighteth to dwell in such a soul And surely if you labour thus constantly to please Christ and to do that which may delight him â—nd then will he be so powerfully comfortably operative in your souls that you shall be able to say I finde I feel that of a truth Christ â—s in me This is Christ his working â—n my heart none but Christ could do that which is done in my soul Surely My beloved is mine and I â—â—m his Thus I have dealt out a third Counsel to Christians that have Christ Take heed that you do not â—oose him keep him with you â—old him fast and I have held â—orth some directions in this â—ase If ye have have received the Lord Jesus Christ Counsel 4. Walk in Christ Col. 2.6 Walk in him This is the Apostle his Counsel Quest What is it to walk in Christ Answ Plainly to walk in Christ according to the Scripture sense of this phrase is so to live that we may make it to appear to others that we may be sure in our selves that we are in Christ and that he liveth in us to walk according to the rule of Christ to live as a people acted by the Spirit of Christ which leadeth from sin unto dutie and guideth souls in the way of God in our conversation to hold forth the vertues of Christ to be Patient as he was Meeke and lowly in heart as he was Loving as he was Heavenly minded as he was Zealous for God's glory as he was in all things to express Christ to walk in the light of his Doctrine and according to his example to keep up Communion with him in the exercise of Christian Graces and practise of holy duties and to walk in Christ is to live by the Faith of Son of God who liveth in us to â—elie on him for Justification and Sanctification and Preservation and provision and comfort here and for Eternal Salvation hereâ—fter And this phrase To walk in Christ implieth 1. Light and knowledge of the minde of Christ 2. A progress in that way which is pleasing to Christ a goâ—ng onward and a rising up to furâ—her measures in Christ 3. An uniformity in this course â—ot to go in out to take one step â—n the right path and two steps â—eside it but to walk steddily in Christ
from the tempest as Rivers of waters in a dry place as the shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land he hath a fellow-feeling of thy sufferings and will not suffer thee to be tempted above measure and his grace is sufficient for thee to strengthen and support and comfort thee in every affliction and troâ—ble and to give thee a great advantage by it causing sweet to come out of the sower and meat out of the Eater and in due time to deliver thee wholly to deliver the burden from thy shoulders So that believers may have what our Saviour promised to his Disciples peace and and comfort in Christ when in the world they have tribulations Doth death look upon thee with a grim countenance to put thee in fear Now consider that Christ who is thine hath overcome Death for thee and hath by his Death destroyed him that had the power of Death hath delivered thee from the wrath to come hath opened to thee the way to Heaven and every gate of Heaven he himself is the way and the doore for thee to enter in by and he will be to thee the Resurrection and the life Thus if Christ be thine he is thy Propitiation thy Justification thy Srength thy Salvation Wherefore let Faith carry thee to leane on him in all temptations and afflictions that thou maist be borne up by him and comforted with the thoughts of thy interest in him Yet I cannot thus leave this theam but must add something for a further amplification of the comfort of Believers who are received Christ As I have shewed you that the having of Christ is to believers a firm ground of comfort for Faith to pitch upon in all Spiritual and corporal inward and outward afflictions so I shall give you to see how Christ is actually effectually a Comforter in such cases to those that have received him If the soul be afflicted with strong temptations Christ comforteth it with this Word My grace is sufficient for thee to keep thee from being overcome and to make thee more then a Conquerour If Satan hath prevailed against the Christian by temptation and drawn him into some great sin whereupon there followeth soul affliction when the conscience is awakened Then Christ comforteth the soul leading to the Fountain which is set open for sin and for uncleanness presents to it the flowings of his Bloud sets before it the fulness and freeness of the Grace of God in Christ for the pardon of all sins for the refreshing of every weary soul for the satisfâ—ing of every hungring thirsting soul that hungâ—reth and thirsteth after Righteousness and when a humbled Christian closeth by faith with this Grace of Christ and washeth his soul in the Fountain of his Blood then is he comforted If Christ for the trial of a Christian do hide himself from him so that he is troubled and inwardly afflicted for want of the felt presence of Christ and for want of the manifestation of Christ his love to his soul in this case Christ will be a seasonable Comforter to the poor humbled soul he that casteth the soul down will lift it up again leading it by his Spirit to lay hold upon the comfort which lies for every child of God in that of the Apostle There is no temptation hath taken you but that which is common to men 1 Cor. 10.33 but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted aboâ—e that ye are able but will the temptation also make to escape that ye may be able to bear it and Christ helpeth the soul to gather up comfort from those sweet words Isa 45.7 8. For a small moment have I forsaken thee In a litle wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon the sai h the Lord thy Redeemer And thus Christ returns in due time to receive the spirits of his humble ones Christ in the believer is seasonable Comforter in all Spiritual distress in all soul affliction So likewise in case of outward trouble and temporal distressess Christ in heart is a Comforter telling the Believer that he is all sufficient for him tells him that there is in him a sufficiency of Wisdom to find out a way for his deliverance and a sufficiency of power actually to accomplish his deliverance how great soever the evil be that lies upon him yea and a sufficiencie of Love and grace to make out his power and wisdom for his good and so comforteth him abundantly filling him with this perswasion that all things shall work together for good to him Here is the happiness of a Believer that he hath a Comforter in his bosome in the midst of all troubles This is made out clearly in the experience of the Saints of which I might give you sundry Scripture instances David in his soul trouble found Christ a Comforter When Peter was by Herod cast into prison was not Christ there a Comforter to him When the Jews fell maliciously and desparately upon Stephen and in their rage Stoned him did not he receive then glorious comfort from Christ dwel ing in him Paul found this to be true at sundry times and in sundry cases And Paul and Sylas together in the Prison had experience of this truth Where Christ is in the soul helping the soul to act faith upon him he is actually a Comforter in all conditions in every distress of soul and body Well now for a clâ—se I shall summ up in few words the happiness of believers upon account of their interest in Christ and possession of him Christ brings with him all good to those that enjoy him 1. They have by Christ all temporal good things as much as is needful for them and that which God sees good for them to have now if a man hath what is for his necessary use and so much as is for his good is he not well provided for and he that hath Christ hath that which will make full amends for all seeming and conceited wants that which is infinitely better than those things which God is pleased to withhold from them and Christ being in contentation to many pirits so that in a poor outward estate the believer is as well pleased as if he had abundance and so he hath all in contentation he that is content wants nothing 2. Christ bringeth spiritual good to the soul bringing in the treasures of grace and the riches of consolation though to some soul he giveth more of that treasure more of these riches than he doth to others Christ is made to us sanctification he is the author and worker of grace and holiness so that the hearts in which Christ is must needs be gracious and holy he giveth in wisdome and meekness and love and zeal and other graces of the spirit and he tells his Disciples and all believers in them that he will not leave them comfortless I am he that comforteth you saith the Lord Christ 3. Jesus Christ bringeth believers to the enjoyment of eternal good he bringeth them to heaven â—ven all those souls to whom he is united on earth Father I will that those whom thou hast given m be with me Jo. 17.24 where I am that they may see my glory My sheep hear my voice Jo. 10.27 28. and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life Every soul that is here an habitation of God through the spirit in whom Christ dwelleth shall be received into everlasting habitations with Christ This is the happiness of every soul that enjoys Christ And now as the Apostle saith Christ in you the hope of glory so I may say Christ in you a spring of comfort Blessed soul that can truly say Christ is mine FINIS