31. Mr. P. Lamb's Farewell Sermon

31. Mr. P. Lamb's Farewell Sermon
"Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." - John 14:23.
The departure of Jesus Christ unto his Father, from whose bosom he came into the World, was very sadly resented by his Disciples, whose mixt passions produce a very great disturbance and trouble upon their Spirits.
The inward Anxiety, and unconcealed grief of the Disciples, move the Bowels of their more affectionate Lord to pity their case, and provide for their relief, and give them instructions how to express their love unto him in his absense, not so much in carrying blubber'd eyes and heavy hearts, as by remembring and observing the Counsels and Instructions that he hath given to them, while he was present with them. So that this whole Chapter is fill'd up with Counsels and Comforts, Directions and Consolations.
First, Directions and Counsels, especially in the 1:13:15. verses.
First, To the exercise of Faith, verse 1. Ye believe in God, believe also in me. And this is the life, even a life of Faith, which we must live, till we come to the enjoyment of Christ, by which we fetch comforts in all troubles, and strength against all tentations, from Jesus Christ.
Secondly, To the duty of Prayer, ver. 13. which is the proper duty of an afflicted State, as James 5:13. Is any afflicted? let him pray. By Prayer the Soul empties his Complaints in Gods bosome, and finds ease by telling him of all the trouble and grief that attends his state; Prayer hath that divine excellency, that, like a heavenly Charm, it speaks away trouble, and speaks in comfort; as 'tis said of Hannah, 1 Samuel 1:18. She prayed, and went away, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad; And thus our Prayers alwayes speed, when they be made by the help of the Spirit, and offered up to God in the name of Christ, 13, 14. Verses.
Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name, that you shall receive.
Thirdly, To obedience in the 15. verse, to do the work committed to them: If ye love me keep my commandments. You cannot better express your love to me, than in keeping my words. Nor is there a more certain way for men to find comfort, than this, by keeping his commands: for then, though they cannot enjoy his Person, yet they shall not miss his Promise.
Secondly, The Consolation which he gives them in the 2. ver. &c. the 16. ver. &c. and the 23. ver. &c.
First, In the 2, 3, 4, ver. &c. From the place whether he was going, to his Father and their Father, his Home and their Home; whence he did intend to come again to them. So that his going from them, was but a Recess, or with-drawing for a time, until he came: For in ver. 3. I will come again, and receive you to myself; as rendered in the Greek, I come again, in the Present Tense, to intimate the certainty of his coming to them again, as if he were already come; which in ver. 28. of this Chapter, Christ tells them, should be matter of great joy to them. If ye loved me, ye would rejoyce, because I said, I go unto the Father.
Secondly, From ver. 16. The promise of the Spirit, which shall supply his absense: such a Spirit as shall reach them, comfort them, and be instead of All to them, give them such Joy, Courage, and Peace, as the World can neither give, nor take away, ver. 27. Peace I leave with you, my Peace I give unto you, &c.
Thirdly, In the 23. ver. in the Text, we will come and make our abode with him, while you keep my words, which is the great promise here.
If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
The words of the Text are an Answer to the Question of Judas, (not Iscariot) Lord how is it, that thou wilt manifest thy self unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus Christ gives the Answer, If a man love me he will keep my words, &c. To him the Promise is made, That the Father will love him: They love him that keep his words; and to these he hath said, He will manifest his love to them, and make his abode with them. In which word there are three parts considerable.
First, A Supposition, if a man love me, &c.
Secondly, A position, which is the effect of that love: He will keep my words.
Thirdly, A promise, which is two-fold.
First, Of the Father's love, My Father will love him.
Secondly, The Co-habitation of the Father and Son with such a Person, we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
The Observations that I intend to insist upon, are two:
First, that it is the duty and special property of them that love Jesus Christ in sincerity, to keep the words of Christ.
Secondly, That God and Christ will make their abode with them that keep his words.
First, Of the first of these; That it is the duty and special property of them that love Jesus Christ in sincerity, to keep the words of Christ.
If any love me, he will keep my words, he will do my will, walk in my ways, treasure up my truths and counsels.
This Doctrine requires three things to be spoken to in their order.
1. That Jesus Christ must be truly loved.
2. What it is to keep his Words.
3. Why it is both the duty and property of them that love him to keep his words.
First. That Jesus Christ must be truly loved; there is such an indispensible necessity for this, that the Apostle says, 1 Corinthians 16:22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus, let him be Anathema Maranatha, let him be accursed.
But because everyone pretends highly to love Jesus Christ, and but few that love him indeed, I shall shew two things more briefly.
1. Who is he that truly loves him.
2. Why we should all truly love him.
First, who is he that truly loves Christ.
First, He truly loves Jesus Christ, who, upon the discovery and tender of Jesus Christ in the Gospel, as King, Priest, and Prophet can willingly deny all for him, as the Merchant, Matthew 13:45-46. sold all that he had for the goodly Pearl. And so Paul, Php_3:8. accounts all dung, his parts, his righteousness by the Law, his greatest excellencies; he loves Christ in deed, and not in shew only, who can leave the world, his dearest lusts, his best righteousness for Christ.
This is a true conjugal love, Psalms 45:10. Hearken O daughter, and consider, and encline thine ear, forget also thine own people, &c. When Christ sees that we have such love to him, that we will part with all for him, then he sees a beauty in us that delights him.
Secondly, He truly loves Jesus Christ, who having received him will rather lose all, than part with him again; who accounts Jesus Christ better than his best things, as he sayes, in Matthew 10:37. He that loves Father or Mother more than me, is not worthy of me, &c. therefore sayes the Spouse, Son_8:6. Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm, let me be so united to thee, that I may never be sever'd from thee. It is a very hard lesson, and an irksome duty for the best of men, to part with friends, liberty, peace, life, all these, or either of these sweet mercies; but to part with Christ, nothing can perswade, or enforce the soul that truly loves him; that's a thought more cruel than the Grave, witness the holy Martyrs, a whole cloud of witnesses; that notable and eminent Galeacius, Marquess of Vico, &c.
Thirdly, He that truly loves Jesus Christ, takes abundance of delight in communion with him. No pleasure like the kisses of his mouth, no sweetness like that of his bosome; all his ways are peace, and his paths pleasantness; Christ makes every condition comfortable, there is no comfort of life, but in that little enjoyment of Christ that the soul hath in his life: 'tis communion with Christ, converse with him, that is all my comfort and pleasure in the world. O how doth the Spouse take care that he be not disturbed, in Song of Solomon 2. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the Roes and the Hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my Love, till he please. The words are an allusion to one that would not have her Friend disturbed, and speaks to her companions, and charges them by all that is dear and pleasant to them, not to break the rest of her best Beloved, and shews the wonderful delight the soul takes in communion with Jesus Christ, and the special care that it alwayes hath, that no tentation break in, nor corruption break out, to interrupt that sweet communion, or occasion Christs departure, who will not for any profit commit any sin, or cause Jesus to depart from him.
Fourthly, He that truly loves Jesus Christ, having lost the sight of him, is never satisfied, till he come to the re-enjoyment of him, is alwayes at a loss, and is never quiet till he enter into acquaintance and communion with him, as in that of Joseph and Mary, they having lost their Son, went seeking till they found him; So Son_3:1-3, &c. By night on my bed, I sought him whom my soul loveth, I sought him, but I found him not: I will rise now and go about the City, in the streets, and in the broad ways, &c. I said to the Watchmen, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? &c. By all which is expressed the sedulous care and industry of a living soul seeking after Christ.
First, By night in her bed. Jesus Christ hath her best thoughts; in her closet and private duties of Prayer, serious Meditations, spiritual Ejaculations, and secret self-Examinations: in all these the soul enquires: As one that loves the world, by night his meditation is of the world; so the man of pleasures and honours is pursuing his lusts in the night season; the wicked man is contriving mischief upon his bed: so the soul that loves Christ, his are still at work after Christ.
Secondly, I will rise now and go about the City, &c. (i.e.) I will betake myself to all publick Ordinances, and shew more zeal and life in my duties, and in these I will make enquiry.
Thirdly, I asked the Watchmen, the Ministers of the Gospel, which are, or should be as faithful watchmen, that watch for our Souls, and be able to speak a word in season, &c. So nothing will satisfie the Soul that truly loves Christ, without him; and no means shall be neglected till she enjoy him.
Secondly, why must he be thus beloved?
First, because he is lovely, altogether lovely.
First, Lovely in his Life, observing all the will of God, there was a wonderful beauty upon him, if we behold and can understand, that hidden glory of an untainted Holiness, and exact conformity to the will of God.
Secondly, Lovely in his Death, never more lovely and amiable to the believing sinner, than when he was most despicable in the eyes of rebellious sinners. O then he appears most beautiful and desirable, when he hangs on the Cross, there making our Peace, procuring our pardon, obtaining life and glory for us, by that shameful death.
Thirdly, Lovely in all his Graces, each Grace a matchless Jewel; Rocks of Diamonds, Mountains of Pearl, not worthy to be mentioned with the least of his excellencies. If he put a little of this Grace upon any Soul, though he be never so vile, cloathed with corruption; as in Ezekiel 16. from the 9 to the 16 Verse. Yet he may be made beautiful by his comeliness.
Fourthly, Lovely in all his Ordinances, in which the more immediate sight the Soul hath of him, the more he is taken with his Beauty; No wonder he is called in Haggai 2:7. The desire of all Nations.
Secondly, Because of his deserving love; We love him, because he first loved us.
Consider in his love, these four particulars.
First, He laid down his life for us, such a love will deserve love, and life too; John 15:13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Secondly, He lives now in Heaven for us, Hebrews 7:25. He ever liveth to make intercession for us. He is there minding our necessities, agitating our affairs; by his sitting there, we have Liberty of coming thither; his sitting there in glory, we have our standing here in grace.
Thirdly, he accounts that as done to himself, that is done to them that are his, Zechariah 2:8. He that toucheth you, toucheth the Apple of his eye, and Matthew 10:40-42. &c. He that receiveth you, receiveth me: and so he said to Saul, Acts 9:4. Why persecutest thou me? when he was with commission from the High Priest, dragging the poor Professors of Jesus Christ to the prison.
Fourthly, He longs to have us with him, John 17:24. Father I will that where I am, there they may be also, to behold my glory. He is not satisfied without their Company: and is always imparting his most secret counsels to them, John 15:16. Henceforth I call you not Servants, for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doth; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you.
Thirdly, because otherwise we shall not regard his words which is intimated in the Text, If we love him, we shall keep his words; but if we love him not, we will not keep his words; It is want of Love to Christ, that is the cause of the abounding of every sin; for if we did love him, we should keep his commands, which is the second particular.
Secondly, what it is to keep the words of Christ?
First, there is a Natural and Mental keeping of the words of Christ: and so we must keep them, that is, Remember his Words, his Promises, Counsels and Appointments.
The Memory is man's storehouse, or cabinet, that should be kept Sacred for the truths of Christ; so the Disciples kept the word of Christ, when they remembred his sayings; and David, Psalms 119:93. I will never forget thy precepts, for by them thou hast quickened me, (i.e.) I will keep thy precepts; for what we forget we lose, and what we remember, we keep. And thus, as Friends take pleasure to look sometimes on the love-tokens of their absent friends; So may we have singular comfort and refreshment, to see the heart of Christ in the counsels, promises, and appointments left with us.
Secondly, there is an Evangelical and Practical keeping of the words of Christ. When we do believe promises, and obey commands; Promises not believed, and precepts not obeyed, are as water spilt on the earth besides the Vessel that should receive it, Hebrews 4:2. but when they are believed, they be as liquor put into the Vessel for its proper use. Hence saith Christ, Luke 11:28. Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Then we keep the words of Christ, when we believe his promises, observe his precepts in all our conversation, and walk by his appointments and institutions in all our duties.
Thirdly, why? it is their Property and Duty that love Jesus Christ, to keep his words.
First, Because true love is comprehensive: He that loves Christ truly, loves also all that is his; He that loves him that begat, loves him also that is begotten: The nearer any thing is to Christ, the better it is beloved, and then we love the Word, when we keep it as a special pledge of his love; To have his Word, and a heart to keep it, is a double blessing: and indeed, such a gift is the Word of Christ, as wordy to be loved for itself, and kept for the Givers sake.
Secondly, because true love is Operative, It is the principle of Gospel-obedience, 2 Corinthians 5:14. The love of Christ constraineth us. Where there is the disposition of a Son, there will be obedience to the Fathers commands so where there is spiritual love to Christ, it will set the Soul on work, and quicken it to keep the words of Christ. As is said of Faith, Shew me thy Faith by thy Works: So, shew thy love to Christ by thy works; as Faith without works is dead, so is love without obedience.
Thirdly, because keeping the words of Christ gives the clearest and surest testimony of the truth of our love to Jesus Christ. Probatio dilectio∣nis est exhibitio operis, Obedience is the most lively testification of love, as Christ said to Peter, lovest thou me, &c. shew it in this, in doing thy duty, Feed my sheep. So Christ tells us in the Text, Where the fire of love is in the breast, there the flames of duty and service is in the hand, John 15:14. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. In the 1 John 5:3. In this is the love of God, that we keep his Commandements.
Use 1. For Exhortation.
First, to a mental keeping of the words of Christ, according to that word, Hebrews 2:1. We ought therefore to give the more diligent heed to the things which we have received, lest at any time we let them slip. And that we may not forget, but keep in our memories the words of Christ;
First, consider, that all the promises and counsels which Jesus Christ hath made known to us, are not only for the present, but for the future use, Isaiah 22:23. Hearken and hear for the time to come. We should hear as if we were to hear no more. The Cordial which hath sometime revived us, must not be lain aside, lest for want of it another time, we faint quite away. The reason why they were ready to faint under afflictions, Hebrews 12:5. was, because they had forgotten the Exhortation, which speaketh to them as to Sons. For this cause Jesus Christ often bids his Disciples remember the word he had spoken to them, and knowing their frailty, promises his Spirit, John 14:26. and that (says he), shall bring to his remembrance.
Secondly, consider, not to remember the words of Christ, is a sad sign of our dis-esteem of Jesus Christ. We usually remember Precepts,
Counsels, and Sayings, according to the authority which the person hath with us, from whence they come. It is a very great dishonour to Jesus Christ, when he shall cast his words behind our backs. Did we honour Jesus Christ as our King, Lord, and Law-giver, we should be more careful to remember what he hath spoken to us. We often blame our Heads, as if the fault lay only there, that we do not remember the words of Christ, when indeed the fault lies most in the Hearts, that we have not more and esteem of Christ there.
Thirdly, the time will come, when we shall dearly repent every Truth forgotten, that we did not endeavour to seal instruction upon our Hearts.
First, when God shall with-hold instruction from us, because we have refused it, the time may come, when, as Amos 8:12. Men shall run to and fro, and seek the Word of the Lord and shall not find it; and then we shall see the worth of the Word, that now we prize not.
Secondly, When God shall call us to account for all Sermons, and Instructions we have received, as he will certainly do; though we forget, yet he will remember, and he will ask how we have kept, and improved the Word he hath spoken to us.
To help us in keeping, or remembring the words of Christ,
First, let our hearts be affected with the worth and excellency of the Word, that it is more precious than Gold or Silver: and then we shall keep it as choyce Treasure. That which a man prizeth, he will keep in safe custody, and have often in his eyes, as David sayes of the Word, Psalms 119:97. O how I love thy Law, it is my meditation all the day long. If a man account the Word as his Treasure, he will not forget it, as Jeremiah 2:32. Can a Maid forget her Ornaments, or a Bride her Attires? This they forget not. Yet because we account the Word as excellent and necessary as these, therefore it follows, yet my people have forgotten me dayes without number.
Secondly, apply every word of Christ to your own Soul: though men will not keep what is anothers, yet usually they keep what is their own; while men carve away the Word to others, as if it concern'd not them, it is no marvel if they keep it not: but if we accounted every word as spoken to us, and our portion, we should hear and keep it. Men remember the news which concerns themselves. We should hear Christ speaking, as Job 5:27. Hear thou this, know it for thy good.
Thirdly, meditate often upon what you have received, as Mary pondered the sayings which she heard, in her heart. The way to keep anything safe, is to have a constant eye upon it. Meditation is the Souls serious retiring into itself, to take a view of all that of God that is laid up within itself.
Fourthly, hasten to do all that you have heard and learned, Psalms 119:16. It is said by David, I made haste, and prolonged not the time to keep his Commandements. A man will not easily forget his Trade; for if we daily obey commands, and believe promises, we cannot easily forget the commands and promises given to us: which last direction leads me to the second Exhortation.
Secondly, it may exhort us to keep the words of Christ with an Evangelical and Practical keeping. Keep the Word as a man keeps his Rule; or the Souldier keeps his Weapon; let not the Word depart from thee, and do not thou depart from it, by forsaking the appointments and commands of Christ.
First, Consider, that if we do not keep the words of Christ, by obeying, and a suitable walking, we do but in vain pretend love to Jesus Christ, as they that had no more of Christ, but to call him Lord, (Matthew 7:21.) Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, &c. So, not everyone that sayes he loves me, but he that doth my Word, he is my friend.
Secondly, consider, what a sin it is to pretend love to Christ, and not so truly to love Him, as to keep his Words; 'tis Hypocrisie, they be Christs false friends: an open enemy is less dangerous than they, Ezekiel 33:31. They hear my words, but they will not do them, their heart goes after convetousness: They be false to themselves, and delude their own souls with a bare profession and hearing, James 1:22. Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own souls.
Thirdly, consider, what judgment they incurr, and who can tell how great it is? 'Tis called a beating with many stripes, when the least stripe from that hand can break the loyns, Luke 12:47. He that knoweth his Masters will and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Fourthly, consider, this is the clearest evidence of our interest in Christ, of his love to us, that we keep his Commandements. By this we know that we love him as our Christ, when we do not only love him as a Jesus, a Saviour, but obey him as a Lord, and follow his Law. When God shall write his Law in our hearts, is not this an evidence that Christ is ours?
Fifthly, Great and many are the encouragements which he hath promised to them that keep his words. There be many blessings in the Word, but they only have the blessings for theirs, who keep his Word, James 1:15. Whoso looketh into the perfect Law of Liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the Word, this man shall be blessed in his deed; he shall ask what ye will and have it, Job 15:7. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.
That we may do the words of Christ,
First, let it be the aim and intention of our Souls, when we come to hear, to turn hearing into doing. Say as Paul did, Acts 9:6. Lord what wilt thou have me to do? and Cornelius, Acts 10:33. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
Secondly, beg of God to give you such a heart, that you may not only say, as the people in a good humour once to Moses, all that thou shalt speak unto us, that will we observe and do; but find your hearts such as in Deuteronomy 5:29. O that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me, and keep my Commandements always, &c. it is he by whom the Word is made (as James hath it), A fruit-bearing word. Begin all your hearing with prayers, and conclude them with prayers, because 'tis of the greatest concernment.
Use of Comfort.
First, if we keep this Word, this Word will keep us. It will keep us in the worst of times, yea at all times, Proverbs 6:22. When thou goest, it shall lead thee, when thou sleepest it shall keep thee, and when thou awakest it shall talk with thee. If thou keep his Commands, his Commands will keep you; if you keep his Promises, his Promises will bring you to Glory.
Secondly, if we keep his Word, we shall not want present comforts. The present gratuities which we have from Christ, should be enough to encourage us, if there were no future reward, Psalms 19. In keeping them there is great reward.
Thirdly, Jesus Christ promised a blessedness to such persons; they shall be a blessed people, Revelation 1:3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this Prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; and so in Luke 11:28. Blessed are they, &c. and with the best of blessings doth he crown them in the Text, My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him; which is the second Observation.
God and Christ will make their abode with them that keep his Word.
In which Observation, we shall take notice of these three particulars:
First, How God and Christ do make their abode with them that keep his Words.
Secondly, Why God and Christ will make their abode with such.
Thirdly, what an excellent blessing it is to have God and Christ abiding with us.
First, How God and Christ do make their abode with them that keep his Words, in which these three particulars must be shewn.
1. How God abides with his People.
2. How Jesus Christ abides with them.
3. How both God and Christ will make their abode with them that keep his Word.
First, How God, the first Person in the Trinity, is said to make his abode with them that keep his Word.
And this will be two wayes seen.
First, it is not here to be understood of his common or general presense, as he is the infinite God, and being Omni-present, fills Heaven and Earth: for so he abides with all the works of his hands; yea, so he is with them that fear him not.
Secondly, it is here properly understood of Gods abode by way of special presense, as he is a gracious Father: therefore Jesus Christ doth first express the Fathers love, and then his abode, as the product and fruit of his love, My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, &c. He will come and abide with his, as a God in Covenant with them, therefore hath he put it into a promise, in 2 Corinthians 6:16. I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my People.
Secondly, How Jesus Christ will make his abode with them that keep his Word (which will be shewn also, First Negatively, Secondly Affirmatively.
1. Negatively: It is not to be understood of a carnal or corporal presense of Christ, (as Papists imagine) as if the flesh of Christ could be in all places, whom the Heavens must contain till the time of the restitution of all things: for so sayes the Apostle, 2 Corinthians 5:16. acknowledging, if he had known Christ after the flesh, yet so he knows him no more.
2. Affirmatively: He makes abode with his people after a spiritual manner; God the Father makes his abode with his Servants, as a Father to them; Jesus Christ abides with them, as the Head of his Church, as it is in Ephesians 5:25. He is the Head of the Church, and the Saviour of his Body. God abides with us in Christ, Jesus Christ abides with us by his Spirit.
A learned Author shews four wayes of Christs abode with Believers.
1. Politice, ut Rex in Regno, As a King in his Kingdom; and so he gives Laws, as the only Head and King of his Church; protects them, and orders all their affairs.
2. Occonomice, ut pater in Domo, As a Father in his House, and so he takes care, and makes provision for his people, as a Father for his Family.
3. Ethice, ut Ratio in Howine, As Reason in a Man, which is the light that directs man in all his actions: Jesus Christ directs and leads his people.
4. Physice, ut Anima in Corpore, As the Soul in the Body, which animates and acts the whole man, without which the Body is a dead and liveless Trunk; so Jesus Christ doth quicken our Souls, by whom we have spiritual life.
And, that he is the Head of the Church, and thus abides with them,
First, consider he hath all grace, and life in him: John 5:26. As the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; Therefore the Psalmist sayes, Psalms 36:9. With the is thee Well of life, and in thy light shall we see light.
Secondly, from him is all grace and life conveyed out unto us, John 1:16. Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. Yea, whatsoever we receive from the Spirit of God, we have from him originally, as in John 16:15. For he shall take of mine and shew it unto you.
Thirdly, how God and Christ are both said to make their abode with them that keep his Word. And this I shall shew to be, three wayes.
First, by their special providence and inspection with them, and so we may see them in several Scriptures abiding with them, as in Zechariah 1:8-10. verses. There's Jesus Christ among the Myrtle trees, which represent the Church. And in Revelation 1:13. He is there in the midst of his golden Candle-sticks. And David tells us of his experience of Gods presense with him, Psalms 73:23. I am continually with thee, thou upholdest me with thy right hand. And the Apostle Paul, 2 Timothy 4:7. The Lord stood by me. Indeed the eyes of the Lord are upon the Righteous, and he hath said, he will not leave them.
Secondly, they make their abode with them in the Gospel, and Gospel
Ordinances: where these be continued in their power and purity, there the Tabernacle of God is among men; and when these are taken away, Ichabod, the Glory is departed: We may say, God hath forsaken us. As the Ark was a type and token of Gods special presense with the Jews, so the Gospel and Gospel-Ordinances, are a signal token of Gods abode with us; for in these we may see him, in these we may enjoy him, by these we may be made like to him, as in 2 Cor. 31:18. But we all with open face behold, as in a Glass, the glory of God, and are changed into the same Image, from Glory to Glory, even as h• the Spirit of the Lord.
Thirdly, they make their abode with them in the Spirit, which proceeds from the Father and the Son; So they may both be said truly to abide with us, while we have the Spirit, the Comforter which proceeds from the Father and the Son as a pledge of their love, John 15:20. When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father: I will send him, says Christ, even the spirit of truth, which〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which proceedeth from the Father: There is an 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a Procession of the Holy Ghost, from the Father and the Son to the People that keep his Word; and thus Believers are said to hold fellowship with the Father and the Son, in the first Epist. of John 23. It is by the Spirit we are drawn; being drawn we come; being come, we are enabled to walk with God in Christ: It is the Spirit that doth for all us. As in the Echo, the Aire being moved by the voyce, returns the same sound by its own motion: So in all our Communion with God and Christ; the Soul being moved by the Spirit, returns answer by vertue of the Spirits motion in us: Come, says the Spirit; I come says the Soul, being taught by the same Spirit.
All the works wrought on the Souls of men in order to Salvation, are wrought of God and Christ in us, but by the Spirit; As in these three special particulars.
First, by the Spirit they instruct and teach; The Spirit is an enlightening Spirit, a Spirit of Judgment and of Burning. The Spirit reveals the counsels of God, the great Mysteries of the Kingdom; leads into all Truth, makes men wise to Salvation.
Secondly, by this Spirit they quicken and comfort the Souls of men, Romans 5:5. It is by the Spirit that the love of God i• shed abroad in our hourts. Our cold and frozen spirits are warmed and made fit for action, and by this Spirit we are awakened: Hence the Church prayes for the breathings of this Spirit, Son_4:16. Awake O North-wind, and come thou South, blow upon my Garden, that the Spices of flow out.
Thirdly, by his Spirit they do strengthen, and establish the hearts of men in the ways of Holiness, thus they are made strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might: strong to resist temptations; strong to suppress corruptions; strong to perform duties: by this Spirit they are carried through all difficulties; by this Spirit their infirmities are healed; they are made to persevere, and kept stedfast and unmoveable, alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord, and sealed up to the day of Redemption.
Thus God and Christ do make their abode with them that keep the Words of Christ, till they come to make an everlasting abode with them in Heaven.
And according to the workings of this Spirit more or less in the hearts of men, God is said to be present, or absent from his people.
Secondly, the Reasons why God and Christ will make their abode with them that keep his words.
First, because of their special love to, and care of them that keep his words. Indeed all the care of God is concerning his people that he hath in the world: therefore in the second Commandement, he is said to shew mercy to thousands of them that fear him, and keep his Command∣ments, that do not cast his words behind their backs, and forsaking his Appointments, follow their own Inventions: So that if we faithfully keep his Word, he will abide with us in our work: And this is the great Reason in the Text, My Father will love him; not but that he loves his Elect from Eternity, but he will manifest his Love to them, and therefore he will make his abode with them, as the people of his Love; for in Deuteronomy 32:9. The Lords Portion is his People, and Jacob is the Lot of his Inheritance. And in Malachi 3:17. they are called his Jewels, and men will abide with their Treasure.
Secondly, because of the near Relation that is between God and Christ, and them that keep his Word. That is a very full place of Scripture for this purpose, Matthew 12:50. Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in Heaven, the same is my Brother, and Sister, and Mother. What nearer Relation can there be than these? So near are they to Jesus Christ, that keep his Word, observe his Will, and be true and faithful to his Appointments; and sure, such near Relations will desire Cohabitations on both sides.
First, God and Christ are said to stand Related in a Paternal Relation.
Secondly, they are said to stand Related in a Conjugal Relation.
First, God and Christ stand in a Paternal Relation to his People.
First, God is their Father, and they are his Sons and Daughters; And this the Church doth acknowledge in Isaiah 63:16. Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not, thou O Lord art our Father, &c. And with this the Lord comforted mourning Zion, Isai. 49:14, 15. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me: But God says, can a Woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the Sons of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee: Behold, I have graven thee on the palms of my hands, &c. My abode is with thee.
Secondly, Jesus Christ is their Father, Isai. 9:6. The everlasting Father. Therefore he promiseth his Disciples in this 14 John 18. I will not leave you, Orphans, or Fatherless children. He is the most affectionate tenderhearted Father: None so good, none such a Father as he.
Secondly, God and Christ stand related to them that keep his Word in a Conjugal relation; and God hath laid a special command of cohabitation upon persons in this relation, The man must dwell with his own Wife.
First, God is related as a Husband, and will not God dwell with his People, when he hath espoused to himself? I will betrothed thee unto me forever (Hosea 2:19.) Yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness and judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies; I have even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness. And in Isai. 54:5, 6. For thy Maker is thy Husband, &c. For the Lord hath called thee, as a Woman forsaken, &c.
Secondly, Jesus Christ is the Husband of his People, as we see in the whole Book of Canticles. And so in Ephes. 5. from the 29. Verse to the end of the Chapter. Now where shall God and Christ make their abode, but with their espoused Ones? Doth Jesus Christ delight to lodge anywhere more than with the Wife of the bosome?
Thirdly, because of Gods faithful Covenant, he will make his abode with them that keep his Word. If we keep the word of his Patience, he will keep the word of his Promise; Revel. 3:10. Because thou hast kept the word of my Patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come on all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. It is called a word of patience, because it teacheth Patience, and especially because it requireth it in all them that will observe it. And this is Gods Covenant. Now, what is the Covenant? Jeremiah 32:40. And I will make an everlasting Covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me; and such a sure and infallible promise of abode can never be violated by a God, keeping Covenant; God may hide himself for a moment, turn away in a little wrath from his people (Isaiah 54:8. &c.) but with great mercy will he gather them, and shew them everlasting kindness; Yea, his promise shall be as thē waters of Noah: that, as the waters of the great Deluge shall never cover the World anymore; so, he will never forsake his people utterly. It shall be more possible for the mountains to depart, and the hills to be removed, than that he should finally depart from His. The frame of the World may be disordered, but the frame of Gods heart towards his people, can never be changed. When the men of the World think God hath forsaken them, he is near to them, and cannot cast off his people; He may sometimes give them up for their sins into the Enemies hands, but cannot give them away: this gave the Church that confidence in Mich. 7:8. Rejoyce not against me, O my Enemy, when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. And this did bear the head of the New Testament-Saints above water, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted; but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. And whence is it, that Distress doth not follow our Troubles? Despair our Perplexities? Desention our Persecutions? Destruction our sad Dejections? Sure it is, because God is faithful, always with us, and will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear, &c.
Thirdly, what a special blessing it is, to a person or people, to have God and Christ to make their abode with them.
The excellency and desireableness of this abode of God and Christ with Believers, may be seen in these three particulars.
First, it is better than all outward mercies, and earthly blessings.
Secondly, this will more than supply the want or absense of all other comforts.
Thirdly, all our happiness doth lye in this, Gods presense with us.
First, the abode of God and Christ with a soul, is better than all outward mercies, or earthly blessings whatsoever. God was wont to tell his people heretofore, as in Deuteronomy 28. That if they would keep his commandements, they shall be blessed in their basket, and in their store; that he would give them peace, the fat heritage of Jacob, and to ride upon the high places; all goodly mercies: But now he doth encourage them by a blessing of far greater worth, I will love you, I will make my abode with you. It is so high and transcendent a favour, that Moses preferred it before the goodly Land of Promise, Canaan, the Land flowing with milk and honey, as appears by that passage in Exodus 33:15. If thy presense goes not with me, carry us not up hence. Though Canaan be never so desireable a good Land, yet rather let me abide in this vast howling Wilderness with God, than go without thy presense thither. A wilderness condition with God in the Tent, is better than all pleasures and honours without God in the Palace. Hence David in the midst of all his royal pomp and greatness, desired this, as the complement and perfection of all, Psalms 101:1-2. O when wilt thou come unto me?
Consider these two Particulars:
First, that there is no beauty nor desireableness in the fairest outward prosperity, if God and Christ do not make their abode with us. If we have all the World, and cannot see the abode of God and Christ on our Tabernacle, in their special Providence, in Soul-refreshing Ordinances, or by the comforting Spirit; We may look on all, and say as Hiram did of the Cities Solomon gave him, they be Cabul, Dirty things. If we cannot find God and Christ thus with us, in the midst of our glory, The glory is departed.
Secondly, Consider, there is no misery, nor unhappiness in the worst afflictions, if God and Christ be there; in the Furnace there is no Death, in Captivity no Darkness, in Prison no Sadness, in Death no Hell. Jesus Christ tells us, he will not leave us comfortless; He never told us, we should not meet with tribulations, but sayes, In the world we shall have tribulation; and as surely, that in him we shall have consolation. His people may be in the World friendless, harbourless, pennyless, but he assures them, they shall never be comfortless.
Again: This abode of God and Christ with his people, will more than supply the want or absense of all other things. Jesus Christ, when he would throughly encourage his Disciples against all the hardships, and discouraging fears they might meet withal after his departure, gives them this one precious Cordial or Catholicon, in Matthew 28:20. Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the World: When you are cast out of the Synagogues, had before Magistrates and Rulers for my Names sake, scourged, hated, imprisoned: for all these things shall they do unto you; let this comfort you; Lu, I am with you alway, to the end of the world,
Indeed: This abode of God and Christ with his people, is everything to the Soul; which we may see in these three particulars:
First, their Presense is a Sanctuary, and sure Hiding-place.
Secondly, it is a sure Light and Guide to them.
Thirdly, it is a Store-house and Treasure of all Provisions.
First, the abode or presense of God and Christ, is instead of a Sanctuary, or sure Hiding place; as Psalms 84:11. For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield, &c. and in Isaiah 8:13. says the Prophet, Sanctifie the Lord God of Hosts, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread, and he shall be for a Sanctuary: Do you set God before you, and he will set himself by you; and where the great God goes, there goes a Guard of Angels. Psalms 34:7. His wings be a Covert, and his hand a Canopy, with which he hides from the Storm, and from Rain.
And that he is a mighty Saviour;
First, consider his Omnipotency; He can do whatever pleaseth him; He can make the worm Jacob to thresh Mountains, and the Mountains to become a plain before Zerubbabel, Zechariah 4:7. All the Nations of the Earth are but as the drop of the Bucket, or dust of the Balance, compared with him; and all hearts are in his hands. Therefore, says the Prophet, in Isaiah 26:4. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength, or, the Rock of ages. He is no broken Reed, but that strength in which we may confide: As David says, Psalms 46:1-3. Si fractus illabatur Orbis, If the world be dissolved, God is our refuge and strength, &c. therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea, &c.
Secondly, consider his Immutability; We have standing comfort in the unchangeableness of this God, Malachi 3:6. I am the Lord, I change not, therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. And for this we have the experience of David, Psalms 9:10. They that know thy Name, will put their trust in thee, for thou (Lord) hast not forsaken them that seek thee: and the Churches experience, Isaiah 63:9. He bears them, and he carried them all the days of old. This great unchangeable Saviour saves his people these four ways.
First, he will save and preserve them from evils, and will be a Chamber of safety, when the indignation is abroad, to hide from the storm; Ezekiel 11:6. Yet will I be to them as a little Sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. I will be with thee, is God's great Promise, and his People's Security; it was Joshua's Guard, and Jeremab's Brazen-Wall.
Secondly, he will save his people in afflictions, as he did the three Children in the burning Furnace. Thus he delivers in six troubles, and also in seven, as 'tis promised in Isaiah 43:2-3. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the Rivers, they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee; for I am the Lord thy God, the holy One of Israel, thy Saviour. Job's experience is an everlasting proof of this, that when the Lead is consumed, the Gold is preserved in the Furnace.
Thirdly, he will save or deliver out of afflictions, 1 Corinthians 10:13. In the midst of all temptations, he will make away for us to escape them. Many are the troubles of the Righteous, but the Lord delivereth them out of all. He is Emmanuel, God with us; Our Redeemer from Hell, and from trou∣ble.
Fourthly, he will save by afflictions, and by the evils they meet withal. Proverbs 29:15. The Rod and Reproof give wisdom; and, as David says, it was good for me that I was afflicted. All things shall work for good. 2 Corinthians 4:7. These afflictions work for us a for more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory. The Vessel is usually covered with dirt, by the cleanser's hand, that it may shine with the more brightness; So, by afflictions, God makes us partakers of his Holiness.
Afflictions and outward evils come alike to all, but with much different effect; All men fall into afflictions, Good and Bad: but as the Israelites and the Egyptians went both into the Red-Sea, and the one was drowned, and the other passed through to Canaan; so the Righteous and the Wicked fall under Calamity, the one finks through unbelief, and the other passes through safely, And by Faith and patience comes to inherit the Promise.
Secondly, The Abode or Presense of God and Christ with Believers, i• instead of a sure Guide and Light unto them; They can never want a Guide, who have God with them. As the Pillar of a Cloud by day, and of Fire by night, was unto Israel in all their March, the same and more is God to his People in all their Pilgrimage.
Consider three things.
First, consider, That Man cannot be without this Guide; The best of man have very great need of the presense of God to lead them, that they be not misled, and that they don't saint in the way; What can the Sheep do without a Shepherd? Such is God to his, Psalms 23:1. Without God's abode with us, it is as Children without a Father, and none to direct them, and so left to run themselves into mischief. What is the World without a Sun? Jeremiah 10:23. The way of man is not in himself, it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Secondly, consider, that it is our great wisdom to commit our way to the guidance of this God and Christ; Every wise man will commit his way to God; and not move a step without him; as Moses in the Conduct of Israel, would not move a foot without God. That was a good Petition, or rather Resolution of David, in Psalms 73:24. That shalt guide me with thy Counsel, and afterwards receive me into Glory; I am resolved be guided by Gods Counsels: and an excellent and imitable practice of Isaac in Genesis 26:24-25. that where he had met God at Beer-sheba, and where God had blessed him, there he pitched his Tent; so we should move as God leads.
Thirdly, consider, that if God undertakes to guide us we shall not miscarry, he will certainly bring us safe to Heaven. Our feet may be almost gone, but shall not be altogether gone. Psalms 73:2. My feet were almost gone, my steps had well-nigh slipt. So it may be with the choicest of Gods Servants; but in the 23. verse, Nevertheless, I am continually with thee; thou hast holden me by my right hand.
The more dark and dangerous the times be, the more we should desire Gods abode with us; the nearer a night of trouble or of death is to us, the more earnestly beg his stay, as the two Disciples, Luke 24:29. They constrained Christ, saying, Abide with us, for it is towards evening, and the day is far spent.
Thirdly, the abode or presense of God and Christ with his people, is instead of a Treasury and Store-house of all Provisions. Where Jesus Christ is, and where God makes his abode, there is a Spring-head of comforts that cannot be drawn dry, Isaiah 33:16. Bread shall be given them, and their waters shall be sure, who have God with them. So was God to Israel, Deuteronomy 29:5-6. He fed Israel in the wilderness forty years, their cloaths did not wax old. You have not eaten bread, neither have you drunk wine, or strong drink, that ye might know that I am the Lord your God.
Consider three Particulars here.
First, Consider, God is such a store, that he is alwayes full; He hath an Autarchy in himself, and says to his creatures, as in Psalms 81:10. Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it; Ask what you will, and there it is to be had. There be full treasures of temporal and spiritual good things with them, with whom God and Christ do make their abode. As the Ark of God brought all kind of blessings to the house of Obed-Edom, so when God comes, he brings all things; Deus meus & omnid; My God, and all things. When Jesus Christ came to Zacheus, he tells him, this day is salvation come to thine House; that is, both temporal and spiritual preservations and deliverances; Salvation doth consist in the total absense of all evil, and in the presense and possession of all good.
Secondly, God and Christ have left with us the promises of the Covenant to live upon, till we come to the inheritance of the purchased Possession: These be like the Widows Cruse, that never fails; this, like the Manna, will not be with-held while we be in the Wilderness, till we come into Canaan, to feed on the fruits of that Land, Hebrews 13:5. That is a sure Promise, in which we may by faith see present supplies, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee; and in Php_4:19. (We may possess in that Promise whatever we want) My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory, by Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, God hath given us his Son, and Jesus Christ hath given us himself, as an ensuring pledge of all mercies contained in the promises, Romans 8:32. He that spared not his own Son, but gave him for us, how shall be not with him freely give us all things? He that hath not spared his Son, will not withhold any mercies; He that hath given us the best of blessings, will not with-hold smaller mercies; He doth always tell his people, as in 2 Corinthians 12:9. My grace is sufficient for you.
Thirdly, the abode of God and Christ with Believers, is their Heaven upon Earth. All our happiness is in the abode of God and Christ with us.
First, consider it is a wonderful mercy of the great God, that by his common Providence, he is with the works of his hands, which is mans safety; and David admires at this, Psalms 8:4. Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Secondly, consider it is a mercy, of the greatest worth, and to be forever admired, that God and Christ do not only visit us by common Providence and Inspection, as his creatures, but make their abode with us, as with children and friends. O this is our glory; God doth not come with a short life, for a day, for a few dayes, but makes an everlasting abode. The Church complained when she thought God was departed, because he had been with them, and made so short a stay, Jeremiah 14:8. Way shouldest thou be as a stranger in the Land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? &c. But when she remembred the Covenant of eternal abode, she comforts, herself, Yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us. To be ever with the Lord, is all we can hope for, and it is mans contemplative happiness, to converse in his thoughts with that glory.
First, consider Jesus Christ hath promised this as our great glory, and full reward; I will take you to myself, they shall behold my glory, 1 John 3:3. We shall be like him, we shall see him, as he is.
Secondly, this abode, with God and Christ is the highest Option and aim of all the people of God. This was Paul pressing in that he might attain to the Resurrection of the dead, (i.e.) the state of them that are risen, and with God and Christ; Therefore resolves after a long debate, with himself, Phil. 1:2:1: To be with Christ is best of all. And David in Psalms 73 at the latter and, professes, He had none in Heaven but God, and there was none upon Earth that he desired in comparison of him.
Use, First, of Lamentation, and laments three sorts of persons.
First, let us lament such as be without God and Christ in the world, all ignorant and ungodly persons; yea, this is the sad case of all the Sons of Adam, ever since he sinned and lost communion with his God; They be brought forth in the world with their backs upon God, and with God's face against them. What was Cain's grief? How was his heart hurried into a world of inconceivable distempers, and distracting thoughts, when he must be turn'd out of Gods presense, from the enjoyment of God in his Ordinances? Genesis 4:14. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day, (says poor Cain) from the face of the earth, (but this is as nothing) and from thy face shall I be hid, (and now where is my comfort and safety?) It shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me, shall slay me. Such persons be as Lambs in a large place, Hosea 4:16. without a keeper in their most plentiful state; What hope have such to escape Hell and Destruction?
Consider these particulars.
First, consider, it is a very sad case, when God and Christ withdraw, or depart but for a moment, 'tis a sad and intolerable moment, as we see in the complaint of Christ, when God withdrew himself from him; My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? and in the example of David, Asaph, and Heman, in Psalm 77. and 88. and the whole Church laments in Jeremiah 14:8.
Secondly, Consider, if God and Christ do never come to make their abode with us here, we are never like to make our abode with them hereafter; and then it were better we had never been born. Psalms 73:27. They that are far from the shall perish. And this is Hell, to be separated from God and Christ, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9. They (i. e. the wicked) shall he punished with everlasting destruction from the presense of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. It is Heaven wherever God is in his special abode, and that is Hell where he is not present in his mercy and grace.
Second Use of Lamentation.
Let us lament over a worse sort of men and they be such as in Job 21:14. That say to God, depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways; that refuse the Word of Christ, and be weary of God and his Ordinances, and so reject God, as if one house could not hold them both; as in Isaiah 30:10-11. Who say to the Seers, see not; and to the Prophets, prophesie not, &c. Cause the Holy one to cease from before us. They that stop the mouths of them that speak the Word of Christ, or turn away their ears from hearkening to that which is spoken, say in effect, Let God be gone, let Christ depart from us.
First, consider what an ill frame of spirit it is, for men to refuse the presense of God. Was there ever wickedness like this? that the great God should be as an unbidden guest with his own creatures, and have no better entertainment than Christ with the Gaderens, who besought him to depart out of their Coast; yea, which is far worse, rejected, as Christ was by the possessed in the Gospel, Matthew 8:29. What have we to do with thee? Art thou come to torment us before the time?
Secondly, consider it will be a very terrible day when God and Christ depart from such persons: God threatens it as a sore judgment upon Jerusalem, Jerem. 6:8. Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee: When God departs, in comes all judgments; for it follows in the Text, Lest I make thee desolate: Desolation comes as soon as God is gone; yea, says the Lord, Hosea 9:12. Wo to them when I depart from them: And though he depart from such, by removing his Counsels, Gospel, and Ordinances, He will still be with them in judgment; when he is far from their affections, he will be nigh to their Consciences; then he will shew his terrour and his wrath; and then they shall finde that as there is not a sweeter promise than this, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee; so not a more terrible judgment than this, I will not love thee, nor abide with thee.
Thirdly, A Use of Lamentation.
Let us lament ourselves, who have had God and Christ making their abode with us for many years in their special Providences, Gospel-Ordinances, &c. Yet have we not improved so glorious a Presense, so rich a mercy; especially we have cause to lament this four-fold neglect.
First, that we have so little acquainted ourselves with God and Christ, so little prized and observed their presense with us, that we have learnt no more of God and Christ, but are yet strangers to them; so that Jesus Christ may say to us, as in John 14:9. Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me Philip? so he may say to us, Have I been so long time with you in my Providences, Ordinances, and by my Spirit, and yet have you not known my Goodness, my Faithfulness, my Name, my Laws and Ordinances? Sure it is with most of us, as with Jacob, Genesis 28:15-16. The Lord was with him, when he was in his Dream; and when he awaked, he said, Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not. So God hath been with us, but we have been in a dream, or in a sleep all this while; but when God shall awaken us, we shall say with him, God was in this place, and we knew it not.
Secondly, we may lament ourselves that we have so little conformed to God and Christ. God hath been with us, but we have refused his company, as Ephes. 2:12. And had our conversation as without God, and without Christ in the world: Oh, when God and Christ shall depart from us, it will be a heart breaking to us, and we shall dearly repent the least miscarriages.
Thirdly, we may lament, that we have not lived more upon God and Christ, to trust in them, and depend upon them for Life and Salvation, and made him our Counsellor, Guide and Strength, and lived upon his All-sufficiency; we have not made them our Sanctuary, our Treasury, our Happiness, though they have been with us, in whom are all things. Yet have we lived at so poor a rate, (as to our spiritual comforts) as if we had been under the Hypocrites Curse, Job 20:22. In the fulness of his sufficiency he is in straits: Or guilty of that vanity mentioned in Ecclesiastes 6:2. To have Riches and Honours, &c. and not a heart to use them. To have faith to use them for our comfort, we have even starved ourselves at the fullest Table, and Spring head of plenty.
Fourthly, we may lament ourselves, that we have not taken more pleasure in the enjoyment of God and Christ in the Gospel and Gospel-Ordinances; accounting all Company and delights, solitariness, in comparison of the joy and comfort that is in the abode of God and Christ: especially, when God expects we should rejoyce in him, and hath promised to abide with such, Isaiah 64:5. Thou meetest him that rejoyceth, and worketh Righteousness, and remembreth thee in thy wayes.
Two Uses of Exhortation.
1. To get the presense of God and Christ with us.
2. To endeavour to keep God and Christ abiding with us.
The first Use of Exhortation.
Let us be exhorted above all desires, to desire Gods presense; And above all getting, get God and Christ to make their above with you. Oh, with what ardency and heat of desire doth David express himself, Psalms 27:4. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his Temple: and so in Psalms 42:1-2. As the Hart pants after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God; My soul thirsteth for God; when shall I come and appear before God? O when wilt thou come unto me? And in a multitude of such like Pathetick breathings after God.
And that we may the more earnestly desire this mercy, the abode of God and Christ with us: consider three particulars.
First, consider, the presense of God and Christ is the special favour and honor that God bestows only upon his own people. By this was Israel distinguished from all the world, Exodus 33:16. My presense shall go with thee; and in the last verse of the last chapt. of Ezekiel, it is the Church only that is called Jehiah-Shammah, the Lord is there; her Founder, Preserver, and Governor.
Secondly, Consider, that they that have God and Christ with them, dwell continually at the Fountain-head of consolations, as David says, Psalms 23. I shall want nothing, the Lord is my shepherd, my cup runs over: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. This Fountain keeps our cisterns full, our channels run shallow sometimes, but never are they dried up, Hosea 14:5. I will be as the dew unto Israel, he shall grow as the Lilly, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon: they shall grow up as the Lilly, beautiful and fair, and as the Cedar, well rooted and established: He that hath the Sun hath Light; he that hath the Well, must needs have Water; Ille possidet omnia, qui possidet possidentem omnia: He hath all things, who hath him from whom all things come.
Thirdly, consider, that when all comforts leave us, God will not: when friends forsake, and riches profit not in the evil day, God is a present help in time of trouble, and loves to shew himself in dubiis & arduis, in the greatest difficulties, and on the mount of straits. Jesus Christ says truly to us, what Peter said rashly to him, though all forsake thee, yet will not I.
Object. I have found God and Christ gone from me, says the soul, when I have had need of him.
Answ. First, That God and Christ may, and do sometimes hide their faces from their dearest friends.
Secondly, though God and Christ do sometimes withdraw from us, yet every interruption of communion is not a separation: The Sun doth not cease to be, when it ceaseth to shine. Grace may suspend its acting, but doth not lose its being. God will not finally forsake his people.
Thirdly, God hath very many gracious ends, why he sometimes withdraws, and they are always in mercy to his people, Sad providences producing sweet effects.
Directions and helps how to get the presense of God and Christ with us.
First, Repent and humble your selves because of all your sins, that you have at any time rejected the counsels of God, and refused grace and mercy, and neglected opportunities of doing your souls good, and drawing near to God; Repentance and resolution against sin, come like John Baptist, to prepare a way and a place for God and Christ to come to, and make their abode in: Of the Hearts and Houses of impenitent sinners, we may well say, God is not there. The way to have God to turn unto us, is to turn away from sin, as Ephraim, Jeremiah 31:18-20. He bemoaned himself and repented, and God came to him as to his dear Son, and to his pleasant Child.
Secondly, believe in Jesus Christ, and by Faith get an interest in him: It is by Faith only that we get an entertainment to Jesus Christ: It is by Jesus Christ alone, that God and man come together. No man hath seen the Father at any time, but the Son, and he to whom he doth reveal him; and he that hath the Son, hath the Father, Romans 5:1. Being justified by Faith, we have peace with God.
Thirdly, own Jesus Christ in all his offices, as your King, Priest, and Prophet.
First, as your King, let him have the Sovereignty of your souls, that he may rule over you. If Christ be your King, God will be your Father; God loves to come where Christ hath his Throne.
Secondly, as your Priest, that his Righteousness may give you the advantage of communion with God, without which we cannot come near to him, and he will not come near to us.
Thirdly, as your Prophet, that he may shew you the way; if his Spirit be your Guide, and his Word your Rule, you may be sure his Promises shall be your portion, even this Promise in the Text, They will come to you and make their abode with you, even God and Christ.
Fourthly, seek earnestly after God and Christ, in the use of all appointed means, till you come to see and enjoy their presense with you.
Here shall be shewn these two particulars.
1. Where we may seek God and Christ.
2. How, or after what manner we must seek them.
First, where we must seek after God and Christ.
First, we may finde them in the works of Creation; these will represent God and Christ unto us; the power and wisdom of God and Christ, by whom the World was made; In omni re aspeciabili quaedam ex∣tant vestigia Dei: In all the visible Creatures, there be some prints of the invisible God; so that he which lives altogether without God, must needs be without excuse, having God so near him.
Secondly, we may finde them in the Word, 2 Corinthians 4:6. The glory of God shines there in the face of Jesus Christ, and to them that are conversant in the Word, God hath promised to reveal himself: Isaiah 66:2. To this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. And the Apostle gives this direction, Romans 10:6-7. Say net in thine heart, who shall ascend into Heaven, that is to bring Christ down from above: or, who shall descend into the deep, that is to bring up Christ again from the dead. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that is, the word of faith, which we preach.
Thirdly, we may finde them in Prayer, James 4:8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you: If you will be strangers to the duty of Prayer, to the Throne of Grace, God will be a stranger to you; he hath promised to draw nigh to them that draw nigh to him: and so in Exodus 20:24. In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
Fourthly, we may finde them in the communion with the people of God: Where two or three are knit together in my name, there will I be (says Christ) in the midst of them. Therefore Jesus Christ directs us to go up by the soot-steps of the flock, and they enquire wisely, Cam. 6:1. that say to the Church of Christ, whither is thy beloved gone, that we may seek him with thee? And when the two Disciples went to Emmaus, communing of Christ, he came and joyned himself with them.
Secondly, How, or after what manner we must seek God and Christ?
Take these four following Directions:
First, Affect your selves with the worth and excellency of this presense of God and Christ, carry a high esteem of them in your hearts: think with your selves how safely they are immured, as the Prophet said unto his servant, There is more for them, than can be against them: Isaiah 33:16. Their place of defence is the munition of rocks, &c. O what sweetnesse and satisfaction have they within, with whom: God and Christ abides! as the Spouse doth express it, Son_1:3. Because of the savour of thy Oyntments, thy Name is as Oyntments poured forth, therefore do the Virgins love thee. Thy Name of Mercy, Wisdome, and Faithfulness, how doth it refresh their hearts, that have the presense of God and Christ? O sweetness and satisfaction beyond expression! and then conclude, Si tanius quaerentibus, O quantus possidentibus!
If he be so good to them that seek him, how good is he to them that enjoy him!
Secondly, labour to affect your souls with the great want and need that you have of the presense of God and Christ, while men do think in their hearts they can be well enough without God and Christ, they will never seek after them, but say, as in Jeremiah 2:31. We are Lords, we will come no more unto thee; that is, we have strength enough of our own, we need no more of thy support: and thus David brings in the wicked, priding themselves, in Psalms 10:4. The wicked through the pride of his countenance, (as in the Original, through the pride of his nose) will not seek after God. God is not in all his thoughts: when these proud Laodicean spirits will not seek, the poor, hungry, desolate soul, that sees a need of God and Christ, finde them.
Thirdly, quicken your selves to much diligence in seeking. The Prophet complains, No man stirreth up himself to seek the Lord. It is a business of the greatest concernment, and must not be attended with a cold indifferency, but as one set on by a true love, and where that is, Non qui∣escit amor, sed quaerit amatum; Love will be restless in the pursuit of the thing, or person beloved. See with what heat men seek the world, with much more heat seek God and Christ. We must do as the woman that had lost her groat, she lights a candle, sweeps the house, seeks diligently; so we must set up the light of the Word, and to work with the besom of a serious repentance, and thorow-reformation, and diligently enquire. Thus David with a very vigilant eye, seeks him whom his soul loved, Psalms 132:4-5. I will not give rest to mine eyes, nor slumber to my eye-lids, till I have found out a place for God, &c.
Lastly, resolve with your selves never to give over, till you come to the perfect and full enjoyment of them, as Job said, I will wait all the days of my appointed time: so do you seek all the days of your appointed time; if we would finde God and Christ, we must all seek the days of our lives. They that will finde what they seek, must seek till they finde. As God in the Creation did not rest till he had man, so man should not rest till he hath found God; and as in the Redemption Jesus Christ did never cease seeking, till he found all the lost sheep of the house of Israel; so we should never give over, till we have made God and Christ our own.
This should be the work of our lives, and upon this work I must leave you.
For now I must tell you, that (perhaps) you may not see my face, or hear my voice any more in this place; yet not out of any peevish humor, or disaffection to the present Authority of the Kingdom (I call God and Man to witness this day) it being my own practice and Counsel to you all, to fear GOD and Honour the King; but rather a real dissatisfaction in some particulars imposed, to which (notwithstanding all endeavors to that purpose) my conscience cannot yet be espoused; Wherefore, I hope in this, and in all my abode with you, I may say (without ostentation) with the Apostle in 2 Corinthians 1:12. Our rejoycing is this, The testimony of a good Conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, we have had our conversation in the World, especially to you. And as he saith in Acts 20:26-27. So, I take you to record this day, that I have endeavoured to be pure from the bloud of all men; for I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God, both by my life and Doctrine; because I knew this very well, that (as one says) Suadet loquentis vita, non oratio; that the Preachers life, is the most lively Preaching.
I shall only add this (my Friends) that though my Lips be sealed up that I may not speak from God to you, yet I shall not cease to speak to God for you, as ever I have done: And though I cannot have you in my eye, yet I shall lodge you in my heart; and asking nothing of you, but your Prayers, shall hope to meet you daily at the Throne of Grace, and that at last we may enjoy one another in Heaven.
And because they say, the words of a dying man makes the deepest impression, before I am altogether civilly dead, I shall give you one Exhortation more.
Secondly, let it be your endeavour to keep God and Christ with you, that they may make their abode with you in their hearts and houses, that whatsoever you loose, you may not be undone.
In the General.
First, take heed you do not slight, or abuse his Providences.
Secondly, do not despise or neglect his Ordinances.
Thirdly, be sure you do not grieve his spirit.
Secondly, observe more particularly these ten Directions, which I would leave with you.
That God and Christ may make their constant abode with you;
First, endeavour to please God and Christ, and to walk as the Gospel commands, in all well-pleasing. And for this purpose, Observe these three Rules.
First, entertain God and Christ like themselves. Now they are come to you as Solomon did his Temple, which he had prepared for God; The Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee, much less this poor Tent; so with the most humble frame of spirit, admire his greatness, and infinite condescension, for he is the King of Glory, as in Psalms 24. And so give him suitable entertainment, for he will dwell with the humble and contrite spirit, If Elizabeth wondred at the visit which Mary gave her, with a Whence is it that the Mother of my Lord is come unto me? then admire that the Lord himself should come, not only to visit your hearts, but to make such a gracious abode with you. And, as the Centurion said unto Christ in the Gospel, I am not worthy thou shouldest come under my roof. So acknowledge your unworthiness of so rich and unparallel'd a grace, that God and Christ should come in unto you, to abide with you.
Secondly, wait upon God and Christ with all readiness of minde, to observe every intimation of the will of God to you. Stand always ready as Servants wait upon the hand of their Masters, saying in your hearts, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? or, what wilt thou have me to suffer? It is the frame and posture which Christ commends unto his Disciples, Luke 12:35. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning, to do his will, as it is done in Heaven.
Thirdly, take pleasure and delight in the company and society of God and Christ above all the pleasures in the world. Do nothing without first calling God and Christ into the action. Remember this in these four cases especially.
First, pray God and Christ along with you into all your spiritual duties, that you may be sure to perform them all according to the mind of God. None knows better what will please God than himself; do not enquire so much what others say, but what God appoints; 'tis not what this or that man says, how we must serve God, but what God says himself; as Augustin said to the Manichee in another case, Nec egote, nec tu me, sed ambo audiamus Apostolum: So, hear what God and Christ says to us, as to the performance of all our duties: If we will entertain God and Christ, and have their company, we must set before them such savory meat as they like, lest we be like them (Matthew 15:9.) of whom Christ says, in vain do they worship me, &c. and our service be like theirs, of which the Lord said, who hath required these things at your hands? O what was that great evil the people were guilty of, for which there comes that heavy judgment, Psalms 78:60. He forsook the Tabernacle of Shiloh, the Tent which he placed among them. Sure it was some great guilt; in the former ver. we find it to be their Hypocrisie, Apostacy, and Idolatry; any taint of this kinde, will make the jealous God forsake our solemn meetings.
Secondly, pray God and Christ into all your Civil affairs. The Greeks with God in their entrance upon every work, was a commendable practise. It is reported of Publius Scipio the Roman, that he would always go first to the Capitol, and then to the Senate; so we should begin our Civil employments with spiritual duties: And do as Abrahams servant, when he was to take a Wife for his Master's Son, he took God along with him; and thus to abide with God, is to have God to abide with us. Therefore says the Apostle, 1 Corinthians 7:20. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he is called, and in the 24. Verse, Brethren, let every man wherein he is called therein abide with God, and God will abide with him.
Thirdly, pray God and Christ to your Tables at your eating and drinking, for man doth not live by Bread only. If these be guests at your Tables, you must needs have cheer enough; there's more sweetness in a morsel with them, than in all dainties without them, and then you may be sure also your Tables shall not be a snare unto you. Theophrastus reports of the Heathens, that they did first, and then, they did first Sacrifice, and then Kill, lay on their meat, entertain and eat. And it is the Apostles rule, seeing all things come of God through Christ, That God and Christ should not be unbidden guests: but, as in 1 Corinthians 10:31. Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the Glory of God.
Fourthly, pray God and Christ along with you in the morning when you rise, and at evening when you lye down: visit him morning by morning, and evening by evening; this is the way to have a prosperous day, and a safe night: David took this course, Psalms 4:8. I will both lay me down, and take my rest, for thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety; and this gave Jacob such a pleasant dream, Genesis 28. that having God with him, he was all night within view of Heaven.
Secondly, love God and Christ above all, and then God and Christ will not depart from you; for, He shews mercy to thousands of them that love him, and hath made over himself, and heaven, and all, to them that love him. It is reported of Ignatius, that his love was such to God and Christ, that he had the name of Christ, Cordi ejus insculp∣tum, graven upon his Heart. It is such a Heart love that he requires; for he is a jealous God, and will have all our love.
If we love anything better;
First, it will steal away our hearts from God: And
Secondly, it will take off the heart of God from us, so that God and Christ will set themselves against us.
Thirdly, if we would have God and Christ to make their constant abode with us, delight we in the society and fellowship of the People of God, with whom they dwell; never be ashamed to converse with them, whom God and Christ do own for theirs. The Apostle's Argument why we should entertain strangers, in Hebrews 13:2. (Because thereby some have entertained Angels unawares) is but mean and inconsiderable to this reason, why we should entertain and own the Saints of God: for thereby we are sure, to entertain Christ, as in Matthew 25:40. For this cause the Gibeonites made a League with Israel, for we have heard that God is with you. And there is a promise in Zechariah 8:23. That ten men out of all Languages shall take hold of the skirt of a Jew, saying, we will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. Malachy 3:16. They that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkned and heard it, &c. He was with them, and indeed, God dwells in the Tabernacles of the righteous.
Fourthly, if we would have the constant abode of God and Christ with us, let us keep our selves clean from sin, our hearts pure, our consciences undefiled, and, as the Apostle says, void of offence towards God and towards men; very careful not to sin against God, and very circumspect not to sin against man; that this may be our comfort, that the world must needs say of us, as they did of Daniel, That they could finde nothing against him, save in the Law of his God, as in Daniel 6:5. Whatever others do, beware of sin. Say as Joshua, I and my House will serve the Lord. Watch against sin, chuse any suffering, rather than the least sin.
Consider in that choice two particulars.
First, consider in all your sufferings, God will be with you, but in any of your sins, he will not abide with you; as in the example of Israel, Exodus 32:23. When the Calf was got into the Camp, God forsakes the Host of Israel, When Saul forsook the Lord, the Spirit of the Lord forsook him. That was an excellent saying of Azariah the Sonne of Obed, in 2 Chronicles 15:2. And oh that all England could hear it, hear thou me Asa, and all Judah, The Lord is with you, while you be with him; If you seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
Secondly, consider, 'tis an act of high presumption, reflecting much upon the purity and holiness of God, for men to imagine that God will own and prosper them with his presense while they go on to do wickedly, in their Whoredoms, Drunkenness, Blasphemy, and all manner of Prophaneness, which God can no more own, than disown himself. So they foolishly promise themselves Peace, Deuteronomy 29:19. Though they walk in the imagination of their hearts, and adde drunkenness to thirst: But the Lord will not spare, but his anger and jealousie shall smoak against them, till he hath brought them down from their high mount of a sinful and carnal confidence. Therefore the Prophet reproves that wicked People, Micah 3:11. where the Judges, the Priests, and the Prophets were corrupted. Yet they say, is not the Lord among us, none evil can come upon us, Therefore shall Zion be plowed as a Field, &c. as Abner said to Joab, This will prove an evil thing and a bitter in the latter end: as Galen says of Meats, Quae dulcia sunt, facile in bilem & amaritudinem convertuntur; Sweet Meats generate choller and corrupt matter; so sin, that is a sweet morsel now, will be shame, death, and hell at last.
Fifthly, with an humble acknowledgment of former barrenness, under Gods gracious presense with you, resolve and endeavour to be more fruitful. God never left his Vineyard, and pull'd up the Hedge, and commanded the rain not to fall upon it, in Isaiah 5. till it became barren, or did bear corrupt fruit. The exil'd Confessors in Queen Maries days, confessed that (as Ursin says in the Preface to his Catechism) the cause of their present suffering, was their former barrenness, and unprofitableness under the Gospel. And a sad example of this is Jerusalem, over whom Christ laments: O Jerusalem Jerusalem, thou, &c. if thou hadst known in this thy day, &c. but now they are hid from thine eyes: and when once a People grow up to this heighth, to reject the Gospel, then expect some fearful Judgment. Read the last Chapter of Chronicles, the second Book, and at the 16. Verse, and them you will see, when the wrath of God is like to break out upon a people without remedy.
Sixthly, if you would have the continual abode of God and Christ with you, Let God have all your thoughts, let him be your meditation; this is the way to have the best company when you be alone: David would meditate of him day and night, and professed the meditation of him should be sweet to him.
Here consider two particulars:
First, consider that no place, state or condition, can hinder the soul of this way of secret communion with God and Christ; this priviledge could not be denied to a benighted Jacob, to an imprisoned Jeremy, to an exil'd John in Patmos; by this (says Jerome) Solitudo fit Paradisus, a man may turn a Wilderness into a Paradise; and therefore we read in Cant. 11:12. how the Spouse invites Christ to go with her, as Isaac did into the Fields to meditate, Come let's go into the Fields, and lodge in the Villages.
Secondly, consider in these secret silent visits of the Soul, God and Christ do take abundance of delight; our Night-thoughts, our Field-thoughts, our Closet-thoughts, are very welcome to them; yea, when we can do no more but think of God, our very thoughts shall be an accepted service, Son_2:13. He loveth the Fig-tree that putteth forth her green Figges. The ripe fruit is in the bud: so, holy endeavours in pure breathings and desires, God accepts, when our Infirmity, or the Iniquity of the Times may be such, that we can do no more.
Seventhly, if we will have God and Christ to make their constant abode with us, then let us walk humbly with God. He that beholds the proud afar off, will be nigh to them that humble their Souls under his mighty hand, Isaiah 57:15. Thus says the high and lofty One, that inhabits eternity, whose Name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place; with him also, that is of an humble and contrite spirit.
God hath two Heavens in which he dwells.
First, his Glory dwells in the high and holy place in Heaven above.
Secondly, his Grace dwells in the humble and lowly spirit. Here will I dwell, says God.
Eighthly, if you would have the constant abode of God and Christ with you, be sure to look to your Hearts, that you walk in your uprightness: be true to the Word of God, be true to your profession. There is not in the world a more lively representation and image of God, than the heart of the upright: therefore God loves so much, when he hath drawn his likeness upon them, to walk with them, therefore David resolves, Psalms 101:2. I will walk in the midst of my house with a perfect heart: O when wilt thou come unto me? This was the comfort of the Apostle, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, he had his conversation in the world; God will be with such, and such shall be with God, Psalms 37:37. Mark the perfect man, behold the upright, the end of that man is peace: And thus God appointed Abraham to walk, that he might be with him a God in Covenant, Genesis 17. Walk before me, be thou perfect, and gives him this encouragement, I am God all-sufficient: God's all-sufficiency being sufficient to keep the soul upright, being rightly improved.
There be two things which usually bias the soul away from God, and makes it warp from its holy principles. First, the Frowns; Secondly, the Flatteries of the world.
Against both which, there is a sufficient remedy in the All-sufficient God.
First, that which often perverts the soul from the truth, is the fear of troubles and wants; If I keep my integrity (says the soul) I shall be undone, I shall lose my estate, embroil myself in many troubles; perhaps a Prison, Exile, or Death comes next. But what force is there in this tentation? if we hear on the other hand God saying, if thou wilt be upright, fear no troubles, no wants, I am a God All-sufficient, as in Job 22:25. to the end of the Chapter, The Almighty shall be thy defence, (then fear not force) Thou shalt have plenty of silver, thou shalt gather gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the Brooks. Then fear no wants.
Secondly, there is another thing in the world that hath a very great influence upon the spirit of a man, to pervert him, and turn him from his integrity; and that is the hopes of preferment, and greatness of the world: But this is but a poor bait, if we look upon the All-sufficiency of God: Doth the world promise thee Riches? God will out-bid the world, and give Eternal riches. Will the world give Pleasures? God will give better; with him is fullness of joy, and pleasures for evermore. Will the world give Gold? God will give Diamonds. Will the world give all its glory? God will give thee the glory of a better world, rather than that shall be a snare unto thee.
Ninthly, pray much, pray continually; God will be in the hearts and houses of his praying people, when he hath a curse in store for Prayerless Families, in Jeremiah 10:15.
And especially pray for these two things.
First, That God will abide with you and the Kingdom in his Gospel, and pure Ordinances: that you may dwell in Bethel, and not in Bethaven, a house of vanity and grief. Pray that God would not remove his Candlestick from you, not utterly extinguish the light of the Kingdom.
Secondly, Pray, and I shall pray with you, that God will give you a faithful Pastour after his own heart, not according to your hearts, that he may teach you by his Doctrine and his Life too; a faithful Teacher, to go in and out before you, to shew you the Word of the Lord; one that may be among you, as it was said of Athanasius, that he was Magnes & Adamas.
1. Magnes, as a Load-stone, to draw your souls with a gentle hand and melting heart from your sins Heaven-ward.
2. Adamas, as an Adamant, of an invincible courage and zeal against all sin and prophaneness; one that will not spare sin that he may save your souls.
Pray that God would give you a Star, a Star out of his right hand, not a churlish Orion, that brings a cold, barren, and cloudy Winter, but a benevolent and friendly Pleiades, that there may be many Sons brought in to God, and your souls may finde a continual spring, and that you may be as Trees of his own planting, and may flourish in the Courts of the House of our God, and may bring forth fruit in old age.
Tenthly, and lastly, if you would have the constant abode of God and Christ with you, conform; conform universally and fully to the Gospel of Christ, consent and assent unfeignedly to all the Truths and Doctrines thereof, that you may walk worthy of God, and all that grace which hath been revealed to you; for Christ hath said, if a man keep his Word, the Father will love him, and both Father and Son will come, and make their abode with him. Wherefore I shall conclude this Exhortation with that of the Apostle, Php_1:2; Php_1:7. Only let your conversation be such as becometh the Gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or else be absent from you, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one minde, striving together for the faith of the Gospel.
And to shut up all with that in Acts 20:32.
And now Brethren, I commend you to God and to the Word of his Grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.