Englands Duty Under the Present Gospel Liberty, Sermon 2
SERMON II.
Revel. 3. 20. Behold [I] stand at the door, &c.
Having in the former Sermon pondered Christs solemn Preface to his earnest Suit; the next thing that comes under our consideration, is the Person soliciting, and pleading for admission into the Heart of sinners, which is Christ himself.
Behold I stand. The only difficulty here is rightly to apprehend the manner of Christs presence in Gospel administrations; for it is manifest the person of Christ was at this time in Heaven; his Bodily presence was removed from this lower World above Sixty years before this Epistle was Written to the Laodiceans. Iohn's banishment into Patmos, is by Eusebius, out of Irenaeus and Clemens Alexandrinus, placed in the Fourteenth Year of the Emperor Domitian, and under his Second Persecution, which was about the Ninety seventh Year from the Birth of Christ.
Yet here, he saith, behold I stand, not my Messengers and Ministers only, but I by my Spiritual presence among you, I your Sovereign Lord and Owner, who have all Right and Authority by Creation and Redemption, to possess and dispose of your Souls; 'tis I that stand at the Door and knock, I by my Spirit, solliciting and moving by the Ministry of Men. You see none but Men; but believe it, I am really and truly, though Spiritually and Invisibly present in all those administrations, all those knocks, motions and solicitations are truly mine, they are my acts, and I own them, and so I would have you conceive and apprehend them. Hence the Second Note is this,
DOCT.
That Iesus Christ is truly present with men in his Ordinances, and hath to do with them, and they with him; though he be not visible to their carnal Eyes.
Thus runs the promise, Matth. 18. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them. The midle place was the Seat of the President in the Jewish assemblies, where he might equally hear and be heard of all. So will I be in the midst of the Assemblies of the Faithful, met together in my Name and Authority, to bless, guide and protect them. Hence the Church is called the place of his Feet, Isa. 16. 13. a manifest allusion to the Ark, called Gods Footstool, Psal. 99. 5. and agreeably hereunto, Christ is said to walk among the Seven golden Candlesticks, Revel. 2. 1. There are the Spiritual walks of Christ, there his converses and communion with Men: And this presence of Christ was not the peculiar privileges of the first Churches, but is common to all the Churches of the Saints to the end of the World, as appears by that glorious promise comfortably so extended with the Church from first to last; Matth. 28. ult. Lo, I am with you always to the end of the World. This promise is the ground and reason of all our Faith, and expectations of benefit from Ordinances; and the Subjects of it are not here considered Personally, but Officially, to you and all that succeed you, in the same Work and Office; not to you only as Extraordinary, but to all the succeeding Ordinary standing Officers in my Church. As for the Apostles, neither their Persons, nor extraordinary Office was to continue long, but this Promise was to continue to the end of the World.
Nor is this Promise made absolutely, but conditionally; the connection of the Promise, with the Command, enforces this qualified sense; as 2 Chron. 15. 2. The Lord is with you, whilst you are with him. Ignorant, idle, unqualified persons, cannot claim the benefit of this gracious grant.
Once more, this Promise is made ot every hour and minute of time. I am with you, all the days, as it is in the Greek Text; in dark and dangerous, as well as peaceable and incouraging days; and it is closed up with a solemn Amen, So be it, or, So it shall be.
To open this Point distinctly, we are to consider that there is a threefold presence of Christ,
1. Corporeal.
2. Represented.
3. Spiritual.
First, There is a Corporeal Presence of Christ, which the Church once enjoyed on Earth, when he went in and out amongst his People, Acts 1. 21. When their Eyes saw him, and their Hands handled him, 1 Iohn 1. 1. This presence was a singular consolation to the Disciples, and therefore they were greatly dejected when it was to be removed from them. But after Redemption-Work was finished on Earth, this Bodily Presence was no longer necessary to be continued in this World, but more expedient to be removed to Heaven, Iohn 16. 7. as indeed it was, and must there abide until the time of the restitution of all things, Acts 3. 21. And in this respect he tells the Disciples, Iohn 16. 28. leave the World and go to my Father.
Secondly, There is a Represented Presence of Christ in Ordinances. As the Person of a King is represented in another Country by his Ambassadors, so is Christ in this World by his Ministers, 2 cor. 5. 26. We then are Ambassadors for God, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christs stead, be ye reconciled to God. Christ is about other work for us in Heaven, but we stand in his stead on Earth. And this speaks the great Dignity of the Ministerial Office; whatever abuses or contempts are cast on them, they reflect upon Christ, Luke 10. 16. He that despiseth you despiseth me. It also teacheth us whence the validity of Gospel administrations is; Christ ratifies and confirms them with his own Authority. It also instructs us how Wise, Spiritual, and Holy, Ministers should be, who represent Christ to the Word. A Drunkard, a Persecutor, a sensual Worldling, is but an ill representative of the blessed and holy Jesus.
Thirdly, Beside and above the two former, there is a Spiritual Presence of Christ in the Churches, and Ordinances; and this Presence of Christ by his Spirit, who is his Vicegerent, is to be considered as that from which all Gospel Ordinances derive,
1. Their Beauty and Glory.
2. Their Power and Efficacy.
3. Their awful Solemnity.
4. Their Continuance and Stability.
First, From the presence of Christ by his Spirit, the Ordinances and Churches derive their beauty and glory, Psal. 27. 4. To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the Sanctuary. Look as the beauty of the Body is a result from the Soul that animates it; and when the Soul is gone, the beauty of the Body is gone also; so the beauty and glory of all Ordinances comes and goes with the Spirit of Christ which is the very Soul of them. The Churches are indeed golden Candlesticks, but the Candlestick hath no light but what the Candle gives it; hence that magnificent description of the new Temple is closed up in this expression, Ezek. 48. ult. The name of that City shall be, The Lord is there.
Secondly, From this Spiritual Presence of Christ, all Gospel Ordinances derive all that Power and Efficacy which is by them exerted upon the Souls of Men; either in their Conversion or Edification. This power is not inherent in them, nor do they act as natural, necessary agents, but as instituted means, which are successful or unsuccessful, according as Christ by his Spirit co-operates with them, 1 Cor. 3. 7. He that plants is nothing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase; that is, they are nothing to the purpose, nothing to the accomplishment of Mens Salvation without the concurrence of the Spirit of Christ. For when the Apostle makes himself and Apollos, with all other Ministers, nothing, we must understand him speaking not absolutely, but comparatively, and relatively; they are necessary in their places, and sufficient in their kind, for what they are appointed to, else it would be a reflection upon the Wisdom of God that instituted them; but singly in themselves, and disjunctively considered, they are nothing; as a Trumpet or wind Instrument is nothing, as to its end and use, except breath be inspired into it, and that breath modulated by the art and skill of the inspirer; like Ezekiets Wheels that move not but as the Spirit that was in them moved and directed their motions. If Ordinances wrought upon Souls naturally, and necessarily as the fire burneth, then they could not fail of success upon all that come under them: But it is with them as with the Waters of the Pool of Bethesda, whose healing vertue was only found at that season when the Angel descended and troubled them.
Thirdly, This Spiritual Presence of Christ, gives the Ordinances of the Gospel that awful solemnity which is due upon that account to them. The Presence of Christ in them commands reverence from all that are about him. God is greatly to be feared in the Assemblies of his Saints, and to be had in reverence of all that are round about him. Hence is that solemn caution or threatning, Levit. 26. 23, 24. If you walk contrary unto me, then will I also walk contrary unto you; the Hebrew word in that Text signifies to walk rashly or at an adventure with God, sine personae discrimine, without considering with whom we have to do, and what an awful Majesty we stand before. And the punishment is suitable to the sin; I also will walk at an adventure with you, making no discrimination in my Judgments betwixt your persons and the persons of the worst of Men. Oh that this were duly considered by all that have to do with God in Gospel institutions!
Fourthly, 'Tis the Spiritual Presence of Christ in his Churches and Ordinances that gives them their Continuance and Stability; when ever the Spirit of Christ departs from them it will not be long before they depart from us; or if they should not, their continuance will be little to our advantage. When the Glory of the Lord once dismounted from betwixt the Cherubims, when that sad voice was heard in the Temple, migremus hinc, let us go hence, how soon was both City and Temple made a desolation! And truly Christ's Presence is not so fixed to any Place, or any Ordinances, but the sins of the people may banish it away, Rev. 2. 5. Who will tarry in any place longer than he is welcom, if he have any where else to go?
But more particularly, let us here discuss these two points,
I. How it appears Christ is thus Spiritually Present with his Churches and Ordinances?
II. Why it is necessary he should be so?
First, By what evidences doth it manifestly appear that there is such a presence of Christ with his Churches and Ordinances? And this will appear by two undeniable evidences thereof.
1. By their wonderful Preservations.
2. From their supernatural Effects.
First, From their wonderful Preservations, for it is wholly unaccountable, and unconceiveable, how the Churches, Ministers and Ordinances, should be supported and preserved without it, amidst such Hosts of potent and enraged Enemies. If Christ were not among them they had certainly been swallowed up long ago. 'Tis he that holds the Stars in his right hand▪ Rev. 2. 1. His walks among the seven golden Candlesticks is their best security. The burning bush, Exod. 3. 3. is a rare emblem to open this Mystery; the bush burned with fire, but was not consumed. The bush was a resemblance of the Church of God in Egypt, the flames upon it was their terrible Persecution; the wonder that no ashes appeared, as the effects of those terrible flames, the reason thereof was, God was in the bush; Jesus Christ was in the midst of his people.
By vertue of this Presence we are here this day, in the enjoyment of Gospel Liberties; no Society of Men in the World have such security as the Church hath upon this account. The mightiest Monarchies have been over-turned, no Policies nor humane Power could preserve them; but the Church and Ordinances are still preserved, and shall ever be by vertue of that gracious Promise, Ier. 30. 11. For I am with thee, saith the Lord, to save thee: though I make a full end of all Nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee.
The Babilonian, Persian, Grecian, Monarchies have destroyed and ruined one another,
—Sic Medus ademit
Assyrio, Syro que tulit moderamina Perses, &c.
but still the Church of Christ lifts up its Head, and beholds their ruins.
Secondly, This Presence of Christ in and with his Ordinances is undeniably evinced, from their Supernatural effects upon the Souls of Men; 2 Cor. 10. 4. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. 'Tis the Spirit of Christ that gives them their success and efficacy: The Sword of the Gospel hath its point and edge, but it is impossible the Heart of a stupid hardned sinner should ever be prickt or wounded by it, if the Spirit of Christ did not manage it. When sinners fall down convinced under the authority of the Word, they feel, and readily acknowledge, that God is in it of a truth, I Cor. 14. 25. Ruffinus reports, that at the Council of Nice, a godly man, of no great learning, was the instrument of converting a learned Philosopher, whom the Bishops with all their Arguments could not perswade; of which the Philosopher himself gave this remarkable account, Whilst you reasoned with me, said he, against words, I opposed words, and what was spoken, I overthrew by the art of speaking; but when, in stead of words, power came out of the mouth of the speaker, words could no longer withstand truth, nor Man resist the power of God.
And this indeed is the true and just account of all those marvellous and gracious changes made upon the Souls of Men by the Preaching of the Gospel: Can the vanishing breath of a dying Man, think you, inspire Spiritual and Eternal Life into the Souls of other Men? Can he search the Conscience, break the Heart, and bow the Will at this rate? No, no, this is the Power and Operation of Christ;Mr. Anth. Burgesse on 1 Cor. 3. and of that Presence we must say, saith a Reverend Author, as Martha did to her Saviour, concerning the Death of her Brother Lazarus, John 11. 21. Lord if thou hadst been here my Brother had not dyed. So, say I, if that Presence and Power of Christ were felt by all, which hath been certainly experienced and felt by many, they had not remained in the state of Spiritual Death as they do. But though there be thousands under Ordinances that never felt this Power of Christ upon them, yet blessed be God there are also multitudes of Witnesses and Evidences of this Truth, that there is a Real, Spiritual, Energetical Presence of Christ in his own appointments; which was the first thing to be evinced.
Secondly, The second thing requiring Explication, is the Uses and Ends which makes such a Presence of Christ necessary. And they are
1. To Preserve and Support his Ministers and Churches amidst such Hosts of potent and enraged Enemies: This Presence of Christ is as a wall of Fire round about them. It was the Divine Presence with Ieremiah that was as a Life-Guard to him, against the rage of the Princes and Nobles of Israel, Jer. 15. 20, 21. I will make thee unto this People a fenced brazen Wall, and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee, for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the Lord: And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.
It was easier for the Roman Army to scale the Walls, and batter down the Towers of Ierusalem, than for all the Enemies in Ierusalem to destroy this Prophet of God thus immur'd by the Divine Presence. Athanasius and Luther had the Power of the Empire ingaged against them, yet the Presence of Christ was their security. The Witnesses could not be slain till they had finished their Testimony, Rev. 11. 7. To this Presence alone the faithful Witnesses of Christ owe their marvellous preservation at this day; had not Christ said, Lo, I am with you, you had not said at this day, behold our Ministers are still with us.
Secondly, The Presence of Christ is necessary to assist and enable his Ministers in their Work, for it is a Work quite above their own strength; it is well we are Workers-together with God, else we should soon faint under our Labours. When Moses objected, I am not eloquent, the Lord told him, I will be with thy Mouth, Exod. 4. 10. When God guides the Tongue how powerful and persuasive must the Language be! When the Apostles, illiterate men, were sent out to convert the World, Christ promised to give them a Mouth and Wisdom, Luke 21. 15. a Mouth to speak, and Wisdom to guide that Mouth; and then their words were demonstrations, all their adversaries could not resist that Spirit and Power by which they spake. Empires and Kingdoms full of Enemies, received the Gospel; but the reason of this wonderful success is given us, in Mark 16. 20. They went out and Preached every where, the Lord working with them. 'Tis sweet and prosperous working in fellowship with Christ: The Spirit of Christ gives a manifold assistance to his Ministers in their Work; 'tis he that guides and directs their minds in the choice of those Subjects wherein they labour with such success to their Hearers. He dictates the Matter, influences their Affections, guides their Lips, follows home their Doctrine with success; and this is a special Use and End of Christs Presence with his Ministers and Ordinances.
Thirdly, The Spiritual Presence of Christ is necessary for the preparation and opening of the peoples Hearts to receive and embrace the Gospel to Salvation; not an Heart will open to receive Christ till the Spirit of Christ unlock them. Paul and Timothy were extraordinarily called to Preach the Gospel at Macedonia, there Lydia was converted; but how? Not by their Skill or Eloquence, but the Spirits influence, Acts 16. 14. The Lord opened the Heart of Lydia. The Church could not be propagated without Conversion; Conversion could never be wrought without Christs Influence and Spiritual Presence. So that this Presence is of absolute necessity; the Church cannot subsist, nor the great ends of Ordinances attained without it.
The first Inference.
Is Christ really Present in all Gospel Administrations, how awfully Solemn then is every part of Gospel Worship? We having to do with Christ himself, and not with Men only, in Gospel Ordinances. Happy were it, if, under this Consideration, all our People did receive the Word we Preach, as the Thessalonians did, not as the Word of Man, but as the Word of God, 1 Thes. 2. 13. then it would Work effectually in us as it did in them. But alas! We have loose and low apprehensions of the Word; we come to Judge the Gifts of the Speaker, not to have our Minds informed, our Consciences searched, our Lusts mortified, and our Lives regulated. But oh, that Men would realize the Presence of Christ in Ordinances, and seriously consider that Word of his, Rev. 2. 23. All the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the Reins and Hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to your Works.
How would it compose vain and wandering Hearts unto holy seriousness! Oh, if Men would but consider that they are before the Lord Jesus Christ, as Cornelius and his Family did, Acts 10. 33. We are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. If they would consider the Word as the executioner of Gods eternal Decrees which returns not in vain, but accomplishes that whereunto God sends it, Isa. 55. 11. and eventually proves the savour of Life or Death eternal to them that sit under it, 2 Cor. 2. 16. In a word, were it but considered as the Rule by which its hearers shall be judged in the great Day, Ioh. 12. 48. then how would Men tremble at the Word? What mighty effects would it have upon their Hearts? How would it run and be glorified? But alas, as Iob speaks, Iob 9. 11. He goeth by me, and I see him not; he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Few realize the Spiritual Presence of Christ in Ordinances.
Second Inference.
If Christ be really present with his Churches and Ordinances, how vain are all the attempts of Enemies to subvert and destroy them? That promise, Matth. 28. ult. supposes the continuance of a Gospel Church and Ministry to the end of the World, else there would be a Promise without a Subject; as de Iure, there ought to be a Church, so de facto, there shall be a Church with Ministers and Ordinances, let Satan and Antichrist do their worst. I do not say this Promise secures this or that particular Church or Nation, for the presence of Christ is moveable from one place to another, but still the Church is safe. And there are three things that secure it against all hazards.
First, The invaluable Treasures God hath lodged in the Church, viz. his Truths, his Worship, and his Elect; such a precious Cargo secures the Vessel that carries it, what ever Storms or Tempests may befal it.
Secondly, The Covenant and Promise of God, with the Church, is its abundant security, Matth. 16. 18. VponUpon this Rock will I build my Church, and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. The faithfulness of God is pawned for his Peoples security. If the Church fail God's faithfulness must fail with it.
Thirdly, But above all, the Presence of Christ, in the midst of it, puts it out of all danger of miscarrying. In that Promise, Lo, I am with you alway, are found all munitions and fortifications whatsoever: Here we have his Eye of Providence, his Hand of Power, and whatsoever else is needful to support and secure it. God accounts his Presence our safety, Isa. 41. 10. The Enemies of God and his People account it so too, Exod. 14. 25. and shall it not be so in our own account? Provoke not the Lord Jesus to withdraw his Presence, and fear not the consultations and oppositions of Hell or Earth.
Third Inference.
From this Spiritual Presence of Christ all his faithful Ministers should draw incouragement amidst the manifold difficulties and discouragements, they dayly encounter, in his Work and Service. Christ is with them, they Work in Fellowship with him, let them not be dismaid.
The difficulties and discouragements the Ministers of Christ meet with are great and many; and the more faithful and successful any of them are in their Masters Work, the fiercer opposition they must expect: Besides all the discouragements rising out of their own Hearts, which are not a few, they must encounter.
First, The opposition of Enemies from abroad. Secondly, The obstinacy and stubornness of the Hearts they work upon; Satan is a jealous Prince, and will raise all manner of outcries and oppositions against those heavenly Heraulds, that come to Proclaim a new Prince in his Dominions, and withdraw his miserable Subjects from their cursed Allegiance to him. What is it to Preach the Gospel (said Luther) but to derive the fury of the World upon the Head of that Preacher? But this would be easily supportable, did our Work but prosper upon the hearts of our hearers; but this alas, is the killing consideration of all; we know the worth of Souls, and how great a service it is to save them from death, Iames 5. 20. We also know the terrors of the Lord, which excite our utmost endeavours to perswade men, 2 Cor. 5. 11. We feel the compassions of Christ stirring in our own bowels, which makes us long after their Salvation, Phil. 1. 8. We preach, we pray, yea, we travail again as it were in birth until Christ be formed in them, Gal. 4. 19. And when we have done all, we find their Hearts as Iron and Brass, Ier. 6. 28. We mourn in secret when we cannot prevail, and oft times our Hands hang down with discouragement, and we are ready to say with the Prophet, We will speak no more in his name, Jer. 20. 9. But here is our relief, under all discouragements from abroad and at home; the Work is Christs, the Power is his, he is with us, and we are Workers together with him. There was a time when Three thousand Souls were born to Christ at one Sermon, it may be now Three thousand Sermons may be preacht and not a Soul Converted: Yet let us not be discouraged, a time of eminent Conversions is Promised, and to be expected in these latter days, Ezek. 47. 9. when the living waters of the Gospel shall make every thing to live whither they come. And when the Fishers (i. e.) the Ministers of Christ shall not fish with Angles as now they do, taking now one, then another single Convert, but shall spread forth their Nets, but inclose multitudes at a draught; When they Shall flee as a Cloud, and as the Doves to their Windows. God now opens a door of opportunity beyond expectation; Oh that the Hearts of Ministers and People were suitably enlarged, and the People made willing in the day of his Power.
Fourth Inference.
Hence we also infer the great dignity of the ministerial Office, and the suitable respect and honour due to all Christs faithful Ministers.
The Lord Jesus himself is represented by them, they stand in his stead, 2 Cor. 5. 20. his authority is clothed upon them; the honours and dishonours given them, redounds to the person of Christ, Luke 10. 16. The Galathians received Paul as an Angel of Gold, even as Christ Jesus, Gal. 4. 14.
Yet how have their Persons and Office been vilified and despised in this degenerate age! How many Learned, Pious, Laborious, Peaceful Ministers of Christ have in this age, been hunted up and down the World as wild Beasts, been made the filth and off-scouring of all things unto this day, I Cor. 4. 13. The Word signifies that dirt and filth which Scavengers rake together in the Streets, to be carried to the Dunghil. No doubt but Satan drives a great design in this to invalidate their Ministry, discourage their Labours, and break their Hearts: but Jesus Christ will support us under all these abuses, wipe off the dirt thrown at us, for his Name sake, and reserve some of us for better days.
Fifth Inference.
Is Christ Present in his Ordinances, what a strong engagement then lyes upon you all, to attend and wait assiduously upon the Ministry of the Word, and to bring all yours, that are capable, there to wait upon Christ with you? We read in the days of Christs flesh, when he performed his miraculous Cures upon the Sick, what thronging there was after him; how Parents brought their Children, Masters their Servants, pressing in multitudes, untyling the House to let down their Sick to him, Luke 12. 1. Ah, shall Men be so earnest for a Cure for their Bodies, and so indifferent for their Souls? 'Tis true, the Spirit of Christ is not tied by any necessity to act always with the World; he acts as an arbitrary Agent, Iohn 13. 8. The Wind bloweth where it listeth: but it is engagement enough to wait continually upon his Ordinances, that he sometimes graciously and effectually concurreth with them. 'Tis good to lye in the way of the Spirit, and there is a blessing pronounced upon them that wait continually at his Gates, Prov. 8. 34. Oh therefore neglect no season within your reach, who knows but that may be the season of Life to thy Soul?
Sixth Inference.
What an unspeakable loss is the loss of the Gospel, seeing the Presence of Christ comes and goes with it? When the Gospel departs, the Spirit of Christ departs with it from among Men; no more conversions, in Gods ordinary way, are then to be expected: well therefore might the Lord say, in Hosea 9. 12. Wo to them when I depart from them. The Spirit may in some sense depart whilst the Ordinances are left standing for a time among the People, but then expect no such blessings or benefits from them. But when God takes away Ordinances and Spirit too, wo indeed to that People; and are there not Sins amongst us presaging such a Judgment? Oh England reflect upon thy barrenness under it; where be the fruits answerable to such precious means? The Gospel is a golden Lamp, the graces of the Spirit communicated by it are golden Oyl; as in that stately vision, Zach. 4. will God maintain such a lamp fed with such precious Oyl for men to trifle and play by?
And no less ominous and portentous- is that bitter enmity to the Gospel and the serious professors of it, which (I cannot speak without horror) is every where found among us; this great hatred brings on the days of visitation, and the days of recompence with a swift and dreadful motion upon any people, Hosea 9. 7.
Seventh Inference.
If Christ be present by way of Spirit and energy in his Ordinances, then there is no reason to despair of the Conversion and Salvation of the greatest of sinners that yet lye dead under the Gospel. What though their Hearts be hard, their Understandings dark, and their Wills never so perverse and obstinate, all must give way and open in the day of Christs power, when his Spirit joyns himself with the Word. This makes it an irresistable Word; 'tis glorious to observe the hearts of Publicans and Harlots opening and yielding to the voice of Christ, Matth. 21. 31. What were those three thousand persons prickt at the Heart by Peters Sermon, Acts 2. 36. but the very Men that with wicked Hands had crucified the Lord Jesus? And what were the converted Corinthians, but Idolaters turned from dumb Idols, 1 Cor. 12. 2. Whoremongers, Adulterers, Effeminate, &c. 1 Cor. 6. 11. God hath his elect among the vilest of Men: The Gospel will find them out, and draw them home to Christ, when the Spirit of Christ animates and blesseth it. Well might the Apostle therefore say, that the Gospel preached with the Holy Ghost, sent down from Heaven, is an object worthy for Angels to behold with admiration, 1 Pet. 1. 12. What though Satan have strongly fortified their Souls against Christ, with ignorance, prejudice and enmity; yet the weapons of our warfare are mighty through God to pull down these strong holds. Despair not therefore of your carnal and dead hearted relations, bring them to the Gospel upon the encouragement of these words of Christ, Ioh. 5. 25. The hour cometh, yea and now is, that the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear it shall live.
Eighth Inference.
Is Christ Spiritually present in his Ordinances, oh then what an indeared affection should every gracious Soul bear to the Ordinances of God! They are the walks of Christ and his Spirit; the appointed times and places for your meeting and Communion with him; there your Souls first met with Christ, there you began your acquaintance with him; there you have had many sweet converses with him since that day; they were the seed of your regeneration, 1 Pet. 1. 23. The bread of life by which your Souls have been sustained ever since, and therefore to be more esteemed by you than your necessary food, Iob 23. 12. Here you have found the richest Cordials to revive and recover your drooping Spirits, when ready to sink away in a faint fit under sin within you and afflictions upon you, Psal. 119. 50. No wonder Davids Soul even fainted for the Courts of God, and that Hezekiah desired a sign on his sick bed, that he should go up to the House of the Lord. Here are the choicest comforts of the Saints upon Earth; all our fresh springs are in Zion, Psal. 87. 7. What a dungeon, what a barren Wilderness were this World without them! Prize the Ordinances, love the Ordinances, wait assiduously upon the Ordinances, and pray for the liberty and efficacy of the Gospel, that it may set no more in your days, nor in the days of your posterity.