The Saints Amity with God in Christ, Discourse · Part 1 · Book 1 · Chapter 10 · Section 2
SECT. 2. The friends of Chriſt ſhould daily Repete their firſt conjugal Election of him, Col. 2.6.
2.2. Advice to the Friends of Chriſt, to repete daily their firſt Election of Chriſt. ANother piece of Admonition, and Advice for the Friends of Chriſt, in order to their living up to their profeſſed Amitie with him, is, daily to revive, and repete their firſt Election of, and cloſure with Chriſt. And O that I had Affections, Expreſſions; and Opportunitie to preſſe home this great piece of Sacred Advice, on the friends of Chriſt! What can there be ſaid of greater moment, for the Preſervation, The Benefits of ſuch repeted elections of Chriſt.Improvement, and Perfection of our Friendſhip with Chriſt, than this, that our Hearts be frequently, yea, daily, and deeply engaged in this great Fundamental, and Vital Act of Electing, and cloſing with Chriſt?
(1.)1. As to gradual ſeparation from ſin, ſelf, the World and Law. Did not this ſolemne Election of Chriſt, at firſt, make that happie divorce between the Heart, and Sin, with al other Chriſt's Enemies? And is not the Heart daily more alienated from Sin, and Self, and the World, and the Law, by ſuch revived cloſures with Chriſt? Doth not the prevalence, and predominance of ſpiritual pride, carnal Confidence, Self-love, Earthly-mindednes, Hypocriſie, with other ſpiritual luſts, ariſe from our defects of ſuch renewed cloſures with Chriſt?eBe not diſcouraged at broken, and ſpilt Reſolutions, but to it, and to it again. Wooe about Chriſt, 'til ye get your ſoul eſpouſed, as a chaſt Virgin to him. Rutherf. Is there any thing that doth more effectively quench the flames of violent paſſions, or break the impetuous force of unmortified Diſpoſitions, and irregular Inclinations, than freſh Adherences to, and Recumbences on Chriſt? What more efficaciouſly ſhuts the door of the Heart, againſt the Blandiſſements, and Inveiglements of an Heart-bewitching world, than to have it laid open for Chriſt, and the election of him? Is not the Heart alſo, by ſuch freſh eſpouſements of Chriſt, more powerfully rent from the Law, as a Covenant of works? This ſeems to be the import of our Saviors exhortation, Mat. 7.13, 14.Mat. 7.13, 14. Enter ye in at the ſtrait gate, &c. i. e. Make it your daily work to bid Adieu to al Beloved Idolfriends, which are enemies to Chriſt: get your Hearts, every day more and more, ſtript of, and rent from Sin, Self, the World, and the Law as a Covenant. And how may this be accompliſhed, but by more continued Election of, and Adheſion to Chriſt? The Strait Gate, takes in, not only Averſion from Idol-friends, but alſo Converſion to Chriſt, our beſt friend: and the daily Repetition of the latter, gives no ſinal perfection to the former. The Heart is never turned more effectually from ſin, ſelf, the world, and Law, than when it is moſt firmely, and frequently turned to Chriſt.
(2.)2. As to the confirmation or our union with Chriſt. This repeted, and daily Election of Chriſt is that which Corr…borates, and confirmes the Soul's bond of Ʋnion, or Covenant of Amitie with Chriſt. For what is it that firſt knits the Heart, in a Covenant of Friendſhip with Chriſt? Is it not the Believers Election of Chriſt, as his friend? And doth not the Repetition of the ſame Election mightily confirme, and ſtrengthen this bond of Ʋnion? Cant. 2.16.Thus it was with the Spouſe, Cant. 2.16. my Beloved is mine, and I am his. Here ſhe makes a freſh, and ſolemne eſpouſement of, or conjugal Covenant with Chriſt. As if ſhe had ſaid: He is wholly for me, and ſhal not I be wholly for him, and for non other, Hoſ. 3.3? He has given me a large room in his Heart, and ſhal not I give him a Regal Throne in mine heart? Is he content with me, poor, ſinful, unworthy me? and ſhal not I be content with Him, moſt excellent, alſufficient, incomparable Him? Thus, by repeted election of Chriſt, ſhe ſtrengthens her union with him. Is not the Heart hereby kept cloſe to Chriſt; and thence, Chriſt kept cloſe to the Heart? Do not ſuch repeted, frequent Elections of Chriſt, bring the ſoul into a more intimate and firme Adheſion unto Him; ſo that the Heart cannot be long abſent from Chriſt, nor Chriſt long abſent from the Heart?
(3.)3. As to the Radication of Grace. Such reiterated, and frequent Elections of Chriſt, do greatly radicate, and Strengthen the Root of Habitual Grace in the Heart. According to the meſure of our actual Dependence on Chriſt, and his Impartment of Grace to us, ſuch is the Vigor, and Strength of Habitual Grace: Now this reiterated Election of Chriſt, is that which brings the ſoul into the moſt Abſolute Dependence on Chriſt; and engageth him to give forth the moſt efficacious influences of his Grace. The more we Elect Chriſt, the more we depend on him: and the more we depend on him the more we receive from him, in point of Grace. So Col 2.6.Col. 2 6, 7. As ye have therefore received Chriſt Jeſus, ſo walk ye in him, i. e. keep up the ſame frame of ſpirit towards Chriſt, wherewith ye firſt received him: be much in the repetition of your firſt election of him. A Chriſtians coverſion-work is never at an End, 'til his life be at an end: His new-birth is never perfectly over, ſo long as he continues in this imperfect life: He ought daily to enter in at the ſtrait Gate, that ſo he may walk in the narrow way, Mat. 7.13, 14. Peter had a ſecond Converſion, after his great Relapſe into that ſin of denying his Lord: And ſo the friends of Chriſt have their Second, Third, Fourth (&c.) Converſions, as to freſh turnings from ſin unto God. Can'ſt thou remember with what frame of ſpirit thou firſt receivedſt Chriſt? What deep convictions, and feeling ſenſe of ſin thou hadſt? What breaches for, and from ſin, were made on thy ſoul? What ſolemne cloſures with Chriſt thy ſoul made? Why then, as thou at firſt didſt receive Chriſt, ſo walk in him: keep up the ſame frame, and poſture of ſpirit towards ſin, and Chriſt. And what follows, V. 7. Rooted, and built up in him, and ſtabliſhed in the Faith. The Radication of Grace, and the eſtabliſhment of the ſoul in faith depends on our walking in Chriſt, as we firſt received him; i. e. on the freſh Election of him.
(4.)4 As to the Enlargement of Affections. This repeted Eſpouſement of Chriſt, is that which gives us an huge enlargement of Affections towards Chriſt. Oh! What ſtrong, and raiſed deſires after Chriſt? What Intimate, and inviolable Embracements of Chriſt in the Armes of Love? What Infinite Satisfaction, and Complacence in his Preſence? What bitter Lamentations, and mournings after him in his abſence? What Infinite thirſts and longings for; as alſo lively Hopes of his Returne? And what Implacable zele againſt whatever may oppoſe Chriſt, would his friends have, were they much in this repeted Election of Chriſt? The Love of Eſpouſals, and kindnes of youth, which young Converts give unto Chriſt, is uſually moſt ſtrong, and vehement, as Jer. 2.2. I remember thee, the kindnes of thy youth, the love of thine Eſpouſals, when thou wenteſt after me in the Wildernes, in a Land that was not ſowen. Oh! what pure, virgin, paſſionate, tenacious, violent, warme, melted, efficacious Affections had Iſrael towards Chriſt, after her Wildernes-condition, when ſhe firſt made a ſolemne contract with, and eſpouſement of him, at the valley of Achor? Was ſhe not then Holines to the Lord, &c. as v. 3. And what more effectually preſerves ſuch conjugal Affections towards Chriſt, than the frequent Repetition of this firſt conjugal contract?
(5.)5. As to Recoveries out of backſliding. Nothing is more effectual to recover the friends of Chriſt, out of their Spiritual Relapſes and Backſlidings of Heart, and waies, than ſuch freſh eſpouſements of Chriſt. This is the main of Chriſt's Advice to the backſliding Church of Epheſus, Revel. 2.4, 5.Rev. 2.4, 5. Nevertheleſſe I have ſomewhat againſt thee, becauſe thou haſt left thy firſt love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do thy firſt works. What were thoſe firſt works, but the great vital, fundamental Acts of electing Chriſt, and recumbence on him? And is there any thing more effectual, for the Reduction of the backſliding ſoul to its firſt-Love, than this Repeted election of Chriſt? Was not this the main eſſential Act, Whereby the ſoul was at firſt implanted into Chriſt? And can there be any thing more ſoverainly efficacious, for the Reducement of the ſoul, under its Departures from Chriſt, than the like revived, repeted choice of him?
(6.)6. As to communion with Chriſt. A main part of our communion with Chriſt, conſiſts in ſuch frequent Repetitions of our firſt choice of him. Certainly, none enjoy more of Chriſt, than they who moſt firmely adhere to him: Now wherein conſnis the ſouls Adheſion to Chriſt, if not in ſuch revived Elections of him? Thus in that fore-named Text, Col. 2.6. As ye have therefore received Chriſt Jeſus, ſo walk ye in him. As if he had ſaid: Do'nt you remember, what glorious Ideas; what lively, and precious thoughts; what firme Adherence of wil; what a torrent of melted Affections, you had for, and towards Chriſt at firſt Converſion? Why then, walk in the ſame: endeavor to keep up, and maintain the ſame in daily communion with Chriſt.
(7.)7. As to the life of Faith. The choiceſi part of the life of Faith, and the ſoul's daily expectation of its abſent Lord, conſiſts in frequent, repeted elections of Chriſt. The Life of Faith is the Life of our friendſhip with Chriſt. We never are better friends to him, than when we believe moſt on him; and are daily under lively expectations of his ſecond coming: and … not this wrought by freſh election of him? No wonder indeed, that many profeſſed friends of Chriſt, live ſo much by ſenſe, on preſent ſenſible goods; ſeing their Hearts are ſo much ſtrangers to theſe great vital Acts of Faith. Have not the friends of Chriſt very frequent, deep, and lively Apprehenſions of, and Affections for Chriſt's ſecond coming, and coming Glorie, at firſt converſion? Yea, is not their faith in this particular ſometimes clearer, and ſtronger at firſt Converſion, than in ſome following parts of their life? Have not many young Converts more contemtible, cheap, and vile, eſtime of ſenſible good; with more raiſed, and ſublime conceptions of future Injoyments, at firſt turning to Chriſt, than afterwards? Are not viſible, preſent Goods, and Ils, made really inviſible, and Abſent; as alſo Inviſible, and Abſent Goods, and Ils, made really viſible, and preſent to their eye of faith? Thus it was with thoſe young Converts, the Theſſalonians, in the beginning of their Friendſhip with Chriſt, 1 Theſ. 1.9, 10. where he comprehends their firſt converſion under theſe two Heads: Ye turned to God from Idols, (1.) To ſerve the living and true God. (2.) And to wait for his Son from Heaven. So that this waiting for the ſecond coming of Chriſt, which is elſe where made one of the higheſt parts of the life of faith, theſe Theſſalonians, even in their firſt converſion, arrived unto. And whence came this to paſſe, but from the Realitie, …idence, and Efficacie of their Aſſent; conjunct with the Force, and Firmitude of their conſent, and Adherence to Chriſt? And O! what firme, deep Expectations of Chriſt's ſecond coming? What lively views, yea, prelilabitions of his Coming, Inviſible Glories, might the friends of Chriſt arrive unto, were they but much in the exercices of theſe Vital Acts of Faith?
(8.)8. As to Aſſurance. Reiterated, and daily-freſh Elections of Chriſt have a mightie ſoverain influence for the production, and conſervation of Aſſurance. The Aſſurance of our union with Chriſt, has an efficacious influence for the Improvment of our friendſhip with him: For the knowlege of our Intereſt in the heart of Chriſt, gives him a greater Intereſt in our hearts: we love Chriſt moſt, when we are moſt aſſured of his love to us: and this is moſtly got by freſh elections of him. What a vaſt quantitie of ſincere Chriſtians are there, who labor under pannick fears, and vexatious douts touching their eternel ſtate? Oh! what would they give for a wel-grounded, firme, aſſurance, of a ſincere friendſhip with Chriſt? how welcome would pale-faced Death be to them, the next moment, after their arrive unto ſuch an Aſſurance? What irkſome toil, and labors do they undergo in corporal ſeverities? How much do they pore on their hearts, to find out any glimmering marques, or ſignes of their ſinceritie? Al this is good in its kind, and ſeaſon: But yet, let me ſay it, next to the broad Seal, and actual Inſpiration of the Spirit of Adoption, (who is the principal Agent) there is, as I conceive, nothing more efficacious, either for the procurement, or preſervation of a grounded, Stable, Aſſurance, than repeted, and frequent Elections of, and Recumbences on Chriſt. And, I verily believe, would the douting friends of Chriſt, ſpend but half that time, which they uſually ſpend in unbelieving complaints, and porings on their Hearts for ſignes of Grace, in ſuch freſh and vigorous Elections of, and Adherences unto Chriſt, they would far ſooner arrive to their deſired Haven of Aſſurance, than otherwiſe they are like to do. For, albeit ſanctification, be in it ſelf alwaies an Infallible marque of Juſtification, yet it is not alwaies ſuch as to our ſenſe: Spiritual arguing from the Effect, to the Cauſe, is Orthodoxe, and ſound Logick in Chriſt's Schole; but yet how oft do the Miſts, and Clouds of an unbelieving, ſcrupulous heart interpoſe, and hinder the concluſion from following, though the premiſſes be good? So great a darknes is there oft upon gracious ſignes, and evidences of our ſinceritie. But now by repeted elections of, and Recumbences on Chriſt, he is engaged to give forth freſh light, and Influences, for the diſcoverie of our Graces. Direct Acts of Adherence to Chriſt, make way for the reflexe Acts of Aſſurance, touching our Intereſt in Chriſt: Repeted faith of Recumbence, at laſt brings faith of Aſſurance. There is no more effectual courſe for the diſcoverie of our faith in Chriſt, than by putting forth freſh acts of faith on Chriſt: For as by the vital acts of life, we know we have life: ſo by believing, we come to know that we do believe. Yea, faith is not only in it ſelf the beſt evidence of Grace; but alſo it gives light, life, and ſpirit to al other evidences of Grace. yea, who are they, to whom Chriſt moſt delights to give the Aſſurance of his love, but ſuch as moſt frequently love, and elect him for himſelf? Al this is confirmed to us, by the lively, feeling experiences of the beſt Saints; who uſually never find Chriſt nearer to them, in the evidence of his love, than when their hearts are neareſt to him, by ſuch fiducial acts of Election, and love. I have known a Chriſtian, (and indeed the greateſt Saint that I ever knew) who was much aſſaulted with a violent Tentation, that he was but an Hypocrite; but being brought to this Reſolution, That if he had been an Hypocrite hitherto, yet now he would caſt himſelf upon the Grace of God in Chriſt; immediately the tentation vaniſhed. Thus we ſee, what a ſoverain Influence freſh acts of adherence to Chriſt have to diſpel douts, and ſtrengthen friendſhip with Chriſt.