Sacramental Discourses Before and After the Lords Supper, Discourse 1

Sacramental Discourses Before and After the Lords Supper · Discourse 1

p. 1The Firſt Diſcourſe, Of Vnion to Chriſt, and the New Creature. OR, A SERMON Preparatory to the Lord's Supper. On the Firſt Day of the YEAR.

From 2 COR. V. 17.

If any Man be in Chriſt, he is a New-Creature.

THROUGH the Merciful Forbearance of God, we now begin another Year; and have outlived ſeveral, who, a twelve month ago, were as like to have ſeen this New years-day, as any of us. That we may begin it with ſome Serious Reflexions, ſuitable to the beginning of the p. 2Year, and the approaching Solemnity of the Lord's Supper, I have choſen theſe words, as proper unto both. They are brought in, as one Inference among others, from the conſtraining Love of Chriſt, which the Apoſtle had mentioned in the 14th Verſe. Many uſeful things might be obſerved, in explaining the Context, and ſhewing the Connexion of this, with the preceding Verſes. But I ſhall at preſent conſider them more abſolutely, and in the General.

If any Man be in Chriſt, he is a New Creature: or, Let him be a New Creature. He ought to be ſo. The Original will bear either ſenſe; The words may be taken imperatively, or affirmatively: For we find not Is in the Original. It is true, that whoever is in Christ, is a New Creature; And it is true, that he is obliged thereby to prove his Union to Chriſt, he ought to be a New Creature. Neither ſenſe is to be excluded, That the State of ſuch as are in Chriſt, and likewiſe their Obligation, may be comprehended. It is the Character, and Qualification of ſuch as are in Chriſt, and it is their Duty. So that we may conſider theſe words, either as a Doctrinal Aſſertion, That ſuch as are in Chriſt Jeſus, are always New Creatures: Or, as a Seaſonable Exhortation, That they p. 3ſhould manifeſt that they are in Chriſt, by diſcovering themſelves to be New Creatures.

In both ſenſes the New Creature is a neceſſary Conſequent of Ʋnion to Chriſt. The connexion is inſeparable between theſe two. So that we may truly affirm, That all ſuch are ſo; And we may rationally exhort all, that pretend to ſuch a Priviledge, that they would be ſo, and ſhow it. But whether conſidered, as a Doctrinal Propoſition, or as an Exhortation; whether conſider'd as a Command from God, or as a wiſh and Prayer of the Apoſtle; There are three things obvious enough to be explained, and ſpoken to. 1. Something concerning this Priviledge of being in Chriſt, and the import of it. 2. Concerning this New Creation, which is to be Connected with it. And, 3. Of the Connexion between them, and the Ʋniverſal Obligation upon all that are in Chriſt, to be New Creatures; That if any Man be in Christ, he is, he muſt be a New Creature; or where there is no ſuch Change, it is in vain to pretend to be in Chriſt; Or he that is not a New Creature, he is not in Jeſus Chriſt; he hath no part in him, and ſhall have no benefit by him.

Every Man's Title and Claim to a p. 4ſpecial Intereſt in Chriſt, and Relation to him, muſt be tryed by this Rule. This is more fully expreſt, Epheſ. 4.20, 21, 22, 23. But you have not ſo learned Chriſt, if ſo be you have been taught of him, as the Truth is in Jeſus, that ye put off concerning the former converſation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful luſts: And be ye renewed in the ſpirit of your mind: And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in Righteouſneſs and true Holineſs.

1. If any man be in Chriſt. Something it will be neceſſary to ſpeak concerning this Ʋnion to Chriſt, from which we are ſaid to be in him, as ſometimes Chriſt is ſaid to be in us. And both are ſometimes joyned together, John 6.56. He that eateth my Fleſh and drinketh my Blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

There are three ſorts of Ʋnion which we cannot ſufficiently admire. The firſt from all Eternity, in the impenetrable Secrets of inacceſſible Light. The ſecond, in the fulneſs of Time, in the Womb of the Virgin. The third is made daily by the Spirit and Grace of Christ. The firſt of theſe is the Eſſential Ʋnion between the Eternal Father, and the Eternal Word, in the Adorable Mystery of the ever bleſſed Trinity. The ſecond, is the Perſonal Ʋ nion p. 5of the Humane Nature with the Divine, in that unſpeakable Myſtery of the Incarnation. The third, is the Spiritual Ʋnion between Chriſt and Chriſtians, which depends on the two former, and hath ſome dark reſemblance of them. Concerning which, let me mention a few things.

1. That there is a real Ʋnion between Chriſt and the Souls of Believers, how difficult ſoever it be to underſtand the manner of it. He is not only Emanuel, God with us, as partaker of Fleſh and Blood, having aſſumed our Nature; He is not only for us, in the Work of Redemption, by giving himſelf to God a Ranſom and Sacrifice for us: But he is ſaid to be in us, and to dwell in our hearts; and we are ſaid to be in him, and dwell in him, as the Branches are in the Vine, and by many other Images and Idaea's of Union is this ſet forth by Alluſions and Metaphors, and Similitudes of many ſorts, to ſignifie and repreſent to us this bleſſed Union between Chriſt and real Chriſtians. And as he did partake with us of Fleſh and Blood, Heb. 2 14. We are ſaid to be made partakers of Chriſt, Heb. 14. as the Principle and Meaſure of all p. 6**Mr. Polhill, Chriſtus in Corde, p. 10.12.our Spiritual Enjoyments and Expectations. And to be in h m that is true in Jeſus Chriſt, John 1.5.20.

It is ſometimes ſet forth by the natural Union between Head & Members: At other times, by the Marriage union; and both are diſcourſed of together. Eph 5.25.30. We are members of his body, of his fleſh, and of his bones; By Alluſion to what is ſaid of Eve as to the firſt Adam. He is ſet forth as a Foundation for never failing Support, as a Husband for the deareſt Love; as a Vine, as an Head, for Vital Influence; as Food, and Nouriſhment, for the moſt intimate Conjunction. He is ſaid to be one fleſh with us, and we are ſaid to be one ſpirit with him. Yea, as Chriſt is ſaid to be in the Father, Believers are ſaid to be in him, and he in them, John 14.20. Yea further, he is ſaid to be one with them; as he and the Father are one, John 17.21. And he is ſaid alſo to live in them, and they to live in him, Gal. 2.20. Inſomuch that ſometimes the Scripture ſpeaks of Chriſt and the Church as of one Perſon, 1 Cor. 12.12. where the Church is called Chriſt.

How amazing and admirable is the Expreſſion, Chriſt in us, and we in him! What Riches and Glory is there in this Myſtery! as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 1 Coloſ. 27. Who ever heard before of a Servant's p. 7being in his Maſter, or a Diſciple in his Lord, or the Members being in the Head? But here is a Myſtery of Divine Love and Grace, which the Apoſtle ſeems with ſome kind of Affectation to ſpeak of, at every turn, and upon every occaſion; to mention it ſeveral times in one Chapter, in one Verſe; yea and over and over in the ſame Verſe: So unfeigned and ſo fervent was his Love to Chriſt, if he fight or triumph, it is in Chriſt Jeſus; If he bleſs God, or God bleſs him, it is ſtill ſpoken of as in Chriſt Jeſus: He ſpeaks, as if he could do nothing without him; His Life, his Motion, his very Being is to be in Chriſt.

We muſt ſilently Adore this Wonder of Divine Love, and cover our Faces in humble Adoration for ſuch an Honour, which the bleſſed Angels might envy, if they were capable of it: For however Chriſt be there Head, they are yet at his Feet, they are not in him, as Believers are. It is true, the Angels ſerve him, and worſhip in his preſence; they follow him by Millions, they encompaſs his Throne with Flames of Love, they quit Heaven to obey his Orders, they flye ſwift as the Wind to execute his pleaſure; But Chriſt is not in them, as he is in us; nor they in him, as we are ſaid to p. 8be. The Name Emanuel, is to them an inexpreſſible Name; they cannot ſay, God with us, in the ſenſe that we can: For he took not the Nature of Angels at firſt, and he hath not taken them into ſuch an union with himſelf, as he has the Sons of men. But,

2. That you may not miſtake, remember that all Chriſtians are not in Chriſt in a like manner. Some are ſo only by Baptiſm, and a viſible profeſſion, others by a living union. Such a difference our Saviour makes, John 15. v. 6. where he tells us, there are ſome Branches of a Tree that have only Influence enough to bring forth Leaves, and no Fruit and are caſt off as Branches, foreign; They ſeemed to be Branches in Chriſt, they appeared as Branches; they profeſt union to him, but were not what they ſeemed to be. In this ſenſe I underſtand the being in Chriſt ſpoken of, Gal. 1.22. I was known by face to the Churches that are in Judea, that are in Christ Jeſus: That is, to the Body of profeſſing Chriſtians there, as diſtinguiſhed from the Jews, though there were many rotten Members amongſt them, that were not in Chriſt by a lively Faith. Therefore,

3. The great Bonds of Ʋnion between Chriſt and real Christians, or true Believers; p. 9are, the Spirit on his part, and Faith, and Love on ours. On which account, Chriſt is ſaid to dwell in us by his Spirit, and we are ſaid to dwell in him by Faith. By the Spirit he comes down to us, by Faith we aſcend up to him. It is by Faith we are joyned to Chriſt as our Foundation, 1 Pet. 2.6. And by the Spirit we are built together for an habitation of God, Epheſ. 2 v. 22. And, he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit with him, 1 Cor. 6.17. Our Union unto Chriſt immediately ariſeth from the Communication of his Spirit to us; and our Participation of the ſame Spirit with him, by which Spirit the Divine Nature, as the Image of Christ, is formed in us, 2 Pet. 1.4. Gal. 4.19. And the Introduction this new ſpiritual form, gives denomination to the Perſon. Chriſt enters into us by Faith and inhabits in us by his holy Spirit. And of theſe two Bonds, the Spirit is the primary one, as being the Author of the other. And therefore Believers are ſaid to live in the Spirit of Chriſt, and to walk in the Spirit, and after the Spirit, and to be led by the Spirit. Hereby ſays the Apoſtle, We know that we dwel in him, and he in us becauſe he has give us of his Spirit, 1 John 4.13. 2 Corinth 13, 14.

p. 10I confeſs it is hard to conceive any Ʋ nion nearer than that between God and every creature: For God as Creator is as near to every Creature, as that Creature is to it ſelf, and yet diſtinct from that Creature, for that Creature is not God. But the different ſort of Ʋnion muſt be diſtinguiſhed by different Operations. God is nearer to Creatures in their Natural State, worketh on them as the God of Nature. Chriſt is nearer to the Souls of Believers by his Spirit, worketh on them as an Head of holy gracious Influences. The different Operations make the great difference. Though we ſhall not fully underſtand this, till we come to that Place and State, where that which is imperfect ſhall be done away. However we are ſaid to be built on him, as on a Foundation; to be inſerted into him, as Branches into a Vine,; to be incorporated with him as an Head; and what words can be uſed more ſignificant of an Intimate Ʋnion? Therefore,

4. We may add, That it is more than a Relative and Political Ʋnion, ſuch as is between King and Subjects. It exceeds it in the Intimacy of the Union, as well as the Benefits of it. The Similitude between Head and Members, making one Natural Body, amounts to more. Beſides, p. 11his Kingdom is not of the ſame ſort; and he rules his Subjects after another manner. And the Myſtery of the Trinity in Ʋnity, to which it hath ſome Reſemblance, carries it yet higher and further. It is therefore a moſt near and immediate Spiritual Ʋnion; whereby every particular Believer is joyned to the Lord. This is a Great Myſtery, Epheſ. 5.32. Oh how††Mr. How's Funeral Sermon of Mrs. Baxter, p. 10. mysterious and ineffable is this Ʋnion of the Lord and the Soul! Who would not admire at their proud diſdainful Folly, that while they cannot explain the Union between Soul and Body, are ready to jeer at their juſt, humble, and modeſt Ignorance, who call this other, a Myſtical Ʋnion: Or, becauſe they know not what to make of it, would make nothing; and will not allow there ſhould be any ſuch Thing at all, or would have it to be next to nothing. But have thoſe words no ſenſe belonging to them, or not a Great Senſe? 1 Cor. 6.17. He that is joyned to the Lord, is one Spirit. This is a Myſtery, ſaith the Apoſtle, that hath Riches of Glory in it, 1 Col. 27.

And that Ʋnion is the Foundation of Fellowſhip and Communion with him, as the p. 12Apoſtle ſpeaks, 1 John 1.3. That he may have Fellowſhip with us, and truly our Fellowſhip is with the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt. That is, That you may have like Fellowſhip with God and Chriſt, as we have. Not that our Union and Communion is firſt with the Church, and then with Chriſt, as ſome of late have Argued; though therein they contradict a Learned Man, whoſe Opinions, in other Inſtances, they are very fond of; I mean Epiſcopius. For upon that place he ſays, That this ſenſe is carefully to be avoided, That we are firſt united to the Apostles, and then to God and Chriſt. It is both abſurd in it ſelf, and of very ill conſequence. It is in it ſelf abſurd, becauſe we, and the Apostles themſelves are but Brethren, in reſpect of Union unto Chriſt; They are united to him in the ſame manner with us. And there are very ill conſequences would follow from that Opinion: For then there muſt be Union and Communion with ſome Men and Company of Men, before we can have Union and Communion with Chriſt, which Error, by degrees, was ſerviceable to introduce the Papacy. Let me add,

5. This Union is not to be ſuppoſed without Regeneration, without the Renovation p. 13of our corrupt Nature by the Spirit of Chriſt, in order to Communion with him. The Union otherwiſe between Chriſt and us would be like Nebuchadnezzar's Image, the Head of gold, and the Arms of ſilver, and the Feet of clay. If there be not Spiritual Life from Chriſt by the quickening Spirit, the Body of Chriſt would be partly dead; And who would ever indure a dead Body to be joined to him, though it were the Carkaſe of one he never ſo dearly loved?

6. This muſt alſo be remembred, That this Union between Chriſt and us, is to be brought about by mutual conſent, and therefore often ſet forth by the Conjugal Union, to which Conſent is neceſſary. Our Lord has laid the Foundation, and declared his readineſs to receive us into Union with him, by the publication of his Goſpel; And it is the work of his Spirit, to make us willing to yield our ſelves to the Lord, that we may enter into Union with him, and be brought under the Bond of the Covenant; We muſt know him, chuſe him, and accept him for our Teacher, Saviour, and Lord, by a preſent compliance with his Terms. We muſt devote and give up our ſelves heart…ly, p. 14and unfeignedly, and unreſervedly to be his; And then we may ſay, My Beloved is mine, and I am his; I am in Chriſt, and Chriſt in me.

And here is the great Office and Work of Faith in this World, to bring Chriſt and our Souls into this bleſſed Union; Upon which Account we are now in him, as hereafter we ſhall be with him. When the work of Faith is over, and we are brought to Glory, we ſhall be with Chriſt, and ſhall be ever with the Lord; But now we are ſaid to be in him.

It is true, we are now ſaid to ſit in Heavenly places in Christ Jeſus; But hereafter it is promiſed, we ſhall ſit down on his Throne with him. Now he dwells in us, and we in him; Hereafter we ſhall be with him, to behold his Glory. For ſo he Prays, John 17. And he promiſed the Penitent Thief, that he ſhould be with him that day in Paradiſe. Our ſpiritual life is now hid with God in Chriſt, as to preſent Union by Grace; but it is hid with Christ in God, as to eternal Glory. The expreſſions are obſervably different; In Chriſt now, with Chriſt hereafter; Now united with God in Chriſt, Hereafter with Chriſt in God; In Chriſt upon Earth, In God in Heaven. For to be in p. 15Chriſt, refers to the Mediator, and is by Faith; But Faith ſhall ceaſe in Heaven, and the Mediator deliver up the Kingdom to the Father, that God may be all in all. Thus for a brief Explication of the Priviledge of being in Chriſt.

II Let us conſider what is affirmed of thoſe that are in Chriſt, or what they are exhorted to; What they are, if they be in Chriſt; What they muſt manifeſt themſelves to be, if they will prove an Intereſt in ſuch a Priviledge; that is, New Creatures. If any Man be in Chriſt, he is a New Creature; Or a New Creation, for ſo the Original will bear. And it is not in this place only, but ſeveral others, where the like Expreſſions are uſed concerning that great Change, that is made by the Grace of God on the Souls of Men. It is termed a Creation, for the greatneſs of the Change; and a new Creation, for the Excellency of it.

One may be apt to think, That the Extraordinary Converſion of the Apoſtle Paul, made ſo great a Change in him, that it is on that Account he ſo often ſpeaks in ſuch terms; that he mentions ſo often old things done away, and the old Adam put off; That he ſpeaks of a New Man, a New Creation, and New Creatures, and a Spiritual Reſurrection p. 16from the Dead, and the like; As that Glorious Light, which ſhone round about him, when he was ſtruck to the ground in the way to Damaſcus, might occaſion him ſo often to uſe the expreſſion of Light; for, at every turn, he ſpeaks of the Father of Lights, the Armour of Light, the Kingdom of Light, the Inheritance of the Saints in Light, of Illumination, of opening the Eyes, &c. But how fit a repreſentation is this of the Change by converting Grace, as might be illuſtrated, by conſidering the ſtate of Spiritual Death, that we are in before, and by conſidering the nature of the Change it ſelf, and the Effects and Operations that do afterwards manifeſt and diſcover it.

We are created in Chriſt Jeſus unto good works, begotten again, born from above, quickened and made alive, who were dead in treſpaſſes and ſins. Several words are uſed, according to the ſeveral Powers of the Soul, and according to the different objects the New Creature is converſant about: For as this Change diſcovers it ſelf in the Ʋnderſtanding, it is a tranſlation from darkneſs into Marvelous Light, and brings us to the true and ſaving knowledge of God in Chriſt The f…rſt thing that God created in the Natural World, was Light, p. 171 Gen. 3. 2 Cor. 4.6. 1 Pet. 2.9, 10. As in the Will, it is a choice of God, and full purpoſe of heart to cleave to him. And as to the different objects it has alſo other names; As referring to Chriſt dying, it is Faith; To Chriſt living, it is Love; To Chriſt ruling and commanding, it is New Obedience.

But here it is called a New Creation. Not as if it were a removal of the old Subſtance, or any of the Powers of the Soul; But a rectifying, a ſanctifying of them, by ſetting up a new light in the Underſtanding, giving a new Byas and Inclination to the Will, turning the Heart from Sin and the World, to God and Chriſt, to Holineſs and Heaven. Not changing the Nature of our Affections, but curing the Corruption and Diſorder of them, and changing the Objects about which they are converſant.

Some think the Metaphor is taken from the Proſelytes to the Jewiſh Religion, whoſe Converſion to Judaiſm was accounted a kind of New Birth, and they reckoned New Creatures. Which our Lord ſeems to allude to, in his Diſcourſe with Nicodemus, and wonders ſuch a Doctor in Iſrael ſhould be ignorant of it. Others think it may allude to the p. 18Jewiſh Cuſtom, with reſpect to their children, They taught them to read at three years old, and then inſtructed them till five, then put them to School, where they learned the Law of Moſes till Ten, and for three years more they applyed themſelves to underſtand the Jewiſh Traditions, and the Myſteries of the Synagogue; and when that time was expired, at the Age of Thirteen, they ſaid a Child was a New creature; that is, ſufficiently inſtructed how to live and pleaſe God, alledging Iſa. 43.21. This People have I formed, or created for my ſelf.

Our ſtate of nature and ſin is ordinarily expreſt by the MetaphorDr. Hammond's Serm. on Gal. 6.15.Gal 6:15 of Old Age, our natural Corrupt Affections, that are born and grow up with us, are called the Old Man; as if ſince Adam's Fall we were decrepit, and feeble, and Aged as ſoon as Born; as a Child begotten by a Man in a Conſumption, never comes to the ſtrength of a Man, is alway weak, and crazy, and puling, hath all the Imperfections, and Corporal Infirmities of Age: before he is out of his Infancy. And accordingly, all that is oppoſite to this old, corrupt, decrepit ſtate, is termed New. And ſo we read of a New Doctrine, p. 19and New Covenant, New Tongues, a New Commandment, New Man, Mark 1.27. Chap 16.17. John 13.34. Epheſ. 2.15. and the ſtate of Grace expreſt by this, All things are become New. The Man, when old, hath entred a ſecond time into hi… Mothers Womb, and is born again, and is become a glorious, beauteous New Creature, ſo that you would wonder to ſee the Change. You have heard in the Primitive Church of a Grain of Faith removing Mountains; The work of Regeneration, the beſtowing of a Spiritual Life on one dead in Treſpaſſes and Sins, the making of a Carcaſs walk, the Natural Old Man to Spring again, and move ſpiritually, is as great a Miracle as that.

Therefore called a Creation, becauſe of the neceſſity of Divine Grace, and the power of the Spirit of Chriſt, (that Power that made us at firſt, and raiſed Chriſt from the Dead;) 'Tis the neceſſity of that Power unto this Change, that is the principal ground of this term Creation. The Efficiency of it, by the power of victorious Grace, making us a willing, and holy People, in the day of his Power, comprehending habitual Sanctification, as the root and life of actual holineſs. The Excellency and p. 20Extent of this, I might ſhew, as to the inward and outward Man, Heart and Life; all the Powers of the Soul, and Members of the Body, and our whole Carriage, Courſe, and Behaviour; And that this is common unto all the Children of God, all that are created again in Chriſt Jeſus, all that are born from above; If any Man be in Chriſt, he is a new creature. To this end,

III. Let us conſider the certain and inſeparable connexion between theſe two, That all who are in Chriſt are, and muſt be new Creatures. Every real Chriſtian, he is in Chriſt Jeſus, his Union to Chriſt doth conſtitute him a living Member, and his being a New Creature doth prove it. The one is the Eſſence, the other his Property, but they are inſeparable.

What makes a Man, but the Union of Soul and Body? What makes a Chriſtian, but the Union of the Soul with Chriſt? How know we that a Man hath a Soul, but by the Motions, Actions, Operations of a Reaſonable Soul? How know you that ſuch a Profeſſing Chriſtian is United to Chriſt by his Spirit, but by the Effects and Operations of this Spirit, making ſuch a Change in Heart and Life, from which p. 21they may be denominated New Creatures; Therefore they are ſaid to walk in the Spirit, and after the Spirit: And at other times, as the Foundation of this, to be born of the Spirit, and born from above; ſo as the Divine Life, and Likeneſs is introduced. But more particularly;

1. They who are thus ſpiritually united to Chriſt, they muſt be new creatures, becauſe they partake of the Divine Spirit? the ſame Spirit that formed Chriſt in the Womb of the Virgin, hath formed the new Creature in all that are in Chriſt: the ſame Spirit that quickned the dead Body of Chriſt, and raiſed him from the Dead, imploies the exceeding greatneſs af his Mighty Power towards them that believe, and by Faith are united to him: the ſame Spirit that carried out the Soul of Chriſt to go to God as a Father, doth enable Believers to cry Abba Father. For the Spirit of Chriſt, is the Spirit of Adoption, Gal. 4.6. The ſame Spirit that led Chriſt into his Tryals and Temptations, and brought him off with Victory, doth the like for all the Followers of Chriſt. They are partakers of his Spirit. The blood of Chriſt cannot ſave thoſe who are deſtitute of his Spirit.

The ſame Spirit of Holineſs conforms them to the Image & Life of God; they are p. 22under the conduct of the ſame Spirit of Humility, Meekneſs, Love, Charity, Prayer, Courage, Reſignation, and the like, which acted in Chriſt; And this makes them like to him; like him in their Judgments and Opinions of things; like him in their Affections, like him in their Deſigns and Ends, and like him in a courſe of Actions, by which they proſecute thoſe Deſigns for the Glory of God. I might ſhew their Reſemblance and conformity in Graces unto Christ, in the Riſe of them, in the Kinds of them, in the Exerciſe of them: All which depends upon their Participation of the ſame Spirit.

2. They muſt be new Creatures if they are in Chriſt becauſe the new Creature is an Imitation of Him. It is a little Module of Chriſt in its Birth, and a conformity to his Pattern in its Growth, and fully ſo in its Perfection. And therefore we read of coming to a perfect man, to the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſs of Chriſt, Epheſ 4.12. All that are united to Chriſt are conformed to him. Every Branch in him anſwers to the Root; every Member ſuits to the holy Head in Heaven, and in ſome meaſure doth reſemble him. That the Members of Chriſt ſhould be of a contrary Temper to their Head, is utterly impoſſible.

p. 23I might here urge the Imitation of Chriſt, as becoming thoſe who profeſs to be in him, in ſeveral Inſtances: as in the inward Delight which he took to do the will of his Father, in his active Zeal for his Father's Glory, in a patient ſubmiſſion to the hand of his Father, tho' never ſo heavy, in his firm Faith and Dependance on him under all Diſcouragements; and in his Conſtancy and Perſeverance to do good, notwithſtanding all the Hatred and Malice of the World, &c.

3. Becauſe the New Creature is Repreſented in Scripture as a Conformity to the Death and Reſurrection of Chriſt, Philip. 3.10. By putting off the old man, we dye unto Sin; by putting on the new, we are alive to God, and live to Righteouſneſs. We are hereby changed into the Image of Chriſt, and that good work begun, which is to be finiſh'd and conſummated in the Day of Chriſt Phil. 1.6. There is a Conformity to his Death and Sufferings, in the mortification of Sin. Our old man is crucified with him, Rom. 6.6. Gal. 5.24. And a conformity to his Reſurrection, in Heavenlineſs of Mind, Col. 3.1. and in Newneſs of Life, Rom. 6.4.

4. Becauſe nothing elſe will ſo prove our Ʋnion to Chriſt, as to enable us to take p. 24Comfort in ſuch a Priviledge; no external Advantages whatſoever will do it. For neither circumciſion, nor uncumciſion availeth any thing, but a new Creature, Gal. 6.15. The higheſt Profeſſion of Religion without ſuch a Change, will not ſave thee. Except a man be born again, or from above, he cannot enter into Heaven, John. 3.5. Neither can he be accepted of God, or have fellowſhip with him, 1 John 3.2.

No External Duties or Performances will avail you without this: You may Read, and Hear, and Pray, and give Alms, and do many other things, and yet not be in Chriſt; if you are not Regenerated, Renewed, and inwardly changed, by the Power of the Divine Spirit: If you are not made New Creatures, you can never prove that you are in Christ You may be Baptized in the Name of the Sacred Trinity; you may continue in the Boſom of the Church; hear the ſound of the glorious Goſpel, and receive the Bread and Wine in the Lord's Supper, and yet not be united unto Chriſt. You may have ſome leſſer change from the groſſer Pollutions of the World; you may have ſome partial Reformation, which is far ſhort of being new Creatures; ſome outward temporary change, in your carriage & converſation, p. 25while the Heart is unrenewed. In a word, our preſent Fellowſhip and Communion with God, our after Service and Obedience in the Fruits of Righteouſneſs, to the praiſe of God, and our final Bleſſedneſs in the enjoyment of him, do all depend upon this Change, this new Creation; And therefore be aſſured, None can be in Chriſt without it; none in Chriſt, ſo as to have any ſpecial, diſtinguiſhing, ſaving Benefit by him.

Application 1. Are none in Chriſt but new creatures? How many then muſt be excluded? How many of excellent and laudable Qualifications, of great Attainments and high Profeſſions, and moral Accompliſhments, muſt yet he excluded and ſhut out from having any part in Chriſt; becauſe they are yet Strangers to this New creation; and conſequently are not in Chriſt, but under condemnation. Meer Civility, and a plauſible inoffenſive Carriage is quite another thing. We need but view the Lives and Actions of the generality of ſuch as are called Chriſtians, to confirm this, That the Number is but ſmall of thoſe who are in Chriſt: How few have had any awakening Convictions about theſe things? and many ſuch miſcarry.

p. 262. How miſerable is the condition of all unrenewed Souls; without a change, they are excluded from all ſaving benefit by the Redeemer. They are not in Chriſt, and therefore are under the Curſe and Condemnation; which by union to Chriſt we are delivered from, Rom. 8.1. Know ye not, that Christ is in you, except ye are Reprobates? 2 Cor. 13.6. All our hopes of Life and Salvation by Chriſt depend upon it: The Guilt of all our Sins doth otherwiſe lye upon us; And all the black Clouds of Divine Vengeance hang over our heads; The Wrath of God bides upon us; as if there were no Chriſt, no Goſpel: And there is nothing between us and Everlaſting Ruine, but a little Breadth.

3. Then none but New Creatures have a Right to the Lord's Table; For the invited Gueſts are ſuch who are in Chriſt. The Covenant of Grace cannot be ſealed in that Ordinance, to thoſe who are not under the Bond of the Covenant; The Benefits purchaſed by Chriſt are not confirmed at his Table unto thoſe, who are none of his: I grant there is an Unworthineſs, as to preſent frame, that even thoſe who are in Chriſt may have; but it is the Unworthineſs as to ſtate, that I am ſpeaking of: Such as are not in p. 27Chriſt, having nothing to do to eat his Fleſh, and drink his Blood, leſt they eat and drink Judgment and Condemnation to themſelves: He that doth not truly Repent, cannot be truly Intereſted in the Promiſe of Pardon, and therefore cannot have a Right to the Seal of it. They are dead in Sin, cannot receive Nouriſhment by this ſpiritual Food. The leaſt that can be ſaid, as one obſerves, is this; That it is in vain, and to no good purpoſe; for ſuch can no more receive Christ in the Sacrament, than a Chicken that ſhould come into the Aſſembly, and pick up ſome of the crumbs of the bread from the ground, after Conſecration, can be ſaid to receive the Body of Chriſt. But the Danger is unſpeakable of Eating and Drinking unworthily, for ſuch eat and drink Judgment to themſelves, not diſcerning the Lord's Body.

You may deſire to come to this Table, and you may ſay enough, it may be, to ſatisfie a Miniſter of Chriſt, who cannot judge of your Heart and Conſcience, doth not know the whole of your Life; But you your ſelves muſt look to it, that you be in Chriſt, and that you evidence you are ſo, by being New Creatures. We can but Warn and Admoniſh you, and offer our Aſſiſtance and help: At your own peril be it, if you come, p. 28and yet live in any known Sins, and cheriſh the Enemies of Chriſt, though you profeſs to be his, and preſume upon all the Priviledges of his Houſe and Family, as real members of it. But,

I will yet add, That thoſe who are in Chriſt, if they would have Aſſiſtance and Grace from the Spirit of Chriſt, to walk as New Creatures, they ought, on the other hand, to take heed how they abſent themſelves from that Ordinance. If they would either have the comfort of their being in Chriſt, or would have ſupplies of Grace, to walk as New creatures, they ſhould be frequent and ſerious in Sacramental Duties. Have you not weak Graces to be ſtrengthened? and manifold Corruptions to be more ſubdued? Inordinate Love to this World more Crucified? Do you not need more Ability, to diſcharge ſeveral Duties, and overcome divers Temptations? Do you not deſire to be more Partakers of the Image, and Life, and Spirit of Chriſt? Is your likeneſs to Chriſt ſo compleat, your Faith, in all its branches, ſo active and firm, your Love to Chriſt ſo warm, your Heavenly Deſires ſo fervent, your Patience and Reſignation ſo perfect, your Obedience ſo exact, your ſtanding ſo ſure, that you p. 29need no more Influence of the Spirit of Chriſt? Should not your own neceſſity oblige you to be frequent in this work; beſides the Authority of your Lord, which is motive enough to thoſe that are in Chriſt? And he requires, you ſhould remember his Dying Love this way, and ſhow forth his death ti…l he come. It is proper work for us to begin the year with; To renew our Covenant with the Lord by partaking of the Symbols of Chriſt's Body and Blood; giving up our ſelves again to be the Lords, with renewed Repentance for the ſins of the Year paſt, and repeated Exerciſes of Faith, for Pardon, and Peace, and Grace, and Righteouſneſs, and Life.

4. The next Ʋſe may be of Examination, To try whether we are in Chriſt, or no, by inquiring, whether we are New creatures, or not. Your Love to Chriſt, your Likeneſs to him, your Subjection to him, your Fruitfulneſs in him, will diſcover it. Are old things done away with you, and all things become new? Is there ſtill the old Darkneſs and Blindneſs that was upon your minds? or, Are you Light in the Lord? Doth the old Deadneſs, Security, and Careleſsneſs remain upon your Hearts and Conſciences? old Thoughts, and old Deſigns, old p. 30Diſcourſes and Converſations, as little Savour in the things of God as ever? As little Victory over the Temptations of the World, and the Fleſh, as formerly? Are your Wills as rebellious and ſtubſtorn as ever? Are your Deſires after Vanity, and your Affections towards Earthly Things, the ſame as formerly? So for your Hopes and Fears, Joys and Sorrows, What Change hath been wrought? Does fleſhly Appetite, and Senſe, and Carnal Intereſt ſway, and govern as much as ever? Or is there a New Creation wrought in you? Have you a new Mind and Judgment, a new Heart and new Affections? Do you walk in Newneſs of Life? Is your Internal Principle changed, and the External Rule of your Actions changed too? Are you no longer conformed to the World, but transformed by the renewing of your Minds? Rom. 12.2. Is that ſin hated and crucified, that before was indulged? Is that Saviour prized, [for to them that believe, he is precious, and the Chiefeſt of ten thouſands,] that before was ſlighted? Do you delight in the Law of God, after the Inward Man? Do you find the Holy Law of God written in your Hearts, ſetting you againſt every ſin, in your ſelves and others? Do you walk in p. 31the Spirit, and after the Spirit of Chriſt, and not after the Fleſh, or according to the courſe of the World, as formerly? Is the Life you lead in the Fleſh by the Faith of the Son of God?

How do you ſtand affected as to inward Spiritual Duties, that concern the inward workings of your Thoughts, and Conſcience, and Affections, and ſuch things as none but God and you do know of? Is it as great a burden and trouble to your Souls, to act contrary to the renewed Nature, as before to contradict the Inclinations of the Fleſh? Is Prayer your dayly work, and delight? Do you cheriſh and promote the new Creature? Are you reſtleſs after you have fallen into Sin, till by Repentance you recover Pardon and Peace? Do you grow up daily into greater Conformity to Chriſt, and Imitation of him? Deſiring nothing more than that his Image may be drawn more lively on your Hearts, and expreſt more fully in your Lives according to the various Providences of God that call for the exerciſe of ſuch and ſuch Graces, and according to the various Inſtitutions of Chriſt, wherein ſuch and ſuch Holy Affections are to be imployed? The knowledg of this Union to Chriſt upon p. 32examination, will give us the Comfort of all thoſe Priviledges which reſult from it.

Examine how matters are with you as to theſe things, and what care you take to maintain the bonds of Union: to ſtrengthen Faith, and obey the Spirit; and whether it be better now than it was a year ago. While Merchants, and Tradeſmen cast up their Books, and make up their Accounts, at the end of the Year; let us not neglect the like work, as Chriſtians, with reference to our Spiritual State: Let us not be leſs concerned to know, whether we Thrive or Decay, whether we advance and go forward, or elſe decline.

5. The next Ʋſe may be of Comfort to ſuch as are in Chriſt. Our Union to him is the Foundation of all our Fellowſhip with him, and after ſupplies of Grace and Life. If we are in Jeſus Chriſt, he is made of God unto us Wiſdom, and Righteouſneſs, and Sanctification, and Redemption, 1 Cor. 1.30. Such ſhall be delivered from Wrath, entituled to Eternal Life, have the Pardon of all their Sins, Chriſt as their Advocate pleads for 'em in Heaven, in him they are Adopted, and have free acceſs to God, p. 33his Spirit dwells in them, their Services are accepted, &c.

If we are in him, there is no condemnation unto ſuch, Rom. 8.1. Such a man is not condemned, is not in a ſtate of condemnation for the preſent, John 3.18. And ſuch a Member of Chriſt cannot Periſh, who by Union to him, is United to God, the Fountain of Life. Our Lord ſpeaks of the Union of the Father unto him as Mediator, and his Union unto us, as both in order to our Perfection, and eternal Felicity, John 17.20, 23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may all be made perfect in one. But there is no Reconciliation to God, no Remiſſion of Sins, no Adoption, no Salvation by Chriſt, but for ſuch as are in him. Whereas all things are yours, even Life and Death, things preſent and things to come, when you are Chriſt's.

There is a Train of invaluable Bleſſings follow this new Creation, and Union to Chriſt, where it is truly wrought,**See Mr. Polhill's Chriſtus in Corde, chap. 8. 2 Epheſ. 13.14▪ 1 Cor: 3.22. You are brought under the bond, and bleſſing of the New Covenant, Jer. 31.33. You are dignified with a new Name, Rom. 2.17. p. 34You are begotten to a new Hope, entitled to a new Inheritance, 1 Pet. 1.3. 1 John 12.13. And you ſhall be preſerved and kept by the powerful Grace of Chriſt unto the full poſſeſſion of it.

None ſhall pluck you out of his hands, becauſe he lives, you ſhall live; nothing ſhall be able to ſeparate you from him. If you are planted into the likeneſs of his Death, for the deſtruction of the Body of Sin, you ſhall grow up with him, in the likeneſs of his Reſurrection. Rom. 6.5, 6. Not only ſhall you receive Influence of Spiritual Life from him, while you live, but by vertue of this Union, you ſhall dye in the Lord, and ſleep in Jeſus, Rev. 14.13. 1 Theſ. 4.14. You ſhall be with him in Glory, and your Bodies ſhall be raiſed by him, and be made like his moſt glorious Body, Rom. 8.11. But,

Laſtly, Let me cloſe with Exhortation. 1. Unto all, to labour after Ʋnion to Chriſt. 2. Unto thoſe that have good hope through Grace that they are in him, and profeſs to be ſo. Let me exhort them that they would live as new Creatures.

1. Labour after Ʋnion unto Chriſt. How earneſtly ſhould this be deſired, how diligently p. 35purſued? For we can have no Communion, no Adoption, no Freedom from Condemnation, without it. Faith on our part, and the Spirit on Chriſt's, are the Bonds of Union. Let us carefully make uſe of the Word and Prayer, in order to both, waiting and begging, of God, and uſing all the hopeful means that are in our power in order to it. How earneſt ſhould be our purſuits of this Priviledge, how fervent our Prayers, and conſtant our Endeavours after it? Never leave ſolliciting the Throne of God, till the Creator and Father of Spirits have created another breath into your noſtrils, another ſpirit into your Souls, even the Spirit of Chriſt, whereby we are united to him; lay your ſelf at his feet, and with all the violence and importunity, and humility, that your diſtreſſed caſe may prompt you to, beg the holy ſpirit to over ſhadow thee. And yet learn ſo much Patience from thy beggarly ſtate, as not to challenge him at thine own times, but wait his leaſure, and obſerve his motions; doing all that poſſible thou canſt in the uſe of common Grace, to prepare the room againſt his coming, and continue in Prayer, watching thereunto in the uſe of all the out p. 36means, which God hath afforded thee.

2. Be exhorted to live as New creatures. You are obliged to it by your Baptiſm, and by your Profeſſion of Chriſtianity. You that come to the Lord's Table are eſpecially obliged, That old things ſhould be done away, and all things become New. You conſider his Sufferings from time to time, as repreſented in that Ordinance. You there feaſt upon his Sacrifice, and conſider the cauſe of his Sufferings, your own Sins; and the end of them, your Redemption from the Guilt, and Filth, and Power of Sin. Can you do this, and not feel the Obligation to live as New creatures, and reſolve upon it? Do you not there renew your Covenant, and engage your ſelves afreſh to walk as the Redeemed of the Lord, unto all well pleaſing? Do you not there caſt your ſelves into the Arms of a Crucified Saviour, and plead the Merits of his Death, and beg the Supplies of his Spirit, and bind your ſelves to ſtrict fidelity to him, as long as you live, under a grateful ſenſe of his kindneſs, who has loved you, and waſhed you from your ſins in his Blood, that he might redeem you to himſelf, that he might purchaſe to himſelf a People zealous of good p. 37works? Falſe are we to all this, if we do not walk as New creatures. There are but two Motives with which I ſhall enforce this. The Text furniſhes me with one, And the Seaſon of the Year with the other.

1. The Motive in the Text, Old things are done away, Behold all things are become New. I ſhall not conſider it as amplifying the other expreſſion, and ſo refering to the Change of thoſe that are i… Chriſt, and conſequently of like import with the Phraſe a New creature; but as an Argument to urge and enforce it: And accordingly underſtand theſe words, as relating to the Obligation of the Law of Moſes; That that is now ceaſed; Thoſe old things are now done away; The Shadows of the Ceremonial Law are expired, at the coming of the Subſtance which is Chriſt, Coloſ. 2.20. We are ſaid to be dead with Ch iſt, from the Rudiments, or Elements of the World, Reſpecting material and worldly things, either to do, or forbear them: For of that kind were the Ordinances, and Inſtitutions of the Ceremonial Law. They were the firſt and loweſt Leſſons, fitted to the Infancy of the Church; But now the Kingdom of Heaven is come, by p. 38the Erection of the Goſpel-Church, a Kingdom which ſhall not be ſhaken, and the Orders and Inſtitutions of it never be changed. Now a more noble and ſpiritual worſhip is to take place, thoſe old things are paſt away. No wonder if the Scaffolds of Ceremonies be taken down, when the Church of God, the Spiritual Building, is brought by Chriſt to its full height.

Now all things are become new by Chriſt, the Mediator of the New Covenant. The Teſtament he left us is a New Teſtament. He rent the Vail of the Temple in twain when he died, and put an end by his own Sacrifice of himſelf, unto all the Sacrifices and Services of the Jewiſh Temple; And therefore it is obſervable, that the firſt time he ſpake of his Death, was in the Temple; But after his Death, he never entred into it, though we read that he was in Jeruſalem after his Reſurrection. We have a New Sanctuary, an Heavenly one; A New High Priest, of a better Order than that of Aaron; New Heavens, and a New Earth, as the. Goſpel State is called; A New Light, to inlighten the World even the Knowledge of God in the Face of Chriſt; A New Sun, even Chriſt the Sun of Righteouſneſs, with healing in his Beams; A New p. 39Adam, after the Image of God, the expreſs Image of his Perſon, and the Brightneſs of his Glory, in whom all fulneſs dwells. We have a New Coeleſtial Paradiſe, into which the Old Serpent ſhall never enter: A New Tree of Life, whoſe Leaves are for the healing of the Nations: A New Eve, the Church of Chriſt, Bone of his Bone, and Fleſh of his Fleſh, formed of his Blood, and animated by his Spirit. We have New Sacrifices, New Sacraments, a New Circumciſion, a New Paſſover, a New Jeruſalem, a New Temple. Behold all things are made New. And ſhall not we, that profeſs to be the Diſciples, and Followers of Chriſt, by whom all things are thus made New, Anſwer all this, by being New creatures, that we may ſerve him, in the newneſs of the Spirit, and not in the oldneſs of the Letter, Rom. 7.6. That is, that we being delivered from the manifold difficult Impoſitions of the Moſaick Law, all which we could not fulfil, and from the Curſe upon thoſe which did not, we ſhould now ſerve God, with new Hearts, and Lives, by the Spirit of Chriſt, according to the Law of Grace.

2. There is yet another Argument, from the Circumſtance of …ime, In the begining of the New Year, which makes p. 40the Exhortation ſeaſonable, to preſs you to be New creatures. And when may I expect to be attentively heard upon ſuch a Subject, if not at ſuch a ſeaſon, when I may hope ſeveral of you have had ſerious reflexions, this very Morning, upon Time and Eternity, from the Concluſion of the laſt Year, and the beginning of another; to awaken your Thankfulneſs for the Mercies of the year paſt, and your Repentance for the ſins of it, and your good Reſolutions and Self-Dedication to the Lord for the future?

It will be ſad, if the Experience of another Year do not teach us ſome Ʋnderſtanding, when day unto day uttereth Knowledg, and night unto night might teach us Wiſdom. The very thoughts of our hasty Time, meaſured by Years, and Months, and Weeks, and Days, ſhould put us upon conſidering how irrevocable, and paſt recovery is the laſt year, and all our former years, it being utterly impoſſible to call back Yeſterday. Almighty Power may ſtop the courſe of the Sun, as in the time of Joſhua; but to make that which is past, to be preſent, and not paſt, is a Contradiction, and cannot be done. And oh how ſmall a point doth ſeparate and diſtinguiſh that, which is paſt, from that which is yet to come! They p. 41are divided by one Moment, by an Inſtant that is almoſt nothing; by that which we cannot ſpeak of without loſing, it being gone while we open our Mouths to ſay the leaſt word about it. So near is Death to Life. The very nature of Time it ſelf may teach us this.

And certainly the changes of the year paſt ſhould be very inſtructive, and give us many Reflexions, according to our Sins, and Mercies; according to the Trials, and Exerciſes we have been carried through, this laſt year. May not all of you look back upon many Changes the preceding year, of ſeveral kinds; thoſe eſpecially which God hath made amongſt us by Death? We are called to review, how many of them we knew, and were acquainted with, with whom we familiarly converſed, not a Year ſince, are now ſilent in the duſt: While their immortal Spirits are ſome in Heaven, and others in the place of Torment. And of the multitude that have dyed this laſt year, could we but ſeparate the corrupted, putrifying Relicks of thoſe Perſons, whom we Honoured, Valued, and Loved, from the reſt of the Deceaſed, and view their Bodies, as now they are; How affecting would be the Spectacle? to think what they were, leſs than a year p. 42ago; and to conſider, what now they are, as to their Bodies; and the greater change there is as to their Souls. But even as to the former, let us compare in our thoughts the Figure they lately made, while acting their Parts upon this Stage, as living Men and Women amongſt us; What a Change is made in a few Months, as to every of them? And the like may be our own Caſe, within a few Months from this moment, long before the end of this year we now begin.

For conſider it, Christians, This laſt year, that is now ended, is one great ſtep we have every one made towards the Grave. Another ſuch may bring us home. O that we may be found ready! Who knows, but as the laſt Year carried off many of our Acquaintance, and Friends, but that our Names may be amongſt thoſe who ſhall not out-live this? It is true, It may be, you ſhall live to ſee the Concluſion of this New-year, but, it may be, you ſhall not live till Midſummer. It may be, I may Preach a Twelve-month hence; but peradventure you may hear a Sermon occaſioned by my Death, before that time; Or your own ears may be ſtopped, if my mouth be not: You may die, if I ſhould live yet a few years more.

p. 43I cannot look round on this Aſſembly, but I muſt conclude, that of all this number, it is paſt doubt, but ſome one or more will dye before this year be over; I believe I need not ſcruple to pronounce it. There is none can queſtion, but if the number were much leſs, one or more would dye within a year. Therefore the Voice of God is to every one of you, Awake and mind your Work; Turn to the Lord, and ſeek after Union to Chriſt, and ſee that you be New creatures, for you ſhall die before another year.

But you will almoſt All be ready to ſay, To whom, in particular, do you ſpeak this? Sure not to me. Yes, I ſpeak it to you, to every of you, whether in Youth or Age; To you Parents, and to you that are Children; To you Masters, and to you Servants; To you Husbands, and to you Wives; To you before me, and to you on either hand; This Call of God is to every one of you in particular, See that you be found in Chriſt, for you may not be found alive, at the end of this year.

Oh but I hope the contrary, ſay ſuch and ſuch; As for me, I hope I have many a fair year to come; I am in ſprightly vigorous Youth, or I am in ſetled confirmed p. 44Stength, and Health, or I am but juſt entred into the buſie World; or juſt now entring upon it, &c. But, How many younger, and more likely to live, have died this laſt year; and therefore why may not you be one of thoſe, who ſhall dye this?

Nay, Elder Perſons are ready to excuſe themſelves and ſay, They have many Seniors to go before them; That many who are Elder than they, they ſee, do yet hold out year after year. Their inward thought is, that they have eſcaped many Dangers, and been recovered from many Sickneſſes; And though they are but weak and crazy, and have many Infirmities, and Pains, to preſage their Diſſolution; Yet notwithſtanding theſe, they make a ſhift to live, and have rubbed on for ſeveral years, under ſuch weakneſs; And ſeveral of their Acquaintance, as weak and ſickly as they, have continued a good while for all that. And ſo, neither Young, nor Old, will admit the Suppoſition, as to their own caſe; Nor You, nor You, nor any body, will believe they ſhall dye this year. And ſo the next year, I doubt not, your Hearts will ſay the ſame as now; for there will be the ſame pretence: And therefore it is not unto you I muſt ſpeak of Death, but rather wiſh you Joy of the long Life, which with ſo much confidence you reckon upon. Well, p. 45Shall I ſay then, Go and enjoy this World, and live as you liſt, if you durſt put it to the Venture; Go, and gratifie your Senſes, Appetites and Luſts, for this year, as you did the laſt; and never think of Death, or fear it: You are not like to dye this year, or the next? But, How unreaſonable is ſuch Security, when ſome one or more of this Aſſembly, you grant, will probably, or moſt certainly dye this year: And how can you be certain, that you ſhall be the Exempted Perſon; Or that your neareſt Relations, and thoſe you love beſt, That they ſhall not dye this year? Your Parents, your Paſtors, your Husbands, and your Wives, and your Children; and your Boſom Friends; you will as hardly admit the thoughts that they ſhall dye this year; But if ſome or other of thoſe, that now hear me, that now look upon me, that now liſten, and attend to what I ſay, ſhould be called away to Judgment before another year; Why may not you in particular be the Perſons, or the Deſire of your eyes, thoſe whoſe Lives are deareſt to you?

Certainly To begin the year with ſuch a Thought, can do you no harm, p. 46but may be improved to many uſeful purpoſes. However, I muſt tell you, If, after all the Changes which we have ſeen within a Twelve month, (and which every year brings freſh experience of,) we will not look forward to our own great change; If we will not heartily concern our ſelves for our greateſt, trueſt Intereſt, and prepare for an Everlaſting State, by voluntary, vital Union with the Son of God; I muſt tell you, for a Concluſion, That God changeth not. And if neither the Voice of his Providence, nor the Voice of Conſcience; If neither the Calls of the Word, nor the Motions of the Spirit; If neither the Experience of others nor ſo much as we have had of our own, will awaken us to change our courſe. You muſt know, that the Holineſs of God, his Juſtice, and his Truth, are unchangable: He will not alter the terms of Life for you and me, He will not find another way, for us to eſcape Condemnation, than by being in Chriſt, and being New creatures. Therefore look to it that you be found ſuch. And in wiſhing, and praying you may all be Such, I do not only wiſh you a happy New year; But a happy Life, if it be for many years, And withal, a Bleſſed p. 47Eternity after Death, which ſuch as are now in Chriſt, ſhall then Enjoy with him, when Days and Years, and Time, ſhall be no more. God grant it for Christ's ſake. Amen.