The Right Receiving of Christ, Preface · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
Trialls of Mens Receiving of Chriſt.
BY this, may men try themſelves, whether they have received Chriſt or not. Men heare the Goſpel daily Preached unto them, and live under the Miniſtry of the Word in which Chriſt is offered unto them. Doe they receive Chriſt thus offered them? yes that they doe by all meanes, if you will beleeve them. Men frequently receive the Sacrament, and not one receives, but he hopes he receives Chriſt into his heart. Now it deeply concernes us ſeriouſly to examine our ſelves whether in truth we have received Chriſt or no, after ſo much uſe of his Ordinances. If under ſo much Preaching, and after ſo much receiving the Sacrament, wee have not received Chriſt, we are in a miſerable condition. Let us therefore after ſo much hearing, and receiving, examine our ſelves whether wee have received Chriſt, or not. How ſhall wee then know it? This is a ſure thing, where Chriſt is received it will be ſeene, and may be diſcerned. Wee ſhall ſee Mar. 7. 24. that Chriſt entred into a houſe, and would have no man know it, but, ſays the Text, he could not be hid. Where ever Chriſt is then, he cannot be hid. He could not be hid in the houſe into which he was received, but he was heard of, he was ſeene, and taken notice of. And if he could not be hid in the houſe into which he was received, then much leſſe can he be hid in the heart into which he is received. It is a thouſand times eaſier to hide him in an houſe, then to hide him in an heart. If therefore ye have received Chriſt, he cannot be hid; Why ſo? Becauſe where he is received, he ſets men awalking in him, and in the wayes of godlineſſe. Well then, If wee walke in Chriſt, if we walke in obedience to Gods cōmandements, if we walke holily, and religiouſly, then here is matter of ſweet comfort unto us. Certainly, ſuch as walke in Chriſt, have received him. As wee cannot receive him, but wee muſt walke in him, ſo wee cannot walke in him, but wee muſt receive him. Our walking in him is an infallible evidence of our receiving him. But on the contrary, this ſhews how few have received Chriſt in the Word and Sacrament, becauſe ſo few doe walke in him. Doe but conſider what your walking is. Doe not men walke as Epheſ. 2. 2. Yee walked according to the courſe of this world, according to the Prince of the power of the ayre, the ſpirit that now workes in the children of diſobedience. Doe not men walke as Epbeſ. 4. 17, 18. As the Gentiles walke in the vanitie of their mindes, having their underſtanding darkened, &c. Doe not many walke as they, Phil. 3. 18, 19. Many walke who are the enemies of the Croſſe, whoſe God is their belly, who minde earthly things. Doe not many walke, as 1 Pet. 4. 3. When wee walked in laſciviouſneſſe, luſts, exceſſe of wine, revellings, banquettings, and abominable Idolatries. Doe not many walke in theſe walkes, and yet talke of receiving Chriſt? In Gods feare, judge whether ſuch walking, be walking in Chriſt. Call yee walking in the luſts of the fleſh, the luſts of the world, the luſts of the devill, call yee this a walking in Chriſt? If wee would profeſſedly walke out of Chriſt, what would we, or could we doe other? Lay together Eph. 4. 17, 18. with 20, 21. If ſuch walkers have not in truth learned Chriſt, then have not ſuch walkers in truth received Chriſt. Let ſuch walkers in their conſciences judge whether ſuch walking be walking in Chriſt, or in Satan. And doe they that receive Chriſt, walke in Satan? Let all ſuch know once for all, that all their hearing, and receiving the Sacrament notwithſtanding they have not received Chriſt. A walking in Chriſt, will prove a receiving of Chriſt, if no walking in him, then no receiving of him.
Now more particularly for the Duty. Walking, that is going on, and forward in duties of Religion, and obedience, and walking in him, that is, by his power, and ſtrength, or in him, that is, according to his will, or patterne. Learne hence;