Lydias Heart Opened, Sermon 2
Epheſ. 3.17. the former part of the Verſe. That Chriſt may dwell in your hearts by faith.
THeſe words are part of a zealous prayer which the Apoſtle puts up to God in the behalf of his dear Epheſians.
The prayer begins in the 14th. ver. where we find Paul upon his knees, begging Grace for them of the Father of Mercies: For this cauſe I bow my knees to the Father of mercies, &c.
The bleſſings that he begs for them, are eſpecially two.
1. He begs the gift of ſpiritual ſtrength, that as they had begun well, and laid a good foundation by believing in Chriſt, ſo they might be conſtant in holding out that profeſſion againſt all the enemies and oppoſitions which they met with, and were like to turn them out of the way of righteouſneſs. Thus he prays ver. the 16. That he would give you according to the riches of his glory, to be ſtrengthened with might by the ſpirit in the inner man.
Thoſe that are wholly under the power of corruption are not ſo much troubled with perſecution and temptation: Satan like a Pyrate ſeldom ſets upon a ſoul unleſs like a Ship it be laden with the merchandiſe of Grace. This was the caſe with theſe Epheſians. By Pauls preaching they had begun well, building on that rock of Ages, and venturing their Immortal Souls on Chriſt and his Righteouſneſs. But Paul now being in priſon, falſe Teachers were among them, vexing the Church, and were like to turn them from the way of truth: God had ſmitten the ſhepherd, and the ſheep were like to be ſcattered. Now then is a time to preſs the duty of perſeverance, that as they had begun well, ſo they might ſo run that they might obtain.
2. He begs that ſoveraign means that was only able to confirm and ſtrengthen them in the Service of Chriſt, and that is Chriſt himſelf. That Chriſt may dwell in your hearts by Faith.
I ſhall a little explain the words:
That Chriſt, that is, whole Chriſt in both his natures, God and Man.
May dwell, that is, ſpiritually poſſeſs, live and work.
In your hearts, that is, in the inner man, conſiſting of the Underſtanding, Will and Affections, which are the principal and chief place of Chriſts reſidence, the fort Royal, or Caſtle which Chriſt chuſeth, and above all delights in.
By faith, that is, as the means and inſtrument whereby we receive and entertain him
There are as many Doctrines offer themſelves to us as there are words in this Scripture. And we might note firſt.
Doct. 1. That the heart is the place of Chriſts reſidence.
Doct. 2. Chriſt is no ſtranger to Believers, but an in-dweller with them.
Doct. 3. That Faith makes a union between Chriſt and the Soul.
But I ſhall wave prolixity, and bring my Diſcourſe into a narrower model, caſting all into this one Concluſion.
Doct. That no bleſſing whatſoever (on this ſide heaven) can be imagined, that we ſhould more deſire than this; That Chriſt ſhould dwell in our hearts by Faith.
We find the Apoſtles affections all in a flame, and he burns with zeal to promote the happineſs of his dear Epheſians; he bends his knees, and caſts himſelf down at Gods feet, and among all bleſſings in Heaven and Earth, he can find none better to beg for his young Converts than this.
What the ſtrength of his affections was to them you may ſee Chap. 1.16. where we read, that he ceaſed not to give thanks for them, making mention of them always in his prayers.
Had Paul known any bleſſing better than this, ſure he whoſe heart was ſo ſet upon them, would have begged it for them.
But further, to prove the greatneſs of this ineſtimable bleſſing, read 2 Cor. 6.16. where the Apoſtle enjoyns his Corinthians the higheſt pitch of holineſs upon this ground: For what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as he hath ſaid, I will dwell in them, and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they ſhall be my people.
In this Scripture we have a double argument to prove the greatneſs of this bleſſing, (1) Chriſts dwelling in his people.
1. The greatneſs of the duty that is urged from it, v. 17. Come forth from among them, and be ye ſeparate, &c. Now for weighty ſervices, God uſually furniſhes his people with ſtrongeſt arguments; as is evident in Abraham's caſe, Gen. 17.1. 'twas high ſervice that God enjoyned him, Walk, before me, and be thou perfect. And high encouragements God gave him, I am God all-ſufficient, &c. Deus jubet & juvat; God's Commands carry ſtrength with them, whatever Abraham's weakneſs be; yet this ſupports him, that the everlaſting arms are under him, God is all-ſufficient both for the work and reward.
'Twas hard work too on which God ſet Moſes when he ſent him with a commiſſion to deliver Iſrael from Egypt, and ſuitable encouragements God gives him; God finds his heart low, and raiſes it to a height ſuiting his ſervice, by working no leſs than three ſeveral Miracles to ſtrengthen him; his Rod is turned into a Serpent, his hand is leprous; and the river is turned into blood, Exod. 4.
2. A ſecond argument which this Scripture yields us to prove the greatneſs of this bleſſing is this, That Chriſts dwelling in us is but a ſhort abridgment of the Covenant of Grace, for that's preſently added, I will be your God, and you ſhall be my people. When we have ſummed up all thoſe invaluable bleſſings that are treaſured up in the Covenant, we have all in a little, (viz.) in Chriſt dwelling in us, peace, pardon, grace, glory, all is virtually comprehended in this.
2ly. Again, 'tis the very bleſſing God promiſes the Saints in Heaven, Rev. 21.3. where S. John ſaw the new Jeruſalem coming down from God out of Heaven, &c. He heard a voice from heaven, ſaying, Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they ſhall be his people, &c. Chriſts dwelling in us is but Heaven aforehand, or Heaven upon Earth; if God dwell in us here by his Grace, he will dwell with us in glory.
But for our more Methodical proſecution of the point, I ſhall confine my ſelf to this method.
1. I ſhall explain it.
2. Confirm; and,
3. Apply it.
For the Explication, I ſhall do that by anſwering ſeveral Queries in which the ſum of the Concluſion lies.
Q. 1. The firſt is what we are to underſtand by the heart?
A. Not to trouble our ſelves with the various acceptations of the word [heart] in Scripture, (many of which are impertinent to our purpoſe) we are to underſtand (by heart) the Will and the Affections eſpecially, as in the former Diſcourſe; theſe are the ſpring out of which are the iſſues of life, Prov. 4.22. and that good treaſure mentioned Mat. 12.24. But a good man out of the good treaſure of his heart, &c.
Q. The next thing to be enquired, is, what we are to underſtand by Chriſts dwelling in us?
A. It's a Metaphorical or figurative ſpeech, to ſhew that intimacy and holy acquaintance that is between Chriſt and Believers, Chriſt is not in the heart as a ſtranger in an Inn, where he tarries but a night, but as a man dwelling in his own houſe where he lives, and works, and rules, &c. More particularly, this dwelling of Chriſt implys theſe ſeveral things.
1. It implys propriety, Chriſt will never uſurp where he hath no right; no, he never dwells but in his own; his own he will never loſe, and more than his own he will never take; All that the Father hath given me ſhall come to me, Job. 6.37. Satan ſhall never ſit quiet for ever in a ſoul that belongs to Chriſt; though the ſtrong man armed keeps the houſe, yet a ſtronger than himſelf will come and bind him, not one of thoſe that are heirs of the promiſes ſhall miſcarry; no, I will ranſom them from the Power of the grave, I will redeem them from death, Hoſ. 13.14.
4. Chriſt's dwelling in believers implies actual poſſeſſion, a man may have a juſt right or claim where yet he may not dwell; Chriſt doth not content himſelf with a bare right to his redeemed, but he takes actual poſſeſſion of them; he keeps houſe in theirs hearts, Joh. 14.20. At that day, you ſhall know that I am in my Father, and you in me and I in you.
Furthermore Chriſt Jeſus may be ſaid to poſſeſs believers two ways.
1. By aſſuming our nature, When the Word was made fleſh, he dwelt among us, Joh. 1.14. (1) lived and converſed awhile with the ſons of men; yea he dwelt in us in as much as he was partaker of fleſh and blood with us. And as the fulneſs of the God-head dwelt in Chriſt, ſo Chriſt too dwells in us.
2. By communicating to us his Spirit. The Spirit of Chriſt is the Fountain of all Grace and comfort, and by this Spirit of Chriſt we have both union and communion with him, Gal. 2.20. Chriſt liveth in me, Chriſt is in us as a Principle of life and Grace, active and operative; he is not in the Soul as once he was in the ſhip aſleep, but always inciting, quickening and enlivening his elect who would again becom dead in ſin, but he acts and excites his own Grace in them.
3. Chriſts dwelling in us, means the neereſt intimacy that is imaginable; foreign ſo 'tis in the original, I will indwell in them, 2 Cor. 6.16. As if Chriſt could never have communion enough with his People. Now this ſweet and ſaving intimacy will appear in thoſe things.
1. His People ſhall know his ſecrets, Pſal. 25.14. The ſecret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will ſhew them his Covenant. The ſaints are all Gods ſecretaries; when God intended that fearful overthrow of Sodom, ſhall I hide from Abraham (ſaies God) the thing that I do? No, Abraham was his friend, and as a boſom-friend; He ſhall know his Councell, ſuch honour have all his ſaints.
2. He will ſpeak to their hearts, Hoſ. 2.14. When the hearts of Gods People are ſo overwhelmed with grief; that men and Angels prove miſerable comforters. They may ſpeak to the ear but cannot reach the heart; then Chriſt alone doth this; I, even I, am he that doth comfort thee, &c. Iſa. 51.12. Chriſt ſpeaks ſuch things as make our hearts leap. Thus he ſpake to the ſick-man, Mat. 9.2. …on be of good cheer; thy ſins be forgiven thee. Chriſt can ſpeak ſuch Words as never man ſpake, the Words which he ſpeaks are Spirit and life. 'Tis ſtoried of a Peer of this Kingdom that he dyed with joy of an unexpected pardon; how great then is the joy that poſſeſſeth a Soul that receives a pardon from God! Such pardoned ones are bid to be glad and ſhout for joy, Pſal. 32.11. And all others flatly forbid to meddle with this joy, Hoſ. 9.1. Rejoyce not, O Iſrael, for joy as other People, for thou haſt gone a-whoring from thy God.
3. The ſweetneſs and cloſneſs of that intimacy which we have with Chriſt, by vertue of his dwelling in us, appears by this, that we have all things common with Chriſt. Chriſt calls nothing his own that may do us good: all lour freſh Springs are in him, if we are Chriſts, all is ours, Paul, Apollo, Cephas, life and death, &c. All Chriſt's offices and efficacies, his life, death, blood, merit, Spirit; all his advantage to us, yea death it ſelf is gain to believers, Phil. 1.21. For me to live is Chriſt, and to dye is gain. The Church keeps all her choice preſents for Chriſt, Cant. 7. vlt. And Chriſt beſtows all his rarities on his Church.
3. Chriſt dwelling in us implies his abiding or continual reſiding in us, in Iſa. the 57.15. God is ſaid to inhabit eternity, (1) who only is eternal; wherever Chriſt dwells he takes up his reſidence for ever; he ſaith, this is my reſt for ever, here will I dwell &c. Though men may be weary of their dwelling how-ever accommodated both for neceſſity and delight; yet Chriſt is never: That's the promiſe he makes his People, 1 Kings 6.13. I will dwell among the children of Iſrael, and will not forſake my People Iſrael.
5. Chriſts dwelling in us implies his preſervation of us, every man is bound to repair and preſerve his own houſe where he dwells, ſo is Chriſt: Chriſt's dwelling doth not look like the houſe of the ſluggard that drops thorow; no, what-ever ſtorms beat on it it ſtands, and is impregnable. That's remarkable in Pſal. 6.7.2.3. At Salem is his Tabernacle, and his dwelling at Sion; There brake he the arrows of the bow, &c. That place is ſure of ſafetie and protection where God dwells; as on the contrary, Gods departing makes way for deſtruction. We read that the Heathens have placed their Security in the preſence of their idol-Gods. Tacitus reports of the Tyrians, when they were beſieged by Alexander, bound Hercules with a golden chain that he ſhould not depart. And the Romans were wont by ſome verſes to call off the Tutelary gods out of the Cities which they did beſiege. God hath bound himſelf to us by a Covenant better than a golden chain, that he will never leave us nor forſake us.
Q. 3. The third Query is how Chriſt dwells in the heart by faith?
A. The anſwer is this, 'Tis the office of Faith to receive Chriſt Jeſus. Chriſt knocks by his Word and Spirit, and Faith makes haſte to open and let him in; it gives Chriſt the free and full poſſeſſion of the Soul, and delivers up all into his hand, and to his uſe. For can two walk together unleſs they are agreed? We read in Gen. 30.6. When Lot and Abraham had multiplied their ſubſtance, they could not dwell together, and there was ſtrife between their herdsmen; Chriſt and we could never have dwelt together; had there been any ſtrife between us; there is no agreement between Chriſt and Belial. But when Chriſt comes and dwells in us, he comes like Noah's Dove, he brings us news of peace purchaſed by the blood of his Croſs. The Pſalmiſt admires the happineſs of ſuch as dwell together in unity, though but natural brethren, Pſal. 133.1. Behold how good and pleaſant a thing it is, &c. How good then and pleaſant muſt it be for Chriſt and us to dwell together! This is our happineſs, Chriſt ſays of every believing ſoul as of Sion, This is my reſt for ever, here will I dwell, &c. Pſal.132.14.
Reſ. 2. Such in whom Chriſt dwells, ſhall never loſe their intereſt in God by ſin or backſliding, for Chriſt himſelf will be a continual ſpring or fountain of life and grace within us, Joh. 4.14. The water that I ſhall give you ſhall be in you a well of living water. Can we ever die with thirſt when we have a fountain within us? no fear of forfeiting our title to that great and glorious inheritance if Chriſt be in us, he will keep both it for us, and us for it, he will preſerve us by his grace unto his heavenly Kingdom, 2 Tim. 4.18.
Reſ. 3. If Chriſt dwell in us, he will defend and protect us from all dangers; death and hell have nothing to do where Chriſt the Lord of life dwells. When Lazarus was dead, his ſiſter told Chriſt, Lord, if thou hadſt been here my brother had not died, Joh. 11.21. Chriſts preſence is his peoples ſecurity from hat ſecond death. Satan may bring up his black Legions, and ſtorm the Caſtle, but ſhall never take it. Hear ye whoſe hearts are habitations for the Lord Chriſt what your Redeemer ſaith, Joh. 14.30. The Prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me, (that is) in me myſtical, neither id head nor members.
Reſ. 4. If Chriſt dwell in us, we ſhall never want either counſel or comfort, his Spirit ſhall ſupply us with both. If we want counſel we ſhall hear a voice behind us, ſaying, this is the way walk in it. He whoſe name is Counſellor, hath not his name for nothing; in our greateſt perplexities, this great Counſellor will adviſe and direct us, for he is made of God to be wiſdom to his redeemed. Again, if we want comfort, he'l revive the drooping ſpirits of his contrite ones, Iſa. 57.15. The Church out of her experience cries but, that his mouth is as ſweet things, Cant. 5.16. And the words that he ſpeaks are as life to deſpondent and dying ſouls.
Reaſ. 5. But one thing more: Chriſt will never leave his dwelling till he bring us to a dwelling-place with himſelf in glory. This was purchaſed to us by his death, and prepared for us by his Aſcenſion, Joh. 14.2. I go to prepare a place for you. No ſooner ſhall theſe earthly houſes be diſſolved, but Chriſt is preſently ready to receive us into everlaſting habitations.
Ʋſe 1. The Application follows, and let the firſt Uſe be of Information. And,
1. It diſcovers the vain deluſion of all hypocrites and formaliſts, who admit Chriſt into their mouths, but ſhut him out of their hearts; this was the Religion of the Phariſees, whoſe falſity in matters of Gods Worſhip, Chriſt Jeſus reprehends, Mat. 15.8. Well did Iſaias propheſie of you, ſaying, this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from me. 'Tis ſad when Chriſt is neer in our mouths, but far from our reins.
2. Learn hence next, That there is nothing loſt by giving Chriſt entertainment. No, 'tis the gain of a Chriſtian; as God bleſſed Obed-edom for entertaining the Ark, ſo doth he much more bleſs Believers for entertaining his Son Chriſt. What glorious gueſts had juſt Lot when he entertained two Angels! a much more glorious gueſt hath every one that entertains Chriſt Jeſus; he brings Salvation with him, and ſo ſalutes the heart that receives him as he did Zachens, This day is ſalvation come to thy houſe.
3. Learn next what a myſtery, or rather miracle there is in the actings of ſaving Faith, in that it unites Chriſt and the ſoul, and brings them to dwell together. Wonder we may, that though Chriſt, in regard of his humane nature be in Heaven, and we on Earth; yet Faith eaſily narrows this wide diſtance and in an inſtant poſſeſſes the ſoul with its beloved Jeſus. As the ſoul by vertue of ſight inlightned with the Sun, doth joyn it ſelf with the body of the Sun, and touch it (after a manner); ſo the eye of Faith inlightned with the beams of the Spirit which come from the Sun of righteouſneſs, doth joyn and unite it ſelf with Chriſt Jeſus.
Ʋſe 2. The next is a uſe of Trial. If it be ſo great a bleſſing to have Chriſt Jeſus dwelling in our hearts, it concerns us all to try whether he dwell in our hearts or no.
Now the tokens of his preſence, or evidences of his co-habitation with us, may be theſe:
1. The heart in which Chriſt dwells is an humble heart, Iſa. 57.15. Chriſt was a pattern of Humility himſelf, Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of ſpirit. And Chriſt delights to be no-where but in a heart that is like himſelf. The richer the Ship is laden, the more water it draws, and the lower it ſails; ſo 'tis here: that heart that carries Chriſt, is laden with more than a golden mine, it carries him in whom are hid all ſpiritual treaſures, and all ſuch ſouls ſail low. Abraham calls himſelf duſt and aſhes; David, a worm and no man; great Paul, the chiefeſt of ſinners; though every Saint that is his ſucceſſor, contend ſtill for that title, The moſt hard-hearted ſinner; ſo Mr. Bradford ſubſcribed his Letter.
2. The heart where Chriſt dwells, is inflamed with the love of God. In cold frozen ſpirits, or hearts that are luke-warm like Laodicea, Chriſt likes not to be; as the Sun begets heat on inferiour bodies by ſhining, on them, ſo doth Chriſt the Sun of Righteouſneſs when he ariſeth on a ſoul; though he find our hearts cold, yet he makes them by his ſpiritual preſence burn within us; as it fared with them with whom he journeyed to Emaus, Luk. 24.32. The ſoul burns with love, and burns with deſire to Chriſt Jeſus, that is once united to him, Read Joh. 14.23. If any man love me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him. As when Chriſt comes, he comes willing; ſo where he comes he comes welcome. Mary entertained Chriſt, and ſhe loved him much, and this love diſcovered it ſelf in ſpending that coſtly Oyntment on his ſacred body. There's nothing too dear for Chriſt in his account where Chriſt dwells, but ſuch a one ſays with the Martyr, He is glad he hath any thing to loſe for Chriſt; or with the Church, whatever good thing he hath, he keeps it only for him, Cant. 7.13.
2ly; With love to our Brethren, If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, 1 Joh. 4.12. God loves to be where love is. One obſerves, That where the Devil dwells all is in peace, much more where God dwells who is the God of peace. If then we find our hearts filled with malice and hatred toward our brethren, we may confidently conclude God is not in this place; the Lamb of God will never lie in a Lions den. We read in Judg. 9.23. God ſent an evil ſpirit between the houſe of Abijam and the men of Shechem, a ſpirit of hatred, enmity and diviſion: This is an evil Spirit from the Devil, not from God; where Satan dwells he ſets all on fire, not with fire that warms, but conſumes. And when we give place to wrath we give place to the Devil, Epheſ 4.27.
3. The heart wherein Chriſt dwells, is a holy heart; as no unholy thing ſhall for ever dwell with him, ſo neither will Chriſt dwell with it.
The heart is a Temple, 2 Cor. 6.16. Ye are the; Temples of the holy Ghoſt; now we know Temples are holy conſecrated things: That which is lawful to be done in another place is not lawful to be done in a Temple: we read, Mark 11.16. Chriſt would not ſuffer a veſſel to be carried thorow the Temple. Neither will he have the hearts of believers made a rode for ſin; no, If any man defiles the Temple of God, him will God deſtroy, 1 Cor. 3.17.
4. The heart where Chriſt dwells lives in a ſweet ſubjection to Chriſt and his Laws. His commands are not grievous, but his yoke is eaſy and his burden light; Chriſt dwells no-where, but where he is acknowledged and ſerves as a King; for God hath appointed him both for a Prince and a Saviour, Act. 5.31. The Government is laid by God upon his ſhoulders, and he makes every thought to ſtoop and come into ſubjection to himſelf. Well then, where men ſerve not the Lord but their luſts, ſet up their corruptions, and cry down Chriſt; in ſuch hearts Chriſt never dwells. But a Soul poſſeſt by Chriſt, ſets Chriſt in the Throne, and cryes up Chriſt, as the Jews did Caeſar; We have no King but him.
5. The heart in which Chriſt dwells is a tender heart. Such as tremble at Gods Word, Iſa. 57.15. A hard ſenſleſs heart is a dead heart. And as the Angels to the Women that ſought Chriſt in the ſepulchre; So we may ſay in this caſe, Why ſeek ye the living among the dead?; Chriſt is a Spring and a Fountain of life to every believing Soul: Becauſe I live ye ſhall live alſo. Now where there is life there is ſenſe; dead men nor fear any thing nor feel it, but living men do both; they feel the leaſt guilt, and fear the wrath and anger of God; they are ſenſible of every miſcarriage, and their heart ſmites them on the commiſſion of the leaſt ſin, as David did when he cut off but the lap of Sauls, garment. Such a heart ſhews who is in it (to wit) that Chriſt dwells in't: ſuch a heart we read was in good Joſiah, whoſe heart was ſo tender that he wept but at the reading of the Law, 2 Kings 22.19.
Ʋſe 3. This ſhould cheer the hearts of all believers: what unſpeakable comfort doth this bring to every one whoſe heart is a habitation for Chriſt Jeſus! how doth Chriſt honour you, that when the World ſcorns you, Chriſt crowns you; when men ſhun you, the Son of God dwells in you. Surely this bleſſing affords matter of Spiritual raviſhment to every Soul that has given Chriſt Jeſus entertainment. Wiſe Solomon admired both Gods mercy and his Peoples happineſs at once, upon this very reaſon, 2 Chron. 6.18. Is it true indeed that God will dwell with man on earth! what infinite Majeſty fall in love with miſery! God dwell with man! heaven and earth meet in one Perſon! ye righteous, let it not deject you, that your excellency is not conſpicuous in the Worlds eye. The Churches beauty is within; and herein ſhe is like her beloved. Chriſt himſelf to outward appearance was but a root out of a dry ground; no form or comelineſs was in him; therefore he was deſpiſed and rejected of men. Your life is a hidden life, like in this to the Ark, that without was covered with skins, ſullied and weather-beaten with ſtorms and tempeſts; but within, was ſtored with gold and rich rarities. God ſeeth not as man ſeeth, there's a time at hand when God will turn your in-ſide out; and though now you ly among the pots, yet ſhall ye be covered with ſilver-Wings and your feathers like gold.
Ʋſe 4. Laſtly, Be exorted to the Apoſtles Prayer, to add your own practiſe. This is the one thing neceſſary, with what holy zeal and diligence ſhould we do this work, and drive this great deſign! how reſtleſs ſhould we be in this purſuit, to get Chriſt to dwell in us!
Q. But how?
A. I ſhall only Anſwer this query and conclude.
And here ſeveral things muſt be done both for the getting Chriſt into the heart, and the keeping of him there.
1. The heart muſt be prepared for ChriſtW, Mal. 2.1. The Prophet ſpeaking of John Baptiſt, ſaith, that he ſhould prepare the way for him. And Iſa. ſpeaking of the ſame Meſſenger adds; Every mountain ſhall he brought low, and every vally be filled up, and every crooked thing ſhall be made plain, Iſa. 43.4. All this muſt be done as a preparation for Chriſt.
As where Princes are expected, the highways are cleered, and all paſſages are facilitated that they may paſs both with eaſe and honour: ſo we muſt prepare for Chriſt Jeſus.
1. Mountains muſt be brought low; (that is) the lofty heart muſt be abaſed, and every high thought muſt ſtoop and be made ſubject to the ſcepter of Chriſt: we muſt be vile in our own eyes, learn to abhor out ſelves with Job, loath our own ſins and our own righteouſneſs alſo, and count it dung and loſs to win Chriſt. Chriſt deſigns his own Glory in condeſcending to dwell with ſinful men; and Chriſt's Glory and the creature's cannot be ſet up together.
2 Vallies muſt be filled; ſome hearts are too low for Chriſt, they mind earthly things, and therefore are unfit for the receiving of ſo glorious a gueſt: Lift up therefore your heads, O ye gates, and then the King of Glory ſhall come in, Pſal. 24. as the Church is deſcribed in Rev. 12. with the moon under her feet, and then ſhe is cloathed with the Sun and hath a Crown of twelve Stars on her head; ſo muſt every member of the Church trample upon all earthly and ſublunary vanities; and ſet our hearts on heaven, where our true Treaſure is. It were a diſparagement to divine bleſſings, ſhould they be beſtowed on them that prize nothing but earthly trifles; ſuch pearls do not uſe to be caſt before ſwine.
3. Crooked things muſt be made ſtraight, we muſt have no crooked aimes nor cloſe deſigns in the Service of God. The ſons of Jacob muſt be all like their Father, plain-hearted men, our ſtudies, ſtrength, time, and ſtate, muſt be all dedicated to the Lord; Such as turn aſide to crooked ways, the Lord threatens to lead them out with the workers of iniquity, Pſal. 125.5.
4. Laſtly, rough ways muſt be made plain, the oyle of Grace muſt ſupple the rough and rugged temper of our Spirits. 'Tis ſaid of Nabal, he was ſo churliſh a man could not ſpeak to him; ſuch hearts are not fit for Chriſt. Chriſt by Grace ſweetens the Temper of out Souls, takes off that fierceneſs and auſterity that is in them by nature. The Lion and the Lamb ly down together, and there's nothing ſhall deſtroy or hurt in all his holy mountain If we would have Chriſt dwell in our hearts, we muſt keep our hearts pure; for a naſty lodging is lothſome to him. With what care do we keep our Temples, cleanſing them continually that there be no filth found in them! Theſe Spiritual Temples muſt never be ſullied with ſin, nor defiled with iniquity. This is the condition upon which Chriſt promiſes to dwell in us, 2 Cor. 6.17. Touch no unclean thing, and then I will dwell in you.
3. Take heed of grieving the Spirit of God, by reſiſting it's motions, or croſſing the ſweet and ſaving operations thereof. There's a ſad Scripture in Mat. 12.44. When the unclean Spirit is caſt out and returneth, &c. He brings with him ſeven other Spirits worſe than himſelf and they enter in and dwell there. Oh deal courteouſly with Chriſt, offend your own Souls rather than offend him! ſtudy we muſt to comply with his commands; and carry our ſelves ſo exactly, that in nothing we grieve his Spirit, nor make him weary of his habitation.
4. Laſtly, ſith Chriſt dwells in the heart by Faith, labour to prize this precious Grace, for the procuring of which theſe ſeveral rules ſhould
1. Acquaint your ſelves with your own hearts, and you will find ſuch a ſtock of infidelity in them, as may for ever confound us. Though God who is faithfulneſs it ſelf hath infinitely ſtoopt to loſt man, and for his ſecurity hath ratified the Covenant by his Word, his Oath, and Seals: yet alas there is in us all by nature a heart of unbelief, Heb. 3.12. So that upon experience we ſhall find we are no more able by nature to believe the Goſpel than to obey the Law: Alas, we fear no more than we feel, and believe no more than we ſee, when we come to ſeize on Chriſt, and take hold of the promiſe, Oh with what a faint and trembling hand do we receive them!
2. Labour to ſee the rare excellency and efficacy of Faith, what is it, but a Chriſtians life while he is below? without it we cannot move one foot heaven ward; whatſoever is not of Faith is ſin. This is that which brings in Chriſt into the Soul, it makes us one with Chriſt now, and the union that is made by Faith between Chriſt and the Soul now ſhall never be diſſolved till we enjoy him in glory. For the end of our Faith is the Salvation of our ſouls, 1 Pet. 1.9.
3. Bind your ſelves to a conſtant and conſcionable attendance to the Word and Ordinances of God, For Faith comes by hearing, Rom. 10.17. As death firſt entered by this door, ſo doth life; hear and your Soul ſhall live, this is that Manna on which we muſt live till we come to Canaan: As Gideons Fleece was wet when the ground about it was dry, ſo God uſually waters the Souls of them both with grace and comfort that wait on his Ordinances, when others that condemn them are ſtrangers to both. We read in Act. 13.48. When the Apoſtles preached, as many of the Gentiles as were ordained to eternal life believed.
4. Be convinced of the admirable and infinite. Excellencies that are in God, as his Power whereby he is able to ſave, Mercy whereby he is willing to ſave, and Faithfulneſs whereby he is bound to ſave all them that come to him by Chriſt Jeſus. Now as ignorance is the mother of Unbelief, ſo knowledg is the foundation of Faith; he that will come to God muſt firſt know that God is, and that he is a faithful rewarder of all that come him. And they that know thy name will put their truſt in thee, Pſal. 9.10.
5. Under all aſſaults and temptations uſe your ſelves to look up unto Chriſt, who is the author and finiſher of Faith; whatever Grace we want fetch it of him, who hath in him all treaſures, and can give us Grace for Grace. Whatever, weight either of ſin or ſuffering we are oppreſſed with, look we up to Jeſus, Heb. 12.2. And 'tis no more bat look to him and we ſhall be ſaved.
6 Lie at Gods feet, and be inſtant in prayer with the Father of Mercies, and never give him reſt till he create the ſaving Grace in you; that God that heats the Ravens when they cry will hear you. O could we bemoan our dead-Heartedneſs to believe and reſt in his all-ſufficiency, whoſe power is not limited, but can as well give the life of Grace, as the life of Nature, we ſhould not for ever be denied, but ſhould at laſt feel this heavenly birth ſpring within us.
And to cloſe all, if the work be difficult, the fruit will be an abundant recompence, our labour will not be in vain in the Lord. Chriſt will never be in debt to any for his entertainment, his preſence will quiet our hearts, purge our Conſciences, ſubdue our corruptions, fortifie us againſt all evils, guide us by his grace, till he bring us to glory. What do we mean then that we do not ſtir up our ſelves to take hold of him; while Chriſt knocks let us ſet open the everlaſting door, &c. Invite him as David, Pſal. 132.8. Ariſe O Lord, and come into thy Sanctuary. If Chriſt ſeem ſtrange, conſtrain him, and ſay as they in Luk. 24.29. Abide with us, feaſt him with the beſt as Levi did, Lev. 5.29. Say as the Church, all our choice-ſervices we have kept only for thee. In ſhort, ſet up the Pſalmiſts reſolution, to give your eyes no reſt, nor ſuffer the temples of your heads to have any quiet till you have found a place in your hearts of the Lord, and an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
FINIS.