THE Departure of Jesus Christ unto his Father, from whose bosome he came into the World, was very sadly resented by his Disciples; whose mixt passions produce a very great disturbance, and trouble upon their Spirits.

The inward Anxiety, and unconcealed grief of the Disci­ples, move the Bowels of their more affectionate Lord, to pitty their case, and provide for their relief, and gives them instructions how to expresse their love unto him in his absence, not so much in carrying bluber'd eyes, and heavy hearts, as by remembring, and observing the Councels, and Instructions that he had give to them, while he was present with them; So that this whole Chapter is fill'd up with Counsels, and Comforts, Directions, and Consola­tions.

First, Directions and Counsels, especially in the 1, 13, 15. verses.

1 Faith. First, To the exercise of Faith, verse 1. Ye believe in God, believe also in me. And this is the life, even a life of Faith, which we must live, till we come to enjoyment [Page]of Christ, by which we fetch comforts in all troubles, and strength against all tentations from Jesus Christ.

2. Prayer. Secondly, To the duty of Prayer, vers. 13. which is the pro­per duty of an afflicted State, as Jam. 5.13. Is any afflicted? let hi [...] pray. By prayer the Soul empties his complaints into Gods bosome, and finds ease, by telling him of all the trouble and grief that attends his state; Prayer hath that Divine excellency, that like a Heavenly Charm, it speaks away trouble, and speaks in comfort; as 'tis said of Hannah 1 Sam. 1.18. She prayed, and went away, and did eat, and her Countenance was no more sad; And thus our prayers alwayes speed, when they be made by the help of the Spirit, and offered up to God in the name of Christ, 13, 14. verses. Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, that you shall receive.

3. Obedi­ence. Thirdly, To Obedience, in the 15 vers. to do the work committed to them; If yee love me, keep my Commandements. You cannot better expresse your love to me, then in keep­ing my words; Nor is there a more certain way for men to find comfort, than this; 3 Pr [...]. 17. by keeping his Commands, for then, though they cannot enjoy his person, yet they shall not misse his promise.

Secondly, The Consolations which he gives them in the 2 vers. &c. the 16 vers. &c. and 23 vers. &c.

1. The place to which he goes. First, In the 2, 3, 4, verses, &c. From the place whe­ther he was going, To his Father, and their Father, his Home, and their Home; whence he did intend to come a­gain to them. So that his going from them, was but a Re­cesse, or withdrawing for a time, untill he came, for in the 3 vers. I will come again, and receive you to my self, rendred in the Greek. Gr. [...] in the pre­sentense. I come again, in the presen­tense, to intimate the certainty of his coming to them a­gain, as if he were already come; which in the 28 vers. of this Chapter, Christ tells them, should be matter of great Joy to them. If yee loved me, yee would rejoyce, be­cause I said, I go unto the Father.

The pro­mise of his Spirit the Comforter. Secondly, From the 16 v. The promise of the Spirit, which shall supply his absence, such a Spirit, as shall teach them, comfort them, and be [...]ead of all to them, give them such Joy, Courage, and [...], as the world can neither [Page]give, nor take away, 27 vers. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, &c.

The abode of God and Christ with them. Thirdly, In the 23. verse, in the Text, We will come, and makeour abode with him, while you keep my words; which is the great promise here.

If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The words of the Text are an answer to the question of Judas, (not Iscariot) Lord how is it, that thou wilt manifest thy self unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus Christ gives the answer. If a man love me, he will keep my words, &c. To him the promise is made, That the Father will love him, They love him that keep his words, and to these he hath said, he will manifest his love to them, and make his abode with them; In which words there are three parts considerable.

Parts of the Text. 3. First, A Supposition. If a man love me, he &c.

Secondly, A Position. Which is the effect of that love. He will keep my words.

Thirdly, A Promise. Which is twofold.

First, Of the Fathers love. My Father will love him.

Secondly, The Co-habitation of the Father and Son with such a person. We will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The Observations that I intend to insist upon, are two;

Doct. 2 First, That it is the duty and special property of them that love Jesus Christ in sincerity, to keep the words of Christ.

Secondly, That God and Christ will make their abode with them that keep his words.

First, Of the first of these, That it is the duty and special property of them that love Jesus Christ in sincerity, to keep the words of Christ.

If any man love me, he will keep my words, he will do my will, walk in my wayes, treasure up my truths and Counsells.

This Doctrine requires three things to be spoken to in their order.

First, That Jesus Christ must be truly loved.

Secondly, What it is to keep his words.

Thirdly, Why it is both the duty and property of them that love him, to keep his words.

[Page] First, That Jesus Christ must be truly loved; there is such an indispensible necessity of this, that the Apostle sayes 1 Cor. 16.22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus, let him be Anathema Maranatha, let him be cursed.

But because every one pretends highly to love Jesus Christ, and but few that love him indeed, I shall shew two things more briefly;

First, Who he is that truly loves him.

Secondly, Why we should all truly love him.

First, Who he is that truly loves Christ.

First, He truly loves Jesus Christ, who upon the discove­ry, and tender of Jesus Christ in the Gospel, as King, Priest, and Prophet, can willingly deny all for him; as the Merchant, Mat. 13.45.46. sold all that he had for the goodly Pearl. And so Paul, Phil. 3.8. accounts all Dung, his parts, his righteousness by the Law, his greatest excellencies; He loves Christ in Deed, and not in Shew only, who can leave the world, his dearest lusts, his best righteousness for Christ.

This is a true conjugal love, Psal. 45.10. Hearken O daughter, and confider, and encline thine ear, forget also thine own people, &c. When Christ sees that we have such a love to him, that we will part with all for him, then he sees a beauty in us that delights him.

Secondly, He truly loves Jesus Christ, who having received him, will rather lose all, than part with him again; who ac­counts Jesus Christ better than his best things, as he sayes in Mat. 10.37. He that loves Father or Mother more than me, is not worthy of me, &c. therefore sayes the Spouse, Cant. 8.6. Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: let me be so united to thee, that I may never be sever'd from thee. It is a very hard lesson, and an irksom duty for the best of men, to part with friends, liberty, peace, life; all these, or either of these sweet mercies; but to part with Christ, nothing can perswade, or enforce the Soul that truly loves him; that's a thought more cruel than the Grave, witness the holy Martyrs, a whole cloud of witnesses; that notable and eminent Galeacius, Marquess of V [...], &c.

Thirdly, He that truly loves Jesus Christ, takes abundance of delight in Communion with him. No pleasure like the kisses of his mouth, no sweetness like that of his bosom, all his [Page]wayes are peace, and his paths pleasantnesse; Christ makes every condition Comfortable, there is no comfort of life, but in that little enjoyment of Christ, that the Soul hath in his life, 'tis Communion with Christ, converse with him, that is all my comfort and pleasure in the world. O how doth the Spouse take care that he be not disturbed, in Cant. 2.7. I charge you, O yee daughters of Jerusalem, by the Roes, and by the Hinds of the field, that ye stirr not up, nor awake my Love, till he please. The words are an allusion, to one that would not have her Friend disturbed, and speaks to her Compani­ons, and charges them by all that is dear and pleasant to them, not to break the rest of her best Beloved, and shews the wonderful delight the Soul takes in Communion with Jesus Christ; and the special care that it alwayes hath, that no Tentation break in, nor corruption break out, to inter­rupt that sweet Communion, or occasion Christs depar­ture, who will not for any profit, commit any sin, or cause Jesus Christ to depart from him.

Fourthly, He that truly loves Jesus Christ, having lost the sight of him, is never satisfied, till he come to the re­enjoyment of him, is alwayes at losse, and is never quiet, till he enters into a fresh acquaintance and communion with him, as in that of Joseph and Mary, they having lost their Son, went seeking till they found him; So Cant. 3.1,2,3. &c. By night on my Bed, I sought him whom my Soul loveth, I sought him, but I found him not, I will rise now and go about the City, in the Streets, and in the broad wayes, &c. I said to the Watchmen, Saw ye him whom my Soul loveth? &c. By all which, is expressed the sedulous care and industry of a living Soul seeking after Christ.

First, By night in her bed. Jesus Christ hath her bed thoughts, (i.) in her Closet and private duties, of Prayer, serious Meditations, Spiritual Ejaculations, and secret self Examinations; in all these the Soul enquires. As one that loves the World, by night his Meditation is of the World; so the man of pleasures, and honours, is pursuing his lusts in the night season; The wicked man is contriving mischief up­on his bed. So the Soul that loves Christ, his thoughts are still at work after Christ.

Secondly, I will rise now and go about the City, &c. (i.) [Page]I will betake my self to all publick Ordinances, and shew more zeal and life in my duties, and in these will I make enquiry.

Thirdly, I asked the watch-men, (i.) the Ministers of the Gospel, which are or should be as faithful watch-men, that watch for our Souls, and be able to speak a word in season, &c. So nothing will satisfie the Soul that truly loves Christ without him; and no means shall be neglected till she enjoy Him.

2 Secondly, Why must he be thus beloved?

Reason. 1 First, Because he is lovely, altogether lovely.

First, Lovely in his life, observing all the will of God; there was a wonderful beauty upon him, if we behold, and can understand, that hidden glory of an untainted Holi­nesse, and exact conformity to the will of God.

Secondly, Lovely in his death, never more lovely and amiable to the believing Sinner, then when he was most des­picable in the eyes of Rebellious Sinners. O then, he appears most beautiful and desireable, when he hangs on the Crosse, there making our Peace, procuring our Pardon, obtaining Life and Glory for us, by that shameful death.

Thirdly, Lovely in all his Graces, each Grace a match­lesse Jewel. Rocks of Diamonds, Mountains of Pearl, not worthy to be mentioned with the least of his Excellencies; If he put but a little of this Grace upon any Soul, though he be never so vile, cloath'd with corruption; as in Ezek. 16. from the 9. to the 16 vers. yet may be made beautiful by his Comelinesse.

Fourthly, Lovely in all his Ordinances, in which the more immediate sight the Soul hath of him, the more he is taken with his Beauty; No wonder he is call'd in Hag. 2.7. the desire of all Nations.

Reason. 2 Secondly, Because of his deserving love; we loved him, because he first loved us.

Consider in his love, these four particulars.

First, He laid down his life for us, such a Love, will de­serve love, and life too; Joh. 15.13. Greater Love, hath no man, then this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.

Secondly, He lives now in Heaven for us, 7 Heb. 25. He ever liveth, to make intercession for them. He is there [Page]minding our necessities, agitating our affairs; by his sitting there, we have Liberty of comming thither; by his sitting there in glory, we have our standing here in Grace.

Thirdly, He accounts that as done to himself, that is done to them, that are his, Zach. 2.8. He that toucheth you, toucheth the Apple of his eye, and Mat. 10.40,41,42. &c. He that receiveth you, receiveth me, and so he said to Saul, Acts 9.4. why persecutest thou me? when he was with Com­mission from the High Priest, dragging the poor Professors of Jesus Christ to the Prison.

Fourthly, He longs to have us with him. Joh. 17.24. Father I will that where I am, there they may be also, to behold my Glory. He is not (q. d.) satisfied without their compa­ny; and is alwayes imparting his most secret Counsels to them, Joh. 15.16. Henceforth I call you not Servants, for the Servant knoweth not what his Lord doth, but I have cal­led you Friends, for all things that I have heard of my Fa­ther, I have made known unto you.

Reason. 3 Thirdly, Because otherwise we shall not regard his words; which is intimated in the Text, If we love him, we shall keep his Words, but if we love him not, we will not keep his Words; It is want of love to Christ, that is the cause of the abounding of every sin, for if we did love him, we should keep his Commands, which is the second particular.

2 Secondly, What is it to keep the words of Christ?

First, There is a Natural and Mental keeping of the words of Christ; and so we must keep them, that is, Re­member his Words, his promises, Counsels, and Appointments.

The Memory is mans Storehouse, or Cabinet, that should be kept Sacred for the Truths of Christ; So the Disciples kept the word of Christ, when they remembred his sayings; and David Psal. 119.93. J will never forget thy Precepts, for by them thou hast quickned me, (i.) I will keep thy Pre­cepts; for what we forget, we lose, and what we remem­ber, we keep; And thus, as Friends take pleasure to look sometimes on the Love-tokens of their absent Friends. So may we have singular comfort and refreshment, to see the Heart of Christ in the Counsels, Promises, and Appoint­ments left with us.

[Page] Secondly, There is an Evangelical and Practical keeping of the words of Christ. When we do believe promises, and obey commands; Promises not believed, and Precepts not obey­ed, are as water spilt on the earth, besides the vessel that should receive it, Heb. 4.2. but when they are believed, they be as liquor put into the vessel for its proper use. Hence saies Christ, Luke 11.28. Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. Then we keep the words of Christ, when we be­lieve his promises, observe his precepts in all our conversa­tion, and walk by his appointments and institutions in all our duties.

Thirdly, Why 'tis their property and duty that love Jesus Christ to keep his words.

Reason. 1 First, Because true love is comprehensive; He that love Christ truly loves all that is his; He that loves him that be­gat, loves him also that is begotten: The nearer any thing is to Christ, the better it is beloved; and then we love the word when we keep it, as a special pledge of his love; To have his word, and a heart to keep it, is a double blessing; and indeed, such a gift as the word of Christ is, is worthy to be loved for it self, and kept for the givers sake.

Reason. 2 Secondly, Because true love is Operative, 'tis the princi­ple of Gospel obedience, 2 Cor. 5.14. The love of Christ constraineth us. Where there is the disposition of a Son, there will be obedience to the Fathers commands; so where there is a spiritual love to Christ, it will set the soul on work, and quicken it to keep the words of Christ, as is said of Faith, Shew me thy Faith by thy works. So shew thy love to Christ by thy works; as Faith without works is dead, so is love without obedience.

Reason. 3 Thirdly, Because keeping the words of Christ gives the clearest and surest testimony of the truth of our love to Jesus Christ. Probatio delectationis est exhibitio operis; Greg. Hom. Obedi­ence is the most lively testification of love, as Christ said to Peter, Lovest thou me? &c. shew it in this, in doing thy du­ty; Feed my sheep. So Christ tells us in the Text, Where the fire of love is in the breast, there the flame of duty and service is in the hands. Joh, 15.14. Ye are my friends, if ye do what­soever I command you. In the 1 Joh. 5.3. In this is the love of God, that we keep his Commandments.

Use. 1 Use 1. For Exhortation.

First, To a mental keeping of the words of Christ, accor­ding to that word, Heb. 2.1. We ought therefore to give the more diligent heed, to the things which we have received, lest at any time we let them slip. And that we may not forget, but keep in our memories the words of Christ.

First consider, That all the promises and counsells, which Jesus Christ hath made known to us, are not only for present, but for future use, Isa. 42.23. Hearken and hear for the time to come. We should hear as if we were to hear no more. The Cordial which hath some time revived us, must not be laid aside, lest for want of it another time, we faint quite a­way. The reason why they were ready to faint under af­flictions, Heb. 13.5. was, because they had forgotten the ex­hortation, which speaketh to them as to Sons. For this cause Jesus Christ often bids his Disciples remember the word he had spoken to them, and knowing their frailty, promises his spi­rit, Joh. 14.26. and that (sayes he) [...], shall bring to your remembrance.

Secondly consider, Not to remember the words of Christ, is a sad sign of our dis-esteem of Jesus Christ. We usually remember Precepts, Counsels, and Sayings, according to the authority which the person hath with us, from whence they come. It is a very great dishonour to Jesus Christ, when we shall cast his words behind our backs. Did we honour Jesus Christ as our King, Lord, and Lawgiver, we should be more careful to remember what he hath spoken to us. We often blame our heads, as if the fault lay only there, that we do not remember the words of Christ, when indeed the fault lies most in the hearts, that we have not more love and esteem of Christ there.

Thirdly, The time will come, when we shall dearly repent every truth forgotten, that we did not endeavour to seal in­struction upon our hearts.

First, When God shall with-hold instruction from us, be­cause we have refused it; the time may come, when as Amos 8.12. Men shall run to and fro, and seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it; and then we shall see the worth of the word, that now we prize not.

Secondly, When God shall call us to an account for all the [Page]Sermons, and Instructions we have received, as he will cer­tainly do; though we forget, yet he will remember, and he will ask how we have kept, and improved the Word he hath spoken to us.

To help us in keeping, or remembring the words of Christ.

Directions. First, Let your hearts be affected with the worth and ex­cellency of the word, that it is more precious than Gold or Silver: and then we shall keep it as choice treasure. That which a man prizeth, he will keep in safe custody, and have often in his eyes, as David sayes of the word, Psal. 119.97. O how I love thy Law, it is my meditation all the day long. It a man account the word as his treasure, he will not forget it, as Jerem. 2.32. Can a Maid forget her Ornaments, or a Bride her Attires? This they forget not; Yet because we account not the word as excellent and necessary as these, therefore it follows, Yet my people have forgotten me dayes without number.

Secondly. Apply every word of Christ to your own souls, though men will not keep what is anothers, yet usually they keep what is their own; while men carve away the word to others, as if it concern'd them not, 'tis no marvel if they keep it not, but if we accounted every word as spoken to us, and our portion, we should hear and keep it. Men re­member the news which concerns themselves. We should hear Christ speaking, as Job 5.27. Hear thou this, know it for thy good.

Thirdly, Meditate often upon what you have received, as Mary pondered the sayings which she heard, in her heart The way to keep any thing safe, is to have a constant eye upon it. Meditation is the Souls serious retiring into it self, to take a view of all that of God, that is laid up within it self.

Fourthly, Hasten to do all that you have heard and learn­ed, Psal. 119.60. It is said by David, I made hast and pro­longed not the time to keep his Commandments. A man will not easily forget his Trade; so if we daily obey commands, and believe promises, we cannot easily forget the com­mands and promises given to us: which last direction leads to the second exhortation.

Exh. 2 Secondly, It may exhort us to keep the words of Christ with an Evangelical and Practical keeping. Keep the word as a man keeps his Rule or the Souldier keeps his Weapon; let not the word depart from thee, and do not thou depart from it, by forsaking the appointments and commands of Christ.

First, consider, That if we do not keep the words of Christ, by obeying, and a suitable walking, we do but in vain pretend love to Jesus Christ, as they that had no more of Christ, but to call him Lord, ( Mat. 7.21.) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, &c. So, not every one that sayes he loves me, but he that doth my word, he is my friend.

Secondly, consider what a sin it is to pretend love to Christ, and not so truly to love him, as to keep his words; 'tis Hypocrisie; they be Christ's false friends, an open enemy is less dangerous than they, Ezek. 33.31. They hear thy words, but they will not do them, their heart goes after their covetousness; They be false to themselves, and delude their own souls with a bare profession and hearing, Jam. 1.22. Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own souls.

Secondly, consider what judgement they incurre, and who can tell how great it is? 'tis call'd a beating with more stripes, when the least stripe from that hand can break the loynes, Luke 12.47. He that knoweth his Masters will, and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Secondly consider, This is the clearest evidence of our interest in Christ, of his love to us, that we keep his Com­mandments. By this we know that we have him as our Christ, when we do not only love him as a Jesus, a Saviour, but obey him as a Lord, and follow his Law. When God shall write his Law in our hearts, Is not this an evidence that Christ is ours?

Thirdly, Great and many are the encouragements which he hath promised to them that keep his words. There be ma­ny blessings in the word, but they only have the blessings for theirs, who keep his word, Jam. 1.15. Whoso looketh into the perfect Law of Liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be bles­sed [Page]in his deed; he shall ask what he will, and have it, Joh. 15.7. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.

Direct. That we may do the words of Christ.

First, Let it be the aim and intentions of our souls, when we come to hear, to turn hearing into doing. Say as Paul did, Acts 9.6. Lord what wilt thou have me to do? and Cor­nelius, Acts 10.33. Now therefore are we all here present be­fore God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

Secondly, Beg of God to give you such a heart, that you may not only say, as the people in a good humour, once to Moses; All that thou shalt speak unto us, that will we observe and do; but find your hearts such as in Deut. 5.29. O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my Commandments always, &c. It is he by whom the word is made (as James hath it) [...] Jam. [...] 1. [...]. engraffed. [...], A fruit-bearing word. Begin all your hearing with prayers, and conclude them with prayers, because 'tis of the greatest con­cernment.

Use. 2 Lastly, A use of comfort.

First, If we keep this word, the word will keep us. It will keep us in the worst of times, yea at all times, Pro. 6.22. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. If you keep his Commands, his Commands will keep you; If you keep his Promises, his Promises will bring you to Glory.

Secondly, If we keep his word, we shall not want pre­sent comforts. The present gratuities which we have from Christ, should be enough to encourage us, if there were no future reward, Psal. 19. In keeping of them there is great re­ward. 1 Tim. 4. [...]. verse.

Thirdly, Jesus Christ hath promised a blessedness to such persons; they be a blessed people, Rev. 1.3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this Prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; and so in Luke 11.28. Blessed are they, &c. and with the best of blessings doth be crown them in the Text, My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him; which is the second observation.

[Page] Obs. 2 God and Christ will make their abode with them that keep his word.

In which Observation, we shall take notice of these three particulars.

First, How God and Christ do make their abode with them that keep his word.

Secondly, Why God and Christ will make their abode with such.

Thirdly, What an excellent blessing it is to have God and Christ abiding with us.

First, How God and Christ do make their abode with them that keep his word; in which these three particulars must be shown.

• 1. How God abides with his People.
• 2. How Jesus Christ abides with them.
• 3. How both God and Christ will make their abode with them that keep his word.

First, How God, the first Person in the Trinity, is said to make his abode with them that keep his word.

And this will be two wayes seen.

First, It is not here to be understood of his common or general presence, as he is the infinite God, and being Omni­present, fills Heaven and Earth: for so he abides with all the works of his hands; yea, so he is with them that fear him not.

Secondly, It is here properly understood of Gods abode by way of special presence, as he is a gracious Father; there fore Jesus Christ doth first express the Fathers love, and then his abode, as the product and fruit of his love, My Fa­ther will love him, and we will come unto him, &c. He will come and abide with his, as a God in Covenant with them, therefore hath he put it into a promise, in the 2. Cor. 6.16. I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Secondly, How Jesus Christ will make his abode with them that keep his word? which will be shown also, First, Negatively. Secondly, Affirmatively.

First Negatively, It is not to be understood of a carnal or corporeal presence of Christ (as the Papist imagine) as if the flesh of Christ could be in all places, whom the Heavens must [Page]contain till the time of restitution of all things: for saies the Apostle, 2. Cor. 5.16. acknowledging, If he had known Christ after the flesh, yet so, he knows him no more.

Secondly, Affirmatively, He makes abode with his people after a spiritual manner, God the Father makes his abode with his Servants, as a Father to them; Jesus Christ abides with them, as the Head of his Church, as it is in Ephe. 5.23. He is the Head of his Church, and the Saviour of his Body. God abides with us in Christ, Jesus Christ abides with us by his Spirit.

Corn [...] lap.A learned Author shews four ways of Christs abode with Believers.

• 1. Politicè ut Rex in Regno, As a King in his Kingdom; and so he gives Laws as the only Head, and King of his Church: protects them, and order all their affairs.
• 2. Oeconomicè, ut Puter in Dome, As a Father in his House; and so he takes care, and makes provision for his people, as a Father doth for his Family.
• 3. Ethicè, ut ratio in homine, As reason in a man, which is the light that directs man in all his actions; so Jesus Christ di­rects and leads his people.
• 4. Phisice, us Anima in Corpore, As the Soul in the Body, which animates and acts the whole man, without which the Body is a dead, and liveless Trunck; so Jesus Christ doth quicken our soules, by whom we have spiritual life.

And that he is the Head of his Church, and thus abides with them,

First consider, He hath all grace and life in him; John 5.26. As the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son, to have life in himself; therefore the Psalmist saies, Psal. 36.9. With thee is the Well of life, and in thy light, shall we see light.

Secondly, From him is all grace and life conveyed out un­to us, John 1.16. of his fulness have we all received, and grace for grace. Yea, whatsoever we receive from the Spirit of God, we have from him originally, as in John 16.15. For he shall take of mine and shew it unto you.

Thirdly, How God and Christ are both said to make their abode with them that keep his word. And this I shall shew to be three wayes.

[Page] First, by their special Providence and Inspection with them, and so we may see them in several Scriptures, a­biding with them, as in Zach. 1.8,9,10. verses, there's Jesus Christ among the [...], which represent the Church, and in Revel. 1.13. He is there in the midst of his Golden Candlesticks, and David tells us of his experience of Gods presence with him, Psal. 73.23. I am continually with thee, thou upholdest me with thy right hand, and the Apostle Paul, 2 Tim. 4.17. The Lord stood by me; indeed the eyes of the Lord are upon the Righteous, and he hath said, he will not leave them.

Secondly, They make their abode with them in the Gos­pel, and Gospel Ordinances, where these be continued in their power and purity, there the Tabernacle of God is among men, and when these are taken away, I-chabod, the Glory is departed; We may say God hath forsaken us. As the Ark was a Tipe, and Token of God; special presence with the Jews, so the Gospel, and Gospel Ordinances, are a sig­nal, Token of Gods abode with us, for in these we may see him, in these, we may enjoy him, by these, we may be made like to him, as in the 2 Cor. 3.18. But we all with open face, behold as in a Glasse the Glory of God, and are changed into the same Image, from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Thirdly, They make their abode with them in the Spirit, which proceeds from the Father, and the Son; So they may both be said truly to abide with us, while we have the Spirit, the Comforter, which proceeds from the Father, and the Son, as a pledge of their Love, Joh. 15.20. When the Com­forter is come, whom I will send unto you, from the Father, I will send him sayes Christ, even the Spirit of truth, which [...], which proceeds from the Father, there is an [...], a Procession of the Holy Ghost, from the Father, and the Son, to the People that keep his word; and thus Believers are said to hold fellowship with the Fa­ther, and the Son, in the 1 Epist. of John 13. It is by the Spirit we are drawn; being drawn, we come; being come we are enabled to walk with God and Christ: It is this Spirit that doth all for us. As in the Ecche, The Ayre being moved by the voice, returns the same sound by its own motion; So in all [Page]our Communion with God and Christ; the Soul being moved by the Spirit, returns answer, by vertue of the Spi­rits motion in us; Come, sayes the Spirit, I come sayes the Soul, being taught by the same Spirit.

All the works wrought on the Souls of men, in order to Salvation, are wrought of God and Christ in us, but by the Spirit; As in these three special particulars.

First, By the Spirit they instruct and teach; The Spirit is an enlightning Spirit, a Spirit of Judgement, and of burning. The Spirit reveals the Counsels of God, the great Misteries of the Kingdom; Leads into all truth, makes men wise to Salvation.

Secondly, By this Spirit they quicken & comfort the Souls of men, Rom. 5.5. It is by the Spirit that the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. Our cold and frozen Spirits are warmed and made fit for action, and by this Spirit, we are awaken'd; Hence the Church prayes, for the breathings of this Spirit, Cant. 4.16. Awake, O North-wind, and come thou South, blow upon my Garden, that the Spices thereof may flow out.

Thirdly, By this Spirit they do strengthen, and establish the hearts of men in the wayes of Holinesse, thus they are made strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; strong to resist tentations, strong to suppesse corruptions; strong to perform duties, by this Spirit they are carryed through all difficulties; by this Spirit their Infirmities are healed; Rom. 8.26. they are made to persevere, and kept stedfast, and unmoveable, alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord; and Sealed up to the day of Redemption.

Thus God and Christ do make their abode with them that keep the words of Christ, till they come to make an ever­lasting abode with them in Heaven.

And according to the workings of this Spirit more or lesse in the hearts of men, God is said to be present, or absent from his people.

Reasons. Secondly, The Reasons why God and Christ will make their abode with them that keep his words.

Reas. 1 First, Because of their special Love to, and Care of them that keep his words. Indeed all the Care of God, in concerning his people, that he hath in the World, there­fore in the Second Commandement, he is said to shew mercy [Page]to thousands of them that fear him, and keep his Commande­ments, that do not cast his word behind their backs, and for­saking his Appointments, follow their own Inventions; So that if we faithfully keep his word, he will abide with us in our work; And this is the Great Reason in the Text, My Fa­ther will Love him; Not but that he Loves his Elect from Eternity, but he will manifest his Love to them, and therefore he will make his abode with them, as the People of his Love; for in Deut. 32.9. The Lords Portion is his People, and Jacob is the Lot of his Inheritance, and in Mal. 3.17. they are called his Jewels, and men will abide with their Treasure.

Reas. 2 Secondly, Because of the near Relation that is between God and Christ, and them that keep his word. That is a very full place of Scripture for this purpose, Mat. 12.50. Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in Heaven, the same is my Brother, and Sister, and Mother. What nearer Relation can there be than this? So near are they to Jesus Christ, that keep his word, observe his will, and be true and faithful to his Appointments; and sure such near Relations will desire Cohabitation on both sides.

First, God and Christ are said to stand Related in a Pa­ternal Relation.

Secondly, They are said to stand Related in a Conjugal Relation.

First, God and Christ stand in a Paternal Relation to his People.

First, God is their Father, and they are his Sons and Daughters; And this the Church doth acknowledge in Isai. 63.16. Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not, thou O Lord art our Father, &c. And with this the Lord comforted mourning Zion, Isai. 49.14,15. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. But God sayes, Can a Woman forget her sucking Child, that she should not have Compassion on the Son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee. Behold I have graven thee on the palms of my Hands, &c. My abode is with thee.

Secondly, Jesus Christ is their Father, Isai. 9.6. The everlasting Father. Therefore he promiseth his Disciples in [Page]this, 14. Joh. 18. I will not leave you, [...], Orphans, or Fatherlesse Children. He is the most affectionate tender hearted Father, Tam Pater nemo, tam pius nemo: None so good, none such a Father as he, ( [...] Tertul.)

Secondly, God and Christ stand related to them that keep his word, in a Conjugal relation; and God hath said a special command of co-habitation upon persons in this relation, The man must dwell with his own Wife.

First, God is related as a Husband, And will not God dwell with his People, whom he hath espoused to himself? I have betrothed thee unto me for ever, (Hosea 2.19.) Yea I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgement, and in loving kindness, and in mercies; I will even betroth thee un­to me in faithfulness. And in Isai. 54.5,6. For thy Maker is thy Husband, &c. For the Lord hath called thee as a Woman forsaken, &c.

Secondly, Jesus Christ is the Husband of his People, as we see in the whole Book of Canticles. And so in Ephe. 5. from the 29. Verse to the end of the Chapter. Now where shall God and Christ make their abode, but with their espoused Ones? Doth Jesus Christ delight to lodge any where more than with the Wife of his bosome?

Reas. 3 Thirdly, Because of Gods faithful Covenant, he will make his abode with them that keep his word. If we keep the word of his Patience, he will keep the word of his Pro­mise, Revel. 3.10. Because thou hast kept the word of my Pati­ence, I also will keep thee, from the hour of temptation, which shall come on all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. It is called a word of Patience, because it teacheth patience, and especially because it requires it in all them that will observe it. And this is Gods's Covenant. Now, what is the Covenant? Jerem. 32.40. And I will make an everlasting Covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me; and such a sure and infallible promise of abode, can never be violated by a God-keeping Covenant; God may hide for a moment, turn away in a little wrath from his people (Isa. 54.8.9.10.11.) but with great mercy will he gather them, and shew them everlasting kindness; Yea, his Promise shall be as the waters of Noah, that as the waters of the great Deluge shall never co­ver [Page]the world any more, so he will never forsake his people utterly. It shall be more possible for the Mountains to de­part, and the Hills to be removed, than that he should fi­nally depart from His. The frame of the world may be dis­ordered, but the frame of Gods heart towards his People, can never be changed. When the men of the world think God hath forsaken them, he is near to them, and cannot cast off his people; He may sometimes give them up for their sinnes into the enemies hands, but cannot give them away: this gave the Church that confidence, in Micah 7.8. Rejoyce not against me, O mine Enemy; when I fall, I shall arise, when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. And this did bear the head of the New-Testament-Saints above wa­ter, 2 Cor. 4.8.9. We are troubled on every side, yet not di­stressed; we are perplexed, but not in dispair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. And whence is it, that Distress doth not follow Troubles? Despair our Per­plexities? Desertion our Persecutions? Destruction our sad Dejections? sure it is, because God is faithful, alwayes with us, and will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear, &c. 1 Cor. 10.13.

Partic. 3 Thirdly, What a special blessing it is, to a person, or peo­ple, to have God and Christ to make their abode with them.

The excellency and desirableness of this abode of God and Christ with Believers, may be seen in these three parti­culars.

First, It is better than all outward mercies, and earthly blessings.

Secondly, This will more than supply the want or absence of all other comforts.

Thirdly, All our happiness doth lye in this, Gods presence with us.

Cons. 1 First, The abode of God and Christ with a soul, is better than all outward mercies, or earthly blessings whatsoever. God was wont to tell his people heretofore, as in Deut. 28. That if they would keep his Commandments, they should be blessed in their basket, and in their store; that he would give them peace, the fat heritage of Jacob, and to ride upon the high places; all goodly mercies: But now he doth encou­rage [Page]them by a blessing of far greater worth, I will love you, I will make mine abode with you. It is so high and tran­scendent a favour, That Moses preferr'd it, before that goodly Land of promise, Canaan, the Land flowing with Milk and Hony, as appears by that passage in Exod. 33.15. If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. Though Canaan be never so desirable a good Land, Yet rather let me abide in this vast-howling Wildernesse with God, then go without thy presence thither. A Wildernesse Conditi­on with God in the Tent, is better then all Pleasures and Honours without God in the Palace. Hence David in the midst of all his Royal Pompe, and Greatnesse, desired this, as the Complement and Perfection of all, Psal. 101.1.2. O when wilt thou come unto me.

Consider these two particulars.

First, That there is not beauty, nor desirablenesse in the fairest outward prosperity, if God and Christ do not make their abode with us. If we have all the world, and cannot see the abode of God and Christ on our Tabernacle, in their special Providence, in Soul refreshing Ordinances, or by the Comforting Spirit; We may look on all, and say as Hiram did of the Cities Solomon gave him, they be Cabul, Dirty things. 1 Kings 9.13. If we cannot find God and Christ thus with us, in the midst of our Glory, The Glory is departed.

Secondly, Consider, There is no misery, nor unhappi­nesse in the worst afflictions, if God and Christ be there; in the Furnace there is no Death; in Captivity, no Darknesse; in Prison, no Sadnesse; in Death, no Hell. Jesus Christ tells us, he will not leave us Comfortlesse; he never told us we should not meet with Tribulations, but sayes, In the world we shall have Tribulation, and as surely, that in him, we shall have Consolation. His people may be in the world Friendlesse, Harbourlesse, Pennylesse, but he assures them, they shall never be Comfortlesse.

Partic. 2 Secondly, This abode of God and Christ with his people, will more then supply the want or absence of all other things. Jesus Christ, when he would throughly encourage his Disciples against all the hardships, and discouraging fears, they might meet withall after his departure, gives them this one precious Cordial, or Catholicon, in Mat. 28.20. [Page] Loe I am with you alway, even unto the end of the World, when you are cast out of the Synagogues, had before Magistrates and Rulers for my name sake, Scourged, Hated, Imprisoned; for all these things shall they do unto you, Let this comfort you; Loe, I am with you alway, to the end of the World.

Indeed, This abode of God and Christ with his people, is every thing to the Soul, which we may see in these three particulars.

First, Their presence is a Sanctuary, and sure Hide-ing place.

Secondly, It is a sure Light and Guide to them.

Thirdly, It is a Store-house and Treasury of all Provi­sions.

1 First, The abode or presence of God and Christ, is in­stead of a Sanctuary, or sure hideing place; as Psal. 84.11. For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield, &c. and in Isai. 8.13. sayes the Prophet, Sanctifie the Lord God of Hosts, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread, and he shall be for a Sanctuary: Do you set God before you, and he will set himself by you; and where the great God goes, there goes a Guard of Angels, Psal. 34.7. His Wings be a Covert, and his hand a Canopy, with which he hides from the Storm, and from Rain.

And that he is a mighty Saviour.

First, Consider his Omnipotency; He can do whatever pleaseth him; He can make the worm Jacob to thresh Moun­tains, and the Mountains to become a plague before Jerubba­bel; Zach. 4.7. All the Nations of the Earth are but as a drop of the Bucket, or dust of the Ballance, compared with him; and all hearts are in his hands; Therefore sayes the Prophet, in Isai. 26.4. Trust in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jeho­vah, is everlasting strength, or the Rock of ages. He is no broken Reed, but that strength in which we may Confide; As David sayes, Psal. 46.1,2,3. Si fractus illabitur Or­bis, If the World be dissolved, God is our refuge and strength, &c. therefore we will not fear, though the Earth be removed, and though the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea, &c.

Secon [...]ly, Consider his imme [...]tability; We have stand­ing Comfort in the unchangeablenesse of this God, Mal. 3.6. [Page] I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye Sons of Jacob are not consumed. And for this we have the experience of Da­vid, Psal. 9.10. They that know thy name, will put their trust in thee, for thou (Lord) hast not forsaken them that seek thee, and the Churches experience, Isai. 63.9. he bear them, and he carried them all the daies of old. This great and unchangeable Saviour, saves his people, these four wayes.

First, He will save and preserve from Evils, and will be a Chamber of safety when the Indignation is abroad, to hide from the storm; Ezek. 11.6. Yet will I be to them as a little Sanctuary in the Countries where they shall come, I will be with thee; is Gods great Promise, and his Peoples Se­curity; it was Joshua's Guard, and Jeremiah's Brasen-Wall.

Secondly, He will save his people in afflictions; as he did the three Children in the burning Fornace, thus he de­livers in six troubles, and also in seven; as 'tis promised in Isai. 43.2,3. When thou passest thorough the waters I will be with thee and thorow the Rivers, they shall not overflow thee; When thou walkest thorow the fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee, For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy one of Israel, thy Saviour. Job's experience is an everlasting proof of this, that when the Lead is Consumed, the Gold is preserved in the Fornace.

Thirdly, He will save or deliver out of afflictions, 1 Cor. 10, 13. In the midst of all temptations, he will make a way for us to escape them, Many are the troubles of the Righte­ous, but the Lord delivereth them out of all. He is Emmanu­el, God with us; Our Redeemer from Hell, and from Trou­ble.

Fourthly, He will save by afflictions, and by the evils they meet withall; Prov. 29.15. The Rod and Reproof give wisdom; and as David sayes, It was good for me that I was afflicted. All things shall work for good, 2 Cor. 4.7. These afflictions work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory. The Vessel is usually covered with Dirt by the Clensers hand, that it may shine with the more brightness; So by afflictions God makes us partakers of his Holiness.

Afflictions and outward evils, come alike to all, but with much different effect; All men fall into afflictions, Good and Bad, but as the Israelites, and the Egyptians went both [Page]into the Red Sea, and the one was drowned, and the o­ther passed throrough to Canaan: So the Righteous and the Wicked fall under Calamity, the one sinks through unbelief, and the other passes thorough safety, and by Faith and Pa­tience comes to inherit the promise.

2 Secondly, The Abode or Presence of God and Christ with Believers, is instead of a sure Guide and Light unto them; They can never want a Guide, who have God with them. As the Pillar of a Cloud by day, and of Fire by night, was unto Israel in all their March, The same and more is God to his People, in all their Pilgrimage.

Consider three things.

First, Consider, that Man cannot be without this Guide; The best of men have very great need of the pre­sence of God to lead them; that they be not mis-led, and that they don't faint in the way, What can the Sheep do with­out a Shepheard? Such is God to his, Psal. 23.1. without Gods abode with us, 'tis as Children without a Father, and none to direct them, and so left to run themselves into mis­chief; What is the World without a Sun? Jer. 10.23. The way of man is not in himself, it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Secondly, Consider, that 'tis our great wisdom to commit our way to the guidance of this God and Christ; Every wise man will commit his way to God, and not move a step without him; as Moses in the Conduct of Israel, would not move a foot without God. That was a good Petition, or rather Resolution of David, in Psal. 73.24. Thou shalt guide me with thy Counsel, and afterward receive me to Glory. I am resolved to be guided by Gods Counsel, and an excel­lent and imitable practise of Isaac, in Gen. 26.24,25. that where he had met God at Beer-sheba, and where God had blessed him, There he pitched his Tent; So we should move as God leads.

Thirdly, Consider, That if God undertake to Guide us, we shall not miscarry, he will certainly bring us sa [...]e to Heaven. Our feet may be almost gone, but shall not be altogether gone, Psal. 73.2. My feet were almost gone, my steps had well nigh slipt. So it may be with the choicest of Gods Servants; but in the 23 verse, Neverthelesse I am [Page]continually with thee; thou hast holden me by my right hand.

The more dark and dangerous the times be, the more we should desire Gods abode with us; the nearer a night of trouble or of death is to us, the more earnestly beg his stay, as the two Disciples, Luke 24.29. They constrained Christ, saying, abide with us, for it is towards Evening, and the day is far spent.

3 Thirdly, The abode or presence of God and Christ with his people, is instead of a Treasury and Store-house of all Provisions. Where Jesus Christ is, and where God makes his abode, there is a Spring head of comforts, that cannot be drawn dry, Isa. 33.16. Bread shall be given them, and their waters shall be sure, who have God with them; So was God to Israel, Deut. 29.5.6. He fed Israel in the wilderness forty years, their clothes did not wax old. You have not eaten bread, neither have you drunk wine, or strong drink, that ye might know that I am the Lord your God.

Consider three particulars here.

First, Consider God is such a store, that he is alwayes full; He hath an Antarchy in himself, and saies to his crea­tures, as in Psal. 81.10. Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it, ask what you will, and there 'tis to be had. There be full Treasures, of temporal and spiritual good things with them, with whom God and Christ do make their abode. As the Ark of God brought all kind of blessings to the house of Obed-edom, so when God comes, he brings all things; Deus meus, & omnia; My God, and all things. When Jesus Christ came to Zacheus, he tells him, This day is Salvation come to thine house; that is, both temporal and spiritual pre­servations and deliverances; Salvation doth consist in the total absence of all evil, and in the presence and possession of all good.

Secondly, God and Christ have left with us the promises of the Covenant to live upon, till we come to the inheritance of the purchased Possession: These be like the Widows Cruse, that never fails; this like the Manna, will not be with-held while we be in the wilderness, till we come into Canaan, to feed on the fruits of that Land, Heb. 13.5. That's a sure Promise, in which we may by faith see present supplies, I [Page]will never leave thee, nor forsake thee; and in Phil. 4.19. we may possesse in that Promise whatever we want; My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.

Thirdly, God hath given us his Son, and Jesus Christ hath given us himself, as an ensuing pledge of all mercies con­tained in the promises, Rom. 8.32. He that spared not his own Son, but gave him for us, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things; He that hath not spared his Son, will not with-hold any mercies; he that hath given us the best of blessings, will not with-hold smaller mercies: He doth al­way tell his people, as in 2 Cor. 12.9. My grace is sufficient for you.

3 Thirdly, The abode of God and Christ with Believers, is their Heaven upon Earth. All our happiness is in the abode of God and Christ with us.

First, Consider it is a wonderful mercy of the great God, that by his common Providence, he is with the works of his hands, which is mans safety; and David admires at this, Psal. 8.4. Lord what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the Son of man, that thou visitest him?

Secondly, Consider it is a mercy of the greatest worth, and to be for ever admired, that God and Christ do not only visit us by common Providence and Inspection, as his crea­tures, but make their abode with us, as with children and friends; O this is our glory; God doth not come with a short visit, for a day, for a few days, but makes an ever­lasting abode. The Church complained when she thought God was departed, because he had been with them, and made so short a stay, Jer. 14.8. Why shouldst thou be as a stranger in the Land, and as a way-faring man, that turneth aside to tarry for a night, &c. but when she remembred the Cove­nant of eternal abode, she comforts her self, in the 9. verse. Yet thou O Lord art in the midst of us. To be ever with the Lord, is all we can hope for, and it is mans contemplative happinesse, to converse in his thoughts with that Glory.

First, Consider Jesus Christ hath promised this, as our great Glory, and full reward; I will take you to my self, they shall behold my glory. 17. Joh. verse 24. 1 Epist. Joh. 3.2. We shall be like him, [...] we shall see him as he is.

[Page] Secondly, This abode with God and Christ, is the highest option, and aim of all the people of God. This was Pauls pressings, in Phil. 3. That he might attain to the resurrection of the dead, (i.) the state of them that are risen, and with God and Christ; Therefore resolves after a long debate with himself, Phil. 1.21. To be with Christ, is best of all, and Da­vid in Psal. 73. at the latter end, professes, He had none in Heaven but God, and there was none upon earth that he desired in comparison of him.

Use 1 Use. First, of Lamentation, and laments three sorts of persons.

First, Let us lament such as be without God and Christ in the world, all ignorant and ungodly persons; yea, this is the sad case of all the Sons of Adam, ever since he sinned, and lost communion with his God; They be brought forth into the world, with their backs upon God, and with Gods face against them: What was Cain's grief? how was his heart hurried into a world of inconceivable distempers, and distracting thoughts? when he must be turn'd out of Gods presence, from the enjoyment of God in his Ordinances, Gen. 4.14. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day, (saies poor Cain,) from the face of the earth, (but this is as no­thing) and from thy face shall I be hid, (and now where is my comfort and safety?) it shall come to passe, that every one that findeth me, shall slay me. Such persons be as Lambs in a large place, Hos. 4.16. Without a Keeper in their most plen­tiful state; What hope have such to escape Hell and De­struction?

Consider these two particulars.

First, Consider it is a very sad case, when God and Christ withdraw, or depart but for a moment; 'tis a sad, and into­lerable moment, as we see in the complaint of Christ, when God withdrew himself from him; My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? and in the example of David, Asaph and Heman, in Psal. 77. and Psal. 88. and the whole Church laments in Jer. 14.8.

Secondly, Consider if God and Christ do never come to make their abode with us here, we are never like to make our abode with them hereafter; and then it were better we had never been born, Psal. 73.27. They that are far from [Page]thee, shall perish. And this is Hell, to be separated from God and Christ, 2 Thes. 1.8.9. They, (i.) the wicked shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. It is Heaven where-ever God is in his special abode, and that is Hell where He is not present in his mercy and grace.

2 Secondly, Use of Lamentation.

Let us lament over a worse sort of men, and they be such as in Job. 21.14. That say to God, depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes; That refuse the word of Christ, and be weary of God and his Ordinances, and so reject God. as if one house could not hold them both; as the peo­in Isa. 30.10.11. Who say to the Seers, see not; and to the Prophets, prophecy not, &c. Cause the Holy one to cease from be­fore us. They that stop the mouths of them that speak the word of Christ, or turn away their ears from harkening to that which is spoken, say in effect, Let God be gone, let Christ depart from us.

First, Consider what an evil frame of spirit it is, for men to refuse the presence of God. Was there ever wickedness like this? that the great God should be as an unbidden guest with his own creatures, and have no better entertainment than Christ with the Gaderens, who besought him to de­part out of their Coast, yea, which is far worse, rejected, as Christ was by the possessed in the Gospel, Mat. 8.29. What have we to do with thee? art thou come to torment us before the time?

Secondly, Consider it will be a very terrible day, when God and Christ depart from such persons. God threatens it as a sore judgement upon Jerusalem, Jer. 6.8. Be thou in­structed O Jerusalem, lest my Soul depart from thee; When God departs, in comes all Judgements, for it follows in the Text, Lest I make thee desolate; Desolation comes as soon as God is gone, yea, saies the Lord, Hos. 9.12. Woe to them, when I depart from them. And though he depart from such by removing his Counsells, Gospel, and Ordinances: He will still be with them in judgement; when he is far from their Affections, he will be nigh to their Consciences, then he will shew his terrour, and his wrath; and then they shall find, that as there is not a sweeter promise than this, I will never [Page]leave thee nor forsake thee; so not a more terrible judgement than this, I will not love thee, nor abide with thee.

3 Thirdly, Use of Lamentation.

Let us lament our selves, who have had God and Christ making their abode with us for many years in their special Providence, Gospel Ordinances, &c. Yet we have not im­proved so glorious a Presence, so rich a mercy: especially we have cause to lament this four-fold neglect.

First, That we have so little acquainted our selves with God and Christ, so little prized and observed their Presence with us, that we have learn'd no more of God and Christ, but are yet strangers to them; so that Jesus Christ may say to us, as in Joh. 14.9. Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip; so he may say to us, Have I been so long time with you in my Providences, Ordinances, and by my Spirit, and yet have you not known my Goodness, my Faithfulness, my Name, my Laws and Ordinances? Sure it is with most of us, as with Jacob, Gen. 28.15.16. The Lord was with him, and he was in his Dream, and when he awaked, he said, Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not. So God hath been with us, but we have been in a dream, or in a sleep all this while; but when God shall a­waken us, we shall say with him, God was in this place, and we knew it not.

Secondly, We may lament our selves that we have so little conformed to God and Christ. God hath been with us, but we have refused his company, as Ephe. 2.12. And had our conversation as without God, and without Christ in the world; O when God and Christ shall depart from us, it will be a heart-breaking to us, and we shall dearly repent the least miscarriages.

Thirdly, We may lament, that we have not lived more upon God and Christ, to trust in them, and depend upon them for life and Salvation, and made him our Counsellour, Guide, and Strength, and lived upon his All-sufficiency; we have not made them our Sanctuary, our Treasury, our Hap­piness, though they have been with us, in whom are all things. Yet have we lived at so poor a rate (as to our spi­ritual comforts) as if we had been under the Hypocrit's Curse, Job 20.22. In the fulness of his sufficiency he is in [Page]straits, Or guilty of that vanity mentioned in Eccle. 6.2. To have Riches and Honours. &c. and not a heart to use them. To have a God and Christ, in whom are all Riches and Ho­nours, and have had no Faith to use them for our comfort, we have even starved our selves at the fullest Table, and Spring-head of plenty.

Fourthly, We may lament our selves, that we have not taken more pleasure in the enjoyment of God and Christ in the Gospel, and Gospel Ordinances; accounting all Compa­ny and delights, solitarinesse, in comparison of the joy and comfort that is in the abode of God and Christ; especially, when God expects we should rejoyce in him, and hath pro­mised to abode with such, Isai. 64.5. Thou meetest him that rejoyceth, and worketh Righteousnesse, and remembreth thee in thy wayes.

Use. 2 Two Uses of Exhortation.

• 1. To get the Presence of God and Christ with us.
• 2. To endeavour to keep God and Christ abiding with us.

1 The first Use of Exhortation.

Let us be Exhorted above all desires, to desire Gods pre­sence; and above all getting, Get God and Christ to make their abode with you. O with what Ardency and heat of desire, doth David expresse himself; Psal. 27.4. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his Temple; and so in Psal. 42.1,2. As the Hart pants after the water brooks, so panteth my Soul after thee O God, My Soul thirsteth for God, when shall I come and appear before God? O when wilt thou come unto me? and in a multitude of such like Pathetick breathings after God.

And that we may the more earnestly desire this mercy, the abode of God and Christ with us; Consider three par­ticulars.

First, Consider, the presence of God and Christ, is the special favour and honour that God bestows only upon his own people. By this was Israel distinguished from all the world, Exod. 33.16. My presence shall go with thee, and in the last verse of the last Chapter of Ezekiel. It is the Church only that is call'd Jehovah Shammah. The Lord is there her [Page] Founder, Preserver, and Governour.

Secondly, Consider, that they that have God and Christ with them, dwell continually at the Fountain Head of Consolations, as David sayes, Psal. 23. I shall want nothing, The Lord is my shepheard, My Cup runs over. Surely Good­nesse and Mercy shall follow me all the daies of my life. This Fountain keeps our Cisternes full; our Channels run shallow sometimes, but never are they dryed up; Hos. 14.5. I will be as the Dew unto Israel; He shall grow as the Lillie, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon, they shall grow up as the Lillie, beautiful and fair, and as the Cedar, well rooted and established; He that hath the Sun, hath Light, He that hath the Well, must needs have Water; Ille possidet omnia, qui possi­det possidentem omnia; He hath all things, who hath him from whom all things come.

Thirdly, Consider, that when all Comforts leave us, God will not; when Friends forsake, and Riches profit not, in the evil day, God is a present help in time of trouble, and loves to shew himself in Dubiis & Arduis, in the greatest difficulties, and on the Mount of straits. Jesus Christ sayes truly to us, what Peter said rashly to him; Though all forsake thee, yet will not I.

Object. Object. I have found God and Christ, gone from me, sayes the Soul, when I have had need of him.

Answ. Answer, First, That God and Christ may and do some­times hide their faces from their dearest Friends.

Secondly, Though God and Christ do sometimes with­draw from us, yet every interruption of Communion, is not a separation; The Sun doth not cease to be, when it cea­seth to shine. Grace may suspend its acting, but doth not loose its being, God will not finally forsake his People.

Thirdly, God hath very many Gracious ends, why he sometimes withdraws; And they are alway in mercy to his people, sad providences, producing sweet effects.

Direct. Directions and helps, how to get the presence of God and Christ with us.

1 First, Repent and humble your selves, because of all your sins, that you have at any time rejected the Counsels of God, and refused Grace and Mercy, and neglected Op­portunities, of doing you Souls good, and drawing near to [Page] God; Repentance and Resolution against Sin, come like John Baptist, to prepare a way, and a place, for God and Christ to come to, and make their abode in. Of the Hearts and Houses of Impenitent Sinners, we may well say God is not there. The way to have God to turn in unto us; is to turn away from sin, as Ephraim, Jer. 31.18,19,20. He bemoaned himself, and repented, and God came to him as to his dear Son, and to his pleasant Child.

2 Secondly, Believe in Jesus Christ, and by faith get an inte­rest in him; It is by faith only that we give entertainment to Jesus Christ; It is by Jesus Christ alone, that God and Man come together. No man hath seen the Father at any time, but the Son, and he to whom he doth reveal him, and he that hath the Son, hath the Father, Rom. 5.1. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.

3 Thirdly, Own Jesus Christ in all his Offices, as your King, Priest, and Prophet.

First, As your King, Let him have the Soveraignty of your Souls, that he may rule over you. If Christ be your King, God will be your Father; God loves to come, where Christ hath his Throne.

Secondly, As your Priest, That his Righteousnesse may give you the advantage of Communion with God; without which we cannot come near to him, and he will not come near to us.

Thirdly, As your Prophet, That he may shew you the way; If his Spirit be your Guide, and his Word your Rule, you may be sure his Promises shall be your Portion, even this Promise in the Text, They will come to you, and make their abode with you, even God and Christ.

Dir. 4 Fourthly, Seek earnestly after God and Christ, in the use of all appointed means, till you come to see, and enjoy their presence with you.

Here shall be shewn these two particulars.

• 1. Where we may seek God and Christ.
• 2. How, or after what manner we must seek them.

First, Where we may seek after God and Christ?

First, We may find them in the works of Creation; these will represent God and Christ unto us, the Power and Wis­dome of God and Christ, by whom the World was made; [Page] In omnire aspectabili quaedam extant vestigia Dei; In all the visible creatures, there be some prints of the invisible God; so that he which lives altogether without God, must needs be [...], without excuse, having God so near to him.

Secondly, We may find them in the Word, 2 Cor. 4.6. The glory of God shines there in the face of Jesus Christ, and to them that are conversant in the Word, God hath pro­mised to reveal himself, Isa. 66.2. To this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. And the Apostle gives this direction, Rom. 10.6.7. Say not in thine heart, who shall ascend into Heaven? that is to bring Christ down from above; or, who shall descend into the deep? that is to bring up Christ again from the dead. But what saith it? The word is night thee, even in the mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the word of faith which we preach.

Thirdly, We may find them in Prayer, Jam. 4.8. Draw night to God, and he will draw nigh to you. If you will be strangers to the duty of Prayer, to the Throne of Grace, God will be a stranger to you; he hath promised to draw nigh to them, that draw nigh to him; and so in Exod. 20.24. In all places where I record my Name, I will come unto thee, and I will blesse thee.

Fourthly, We may find them in our Communion with the People of God. Where two or three are met together in my Name, there will I be (saies Christ) in the midst of them. Therefore Jesus Christ directs us to go up by the foot-steps of the Flock; and they enquire wisely, Cant. 6.1. that say to the Church of Christ, Whither is thy beloved gone, that we may seek him with thee? and when the two Disciples went to Em­maus, communing of Christ, He came and joyned himself with them.

Secondly, How, or after what manner we must seek God and Christ.

Take these four following Directions.

First, Affect your selves with the worth and excellency of this presence of God and Christ; carry a high esteem of them in your hearts; think with your selves, how safely they are Immured; how Encastled and Provided for, who have God and Christ with them; as the Prophet said to his servant, [Page] There is more for them, than can be against them, Isai. 33.16. their place of defence, is the Munition of Rocks, &c. O what sweetness and satisfaction have they within, with whom God and Christ abides [...] as the Spouse doth express it, Cant. 1.3. Because of the savour of thy good Ointments, thy Name is as Ointment poured forth, therefore do the Virgins love thee. Thy Name of Mercy, Wisdom, and Faithfulnesse; how doth this refresh their hearts, that have the presence of God and Christ? O sweetness and satisfaction beyond expression! and then conclude, Sitantus; quarentibus [...] quantus possi­dentibus; If he be so good to them that seek him, how good is he to them that enjoy him.

Secondly, Labour to affect your souls with the great want and need that you have of the presence of God and Christ; while men think in their hearts, they can be well enough without God and Christ, they will never seek after them, but say, as in Jer. 2.31. We are Lords, we will come no more un­to thee, (i.) We have strength enough of our own, we need no more of thy support; and thus David brings in the wick­ed, priding themselves, in Psal. 10.4. The wicked through the pride of his countenance (as in the original, through the pride of his Nose) will not seek after God. God is not in all his thoughts, when these proud Laodician Spirits will not sock, the poor, hungry, desolate soul, that sees a need of God and Christ, find them.

Thirdly, Quicken your selves to much diligence in seek­ing: The Prophet complains, No man stirreth up himself to seek the Lord. It is a businesse of the greatest concernment, and most not be attended with a cold indifferency, but as one set on by a true love, and where that is, Non quie [...] [...], sed quer [...] [...], Love will he restless in the pur [...] of the thing, or person beloved. See with what heat men seek the world, with much more heat seek God and Christ. We must do as the woman that had lost her Groat; she lights a Candle, sweeps the House, seeks diligently; so we must set up the light of the Word, and to work with the [...] of a serious repentance, and thorough [...]ation, and diligently enquir [...] Thus David with a very vigilant eye, seeks him whom his soul loved, Psal. 130.4.5. I will not give rest to mine eyes, nor slumber to my eye lids, till I have found out a pl [...] for God, &c.

[Page]Lastly, Resolve with your selves never to give over, till you come to the perfect and full enjoyment of them; As Job said, I [...] all the dayes of my appointed time. So do you seek all the days of your appointed time. If we would find God and Christ, we must seek all the dayes of our lives. They that will find what they seek, must seek till they find; As God in the Creation, did not rest till he had made Man, so Man should not rest till he hath found God; And as in the Redemption, Jesus Christ did never cease seeking, till he had found all the lost sheep of the House of Israel; so we should never give o­ver, till we have made God and Christ our own.

This should be the work of our lives, and upon this work I must leave you.

Exh. 2 Secondly, Let it be your endeavour to keep God and Christ with you, that they may make their abode with your hearts and houses, that whatever you lose, you may not be un­done.

1 In the General.

First, Take heed you do not slight or abuse his Provi­dences.

Secondly, Do not Despise or neglect his Ordinances.

Thirdly, Be sure you do not grieve his Spirit.

2 Secondly, Observe more particularly these ten directions, which I would leave with you.

That God and Christ may make their constant abode with you.

First, Endeavour to please God and Christ, and to walk as the Gospel commands, In all well-pleasing. And for this pur­pose, Observe these three Rules.

First, Entertain God and Christ like themselves. Now they are come to you, say as Solomon did of his Temple, which he had prepared for his God; The Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee, much lesse, this poor Tent; so, with the most humble frame of spirit, admire his greatnesse, and infi­nite condescention, for he is the King of Glory; as in Psal. 24. And so give him suitable entertainment, for he will dwell with the humble and contrite spirit. If Elizabeth wonder'd at the visit which Mary gave her, with a whence is it that the Mo­ther of my Lord is come unto me? then admire that the Lord himself should come, not only to visit your hearts, but to make such a gracious abode with you; And as the Centurion said to Christ in the Gospel, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my Roof. So acknowledge your unworthinesse of so rich and unparalleld a grace, that God and Christ should come in unto you, to abide with you!

Secondly, Wait upon God and Christ with all readinesse of mind, to observe every intimation of the Will of God; to you. Stand alwayes ready, as Servants wait upon the hand of their Master, saying in your hearts, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? or, what wilt thou have me to suffer? It is the frame [Page]and posture which Christ commends to his Disciples, Luke 12.35. Let your loyns be girded about, and your lights burn­ing, to do his will, as it is done in Heaven.

Thirdly, Take pleasure and delight in the company and socie­ty of God and Christ, above all the pleasures in the world. Do nothing, without first calling God and Christ into the action. Remember this in These four cases especially.

First, Pray God and Christ along with you into all your spiri­tual duties, that you may be sure to perform them all accord­ing to the mind of God. None knows better what will please God, than himself; don't enquire so much what others say, but what God appoints; 'tis not what this or that man sayes, how we must serve God, but what God sayes himself; as Agustine said to the Manichee, in another case, Nec egote, nec tu me, sed ambo audiamus Apostolum; So hear what God and Christ say to us, as to the performance of all our duties: If we will entertain God and Christ, and have their compa­ny, we must set before them such savoury meat as they like, lest we be like them ( Mat 15.9.) of whom Christ sayes, In vain do they worship me, &c. and our service be like theirs, of which the Lord said, Who hath required these things at your hands? O what was that great evil the people were guilty of, for which there comes that heavy judgement, Psal. 78.60. He forsook the Tabernacle of Shiloh, the Tent which he placed among them. Sure it was some great guilt, in the for­mer verses we find it to be their Hypocrisie, Apostacy, and Idolatry, any taint of this kind, will make the jealous God forsake our solemn meetings.

Secondly, Pray God and Christ into all your Civil affairs The Greeks [...] with God in their entrance upon every work, was a commendable practise. It is reported of Pub­lius Scipio the Roman, that he would alway go first to the Capitol, and then to the Senate; So we should begin our Civil Imployments with Spiritual duties; And do as Abra­hams Servant, when he was to take a wife for his Masters Son, he took God along with him; and thus to abide with God, is to have God to abide with us. Therefore sayes the Apostle, 1 Cor. 7.20 Let every man abide in the same calling, wherein he was called, and in the 24 verse, Brethren let eve­ry man wherein he is called, therein abide with God, And God will abide with him.

[Page] Thirdly, Pray God and Christ to your Tables at your eating and drinking, For man doth not live by bread onely. If these be Guests at your Tables, you must needs have Cheer enough; there's more sweetnesse in a morsel with them, then in all dain­ties without them; And then you may be sure also, your Ta­bles shall not become a Snare unto you. Theophrastus re­ports of the Heathens, that they did first [...], and then [...], they did first Sacrifice and then Kill, lay on their meat, entertain and eat. And it is the Apostles rule, seeing all things come of God through Christ, That God and Christ should not be Unbidden Guests; but as in 1 Cor. 10.31. Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the Glory of God.

Fourthly, Pray. God and Christ along with you in Morning when you rise, and at Evening when you lie down; visit him Morning by Morning and Evening by Evening; this is the way to have a Prosperous day, and a Safe night; David took this course, Psal 4.8. I will both lay me down, and take my rest, for thou Lord, only makest me dwell in safety; and this gave Jacob such a pleasant Dream, Gen. 28. that having God with him, he was an night within view of Heaven.

Dir. 2 Secondly, Love God and Christ above all, and then God and Christ will not depart from you; For He shews mercy to Thousands of them that love him, and hath made over Him­self, and Heaven, and All, to them that love him. It is re­ported of Ignatius, that his Love was such to God and Christ, that he had the name of Christ, Cordi ej [...]s insc [...]iptum; Graven upon his heart. It is such a Heart-love that He re­quires; for He is a jealous God, and will have all our Love.

If we Love any thing better;

First, It will steal away our Hearts from God; And

Secondly, It will take off the Heart of God from us; so that God and Christ will set themselves against us.

Dir. 3 Thirdly, If we would have God and Christ to make their constant abode with us, Delight in the Society and Fellow­ship of the People of God, with whom they dwell; Never be ashamed to converse with them, whom God and Christ do own for theirs. The Apostles argument why we should en­tertain Strangers, in Heb. 13.2. (because thereby some have entertained Angels unawares) is but mean and inconsiderable to [Page]this Reason, why we should entertain and own the Saints of God; for thereby we are sure to entertain Christ; as in Mat. 25.40. For this cause the Gibeonites made a League with Israel; For we have heard that God is with you. And there is a promise in Zech. 8.23. That Ten men out of all Languages shall take hold of the skirt of a Jew, saying, we will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you, Mal. 3.16. They that feared the Lord, spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkned, and heard it, &c. He was with them, and indeed, God dwells in the Tabernacles of the Righteous.

Dir. 4 Fourthly, If we would have the constant abode of God and Christ with us, Let us keep our selves clean from Sin, our Hearts pure, Consciences undefiled, and as the Apostle sayes, voyd of Offence towards God, and towards Men, very careful not to Sin against God; and very circumspect not to Sin a­gainst Man; that this may be our Comfort, that the world must needs say of us, as they did of Daniel, that they could find nothing against him; save in the Law of his God, as in Daniel 6.5. Whatever others doe, beware of Sin. Say as Joshuah, I and my House will serve the Lord. Watch against Sin; Chuse any Suffering, rather then the least Sin.

Consider in that choice two particulars.

First, Consider in all your sufferings, God will be with you, but in any of your Sins, he will not abode with you; as in the example of Israel, Exod. 32.23. When the Calf was got into the Camp, God forsakes the Hoast of Israel; When Saul for­sook the Lord, the Spirit of the Lord forsook him. That was an excellent Saying of Azariah the Son of Obed, in the 2 Chron. 15.2. and Oh that all England could hear it! Hear thou me Asa, and all Judah, The Lord is with you, while you be with him; If you seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

Secondly, Consider, 'Tis an Act of high presumption, re­flecting much upon the Purity and Holynesse of God, for [...] to imagine that God will own, and prosper them with his Pre­sence, while they go on to do wickedly, in their Whoredomes, Drunkenesse, Blasphemy, and all manner of Prophanesse; which God can no more own, then disown himself. So they foolishly promised themselves Peace, Deut. 29.19. though they walk in the imagination of their Hearts, and add Drunken­nesse [Page]to Thirst; But the Lord will not spare, but his Anger and Jealousie shall sm [...]ak against them, till he hath brought them down from their high Mount of a Sinful and Carnal Confi­dence. Therefore the Prophet reproves that wicked people, Mich. 3.11. where the Judges, the Priests, and the Pro­phets were corrupted. Yet they say, Is not the Lord among us, none evil can come upon us, Therefore shall Zion be plowed as a Field, &c. as Abner said to Joab, This will prove an evil thing, and a bitter in the latter end; as Galen sayes of Meats, Quae dulcia sunt facile in bilem & amaritudinem convertun­tur; Sweet meats generate Choller and Corrupt matter; So Sin that is a sweet morsel now, will be Shame, Death, and Hell at last.

Dir. 5 Fifthly, With an humble acknowledgment of former Bar­rennesse, under Gods gracious presence with you, resolve and en­deavour to be more fruitful. God never left his Vineyard, and pull'd up the Hedge, and commanded the Rain not to fall upon it, in Isai. 5. till it became Barren, or did bear cor­rupt fruit. The exil'd Confessors in Queen Maries dayes, confessed that (as Ursin sayes in the Preface to his Cate­chisme) the cause of their present suffering, was their for­mer Barrennesse and Unprofitablenesse under the Gospel; and a sad example of this is Jerusalem, over whom Christ laments. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou, &c. if thou hadst known in this thy day, &c. but now they are hid from thine eyes; and when once a people grow up to this heighth to reject the Gospel, then expect some fearful Judgement. Read the last Chap­ter of Chronicles, the Second Book, and at the 16 verse, and then you will see, when the wrath of God is like to break out upon a People without a remedy.

Dir. 6 Sixthly, If you would have the continual abode of God and Christ with you; Let God have all your Thoughts, let Him be your meditation; this is the way to have the best Company when you be alone; David would meditate of him day and night, and professed the meditation of him, should be sweet to him.

Here consider two particulars.

First, Consider, that no Place, State, or Condition, can hin­der the Soul of this way of secret Communion with God and Christ; This priviledge could not be denyed to a benighted [Page]Jacob, to an Imprisoned Jeremiah, to an Exil [...]d John in Pat­mos; by this (saies Jerom) Solitudo fit Paradisas, a man may turn a Wilderness into a Paradise; and therefore we read in Cant. 11.12. how the Spouse invites Christ to go with her, as Isaac did into the Fields to meditate, Come let's go into the Fields, and lodge in the Villages.

Secondly, Consider, In these secret silent visits of the Soul, God and Christ do take abundance of delight; Our Night thoughts, our Field thoughts, our Closet thoughts. are very welcom to Them; yea, when we can do no more but think of God, our very thoughts shall be an accepted service, Cant. 2.13. He loveth the Fig-tree, that putteth forth her green Figs. The ripe fruit is in the [...]d; so holy endeavours in pure breath­ings and desires, God accepts, when our Infirmity, or the Iniquity of the Times may be such, that we can do no more.

Direct. 7 Seventhly, If we will have God and Christ to make their constant abode with us, then let us walk humbly with God. He that beholds the proud afar off, will be nigh to them that humble their souls under his mighty hand, Isa. 57.15. Thus saies the high and lofty one, that inhabits Eternity, whose Name is Holy; I dwell in the High and Holy place, with him also, that is of an humble and contrite spirit.

God hath two Heavens in which he dwells.

First, His Glory dwells in the high and holy place, in Heaven above.

Secondly, His Grace dwells in the humble and lowly spirit. Here will I dwell, saies God.

Dir. 8 Eighthly, If you would have the constant abode of God and Christ with you, be sure to look to your hearts, that you walk in your uprightness; be true to the Word of God, be true to your profession. There is not in the world a more lively representation and Image of God, than the heart of the up­right; therefore God loves so much, when he hath drawn his likeness upon them to walk with them; therefore Da­vid resolves, Psal 101.2. I will walk in the midst of mine house with a perfect heart; O when wilt thou come unto me? This was the comfort of the Apostle, that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, he had his conversation in the world; God will be with such, and such shall be with God, Psal. 37.37. Mark the perfect man, behold the upright, the end of that man [Page]is peace; And thus God appointed Abraham to walk, that he might be with him a God in Covenant, Gen 17. Walk before me, be thou perfect; and gives him this encouragement, I am God All-sufficient: Gods All sufficiency being sufficient to keep the Soul upright, being rightly improved.

There be two things which usually Bias the Soul away from God, and makes it warp from its holy principles, 1. The Frowns. 2. The Flatteries of the world.

Against both which, there is a sufficient remedy in the All-sufficient God.

First, That which often perverts the Soul from the truth, is the fear of troubles and wants; If I keep my integrity, (saies the Soul) I shall be Undone, I shall Lose my estate, Embroyl my self in many Troubles; perhaps a Prison, Exile, or Death comes next. But what force is there in this Tentation? If we hear on the other hand, God saying, if thou wilt be up­right, fear no troubles, no wants, I am a God All-sufficient, as in Job 22.25. to the end of the Chapter, The Almighty shall be thy defence (then fear no force) thou shalt have plen­ty of Silver, thou shalt gather Gold as dust, and the Gold of Ophir, as the stones of the Brooks, Then fear no wants.

Secondly, There is another thing in the world that hath a very great influence upon the spirit of a man, to pervert him, and turn him from his integrity; and that is The hopes of pre­ferment, and greatness of the world; But this is but a poor bait, if we look upon the All-sufficiency of God: Doth the World promise thee Riches? God will out-bid the world, and gives Eternal Riches. Will the World give Pleasures? God will give better; with him is fulness of joy, and pleasures for evermore. Will the World give Gold? God will give Dia­monds. Will the World give all its Glory? God will give thee the Glory of a better World, rather than that shall be a snare unto thee.

Dir. 9 Ninthly, Pray much, pray continually; God will be in the hearts and houses of his Praying people, when he hath a Curse in store for Prayerless Families, in Jerem. 10. the last verse.

First, That God will abide with you, and the Kingdom in his Gospel, and pure Ordinances; that you may dwell in Beth-el, and not in Berl-aven, a house of vanity and grief. Pray that God will not remove his Candlestick from you, nor [Page]utterly extinguish the light of the Kingdom.

Secondly, Pray, and I shall pray with you, that God will give you a faithful Pastour after his own heart, not according to your hearts, that he may teach you by his Doctrine and his Life too; A faithful Teacher, to go in, and out before you; to shew you the Word of the Lord; One that may be among you, as it was said of Athanasius, that he was Magnes & Adamas.

• 1. Magnes, As a Load-stone, to draw your Souls with a gentle hand, and melting heart, from your sins Heaven-ward.
• 2. Adamas, As an Adamant, of an invincible courage and zeal against all sin and prophaness; one that will not spare Sin. That he may save your Souls.

Pray that God would give you a Star, a Star out of his right hand, not a Churlish Orion, that brings a Cold, Barren, and Cloudy Winter. but a Benevolent and Friendly Pleiades, that there may be many Sons brought into God, and your Souls may find a continual Spring, and that you may be as Trees of Gods own planting, and may flourish in the Courts of the house of our God, and may bring forth more fruit in old age.

Dir. 10 Tenthly, and Lastly, If you would have the constant abode of God and Christ with you, Conform, Conform universally, and fully to the Gospel of Christ, Consent and Assent Unfeignedly, to all the Truths and Doctrines thereof, that you may walk wor­thy of God, and all that Grace which hath been revealed to you: for Christ hath said, If a man keep his Word, the Father will love him, and both Father and Son, will come to him, and make their abode with him. Wherefore I shall conclude this Exhortation with that of the Apostle, in Philippians 1.2.7. Only Let your conversation be such as becometh the Gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or else be absent from you, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel.

And so shut up all with that in Acts 20.32.

And now Brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of his Grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an Inheritance among all them which are Sanctified.