Inf. 2. Hence also we infer, that sacrament-seasons are heart- melting seasons ; because therein the most affecting and heart-melt- ing recognitions and representations of Christ are made. As the gospel offers him to the ear, in the most sweet, affecting sounds of grace ; so the sacrament to the eye, in the most pleasing visions that are on this side heaven.
There, hearts that will not yield a tear under other ordinances, can pour out floods : Zech. xii. 10. " They shall look upon me " whom they have pierced, and mourn." Yet I dare not affirm, that every one whose heart is broken by the believing sight of Christ there, can evidence that it is so by a dropping eye. No, we may say of tears, as it is said of love, Cant. viii. 7. If some Christians would give all the treasures of their houses for them, they cannot be purchased : yet they are truly humbled for sin, and seriously affected with the grace of Christ. For the support of such, I would distinguish, and have them to do so also, betwixt what is essential to spiritual sorrow, and what is contingent. Deep displeasure with thyself for sin, hearty resolutions and desires of the complete mortification of it, this is essential to all spiritual sorrow ; but tears are accidental, and in some constitutions rarely found. If thou hast the former, trouble not thyself for want of the latter, though it is a mercy when they kindly and undissem- bledly flow from a heart truly broken.
And surely, to see who it is that thy sins have pierced, how great, how glorious, how wonderful a Person that was, that was so humbled, abased, and brought to the dust, for such a wretched thing as thou art, cannot but tenderly affect the considering soul
SERM. XXI. THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE. 2C9
If it was for a lamentation in the captivity, " that princes were hang. " ed up by the hands, and the faces of the elders not reverenced," Lam. v. 12. And if at the death of Abner, David could lament, and say, * a prince, and a great man is fallen in Israel this day," 52 Sam. iii. 38. ]f he could pathetically lament the death of Saul and Jonathan, saying, " Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who "clothed you in scarlet; the beauty of Israel is slain upon the " high places .,v> Ah ! how much more should it affect us, to see the beauty of heaven fallen, the Prince of life hang dead upon a tree ! O let the place where you assemble to see this sight of your crucified Jesus, be a Bochim, a place of lamentation.
Inf. 3. Moreover hence it is evident, that the believing' mid affec- tionate remembrance of Christ, is of singular advantage at all times to the people of God. For it is the immediate end of one of the greatest ordinances that ever Christ appointed to the church.
To have frequent recognitions of Christ, will appear to be singu- larly efficacious and useful to believers, if you consider,
1. If at any time the heart be dead and hard, this is the likeliest means in the world to dissolve, melt, and quicken it. Look hither hard heart ; hard indeed if this hammer will not break it. Behold the blood of Jesus.
2. Art thou easily overcome by temptations to sin ? This is the most powerful restraint in the world from sin : Rom. vi. % " How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein ?w We are crucified with Christ, what have we to do with sin ? Have such a thought as this, when thy heart is yielding to temptation. How can I do this, and crucify the Son of God afresh ! Hath he not suffered enough already on earth ; shall I yet make him groan as it were for me in heaven ! Look, as David poured the water brought from the well of Bethlehem, on the ground, though he was athirst, for he said, it is the blood of the men ? i. e. they eminently- hazarded their lives to fetch it ; much more should a Christian pour out upon the ground, yea, despise and trample under foot, the greatest profit or pleasure of sin ; saying, Nay, I will have nothing to do with it, I will on no terms touch it, for it is the blood of Christ : it cost blood, infinite, precious blood to expiate it. If there were a knife in your house that had been thrust to the heart of your father, you would not take pleasure to see that knife, much less to use it.
3. Are you afraid your sins are not pardoned, but still stand upon account before the Lord ? What more relieving, what more satisfying, than to see the cup of the New Testament in the blood of Christ, which is " shed for many for the remission of sins? " Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect ? It is « Christ that died,11
£70 THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE. SERM. XXI.
4. Are you staggered at your sufferings, and hard things you must endure for Christ in this world? Doth the flesh shrink back from these things, and cry, spare thyself? What is there in the world more likely to steel and fortify thy spirit with resolution and courage, than such a sight as this ? Did Christ face the wrath of men, and the wrath of God too ? Did he stand as a pillar of brass, with unbroken patience, and stedfast resolution, under such troubles as never met in the like height upon any mere creature, till death beat the last breath out of his nostrils ? And shall I shrink for a trifle ? Ah, he did not serve me so ! I will arm myself with the like mind, 1 Pet. ii. 2.
5. Is thy faith staggered at the promises ? Canst thou not rest upon a promise ? Here is what will help thee against hope to be- lieve in hope, giving glory to God. For this is God's seal added to his covenant, which ratines and binds fast all that God hath spoken.
6. Dost thou idle away precious time vainly, and live unusefully to Christ in thy generation ? What more apt both to convince and cure thee, than such remembrance of Christ as this? O when thou considerest thou art not thine own, thy time, thy talents are not thine own, but Christ's ; when thou shalt see thou art bought with a price (a great price indeed) and so art strictly obliged to glorify God, with thy soul and body, which are his, 2 Cor. v. 14. This will powerfully awaken a dull, sluggish, and lazy spirit. In a word, what grace is there that this remembrance of Christ cannot quicken ? What sin cannot it mortify ? What duty cannot it animate ? O it is of singular use in all cases to the people of God.