2. Wait for him in the ordinances. Where should a man meet with Christ, but in his ordinances, in the shepherds' tents ? All the ordi- nances have an aspect upon our union with Christ, either to begin or continue it. God offereth him to us in the word : 1 Cor i. 9, ' God is faithful, by whom ye are called to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.' We are entreated to take him. As long as they see nothing but man in it, it cometh to nothing ; but many times, in hearing, they see God in the offer: the matter is of the Lord, as Eebekah yielded out of an overruling instinct. So for the religious use of the seals. We are ' baptized into Christ,' Gal. iii. 27. It is the pledge of our admission into that body whereof Christ is the head. God is aforehand with us ; we were engaged to make a profession of this union, before we had liberty to choose our own way. Let us not retract our vows, and make baptism only a memorial of our hypocrisy, to profess union when there is no such matter : I profess to be planted into Christ by baptism, but I feel no such matter. Oh ! you should groan for this ! Then for the supper of the Lord : 1 Cor. x. 16, ' The cup of blessing which we bless, ovkI Koivcovia, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ ? The bread which we break, is it not the com- munion of the body of Christ? ' Under the law the people could not eat of the sin-offering, but only the priest ; for the same reason they were forbidden to eat sacrifice and drink blood : Lev. xvii. 11, 12, ' For the life of the flesh is in the blood ; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls ; for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood ; ' compared with Mat. xxvi. 26, ' This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.' The priest was to become one with the sacrifice, to figure Christ's person ; but now atonement being made, another union is necessary, of sinners with the sacrifice. Nothing is so one with us as that we eat and drink ; it becometh a part of our sub- stance ; it resembleth that strait and near conjunction between us and Christ. This is a means appointed to engage us to look after this union ; here we come to profess it, to promote it ; it is a means under a blessing.
3. Keceive him thankfully. Oh ! what am I, and ' whence is it to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me ?' Lukei. 43 ; that Christ should come to me, and dwell in my heart !
4. Entertain him kindly ; be careful to preserve the motions, quick- enings, comforts of his Spirit. This is the respect we should show, to be sensible of accesses and recesses, and accordingly suit our carriage. Rejoice in his presence ; such a precious guest must be observed. Grieve when you ^ do not feel the comforts of it : Cant. v. 4, 'My be- loved put in his hand at the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.'
VeR. 23.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 69
Use 3. Examine whether Christ be in you or no. You may know it:—
1. By his manner of entrance. Christ is not wont to come into the heart without opposition. The devil is loath to be dispossessed : Luke xi. 21, 'When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace.' Christ came into the temple with a whip to drive out the money-changers. He cometh to rule alone.
2. By the fruits of his abode — life, fruitfulness, tendency.
(1.) Life. It will stir and quicken you to good duties : Gal. iii. 20, ' I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.' He is a living foun- tain of vital union.
(2.) Fruitfulness of soul : John xv. 2, ' Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit ; ' and ver. 4, ' Abide in me, and I in you : as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can you, except you abide in me.'
(3.) Tendency — (1.) To heaven. Heaven is the place of our full enjoyment of him. They do not admire worldly excellences : Luke xix. 8, ' Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor ; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.' The woman left her pitcher, John iv. 28 ; Matthew followed Christ. (2.) To God's glory as our last aim ; their aim is according to their principle.
Secondly, I come to the end of this union.