Use 2. Examination.
1. Is Christ in you ? Who livetli there, and worketh, Christ or Satan ? These two divide the world between them, the strong man, and the stronger than he. The heart of man is not a waste. Christ ruleth in the church, and the devil in the world ; and yet all that are in the church are not in Christ : John xv. 2, ' Every branch in me that beareth not fruit lie taketli away.' They that are where Christ is in honour will make a general profession. The devil hath a great party in the church. Therefore, who is in you, Christ or Satan ? Satan is in all carnal men ; their hearts are his forge or work-house : Eph. ii. 2, ' According to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience ; ' 2 Cor. iv. 4, ' The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.' He blindeth them, and hardeneth them, and leadeth them captive by their own lusts. Consider there is no neutrality. We are under Christ or the devil. The devil is a spirit ; he possesseth men when they do not feel him. He is called ' the prince of the power of the air ;' and infected air is drawn in without pain, and we get a disease before we feel it, and die of a pestilent air. Were you never changed ? Conver- sion is a dispossession. The devil is in all the children of disobedience. Did you ever consent to choose Christ for your mediator and Lord and king ? When you refuse Christ offered, the devil is most ready to entertain you, and to enter into you, and possess you the more securely. There is a tradition upon your refusal ; God givetli you then up to Satan, to be blinded and hardened. Therefore consider this, observe your course. Some are Satan's slaves, they that walk in the ways of their own hearts, and according to the lusts of the world : John viii. 44, ' Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.' Satan's mark and brand is upon them that live in malice and envy against God and good men. Satan was a murderer from the beginning ; in filthiness and uncleanness, he is an unclean spirit ; in railing, swearing, cursing, whose tongues are set on fire of hell; tempting, seducing, lying. Satan is a liar, and a tempter, enticing to drink and gaming.
VeR. 26.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 149
Again, is Christ in you? A great deal of bran will remain, if we use too coarse a bolter. Doth Christ dwell in your hearts ? You will know it by the effects of his presence.
[1.] Doth Christ fill the heart ? So great a guest is enough ; the believer desireth no more to his peace of conscience, joy, and complete blessedness. There is a full acquiescency of the soul in Christ ; he desireth above all things to enjoy him. There is avrapKela : 1 Tim. vi. 6, ' Godliness with contentment is great gain.' There is nothing in heaven or earth that can fill the hungry soul of man but Jesus- Christ. He that hath his heart full of Christ, all things seem base and vile to him ; a little portion of the world serveth his turn. They are cheap things to Jesus Christ after which the world runs a-whoring : 1 Sam. xix. 30, 'And Mephibosheth said. Nay, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his house.' Mephibosheth is contented to see the king's face in peace. They have the pearl of great price ; there is little room for other things. Christ filleth every corner of the heart: Phil, iv, 12, 13, 'I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound ; everywhere and in all things I am instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.'
[2.] He ruleth, and acteth, and swayeth all these. He doth not dwell as a stranger or guest in another's man's house, or as an inmate, but as a lord in his possession ; therefore he still directeth, counselleth, quickeneth, destroyeth the kingdom of Satan, reneweth us more and more, dwelleth in us as the king of glory. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, light, joy, strength, peace,
2. What entertainment do you give him ? The more faith is enlarged, the more room hath Christ in thy heart. With great cheer- fulness should you receive him, not always frowning ; he looketh for reverence, not constant mourning. Do not grieve him by sin, by such things by which the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience. If an earthly king lie but a night in a house, what care is there taken that nothing be offensive to him, but that all things be neat, clean, and sweet. How much more ought you to be careful to get and keep your hearts clean, to perform service acceptably to him ; to be in the exercise of faith, love, and other graces, that you may entertain, as you ought, your heavenly King, who comes to take up bis continual abode and residence in your hearts ?