12 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XIII.
the fiiith of the Son of God.' Where he is, he makefh us to live ; aad we have another principle of our lives than ourselves or our own natural or renewed spirit. Secondly, Likeness or renovation of oui- natures : Gal. iv. 19, ' Until Christ be formed in you.' The image of Christ is impressed on the soul : 2 Cor. v. 17, ' it any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.' It is all to the same effect, our bein*:; in Christ, or Christ's being in us, for both imply union, and the effect of it a near conformity to Christ in holiness. Thirdly, Strength by the con- tinued influence of his grace to overcome temptation : 1 John iv. 4, ' Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome him, because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.' Tiie Spirit keepeth afoot God's interest in the soul against all the assaults of the devil ; so for the variety of conditions we pass through : Phil. iv. 12, ' I know both how to be abased and 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 ; ' so for all duties that we are called imto : 1 Cor. XV. 10 : 'By the grace of God I am what I am ; and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in A'ain, but I laboured more abundantly than they all, and yet not I, but the grace of God which was in me ; ' and Heb. xiii. 21, 'Working in you that which is pleas- ing in his sight through Jesus Christ.' Now, you see what it is to have Christ in us ; none but these are real Christians.
(1.) Because we must first be partakers of Christ l:)efore we can be partakers of any saving benefit purchased by him, as members are united to the head before they receive sense and motion from it. Christ giveth nothing of his piu'chase to any Ijut to whom he giveth himself first, 1 John v. 12. And to whom he giveth himself, to them he giveth all things needful to their salvation.
(2.) Where Christ once entereth, there he taketh up his abode and lodging, not to depart thence ; dwelling noteth his constant and fami- liar presence; he doth not sojourn for a while, but dwelleth as a man in his own house and castle. There is a continued presence and influ- ence, whereby they are supported in their Christianity ; ' He dwelleth in us, and we in him, and we know that he abideth in us by his Spirit : ' 1 John iii. 24, and John xiv. 23, ' If a man love me he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and take up our abode with him.' Not a visit and away, but a con- stant residence : John xv. 5, ' He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much li-uit.'
(3.) Wliere Christ is, he ruleth and reigneth ; for we receive him as our Lord and Saviour : Col. ii. 6. ' As ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.' We received him, that he may perform the office of a mediator in our hearts, and teach us, and rule us, and j^uide us by his Spirit. All others know him by hearsay, but these know him by experience ; the testim(;ny of Christ is confirmed in them. Others talk of Christ, but these feel him ; others have him in their ears and tongues, but not in their hearts ; or if the heart be warm and lieavenly for a fit, it quickly falleth to the earth again. Then here doth our true happiness begin, to find Christ within us ; this is that which giveth the seal to Christ without us, and all the mysteries of redemption by him ; for )-ou have exjierienced the power and
VeB. 10.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIU. 13
comfort of it in your own souls ; you find liis image in your hearts, and his Spirit conforming you to what he commandeth in the word, and have a suitableness to the gospel in your souls ; you may look with an holy confidence for help to him in all your necessities, when others look at him witli strange a.nd doubtful thoughts, because nearness breedeth familiarity, and the sense of his continual love and presence begets a holy confidence to come to him for mercy and grace to help ; in short, when others have but the common offer, you have a propriety and interest in Christ. Christ without us is a perfect Saviour, but not to you ; the appropriation is by union ; he came down from heaven, took our nature, died for sinners, ascended up into heaven again to make intercession at the right hand of the Father ; all this is without us. Do not say only there is a Saviour in heaven ; is there one in thy heart ? There is an intercessor in heaven, is there one in thy heart ? Eom. viii. 26, ' But the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.' He was born of the virgin, is he formed in thee ? Gal. iv. 19. He died, are you planted into the likeness of his death ? Rom. vi. 5. He is risen from the dead ; do you know the power of his resurrection ? Phil. iii. 10. Are you raised with him ? Col. iii. 1. He is ascended, are you ascended with him ? Eph. ii. 6. Christ without us established the merit, but Christ within us assureth the application.