VeR. 4.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XL 4S3
his own confidences ; for why shonld we lean upon another when we have a sufficiency in ourselves ? Flesh and blood would liave its own righteousness ; and as long as we can keep conscience quiet by external acts of duty, by any care and resolution of ours, we will never seek after the righteousness of Christ. It is never well till conscience be brought to say as Peter, ' Lord, to whom shall we go ? thou hast the words of eternal life,' John vi, 68. We must confess that all our own works are nothing ; Christ only it is that can cure and help us. This is that which is implied.
SEEMOx xvn.
By faith Abel offered unto Gofl a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, Jjy which he obtained icityxess that he icas 'fighteous, God testifuing of his gifts : and hy it he, being dead, yet speaketh. — Hkb. xi. 4.
2. That which is the express and formal in justifying faith is a resting upon Christ, or a closing with Christ.
Now because here are many acts and degrees. I shall endeavour to open it to you, and that I cannot do l^etter than in the terms of scripture. It is usual in scripture to express the tendency of the soul towards Christ by words that are proper to outward motion. There are four notions used in scripture — ri.) Coming to Christ ; (2.) Eunning to Christ ; (3.) Seeking of Christ ; and (4.) Eeceiving of Christ. All these must be explained with analogy and proportion to external motions- Coming to Christ notes the purpose and resolution of the soul ; nmning to Christ notes the earnest desire of the soul to enjoy him ; seeking of Christ notes the diligence of the soul in the use of means ; and receiving of Christ notes the welcoming of Christ into the soul with complacency, rest, and delight.
[1.] There is coming to Christ, which notes our first act of faith, our resolution and purpose to close with him. It implieth the lowest act and degree of saving faith. "While the soul is in the way, it is said to be coming to Christ, resolved in his heart to be contented with nothing but Christ ; therefore it is expressed always by such names as imply a present motion : PhU. iii. 12, ' jS^ot as though I had already attained, or were already made periect, but I follow after,' kc ; John vi. 35, ' He that Cometh to me shall never hunger,' kc. — 6 ep-^ofievo^, he that is com- ing to me ; it implies a motion in its tendency, when we are in the way. As the prodigal determined in himself, ' I will arise, and go to my father,' Luke xv. 18 ; when the soul, according to the ofter of Grod, resolves to cast itself upon Christ for mercy and salvation. Xow if this resolution be full and serious, it gives a just right and title to Christ; for. John. vi. 37. Christ saith, ' He that cometh to me,' — though he doth but do that, — ' I will in nowise cast him out,' it gives you a title. So when the prodigal said, ' I will arise, and go to my father,' presently it is said * The father ran. and fell on his neck, and kissed him/ ver. 20,
484 * SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR, XVII.
As soon as there was a purpose, he was entertained and embraced by God. So David, Ps. xxxii. 5, when he issued forth a practical decree, ' I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.' This gives you safety and a right to Christ, though the other acts may yield you more comfort : Heb. iii. 14, ' We are made partakers of Christ,' — that is, we have a right to Christ and all his merits, — ' if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end ; ' that is, the first act of faith ; if we can but maintain that, it gives us a right to Christ, if we hold but our resolution to cleave to Christ, notwithstanding disadvantages. Coming implies a resolved adventure upon the invitation of God ; the soul will cast itself upon Christ, and see what God will do for it, which yields you safety, though not comfort ; when we resolve to cast ourselves upon his grace, what- ever come on it ; and though we cannot lay claim to his righteousness,, yet we will wait and rest upon him, whatever comes of it.
[2.] Running to Christ ; that notes not only the tendency of the motion, but the fervour and earnestness of desire. The soul cannot be quiet till it be with Christ : Cant. i. 4, ' Draw me, and we will run after thee.' When God had put forth the attractive force of his grace upon the soul, then the motions of the soul are fervent and earnest : Isa. Iv. 5, ' The nations that know not thee shall' — not only come, but — 'run to thee.' The soul that thirsteth after Christ with such a desire as will not be satisfied without an enjoyment — this is faith ; therefore it is called ' a hungering and thirsting after righteousness,' Mat, v. 6. Hunger and thirst are those appetitions of nature which are most implacable, that cannot endure check. Venter non habet aures — the belly hath no ears ; and hunger and thirst will not be allayed with words and counsel. So the soul will be satisfied with nothing but Christ. It edgeth the purpose with desire ; our souls will not be quiet without him. It is resembled to the panting of the chased hart : Ps. xlii. 1, ' As the hart panteth after the waterbrooks, so panteth my soul after thee, 0 God.' The soul thirsteth after the righteousness of Christ, and the comforts and refreshments of his grace. The hart of itself is a thirsty creature, especially when it is chased. The Septuagint hath it rj e\a^09, the she-hart. Passions in females are most vehement. Therefore the earnest longing and desire of the soul for Christ is expressed by the panting and breathing of the chased she-hart after the waters. And Cant. ii. 5, it is expressed by being ' sick of love.* Vehement affections, when satisfaction is denied, cause languor and faintness in the body ; so the soul vehemently longs and is sick for the love of Christ. Sometimes it is expressed by earnest expectation : Ps. cxxx. 6. ' My soul waiteth for the Lord, more than they that watch for the morning ; and the psalmist redoubleth it — ' I say, more than they that watch for the morning.' Look, as the weary sentinel that is wet and stiff with the dews of the night watcheth for the approach of the morning, so doth the poor soul wait for the dawning of grace and first appearances of God's love.