Use 1. Here is an invitation to draw us to Christ.
1. As he is a shadow. This notion is like to prevail with none but those who are scorched with God's wrath, or laden with the burden of sin ; with them that are either of a troubled or of a tender con- science. They long to sit down under his shadow indeed, and to get a taste of his pleasant fruits; yet I must speak to all, to begin here. The fruits are neither eaten nor the sweetness of them felt till we come under his shadow, and delightfully sit under his righteousness ; but I pray you all to consider what need we have of this — (1.) Con- sider our own deservings : * Are we not all children of wrath even as
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others?' Eph. ii. 3. If we are growa insensible, the greater is our misery; and doth it not concern you 'to fly from wrath to come'? Mat. iii. 7. Because as yet we feel not the scorching and broiling heats, should we not make sure of a shelter ? If a spark light upon the conscience, if God's anger be kindled but a little, what a condition are you in ! (2.) A drooping soul that mourneth under the fears of God s displeasure, how doth he value this ? The afflicted and poor of the flock, they will trust in the name of the Lord, Zeph. iii. 12 ; and should we not value that which is prized by them that are more serious than oui'selves ? (3.) When you must appear before the bar of God when you are to die, a shelter and a screen between you and wrath will be very welcome, Kev. vi. 16. What would 3^ou give then for a sealed pardon, for an interest in Christ's righteousness, for a propitiation or means of atonement between you and an offended God ? (4.) The damned in hell, that are lost for ever, who are scorched in eternal flames, and have made trial of that sad condition, what would they give ? Luke xvi. 24, ' Have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am horribly tormented in this flame.'
2. With respect to pleasant fruit : Ps. xxxiv. 8, ' Oh ! come, taste and see how good the Lord is to those that put their trust in him.' We entertain black thoughts of the ways of God, as if religion were a sour thing, and there were no pleasure and delight for those that submit to it. Augustine and Cyprian were both kept off by a fear that they should never see merry day more ; as, indeed, it is hard for pleasant natures wholly to renounce accustomed delights. To confute this prejudice, if you will not believe the spies who have visited the land of promise, and passed it through, and liave brought a good report thence, told you how pleasant and sweet the fruits thereof are, come and make trial yourselves. Oh ! taste and see. You will find enough in Christ to spoil the gust and relish of all other pleasures, Quam suave mihi sub ito factum est carere suavitaiihus nugarum. As the sun puts out the fire, so doth this gi'eater delight make carnal vanities tasteless to you. Surely all Christs fruits will be sweet to 3^ou. Is it not sweet to hear that voice, ' Be of good cheer, thy sins are pardoned' ? Mat. viii. 2 ; so ' I will be to you a fathei-, and you shall be my children.' The comforts of the Spirit, are they not the sweetest things that ever were felt ? Peace, Phil. iv. 7 ; joy. 1 Peter i. 8 ; yet these are but part of his wages. If Christ be sweet in the ordinances, what will he be in heaven ?
Use 2. Do we ever sit down under his shadow, so as to find his fruit sweet unto our taste? You may try your state, and discern it by your relish of spiritual things. When men find no savour and sweetness in Christ, and can enjoy full contentment and satisfaction without him, it is a dangerous sign of a carnal heart, Rom. viii. 5, and Luke xiii. 16. I am sure it is an humbling consideration. The grossy carnal heart can taste the sweetness of the creature, but not of Christ. To an unmortified heart there is no more taste of Christ than in the white of an egg. The promises are but as dry chi{)s and withered flowers. Christ crucified is no feast to them ; they are pleased better with a vain story, or any carnal recreation or sensible
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enjoj-ment, or the mirth of vaia company. They long not for, nor ever taste, the apples of paradise, or the fruit which groweth upon the tree of life.
But are christians to be measured by their feelings, tastes, or com- forts ?
I answer — The taste of the sweetness of Christ's fruits may be con- sidered either with respect to God's dispensation or our duty and disposition of soul.
1. If you consider it as an act of divine dispensation, or an impres- sion of the comforting iSpirit, this dependeth upon God's pleasure, who sheddeth abroad his love in Christ in our hearts by the Spirit in what measure he pleaseth. These spiritual suavities or high tides of com- fort God letteth out upon special seasons, after deep meditation, earnest and strong desires, sad conflicts with sin and the world, or great struggling by pangs of trouble. As we give children a piece of sugar after a bitter potion, so to him that overcometh, God giveth to eat of the tree of life in the midst of paradise, Kev. ii. 7, and ver. 17 ' hidden manna.' &c. This is Christ's feast for conquerors or triumpheis. For this we must wait upon God in his sanctuary, leaving him to his own pleasure, and be content till the master of the feast bid us come and sit higher.