2. There is a state of spiritual things which is a necessary duty, when these things please us better than any worldly things whatsoever. To be holy is more contentment than to be rich. To love God more, trust him more, and obey him better, please more than if God should give them all the honours of the world. This taste is known more by esteem, admiration, thankfulness, and solid contentment, than by pas- sionate joys ; yet they should be excited on special occasions. They are never so well pleased as when they enjoy most of God, have a sense of his presence. Never so satisfied as when they are most fruitful, as when most powerfully drawn out after God. This taste must be cherished, and still kept up in us. Affectionate stirrings and work- ings of soul after heavenly things are very sweet, and such as all christians should strive for; yet esteem, choice, and thorougli willing- ness and well-pleasedness with Christ are the main things. You must not be dead-hearted ; therefore you must take heed of those things which would deaden your taste. What are they ?
[1.] Want of faitlh Such worthy things could not be entertained with such coldness if we did believe them true : 1 Peter ii. 7, ' To them that believe, Christ is precious;' and if he be precious, we will give him a suitable welcome into the heart ; we will entertain him as we do precious things. A carnal wretch may talk of Christ as others tlo, but to him Christ and his gospel is a common thing, because he hath no sound belief of these things, only a little human credulity. Affection still followeth persuasion, Heb. xi. 13. We look for no great matters, therefore go no higher than a customary devotion or a cold res])ect.
[2.] We are governed by fancy, sense, and carnal appetite ; and the carnal gust will mar the taste of heavenly things. The joys of sense are natural to us, and the joys of faith are strangers to our hearts ; and then it is no wonder that the one does easily vanquish and
368 SERMONS ON THE SACRAMENTS.
overcome the other. Brutish worldlinojs rest satisfied with worhlly contentments and carnal deliglits , and the taste of the pleasures, ])rofits, and iionours of the world spoil the taste of spiritual comforts. Garlic and manna will never suit the same appetite. The heightening of the world lesseneth our esteem of Christ, 1 John ii. 15. Conscience is stupefied with vain delights. When we come to say, Soul, take thine ease ; thou hast goods laid up for many years ; then better things are coldly entertained. Spiritual things lose their sweetness when your pleasure is intercepted by the tilings you enjoy in the world.
[3.] Some sin is regarded in the heart, rolled as a sw^eet morsel under the tongue. And if sin be grown sweet, spiritual delight languisheth; for something else pleaseth us better; as a sucker draweth away the strength of the tree, or as a leak in a pipe lets out the water, or a wound in the body weakeneth the strength. Yea, till sin grow bitter to us. nothing in Christ will relish with us ; for Christ came to take sin away ; and till sin be sin indeed, grace will never be grace indeed.
[4] If you do not prepare your apj^etite by self-examining, 1 Cor. xi. 28, and confession of sin. Humiliation for our unworthiness, recon- ciling ouiselves to God upon new covenant terms, hearty resolutions for God, a deep sense of our wants, these things breed an appetite and desire of grace ; and hungry consciences know how to prize the food. Be sui-e to do thus, and then you will find a w'ell-pleasedness in Christ ; and say, ' His love is better, than wine,' Cant. i. 2. His l()ving-kindne.ss is better than life. If the afi'ections be not I'avished, there will be at least a solid esteem ; at least you will find that 'one day in God's courts is better than a thousand elsewhere,' Ps. Ixxxiv. 10. There is a solid complacency in Christ, and a serious joy, that is more durable than sudden transports of soul.
Use 3. Direction to us in our special addresses to God. The |»ractice of the spouse is then in season. Come and sit down under his shadow, and eat of his fi-uits. I remember Solomon saith, Prov. xxvii. 18, ' Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat of the fruit thereof.' So he tliat waiteth on his master shall be honoured. When you come to duties, you come to sit under the spiritual apple-tree, to wait upon your master for your dole and portion. We taste the fi'uits of Christ most in solemn ordinances : Ps. xxxvi. 8, ' They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house ;' so Ps. Ixv. 4. And they are not sparingly dispensed. The spiiitual apple-tree is fully laden, and you may eat and feed abundantly with his blessed allowance, Cant. V. 1. Only remember, if you would find God's favour and presence in the mercies, you rau.st use diligence; for we come to ])artake as well as receive. When we hear or pray loosely, with slackness and remissness of zeal, we lose the comfort of these duties. So in the Lord's supper you must exercise faith, and repentance, and love, and thankfulness to your Redeemer. All the benefits we enjoy are Christ's fruits, his by purchase and right and from him com- municated to us. Serious thoughts, and an active lively faith is required, that you may take and give up yourselves to Christ in au humble obedience.