2. Let me plead the worth of it. He that hath this love of God, this grace of Christ, this communion of the Spirit, wanteth nothing to Jiis solid happiness ; he hath all necessary things in their cause and fountain ; for he hath God, Christ, and the Spirit ; for all things come from the love of God, and the grace of Christ, and the communion of the Holy Ghost. And he doth possess all things in that measure that Ood sees fit for him: Ps. Ixxxiv. 11, 'The Lord will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.' It bringeth other mercies with it, and nothing is good without it. All things are mercy, even those that fall out contrary to our expectations: Kom. viii. 28, 'All things shall work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to liis purpose.' Well, then, they that know the want of grace, or the worth of grace, will earnestly seek it.
3. Let me plead the possibility of obtaining it ; for the three persons conspire and agree together, not to your ruin, but salvation. Whatever may be expected from infinite love, eternal merit, and almighty power, it is all offered to those that will seek after it. There are none but are sensible that they need to address themselves to God for pardon and a blessing. Now God is an holy God ; how shall sinners deal with him ? As the prophet said to Ahab, ' If it were not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look towards thee, nor see thee,' 2 Kings iii. 14. Whatever we seek and expect from Ood, we must seek it from Jesus Christ, who hath purchased all : Isa. liii. 5, ' He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed ; ' Eph. i. 7, ' In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.' And he is appointed to bestow all that which he hath purchased : Acts v. 31, * Him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be a prince and a saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.' And by his intercession he doth apply all : Heb. vii. 25, ' Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for tliera.' Well, then, if we will go to Christ, he sendeth us to the Spirit, who worketh all, and doth accomplish in us the pleasure of his goodness. Go to the Spirit; he must heal you and help you. The Spirit sendeth us to the means : Acts i. 4, ' And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem,
164 SERMON UPON 2 CORINTHIANS XIII. 14.
but wait for the promise of the Father.' You shall fiud him present iu the ordinances. Oh, what encuuragemeut have we to be serious, and in the use of the means by which the Spirit worketh !
4. We are obliged by our baptismal covenant : Mat. xxviii. 19, ' Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Koly Ghost,' Father, Son, and Holy Ghost take upon them to convey this love, grace, and power ; and we take upon ourselves to accept the Father for our Lord and happiness, Christ for our redeemer and saviour, and the Holy Ghost for our guide, sanctifier, and comforter ; to obey his motions, to use those means whereby we may feel his power, to avoid those wilful sins which may grieve the Spirit, and cause him to suspend his operations and comforts. Tliere we are consecrated as children to the true God, consent to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and obey his Spirit. Now make conscience of this vow.
Use 2. Is to put us upon self-reflection. Is the love of the Father, and the grace of Christ, and the communion of the Holy Gliost with us ? Do we seek our happiness in Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ? Or do you consent tliat God shall be your God, as reconciled to you in Jesus Christ ?
1. As to the Father. Do you own him as your rightful Lord? and are you willing to return to his obedience by Jesus Christ? Do you take him for your portion and felicity ? Do you expect to receive all your happiness from him ? valuing and preferring his favour and love above all the pleasures, profits, and honours of the world ? Ps. iv. 6, ' There be many that say. Who will show us any good ? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.' Admiring it ? 1 John iii. 1, ' Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons God ! ' ' His favour is life,' Ps. xxx'. 5. Yea, better than life : Ps. Ixiii. 3, ' Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.' Willing to forsake all rather than forsake him. Behave yourselves with that thankfulness as those that owe yourselves and all your happiness to him : 2 Cor. v. 14, 15, ' The love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead : and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.' Carry it as those that are obliged by love.