of his ordinances is a sweet and delightful manifestation, . 152
Christ's doctrine is sweet and sound, . . . 153
All Christ's actions are precious, .... 153, 154 The best discovery of our state in grace is by our affection to
the word of Chi'ist, . . . . .155
Christ, every way considered, is altogether lovely, . . 156
Christ in his lowest abasements for us was most lovely, . 156, 157
We are to rest upon Christ's obedience and righteousness, . 157
Our best affections ought to be set upon Christ, . . 157
How to know whether we love Christ, . . . 158 Means whereby we may be enabled to love and highly esteem
of Christ, ...... 161
Ends why the church in general and particular, sets forth the
excellencies of Christ, ..... 162, 163
Grace, though it be never so small at the first, yet it is grow- ing still, ....... 165
Usually God works with the means, .... 166
How to be happy instruments to convert others, . . 167 That which most stirs up holy affections to search after Christ,
is the large explications of his excellencies, . . 167
In what respects Christians are compared to lilies, . . 169
Comfort to God's people against all their ill censures and wants, 170, 171
Christ will not be long absent from his church, . . 171
We are to wait, and never to give over seeking of Christ, . 172, 173 There must be union of persons to Christ before there can be
communion with him, ..... 173 From the union of our persons to Christ comes communion of
all other things, ...... 173
What these words imply, ' I am my Beloved's and my Beloved
is mine,' ....... 174-176
Causes why God absents himself from his childi-en, . . 176
When usually Christ returns after desertion, . . . 177
How Christ comes to be ours, .... 177
The riches of a Christian that has Christ to be his portion, . 178 Christians having Christ for their portion should be contented
with their outward condition, whatsoever it is, . . 178
CONTENTS.
XI
Page Why sometimes we want outward things being in Christ, . 178
How we are Christ's beloved, .... 179
Sufferings of the church are to conform her to Christ her hus- band, ....... 180
The sweetest communion with Christ is under the greatest
crosses, . . . . . . .181
Our giving ourselves to Christ is a sure evidence that we are
Christ's, ....... 181
How to answer Satan when he tempts us to sin or despair, . 181
Reasons why Christ must be given to us before we can give
ourselves to him, . . . . . .182
Direction how to be enabled to say, ' I am my Beloved's and
my Beloved is mine,' ..... 184-186
The excellency of a Christian walking in divine light above
other men, ...... 186
Exhortation and encouragement for those who are not yet in
Christ to come in, . . . . . 187
Those who have given themselves up to Christ ought not to be
discouraged for their infirmities, .... 187
We must labour to comprehend the love of Christ to us, which
will enable us to suffer willingly and cheerfully, . . 187, 188
Christ feeds his church and people in fat pastures, . . 188
Christ feeds as well as breeds, . . . .189
Reasons of the necessity of our continual feeding in Christianity, 190
Christ feeds his people plentifully and sweetly, . . 190
Happiness of these times wherein there is such plenty of
spiritual food, . . . . . .190
The sweetness of our lives is not lost by becoming religious, . 191, 192 How to get hungiy appetites to the Sacrament, . . 193
Notes, ....... 193-195
THE SPOUSE, HEE EAENEST DESIEE AETEE CHEIST.
Prefatory Note, . . . . , ,198
Dedication, . . . . . . .199
[Text] Canticles I. 2, ' Let him kiss me with the kisses of his
mouth : for thy love is better than wine,'
200-208
A BEEATHING AETEE GOD.
Prefatory Note, ...... 210
To the Christian Reader, by John Hill, . . . 211, 212
[Text] Ps. XXYII. 4, ' One thing have I desired of the Lord, tbat I will seek after ; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple,' . . . 213-248
zu
CONTENTS.
Difference of things in the world, .... The scope of a good heart in the use of God's ordinances, what
it is, .
Observation 1. The object of a Christian's desire, what, Why said to be one thing, — in respect of God ; in respect of
the soul ; in respect of grace, Use. To shew the folly of worldly men in the neglect of the
one thing necessary, ....
Thoughts and desires the primitive issues of the heart. How they are begotten, ....
Observation 2. The Spmt of God in the hearts of his children
is effectual in stirring up holy desires, Trial of desires whether true — by their object; by their fer
vency ; by their constancy ; by their rise ; by, their end
by their endeavours, ....