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revenues and comings in to maintain his bravery,* is yet an accursed creature in the midst of all. For what are we made for, think you ? To live hero only ? Oh no. ' Then we were of all others the most miserable,' 1 Cor. XV. 19. There is an eternity of time a-coming, wherein, after a few days spent in the flesh, we shall live either in perpetual bliss, or unspeakable torment. The very best things beneath have a snare in them ; they rather hinder than further our eternal welfare.
Quest. How doth that appear ?
Ans. Because for the most part they make men secure and careless in the worship of God, so as to despise the power of godliness, and follow ini- quity with greediness. "We may see by men's conversations that outward things are snares to them. They are not promises in Christ ; for then they would come out of God's love only, which alone makes mercies to be mercies indeed to us, and without which, the best of blessings will prove but a curse in the end.
If I have anything in this world, any deliverance fi'om evil, or any posi- tive good thing, I may know it is for my benefit, when my heart is made more spiritual thereby, so as to value grace and holiness at the highest rate ; I esteeming my being in Christ above all transitory things whatso- ever, above riches and honour and the favour of great persons, which at the best is fading. Our interest in him will stand by us, when all these things are withered and shrunk to nothing. Christ is a fountain never drawn dry ; his comforts are permanent. The good in the creature soon vanisheth and leaveth the soul empty. Therefore get into Christ speedily, it concerns thee nearly.
For this purpose attend upon the means of salvation, and beg of God that he would make his own ordinances, by his Spirit accompanying the same, efiectual to thy soul ; that he would open the excellencies of Christ to thee, and draw thy affections to close with him.
Quest. How are we in Christ ?
Ans. When, by knowing of him, our knowledge carries our hearts unto him, John xvii. 3. When our wills cleave to that which we know to be excellent and necessary for us, when I firmly adhere to Christ as the only good for me, then I love him, then I rest on him, then I have peace in him.
I may discern that I am in Christ, if upon my knowledge of him, my heart is united to him, and I find peace of conscience in him. Faith hath a quieting and establishing power. If I be in Christ, my soul will be cheered and satisfied with him alone. I know all is yea and amen in him ; therefore my soul rests securely here. However our outward condition be various and perplexed, yet our estate in Christ is fii'm and constant.
Quest. What is a man out of Christ "?
Alls. As a man in a storm that hath no clothes to hide his nakedness, or to shelter his body from the violence of the weather. As one in a tem- pest, that hath not house nor harbour to cover him. As a stone out of the foundation, set lightly by, and scattered up and down here and there. As a branch out of the root ; what sap is there in such a thing, it being good for nothing but to be cast into the fire ?
A man that is not built up in Christ, planted in him, nor clothed with him, is the most destitute, despicable creature in all the world ; and if we look with a single eye, we shall so discern him. Such a man's case is deeply to be bewailed. Had we but hearts to judge righteously, we would prefer the meanest condition of God's child, before the greatest estate of * That is, ' grandeur.' — G.
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YEA AND AMEN ; OR,
an}^ eartlil_y monarch, be their flourishing felicity never so resplendent. Oh ! the miserable and woeful plight that all profoue wretches are in, who neglect grace and the mysteries of Christ, to gratify their base lusts. Such an one, there is but a step between him and liell ; he hath no portion in the Lord Jesus. ' I account all dung and dross,' saith St Paul, ' in comparison of Christ, to be found in him, not having on mine own righteousness,' Philip, iii. 8. Happy is that man at the day of judgment, who thus appears.
Use 2. Again, if so be that all promises are ' yea and amen in Christ,' then here take notice of the stabilitij of a Christian, that hath jn-omises to up- hold him. Compare him with a man that hath present things only, with an Esau that abounds \\-itli worldly goods ; and how great is the clifTcrence ? God gives them their portion here, as he saith to Dives, * Thou hadst thy good things,' Luke xvi. 25, seq.: that thou chiefly caredst for, thou hadst them here, but Lazarus had pain, misery, and poverty. Now therefore the case is altei'ed ; he is advanced, ' and thou art tormented.'
A believing Christian enjoys the sweetness of many promises in this life (for God is still delivering, comforting, and perfecting of him ; renewing of his spirit, and suppljdng him with inward peace) ; but the greatest part is yet to be accomplished. Perfection of grace and glory is to come. He is a child, he is a son. The promise here is his chief estate.