1. Those that care not for the discovery and manifesting of Christ's truth in the [lospel, let them never think to 'entertain Christ into their hearts, for he will come with his word and with his own ordinance ; his word and Spirit always go together. Therefore let this be one chief direction. If we will have Christ to be in us, to fill our hearts, and remain with us, let us attend upon the blessed means of salvation, and be where he is, and then he will be with us. He is in the church, and he is in every particular member; but especially where his ordinance is, there is he with the Spirit. God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are all there if we have Christ in us. And therefore oft attend upon the ordinances of God, and communion of saints, and then you shall find experience of Christ. Christ joined with the two disciples when they were talking of him, as they were going to Emmaus, Luke xxiv. 15; so let us oft stir up the grace of Christ in us by conferring of good things, and Christ will be with us, joining with- good company, &c.
2. Again, Would we preserve Christ's presence in us ? Labour then that he may dwell largely in our hearts. Now that which enlargeth the soul is humility. For it empties the soul, and makes it large. ; Pride swells the soul up, and drives out Christ. God gives grace to the humble ; Christ dwells in the humble soul. You know he was born in an humble virgin's womb, and he is new born in the womb of an humble soul. Preserve therefore humble, base conceits of ourselves ; that in us there is nothing that is good, nothing worthy to be respected, that so Christ may dwell largely in our hearts. Let us have no wit, no reason of our own, contrary to Christ, Let us have no wills, no desires contrary to his. Let us even give up the keys and the regiment* of our souls to him, and then he will dwell largely there. Humility keeps him there. If his word be our reason, his commandment our will, and his comfort our joy and delight, then he will dwell largely in us, for there is nothing in us to oppose him. But if we have several states of soul, distinct from his government, it is no wonder we banish him, when we will not live by faith in him, but by our wits, shifts, tricks, lusts, the examples of others, and by the spirit of the world. It is no wonder, I say, that we savour only of earthly things if we live thus. It is no wonder that Christ is not preserved in us if we be not ruled by his Spirit. It is no wonder that he departs from us when we set ourselves contrary to him, and have wills and reasons of our own repugnant and disagreeable to his, and ways to get wealth, and to raise ourselves con- trary to his gospel and truth. Will Christ rule in such a soul? No. He subdues all. The Spirit of Christ is like a mighty wind, as it is compared by Christ to Nicodemus, John iii. 8, that beats all down before it. If we cherish contrary desires and contrary delights to Christ, it is no Wonder if he delight not to dwell in such a soul.
* That is, ' government.' — G.
410 TUE M.VTCHLESS LOVE AND INDEING.
3. Berj of Christ Jikeirise that he ivoiihl stai/ with jts; as tliey in the gospel, when ho made as if ho would have gone forward from them, Luke xxiv. 29, constrained him to sta}', saying, ' Abide with us : for it is towards evening, and the day is far spent ; ' and he went in to tarry with them. So, lay we hold on Christ, by the means of salvation ; stay him with us by prayer and importunity, especially when the night of death, and error, and superstition comes. Say, * Lord, night is near, stay with us, depart not from us.' Lay an holy violence upon God, as Jacob did: ' Thou shall not go hence.' Lay hold on him by prayer, and do not leave him till we have drawn virtue and got some blessing from him ; he must be kept by entreaty.
4. And then desire him to perfume our souls for his dwellinff, as the church, Cant. iv. 16, 'Arise, 0 north wind ; and blow, 0 south ; that my beloved may come into his garden.' Desire Christ by his Spirit to blow upon us, that our beloved may come into his garden, that he may find somewhat there to solace himself wuthal — humility, love, pity, large and loving hearts, as himself had, to do all good. Desire him to plant those blessed spices of grace in our hearts, and that he would blow upon them by his Spirit, that they may prosper and thrive, that so he may come into his garden and solace himself. Let us still desire further and further com- munion with him; never be content. As the church. Cant. i. 1, ' Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.' He hath been familiar, but I desire more still. So every Christian soul that hath once entertained Christ is never content till it be with Christ in heaven, but still desires a fuller measure of comfort, grace, strength, and assurance. And why doth the soul thus desire after him ? ' Oh his love is better than wine,' Cant. i. 2. So saith the church, having had a sense and feeling of his love. ' Thy love is sweeter than wine,' and therefore ' let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.' Desire therefore a more nearer communion in his love ; for it is sweeter than wine, being once tasted.