5. And having got enjoyment of communion with God, shut the soul to other things. The comfort of his presence is a heaven upon earth, sweeter than wine, and above all other things to be desired. Take we heed there- fore that we grieve not his good Spirit, and force him to retire himself; that ■we quench not his sweet motions by anything contrary to him. Those that have guests which they respect will do nothing that may be offensive to them. So let us watch over our souls, that nothing come in that may grieve Christ, nor anything come forth to grieve his Spirit in us. Let us not thrust ourselves into such occasions and company as may do or speak such things as may grieve the Spirit of God in us. Let us neither grieve the Spirit in ourselves, by cherishing that which is evil in our own hearts, nor by thrusting ourselves into the company of those whom we know by experience will grieve the Spirit. A man cannot go into bad compan}', but he must either be grieved, or tainted, and corrupted. Who would redeem familiarity and favour with them ? exchange comfort and sense of Christ's Spirit for the favour of such men as grieve the Spirit in us ? No ; a soul that walks in the strength of the comfort of Christ's dwelling in him must be watchful and jealous over himself, and preserve heavenly motions, cherish them, and make them strong, and banish all that is contrary.
Qitest. But how shall I recover him again, if I have grieved the Spirit, and lost the sense of his being in me ?
Sol. I will name but one means. Observe how thou lost it, and recover him b)j the contrary. If thou wilt renew the experience of his love, and his dwelling in thee comfortably, consider how didst thou lose him ? Was it
THE JIATCHLESS LOVE AND INCEING. 411
by negligence ? by omission of duties ? Didst tliou not read when tliou migbtest, or bear wben tbou migbtest ? or gavest tbou tby tbougbts liberty to range ? or didst tbou not walk witb God as tbou sbouldst ? didst tbou cast tbyself into ill company, or cberisb carnal desires ? Take a contrary course tben ; converse witb tbose tbat are good ; stir up tbe gi-ace of God in tbee by meditation, and by renewing tby purposes and resolutions ; bear as mucb as tbou canst ; speak to God as mucb as tbou canst ; maintain communion witb saints, &c. As tbou lost it, so endeavour tbe recovery by a contraiy way, and tben Cbrist will come again to tbe soul. We see, Cant, V. '6-Q, tbat after Cbrist bad stood knocking and calling to bis spouse, * Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled,' till bis bead was filled witb dew, and bis locks witb tbe drops of tbe nigbt, but found no enti'ance, be retired," and withdrew himself, because she would not rise and put on her coat. But afterward, when she endeavoured herself, and used contrary means to her former sluggishness, seeking him, and saying, 'What is become of my beloved?' &c., then Christ came again into bis garden, returned to his spouse, and forgat the former nnkindness.
We deal witb such a Saviour, tbat though we lose the sense of bis presence for a time, yet if we use contrary means, and knit ourselves to bis ordi- nances, at last we shall refind bis love to our souls. Nay, he is so loving, so indulgent, tbat be never upbraids us with our former sins ; as we see in Peter, whom he upbraided not witb his former denial. Who would not maintain love, respect, and communion with such a Saviour as this, especially considering what a sweet estate it is to have .Christ witb us at all times, and in all estates, and so to have the love of God, for both go together ? And what are all discouragements where the love of God in Christ is ? What are all the creatures to God's love, to Cbrist ? Where the soul is persuaded tbat it is in covenant and peace witb God through Christ, and when it knows tbat Christ's Spirit is in it, this is a comfort above all discouragements whatsoever. Discouragements are carnal, out- ward things ; tbe comforts are tbe presence of divine things. The Spirit of Christ, whose presence drowns all things, it is precious above all creatures, strength, beauty, wit, &e., yea, and prevalent above all tbe afflictions and sufferings in the world.
All afflictions cannot hinder the life of reason, and can they binder tbe life of grace ? No. Paul saith excellently, tbe more ' our outward man decays,' the more we suffer in our outward man, ' the more the life of Cbrist is manifest in us,' 2 Cor. iv. 16. So far are we from being hurt by any outward sufferings in tbe world, or discouraged by them, tbat the life and presence of Christ in us is thereby made more glorious, Christ triumphs and rules tbe more, by bow mucb the more outward opposition we have.
If God's love, and consequently Christ, be in' us, what if all the creatures were against us ? Is there not more in God and Christ, than in all the creatures ? Made be not all things of nothing ? What made the martyrs in the primitive church to sacrifice their blood so willingly and cheerfully ? Because the love of God was manifested to them in Cbrist Jesus. His name was manifested and declared as a sweet ointment poured forth, which caused those virgins to follow him. The sense and apprehension of tbe love of God, manifested by the Spirit of Christ, begat in them such a love to God again, that was strong even to death. It engendered such an heat within, that made them endure all tbe heat and flame without ; so tbat all tbe tor- ments which the mabce and wit of persecutors could devise, could not daunt