Something of these several frames may be in us all; yet it may be one is predominant, one is chief, — one in one, another in another: and therefore I will speak a few words distinctly to them all : —
1. There are sinners who are believers, who cannot get their hearts and spirits affected with sin so as they ought, and so as they desire. There is not a sadder complaint of the church, as I know, in the whole book of God, than that, Isa. lxiii. 1 7, " Why hast thou hardened our heart from thy fear?" Poor creatures may come unto that per- plexity, through an apprehension of the want of a due sense of the guilt of sin, as to be ready thus to cry out, " Why is it thus with me? why am I so senseless under the guilt of all the sins that I have contracted?" I have a word of direction unto such persons. Are there such among us? It is a direction unto faith to be acting in this ordinance. It is that which we have, Zech. xii. 10, " They shall look unto him whom they have pierced, and mourn." Why, brethren, Christ is represented unto us in this ordinance as he was pierced, — as his precious blood was poured out for us. Let us act faith, if God help us, in two things: —
(1.) Upon the dolorous sufferings of Christ, which are represented here unto us. Let us take a view of the Son of God under the curse of God.
(2.) Remember that all these sufferings were for us: " They shall look upon me whom they have pierced," and then " mourn." The acting of faith upon the sufferings of Christ, as one that suffered for us, is the great means, in this ordinance, to bring our hearts to mourn for sin indeed. Therefore, pray let us beg of God, whoever of us are in any measure under this frame, that our insensibleness of the guilt and burden of sin may be our great burden. Let us try the power of faith in this ordinance, by getting our hearts affected with the sufferings of Christ in our behalf. Let us bind it to our hearts and consciences ; and may the Lord give a blessing !
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2. There are others who, it may be, are 'pressed under the weight of their sins, walk mournfully, walk disconsolately. I know there are some so, — in the condition expressed by the psalmist, Ps. xl. 12, " Innumerable evils have compassed me about : mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up ; they are more than the hairs of mine head; therefore my heart faileth me." Some may be in that condition that their hearts are ready to fail them, through the multitude of their iniquities taking hold upon them. What would you direct such unto in this ordinance? Truly, that which is given, John hi. 14, 15, "As Moses lifted up the ser- pent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up : that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." The Lord Jesus Christ was lifted up, as Moses lifted up the ser- pent in the wilderness; and here he is lifted up, as bearing all our sins in his own body upon the tree. Here is a representation made unto poor sinners whose hearts are most burdened,- — here is Jesus Christ lifted up with all our sins upon the tree. Let such a soul labour to have a view of Christ as bearing all our iniquities, that believing on him we should not perish, but have life everlasting. God hath appointed him to be crucified evidently before our eyes, that every poor soul that is stung with sin, ready to die by sin, should look up unto him, and be healed. And virtue will go forth, if we look upon him; for "by his stripes we are healed."
3. There may be some that live in full satisfaction of the pardon of their sins, and are solicitous how their hearts may be drawn forth unto thankfulness and fruitfulness. Remember that place, Rev. i. 5, 6, " Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood ; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." Remember this, that whatever your state and condition be, you have here a pro- per object for faith to exercise itself upon; only be not wanting unto vour own comfort and advantage.
DISCOURSE X.1
" Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you : and, lo} I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." — Matt, xxviii. 20.
By " the end of the world" we are to understand the consumma- tion of all things; when all church work is done, and all church duties are over ; when the time comes that we shall pray no more, 1 Delivered May 17, 1674.
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hear no more, no more administer ordinances. " But till then," saith Christ, " take this for your life and for your comfort, — Do what I command you, and you shall have my presence with you."