ver. 13. the dispensation of the word of the gospel, and the ordinances thereof, is designed for our help, assistance, and furtherance, until the whole work of faith and obedience is consummate. It is appointed to perfect and complete that faith, knowledge, and growth in grace and holiness, which is allotted unto us in this world. But what and if op- positions and temptations do lie in the way, Satan and his instruments working with great subtlety and deceit? Why, ver. 14. these ordinances are designed for our safe-guarding and deliverance from all their attempts and assaults, that so being preserved in the use of them, or ' speaking the truth in love, we may grow up unto him in all things who is the head, even Christ Jesus.' This is in general the use of all gospel ordinances, the chief and main end for which they were given and appointed of God ; namely, to preserve believers from all decays of faith and obedience, and to carry them on still towards perfection. These are means which God, the good husbandman makes use of, to cause the vine to thrive and bring forth fruit. And I could also manifest the same to be the especial end of them distinctly. Briefly, the word is milk and strong meat, for the nourishing and strength- ening of all sorts, and all degrees of believers. It hath both seed and water in it, and manuring with it, to make them fruitful. The ordinance of the supper is appointed on pur- pose for the strengthening of our faith in the remembrance of the death of the Lord, and the exercise of love one to- wards another. The communion of saints is for the edify- ing each other in faith, love, and obedience.
2dly, There is that which adds weight to this consi- deration. God suffers us not to be unmindful of this assist- ance he hath afforded us, but is continually calling upon us to make use of the means appointed for the attaining of the end proposed. He shews them unto us, as the angel shewed the water-spring to Agar. Commands, exhortations, pro- mises, threatenings, are multiplied to this purpose ; see them summed up, Heb. ii. 1. He is continually saying to us. Why will you die ? why will you wither and decay ? Come to the pastures provided for you, and your souls shall live. If we see a lamb run from the fold into the wilderness, we wonder not if it be torn and rent of wild beasts : if we see a sheep leaving its green pastures and water-courses, to abide
VOL. XIII. M
THE NATURE AND I'OWER
in dry barren heaths, we count it no marvel, nor inquire far- ther, if we see him lean and ready to perish. But if we find lambs wounded in the fold, we wonder at the boldness and rage of the beasts of prey, that durst set upon them there. If we see sheep pining in full pastures, we judge them to be diseased and unsound. It is indeed no marvel that poor creatures, who forsake their own mercies, and run away from the pasture and fold of Christ in his ordinances, are rent and torn with divers lusts, and do pine away with hunger and fa- mine. But to see men living under, and enjoying, all the means of spiritual thriving, yet to decay, not to be fat and flourishing, but rather daily to pine and wither, this argues some secret powerful distemper, whose poisonous and nox- ious qualities hinder the virtue and efficacy of the means they enjoy. This is indwelling sin. So wonderfully powerful, so effectually poisonous it is, that it can bring leanness on the souls of men in the midst of all precious means of growth and flourishing. It may well make us tremble to see men living under, and in, the use of the means of the gospel, preaching, praying, administration of sacraments, and yet grow colder every day than other in zeal for God, more self- ish and worldly, even habitually to decline as to the degrees of holiness which they had attained unto.
3dly, Together with the dispensation of the outward means of spiritual growth or improvement, there are also supplies of grace continually afforded the saints from their head, Christ. He is the head of all the saints. And he is a living head, and so a living head, as that he tells us, that * because he liveth, w^e shall live also ;' John xiv 12. He communicates of spiritual life to all that are is. In him is the fountain of our life, which is therefore said to be * hid with him in God ;' Col. iii. 3. And this life he gives unto his saints, by quickening of them by his Spirit ;' Rom. ix. 11. And he continues it unto them, by the supplies of liv- ing grace which he communicates unto them. From these two, his quickening of us, and continually giving out sup- plies of life unto us, he is said to live in us. Gal. ii. 20. ' I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.' The spiritual life which I have is not mine own, not from myself was it educed, not by myself is it maintained, but it is merely and solely the work of Christ ; so that it is not I that live, but he lives