6 Set me as a feal upon thy heart, as a feal
Sacramental Meditations.
THE ELEVEΝΤΗ
MEDITATION,
UPÓN CANT. viii. 6.
Setme as a feal upon thy heart, asa fealupon thinearm : for love isstrong as death ; jealousy is cruelas the grave : the coals thereof are coals offire, whichhath a most vehement flame.
THIS book is a facredallegory; the ſenſethereof isdeep and fpiritual.
Our unacquaintedness with fuch ſchemes and figures of ſpeech, together with the want of ſpiritual light and experience, makes it difficult to be underſtood ; but the allegory being once unfolded, by reaſon of its affinity with the fancy, truth is more easily and affectingly tranſmitted, both to the mind and heart.
St. Auguſtin aſſigns this reaſon,whyweare so much delight edwith metaphors and allegories ; becauſe they are ſo much proportioned to our ſenſes, with which our reaſon hath con tracted an intimacy and familiarity; and therefore God, to accommodate his truth to our capacity, doth, as itwere, embody it in earthly expreſſions ; according to thatoftheancient
Cabbalifts, Lumen fupremum nunquam defcendit fine idumento ; heavenly truth never defcendeth to us without its veil and covering.
Thewords beforeus, are the requeſt of the ſpouſe toJeſus Chrift; and confiſt of two parts, viz.
1. Her fuit; which is earnest.
2. Her argument ; which is weighty.
1. Her earneſt ſuit, or requeſt to Jeſus Chriſt ; "Set me as afeal upon thy heart, as a ſeal upon thine arm." The heart of Chrift notes his moſt dear, inward, and tender affection; his arm notes his protecting and preſerving care and power.
The laſt naturally follows the firſt ; what men dearly affect, they tenderly and carefully protect. Andbysetting her as afeal upon his heart and arm, the means a fure and a well-confirmed intereſt, both inhis love and power ; this ſhe would have firmly
" ſealed and ratified: and that this is her meaning, will plainly appearfrom, Theargument with which the enforces her requeſt : " For " love is ſtrong as death ; jealousy is cruel as the grave," &c.
By jealousy, we must understand her fears and fufpicions of coming short of Chriſt and his love; q. d. What if after all !
Sacramental Meditations.
Inouldbe deceived ? What if Jesus Chriſtdonot love mewith a ſpecial love ? Otheſe fears and fufpicions are intolerable torments to her; ſhe cannot bear them : theyare cruel as the grave; infufferable as coals of fire, which have a moſt vehement flame ; q. d. Lord, if thou leave me in the midst of theſe jealoufies of thy love, I ſhallbebutatormenttomyſelf;
I ſhall live as one upon the rack, or inthe flames. Hence the note is, Doct. That there is nothing inthis world, which true Chriftiansmore earnestly defire, than to be wellaffured and fatisfiedof the love of Jesus Chrift to their fouls.
Inthe meditation of this point, twothings muſt be enquiredinto:
1. Why this affurance isſo defirable.
2. How itmaybe obtained.
1. Why the affurance of the love of Chriſt is ſo defirable intheeyesoftrue Chriſtians. Andamong others, there are two things that eſpecially make it ſo ; viz .
1. The ſweetneſs of its enjoyment.
2. The difficulty of its attainment.
The ſweetness of its enjoyment, which is inexpreſſible, and inconceivable ; for it is a mercy abovealleſtimation.
It is, 1. The riches of faith, 2. The reſt and ease of the heart.
3. The pleaſure of life.
4. A cordial atdeath .
5. A fweet ſupport in all troubles.
1. It is the very riches of faith, the moſt pleaſant fruit whichgrows upon the top branches of faith. The ſcripture tells us of anaſſurance of underſtanding, hope, and faith. All theſe graces are precious in themselves; but the aſſurance of eachof them is the moſt ſweet andpleasant part. Knowledge, above knowledge, is the full affurance of knowledge: hope abovehope, isthefull affurance of hope: and faith above faith, isthe full affurance of faith.
The leaſt and lowest act of ſaving faith is precious, and above allvalue ; what then muſt the highest and most excellent acts of faith be ?
Certainly, there is a ſweetneſs in the aſſurance of faith, that few men have the privilege to taſte; and they thatdo, can findno words able to expreſs it to another's underſtanding. The weakest Chriſtian is exalted above all other men ; but the aſſured Chriſtian hatha preference before all other Chriſtians.
2. It is heart'scafe; theverySabbathandſweet repoſe of
VOL. VIII.
R t
Sacramental Meditations. the foul.
Thousands of poor Chriſtians would part with all they poſſeſs in this world, to enjoy it: but it flies from them.
The life that most of them live, is a life betwixt hopes and fears ; their intereſt in Chriſt is very doubtful to them.
Sometimes they are encouraged, from ſenſible workings of grace ; then all isdaſhedagain, by the contrary ſtirrings and workings of their own corruptions. Now the fun shines out clear, by andby the heavens are overcast and clouded again : but the affured Chriſtian is at reſt, from thoſe tormenting fears and jealouſies which my text ſpeaks of, that are as cruel as the grave, and as infufferable as coals of fire in a man's boſom.
He can take Chriſt into the arms of faith, and fay, " My beloved " is mine, and I am his. Return to thy reſt, O my foul, for " the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee !"
3. It is the pleaſure of life ; yea, the moſt rational, pure, and tranſporting pleasure.
What is life without pleaſure ?
And what pleafure is there in the world, comparable to this pleaſure ? For letthe ſealed and affured believer conſider, and compare; andhe must needs findajoy and pleaſure, beyond the joy of the whole earth. If he conſider well what he is affured of, it is nocommon mercy, but Chriſt himself, and his love ; a mercy incomprehenſible by men or angels ; Eph. iis
19.
Put Chriſt into the ſenſible poffeffion of a believer, and joy is no moreunder his command for that time: he cannot forbear to rejoice ; and eſpecially when his thoughts are exerciſedincomparing ſtates and conditions ; either his own with others mens, or his own now, with what it was, and what it ſhallbe.
To think with thyſelf thus, I am aſſured of Chrift, and his love ; my intereſt inhim is fealed ; but this is a mercy few enjoybeſides me.
There be millions of fouls of equal valuewith minebynature, that ſhallnever enjoy fuch a mercyas this.
Yea, the time was, when I myself was far from it, inmy unregenerate ſtate. Lord, how is it I had notthen been fealed to damnation ?
O, it is well with me for the preſent, that I can call Chriſt my own ; and yet it will be better and better : mycondition will mend every day.
Iam now in Chriſt ; and it is but a little while, before I shall be with Chrift. and arrive at the full fatisfaction of my very heart. O, what pleaſure doth everyglance, backward or forward, give to the fealed ſoul.
4. It is a cordial in death ; and there is none like it.
This will make the foul triumph over the grave, take death chearfullyby thecold hand, welcome itsgrim meſſengers, and long tobegone, and bewith Chriſt. Dark anddoubting Chriftians may indeed ſhrink back from it, andbe afraidoftheexchange;
Sacramental Meditations.
but the aſſuredfoul longs tobe gone, and needs patience to live, as other mendo todie.
When one was asked, if he were willing to die ? his anſwerwas, Illius est nolle mori, qui nolit ire adChriftum ; Lethimbe lothtodie, thatisloth togo toChriſt :
The fugar of afſurance ſweetens the bitter cup of death, and makes it delectable to a believer's reliſh .
5. In aword, it is a ſweet ſupport, in all the troubles and afflictions on this ſide the grave.
Let the aſſured foul be caft into what condition the Lord pleaſes; be itupon abed of fickneſs; yet this gives his foul ſuch fupport and comfort, thathe ſhall not ſay, I am fick.
Sin being forgiven, the foul is well, when the body is in pain, Iſa. xxxiii. 24.
Let him be caſt intoa priſon, here is that which will turn a priſon into aparadiſe, Acts v. 41.
Let him be pinched with outward want ; thiswill fupply all : " As having nothing, andyet poffeffing all
" things," 2 Cor. vi. 10. Thus you ſee how defirable it is for its own excellency.
2. And as it is defirable for the ſweetness of its own enjoyment, ſo alſo from the difficulty of its attainment.
All excellencies are locked up under many difficulties ; but none like this.
It is indeed eaſy to prefume an intereſt in Chriſt, and cheat a man's own soul with adream and fancy of our own creation; but it is hard, to get a fealed, clear title to Chrift and his benefits. And there be, among others, three things that make itdifficult.
(1.) The corruptions that remain,and dailywork in the beſt hearts ; theſe are evermore puzzling and ſcaring the poor foul, with fears and doubts about its condition.
Grace teacheth mendue ſeverity to themſelves ; and fear of their own deceitfulness, makes them think no hearts are like their hearts ; eſpecially whilft they compare other mens outfide with their own infide, as generally theydo. Oh, how do our own corruptions every moment raiſe miſts and clouds, that it is a won. derwe ever ſhould have one clear beam of aſſurance thining into fuch hearts , as our hearts are !
(2.) The multitudes of mistakes and cheats, that are frequently committed, and found in this matter, makes upright hearts the more ſuſpicious anddoubtful of their own condition.
Owhen they read Matth. vii. 22. that many will ſay to Chrift in that day, Lord, we haveprophefied in thy name, &c. it ſcares them, left they alſo be deceived.
(3.) The grand importance of the matter, makes poor fouls feartul of concluding certainly about it. O when aman con
Rr2
Sacramental Meditations. ſiders, that thewhole weight of hiseternalhappiness or misery, dependsuponthe reſolutionoftheſe queſtions, Am I in Chriſt'; oram I not ? it will make him tremble todetermine.
In a word, affurance is not in our power, or at our command.
There be many holy, humble, diligent, and longing fouls, to whom it is denied : it is arbitrarily diſpenſed by the pleaſureof theSpirit, towhomhe will ; and fuch favours are rare, even amongtrue believers ; the more therefore it is tobe valuedand deſired by all, as the ſpouſe doth in this place. And so much to the firſt thing; Upon what account the affurance of Christ's loveisso defirable in the eyes of Christians.
2. Inthe last place, letus conſider, how this mercy, which is ſo deſirable, maybeobtained: And this is our proper work andbuſineſs at this time.
+ Youarenow come toa ſealingordinance, inſtitutedonpurpoſe for this noble end and uſe. O that we would pray and plead for it, as the ſpouſe heredoth!
Set me as a ſeal upon " thine heart, as a feal upon thine arm : for love is ſtrong as " death; jealousy is cruel as the grave," &c. Now, in order tothe attainmentof this most defirable mercy, take afew neceſſary hints of your preſent work andduty, in the following directions.
Direction I. Would you be well ſecured of Chriſt's love to you, and that you arefet as afeal uponhis heart ? Then exerciſe andmanifeft more love to Chriſt, and let him be much upon your hearts.
If it be clear to you, that you have true love to Jeſus Chriſt, you need not at all todoubt, but you are in his heart, and in his love : Ilovethem that love me, Prov. viii.
17. And furely youhave nowbefore you the greatest motive in theworld, to ingameyour love toJetus Chriſt.
Behold him as he is here repreſented to you, wounded for your iniquities ; yea, ſacrificed to the wrath ofGod, for your peace, pardon, and falvation !
" Owhat manner of love is this !
Behold " howhe loved thee !"
If Chriſt's love draw forth thine, it will fo far clear thy intereſt in his love, as itshall engage thy heart in love to him.
Direction II. But ſeeing the activity of your love willbe according to the activity of yourfaith; therefore, inthenextplace,
I advise you to make it the main work and buſineſs of this hour, to exerciſeyourfaithuponJeſusChriſt. Setyourſelves this daytobelieve : The more ſtrong the direct acts of your faith ſhall be, the more clear and comfortable its reflex acts are like to be.
There are threediſtinct offices, oremployments for your faith, at this table, viz.
Sacramental Meditations.
1. To realize.
2. Toapply.
3. To infer, from the ſufferings of Jesus Chrift.
1. To realize the fufferings of Chriſt for you, andbehold them here repreſented in atrue glaſs to the eye of faith.
See you thatbread broken, and that wine poured out ? As ſure as this is ſo, Jeſus Chriſt endured the croſs, fuffered the wrath of thegreat and terribleGod, in his foul, and in his body, upon the curſed tree, for, and in the room of poor condemned finners.
Your faith for the one hathas much, yea, more certainty, than your ſenſe hath for the other.
" This is a faithful " faying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jeſus Chriſt came
" into theworldto ſave ſinners," Tim. i. 15. "Andwith- "outcontroversy, great is the mystery of godliness; Godwas
" manifeſted in the flesh," &c.
1 Tim. iii. 16.
2. Apply the fufferings of Chriſt thisday to thine own foul :
Believeall this tobedone and ſuffered inthyroom, and for thy fake.
He offered not this ſacrifice for his own fins, but ours ; Iſa. liii. 9. Heb. vii. 27. He was incarnate for you, Ifa. ix. 6.
" For us a child is born ; tous aſon isgiven." His death was foryou, and inyour ſtead,Gal. iii. 13. " He was made a curle
" for us;" and when he aroſe from thedead, " he roſe for our " juſtification," Rom. iv. 25. Andnow he is inglory, atthe right-handofGod, he isthere for us, Heb. vii. 25. "He ever
" lives, to make interceffion for us."
It was the pride, paffion, earthlineſs, and unbeliefofthy heart, which Jeſus Chrift groaned, bled, and died, to procure a pardon for.
3. Infer from the ſufferings of Chrift, thoſe conclufions of faith thattend to aſſurance. As thus : Did Chriſt die for me, when Iwas an enemy ?
Then furely, being reconciled, I ſhall be ſaved by his life, Rom. v. 10. Again; Is Chrift dead for me ?
Then I shall never die eternally.
Nothing ſhall leparateme " from the love ofGod ; it is Chriſt that died," Rom . viii. 34.
Direction III. Mourn over all thoſe ſins, that cause the Lord tohidehis face from your fouls.
Have you grieved the Spirit by your fins ? O be grieved for it this day at your very hearts ; coverthe table of the Lord with tears : " Look upon himwhom
" you have pierced, and mourn as for an only fon."
Though there be no merit, yet there is much mercy in a broken heart for fin; and there isno ſuch advantage to get your hearts broken, as this is, which is now before you. When the ſhower of repentance is fallen, the heavens over thee may be clear, and thefun shineout in its brightness upon thy foul.
Direction IV. Ina word; pour out thy foul toGod, inhearty
Sacramental Meditations. defires, for a fealed andclear intereſt inhis love thisday : Tell him, it is a mercy thou valueſt above life ; thy favour is betterthan life, Pfal. Ixii . 3.
Tell him, thou art not able to live with the jealoufies and fufpicions of his love ; thou art but a torment to thyſelf, whilst thyintereſt in his love abides under a cloud.
Beſeech him to pity thy poor afflicted ſoul, which hath laindown andriſen ſolong with theſe fears and tremblings , and been a ſtranger to comfort for ſo many days.
Tell him, how weak thy handshave been, and ſtill are, in duties of obedience, for wantof this ſtrength and encouragement. Engage thy foul tohim this day, to be more active, chearful, and fruitful, in his ſervice ; if itwill pleaſe him now, tofree thee from thoſe fears and doubts, that have clogged thee in allthy former duties .
O, cry unto him in the words, and with the deep ſenſe ofthe ſpouſe in this text; Set me as a ſeal upon thy heart, (which hath a moſt vehement heat,) as a ſeal upon thine arm: for love is ſtrong as death ; jealousy is cruel as the grave; the coals thereof are coals of fire," &c.
THE TWELFTH
MEDITATΙΟΝ,
UPON ЕРН. iii . 19. -And to know the love of Christ, which paſſeth knowledge.
THE knowledge ofChriſt, and of hislove, isdefervedly,in this place, ſet down among the defiderata Chriſtianorum, the moſt defirable enjoyments of believers in this world.
This love of Chriſt had centered the apostle's heart ; he was ſwallowed up in the meditation and admiration of it, and would have all hearts inflamed and affected with it, as his was.
Some think the apostle ſpeaks extatically in this place, and knows not how to make the parts of his diſcourſe conſiſtent with each other, whenhe puts them upon endeavours to know that love of Chriſt, which himself confefſes to paſs knowledge.
But though his heartwas raviſhed with the love of Chriſt, yet there is no contradiction or inconſiſtency in his diſcourſe.
He doth earnestlydefire for the Ephefians, that theymay know the love of Chriſt ; i. e. that they might experimentally know his love, which paſſeth knowledge: That is, as ſome expound it, all other kinds of knowledge; yea, and all knowledge of Chritt, which is not practical and experimental. Or thus :
Sacramental Meditations.
Labour toget the clearest and fulleſt apprehenſiveknowledge of Chriſt, and his love, that is attainable in this world, though you cannot arrive to a perfect comprehenfive knowledge of either.
Mens humanahoc et capit, etnon capit ; atque in eo capit, quod rapiturin admirationem ; as others reconcile it.
The note from it is, Doct. That the love of Christ furpaſſes, and transcends, the knowledge of the moſt illuminated believers.
The love of Chriſt is too deep for anycreated underſtanding to fathom ; it is unſearchable love, and it is ſo in divers reſpects.
1. It is unſearchable, in reſpect ofits antiquity : No underſtanding of man can trace it back to its firſt ſpring ; it flows fromone eternity to another. We receive the fruits and effects of it now; but, Ohow ancient is that root that bears them !
He loved usbefore this world was made, and will continue foto do, when it ſhall be reduced into aſhes. Itis ſaid, Prov. viii. 29.
30, 31. " When he gave the ſea his decree, when he appoint- " ed the foundations of the earth ; then was I by him, as one
" brought up with him; and I was dailyhis delight, rejoicing always before him : rejoicing in the habitable parts of his
" earth, and my delights were with the fons of men."
2. The freeneſs of the love of Chriſt paſſes knowledge. No man knows, nor can any words exprefs, how free the love of Chrift tohis people is: It is ſaid, Ifa. Iv. 8. My thoughts are not your thoughts.
The meaning is, My grace, mercy, and love to you, is one thing, as it is in my thoughts, and quite another thing when it comes into your thoughts.
In my thoughts, it is like itſelf, free, rich, andunchangeable ; but in your thoughts it is limited and narrowed, pinched inwithin your ſtrait and narrow conceptions; that it is not like itſelf, but altered according tothe model and platform of creatures, according to which you draw it in your minds.
Alas ! we do but alter and ſpoil his love, whenwe think there is any thing in us, or done by us, that can be a motive, inducement, or recompence to it.
His love is ſo free, that it pitched itſelf upon us, before we had any lovelineſs in us at all : " When we were
" in our blood, he faid unto us, live;" and that was the time of love.
Itdid not ſtay till wehad our ornaments upon us ; but embraced us in our blood, in our moſt loathſome ſtate ; and of all feaſons, that is the ſeaſon of love, the choſen time of love, Ezek . xvi. 7, 8. Chriſt loved us, not upon the account of any foreſeen excellency in us, or upon any expectation of recompence from us : Nay, he lovedus not only without, but
Sacramenta! Meditations. againſt our deferts. Nothing in nature is found ſofree, as the love of Chriſt is ; our thoughts therefore ofthislovegoingbeyond all examples and inftances that are found amongst men, quickly loſethemselves inanimmenfeoceanof free grace, where theycan find neither bank nor bottom.
The bounty and liberality of the love ofChriſt tohis peoplu, paſſeth knowledge. Who can number, or value the fruits of his love ? They are more than the fandsupon the fea ſhore.
Itwouldweary the arm of an angel, to writedown the thoufandth part of the effects of his love, which come to the ſhare of any particular Chriſtian in this world. Who can tell how many fins it pardons ? " The free gift is of manyoffences unto justification;" Rom. v. 16. How many dangers itprevents ; or howmanywants it ſupplies ?
This, we know, that " of his fulaeſs we all receive grace for grace;" John i. 16.
But how full of grace Chriſt is, and how many mercies have flowed, and ſhall flow to us out of that fountain of love ; this isunknown to men, to the beſt, wiſeſt, and moſt obſervant men. O if the records of the mercies of our lives were , or couldbe gathered and kept, what vaſt volumes would they fwellto!
It is true, indeed, you have the total ſum given you in Cor. iii. 22. Allare yours ; but it is ſuch anumber, as no man can number.
The conſtancy of Chriſt's love to his people paſſeth knowledge: No lengthoftime, nodiſtanceofplace, nochange of condition, either with him or us, can poſſibly make any alteration of his affections towards us; " He is the ſame yesterday,
" to-day, and for ever," Heb. xiii. 8.
It is noted alſo by the evangeliſt, John xiii. 1. " That having loved hisown which were in theworld, he loved them to the end."
It is true, his condition is altered; he is nomore in this world converfing with his people, as hedidonce inthedays of hisfleſb : He is now at the right-hand ofGod, in the highest glory ; but yet his heart is the fame that ever it was, for love andtendernessto his people.
Our conditions alſo are often altered in thisworld; buthis love fuffers no alteration.
Yea, which is much more admirable, we do many things daily, that grieve him, and offendhim ; yethe takes not away his loving-kindness from us, nor fuffers his faithfulness to fail. We pour out ſomuch cold water of unkindness andprovocation, as is enough to cool and quench any love in the world, except his love ; but notwithing all, he continues unchangeable in love to us. ThisPeter found, notwithstanding that great offence of his : No fooner was the Lord riſen fromthedead, but he greets him in the
Sacramental Meditations.
Aileof his former love and antientreſpect ; Gotellthedisciples, andtellPeter.
Sothen the love of Chriſt is a love tranſcending all creaturelove, and human understanding. We read in Rom. v. 7, 8. that "peradventure for a good man, fome would even dare to die;" but we never find where any, befide Jeſus Chrift, would lay down his life for enemies.
It is recorded as an unparalleled inſtance of love inDamon and Pythias, the two Sicilian philofophers, that each had courage enough todie for his friend One of them being condemned todie by the tyrant ; anddefiring to give the laſt farewel to his family ; his friend wentintopriſonfor him, ashis furety todiefor him, if he returnednot at the appointed time : Buthe did not die ; yea, he hadfuch aconfidence in his friend, that he would not fuffer him bydefault to die for him ; and if he had, yethe haddied for his friend.
But fuch was the love of Chrift, that it did not only put him into danger of death, but puthim actually unto death, yea, the worst of deaths, and that for his enemies.
Owhat manner of love is this ! We read of the love that Jacob had forRachel, and how he endured both the cold of winter, andheat of fummer, for her fake.
But what is this to the love of Jeſus, who for us endured the heatof God's wrath ?
Beſide, the was beautiful, butwe unlovely.
Davidwithed for Abfalomhis fon, WouldGod Ihaddiedfor thee! But it was but awith; and had it come to the proof, David would have ſhrinkedfrom death, for allthe affection he bare his beautiful fon. But Chrift actually gave his life for us, and did not only wiſh he haddone it. O love, tranfcending the love of creatures ; yea, and ſurmounting all creature-knowledge !
The uses follow.
1.Ufe. If the love of Chrift paſs knowledge, O then admire it! yea, liveanddie in the wonder and admiration of the love of Chriſt! As it is a ſign of great weakneſs, to admire ſmall andcommon things ; ſo it ſpeaks great ſtupidity not to be affectedwith great andunusualthings. O Chriftiat ! if thou be
onthat converfeſt with the thoughts of this love, thou canſt not but admire it ; and the more thou ſtudieſt, the more ſtill wilt thou be aſtoniſhed at it. Andamong the many wonders that will appear in the love of Chriſt, theſe twowillmoſt of all affect thee, viz.
1. That ever it pitchedat firſt onthee..
2. Thatit isnot, by ſomany fins, quenchedtowards thee.
1. It is admirable, that ever the love ofChriſt pitchedat firſt
VOL . VIH.
Sacramental Meditations. upon thee; for are there not millions in the world, of ſweeter tempers, and better conſtitutions than thyſelf, whom it hath pafſſed by, and yet embraced thee ? " Lord, (faid the diſci- " ples) how is it, that thou wilt manifeſt thyſelf untous, and " notunto the world ?" John xiv. 22.
Surely he did not fet his love' upon thee, nor chuſe thee, becauſe thou waſt better than others, butbecause he loved thee.
2. It is admirable, that his love to thee is not extinguiſhed by ſo many fins, as thou hast committed against him.
Lay thy hand, Chriſtian, this day upon thy heart; and bethink thyself, howmany havebeen the provocations, wrongs, anddishonours thou hast beenguilty of against thyGod, and that ſince he calledthee by his grace, and ſet his loveupon thee.
What, andyet love thee ſtill ! Yea, notwithstanding all, he is ſtill thy God, and lovestheewith an unchangeable love. O, with how many notwithstandings is his love continued to thy foul !
All this is just matter of admiration and wonder for ever.
3. Is the love of Chriſt paſt knowledge, an unſearchable love?
Then learn, whence and why itis, that the fouls of believers never are, nor can be tired, in beholding and enjoying
Jefus Chriſt .
We uſe to ſay, one thing is tireſome ; and it is very true, if it be an earthlything, it will be ſo, how ſweet or excellent foever it seems, at firſt : And the reaſon is, becaule the best creature-enjoyment is but a ſhallow thing, anda few thoughts willfound ittothe bottom; and there being no fupply of new matter, to feed the hungry foul upon, it is quickly fatedand cloyed with the repetition of the same thing over and over.
But it is far otherwise in Chrift : For though he be but one, yet in that one thing all things are virtuallyand eminently contained; ſo that every day he ſeems a new Chrift for ſweetneſs, and yet is the ſame Chriſt ſtill.
And in heaven the redeemed ſhall view him with as much wonder, and love him with as much ardour, after millions ofyears, as they did at their first fight of him. O, there is nobottom in the love of Chrift; it paffeth knowledge.
4. In a word ; Beſtow your best and chiefest love upon Chrift, whoſe love to you paſſeth all knowledge.
Letnocreature be loved equallywith Chrift ; but as his love to you paffeth all creature-love, ſo letyours to him be a matchless love .
Believer ; Chrift loves thee with an unſearchable love ; he loves thee more than the dearest friend, that is as thine own foul, loves thee. He loves thee morethan thou loveſt thy child, or the wifeof thy bofom; more than thy foul loves thy body , with which it is ſo intimately united And wilt thou content