162 INVITATIONS TO CHunctt=rELLOWSHIP. will sound thus, Blessed is the manwhom thou: chusest, andcausest to approach unto thee ; he shall dwell in thy courts, as a promised privilege or hewill do it as a voluntary and delightful practice ; inwhich latter sense, the words will afford this doctrine. Doctrine. 00 He that is caused in a spiritual manner to ap- proach or draw near to God, will have a desire to dwell in the house of God, that is, to be united to his church." He who has tasted that the Lord is gracious, and is brought near to God by the atoning blood of Christ, and the sanctifying influences of the holy Spirit, will desire to be a visible fellow- citizen with the saints, and to become one of the household. Ile who has fre- quented the courts of God, attending on the worship of the church, and lias felt the special presence of God there, convin- cing, converting, and comforting his soul, will be glad to dwell there, and to join himself to the church, as a part or member of it, and that for these reasons following : . I. " Becausehe finds so much delight in approaching near to God, that he desires still to be nearer." Iie feels that nearness to God is happiness ; and he cannot have too much of that he cannot be too near his chiefgood, and his soul's delight. When he has come up to the house of God, and Only paid a visit there, he has tasted so much sweetness in this visit, that he cannot satisfy himself to be a mere visitant, where he may be an inhabi- tant ; hewould dwell where God dwells, and be always with him. God himself, in infinite condescension, makes a visit to families, and to closets, where prayer is performed, and comforts praying souls. But God dwells in Zion, this is his rest for ever, for he hasdesired it; Psal. cxxxii. 13, 14. Therefore holy souls would dwell there also. David would have the ark brought to Zion, that he might dwell with God : And he often longed to dwell in, God's house; Psal. xxvii. 4. Peter was near to God on the holy mount, andhe was immediately for making tabernacles, and dwell- ing there; Luke ix. 33. He that has drawn near to God in worship, enjoys so much pleasure in common ordinances, that he breathes after special ones : With God's invitation he is pleased, and persuaded to come, and lie would fain taste the entertain- ment. When Christ by his messengers speaks in general to mankind, he finds a sweetness in the voice, lie longs therefore to have Christ speak particularly to him as a believer and a friend. When Christ publishes love to the world, it is pleasant tohear it: But be longs to hear him say to his own soul, my beloved. He has heard wisdom inviting the sons of men to her feast; Prov. ix.'5. Come eat of my bread, anddrink of the wine which I have mingled. He has tasted of these provisions in the spiritual sense of them, and he would partake thereof in all the sensible em- blems too. He is well pleased with the covenant of grace, and he
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