'· Chap. I .SeCt,; Looking ttnto :Jtfus. Book. IV. wine that the !aft draught is moft plcafant ; the world prefents us with faire hopes ofpleafures, honours, and preferments, but there's bitternefs in the end; every fin fmiles in the firft addretfe, but when we have well drunk, then comes that which u worfe; only Chrift turnes our water into wine; ifwe fill our water-pots with water, ifwith Da.vid we water our couch with our tea res for fin,Chri lt will come in with the wine ofgladnefs fooneror later;& he will give, the beft wine at the !aft ; 0 how delicate is that new wine,which we (hall one day drink with Chrift in hisFathers Kingdome ? Thefe were the firft manifdl:ations ofJefus,you fee he had feveral witnetfes to fet him forth; fome from heaven, and fome · on earth; the Father, Sonne, and holy Ghoft witnetfe from 395 heaven . the Baptift, difciples, and his works witnetfe on earth ; and the:e's no difagreement in their witnefs, but all bring in this teftimony ofJefus, that he is the Mejfiah, which u, being interpret• • ed, the Chrift. Job. 1.4r. But what arc thefe manife{tations to us? or to that great de- v ft. figneofChrift in carryingon our fouls falvation? much every - way. For either muft Chrift be manifdl:ed to us even by thefe -.,. witnclfes, in the preaching of the Gofpel, and manifefted in us by that one witndfe his holy Spirit, or we are undone for ever. I. Chrift muft be manifefted to us in the preaching of the Gofpel; this mercy we have this day, nay you fee every Sabbath day all the witnelfes fpeak in us ; what do we but in Gods ftead,' in the Baptifts ftead, in the difcip!es ftead, manifeft Chrift to you in every Sermon ? it is the commiffion which Chrift hath given us of the miniftry, go preach the Go !pel to ever] creature. Ob(erve . . but how open Chrifts heart is towards you, he cannot containe Matk. 16 • 1 f• his love, and grace within himfelfe he{;annot keep.his own counfels that are for the good of you~ fouls, but all muft bemanifeft,and that in the openeft way ; by preaching, and proclaimit:lg them to the world, ' Chrift muft be laid out to open view. Chrift will h:ave nothing of his lovekept back, he wills and com: mands us of the minifiry ,in the fi ead of all thofe former witneffes, to make all known what he is, andwhat he h~th done and fuffered for you. On Chrifi ians! how cheap are the .myfteries of the Gofpel to you-ward? you may know them if you will but lend an eare, and liften to them; the Word is nigh you, even in your E ce z mouths;'
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