n8 SERMONS upon Sern0,14. Lo here, or Lo there, believe, him not; it is flatly contradi&ory to Scripture, that Chrift ( hould be corporally prefent on Ear till he cometh to Judgment 5 and it is contrary to the Truth of Chrift's Body, though it be glorified, it is not deified ; a Body cannot be'Oroniprefent, and without Quantity, for then it is no more a Body. And it is a Doftrine barren, and of no ufe 5 the Prefence of Chrifi's Body is not fo abfolutely ne- ceffary to the comfort of a Chriftian : John 6.63. It is the Spirit that quickneth, the Flip profrteth nothing: Nearnefs or diflance of place, doth not help or hinder his Pretence with us, or Efficacy upon us : The Degree of his gracious Operation, doth not de- pend upon the Degree of his Perfonal Pretence; as if Chrill were like the Sun, Ihin- ing more or lets hot, according to the difference of his Pofture and Scituation. Chrift doth not work like a natural Agent, by Contai , but according to his free Pleafure, and the wife Difpenfation of his own Will 5 and our Communion with him is wholly Spiritual and Myftical, not Grots and Carnal, the Flea.) profiteth nothing. Yea, it is againft our Comfort. Chrilt hath Bufineds to do for us in Heaven, and it is our Advantage, that he is no more in the World. If he were not in Heaven, he were not a Prie(t. Heb. 8. 4. If be were on Earth, he could not be a Priefi. And again, Heb. 7. 26. we had need of a Prieft, who is made higher than the Heavens; that is, that is afcended into the Third Heaven, thofe áxee9ardie-ra äysa, thofe Holy Places not lnade with hands, now to appear in the Prefence of God for us, Heb. 9. 24. But to leave this. Vfe 2. To prefs Chriflians to look for the Spiritual Prefence of Chrift, tho they rio not enjoy his Bodily. You may make ufe of. Chrift, now he is in Heaven, as the DiC- ciples did on Earth, to ask him Queflions, to Peek his Counfel, to commend your Prayers and PerCons to God. It is no difadvantage to Faith, that Chrift is removed out of fight, but only an occafion given, whereby it may difcover it felf with more finite. Therefore let us believe in Chrifl, tho we fee him not ; we (hall one day fee him in the Heavens to our Comfort, and to the Terror of the Wicked ; in the mean time, let Faith ferve inflead of Vifion : It will be your commendation, whom having not feen, ye love, t Pet. t. 8. God bath removed Chrift out of fight, to make way for the Exercife of Faith, and Love ; and it is much better by Faith, to converfe with him in Heaven, than by fight to fee him upon Earth. John au. 29..Blef d are they that have not feen, and yet believe. Thomas would make his Senfes the Judg, he mutt feel the Wounds, and put his Finger in the print of the Nails, and thruft his,Hand into his Side, which difcovered the weaknefs of his Faith. Faith is not grounded on Senfe, but Teftimony. Be not difcouraged, tho you never law him in the Fleih, you [hall one day fie him in Heaven 5 oho, you could not hear his gracious Words, yet you have Whifpers and Counfels from his Spirit : You taw him not hanging on the Crofs, yet he is crucified before your Eyes, Gal. 3. t. In the Word and Sacraments, he is notably and plainly laid forth to Faith. The Gofpel is a Magical Glae, as it were, wherein God will have the Soul look, that we may fee our abfent Friend, Sic Ocular, _tic ille Manus, fie era ferebat 5 there are the very Poftures of Chrift. Therefore let us make ufe of our prefent Advantages; you may expe& as powerful influences from him, as if prefent in Perfon 5 as the Sun doth not come down from Heaven, but only his influence. There is a derivation of Virtue from his Perfon5 yea, Chrift is not like the Sun 5 the farther abfent from us in Body, the more powerful is his Influence. Ephef. 4. so. When he af- cended up on high, he filled all things. Briefly then, if you have any thing to do with Chrift, you know where to reek him. Thofe that live far from Court, never Caw .their King, yet they enjoy the benefit of, his Government, and are bound to Allegi- ance. Chrift is as meek, as gentle, as eafy to be entreated as ever. life 3. For the convi &ion of them that pleafe thettifelvesin fond Wilbes and Excufes 5 they think that if they had lived in the Days of Chrifïs.Flefh, and had heard his Words, full of Grace and Wifdom, it could not have been, but they fhould have believed in him; they would never have crucified him, as the carnal pin., and never have rejected his Perfon and Doftrine. Thus they bind the Efficacy and Vertue of Chrift to his Corporal Prefence ; as if it would have been a greater Advantage to them, than his Spiritual. A great deceit of the Heart ! this Plea proceedeth upon a falfe Suppofal, as if. Chrift'sVirtue depended upon the nearnefs and diftance of Place ; if there be any difference, now in Heaven he is molt apt to work, becaufe he is entred upon his royalty, and the. a&ual Exercife of his Kingdom. The Apofllcs themfelves, when
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