3I3 Of CiOMMUNIUN with [t.] As the author of their faithand obedience, for whofe fake it is gi- ven to them to believe, Phil. i. 29. and whe by his fpirit works that,ohe- dience in them. So the apoftle, Hob. xii. r, 2. in the courfe of our obedi- ence we 1h11 look to Jefus the author of our faith; faith is here both the grace of faith and the fruit of it in obedience. [2.] As he, in, for, andby whom we have acceptance with God in our obedience. They know, all their duties are weak, impeded, not able to abide theprefence of God; and therefore they look to Chrift as he who bears the iniquity of their holy things, who adds incenfe to their prayers, gathers out all the weeds of their duties, and makes them acceptable to God. [3.] As one that hath renewed the commands of God unto them with mighty obligations unto obedience. So the apofle, 2 Cor. v. rq, r5. The love of Chrifl con/iraina ors, of which afterwards. [q..] They confider him as God equal with his father, to whom all hon- our and obedience is due, fo Rev. v. 14. But theCe things I have not long fence opened (a) in another treatife dealing about the worfhip of Chrift as mediator. This then the faints do in all their obedience; they have fpe- cial regard to their dear Lord Jefus. He is on all thefe accounts and innu- merable others continually in their thoughts, his love to them, his life for them, his death for them, all his kindnefs and mercies confrain them to live to him. (2.) Bylabouring to abound in fruits of blinds; as he deals with us in a way of bounty, and deals out unto us abundantly, fo he requires that we abound in all grateful, obediential returns to him ; fo we are exhorted to be always abounding in the work of the Lord, r Cor. xv. 58. This is that I intend ; the faints are not fatisfied with that meafure that any time they have attained, but are 4111 preffing that they may be more dutiful, more fruitful to Chrift. And this is a little glimpfe of fame of that communion which we enjoy with Cbri4. It is but a little from him, who hath the dealt experience of it, of all the faints of God, who yet hath found that in it, which is better than ten thoufand worlds ; who deftres to fpend the refidue of the few and evil days of his pilgrimage in purfuit hereof, in the contemplation of the excellencies, defireablenefs, love and grace of our dear Lord Jefus, and in making returns of obedience according to his will, to whofe foil in the mid4 of the perplexities of this wretched world, and turfed rebellions of his own heart, this is the great relief, that he that ¡hall come, will come, and will nct tarry; thefpirit and the bride fay, Come; and let him the readeth fay, Come; even fo come Lord Jefus. (a) Viudicfæ Evangel. shop. xiit. H A P.
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