346 Of COMMUNION with and with their own fouls. The work that Chrift carne to do in the world, was to bear our iniquities, and laydown his life a ranfom for our fins. The cup he had to drink of, was filled with our fins, as to the punifhment due to them. What greater difhonour then can be done to the Lord Jefus, than to afcrihe this work to any thing elf , to think to get rid of our fins any other way, or means ? Herein, then I fay, is Chrift honoured indeed, when we go to him with our fins, by faith, and fay unto him, Lord, this is thywork, this is that for which thou came(' into the world, this is tharthou haft un- dertaken to do; thou calleft for myburthen, which is too heavy for the to bear, take it, bleffed redeemer, thou tenderelt thy righteoufnefs, that is my portion. Then is Chrift honoured, then is the glory of mediation aferibed to him, whenwe walk with hint in this communion. (a. 'This exceedingly endears the fouls of the Saints to him, and con- frains them to put a due valuation upon him, his, love, his righteoufnefs and grace. When they find, and have the daily ufe of it, then they do it. Who would not lovehim? Ihave been with the Lord Jefus, may the poor foul fay, I have left my fins, . my burthen with him, and he hath given me his righteoufnefs, wherewith Iain going with boldnefs to God. I was dead, andam alive, for the died for me; I was turfed, and am bleffed, for he was made a co efe for me; I was troubled, but have peace, for the chaf- tifement of mypeace was upon him; I knew not what,to do, nor whither to caufe my forrow to go ; by him have I received joy unfpeakable -and glo- rious, if I do not love him, delight in him, -obey him, live to him, die for him, I am worfe than the devils in hell. - Now,the great aim of Chrift in the world, is to have an high place and efteem in the hearts of his people, to have there, as he hath in himfelf, the preheminence in all things; not to be jufled up and down amongother things; tobeall, and inall. And thus are the Saints of God prepared to efteem him, upon the engaging themfelves to this communion with him. Yea, but you will fay, if titis be fo, what need we to repent, or amend our ways, it is but going to Chrift by faith, making this exchange with him, and fo we may fin that grace may abound? Ijudge no man's perfon, but this 1 mutt needs fay, that I donot under- Stand, how a man that makes thisobjellion in cold blood, not under a temp tationor accidental darknefs, can have any true or real acquaintance with Jefus Chrift. However, this I am certain of that this communion in its Pelf, produces quite other effelts, than thofe fuppofed. For, (n) For repentance ; it is, I fuppofe, a gofpel-repentance that is intend- ed. For a legal, bondage repentance, full ofdread, amazement, terror, felf- -love, aftònifhment at thepretence of God, I confefs this communion takes it away, prevents it,- calls itcut, with its bondage and feär, but for gufpel- repentance, woofe nature coitfifts in godly forrow for fin, with its relin- quithment, proceeding from faith, love, and abhorrence offin, on accounts of father, fon, and fpirit, both law, and love, that this Should be hindred by this communion, is not poffible. I told you that the foundation of this communion, is laid in a deep, ferious, daily confideration of fin, its guilt, vilenefs and abomination, and our own vilenefs on that account. That a fenfe hereof is to be kept alive in and upon the heart of every one, that -will enjoy this communion withChrift, without it Chrift is of no value, nor efteem to him. Now is it poffible, that a man fhould daily fill his -heart with the thoughts of the vilenefs of fin, on all conftderations what - ever, of law, love, grace, Gofpel, life and death, and be filled with felf- abhorrency on this account, and yet be a (ranger to godly forrow ? Here is
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