The 'Parable of the and fo by lamps may be meant minds enlightened and kindled by the word. The eminenrprofeffion and excellencies of the Church is like a lamp, Ifai. 62. r. and more rarr!cularly may ~e her~ inc_luded and aimed at : bur in chis _ve;fe lamps are fpoken oft~ general ,_mclud~ng hghr_,Oyl,~elfels; and hence I gtve.rhis general Inrerprecauon here, mtendwg Parncu~ars If need be afterward: So chat now I lhall only raife this Poinr. . SECT. II. Doc1. THat allth>[e that«re Efpoufed unto Chrift, ought to be in a miflant or continual readinelfe to meet Chrift, and to have immediate communio" with Chrift. A \Voman may be Efpoufed ro another , and yet {he may be fomecimes not re.tdy eo meet him, her foul apparel i>on. So here , rherefote 'cis nor enough eo be efpoufed unto Chrift, but being efpoufed , now you ought to be in acontinual re.1dine!leco clafpe chelord in your arms , and m lay your he.1ds in his bofomt:!in He.wen : this is commanded by Chri(t , Mat. 24. 44· This was che mighty power ofGods Grace in P aut, when others were weeping eo chink of his Bonds, wh7do you break..m! heart, I am read! not •nlytobe bound, but to dye .f•r Chrijr, and fo douocle(fe eo be with Chri!t ; much more ready eo meet Chrilt when ever he lhall come , ready to welcome Death , much more ready to welcome Chri!t, Ails zx.q. This alfo is cheend of Johm MinWry, Luk§ I , IJ. To make ready apeople prepared for the Lord, eo meet wirh ChriH on earth; Now he is gone, our work is to prepare a people to meet the Lord in Heaven. Hence rhis is put in as the differe11ce between Velfels of wrath, and Velfe!s cf Gk1ry: che one are fined for . de!truction , the others are fitted , prepared, or made ready for Glory, and rhe9loryof ~ chrillian is chiefly eo enjoy fellowlhip immediat!y wich Jefus Chrifl. There is many a foul dear unto Chriit, and efpoufed ro him, and hath his hem affe6ted eo think of the good rime chat is coming, when we fl1all ever be with the Lord: hut ask, are you ready yet for to go ro him, though it be rh;ough fire<, waters, thorns, for rows , death it felf? who can fay yes? but(fay mens hems) lhutthe Lord our a little longer, let nor the door Rand open yet; yet this mu!f be : And therefore for explicacions fake, let me, I. lhew youwhen the Smd is in a re,1dinelfe for the Lord Jefus. 2. The reafonswhy there mu!t be acontinual re,1dineffe. SECT. liT. VVHen io the Soul in areadinejfao e_njoy Chrift ? . . . f2.!!.efl . As there are four things wh1ch make achn!ttan unre.1dy, {o thiS reaA ;t[w. dinc(fe confifts in Four things contrary. · 1. That which make; a chriHian unready for him, are thofe firong fears, and jealoufies, and dampina doubts of the love of Chri!t t0 him. The foul happly harh made choice of hi~, is comem with him, melts into wonderment and love to think chat he fl1ould !ol'e him : what me ? and Chri!t hach writ him on his hearc, and on the palms of his hands; bHt Jfrael faith, my Godhath f.rfakfn me, my God hath forgotten me, Ifai. 49· r4· Is it po!lib!e? is it credible ? one that hath been fo vile, I) ne that fii!l h.1 rh fuch a hearr,for llim to fee his heart on me? furely no : hence rhe Soul is afraid ro dye, and defires roo much to live )Hill : and the more he thinks of that time, and bleffedneffe of following the Lamb where-ever he goes; the more he fees and fe,us this may po/Iibly never be my portion: there may be fo!ne falfenefs in my he .m towards him chat I never yet faw , fome fecret knoq
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