He is altogetherlo"tJe/y, 3Sa ) ~--~-=--------~~~~~~---- -------' tion, that fweet report of the Spirit, that we Ss11..XVII1 are his, and yet be contentecl well enough, here is an ill figne, that a man is in an ill condition, the Church was not fo difpofed here 1 fhe was ne-ver quiet·, nor gives over her inquifition and fpeaking of Chrift, that by [peakingofthe objeCt, fhe might warme her affections, nntill at the Iaft fhe meets with Chrifl:, taefe and the like fignes there are of the truth of the love of Chrifr. But where there is a flaming love of A fi.!;ne oftrue C ·11. h . h" d fi h d fi f ftammg loveto hnu, t ere_ts t 1s egree ~rt er, a e ue o chrift. the appearance of Chrift, a defire of his pre. fence : For if Chrift be fo lovely in his Ordi~ nances : If wee finde fuch fweerndfe in the . Word and Sacraments, in the communion of Saints, in the motions of the Spirit. What is the fweetndfe (thinke you) which the foules in Heaven e!"ljoy, where they fee Chrifr face to face, fee him as he is~ hereupon the Spoufe faith, Let him kiffi me with the kijes ofhis mouth: 0 that I might live in hls prefence, this .is the deft re ofaChrHl:ian foul e. When the flame oflove is kindled in any ftrength, 0 that I might fee him, and therefore it longs even for death ; for as farre as a man is fpiritu.all, he defires to be di{folved, and te be with Chrifl:, as Simeon, when he faw him (though in his abafement) Now I have eno~~gh, let thy fervant depart in peace ', for mine eyes httvefeen thy (al. rvation. The prefence of Chrill: (though it were but in the wombe) when tMary the mother of Chtift came to Elizaketh, it caufed the Babe
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=