PART te. SERMON X. I51 his withering decaying graces, recruit and renew his divine life, without applying himself afresh to Jesus Christ : While lie for- gets Christ, he must go on to wither anddecay still. There is nothing in earth or heaven can supply the utter absence of our Lord Jesus Christ. When the stream of spiritual life ebbs or runs low, it is not to be quickened, recovered, and increased, but by new supplies from the fountain which is on high. Remember, O degenerate christian, remember whence it was you derived your first life, when you were once dead in trespasses and sins ; fly to the Saviour by new exercises of faith and dependance, mourning,in allhumility, for your unwatchful walking, and your absence from the Lord. Cotñmit your soul afresh to his care, exert your utmost powers, and beg of him renewed instances of the living Spirit, that the face of your soul may be like a watered garden, and the beauty of the divine life may be recovered again: IVth Instruction. See the reason why a lively christian de fires and delights to be so much, and so often, where God and Christare ; for his life is with them. This was the divine temper and practice of the saints under a much darker dispensation than what we enjoy. How does the holy soul of David pant and long for the presence of God! and he brings even his animal nature, the very ferments of his flesh and blood, into his devotions ; Ps. lxiii. 1. My soul thirsteth for thee, myflesh longeth for thee. Ps, lxxxiv. 2. My heart and my flesh erieth out for the living God. In all the various and fervent language of sacredpassion and transport, hebreathes after God, who is the strength of his life and his salvation; Ps. xxvii. L The Jewish saints cleaved to the Lord, for he was their life, and the length of their days; Deut. xxx. 20. And what sweet delight does St. Paul take in men.. tioning the very name of Christ ? How does he dwell upon itin long sentences, and loves to repeat the blessed sound ! How often does he rejoice in the hope of dwelling with him hereafter, and persuades the Colossians, iu this context, to be much with him here ;, ver. L If ye are risen with Christ, and have derived a quickening virtue from him to work a divine life in you; let' your affections ascend above, where Christ your life is. Is not a man, whose very soul and life is wrapped up in ho- nour and ambition, desirous ever to be hear the court ! His life flourishes under the sunshine'of the prince's eye, and therefore he wouldfain dwell there. Does not the covetous wretch love to be near his hoards of gold or silver ? He has put -up his life in his bag, among his treasures, and he is not willing to be far distant, nor long separated from them. Whatever a man lives upon, he would willingly be ever near it, that so he may have the pleasure,, pf feeding upon what is his greatest delight, andbe refreshed and
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