Eighthly, Christ is to be preached as the person with whom we are to close in all Ordinances. We are to look for Christ, and enjoy him in every Prayer, in every Ordinance. Any duty without Christ, is like the body without the soul; the shadow without the substance. Truly (saith the Apostle) our Communion and fellowship is with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, 1 Joh. 1.3. Thus Christ is said to come to us, and sup with us: By which phrases is implied, that the heart of a man should not rest in any duty, and stay there, but go to Christ in it. As they that looked for Christs body, were not content to see the linen where his body lay, but did still seek after him: It was not enough for the Church to be in the Garden where the Spices and Flowers did smell, unless she found her Beloved there. And thus it's not enough to come to any duty, to pray, to hear, to draw nigh in any Ordinance, unless we meet with Christ himself. But to whom are these things known? Is it not with us as with little Children, they can take a Book, they look on it, turn over the leaves, but know not any of the sense of it? Thus it is with many people, they come to pray, to hear, to the Ordinances; but to speak of Christ enjoyed by them, to have spiritual Communion with Christ in them, is such spiritual sense, they understand not. That was the great sin of the Jews, they rested in the Ordinances and duties of the Law, and never looked out to Christ: And against this the Apostle doth so vehemently dispute. And thus we do with Ordinances of the Gospel, people generally rest in the external performance of them, and not on Christ in them; a• if the Wise should be content with the Picture of her Husband, not caring for the Husband himself. The preaching of Christ as a foundation in this respect, •s of such practical necessity, that all true godliness lieth in this. The Apostle speaking the quintessence of all godliness saith, We are the Circumcision, who have no confidence in the flesh, but rejoice in Christ Jesus, Phil. 3.3. This is praying; this is hearing; this is the true performance of any religious duty, when we have no confidence ⟨p. 150⟩in them, but rejoice in Christ Jesus only.
Eighthly, Christ is to be preached as the person with whom we are to close in all Ordinances. We are to look for Christ, and enjoy him in every Prayer, in every Ordinance. Any duty without Christ, is like the body without the soul; the shadow without the substance. Truly (saith the Apostle) our Communion and fellowship is with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, 1 Joh. 1.3. Thus Christ is said to come to us, and sup with us: By which phrases is implyed, that the heart of a man should not rest in any duty, and stay there, but go to Christ in it. As they that looked for Christs body, were not content to see the linen where his body lay, but did still seek after him: It was not enough for the Church to be in the Garden where the Spices and Flowers did smell, unless she found her Beloved there. And thus it's not enough to come to any duty, to pray, to hear, to draw nigh in any Ordinance, unless we meet with Christ himself. But to whom are these things known? Is it not with us as with little Children, they can take a Book, they look on it, turn over the leaves, but know not any of the sense of it? Thus it is with many people, they come to pray, to hear, to the Ordinances; but to speak of Christ enjoyed by them, to have spiritual Communion with Christ in them, is such spiritual sense, they understand not. That was the great sinne of the Jews, they rested in the Ordinances and duties of the Law, and never looked out to Christ: And against this the Apostle doth so vehemently dispute. And thus we do with Ordinances of the Gospel, people generally rest in the external performance of them, and not on Christ in them; a• if the Wise should be content with the Picture of her Husband, not cari•g for the Husband himself. The preaching of Christ as a foundation in this respect, •s of such practical necessity, that all true godlinesse lyeth in this. The Apostle speaking the quintessence of all godlinesse saith, We are the Circumcision, who have no confidence in the flesh, but rejoyce in Christ Jesus, Phil. 3.3. This is praying; this is hearing; this is the true performance of any religious duty, when we have no confidence ⟨p. 150⟩in them, but rejoyce in Christ Jesus only.
