Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

1. In the preparation unto the dispensation mentioned, in the Expiating, Purging, Purifying Efficacy of his Blood, It was a Sacrifice not only of Atonement as offered, but also of purification, as poured out. This the Apostle eminently sets forth, Heb. 9. 13. 14. For if the blood of Bulls and Goats, and the Ashes of an Heifer, sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh, How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot unto God, purge your Consciences from dead works that you may serve the Living God. This blood of his is that which answers all Typical institutions, for carnal purification, and therefore hath a spiritually purifying, cleansing, sanctifying ⟨p. 234⟩virtue in it self, as offered and poured out. Hence it is called a fountain for sin and for uncleanness, Zech. 13. 1. that is, for their washing and taking away. A fountain opened, ready prepared, virtuous, efficacious in its self, before any be put into it: because poured out, instituted, appointed to that purpose. The Saints see that in themselves they are still exceedingly defiled: (and indeed to have a sight of the Defilements of sin, is a more spiritual discovery, then to have only a sense of the guilt of sin. This follows every conviction, & is commensurate unto it; that usually only such as reveal the Purity and Holiness of God, and all his ways.) Hereupon they cry with shame within themselves, Unclean, Unclean. Unclean in their Natures, Unclean in their Persons; Unclean in their Conversations. All ¹rolled in the blood of their defilements: their Hearts being by nature a very sink, and their Lives a Dunghill. They know also, that no unclean thing shall enter into the Kingdom of God, or have place in the new Jerusalem: that God is of purer eyes then to behold iniquity. They cannot endure to look on themselves, & how shall they dare to appear in his presence? What Remedies shall they now use? Though they wash themselves with Nitre, and take them much soap, yet their iniquity will continue marked, Jerem. 2. 22. Wherewith then shall they come before the Lord? For the removal of this, I say, they look in the first place to the purifying virtue of the blood of Christ, which is able to cleanse them from all their sins;