These things are manifest and unquestionable. But our present enquiry is only, what it is which Believers do so delight in, in the Ordinances and Institutions of Divine Gospel Worship, and what it is that engageth their Hearts and Minds into a diligent Observance of them; as also how, and wherein they do exercise their Love and Delight. And I say in general, that their Delight in all Ordinances of Divine Worship, as is evident in the Testimonies before produced, is in Christ himself, or God in Christ. This alone is that which they seek after, cleave unto, and are satisfied withal. They make use of the Streams, but only as means of Communication from the Spring. When men are really renewed in the Spirit of their Minds it is so. Their regard unto Ordinances and Duties of divine Worship, is as they are appointed of God a Blessed means of Communion and Intercourse between himself in Christ, and their Souls. By them doth Christ Communicate of his Love and Grace unto us; in and by them do we act Faith and Love on him. It is the Treasure hid in the Field, which when a man hath found, he purchaseth the whole Field; but it is that he may enjoy the Treasure which is hid therein, Mat. 13.14. This Field is the Gospel, and all the Ordinances of it. This men do purchase sometimes at a dear rate, even with the loss of all they enjoy. But yet if they obtain nothing but the Field, they will have little cause to rejoice in their bargain. It is Christ the Treasure alone, that Pearl of Price that will eternally enrich ⟨p. 234⟩the Soul. The Field is to be used only, as to find and dig up the Treasure that is in it. It is I say Christ alone that in the preaching of the Gospel, renewed Affections do cleave unto as the Treasure▪ and unto all other things, according as their Relation is unto him, or they have a participation of him. Wherefore, in all Duties of Religion, in all Ordinances of Worship, their Enquiry is after him whom their Souls do love, Cant. 1.7.
These things are manifest and unquestionable. But our present enquiry is only, what it is which Believers do so delight in, in the Ordinances and Institutions of Divine Gospel Worship, and what it is that ingageth their Hearts and Minds into a diligent Observance of them; as also how, and wherein they do exercise their Love and Delight. And I say in general, that their Delight in all Ordinances of Divine Worship, as is evident in the Testimonies before produced, is in Christ himself, or God in Christ. This alone is that which they seek after, cleave unto, and are satisfyed withall. They make use of the Streams, but only as means of Communication from the Spring. When men are really renewed in the Spirit of their Minds it is so. Their regard unto Ordinances and Duties of divine Worship, is as they are appointed of God a Blessed means of Communion and Intercourse between himself in Christ, and their Souls. By them doth Christ Communicate of his Love and Grace unto us; in and by them do we act Faith and Love on him. It is the Treasure hid in the Field, which when a man hath found, he purchaseth the whole Field; but it is that he may enjoy the Treasure which is hid therein, Mat. 13.14. This Field is the Gospel, and all the Ordinances of it. This men do purchase sometimes at a dear rate, even with the loss of all they enjoy. But yet if they obtain nothing but the Field, they will have little cause to rejoyce in their bargain. It is Christ the Treasure alone, that Pearl of Price that will eternally inrich ⟨p. 234⟩the Soul. The Field is to be used only, as to find and dig up the Treasure that is in it. It is I say Christ alone that in the preaching of the Gospel, renewed Affections do cleave unto as the Treasure▪ and unto all other things, according as their Relation is unto him, or they have a participation of him. Wherefore, in all Duties of Religion, in all Ordinances of Worship, their Enquiry is after him whom their Souls do love, Cant. 1.7.
