The true Christians love of the unseen Christ, or, A discourse chiefly tending to…

The light which he gives is most sweet, but you are darkness; the life which he imparts is most excellent, but you are dead in sins and trespasses; he gives pardon of sin, but you are under guilt; he gives Peace of Conscience, but your Consciences are still wounded and •eared; he gives the Joys of the Holy Ghost, but you are in danger of Eternal woes; the Robes of his Righteousness are most Rich, but you are naked; the Riches of his Grace are inestimable, but you are still poor; the dignity of being made the Sons of God is most admirable, but you are Children of the Devil; he gives access unto God in Prayer, but you are still at a distance; he gives a Title to the Kingdom of Heaven, but if you continue in your present state, you will be shut at last out of the Palace ⟨p. 124⟩which is above, and be thrust down into the Prison of Hell which is below. What then are all these motives to draw forth love to Christ unto you, that have no interest in Christ? it is Union and Relation unto Christ, and interest in him by Faith, which puts life into these motives▪ that they may indeed attract love; O then be persuaded without further delay to endeavour after this interest in Christ; you must have it, or you are lost irrecoverably, you will be miserable Eternally; and you may attain this interest, others have attained it, as mean, and as vile as your selves; and you are called unto Christ, O be persuaded then to come unto Christ, and join your selves by Faith unto him, that you may have interest in Christ and in all his Benefits. If you ask me what this Faith is that gives an interest in Christ, what it is to believe; I answer out of John 1. 12. that it is to receive Christ. But to as many as received him to them gave he Power to become the Sons of God, even to them that Believe in his Name. Be persuaded then to receive Christ and accept of him upon the terms of the Gospel. Receive and take hold of Christ by the hand of Faith. And that you may do this, 1. You must let go your hold of sin, if your hug sin in your ⟨p. 125⟩bosom, if you harbour base Lusts in your Hearts, you cannot receive and give entertainment to Christ there: you must thrust sin out, if you would let Christ in. 2. You must let go your hold on the World;