A93249:67
A heavenly conference between Christ and Mary after His resurrection. Wherein the intimate familiarity,…
A heavenly conference between Christ and Mary after His resurrection. Wherein the intimate familiarity, and near relation between Christ and a believer is discovered.
London: printed for John Rothwel, 1654
A heavenly Discourse between Christ and Mary after his Resurrection.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1Give me leave to add a few things more. If Christ speaketh in general to Mary, she answereth in general. And when he speaks aloof to her, she answereth aloof to him, a far off, and never gave him a direct answer, till he gave a direct word to her. When he said Mary, she gave him a direct answer Rabboni, not before. I beseech you therefore, let us not rest in general promises, and the general graces, that be so much stood on by some, That God hath a like respect to all. Trust not to that, we must not enter into his secrets; but let us obey his precepts and Commandments. And ⟨p. 33⟩withal remember this; When we hear of a general mercy and Commandment for all Nations to believe, and that Christ came to save a world of sinners, alas what is that to me, unless 2thou by thy holy spirit speakest to my soul, and sayest in particular, I am thy salvation, and speakest familiarly to my soul. Generals are in some degrees comfortable. But if I find not particular interest by the witness of thy holy spirit to my soul, if thou sayest not to my soul, I am thine, and thou art mine, all is to little purpose. Therefore in the desires of our souls in prayer, let us desire the Lord to reveal himself in particular. We trust too much in Generals. God is merciful, and Christ came to redeem the World. They be truths, and good foundations for to sound faith upon; but they will not do the deed, till by daily prayer we seek to the Lord, that he would in a particular manner reveal himself to us. This doth Paul pray for, Ephes. 1. That God would vouch safe to them the spirit of Revelation. And this is the office of the holy Spirit, his special office is, to reveal ⟨p. 34⟩3to every one in particular, his estate and condition to God-ward. The Holy Ghost knoweth the secrets in the breast of God, and in our own hearts. Now the Holy Ghost only can reveal the particular love that lieth in Gods breast, to our particular souls. And therefore we should desire God, that the holy spirit may be sent to seal to us our particular salvation, and never be quiet till we be sealed in particular assurance, that we be they, whom Christ came to save. This we ought to labour for, if we labour for it, we shall have it, sometime or other; for God loveth to be familiar with his Children. He loveth not to be strange to them, if they seek his love, but to reveal himself first or last.