B01382:133
Communion with God. in two sermons preached at Paul'sCommunion vvith God. in two sermons preach'd at Paul's
Communion with God. in two sermons preached at Paul's: the first, Sept. 3, 1654, the second, March 25, 1655. / By Samuel Annesley L.L.D. minister of the gospel at John Evangel London.Communion vvith God. in two sermons preach'd at Paul's: the first, Sept. 3, 1654, the second, March 25, 1655. / By Samuel Annesley L.L.D. minister of the gospel at John Evangel London.
London: printed by Evan Tyler, 1655
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.
The reason why I name this, and why I name it first, is this. Christians are ready to think, that all communion with God consists in the comforts of the Holy Ghost: whereas Christians may as really and as advantageously enjoy God in secret conveyances of grace: in inward Supports: in a concealed acceptation of service: in the drawing out of the soul God-ward, as in the more open, and comfortable manifestation of God unto the soul. Communion with God is a familiar friendship (pray let reverence on our part be supposed) you know it is said of Moses, Exod. 33.11. And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. Do we not as usually go to a friend for counsel, and advice, to scatter our confused, & perplexed thoughts, as for comfort and cheering to raise our hearts? in a friends bosom we entrust our sorrows as well as our joys, and friendly communication gaudia conduplicat, marores dimidiat, doubles our joys, and halves our sorrows. But.
The reason why I name this, and why I name it first, is this. Christians are ready to thinke, that all communion with God consists in the comforts of the Holy Ghost: whereas Christians may as really and as advantagiously enjoy God in secret conveyances of grace: in inward Supports: in a concealed acceptation of service: in the drawing out of the soul God-ward, as in the more open, and confortable manifestation of God unto the soul. Communion with God is a familiar friendship (pray let reverence on our part be supposed) you know it is said of Moses, Exod. 33.11. And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. Do we not as usually go to a friend for counsell, and advice, to scatter our confused, & perplexed thoughts, as for comfort and chearing to raise our hearts? in a friends bosome we entrust our sorrows as well as our joyes, and friendly communication gaudia conduplicat, marores dimidiat, doubles our joyes, and halves our sorrows. But.
Suppose a soul, even spiritually overwhelmed, betakes it self to God: The heart is ready to break, till it hath vent before the Lord: if afterward the soul hath no more ease, then by the bare launching of the sore, God pours in no balm, only gives support, nay, suppose God add gall to the wormwood: will you say, this soul, in this case, hath no communion with God? you will betray your ignorance that you know not what communion with God means. In Gods Secret visits of the soul, and the souls restless groping after God, though nothing but darkness be apprehended, yet that soul lives in the light of Gods countenance: The sun shines, though a cloud interposeth; God smiles, though the soul do not perceive it. But that you may have the joys of Gods presence, take a further direction.