The greatest sinners exhorted and encouraged to come to Christ, and that now without…

5. When men exercise Grace, then they draw near to God. This is the best drawing nigh to God; that which is most acceptable to Him, and most profitable to the souls of men. And it is peculiar unto true Believers. There is a drawing near to God externally; so Hypocrites may draw nigh unto him. Mat. 15▪8. Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth near to me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips, bu• their heart is far from me. There is more, over an Internal drawing near to God▪ which Hypocrites are strangers unto. They may have Communion with duties, but they have not real Communion with God in Duties. This ⟨p. 132⟩internal Communion with God, consists in those inward actings of Grace whereby the soul is carried out towards God. As now, When the Affections which are as it were the the feet and wings of the soul, are earnestly carried out after God. The soul that does indeed pant and breathe after Communion with God draweth near to him. Psal. 42:1, 2. As the hart panteth after the water brooks; so panteth my soul after Thee O God: My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God, when shall I come and appear before God? The soul which loveth and longeth to be where God is, hath Communion with him. Isai. 26.9. With my soul have I desired thee in the night, yea with my spirit within me will I seek Thee early. When there are actings of love and delight in God, the soul draweth near to Him Love is a marvellous uniting affection. 1. Joh. 4.16. He that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him, Therefore the more a Christian does exercise that grace of Love to God, the nearer will his Communion with God be. So when a man does renew and exercise Repentance towards God, he draweth near to him. Wherefore the Psalmist says, The Lord nigh unto them is that are of a broken heart. Psal. 34.18