Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…

2. Another thing which doth evince the ⟨p. 100⟩happiness of those that thus entertain Christ, as hath been opened to you, is that they shall enjoy Communion with him. This is here expressed by supping. I will sup with him, and he with me; that is to say, there shall be a mutual blessed Communion between Christ and such a Soul. Receivers of Christ, that is, Believers on him, have Communion with him, 1 Cor. 1.9. God hath called us to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. This Fellowship, this Communion with Christ, is in respect of all his blessed benefits, Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, Glorification, all is here included in supping with Christ: It is as much as if it were said, such a Soul as doth open the door, shall feed and feast everlastingly upon Christ, and upon his benefits; yea, this supping with Christ noteth, Intimacy of Communion; That Ordinance wherein Believers have that most Intimate Communion with Christ, is called, the Lords Supper; so this supping with the Lord, noteth free and full Communion together, even such as is between Friends that sit at the same Table together. And especially it noteth, those intimate embraces & unconceivable Communications, which shall pass between Christ and his in the World to come; the state of glory, and that full sweet Soul-satisfying Communion, which the Blessed shall in another World enjoy with Christ, is set forth by similitudes taken ⟨p. 101⟩from Eating, Drinking, Supping or Feasting (for it was the Eastern manner in old times, to have their great Feasts, not at noon, but at night; not at dinner, but at supper; I say the glory of Heaven is set forth by the similitude of a great and sumptuous Feast; so 'tis here in my Text.

But thus much shall suffice for the Doctrinal handling of this point, we shall conclude only with one Use of Exhortation, & let it be in the words of the Psalmist, Psal, 24.7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall enter in. That Text indeed is firstly and typically to be understood concerning the doors of the Sanctuary being set open for the Ark to enter in, and then fulfilled, when the Eternal gates of the highest Heaven were set open, for Christ the King of Glory to enter in at his Ascension; and lastly are to be applied to mens opening the doors of their hearts, that Christ may come in there: Oh then be exhorted this day, to set open the everlasting doors of your Souls, that Christ the King of Glory may come in. And for that end consider seriously a few things.