Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

I shall now conclude, addressing myself in a few words, first to saints, and next to sinners.

I. To you that are saints, I say,

First, Strive to obtain and keep up actual communion and fellowship with Jesus Christ; that is, to be still deriving fresh supplies of grace, from the fountain thereof, in him, by faith; and making suitable returns of them, in the exercise of grace and holy obedience. Beware of estrangement betwixt Christ and your souls. If it has got in already, (which seems to be the case of many in this day,) endeavour to get it removed. There are multitudes in the world that slight Christ, though ye should not slight him: many have turned their backs on him, that sometimes looked fall for heaven. The warm sun of outward peace and prosperity has caused some cast their cloak of religion from them, who held it fast when the wind of trouble was blowing upon them: and will ye also go away? John vi 67. The greatest ingratitude is stamped on your slighting of communion with Christ, Jer ii 31 Have I been a wilderness unto Israel▪ a land of darkness? Wherefore say my people, We are lords, we will come no more unto thee? Oh! beloved, "Is this your kindness to your friend▪" It is unbecoming any wise to slight converse with her husband, […] her especially who was taken from a prison or a dunghill, as ye wer• ⟨p. 211⟩by our Lord. But remember, I pray you, this is a very ill chosen time to live at a distance from God:—it is a time in which divine providence frowns upon the land we live in; the clouds of wrath are gathering, and are thick above our heads? It is not a time for you to be out of your chambers, Isa xxvi. 20. They that now are walking most closely with God, may have enough ado to stand when the trial comes; how hard will it be for others then, who are like to be surprised with troubles, when guilt is lying on their consciences unremoved. To be awakened out of a sound sleep, and cast into a raging sea, as Jonah was, will be a fearful trial. To feel trouble before we see it coming, to be past hope, before we have any fear, is a very sad case Wherefore break down your idols of jealousy, mortify these lusts, these irregular appetites and desires, that have stolen away your hearts, and left you, like Samson, without his hair, and say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then it was better with e th now,