The Christian Life Delineated
Christ to Be Found in the Ordinances, with the Import and Happy Effects of Finding Him.
Thomas Boston, 16761732
Proverbs 8:35, "For whoever finds me, finds life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord."
THIS chapter represents to us Wisdom speaking openly and most earnestly to her hearers. The discourse begins, verse 4, and goes on to the end of the chapter.
It may here he inquired, 1. Who or what is this wisdom that speaks? I answer, Jesus Christ, the personal Wisdom of God; Luke 11:49; 1 Corinthians 1:24, in both which passages Christ is expressly called "the Wisdom of God." This appears from the personal properties ascribed to this Wisdom, as,
(1.) Subsistence, verse 30, "Then I was by him, as one brought up with him; and I was daily his delight." Compare John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
(2.) The manner of subsistence, namely, eternal generation: verses 2224, "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there was no depths, I was brought forth; when there was no fountains abounding with water."
(3.) Personal attributes and effects; verses 1417, etc., "Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength," etc.
It may be inquired, 2. To whom he speaks? I answer, "To men," verse 4, "Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men;" sinful and ruined men, who stand in need of salvation.
3. It may be inquired, What he speaks? I answer, The sum of it all is to commend itself to their souls, from their eternal happiness, verse 11, and downwards, "for wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired, are not to be compared to it," etc.
4. What is the application of this discourse? It is an exhortation to hear his voice, comply with it, and close with him, verse 32, and downwards, "Now therefore hearken auto me," etc.
In the two last verses is the conclusion of the whole matter.
(1.) Happiness is enrapt up in the enjoyment of him; verse 35, "For whoever finds me, finds life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord."
(2.) Ruin is inevitable in the rejecting of him; verse 36, "But he who sins against me, wrongs his own soul; all they that hate me love death."
The former is the subject of our text; in which consider,
1. The connection with the preceding words, "For;" showing them to be the reason of the blessedness pronounced on those that "hear him, watching daily at his gates," etc. These gates are the ordinances. It is supposed that he comes out at these gates, and so men being found watching at them, find him when he is pleased to come forth. It is a metaphor, which may be taken either,
(1.) From scholars, whose hearts being set on learning, wait on at the school-door, until they can get in; or,
(2.) From courtiers: Esther 2:21, or others waiting for access to their prince.
(3.) Or from clients waiting on their advocates, or their judges late and early. Or,
(4.) From lovers, who will hang on, watching for a meeting; Job 31:9. They that thus watch and wait at Christ's gates, until he come forth, for getting their errand, are made up forever. Which is the import of,
2. The words themselves; describing the happiness of those that find Christ. Wherein there are two things
1st, The happy man in heaven's account, "Whoever finds me." It imports, that it is not every one that comes to his gates that finds him; many go as they came; but some do find him. The world counts him the happy man that finds riches, honors, pleasures, etc, like Ephraim, who said, "I am become rich, I have found me out substance;" Hosea 12:8; and therefore they watch and wait greedily where they may have them, saying, "Who will show us any good?" Psalm 4:6. But when they have found what they were seeking, it often appears, that they have been seeking and have found their own rain. But he is happy indeed that finds Christ, for he finds an upmaking treasure.
2dly, The happiness of that man; which lies in two things,
(1.) He who finds Christ "finds life." Without him we are dead men; but falling on Christ the fountain of life, as the man's dead body on the bones of Elisha; 2 Kings 13:21, the soul gets life, eternal life, that will never die out any more. [Hebrews has found;] in finding me, he has found life; 1 John 5:12, "He who has the Son, has life."
(2.) He "shall obtain favor of the Lord;" for the Father is well pleased with Christ, and with all who are in him. He shall be accepted with the Lord; Ephesians 1:6. The sky shall clear on him, which was lowering before. Heaven shall smile on him. Yes, he shall bring forth favor from the Lord, as out of a treasure now opened to him; so the word intimates.
From the connection of the text with the preceding context, we may observe the two following doctrines, viz
DOCTRINE I. The ordinances are the place where Christ is to be found of poor sinners.
DOCTRINE. II. People may come to ordinances, and yet not find Christ.
I shall discuss these two doctrines before I enter on the words themselves.
DOCTRINE. I. The ordinances are the place where Christ is to be found of poor sinners.
In handling this doctrine, I shall,
I. Show what are the ordinances in which Christ is to be found.
II. Confirm the doctrine.
III. Lastly, Apply.
I. I am to show what are the ordinances wherein, especially, Christ is to be found. If any of you have Job's desire; Job 23:3, "O that I knew where I might find him!" I would direct you to "go out by the footsteps of the flock;" Canticles 1:8, where to find him. These ordinances are,
1. The divine ordinance of meditation; Hag. 1:5, "Thus says the Lord of hosts, consider your ways." Here is the first sight often that a sinner gets of Christ; as did the prodigal son; Luke 15:17, "When he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!" Therefore David advises his enemies to this; Psalm 4:4, "Commune with your own heart upon your bed." And here the saints have often got renewed sights of him, to their soul's satisfaction; Psalm 63:5, 6, "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips; when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the night watches." What is it that keeps Christ and many sinners asunder, but that really they will not come near this gate of wisdom? They will not think on their case.
2. Christian conference about spiritual matters. Hence we read of this being practiced in a very declining time; Malachi 3:16, "Then they that feared the Lord, spoke often one to another. This was the gate at which the two disciples found and met with Christ; Luke 24:32, "Did not our hearts burn within us," say they, "while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to as the scriptures?" As two cold flint stones struck one upon another produce fire; so does spiritual conference sometimes warm cold hearts; Canticles 5:8, 9, and 6:1. Meetings for Christian fellowship have been meeting-places with Christ to many; the due consideration whereof might well encourage and stir up Christians to a more frequent attendance upon them.
3. Singing of the Lord's praises. This is a commanded duty; Ephesians 5:18, 19"Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." What made David so frequently to wait on about this gate, but that he knew the King used to come forth that way? Here Paul and Silas got a joyful meeting with Christ even in a prison; Acts 16:25, 26. It is pity, that people should treat it as a blind gate, at which they never look for the Lord to come forth. But in the experience of the Lord's people he is to be found there. The heavenly melody sometimes melts hard hearts, elevates drooping souls, and fills them with glowing affection to Christ.
4. Prayer. It is called seeking of God, and is the highway to find him. It has a large promise; Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you;" and it has been the gate of Heaven to many a soul. It is a four-leaved gate, and at every one of the leaves the King has shown himself to poor sinners.
(1.) Public prayer, at which Lydia got her heart opened; Acts 16:13, 14.
(2.) Private prayer, whether in one's family; Acts 10:30, or otherwise in society with others privately; Acts 12:12. This social prayer has a large promise made to it; Matthew 18:19, "I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth, as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven."
(3.) Secret prayer. Many a soul has found Christ there. There Jacob got the blessing; Genesis 32:24. There Daniel beheld the King in his glory, and obtained favor; Daniel 9:22. This has many a time made the corner of a barn, byre, or dyke-side, a Bethel, a Peniel; and these are more esteemed than a king's palace, by the children of God.
(4.) Ejaculatory prayer. This has many times suddenly opened, to the soul's finding of Christ. So it did with Moses; Exodus 14:15, "Wherefore cry you unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward;" and with Nehemiah, chapter 2:4. No wonder they do not find him, that watch not at this gate.
5. The word. This is the most patent door of Heaven, at which the King usually comes forth to his attendants, that come to wait on him there. It is a two-leered gate.
(1.) The word read, Revelation 1:3, "Blessed is he who reads." Augustine hearing a voice, Take up and read, opened Romans 13:12, 13, and was converted. Junius was brought to Christ by reading John 1.
(2.) The word preached, 1 Corinthians 1:21,"It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. This is a well of salvation at which three thousand persons at a time drank and lived, Acts 2:41. The eunuch met with Christ at this gate, where the one, namely, hearing the word, opened after the other, namely, reading the word; and be found favor with the Lord.
6. Lastly, The sacraments, baptism and the Lord's supper. These are sealing ordinances, in which many have had sensible communion with Jesus Christ. It is true, the first finding of him is not to be expected here; but though they are not converting, they are confirming ordinances; and as such, happy means of strengthening the believer's faith and love, and increasing his acquaintance with Christ.
II. In order to confirm this doctrine, consider,
1. The ordinances are by Christ's own appointment the trysting-places, wherein he has promised to be found of those that seek him; Exodus 20:24, "In all places where I record my name, I will come unto you, and I will bless you." So that coming thither to wait on him, they may expect to find him there. It is the divine appointment put upon them, which is accompanied with a blessing, that gives ground of hope in the case. By this they are,
(1.) Trysting places for sinners; where they may be convinced, converted, and regenerated; James 1:18, "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth." These are the pools where the Spirit troubles the water for the cure of sinners of their deadly soul diseases. And there Christ and the sinner meet, for making up the spiritual match.
(2.) Trysting places for saints; where they may receive life more abundantly, 1 Peter 2:2, 3. In them he keeps his lower table for the feeding of those to whom he has given life. They are the inns in the way to Immanuel's land; the pools in the way to Zion, the wells of salvation.
2. They are the places wherein his people seek him, who know best where he is to be found. When the spouse had lost sight of her beloved, she goes to the ordinances to seek him; Canticles 3:2, "I will rise now," says she, "and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loves." And they are the places where his people have found him, and do find him; Canticles 7:5, "The king is held in the galleries." So it is even as natural to them to go to these duties and ordinances when they would see him, as for a child to seek out the mother, in the place where she is accustomed to be. And when they find him not in one duty, they go to another, until going the little further they find him.
3. They are what the Lord has allowed his people to supply the want of Heaven, until they come there; the tabernacle set up in the wilderness, until they get the temple in Canaan. And therefore they must last until then and no longer; Ephesians 4:11, 12, 13, "And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists: and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; until we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." When John saw the new Jerusalem, he made that observe on it; Revelation 21:22, "I saw no temple therein; for the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple of it." But they could not supply that place, unless Christ were there; but he is there; Matthew 28., "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Canticles 4:6, "Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.
III. Lastly, I come now to apply this doctrine.
USE I. Of reproof. It reproves,
1. Those who slight attendance on ordinances, public, private, or secret. It is much to be lamented that there are so many who do so, and that so little prevails with many to do it. Ah! sirs, if you look on this practice in its true colors, it is a slighting of Christ, and an opportunity of meeting with him. It is a breaking of the appointment which the Son of God has made with you; and if the appointment be broken must not the business you have with him stick?
2. Those who will come to ordinances to meet with some that they have worldly business with. They will come to the church on the Lord's day, because they have somebody to meet there, perhaps a servant to bespeak, etc. This is a grossly profane abuse of the ordinances of the Lord; a turning of that which Christ appointed for the service of your souls, to the service of your lusts; a turning of that which is appointed for your eternal interest into your carnal interests. What will these say, when Christ rises up to plead with them at the great day? when they shall hear, that his being to be found there, could not bring them there; but they would go for fellow-worms, to transact business with them?
3. Those who come to ordinances, but seek not to find Christ there; of such the Lord speaks; Isaiah 29:13, "This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do they honor me, but have removed their heart far from me." How many go to prayers, sermons, etc., who have it not in their view to meet with Christ in them? So they come away without him, and they do not mourn because they find him not; and how can they be so affected, since it was not their errand to meet with him?
4. Those who stand in the way of others attending on ordinances. The effect of this is to keep them out of Christ's way, and to hinder their keeping appointment with the Son of God; by which they become answerable for all the damage that thereupon ensues to the souls of such; Luke 11:52, "Wo unto you, lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge; you entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in, you hindered.
USE II. Seek Christ in ordinances, and come to them with a design to find Christ there. When you go to read the word, to secret duties, or family duties, or public ordinances, think with yourselves, "I am going to wisdom's gates, O shall I not see the King's face? find the smell of his garments, get some communion with Christ?" When Mary missed him in his grave, she could not be satisfied with a vision of angels, but wept on, until she found him, John 20:1116. O that there were such a heart in us! For motives to enforce this exhortation, consider,
1. He is well worth the seeking. "He who finds Christ, finds life." If his transcendent beauty and peerless excellencies were known, we could not but seek him until we had found him; John 4:10, "If you knew the gift of God," says Christ to the woman of Samaria, "and who it is that says to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water." They that find him are made up for time andeternity. When you come to ordinances, know you where you are? You are upon a beautiful field, and it may be your own. You see the surface of it, but know you what is in the affections of it? A treasure, and Christ is that treasure, Matthew 13:44. The ordinances are the earthen vessels, but there is a treasure in them, 2 Corinthians 4:7.
2. That is what the people of God have been seeking, and are intent upon in ordinances, in all ages, however careless the blind world has been about it. And they sought always again, because they had once found; they still desired to drink of that fountain, after they had once tasted of it. Hence says David; Psalm 27:4, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. Psalm 63:2, "My flesh longs for you, to see your power and your glory, so as I have seen you in the sanctuary. When Jacob found himself engaged with Christ, how intent was he? Genesis 32:24, "I will not let you go, except you bless me." This has made them follow ordinances to the fields and the mountains, at the hazard of their lives by persecutors; and they thought all hardships little enough, to find Christ in them.
3. What avail ordinances, if you do not find Christ in them? Upon this consideration, we should take Moses' protestation before we go to them; Exodus 33:15, "If your presence go not with me, carry us not up hence." They are but empty husks without him, and cannot feed the soul; he is the marrow and sap of them; John 6:63, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." Mary met with a disappointment, when she saw two angels in the sepulcher, but Christ himself was away. Should the man that has a petition for life, be brought before the chair of state, but his prince not in; would he not say, "Alas! it is the king alone himself that can do my business;" so here, when the soul seeks Christ, ordinances alone will not satisfy it; no, the man wants to enjoy Christ in them, as he alone is suited to his case.
4. Lastly, It is a great pity you should not meet, when the parties have come so far on the appointment. And,
(1.) Most of you come hither from a considerable distance; it is pity you should forget your errand when you are come. You come too far for nothing; the pains and toil of waiting on ordinances, I think, should even stir you up to think with yourselves, "What am I at this pains for? what am I seeking? shall I make nothing for my soul by it?"
(2.) But Christ came farther for it than any of you to keep this appointment, and it cost him infinitely dearer than it does any of you. It cost him a long journey from Heaven to earth; to sweat drops of blood, and to lose his precious life on a cross, before there could be a possibility of your meeting with him in ordinances. And now when he is come, shall the meeting misgive between him and your souls? But I must proceed to consider,
DOCTRINE. II. People may come to ordinances, and yet not find Christ. One may be found at Christ's palace gates, and yet never see the King come forth; as Absalom did in another case.
Here I shall give the reasons why it is so, and then apply the point.
I. I am to offer some reasons why sinners may come to ordinances, and not find Christ. And these are all on the sinner's side.
1. Some have no design of finding Christ in ordinances at all; they have no such thing as a meeting with Christ before their eyes. But the Sabbath-day is an idle day, and they will go to the church, and see and be seen, Isaiah 1:12. May be they like to hear the preaching, as they would like a lovely song to divert them. But for a Christ in the preaching, a Savior for their lost souls, manifested therein; that is what never comes in their head. They are like Ezekiel's hearers, of whom the Lord says, chap, 33:31, 32, "They come unto you as the people comes, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after covetousness. And lo, you are unto them as a very lovely song of one that has a pleasant voice, and can play very well on an instrument: for they hear your words, but they do them not.
2. Many are indifferent whether they find Christ in ordinances or not. And by their indifference they even court a denial from the King. They are not at pains to tryst with him, in earnest, before they come to public ordinances. They do not prepare for the meeting, by casting down the idols of jealousy, 1 Peter 2:1, 2. Their spirits are very flat, and their desires languid when at ordinances; they are not fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. They stand at the palace-gate, but they do not ask, seek, and knock, Matthew 7:7, and go their way contented, though they do not find him.
3. Some desire not to see him at all; Job 21:14, "They say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of your ways; they are well content he show not himself to them. If his harbingers which go before him, namely, convictions of guilt and danger, once begin to appear, they quickly shut their eyes, and will be very desirous to get out of their way. They have no heart for the match with the Lord of glory, and so care not for coming to a treaty about it.
4. Lastly, Some who may have desires of meeting with Christ, yet cannot away with on-waiting at the gates, and going about from one gate to another, until they find him. We are naturally addicted to unbelieving haste, John 7:6. If the Lord do not keep our time which we set, we conclude he will never come, Psalm 116:11. But faith is a waiting grace, and sets no time, but persists in that exercise, Isaiah 28:16, Lamentations 3:49, 50. Now the King, to try of what metal people's desires after him are, delays long his coming forth; and by the time that he comes, as it were, the throng is away from about the palace-gate, and there remains only here and there one whom the grace of God has endued with a principle of on-waiting. And O how heavy is it to think, that some who have gone far to find Christ, have lost him for not going a little farther I Some have waited long, and have lost him for not waiting but a little longer. The Israelites waited for Moses until the thirty-ninth day; had they but waited the fortieth day, they would not have made sad worshiped the golden calf, Exodus 32:5. Saul waited for Samuel until the seventh day; had he waited a few hours longer, he had not offered sacrifices unwarrantably, and been stripped of his kingdom, 1 Samuel 13:8, etc.
I shall now make some short improvement of this point.
Seek Christ so in ordinances, as you may find him. That is,
1. Seek him sincerely and uprightly with all your heart, Deut 4:29. They are blessed that so seek him, Psalm 119:2. Seeking from the teeth outward, may prevail with those who know not men's hearts; but not with him, who knows the language of the heart, without an interpreter. It is true, in a way of sovereignty, he may be found of those that seek him not, Isaiah 65:1, and love may make a net for a false heart; but who can promise on that?
2. Seek him honestly and generously for himself, Psalm 105:4. You hear of his glorious matchless excellencies, let your hearts be caught in the net of his love. And let not his benefits be your only or main inducement, like those mentioned, John 6:26, of whom our Lord says, "You seek me, not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled;" for that casts contempt on his person. Sovereignty sometimes comes over this indeed, as in the case of Zacchaeus.
3. Seek him fervently, Romans 12:11. How fervent was the Psalmist's heart, Psalm 42:1, "As the heart pants after the water-brooks, so pants my soul after you, O God." Psalm 63:1, 2, "O God, you are my God, early will I seek you: my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see your power and your glory, so as I have seen you in the sanctuary." Drowsy desires and lazy wishes will not find him out, Canticles 3:1, 2. Be warm and importunate in your addresses, and the King will come forth at length, Luke 18:7.
4. Seek him humbly, Psalm 10:17. The woman of Canaan is a noble instance of a humble seeker, Matthew 15:23, etc. Beggars most not be choosers. Humility teaches to be thankful for a crumb, for a passing view of the King.
5. Seek him diligently, Hebrews 11:6. Careless seekers can hardly look to be finders. Seek diligently, as the spouse on considering her case did, leaving no corner of the city untouched, that she might find him, Canticles 3:2; as those who are searching for hidden treasure Proverbs 2:4, 5.
6. Seek him mournfully, Luke 2:48. Mary did so, and found him, John 20:11, etc., and Jacob also, Hosea 12:4. When he withdraws, were one mourning for the want, it would be a hopeful sign. Lament after the Lord; there is good reason for it at this day.
7. Lastly, Seek him constantly, until you find him, therein intimating the example of the church; Lamentations 3:49, 50, "My eye trickles down and ceases not, without any intermission: until the Lord look down, and behold from Heaven." Be resolute not to give over until you have met with him, and be sure you will not be disappointed in the end.
I come now to the words themselves. The happy man is he who finds Christ. Finding of Christ is the upmaking of the soul, it is man's happiness; no wonder it be a big thing, comprehending much. I take it up in these two.
(1.) A saving discovery of Christ made to the soul; so the word is used, Matthew 13:46, in the case of finding the pearl.
(2.) An interest in him, yes, actual possession of him, as one's own obtained. So in our text, finds life, that is, really gets life. So they find him, who get such a discovery of him, as terminates in their closing with him, whereby he is theirs, and they are his.
The following doctrines offer themselves from the words now and formerly explained.
DOCTRINE. I. Then do people find Christ, when, upon a saving discovery of Christ made to their souls, they close with him by faith.
DOCTRINE. II. Sinners finding Christ, find life.
I shall handle each doctrine in order.
DOCTRINE. I. Then do people find Christ, when, upon a saving disco very of Christ made to their souls, they close with him by faith. This I shall explain and apply.
In explaining the doctrine, I shall,
I. Offer some things in the general touching the finding of Christ.
II. More particularly explain the soul's finding of Christ.
I. I am to offer some things in the general touching the finding of Christ. And,
1. There is a twofold finding of him; initial, and progressive.
1st, There is an initial finding of Christ, which is the soul's first finding of him, the first meeting between Christ and the soul, Matthew 13:45, 46, when the dead soul meets with the life-giving Savior. Upon this our salvation depends.
2dly, There is a progressive finding of him, which is a child of God's finding of him in the progress of his state of grace, Matthew 7:7. Thus the spouse found him, Canticles 3:4, after some partial withdrawing from her.
The difference between these two lies in this, that the immediate effect of the former is union, of the other, actual communion with Christ. The one is the marriage with Christ, the other the return of the husband to his deserted spouse. The text, I think, comprehends both; but the first mainly; compare verse. And both consist of a discovery of Christ, and a receiving him; the latter as well as the former; the one initial, the other progressive. It is the first of these I intend.
2. There are some things to be observed touching this finding of Christ.
1st, Sinners in their natural state have lost God, Ephesians 2:12. God is not their God, they have no saving interest in him. There was a covenant of friendship between God and innocent man; but, alas! that covenant was broken, and man quite lost his friend, his God. So he goes up and down the world, in his natural state, a poor friendless creature.
2dly, Man is a seeking creature; for he cannot miss to know that he wants, nor to desire to have his wants supplied; Matthew 13:45. He goes through the creation, seeking something to satisfy his heart. And when one will not do, he goes to another. The soul of man, though in its blindness it knows not what it would be at, is still seeking; like a nest of young birds still gaping for meat from the dam.
3dly, There is no rest for, nor satisfying of the soul until it come to God. This is not from any desire the soul has of God while in its natural state, but arises from the natural state of it, whereby it comes to pass, that nothing less than an infinite good can satisfy it. Therefore the natural man is represeuted as one ever laboring, but never able to get rest; Matthew 11:28, Isaiah 55:1, 2. And its life is a wandering and seeking without intermission; Matthew 13:45, 46.
4thly, God is in Christ, to be found in him, and in him only; 2 Corinthians 5:19, Colossians 2:9. As the Israelites, who wandered forty years in the wilderness, had a tabernacle set up among them, where they might find God, which was called (Hebrews) the tabernacle of meeting; so Jesus Christ is the true tabernacle of meeting between God and sinners; and he is no where else to be found. So that until the soul fall on Christ in its weary search, it can never come to God, nor to true rest.
II. I shall more particularly explain the soul's finding of Christ. There are two things in it.
First, The soul savingly discovers and discerns Jesus Christ, by a new light let into it; John 17:3. There is a twofold discovery of Christ.
(1.) An objective discovery of him in the gospel, given to all who hear it. Thus the sun's light discovers all things in the presence of the blind man, but alas! he cannot perceive them for all that.
(2) A subjective discovery, when the eyes of the understanding are opened to see what is so discovered; Acts 26:18, Isaiah 33:17. This is the finding of Christ, in respect of which the sinner is like Hagar near the well; Genesis 21:19. Jesus Christ is near the man; Romans 10:8, but he sees him not, so still he wants him, until, the Lord opening his eyes, he discerns Christ, and so finds him. The soul then beholds him in a twofold glory.
1. The glory of his person, as God-man: an admirable person, a nonsuch, the chief among ten thousand, Canticles 5:10. The soul finding Christ, beholds him as the Father's fellow, the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person; Heb 1:3, in respect of his divine nature; and as our kinsman, and the glory of mankind, in respect of his human nature; the flower of Adam's posterity, holy, harmless, undefined, and separate from sinners.
2. The glory of his mediatory office, 1 Timothy 2:5. The soul gets a sight of him, as the great Daysman between God and sinners, fit to lay his hand on both parties. It beholds him as the tabernacle of meeting, where God meets with the sinner to make up the peace; as that noble Personage appointed of the Father the repairer of the breach made by sin; the great Surety and Cautioner for sinners' debt and God's glory. And there are six things the soul now sees in Christ.
(1) A transcendent excellency, beauty, and loveliness in him; Isaiah 33:17, Canticles 5. It sees him lovely in his natures, in his offices, in his holy life, and in his bloody death; lovely in himself, and in his purchase. It is a too common question that the daughters of Jerusalem put to the spouse; Canticles 5:9. What is your beloved more than another beloved? The world sees no beauty in him, for which he is to be desired; they see more beauty in carnal worldly objects, than in the Plant of Renown. But no sooner does the soul find him, but it sees him lovely above all persons and things. His discovered excellency darkens all created glory, as the sun arising darkens the candle-light, and makes the stars hide their heads; Matthew 13:45, 46.
(2.) A fullness in him for the supply of all its wants; Colossians 1:19, "It pleased the Father, that in him should all fullness dwell. There is,
(1.) A fullness of the Godhead in him, Colossians 2:9. The soul that has lost God, finding him, finds God in him, John 14:11.
(2.) A fullness of merit, for our justification, and a title to Heaven.
(3.) A fullness of Spirit, for our sanctification, and making us meet for Heaven. Finding Christ, the soul finds a treasure, for preciousness, abundance, and variety.
(3.) A suitableness in him; and that is twofold.
[1.] A suitableness in Christ to their own case, as when a hungry man finds meat, or a naked man clothes, Revelation 3:18. The soul of man goes through the creation, seeking a match in whom it may rest; but it never finds a suitable one until it find Christ. Still the bed is shorter than that it can stretch itself upon it, and the cover narrower than that it can wrap itself in it; but coming to Christ, the soul finds him completely suited to its case; suited to still and quiet the conscience by his sin-atoning blood, and to satisfy its craving desires by his all-fullness. There appears, then, a suitableness in everything in and about him; in his natures, in his offices, in his life and death, resurrection, ascension, etc.
[2.] A suitableness in him to the glory of God. The sinner whose eyes are opened can never expect salvation but in a way suitable to God's perfections, his holiness and justice; and the mystery of Christ appears thus suited, 2 Corinthians 4:6. Here at once appears how justice is satisfied, and the sinner saved; and God has his glory and the sinner his salvation together.
(4.) The wisdom of God in him, 1 Corinthians 1:24. The wisdom of God eminently appeared in the creation, and appears every day in the works of providence; but the master-piece of divine wisdom is the mystery of Christ, wherein is the greatest display of the divine perfections, his power, justice, holiness, mercy, love, goodness, and truth, all woven together by infinite wisdom. And there is none that finds Christ, but must say that that device is one becoming infinite wisdom.
(5.) An ability to save, Hebrews 7:25. When sin appears in its native colors to the awakened conscience, the soul is apt to question, if there be any balm in Gilead for such wounds; if there be any hope of such a case. But when Christ is discovered to the soul, he appears as the Lord of hosts, mighty to save; there is merit enough in his blood to wash away the deepest guilt, and efficacy enough in his Spirit to subdue the strongest corruptions.
(6.) Lastly, Willingness to save, and to communicate of his fullness to the needy soul, Hebrews 4:15, 16. The discovery of this was what brought the prodigal son home, Luke 15:17, and the utter want of it must make the starving soul die in despondency. This is that which of all things awakened sinners have most ado to discern in Christ, if he be willing to save them, to bestow his precious blood to wash such vile wretches as they. But it is discovered in lesser or greater measure to all that find Christ.
Secondly, Upon this discovery of Christ made unto and by the soul, the soul closes with Christ by faith. There is such a connection between these two, that
(1.) None can close with Christ without it, Canticles 5:9. People may love an unseen Christ, but not an unknown Christ.
(2.) All that get it close with him, Psalm 9:10, John 4:10. For,
1. Such a discovery of Christ is not made to the soul until it be hunger-bitten, lost in its own eyes, and would be content with a Savior on any terms, Acts 9:6, Proverbs 24:7. A starving person needs no other invitation to eat but to see meat; and when Christ is discovered to the soul lost in its own eyes, it will embrace him.
2. The nature of the object speaks for itself, John 4:10. Christ discovered to the soul is precious, 1 Peter 2:7, and he who once finds the pearl, will gripe at it to make it his own. He is suitable to its case, which likewise insures the soul's closing with him, as the sick man with the physician, or the captive with the deliverer.
3. It is always attended with a heart-conquering power, Psalm 110:3. When the Lord opens the eyes in saving illumination, he looses the heart by renewing the will, and so brings the soul to embrace Christ.
I shall now apply this branch of the subject.
USE I. Of information. This shows us,
1. They have never found Christ, nor seen his glory, who have not closed with him, Psalm 9:10. They who have not matched with Christ, have never yet seen nor known the glorious Bridegroom, John 1:10, 11. For all they have heard of him in the word, or seen of him in the sacraments, they are still unacquainted with him, and he has ever been a veiled beauty to them. A look of him with an illuminated eye of the mind, would have conquered their souls to his love, Isaiah 45:22.
2. They who reject Christ and his way, and think they have reason for so doing, must know that their judgment is not to be regarded; for they are blind men judging of colors.
(1.) There are some who never made so much as a show of trial of Christ and his way. They were estranged from God from the womb, and they held even forward in their course of sin to this day, without changing; and they are making lies of Christ to themselves and others, Psalm 58:3. Poor souls, they know no better, they are under soul-ruining delusion. If their eyes were opened, they would hate what they now love, and love what they now hate, Tit 3:3.
(2.) There are others, who, after a seeming trial made of Christ and his way, have cast them behind their back, 2 Peter 2:22. But neither have they ever got a discovery of him, for as long as they have hung on about Wisdom's gates, 1 Corinthians 2:8. They have got into the outer court, of prayer, the communion-table, a fair blooming profession; but they never got into the inner court, to see the King in his beauty. Let both know, that there is something in religion which they never knew to this day; and while they despise it, they despise what they know not. And if they knew what they know not, they would as soon embrace death and Hell, and throw away their own life, as do what they do.
3. You who have got such a discovery of Christ as has determined you to close with him, you have found Christ, and happy are you. All the people of God have not alike sensible enjoyment of Christ, Matthew 17:1, 2, nor alike measure of manifestations of him. Neither are their comforts of alike height, more than their downcastings are of alike depth. But that discovery of Christ which terminates in the soul's closing with him, is saving.
USE II. Of trial. Hereby you may try whether ever you have found Christ or not. We have been long making the fashion of seeking, let us try whether we have come speed or not. If you have got such a discovery of him, as has terminated in your souls' closing with him, you have found him. And you may know it by these marks,
MARK 1. If you have found Christ, you will value the discovery as a matchless favor, and display of free grace, Matthew 13:44. Like as a poor man, traveling through a desert, in want of all things, would value his finding a covered table and all necessities; so will the soul that has been seeking rest through the empty creation, and is still disappointed, value the discovery of a full Christ made to it, Psalm 119:162. You will admire free grace in it, and not impute it to your own pains and diligence, that ever you had any acquaintance with him.
MARK 2. A found Christ will engage your esteem above all other persons and things, 1 Peter 2:7. He will be in your eyes the chief among ten thousand. The world, and all that is in it will be but loss and dung in comparison of him, Psalm 73:25. However low I thoughts you had of him before, the market will be raised now, and the rate you will put on him will be so high, as the compass of the whole world, nay, the compass of men's desires will not be able to afford an equivalent, and as good, Proverbs 8:11.
MARK 3. The discovery of Christ in his glory, will show sin in ugly colors, and fill a soul with self-loathing and abhorrence, Job 42:5, 6; Isaiah 6:5. Delusion puffs up, but real manifestations of Christ are humbling. As in the balances, one scale goes up when the other goes down; so the more Christ is exalted in the eyes of a sinner, the more sin and self are depressed. Doves' dung and donkeys' heads gave a great price in Samaria, when bread was not to be had, but when it came they were no more valued. That light will discover the worthlessness even of one's duties, and show one's own righteousness like a moth-eaten garment, held up before the sun, Isaiah 64:6; and leave one poor in spirit before the Lord.
MARK 4. A found Christ will engage the sinner's heart and affections, loosing the bond between them and other lovers, and dispose the soul to say, as Isaiah 26:13, "O Lord our God, other lords besides you have had dominion over us; but by you only will we make mention of your name." There is an overcoming glory in him, which being discerned does infallibly give him the preference in the heart to all competitors, Titus 2:11. A believing view of his glory fills the heart with desire after him, and love to him above and beyond all other things, Isaiah 26:9; Canticles 1:3. Many a stroke the law, perhaps, has given to break the bonds of iniquity; but still they hold the sinner fast. But when the gospel fire is set on in the soul, and thereby Christ is discovered in his matchless excellency to the soul, these bonds are burnt and melted down.
MARK 5. Christ being found, the sinner parts with all for him, without reserve; and when he has left all for him, he thinks he has a good bargain, Matthew 13:46. Where any reserve is made, there is no saving discovery of Christ made there, who in his first appearance in the soul says effectually, "If you take me, let these go their way." The soul parts with all sin;
(1.) In respect of affliction, Romans 7:19.
(2) Of voluntary subjection, Romans 6:14.
(3.) Of allowed residence, Romans 7:24. It parts with self too.
(1.) Civil self, friends, credit, ease, etc., Luke 16:26; Hebrews 11:24, 25; Deut 33:9.
(2.) Natural self, even life itself is at his disposal. All that a man has will he give for his life; but one will not give a found Christ for it, Luke 14:26. And
(3.) Religious self is parted with, whereby the soul "counts all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ," Philippians 3.
MARK 6. A saving discovery of Christ transforms the soul into his image. The sight of the most beautiful object on earth cannot work a likeness to it on the beholders; but a manifestation of Christ does it, 2 Corinthians 3:18. Love breeds likeness, and likeness nourishes love, and none see Christ in his glory, but they love him, and therefore do put on Christ, Romans 13; laboring to walk as he walked, 1 John 2:6. From that moment the soul finds Christ, it commences nonconformist to the world, being transformed, cast into another mold, in respect of nature and actions, Romans 12:2. And when at death the discovery shall be perfect, so will holiness be, 1 John 3:2.
MARK 7. They that have once had a saying discovery of Christ, will always desire further discoveries of him, until they see him as he is, Exodus 33:18, "Show me your glory," will be the language of, their hearts. Here we have the bridegroom's picture as it were in ordinances, in the word; and they who have once seen the beauty of it, will always he desiring more. Paul knew much of Christ, but his eye was not satisfied with seeing, Philippians 3:10. Christ was the sum of his life, Philippians 1:21; the body of divinity to which he desired to confine his studies, 1 Corinthians 2:2; for in the knowledge of Christ all religion lies; therefore the learning of Christianity is the learning of Christ, Ephesians 4:20, 21.
DOCTRINE II. Sinners finding Christ, find life.
In discoursing from this doctrine, I shall;
I. Unfold that life which sinners find, finding Christ.
II. Confirm the point,
III. Make some practical improvement.
I. I shall unfold that life which sinners find finding Christ. They find a treasure who find Christ, a treasure of life. To open it up, I will show,
1. What life they find who find Christ.
2. What are the qualities of this life.
First, I will show what life they find who find Christ. It is a life that goes as wide as the death they found in Adam; Romans 5:11, "For if through the offence of any one, many be dead; much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, has abounded unto many." It is a salve proportioned to that sore. The sinner's finding life in Christ implies, that without Christ, he is under death, which therefore we shall take along with us. And always the more of Christ, the more life; and the less of Christ, the less life. The sinner then finding Christ, finds,
1. A life of grace, in regeneration, which is a spiritual quickening of the soul; Ephesians 2:5, "Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ." Man in his natural unconverted state, is spiritually dead, Ephesians 2:1. Adam eating the forbidden fruit, poisoned himself and all his offspring, for it brought immediate death to them; it separated them from God the fountain of life; and so they lie in their natural state, as buried in the grave of sin, void of all life and sense in spiritual things.
But in the day of the soul's finding Christ, the Spirit of Christ enters into it, and quickens it, as Lazarus's soul entering into his body, while Christ stood by his grave. So the dead soul is raised, the dry bones come together, and are made to live. The man is endowed with a new vital principle, patting him in a capacity to more and act graciously, Galatians 2:20. He is a new creature, as one raised from the dead. There is a new light let into his mind, a new set given to his will, a new regulation made on his affections; all is new, as by a first resurrection.
2. A life of favor with God; Psalm 30:5, "In his favor is life." God is Lord of life and death, and we have forfeited our life to him by our rebellions. May not one say then, he is a dead man, who is out of God's favor; and he is secured for life, who enjoys it? A sinner out of Christ is a dead man, in so far as he is dead in law, and the broken law has doomed him to die eternally, Galatians 3:10. All the fearful threats and curses of the first covenant, are twisted about him as so many cords of death, binding him as a condemned criminal, until the day of execution.
But the sinner finding Christ, the sentence of condemnation is reversed, he is no more a condemned man, Romans 8:1. Christ comes into the iron-house, makes a discovery of himself to the sinner in chains, and there the match is made between the Bridegroom and the captive daughter of Zion. The prison-garments are taken off, and the marriage-robe is put on the believer, Philippians 3:9. Then God says, "Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom," Job 33:24. So the chains of guilt drop off, and the prison-doors are set open to Christ to hand out his spouse by, and the face-covering that was on the condemned is destroyed. Now, who has anything to say, why the prisoner may not go forth free with her Lord and Husband? Romans 8:33. Justice is satisfied, who had the claim against her; the law that laid her up, and kept her bound, has no more to demand, Galatians 2:20. The debt is paid, the bond is got up, and torn in pieces, Colossians 2:14. The jailor therefore cannot keep her longer, and death which stood before her with a devouring mouth, is swallowed up in victory, Isaiah 25:8.
3. A life of new obedience; Romans 4:4, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." By nature we are quite void of this life, John 15:5. The soul in its natural state is never idle indeed, but ever working; but then all its works are dead works, Hebrews 9:14, which can never please the living God. The old man has his deeds in them that are out of Christ, and all their deeds are so; their very religions duties are dead works, and in them they are but as walking ghosts. They cannot perform one vital action in a spiritual sense; Genesis 6:5, Psalm 14:3, Titus 1:15.
But the sinner finding Christ finds newness of life. He is not the man be was. Christ not only brings him out of the grave of his natural state but he looses all his grave-clothes of reigning lusts, and sets him a-pulling them off, and easting them from him; Colossians 3:8. He gives them change of clothing. The man pats on Christ, personates him, walking as he also walked. Now his obedience is universal, Psalm 119:6; his heart is shaped out in breadth and length to the whole law of Christ. It is spiritual; it is a cluster of vital actions, whereof Christ is the principle; Galatians 2:20, and the end Philippians 1:21.
4. A life of comfort. Non vivere valere sed est vita; 1 Samuel 25:6. 1 Thessalonians 3:8. The natural man has the most uncomfortable life is the world. He has no solid ground of comfort, because matters are quite wrong between Heaven and him; he has no actual comfort, but as it were in a dream, when he drinks of the broken cisterns, as to forget his misery: Job 15:21.
But the sinner finding Christ finds a life of comfort. He is put into a comfortable state, as reconciled to God, and having his sin pardoned; Psalm 32:1. And if at any time he want comfort, it is not because the ground of it is rased, for that can never be while the everlasting covenant remains, 2 Samuel 23:5, but became his eyes are held that he cannot perceive it, like Hagar at the well. And in his deepest sorrows and distress, there is a seed of comfort that will spring up; Psalm 97:11. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
5. Lastly, Eternal life; John 17:3. Man in his natural state is a dead man, liable to eternal death in Hell. And whoever lives and dies in that state, cannot miss to perish forever; Mark 16:16. Wherefore whenever God opens the sinner's eyes to see his own case, he sees he is eternally lost if he get not help; Acts 2:37.
But the sinner finding Christ finds eternal life; John 3. The second death can have no power over him, from that happy moment He commences an heir of glory, and heaven's happiness is secured to him. Come death when it will, come judgment when it will, his happy state is already determined by the word, and can never be reversed.
Secondly, I shall show what are the qualities of the life which they find who find Christ.
1. It is a divine life; Ephesians 4:18. So it is the most excellent life. The vegetative life, by which our bodies glow, is common to us with the plants of the earth; the life of sense, with brutes; the life of reason, with infidels; but this life exalts one to a rank of beings superior to the rest of mankind, namely, into the rank of saints partakers of the divine nature.
2. It is a life of the whole man. Sinners out of Christ are but half alive, and that in the worst half too, while their bodies are alive, their souls are dead within them; 1 Timothy 5:6. But on the soul's finding Christ, the soul is made alive too, and so the whole man lives; the better part is quickened. And as the dead souls of the wicked will secure the eternal death of their bodies too, death spreading itself from their souls to their bodies; so the life of the soul will secure the eternal life of the body, life spreading in like manner from the soul to the body; Romans 8:11.
3. It is a pleasant life; Proverbs 3:17. Sinners are generally prejudiced in the case, as if it were an unpleasant and uncomfortable life; but that is the opinion only of those who are unacquainted with it; for David could say, Psalm 4:7, "You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased." It is true, the pleasure of it is not expressed in the noisy way in which the world expresses theirs; it is a water that runs deeper than to make such a noise as the shallow brooks and muddy streams of the world's pleasures do. But all the pleasantries of the men of the world, are light as a feather in comparison of the pleasure found in communion with God, the sense of his favor, and the serenity of conscience; by this good token, that these will bear up a man in the greatest distresses, where those others evanish at the blast; Habakkuk 3:17.
4. It is a persevering life, that can never be lost; Habakkuk 2:4, "The just shall live by his faith." Compare Hebrews 10:38. It is a life that, from the moment it is given, shall never die out forever; John 4:14. The life of inherent grace may be very low, but can never be lost; one may lose the sense of the life of favor with God, but can never lose the thing itself; John 5:24. They that now lead the most honorable and wealthy life in the world, death will put an end to it; but this life will make its way through death itself, unhurt.
5. Lastly, It is a growing life; John 10:10. It is true, the Christian life is not always growing, more than the trees in winter. But it is a life that grows universally, regularly, and proportionably, until it come to its perfection in glory; Proverbs 4:18, "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day." It buds in regeneration, begins to open in progressive sanctification, and is full spread in glory; but it shall never wither, but be fresh and fragrant through eternity.
II. In order to confirm this doctrine, That sinners finding Christ find life, consider,
1. The Mediator, by the Father's appointment, is the immediate receptacle of life for all to whom life is designed by the Father, Colossians 1:19; as the bowl in Zechariah's candlestick received the oil from the two olive-trees, and communicated the same by the pipes to the lamps; Zechariah 4:2, 3. God seeing all mankind dead in Adam. but having destined the elect number to life, has pat life for then all in the Mediator, as in a sure repository, where it cannot be lost; 1 John 5:11, hence the apostle draws the conclusion of our text; verse 12, "He who has the Son, has life;" even as he who has a woman in marriage, has all that is hers; so he who has Christ not only has a right to, but actually has life, even everlasting life; verse 13; John 5:24. He who buys the field has the treasure in it.
2. As Adam lost his life, and that of all his posterity, by his losing of God, who is the life and soul of the soul of man; Psalm 30:5, in separation of the soul from whom its death lies; so the sinner finding Christ finds God again, and therefore must needs find life. God is in Christ, the fullness of the Godhead is in him; Colossians 2:9, and by him the believer comes to God; Hebrews 7:25, for that was the end of his death," that he might bring us to God;" 1 Peter 3:18. The Father becomes his Father, the Son his Savior, the Holy Spirit his Sanctifier; for a whole Trinity is made over to the sinner in the covenant "I am your God." So finding Christ, the sinner finds the whole Trinity of persons; how then can he but find life?
3. The sinner finding Christ finds the Spirit of life. This is so certain, that "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his," Romans 8:9. Not only do the graces of the Spirit dwell in them who have found Christ, but the person of the Spirit, the cause of the other; Romans 8:11. This is that which gives them life, preserves it that it cannot be lost, increases it, and at length perfects it; John 4:14. We see many who getting some light touches and common operations of the Spirit, seem to live for a while; but their seeming life wears away by degrees, and they never recover it; why? because not having found Christ, they have not found life, nor the Spirit either. But believers are recovered from their decays, because the Spirit of life still remains with them.
4. The sinner finding Christ, is united to him as a member of his body; Ephesians 3:17. Hence his life secures theirs; John 14:19, "Because I live, you shall live also." They cannot die, as long as be lives, and therefore their life is everlasting. As members of Christ, the Spirit of Christ dwells in them, as the principle of their life; and they derive spiritual nourishment from him, as the branches from the vine-stock. Hence it is that the resurrection of their mortal bodies is secured to them, according to Romans 8:11, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you; he who raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwells in you." So that finding Christ, they find everlasting life of soul and body.
5. The sinner finding Christ, finds all the promises of the everlasting covenant, which are all promises of life, as the threatenings of the law are of death; Titus 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:20; for the promises are immediately made to Christ; Galatians 3:16, and in right of him they become ours. Hence "he who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32. Some would reckon themselves made up all their life, if they did find a parcel of bank-bills; but he who finds Christ, finds heaven's bank-bills, which being presented to God, will get payment of them to the bearer, be who he will, and that such as will make him live happily through the ages of eternity.
6. The sinner finding Christ, finds a satisfactory answer to all the law's demands, which staves him off from life until they be satisfied.
(1.) The law demands the debt of perfect obedience, if the sinner will have life; Matthew 19:17. In Christ this is answered; for "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes;" Romans 10:4.
(2.) It demands the debt of punishment, for satisfaction of justice for sin done. The answer is, "I am crucified with Christ;" Galatians 2:20. Thus he has found a complete righteousness, in which the law itself can find no blemish nor defect. Thus the current of death towards the believer is stopped, and the waters of the curse are dried up; and life flows into the soul, and the blessing comes in room of the curse.
7. Lastly, To sum up all in a word, The sinner finding Christ, finds all things necessary to make him happy. See the believer's possessions, what he gets with Christ when he gets him; 1 Corinthians 3:22, 23, "Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's." Romans 8:32, "He who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" There is a treasure in him, or he is a treasure, and the treasure becomes the believer's; Matthew 13:44. There are unsearchable riches in him, and they are all made over to the believer; Ephesians 3:8. Look to the whole of Christ's purchase, what he bought for poor sinners with his blood, and the soul finding Christ finds it all, and may say, It is all mine.
I shall now make some practical improvement of this branch of the text.
USE I. Of information. This informs us,
1. That the best way for one's security in an evil day, is to have found Christ. This is a day of impending wrath, wherein God is threatening to cause death overflow the nation. The true way to answer God's call in the dispensation of the day, is to seek Christ, that you may find him; so shall you find life.
1st, God is threatening to take away men's substance, the means of life, making the heavens as brass, and the earth as iron. He has locked up in great measure the pastures of the field, so that the beasts groan under the sins of men. And no wonder, considering the sinful improvement that has been made of their prosperity. But if all should go together, it cannot break the true Christian, who finding Christ has found life, and may say as Habakkuk 3:17, 18, "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
2dly, God is threatening to make death ride in triumph among men. He has been sweeping away multitudes abroad; and how can these nations think to escape, nations lying under the fearful guilt of former times, and who have been long busied in filling up their cup to the brim? All ranks in church and in state have corrupted their ways; and when we consider the unnatural marriages, and unnatural murders, that have fallen out more than at any time ever I remember, I cannot but take them for presages, that the things which concern this generation are making haste, the hearing of which will make men's ears to tingle. Well, Sirs, happy are they that find Christ; for they shall find life, when death in its most frightful aspect shall seize a God-provoking generation, and make all their courage fail in one moment, never to recover.
2. There is no way to attain to holiness, and acceptable obedience in good works, without finding of Christ, or closing with him upon a saving discovery of him made to the soul. Find what we will, if we find not Christ, we will remain in a state of death; and all the reasons and motives that can be fetched from Heaven or Hell, will not quicken us; and therefore cannot put us upon the doing of the least good work; for, says Christ, "without me you can do nothing," John 15:5. It is true, that, as, in an earthquake, dead bodies may fly from one place to another, by the force of commotion, yet still void of life; so an unbeliever, by the fear of punishment and hope of reward, may work, as one for his life; but alas! his works are but dead works still.
3. The true way to holiness is the finding of Jesus Christ; John 6:28, 29, "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent." If ever you would be holy, believe; if you would reach the highway called the way of holiness, betake yourselves to him who is the way, and the truth, and the life; John 14:6. As the dead man
(2 Kings 13:21,) let down into Elisha's grave, as soon as he touched the bones of Elisha, revived, and stood up on his feet; so the dead soul meeting with Christ by participation of his Spirit is quickened. And as a wick put to a burning lamb is lighted, so as immediately they join flames, and burn on; so the soul finding Christ finds life, embraces him, and lives by him and to him.
4. Christ does not set his people to work for life, to procure life to themselves by their own working; he has given them life, a life that will never end, in their union with them, and bids them work from that life. The law or covenant of works says to them who are under it, Do this, and live; if you will have life, work and win it; Matthew 19:17. But Christ says to the poor tired creature, busy at labor in vain, Come to me that you may have life. And having come and received life, he sets it to work.
5. Faith and obedience are inseparable; John 15:5, "He who abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit." Romans 6:14, "Sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under the law, but under grace." The life that sinners find, finding Christ is without question, for the kind of it, a holy life; and the manner of one's working must needs be of a piece with the manner of one's being. When Nebuchadnezzar was driven from men to herd with the beasts of the field, he lived like the beasts. Men living in sin, walk in it; Colossians 3:7. And those who are blessed with a life that is holy in the nature of it, must needs be holy in their walk; and if that life were perfected, they would be perfectly holy. So where there is no holiness, there is no life, no faith, no union with the holy Jesus. Unholy professors are dead sinners, and will be buried out of sight in the pit; Hebrews 12:14, "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord."
6. Lastly, The one thing we have to seek above all things, for time and eternity, is to find Christ. For whoever finds him finds life, for time and eternity. And this is not the work only of the time of our first conversion to God, but the work of our whole lives, 1 Peter 2:4, compared with verses 2, 3. For always the more we find of Christ, we have the more life, and the less of him, the less life. Finding Christ we find all for holiness and happiness. The Jews say, that the 613 precepts of the law are all reduced to this saying, Habakkuk 2:4, "The just shall live by his faith." And the truth is, the sum of the Christian life lies here; Galatians 2:20,
USE. II. Of exhortation. Seek Christ until you find him, and find life in him and by him. To press this, I offer the following motives.
MOTIVE 1. Man is a seeking creature: Matthew 13:45. Sinners out of Christ are as busy seeking as others are, like the watch going as fast when wrong as when right. There is a void within that would be filled; but the matter is, they go all wrong in their search, They are seeking a rest to their hearts in the creature, and a rest to their conscience in the works of the law; but in neither of these will they find what they seek. Turn you, sinners, seek Christ; why seek you the living among the dead? In Christ only is to be found what you are seeking, rest to the conscience and to the heart.
MOTIVE 2. Now is the time he is to be found; Isaiah 55:6. The day will come when he will not be to be found; and be the sinner has no more access to life. Remember the case of the foolish virgins; Matthew 25. That is a heavy word; Proverbs 1:24, 26, "Because I have called, and you refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear comes." And how stinging will it then be to think, that the time of seeking Christ was spent in seeking what cannot profit; and that then all access to him is lost forever.
MOTIVE. You will be made up forever, if you find Christ; and undone, if you find him not; Proverbs 8:35, 36. If one was taken up all the days of his life, seeking him, and should find him at last, all would be found to be well bestowed; Matthew 13:45, 46. And find what we will, if we should find all the wealth, honors, and pleasures of the world, it would not compensate the loss of a missed Savior; Matthew 16:26. But I will branch out this exhortation in two particulars,
First, Sinners, seek to find Christ, and to find life in him, by getting a saving discovery of him made to your souls. To press seeking of this saving discovery, consider,
MOT. 1. There is no closing with Christ, or believing in him, without a saving discovery of him made to the soul; Psalm 9:10; John 4:10. Men may believe in an unseen, but not an unknown Christ. There is an illumination in the knowledge of Christ, that is necessary towards the embracing of him. Without it the wounded soul will pine away in its wounds, not knowing the Physician; and the sinner in his sins, not knowing the Savior.
2. All your labor in religion, without this, will be but working in the dark, and labor in vain; John 14:6, compared with Ecclesiastes 10:15. What will all attainments in religion avail, without the knowledge of the main thing, that is, the knowledge of Christ? Matthew 7:22, we find some prophesying in Christ's name, in his name casting out devils, and in his name doing many wonderful works, who lose all their pains, because there was no saving acquaintance between Christ and them.
3. The discovery of Christ is the most excellent discovery that men are capable of. Therefore Paul determined to seek after nothing but that; 1 Corinthians 2:2; he preferred it to all other things; Philippians 3:8. What though men be ever be well acquainted with the nature of the creation, and can dive into the secret mysteries of nature, with the reasons of the same? if they be unacquainted with Christ, it is but a bewitching vanity, and a gilded ignorance.
The knowledge of Christ appears to be the most noble, if one considers,
(1.) The superlative excellency of the object; Col 2:9, "In him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."
(2.) The way and manner one comes to this knowledge. Not by the light of nature; this cannot discover Christ to a soul; not by mere objective revelation in the word; men may indeed learn much of Christ that way, but may go to Hell for it all; but by the light of the Spirit and subjective revelation; Matthew 16:16, 17.
(3.) The certainty of it, which surpasses all demonstration; Hebrews 11:1.
(4.) The usefulness of it. Other knowledge men may have, and perish with it; all the arts and sciences in the world cannot give life to the soul; but this is life, eternal life to them that have it; John 17:3. Wherefore all other researches are but laborious trifling, unless in so far as they are subservient to this.
4. Christ discovered in his glory will satisfy your souls, and arrest your hearts; Matthew 13:45, 46, "Be shut my eyes and ears," says Luther, "and say, you know no God out of Christ, none but he who was in the lap of Mary, and sucked her breasts." What is the reason of the apostasy and backsliding of many, but that they were never brought into this inner court of religion? If they had, they had been held fast. They had seen in him what is fully commensurate to the desires of a soul, and therefore had no occasion to have gone back unto the world and their lusts. This would be an anchor of the soul, in the midst of temptations, troubles, persecutions, and losses, arising from whatever quarter they may; and is the absolutely best way to fix the heart.
5. Christ is a veiled beauty, an unknown Christ to the most part of the hearers of the Gospel, and to all those to whom the Holy Spirit has not given saying illumination, Canticles 5:9, compare John. 1:10. Beware he continue not to be so unto you. Seek to get the veil removed, that you may see that in Christ, which the world left to perish in their iniquity never sees. The leading difference between the wise and the foolish builders, and the wise and the foolish virgins was, the one had illumination, the other had not.
6. Lastly, Without a saving discovery of Christ, you perish, John 17:3. Isaiah 53:11. Ignorance of, and unacquaintedness with Christ must needs be fatal to the soul, since he is the only way to the Father, and there is no salvation in any other. It is the great design of the Gospel to bring souls acquainted with Jesus Christ; so where that is not reached, the gospel has not its effect; and when the gospel has not a saving effect, the law will take effect to one's condemnation.
I shall give you some directions for obtaining this discovery of Christ.
DIRECTION 1. Labor to be acquainted with yourselves, your own sinfulness and misery. And for that cause lay your hearts, lives, and state, to the rule of the holy law. Conviction leads the way to saving illumination, the knowledge of the disease to that of the physician, Acts 16:30, 31.
2. Seek the discovery of Christ in your attendance on public ordinances, Proverbs 8:34. These are the galleries where the king walks, the lattices by which he shows himself. See Psalm 45:8. There is the market where the eye-salve is to be bought of him. There Lydia's heart was opened. It is good to be in Christ's way, as Zacchaeus was. And were we looking and longing for a discovery of him there, we would not long want it.
3. Seek the discovery of him in his written word, the scriptures, for they are they which testify of Christ, John 5:39. God's word is the great means of illumination; Psalm 19:8. The Psalmist found it to be so by experience, Psalm 119:130, "The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding unto the simple." It is the special instrument the Spirit uses for illumination.
4. Seek it earnestly in prayer, Proverbs 2:35. When the disciples were together at prayer, the doors being shut, he manifested himself unto them. We are not to expect bodily discoveries of Christ; if we had them, they would not do our turn; the Jews saw him so who believed not on him; but we are to seek a discovery of Christ in the glory of his person and offices, by the Spirit, which alone can be attended with saving effects.
5. Lastly. Whenever the Lord lets in the least beam of heavenly light into your souls, cherish it, though it may be painful by discovering your sin and misery; make much of it; after little, more may come, Hosea 6:3.
Secondly, Seek to find Christ and life in him, by getting an interest in him. The soul then finds Christ, and has life, when it has got an interest in him. If you inquire how that interest is got? It is through faith. God has given to us eternal life in the free offer of the gospel, and that life is in his Son, 1 John 5:11. Believe the word of the gospel with particular application to yourselves, receive and rest on him siducially for life, the life of grace and glory, and you have it. Wherefore come to Christ, that you may have life. To press this, consider,
MOTIVE 1. You are to come to Christ, that you may get life in and by him, Isaiah 55:1, 2, "He, every one that thirsts, come you to the waters, and he who has no money; come you, buy and eat, yes, come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price. Wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfies not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat you that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Here is an invitation to life, let not that complaint be made of you, John 5:40, "You will not come to me, that you might have life." Consider,
1st, It is an offer the fallen angels never got. When Christ was born there was good-will towards men, but no sign of it towards fallen angels. Yet they are in themselves a rank of beings superior to mankind, and he owed no more to us than to them. Only his sovereign pleasure made the difference. "How then shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"
2dly, It is an invitation not given to millions in the world, who are the sons of Adam as well as we. Many kingdoms and empires in the world lie in darkness and the shadow of death, and no offer of life is made to them; but it is made to you.
3dly, It is the greatest offer that ever was or shall be, that Heaven can give and earth receive, admired by angels, and grudged by devils; and shall it be slighted by men? even an offer of the son of God, and eternal life in him.
4thly, It is an offer frequently repeated. Now sinner, Christ is boding himself and eternal life upon you. You have given him many refusals, but he will not yet take your refusal, but continues the offer.
MOTIVE 2. Christ is very willing to give himself, and eternal life in himself to you, John 6:37. Consider,
1st, How ample and large the gospel offer is, excluding none that will come, Isaiah 55:1, forfeited. Revelation 22:17, "Whoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
2dly, There is no case a sinner can be in, that shall mar his reception with Christ, and partaking of life, if he will come to Christ; Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Manasseh's bloodshed and witchcraft, Paul's blasphemy and persecution, and Mary Magdalene's lewdness, hindered not their getting life in and by Christ. When he was in the world, he raised Lazarus when sinking in the grave, as well as the ruler's daughter newly dead.
3dly, He takes kindly notice of the sinner's first steps towards him; the father met the prodigal son while yet a great way off. See Jeremiah 31:1820. He surprises souls with looks of kindness preventing them, Isaiah 65:1, as he did Paul, Zacchaeus, and others.
4thly, He is atgreat pains with sinners to bring them to himself for life. He stands and knocks; by convictions, surprising mercies rods, and crosses, he says in effect, "Why will you die?"
MOTIVE 3. You are commanded to come to him, that you may have life; 1 John 3:23, "This is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ." All the gospel invitations are commands; so that it is not left to you whether to come or not; but you are peremptorily enjoined. Consider,
1st, You are creatures owing obedience to the commands of your sovereign Lord; and therefore trample not on his gospel command.
2dly, How highly merciful and reasonable this command is. All God's commandments are most righteous, Psalm 119:128. But behold this is an eminently merciful and reasonable one, that the creature should seek the favor of its Creator; that man should be at peace with God; that the poor sinner should go to the rich Savior, the sick to the Physician, the guilty flee to the city of refuge and live, and the dying soul have recourse to the fountain of life. And all this under the pain of God's displeasure.
3dly, What a mercy it is that there is not a countermand; that when Adam and his offspring fell, God did not forbid them ever to hope for the least grain of mercy; but graciously invites and entreats, yes, and commands them to come and partake of his favor?
4thly, It is such a command, that if it be not obeyed, God has no value for all other obedience, 1 John 3:23, John 6:29.
MOT. 4. You need Christ, and you need life; you have an absolute need of both. Do you not need grace, the favor of God, pardon of sin, the light of his countenance, the influences of his Spirit, the manifestations of his love? Without these you can never be happy, but eternally miserable. O then seek to find Christ, and life in him.
USE. Ult. Hereby you may try whether you have found Christ or not. The soul yet dead in sin has not found him; but where there is spiritual life, Christ is found by that soul. How shall one know whether he be spiritually dead or alive? I will offer but three marks.
MARK 1. Spiritual light, not only let into the conscience, but into the heart, 2 Corinthians 4:6, John 8:12. And that may be known by these two things.
(1.) The discovery it makes. The light of life shows a man his former darkness, making him say, "Once was I blind, but now I see." It discovers sin in its sinfulness, not only as dangerous, but as loathsome and abominable; the sinfulness of heart-sins as well as of life-sins; the first movings of sin, as well as of sin ripened by consent or action; the man's own utter inability to help himself, and the need of Christ both for justification, and sanctification; Christ's preciousness, and perfect suitableness to the sinner's case. This is the discovery made by the light of life, or saving illumination, Luke 15:17, 1 Peter 2:17.
(2.) The efficacy it has on the soul, Matthew 3:11. There are many who have a great deal of light; but it has no more efficacy on them to bring them from sin to holiness, than painted fire has to burn. But the light of life humbles the soul before God; causes grief for sin and hatred of of it, as contrary to God's holy nature and will; a holy despairing of help by ourselves or any other creature; and a betaking one's self to Christ for all, for pardon, and favor with God, for holiness and happiness, Philippians 3:3.
MARK 2. Where there is spiritual life there is spiritual sense and feeling. In spiritual death all the senses of the soul, so to speak, are locked up; and they may be at some times very dull in those who are spiritually alive. But it is evident, that in the quickening of the soul they are restored, and never lost again altogether. The eyes of the soul are opened to see God, Christ, sin, the world, and all things that concern the soul, in other colors than formerly. They hear his voice in his word and in his rod, and they discern it from all others, Canticles 5:2, so that their great business is to answer his call. They have tasted that the Lord is gracious; they have the witness in themselves, that there is something in religion more desirable than all the profits and pleasures of the world, John 5:10. They can say from their experience, that all his garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, Psalm 45:8, that everything about Christ is lovely and desirable. The fullness of grace lodged in him, is savory to them, Canticles 1:3. Their sense of feeling is awakened; the burden of sin they sometime went lightly under, makes them gross now, and long to be rid of it, as ever a poor prisoner was of his chains; Romans 7:24, "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Every limb of that body is a weight to them. And they are sensible of Christ's goings and comings, his hidings and manifestations of himself, and the power of his grace; Psalm 30:7, "Lord, by your favor you have made my mountain to stand strong; you did hide your face, and I was troubled."
MARK 3. Where there is spiritual life, there is a kindly heat and warmth of the same kind. There is a threefold flame kindled in the believer in the day of his being restored to life, though it acts not alike vigorously in all, nor in the same person alike at all times.
(1.) There is a flame of holy desires; Isaiah 26:9. They have longing desires after righteousness, both imputed and implanted; Matthew 5:6, they are set for the one as well as the other. They have ardent desires after communion with God in Christ; Psalm 42:1. Hence the secret cries of the soul, O that I knew where I might find him! O when will you come unto me!
(2.) There is a flame of love to Christ; Romans 5:5. They love him above all persons and things; Luke 14:26. They love his truths, his whole word; his commands, though striking against their corruptions; Romans 7:22, his promises, as the sweetest cordials to a soul fainting under the apprehensions of wrath, or prevailing of corruption; the threatening of his word approving them heartily as most just; Romans 7:12. Their hearts warm to any in whom God's image appears, and that because of that image; 1 John 3:14. They love his ordinances; Psalm 84:1, because they are his institutions, and the appointed means of communion with him.
(3.) There is a flame of zeal for Christ; Psalm 69:9. They are concerned for his honor in the world, the thriving of his kingdom. It vents itself in indignation against sin in themselves and others, because of the dishonor it reflects on Christ; 2 Corinthians 7:11, in endeavoring to be active for God in their station, and grieving for the ills which they cannot help, saying with David, "Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not your law," Psalm 119:136.