3. Our own Salvation, 1 Cor. ix. 27.. 2 S. Joh. 8. Phil. iii. 14.

3. Why muft our Obedience to Chrift's Commands, always attend our Love to His Perfon? 1. Because there can be no Love to Him, without an Endeavour to please Him, I Theff. iv. 1.

2. There is no Way, whereby we can exprefs our Love to Him, but by keeping His Commands, 1 S. Joh. V. 3.

Us E.

Then keep the Commands; for which end, confider,

1. How much Christ hath done for you, Rom. xii. 1.

2. The End of His Coming was to make us Holy, Act. iii. 26.

3. Who it is you offend by Sin? or whofe Laws they are? Mal. i. 6.

4. That, not GOD, but you have the Benefit of your Obedience, Job xxii. 2. and xxxv. 7. 5. How often you are call'd upon to obey, Tit.

ii. 12.

6. The Mifery of fuch as do not obey, Rom. vi. 16.

7. The Torments provided for them, 2 Theff.

i. 8.

8. The Promise made to the Obedient, 1 Tim. iv. 8,

9. Without Obedience we have no true Faith, S. Jam. ii. 26.

10. Nor true Love to Chrift, and by confe quence, are no true Christians, S. Joh. XV. 14.

S. Jo Ho

I.

S. JOH. XV. 4.

Abide in Me, and I in you.

Here is,

N Exhortation or Command; Abide in me.

Awhat is it to abide in Christ?

1. Chrift is, the true Vine.

1. Small in outward Appearance, Isa. liii. 3. 2. Spending itself for others.

3. Refreshing the Hearts of People, Pfal. civ. 15.

4. Trod in the Wine-prefs of GOD's Anger, Ifa. Ixiii. 2, 3.

The Root and Stock from whence all Influence comes into the Branches, S. Joh.

XV. 5.

2.The Father is the Husbandman,

1. Who planted this Vine, even appointed
Chrift for our Saviour, Att. ii. 23.
2. Engrafts the Branches, S. Joh. vi. 44. Rom.
xi. 23. dr

3. Prunes and purges them, Ifa. v. I, 2. S.Joh.

XV. 2.

3. All Professors are Branches of this Vine. 1. As having no Subfiftence in themselves, but only in the Stock, Chrift Jefus. 2. And therefore, it is as neceffary for them to be united to Him, as it is for Branches to be in the Tree, S. Joh. xv. 5. 4. All these Branches are not of one Sort, for fome are in Him,

1. Only by external Profession, and bear no Fruit, S. Joh. xv. 2,

2. Others

2. Others by real Union, bearing Fruit, Verses 2, 5.

This Union to Chrift is,

1. Spiritual, Ephef. v. 32.

2. Real, S. Joh. xv. 1. and 6.

55.

3. Immediate, Att. ix. 4. 1 Cor. xii. 12.
4. Neceflary, Phil. iii. 8, 9.-
5. Effectual, S. Joh. xv. 2.

5. Believers fhould abide in Chrift.
Reasons,

1. Because of the neceffary Dependence of our Fruitfulness, upon our abiding in Chrift; for we can bear no Fruit without Him, ver. 4.

1. We can do nothing accceptable with-
out Him, Prov. xv. 8. because,

2. We can do nothing, in itself Good,
without Him, S. Joh. vi. 44. 2 Cor.
iii. 5. Phil. ii. 13.
For without Him,

1. Our Understandings are dark, Ephef.
v. 8. 1 Cor. ii. 14.

2. Our Wills perverse, Rom. i. 24. Fer. xvii. 9.

But in Him we may abound in Fruit, ver. 5. becaufe if we be in Him, His Spirit will diffuse itself into us;

1. Clearing our Apprehensions, Ephef.

v. 8.

2. Reforming our Judgments, Ifa. v.

20.

3. Awakening our Confciences, Alt,
xxiv. 16.

4. Cleanfing our Hearts, A&t. xv. 9.
5. Rectifying our Wills, Pfal. cxix. 36.
6. Ordering our Affections, Coloss. iii. 2.
1. Fear,

1. Fear, Prov. xxiii. 17.
2. Love, S. Matt. xxii. 37.
3. Grief, 2 Cor. vii, 19.
4. Joy, Phil. iv. 4.

5. Truft, Prov. iii. 5, 26.

7. Regulating our Lives and Actions; Pfal. 1. 23.

So as,

1. They be grounded on GOD's Word, Ifa. i. 12.

2. Directed to His Glory, 1 Cor. x. 31. 2. Reason.

If we abide not in Him, we fhall be caft out, ver. 6. for, without abiding in Christ,

1. Our Sins cannot be pardon'd, Ephef. i. 7.

2. Nor our Lufts fubdu'd, S. Matt. i. 21. 3. Nor GOD's Wrath appeas'd, I S. Joh. ii. 1:

3. Reason.

If we do abide in Him, our Prayers fhall be granted; for,

1. He will give us His Spirit to direct us what we should pray for, Rom. viii. 26, 27: S. Joha xvi. 26.

2. In Him we are interested in the Promifes, 2 Cor. i. 20.

3. He will make Interceffion for us, Hebr. vii. 25. S. Joh. XV. 26, 27.

USE S

i. Examine whether you be in Christ. If you be in Him,

1. You must needs believe, Ephef. iii. 17.

2.

love Him, S. Luk. xiv. 26.

3.

4.

You must needs prize Him above all o ther Things, Phil. iii. 8, 9.

be new Creatures, 2 Cor. v. 17. walk according to His Laws, Rom.. viii. 1. S. Joh. xiv. 15. 1 S. Joh. v. 3. 2. Exhortation; Abide in Chrift.

1. The Means thereunto;

1. Reading of His Word, S. Joh. xv. 7. 2. Hearing it, Rom. x. 17.

3. Praying to Him, S. Jam. i. 5. S. Matt. vii. 7.

4. Receiving His Sacraments.

5. Meditation on Him, Coloff. iii. 1,2. Phil,
iii. 20.

1. His Perfon, 1 Tim. ii. 5.
2. His Actions, At. x. 38.
3. His Paffion, Ifa. liii. 5.
4. His Merit, Act. xx. 18.

5. His Interceffion, Hebr. vii. 25.

2. The Motives; If you abide in Him;
1. Your Sins fhall be pardon'd, Isa. liii.

6, II.

2. There fhall be no Condemnation to you, Rom. viii. 1.

3. He will adorn your Souls with all His Graces, Hebr. i. 9.

4.

keep you from Temptations, or ftrengthen you under them, S. Luk. xxii. 31, 32.

5. If you abide in Him now, you shall abide with Him for ever, S. Joh. xvii, 24

6. If

you

you.

abide in Him, He will abide in Which is,

II. The Promife, or Encouragement. Abide in me, and I will abide in you.

How