up his head, and behold Christ, the Son of God, anointed a prophet, to preach salvation and liberty to such, a priest, to purchase it, and a king, to give it.

Yes, truly: being extended on

Now, the pouring out of his name is divers. Before the coming of the Messiah, his name was poured out in prophecies and promises, in types and legal ceremonies; but more fully when the Word was made flesh. Then angels, and holy men, yea, and women, spake clearly of him. What was his Father's voice at his baptism, the Holy Ghost's descending, what was his own preaching, and miracles, and conversation, but all the pouring forth of his precious name? And in his sufferings and death, what think you? Was not his name then poured forth, yea, his blood with it? the cross, and his body pierced in divers places, his precious ointments were shed abroad towards all the quarters of the world: their smell reached both Heaven and the visible earth. God the Father, as He was said to do in Noah's sacrifice, did much more smell in his sacrifice, a savour of rest, appeasing his wrath; and all believers a savour of peace, a quieting of their consciences. And as aromatic spices, when they are pounded out and beaten, send forth their sweet smells most liberally, so, in these his sufferings, did the obedience, patience, and love, and all the graces, and the name of our Saviour, most clearly manifest themselves to the world. After he was dead, they embalmed his body, but they knew not that his own virtue would do more than all the ointments and spices in the world could do, not only by preserving his body from corruption, but by raising it the third day. And truly, after his resurrection, his own disciples knew his name better than ever before; and yet more fully after his ascension, when the Holy Ghost came down upon them; which was poured from Heaven on them for this very end, that they might pour forth Christ's name to the ends of the earth. Acts ii. 8. And they did so, carrying this precious treasure in earthen vessels, as that elect vessel St. Paul speaks, 1 Cor. iv. 7. And ever since, God hath continued the pouring forth of his name, by the ministry

and preaching of the Gospel. It is true, there are too many of those that are employed in this work, who seek themselves, and their own ends, rather than His glory whom they preach. And they that are more upright, the very best of them are sinful men. But how mean and unworthy soever they be, despise not the Gospel. Let the sweet name which they pour forth, prevail for itself, that so you may reverence and love it, if you would have salvation by it; and there is no other name under. heaven, by which that can be obtained.

As this name is poured forth in the gospel preached, so, in the sacraments annexed to it; and particularly in this, when the bread is broken, and the wine poured out. And was not this the earnest desire of the receivers of it this day,-it should have been,-to have our share in it, for the refreshment and curing of our souls? Nor shall any that came thus, be disappointed. And if not immediately, yet, most certainly, and that in due time, they shall find the sweet fruits of it.

You have heard many ways how the name of Christ is poured out, yet there is one more, without which all the rest are ineffectual; it is this, the secret and powerful working of the Spirit of God in the soul. The ordinances and means of salvation do indeed pour forth the name of Christ round about a man, but till the Spirit concur with them, not one drop falls within the soul. And is he not so much the more miserable, who hears much of Christ, and partakes nothing of him? Yes, surely. A man may have much common knowledge of Christ, and may understand well, yea, may preach well, concerning his worth and graces, and yet, not love Him. But there is a particular knowledge of Him by the infusion of the Spirit, and where the smallest measure of this is, it presently wins the affection. There is a shedding abroad of the love of God in our hearts, that the Apostle speaks of, Rom. v. 5; and this draws us after Him; for our love to God is nothing else but the reflection of His love to us. So then, though many hear of Christ, yet, because there are but few that have this special knowledge of him, therefore it is, that so few do truly esteem

him and love him; and they are such as are here called Virgins: and that is the third thing.

III. The correspondence in the character of those who love Christ: The Virgins. Similitude and conformity of nature, begets friendship: pure affections delight in a pure object, and it makes them such. For the truth is, Christ doth not find men naturally suitable to himself, but as he took on our nature, so he washeth away the sinfulness of our nature, which he took not on, and makes us that way conformable to his nature. And they who are so changed, though they were formerly lovers of sin, yet, by conversion, which is called regeneration, they are born again, and so become not only chaste, but even virgins, spiritually. For by virgins, here, are not meant such as Romish votaries fancy them to be: no, this virginity may well consist with any lawful state of life.

These virgins are such as be truly holy and pure in heart and life, who, though they are not perfectly free from all sin, yet have affection to no sin. These are singularly delighted with the smell of Christ's name and graces, while the voluptuous person, and the profane worldling, dislike and despise it! Balsama sic suibus, sic male nardus olent. The virgins, they bestow their affection whole and entire upon Christ.

How grossly do you delude yourselves, who make your hearts dens of pride, filthy lust, malice and envy, and thousands of vanities, and yet think to find a corner in them to lodge Christ too! Truly, you would both straiten him in room, and give him very bad neighbours. No; they that think not a whole heart too little for him, shall never enjoy him.

The Virgins love thee.] Grace destroys not the natural passions of the soul, but corrects them only, by destroying their corruption, and so they become not merely not contrary to grace, but are made the subject and seat of grace. This of love, which is the chief of them, we see, it abolisheth not, but rectifies it, recalling it to its due object, and turning it into the right channel, by which it may empty itself into the ocean of goodness.

And this love may well consist with the purity of virgins; yea, it is this love that purifies and makes them such. The Virgins love-But whom? Thee. And it is as reasonable a love as it is pure; Therefore they love Thee, because thou hast made them in some measure apprehensive of thy worth, which commands the love of all that know it; not a cold and indifferent affection, but a superlative, ardent love, far overtopping all their other desires. And with good reason, since Christ doth infinitely, and beyond all comparison, surpass all other things desirable. Ask your own hearts, if you love Christ thus; for if not thus, you love him not at all. The Apostle St. Paul's love was of this size. Phil. iii. 7, 8. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ; yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ. This love will not only undergo difficulties and sufferings for Christ without either repining or fainting, but it will even be glad to meet with them, as opportunity is, to exercise and testify itself. Hard things will seem most easy for his sake, and bitter things exceeding sweet. In a word, to him that loves, scarce any thing is impossible. Love is the leading passion of the soul: all the rest conform themselves to it, desire, and hope, and fear, and joy, and sorrow.

If, then, you love Christ, the desires and breathings of your soul after him, are strong and earnest. If he withdraw himself, or appear angry, if either you see him not, or see him look discontented, your grief will be so deep that it cannot be allayed by any worldly employments. Yet, upon some former tokens of his love, which is known to be unchangeable, hope will uphold the soul, till the beams of his grace scatter the cloud, and break through. Though our Joseph seem strange, and speak roughly for awhile, he cannot long refrain discovering his affection.

Again, love you him, unspeakable will be your joy when he smiles upon you. As great will be your delight in possession,

as your desire is in pursuit; and while you have his presence, it will be too hard a task for any affliction to dismay you. Have you indeed heard Christ speak comfortably to you this day at his holy table? How will this enable the soul, and arm it against dangers and distracting, distrustful fears! Perfect love casteth out fear, saith St. John: 1 John iv. 18: that is, all base and servile fear; but there is one fear that is in no heart but where love begets it, fear to offend. You know how wary and loth men are naturally to displease those they love; therefore it is, that love to Christ, and a careful observing of his commandments, are inseparable companions. Yea, love itself is the fulfilling of the law, for it gives up the heart to God, and consequently the whole man. Then there is no return of duty which your receiving of Christ calls for, (and what doth it not call for?) there is none, I say, but is comprised under this one of love. Do you owe him praises? Yes, surely. Then love him; that will stir you up to praise him. You never knew, but where much love was in the heart, it made the tongue ready and active upon all occasions to praise the party loved. Love will entertain small courtesies with great thanks; much more where the benefit so far exceeds all possible thankfulness. Ought you to serve and obey him? Doubtless he hath for that purpose redeemed you with his precious blood. And truly there is no obedience or service so full and so cheerful, as that which flows from love. Should you study conformity to Christ, and labour to be like him? Yes, for this is to walk worthy of Christ. Then there is nothing assimilates so much as love. Men delight in their society whom they love, and by their society they do insensibly contract their customs, and become like them. These Virgins who love Christ for his graces, they love to converse with him, and by conversing with him, they receive of his graces, and have a smell of his perfumes. Not only do they, by the smell of his garments, or such imposed rites, obtain the blessing, but they likewise smell like him by the participation of sanctifying grace, of his wisdom and holiness, in a pure and godly conVOL. III.