THese words are part of the last sweet Sermon , which our Saviour Preached unto his Disciples before his Death and departure from them : wherein he labours to allay their sorrow and grief upon the ●ccasion of his departure : Therefore he tells them 〈◊〉 the second Verse , In my Fathers house are many man●s : and at the third Verse , I go to prepare a place for 〈◊〉 .

Then he tells them at the 16 , 17 , 18 , verses , that 〈◊〉 would send them another Comforter and , I will not leave 〈◊〉 comfortlesse , I will come unto you .

Then he labours to perswade them unto comfort , 〈◊〉 their protestation of their own Love unto him . 〈◊〉 say you love me , saith he , If ye loved me , yo would re●e , because I said , I go unto the Father , for my Father is ●ter than I.

●f ye loved me , that is , If you loved me so much as you should . 'T is usuall with Scripture to speak of thing● absolutely , when they are meant c●mparatively . If you loved me so much as you pro●esse , and so much as you should : for they did love him .

If ye loved me , ye would rejoyce , because I go unto m● Father .

Joy is the top of Comfort , as Comfort is the top o● Peace . Joy is the cream of Comfort . If ye loved me ye would be so far from being troubled at my going that you would be very much comforted : for I g● unto my Father , who is greater than I : Than I am a● Mediatour , who upon my coming to him , will exa● me , and therefore if ye loved me , ye would rathe● rejoyce , because I go un●o my Father , who is great● than I : From whence then I take up this Doctrine .

Doct. That true love unto the Person of Christ , w● make us rejoyce in his Personall Exaltment , thou it may be in some respects unto our debasement , or pr●sent losse .

For the opening and prosecuting whereof ,

1. We must enquire what there is in Christ's g●●ing to the Father , that is matter of our Rejoycing .

2. I shall labour to shew you , that 't is our duty rejoyce in the Personall Exaltment of Christ , tho● in some respects it may be to our own losse and ●basement .

3. That true love to the Person of Christ will 〈◊〉 able us to do this .

4. That 't is possible , that Christ's own , and 〈◊〉 Disciples , may be wanting in their Love to Chri● Person .

5. What an excellent thing it is to love the P●son of Christ , rather than the benefits of Christ : To have our hearts drawn out in Love to his Person , more excellent than to have a love to him upon the account of benefits . And

6. What we should do , that our hearts may be drawn out in love to the very Person of Christ , so as we may be able to rejoyce in his exaltment , though to our own debasement .

First , If you ask what there is in Christ's going to the Father , that is matter of our Rejoycing , of a Disciples rejoycing .

I answer , much every way ; — much in reference to our own concernments , — much in reference to the concernments of Christ , — much in reference to the concernments of God the Father .

As for our own concernments ,

First , If Christ had not gone unto the Father , his ●atisfaction for our sins had not been accepted , nor ●ur Redemption perfected , Heb. 9.12 . Neither by the blood of Goats and Calves , but by his own blood , he entred in once into the holy place , having obtained eternal Redemp●ion for us . It doth relate and allude unto the manner of the Old Testament : when the blood of Goats ●nd Calves was poured out , the Priest took the blood ●nd carried it into the holy of holyest , and sprinkled the mer● Seat : But though the blood of Bulls or Calves had ●een poured out , yet if the Priest had not carried it ●to the holy of holyest , the typicall satisfaction and re●emption had not been obtained : And so here , though ●e blood of Jesus had been shed , and poured out up●n the Crosse , if he had not gone unto the Father , and ●rried his blood into heaven , into the holy of holyest , his ●tisfaction for our sin had not been accepted , and ou●●edemption had not been perfected .

Secondly , If Christ had not gone unto the Father , he had not made the application of his Death , and Blood , and Merits unto our Souls . He came into the world , that we should have Repentance and Remission : both were purchased by his Death : But now if he had not gone unto the Father , there had not been an application . Both were purchased by his Death on earth , — But was the businesse so left at a loose ? no , but by his going to the Father , what he purchased by his Death he doth apply . In Acts 5. it 's said , Him hath God exalte● with his Right hand , to be a Prince and Saviour , for to giv● Repentance unto Israel , and forgivenesse of sins . So that ha● he not gone unto the Father , there had not been a● application of his Blood , and Death , and Merit unt● our souls .

Thirdly , If Christ had not gone unto the Fathe● the Holy Ghost , the Comforter , had not come . If go not away , the Comforter will not come . — But wh● might not the Comforter , or the Holy Ghost , come though Christ had been here on earth , if he had n● gone unto the Father ?

I answer , The gifts , graces , and comforts of th● Holy Ghost , were the Dona Regia , which were give● out upon the Coronation of Christ : for by this goin● to the Father he was crowned with glory and honour , 〈◊〉 in Heb. 2. — When the Holy Ghost comes , he do bear witnesse to our spirits , that we are the childre● of God , and God reconciled to us . But how shou● God give such a testimony of his Reconciliation un● us , if Christ had not first gone into heaven , and give up his accounts of what he had done here on earth . 〈◊〉 is said expresly in John 7. This spake he of the spir● which they that believe on him should receive , for the H● Gh st was not yet given , because that Jesus was not yet glo●fied . And if Jesus Christ had not gone unto the F●ther , and so sent the Spirit , how should we ha● known that he had so much care for us , and love to us , when he was in heaven , as by the sending of the Holy Ghost . We are never more fit for the Holy Ghost , than when we are weaned from the carnall presence of Christ : And therefore if Christ had not gone unto the Father , the Spirit , the Holy Ghost had not come .

Fourthly , If our Lord and Saviour Christ had not gone unto the Father , we should have had no Advocate in heaven to plead our Cause in heaven upon all occasions . 'T is a great matter ( we say ) to have a Friend at Court , an Agent there that may plead for us . What a mercy is it to have an Agent in heaven to negotiate our businesse there ? why now saith the Apostle ; If any man sin , we have an Advocate with the Father , Jesus Christ the Righteous . If Christ had not gone unto the Father , we had not had this Advocate in heaven to plead for us upon all occasions . And

Fifthly , If Christ had not gone unto the Father , we should have no entrance into heaven ; heaven was locked up , the Gates of Paradise were shut , and kept by an Angel with a a flaming sword : This Paradise was opened upon the Crosse , This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise ; and we enter into it by Christ's going into heaven , by his going into the holy of holi●est , I go to prepare a place for you ; not as sent before to take up your Lodgings , but as one Friend goes before another , to make a great entertainment for his Friends . But I say , if Christ had not gone unto the Father , we had had no entrance into heaven . Why now , is it not a matter of Joy , and of great Comfort , that we have entrance into heaven ? — That the Comforter is come , — That we have always one in heaven to plead our Cause upon all occasions : These and many other things we obtain by Christ's going to the Father . This for our own concernment . And

Secondly , As for the concernment of Christ : By his going to the Father , he was exalted , and glorified , ( as Mediatour I speak . )

And if you ask what was the Glory and greatnesse that was put upon Christ , as Mediatour , by his going to the Father . — It consists in two things . — The Royalty of his entertainment , when he came unto his Father , — And the greatnesse of his advancement .

And if yo● ask yet , what was the Entertainment that he had when he came unto the Father .

Why , it was an Entertainment suitable to such a Father , — and to such a Son . When that great Sinner , the Prodigall , returned unto his Father , his Father fell upon his neck , and kissed him . Bring out the Robes , kill the Fatted Calf , , bring out the Ring : And if such an entertainment for a Prodigall Son , what entertainment then for the Naturall Son of God , the obedient Son of God , that had been upon his Father's great concernment in the world ? Great was this Entertainment surely , beyond all my expression . But now more particularly .

1. No sooner did he come into heaven unto his Father , but he was Justified in all that which he did and suffered for us , as you have it in the 1 Tim. 3.16 . God was manifest in the flesh , Justified in the Spirit , seen of Angels , preached unto the Gentiles , believed on in the world , received up into glory .

2. No sooner did he come unto the Father , but he was mightily declared to be the Son of God , as you have it in Rom. 1. Thou art my Son , this day , ( that is , upon the Resurrection ) this day have I begotten thee . The Apostle explains it concerning the Resurrection in Acts 13.

3. No sooner did he come unto the Father , but he was annointed with a new and fresh Annointing , with the oyle of gladnesse above all his fellows : For as David ( the Type ) had a double Annointing , one by the hand of Samuel , after which he was thrust out into the Wildernesse , and another at the day of his Coronation , so Christ Typified had a double Annointing , one upon his Incarnation , in which respects he saith , The Spirit of the Lord is upon me , and he hath annointed me to preach , — and another upon his Coronation , when he was crowned with Glory and honour . And therefore in Heb. 1. he is annointed twith the oyle of gladnesse above his fellows , comes in upon his exaltation . And

4. No sooner did he come into the presence of his Father , but his Father said unto him , Sit thou down at my Right hand ; the most honourable place in heaven , sit thou at my Right hand , my Son . — Why now is it not a matter of great rejoycing to us , that Christ going to heaven with our names upon his shoulder , and heart , should have such an entertainment as this , such a welcome as this unto God the Father ?

But 2ly . What advancement had he upon his going to the Father ?

Why , great was his advancement as Mediatour .

For 1. No sooner did he come unto the Father , but he was Invested with all that glory that he had with God the Father from all Eternity , which he had laid by and vailed , when he took our nature upon him : and therefore in Joh. 17. saith he , And now , oh Father , glorifie thou me with thy self , with the glory which I had with thee before the world was . No sooner did he come into heaven unto his Father , but he was invested with that glory again , that he had vailed to take our nature upon him .

2. No sooner did he come into the presence of his Father , into heaven , but God commanded all the Angels to worship him : Worship him all ye Angels .

3. No sooner did he come into the presence o● his Father , to heaven , but he was made Executor and Administrator to his own Will , to see that performed . We die , and leave Legacies , but cannot Administer our selves , nor be the Executors of our own Wills : but Christ lives for ever . I was dead , but am alive ; and when he came into heaven , God the Father made him Executor to his own Will , and therefore saith he ; Ask the Father in my Name , and whatever ye ask , that will I give you . Him hath God the Father Exalted to give remission and repentance , Executor of his own Will and Testament .

4. No sooner did he come into heaven , into the presence of his Father , but he was made the grea● Governour of all the world , and Head of the Church . In Acts 5. Him hath God exalted with his right hand , to be a Prince and Saviour : Lord over all the world , and Saviour of the Church . Agreable to that in Ephes. 1.20 . which he wrought in Christ , when he raise● him from the Dead , and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places , Far above all principalitie● and powers , and might and d●minion , and every name tha● is named , not onely in this world , but also in that which is t● come . And hath put all things under his feet , and gav● him to be head over all things to the Church , which is his body . Prince and Saviour , Lord over all the world , and Saviour and Head unto the Church .

5. And to say no more in it : No sooner did he come into the presence of God his Father , ( that is greater than he , as Mediatour ) but God the Father did take him into fellowship in the matter of divine worship . Whether I or no , Chr●st qua Mediatour , or quia Mediatour , be to be adored with divine worship , I will not now debate ; but whatsoever worship was due to God the Father , was given to Christ . Confounded ●he all they that worship graven Images , worship him all ye gods . All divine worship due to God the Father , is given to him . Here 's an advancement . Now is it not a matter of great rejoycing , that Christ our Head should be thus advanced ? Saith the Emperour's Wife , If thou be Caius , I am Caia ; — and , If Christ be King , the Church is Queen , Psal. 45. Is it not , I say , a matter of great rejoycing , that Christ our Head should be thus advanced ? Now thus he is advanced by his going to God the Father . Thus for the Son's concernment . But

Thirdly , What matter is there of rejoycing by Christ's going to the Father , in reference to the Father's concernment ?

Much ; saith Christ in John 14.13 . Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name , that will I do , that the Father may be glorified in the Son . That will I do ; I am now going from you , and if ye ask the Father in my name , that will I do , — why ? not that the Son may be glorified onely , but that the Father may be glorified .

Look when the great Promise of the Father is fulfilled , then is the Father glorified . What 's the great Promise of the Father ? Acts 1. The coming of the Holy Ghost . By Christ's going to the Father comes the Holy Ghost : Therein was the Father glorified then .

And look , when Every tongue shall confesse that Jesus is the Lord , to the glory of the Father , then is the Father glorified . Now by Christ's going to the Father , being exalted , every tongue doth confesse , that Jesus is the Lord , to the glory of the Father , as in Philip. 2.

And to say no more in it but this : Look , when the great d●sign of God upon the world is accomplished , and Christ the Son glorified , then is the Father glorified . Now by Christ's going to the Father the great design of God is accomplished , and the So● glorified . Thus we have cause of rejoycing in reference to the concernment of God the Father : Loo● where you will , — will you look upon your ow● concernment , — will you look upon the concernment of Christ , — will you look upon the concernment of God the Father , there is matter of our rejoycing in Christ's going to the Father . And so have done with the first thing . But then

Secondly , How may it appear , that it is our wor● and duty , to rejoyce in the Personall Exaltment o● Christ , though in some respect it should be to ou● own debasement , or present losse ?

Why you see what our Saviour saith here , If ye loved me , ye would rejoyce , because I go unto the Father , wh● is greater than I. You lose by my going you think ; and indeed in some respects you do . But however it is your duty to rejoyce , because it is for my Personall Exaltment : And you know what Paul saith in another case . Some Preach Christ out of envy , and out of contention , and to adde affliction to my bonds ; but however , saith he , Christ is preached , Christ is exalted , and therein I will rejoyce : I will rejoyce , though I be debased , so Christ may be exalted , I rejoyce .

If that we are to Praise God for the Exaltment of Christ , then we are to rejoyce therein ; for Praise and Rejoycing go together in Scripture . Now , though I cannot praise God , and be thankfull that God loves me , I may praise God for this , that the Father loves Christ , and be thankfull for his love and his goodnesse to Christ . Christ praised God for our glory and happinesse , though to his own debasement , why should not we praise God for his Exaltment , though it be to our debasement ?

If I am to mourn for sin , because it is a dishonour to God , though the sin be to my own profit , then I am to praise God and Christ for his Glory , though it may be in some respects to my prejudice .

B●t besides this , the more Communicative any good is , the more we may , and should rejoyce therein . There is abundance of light in the Sun , but if the Sun be not up , and ascended , it cannot give light unto all the world : So now , though there be light in Christ , able to enlighten all the world , yet if this Sun be not up , he cannot give light to all the world : but being now Ascended , he is able to give forth his beams of light unto all the world .

But you will say ; How may it appear , that Christ will be as gracious and communicative in his love unto us now in heaven , as he would have been had he been here on earth .

You know what he said when he was here on earth , And let him that is athirst come . John 7.37 . In the last day , the great day of the Feast , Jesus stood and cryed , saying ; If any man thirst , let him come unto me , and drink . — Now he is in heaven , look into the Book of the Revelation , which he speaks from heaven , he speaks more than that , And let him that is athirst come , there 's that , And whosoever will , let him take of the water of life freely , here 's more now he is in heaven .

And I pray , when did our Lord and Saviour Christ , wash his Disciples feet ? Give the glorious testimony of his condescending love unto his D●sciples , 〈◊〉 when he was going to the Father ? Jesus knowing 〈◊〉 that the Father had given all things into his hands , and that he was come from God , and went to God : he arose from Supper , and laid aside his Garments , and took a Towel and girded himself . Knowing that all power was given into his hand , he gives that reason : He did thus condescend in this way of love , knowing that all power was given into his hand .

Now that he is in heaven , all power is given into his hand , and therefore now certainly he will be as gracious , and communicative in his love and goodnesse , as if he had been here on earth ; and rather over and above . Surely therefore it is our work and our duty , to rejoyce in this Exaltment of Christ , though in some respects it may be to our debasement , or present losse . But then

Thirdly , How shall we do this ?

Why , true love to the Person of Christ will enable us to do this : It will enable us to rejoyce in the Personall Exaltment of Christ , though it may be to our own present losse and abasement . — It is a sweet thing to the Lover , to suffer for the Person loved : that is , where love fixt upon the Person , and not upon the benefits , If love be fixt upon the benefit , it is not so , but if upon the person , it is so : So if our love be fixt upon the Person of Christ , this love will enable us to rejoyce in the Exaltment of Christ , though it be in our own debasement : Christ rejoyced in our Exaltment , though it was to his own debasement , — why ? because he loved our persons , who loved us , and gave himself for us , So that true love unto the Person of Christ , will make us rejoyce in his Exaltment , though it may be to our own present debasement ,

You will say then , How few are there , that do love Christ indeed : Chr●st is hard●y loved for Christ : Christ himself is hardly l●ved f●r himself : To love the Person of Christ , how few are there that do that . And so I come unto the fourth thing .

Fourthly , 'T is possible that Christ's own Disciples may be wanting in their love to Christ's Person . T is somewhat strange this : If a Prince or Noble-man should take a poor woman , a Beggar off the Dunghill , and marry her , it would be somewhat strange , that she should not love his Person . If he should not love her , you would not think it so strange : If Boaz should not love Ruth , you would not have thought it so strange , but that Ruth should not love the Person of Boaz , this may seem strange : So now , such beggars were we , when the Lord came and took us off the Dunghill , and said , Now is a time of love . If the Lord Jesus should not love our persons , it would not seem so strange ; but that we should be wanting in our love to the Person of Christ , this is strange : — yea Friends , 't is possible that Christ's own Disciples may be wanting in their love to the Person of Christ .

They may be wanting in the manner of their love to Christ's Person .

They may be wanting in the measure of their love to Christ's Person .

If ye loved me , saith he , and yet they left all to follow him : possibly then , the best Disciples of Christ , the best men may be wanting in their love to the Person of Christ . To make this out a little to you .

1. First of all , The more we love the Person of Christ , the more diligent and observant we shall be in keeping Christ's Commandments , that are properly his . If ye love me , keep my Commandments . Why now , how many are there of God's own people , that are too negligent in keeping Christ's Commandments ; the Commandment of Love , — the Institutions of Christ : and why so , but because they are wanting in their love to the Person of Christ , If ye love me , keep my Commandments .

2. If a good man may be wanting in his zeal for for Christ , possibly he may be wanting in his Love t● Christ's Person : what is zeal , but fired love , inflam● love , angered love ? Now possibly a man that love Christ in truth , may be wanting in his zeal . Old E● loved God , without all doubt , and yet he was wanting in his love to God . Peter loved Christ , Thou knowest that I love thee , and yet wanting in his love by denying of Christ . Good men may be wanting in thei● zeal for Christ ; why ? but because they are wanting in their love to the Person of Christ .

3. The more a man loves the Person of Christ , th● more he doth love the Servants , the people of Christ It was a good speech of Jerom , when there was 〈◊〉 difference between Austin and him : I love Chri●● dwelling in Austin : even at that very time when there was a difference betwen them . And certainly if we love the Person of Christ , we shall love Christ dwelling in the Saints . But now don 't we find by wofull experience , that even in good people , their love to the Saints is wanting ? why ? but because their love to the Person of Christ is wanting .

4. The more a man doth love the Person of Christ , the more he will be speaking and thinking of him : Love is busied and exercised in thoughtfulnesse about the person loved ; and in speech . If a man love a Person or Thing , he will be thinking much on 't , and speaking much on 't . But now by our experience , cannot we go a whole day together , and have no thought of Christ ? Don't we sit down at our meals frequently , and not one word of Christ ? Good Conference , where art thou ? Good and holy Conference , where art ? Come to Professors Tables , one Dish after another , one Cup of Wine after another , but nothing of Christ . It 's gone , it 's gone : what 's the reason , but because we are wanting in our love to the Person of Christ ? Certainly , if we were not wanting in our love to the Person of Christ , we would be thinking more of him , and speaking more of him .

5. The more we love the Person of Christ , the more we shall desire to be dissolved , that we may be with him in the enjoyments of himself , and those heavenly embracements . I desire to be dissolved , ( saith S. Paul ) why ? and to be with Christ , to have the Person of Christ : But how many good people are there that cannot desire to be dissolved ; — why ? because there is a want in their love to the Person of Christ-Possibly then you see , by all these things , 't is possible that a good man , Christ's own and best Disciples , may be wanting in their love to the Person of Christ . But

Fifthly , You will say , Suppose that my heart be not drawn out in love to the Person of Christ , but my love is rather fixt upon Christ's benefits , spirituall benefits : Is not that good ? is it not good that I should have love for Christ in reference unto the benefits that I have from him .

Good ? yes . I sate down under his shadow with great delight , saith the Spouse , and his fruit was sweet unto my taste : Fruit ; that is the Fruit of Justification , the Fruit of Sanctification , of Consolation , and his fruit was sweet unto my taste . 'T is good , without all doubt , that our hearts should be drawn out to Christ , by occcasion even of his benefits .

But I pray don't mistake me : I grant therefore ,

1. It is good , and a lawfull thing to love Christ in reference to his benefits . But

2. 'T is our duty to love Christ's Person , to have our hearts drawn out with love to the very Person of Christ . But

3. The excellency of Christ's Person is not the object of my Faith , but Christ crucified . But

4. Though Christ crucified be the object of my Faith , yet the Personall Excellencies of Christ are the object of my Love . Yea , it is a more excellent thing yet to love the Person of Christ , than the benefits of Christ . A more excellent thing , to have my heart drawn out in love to the Person of Christ , than to have my heart drawn out in love to him for his benefits .

But you will say , Wherein doth our love to the very Person of Christ exceed , or excell our love upon the account of benefits , though spirituall ? Many ways .

First of all , If your hearts de drawn out in love to the very Person of Christ , by your loving him you make him your own . 'T is not so in other loves : By my loving Gold , I don't make it my own ; by my loving Silver , I don't make it my own ; but by loving his Person , I make him my own . 'T is not so in regard of benefits : By my loving the benefits of Christ , the comforts from Christ , I don't make Christ my own , but by my love unto the Person of Christ , I make Christ my own .

2. The lesse of Self in your love to Christ , the more pure and clean it is , and so the better . Now if your heart be drawn out in love to the benefits of Christ , your love is more selfish , you love him in reference unto your selves ; because you have such enjoyments , and such benefits . But if your hearts be drawn out in love to the Person of Christ , your love is lesse selfish ; so the more pure , the more holy and clean .

3. If your heart be drawn out unto Christ himself , and the Person of Christ , you will more readily accept of any thing fr●m Christ , though it be never so small ; yea , though it be afflictive . If that your love be placed and founded upon the benefits of Christ , then you will not so easily and readily accept of any thing from Christ , especially if afflictive . True love interprets all things in the best sense ; that is , love to the ●erson , but love to the benefit don't . Love the Per●on of Christ , and you will interpret every dispensation ●n a good sense , for you love his Person , but Love to the benefit will not do so .

4. If your love be drawn out in love to the very Person of Christ , then you will sympathize with Christ in all his Concernments of the Gospel , whether matter of joy , or matter of grief . If your love be ●ounded upon Christ's benefits , you will not sympa●hize with him so , but love his Person , and you will ●ympathize with him in all his Concernments .

5. If your hearts be drawn out in Love to the very Person of Christ , then you will abound therein : The ●nely measure of love , is to know no measure , that is , ●here the Person is loved : But if love be placed upon ●he benefit , it knows stints , and limits , and measures . ●ut if your heart be drawn out in love to the very Person of Christ , you will be abundant therein , and ●ou will never think you can love enough .

6. If your heart be drawn out in love to the very Person of Christ , then you will long after the presence of Christ , and you will be afflicted for his absence . Love Christ ●pon the account of benefits , and it will not be so ; but love Christ upon the account of his Person , and then it will be so . You will long after his presence , and you will be afflicted for his absence .

7. The more your heart is drawn out in love to Christ , and the Person of Christ , the more you will love the Seed of Christ , the Posterity of Christ , ●he Children , and the People of Christ . David loved ●onathan's seed , why ? for he loved his Person , not his benefits : so , love but the Person of Christ , an● then you will shew kindnesse to the Seed of Christ , an● be more loving to the Seed of Christ .

8. The more your heart is drawn out to the ver● Person of Christ , the more will your love continue That 's perpetuall that hath a perpetuating Cause : Th● Personall Excellency of Christ is a perpetuall Caus● of love , but the benefit that doth come from Christ 〈◊〉 not so . Let the benefit be never so great , if your lov● be founded upon the benefit that doth come fro● Christ , as the benefit dies , your love will die ; but your love be founded upon the very Person of Chris● and drawn out to the Person of Christ , then will yo● love continue and never die .

9. Lastly , as to this : If your heart be drawn o● in love to the very Person of Christ , to Christ himself , then you have gained the heart of God the Father f● ever . Look into John 16. saith Christ at the 27. ve● For the Father himself loveth you , because ye have lov● me . Not because ye have loved my benefits , but b●cause ye have loved me ; ye have gotten the heart my Father , saith he . Therefore doth my Father lo● you , because ye have loved me , because ye love 〈◊〉 Person . Now is it not a blessed thing , Friends , 〈◊〉 have the heart of God the Father ? Why , if your heart 〈◊〉 drawn out in love to the very Person of Christ , y● have gained the heart of the Father for ever . 〈◊〉 and the Father loves you , and the Son loves you , a● they will come and make their abode with you . Oh wha● blessed thing is it then , for to have ones heart dra● out in love to the very Person of Christ ! Certai● it is infinitely better to have ones heart drawn out love to the Person of Christ , than to have a love Christ upon the account of benefits , although the b●nefits be spirituall benefits .