Proverbs 8:35 For whoever finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD. I. THE ORDINANCES ARE THE PLACE WHERE CHRIST IS TO BE FOUND OF POOR SINNERS . 1. What are the ordinances? The Divine ordinance of meditation. Christian conference about spiritual matters. Singing of the Lord's praises. Prayer. The Word. Baptism and the Lord's Supper. 2. Confirm this doctrine. The ordinances are by Christ's own appointment the trysting-places wherein He has promised to be found of those that seek Him. Trysting-places for sinners, where they may be convinced, converted, and regenerated. Trysting-places for saints, where they may receive life more abundantly. They are the places wherein His people seek Him, who know best where He is to be found. They are what the Lord has allowed His people to supply the want of heaven, until they come there. 3. Apply this doctrine. It reproves those who slight attendance on ordinances; those who come to meet some they have worldly business with; who come, but not to find Christ there; who stand in the way of others attending on ordinances. It urges to seek Christ in ordinances. He is well worth the seeking. II. PEOPLE MAY COME TO ORDINANCES AND NOT FIND CHRIST. 1. Reasons on the sinner's side. Some have no design of finding Christ in ordinances at all. Many are indifferent whether they find Christ or not. Some desire not to see Him at all. Some cannot wait patiently at the gates. 2. Improve this point. Seek Him sincerely and uprightly with all your heart. Seek Him honestly and generously for Himself. Seek Him fervently, humbly, diligently, mournfully. Seek Him till you find. III. THEN DO PEOPLE FIND CHRIST WHEN, UPON A SAVING DISCOVERY OF CHRIST MADE TO THEIR SOULS, THEY CLOSE WITH HIM BY FAITH. 1. Things in general touching the finding of Christ. There is a twofold finding of Him, initial and progressive. The immediate effect of the former is union, of the other actual communion with Christ. Some things to be observed. Sinners in their natural state have lost God. Man is a seeking creature. There is no satisfying of the soul till it come to God. God is in Christ, and is to be found in Him only. 2. More particularly explain the soul's finding Christ. The soul savingly discovers and discerns Jesus Christ by a new light let into it. There is a twofold discovery of Him in the gospel, objective and subjective. There are six things the soul sees in Christ: A transcendent excellency. A fulness for the supply of all wants. A suitableness to meet his case and to glorify God. The Wisdom of God in Him. An ability to save. Willingness to save. Upon this discovery of Christ made unto and by the soul, the soul closes with Christ by faith. Such a discovery is not made to the soul till it be hunger-bitten. The nature of the object discovered speaks for itself. And the discovery is always attended with a heart-conquering power. IV. SINNERS FINDING CHRIST FIND LIFE. 1. Unfold that life which sinners find. It is a life of grace, in regeneration. A life of favour with God. A life of new obedience. A life of comfort. And eternal life. 2. What are the qualities of this life? It is a Divine life. A life of the whole man. A pleasant life. A persevering life. A growing life. 3. Confirm this doctrine. The sinner finding Christ finds all things necessary to make him happy. 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." (T. Boston, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.WEB: For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh. |
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