Reason 1. Because our salvation depends upon that union which we have with Christ: whence it is also, that we are said to come unto Christ, that we may have life, Iohn 5.40. 2. Because by nature we are strangers and far remote from Christ, and salvation obtained by him, yea and after that we are called unto Christ, we are not so perfectly conjoyned. 3. Because all Christian piety is nothing else, but a continuation and renovation of this accesse unto Christ, and by Christ unto God. In the hearing of the word we come unto Christ, as our Teacher; in our prayers we come unto him as our advocate; in the administration of the Lords Supper we come unto him as the Authour of a Kingly mariage feast, Mat. 22. And all other duties do so depend upon these, that looke how we approve our selves in these, such must we needs be in the others also. 4. Because Christ cals and invites us especially unto this, to come unto him, Matth. 11.28. John 7.37. Vse 1. This may serve to convince all those of death and of sinne, that have either no knowledge of Christ at all, or doe not endeavour according to that knowledge which they have, to come unto him, and partake of his grace. 2. To refute the Papists and such like, that draw men away from Christ to the holy Angels, to the Pope, and to themselves. 3. To exhort us, alwayes to set Christ before us, as our marke and scope, Phil. 3.8. &c. Doct. 13. We must come unto Christ as unto a living stone:
This is gathered from Verse 4. Now Christ is called a stone for that firme power, whereby he doth sustaine and beare up the edifice of the whole Church, Zach. 4.7. And he is called, a living stone, because that power whereby he doth beare up the Church is quickning, and communicates spirituall and eternall life to the whole edifice, John 5.26.
Reason 1. Because by sinne we were bereft of all life both the principle and foundation of life, nor can it be restored unto us any other way but in Christ.
2. Because unlesse we come unto Christ under this relation, we do not imbrace him as he was ordained by God, and is proposed unto us; and consequently we do not hold the true Christ, but a feined and imaginary one.
