---

I. SHOW HOW OR WHEN GOD COMES TO SEARCH AND THE SAINTS ARE FOUND IN CHRIST. The world is a confused heap, and many times the counterfeits are found among the jewels, but God hath searching times and will find them out.

1. The preaching of the Word is a time of plain searching in Christ.

2. A time of temptation.

3. A season of the Church's trouble and persecution. A true friend is known in adversity, so is Christ to the believer, and he to Christ.

4. The time of death and judgment.

II. HOW AND WHEN THEY SHALL BE FOUND WHO ARE FOUND IN CHRIST.

1. As branches in the true vine (John 15:1-6). So are they safe, for barren trees shall be cut down for the fire, but Christ mystical is a tree the axe cannot approach.

2. In a place of refuge. "The Lord shall be as a sanctuary to them." They are in the city of refuge where one drop of wrath cannot fall.

3. Under a covert, in a hiding place — even the Mediator's covenant blood.

4. In the covenant, in Christ's chariot (Song of Solomon 3:9, 10; Isaiah 27:4-5).

III. THE REASONS.

1. God will search and find out every one of us, be where we will. We may deceive ourselves and others, but God is not mocked who searchest the reins.

2. If God find us out of Christ we are undone. We shall have nothing to shelter us when He draws us out of our lurking holes.

3. if we are found in Christ we shall be safe in time and eternity, blow the storm as it may. Over trouble He will lift up our head; and when death comes it shall be without its sting.

IV. THE USES. Let it be your great care to be found in Christ as Noah in the ark, and Lot in Zoar.

1. Let not the searching time find you at a disadvantage.

(1) In an unregenerate state — "dead in trespasses and sins." This is a soul-ruining state, fire meeting stubble; the judge the criminal.

2. Be found in Christ.

(1)  United to Him by His Spirit through faith.

(2)  Walking in Him.

(3)  Living in Him and upon Him (Galatians 2:20).

V. THE MOTIVES.

1. If you be found in Christ, He will be found in you, so shall you have a double security in time of trial (John 17:21-23). Christ is found in believers as in His own house.

(1) His dwelling, and who will not defend that.

(2) His banquetting house. What provisions He brings with Him for storm and Beige.

(3) His fortified house. "None shall pluck them out of My hand."(4) His temple, which He will not allow to be profaned.

(5) His garden. He "will water it every moment," hedge it about and preserve it.

(6) As the soul in the body (Colossians 3:4; Galatians 2:20; Acts 2:25-27).

2. If you be not found in Christ you will be found in a bad case in time and in eternity.

(T. Boston, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

WEB: and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;