The Childs Portion, Sermon 1 (1 of 3)

The Childs Portion · Sermon 1 (1 of 3)

p. 1I JOHN III. II.

Beloved, now are we the Sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we ſhall be: but we know, that when he ſhall appear, we ſhall be like him; for we ſhall ſee him as he is.

NOt to ſeek far for the coherence of theſe Words, we may only take notice of thus much; that the Apoſtle having in the latter part of the foregoing Chapter, warned thoſe he writes to of Antichriſt; declared that there were many even at that time in the World, and given ſuch a Character of them, as might ſerve eaſily to make them known: deſcribing of them by their defection from the Doctrine of the Goſpel, and particularly their denying of Chriſt: he from thence takes an occaſion at ver. 24. to Exhort them to Conſtancy, in maintaining the Faith which they had received at their firſt embracing of the Chriſtian Religion: unto which Exhortation p. 2(further to quicken and encourage them ſo to do) he adds divers Arguments by way of motive; one of which is taken from the conſideration of their Adoption, prefented and preſſed in the three firſt verſes of this Chapter in the urging of which Argument, he,

1. … it to their conſideration as an Argument and Demonſtration of Gods inexpreſſible love to them, ver. 1. Behold what manner of love; and ſuch love requires great fidelity in thoſe that partake in it.

2. Obviates an Objection which might be framed againſt it: viz. if we are ſuch, and ſo beloved, how is it then that we are ſo contemned and trampled upon by the World, as thoſe that are of no value, but a meer▪ off-ſcouring? he gives a ſatisfactory reaſon for this, becauſe of the ignorance of the Men of the World, they know not God, and therefore they do not acknowledge his Children: if they knew him, they could not but ſee his Image in them; but becauſe they do not, therefore are they not competent Judges, nor are we to be diſcouraged though they reject and perſecute us, ver. 1.

3. Aſſerts their Son-ſhip notwithſtanding this: Text: wherein he tacitly inſinuates that if we would make a true judgement of our ſtate, we muſt not then call in ſence to umpire it, but conclude according to the Rules of Faith.

Hence,

p. 34. Shews that the Sons of God are at preſent under a diſguiſe, and look not like themſelves, but withal hints that there is a time coming when they ſhall: Text.

5. Urgeth the hope of ſuch a diſcovery or manifeſtation of the Sons of God as a ſufficient Argument to preſs us to piety and purity, ver. 3. Every man that hath this hope in him, &c. q. d. this hope hath enough in it to ſettle us and keep us from ſhaking.

The words of the Text are a fixt Concluſion againſt all the miſgiving Objections of Fleſh and Blood, eſtabliſhing the truth of our preſent ſtate of Adoption, without any doubting or queſtioning of it.

The Emphaſis of the aſſertion lies in the word [Now] and it looks either backward to the words foregoing, or forward to theſe that follow: it ſtands between two dark Clouds, and ſcatters them both. He had told them of this great dignity, and glorious title, but ſence ſeemed to contradict, and ſay,

1. If we are Sons, why then are we not known? are not the Children of a Prince acknowledged by the▪ Subjects? but the World tramples us into the duſt, and perſecutes us unto death, and would God ſuffer this, if he was our Father? well, ſaith he, they neither do know you nor him, and a Princes Son is of no repute with him that know him not from a Peaſant, but p. 4for all this you are Sons; and your Father knows you, though the World doth not, and that may ſatisfie you: But,

2. If we were Sons we ſhould be in a more happy condition, whether the World knew it or no: but we live in the midſt of ſorrows and ſufferings both of body and mind; we are encompaſſed and almoſt overwhelmed with miſeries, and is this the portion of Sons? do Kings wont to neglect their Children, and ſuffer them to live in miſery? well, but ſtill this ſhakes not the concluſion: for, although the happineſs we are entituled unto, appears not as yet, yet now we are Sons, and there ſhall a time come, when we ſhall be made to look like ſuch.

We may firſt take the aſſertion it ſelf into our conſideration, now are we the Sons of God, and from hence we may obſerve this;

Doct. The▪ pooreſt and moſt deſpiſed Believers in the World are now the Sons of God. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of ſuch as had received the anointing of the Spirit, Cap. 2. 27. of ſuch as had known the Father and believed on Chriſt, ver. 13, 14. and theſe are they whom he pronounceth owners of this happy title.

In the opening of this Doctrine we are to conſider: 1. What is meant by being the Sons of God? 2. How we come to be his Sons? 3. What is the profit or advantage coming to p. 5us by this relation? 4. The evidence, or how it appears that we are ſuch?

1. What is meant by being the Sons of God?

A. The Title of a Son is a title of Relation, and hath a Father for its correlate: God is pleaſed to aſſume this Relation to himſelf, and to acknowledge it between him and his Creatures, that ſo he may expreſs his love and goodneſs to them, by ſuch things as may carry, to their conception, the greateſt evidence or demonſtration; Father and Son among Men are relates ſtanding very near one to another, and have ſuch conſiderations and reſpects in them, as very nearly reſemble that Covenant relation which there is between God and his People: Hence it is Anologically expreſſed: the ſame affections and engagements that Fathers bear to their Sons, the ſame doth God to his People; the ſame intereſt that Children have in their Fathers love and care, the ſame have Believers in God.

Now among Men perſons come to bear the denomination of Sons in two wayes; viz. either by natural Generation, or voluntary Adoption. After the former of theſe wayes God hath but one Son, begotten by an eternal and undeclarable Generation: after the latter he hath many Sons, even as many as believe in the Name of Chriſt, Joh. 1. 12. So that by the Sons of God we are to underſtand all thoſe of the Children of Men, who, by Gods free Adoption are made p. 6to bear the relation, title and priviledges of his Children. It is a word borrowed from the cuſtoms among Men, who when they Adopt one to be their Heir, do give him the title of their Son, and although it differ from that in two main points, viz.

1. That God was not put upon it thus to Adopt any becauſe of the deficiency or want of a natural Son, which is the main incentive to it among Men, that ſo they may have one to Heir their Eſtates: nor yet becauſe his Son had given him any juſt provocation to reject and disinherit him, for which Men do ſometimes abdicate their own Children, and adopt a Stranger: No, God had an only begotten Son, in whom he placed his delight from all Eternity, who had never given him any diſpleaſure in the leaſt, but had afforded him everlaſting ſatisfaction; yea, then when his Father put him upon the higheſt proof of filial obedience, calling him to do and die for ſinful man, he cheerfully replied, Lo I come to do thy will Oh God: Pſal. 40. 7. this Adoption therefore was an effect of his abundant overflowing Grace, that it ſhould be the good pleaſure of his Holy Will to joyn poor Believers unto, and admit them to be made coheirs with Chriſt, Rom. 8. 17. Joynt Heirs with Chriſt.

And,

2. That God doth not do it to make them inherit by way of ſucceſſion, which is the caſe p. 7among men; and the ground and deſign of humane Adoption, being becauſe man is mortal, and muſt in a ſhort time die, and leave all his earthly poſſeſſions and name behind him▪ hence, that they may have one to bear up the their name, and poſſeſs their livings, which they can no longer in perſon enjoy, they ſubſtitute one in their room: ſo that as long as the Adopter lives, the adopted is kept out of poſſeſſion, and muſt be content to wait for his portion, till the other goes off, and is often in the mean while put to many and hard ſhifts: whereas God lives for ever, and yet Believers are not entituled to, but have actual participation in all the good things of God, according to their preſent ſtate and capacity, immediately after their Adoption, and eternally. Men ſay, when I die you ſhall inherit, but Chriſt ſaith, becauſe I live you ſhall live alſo. I ſay, although in theſe things it differs (and evermore the antitype is ſomething more glorious than the Type) yet in the main notions of Adoption they agree: viz.

1. As that, ſo this makes an abſolutely free choice of the ſubject: if men do, much more God may take a liberty to do with his own what he pleaſeth: the Adopted could have laid no claim to his Title if it had not been freely conferred upon him, he can give no other reaſon for it, but the good will of him who choſe him unto it: if he had left him out, and named p. 8another in his will, he could not have charged it as any wrong done unto him. Gods Adoption is an act of free Grace, and a diſcovery of his greateſt love. Context ver. 1. Behold what manner of love, &c. it is ſaid there to be a love given, or beſtowed, and how free it is will appear.

1. From the antiquity of the Foundation of it: it was founded in Gods eternal Decree, where we were choſen to this priviledge, Eph. 1. 5. Having predeſtinated us to the Adoption of Children in Jeſus Chriſt, &c. when the creature had no being, and conſequently could have no deſerving more then the other poſſible Beings, or his fellow-creatures, who were left out of this Regiſter, then God reſolved upon it, and writ it down in his Book of life, who they were that ſhould be his Children and Heirs: then he took down their Names, and wrote them for the inheritance of Glory.

2. From the condition of thoſe who are made partakers in this Grace, at ſuch time as they are admitted unto it: Adoption came in upon effectual vocation; and when God comes to call ſinners home to himſelf, he finds them ſtrangers from God, and from the Covenant, Eph. 2. 12. at that time ye were aliens from the Common-wealth of Iſrael, and ſtrangers from the Covenant of promiſe: they were alſo worthleſs creatures; they muſt all ſay as the returning p. 9Prodigal, Luk. 15. 21. I am no more worthy to be called thy Son, they have nothing in them to render them more amiable or deſirable in the eyes of God, when God looks on them with an eye of Fatherly pity, he finds them rowling and wallowing in their own blood, Ezek. 16. 5. When thou waſt in thy Blood, I ſaid unto thee live.

2. From the meritorious and procuring cauſe of this Adoption, viz. the Redemption of Jeſus Chriſt: for although Chriſt did not merit that God ſhould purpoſe to Adopt us; Gods Decree being abſolutely and every way free, and the Redemption of Chriſt being a part, and not a meritorious cauſe of that Decree; yet Chriſt merited our actual Adoption for us: it is therefore reckoned among the fruits of his Redemption, Gal. 4. 4, 5. God ſent his Son to redeem, that we might receive the Adoption of Sons: had man had any deſert of his own, yea had he not been laden with indeſert, there had not needed the intervention of the great price paid for his ranſome from the Law, before he could be actually made a Child.

4. From the way in which it comes, viz. by receiving Chriſt, and believing on him, John 1. 12. As many as received him to them he gave power (or priviledge) to become the Sons of God, even to as many as believed on his Name. Now Faith it ſelf is a free gift, and every part of Salvation p. 10that comes with it, Eph. 2. 8, 9. By Grace are ye ſaved through Faith, and that not of your ſelves, it is the gift of God: yea the very ordaining and ordering of Goſpel priviledges to be introduced by Faith, is on purpoſe for the declaration of Gods free Grace, Rom. 4. 4, 5.

2. As that, ſo this beſtows the Relation and Title of a Child: he hath both the denomination and propriety of a Child in reſpect to the perſon adopting of him: ſee the words of Jacob, concerning Manaſſeh and Ephraim, Gen. 48. 5. as Reuben and Simeon they ſhall be mine: he bears the Adopters name, and hath from him ſuch affections as if he were his own Child: thus are Believers; the Name of God is called upon them, and they have the condition no longer of Enemies, nor yet of Servants, but of Children, Gal. 4. 7. Wherefore thou art no longer a Servant, but a Son.

3. As that, ſo this gives to him that is adopted the priviledges of a Son by natural Generation: what ſuch an one may chalenge as his Birthright, the ſame may this perſon chalenge by vertue of this choice: Believers have not a bare empty Title, but a Title which brings benefit along with it to him that receiveth it: they have all the priviledges, immunities, and advantages which belong to ſuch a Relation, as far as they are capable, Rom. 8. 17. Joynt heirs with Chriſt, Gal. 4. 7. If a Son then an Heir of God through p. 11Chriſt. What theſe are will follow afterwards.

2. How we come to be his Sons.

A. That we are his by Adoption we heard in the former: here therefore we are to conſider of the way in which we are brought to partake in this Adoption: for although this (as every other Grace) is rooted in the Decree of God yet it is communicated to us in his ſpecial Providence, and particularly in the work of Application. Here therefore let us obſerve in general, that when God beſtows the Grace of Adoption upon any, he doth, in order to it, and together with it, put the heart of a Son into him; which is more than Men can do for ſuch as they chuſe, who can do no more then expreſs their kindneſs to them in external things, and in this reſpect, although, to expreſs the difference between the Relation which Chriſt, and which Believers have unto God, it is repreſented under the notion of Adoption; for Believers are not, as Chriſt is, his Sons by eternal Generation; yet as to the way in which they are brought to a participation in this priviledge, it is reſembled by natural Generation, whence they are not only ſaid to be Adopted by, but alſo to be born of God, 1 Joh. 5. 4. Whatſoever is born of God, John 1. 13. Which were born: to be begotten, Jam. 1. 18. Of his own Will he begat us: and this is called Regeneration or the new-birth, John 3. 3. Except a Man be born again, which, how it is p. 12wrought, the Apoſtle briefly tells us, Gal. 3. 26. Ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Chriſt Jeſus: and we may take up a gueſs at it in theſe three particulars.

1. Our Son-ſhip is properly an act of our Communion or Fellowſhip with Chriſt: hence we are ſaid to be joynt Heirs with him, Rom. 8. 17. and it muſt needs be ſo, for he was firſtly appointed by his Father to be Heir of all things, Heb. 1. 2. Now, inaſmuch as the whole Inheritance is his by his Fathers donation; hence if we do inherit, it muſt needs be in partnerſhip with him: the Title of Sons and Heirs doth not paſs from him to us, by way of alienation, it ceaſeth not to be his by becoming ours, and therefore it muſt needs be in a way of our Communion with him.

2. Our union with Chriſt is the true and proper ground of our Communion with him in all his benefits: the Title can in no propriety of Speech be ſaid to be both his and ours too; but as he and we are ſome way to be looked upon as one: and upon this account it is, that the Scripture alſo expreſſeth our Son-ſhip under the relation of our Marriage to Chriſt; ſo that by becoming his Spouſe, in that way alſo we are made the Children of God: Hence that Hoſ. 2. 19, 20. I will betroth thee to mee, &c. and 2 Cor. 11. 2. I have eſpouſed you to one Husband, which Relation of Marriage, brings the party ſo related p. 13into actual Communion in all that belongs to the Husband.

3. This Union is the fruit and effect of Regeneration: For,

1. Faith is the Bond of this Union on our part: it is that whereby we give up our ſelves to Chriſt, and to him alone, utterly renouncing our intereſt and truſt in all other things: it is▪ that whereby we cleave unto him with full purpoſe of heart, to be for him, and for no other: this is in the very nature of juſtifying Faith; and hence we ſhall find it frequently expreſt in the Scripture under ſuch phraſes as theſe are, or others that are ſynonimical.

2. This Faith is the true and proper product of the Spirit in our Regeneration: that which i… begotten and brought forth in us, is Faith: all that is before it in the Soul, is onlie preparatory unto it; all that is concomitant with it, is denominated from it; all Grace in us, is called Faith in Scripture, becauſe that is the principal Grace wrought in us. Gods Elect are by nature dead, but the Spirit quickens them, Eph. 2. beginning. and how doth he ſo? why by cauſing them to believe: for the life of Regeneration is properly a life of Faith, Gal. 2. 20. I live by the Faith of the Son of God; ſo that when by the operation of the Spirit in him, a man is made to believe, he is then and not till then born of God, he is then alſo married to Chriſt; Chriſt marries with p. 14none that are dead; he finds them indeed ſpiritually dead when he comes to them; but he firſt quickens them by his Grace, cauſing them to believe, and ſo to live, and as ſuch he takes them into this nearneſs of relation to himſelf, and ſo they are together and at once born of God, and eſpouſed to Jeſus Chriſt.

3. What is the profit and advantage coming by this Relation?

A. The Apoſtle John uſing it as a preſent Argument to engage us to conſtancy in times of Antichriſtian Tyrany, thereby intimates that it is a relation of infinite worth, and would have us therefore to conſider of it, and take a large view of its worth and eminency; and indeed there is ſo much in it as we may loſe our ſelves in the contemplation: all the good which is wrapt up in the promiſe, is made ove… and becomes the propriety of the Believer in and by his Son-ſhip; I cannot rehearſe all, but the choice advantages of Adoption are … as theſe that follow.

1. The Name and Title it ſelf is a great benefit and advantage: it is a dignity, an honour, to be called the Children of God: the Apoſtle ſeems to place much weight upon the denomination it ſelf, ver. 1. What manner of love, that we ſhould be called the Sons of God? Jacob honoured Joſeph's two eldeſt Sons, when he willed that his name ſhould be called upon them; ſo p. 15doth the great God the Children of Men, w…n he is pleaſed that his Name ſhould come into their Title; that thoſe who were before by way of Diſgrace called Adam's Sons, and Children of Hell, Children of Wrath, Children of the Devil, ſhould riſe, and be henceforth called the Children of God: this very Title declares theſe to be made noble by their new-birth, who by their natural birth were ignoble. It is among men accounted an high thing to be the Son of ſome King or Emperour, 1 Sam. 18. 23. Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a King… Son in law? what is it then for God to call us his Sons and Daughters, and to give us leave to call him our Father? as 2 Cor. 6. 18, I will be to you a Father, and you ſhall be my Sons and Daughters ſaith the Lord God Almighty: and Jer. 14. 9. we are called by thy Name.

2. They are taken into Gods▪ and that not as Servants but as Children, there to abide for ever, Joh. 8. 35. The Servant abideth not in the Houſe for ever, but the Son abideth for ever. Believers therefore are all one Houſhold, called the Houſhold of Faith, Gal 6. 10. and they are of Gods Family after another manner then wicked Men and inferiour creatures: God after a more common way, and by a more general providence looks after the World and all the affairs of it; all creatures come under his care, and for that reaſon the whole Creation is his great Family: p. 16but theſe Children are under his ſpecial inſpection and care, 1 Pet. 5. 7. Caſting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. In ſum, they being Children have him for a Father: And hence,

1. He will certainly provide for them, and they need not to puzzle their minds, or diſtract their thoughts about any ſuch thing; for he will conſider all their wants, and ſend them relief; they ſhall have whatſoever they ſtand in need of, and they ſhall have it as they need it, Mat. 6. 31, 32. take no thought, &c. for the Heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of theſe things: if others in a Family ſuffer want, and be pincht with difficulties, yet the Children ſhall certainly be taken care for, as long as there is any thing to be had: they are hard times indeed when Children are denied that which is needful for them: Hence that Pſal. 34. 10. Young Lions are brought to want, and ſuffer hunger, but they that fear the Lord ſhall want for no good thing.

2. He will protect them from all harms and injuries: and that both by defending of them from their Enemies, and alſo by righting of their wronged cauſe: and at all times, and in all caſes whatſoever, they may with greateſt ſafety, and without any fear leave it with him, and in it he will not leave him, Heb. 13. 5, 6. He hath ſaid, I will never leave thee, nor forſake thee, ſo that we may boldly ſay, the Lord is my helper, and I will p. 17not fear. It is hard for earthly Parents to deſer their Children, and when they ſee them wronged, to hold their peace, and neither ſay, nor do any thing to right them: it is certain God will not, nay he cannot, Pſal. 27. 10. When my Father and my Mother forſake me then the Lord will take me up. Jer. 2. 2. All that devour him ſhall offend, evil ſhall come upon them ſaith the Lord, Zech. 2. 8. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye.

3. He will uphold them from falling: he will take them by their hand, and ſtay their ſteps for them, ſuſtein them, keep them from undoing themſelves; hence thoſe promiſes, 1 Pet. 1. 5. Ye are kept by the power of God, Pſal. 91. 11, 12. Gods Sons in this life are like little Children, alwayes tripping, and ſtumbling, and falling, and ſo weak that they could never get up again but for him: but by reaſon of his hand that is upon them, his everlaſting Arm that is under them, hence if they fall at any time through incogitancy, or by ſtumbling at any thing that lies in their way, or through that weakneſs that attends them, or by Satans malice thruſting at them, he will lift them up again.

4. He will counſel and direct them: they are tender and fooliſh in themſelves, they have not wiſdom enough of their own to order and direct their way; and are therefore eaſily ſe duced and cheated by the adverſary, who is ſubtle, and p. 18watcheth all advantages againſt: but he is alwayes giving them his Fatherly advice, warning them of their danger, ſhewing them a way how to eſcape it: they have the voice of his Spirit behind them, telling them this is the way, Iſai. 30. 21. they have the guidance of his moſt wiſe counſel to keep them in the right way unto glory, Pſal. 7424.

5. He will aſſiſt and ſtrengthen them, he will lend them an helping hand to carry them through all their difficulties, temptations, ſtraits that they are engaged or involved▪ in, in their Chriſtian courſe, and the diſcharge of their duty in all of them, 2 Tim. 4. 17. The Lord was with me, and ſtrengthened me: they have a great work to perform to ſerve God in their Generation, but his Grace ſtanding by them, becomes their ſufficiency: a Fathers love draws forth his helping hand, to aſſiſt his Son, and carry him well through all that is before him.

6. He will Correct and Chaſten them for their Faults. Heb. 12. 6. He chaſtneth every ſon whom He receiveth. They (like fooliſh Children) may now reckon this for their damage; but it is indeed none of the leaſt of thoſe benefits which the Children of God do enjoy. God lets wicked men alone to go on in their pernicious wayes: They have their wills in the world, that they may be deſtroyed for ever: But God here afflicts his Children, that their ſouls may be ſaved p. 19in the day of the Lord, 1 Cor. 11. 32. We are chaſtened of the Lord, that we ſhould not be condemned with the World.

7. He will commend and encourage them when they do well: ſee what an high commendation he gives Abraham for his love, and what a precious promiſe he gives him upon it, Gen. 22. 16, 17. the pooreſt ſervices which they do, being done in ſincerity to him, if it be but a cup of cold water given to one of his Diſciples, in that Name, ſhall not loſe its acceptance and reward: yea ſuch is his Fathers reſpect, that he owns and crowns the very good will, and purpoſes, as much as if they really performed them: David doth but reſolve to build an Houſe to his Name and Glory, and God takes it kindly, and promiſeth richly upon it, 2 Sam. 7. theſe things belong unto them as they are Children in the Family, and carry Conſolation in the very mentioning of them.

3. They receive the ſpirit of Adoption, Rom. 8. 15. Gal. 4. 5, 6. and here we are to obſerve, that the Spirit of Adoption doth not decipher any diſtinct ſpirit, but that it is one and the ſame ſpirit who doth illuminate, convince, humble, engraft▪ the ſoul into Chriſt, &c. but it deciphers to us a diſtinct and peculiar obſervation of the Spirit of God in us: ſo that the dignity of this priviledge is to be diſcovered in the effects which are conſequent upon it, and they are ſuch as theſe, viz.

p. 201. The obſignation, or ſealing up of Believers to the certain and infallible enjoyment of their inheritance, Eph. 1. 13. & 4. 30. when God hath once admitted a poor Soul into the number of his Children, he now confirms and ratifies to him all the promiſes, and makes them unto him ſurer than the foundation of the World: yea, ſo ſure that neither outward Enemies, nor inward Evils ſhall ever be able to deprive them of this Title, Rom. 8. 39, 39. I am perſwaded that neither height nor depth, &c. ſhall ſeparate us from the love of God which is in Chriſt. It is poſſible that they may not alwayes with alike clearneſs diſcern it, ſome cloud or other interpoſing, but it is ever with an equal certainty therein, inaſmuch as it is a gift of God, that is without Repentance.

2. The teſtimony which the ſpirit of God gives in to their ſtate of Adoption, witneſſing in them that God hath numbred them to his Children, and joyned them in the inheritance of all bleſſings with his own Son, Rom. 8. 16, 17. The ſpirit it ſelf leaveth witneſs, &c. The effect conſequent upon this teſtimony is aſſurance, which aſſurance is in it ſelf a piece of inchoate Glorification, but the witneſs which the Spirit of God bears in us by vertue of which we are confirmed in this knowledge, is a priviledge of Adoption: and though Believers do not alwayes ſo diſtinctly hear him teſtifying, and to be able p. 21to draw the comfort of it to their Souls, yet they have alwayes this witneſs in them, becauſe the Spirit of God is ever with them.

3. The enlivening of their Faith, and thereby enabling of them to God to God as a Father, and claim this Relation, and upon the claim believingly to plead with him for the acceptance of their perſons, the audience of their Prayers, the granting of their requeſts, and ſupplying of all their wants, Rom. 8. 15. Ye have received the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father: yea the ſpirit of God enables them thus to act Faith in conſideration of this relation, not only in times of outward favour, when the candle of the Lord ſhineth upon their Tabernacle, and all things go well with them, but alſo in the moſt cloudy times of darkeſt diſpenſations, when God hides his face from them, and carries it towards them as if he were their Enemy: hence that chalenge of Faith at ſuch an hour, Iſai. 63. 17. Doubtleſs thou art our Father.

4. The powerful preſervation of them in a ſtate of Grace, 1 Pet. 1. 5. Who are kept by the power of God, through Faith unto Salvation. Believers are weak in themſelves, and ly open to many ſtrong temptations: and if they were left to themſelves, thoſe floods that aſſail them, would eaſily and quickly drown them: But the ſpirit of God is ſtill blowing upon this ſpark, and ſupplying of it with new fuel, whereby he makes p. 22the faith of Believers to live and flouriſh, in diſpite of all thoſe endeavours that are uſed to extinguiſh and ruin it.

5. His conſtant aſſiſtance in ſpiritual duties enabling them to perform them acceptably; and particularly in the great duty of Prayer to God, Rom. 8. 26, 27. We know not what we ſhould pray for as we ought, but the ſpirit it ſelf maketh interceſſion, &c. they are weak to do duty, and carry about in them a maſſe of corruption, a body of Death, which preſſeth them down; evil is ever preſent when they would be doing of good, ſo that without him they can do nothing, and it would be a vain thing for them to ſet about any ſervice to God in their own ſtrength: but he ſtands by them, and is ready to put to his helping hand, ſupplying them with the influences of ſpiritual Grace, whence, when they are weak in themſelves, they are ſtrong in him.

6. To communicate to them the diſcoveries of the love of God, and thereby to fill them with ſpiritual rejoycing, Rom. 5. 5. The Love of God is ſhed abroad into our hearts, by the Holy Ghoſt which is given unto us: he applies the precious promiſes to their ſouls, he gives them cordials of comfort, communicates unto them the ſips and fo…e taſts of glory, fills them with inward joyes and refreſhings: God by his ſpirit comes into the heart, and taking poſſeſſion of it for himſelf, makes known his love there, which▪ produceth p. 23joy unexpreſſible: this benefit is alſo a part of Glorification, it is ſomething of Heaven, meeting us in our way; it is a bunch of thoſe G…apes which grow in the celeſtial Canaan, brought us to taſt of in the Wilderneſs: but the application of it is by the ſpirit of Adoption: and that is that which the Scripture calls the earneſt of the inheritance.

4. They are made to partake in Chriſtian liberty, Joh. 8. 36. If the Son therefore ſhall make you free, you are free indeed, which liberty is not (as vain men would have it) a freedome to live as they liſt; a liberty diſcharging them from holy Obedience to the commanding power of the Law of God, and withal bidding them to truſt in Chriſt for life and ſalvation, as Libertines plead: but it is an holy, ſpiritual Liberty; a Liberty from Bondage or Servitude, Gal. 4. 7. viz.

1. From the ſervitude of the Law; not from the regulating power of it: for it ſtill remains to be the directory of the People of God in their whole courſe, and hath the ſtrongeſt tye to obedience that can be from the Goſpel, Joh. 14. 15. If ye love me keep my Commandment; nay, whatſoever fleſh may plead to the contrary, it is certain that ſo to be loſed from the Law, were not a priviledge but a miſery: but it is a freedome from ſlaviſh ſubjection to the Law. i. e.

1. From the ſervitude of the Law, or condemning p. 24power of it: from the thundring curſes of it, Gal. 3. 13. Chriſt hath redeemed us from the curſe of the Law. The Law hath doomed all its offenders to eternal death, and by the ſentence of it they are held under guilt: but Gods Adopted are ſet at liberty from this doom: it ſpeaks nothing that needs to appall them; there is no ſpirit of bondage in it to them: they are not under the law as a Judge, but only as a Guid, a Light, and a Lamp.

2. From any dependance upon the Law for happineſs in a way of works or doings, Rom. 3. 28. We conclude that a man is juſtified by faith without the deeds of the Law. This is a miſerable bondage to fallen man, thus to depend upon the Law: Becauſe it preſents thoſe that are under it every day with that which may aſſure them, th… after all their labour and pains taken in legal obedience, they ſhall certainly loſe all, and finally fall ſhort of Bleſſedneſs: for, by the deeds of the Law ſhall no fleſh be juſtified, for by the Law is the knowledge of ſin, Rom. 3. 20.

3. From ſervile Obedience to the Law: their ſervice is now a ſervice of love; for faith worketh by love: before this, he had the workings and ſtirrings of his Conſcience, which by amazing terrors, and diſmal frights, drave him to the performance of known duty, and reſtrained him from the commiſſion of many erronious ſins; but all this was againſt his will, and glad p. 25he would have been, might he but have enjoyed ſome relaxation, but now the caſe is altered: and he takes delight in the Law of God, and it is a great pleaſure to him to be found exerciſing of himſelf therein, Pſal. 1. 2.

2. From ſin, Rom. 6. 7. For he that is dead is freed▪ from ſin: Hence that 1 John 3. 9. Whatſoever is born of God doth not commit ſin, not but that there are the remainders of active and ſtirring corruption to be found in the beſt of Gods Children as long as they bear about with them a body of Death; and hence Paul's ſo earneſt complaints, Rom. 7. But,

1. Though ſin be in him, yet it reigns not, Rom. 6. 12. Let not ſin therefore reign in your mortal body: it hath not the full compliance of the heart with it; but whenever it gains upon him, it is by leading of him captive, Rom. 7. 23. he is enthralled by it, and that appears becauſe he is grieved at it, as one that is taken a Priſoner by his Enemy; and hence he ſighs and groans for a delivery, ver. 24.

2. Though ſin be yet God imputes it not, 2 Cor. 5. 29. Not imputing their treſpaſſes unto them: the ſin of Gods Children being ſet upon the account of Jeſus Chriſt, it is no longer charged upon them; for God having taken full ſatisfaction for it at his hands, and he having anſwered for it, we are righteous in his account.

3. Though ſin be yet it ſhall never condemn p. 26them, Rom. 8. 1. There is no condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus: he complains of the preſence and oppreſſion of it, Cap. 7. but is here comforted againſt the condemning efficacy of it: he is freed from the dominion of that ſlaviſh Spirit, or ſpirit of bondage, and needs not to go up and down in fear of ſuffering the eternal weight of Gods wrath.

3. From the World, 1 Joh. 5. 4. Whatſoever is born of God, overcometh the World: they are delivered and kept from being drawn away with thoſe ſnares, baits, and temptations, and terified with thoſe threatnings which the World ſets before them: hence they have ſuch liberty of ſpirit granted them, that they can both trample in diſdain upon the large proffers of the World to ſeduce them by from their profeſſion; and undauntedly hold up their hands, againſt all the menaces that are made againſt them.

4. A liberty to ſerve God. For,

1. That oppoſition which was in their hearts againſt God is taken down, and they are brought under voluntary obedience to his Holy Will: their wills that were diſordered, are ſet in their right place again, 1 Pet. 4. 1, 2.

2. They love God and all his wayes, yea, they dearly love him, Pſal. 18. 1. their whole ſoul is now devoted to him and his ſervice.

3. They perform filial obedience to God, 1 Pet. 1. 14. As obedient Children; they have not p. 27only the ſtate and condition of Sons conferred upon them: but alſo the hearts of Children put into them: Hence Adoption comes in upon Converſion.

5. All the creatures of God, as it were, put under them, being uſed by him for their ſervice: and that in three reſpects;

1. They have the ſervice of the good things of God, 1 Cor. 3. 20. All is yours: they are made beneficial to them, they are their own: all that a Believer enjoys in this life he may truly call his own, as he is a child of God: the right uſing of the Creatures is again enlarged and reſtored unto them: wicked men indeed have an outward civil right, a providential right, but ſtill they are liable to anſwer for all they have, and by their miſuſing of theſe things, and diſhonouring of God by them, they encreaſe their condemnation, and lay up for themſelves treaſures of wrath, Rom. 2. 4, 5. but they have a ſpiritual right, and all their enjoyments are theirs by the new Covenant.

2. They have the Miniſtry of the bleſſed Angels, Heb. 1. 14. Are they not all miniſtring Spirits ſent forth to miniſter for them who ſhall be Heirs of Salvation: Thoſe glorious Beings which attend before the Throne of God, are alſo made to wait upon Gods Children, they guard theſe Heirs of Salvation; they are unto them tutelary Angels to defend them from evil, and to watch p. 28for their good, Pſal. 91. 11. He ſhall give his Angels charge concerning thee: they pitch their tents round about them, Pſal. 34. 1. they bring them meſſages of peace from Heaven, even anſwers of their Prayers, Dan. 9. 23. they ſtrengthen and confirm them in their ſecret conflicts, Luk. 22. 43. and when they come to die, they are a convoy to carry their Souls home to eternal reſt, Luk. 16. 22. The Angels carried Lazarus into Abrahams boſom.

3▪ They have the cooperation of all things to do them good, Rom. 8. 28. Gods Children are called to paſs through varieties of changes in this life, they meet with manifold afflictions, they have many enemies, men and devils that are engaged to plot their harm, and take all advantages to bring it about; but yet all theſe being over-ruled by the power and wiſdom of God which ſtand on his peoples ſide, are made beneficial to them, and whatever they plot for evil, is turned to good; and (though ſorely againſt their will, whom nothing more grieves then the welfare of the Saints) all helps them forward for heaven, and contributes to the encreaſe of their eternal glory: every reproach and injury doth but add weight to their Crown.

6. They are made Royal Heirs: they are conjoyned with Jeſus Chriſt in the glorious inheritance that is prepared, Rom. 8. 17. Joynt Heirs with Chriſt: they are, as Children of the great p. 29King, entituled to a Kingly eſtate: yea they are conſtituted Heirs of all things: God is theirs, Chriſt is theirs, the Throne and Crown that are prepared, and the exceeding eternal weight of Glory are theirs: and though for the preſent, during their nonage and minority here in this life, they ſeem but little different from ſervants to the obſervation of others, their Inheritance being as yet in reverſion, and they mean while under manifold exerciſes of their graces, yet erelong, when they are made perfect men in Chriſt, and (having finiſhed the work ſet them to do in this World) ſhall be brought to take full poſſeſſion of their own, it ſhall then be known what happy ones they are.

4. For the evidence of the Doctrine, or wherein it appears that they are now the Sons of God, notwithſtanding their preſent deſpicable condition: here take only two Concluſions.

1. There is nothing in their preſent mean and deſpicable eſtate, but what is well enough conſiſtent with their Sonſhip: though they are hated, deſpiſed, perſecuted, afflicted, and every way as low and mean as is to be imagined: For,

1. That the World hates them is rather an evidence of their Sonſhip, than any Argument againſt it; as being an exerciſe, and diſcovery of that enmity which God hath put between the ſeed of the Serpent & of the Woman. The Devil, who is the Father of ungodly Men, is Gods p. 30great Enemy, and the ringleader of Rebellion againſt him; and no wonder, ſince he cannot touch God in his Being, if Hell riſe up againſt him, and oppoſe him in his Children: It is true that wicked men do not know them to be certainly the Children of God, for the world know us not, ver. 1. but they know them to be other kind of men from themſelves, and for this reaſon they hate and perſecute them: our Saviour foretold his Diſciples, that they muſt expect to meet this meaſure from the World, and gives the reaſon, Mat. 10. 22. Ye ſhall be hated of all men for my Name ſake: it is for the profeſſion which they make and the glory of God which they are bound for, that they are hated and ſcorned in the World.

2. That God ſuffers the World to afflict and perſecute them, denies not his fatherly care of them; for in this very thing he makes men and devils to ſerve them: there is no Saint that ever was, or ever ſhall be a loſer by all that Gods and his Enemies ſhall do againſt him: and that becauſe what they intend for harm, God evermore, by a powerful over-ruling providence, turns for their good: his Graces are hereby tried, and made to ſhine forth, and that trial proves to be much better than that of God, 1 Pet. 1. 7. God hereby puts an advantage into his hands to glorifie him, and teſtifying his love and ſincerity to him, in chearfully ſuffering all p. 31things for his Name: and Faith at ſuch a time, teacheth him to rejoyce that he may be counted worthy for this, ſo did the Apoſtles when ſcourged before the Council, Act. 5. 41. and when wicked men have done their worſt to the Children of God, they do but prepare for them a glorious Chariot to ride home in tryumph to the City of God.

3. That they are low and mean in the world is not becauſe God loves wicked men better than he loves them, whom he ſuffers to flouriſh, and abound in all delights, to live at eaſe and die without bands; but becauſe ſuch a condition in this life is uſually beſt for them: and ſtill when they are moſt diſtreſſed, poor, and bare, they are his choſen, they are rich, becauſe God himſelf is their portion, and a Kindom is prepared for them, Jam. 2. 6. as long as they are here they are from home; they are Strangers and Pilgrims, and it is ſafeſt for them to be ſo, and ſtill that remains to be a great truth, Pſal. 37. 16. A little that a righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked: better becauſe it is his own, and he hath it with Gods favour and love.

4. That God is often angry with them, afflicts them, and withdraws the light of his countenance from them, and puts them to grief, is not becauſe he loves them not, but becauſe it is that which their preſent condition requires: they p. 32are but Children, and childiſh, and fooliſh, and if they were not ſometimes chaſtened, they would grow wanton, and careleſs of Duty: a Fathers love is evidenced as well in correcting a wanton child, as in providing for him: God doth it to ſhew his love, Heb. 12. 6. Whom he loves he corrects: he doth it for the ſaving of their Souls, 1 Cor. 11. 32. Ye are judged of the Lord, that ye may not be condemned with the World: when the time comes, that all their ſin is done away, then they ſhall ſorrow no more: ſo that in all this way, how dark ſoever it ſeems to be, God is guiding them by counſel▪ that he may bring them to glory.

2. In this mean and deſpiſed eſtate of theirs, God is pleaſed to be giving of them many teſtimonies and clear evidences of their Sonſhip. As,

1. Their fellowſhip with Chriſt in his ſufferings: this was one thing that Paul deſired to know, Phil. 3. 10. and this the Children of God do know, inaſmuch as they ſuffer for his Name ſake, and in his cauſe, and that the Name of God may be glorified in their ſufferings; and alſo becauſe he ſupplies them with patience and conſtancy therein, for that they do not diſhonour him, and hereby they come to know that bleſſedneſs is theirs, Mat. 5. 12. Rejoyce and be glad, for great is your reward in Heaven; for ſo perſecuted they the Prophets which were before you. p. 33They are made to underſtand that being jo…ned with Chriſt in his ſufferings, they ſhall not be ſeparated from him in Glory, 2 Tim. 2. 12. If we ſuffer with him we ſhall alſo reign with him▪ Paul counts the Saints ſuffering, a manifeſt token as of the amazing deſtruction of their perſecutors, ſo alſo of their future felicity in another world, 2 Theſ. 1. 5, 6.

2. The fruits of the ſpirit in them, working in all the graces thereof in their ſouls, and giving them their free exerciſe: Their love to God, their faith in Chriſt, their hope of Glory, their hatred of ſin, their delighting of themſelves in holineſs, &c. The Apoſtle tells us the fruits of the ſpirit are manifeſt, and what they are, Gal. 5, 22, 23. The glory of Gods Children is inward and ſpiritual, and by the maintenance and increaſe of this, is a Child of God to apprehend a Fathers love: growing grace is a good confirmation of approaching glory.

3. The teſtimony of the ſpirit of God, added to and confirming of the teſtimony of their own ſpirits in witneſſing to their Sonſhip, Rom. 8. 16. By vertue of which teſtimony, at ſuch times as God enables them to read it, they can Triumph in the hopes of glory, trample upon all the ſcoffs and ſcorns and perſecutions, and deſpiſe all the flatteries, and fair promiſes of the world: He gives them inward conſolation, and enables them to call God Father in greateſt p. 34ſtraits, and ſtrengthens them to roll themſelves upon him, to commit their wayes to him, to caſt all their burdens on him, and to wait with holy confidence and boaſting for the manifeſtation of the Sons of God, and in expectation of receiving an immortal and eternal Crown, then, at the hands of the righteous Judge, they love his appearing.

1. Are Believers now Gods Children? It may then teach us what a dangerous thing it is for any to go about to do them any injury or wrong The ignorant world ſeeing the Saints of God ſo low and deſpicable, to have ſo few friends here below to take part with them, and to be ſo poor and diſregarded among men; they are hereupon ready to think they may do their pleaſure againſt them, there is no danger is like to a …iſe upon it, but they abide ſecure, though they ſlander, revile, perſecute, and do them all manner of imaginable wrong: They have none to take in with them, none to plead their Cauſe for them, none to ſtand up in their defence: And being thus animated, with what boldneſs, virulency and ſpite do they proſecute them? But they grievouſly miſtake themſelves, and ſhall, in Gods time, find that they have ſo done to their coſt. God will not ſuffer his own dear Children to be abuſed, and ſee that abuſe to go free, and eſcape unpuniſhed: Whoſoever they be, though armed with the greateſt worldly power, yet they p. 35had better take a Bear by the tooth, a Lyon by the Paw, than meddle with the leaſt, meaneſt, obſcureſt and moſt ſeeming contemptible Saint of Chriſt, to do him any the leaſt injury. If an earthly Father ſee his Child abuſed or miſuſed by a ſtranger, how will his fatherly affection ſtir, his bowels boile, and put him upon it to vindicate that wrong? How much more will God do ſo for his Children, who are to him as the apple of his eye, and to whoſe mercys the bowels of moſt affectionate Parents are not to to be compared? God may poſſibly ſeem to wink and keep ſilence for the preſent, and men may take encouragement therefrom to vent their ſpite and malice, but he will not do ſo alwayes, but a time ſhall come, and that quickly, when he will call them to an account for all, and a dreadful account it will be when it comes: God doth many times in this world teſtifie to his diſpleaſure upon this very account, and there are ſeveral remarkable inſtances in Scripture of his ſeverity upon the malicious adverſaries of his Saints, enough to put a dread upon any ſuch, would they but conſider of it. Do Korah and his accomplices ariſe up againſt Moſes and Adron… They ſhall not dy as other men, but a new work ſhall be done, the earth with her opened mouth ſhall ſwallow them up quick, and they ſhall go down alive into the pit. Doth Babylon triumph in cruelty over the People of God, when it is uſed p. 36as a Rod in Gods hand, to manifeſt his diſpleaſure againſt them in puniſhing of their ſin? Babylon ſhall ſmart for it, Iſa. 47. 6. &c. I was wroth with my People, I gave them into thy hand, thou didſt ſhew them no mercy. Neither ſhal Edom be forgotten, who in Jeruſalems day of viſitation, cryed, Raze it, raze it to the ground, Pſal. 137. 7. How are Edom, and Ammon, and Moab, and mount Seir, and the Philiſtians and Tyrus threatned upon this account? See, Ezek. chap. 25. and 26. But ſuppoſing that they ſhould eſcape here, (and God doth not alwayes preſently let fall his hand upon the Perſecutours of his People) yet is the time a coming, when the Perſecutors of the Saints ſhall be made to know that they perſecuted Chriſt, and ſhall find how hard a thing it is for them to kick againſt the pricks: when God ſhal rende… tribulation to the troublers of his Children, 2 Theſ. 1. 6. Their blood may for a ſeaſon ſeem to ly ſtill and ſpeak nothing, but now are their ſouls under the altar, and are there crying to their God and father for revenge, and he who is holy and true will not alwayes hold his peace.

Tremble then at the thoughts of ſuch a thing▪ that poor perſecuted deſpiſed Saint, whom you ſeem to trample under the feet of pride, hath a Redeemer that is mighty, … Father in Heaven that will plead his cauſe. Make the Children of God your friends, and they will be ready to p. 37ſpeak a good word to their Father for you, and (however you may judge of them contemptuouſly, yet) there is a bleſſing in their prayers: But if you make them your enemies, wo to you, you had better bring all the world about your ears: The cryes of Saints, when they are under the exerciſe of the envy and hatred of men, coming up into the ears of God and Chriſt, for the wrongs which are done unto them, are affecting cryes and will ſtirr up the holy jealouſie of the great God, and he that is under the male diction of them (ſcorn he it as much as he wil) it were good for that man if he had never been born.

USE, II. This truth may afford potent argument to encourage unbelievers to ſeek after Faith, and to believe in Jeſus Chriſt: What do you think of it, who have been often invited in the Goſpel to embrace him? Will not this preſent him before you as one worth the entertaining? Receive him by a true Faith, and he will make you, not only Friends, but Children unto God: And, for the further urging of this argument, think ſeriouſly of theſe two motives.

1. Conſider what you are at preſent, to whom God makes this proffer, that you may be the Sons and Daughters of the living God: what are we all, but a company of poor abjects, baſe born creatures, lying upon the dung-hill, objects of contempt, ignominy and diſgrace? Remember your original, your father the Amorite, your p. 38mother the Hittite, Ezek. 16. begin. Then,

I. Haſt thou no ſhame in thee? Art thou not abaſhed at thy vile beggarly, diſgraced condition? Can you look to your fathers houſe, the extract of fallen man, without bluſhing, or think of it without confuſion? But now come hither, and here you may have all this ſhame covered, and removed, by being taken in to this honourable relation to God himſelf.

II. Have you no ambition? How do men account of, and with what aſpiring deſires do they reach after a claim of kin to great and eminent perſonages? If ſome earthly Prince ſhould make ſuch a proffer among his Subjects, yea, the beſt of them, as the great God doth now among poor and vile men, what welcome, what embraces would it find among them all? How eagerly do you graſp after the worlds honours? How pleaſing are high titles to the Children of men? But lo! here is a title, againſt which if all the honours and gloryes which the world owns were ſet, they would weigh no more than the light duſt in the ballance, and yet how cold and remiſs are men in purſuing after it?

2. Conſider how excellent a priviledge, how deſireable a benefit this is. Believe it to be indeed an advantage; yea, ponder upon it, and ſee if it be not really ſo: enquire then, and ſay whither there be any thing that can come within the reach of your deſires, that is not to be found included in it: For,

p. 391. Would you be honourable; and this is a thing which the world ſets an high price on, eagerly ſeeks after and courts: But what greater honour can we conceive of, then now to be owned and declared the Children of God? Are the Children of earthly Princes accounted noble, and all reſpect ſhown to them? How honourable then are the Children of the great King, whoſe Dominion is an everlaſting Dominion, and to whom all the Kings and Potentates in the world are Vaſſals? How excellent muſt the… be that can claim the neareſt relation to the Sovereign of the whole world? that are able to call the everlaſting Jehovah Father? this is an honour indeed, and he that hath it, may, with Moſes trample on the higheſt gloryes of the world, and look upon them all with an eye of contempt. This honour have all his Saints.

2. Would you have Riches? and theſe the graſping deſires of the ſons of men are greatly carried after; this is the only way to come by them, Rom. 8. 17. If Sons, then Heirs, heirs of God, and joynt heirs with Chriſt. And can a man be ſuch an heir, and be poor? The things which this world calleth riches, are poor things, if compared with thoſe which believers are made to poſſeſs: And if they count ſuch men rich, who enjoy a ſmall part of this earth (which is it ſelf but a ſpot) and a few of the periſhing things of this lower world, is not he then rich indeed, who p. 40truly, and without vanity, call the whole world his own? what then ſhall we ſay of him who hath the wealth and treaſures of two worlds to make uſe of, and a never failing title to them both? ſuch you may be by Faith, 1 Tim. 4. 8. Godlineſs hath the promiſe of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. You are now poor and in ſtraits, plotting and toyling to vanquiſh this poverty of yours, turning every ſtone, and crying all concluſions, and all to little purpoſe; but there is no plot like unto this, it is a deſign that cannot miſcarry; get Faith and you are owners of more than heart can wiſh.

3: Would you have a free uſe of the Creature? and this well thought of might be a prevailing motive: Conſider but upon what account unregenerate ſinners ſtand in reference to all the good things of God which they do make uſe of, turning of them by their ill improvement of them, into ſo many treaſuries of wrath and vengeance, Rom. 2. 5. So much as they do enjoy of God's goodneſs, ſo many witneſſes there are againſt them, to accuſe and condemn them before him: Every meals meat, every draught of drink, every garment which they wear, all the contentment that they enjoy in this life, will add to, and make their torments ſo much the greater in hell. With what trembling doth the awakened ſinner eat and drink, and make uſe of all the comforts of life? and this becauſe he now is made to underſtand p. 41that in all he doth but encreaſe his guilt, and render his account more fearful. But lo, here is the way to be delivered from the tyranny of theſe tormenting thoughts, and to be able truly to rejoyce in the goodneſs of God: Get Chriſt to be yours by faith, and then theſe will be no longer ſtollen comforts ending in bitterneſs, but you may be able to rejoyce in the Lord and in his goodneſs, having all coming to you as new Covenant mercyes, ſanctified by the blood of Chriſt.

4. Would you enjoy Divine Protection? this I am ſure you ſtand in need of, whoſe precious lives then are ſo many that ſeek to deprive you of who ly open every moment to ſo many oppreſſing evils. Conſider the world we live in, the awful dangers that are before us, and daily paſſing over our heads, the danger that we are continually obnoxious unto; the poor helpleſs ſtate of man in himſelf: now to be left to your own care and keeping, to be turned out into the midſt of ſo many evils alone, is a ſad thing: But believe in Chriſt, and now are you the Sons of God, and then you are ſecure: They that harm you muſt firſt ſtrike through his Omnipotence. Conſider, Pſal. 91. throughout, and what have you to ſay to all theſe things? Can you ſtill ſtrengthen your ſelves in unbelief? are you ſtill unwilling to come to Chriſt, or do you begin to ſay, Happy they whom the King of Glory p. 42ſhall admit to this honour? Will Satan, will the World; yea, can they inveſt you with ſuch a dignity? Is it not better to be a Child of God than a Child of the Devils? Do not then reject this ſo fairly proffered priviledge.

USE. III. For Exhortation to believers: As this great Truth affords you encouragement and comfort, to think that though the World deſpiſe and reject you, yet God owns you; though they count you abject and baſe, as the very offſcouring of the earth, yet that he looks upon you as his Children, having adopted you as his own, and put his Name upon you; ſo it may teach you theſe Leſſons.

1. Love God with a filial affection: He deſerves your beſt love, who hath ſhewen you ſuch love as this is: Context, verſ. 1. Behold! It calls for attention, obſervation, and admiration: What manner of love? It is a love which your hearts cannot comprehend, it is ſo great, ſo ſtrange, that ever ſinners ſhould be taken ſo near to the great God: Let your love meet it:

Hence.

1. Love his Honour and Glory: Nothing can grieve a Child more than to ſee his Parents vilified, and hear them evil ſpoken of, and their names traduced: How then ſhould it grieve the Children of God, to ſee and hear what woful diſhonour is caſt upon his glorious Name. by the profane lives and ſpeeches of wicked men? p. 43this was David's overwhelming grief, Pſal. 119. 136. Rivers of tears run down mine eyes, becauſe men keep not thy Law.

2. Love fellowſhip or communion with him: Love to draw near him in all thoſe wayes in which he reveales himſelf, and holds correſpondence with his own People: Take delight in Ordinances and ſpiritual Duties; value one day in the houſe of God better than a thouſand elſewhere; be willing to go through all difficulties, and (if called to it) endure calamities that you may enjoy the preſence of God: Get to be able ſincerely to make David's profeſſion, Pſal. 119 136. Lord, I have loved the habitation of thine Houſe, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

3. Love his Image whereſoever you ſee it▪ We look often and with great content upon the Pictures of thoſe on whom our hearts are ſet: There are thoſe here in the World that are more than Pictures; the Saints are living Images of the Lord, we may ſee in▪ them, not only the likneſs to, but the ſhining reflection of his communicated perfections: Hence we ſhould love the Saints, as they are Gods Children, and our fellow brethren, ſo did David, Pſal. 16. 2. The Saints, in whom is all my delight.

5. Love his commands: The dutiful Child loves that his father ſhould be calling for his ſervice, and is glad at the heart when any thing that he doth can find acceptance and give content p. 44How doth David love the law? He cannot expreſs it, Pſal. 110. 96. How ſweet and precious is it to him? Pſal. 19. 9, 10. Do not reckon it to be your burden, but your priviledge, that your heavenly Father will honour you ſo much (who needs it not) as to imploy you about any thing for him: And though it be the meaneſt ſervice, yet becauſe it is for him, account it honourable: true love will ſtoop low to expreſs it ſelf to the beloved.

2. Serve God with a filial ſubjection: Its the Apoſtles counſel, 1 Pet. 1. 14. As obedient Children, &c. There is a great difference between the ſervice of a Child, and that of a ſervant: Shew your ſelves the Children of God.

1. By hearkening unto him in whatſoever he hath to ſay unto you: How diligent ſhould Children be to liſten whither their Parents call them or no? And what attention ought they to yeild unto them when they ſpeak to, or command them in any matter? E…e God in his providences, conſider what is his mind therein, hear the rod and him that hath appointed it; hearken to him in his word and make a particular application to your own ſouls of all thoſe counſels a…d directions which are given in his Ordinances from one time to another.

II. Readily embrace his will, and without grumbling or repining, go about every work of God which you are called unto chearfully: It p. 45is a note of great diſobedience of heart, and a thing very grievous unto their Parents, when they ſee that their Children go about their doing of any thing that they are commanded with an ill will. How acceptable muſt it needs be unto God, when his Children do their duty ſo, as in the manner of their doing it, they make it to appear that they take great ſatisfaction in it? Herein we ſhew our ſelves to be like Chriſt our elder Brother, who rejoyced to do his Fathers will, Pſal. 40. 7.

3. Endeavour in all things ſo to carry it that ſuch as take notice of you may ſee and know▪ whoſe Children you are: Bear alwayes about with you the Image of God, and labour after an evident repreſentation of his perfections in your whole converſation, Mat. 5. ult. Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. Remember that as there is a real, ſo there ought to be a manifeſt difference between the Children of God and the Children of the Devil, 1 Joh. 3. 9. In this the Children of God are manifeſted. It is therefore your part to be alwayes ſhewing the difference; And to that end have a care of conforming your ſelves in the ſinful and carnal courſes and cuſtoms of the world. Be not afraid, no nor aſhamed to run in a ſtream quite contrary to theirs. And for this be obſervant of the rules of Gods word, where you may learn to cleanſe your way and regulate your lives ſutable to your relation.

p. 46And hence,

1. Shew your ſelves the Children of God by an holy life and converſation, 1 Pet. 1. 15, 16. As he that hath called you is holy, ſo be ye alſo holy, &c. Live contrary to the worlds filthineſs; they love to be wallowing in the mire of fleſhly luſt▪ to be polluting themſelves with ſin; do you abſtain from the very appearance … any ſuch thing: God is moſt holy, and he loves purity, and hates filthineſs, and when we do ſo to, and ſhew that we do ſo in our practical converſation, then do we ſhew our ſelves to be like him. It is a very great ſhame that the Sons of God ſhould have fellowſhip with the unfruitful works of darkneſs; that believers ſhould be overtaken with the like exceſſes of riot, drunkenneſs, wantonneſs, &c. with unbelievers; this is a great diſgrace to the high and honourable calling of the Children of God; holineſs becomes his Saints, let then the ſhine of his Graces irradiat your loves.

2. By expreſſing an holy confidence in God in all the caſes and concernments of your lives: In trouble, affliction, Perſecution, diſtreſs, contrary to thoſe cares and perplexities of the men of the world, which eat them up, and declare that they have no further to rely upon: we then honour God, and bring credit to Religion, when we can at all times caſt our care upon him, believing in his power and promiſe in our ſoreſt p. 47diſtreſs: thus did David when he was reduced to the greateſt imaginable difficulties, 1. Sam. 30. 6. He encouraged himſelf in the Lord.

3. By a conſtant application of your ſelves to God in all your caſes: Children, eſpecially little Children in their minority, are to have their whole dependance upon their Parents, and ſo ſho… Believers upon their God: When you are in any ſtra… go to him, thus did Hezekiah, Iſa. 38. 14. I am oppreſſed, Lord undertake for me.

Hence,

1. When you want any good thing, go to God for it, and no whither elſe, ask it of him, and not of a ſtranger: is it a great diſparagement to Parents, and they take it ſo, for their Children to go to other houſes, to beg or ſteal to ſupply their wants, it is enough for Orphans, that have none to care for them, to do ſo. Have you a Fath… in Heaven, go then and tell him what it is that you need, he will conſider of it, and if you do indeed need it, you ſhall have it; and if you have it not, you may certainly conclude, it is becauſe his wiſdom ſees that it is better for you to be without it, you would take harm by it if he ſhould gratifie you in it; it is for your good to want it, and therefore be content, and do not ſeek to ſupply your ſelves out of his way, for as that would diſhonour him, ſo you may be ſure it ſhall not proſper.

2. When you ſuffer and are wronged by any, p. 48content your ſelves now to go and tell him of it, and do not ſeek by any indirect courſe, or undue means to right your ſelves. It is the duty of Gods Children to leave all their wrongs and injuries to his righting of them, Pſal. 10. 14. The poor committeth himſelf unto thee. God looks upon the recompence of wrongs to be a pre…ogative of his ſoveraignty; and his Children …ave no reaſon to fear, but that he will plead their cauſe, and do them right.

4. Be alwayes ſtrengthening and encouraging of your Faith in God, by the frequent conſideration of your Adoption: Be much therefore in this contemplation, it affords plentiful and ſoul-ſatisfying encouragement to a Child of God in every condition that he can be reduced unto. Hence, improve it.

1. When you are wooed and ſolicited by Satan to look upon the tempting glories of the things of this world: when honour and pleaſures bid hard for your affections, ſolicite you eagerly to let out your hearts upon them; and it may be their ſeeming ſplendor and delicacy may begin to dazzle your eyes and allure your minds, now conſider ſolemnly with your ſelves who you are, reflect upon your extract, and draw ſuch concluſions as naturally reſult from it: Say now theſe things may indeed ſeem fine and fair ba…ts to poor beggars and fatherleſs ones, that ly upon the worlds dung-hill; let them then take and p. 49ſhare them among themſelves, let them ſcramble and ſee who can get moſt of them, they may do it, they are not Themiſtocles, they have no better an hope, theſe are things accommodated to their earthly minds. Check your rambling affections with theſe conſiderations; It is below my birth and breeding to take up ſatisfied with▪ and place my hearts delight upon ſuch ſorry deſpicable things: this is fit for none but ſuch miſerable ſneaks as have nothing elſe to truſt unto: I have otherghueſs delights, riches and honours to feed upon, and ſatiate my Soul withal; I have ſubſtances, I will not therefore reſt in ſhadows nor envy ſuch as do.

2. When you are ready to be oppreſt and overcome with ſlaviſh fears of want, and diſtreſſes here in this world, and your minds begin to be diſtracted about it, cares are multiplying upon you, now rouſe up yourſelves, and think, who▪ are you that you ſhould afflict and torment your ſelves about ſuch matters?