Goodwill Towards Men, Part 2 · Section 13

Goodwill Towards Men · Part 2 · Section 13

p. 2602 Sam. 23.5.

All my salvation, and all my desire.

Sect. 13.

PROP. XIII. The benefits and blessings promised in the Covenant of Grace, and sure to all that perform the aforementioned condition, are exceeding great and many, are indeed inexpressible, inestimable, and inconceivable.

O That I could borrow the tongues of men and Angels for a while! what need of the tongue of the Learned here? yea, of that wine of the Kingdom, which would cause the lips of those that are asleep to speak? might one of us poor mortals have the priveledge (with him in 2 Cor. 12.4.) to be caught up into Paradise, to hear how those blessed ones above set forth, and magnifie Covenant-blessings, continually praising and adoring that Free-grace of God in Christ, that brought them to a participation thereof, should we not hear foreign, such lofty strains of heavenly Eloquence, as our low capacities would not be able to repeat after them?

As when Jacob first heard of his son Joseph's honour and advancement in Egypt, his heart fainted: so it might be astonishing news to us, to hear what great things God hath promised, if we come up to Covenant-terms. As when the Queen of Sheba had p. 261seen the glory of King Solomon, there was no more spirit in her: how ravishing should it be to the souls of the faithful, to see and hear what glory God holds forth to them in the Covenant of Grace. Here are riches of glory on the vessels of mercy. O the riches of the glory of this mystery! unsearchable riches indeed. See Rom. 9.23. Col. 1.27. Ephes. 1.18. & 3.8.

It is not to be thought, that any man on earth, much less that such a worm as I, should make a full discovery of all the Blessings, and glorious priveledges contained in Gods gracious Covenant. Indeed, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entred into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him, 1 Cor. 2.9. As we cannot by searching find out God to perfection, (Job 11.7.) so neither can we fully know, or describe the happiness of those, who have a special interest in God. As one sayes, we shall never see the Covenant of Grace fully unfolded, till (according to Heb. 1.12.) the Heavens come to be folded up; or rather till we see Heaven it self opened.

The Grand promise here is [I will be their God] a promise containing all the rest. A promise containing Him, whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain.

Who is he that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, let him no more walk disconsolately; but encourage himself in the Lord his God. Well mayest thou rejoyce in thy portion. Deus meus, & omnia. O rejoyce in his Highness for ever.

Obj. But was not God the God of Ieshurun? as p. 262Moses said, none like unto the God of Ieshurun. And yet Jeshurun forsook God, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his Salvation. And when the Lord saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters, Deut. 32.15, 19. To the Israelites in common pertained the Adoption, and the glory, and the Covenants, as the Apostle saith. Yet with many of them God was not well pleased; but overthrew them in the wilderness. Yea, sometimes he said of them, you only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities, Amos 3.2.

Answ. Grant all this, yet it is no denial, or diminishing of your happiness, who have a special propriety in God; nor should it be any damp to your joy, and rejoycing in Him.

As there is a twofold call, so there is a twofold relation to God; as a twofold manner of being in Covenant with God, so a twofold interest in Him. Observe it, there is a common, external, and ineffectual; and again there is a special, internal, and effectual call to God: So there is a more common Relation to God, and a more special Relation to Him. A Common intrest in God, and a Special intrest in him.

Indeed a great priviledge it is to be a people near unto the Lord, to be so much as externally in Covenant with Him. Yea, it is far better to be continued in his House and Family, though under the discipline of the Rod, than to be driven out of his house and heritage, though it were with Babylon, to sit as Queen in the earth. Better to suffer affliction with the people of God, to enjoy his word and ordinances, the ordinary means of salvation; than p. 263to enjoy the largest share of worldly Pleasures, Plenty, and Prosperity, without them. Thus Englands Mercies (were the Land more Impoverished than it is, yet) are to be prized above the Treasures of both Indies. That was a desperate prophane speech of him, that said, He would not change his part in Paris, for a part in Paradise. The Barrenest part of Gods Hill, is to be chosen before the fatest Valleys, where God dwelleth not. So Lot found: Surely, they have cause to say, The Lines are fallen to them in pleasant places, and they have a goodly Heritage, that dwell in Emmanuel's Land. Happy are the People, that hear, and know the joyful sound: The Damned, with whom God will parley no more, count such happy. The Heathen, that are without God in the world, and strangers to the Tearms and Tenor of his Covenant, did they understand their own Estates, would count such happy. But as it is the Misery of those without, generally, not to know their Misery; so of too many within the Church, not to know, or consider their own happiness, what Advantages they have for Heaven above others. As our Saviour, weeping over that sinful City, that rejected him and his Grace; that chose rather to Die and Perish, than to be gathered under his healing Wings: [O, if Thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace, Luke 19.42.] If thou hadst known these things, then mightest thou have been for ever happy.

But therefore thou that hast attended to the things of thy peace, and hast come in upon Gods Call, thou art happy: Now is Salvation come to thy soul. And if there be enough in God, in Christ, p. 264in Heaven to make thee happy, thou shalt be for ever happy. Others have had Life and Salvation offered, but could not see to take it. But happy thou indeed, who hast (with Mary) chosen that good part, which shall never be taken from thee. To thee this everlasting Covenant (which I am opening) shall be a spring of Everlasting Consolation.

Now you may look upon God, as your God indeed. I say, God is yours. And though this be a short Sentence, soon utrered, yet is it so Copious a Subject, as you might be Meditating on all your days, and yet never be able fully to comprehend the Happiness included in it. When I say, God is yours, I have said all, I can say no more: For all Happiness is implied, and included in it.

The misery of the Damned is comprized in two particulars, scil. In poenâ Damni, and In poenâ Sensus, in what good they have lost, and are deprived of for ever, and what evil they feel, have Inflicted on them, and must ever lie under. On the contrary, the happiness of the Faithful is sum'd up in these two Points, to wit, Freedom from Evil, and Fruition of Good. And how safe are they, who have God for their Shield? How Rich are they, who have God for their Portion, an All-sufficient God for their Reward? O exceeding great Reward! As holy David says here, This is all my Salvation, and all my desire: Or as some read it, He is all my Salvation, and He is all my desire.

[1.] That now you have a special propriety in God, this is all your Salvation.

(1.) It speaks you freed from the guilt of sin. So Jer. 31.33, 34. Where the Lord promiseth to be p. 265their God, he addeth: [For I will forgive their Iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.] Sin unpardoned separateth betwixt God and souls: Therefore God evermore forgiveth their Iniquities, unto whom he gives himself. Now what a blessed Priviledge is this, to have your sins pardoned! Even as David describeth Blessedness, Psal. 32.1. Blessed are they whose Iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. What would not a condemned Traitor, or Malefactor give for the Kings pardon? And what is a Pardon from God worth then, which could no other way be Purchased, but by the most precious Blood of his dear Son? But you who have felt what a burden sin is, and have sometimes cried out of that burden, as Intollerable; certainly, you cannot but account the pardon of sin a Mercy and Priviledge inestimable. O blessed change indeed, for one that was a Rebel, sentenced to Death by the Law of Heaven, to have the black Sentence reversed, and to become a Favourite of God: For a Child of Wrath to become a Child of Love. The pardon of sin carrieth Redemption in it, Col. 1.14. In whom we have Redemption (through his Blood) even the Forgiveness of sins. The pardon of sin connotes Justification, or is all one with it. The way of Justifying one that hath been a sinner, an Offender, being by the pardoning of all, wherein he hath offended. The pardon of sin speaketh peace, and Reconciliation with God, 2 Cor. 5.19. God was in Christ Reconciling the World unto himself, not imputing their Trespasses unto them. The pardon of sin inferreth Adoption, Gal. 4.5.

(2.) It speaketh you delivered from the dominion p. 266of sin. Though your Corruptions will be a Disturbance to you while in this Imperfect state, yet sin shall not have dominion over you: For ye are not under the Law, but under Grace, Rom. 6.14. You are not barely under a Law commanding, but under a gracious Covenant, which as it requireth Duty, so it encourageth with a promise of Grace, and help to perform it. The Lord hath promised, as to Forgive, so likewise to Subdue the Iniquities of his People, Mic. 7.18, 19. Though there be some Life in the Members of the Old-man, as you feel to your sorrow; yet it is wounded at the heart, of which wound it shall never recover. So

(3.) It speaketh you safe from the final Prevalency of Temptations. Your God is greater than all: Neither Men, nor Devils are able to pluck you out of your Fathers hand, John 10.29. Therefore the Gates of Hell shall not prevail. You are still liable to be tempted, yet being in firm League with God, you shall have seasonable succour from him. As Saul encouraged the men of Jabesh-Gilead, To morrow by that time the Sun is hot, ye shall have help. So God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, 1 Cor. 10.13. He will quench Satans fiery darts, before they shall have quite drunk up your spirits: Yea, the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your Feet shortly.

(4.) It assureth of a seasonable Deliverance out of spiritual Troubles, so it may support one under present sad disertion. You have now shot the Gulph, you are passed from Death to Life. And though you may be full of Fears sometimes, and passing sentence against your selves; though your condition p. 267for the present may not be so comfortable, yet it is safe. You may sometimes walk in Darkness, yet the Lord will be your everlasting Light: Your days of Mourning shortly will be ended. The Lord will be a Sun as well as a Shield, to the Upright.

(5.) It speaketh Exemption, or Deliverance from outward Troubles, when it may be good for you. God is known in Zions Palaces for a Refuge, God is in the midst of her▪ God shall help her, and that right early. And because thou hast made the Lord which is my Refuge, even the most High, thy Habitation: There shall no evil befal thee, Psal. 91.9, 10.

(6.) Or it speaketh Deliverance from the evil of Affliction. You may be Afflicted but not Forsaken, Psal. 89.32.33, 34. I will visit their iniquities with stripes. Nevertheless, my loving Kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my Faithfulness to fail. My Covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my Lips. Yea, as it is, Neh. 13.2. Our God turned the Curse into a Blessing. Your God will do as much for you, will turn Crosses into Blessings. No evil shall befal you, but what hath Rationem boni, what God will turn to good, Rom. 8.28. As it is, Ezra 8.22. The hand of our God is upon all them for good, that seek him. Yea, even his Afflicting hand too: His Afflicting hand is never on them, but for good. So I may allude to that Passage, 1 Sam. 16.4, 5. When Samuel came to Bethlehem, the Elders trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord: sanctifie your selves, and come with me to the sacrifice. So indeed you may be set on trembling, p. 268when Sickness comes, when Poverty comes, when such an Affliction comes you may fall a trembling; whereas, if you stay and enquire about the end of its coming, you may be satisfied, that it comes peaceably. It is not the Wound of an Enemy, nor the Chastisement of a Cruel one: But a Call from God, your Father, to sanctifie your selves, and offer up some Lust, some sin, or other, a Sacrifice. It may be Sickness comes as a Cure of thy spiritual Indisposition, security, and Deadness; it may be crosses in Estate come, to cause thee to offer up thy Pride, Luxury, Sensuality, Covetousness. As when David would know of the Children of Benjamin, whether they came indeed to help, or to betray him: They answered (1 Chron. 12.17, 18.) Thine are we, David, and on thy side: Peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. O the happy estate of those that are at peace with God! He will cause the very stones of the Field, and the Beasts of the Field, and what was most likely to offend, and annoy them, to be at peace with them. Great peace have such indeed, nothing shall offend them. Afflictions come not to harm, but to help them. As they said, We are thine, David; so if God be yours, then all things are yours. All changes that come, are on your side, your helpers.

(7.) It speaketh your security from final Apostacy, and so from final Condemnation. Now your condition is safe indeed, safe to Eternity. Though you may not therefore give way to sinful Security, which is opposite to an holy fear, and cautiousness. No, but therefore your estate is safe, because God hath promised to keep you in his fear, Jer. 32.40. I p. 269will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. And they that have his Grace, not to depart from him here, shall not be sentenced to depart from him hereafter. You that are brought in, and kept close to God here, shall not be banished, separated from God hereafter: You whom God Justifieth here. he will not condemn hereafter. The Lord knoweth them that are his, and will own, and openly acknowledge them before the whole world at the last day.

Thus you that come up to Covenant Terms, and so have the Lord for your God, you are delivered from the greatest evils; and delivered by lesser evils, that come upon you. I say, by lesser evils, God delivereth you from greater, who will deliver you from all evils at last. Thus God is your Shield, and all others are but as Paper-shields, or Painted-shields, compared with the Shield of thine help. Salvation is of the Lord. All Salvation; if God be for us, who, or what can be against us? No such Guard against evil in all the world, as God, the chiefest Good. See here the safety of those, who are in firm League with the Almighty, under the special protection of God most High. See the wonderful Immunities of such, as have him for their Protector and Governour: Well might David say of it, This is all my Salvation.

[2.] Yea, further in this special propriety in God, there is included all Good, that a gracious soul can desire, Psal. 73.25. Whom have I in Heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. You that have the Lord for your God indeed, how can you desire more, than God hath promised to be unto you, and to do for you? You p. 270have all, in having him, who hath all things, and can do all things.

Not that you are Godded with God, as some have spoken blasphemously. But remember ye what followed the Ambition of our first Parents, their affecting to be as Gods, sacrilegious Ambition. Thus the Devil lifted them up by his Temptation, that he might bring them down, to be like himself. Such Heaven-daring pride as that, must needs have a fall. As Tyrus is threatned, Ezek. 28.2.6.8. Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am God, Because thou hast set thine heart as the Heart of God: They shall bring thee down to the Pit, and thou shalt die the death. Such high-flown spirits, as talk of the fulness of the God-head dwelling bodily in the Saints, are not the Children of Light, but the Children of Pride, Erratick stars, to whom (without a self-abasing sight of themselves) is reserved the blackness of Darkness for ever.

It's true, God gives himself to his People, to be enjoyed, and glorified of them; but not so, as to be Debased, and Degraded in them, to the condition of his Creatures, nor so as to Exalt, and Raise them above the condition of Creatures. He communicates his Mercy freely, but his Glory he will not give to another. As Pharaoh heaped Dignities, and Royal Favours upon Joseph: Only (said he) in the Throne will I be greater than thou. God will do wonderful things for his People: But as for those that talk of their being Godded with God, they would un-God him; and deifie themselves.

But I come to you, who have a special Interest in God.

p. 271(1.) God is yours in the sweetest Relations. God is your Shepherd. And what doth the Psalmist infer from thence? The Lord is my Shepherd, therefore I shall not want, Psal. 23.1. God is your Teacher, John 6.45. And there is none that Teacheth, like him. God is your Father, as Christ said, John 20.17. I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God. If your God, then your Father. 2 Cor. 6.18. I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. And what a priviledge is this, to have God for your Father, and to be owned as his Children. The Children of God can never be left Orphans. The Sons of God can never want an Inheritance. Surely, Heaven is enough for all Gods Children. In our Fathers House there is Bread enough, and there is Room enough, John 14.2. God is your Husband, Hos. 2.16, 19. O happy Match for thee, to have thy Maker for thy Husband. He is a meet help indeed. An All-sufficient God is a meet help indeed for poor Indigent Creatures; only we are infinitely unworthy of him, not meet for him of our selves. 'Tis his Infinite Free-grace that accounts, and makes us meet.

(2.) All Gods Attributes are yours. There is no Attribute, or Property of his, but may speak Terrour unto, and will set against all those, that are, and keep at a distance from him. Even the Patience of God, which such have abused, will plead, and witness against them; the Grace and Mercy of God, which they have slighted, and rejected, will rise up in Judgment against them one day. On the contrary, there is no Attribute of Gods, but speaketh p. 272good to them that are at peace with God. O what a rich Store-house of Comfort is here, to have all Gods glorious Attributes engaged, and at work for you! His absolute Soveraignty, and infinite Power engaged, and at work to uphold, protect, and defend you. His perfect Wisdom, and Omniscience, to see to you, and to order all things for the best, that concern you. His tender and neverfailing Compassion, to pity you. His rich Mercy, and boundless Love, to relieve you. His constant Truth, and everlasting Faithfulness, to perform all the good promises that he hath made unto you. His Holiness to Transform you into the same Image, to Assimulate you. His Justice, to avenge you of your Enemies, to execute Judgment for you. His Omnipresence, graciously to accompany you. His Unchangeableness, and Eternity, to continue his loving Kindness to you, and to Crown all he does for you in endless Happiness.

As when the Spouse had given a Lively, Lofty, and Lovely Description of her Beloved, Cant. 5.10. &c. My Beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among Ten Thousand. His Head as the most fine Gold, his Eyes as of Doves. His Cheeks, as a Bed of Spices. His Lips like Lillies, dropping sweet smelling Myrrhe. His Legs as Pillars of Marble, set in Sockets of Gold. His Countenance as Lebanon, excellent as the Cedars. His Mouth most sweet; yea, he is altogether Lovely. Then she concludes thus exulting, and making her boast of him, ver. 16. This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend. So you who have now given up your selves to be the Lords, after the largest survey of the Divine perfections, you can possibly take, you p. 273may sit down, and rest in this sweet close, This God is our God; and he will be our Guide even unto Death, yea, unto Glory. This Almighty, All-commanding, All-wise, All-knowing God, this Immense Being, this Holy, Just, Loving, Gracious, and Merciful God; this Faithful, Unchangeable, Eternal God, is our God for ever and ever. This, this is the Heritage of the Servants of the Lord, and their Righteousness is of me, saith the Lord: So likewise their Bliss, and Happiness.

(3.) If God be yours, his Christ is yours. Indeed it is in, and through Christ, that God is yours.

Though they speak not the words of Truth, and Soberness, but like men forsaken of God, and Reason too; like men given up to strong Delusions, who talk of their being Christed with Christ. And that is a weak, and frivolous Objection, (which might seem to befriend them) scil. If Christ and his Righteousness be made over to Believers, then they should be Mediators, Saviours, as Christ is. It follows not. As the Husband giveth himself in Marriage to the Wife, but that maketh not the Wife an Head, or Husband. Christ and his Righteousness is made over to us, to a certain end, that is, to our Justification, and Salvation, not to make us Saviours: He is made unto us Redemption, 1 Cor. 1.30. but we are never said to be made Redeemers by him. Aliud est justitia Christi Mediatoria quoad officium: aliud est justitia Christi Mediatoris quoad Meritum. As Dr. Arrowsmith. Or it is for the sake of Christ, with respect to his Righteousness, and Satisfaction, that we sinners come to be Pardoned, Justified; not that we are as perfect, as Christ himself: p. 274But being interested in him, we have his Satisfaction interposing betwixt us and Gods Justice, and procuring Pardon for us.

Now blessed art thou above Millions of Men, and Women, who mayst say, Christ is mine. Yea, this is Inconceivably more, than if all the Kingdoms of the world were thine. He is the Pearl of greatest price. All things in the world, but Loss, and Dung, compared to this Pearl. O the precious Blood, and precious Benefits of Christ! O the unsearchable Riches of Christ! O the Fulness of Christ! In him all fulness dwells. There is an Infinite fulness both of Merit, and Grace in him.

He is and hath all that souls stand in need or can desire, to make them happy. He is the great Lord Treasurer of Heaven. And, O the Treasures of Wisdom, Righteousness, and Strength, that are with him! Ho, every one that thirsteth come, Isa. 55.1. Whosoever will, let him take of the Water of Life freely, Rev. 22.17. There is enough in Christ to fill, and satisfie all the thirsty souls in the world; enough in Christ for every one that will come, be they never so many. One Christ is enough for all the Faithful: Yea, Christ alone is enough for them. For whom I have suffered the loss of all things (says the Apostle) and do count them but dung that I may win Christ, Phil. 3.8. All things were accounted nothing in comparison of Christ; better want all things than want Christ. He is All in all, yea, he is All even out of all. Though you should have nothing here, yet enjoying Christ, you may be happier, than if you possessed all things in the world. He is the Hundred-fold Father, and Mother; as Mr. Vines used to say. He is the Hundred-fold House and Land, p. 275the Hundred-fold Estate spoken of, Mark 10.29, 30. And you would not count him a poor man, that had put off his Lumber and Trash, and turned his Estate into Gold and Jewels, things of the greatest value.

Hast thou a Christ? why then thou hast the Heir of all things, even him, who will be all things to thee, 1 Cor. 1.30. He is made unto us Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Sanctification, and Redemption. If Christ be ours he will be our Prophet, to Instruct us, our Priest to Expiate our sins, and Sanctifie us; our King to Redeem and Save us.

Thou that hast Christ, thou hast the true Light: and he shall give thee Light, when others still abide in darkness.

Thou hast the Sun of Righteousness risen on thee, while others are under the power of the Prince of darkness. O the glorious Apparel of the meanest Saints clothed with the Sun! Every true Believer shines in the Beams of this Sun of Righteousness, and is far more richly arayed therewith, than Herod, was in his Cloath of Silver, glittering in the Sun.Josephus.

Thou that hast Christ, thou hast the true Bread that came down from Heaven. The Bread of Life, while they that are strangers to Christ, feed upon ashes, feed upon Husks, things which can never satisfie. Thou that hast Christ, thou hast the Well of Life: Thou mayst drink freely of the Water of Life, while others (alas) have only broken Cisterns, and stinking Puddles to go too.

What a full Christ is this? Our Light, and our Righteousness, and our Peace, and our Life; in a word, our All.

p. 276(4.) If God be yours, then his Spirit is yours. Indeed some speak of the Person of the Spirit, being given to, and the Person of the Holy Ghost dwelling in the Faithful; which yet they thus Caution. You must not conceive that thereby he doth make us one Person, with himself, or that he doth Communicate unto us any Personal, or Divine property of his own (for that is Incommunicable) Lyford senses exterr. p. 141. Now such as go this way must not be ranked in our thoughts with those I speak of before, men of corrupt minds, and profligate principles.

Though I confess I have some doubt, whether the Expression of the Spirits personal In-dwelling in the Godly, be safe, as they lay it down. For either it would seem, not to hold forth enough, scil. To import no more than that he is essentially present in them, and so he is every where present, Psal. 139.7. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit, or whither shall I flee from thy presence. Thus the wicked have his presence, what ever they are doing, wheresoever they are: Or else it would seem to import too much, scil. a personal Ʋnion of the Holy Ghost, and Believers, which all that are sober must deny. Otherwise they must hold the Spirit Incarnate, as well as the Son, and that the Spirit and a Believer, make but one Person; and so (as Christ the Son of Mary, was the Son of God, the Humane Nature being taken into the Person of the Son of God) every Believer should be the Holy Ghost. Again, we read as well of God the Father, and Christs dwelling in the Faithful, and making their abode with them. And what reason there is to imagine some peculiar way of the Spirits In-dwelling different p. 277from that of the Father, and the Son, I am not able to apprehend.

But you that have given up your selves to God, How is his Mercy magnified towards you? They are not mean things that he gives to you; No, he gives you Himself, he gives you his Son, he gives you his Spirit. O thrice happy Creatures! who have a special Interest in God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. O unspeakable Gift! O infinite Gift! As when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by Himself. So, when he promiseth himself, his Son and Spirit, we must say he could promise nothing greater. As Araunah gave like a King; what God giveth to his people is like a God: as Christ is called the gift of God, Acts 8.20. Certainly God could give nothing more like himself, (John 10.30. John 5.7.)

As Christ said, Whether is greater the Gold or the Temple that sanctifieth the Gold? Whether is greater, the Gift, or the Altar that sanctifieth the Gift? The holy Spirit is such a Gift as sanctifieth all other Gifts; and so of all Gifts the greatest. The Evangelist Luke, for [good things] inserts [the holy Spirit,] in Mat. 7.11. How much more shall your Heavenly Father give [good things] to them that ask him. Which is thus, Luke 11.13. How much more shall your Heavenly Father give [the holy Spirit] to them that ask him. Gods giving the holy Spirit to any, is the giving of all good Things, in Pignore. His giving the Spirit is an Earnest and Pledge of more, that he intendeth to give. It is a leading Blessing, that comes to make way for more. It is given to prepare you for Mercy, to prepare you for Glory. Think of those sweet and excellent p. 278Properties and Appellations given him in Scripture.

He is the Spirit of Truth, and so he will lead you into all necessary Truth, John 16.13. He is the best Teacher, 1 John 2.27. Ye need not that any man teach you, but as the same anointing teacheth you. O! there is none teacheth like him. He is the best Guide. Men may be deceived, and may deceive others, may mistake and mislead others; so cannot the Spirit of Truth, you that are Lead by the Spirit, you have a good Guide indeed, a faithful guide, that will not suffer you to Erre damnably, will not suffer you finally to miscarry; he is the Spirit of Wisdom, the best Counsellor.

He is the Spirit of Grace, Heb. 10.29. And Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance, are the Fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22, 23. And what are the most precious Fruits of the Earth, to the Fruits of the Spirit? Now let not the Eunuch that hath joyned himself to the Lord, say, Behold, I am a dry Tree. Instead of the Bryer, shall come up the Mirtle-tree. Of a dry Tree the Spirit of Grace, can make a fruitful Bough; like Joseph, can make a Tree of Righteousness, full of good and pleasant Fruits. His presence is enough to turn a Desert into an Eden, a Wilderness into the Garden of God.

He is the Spirit of Power, that though we are weak indeed, yet we may be strengthened in the Inner man by the Spirit, Ephes. 3.16. May be enabled to tread down strength, to mortifie our corruptions, through the Spirit, Rom. 8.13. Thus we are enabled to discharge Duties, the Spirit helping p. 279our Infirmities, Rom. 8.26. Thus we are enabled to walk in Gods wayes, Ezek. 36.27. I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my Statutes.

He is the Spirit of Life: The Quickning Spirit, Rom. 8.11. Can these dry Bones live? Yea, if the Spirit of Life enter into them. David oft prayeth for quickening. Such as are alive in a spiritual sence, should desire and pray to be more lively. Well, it is the Spirit that quickeneth, as it was with the Prophet Ezekiel, Ezek. 3.24. The Spirit entered upon me, and set me upon my feet.

He is the Spirit of Liberty. The Free-spirit, Psal. 51.11. Uphold me with thy free Spirit, where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty, we are oft streightned, alas: But it is because we are a-wanting to our selves, and because we do not entertain the Spirit of his good likeing, cherish his Motions, follow his Councels; we are streightned in our selves, but the Spirit of the Lord is not streightned.

He is the Spirit of Glory, the Comforter. And you that carefully attend to his quickening Counsels shall in the end attain to his chearing Comforts. And what is the Joy of Harvest, to that Joy in the Holy Ghost? VVhat is the Joy of them that divide the spoil, to the Joy of Gods salvation? As we read of the Spirits helping Believers in Prayer with groans unutterable, Rom. 8.26. So will he in due time furnish them as well for the work of Praising God, filling them with Joy unspeakable, and full of Glory, see Rom. 14.15.

And such (as you have heard) is that good Spirit of God, which is given unto all those, who truly give up themselves to God. O blessed souls indeed! p. 280O thrice happy Creatures! To whom God gives Himself, his Son, and Spirit, Rejoyce in the Lord ye Righteous, and again, and again, I say rejoyce. Let not the Consolation of God seem small to you. If there be any Consolation in the God of all Consolation, if any Consolation in Christ, if any Comfort to be had in the Spirit, the Comforter, it is for you. Gladness it is for the Upright in heart. What more can be wished to make you happy, than is included in the Apostles Valediction, or Benediction, 2 Cor. 13.14. The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Now these are all with you indeed, and shall be ever with you. As Crist promised, John 14.16, 17. The Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, shall dwell and abide with you for ever. O happy Creatures, that have the good Spirit of God your Guide, and Counsellor, your Companion, and Comforter; The Spirit of Truth to teach you, the Spirit of Grace to sanctifie you, the Spirit of Power to assist and help you; the Spirit of Life to quicken; the Spirit of Liberty to enlarge you; the Spirit of Joy and Peace to revive and comfort you; the Spirit of Glory to rest upon you. Though earthly Friends may fail, may forsake you; yet here is a Friend indeed, that will stick to you, and abide with you for ever.

(5.) The good Providence of God is still at work for you. My Father worketh hitherto, and I work, says Christ, John 5.17. Gods attributes are still at work for you. His Eyes at work. Behold the Eyes of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his Mercy. The Eyes p. 281of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth, to watch over those, whose hearts are upright towards him, His Hands are at work: The good Hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; yea, many times his Arm is made bare, his Arm is stretched out. That the Heathen, and their Enemies are forced to acknowledge, The Lord hath done great things for them▪ It shall be said of Israel, What hath God wrought? Who raised up the Righteous man from the East? O how great is his goodness, which he hath laid up for them that fear him, and which he is also laying out on them, which he hath wrought for them before the sons of men!

The Providence of God is two-fold, there is a common Providence, and a special Providence.

A Common Providence over the Creatures in general, as they are Gods Creatures. A Special Providence over the Faithful, as in nearer Relation unto God, his Children, his Friends, and Confederates. As God hath a Special propriety in them, so he hath a special care of them.

We read he preserveth Man and Beast, Psal. 36.6. But more especially that he preserveth the Faithful, Psal. 31.23. He is the Saviour of all men, but especially of them that Believe.

Yet even the Common Providence of God is a special ground of Encouragement to his People, That he is the Preserver of all things. If he provideth for the young Lyons, and the Ravens that cry; much more that he will provide for the Sheep of his Pasture, and for his Lambs; while he Feeds his Enemies, he will not let his own Children starve.

Again, That he Governeth all things, without whom no man can lift up Hand or Foot in all the p. 282world, without whom not a Dog that can move his Tongue. He that ruleth in Jacob, over-ruleth all to the ends of the Earth.

But come we to his Special Providence over the Faithful. So, all the Paths of the Lord are Mercy and Truth unto such as keep his Covenant, Psal. 25.10. By the Paths of the Lord, there we are to understand, not the Paths of his Precepts, wherein he would have us to walk, but the paths of his Providence, wherein he walks towards his people: The way of his proceedings.

And what is said of these paths? They are all [Mercy and Truth] which some make an Hendigdis, like that Jer. 22.3. Execut Iudgment and Righteousness; that is, Execute righteous Judgment. So here Mercy and Truth, i. e. Mercy indeed. Or we may take them as distinct, as holding forth thus much, that God doth not only begin with them in a way of mercy, but goes on with them as he had begun. His mercy to such is constant. He continues his loving Kindness to these, even of his truth and Faithfulness; or thus, Truth hath reference to some word that God hath spoken: Not to the word of threatning here, because Mercy is joyned with it: What can it refer to therefore, but the word of Promise? signifying Gods performing promise, keeping Covenant with such as keep Covenant with him? So the meaning is, in all the passages of Divine providence God is still intending good, and extending Mercy, and performing promise to his people.

His Patience may be exercised towards others; but his special Grace and Favour, his loving Kindness and tender Mercy is drawn out towards you.

p. 283God may shew some Mercy to wicked men, in some of his ways. But alas, their Mercies are not pure Mercies, No, there is wrath also mixed with their Mercies. As the murmuring Israelites had Quails and a Curse. But you have real Mercies, a blessing with Estate, a blessing with Health, &c. Gods special Love with Common Mercies, greatly Enhaunsing and Raising the Value of them. They come not as Wind-falls of common Providence (as one expresseth it) but are sound Fruits, growing on the Promise. So there is Mercy in all Gods Paths towards you. You shall meet with it at every turn, Mercy shall prevent you, and follow you, and compass you about. Yea, in the end you shall find Mercy in the crossest Paths of Providence, wherein at present you may apprehend nothing but Severity.

Again, whatsoever Mercy God sheweth to sinners, yet they have no assurance thereof. How soon may Gods Patience be turned into Fury, and his Goodness into Severity? But God hath promised that he will not turn away from you, (Ier. 32.40.) to do you good. But you who have a care to walk before God in sincerity and truth, you shall find all his ways Mercy and Truth. And this leads me to another Priviledge of yours.

(6.) The Promises are yours, exceeding great and precious Promises. You are the Children, and Heirs of the Promise. Promises are held forth to others; but they are also made over to you. To the Jews in some sence pertained the Covenants, and the Promises, Rom. 9.4. God had written those great things to them, and offered those great things to them, yet they not looking after the Condition p. 284required of them, it was in effect as if God had made no such promise. But you that can plead the Condition is performed, nothing can bar your right to the Promise? God will never plead a [Non est factum] against those who may plead the Condition is performed. As the Lord said to Abraham concerning the Land of Promise, Gen. 13. Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, Northward, and Southward, and Eastward, and Westward: For all the Land which thou seest, to thee will I give it. So I may say to you concerning the word of the Kingdom (as the Gospel is called, Mat. 13.19.) The word of Promise, look it through from the beginning to the end, search this good land that floweth with Milk and Honey, a Land of Brooks of Waters, of Fountains, of Depths, that spring out of the Rock Christ; where are both the Upper Springs, and the Neather Springs, Promises concerning this Life, and the Life to come; a Land of Vines, and Fig-trees, and Pomgranates; Dig into its Mines full of hid Treasure, more precious than Gold that perisheth, all is your own. The whole Land is before you, this Goshen, this Paradise, is given you, till you come to be Translated to the Heavenly Canaan. Your Joseph sends you these pleasant, and precious Fruits, to revive and chear your spirits, till you come to a fulness of joy in his presence, come to the sight and Fruition of Christ in Glory. Look up to Heaven, are you able to number the Stars of Heaven? Neither can you take the just sum of what the Lord hath promised you; They are called the deep things of God, 1 Cor. 2.10. Here are deep Mines, deep Mysteries, who shall lead us into these hid treasures, unknown to the VVorld? p. 285What need of the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation to enlighten our minds, that we may know what is the Hope of his Calling, and what the Riches of his glorious Grace?

O precious Promises indeed! promises of more Grace. To him that hath more shall be given, and he shall have in abundance, Mat. 25.29. God giveth more Grace to the humble, Jam. 4.6. Promises of perseverance in Grace, Jer. 32.40. John 4.14.

Again, there are Promises made to Grace, of which I could easily recite many: But after one hath used his utmost skill to open these Treasures, and to give you an Account, how much is contained in them, he must end with [an &c.] After all, he must acknowledge there is much more behind undiscovered, like that Path (Job 28.7.) which the Vultures eye hath not seen, as may allude to the Expression. It is quite beyond our Arithmitick to find out the Total of the Divine Promises. So its impossible that any true Believer should know how rich he is in the Promises. O! the Promises are a long Field indeed, and much hid Treasure in this Field; yea, an unknown Treasure.

(7.) Gods Ordinances are yours, especially intended for you, and blessed unto you. Ministers are yours, as 1 Cor. 3.22. Whether Paul or Apollo, or Cephas, all are yours, given to the Church, for the perfecting of the Saints, Ephes. 4.11, 12. To be helpers of your Faith and Joy. Ministers are Gods Stewards appointed to give you Meat in due season. Gods Servants to conduct you into the Presence Chamber of the great King. Ordinances they are the Chariots your Joseph sends to bring your souls nearer to him.

p. 286And O how amiable are his Tabernacles! O the pleasures of his House! O the sights of God, that you have sometimes in his Ordinances! Sights of his Power, sights of his glorious Grace. Have you not seen his Goodness pass before you? Have not his Footsteps dropped Fatness into your Souls? How oft that coming from the Word, or from Sacraments, you might have said as they, Luke 5.26. We have seen strange things to day. God manifesting himself to your souls, so as he does not to the World. All the Paths of the Lord are Mercy to his People, as we heard before, but in the Paths of his Ordinances, in the Walks of his Courtes, there they are wont to find his choisest Mercies: There especially the Lord commandeth the blessing. Blessed they are in the House, and in the Field, but more blessed in Gods House, more blessed in his holy Mountain. There is an Expression, Deut. 11.21. [As the days of Heaven upon the Earth,] i. e. (Quamdiu mundus durabit,) which I only allude to here. The days we spend with God in his Courts, are as the days of Heaven upon Earth. Blessed are they that dwell in thy House, they will be still praising thee, a day in thy Courts is better than a thousand else-where, Psal. 84. To enjoy God here, this is Heaven upon Earth. Is not this the Mount of Transfiguration? The Gate of Heaven? The Mount of Blessing? Is it not good to be here?

Well, you that have a special Interest in God, have a special right to the Ordinances of God; and may expect a special blessing on them, may look to enjoy God in them: Or if the Lord should see good to cut you short of Sanctuary-priviledges; yet you p. 287should still enjoy the God of Ordinances, he would be a little Sanctuary to you.

(8.) Gods Creatures are yours. As Jehoshaphat, [My People are as thy People, and my Horses as thy Horses.] When God is for you, what Creature of his can be against you?

Angels the best and noblest Creatures, are your Friends, Heb. 1.14. And full little do you think how many wayes they do Befriend you, how many ways they are Ministring, and helpful to you: True, there is no ground for the Invocating of Angels; but there is ground enough, why you should give thanks to God, for the Angels Ministring unto you.

Again, Devils and wicked men (the worst of Creatures) are your servants. Though it be quite besides their intention, sore against their will and Inclination. Though they intend evil against you, God will turn it to good.

So likewise other Creatures. The World is yours, 1 Cor. 3.22. The World is an appurtenance of your Inheritance, of that Estate which God by Covenant, and Deed of Gift hath settled on you, and confirmed to you. If Inferiour Creatures had a Tongue to speak, would they not say as Hushai, Whom the Lord shall chuse, his will I be? Or as the men of Benjamin, and Judah, We are thine David, we are on thy side. It is a burden and bondage to the Creatures, to serve those who are Enemies to their Maker. The Earth groaneth under such, and if God would but give the word, it would immediately open her Mouth, and swallow them up.

I do not deny but wicked men have a right to their Estates, and to the use of the Creatures. But the People of God have a better right than they.

p. 288That is certainly a mistake of some, that think all wicked men Ʋsurpers of the things they injoy. If they have a right before God: I ask (sayes one) by what Covenant. Is it by the Covenant of Works? Then they must fulfil it? Is it by the Covenant of Grace? But they are not within it, cannot claim by it. Answ. It is true, they fulfil neither Covenant, and therefore have not a right by Covenant. But their Enumeration here is not full enough: Dater tertium. These things may be passed over, and men may have a right to them, and not by Covenant, Deut. 25. I have given Mount Seir unto Esau for a possession, ver. 9. I have given Ar unto the Children of Lot for a possession, without any Indentures drawn betwixt God and them. By his Providence he determineth the Bounds of mens Habitations. He that giveth unto all men Life and Breath, giveth them Food and Raiment. Though wicked men shall be called to account for their Mercies, yet not as Thieves, or Ʋsurpers; but as ill-users or abusers of them, as unfaithful Stewards.

Wicked men therefore have a right to their Creature-comforts; but not so good a right as you. They have [a right by actual Collation, De presenti. (As Mr. Baxter somewhere) but not by promise, De futuro.] They have a right by common providence, you by Covenant, and Compact. They have a right as Servants to their daily Bread, you have the right of Sons. Not indeed that any deserve the least Mercy at Gods Hand, as the Labouring Servant is worthy of his Meat; but a Servant may take his Masters allowance, and hath a right to the Clothes his Master gives him; only he hath p. 289no assurance of being provided for by his Master still. The servant abideth not in the House for ever, but the Son abideth ever, John 8.35.

You that are earthly Parents, know how to give good things to your Children: And much more does your Heavenly Father, and he hath enough to give, The earth is the Lords, and the fulness thereof. Says the Father, Be a good Child, and while I have any thing, thou shalt not want. And so says God to you, You that fear me you shall never want any good thing; your Heavenly Father knoweth what is good for you, and hath promised, you shall never want, what is good for you. And how can you desire more? What? Would you have more than enough? when enough is more than all? Dimidium plus toto. Would you have more than is good? That were to wish evil to your selves.

(9.) Heaven is yours, if God be yours, his Kingdom your everlasting Home, and Inheritance, Luke 12.32. As he said, Son, thou art ever with me and all that I have is thine: So, if the Children of God, then Heirs of God; then you shall be ever with him, ever with the Lord, and Inherit that everlasting Kingdom, prepared by the Father, purchased by the Son for you. Of which Kingdom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered. Indeed as high the Heavens are above our Heads; so high above our understanding, and apprehension is the Glory and Felicity of Heaven. No greater difference betwixt the Throne, and the Footstool, nor so great indeed as betwixt the Kingdom of Heaven, and the most flourishing Kingdoms upon Earth. What is said of Mount Sion (the Type,) Psal. 48.2. Beautiful for Situation, the joy of the whole p. 290Earth is Mount Zion: The like may much more be said of Heaven; Beautiful for Situation, the Joy, yea, the Glory of the whole World. Here is the City of the great King. O the serenity of Heaven! no scorching heat, nor piercing cold there. Here is a glorious Kingdom indeed, above the Clouds, yea, above the Stars.

O the Lightsomeness of Heaven! no Night there. And no need of the Sun there, Rev. 22.5. O the pleasures of Heaven! Paradise was but an obscure Type, a dark shadow of it. No pricking Brier, or grieving Thorn there. In this Kingdom there is nothing to offend. No sorrow nor crying there. No pain there, no feeble person among the heavenly Tribes: There is health without sickness, and joy without sorrow, and pleasures without pain. There is hidden Mannah, and Rivers of pleasures, and never fading Crowns of Glory.

O the riches of that Kingdom, there are Treasures that fail not. Solomon made Silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, 1 Kings 10.27. But the new Jerusalem is described and represented, as if it were all Gold, and precious stones, Rev. 21.18, 19, 20. Many a poor man goes to Heaven, Iam. 2.5. Many poor in this world, yet rich in Faith, and Heirs of the Kingdom. But that Kingdom will for ever enrich all that come to it. There, and there only is the enduring substance. So now it is poor Dives, poor Dives, who is shut out of Heaven, but rich Lazarus. No poor to be seen in the streets of the New Jerusalem, no complaining in those streets.

O the peaceableness of that Kingdom! no Serpent in the Coelestial Paradise, no Cananite in that Land of Promise, neither the Alarm of War, nor p. 291the Voice of the Oppressor that shall ever be heard there. No hurting or destroying in that holy Mountain, no possibility of a Forreign Invasion. There is a great Gulf fixed, Luke 16.26. No fear of Intestine Divisions in that Kingdom. There Love shall be perfect. There Luther, and Calvin are agreed. There is the sweetest Harmony without the least jarring Discord. There the Faithful dwell at ease, and delight themselves in the abundance of Peace.

O the Stability and Permanency of this Kingdom! And this Crowns all the rest; it is an everlasting Kingdom: The New Jerusalem lieth four square, (it is a Kingdom that cannot be moved) the Length and the Breadth, and the Height of it are equal, Rev. 21.16. it is ever like it self. The Glory of Heaven shall never suffer the least Eclipse. O blessed state indeed, to be ever with the Lord!

But after all, I must tell you, we have but a very short sight of those things that are within the veil. Indeed did Believers fully apprehend the Riches of the Glory of that Inheritance reserved in Heaven for them, they would stand in need of more patience, to be willing to stay their time, God hath appointed them upon Earth, (though they should live in the most flourishing and prosperous Estate here;) than ever the Martyrs stood in need of, to endure the most grievous Tortures, and cruel Deaths.

Thus you have heard something of the First and grand Covenant promised [I will be your God] how wonderful comprehensive it is. It is as high as Heaven, What canst thou know? The Measure thereof is longer than the Earth, and broader than the Sea.

p. 292Again, the second is like unto it, scil. [Ye shall be my people,] Jer. 31.33.

It is true, sometimes this imports our Duty, and the Condition of the Covenant. And if we would have God for our God, we must be his people, we must give up our selves to Him, and account our selves no more our own. But to be his People, as well holds forth the exceeding great Priviledge, and Happiness of those, that indeed give up themselves to God, that come up to Covenant Terms. That God will own, and acknowledge them for his people indeed, and will carry it towards them as such, will remember them with the Favour that he beareth to his People.

His Professing people, who have given up their Names, but do not give up their hearts to him, yet have some priviledges above others, that are not called by his Name, much more that his willing, and Obedient people are priviledged. The Lord knoweth them that are his, (2 Tim. 2.19.) and will own them. And

1. This speaketh their freedom from other Lords. Those cruel Task-masters, and Tyrants; Sin, the World, and Satan. Gods owning them for his, will cut off others claims; Sin, the World, and Satan, can no more lay claim to you, if ye be the Lords.

As that eminent Saint, and Servant of God, Mr. Joseph Allein, (in his Life, p. 92.) did thus repel Satan in his last Conflict: Trouble me not (says he) for I am none of thine, I am the Lords: His by Covenant, I have sworn my self to be the Lords, and his I will be, therefore be gone. So if the Lord saith of thee, such a soul is mine, his p. 293Title (no doubt) will hold good against Satan, and all the World.

O what a comfortable thing it is, if indeed you are the Lords, then you are Redeemed unto him from among men. You are no longer Satans captives, no longer slaves to Sin, and the World; as it is Isa. 62.12. They shall call them the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord. And Isa. 43.1. Fear not, for I have redeemed thee,— thou are mine. You are his, as Redeemed by him; you are the Portion which he took out of the hand of Satan, with his Sword, and with his Bow, Deut. 4.34. Hath God assayed to go and take him a Nation from the midst of another Nation, by Temptations, by Signs, and Wonders, by a mighty Hand and stretched-out Arm, and by great Terrours, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt? O the exceeding Greatness of his Power to us-ward that Believe; delivering us from the power of Darkness, and Translating us into the Kingdom of his Dear Son.

2. This putteth an Honour, an Excellency upon any. Since thou wast precious in mine Eyes, thou hast been honourable: What a great Honour is it unto any, for the Great God to own them, as in near Relation unto Him? What she said of Solomons servants, is much more true of Gods servants, 1 Kings 10.8. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee. As there is no God like him, so no People in the World like his People, 1 Chron. 17.20, 21. Deut. 32.9. The Lords portion is his People. Exod. 19.5. A peculiar Treasure unto him, Mal. 3.17. His Jewels. Does not this commend them indeed, p. 294as the Excellent ones in the Earth, that God accounts so highly of them? Psal. 4.3. Know that the Lord hath set apart, him that is Godly for himself. Set apart, or, as some Translate it, Mirificavit; or Insignem vel eximium fecit. The difference God putteth betwixt his People, and others, the Godly and the Ungodly, is Notable and Wonderful, The wicked he will put away like Dross, but the Godly he esteemeth as his Jewels; these he accounteth his peculiar Treasure: He sets great store by them.

3. Gods peculiar People have his special Favour: And what happiness in this? The Psalmist desired no more, but that the Lord would remember him with the Favour that he beareth to his People, Psal. 106.4. The Lord taketh pleasure in his people, Psal. 149.4. These only have his Complacential Love. Those whom he calleth his People, at other times he calleth his Chosen, his Sons and Daughters, his Beloved; yea, the Apple of his Eye: Relation and Propriety is a potent Exciter of Love. The world that is full of Malice, yet loveth its own. And shall not God love his own? Yea, he loveth them with an everlasting Love.

4. For God to say of any, they are mine, it speaks Safety. He will have a care of his own. His Inheritance is Hedged, Fenced about with his special Providence. His People shall have his protection. A dangerous thing it is for men to meddle with them. What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, Isa. 3.15. Do ye know what ye do, Isa. 52.5, 6. What is here to do, That my people is taken away for nought. God will Judge and Plead for his People, Deut. 32.36. Isa. 51.22. Joel 3.2, p. 2954. You would not see your Children wronged. And will not God avenge his own Elect? He is very tender of the Apple of his Eye: And the Beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him, yea, the Foundation of God standeth sure; the Lord knoweth them that are his. And the very Gates of Hell shall not prevail against them.

5. His People are sure to be well provided for. Doth God take care for Oxen? Does he give the Beasts their Food, and will he not much more provide for them of his own Houshold? His Blessing is upon his People, Psal. 3.8. My people shall be satisfied with my Goodness, saith the Lord, Jer. 31.14. Yea, others must not see the Good he will do for them, they have Meat to eat that the World knows not of.

6. His People shall have his special presence, Ezek. 37.27. My Tabernacle shall be with them: Yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. So in other places, where the Lord promiseth to own any as his People; he doth further promise to dwell among them, and walk among them, Lev. 26.12. 2 Cor. 6.16. &c. Where should God dwell, but in the Lot of his own Inheritance?

7. When you hear of Gods Tabernacle being with them; you must not understand it, so, as if he were Flitting, or Removing from them again. No, The Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his Inheritance, Psal. 94.14. God hath not cast away his people whom he fore-knew, Rom. 11.2. He will not cast any of them away. He will not lose one of his Jewels. None shall pluck them out of his Hand. He will keep them safe, till he set them in a Crown of Glory.

p. 296And so lastly, They that are his indeed, it doth not yet appear what they shall be; but this is certain, they shall at …t appear with him in Glory. Yea, the Lord will be for ever glorified in them, as a Bridegroom adorneth himself with Ornaments, and as a Bride decketh her self with her Jewels. And what Glory that is, to be like the Angels of Light as to our souls; and to have our vile bodies made like unto Christs glorious Body, no Tongue can express. Solomon in all his glory, not like one of these. When Christ was Transfigured in the Mount his very Raiment was shining, exceeding white as snow: So as no Fuller on Earth can white them, Mark 9.8. His very Raiment received Light and Lustre from his Body. His Face shone as the Sun, Mat. 17.2. And if the appearance of Christ was so Glorious in that Mount, which was but a Landskip of Heaven; What a glorious Body hath he now in Heaven? Well? The bodies of the Saints are to be Fashioned like his glorious Body, never to change that Fashion more. O the Lustre that God will put upon his People, when the Righteous shall shine forth as the Sun, in the Kingdom of their Father, Mat. 13.43. And if the Body the earthly part of them, shall be so full of Splendor, How Glorious within, think we? Will not God polish the Jewel, when the Ring where it is set, is so Enamelled, when the Cabinet hath so rich work bestowed on it?

And now my Friends, consider of what hath been said, and shew your selves men. You have heard what the Lord requireth of you in the Covenant of Grace; nothing but what is your Indispensible Duty; nothing that you can deny, or be backward to, p. 297if you be not enemies to God, and your own souls, which should prevail with you, though there were nothing more to be said. But further you have also heard, what the Lord hath freely and graciously promised here, even all that you can desire to your salvation and endless Happiness; yea, even more than you can conceive of. Now what say ye? Will ye be the Lords? Will you now from this day forwards give up your selves to God in Christ, to be Ruled by him, and saved by him in his own Way? O that there were such an heart in you all! Sirs, what say you? Though I be the unworthiest of Gods Messengers, yet I come in his Name, and the Lord expects your answer. Ah, Sirs, Have you not Delayed, and Dallied with God too long already? Whosoever thou art that shall deny to consent to Gods Terms this day, for ought thou knowest, this is the last time of asking: The Lord may never offer thee so fair again: That if this day thou dost not hearken to his Voice, the things that belong unto thy peace, may be for ever hid from thine eyes. If now you will be the Lords, then he will be your God, and own you for his People indeed, Jer. 30.21, 22. But if otherwise, do not say, but you have been fairly offered: And how will you for ever repent it, and Rue your folly, that you did not take Gods offer? O madness indeed, that you should like it to have the Bramble reign over you, rather than come under the shadow of the Almighty! Do you not chuse sin, and the world, to your own Confusion? This know, God hath no need of you, he can be happy without you; though without him you are miserable to all Eternity.