fhould do, he was not difobedient to the heavenly vifion.- The faints indeed may often feem to wither in their fouls, by the omiffion of good works, or by falling into evil ones, as was the cafe with David, Peter, and others: yet life remains in them; as is manifeft by their being excited, and again revived to do their first works, thro' the quickening and renewing influences of the Holy Ghoft: Wherefore he faith, the just man falleth feven times, and rifeth up again; but the wicked shall fall into mischief*. The feed of God remains in the former, that they will not, yea cannot fin unto death: Wherefore he faith, I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, and they shall not depart from Thus they are secured, and kept on every fide from totally and finally falling away: GOD faith, that he will never caft them off; and he faith alfo, that they shall never depart from him. me. 6. GOD herein is alfo glorified in boliness; in that he regenerates and fanctifies us by the Spirit, thro' the redemption which is in Chrifi's blood.-And therefore alfo God's called are inclined, prepared, and ready unto every good work. Thus Prov. xxiv. 16. † John iii. 9.-Ibid. v. 18. Thus we have feen that whatsoever GoD doth in time, he decreed in eternity: And that his everlafting covenant in Chrift is well ordered in all things, and furet. He chofe his people in him before the foundation of the world; whom alfo in time he actually calls and faves with an holy calling: And this he doth in confequence of his own purpose, and grace which was given us in Chrift before the world was. Thus the mercy whereby he is merciful to our unrighteousness, and will remember our fins no more, not only reaches unto everlafting, but was alfo from everlasting. All our spiritual and faving benefits are of GOD fully prepared for us, and freely given to us in Chrift, who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, and was manifefted in thefe last times for you that have fled to Chrift for refuge. And as there was a promise of eternal life before the world began; which promise respected GOD's elect among men, who had then no actual being, and were incapable of receiving it for themfelves; the promife was made to another, in trust for them; that is, to their glorious Surety, and covenant Head, the Lord Chrift.And the promises which were afterwards made in time to the Church, E e 4 both + 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. + Pfal. ciii. 17. both to Abraham and his feed, thro' the righteoufrefs of faith, were all made to them in CHRIST, and took their rife from this eternal promife, which GOD, that cannot lie, had made to Chrift for us, before the world was; and hence his goings forth have been of old, even from everlasting.-Therefore Chrift himself, and eternal life in him, is the great promife of GOD to his Church, as Paul, in his fermon at Antioch, plainly fhews; We declare, faith he, unto you glad tidings, bow that the promise which God made unto the Fathers, be bath fulfilled the fame unto us their Children, in that he hath raifed up Jefus again: And Peter fpeaks to the very fame purpose; God, faith he, hath begotten us again unto a lively bope, by the refurrection of Jefus Chrift from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us‡.— -Thus it pleased the Father, that in him all fulness should dwell: For all the promises of God in Chrift are yea, and in him amen, unto the glory of God by us. LASTLY; I fhall conclude with an Application. 1. Art thou, Reader, a stranger to Chrift? Then thou art alfo ignorant of Gon and godliness: For Gop + Acts xii. 32, 33. 11 Pet, i. 3, 4, GOD hath revealed himself to be gracious; and promised pardon of fins, with the gift of righteousness; as also renewing and fanctifying grace, thro' the Holy Ghoft, with eternal life in JESUS CHRIST only. If then thou art seeking after these things, be fure that thou prefume not to come to God for them, but by the way of CHRIST crucified, the only Mediator between GoD and man: For thou canst receive no faving mercies, or bleffings from GOD, but what he hath promifed; and his promises are all in CHRIST: Wherefore he faith; no man cometh unto the Father but by me: But to the Christian, the way is clear and open; therefore he faith again, be that cometh unto me, shall never bunger; and whofo believeth on me, fhall never thirst.Therefore, 2. Dont make GOD a liar, by doubting of, or denying his fure promife of life in CHRIST, to all believers; which also he hath confirmed with an oath. Every one that with the heart believeth on him, shall certainly be faved; because God, that cannot lie, hath faid it-Learn then to distinguish betwixt a living, and a dead faith; a faith unfeigned, and that which is bypocritical; that thou mayst not be stumbled at the falling away of certain profeffors, nor charge GOD foolishly: For there is but one true faith, but there are many counterfeits; and 'tis no marvel that thefe, who have but the name, name, and not the thing itself; the shadow, and not 3. Beware of putting repentance and faith in the room of CHRIST, by making them meritorious conditions of thine acceptance, or works which thine own hands have wrought; but hearken to God's word, which declares and teftifies; that no man can come to Chrift, or truly repent, and believe on him, except it be given him of God. And this is not given to all men; but to those whom CHRIST has redeemed unto God by his blood, from among men: And the gifts and calling of God are without repentance ‡. 4. Remember, profeffor. and forget not, that God hath chofen his people in CHRIST unto falvation, thro' fanctification of the Spirit, and belief of *Ifa. xlvi. 10. + Ifa. xliii. 21. ↑ Rom. xi. 29. the |